{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- 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 -LRB- short subject -RRB- `` Freeheld '' `` La Corona -LRB- The Crown -RRB- '' `` Salim Baba '' `` Sari 's Mother '' Film Editing `` The Bourne Ultimatum '' `` The Diving Bell and the Butterfly '' `` Into the Wild '' `` No Country for Old Men '' `` There Will Be Blood '' Makeup `` La Vie en Rose '' `` Norbit '' `` Pirates of the Caribbean : At World 's End '' Animated Short Film `` I Met the Walrus '' `` Madame Tutli-Putli '' `` Meme Les Pigeons Vont au Paradis -LRB- Even Pigeons Go to Heaven -RRB- '' `` My Love -LRB- Moya Lyubov -RRB- '' `` Peter & the Wolf '' Live Action Short Film `` At Night '' `` Il Supplente -LRB- The Substitute -RRB- '' `` Le Mozart des Pickpockets -LRB- The Mozart of Pickpockets -RRB- '' `` Tanghi Argentini '' `` The Tonto Woman '' Visual Effects `` The Golden Compass '' `` Pirates of the Caribbean : At World 's End '' `` Transformers '' E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- 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 -LRB- seeds in bold -RRB- : 1-Serena Williams -LRB- USA -RRB- v Urszula Radwanska -LRB- Pol -RRB- Petra Kvitova -LRB- Cze -RRB- v Jill Craybas -LRB- USA -RRB- Qualifier v Andrea Petkovic -LRB- Ger -RRB- Ayumi Morita -LRB- Jpn -RRB- v 32-Carla Suarez-Navarro -LRB- Spa -RRB- 21-Sabine Lisicki -LRB- Ger -RRB- v Petra Martic -LRB- Cro -RRB- Varvara Lepchenko -LRB- USA -RRB- v Alberta Brianti -LRB- Ita -RRB- Kristina Barrois -LRB- Ger -RRB- v Akgul Amanmuradova -LRB- Uzb -RRB- Qualifier v Samantha Stosur -LRB- Aus -RRB- -LRB- 13 -RRB- 9-Vera Zvonareva -LRB- Rus -RRB- v Kristina Kucova -LRB- Svk -RRB- Kai Chen Chang -LRB- Tpe -RRB- v Iveta Benesova -LRB- Cze -RRB- Qualifier v Gisela Dulko -LRB- Arg -RRB- Qualifier v 20-Ana Ivanovic -LRB- Ser -RRB- 28-Elena Vesnina -LRB- Rus -RRB- v Tathiana Garbin -LRB- Ita -RRB- Kimiko Date Krumm -LRB- Jpn -RRB- v Yaroslava Shvedova -LRB- Kaz -RRB- Stefanie Voegele -LRB- Swi -RRB- v Melinda Czink -LRB- Hun -RRB- Stephanie Cohen Aloro -LRB- Fra -RRB- v 7-Victoria Azarenka -LRB- Blr -RRB- 4-Caroline Wozniacki -LRB- Den -RRB- v Aleksandra Wozniak -LRB- Can -RRB- Tamira Paszek -LRB- Aut -RRB- v Julia Goerges -LRB- Ger -RRB- Galina Voskoboeva -LRB- Kaz -RRB- v Tsvetana Pironkova -LRB- Bul -RRB- Lucie Hradecka -LRB- Cze -RRB- v 29-Shahar Peer -LRB- Isr -RRB- 22-Daniela Hantuchova -LRB- Svk -RRB- v Viktoriya Kutuzova -LRB- Ukr -RRB- Jarmila Groth -LRB- Svk -RRB- v Qualifier Stephanie Dubois -LRB- Can -RRB- v Agnes Szavay -LRB- Hun -RRB- Marina Erakovic -LRB- Nzl -RRB- v 16-Na Li -LRB- Chn -RRB- 10-Agnieszka Radwanska -LRB- Pol -RRB- v Tatjana Malek -LRB- Ger -RRB- Melanie Oudin -LRB- USA -RRB- v Alla Kudryavtseva -LRB- Rus -RRB- Julie Coin -LRB- Fra -RRB- v Alicia Molik -LRB- Aus -RRB- Alize Cornet -LRB- Fra -RRB- v 17-Francesca Schiavone -LRB- Ita -RRB- 25-Anabel Medina Garrigues -LRB- Spa -RRB- v Karolina Sprem -LRB- Cro -RRB- Anastasiya Yakimova -LRB- Blr -RRB- v Casey Dellacqua -LRB- Aus -RRB- Arantxa Parra Santonja -LRB- Spa -RRB- v Sybille Bammer -LRB- Aut -RRB- Lucie Safarova -LRB- Cze -RRB- v 6-Venus Williams -LRB- USA -RRB- 5-Elena Dementieva -LRB- Rus -RRB- v Vera Dushevina -LRB- Rus -RRB- Kirsten Flipkens -LRB- Bel -RRB- v Justine Henin -LRB- Bel -RRB- Sorana-Mihaela Cirstea -LRB- Rom -RRB- v Olivia Rogowska -LRB- Aus -RRB- Jelena Dokic -LRB- Aus -RRB- v 27-Alisa Kleybanova -LRB- Rus -RRB- 18-Virginie Razzano -LRB- Fra -RRB- v Ekaterina Makarova -LRB- Rus -RRB- Klara Zakopalova -LRB- Cze -RRB- v Sara Errani -LRB- Ita -RRB- Qualifier v Alexandra Dulgheru -LRB- Rom -RRB- Anna Chakvetadze -LRB- Rus -RRB- v 12-Flavia Pennetta -LRB- Ita -RRB- 15-Kim Clijsters -LRB- Bel -RRB- v Qualifier Sesil Karatantcheva -LRB- Kaz -RRB- v Tamarine Tanasugarn -LRB- Tha -RRB- Yung-Jan Chan -LRB- Tpe -RRB- v Kaia Kanepi -LRB- Est -RRB- Edina Gallovits -LRB- Rom -RRB- v 19-Nadia Petrova -LRB- Rus -RRB- 26-Aravane Rezai -LRB- Fra -RRB- v Sania Mirza -LRB- Ind -RRB- Olga Govortsova -LRB- Blr -RRB- v Qualifier Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova -LRB- Rus -RRB- v Anastasija Sevastova -LRB- Lat -RRB- Anastasia Rodionova -LRB- Rus -RRB- v 3-Svetlana Kuznetsova -LRB- Rus -RRB- 8-Jelena Jankovic -LRB- Ser -RRB- v Monica Niculescu -LRB- Rom -RRB- Patricia Mayr -LRB- Aut -RRB- v Katie O'Brien -LRB- GB -RRB- Qualifier v Polona Hercog -LRB- Slo -RRB- Qualifier v 31-Alona Bondarenko -LRB- Ukr -RRB- 24-Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez -LRB- Spa -RRB- v Evgeniya Rodina -LRB- Rus -RRB- Jie Zheng -LRB- Chn -RRB- v Shuai Peng -LRB- Chn -RRB- Coco Vandeweghe -LRB- USA -RRB- v Sandra Zahlavova -LRB- Cze -RRB- Rossana De los Rios -LRB- Par -RRB- v 11-Marion Bartoli -LRB- Fra -RRB- 14-Maria Sharapova -LRB- Rus -RRB- v Maria Kirilenko -LRB- Rus -RRB- Qualifier v Timea Bacsinszky -LRB- Swi -RRB- Anna-Lena Groenefeld -LRB- Ger -RRB- v Roberta Vinci -LRB- Ita -RRB- Vania King -LRB- USA -RRB- v 23-Dominika Cibulkova -LRB- Svk -RRB- 30-Kateryna Bondarenko -LRB- Ukr -RRB- v Ioana Raluca Olaru -LRB- Rom -RRB- Pauline Parmentier -LRB- Fra -RRB- v Elena Baltacha -LRB- GB -RRB- Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova -LRB- Cze -RRB- v Qualifier Magdalena Rybarikova -LRB- Svk -RRB- v Dinara Safina -LRB- Rus -RRB- -LRB- 2 -RRB-","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Friends and colleagues of Apple founder Steve Jobs sent their condolences Wednesday after his death at the age of 56 . On its homepage , Google carried a small notation , `` Steve Jobs , 1955-2011 . '' Clicking on Jobs ' name took users to the Apple website and its tribute to Jobs . U.S. House Leader Eric Cantor , R-Virginia : `` There is not a day that goes by , and often not an hour , that a Steve Jobs invention does not better my family 's life . Thank you Steve . '' U.S. Rep. John Boehner , R-Ohio : `` Steve Jobs changed the world for the better -LRB- with -RRB- his innovations & genius . R.I.P. '' San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee : `` Steve Jobs was a giant in the world of technology and established the Bay Area as a global center for innovation . He has inspired and changed the Bay Area and the world forever . Steve Jobs was born in San Francisco and his values were reflected in his generous support for results-driven education reform , 21st century philanthropy and bridging the digital divide for our diverse communities . Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Laurene , his family and friends . '' New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg : `` Tonight , America lost a genius who will be remembered with Edison and Einstein , and whose ideas will shape the world for generations to come . Again and again over the last four decades , Steve Jobs saw the future and brought it to life long before most people could even see the horizon . And Steve 's passionate belief in the power of technology to transform the way we live brought us more than smart phones and iPads : it brought knowledge and power that is reshaping the face of civilization . In New York City 's government , everyone from street construction inspectors to NYPD detectives have harnessed Apple 's products to do their jobs more efficiently and intuitively . Tonight our city -- a city that has always had such respect and admiration for creative genius -- joins with people around the planet in remembering a great man and keeping Laurene and the rest of the Jobs family in our thoughts and prayers . '' California Attorney General Kamala Harris : `` California has lost a great leader with the passing of Steve Jobs . His character , intelligence , and creativity changed how the world works and how the world imagines itself . We are forever grateful and inspired by the gift he has given us . I send my thoughts and sympathies to Laurene and the entire Jobs family . '' Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney : `` Steve Jobs is an inspiration to American entrepreneurs . He will be missed . '' John Lasseter , chief creative officer , and Ed Catmull , president , Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios `` Steve Jobs was an extraordinary visionary , our very dear friend and the guiding light of the Pixar family . He saw the potential of what Pixar could be before the rest of us , and beyond what anyone ever imagined . Steve took a chance on us and believed in our crazy dream of making computer animated films ; the one thing he always said was to simply ` make it great . ' He is why Pixar turned out the way we did and his strength , integrity and love of life has made us all better people . He will forever be a part of Pixar 's DNA . Our hearts go out to his wife Laurene and their children during this incredibly difficult time . '' Meg Whitman , president and chief executive of Hewlett-Packard : `` Steve Jobs was an iconic entrepreneur and businessman whose impact on technology was felt beyond Silicon Valley . He will be remembered for the innovation he brought to market and the inspiration he brought to the world . '' Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt : `` Today is very sad for all of us . Steve defined a generation of style and technology that 's unlikely to be matched again . Steve was so charismatically brilliant that he inspired people to do the impossible , and he will be remembered as the greatest computer innovator in history . '' Google co-founder Sergey Brin : `` From the earliest days of Google , whenever Larry and I sought inspiration for vision and leadership , we needed to look no farther than Cupertino . Steve , your passion for excellence is felt by anyone who has ever touched an Apple product -LRB- including the MacBook I am writing this on right now -RRB- . And I have witnessed it in person the few times we have met . On behalf of all of us at Google and more broadly in technology , you will be missed very much . My condolences to family , friends , and colleagues at Apple . '' U.S. President Barack Obama : `` Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs . Steve was among the greatest of American innovators -- brave enough to think differently , bold enough to believe he could change the world , and talented enough to do it . By building one of the planet 's most successful companies from his garage , he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity . By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets , he made the information revolution not only accessible , but intuitive and fun . And by turning his talents to storytelling , he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike . Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last . Because he did , he transformed our lives , redefined entire industries , and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history : he changed the way each of us sees the world . The world has lost a visionary . And there may be no greater tribute to Steve 's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented . Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve 's wife Laurene , his family , and all those who loved him . '' YouTube founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen : `` It was an honor to have worked with Steve Jobs . He will forever remain an inspiration . He will be sorely missed , and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family . '' G.S. Choi , chief executive of Samsung Electronics : `` Samsung Electronics is saddened to hear of Chairman Steve Jobs ' passing and would like to extend our deepest condolences . Chairman Steve Jobs introduced numerous revolutionary changes to the information technology industry and was a great entrepreneur . His innovative spirit and remarkable accomplishments will forever be remembered by people around the world . We would like to again express our sincerest condolences to Mr. Jobs ' family and his colleagues . '' Google co-founder Larry Page : `` I am very , very sad to hear the news about Steve . He was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance . He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it . His focus on the user experience above all else has always been an inspiration to me . He was very kind to reach out to me as I became CEO of Google and spend time offering his advice and knowledge even though he was not at all well . My thoughts and Google 's are with his family and the whole Apple family . '' Mark Zuckerberg , founder and chief executive , Facebook : `` Steve , thank you for being a mentor and a friend . Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world . I will miss you . '' U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi , D-California : `` Steve Jobs was a visionary who changed the way we live , an innovator whose products brought joy to millions , a risk-taker who was n't afraid to challenge the status quo , and an entrepreneur who led one of the most creative companies of our time . His sage advice was respected by policymakers on both sides of the aisle . His courageous fight against cancer brought strength to many . I hope it is a comfort to those who loved him , especially his family , that so many grieve his loss and are praying for them at this sad time . '' Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates : `` I 'm truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs ' death . Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends , and to everyone Steve has touched through his work . Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago , and have been colleagues , competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives . The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had , the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come . For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him , it 's been an insanely great honor . I will miss Steve immensely . '' Robert Iger , president and chief executive , The Walt Disney Company : `` Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor . His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built . It will be the millions of people he inspired , the lives he changed , and the culture he defined . Steve was such an ` original , ' with a thoroughly creative , imaginative mind that defined an era . Despite all he accomplished , it feels like he was just getting started . With his passing the world has lost a rare original , Disney has lost a member of our family , and I have lost a great friend . Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Laurene and his children during this difficult time . '' California Governor Jerry Brown : `` Steve Jobs was a great California innovator who demonstrated what a totally independent and creative mind can accomplish . Few people have made such a powerful and elegant imprint on our lives . Anne and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to Steve 's wife , Laurene , and their entire family . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"Editor 's note : CNN.com has a business partnership with CareerBuilder.com , which serves as the exclusive provider of job listings and services to CNN.com . If you 've rewritten that r\u00e9sum\u00e9 several times and sent out dozens of applications but your job search still shows no promise , you might not be the problem . One frequently overlooked but critical factor in finding a new job is your state 's unemployment rate . You can have the experience and skills of an employer 's dream , but they wo n't do you any good if there just are n't enough jobs available . The unemployment rate is the percentage of job seekers in the work force who are still looking for work . The higher the percentage , the more difficult it is to find a job . The national unemployment rate is 5 percent , based on the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics -LRB- BLS -RRB- . If you 're looking for a job , you should see how your state compares to the rest of the country . Here are the 10 worst states to find work ranked by their unemployment rates . 1 . Michigan Unemployment rate : 7.6 percent Population : 10,071,822 Mean annual wage : $ 41,230 Top industry : Trade , transportation and utilities -LRB- 18.4 percent -RRB- *** 2 . Mississippi Unemployment rate : 6.8 percent Population : 2,918,785 Mean annual wage : $ 30,460 Top industry : Government -LRB- 21.2 percent -RRB- 3 . South Carolina Unemployment rate : 6.6 percent Population : 4,407,709 Mean annual wage : $ 33,400 Top industry : Trade , transportation and utilities -LRB- 19.4 percent -RRB- 4 . Alaska Unemployment rate : 6.5 percent Population : 683,478 Mean annual wage : $ 43,920 Top industry : Government -LRB- 25.9 percent -RRB- 5 . California Unemployment rate : 6.1 percent Population : 36,553,215 Mean annual wage : $ 44,180 Top industry : Trade , transportation and utilities -LRB- 18.9 percent -RRB- 6 . District of Columbia Unemployment rate : 6.1 percent Population : 588,292 Mean annual wage : $ 61,500 Top industry : Government -LRB- 33.3 percent -RRB- 7 . Ohio Unemployment rate : 6 percent Population : 11,466,917 Mean annual wage : $ 37,360 Top industry : Trade , transportation and utilities -LRB- 19.3 percent -RRB- 8 . Arkansas Unemployment rate : 5.9 percent Population : 2,834,797 Mean annual wage : $ 30,870 Top industry : Trade , transportation and utilities -LRB- 20.6 percent -RRB- 9 . Nevada Unemployment rate : 5.8 percent Population : 2,565,382 Mean annual wage : $ 36,000 Top industry : Leisure and hospitality -LRB- 26.5 percent -RRB- 10 . Kentucky Unemployment rate : 5.7 percent Population : 4,241,474 Mean annual wage : $ 33,490 Top industry : Trade , transportation and utilities -LRB- 20.4 percent -RRB- * Unemployment rates , mean annual wages and industry percentages obtained from BLS in January 2008 . Percentages based on nonfarm payrolls , seasonally adjusted . ** Population figures based on U.S. Census Bureau data . *** Top industries are those that employ the largest percentage of a state 's labor force . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN Student News -RRB- -- On November 11 , Americans pay tribute to everyone who has served in the U.S. military . But why was this particular date chosen , and how does this holiday differ from Memorial Day ? Origins of Veterans Day World War I , also known as `` The Great War , '' was fought from 1914 to 1918 . During this conflict , Great Britain , France , Russia , Belgium , Italy , Japan , the United States and other countries , which formed the `` Allies , '' defeated the so-called `` Central Powers , '' which included Germany , Austria-Hungary , Turkey -LRB- then the Ottoman Empire -RRB- and Bulgaria . On the `` eleventh hour , of the eleventh day , of the eleventh month '' of 1918 , German leaders signed an armistice , or a halt to hostilities , with the Allied powers . On that date , November 11 , celebrations were held in New York City , Paris , London and in other cities around the globe . The following year , President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 as `` Armistice Day , '' a day to observe the end of World War I. On June 4 , 1926 , the U.S. Congress passed a resolution asking President Calvin Coolidge to call upon officials to `` display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches , or other suitable places , with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples . '' Twelve years later , on May 13 , 1938 , Congress passed an Act making the 11th of November Armistice Day , a federal holiday . Initially , Armistice Day was supposed to honor veterans of World War I . But after the call to arms and human sacrifices during World War II and the Korean conflict , veterans ' groups urged Congress to consider a day to celebrate U.S. veterans of all wars . On June 1 , 1954 , President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day . Difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day Veterans Day in the United States is a day to honor all Americans who have served in the U.S. military , both during wartime and in peace . Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring Americans who have died serving the nation , especially those who died in battle or from wounds received during armed conflicts . On Veterans Day , Americans thank the living veterans for their service to the country and recognize all who have served the country . Veterans Day Proclamation The following is the text of President George W. Bush 's 2008 Veterans Day Proclamation : On Veterans Day , we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the men and women who in defense of our freedom have bravely worn the uniform of the United States . From the fields and forests of war-torn Europe to the jungles of Southeast Asia , from the deserts of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan , brave patriots have protected our Nation 's ideals , rescued millions from tyranny , and helped spread freedom around the globe . America 's veterans answered the call when asked to protect our Nation from some of the most brutal and ruthless tyrants , terrorists , and militaries the world has ever known . They stood tall in the face of grave danger and enabled our Nation to become the greatest force for freedom in human history . Members of the Army , Navy , Air Force , Marines , and Coast Guard have answered a high calling to serve and have helped secure America at every turn . Our country is forever indebted to our veterans for their quiet courage and exemplary service . We also remember and honor those who laid down their lives in freedom 's defense . These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit . On Veterans Day , we remember these heroes for their valor , their loyalty , and their dedication . Their selfless sacrifices continue to inspire us today as we work to advance peace and extend freedom around the world . With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service members have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world , the Congress has provided -LRB- 5 U.S.C. 6103 -LRB- a -RRB- -RRB- that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor America 's veterans . NOW , THEREFORE , I , GEORGE W. BUSH , President of the United States of America , do hereby proclaim November 11 , 2008 , as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 9 through November 15 , 2008 , as National Veterans Awareness Week . I encourage all Americans to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers . I call upon Federal , State , and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities . I invite civic and fraternal organizations , places of worship , schools , businesses , unions , and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs . IN WITNESS WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October , in the year of our Lord two thousand eight , and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third . GEORGE W. BUSH Sources : U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs , Veterans Day , 2008 : A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America","question":""}
{"answer":"CABO SAN LUCAS , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- After making landfall on Mexico 's Baja California peninsula , Category 1 Hurricane Jimena was weakening Wednesday night , forecasters said . After making landfall on Baja California , Hurricane Jimena started weakening Wednesday night . The storm made landfall Wednesday afternoon between Puerto San Andresito and San Juanico , Mexico , the National Hurricane Center said . As of 8 p.m. ET , the center of Jimena was located near San Buenaventura , Mexico , and about 40 miles -LRB- 64 kilometers -RRB- south of Santa Rosalia , Mexico . It was moving north at near 12 mph -LRB- 19 kph -RRB- , and was expected to turn northwest and slow Wednesday night before turning west on Thursday . `` On the forecast track , the center of Jimena will move over the central Baja California peninsula tonight and Thursday , then move into the Pacific west of Baja California late Thursday or Thursday night , '' the Hurricane Center said . See the storm 's projected path '' The storm 's maximum sustained winds had decreased slightly , to 80 mph -LRB- 129 kph -RRB- with higher gusts , the hurricane center said . Jimena is expected to weaken into a tropical storm Wednesday night , forecasters said . At its peak Tuesday , Jimena was a Category 4 storm , with winds of 145 mph -LRB- 233 kph -RRB- . A hurricane warning remained in effect for parts of the Baja peninsula , from Bahia Magdalena north to Punta Abreojos on the west coast , and from San Evaristo north to Mulege on the east coast , the Hurricane Center said . A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions , including winds of at least 74 mph -LRB- 119 kph -RRB- , are expected within 24 hours . A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch were in effect for the Baja California peninsula north of Punta Abreojos to Punta Eugenia on the west coast , and north of Mulege to Bahia San Juan Bautista on the east coast . A tropical storm warning was in effect for the peninsula north of Punta Eugenia to San Jose de las Palomas on the west coast , and north of Bahia San Juan Bautista to Bahia de los Angeles on the east coast . A tropical storm warning also was issued for northwestern mainland Mexico , from Huatabampito to Bahia Kino , the Hurricane Center said . A tropical storm warning means conditions including winds of at least 39 mph -LRB- 63 kph -RRB- are expected within 24 hours . Jimena is expected to produce between 5 and 10 inches of rain over the southern half of the peninsula , with 15 inches possible on some areas . `` These rains could produce life-threatening floods and mudslides , '' the Hurricane Center said . In addition , `` a dangerous storm surge along with large and dangerous battering waves will produce significant coastal flooding along the Baja California peninsula , '' forecasters said . CNN 's Betty Nguyen , Matt Cherry and Ninette Sosa contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Spanish giants Real Madrid have retained their position as the richest football club in the world -- according to an annual survey issued by accountancy firm Deloitte . Spanish champions Real Madrid remain the richest football club in the world . English and European champions Manchester United and Spanish league leaders Barcelona remain in second and third places respectively in the latest `` Football Money League '' report on the world 's 20 biggest clubs ranked by revenue . Despite their lofty position in the list , United , along with the rest of the English Premier League clubs have been affected by sterling 's recent fall in the money markets . `` If the exchange rate value of the pound had not depreciated , there would have been nine , rather than seven English clubs in the top 20 and Manchester United would have topped the Money League ahead of Real Madrid , '' Dan Jones , partner in the Sports business group at Deloitte , told Reuters.com . The impact of the current economic downturn on club revenues was not measured in the report from the 2007-2008 football season . Fenerbahce became the first Turkish club to feature in the list , while German champions Bayern Munich climbed three places to fourth , reaching the top five for the first time in five years . Scottish champions Celtic , Spanish side Valencia and German club Werder Bremen all dropped out of the list which is comprised solely of clubs from Europe . World 's wealthiest football clubs by revenue : 1 . Real Madrid -LRB- Spain -RRB- 365.8 m euros 2 . Manchester United -LRB- England -RRB- 324.8 m 3 . Barcelona -LRB- Spain -RRB- 308.8 m 4 . Bayern Munich -LRB- Germany -RRB- 295.3 m 5 . Chelsea -LRB- England -RRB- 268.9 m 6 . Arsenal -LRB- England -RRB- 264.4 m 7 . Liverpool -LRB- England -RRB- 210.9 m 8 . AC Milan -LRB- Italy -RRB- 209.5 m 9 . Roma -LRB- Italy -RRB- 175.4 m 10 . Inter Milan -LRB- Italy -RRB- 172.9 m 11 . Juventus -LRB- Italy -RRB- 167.5 m 12 . Lyon -LRB- France -RRB- 155.7 m 13 . Schalke -LRB- Germany -RRB- 148.4 m 14 . Tottenham -LRB- England -RRB- 145m 15 . Hamburg -LRB- Germany -RRB- 127.9 m 16 . Marseille -LRB- France -RRB- 126.8 m 17 . Newcastle -LRB- England -RRB- 125.6 m 18 . Stuttgart -LRB- Germany -RRB- 111.5 m 19 . Fenerbahce -LRB- Turkey -RRB- 111.3 m 20 . Manchester City -LRB- England -RRB- 104m","question":""}
{"answer":"MIAMI , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Forecasters issued a tropical storm warning Thursday for the Atlantic island of Bermuda as Category 3 Hurricane Bill neared . Hurricane Bill 's projected path shows it moving north toward New England and then Canada . The warning from the National Hurricane Center means tropical storm conditions , including winds of at least 39 mph -LRB- 63 kph -RRB- , are expected on the island within 24 hours . A hurricane watch was also in effect , meaning hurricane conditions , including winds of at least 74 mph -LRB- 119 kph -RRB- , are possible within 36 hours . As of 11 p.m. ET Thursday , Bill 's center was about 510 miles -LRB- 825 kilometers -RRB- south of Bermuda , and about 975 miles -LRB- 1,570 kilometers -RRB- southeast of Cape Hatteras , North Carolina , the hurricane center said . The storm was moving northwest at near 18 mph -LRB- 30 kph -RRB- , and is expected to continue that motion overnight , with a gradual turn to the north-northwest on Friday followed by a turn toward the north on Saturday . `` The core of the hurricane is expected to pass between Bermuda and the east coast of the United States on Saturday , '' forecasters said . See Bill 's projected path '' However , Bill is considered a large hurricane , with hurricane-force winds extending out 115 miles -LRB- 185 kilometers -RRB- from the center and tropical storm-force winds extending out 260 miles -LRB- 418 kilometers -RRB- , so Bermuda is likely to feel its effects as it brushes by . Bill 's maximum sustained winds had increased slightly to 125 mph -LRB- 205 kph -RRB- , with higher gusts , the hurricane center said . It was downgraded to a Category 3 storm from Category 4 status early Thursday , after its top sustained winds slipped below 131 mph -LRB- 211 kph -RRB- . Fluctuations in intensity are likely over the next 12 to 24 hours , however , and Bill could regain Category 4 strength Friday , forecasters said . Large swells generated by Bill were affecting the northern Leeward Islands on Thursday , along with Puerto Rico and the island of Hispaniola , shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic . The East Coast of the United States should start seeing large swells during the next few days , along with the Bahamas , Bermuda and the eastern coast of Canada , the hurricane center said . `` These swells will cause extremely dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents . '' Bill is forecast to diminish into a Category 1 hurricane by Sunday evening , when it could make landfall near Nova Scotia or Newfoundland , Canada .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- AOL Autos -RRB- -- Small cars continue to be hot sellers among buyers looking for fuel economy , style and all-around fun . See which cars are the winners in this list of best-selling small cars . The Honda Civic is popular for its fuel efficiency and affordability . 1 . Honda Civic * August 2008 Sales : 30,052 Change vs. Previous Year : 5.3 % MSRP : $ 15,205 - $ 20,755 Invoice : $ 14,021 - $ 19,111 Fuel Economy : 34 mpg Hwy\/26 mpg City The Honda Civic is one of the most reliable and popular economy compact sedans\/coupes in its class . For years it has set the quality and performance standard for the affordable , compact car market . * Includes Hybrid Model AOL Autos : Honda Civic 2 . Toyota Corolla * August 2008 Sales : 29,443 Change vs. Previous Year : -3.4 % MSRP : $ 15,350 - $ 18,860 Invoice : $ 14,198 - $ 17,067 Fuel Economy : 35 mpg Hwy\/26 mpg City The new Toyota Corolla is among the best of the compact sedans : reliable and economical yet refined and comfortable . * Includes Toyota Matrix AOL Autos : Toyota Corolla 3 . Ford Focus August 2008 Sales : 16,387 Change vs. Previous Year : 23.4 % MSRP : $ 14,995 - $ 17,970 Invoice : $ 14,091 - $ 16,648 Fuel Economy : 35 mpg Hwy\/24 mpg City Small , economical , and fun , the 2009 Ford Focus is a smart choice for those looking for a compact car . AOL Autos : Ford Focus 4 . Chevrolet Cobalt August 2008 Sales : 15,281 Change vs. Previous Year : -26.6 % MSRP : $ 15,010 - $ 22,775 Invoice : $ 14,184 - $ 21,522 Fuel Economy : 37 mpg Hwy\/25 mpg City The Chevy Cobalt is available as either a two-door coupe or a four-door sedan , each available in three trims : the LS , the LT and the SS Turbocharged . AOL Autos : Chevy Cobalt 5 . Mazda3 * August 2008 Sales : 10,970 Change vs. Previous Year : 4.4 % MSRP : $ 14,490 - $ 20,595 Invoice : $ 13,590 - $ 19,283 Fuel Economy : 32 mpg Hwy\/24 mpg City The Mazda3 is a premium compact car , exciting to drive and look at , and equipped with unexpected luxury features , all at a reasonable price . * Includes MazdaSpeed3 AOL Autos : Mazda3 6 . Hyundai Elantra August 2008 Sales : 10,031 Change vs. Previous Year : 13.8 % MSRP : $ 13,970 - $ 16,670 Invoice : $ 13,592 - $ 16,004 Fuel Economy : 33 mpg Hwy\/24 mpg City The Elantra is an economic compact car with handsome styling and nice lines . It 's renowned in two areas , interior space and standard safety equipment . 7 . Toyota Yaris August 2008 Sales : 9,474 Change vs. Previous Year : 20.5 % MSRP : $ 12,205 - $ 15,125 Invoice : $ 11,473 - $ 14,217 Fuel Economy : 36 mpg Hwy\/29 mpg City The Yaris manages to combine a well-tailored , roomy interior with agile performance and a fuel efficient engine in an entry-level car . 8 . Nissan Sentra August 2008 Sales : 9,207 Change vs. Previous Year : 1.4 % MSRP : $ 16,140 - $ 20,570 Invoice : $ 15,275 - $ 19,181 Fuel Economy : 33 mpg Hwy\/25 mpg City The Sentra front-wheel drive 4-door sedan is a practical , roomy and economical car with several trims available to suit a person 's needs . 9 . Nissan Versa August 2008 Sales : 8,015 Change vs. Previous Year : -5.2 % MSRP : $ 12,990 - $ 16,210 Invoice : $ 12,539 - $ 15,634 Fuel Economy : 31 mpg Hwy\/26 mpg City The Versa is Nissan 's entry-level car with the intention of attracting economy-minded buyers with its mileage , price and larger size than most other vehicles in its class . 10 . Hyundai Accent August 2008 Sales : 6,455 Change vs. Previous Year : 73 % MSRP : $ 11,070 - $ 15,070 Invoice : $ 10,822 - $ 14,642 Fuel Economy : 33 mpg Hwy\/27 mpg City The Hyundai Accent sedan and hatchback are exceptional economy cars that offer attractive looks and outstanding value in a price-sensitive market segment . Best-selling small cars is based on August national sales data","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CareerBuilder.com -RRB- -- Baby boomers , those born between 1946 and 1964 , are nearing retirement age . The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are 78.2 million boomers , and that every hour , 330 of them turn 60 . That means an entire generation of workers might leave the work force in the coming years . But they might not . Many baby boomers are choosing to postpone retirement and stay at their current jobs or find new ones . Some ca n't afford to retire , but many want to explore new avenues . After decades of working in jobs that paid the bills but did n't fulfill them , they 're moving to different industries . For their book `` 225 Best Jobs for Baby Boomers , '' authors Michael Farr and Laurence Shatkin decided to comb through data to discover what the best jobs are for baby boomers . They looked at salaries , projected job growth and the number of openings to calculate which jobs have the most promise . Farr and Shatkin break down their findings in more than 70 lists , ranging from the best-paying jobs to the best jobs for boomers age 45-54 . Whatever your criteria are , Farr and Shatkin have the job for you . Below you 'll find the list for the 25 overall best jobs for all baby boomers : 1 . Management analysts What they make * : $ 67,005 Projected annual openings ** : 78,000 2 . Teachers , post-secondary What they make : $ 68,456 Projected annual openings : 216,000 3 . Logisticians What they make : $ 44,563 Projected annual openings : 162,000 4 . General and operations managers What they make : $ 93,594 Projected annual openings : 260,000 5 . Registered nurses What they make : $ 66,427 Projected annual openings : 215,000 6 . Anesthesiologists What they make : $ 310,132 Projected annual openings : 38,000 7 . General internists What they make : $ 351,307 Projected annual openings : 38,000 8 . Obstetricians and gynecologists What they make : $ 285,254 Projected annual openings : 38,000 9 . Family and general practitioners What they make : $ 198,221 Projected annual openings : 38,000 10 . Psychiatrists What they make : $ 191,080 Project annual openings : 38,000 11 . Surgeons What they make : $ 322,281 Projected annual openings : 38,000 12 . General pediatricians What they make : $ 181,764 Projected annual openings : 38,000 13 . Medical and health services managers What they make : $ 94,269 Projected annual openings : 33,000 14 . Financial managers , branch or department What they make : $ 101,963 Projected annual openings : 71,000 15 . Treasurers , controllers and chief financial officers What they make : $ 172,946 - $ 240,588 Projected annual openings : 71,000 16 . Chief executives What they make : $ 382,705 Projected annual openings : 63,000 17 . Government service executives What they make : $ 167,766 Projected annual openings : 63,000 18 . Private sector executives What they make : $ 169,570 Projected annual openings : 63,000 19 . Pharmacists What they make : $ 108,499 Projected annual openings : 23,000 20 . Lawyers What they make : $ 116,810 Projected annual openings : 53,000 21 . Education administrators , elementary and secondary school What they make : $ 150,467 Projected annual openings : 31,000 22 . Administrative services managers What they make : $ 86,666 Projected annual openings : 40,000 23 . Sales representatives , agricultural What they make : $ 53,034 Projected annual openings : 44,000 24 . Sales representatives , chemical and pharmaceutical What they make : $ 88,049 Projected annual openings : 44,000 25 . Sales representatives , electrical\/electronics What they make : $ 51,105 Projected annual openings : 44,000 * Salary figures based on data from CBsalary.com , powered by SalaryExpert.com ** Projected annual openings figures based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics . & copy CareerBuilder.com 2009 . All rights reserved . The information contained in this article may not be published , broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Apple co-founder Steve Jobs , who died Wednesday at 56 , made the world `` immeasurably better , '' the company 's board of directors said in a statement . The company also released an e-mail sent to Apple employees in which CEO Tim Cook announced Jobs ' death , saying , `` Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius , and the world has lost an amazing human being . Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor . Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built , and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple . '' Cook 's comments were repeated on the Apple website . Visitors were invited to share their `` thoughts , memories and condolences '' at rememberingsteve@apple.com . There was no immediate word on any funeral services . Cook said the company is planning a `` celebration of Steve 's extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon . '' Jobs ' family also released a statement through Apple , saying that Jobs `` died peacefully today surrounded by his family . '' `` In his public life , Steve was known as a visionary ; in his private life , he cherished his family . We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve 's illness . '' Jobs : Visionary in a black turtleneck The family said a website will be provided for those wishing to offer tributes and memories . `` We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve , '' the family statement said . `` We know many of you will mourn with us and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief . '' Printed copies of a picture of Jobs -- posted on Apple 's website announcing his passing -- appeared Wednesday night on a marble wall outside the Apple store on New York 's Fifth Avenue , with notes written on them . `` We love you , '' one said . `` RIP . '' Outside the original Apple store in Cupertino , California , a makeshift memorial was created Wednesday , with people leaving flowers and other items . A bagpiper played as onlookers visited the site , some wiping their eyes . Apple 's board of directors said Jobs ' `` brilliance , passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives . The world is immeasurably better because of Steve . '' World reacts to Jobs ' death Jobs ' greatest love was for his wife , Laurene , and his family , the statement said . `` Our hearts go out to them and all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts . '' `` No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve 's death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him , '' Cook told Apple employees . `` We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much . '' CNN 's Susan Candiotti contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The United States are aiming to win the Solheim Cup for a fourth successive occasion when they face Europe in the 12th edition of the women 's team golf tournament , which begins at the Killeen Castle Golf Resort in Ireland on Friday . The competition , an exact replica of the men 's Ryder Cup , begins on Friday morning with four foursomes , where the players alternate playing the same ball , before the afternoon 's four fourballs -- which sees each player playing their own ball . Saturday 's two sessions then follow exactly the same format , before Sunday 's 12 individual singles , which will determine the winners . With a total of 28 points up for grabs , the winning team is the first to reach 14 1\/2 points , with the Americans securing 16-12 triumphs in Illinois in 2009 and Sweden in 2007 . Alison Nicholas , who is captaining Europe for a second time following their 2009 defeat , has paired Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist in the opening foursomes match -- with the Swedish duo lining up against Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr . The English duo of Karen Stupples and Melissa Reid face Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome in the second of the foursomes , while the third sees veteran Scot Catriona Matthew and Spanish rookie Azahara Munoz against Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford . And Friday 's morning session is completed by Suzann Pettersen of Norway and Sweden 's Sophie Gustafson facing Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster -- who becomes the oldest-ever Solheim Cup player at the age of 51 . The United States lead Europe 8-3 overall and both Nicholas and her American counterpart Rosie Jones are aware of the need to get a good start in the competition . Nicholas told the official Solheim Cup website : `` I think I have a good blend in my team and I am very happy with the way the draw has worked out . `` Catriona , for instance , is a great leader and gets on so well with everyone . She has lots of experience and I think she will make a great pairing with Azahara . They are both steady players . '' The United States come into the match as favorites to retain their title , with four of the world 's top 10 amongst their ranks . `` I 've put Michelle and Cristie out first because they are both good leaders , '' Jones told the official website . `` They have played a lot together and had success . I want them to get out there and put up a point . '' She continued : `` I 've got heavy hitters in every match . I have a master plan and I 'm going to stick to it as much as possible . But you have to wait and see how the matches go and maybe adjust . '' European team : -LRB- number of previous Solheim Cup appearances in brackets -RRB- Melissa Reid -LRB- Eng -RRB- -LRB- - -RRB- Laura Davies -LRB- Eng -RRB- -LRB- 11 -RRB- Karen Stupples -LRB- Eng -RRB- -LRB- 1 -RRB- Suzann Pettersen -LRB- Nor -RRB- -LRB- 5 -RRB- Sophie Gustafson -LRB- Swe -RRB- -LRB- 7 -RRB- Maria Hjorth -LRB- Swe -RRB- -LRB- 4 -RRB- Anna Nordqvist -LRB- Swe -RRB- -LRB- 1 -RRB- Caroline Hedwall -LRB- Swe -RRB- -LRB- - -RRB- Catriona Matthew -LRB- Sco -RRB- -LRB- 4 -RRB- Azahara Munoz -LRB- Sp -RRB- -LRB- - -RRB- Sandra Gal -LRB- Ger -RRB- -LRB- - -RRB- Christel Boeljon -LRB- Net -RRB- -LRB- - -RRB- United States team : Michelle Wie -LRB- 1 -RRB- Julie Inkster -LRB- 8 -RRB- Cristie Kerr -LRB- 5 -RRB- Paula Creamer -LRB- 3 -RRB- Angela Stanford -LRB- 3 -RRB- Brittany Lang -LRB- 1 -RRB- Brittany Lincicome -LRB- 2 -RRB- Morgan Pressel -LRB- 2 -RRB- Christina Kim -LRB- 2 -RRB- Vicky Hurst -LRB- - -RRB- Ryann O'Toole -LRB- - -RRB- Stacy Lewis -LRB- - -RRB-","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Porto striker Hulk has been called up to the Brazilian squad for friendly internationals next month against England and Oman . Hulk , whose full name is Givanildo Vieira de Souza , has starred for the Portuguese giants since joining them last year following three seasons in J-League football in Japan . He scored twice to give Porto a 2-1 Champions League win over APOEL Nicosia of Cyprus last week . Hulk will be battling for a starting place with established stars such as Kaka of Real Madrid and Sevilla 's in-form Luis Fabiano . Brazil coach Dunga is using the friendlies to try out fringe players ahead of next year 's World Cup finals in South Africa . He is also giving a chance to Liverpool 's Favio Aurelio , Lyon 's Michel Bastos and Carlos Eduardo of Bundesliga side Hoffenheim . Manchester City 's Robinho also returns to the 24-man squad after recovering from an ankle injury which caused him to miss the final round of South American Group qualifiers . But there is not place for AC Milan pair Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato while Dunga has not picked players from the domestic Brazilian league such as forner World Cup hero Ronaldo and ex-Inter Milan star Adriano . Brazil play their eagerly-awaited friendly against Fabio Capello 's England on November 14 in Doha and take on the more modest challenge of Oman in Muscat three days later . Brazil , who headed the South American qualifying group , will be going for their sixth World Cup triumph in South Africa . Brazilian squad : Goalkeepers : Julio Cesar -LRB- Inter Milan -RRB- , Doni -LRB- AS Roma -RRB- . Defenders : Maicon -LRB- Inter Milan -RRB- , Daniel Alves -LRB- Barcelona -RRB- , Michel Bastos -LRB- Lyon -RRB- , Fabio Aurelio -LRB- Liverpool -RRB- , Lucio -LRB- Inter Milan -RRB- , Juan -LRB- AS Roma -RRB- , Luisao -LRB- Benfica -RRB- , Naldo -LRB- Werder Bremen -RRB- . Midfielders : Elano -LRB- Galatasaray -RRB- , Kaka -LRB- Real Madrid -RRB- , Gilberto Silva -LRB- Panathinaikos -RRB- , Josue -LRB- Wolfsburg -RRB- , Lucas Leiva -LRB- Liverpool -RRB- , Ramires -LRB- Benfica -RRB- , Felipe Melo -LRB- Juventus -RRB- , Alex -LRB- Spartak Moscow -RRB- , Carlos Eduardo -LRB- Hoffenheim -RRB- , Julio Baptista -LRB- AS Roma -RRB- . Forwards : Luis Fabiano -LRB- Sevilla -RRB- , Hulk -LRB- FC Porto -RRB- , Nilmar -LRB- Villarreal -RRB- , Robinho -LRB- Manchester City -RRB- .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- North Korea , whose leader Kim Jong Il died over the weekend , is the least democratic nation on Earth , according to a newly released report by a British analysis and intelligence firm . The Democracy Index 2011 , compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit , listed Norway as the most democratic nation in the world . The top 10 spots in this year 's index were occupied mostly by European countries . Following Norway were : Iceland , Denmark , Sweden , New Zealand , Australia , Switzerland , Canada , Finland and the Netherlands . Read the full report The United States ranked 19th , down two spots from the 2010 listing . The United States ' 2011 ranking is below Canada -LRB- 8th -RRB- and the United Kingdom -LRB- 18th -RRB- . The United States also ranked below the Czech Republic -LRB- 16th -RRB- , a former Soviet communist satellite that did not become a democracy until 1989 , and the South American nation of Uruguay -LRB- 17th -RRB- , a former right-wing dictatorship that did not return to democracy until 1984 . The Economist Intelligence Unit analysis , released this month , concluded that democracy deteriorated in 48 countries , improved in 41 and stayed the same in 78 . In most regions , the report said , the level of democracy was lower in 2011 than the previous year . `` 2011 was an exceptionally turbulent year , characterized by sovereign debt crises and weak political leadership in the developed world , dramatic political change and conflict in the Middle East and North Africa and rising social unrest , '' said Laza Kekic , the report 's lead author . The Democracy Index is based on five categories : electoral process and pluralism , civil liberties , how government functions , political participation by the public , and political culture . The analysts measured the level of democracy in 165 nations and two territories , `` which account for almost the entire population of the world , '' the Economist Intelligence Unit said in a release . Using a scale of 0 to 10 , countries were placed in one of four categories : full democracies -LRB- 8-10 -RRB- , flawed democracies -LRB- 6 to 7.9 -RRB- , hybrid regimes -LRB- 4 to 5.9 -RRB- and authoritarian regimes -LRB- 0 to 3.9 -RRB- . Norway , the top-ranked nation , had a score of 9.8 . The Scandinavian nation also ranked No. 1 in 2010 with an identical score . North Korea , ranked No. 167 , had a score of 1.08 . The Asian nation also ranked last in 2010 , with the same score . The United States had a score of 8.11 , slightly lower than last year 's 8.18 . `` U.S. democracy has been adversely affected by a deepening of the polarization of the political scene and political brinkmanship and paralysis , '' the Economist Intelligence Unit concluded . The analysts noted that the United States and the United Kingdom lag behind many other full democracies for some of the same reasons . `` There has been a rise in protest movements , '' the report states . `` Problems in the functioning of government have become more prominent . '' Among other findings in the report : -- Slightly more than half the world 's population lives in some type of democracy , although only 11 % enjoy a `` full democracy . '' -- More than one-third of the globe 's population lives under authoritarian rule . -- Nearly half the nations on the planet are considered democracies : 25 `` full '' and 53 `` flawed . '' -- There were 37 `` hybrid regimes '' and 52 `` authoritarian regimes . '' -- Violence , drug trafficking and other crime in Latin America continue to hinder democracy . -- Eastern Europe continued to suffer a decline in democracy , with 12 nations worse than the previous year . -- Western Europe also had a decline in democracy , with seven nations deteriorating and none improving . Some of that deterioration was due to financial problems plaguing the eurozone . Five of the countries that lost points in the rankings belong to the eurozone : Greece , Italy , Portugal , Spain and Ireland . -- Eight countries had a listing change from one type of government to another in 2011 . Four were upgraded and four were downgraded . -- Countries that deteriorated were : Portugal -LRB- fell from full to flawed democracy -RRB- , Ukraine and Guatemala -LRB- flawed democracy to hybrid regime -RRB- and Russia -LRB- hybrid to authoritarian regime -RRB- . -- Zambia improved from a hybrid to a flawed democracy . Tunisia , Mauritania and Niger moved up from authoritarian to hybrid . In the Western Hemisphere , Costa Rica is ranked 20th , up five spots from last year . That nation 's score was 8.10 , nearly the same as the United States . Costa Rica is listed as a full democracy . Western Hemisphere flawed democracies are : Chile -LRB- 35th , 7.54 -RRB- ; Trinidad and Tobago -LRB- 43rd , 7.16 -RRB- ; Brazil -LRB- 45th ; 7.12 -RRB- ; Panama -LRB- 47th , 7.08 -RRB- ; Mexico -LRB- 50th , 6.93 -RRB- ; Argentina -LRB- 51st , 6.84 -RRB- ; Colombia -LRB- 55th , 6.63 -RRB- ; Peru -LRB- 56th , 6.59 -RRB- ; El Salvador -LRB- 61st , 6.47 -RRB- ; Paraguay -LRB- 62nd , 6.40 -RRB- ; Dominican Republic -LRB- 70th , 6.20 -RRB- and Guyana -LRB- 77th , 6.05 -RRB- . Western Hemisphere nations listed as hybrid regimes are : Guatemala -LRB- 82nd , 5.88 -RRB- ; Bolivia -LRB- 84th , 5.84 -RRB- ; Honduras -LRB- 84th , 5.84 -RRB- ; Ecuador -LRB- 89th , 5.72 -RRB- ; Nicaragua -LRB- 91st , 5.56 -RRB- ; Venezuela -LRB- 97th , 5.08 -RRB- and Haiti -LRB- 114th , 4.00 -RRB- . Cuba -LRB- 126th , 3.52 -RRB- is the only Western Hemisphere nation categorized as authoritarian . Full democracies worldwide include : Luxembourg , Ireland , Austria , Germany , Malta , Japan , South Korea , Belgium , Mauritius and Spain . Some nations categorized as flawed democracies include : South Africa , France , Italy , India , Indonesia and Philippines . Hybrid regimes include : Hong Kong , Singapore , Bangladesh , Turkey , Palestine , Cambodia , Pakistan and Iraq . Authoritarian nations include : Jordan , Kuwait , Libya , China , Vietnam , United Arab Emirates , Afghanistan and Laos . In addition to North Korea , the other nine least-democratic nations are : Chad , Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan , Myanmar , Equatorial Guinea , Saudi Arabia , Central African Republic , Iran and Syria . The Economist Intelligence Unit , which performed the analysis , is based in London and reports having offices in more than 40 cities worldwide . The company says it has about 650 country experts and analysts worldwide . The Democracy Index 2011 was released December 15 . The latest Democracy Index closely mirrors a Corruption Perceptions Index released by the German watchdog organization Transparency International in late November . In that analysis , New Zealand was perceived as the least corrupt nation on earth , and Somalia and North Korea were seen as the most corrupt . The United States ranked 24th least corrupt on a `` corruption perceptions index , '' the fourth-best in the Western Hemisphere . Canada ranked 10th , the Bahamas was 21st and Chile was 22nd . Overall , the top spots were occupied mostly by European countries , with the exception of New Zealand , Singapore at No. 5 and Australia , which was tied for eighth with Switzerland . Other nations with top rankings were Denmark , Finland , Sweden , Norway and the Netherlands . In addition to Somalia and North Korea , which were tied for last at No. 182 , the bottom of the list included Myanmar , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Turkmenistan , Sudan , Iraq , Haiti and Venezuela . The report was prepared by the independent , nonpartisan Transparency International organization , which said it drew its conclusions based `` on different assessments and business opinion surveys carried out by independent and reputable institutions . '' The information used to compile the index included `` questions relating to the bribery of public officials , kickbacks in public procurement , embezzlement of public funds and questions that probe the strength and effectiveness of public-sector and anti-corruption efforts , '' Transparency International said . Perceptions are used , the organization said , because corruption is a hidden activity that is difficult to measure . `` Over time , '' the organization said in its report , `` perceptions have proved to be a reliable estimate of corruption . '' The rankings for other Western Hemisphere countries were : Uruguay -LRB- 25 -RRB- , Puerto Rico -LRB- 39 -RRB- , Costa Rica -LRB- 50 -RRB- , Cuba -LRB- 61 -RRB- , Brazil -LRB- 73 -RRB- , Colombia , El Salvador and Peru -LRB- tied for 80 -RRB- , Panama -LRB- 86 -RRB- , Argentina and Mexico -LRB- tied for 100 -RRB- , Bolivia -LRB- 118 -RRB- , Ecuador and Guatemala -LRB- tied for 120 -RRB- , the Dominican Republic and Honduras -LRB- tied for 129 -RRB- , Nicaragua -LRB- 134 -RRB- , Paraguay -LRB- 154 -RRB- , Venezuela -LRB- 172 -RRB- and Haiti -LRB- 175 -RRB- . The index used a scale of 0-10 to measure perceived corruption , with zero representing highly corrupt and 10 being very clean . New Zealand , the highest-ranked nation , has a 9.5 score . Somalia and North Korea , the lowest-ranked , had 1.0 . The United States scored 7.1 , while Canada was 8.7 and Chile was 7.2 . Haiti , the lowest-ranked nation in the Western Hemisphere , scored 1.8 . Next-worst was Venezuela with 1.9 . Transparency International , headquartered in Berlin , reports having 90 chapters worldwide . The organization says it works with partners in government , business and civil society to develop and implement effective measures to combat corruption .","question":""}
{"answer":"BEIJING , China -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Officials on Monday announced the death of a second child who consumed contaminated milk powder . More than 1,200 others have been sickened , according to China 's Health Ministry . Of that number , 340 infants are hospitalized and 53 are considered to be in serious condition . Government inspectors are testing baby formula around China and plan to release their results on Tuesday , said Li Changjiang , head of the State Administration of Quality Supervision , Inspection and Quarantine , according to the Xinhua news agency . The manufacturer , Sanlu Group , has recalled more than 8,200 tons of the tainted formula following reports of babies developing kidney stones , Xinhua said . Watch what Sanlu has done '' Sanlu , one of China 's leading dairy producers , has also sealed off more than 2,100 tons of contaminated product , and another 700 tons still need to be recalled , the news agency said . It is not the first time Sanlu has been connected to a scandal involving tainted milk powder , according to China Daily . In 2004 , at least 13 infants in the eastern Anhui province died of malnutrition after drinking milk powder that had little to no nutrition . The illegally manufactured milk was falsely labeled with the Sanlu brand , according to the paper . More than 170 other babies were hospitalized as a result of drinking the cheap milk powder . Chinese police have questioned 78 people -- including dairy farmers and milk dealers -- about the most recent contamination , a Chinese official told Xinhua Saturday . Sanlu would not say whether its employees are being investigated , Xinhua said . Testing by Sanlu found tripolycyanamide , also known as melamine , in 700 tons of its product , said Zhao Xinchao , the vice mayor of Shijiazhuang , the news agency reported . Zhao told the news agency that the suspects added water to the milk they sold to Sanlu to make more money , then added the chemical so the diluted milk could still meet standards . Inspectors found the chemical in Sanlu infant formula produced by one of the company 's partner producers in northwest Gansu Province , an official said Sunday . Two of 12 samples randomly selected from the Sanlu milk powder produced by the Haoniu Dairy Company in Jiuquan City tested positive for melamine , said Xian Hui , the vice-governor of Gansu . Health experts say ingesting melamine can lead to kidney stones , urinary tract ulcers , and eye and skin irritation . The chemical is commonly used in coatings and laminates , wood adhesives , fabric coatings , ceiling tiles and flame retardants . Hundreds of Wal-Mart and Carrefour stores in China are pulling the Sanlu milk powder from their shelves , Xinhua said . This episode marks the latest in a string of tainted products produced in China . The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalled more than 150 brands of cat and dog food last year after finding that some pets became ill or died after eating food tainted with melamine , the same chemical found in the powdered milk . Two Chinese businesses , a U.S. company and top executives of each were indicted by a federal grand jury in February in connection with tainted pet food , which resulted in deaths and serious illnesses in up to thousands of U.S. pets , federal prosecutors said . In October 2007 , regulators and retailers in the United States recalled at least 69,000 Chinese-made toys over concerns of excessive amounts of lead paint , which can cause hazardous lead poisoning . In November , shipments of the popular toy Aqua Dots were found to have been contaminated with a toxic chemical that turned into a powerful `` date rape '' drug if swallowed , causing some children who ate the craft toys to vomit and lose consciousness . And in February , a Maryland candy distributor pulled Pokemon-brand Valentine lollipops from store shelves after bits of metal were found in the sealed treats , authorities said . Officials on Monday announced the death of a second child who consumed contaminated milk powder . Of the more than 1,200 others who have been sickened , 340 infants were hospitalized , and 53 considered to be in serious condition , according to China 's Health Ministry . Government inspectors were testing baby formula around China and plan to release their results on Tuesday , said Li Changjiang , head of the State Administration of Quality Supervision , Inspection and Quarantine , according to the Xinhua news agency . The manufacturer , Sanlu Group , has recalled more than 8,200 tons of the tainted formula following reports of babies developing kidney stones , Xinhua said . Sanlu , one of China 's leading dairy producers , also has sealed off more than 2,100 tons of contaminated product , and another 700 tons still need to be recalled , the news agency said . Chinese police have questioned 78 people , including dairy farmers and milk dealers , about the contamination , a Chinese official told Xinhua Saturday . Sanlu would not say whether its employees were being investigated , Xinhua said . Testing by Sanlu found tripolycyanamide , also known as melamine , in 700 tons of its product , said Zhao Xinchao , the vice mayor of Shijiazhuang , the news agency reported . Zhao told the news agency that the suspects added water to the milk they sold to Sanlu to make more money , then added the chemical so that the diluted milk could still meet standards . Inspectors found the chemical in Sanlu infant formula produced by one of the company 's partner producers in northwest Gansu Province , an official said Sunday . Two of 12 samples randomly selected from the Sanlu milk powder produced by the Haoniu Dairy Company in Jiuquan City tested positive for melamine , said Xian Hui , the vice-governor of Gansu . Ingesting melamine can lead to kidney stones , urinary tract ulcers , and eye and skin irritation , health experts said . The chemical is commonly used in coatings and laminates , wood adhesives , fabric coatings , ceiling tiles and flame retardants . The chemical was also involved in the massive pet food recall last year . Hundreds of Wal-Mart and Carrefour stores in were pulling the Sanlu milk powder from their shelves , Xinhua said .","question":""}
{"answer":"Editor 's note : CNN.com has a business partnership with CareerBuilder.com , which serves as the exclusive provider of job listings and services to CNN.com . With money a bit tight these days , many people searching for jobs would like a salary of $ 80,000 a year . -LRB- CareerBuilder.com -RRB- -- Let 's be honest : Sometimes you do n't care about the job -- you just care about the salary . But it 's awfully hard to look for a job that fits both your salary requirements and your skill set . Not to mention that we always tell you that your work and career should be something you love . Ideally , money is just an added benefit . That being said , we 're also realists . We know that times are tough and at this point , some people just need to get paid . We went to the Bureau of Labor Statistics to look at the latest -LRB- May 2008 -RRB- salary information for the United States and found 30 occupations pay in the $ 80,000 range based on national averages . 1 . Administrative law judges , adjudicators and hearing officers Do this : Conduct hearings to rule on government-related claims ; determine penalties and liability ; and help to craft settlements . Get paid : $ 80,870 2 . Biomedical engineers Do this : Design and develop devices and procedures to help solve health-related problems . Projects might include information systems , artificial organs or artificial limbs . Get paid : $ 81,120 3 . Chiropractors Do this : Diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions of the spinal column to prevent disease and alleviate imbalance , pain and pressure believed to be caused by interference with nervous system . Get paid : $ 81,340 4 . Atmospheric , earth , marine and space sciences teachers , post-secondary Do this : Teach courses and research topics in the physical sciences , except chemistry and physics . Get paid : $ 81,470 5 . Agents and business managers of artists , performers and athletes Do this : Represent and promote their client 's business while handling business matters and contract negotiations . Get paid : $ 81,550 6 . Materials scientists Do this : Study the chemical composition of various materials and figure out ways to develop new materials and improve existing ones ; also determine ways to use materials in products . Get paid : $ 81,600 7 . Physician assistants Do this : Perform health-care services and provide treatment plans under a physician 's supervision . Get paid : $ 81,610 8 . Medical scientists , except epidemiologists Do this : Research and investigate human diseases and how to improve human health . Get paid : $ 81,870 9 . Physics teachers , post-secondary Do this : Teach courses and research topics pertaining to the laws of matter and energy . Get paid : $ 81,880 10 . Atmospheric and space scientists Do this : Study the effects the atmosphere has on the environment , most commonly through weather forecasting . Get paid : $ 82,080 11 . Management analysts Do this : Figure out best practices of management by conducting studies and procedures to help companies figure out how to operate more effectively . Get paid : $ 82,920 12 . Producers and directors Do this : Produce or direct , and make all creative decisions for stage , television , radio , video or motion picture productions . Get paid : $ 83,030 13 . Biological science teachers , post-secondary Do this : Teach courses and research topics in biological sciences . Get paid : $ 83,270 14 . Materials engineers Do this : Develop new uses for recognized materials , and develop new machinery and processes to make materials for use in specialized products . Get paid : $ 84,200 15 . Transportation , storage and distribution managers Do this : Oversee transportation , storage or distribution activities in accordance with governmental policies and regulations . Get paid : $ 84,520 16 . Financial analysts Do this : Assess the financial situations of an individual or organization . Get paid : $ 84,780 17 . Electrical engineers Do this : Design , develop and test the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment . Get paid : $ 85,350 18 . Education administrators , elementary and secondary school Do this : Oversee all activities of public or private elementary or secondary schools . Get paid : $ 86,060 19 . Industrial-organizational psychologists Do this : Work with companies to solve problems within the company . You may help with policy planning ; employee screening , training and development ; and organizational development and analysis . Get paid : $ 86,460 20 . Computer software engineers , applications Do this : Build computer applications software and code ; ensure that all software projects adhere to a company 's technology and business standards . Get paid : $ 87,900 21 . Economics teachers , post-secondary Do this : Teach courses and research topics in economics . Get paid : $ 88,330 22 . Biochemists and biophysicists Do this : Study the chemical composition and physical principles of living cells and organisms , their electrical and mechanical energy , and related phenomena . Get paid : $ 88,450 23 . Art directors Do this : Create design concepts and presentation in artwork , layout design and copywriting for visual communications media . Get paid : $ 88,510 24 . Electronics engineers , except computer Do this : Design , develop and test a wide range of electronic equipment , from CD players to global positioning systems . Get paid : $ 88,670 25 . Medical and health services managers Do this : Supervise medical and health services in hospitals , clinics and similar organizations . Get paid : $ 88,750 26 . Chemical engineers Do this : Design chemical plant equipment and create processes for manufacturing chemicals and products . Get paid : $ 88,760 27 . Geoscientists , except hydrologists and geographers Do this : Study the composition , structure and other physical aspects of the Earth . Get paid : $ 89,300 28 . Veterinarians Do this : Provide health care for family pets , livestock and zoo animals . Provide check-ups , treat diseases and advise caretakers on how to best raise their animals . Get paid : $ 89,450 29 . Construction managers Do this : Oversee all activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures , facilities and systems . Get paid : $ 89,770 30 . Sales engineers Do this : Sell business goods or services , the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a bachelor 's degree in engineering . Get paid : $ 89,770 Jobs by Salary , a new salary tool from CBSalary.com , allows you to search for jobs by salary based on where you live or work in the United States","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Food and Drug Administration approved a second vaccine intended to protect against cervical cancer . GlaxoSmithKline has manufactured a vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer . Cervarix , manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline , was approved Friday for prevention of cervical cancer and pre-cancerous lesions caused by human papillomavirus -LRB- HPV -RRB- types 16 and 18 . The vaccine is approved for use in girls and women ages 10 to 25 years and is to be administered in three doses . After the initial shot , the second and third doses are to be given within six months . `` The licensure of Cervarix adds another option in the prevention of cervical cancer , '' said Dr. Karen Midthun , acting director of the FDA 's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research . `` It has the potential to save lives from cervical cancer as well as reduce the need for biopsies and invasive procedures associated with the necessary follow-up from abnormal Pap tests . '' According to GlaxoSmithKline , the vaccine is 70 percent effective against pre-cancerous lesions , regardless of HPV type . `` The vaccine contains two HPV types -LRB- 16 & 18 -RRB- responsible for the majority of cervical cancers in North America , '' said Sarah Alspach , a GlaxoSmithKline spokeswoman . `` But approximately 25 percent of cervical cancers are caused by other cancer-causing HPV types . Cervarix has been shown to reduce the incidence of pre-cancers resulting from cancer-causing virus types beyond 16 and 18 . '' The vaccine will be available this year , according to GSK , which did not divulge the price . Cervarix will be competing with Merck & Company 's Gardasil , the first cervical cancer vaccine , which won FDA approval in June 2006 . Gardasil , for girls and women ages 9 to 26 , prevents against cervical , vulvar and vaginal cancers and protects against HPV types 11 , 16 and 18 . Gardasil 's approval has been broadened by the FDA to include an indication for boys and young men ages 9 through 26 for prevention of genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11 . `` This vaccine is the first preventive therapy against genital warts in boys and men ages 9 through 26 , and , as a result , fewer men will need to undergo treatment for genital warts . '' Midthun said . According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention , HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the nation . More than 40 types of HPV can infect genital areas , according to the disease agency . But because many of them are not visible to the naked eye , most people who become infected do n't know it .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Veteran goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt has received his first international call-up since 2003 as Germany coach Joachim Low named seven players from Bayern Munich in a preliminary 27-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa . The 35-year-old Butt will be competing for a starting place with Schalke 's Manuel Neuer and Werder Bremen 's Tim Wiese as Bayer Leverkusen 's Rene Adler has been ruled out with a rib injury . Captain Michael Ballack , who plays for English club Chelsea , is the only man selected who does not feature in the German Bundesliga . Stuttgart 's Brazil-born forward Cacau is included , but his former clubmate Thomas Hitzlsperger misses out despite the absence of injured Leverkusen midfielder Simon Rolfes as he has not been playing regularly for his Italian club Lazio . `` This was a very difficult decision for me , '' Low told reporters on Thursday . `` Thomas has never disappointed us and made a key contribution in helping us qualify . `` He is a reliable player , but he barely played in the last few months before he left Stuttgart and has also played very little at Lazio . '' Low will reduce the squad to 23 by the June 1 deadline for submission ahead of the tournament 's kick-off 10 days later . Butt , who has won three caps , will not be able to feature in next Thursday 's friendly against Malta as he will be needed by Bayern in the German Cup final against Bremen in Berlin on May 15 . His clubmates Holger Badstuber , Mario Gomez , Miroslav Klose , Philipp Lahm , Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger will also sit out the Malta game in Aachen along with Bremen 's Wiese , Per Mertesacker , Marko Marin and Mesut Ozil . The 21-year-old Badstuber has yet to win a cap for Germany and made his senior debut for Bayern in the first game of this season , covering at left-back despite being a central defender . Attacking midfielder Muller , 20 , will seek to add to his sole cap after also impressing this season , scoring the first hat-trick of his career in the 3-1 win over Bochum last weekend which effectively gave Bayern the league title . Ballack will also be away playing for Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 15 , before joining the squad in Sicily with the Werder quartet , while the Bayern players will not be in camp until after the Champions League final on May 22 . Bayern , who had eight players in the squad that finished third on home soil four years ago , can complete the first leg of a potential treble by clinching the Bundesliga title this weekend , when Louis Van Gaal 's side face bottom club Hertha Berlin . Germany will face Hungary in Budapest on May 29 and then Bosnia-Herzegovina in Frankfurt on June 3 before heading to South Africa . Germany squad : Goalkeepers : Manuel Neuer -LRB- Schalke 04 -RRB- , Tim Wiese -LRB- Werder Bremen -RRB- , Hans-Jorg Butt -LRB- Bayern Munich -RRB- . Defenders : Dennis Aogo -LRB- Hamburg -RRB- Jerome Boateng -LRB- Hamburg -RRB- , Arne Friedrich -LRB- Hertha Berlin -RRB- , Philipp Lahm -LRB- Bayern Munich -RRB- , Per Mertesacker -LRB- Werder Bremen -RRB- , Marcell Jansen -LRB- Hamburg -RRB- , Serdar Tasci -LRB- VfB Stuttgart -RRB- , Holger Badstuber -LRB- Bayern Munich -RRB- , Heiko Westermann -LRB- Schalke 04 -RRB- , Andreas Beck -LRB- Hoffenheim -RRB- . Midfielders : Michael Ballack -LRB- Chelsea -RRB- , Marko Marin , Mesut Ozil -LRB- both Werder Bremen -RRB- , Piotr Trochowski -LRB- Hamburg -RRB- , Sami Khedira , Christian Traesch -LRB- both VfB Stuttgart -RRB- , Toni Kroos -LRB- Bayer Leverkusen -RRB- , Bastian Schweinsteiger -LRB- Bayern Munich -RRB- . Forwards : Cacau -LRB- VfB Stuttgart -RRB- , Mario Gomez , Miroslav Klose , Thomas Mueller -LRB- all Bayern Munich -RRB- , Stefan Kiessling -LRB- Bayer Leverkusen -RRB- , Lukas Podolski -LRB- Cologne -RRB- .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN Student News -RRB- -- Students will investigate the contributions of Hispanic Americans to U.S. culture , and what it means to be an Hispanic in America today . Procedure Point out to students that Hispanic Heritage Month -LRB- September 15 - October 15 -RRB- celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain , Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America , South America and the Caribbean . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , `` September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries : Costa Rica , El Salvador , Guatemala , Honduras and Nicaragua . In addition , Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18 , respectively . '' In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month , send student groups on a multimedia scavenger hunt to investigate how Hispanic Americans have contributed to U.S. culture , and the opportunities and challenges that exist for Hispanics in America today . Pose the following questions to guide students ' research : 1 . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , what is the estimated Hispanic population of the United States ? What percent of the total U.S. population does this number represent ? 2 . What aspects of Hispanic culture can be found in the U.S ? 3 . Who are some Hispanic Americans who have had an impact in U.S. politics and government ? 4 . Who are some famous Hispanic-American musicians , artists , writers and actors ? How have they impacted U.S. culture ? 5 . What Hispanic businesses exist in your community and other parts of the U.S. ? How have these businesses contributed to the U.S. economy ? 6 . What issues have you seen or heard about in recent news that are of interest to the Hispanic community ? Have groups share and discuss their findings with the class . Extension Instruct each student to interview several Hispanic-American teens and adults to get their responses to the following question : What would you like other Americans to know about what it means to be Hispanic in America today ? Have students summarize the interviewees ' responses and share them with the class . Correlated Standards Social Studies I. Culture Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of culture and cultural diversity . V. Individuals , Groups and Institutions Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of interactions among individuals , groups , and institutions . The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies -LRB- http:\/\/www.socialstudies.org\/standards\/ are published by the National Council for Social Studies -LRB- http:\/\/www.socialstudies.org -RRB- .","question":""}
{"answer":"Los Angeles -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It 's the end of the R.E.M. as we know them and they feel fine , according to a statement from the group posted online Wednesday . `` To our Fans and Friends : As R.E.M. , and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators , we have decided to call it a day as a band , '' the message said . `` We walk away with a great sense of gratitude , of finality , and of astonishment at all we have accomplished . To anyone who ever felt touched by our music , our deepest thanks for listening . '' Michael Stipe , Peter Buck , Mike Mills and Bill Berry started playing alternative rock together in Athens , Georgia , in 1980 , but their first hit single came with `` The One I Love '' in 1987 . `` It 's the End of the World as We Know It -LRB- And I Feel Fine -RRB- '' followed from the same `` Document '' album , securing their mainstream radio appeal . Front man Michael Stipe declined to be interviewed by CNN Wednesday about the decision to disband , which comes six months after the release of `` Collapse into Now , '' their final album . Stipe , in a CNN interview in June , said the members `` surprised ourselves with this record . We 're all really thrilled with it . '' He and his fellow band members did offer comments on their website . `` During our last tour , and while making ` Collapse Into Now ' and putting together this greatest hits retrospective , we started asking ourselves , ` what next ' ? '' Stipe said . `` Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey . We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together . '' Michael Mills said it was not an easy decision . `` A wise man once said ` The skill in attending a party is knowing when it 's time to leave , ' Mills said . `` We built something extraordinary together . We did this thing . And now we 're going to walk away from it . '' Peter Buck said the band members `` walk away as great friends '' `` I know I will be seeing them in the future , just as I know I will be seeing everyone who has followed us and supported us through the years , '' Buck said . `` Even if it 's only in the vinyl aisle of your local record store , or standing at the back of the club : watching a group of 19 year olds trying to change the world . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -- France coach Raymond Domenech has again omitted striker David Trezeguet from his squad for this month 's friendly against Morocco and the Euro 2008 qualifier against the Ukraine . Happier times : David Trezeguet celebrates after scoring for Juventus against Torino . Trezeguet has scored scored 10 goals in 11 Serie A matches for Juventus this season -- including two hat-tricks -- but has failed to win his way back into the 24-man party . The 29-year-old , who last played for France in the 1-0 home defeat by Scotland in September , was furious after being dropped for the games against Lithuania and the Faroe Islands . He played no part as Domenech 's team overtook the Scots at the top of Group B with comfortable victories last month . The coach said : `` David is having a great start to the season with Juventus , but he 's in competition for a place . If we qualify , the Euro 2008 will be in eight months . A lot of things can happen in between . `` I hope David will help Juventus win the Italian league title and that he will be at the Euro 2008 with us , and that he will find his form again for France . '' Domenech has again included young Lyon forward Hatem Ben Arfa , who made his debut as a substitute against the Faroes and scored the final goal in a 6-0 victory . Ben Arfa is joined in the squad by club-mate Karim Benzema , while Bolton 's Nicholas Anelka is also among the forwards named despite still recovering from an injury . Captain Patrick Vieira is ruled out due to injury , but the Inter Milan midfielder will join up with the squad anyway . `` A player of Patrick 's dimension is going to be missed , but we just have to accept it and get on with it . Pat should be coming to see us because he 's a leader , and he 's the captain , '' Domenech added . France face the Moroccans on November 16 and then travel to the Ukraine on November 21 . Domenech 's team will qualify for the finals if Italy beat Scotland at Hampden on November 17 . If the Glasgow game ends in a draw , France will need at least a point in Kiev to book their ticket . France squad : Goalkeepers : M Landreau -LRB- Paris St Germain -RRB- , S Frey -LRB- Fiorentina -RRB- , U Rame -LRB- Bordeaux -RRB- . Defenders : E Abidal -LRB- Barcelona , P Evra -LRB- Manchester United -RRB- , W Gallas -LRB- Arsenal -RRB- , B Sagna -LRB- Arsenal -RRB- , L Thuram -LRB- Barcelona -RRB- , S Squillaci -LRB- Lyon -RRB- , F Clerc -LRB- Lyon -RRB- . Midfielders : A Diarra -LRB- Bordeaux -RRB- , L Diarra -LRB- Arsenal -RRB- , M Flamini -LRB- Arsenal -RRB- , C Makelele -LRB- Chelsea -RRB- , J Rothen -LRB- PSG -RRB- , J Toulalan -LRB- Lyon -RRB- , S Nasri -LRB- Marseille -RRB- . Strikers : N Anelka -LRB- Bolton -RRB- , H Ben Arfa -LRB- Lyon -RRB- , K Benzema -LRB- Lyon -RRB- , S Govou -LRB- Lyon -RRB- , T Henry -LRB- Barcelona -RRB- , F Malouda -LRB- Chelsea -RRB- , F Ribery -LRB- Bayern Munich -RRB- . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"MIAMI , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tropical Storm Arthur , the first named storm of the 2008 Atlantic season , formed Saturday near the coast of Belize , the U.S. National Hurricane Center said . Tropical Storm Arthur could make its way across the Yucatan and re-emerge in the Gulf of Mexico . The storm made its way over land and was expected to weaken , but the center said the storm could re-emerge in the Gulf of Mexico and regain intensity Sunday . At 11 p.m. , the center of Arthur was over the southern Yucatan Peninsula , about 80 miles -LRB- 125 km -RRB- west of Chetumal , Mexico , and about 120 miles -LRB- 195 km -RRB- south-southeast of Campeche , Mexico . It was moving west at about 7 miles -LRB- 11 km -RRB- per hour . The storm 's maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph -LRB- 65 km\/hr -RRB- , with higher gusts , mainly over water east of its center . Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 260 miles -LRB- 415 km -RRB- from the center of the storm , forecasters said . The government of Belize issued a tropical storm warning for the nation 's coast , and the government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning from Cabo Catoche south to the border with Belize . A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area -- in this case , within the next six to 12 hours . The storm was forecast to dump up to 10 inches of rain over Belize , up to 15 inches in isolated areas , the hurricane center said . The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season begins Sunday . On Thursday , Tropical Storm Alma , the first one of the year in the eastern Pacific , formed near the west coast of Central America , according to the National Weather Service . The storm was downgraded to a tropical depression and dissipated over the high terrain of Central America . The federal government 's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted this month that the Atlantic season would be more active than normal , with up to 16 named storms and up to five major hurricanes of Category 3 or above . The noted Colorado State University hurricane forecasting team predicted this year that there would be 15 named storms , eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes . The team calculated a 69 percent chance that at least one major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. coast . A survey released this week found that 50 percent of 1,100 adults surveyed in Atlantic and U.S. Gulf Coast states did not have disaster plans or survival kits . `` Nearly one in three said they would not prepare their home until a storm is within 24 hours of landfall , '' Bill Read , director of the National Hurricane Center , said Thursday . `` Now is the time to buy all that stuff , '' he said upon the release of the survey by polling firm Mason-Dixon .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Barack Obama reached out to Iran on Friday -- the start of the Iranian New Year -- in a video message offering `` the promise of a new beginning '' that is `` grounded in mutual respect . '' Obama 's message to Iran echoes his inaugural speech , where he said `` we seek a new way forward . '' The message is a dramatic shift in tone from that of the Bush administration , which included Iran , along with North Korea and Iraq , in an `` axis of evil . '' It also echoes Obama 's inaugural speech , in which he said to the Muslim world , `` we seek a new way forward , based on mutual interest and mutual respect . '' In Friday 's video , Obama said : `` The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations . You have that right , but it comes with real responsibilities . And that place can not be reached through terror or arms , but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization . '' There was no immediate response from Tehran to Obama 's message , but Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said last month that his country would welcome talks with the United States `` in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect . '' The United States , several European nations and Israel suspect that Tehran has been trying to acquire the capacity to build nuclear weapons , but Iran says its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes . Last month , the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security released a report saying that Iran has reached `` nuclear weapons breakout capability '' -- it has enough uranium to make a nuclear bomb . The report was based on an analysis of data from the International Atomic Energy Agency . However , an IAEA official who asked not to be named cautioned against drawing such dramatic conclusions from the data , saying Iran 's stock of low-enriched uranium would have to be turned into highly enriched uranium to be weapons-grade material . That has n't been done , the official said . The United States has had tortuous relations with Tehran since the Islamic revolution in 1979 , but the Obama message speaks of `` new beginnings '' with the promise of a new year . `` We have serious differences that have grown over time . My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us , and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States , Iran and the international community , '' the president said . `` This process will not be advanced by threats . We seek , instead , engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- America 's first female four-star general has been nominated , the Pentagon announced Monday . Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody was nominated to be America 's first four-star female general . President Bush nominated Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody to serve as head of the Army 's supply arm . By law women are excluded from combat jobs , the typical path to four-star rank in the military . `` This is an historic occasion for the Department of Defense and I am proud to nominate Lt. Gen. Ann Dunwoody for a fourth star , '' said Defense Secretary Robert Gates . `` Her 33 years of service , highlighted by extraordinary leadership and devotion to duty , make her exceptionally qualified for this senior position . '' The Senate must approve the nomination . Dunwoody , a native of New York , was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1975 after her graduation from the State University of New York in Cortland . She also holds graduate degrees in national resource strategy and logistics management . She became the Army 's top-ranking woman in 2005 when she received her third star and became deputy chief of staff for Army logistics . `` I am very honored but also very humbled today with this announcement , '' said Dunwoody . `` I grew up in a family that did n't know what glass ceilings were . This nomination only reaffirms what I have known to be true about the military throughout my career ... that the doors continue to open for men and women in uniform . '' The Army Materiel Command handles all material readiness for the Army . During her career , Dunwoody has been assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division , 10th Mountain Division and the Defense Logistics Agency . She served with the 82nd Airborne in Saudi Arabia during the 1991 Persian Gulf War . She has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal , Defense Superior Service Medal , the Legion of Merit , the Meritorious Service Medal , the Army Commendation Medal , the Army Achievement Medal , Master Parachutist Badge and the Army Staff Identification Badge . The first woman to become a general officer in the U.S. armed services was Brig. Gen. Anna Mae Hays , chief of the Army Nurse Corps , who achieved the rank in 1970 and retired the following year . Elizabeth Hoisington , the director of the Women 's Army Corps , was promoted to brigadier general immediately after Hays . She also retired the following year . Maj. Gen. Jeanne M. Holm , the first director of Women in the Air Force , was the first woman to wear two stars , attaining the rank in 1973 and retiring two years later . In 1996 , Marine Lt. Gen. Carol A. Mutter became the first woman to wear three stars . Mutter retired in 1999 . Currently , there are 57 active-duty women serving as generals or admirals , five of whom are lieutenant generals or vice admirals , the Navy 's three-star rank , according to the Pentagon .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Good things come to those who wait . And that 's exactly what viewers will be doing when TV 's best midseason offering , `` Good Christian Belles , '' aka `` GCB , '' debuts March 4 on ABC . Reminiscent of `` Desperate Housewives '' in its less desperate heyday , `` GCB '' follows Amanda Vaughn -LRB- Leslie Bibb -RRB- , a woman who ruled in high school but has since been humbled by life when her marriage ends in scandal and she has to return home to Dallas . Unfortunately for Amanda , a mother of two , her former `` frenemies '' - turned-socialites and their husbands have n't quite evolved , and they do everything they can to make her life miserable . Emmy - and Tony-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth stars as one of Amanda 's rivals , and Annie Potts steals scenes as Amanda 's meddlesome mother . The show is based on a best-selling book from Kim Gatlin . While `` Good Christian Belles '' is the best , it 's not the only show to look forward to this winter . NBC 's `` 30 Rock '' is returning at 8 p.m. ET Thursday for a sixth season , TNT 's gritty cop drama `` Southland '' will be back at 10 p.m. ET January 17 for a fourth season , and the 11th season of `` American Idol '' resumes at 8 p.m. ET January 18 and 19 on Fox . There are also a slew of new offerings to sort through . For your channel-surfing pleasure , we 've selected the good , the bad and the forgettable : The good \u2022 `` The Firm '' -LRB- debuts 9 p.m. ET Sunday , NBC -RRB- : Based on the best-selling novel by John Grisham , this intense and sometimes cluttered courtroom drama , follows attorney Mitchell McDeere -LRB- this time played by Josh Lucas of `` The Lincoln Lawyer '' instead of Tom Cruise -RRB- a decade after he brought down a prestigious Memphis law firm . Every week , Mitch will fight for his clients but with a twist because the mob wants him dead as does a shadowy organization behind one of his controversial cases . Do n't worry . It sounds more complicated than it is , and Lucas is a treat to watch . \u2022 `` House of Lies '' -LRB- debuts 10 p.m. ET Sunday , Showtime -RRB- : Don Cheadle -LRB- `` Crash '' -RRB- and Kristen Bell -LRB- `` Veronica Mars '' -RRB- have undeniable chemistry in this testosterone heavy , raunchy comedy about a cutthroat business consultant -LRB- Cheadle -RRB- . \u2022 `` Alcatraz '' -LRB- debuts 8 p.m. ET January 16 , Fox -RRB- : America 's most infamous prison becomes a time-travel portal in this trippy but fun new sci-fi drama from none other than J.J. Abrams -LRB- `` Lost '' and `` Fringe '' -RRB- . `` Alcatraz '' stars Sam Neill -LRB- `` Jurassic Park '' -RRB- and Jorge Garcia of `` Lost '' fame . \u2022 `` Luck '' -LRB- debuts 9 p.m. ET January 29 , HBO -RRB- : The latest creation from David Milch -LRB- `` Deadwood '' -RRB- , `` Luck '' stars Oscar-winning actor Dustin Hoffman -LRB- `` Rain Man , '' `` Kramer vs. Kramer '' -RRB- as a gangster of sorts . Hoffman leads a stellar cast that includes Nick Nolte and Dennis Farina in this methodical and fascinating drama about horse racing and the troubled people who inhabit that world . \u2022 `` Smash '' -LRB- debuts 10 p.m. ET February 6 , NBC -RRB- : Executive producer Steven Spielberg and NBC hope to steal the spotlight from `` Glee '' with this exciting new music-driven drama . `` Smash '' follows a Broadway musical from its planning stages to the big stage and stars Debra Messing and Oscar-winning actress Anjelica Huston -LRB- `` Prizzi 's Honor '' -RRB- . The bad \u2022 `` Work It '' -LRB- airs 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesdays , ABC -RRB- : Two unemployed men -LRB- Ben Koldyke and Amaury Nolasco -RRB- dress as women to get jobs in a sluggish economy . But `` Bosom Buddies '' was better when it debuted in 1980 . \u2022 `` Are You There , Chelsea ? '' -LRB- debuts 8:30 p.m. ET Wednesday , NBC -RRB- : Based on comedic actress Chelsea Handler 's best-selling and mostly autobiographical books , this mildly funny new comedy follows a 20-something -LRB- Laura Prepon of `` That '70s Show '' -RRB- who parties as hard as she drinks . What 's even less appealing is that Handler stars in the sitcom too but does n't play herself . Good luck with that . \u2022 `` Rob '' -LRB- debuts 8:30 p.m. ET Thursday , CBS -RRB- : This new sitcom is n't offensive because of its liberal use of stereotypes . It 's offensive because it is unfunny and unoriginal . `` Rob '' follows a man -LRB- Rob Schneider -RRB- who marries a Latina and fails to fit in with her family . \u2022 `` The River '' -LRB- debuts 9 p.m. ET February 7 , ABC -RRB- : Bruce Greenwood -LRB- `` Star Trek '' the movie -RRB- stars as an explorer and wildlife TV host who goes missing in the Amazon jungle . Leslie Hope -LRB- `` 24 '' -RRB- plays his wife , a woman determined to find him who heads to the Amazon with a reality TV crew and her son -LRB- Joe Anderson of `` The Crazies '' -RRB- . Instead , she finds lots of ghosts and questions . The forgettable \u2022 `` The Finder '' -LRB- debuts 9 p.m. ET Thursday , Fox -RRB- : Geoff Stults -LRB- `` Happy Town '' -RRB- and Michael Clarke Duncan -LRB- `` The Green Mile '' -RRB- star in this dull but well-intentioned spinoff of `` Bones . '' \u2022 `` Fashion Star '' -LRB- debuts 10 p.m. ET March 13 , NBC -RRB- : In a lopsided attempt to imitate `` Project Runway , '' former supermodel Elle Macpherson has created this reality competition series that features celebrity mentors Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie . Yawn .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- After a lifetime of playing characters past-their-prime , Clint Eastwood appears to still be enjoying his own . Clint Eastwood stars as inspector Harry Callahan in `` Dirty Harry '' -LRB- 1971 -RRB- . Just last week the 78-year-old actor , best-known for his portrayal of `` tough guys '' like `` Dirty Harry , '' was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the organizers of the Cannes Film Festival . The American film-maker accepted the Palme d'Or -LRB- only the second they 've ever given for lifetime achievement -RRB- , while he was in town promoting his new film `` Gran Torino . '' What is your favorite Clint Eastwood movie ? Tell us below in the SoundOff box . Eastwood both directs and co-stars in `` Gran Torino , '' as a prejudiced Korean war veteran who comes to the rescue of troubled Asian teens who live next door . For Eastwood the honor caps a 40 year career acting , directing , producing and composing . During this time , he has won five Academy Awards , five Golden Globes and received many more nominations . The Hollywood veteran earned perhaps most acclaim for two films : `` Unforgiven '' -LRB- 1992 -RRB- and `` Million Dollar Baby '' -LRB- 2004 -RRB- . For each of these films he was awarded both Best Director and Best Picture Oscars , as well as being nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role . Eastwood got his break in 1959 , landing the role of Rowdy Yates in the television series `` Rawhide . '' A successful seven-year run helped turn Eastwood into a household name and landed him several other roles in so-called Spaghetti Western films , including the hit `` A Fist Full of Dollars '' -LRB- 1964 -RRB- , directed by Sergio Leone . Leone then re-hired Eastwood for two more successful films : `` For a Few More Dollars '' -LRB- 1965 -RRB- and `` The Good , the Bad and the Ugly '' -LRB- 1966 -RRB- . The trilogy earned Eastwood greater fame and a reputation for playing tough-guy , gun-slinging cowboys . Eastwood found another friend in director Don Siegel who gave him perhaps his most iconic role , starring in `` Dirty Harry '' -LRB- 1971 -RRB- as no-nonsense , `` loose-cannon '' cop Harry Callahan . The film was such a hit that it four spin off sequels were made : `` Magnum Force '' -LRB- 1973 -RRB- , `` The Enforcer '' -LRB- 1976 -RRB- , `` Sudden Impact '' -LRB- 1983 -RRB- -LRB- the highest grossing film of the series -RRB- , and `` The Dead Pool '' -LRB- 1988 -RRB- . In the 1990s Eastwood returned to westerns -- this time as director as well as star -- earning critical acclaim and a monumental nine Oscar nominations for `` Unforgiven '' -LRB- 1992 -RRB- . Throughout the decade he also had considerable success helming blockbuster projects , like `` In the Line of Fire '' -LRB- 1993 -RRB- , `` Bridges of Madison County '' -LRB- 1995 -RRB- and `` True Crime '' -LRB- 1999 -RRB- . In 2000 Eastwood co-starred in the box-office hit `` Space Cowboys . '' In 2004 , he put employed his entire array of movie skills directing , producing , scoring and co-starring alongside Hillary Swank in boxing drama `` Million Dollar Baby . '' Until his most recent return to the screen in `` Gran Torino , '' Eastwood had been concentrating on directing , releasing two films about World War II in 2006 , `` Flags of our Fathers '' and `` Letters from Iwo Jima '' and directing Angelina Jolie to BAFTA , Golden Globe and Oscar nominations this year in `` Changeling . '' Swedish director Ingmar Bergman is the only other film-maker to have received the Palme d'Or for lifetime achievement from the Cannes Film Festival .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- `` Mad Men '' and `` Damages '' found themselves on top when the nominations for the 60th Annual Primetime Emmys came out Thursday morning -- but , again , there was no love for HBO 's `` The Wire . '' Emmy nominee Jon Hamm stars as ad exec Don Draper in `` Mad Men , '' which earned 16 nominations . AMC 's `` Mad Men '' and FX 's `` Damages '' made Emmy history Thursday as the first basic-cable series to be nominated for best drama . The pair , which had made the 10-series Emmy shortlist , have been widely hailed by critics and have received good ratings for basic-cable series -- though `` Damages '' star Glenn Close said she hopes the Emmys help boost the show 's audience . `` We need all the help we can get , '' she told The Associated Press . On the other hand , HBO 's `` The Wire '' -- which concluded its fifth and final season this year -- once again came up empty in the best drama nominations . It did receive one nod , for writing . The series , though much praised and dissected by a hard-core group of fans , has received little recognition from the Emmys , with just one previous nomination -- also for writing -- in 2005 . Check out some of the top Emmy nods this year '' Indeed , HBO has struggled to find a drama to take the place of the much-lauded `` The Sopranos , '' which won best drama last year after a storied run . `` Mad Men , '' which has made AMC into a player , was allegedly turned down by the cable giant , and shows such as the quickly canceled `` John From Cincinnati '' and `` Rome '' have n't had the same impact . On the other hand , `` In Treatment '' received a nomination for Gabriel Byrne 's performance as a therapist , and the network 's comedies , particularly `` Entourage , '' have performed strongly . Moreover , the network 's short-form programming , such as the miniseries `` John Adams '' and the TV movie `` Recount , '' dominated their Emmy categories : `` John Adams '' led all nominees with 23 nominations , and `` Recount , '' about the 2000 presidential election battle , received 11 . `` The network has made up for -LSB- its lack of drama series success -RSB- in other forms , '' Variety TV editor Michael Schneider told CNN . `` It 's still the most nominated network and has the most nominated program . '' HBO led all networks with 85 nominations . Among broadcast networks , ABC led with 76 nominations . Among regularly scheduled TV series , `` 30 Rock '' earned 17 nominations and `` Mad Men '' received 16 . The 17 nominations for `` 30 Rock '' were a record number in a single year for a comedy series . Newcomer `` Pushing Daisies , '' the whimsical series on ABC , received 12 nominations . Given that the show only aired nine episodes -- and has n't been on the air in months due to the writers strike -- its recognition was a surprise , Schneider said . `` It was nice that voters still remembered it , '' he said . Along with `` Damages '' and `` Mad Men , '' nominees for best drama include `` Boston Legal , '' `` Dexter , '' `` House '' and `` Lost . '' Comedy series nominees are `` Curb Your Enthusiasm , '' `` Entourage , '' `` The Office , '' `` 30 Rock '' and `` Two and a Half Men . '' Cable series dominated the dramatic acting nominations , with four of the six actors and three of the five actresses appearing on basic or pay cable . Best actor in a drama nominees are Byrne -LRB- `` In Treatment '' -RRB- , Bryan Cranston -LRB- `` Breaking Bad '' -RRB- , Michael C. Hall -LRB- `` Dexter '' -RRB- , Jon Hamm -LRB- `` Mad Men '' -RRB- , Hugh Laurie -LRB- `` House '' -RRB- and James Spader -LRB- `` Boston Legal '' -RRB- . `` Dexter , '' which originated on Showtime , earned a short run on CBS following the writers strike . The nominees for best actress in a drama are Close -LRB- `` Damages '' -RRB- , Sally Field -LRB- `` Brothers and Sisters '' -RRB- , Mariska Hargitay -LRB- `` Law & Order : Special Victims Unit '' -RRB- , Holly Hunter -LRB- `` Saving Grace '' -RRB- and Kyra Sedgwick -LRB- `` The Closer '' -RRB- . A number of familiar names were included among nominees for comedies . The nominees for best actor in a comedy are Alec Baldwin -LRB- `` 30 Rock '' -RRB- , Steve Carell -LRB- `` The Office '' -RRB- , Lee Pace -LRB- `` Pushing Daisies '' -RRB- , Tony Shalhoub -LRB- `` Monk '' -RRB- and Charlie Sheen -LRB- `` Two and a Half Men '' -RRB- . Only Pace is a newcomer . The nominees for best actress in a comedy are Christina Applegate -LRB- `` Samantha Who ? '' -RRB- , America Ferrera -LRB- `` Ugly Betty '' -RRB- , Tina Fey -LRB- `` 30 Rock '' -RRB- , Julia Louis-Dreyfus -LRB- `` The New Adventures of Old Christine '' -RRB- and Mary-Louise Parker -LRB- `` Weeds '' -RRB- . Sarah Silverman earned three nominations , all for different programs : one for a guest shot on `` Monk , '' another for contributing to `` Jimmy Kimmel Live '' and a third for producing her own `` The Sarah Silverman Program . '' Kristin Chenoweth , Neil Patrick Harris and TV academy Chairman John Shaffner announced the nominations Thursday . Chenoweth was particularly bubbly , throwing in a non sequitur about once dating `` Survivor '' host Jeff Probst and declining to sing `` Happy Birthday '' because `` the Emmys ca n't afford me to sing that song '' due to licensing arrangements . Both Chenoweth -LRB- `` Pushing Daisies '' -RRB- and Harris -LRB- `` How I Met Your Mother '' -RRB- were nominated in supporting actor categories . Two highly rated shows , `` Grey 's Anatomy '' and `` Desperate Housewives , '' were snubbed . `` Grey 's , '' a regular nominee for best drama , was left off that list , though star Sandra Oh was nominated for best supporting actress . `` Housewives , '' which won six Emmys its debut season , was ignored in both best comedy series and best actress in a comedy series categories . Two guest stars did receive nominations . Stephen Colbert , nominated for individual performance in a variety or musical program , put everything in perspective . `` What an honor , unless I do n't win , '' he told the AP . The Emmy Awards ceremony will be held September 21 and broadcast on ABC .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of choking and restraining MTV reality show star Tila Tequila , police said . Shawne Merriman is accused of restraining reality TV star Tila Tequlia as she tried to leave his home , police say . However , Merriman 's attorney denied the allegations , saying more than a dozen other people were at Merriman 's house in suburban San Diego , California , at the time of the incident and `` witness after witness after witness will back up his story 100 percent . '' Authorities responded to a disturbance call about 3:45 a.m. Sunday from a woman who said she had been choked and restrained by a male , the sheriff 's department of San Diego County , California , said in a statement . When police arrived , `` the reporting party identified herself as Tila Nguyen , aka Tila Tequila , and her alleged assailant as Shawne Merriman , '' the statement said . `` Nguyen told deputies she had been choked and physically restrained by Merriman when she attempted to leave his residence , '' the statement said . Watch Merriman 's side of the story '' Nguyen signed a citizen 's arrest at the scene , and Merriman was taken into custody on suspicion of battery and false imprisonment , according to the statement . Deputies did n't see any physical injuries on Nguyen , but she asked to be transported to a local hospital , sheriff 's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell said . Nguyen 's condition was not immediately known . Merriman 's attorney , Todd Macaluso , told reporters that Nguyen was `` extremely intoxicated and inebriated '' and that the player tried to make arrangements for her to leave the house . `` At no time did Mr. Merriman assault her . At no time did Mr. Merriman keep her against her will , '' Macaluso said . `` His intentions were nothing but good . ... We 're very confident that this matter will be resolved without any charges being filed whatsoever . '' Caldwell said alcohol `` was involved '' on Nguyen 's part . Caldwell did n't elaborate . Merriman was released from jail late Sunday morning . Caldwell said she did n't know whether Merriman was released on bail or on his own recognizance . The district attorney 's office will determine whether criminal charges will be pursued , Caldwell said . As Tila Tequila , Nguyen starred on the MTV reality shows `` A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila '' in 2007 and `` A Shot at Love 2 With Tila Tequila '' in 2008 . On her Twitter account , Nguyen did not mention the incident but tweeted about going to meet Merriman on Saturday . In a statement posted on the Chargers ' Web site Sunday , team General Manager A.J. Smith said it is `` disappointing to hear about the issue involving Shawne Merriman . '' `` We 'll continue to monitor the situation and let the legal process run its course , '' Smith said . Merriman , a three-time Pro Bowl selection , is entering his fifth year with the Chargers and the NFL . He recorded at least 10 sacks in each of his first three seasons , but he was limited to one game last season because of a knee injury that required surgery . The Chargers begin their 2009 NFL regular-season campaign on September 14 in Oakland , California , for a game against the Raiders .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tiger Woods announced that he is taking `` an indefinite break '' from professional golf , according to a statement posted on his Web site Friday . `` I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people , most of all my wife and children , '' the statement says . `` I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness . It may not be possible to repair the damage I 've done , but I want to do my best to try . '' The 33-year-old golfer , who tops the sport 's world rankings , has been mired in controversy since he crashed his car outside his Florida mansion late last month . The crash prompted authorities to cite him for careless driving and fine him $ 164 . Woods was not required to talk to police about the wreck , and declined to talk with investigators on several occasions . In the week following the crash , Woods apologized for `` transgressions '' that let his family down , on the same day that gossip magazine US Weekly published a report alleging that Woods , who is married to Elin Nordegren , had an affair with a 24-year-old cocktail waitress named Jaimee Grubbs . US Weekly 's report followed a National Enquirer article before the crash that the athlete was having an affair with a New York nightclub hostess -- an assertion the hostess vigorously denied , according to The New York Post . See the statement on Woods ' Web site It was not immediately clear how Woods ' hiatus would affect his sponsorships , though Nike , his main sponsor , issued a statement saying Woods `` and his family have Nike 's full support . '' `` He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era , '' Nike spokeswoman Beth Gast said in the statement . `` We look forward to his return to golf . '' The statement did not elaborate on whether Woods ' announcement would impact his business relationship with the sports equipment and clothing company , which has worked with him for more than a decade . Woods ' other sponsors include Gillette , Gatorade and Electronic Arts . The Professional Golfers ' Association Tour said it supports Woods and looks forward to his return to the game . `` We fully support Tiger 's decision to step away from competitive golf to focus on his family . His priorities are where they need to be , and we will continue to respect and honor his family 's request for privacy , '' the PGA Tour said in a statement Friday . `` We look forward to Tiger 's return to the PGA Tour when he determines the time is right for him . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hydroxycut products , popular dietary supplements used for weight loss , have been linked to liver damage and are being recalled , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday . The FDA has received 23 reports of serious liver injuries , including a death , linked to Hydroxycut products . The FDA said it has received 23 reports of serious liver injuries linked to Hydroxycut products , which are also used as energy enhancers and as fat burners . The reports include the 2007 death of a 19-year-old man living in the Southwest , which was reported to the FDA in March . Other serious liver problems reported included liver damage that resulted in a transplant in 2002 , liver failure , jaundice , seizures and cardiovascular problems . The FDA is warning consumers to immediately stop using 14 Hydroxycut products manufactured by Iovate Health Sciences Inc. of Oakville , Ontario , and distributed by Iovate Health Sciences USA Inc. of Blasdell , New York . The company is voluntarily recalling the following products : Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets , Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets , Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets , Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets , Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets , Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets , Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets -LRB- Ignition Stix -RRB- , Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets , Hydroxycut Liquid Shots , Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs -LRB- Ready-to-Drink -RRB- , Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed , Hydroxycut 24 , Hydroxycut Carb Control and Hydroxycut Natural . Watch more on the FDA 's concern '' According to the FDA , last year , Iovate sold more than 9 million units of Hydroxycut products , which were distributed widely to grocery stores , health food stores and pharmacies . `` The FDA urges consumers to discontinue use of Hydroxycut products in order to avoid any undue risks . Adverse events are rare , but exist . Consumers should consult a physician or other health care professional if they experience symptoms possibly associated with these products , '' said Dr. Linda Katz , interim chief medical officer of the FDA 's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition . Liver damage is rare , but patients who experienced problems were taking doses recommended on the product label , the FDA said . Symptoms include brown urine , nausea , vomiting , fatigue , stomach pain , itching and light-colored stools . The FDA has not determined what specific ingredients are responsible for the problems , because the products contain a variety of overlapping ingredients and herbal extracts . Dietary supplements sold before October 1994 are not required to undergo any FDA review before going to market . The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 required manufacturers to ensure a supplement to be safe before marketing . But manufacturers still do n't need to register a product with the FDA or get approval before selling a supplement . The agency can take action against an unsafe supplement once it 's on the market . Since December 2007 , any serious adverse event reported to the manufacturer must now be reported to the FDA within 15 days . The Council for Responsible Nutrition , the leading trade association representing the dietary supplement industry , said that both the FDA and Iovate `` took appropriate action today . '' `` We commend FDA for warning consumers of a potential safety problem associated with these products , and were encouraged to see that the company -- Iovate Health Sciences -- agreed to recall the products from the market until further determinations can be made , '' said Steve Mister , the council 's president and CEO .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Latino voters strongly support President Barack Obama and his Democratic Party , despite dissatisfaction with the administration 's deportation policies , according to a survey released Wednesday by the Pew Hispanic Center . The results are good news for Obama and Democrats for next year 's election , as Hispanics are the fastest-growing population group in the country and comprise a major voting bloc . According to the survey , Latino registered voters favor Obama over Republican presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney or Texas Gov. Rick Perry by margin of more than 2-to-1 . The results are similar to the presidential election in 2008 , when Obama got 67 % of the Latino vote compared with 31 % for Republican candidate Sen. John McCain . Hispanic voters have traditionally identified with the Democratic Party , and the Pew survey 's results showed that connection continues . It said two-thirds of Hispanic registered voters identified with or leaned toward the Democratic Party , while 20 % felt that way about the Republican Party . `` It is interesting that among Latino voters , the voters who are registered , there is a lot of support for the Democrats , but also for Barack Obama , '' Mark Hugo Lopez , executive director of the Pew Hispanic Center , said in an interview with CNN . The survey of 1,200 Hispanic adults was conducted in English and Spanish from November 9 through December 7 , and has a margin of error of 3.6 % . While showing strong Latino support for Obama and Democrats , the survey also showed Hispanics dislike immigration policies of the Obama administration , which increased deportations to 395,000 in 2009 and 387,000 in 2010 . According to the Pew survey , 59 % of Latino respondents disapproved of the administration 's handling of deportations , while 27 % approved . At the same time , the survey found that less than half of the Hispanic respondents -- 41 % -- knew that more deportations were occurring under the Obama administration than the Bush administration that preceded it . A strong majority -- 77 % -- of Latino respondents who were aware of the increased deportations under Obama disapproved of his administration 's policy , while just over half of those unaware of the increase also expressed disapproval . Hispanics accounted for 97 % of deportees in 2010 , according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security . More than 90 % of Latino respondents in the survey support the DREAM Act , a Democratic measure pushed by Obama that provides a pathway to legal residency for children of illegal immigrants who attend college or serve in the military . Republicans have blocked passage of the measure in Congress . In the interview with CNN , the Pew Hispanic Center 's Lopez said that the most important issues for Hispanic registered voters were jobs , education and health care -- the same as in past years . CNN 's Catherine Shoichet contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tropical Storm Claudette was gaining strength Sunday as it churned in the Gulf of Mexico toward the Florida Panhandle , the National Hurricane Center said . A satellite image from 2 p.m. ET Sunday shows a tropical storm nearing the Florida Panhandle . At 2 p.m. ET , Claudette 's winds had picked up to near 50 mph , based on observations by an Air Force reconnaissance plane . The center of the storm was about 40 miles south of Apalachicola , Florida , and about 160 miles from Pensacola , the center said . It was moving at about 14 mph , putting it on course to hit land by Sunday evening . A tropical storm warning was in effect from the Alabama-Florida border east to the Suwannee River . A tropical storm warning means that weather conditions will likely deteriorate in the next 24 hours . The storm could bring 3 to 5 inches of rain , with isolated amounts up to 10 inches , and storm surges across portions of North Florida . Meanwhile , two other tropical storms were in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday . Tropical Storm Ana was moving west but losing strength , forecasters said , while Tropical Storm Bill was gaining strength as it followed behind Ana . Ana was about 240 miles -LRB- 385 kilometers -RRB- east of Dominica at 2 p.m. ET Sunday . It was expected to arrive at the Leeward Islands by late Sunday or early Monday , the center said . It was moving about 25 mph , and its maximum sustained winds were close to 40 mph , the center said . Tropical storm watches were in effect for Dominica , Puerto Rico , the U.S. Virgin Islands , the British Virgin Islands , Montserrat , Antigua , Barbuda , St. Kitts , Nevis , Anguilla , St. Maarten , Saba , St. Eustatius , Guadeloupe , St. Martin , and St. Barthelemey . Tropical Storm Bill -- which could become a hurricane on Monday -- should be watched closely as it heads west-northwest in the Atlantic , possibly toward Florida , CNN meteorologist Reynolds Wolf said . The storm was 1,555 miles east of the Lesser Antilles at 11 a.m. ET Sunday . Bill may reach Category 3 status as it bears down on the Leeward Islands Wednesday or Thursday , he said .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tropical Storm Claudette is expected to make landfall in the Florida Panhandle by early Monday , and the storm 's outer bands already were pounding the area with heavy rain Sunday evening . Tropical Storm Claudette is seen off the coast of Destin , Florida , on Sunday afternoon . Claudette appeared on track to hit somewhere between Destin , Florida , and Panama City Beach , Florida , late Sunday or early Monday before moving through the panhandle and into southern Alabama , CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras said . Heavy rain from Claudette was hitting some of the Florida Panhandle counties Sunday , and some coastal areas there had the potential for localized flooding , said John Cherry , spokesman for the Florida Division of Emergency Management . `` What we 're just mainly asking is residents to stay off the roads tonight , and if you do approach a flooded area on a roadway , turn around , '' Cherry said . Shortly before 11 p.m. ET , the center of Claudette , with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph , was in the Gulf of Mexico about 25 miles west of Panama City , Florida , and about 70 miles east-southeast of Pensacola , the National Hurricane Center said . It was moving northwest at about 12 mph . A tropical storm warning was in effect from the Alabama-Florida border east to the Aucilla River . A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area in the next 24 hours . The storm could bring 3 to 6 inches of rain , with isolated amounts up to 10 inches , across portions of the Florida Panhandle , central and southern Alabama and extreme southwestern Georgia . Storm surges and isolated tornadoes also were possible across portions of North Florida . Authorities urged voluntary evacuations in the low-lying Alligator Point area of Florida 's Franklin County because of concerns about possible flooding , said Mike Stone , spokesman for the Florida Emergency Operations Center . He said he knew of no other evacuations in the state . Mariners in the Panhandle and Big Bend areas of Florida should stay at harbor , the Florida Division of Emergency Management said in a statement . Meanwhile , two other severe storms were in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday . Tropical Depression Ana , which was downgraded from a tropical storm Sunday afternoon , was moving across the Leeward Islands late Sunday , while Tropical Storm Bill was gaining strength as it followed behind Ana . iReport.com : Are you in Claudette 's path ? Ana was about 25 miles -LRB- 40 kilometers -RRB- southeast of Guadeloupe shortly before 11 p.m. ET Sunday . It was expected to enter the northeastern Caribbean Sea and weaken as it approaches the Dominican Republic on Monday , the center said . It was moving east near 26 mph , and its maximum sustained winds were close to 35 mph , the center said . Tropical storm watches were in effect for Puerto Rico , the U.S. Virgin Islands , the British Virgin Islands , Montserrat , Antigua , Barbuda , St. Kitts , Nevis , Anguilla , St. Maarten , Saba , St. Eustatius , Guadeloupe , St. Martin , St. Barthelemey , and part of the Dominican Republic . Ana was expected to drop 2 to 4 inches of rain over the Leeward Islands , with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches possible over mountainous terrain , the hurricane center said . Tropical Storm Bill -- which is forecast to become a hurricane on Monday -- was in the Atlantic heading west-northwest with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph . The storm 's center was about 1,320 miles -LRB- 2,120 kilometers -RRB- east of the Lesser Antilles shortly before 11 p.m. ET Sunday .","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Dom DeLuise , who spiced up such movies as `` Blazing Saddles , '' `` Silent Movie '' and `` The Cannonball Run '' with his manic delivery and roly-poly persona , has died , his son 's publicist said . Dom DeLuise was best known for his roles in Mel Brooks films as well as films with his friend Burt Reynolds . Publicist Jay Schwartz did not disclose the cause of death , but DeLuise , 75 , had been battling cancer for more than a year . DeLuise was surrounded by family when he died in a Santa Monica , California , hospital Monday night , son Michael DeLuise told CNN affiliate KTLA . DeLuise was most famous for his supporting roles in a number of Mel Brooks films , including 1974 's `` Saddles '' -- in which he played a flamboyant musical director who led dancers in a number called `` The French Mistake '' -- and 1976 's `` Silent Movie , '' in which he played the assistant to Brooks ' director Mel Funn . He was also in the Brooks-directed `` The Twelve Chairs '' -LRB- 1970 -RRB- , `` Spaceballs '' -LRB- 1987 -RRB- and `` Robin Hood : Men in Tights '' -LRB- 1993 -RRB- . But he could also assay more serious roles , most notably in the 1980 dark comedy `` Fatso , '' in which he played an overweight man trying to wean himself from comfort food . The film was directed by Brooks ' wife , Anne Bancroft . Watch an impromptu performance by Dom DeLuise '' DeLuise , who struggled with his own weight , was also an author of cookbooks . In 1991 , he told CNN 's Larry King that after meeting Luciano Pavarotti while working on an opera , he realized he needed to try to shed some of his weight . `` I finally became powerless over food , '' he told King . `` You know , anybody who 's an alcoholic or cocaine or something , that 's what food was to me . '' Besides authoring cookbooks , DeLuise penned seven children 's books . DeLuise was also part of the supporting cast in the Burt Reynolds crash - 'em - up vehicles `` Smokey and the Bandit II '' -LRB- 1980 -RRB- , `` Cannonball Run '' -LRB- 1981 -RRB- and `` Cannonball Run II '' -LRB- 1984 -RRB- . Other DeLuise films include `` The End '' -LRB- 1978 -RRB- , `` The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas '' -LRB- 1982 -RRB- and `` Johnny Dangerously '' -LRB- 1984 -RRB- . His voice was featured in such films as `` An American Tail '' -LRB- 1986 -RRB- and its sequels , `` All Dogs Go to Heaven '' -LRB- 1989 -RRB- and its 1996 sequel , and `` Oliver & Company '' -LRB- 1988 -RRB- . Dominic DeLuise was born in Brooklyn , New York , on August 1 , 1933 . In the 1960s he had bit parts in a handful of movies , including `` Fail Safe '' -LRB- 1964 -RRB- , but became well known as a regular on `` The Entertainers '' and a Dean Martin variety show . He had his own summer replacement show in 1968 and was a regular on Glen Campbell 's `` Goodtime Hour '' in 1971-72 . Watch DeLuise talk about working on `` The Mike Douglas Show '' '' DeLuise had three sons -- Peter , Michael and David -- who all became actors . He told Larry King that it was the `` joy of my life '' to work with his oldest son , Peter , when he directed the film `` Second Nature . '' His wife of 40 years , actress Carol Arthur , appeared in several movies with him , including `` Blazing Saddles '' and `` Silent Movie , '' according to DeLuise 's Web site . DeLuise worked closely on several films with pal Gene Wilder , who in 2002 told Larry King that of all of his co-stars , DeLuise `` makes me laugh the most . '' A frequent collaborator with DeLuise , Burt Reynolds released a statement to `` Entertainment Tonight '' on his friend 's death . `` I was thinking the other day about this . As you get older you think about this more and more , I was dreading this moment . Dom always made everyone feel better when he was around . I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone . I will miss him very much , '' Reynolds says .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- What do Copernicus and a Britney Spears look-a-like have in common ? Despite centuries separating the two , both have inspired greatness in Poland . Maxim named Joanna Crupa , a Polish\/American model and actress , 61st in its 2006 Hot 100 list . Here we look at some of Poland 's most famous nationals -- from years gone by to the present day . Many have influenced a world far beyond their country 's boundary . Nicolaus Copernicus -LRB- 1473-1543 -RRB- Copernicus was a mathematician , astronomer , physician , classical scholar , translator , Catholic cleric , jurist , governor , military leader , diplomat and economist . He is primarily known , however , for his theory that earth is not the center of the universe . His book , `` De revolutionibus orbium coelestium '' -LRB- On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres -RRB- , is often regarded as the starting point of modern astronomy and the defining moment that began the Scientific Revolution . Copernicus was born in 1473 in Thorn . Thorn was a city in Prussia , an autonomous region in the old Kingdom of Poland . Frederick Chopin -LRB- Fryderyk Chopin -RRB- -LRB- 1810-1849 -RRB- Born in the village of Zelazowa Wola in Warsaw , to a Polish mother and French father , he was regarded early on as a child-prodigy piano virtuoso . He is generally considered to be Poland 's greatest composer , and ranks as one of music 's greatest tone poets . Always in fragile health , he died in Paris in 1849 from chronic pulmonary tuberculosis . He was only 39 . Mari-Sklodowska -LRB- Marie Curie -RRB- -LRB- 1867-1934 -RRB- Marie Curie , a Polish physicist and chemist , is arguably the most famous female scientist . She was a pioneer in the field of radioactivity , the only person honored with Nobel Prizes in two different sciences , and the first female professor at the University of Paris . Her French husband Pierre Curie and both her daughter Ir\u00c3 \u00a8 ne Joliot-Curie and son-in-law Frederic Joliot-Curie were awarded a Nobel prizes . Marie Curie was born in Warsaw . In 1891 she moved to Paris to further her studies and work on scientific projects . She found the theory of radioactivity and also found two new elements , radium and polonium -LRB- the latter being named after her native Poland . -RRB- Karol Wojtyla -LRB- Pope John Paul II -RRB- -LRB- 1920-2005 -RRB- Karol J\u00c3 \u00b3 zef Wojtyla was born on 18 May , 1920 in the Polish town of Wadowice . At only 58 years of age , he was the youngest pope elected since Pope Pius IX in 1846 . He reigned as the 264th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005 . His reign of over 26 years was the second-longest after Pius IX 's 32-year reign . He has been the only Polish pope , and was the first non-Italian pope since the Dutch Adrian VI in the 1520s . The pope traveled extensively , visiting over 100 countries , more than any other pope and was fluent in numerous languages : Polish , Italian , French , German , English , Spanish , Croatian , Portuguese , Russian and Latin . He was the victim of several assassination attempts , but later said he forgave the perpetrators . He was chosen twice as person of the year by Time magazine . Andrzej Wajda -LRB- 1926 - -RRB- Wajda , born in Suwalki , Poland is an award-winning Polish film Director . He received an honorary Oscar in 2000 . After the fall of communism in 1989 , he was elected as a government senator while he continued his role as artistic director of Warsaw 's Teatr Powszechny . His films often raise social awareness and have dealt with a number of subjects including war , communism and murder -LRB- based on the murder of his own father by the Soviets in 1940 -RRB- . Wajda married four times . He has one daughter and is currently married to actress Krystyna Zachwatowicz . Roman Raymond Polanski -LRB- 1933 - -RRB- Polanski is an Academy Award-winning and four-time nominated Polish film director , writer , actor and producer . After beginning his career in Poland , Polanski became a celebrated filmmaker and director of such films as Rosemary 's Baby -LRB- 1968 -RRB- and Chinatown -LRB- 1974 -RRB- . Recently Polanski has made acclaimed films such as the Academy Award-winning and Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or-winning The Pianist -LRB- 2002 -RRB- , and Oliver Twist -LRB- 2005 -RRB- . Polanski has a tragic personal history . He lived in Nazi-occupied Poland during the Second World War and was persecuted for being Jewish . He escaped death by hiding in a farmer 's cow shed , while his mother was murdered in the infamous Nazi death camp at Auschwitz . After surviving the Holocaust and moving to the United States , Polanski married American actress Sharon Tate . In 1969 , Tate , who was pregnant at the time , was murdered by serial killer Charles Manson 's sect . In 1978 , Polanski pleaded guilty in the United States to `` unlawful sexual intercourse '' with a 13-year-old girl . The director fled to France before sentencing . He now lives there and has French citizenship . He can not return to the United States because he is likely to be imprisoned . Lech Walesa -LRB- 1943 - -RRB- A former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize laureate , Walesa is often credited with changing the Polish political system . He founded the organization `` Solidarity , '' the country 's first independent trade union , which was pivotal in bringing about the fall of the communist regime . He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 for his human rights activism . In 1989 , after the fall of the Soviet Union , he persuaded leaders from formerly communist parties to form the first non-communist coalition government . He was president of Poland from 1990 to 1995 . In 2000 , Walesa once again stood for the presidential election , but received very little support and subsequently announced his retirement . Joanna Krupa -LRB- 1979 - -RRB- Krupa is a Polish-American model and actress . Born in Warsaw , the daughter of hotelier Steven Krupa , she eventually moved with her family to the United States at the age of five . Krupa has appeared on various magazine covers including FHM , Personal , Inside Sport , Stuff , Steppin ' Out , Teeze and Maxim , in which she was named the Sexiest Swimsuit Model in the World . Maxim named her 61st in its 2006 Hot 100 list . She was also voted German Maxim 's Model of the Year 2004-2005 . She posed nude in the July 2005 issue of Playboy and also did a nude photoshoot for animal rights group PETA . The advertisements all have `` I would rather go naked than wear fur '' as a motto . Krupa has been quoted as saying , `` There is nothing sexy about wearing something that is so obviously tied to senseless pain and killing . '' Robert Kubica -LRB- 1984 - -RRB- Born in Krakow , Kubica is the first Polish racing driver to compete in Formula One . Since 2006 he has driven for the BMW Sauber F1 team , promoted from test driver to race driver during the 2006 season . In June 2008 , he achieved his maiden F1 victory at the Canadian Grand Prix , becoming the 99th F1 racer to win a Grand Prix . Dorota Rabczewska or `` Doda '' -LRB- 1984 - -RRB- Dorota Rabczewska , or Dorota Rabczewska-Majdan , is often nicknamed Doda or Doda Elektroda or `` the Polish Britney Spears . '' She was born in Ciechanow , and is one of the most famous and successful pop singers in Poland . Doda started her career at the age of 14 and became popular after her participation in a reality TV show `` Bar . '' In 2000 , at the age of 16 , Rabczewska became the vocalist of the Polish rock band Virgin . In December 2005 and October 2007 , she posed nude for the Polish edition of Playboy Magazine . She also posed for CKM Magazine several times . Doda received a Superjedynka award on National Festival of Polish Song in Opole in 2006 . In 2007 , she left her record company , Virgin , to begin a solo career . Her first solo album was released in 2007 and was certified as gold on the day before its official release . In 2008 , her album `` Diamond Bitch '' went double platinum after 60,000 copies of the album had been sold .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two Americans and an Israeli were awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry on Wednesday for painstakingly mapping out the thousands of atoms that make up the ribosome -- work that paves the way for new antibiotics . U.S. researcher Thomas Steitz is one of three scientists sharing the 2009 Nobel Prize in chemistry . Inside all animals , plants and bacteria are DNA molecules that contain the blueprint for life . Ribosomes are an organism 's protein factories . They use the information in the DNA to make the tens of thousands of proteins that enable the organism to function properly . These proteins include hormones , enzymes and hemoglobin , which transports oxygen . From a medicinal standpoint , the ribosome is important because it is what antibiotics target . In a bacterial strain , antibiotics bind to the ribosomes , preventing them from making the proteins the bacteria need to survive . Americans Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and Thomas Steitz and Israeli Ada Yonath shared the $ 1.4 million prize for mapping the position of the thousands and thousands of atoms that make up ribosomes . Their three-dimensional models showed how different antibiotics bind to the ribosome . `` These models are now used by scientists in order to develop new antibiotics , directly assisting the saving of lives and decreasing humanity 's suffering , '' said the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences , which awards the prize . Ramakrishnan , a U.S. citizen who was born in India , is a senior scientist and group leader at MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge , England , according to the Nobel Prize Web site . Steitz is a professor at Yale University and an investigator at Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Yale , the site said . Yonath is a professor at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot , Israel , and director of the Helen & Milton A. Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure & Assembly at the Weizmann Institute , the Nobel site said . The Nobel Prizes are being awarded this week and next . The medicine award was handed out on Monday and the one for physics on Tuesday . The prize for literature will be awarded Thursday ; the Nobel Peace Prize winner will be named on Friday , and the award in economics will be issued on Monday .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- This year 's Nobel Peace Prize is divided between three women , Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and Tawakkul Karman of Yemen , the Nobel committee announced Friday . Since it was introduced at the beginning of the 20th century , the Peace Prize has become the preeminent award honoring individuals and organizations that work for peace , justice and financial and political stability , according to the Nobel Committee . Here are some facts , figures and history behind the award : The process ** Nominations come from lawmakers around the world , university professors , previous Nobel laureates and members of the Nobel committee . ** That committee -- made up of five distinguished Norwegians chosen by the country 's parliament -- picks the winner . ** This year , a record 241 candidates were nominated . The winner is announced Friday , but the names of the other nominees wo n't be revealed for another 50 years . The award ** The award consists of a medal , a personal diploma and a cash prize -LRB- 10 million Swedish kronor , or about U.S. $ 1.4 million -RRB- . ** The Peace medal has the inscription `` Pro pace et fraternitate gentium , '' which means `` For the peace and brotherhood of men . '' ** A person must be alive to be nominated . If they die during the consideration period , their name will be removed . Only if a person is announced as a winner and dies before the ceremony will a posthumous award be given . The history ** The Nobel Peace Prize was created by Alfred Nobel , a Swedish scientist , industrialist and inventor of dynamite . ** Ninety-one Nobel Peace Prizes have been awarded since 1901 . It was not awarded 19 times , most notably during World War I and World War II . ** Sixty-two Nobel Peace Prizes have been awarded to a single laureate ; 28 prizes have been shared by two laureates . One time , the prize was shared between three people : Yasser Arafat , Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin . Recent winners ** Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo won last year but could not attend . The political activist and longtime critic of communist rule in China is serving an 11-year prison term for what the Chinese government calls `` inciting subversion of state power . '' ** In 2009 , U.S. President Barack Obama won for what the committee called `` his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples . '' ** Martti Ahtisaari of Finland was the 2008 winner . It was his `` important efforts , on several continents and over more than three decades to resolve international conflicts '' that got him the prize , according to the committee . ** The year before , Al Gore and the U.N. 's International Panel on Climate Change shared the prize for their `` efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change , '' according to the committee .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- From Woodstock and a man on the moon to the Manson murders and the Stonewall riots , the summer of 1969 was a tumultuous and eventful time . Listed below are a few of the historic and memorable moments from that summer . April 23 | Sirhan Sirhan sentenced Sirhan Sirhan , convicted of murdering New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy during the 1968 presidential campaign , is sentenced to death a week after being found guilty . Three years later , his sentence is commuted to life in prison after California abolishes the death penalty . May 18 | Apollo 10 The Apollo 10 mission is a dress rehearsal for the lunar landing module . This mission tested `` all aspects of the lunar landing mission exactly as it would be performed , except for the actual landing , '' according to NASA . It also transmitted the first color pictures of Earth from space . May 23 | The Who releases `` Tommy '' The Who , a key band of the 1960s British Invasion , releases the rock opera `` Tommy . '' The double album features songs like `` Pinball Wizard '' and `` Tommy , Can You Hear Me ? '' May 24 | Beatles ' `` Get Back '' is No. 1 `` Get Back '' by the Beatles becomes the top song on Billboard 's list and stays there for five weeks . Released as a single , the song later appeared on the `` Let it be '' album . `` Aquarius\/Let the Sunshine in '' by the Fifth Dimension was the second song on the list for that week . May 25 | `` Midnight Cowboy '' released John Schlesinger 's `` Midnight Cowboy , '' starring Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman , is released with an X rating , the first ever in wide release . The film received seven Academy Award nominations and won three , including best picture . Other notable movies released during that year include `` Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , '' `` Easy Rider '' and `` True Grit . '' June 3 | Last episode of ` Star Trek ' airs The last episode of the original `` Star Trek '' airs on NBC . During the episode , titled `` Turnabout Intruder , '' one of Captain Kirk 's former lovers steals his body . June 6 | Joe Namath briefly retires Joe Namath , the star New York Jets quarterback who famously guaranteed a Super Bowl victory , briefly retires from the National Football League over a conflict with league Commissioner Pete Rozelle . June 8 | Nixon and Vietnam President Nixon , after being elected on a campaign pledge to pull troops out of Southeast Asia , announces the withdrawal of 25,000 U.S. troops from Vietnam . June 9 \/ June 23 | Burger becomes chief justice Appointed by President Nixon , Warren Burger is confirmed as the chief justice of the Supreme Court on June 9 , succeeding Earl Warren . Two weeks later , he is sworn in . In 1973 , Burger votes with the majority in the landmark Roe v. Wade case , establishing a woman 's right to an abortion . June 28 | Stonewall riots A confrontation between gay rights activists and police outside the Stonewall Inn -- a gay bar in Greenwich Village , New York City -- escalates into a riot . Over the next four decades , the riots act as a symbolic force for the burgeoning gay rights movement . July 25 | Sen. Kennedy and Chappaquiddick Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy receives a two-month suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal accident . Mary Jo Kopechne , once a campaign worker for Sen. Robert Kennedy , drowned in the July 18 accident in Chappaquiddick , Massachusetts . July 20 | Moon landing Apollo 11 , carrying three U.S. astronauts , lands on the moon . Mission commander Neil Armstrong was the first man on the moon ; crewmate Buzz Aldrin also walked on the moon . The third man on the mission was Michael Collins . Six lunar landings followed . July 24 | Muhammad Ali convicted Boxing champion Muhammad Ali is convicted of evading the draft after he refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army . Two years earlier , Ali applied for an exemption as a conscientious objector but was denied . He was stripped of his fighting license and title . He returned to the ring in 1970 , and his conviction was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1971 . August 9-10 | The Manson murders During a two-night rampage , pregnant actress Sharon Tate and seven others are killed by Charles Manson and his `` Family . '' Manson and four others -- Susan Atkins , Patricia Krenwinkel , Charles `` Tex '' Watson and Leslie Van Houten -- were later convicted of murder and other charges . Their death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment in 1972 . August 14 | British troops sent to Northern Ireland More than 300 British troops are ordered into a Londonderry neighborhood in Northern Ireland after three nights of clashes between police and Catholic residents . The troops were supposed to stay for days , but the conflict lasted decades . The number of British troops stationed in Northern Ireland peaked at 30,000 in the early 1970s . August 14 | The Miracle Mets The New York Mets fall nine games behind the Chicago Cubs in the National League race but , led by future Hall of Fame pitchers Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver , stage a comeback in the months that followed to capture the pennant . They went on to defeat the Baltimore Orioles for the Word Series title . August 15-18 | Woodstock Nearly 400,000 people show up at a farm in Bethel , New York , for a music festival that features legendary acts Jimi Hendrix , the Who , the Grateful Dead , Janis Joplin and Sly and the Family Stone . The event would help define an era . August 17 | Hurricane Camille More than 250 people are killed in Mississippi and Louisiana when Hurricane Camille strikes the United States mainland . At its peak , Camille was a Category 5 storm , packing winds stronger than 200 mph and leaving tides measuring higher than 20 feet in its wake . September 1 | Gadhafi assumes power Moammar Gadhafi , a military captain at the time , deposes King Idris and assumes control of Libya . He remains in power to this day . September 24 | The `` Chicago 8 '' trial begins A trial gets under way for eight people -- known as the `` Chicago 8 '' -- who were indicted on charges connected with protests at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago . After a long , raucous trial , two were acquitted , and the others were convicted on various charges . Eight police officers were also indicted in connection with the disorder in Chicago .","question":""}
{"answer":"ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that infants born as a result of assisted reproductive technology , or ART -- such as in vitro fertilization and the use of donor eggs -- are two to four times more likely to be born with certain types of birth defects than infants conceived naturally . But , the study 's lead author says , the overall risk is still relatively low . With any pregnancy , there is a 3 percent risk of having a baby with a birth defect . `` The most important findings were that for infants conceived using ART , we see an increased risk for certain birth defects , '' said Jennita Reefhuis , Ph.D. , an epidemiologist at the CDC 's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities . She says that children conceived using ART were found to have twice the risk of septal heart defects -LRB- a `` hole '' in the heart -RRB- , more than twice the risk of cleft lip with or without cleft palate , and four times the risk of two gastrointestinal defects . As part of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study , which gathers information on birth defects from 10 states , Reefhuis and her colleagues compared 281 births using ART with more than 14,000 naturally conceived births . The researchers looked at approximately 18 categories of birth defects , but only those four were found to be `` statistically significantly associated with ART . '' The study findings pertain only to single births ; the researchers did not find a link between ART and birth defects among multiple births . ART increases the chances of having a multiple birth , and infants born as part of a multiple birth are more likely to have birth defects regardless of the method of conception . `` It is important for parents to realize that the individual risk for these birth defects remain low , '' Reefhuis said . `` It sounds like a lot to say ' a two - to fourfold increased risk , ' but you have to keep in mind that the starting risk for these individual defects is actually pretty low . '' Still , says Reefhuis , in the interest of full disclosure and because the use of ART is on the rise , it is important to make these higher risks known . `` I think it 's important for people to be aware that there may be an increased risk for birth defects with ART , '' she said . `` But it is also really important for couples to realize that with any pregnancy , there is a 3 percent risk of a birth defect regardless of any exposures during pregnancy . '' Elizabeth Ginsburg , M.D. , president of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies and the medical director of in vitro fertilization at Brigham and Women 's hospital in Boston , Massachusetts , says the study adds to a growing body of evidence . Ginsburg is not connected to the CDC study . `` I think the take-home message is that if you have infertility and you are going to get help to try to conceive , there is some evidence that you might be at increased risk of having a baby with problems , '' Ginsburg said . `` The big question it raises is , is there something biologically different about people with infertility , '' Ginsburg said . `` It would n't be shocking to find out that there may be some biological difference that makes it more difficult for them to conceive as well as putting them at risk of a higher chance of having babies with some sort of adverse outcome . '' ART , which has been used in the United States since 1981 , is defined as any procedure that involves surgically removing eggs from a woman 's ovaries , combining them with sperm in the laboratory , and returning them to the woman 's body or donating them to another woman . It does not include intrauterine -- or artificial -- insemination or egg-stimulating drugs such as Clomid . It is estimated that more than 1 percent of babies born in the United States are conceived using ART , and that number has been steadily rising , with the rate doubling between 1996 and 2004 . In 2005 , 134,000 ART procedures were performed , resulting in approximately 52,000 births . Almost 12 percent of women ages 15 to 44 report having used some kind of infertility treatment , according to a 2002 national survey .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- 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 -LRB- 7-9 -RRB- 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 .","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pop singer Ricky Martin declared publicly this week what he avoided discussing for years : He is gay . `` I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man , '' Martin wrote on his official Web site . `` I am very blessed to be who I am . '' A decade ago , when ABC 's Barbara Walters pressed Martin to address rumors about his sexuality , he declined to confirm or deny them . `` I just do n't feel like it , '' Martin said . Now , Martin wrote , `` these years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I did n't even know existed . '' The 39-year-old Puerto Rican native started off with the Latin boy band Menudo before launching his solo career in 1991 . His song `` Livin ' La Vida Loca '' rose to the top of the music charts in 1999 and propelled Martin to stardom . Martin said he decided years ago to not share `` my entire truth '' with the world because people he loved warned him that `` everything you 've built will collapse . '' `` Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage , '' he wrote . `` Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions . '' The decision to come out was initiated a few months ago , when he began writing his memoirs , he said . `` I got very close to my truth , '' he wrote . `` From the moment I wrote the first phrase I was sure the book was the tool that was going to help me free myself from things I was carrying within me for a long time , '' he wrote . `` Things that were too heavy for me to keep inside . '' Martin said that disclosing his secret is important because of his two sons , born via surrogate . `` To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids were born with , '' he wrote . `` Enough is enough . This has to change . This was not supposed to happen five or 10 years ago , it is supposed to happen now . Today is my day , this is my time , and this is my moment . '' Writing the seven paragraphs , he said , `` is a solid step towards my inner peace and vital part of my evolution . '' `` What will happen from now on ? It does n't matter . I can only focus on what 's happening to me in this moment . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress pleaded guilty Thursday to a weapons charge stemming from a shooting incident at a nightclub last year , the Manhattan district attorney said . Former NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress will serve two years in prison after pleading guilty to weapons charges . Burress , 32 , pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of attempted criminal possession of a weapon and will serve two years in prison , according to Alicia Maxey Greene , spokeswoman for district attorney Robert M. Morgenthau 's office . Two years of supervised release will follow his jail term , she said . Burress is free on bail and will be sentenced September 22 . A grand jury indicted the former New York Giants football player earlier this month on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and a single count of reckless endangerment in the second degree . He pleaded not guilty to those charges earlier this year . Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg November 29 , 2008 , with a .40 - caliber semi-automatic pistol he was carrying in the waistband of his jeans . The incident occurred in the VIP area of the Latin Quarter nightclub in Manhattan . A teammate who was with Burress , linebacker Antonio Pierce , drove him to a hospital and arranged to have the pistol delivered to Burress ' New Jersey home , according to an August 3 statement from the district attorney 's office . The district attorney also sought charges against Pierce , but the grand jury did not indict him . Burress was not licensed to carry a pistol in either New York or New Jersey . No one , including employees of the New York Presbyterian Hospital and the NFL , called the police to report the gunshot wound , as required by law . One of the hospital workers was suspended after the incident . Burress became a hero to New York Giants fans in the 2008 Super Bowl when he caught the game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Eli Manning with 35 seconds remaining in the game . In the following year , however , Burress ' career with the Giants was marred by a series of incidents in addition to the shooting . He was suspended from the team in early October for missing a practice , and later that month the NFL fined him $ 45,000 after he argued with a referee and threw a football into the stands during a game . Burress was suspended from the Giants immediately after the shooting incident . The team released him in April . CNN 's Chloe Melas contributed to this report","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Only one-quarter of Americans think the federal stimulus plan has helped the middle class , while a majority say it has helped bankers and investors , according to a new national poll . A CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Wednesday morning indicates that 25 percent of the public thinks the stimulus has benefited the middle class . One-third of the people questioned think the stimulus has helped low-income Americans , with just over four in 10 saying the plan has benefited business executives . A majority , 54 percent , think the stimulus has helped bankers and investors . `` Opinions on the economic stimulus bill are colored by the perception that it has helped fat cats , but not ordinary Americans , '' said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland . `` It 's possible that the belief that the stimulus bill helped bankers and CEOs is due to the public confusing the stimulus bill with the various bailout bills that were passed at roughly the same time last year . '' The survey also indicates that one-quarter think the stimulus has helped people in their own community , with three in 10 saying it has hurt people in their community and 45 percent saying the plan has had no effect . According to a CNN poll released Sunday , 56 percent of the public opposes the stimulus , with 42 percent supportive of the plan . Last March , just weeks after President Obama signed the stimulus bill into law , a CNN survey indicated that 54 percent supported the program , with 44 percent opposed . The program , formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 , attempts to stimulate the country 's economy by increasing federal spending and cutting taxes , at a total cost to the government of $ 862 billion . No Republicans in the House of Representatives and only three in the Senate voted for the bill . The stimulus was initially thought to have a price tag of $ 787 billion , but the Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday increased its forecast for how much the stimulus will add to the nation 's deficit , raising its estimate by $ 75 billion . The CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. poll was conducted January 8-10 , with 1,021 adult Americans questioned by telephone . The survey 's sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points . CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- What recession ? Christie 's , the famed auction house , this week sold a nearly 36-carat diamond for $ 24.3 million , which it said was the highest price for a diamond sold at auction . The 35.56-carat diamond dates back to the 17th century . The previous record was a mere $ 16.5 million for a 100-carat diamond in 1995 , Christie 's said . `` In the midst of these challenging times , we were thrilled to achieve an historic price for an historic diamond , '' said Francois Curiel , chairman of Christie 's Europe and auctioneer for Wednesday 's sale . The 35.56-carat Wittelsbach blue diamond , dating to the 17th century , was purchased by international jeweler Laurence Graff , the auction house said in a release . Graff was bidding against Aleks Paul of Essex Global Trading , a professional of Russian origin based in New York , Christie 's said . `` Known as ` Der Blaue Wittelsbacher ' since 1722 , it is one of very few diamonds which can claim 17th century heritage , incredible rarity and exceptional beauty . '' The diamond , mined in India nearly 400 years ago , has been privately owned since 1964 . Until 1723 , Christie 's said , all diamonds worn by European royalty came from India . The diamond has a royal lineage . Christie 's traces it thus : King Philip IV of Spain -LRB- 1605-1665 -RRB- selected the diamond in 1664 as part of a dowry for his daughter , the Infanta Margarita Teresa -LRB- 1651-1673 -RRB- . She had become engaged to Leopold I of Austria -LRB- 1640-1705 -RRB- , who later became Holy Roman Emperor . When she died in 1673 , her husband retained the diamond , which was passed on to his heirs . In 1722 , the diamond entered the Wittelsbach family when the Archduchess Maria Amalia of Austria -LRB- 1701-1756 -RRB- married the Bavarian Crown Prince , Charles Albert -LRB- 1697-1745 -RRB- . It was worn by successive rulers until the abdication of King Ludwig III -LRB- 1845-1921 -RRB- in 1918 . The world 's largest deep blue diamond is the `` Hope Diamond , '' a 45.52-carat stone housed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington , DC . Diamonds apparently are recession-proof . Christie 's reported jewelry sales of $ 226 million for the first half of 2008 , calling it `` the best jewelry season ever seen at auction . '' Sales for the first six months of this year marked a 32 percent increase over the same period in 2007 , Christie 's said . According to Christie 's , key diamonds the company sold in the first half of 2008 included a 13.39-carat fancy intense blue diamond that fetched $ 8.9 million in Geneva on May 14 and the pear-shaped potentially flawless 38-carat Onassis diamond , which sold for $ 7.1 million on June 11 in London .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- EW.com -RRB- -- Although it did n't set a franchise record , `` The Twilight Saga : Breaking Dawn -- Part 1 '' had one of the best openings in box-office history by debuting to $ 139.5 million , according to studio estimates . That 's the fifth-best opening weekend ever , behind `` Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2 , '' `` The Dark Knight , '' `` Spider-Man 3 , '' and `` The Twilight Saga : New Moon , '' which held on to the franchise record . `` New Moon '' debuted to a slightly better $ 142.8 million on the same November weekend two years ago . What 's interesting is how closely `` Breaking Dawn '' followed `` New Moon 's '' trajectory . `` New Moon '' grossed $ 72.7 million its first day , and then dropped 42 percent on Saturday and 34 percent on Sunday . By comparison , `` Breaking Dawn '' earned $ 72 million on Friday -LRB- the third-best opening day ever -RRB- , and then fell 44 percent on Saturday and a projected 34 percent today . `` New Moon '' ultimately finished its domestic run with $ 296.6 million , and it 's too early to tell whether `` Breaking Dawn '' will wind up a bit short of that final figure . Even if it does , Summit Entertainment wo n't be complaining about grossing nearly $ 300 million from the fourth movie of its franchise . And , of course , the domestic box office is only a part of the equation here . `` Breaking Dawn '' took in $ 144 million from 54 foreign territories this week , pushing its worldwide debut to a staggering $ 283.5 million . Summit reports that `` Breaking Dawn '' attracted a crowd that was , unsurprisingly , 80 percent female . What is surprising is that the PG-13 movie 's audience was n't as young as you 'd think , with 60 percent over the age of 21 . According to CinemaScore , 30 percent of the film 's audience was under 18 , but an even larger 42 percent was between the ages of 18 and 34 . The popular conception is that The `` Twilight Saga '' is merely a teenage phenomenon , but these figures seem to prove otherwise . The $ 110 million movie received a good-but-not-great B + rating from CinemaScore graders . In second place was Warner Bros. ' 3-D animated sequel `` Happy Feet Two , '' which fell far short of expectations by dancing to only $ 22 million . The 2006 original , an Oscar winner for best animated feature , opened to $ 41.5 million -- and that was without the benefit of 3-D surcharges . `` Happy Feet Two '' was saddled with mediocre reviews , which might have discouraged some parents . Furthermore , five years could have been too long of a wait , especially for a sequel that appeared very similar to its predecessor . The original `` Happy Feet '' was released a year after March of the Penguins , when the Antarctic birds were having a moment in the cultural zeitgeist . That moment has clearly passed . The $ 135 million sequel earned a B + rating from CinemaScore moviegoers , and 3-D theaters accounted for 50 percent of its weekend tally . The rest of the top five consisted of holdovers . The 3-D action flick `` Immortals '' dropped a harsh 62 percent for $ 12.3 million -- a second-weekend decline that was larger than both `` 300 '' -LRB- 54 percent -RRB- and `` Clash of the Titans '' -LRB- 57 percent -RRB- . `` Jack and Jill '' witnessed a typical Adam Sandler fall of 52 percent for $ 12 million . And even though `` Happy Feet Two '' underperformed , `` Puss in Boots '' lost much of its family audience . The animated adventure dropped 57 percent for $ 10.7 million in its fourth weekend . In limited release , Alexander Payne 's `` The Descendants , '' starring George Clooney , debuted to $ 1.2 million from 29 theaters -- enough for a tenth-place finish . The Oscar hopeful raked in an impressive $ 42,150 per location . Only `` Midnight in Paris , '' `` The Tree of Life , '' and `` Jane Eyre '' opened to stronger per-theater averages this year , and those movies started out on far fewer screens than `` The Descendants . '' 1 . The Twilight Saga : Breaking Dawn -- Part 1 -- $ 139.5 mil 2 . Happy Feet Two -- $ 22.0 mil 3 . Immortals -- $ 12.3 mil 4 . Jack and Jill -- $ 12.0 mil 5 . Puss in Boots -- $ 10.7 mil See the full article at EW.com CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly \u00a9 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. . All rights reserved .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Brett Ratner has resigned as a producer of this year 's Academy Awards show for an anti-gay remark he made over the weekend , the movie director said Tuesday in an open letter to his colleagues . `` Over the last few days , I 've gotten a well-deserved earful from many of the people I admire most in this industry expressing their outrage and disappointment over the hurtful and stupid things I said in a number of recent media appearances , '' Ratner said in the letter , which was given to CNN by his representative , Allan Mayer . `` To them , and to everyone I 've hurt and offended , I 'd like to apologize publicly and unreservedly . '' Ratner met with the representatives of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation prior to announcing his resignation , GLAAD said in a news release Tuesday . When asked during a question-and-answer session about his newly released action comedy , `` Tower Heist , '' whether he rehearses with his actors before shooting a scene , Ratner replied , `` Rehearsing is for f * gs , '' GLAAD said in its release , citing New York Magazine 's Vulture blog . `` When we sat down with Brett today , he seemed very sincere in his desire to use this experience as a way to begin speaking out against anti-gay language in popular culture , '' said Herndon Graddick , senior director of programs and communications at GLAAD . `` We believe his resignation is just the first step and will be announcing a series of concrete actions with Brett in coming days and weeks . '' In his statement Tuesday , Ratner said `` it pains me deeply that I may have hurt '' his colleagues who `` are members of the LGBT community . '' `` Having love in your heart does n't count for much if what comes out of your mouth is ugly and bigoted , '' Ratner said . `` With this in mind , and to all those who understandably feel that apologies are not enough , please know that I will be taking real action over the coming weeks and months in an effort to do everything I can both professionally and personally to help stamp out the kind of thoughtless bigotry I 've so foolishly perpetuated . '' Ratner said he had called Tom Sherak , president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , to resign as the producer of the Academy Awards show . `` Being asked to help put on the Oscar show was the proudest moment of my career , '' Ratner said . `` But as painful as this may be for me , it would be worse if my association with the show were to be a distraction from the Academy and the high ideals it represents . '' `` Tower Heist , '' which stars Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy , made $ 24.2 million on its first weekend .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Singer Rihanna , through her lawyer , asked a judge Thursday not to prohibit her boyfriend , singer Chris Brown , from having contact with her while he faces felony charges of assaulting her . Chris Brown attends his arraignment in Los Angeles on Thursday . Attorney Mark Geragos is at right . The judge granted Rihanna 's request . Brown , 19 , allegedly attacked Rihanna , 21 , during an argument in February that began when she found a text message from another woman on his cell phone , according to a sworn police statement . Brown appeared before a judge Thursday on the two felony counts , but his arraignment was delayed until next month at the request of his lawyer . Authorities charged Brown on Thursday with felony counts of assault and making criminal threats , the Los Angeles County , California , District Attorney 's Office said . If he is convicted , the sentence could range from probation to four years and eight months in prison , the office said . While Los Angeles County Judge Kristi Lousteau warned Brown `` not to annoy , harass , molest , threaten or use force or violence against anyone , '' Lousteau did not issue a `` no contact '' order that would have kept Brown away from the woman he is accused of beating . Watch a discussion of the charges -- and Brown 's future '' Rihanna 's lawyer , Donald Etra , stood near Brown and his lawyer , Mark Geragos , during the brief hearing . Rihanna was not in the courtroom . Referring to the `` no contact '' order that could have been imposed , Etra told reporters after the hearing , `` Rihanna requested that no such order be issued . '' Etra said the less stringent protective order against harassment and threats signed by Lousteau was `` more than sufficient in this case . '' Etra did not respond when reporters asked if the singer was cooperating with prosecutors in the case against Brown . Brown , dressed in a suit and tie , said little during the hearing , except to answer `` yes '' when the judge asked him if he wished to waive his right to a speedy trial in exchange for a delay in arraignment . He then signed a waiver , which also allows Geragos to appear without him in court for hearings on routine issues . Lousteau ordered Brown to return to court on April 6 for formal arraignment . Court documents released Thursday revealed details about the case against Brown , including a police statement that the incident began when Rihanna , whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty , found a text message on Brown 's cell phone from `` a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with . '' Watch panelists discuss whether Rihanna will testify '' A search warrant used by police to obtain cell phone records related to the case included the sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews in which he detailed what allegedly happened in the early morning hours of February 8 . Read the affidavit -LRB- PDF -RRB- `` Brown was driving a vehicle with Robyn F. as the front passenger on an unknown street in Los Angeles . Robyn F. picked up Brown 's cellular phone and observed a three-page text message from a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with . `` A verbal argument ensued and Brown pulled the vehicle over on an unknown street , reached over Robyn F. with his right hand , opened the car door and attempted to force her out . Brown was unable to force Robyn F. out of the vehicle because she was wearing a seat belt . When he could not force her to exit , he took his right hand and shoved her head against he passenger window of the vehicle , causing an approximate one-inch raised circular contusion . `` Robyn F. turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand . He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand . The assault caused Robyn F. 's mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle . `` Brown looked at Robyn F. and stated , ` I 'm going to beat the s -- t out of you when we get home ! You wait and see ! ' '' The detective said `` Robyn F. '' then used her cell phone to call her personal assistant Jennifer Rosales , who did not answer . `` Robyn F. pretended to talk to her and stated , ` I 'm on my way home . Make sure the police are there when I get there . ' `` After Robyn F. faked the call , Brown looked at her and stated , ` You just did the stupidest thing ever ! Now I 'm really going to kill you ! ' `` Brown resumed punching Robyn F. and she interlocked her fingers behind her head and brought her elbows forward to protect her face . She then bent over at the waist , placing her elbows and face near her lap in -LSB- an -RSB- attempt to protect her face and head from the barrage of punches being levied upon her by Brown . `` Brown continued to punch Robyn F. on her left arm and hand , causing her to suffer a contusion on her left triceps -LRB- sic -RRB- that was approximately two inches in diameter and numerous contusions on her left hand . `` Robyn F. then attempted to send a text message to her other personal assistant , Melissa Ford . Brown snatched the cellular telephone out of her hand and threw it out of the window onto an unknown street . `` Brown continued driving and Robyn F. observed his cellular telephone sitting in his lap . She picked up the cellular telephone with her left hand and before she could make a call he placed her in a head lock with his right hand and continued to drive the vehicle with his left hand . `` Brown pulled Robyn F. close to him and bit her on her left ear . She was able to feel the vehicle swerving from right to left as Brown sped away . He stopped the vehicle in front of 333 North June Street and Robyn F. turned off the car , removed the key from the ignition and sat on it . iReport.com : Chris Brown fans : Share your reaction `` Brown did not know what she did with the key and began punching her in the face and arms . He then placed her in a head lock positioning the front of her throat between his bicep and forearm . Brown began applying pressure to Robyn F. 's left and right carotid arteries , causing her to be unable to breathe and she began to lose consciousness . `` She reached up with her left hand and began attempting to gouge his eyes in an attempt to free herself . Brown bit her left ring and middle fingers and then released her . While Brown continued to punch her , she turned around and placed her back against the passenger door . She brought her knees to her chest , placed her feet against Brown 's body and began pushing him away . Brown continued to punch her on the legs and feet , causing several contusions . `` Robyn F. began screaming for help and Brown exited the vehicle and walked away . A resident in the neighborhood heard Robyn F. 's plea for help and called 911 , causing a police response . An investigation was conducted and Robyn F. was issued a Domestic Violence Emergency Protective Order . '' At the end of his statement , Andrews said Brown sent a text message nine days later apologizing . `` In the text message , Brown apologized for what he had done to Robyn F. and advised -LSB- Rihanna 's assistant -RSB- Ford that he was going to get help . '' Brown issued a public apology for the incident last month . `` Words can not begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired , '' he said in a statement released by his spokesman . `` I am seeking the counseling of my pastor , my mother and other loved ones and I am committed , with God 's help , to emerging a better person . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Motor Sport 's governing body , the FIA , have formally confirmed the entry list for the 2010 Formula One season -- with potential newcomers US F1 omitted from the grid . The financially-troubled team had asked the FIA if they could miss the first four races of the season in order to attract extra sponsorship , but have instead been told that they must re-apply if they are to be on the grid for the following season . The official entry list shows 12 teams and 24 drivers -- two teams more than last season . Three new teams are lining up -- Lotus , Virgin Racing and Hispania Racing -- with Toyota deciding to leave the sport . There are also two team name changes . Last year 's winning constructor 's Brawn GP have been taken over by Mercedes , while BMW Sauber have reverted back to being the Sauber team , although they have to retain the BMW title for this season due to legal obligations . Meanwhile , there is also no place on the grid for the proposed Serbian-backed Stefan GP team , who had been hoping to gain a late entry in place of US F1 . An official FIA statement read : `` The US F1 Team have indicated they will not be in a position to participate in the 2010 FIA Formula One world championship . `` Having considered the various options , the FIA confirms it is not possible for a replacement team to be entered for the championship at this late stage . `` In the coming days the FIA will announce details of a new selection process to identify candidates to fill any vacancies existing at the start of the 2011 season . '' US F1 have faced a race against time to have their car ready for the grid , after a number of sponsors opted to pull out the project . Production of the car had been stopped with the team struggling to pay wages , resulting in a number of staff choosing to leave . Team principal Ken Anderson is yet to comment on whether he will attempt to make the grid for the 2011 season . The decision leaves Argentinian Jose Maria Lopez , who had already been offered a drive with US F1 , without a team . Tuesday also saw the final driver appointment confirmed , with Karun Chandhok becoming the second Indian to compete in the sport having been named by Hispania Racing . The 26-year-old follows in the footsteps of Narain Karthikeyan , who had one season with Jordan in 2005 . There will be four world champions on the grid ; Jenson Button , Lewis Hamilton , Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso , while 11 of the 24 drivers have experienced winning a grand prix . Official 2010 Formula One grid : 1 . Jenson Button GB McLaren Mercedes 2 . Lewis Hamilton GB McLaren Mercedes 3 . Michael Schumacher Ger Mercedes GP 4 . Nico Rosberg Ger Mercedes GP 5 . Sebastian Vettel Ger Red Bull Racing 6 . Mark Webber Aus Red Bull Racing 7 . Felipe Massa , Brz Ferrari 8 . Fernando Alonso Sp Ferrari 9 . Rubens Barrichello Brz Williams 10 . Nico Hulkenberg Ger Williams 11 . Robert Kubica , Pol Renault 12 . Vitaly Petrov Rus Renault 13 . Adrian Sutil Ger Force India 14 . Vitantonio Liuzzi It Force India 15 . Sebastien Buemi Swi Toro Rosso 16 . Jaime Alguersuari Sp Toro Rosso 17 . Jarno Trulli It Lotus Racing 18 . Heikki Kovalainen Fin Lotus Racing 19 . Karun Chandhok Ind Hispanic Racing 20 . Bruno Senna Brz Hispanic Racing 21 . Pedro de la Rosa Sp BMW Sauber 22 . Kamui Kobayashi Jpn BMW Sauber 23 . Timo Glock Ger Virgin Racing 24 . Luca di Grassi Brz Virgin Racing","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A chronology of bombings and attempted bomb attacks in the mainland UK since the 1970s : Police close off streets around Haymarket , in London 's busy theater district . June 29 , 2007 : Police defuse a bomb consisting of 200 liters of fuel , gas cylinders and nails found in an abandoned car in Haymarket , central London . A second car packed with gas and nails was later found to have been parked just a few hundred yards from the first , before it was towed away by traffic wardens in the early hours of Friday for violating parking restrictions . Police say two vehicles clearly linked . July 21 , 2005 : Two weeks after the deadly 7\/7 bombings , four men are alleged to have attempted to carry out a second wave of attacks against London 's transport network at three London underground stations and aboard a bus . But their alleged rucksack bombs fail to explode . July 7 , 2005 : Four suicide bombers detonate themselves aboard three underground trains and a bus in a morning rush hour attack against London 's transport network , killing 52 people and injuring around 700 more . Al Qaeda claims responsibility in a video statement . August 2004 : Anti-terrorist police disrupt a plot by Islamic militants to blow up targets including the Ministry of Sound nightclub and the Bluewater shopping center in southeast England using explosives packed into limousines and large vehicles . Seven men are convicted in May 2007 and sentenced to up to 26 years in prison . March 2001 : A car bomb explodes outside the BBC 's London headquarters , wounding one man . Police blame the Real IRA , a republican splinter group opposed to the IRA 's cease fire . April 1999 : Three people die when a nail bomb explodes in the Admiral Duncan pub in London 's gay district -- the third in a spate of series of nail bomb attacks also targeting immigrant areas of the city that left dozens injured . A 23-year-old self-declared `` Nazi '' , David Copeland , is sentenced to six life terms . June 1996 : A massive IRA bomb explodes in a shopping center in central Manchester , injuring more than 200 people . February 1996 : Two people die as IRA terrorists detonate a bomb in London 's Docklands area , causing damage estimated at around $ 170m and ending the group 's 17-month cease fire . April 1993 : An IRA truck bomb devastates part of London 's financial district , killing one and wounding 44 . March 1993 : Two boys aged three and 12 are killed and dozens are injured by two bombs left in litter bins in Warrington , northern England . The IRA admits planting the bombs . April 1992 : A huge IRA car bomb in London 's financial district kills three people and wounds 91 . February 1991 : IRA terrorists launch a mortar attack at Prime Minister John Major 's Downing Street offices . No-one is injured . September 1989 : Eleven people die and 22 are wounded when an IRA bomb explodes at a Royal Marine music school in Deal , southern England . December 1988 : A Pan Am airliner explodes over the Scottish town of Lockerbie , killing 259 aboard and 11 people on the ground . Libyan agent Abdel Basset al-Megrahi , convicted of the attack in 2001 , was this week granted the right to mount a fresh appeal . -LRB- Read about Lockerbie bomber -RRB- October 1984 : Five people die in an IRA bomb attack on a hotel in Brighton , southern England , where Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet are staying for the Conservative Party 's annual conference . December 1983 : An IRA bomb at London 's Harrods department store kills six people . July 1982 : Two IRA bomb attacks on soldiers in London 's parks kill 11 people and wound 50 . October-November 1974 : A wave of IRA bombs in British pubs in Birmingham and Guildford kill 28 people and wound more than 200 . February 1974 : A coach carrying soldiers and families in northern England is bombed by the IRA , killing 12 and wounding 14 . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- `` Benjamin Button '' received more life , but Batman ended up in the dark . `` The Curious Case of Benjamin Button '' scored a best actor nomination for Brad Pitt , here with Cate Blanchett . The nominations for the 81st annual Academy Awards were announced Thursday morning , and to nobody 's surprise , `` The Curious Case of Benjamin Button '' did well , nabbing 13 nods to lead all films . The movie , about a man who ages in reverse , is a big film -LRB- almost three hours long -RRB- with big themes -LRB- death and love -RRB- and earned nominations for best picture , best director -LRB- David Fincher -RRB- , best actor -LRB- Brad Pitt -RRB- , best supporting actress -LRB- Taraji P. Henson -RRB- and best adapted screenplay along with eight nominations in other categories . `` This is a great honor for the movie , and I 'm especially happy for David Fincher , for without him there would be no Ben Button , '' said Pitt in a statement . The film , based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story , has been a project of Fincher 's for years . Gallery : The major Oscar nominees '' However , despite eight Oscar nominations , `` The Dark Knight '' -- 2008 's box-office king -- only picked up one in a major category , that for Heath Ledger 's performance as the villainous Joker . The late actor , who died exactly one year ago Thursday , is nominated for best supporting actor , the same award he won posthumously at the Golden Globes almost two weeks ago . Commentary : CNN.com film critic Tom Charity rates the Oscar nominations `` The Dark Knight '' had made the short lists for the producers ' , directors ' and writers ' guilds , but those honors were n't enough to qualify it for a best picture Oscar nomination . What do you think of the nominations ? Send us an iReport `` Slumdog Millionaire , '' the sleeper hit about a Mumbai orphan who seeks fame and love through the Indian version of `` Who Wants to Be a Millionaire ? '' , earned 10 nominations , including best picture , best director -LRB- Danny Boyle -RRB- and best adapted screenplay . The film , which struggled to find a U.S. theatrical distributor after its initial studio folded , has dominated the awards season thus far and is considered the front-runner for best picture . Watch star Anil Kapoor talk about the reaction the film has gotten '' `` I 'm ecstatic , '' Boyle said in a statement from Mumbai , where the film premiered Thursday . `` Thank you to the Academy from the cast and crew here in Mumbai where the film was made . ... It feels like you 've given us a billion nominations . '' In a mild surprise , `` The Reader , '' based on the best-selling novel about a postwar German boy who has an affair with an older woman with a Holocaust-related secret , took home nominations for best picture , best actress -LRB- Kate Winslet -RRB- and best director -LRB- Stephen Daldry -RRB- . `` The Reader '' comes from the Weinstein Co. -- the studio headed by producer and master Oscar player Harvey Weinstein . `` I 'm extremely happy to have been nominated . And very fortunate . Playing Hanna Schmitz will always remain one of the biggest challenges I 've ever been blessed with , '' Winslet said in a statement . The other best picture nominees are `` Frost\/Nixon '' and `` Milk . '' Watch a rundown of the major nominations '' The Oscar nominations included a handful of other surprises . `` Revolutionary Road , '' featuring the heavyweight trio of Winslet , Leonardo DiCaprio and director Sam Mendes -LRB- `` American Beauty '' -RRB- , picked up just one major nomination -- a best supporting actor nod for Michael Shannon 's portrayal of a troubled savant . Woody Allen , whose `` Vicky Cristina Barcelona '' was widely praised , did n't receive his usual original screenplay nomination . He can take solace in his previous 21 Oscar nominations , including three wins . One of `` Barcelona 's '' performers , Penelope Cruz , received a nomination for best supporting actress . iReport.com : Deliver your acceptance speech And Oscar favorite Clint Eastwood , who many believed would pick up an acting or directing nomination for his `` Gran Torino , '' received neither . However , Angelina Jolie , who starred in Eastwood 's `` Changeling , '' earned a best actress nomination . The nominations also highlighted some lesser-known talent . Character actor Richard Jenkins , best known for his role as the deceased patriarch on the TV series `` Six Feet Under , '' received a best actor nomination for `` The Visitor . '' Melissa Leo , an actress who has had roles in such TV series as `` Law & Order , '' `` CSI '' and `` The L Word '' -LRB- as well as a regular role on `` Homicide : Life on the Street '' -RRB- , earned a best actress nomination for her performance in `` Frozen River . '' `` Frozen River '' also earned a best original screenplay nomination . Two comeback stories received nominations : Robert Downey Jr. , who battled back from drug abuse and incarceration to star in two 2008 hits , `` Iron Man '' and `` Tropic Thunder , '' earned a best supporting actor nomination for the latter . And Mickey Rourke , who has received raves for his performance as a struggling fighter in `` The Wrestler , '' got a best actor nomination . iReport.com : Who do you think will win ? `` Milk , '' the biopic about pioneering gay politician Harvey Milk , earned nominations for star Sean Penn , director Gus Van Sant and its original screenplay as well as a best picture nod . `` Frost\/Nixon , '' about the 1977 interviews between David Frost and Richard Nixon , also received best picture , actor -LRB- Frank Langella -RRB- and director -LRB- Ron Howard -RRB- nominations as well as a nod for its adapted screenplay . Josh Brolin , who was overlooked by Oscar for last year 's `` No Country for Old Men , '' received his first Oscar nomination . Brolin played Dan White , Milk 's assassin , in `` Milk . '' `` To me , to question how a decent guy could resort to such a monstrous act ... It 's just my fascination with that kind of behavior , '' Brolin told CNN.com Live of his reasons for taking the role . As for his competition , `` I could n't be happier to be in this group of people , '' he said . Watch Brolin discuss the complexity of the role '' Meryl Streep , nominated for `` Doubt , '' received her 15th nomination , a record for a performer . The other major performers in `` Doubt '' -- Amy Adams , Philip Seymour Hoffman and Viola Davis -- also were nominated in supporting categories . Israel 's controversial `` Waltz With Bashir , '' an animated film about a soldier 's memories of the 1982 war in Lebanon , received a nomination for best foreign-language film . The category 's other nominees are `` The Baader-Meinhof Complex '' -LRB- Germany -RRB- , `` The Class '' -LRB- France -RRB- , `` Departures '' -LRB- Japan -RRB- and `` Revanche '' -LRB- Austria -RRB- . The nominees for best animated feature are `` WALL-E , '' `` Kung Fu Panda '' and `` Bolt . '' `` WALL-E '' also earned a best song nomination for Peter Gabriel 's `` Down to Earth . '' It will compete against two songs from `` Slumdog Millionaire . '' Bruce Springsteen 's `` The Wrestler '' was left out of the category . The Oscars will be presented February 22 from Hollywood 's Kodak Theatre . The broadcast will air on ABC . Hugh Jackman is scheduled to host .","question":""}
{"answer":"CHICAGO , Illinois -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President-elect Barack Obama told the nation Tuesday night that `` the dream of our founders is alive '' and that he 's ready to fulfill his campaign mantra of bringing change to America . `` Change has come to America , '' President-elect Barack Obama told the nation on Tuesday night . `` At this defining moment , change has come to America , '' Obama , who will be the nation 's first black president , told a crowd of about 125,000 people in Chicago 's Grant Park . Obama , born in Hawaii to a white mother and black father , said his victory proves that America is a place where all things are possible . Paying tribute to the legions of volunteers and voters who carried him to victory , Obama echoed the words of Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address , saying those legions proved `` a government of the people , by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth . '' `` This is your victory , '' he told his supporters , praising `` working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $ 5 and $ 10 and $ 20 to this cause . '' Watch Obama say all things are possible in U.S. \u00c2 '' Obama pledged to heal partisan wounds left after a bruising election battle , again using the words of Lincoln , the first Republican in White House . `` As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours , ` We are not enemies , but friends ... though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection . ' `` Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long , '' Obama said . Obama used the life of 106-year-old Ann Nixon Cooper of Atlanta , Georgia , to illustrate what the nation has overcome in her lifetime , including the Depression , world wars , the nation 's quest for civil rights , a man on the moon , the fall of the Berlin Wall and even a world connected by technology . `` Tonight , let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century ; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper , what change will they see ? What progress will we have made ? '' Obama said . `` This is our chance to answer that call . This is our moment , '' he said . Obama hinted he 's even looking beyond his first term , and through the first eight of those next hundred years . `` The road ahead will be long . Our climb will be steep . We may not get there in one year or even one term , but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there . I promise you -- we as a people will get there , '' he said . Obama congratulated his rival John McCain and praised McCain 's service to the country as a politician and Navy pilot and prisoner of war in Vietnam . `` He fought long and hard in this campaign , and he 's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves , '' Obama said . `` I look forward to working with -LRB- him -RRB- to renew this nation 's promise in the months ahead . '' Watch Obama 's praise of John McCain \u00c2 '' He also thanked his wife , Michelle , and daughters , Sasha and Malia , for their patience through the long presidential campaign . `` You have earned the new puppy that 's coming with us to the White House , '' he told his daughters . Obama spent the first part of his historic Election Day voting , visiting campaign staffers and playing a little basketball . Following an Obama campaign tradition , he arrived Tuesday afternoon at a gym on Chicago 's west side , where a campaign spokeswoman said he met with friends for a game of round ball . The game was the latest stop in Obama 's busy day , which began early in the morning at a polling station in his Hyde Park neighborhood . Earlier , a smiling Obama and his wife cast ballots at the Shoesmith Elementary School . `` I hope this works , '' Obama said after placing his ballot into a scanning machine . `` I 'll be really embarrassed if it does n't . '' Watch Obama family at voting station \u00c2 '' Obama 's vice presidential running mate , Sen. Joe Biden , voted in Wilmington , Delaware , on Tuesday , casting ballots with his wife , Jill , and his 90-year-old mother . Watch Biden vote \u00c2 '' People at the polling station also cheered as Biden voted . Election Day came shortly after Obama learned his 86-year-old grandmother , Madelyn Dunham , had died following a bout with cancer . Read more about the death of Obama 's grandmother Obama has described his grandmother , who helped raise him in his native Hawaii , as an integral figure in his youth , saying she struggled to succeed in a business dominated by men . Watch more on Obama 's grandmother \u00c2 '' Obama traveled to Hawaii in late October to visit her . CNN 's Mike Roselli contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- 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 October 23 through October 26 . In Ohio , Obama has an 8-point lead over McCain , 50 percent to 42 percent . The polls were conducted October 22 through October 27 . ` Buyer 's remorse ' in recent history There have been a few examples of such `` buyer 's remorse '' in recent history , Silverleib said . `` We saw that with -LSB- Arkansas Gov. Bill -RSB- Clinton in 1992 , when the polls suddenly tightened up during the last week , '' he said . `` It was almost like people saying , ` Do we really want this guy ? ' '' They did . Clinton soundly defeated President George H.W. Bush , 43 percent to 37 percent . In another example , polls tightened during the 1968 presidential race between Republican Richard Nixon and Democrat Hubert Humphrey . Nixon led by double digits among registered voters in late September , according to a Gallup analysis published Monday . The lead dwindled to 8 points in a poll conducted October 17 through October 22 . By early November , Nixon was clinging to a 1-point lead . The poll was conducted October 29 through November 1 and surveyed likely voters , according to Gallup . Nixon won by less than 1 percentage point . `` Humphrey had all the momentum at the end , and there 's an open question there that had that election gone on for another week , Humphrey might very well had won , '' Silverleib said . There is then the oft-cited example of Thomas Dewey and Harry Truman in 1948 . Polls predicted that Dewey would win , but Truman pulled off the upset . Silverleib , however , is reluctant to cite that race as illustrative of the accuracy of contemporary polls . `` People talk about Dewey and Truman , but they stopped polling a couple of weeks before the election , '' he said , adding , `` polling then was n't nearly as refined a science as it is now . '' However , in what might be a bit of sobering news for the McCain campaign , since 1956 , front-runners in late October lost the popular vote only twice after being ahead in the Gallup poll a week before Election Day , according to that polling organization 's analysis . Obama held a lead in both of Gallup 's likely voter tracking polls released Tuesday .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN Student News -RRB- -- February marks the beginning of Black History Month , a federally recognized , nationwide celebration that provides the opportunity for all Americans to reflect on the significant roles that African-Americans have played in the shaping of U.S. history . But how did this celebration come to be , and why does it take place in February ? We should emphasize not Negro History , but the Negro in history . What we need is not a history of selected races or nations , but the history of the world void of national bias , race hate , and religious prejudice . - Dr. Carter G. Woodson -LRB- 1875-1950 -RRB- on founding Negro History Week , 1926 Dr. Carter G. Woodson , considered a pioneer in the study of African-American history , is given much of the credit for Black History Month , and has been called the `` Father of Black History . '' The son of former slaves , Woodson spent his childhood working in coalmines and quarries He received his education during the four-month term that was customary for black schools at the time . At 19 , having taught himself English fundamentals and arithmetic , Woodson entered high school , where he completed a four-year curriculum in two years . He went on to receive his Master 's degree in history from the University of Chicago , and he eventually earned a Ph.D from Harvard . Disturbed that history textbooks largely ignored America 's black population , Woodson took on the challenge of writing black Americans into the nation 's history . To do this , Woodson established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History . He also founded the group 's widely respected publication , the Journal of Negro History . In 1926 , he developed Negro History Week . Woodson believed that `` the achievements of the Negro properly set forth will crown him as a factor in early human progress and a maker of modern civilization . '' Woodson chose the second week of February for the celebration because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population : Frederick Douglass -LRB- February 14 -RRB- , an escaped slave who became one of the foremost black abolitionists and civil rights leaders in the nation , and President Abraham Lincoln -LRB- February 12 -RRB- , who signed the Emancipation Proclamation , which abolished slavery in America 's confederate states . In 1976 , Negro History Week expanded into Black History Month . The month is also sometimes referred to as African-American Heritage Month . -LRB- Source : http:\/\/blackhistorypages.net\/pages\/cgwoodson.php , http:\/\/www.chipublib.org\/002branches\/woodson\/woodsonbib.html -RRB-","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN Student News -RRB- -- Discussion Questions 1 . When did the U.S. government establish a holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ? When in January does this holiday typically take place ? 2 . Who was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ? What are some of his accomplishments ? What cause did he work for ? How did he approach this cause ? How did he think that people should bring about political and social change ? 3 . What is the title of Dr. King 's most well-known speech ? When and where was this speech given ? What do you think Dr. King was trying to say in this speech ? Why do you think that it has become so famous ? 4 . How does community service play a role in the MLK holiday ? What does `` A day on , not a day off '' mean ? What are some of the activities that people participate in to observe the holiday in Dr. King 's honor ? Activities 1 . Read or listen to Dr. King 's famous `` I have a dream '' speech . What were the points Dr. King was trying to make ? What views did he express on equality ? Why do you think that he chose to promote peaceful protest as a means to that end ? What are your reactions to this speech ? Share your thoughts with the class or write them in a journal . 2 . In the `` I have a dream '' speech , Dr. King says that he hopes that one day , his children `` will be judged not by the color of their skin , but by the content of their character . '' What does this mean ? Create artwork , song lyrics or an interactive presentation that captures what Dr. King meant when he spoke of the content of one 's character . Share your creation with the class . 3 . Many people volunteer for community service projects on MLK Day . If you have ever been part of a community service project , share your experience with the class and talk about how the community benefited from the project , and what you got out of helping others . If you have never been involved in community service , consider what you could do to help someone else . Do you have a talent or skill , however small , that might help someone else ? Elderly neighbors might appreciate your willingness to pick up their mail , for example . Another student might need help in a subject that you excel in . And if you are capable -LRB- and have your parents ' permission -RRB- , you might even consider being part of a bigger project , like landscaping around a school or painting a community center . Think about what you can do , not just on MLK Day , but on a regular basis to help your community be a better place , and then make a commitment to make it happen . Standards Social Studies V. Individuals , Groups and Institutions Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of interactions among individuals , groups , and institutions . VI . Power , Authority and Governance Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people create and change structures of power , authority , and governance . The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies -LRB- http:\/\/www.socialstudies.org\/standards\/strands\/ -RRB- are published by the National Council for Social Studies -LRB- http:\/\/www.socialstudies.org\/ -RRB- . Resources The Martin Luther King , Jr. . Research and Education Institute -LRB- http:\/\/mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu\/ -RRB- Constitution.net : The I Have a Dream Speech -LRB- http:\/\/www.usconstitution.net\/dream.html -RRB- Martin Luther King , Jr. . Day of Service -LRB- http:\/\/www.mlkday.gov\/ -RRB- The King Center -LRB- http:\/\/www.thekingcenter.org\/ -RRB-","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A new national poll suggests a majority of Americans oppose legalizing same-sex marriages , but the survey indicates a vast generational divide on the issue . The recent poll shows that those who have a gay friend or relative are more likely to support gay marriage . Fifty-four percent of people questioned in a CNN\/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Monday say marriages between gay or lesbian couples should not be recognized as valid , with 44 percent suggesting they should be considered legal . But among those 18 to 34 years old , 58 percent said same-sex marriages should be legal . That number drops to 42 percent among respondents aged 35 to 49 , and to 41 percent for those aged 50 to 64 . Only 24 percent of Americans 65 and older support recognizing same-sex marriages , according to the poll . While a majority of those polled oppose legalizing gay marriage , six of ten said states that do not recognize gay marriages should allow civil unions . When it comes to supporting civil unions , the poll indicates a similar generational shift . Three states -- Massachusetts , Connecticut and Iowa -- currently allow same-sex marriages . A law passed by Vermont legislators that makes gay and lesbian marriages legal takes affect in September . New Hampshire lawmakers are close to passing a similar bill . `` It 's not surprising that three Northeastern states are the first to take this step , '' says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland , referring to Massachusetts , Connecticut and Vermont . `` A majority of people who live in the Northeast say they approve of same-sex marriage . Solid majorities in the South , Midwest and West all oppose gay marriage . '' Forty-nine percent of those questioned say they have a family member or close friend who is gay . That 's up eight points from 1998 and 17 points from 1992 . Fifty-eight percent of those aged 18 to 34 say they have a family member or close friend who 's gay . That drops to just one in three of people 65 or older . `` People who say they have a gay friend or relative support same-sex marriage , '' Holland notes . `` Most of those who say they do n't know anyone who is gay , oppose gay marriage . '' The poll 's release comes just three days after Supreme Court Justice David Souter announced he would step down from the high court after this year 's session ends in late June . Any Supreme Court nomination battle between conservatives and progressives will most likely include hot-button social issues , like gay marriage . `` Republicans do n't have the votes to defeat President Obama 's choice for the Supreme Court . They have to get some Democrats to join them , possibly on a hot-button social issue , '' says Bill Schneider , CNN senior political analyst . The poll indicates that close to 40 percent of Democrats oppose legalizing gay marriage . But Schneider says there 's a risk for conservatives if they make same-sex marriage an issue in the fight over a Supreme Court nomination . `` Young voters strongly favor marriage equality . They 're the future of American politics , '' says Schneider . The CNN\/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted April 23-26 , with 2,019 adult Americans questioned by telephone . The survey 's sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday morning in Oslo , Norway . A record number of nominations -- 241 -- were received by the Nobel committee this year . Of those , 53 are organizations , including WikiLeaks -- the website founded by Julian Assange that facilitates the publication of classified information . It made headlines for leaking documents and videos related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and also released thousands of U.S. diplomatic cables . Among the individuals thought to be strong contenders are several involved in fomenting peaceful uprisings in the Arab world . They include Wael Ghonim , the former Google executive who used social media to jump-start social change in Egypt , Tunisian blogger Lina Ben Mhenni , who criticized the regime long before the uprisings began , dispersing information to the outside world , and Israa Abdel Fattah , who helped organize Egypt 's online April 6 Youth Movement in 2008 and played a role again in 2011 . Other favorites are Sima Samar , head of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and a trailblazer for women 's rights in Afghanistan , German Chancellor Helmut Kohl , Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payas Sardinas and Ghazi bin Muhammad , a Jordanian advocate of interfaith dialogue . Another organization which could be in with a shot is Memorial , a Russian civil rights group known for its fight for to protect refugees and victims of political persecution and human rights violations in war zones . Apart from the winner , the names of the nominees can not be revealed by the Nobel committee for another 50 years . Last year , Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo won the prize but could not attend the award ceremony . The political activist and longtime critic of communist rule in China is serving an 11-year prison term for what the Chinese government calls `` inciting subversion of state power . '' U.S. President Barack Obama won for what the committee called `` his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples '' in 2009 . Nobel prizes in literature , chemistry , physics and physiology or medicine were awarded earlier this week . Swedish poet Tomas Transtromer won the Nobel Prize in literature on Thursday . The Swedish academy said it gave the award to Transtromer `` because , through his condensed , translucent images , he gives us fresh access to reality . '' On Wednesday , the prize in chemistry was awarded to Israeli scientist Daniel Shechtman . Shechtman is a professor at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and is known for his discovery of quasicrystals . On Tuesday , the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences named Saul Perlmutter from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California , Berkeley ; Brian P. Schmidt of Australian National University and Adam G. Riess of Johns Hopkins University and the Space Telescope Science Institute the winners of the 2011 Nobel Prize in physics . They made the discovery that our universe apparently is expanding at an accelerating rate some 14 billion years after the Big Bang . The Nobel committee on Monday named Ralph Steinman , a biologist with Rockefeller University , and scientists Bruce A. Beutler and Jules A. Hoffmann , the winners of the 2011 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine . The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded 91 times since 1901 . The youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate is Mairead Corrigan , who was 32 years old when she was awarded the Peace Prize in 1976 . The oldest winner is Joseph Rotblat , who was age 87 when he was awarded the Prize in 1995 . The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a committee of five people chosen by Norway 's parliament and is named for Alfred Nobel , a Swedish scientist and inventor of dynamite . Nominations come from lawmakers around the world , university professors , previous Nobel laureates and members of the Nobel committee .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Top seed Svetlana Kuznetsova tumbled out of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Saturday , but two-time champion Kim Clijsters cruised into the third round . Kuznetsova , who lost in the 2007 and 2008 finals , became the first top-ranked player at the Californian tournament to lose their opening match since Clijsters in 2002 . The Russian , who had an opening-round bye , lost 6-4 4-6 6-1 to unseeded Spaniard Carla Suarez-Navarro as she paid for her 69 unforced errors and seven double-faults . `` It 's frustrating , because I know I have the game , '' the 24-year-old told the tournament 's official Web site . `` I feel great . I do practice , play unbelievable , and then get to the match and I do n't do much . `` So my thinking is I just need more matches because as soon as I have matches , I keep going . '' Suarez-Navarro will play Agnes Szavay in the third round , with the Hungarian 27th seed progressing after a 6-3 6-2 victory against Taiwan 's Chan Yung-Jan . U.S. Open champion Clijsters avoided suffering the same demise as fellow Belgian and former world No. 1 Justine Henin , who lost to Argentina 's Gisela Dulko on Friday . Clijsters , seeded 14th in her first appearance at the tournament since winning it for the second time in 2005 , thrashed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic 6-2 6-1 . `` I felt good out there today , '' Clijsters told the WTA Tour Web site . `` Legs felt good , fresh . It 's important in a match like this , to get through without wasting too much time , but also getting a good rhythm . `` I want to get the game I had when I was playing at the U.S. Open , where I played really well . I want to keep raising the bar . '' Clijsters will next face Russian 23rd seed Alisa Kleybanova , who beat Bulgaria 's Tsvetana Pironkova 6-7 -LRB- 5-7 -RRB- 6-3 6-1 . Daniela Hantuchova , another two-time champion , was knocked out by Italy 's Roberta Vinci . The 21st seed was upset 6-3 7-5 despite battling back from 3-0 down in the second set , with Vinci earning a third-round clash with Belgian 13th seed Yanina Wickmayer . Third seed Victoria Azarenka progressed with a 6-1 7-5 win over Austria 's Sybille Bammer , and the Belarussian will next play Spanish 28th seed Maria Jose Martinez . Australian eighth seed Samantha Stosur defeated France 's Julie Coin 6-1 7-6 -LRB- 7-4 -RRB- to set up a clash with Russian 25th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova . Ninth seed Flavia Pennetta also went through with a 6-3 6-3 win over Czech Petra Kvitova , and the Italian will play Israel 's 17th seed Shahar Peer in the third round .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Just one in 10 Latino high school dropouts earns a high school equivalency degree , compared with two in 10 African-American dropouts and three in 10 white dropouts , the Pew Hispanic Center said Thursday . The equivalency degree , called the General Educational Development -LRB- GED -RRB- credential , `` is widely regarded as the best ` second chance ' pathway to college , vocational training and military service for adults who do not graduate from high school , '' the center said on its website . Latinos also have a much higher high school drop-out rate than blacks or whites . About 41 percent of Latinos 20 and older in the United States do not have a regular high school diploma , compared with 23 percent of black adults and 14 percent of white adults , Pew said . Among Latinos , Pew noted , significant differences exist between those who were born in another country and those born in the United States . About 52 percent of foreign-born Latino adults are high school dropouts , compared with 25 percent of the native born , Pew said . Among Latino dropouts , about 21 percent of those born in the United States have a GED , compared with 5 percent of those born abroad , the research center said . A greater percentage of U.S.-born Latinos obtain GEDs because they are more aware of the opportunities available to them , said Richard Fry , the Pew Hispanic Center researcher who compiled the report . `` For the foreign-born , it takes them a little bit of time to learn about the GED , '' Fry told CNN . `` It takes a little bit of time to figure things out . '' Fry said he obtained the information by performing an analysis of newly available educational attainment data from the U.S. Census Bureau 's 2008 American Community Survey . That Census Bureau survey was the first to differentiate between those who graduated from high school and those who obtained a GED , Fry said . Previous surveys had lumped both categories together . The Pew analysis also found that in 2008 , Latino adults with a GED had a higher unemployment rate than those with a high school diploma -- 9 percent versus 7 percent . However , the report said , Latino full-time , full-year workers with a GED had about the same mean annual earnings -LRB- $ 33,504 -RRB- as full-time , full-year Latino workers with a high school diploma -LRB- $ 32,972 -RRB- . The Pew Hispanic Center is a nonpartisan research organization that does not take positions on policy issues . Release of the report comes amid heightened tensions over a recent Arizona law that requires immigrants to carry their registration documents at all times and allows police to question individuals ' immigration status in the process of enforcing any other law or ordinance . Opponents have called for an Arizona tourism boycott and the measure has drawn criticism from Mexico and several Latin American nations . Fry said timing of the report 's release was coincidental . `` There 's nothing magical about it , '' he said . `` The report 's been done for about a week or so and it was time to get it out the door . '' CNN 's Arthur Brice contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rep. Paul Gillmor of Ohio was found dead in his townhouse in Arlington , Virginia , on Wednesday , leadership aides for both the Republican and Democratic parties said . Rep. Paul Gillmor was first elected to Congress in 1988 . Gillmor , a Republican , was 68 . The leadership aides did not say how Gillmor died . House Minority Leader John Boehner , R-Ohio , told fellow congressmen on the floor of the House that their colleague died `` suddenly overnight . '' `` He was a good friend to all of us , '' said a somber Boehner . `` He 's going to be missed by us all . '' A tribute to Gillmor will be held in the House later Wednesday afternoon , Boehner said . Watch Boehner tell colleagues of death '' Gillmor , the deputy minority whip , was in his 10th term in the House , representing the 5th Congressional District in the northwest part of the Buckeye state . He was a member of the House Committee on Financial Services , and the ranking Republican on the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit . Gillmor also served on the Subcommittee on Capital Markets , Insurance and Government Sponsored-Enterprises and the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity . He was elected to Congress in 1988 , after serving in the Ohio State Senate for 22 years , where he was elected Republican leader five times . Gillmor was born Feb. 1 , 1939 , in Tiffin , Ohio . He received a bachelor of arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware , Ohio , and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School . In 2006 , Roll Call -- a Capitol Hill newspaper -- listed him as the 43rd richest member of Congress , with an estimated net worth of $ 6.16 million . He formerly ran a financial services company . Gillmor was also a U.S. Air Force veteran -- where he attained the rank of captain -- and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1986 . He served in the Vietnam War in 1965 and 1966 . He was married to Karen Gillmor , vice chairman of the State Employment Relations Board in Ohio and a former state senator . Their family includes two daughters , Linda and Julie , and three sons , Paul and twins Connor and Adam . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Serbian police are conducting another search for war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic and another fugitive , the office of the war crimes prosecutor in Belgrade said Friday . Ratko Mladic , pictured in 1993 , is the highest-ranking war crimes suspect still at large . The search , launched at the request of Serbian war crimes prosecutor Vladimir Vukcevic , is being conducted around the town of Arandjelovac , 45 miles -LRB- 75 kilometers -RRB- south of Belgrade , the prosecutor 's office said . Serbia is offering a reward of 1 million euros for information leading to the capture of Ratko Mladic , the Bosnian Serb general wanted by the United Nations ' International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia , ICTY , in the Hague . A reward of $ 250,000 is offered for information leading to the arrest of Serbia 's other fugitive , Goran Hadzic . Mladic is the highest-ranking figure from the conflict to remain at large following the July arrest of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic . Mladic commanded the Bosnian Serb military during the 1992-95 war in Bosnia-Herzegovina . The U.N. tribunal indicted Mladic in 1995 , along with 51 others , on charges involving war crimes and atrocities committed during four years of civil war . In July 1996 , an international arrest warrant was issued for Mladic after investigators collected evidence at the site of the Srebrenica massacre . Mladic stepped down as military commander in November 1996 and returned to Belgrade . But he disappeared after former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic was arrested in 2001 . The 66-year-old faces charges of genocide and crimes against humanity over the killing of some 7,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in 1995 . He 's also wanted for his role in the 1992 shelling of Sarajevo . In 1992 , as hostilities broke out in Sarajevo , Mladic led the `` shelling and sniping to target civilian areas of the city and its civilian population and institutions , killing and wounding civilians , and thereby also inflicting terror upon the civilian population , '' the war crimes tribunal contends . The status of Mladic is one of the major stumbling block 's to Serbia 's admission to the European Union . In April Serbia 's government signed a preliminary agreement setting the country on the path to full EU membership . But ratification of the agreement was made conditional on Serbia sending Mladic to the Hague . CNN 's Ben Blake in London , England , contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Some $ 700 million in economic stimulus money intended to upgrade baggage screening systems at airports will go further than originally expected , Department of Homeland Security officials said Wednesday . The new systems can process up to 500 bags an hour , compared to the 150 to 160 bags per hour on the older machines , the TSA said . The DHS said the money will now upgrade systems at 10 additional airports . Earlier this year the DHS announced funding for baggage screening at airports in 15 cities . The money will be used to speed up construction of in-line baggage screening systems , which take advantage of the airline 's existing conveyor belt systems to check bags , eliminating the need for minivan-size bomb detection systems now found in many airport lobbies . Government auditors have long complained about existing systems , which the Transportation Security Administration rushed into place to meet congressional deadlines after the September 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks . At airports with in-line systems , airline workers at the ticketing counters place the bags on conveyor belts , which pass through explosive detectors on their way to the aircraft . That is more efficient than stand-alone systems , which the TSA employees must staff . In addition , in-line systems can process up to 500 bags an hour , compared to the 150 to 160 bags per hour processed by stand-alone machines , the TSA said . Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement that DHS was able to `` stretch our resources '' by managing the recovery money and by negotiating with airports . In addition to the $ 700 million intended for checked baggage systems , $ 300 million is being allocated for checkpoint technology , such as new X-ray machines , `` whole body imaging '' technology and bottled liquid scanners . The new airports expected to get stimulus money for in-line explosive detection systems are : \u2022 Washington Dulles International Airport -LRB- Chantilly , Virginia -RRB- \u2022 Lambert-St . Louis International Airport -LRB- St. Louis , Missouri -RRB- \u2022 Yellowstone Regional Airport -LRB- Cody , Wyoming -RRB- \u2022 William P. Hobby Airport -LRB- Houston , Texas -RRB- \u2022 St. Petersburg\/Clearwater International Airport -LRB- St. Petersburg , Florida -RRB- \u2022 Gallatin Field Airport -LRB- Bozeman , Montana -RRB- \u2022 Little Rock National Airport -LRB- Little Rock , Arkansas -RRB- \u2022 Tulsa International Airport -LRB- Tulsa , Oklahoma -RRB- \u2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport -LRB- Charlotte , North Carolina -RRB- \u2022 Colorado Springs Airport -LRB- Colorado Springs , Colorado -RRB- Earlier this year , DHS announced funding for airports in the following cities : Atlanta , Georgia ; Columbus , Ohio ; Dayton , Ohio ; Honolulu , Hawaii ; Huntsville , Alabama ; Jackson , Wyoming ; Maui , Hawaii ; New Orleans , Louisiana ; Orange County , California ; Orlando , Florida ; Philadelphia , Pennsylvania ; Portland , Maine ; and Sacramento , San Francisco and San Jose , California . To learn more about the DHS Recovery Act projects , visit www.dhs.gov\/recovery .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Grammy Award winners Alicia Keys and John Legend will perform at `` CNN Heroes : An All-Star Tribute , '' airing on Thanksgiving on CNN . John Legend will sing `` If You 're Out There '' from his just-released album `` Evolver . '' Hosted by CNN 's Anderson Cooper , the program honors the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2008 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood , California . The show will be broadcast globally on CNN , CNN International and CNN en Espa\u00f1ol at 9 p.m. ET\/PT November 27 -LRB- 0200 GMT November 28 -RRB- . Each of this year 's top 10 CNN Heroes will be honored in a documentary tribute and introduced by a celebrity presenter . Actors Cameron Diaz , Salma Hayek , Forest Whitaker , Meg Ryan , Terrence Howard , Lucy Liu , Jessica Biel , Kate Beckinsale and Selena Gomez are among the stars participating in the event . See photos of the presenters '' In addition , actor Hugh Jackman will present People magazine 's 2008 Heroes Among Us award to six recipients honored by the magazine this year . People is partnering with CNN for this portion of the telecast . Keys will perform `` Superwoman '' from her hit album `` As I Am . '' Legend , backed by the Los Angeles-based Agape Choir , will sing `` If You 're Out There '' from his just-released album `` Evolver . '' The evening will culminate with the announcement of the CNN Hero of the Year , chosen through a six-week online poll that generated more than 1 million votes . Viewers were asked to select the CNN Hero who inspired them the most from among the top 10 CNN Heroes selected by a blue-ribbon panel . The Hero of the Year will be awarded $ 100,000 in addition to the $ 25,000 that each of the top 10 CNN Heroes receives . Voting for the CNN Hero of the Year has now closed . Watch a close-up look at the CNN Hero Award '' Award-winning producer-director Joel Gallen returns to executive produce this year 's program . Among his credits , Gallen produced telethon events supporting victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina , winning an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award for `` America : A Tribute to Heroes . '' Kodak Theatre is a 3,400-seat venue that opened in November 2001 and is best known as the first permanent home of the Academy Awards .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Conan O'Brien suggested in a statement Tuesday that he will not accept NBC 's proposal to move him and `` The Tonight Show , '' which he 's hosted for seven months , to 12:05 a.m. ET . NBC has proposed moving `` The Tonight Show '' from its traditional 11:35 p.m. slot so that the show 's former host , Jay Leno , could host a half-hour show then . `` My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of ` The Tonight Show . ' But I can not participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction , '' O'Brien said . `` Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot does n't matter . But with the Tonight Show , I believe nothing could matter more . `` There has been speculation about my going to another network but , to set the record straight , I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next . My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff , crew , and I can do a show we can be proud of , for a company that values our work . '' Read O'Brien 's full statement After Leno left `` The Tonight Show '' last year -- as part of an agreement reached six years ago giving it to O'Brien -- he began hosting `` The Jay Leno Show '' for NBC in the fall , airing at 10 p.m. ET . But ratings for the 10 p.m. show were low , and on Sunday , NBC announced that it was taking Leno out of the prime-time slot because the show `` did n't meet affiliates ' needs '' despite performing at acceptable levels for the network . The last show will air February 11 to make way for the 2010 Winter Olympics , which airs starting February 12 . Jeff Gaspin , chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment , said the plan was for Leno to host a new , half-hour show at 11:35 p.m. ET , followed by `` Tonight '' with O'Brien at 12:05 a.m. and Jimmy Fallon 's `` Late Night '' show moving to 1 a.m. . As of Sunday , NBC was still negotiating with the three hosts over the proposed lineup . iReport : Share your view on the late-night shakeup O'Brien , in his statement Tuesday , said the plan was n't acceptable . `` For 60 years the ` Tonight Show ' has aired immediately following the late local news . I sincerely believe that delaying ` The Tonight Show ' into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting , '' O'Brien said . '' ` The Tonight Show ' at 12:05 simply is n't ` The Tonight Show . ' `` Also , if I accept this move I will be knocking the ` Late Night ' show , which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon , out of its long-held time slot . That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love , and it would be unfair to Jimmy . '' Fox 's president of entertainment , Kevin Reilly , told reporters on Monday that his network may be interested in O'Brien should he leave `` Tonight . '' `` I love him , '' Reilly said at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena , California . `` It 's a very compatible fit for our brand . He is one of the few guys in the planet who has demonstrated he can do one of these shows every night . '' In monologues on their respective shows on Monday , Leno and O'Brien had zingers about the looming shakeup . `` NBC said the show performed exactly as they expected it would and then canceled us . Do n't confuse this -LSB- with -RSB- when we were on at late night and performed better than expected and they canceled us . That was totally different , '' Leno quipped . O'Brien had the following to say on his show Monday : -- `` Good evening , I 'm Conan O'Brien , the new host of ` Last Call with Carson Daly . ' '' -- `` This weekend no one was seriously hurt , but a 6.5 earthquake hit California . The earthquake was so powerful that it knocked Jay Leno 's show from 10:00 to 11:35 . '' -- `` On the positive side , I have learned a valuable lesson from all this : Never sign a contract that ends with the word ` NOT . ' ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was charged in Florida on Wednesday with killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence , a spokesman for the Miami-Dade County state attorney 's office said . Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth has been charged with DUI manslaughter Authorities charged Stallworth , 28 , with DUI manslaughter in the death of Mario Reyes , spokesman Ed Griffith said . Stallworth is expected to surrender in court Thursday , Griffith said . The charge is a bondable offense , and bail is expected to be set at $ 200,000 . If convicted , he could face up to 15 years in prison . According to Griffith , Stallworth 's blood-alcohol level after last month 's accident was measured at 0.126 percent , higher than the state 's legal limit of 0.08 percent . Stallworth was drinking at a Miami Beach , Florida , club early March 14 , court documents say . He later left the club and went to a Miami residence for about 45 minutes before leaving in his black Bentley GT at 7:07 a.m. . He was driving east on the MacArthur Causeway , which connects Miami to the South Beach area of Miami Beach , when he struck Reyes , prosecutors said . Reyes , a construction worker , was crossing the eastbound lanes of the causeway . CNN affiliate WSVN reported that he was heading to a bus stop after leaving work . Reyes , 59 , was struck by the right front and fender of the car and suffered critical head , chest and abdominal injuries , according to an affidavit . He died a short time later at a hospital . Read the affidavit -LRB- PDF -RRB- Stallworth told the arriving officer , `` I hit the man lying in the road , '' the affidavit said . He said he had time to honk his horn and flash his headlights to alert Reyes , according to the documents . Police smelled alcohol on his breath , the documents said , and Stallworth provided a blood sample at the scene . Stallworth released a statement four days after the incident saying he and his family were `` grief-stricken . '' `` My thoughts and prayers are with the Reyes family during this incredibly difficult time , '' he said . Among the expected conditions of Stallworth 's bail are that he consume no alcohol or drugs , submit to random drug and alcohol testing , abide by a curfew between midnight and 6 a.m. , surrender his passport and not drive , according to an agreement setting conditions of his release . He will be allowed to reside in Ohio and Florida as needed , but he must notify authorities 24 hours in advance when traveling . Stallworth and his attorney have been cooperating with authorities , Officer Deborah Doty , spokeswoman for Miami Beach police , said Wednesday . Stallworth , a former University of Tennessee player , has also played professionally for the New England Patriots , the New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles . CNN 's Rich Phillips contributed to this report","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Dr. George Tiller , whose Kansas women 's clinic frequently took center stage in the U.S. debate over abortion , was shot and killed while serving as an usher at his Wichita church Sunday morning , police said . Dr. George Tiller was one of the few U.S. physicians that performed late-term abortions . Wichita police said a 51-year-old man from the Kansas City , Kansas , area was in custody in connection with the slaying of Tiller , who was one of the few U.S. physicians who still performed late-term abortions . The killing , which came about 16 years after Tiller survived a shooting outside his Wichita clinic , took place shortly after 10 a.m. Sunday at Reformation Lutheran Church . Officers found the 67-year-old dead in the foyer , police said . Witnesses provided a description of the car and a license number of the killer 's getaway vehicle , Wichita police spokesman Gordon Bassham said . Police stopped a blue Ford Taurus matching the description about three hours later in Gardner , about 30 miles southwest of Kansas City , and took the driver into custody . No charges had been filed Sunday evening and no motive for the killing was immediately known , but Wichita police Detective Tom Stoltz told reporters : `` We think we have the right person arrested . '' `` We will investigate this suspect to the Nth degree -- his history , his family , his associates -- and we are just in the beginning stages of that , '' Stoltz said . See what people are saying about Dr. Tiller 's murder '' Tiller 's slaying drew condemnation from supporters , from some of those who tried to shut down his practice and from President Obama , who just two weeks ago urged Americans to seek `` common ground '' on the issue of abortion . `` However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion , they can not be resolved by heinous acts of violence , '' Obama said in a statement issued by the White House . The shooting prompted U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to direct federal marshals to `` offer protection to other appropriate people and facilities around the nation , '' according to a statement from the Department of Justice . Tiller had been practicing medicine for nearly 40 years , said Peter Brownlie , president of the Kansas City-based regional Planned Parenthood office . His patients were `` almost always in circumstances where something had gone horribly wrong with a pregnancy , '' and where a woman 's health would be endangered if the pregnancy continued , Brownlie said . He and his staff had been picketed for years , with some activists distributing leaflets around his neighborhood , Brownlie said . His clinic suffered serious damage from a bomb in the mid-1990s , and he was shot through both arms in 1993 by an anti-abortion activist who is currently serving time in federal prison . `` He endured that kind of stuff on a very frequent basis , '' Brownlie said . `` As recently as early this month the clinic sustained serious vandalism that put them out of commission for a week or so . '' Watch Tiller describe the philosophy of his clinic in 1999 '' Tiller had armed security at his clinic and a `` pretty rigorous '' security procedure at home , Brownlie said . But he `` made an effort to live his life as normally as possible knowing he could be a target at any time , '' he said . In a statement issued through Tiller 's lawyers , his family -- a wife , four children and 10 grandchildren -- said their loss `` is also a loss for the City of Wichita and women across America . '' `` George dedicated his life to providing women with high-quality health care despite frequent threats and violence , '' his family said in a written statement . `` We ask that he be remembered as a good husband , father and grandfather and a dedicated servant on behalf of the rights of women everywhere . '' In March , Tiller was acquitted of 19 counts of performing procedures unlawfully at his clinic . In 2008 , a probe initiated by abortion opponents who petitioned state authorities to convene a grand jury ended without charges . Leading anti-abortion groups condemned Sunday 's shooting , emphasizing they wanted to shut down Tiller 's practice by legal means . Operation Rescue , which has led numerous demonstrations at Tiller 's clinic , called the shooting as a `` cowardly act . '' And the National Right to Life Committee , the largest U.S. anti-abortion group , said it `` unequivocally condemns any such acts of violence regardless of motivation . '' `` The pro-life movement works to protect the right to life and increase respect for human life , '' it said . `` The unlawful use of violence is directly contrary to that goal . '' But Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry , who is no longer affiliated with the group , called Tiller `` a mass murderer . '' `` We grieve for him that he did not have time to properly prepare his soul to face God , '' Terry said in a written statement . `` I am more concerned that the Obama administration will use Tiller 's killing to intimidate pro-lifers into surrendering our most effective rhetoric and actions . Abortion is still murder , and we still must call abortion by its proper name . '' The National Organization for Women , which supports abortion rights , called Tiller 's killing an act of `` domestic terrorism . '' And NARAL Pro-Choice America said Tiller had worked for years under `` intense harassment tinged with persistent threats of violence . '' If Tiller was killed because of his work , he would be the fourth U.S. physician killed over abortion since 1993 . See all abortion-related attacks since 1993 '' In 1998 , a sniper killed Dr. Barnett Slepian in his Amherst , New York , home . Anti-abortion activist James Kopp was later arrested in France and is serving life in prison . In 1994 , Dr. John Bayard Britton and one of his volunteer escorts were shot and killed outside an abortion clinic in Pensacola , Florida . Paul Hill , a former minister , was convicted of the killings and executed in 2003 . And in 1993 , another doctor , David Gunn , was shot to death outside another Pensacola clinic . His killer , Michael Griffin , is serving a life sentence . In addition , a nurse at a Birmingham , Alabama , clinic was maimed and an off-duty police officer was killed in a 1998 bombing by Eric Rudolph , who included abortion among his list of anti-government grievances . Rudolph admitted to that attack and three other bombings -- including the 1996 attack on the Olympic games in Atlanta , Georgia -- and is currently serving life in prison . CNN 's Matt Smith contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A South Carolina sheriff 's office is investigating whether Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps smoked marijuana on the University of South Carolina campus . Michael Phelps is facing a criminal investigation into whether he smoked marijuana on a college campus . Authorities will file criminal charges if the investigation determines that they are warranted , a spokesman said Tuesday . `` If someone breaks the law in Richland County , we have an obligation as law enforcement to investigate and to bring charges , '' Sheriff Leon Lott said in a statement . `` The Richland County Sheriff 's Department is making an effort to determine if Mr. Phelps broke the law . If he did , he will be charged in the same manner as anyone else . The sheriff has a responsibility to be fair , to enforce the law and to not turn a blind eye because someone is a celebrity . '' Phelps admitted `` regrettable behavior '' on Sunday after a British newspaper published a photograph of him smoking through a bong . The tabloid News of the World showed Phelps using the bong during what it said was a November party at the University of South Carolina , in Richland County . Both university police and Columbia , South Carolina , police have said they would not pursue charges , according to The State newspaper in Columbia . It was unclear where the party took place , the paper said , or whether it was on the USC campus . `` I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment , '' said Phelps , who won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing , China , in a statement Sunday . See the photo on the cover of Star magazine '' `` I 'm 23 years old , and despite the successes I have had in the pool , I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way , not in a manner that people have come to expect from me , '' he said . `` For this , I am sorry . I promise my fans and the public -- it will not happen again . '' The U.S. Olympic Committee also issued a statement that said in part , `` Michael has acknowledged that he made a mistake and apologized for his actions . We are confident that , going forward , Michael will consistently set the kind of example we all expect from a great Olympic champion . '' In 2004 , Phelps was arrested on charges of driving under the influence in Salisbury , Maryland . He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months probation . He also issued an apology after that incident . Phelps is one of 12 Olympic athletes who have signed on to `` My Victory , '' an initiative launched last year by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency aimed at keeping competitive sports clean .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Judge Sonia Sotomayor , who rose from the housing projects of the Bronx to the top of the legal profession , made history Thursday when the Senate confirmed her to become the nation 's first Hispanic Supreme Court justice . Sonia Sotomayor , 55 , will be the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court . Sotomayor was easily confirmed in a 68-31 vote . Nine Republicans joined a unanimous Democratic caucus in supporting her nomination . Sen. Ted Kennedy , D-Massachusetts , supported Sotomayor but was not present for the vote because of illness . Sotomayor , a 55-year-old federal appeals court judge , will be the 111th person to sit on the high court and the third female justice . She will be sworn in at the Supreme Court by Chief Justice John Roberts on Saturday . President Obama , who selected Sotomayor on May 26 , said he was `` deeply gratified '' by the Senate vote . `` This is a wonderful day for Judge Sotomayor and her family , but I also think it 's a wonderful day for America , '' Obama said at the White House . Watch Obama 's remarks '' Watching the final vote with friends and family at the federal courthouse in Manhattan , Sotomayor was confirmed after senators spent a final day of debate rehashing arguments for and against her . Democrats continued to praised Sotomayor as a fair and impartial jurist with an extraordinary life story . Many Republicans portrayed her as a judicial activist intent on reinterpreting the law to conform with her own liberal political beliefs . Among other things , Republican opponents emphasized concerns over her statements and rulings on hot-button issues such as gun control , affirmative action and property rights . See how Sotomayor measures up with her new colleagues '' They also raised questions about some of her most controversial speeches and statements , including her hope that a `` wise Latina woman , with the richness of her experiences '' would reach a better conclusion than a white man `` who has n't lived that life . '' Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy , chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , helped close the debate by stressing the historic nature of the nomination . `` It is distinctively American to continually refine our union , moving us closer to our ideals . Our union is not yet perfected , but with this confirmation , we will be making progress , '' Leahy said on the Senate floor . `` Years from now , we will remember this time , when we crossed paths with the quintessentially American journey of Sonia Sotomayor , and when our nation took another step forward through this historic confirmation process . '' Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Kentucky , took aim at what he claimed was Sotomayor 's inability to refrain from bringing her personal political opinions to bear on her rulings . `` This is the most fundamental test for any judge and all the more so for those who would sit on our nation 's highest court , where a judge 's impulses and preferences are not subject to review . Because I 'm not convinced that Judge Sotomayor would keep this commitment , I can not support her nomination . '' Several Republicans , however , bucked party leadership by voting in favor of Sotomayor . Sen. George Voinovich , R-Ohio , announced Thursday morning that he had decided to back Sotomayor after weighing a range of factors , including her education , experience and temperament . `` Judge Sotomayor is not the nominee I would have selected if I were president , but making a nomination is not my role here today , '' Voinovich said . `` My role is to examine her qualifications to determine if she is fit to serve . ... Based on my review of her record , and using these factors , I have determined that Judge Sotomayor meets the criteria to become a justice on the Supreme Court . '' Voinovich was joined by Maine 's Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe , New Hampshire 's Judd Gregg , Indiana 's Richard Lugar , Missouri 's Kit Bond , Florida 's Mel Martinez , South Carolina 's Lindsey Graham and Tennessee 's Lamar Alexander . Watch the Senate vote '' In a telling political sign , none of the Republicans who voted for Sotomayor is seeking re-election in 2010 . Conservative activists , including the powerful National Rifle Association , mounted a concerted effort to rally GOP opposition to Sotomayor . The abortion issue also played a significant role in the nomination , with abortion-rights supporters backing Sotomayor and opponents urging her defeat . `` Today 's historic vote is a sign of progress for Americans who want a Supreme Court that values individual freedom and privacy , '' said Nancy Keenan , head of the group National Abortion Rights Action League Pro-Choice America . Charmaine Yoest , head of Americans United For Life , praised the 31 Republican senators who opposed Sotomayor for a `` stunning vote of ` no confidence ' in a nominee whose background of abortion advocacy and record of judicial interventionism raise serious questions about her fitness for the high court . '' Underlying the debate over Sotomayor was the larger political question of whether the Republican Party risked alienating Hispanic voters by opposing the first Latina nominee . The party 's share of the Hispanic vote dropped sharply in last year 's presidential election . `` If you meet all of the challenges that you are told you need to meet and still you can be told no , despite fidelity to Constitution , the law and precedent , then it sends a tough message to us as a community , '' said Sen. Robert Menendez , D-New Jersey . Sotomayor 's confirmation capped an extraordinary rise from humble beginnings . Her parents came to New York from Puerto Rico during World War II . Her father worked in a factory and did n't speak English . She was born in the Bronx and grew up in a public housing project , not far from the stadium of her favorite team , the New York Yankees . Her father died when she was 9 , leaving her mother to raise her and her younger brother . Her mother , whom Sotomayor has described as her biggest inspiration , worked six days a week to care for her and her brother , and instilled in them the value of an education . Sotomayor later graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University and went on to attend Yale Law School , where she was editor of the Yale Law Journal . She worked at nearly every level of the judicial system over a three-decade career before being chosen by President Obama to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court . Accepting the nomination , Sotomayor thanked Obama for `` the most humbling honor of my life . '' After the selection , Sotomayor was touted by her supporters as a justice with bipartisan favor and historic appeal . She has served as a judge on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals since 1998 . She was named a district judge by President George H.W. Bush in 1992 and was elevated to her current seat by President Clinton . Sotomayor presided over about 450 cases while on the district court . Before her judicial appointments , she was a partner at a private law firm and spent time as an assistant district attorney prosecuting violent crimes . CNN 's Lisa Desjardins , Kristi Keck and Bill Mears contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two people have died and 28 people have fallen ill with matching strains of E. coli after an outbreak in ground beef , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said . Sixteen of those people are in hospitals and three have developed kidney failure as a result of the contamination , the CDC said late Monday . The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that Fairbank Farms in Ashville , New York , was recalling more than half a million pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with a strain of E. coli , a potentially deadly species of bacteria . The products subject to recall were sent to retailers including Trader Joe 's , Price Chopper , Lancaster and Wild Harvest , Shaw 's , BJ 's , Ford Brothers , and Giant Food Stores . The exact products affected are listed on the USDA 's Web site . The recall was for distribution centers in eight states , but Fairbank Farms said some retailers may have sent the affected beef to other states . Each package is printed with `` EST. 492 '' inside the USDA mark of inspection or on the nutrition label . They were packaged on September 15 and 16 and may have been labeled at the retail stores with a sell-by date from September 19 through 28 , the USDA said . Consumers should ask at their point of purchase if the products they have purchased are subject to recall , the USDA said . E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea , dehydration , and in the most severe cases , kidney failure . The very young , seniors and people with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness . The USDA 's Food Safety and Inspection Service advised consumers to safely prepare raw meat products , whether they are fresh or frozen , and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit . The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature , the FSIS said . Of the 28 people infected with E. coli from the outbreak , eight are in Massachusetts ; four each are in Connecticut and New Hampshire ; two each are in Maine , Pennsylvania and South Dakota ; and one each is in California , Maryland , Minnesota , New Jersey , New York and Vermont , according to the CDC .","question":""}
{"answer":"New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Emmy-winning `` Golden Girls '' actress Rue McClanahan died of a stroke in a New York hospital early Thursday , her manager said . She was 76 . McClanahan , who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage last Monday , was surrounded by family when she died at New York-Presbyterian Hospital , according to manager Barbara Lawrence . The actress ' career began on the New York stage in the 1950s , but her long television career was first boosted when producer Norman Lear cast McClanahan in his hit CBS series `` All in the Family '' in 1971 . She appeared in Lear 's `` Maude '' a year later . Her most memorable TV role was as Southern belle Blanche Devereaux on `` The Golden Girls , '' which ran from 1985 through 1992 . McClanahan won an Emmy for best lead actress in a comedy in 1987 . Betty White is the last surviving member of the four `` Golden Girls '' stars . `` Rue was a close and dear friend , '' White said Thursday . `` I treasured our relationship . It hurts more than I even thought it would , if that 's possible . '' Estelle Getty passed away in 2008 , and Bea Arthur died last year . McClanahan requested that no funeral be held for her , but memorial services will be announced for later this summer in New York and Los Angeles , California , Lawrence said . Fans can pay their respects online , a family statement said . `` Please join us in celebrating Rue 's amazing life '' by visiting a memorial page established for her on Facebook , the family said . McClanahan 's last comedic TV role was in an episode of Tyler Perry 's `` Meet the Browns , '' taped in 2009 . She carried the Devereaux character to three other TV series , including `` The Golden Palace , '' `` Empty Nest '' and `` Nurses . '' She was married six times and had one child . Her son , Mark Bish , was born in 1958 during a brief first marriage . Her present marriage to Morrow Wilson , starting in 1997 , was her longest . Her book `` My First Five Husbands ... And the Ones Who Got Away '' was published in 2007 . McClanahan was born in Healdton , Oklahoma , on February 21 , 1934 , to parents with Scottish and native American heritage . CNN 's Jack Hannah contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- African-Americans are extremely supportive of President Obama , but their enthusiasm appears to have dramatically dropped from earlier this year , according to a new national poll . The CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. survey , released Tuesday , also indicates that Obama 's presidency appears to have made blacks more optimistic about race relations , but less than one in five believe the new president has ushered in a new era of race relations in the country . More than nine in 10 blacks questioned in the poll approve of the job Obama 's doing in the White House , far higher than 42 percent of whites who approve of his performance as president . But when asked how they personally feel about Obama 's presidency , only 42 percent of black respondents say they 're thrilled , with nearly half of those questioned saying they are happy but not thrilled . The 42 percent who are thrilled is down from 61 percent in January , when Obama was inaugurated . `` African-Americans are still big fans of the first black president in U.S. history , but the thrill is gone , '' said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland . According to the poll , 51 percent of African-Americans say Obama 's presidency has brought some improvement in race relations in the U.S. , but only 18 percent feel it 's the start of a new era . Another 23 percent say they 've seen a real change in race relations over the past 11 months and 7 percent say things have gotten worse . The survey indicates that three-quarters of blacks believe race relations will improve eventually , which is up from 49 percent of blacks who felt that way a year before Obama was elected . `` Whites take a dimmer view of Obama 's effect on race relations , with a third believing that the new presidency has not changed race relations in the country and 15 percent of whites saying that Obama has made race relations worse , '' Holland added . `` Not surprisingly , whites are less supportive of Obama , although for a notable number of whites , their negative view of the president is due to the perception that he 's not been liberal enough . '' The CNN\/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted December 16-20 , with 1,160 adult Americans , including 259 African-Americans and 786 whites , questioned by telephone . The survey 's overall sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points and plus or minus 6 percentage points for the African-Americans sample . CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this story","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- World number two Rafael Nadal beat Milos Raonic in the second round of the Japan Open for the second successive year on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Tokyo tournament . Defending champion Nadal , top seed for the Ariake Coliseum event , completed a straight-sets 7-5 6-3 triumph without conceding a break of serve against his Canadian opponent . `` His serve was impressive , especially at the beginning of the match , '' Nadal told the ATP Tour 's official website of his 20-year-old opponent . `` It was an important victory for me and now I am in the quarterfinals . Physically I feel fine and I have the motivation to keep going and keep practising hard . '' Next up for Spain 's Nadal is Colombian Santiago Giraldo , who ended the challenge of Russia 's Dimitry Tursunov with a 6-4 7-6 -LRB- 7-4 -RRB- win . Second seed Andy Murray powered past American Alex Bogomolov Jr. , smashing 11 aces on his way to a 59-minute 6-1 6-2 success . `` It was good , '' said Britain 's Murray , who has won 18 of his last 19 matches . `` I wanted to get off to a good start , having played a long match against Marcos Baghdatis in the first round . `` It was good to get the first set in 20 minutes . It was a bit tougher in the second . Against Baghdatis I had a lot of long rallies and tough situations I had to get through , so I am pleased with today 's performance . '' World No. 4 Murray 's next opponent will be 2002 Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian after the Argentinean eliminated big-serving Croat Ivan Dodig with a 7-6 -LRB- 7-2 -RRB- 6-2 victory . Spaniard David Ferrer also booked his place in the last eight , the third seed coming back from one-set down against Australian qualifier Matthew Ebden to seal a 4-6 6-2 6-2 win . Meanwhile at the China Open in Beijing Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga moved into the quarterfinals by knocking out Chinese wildcard Ze Zhang . World No. 7 Tsonga , top seed for the tournament , continued his quest for a seventh career Tour title with a 6-3 6-4 success in 77 minutes . The 26-year-old 's win set up a clash with former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero after the Spaniard beat compatriot Marcel Granollers 6-4 6-4 . In the women 's draw , Romanian Monica Niculescu continued her unlikely challenge for a second WTA Tour title by inflicting a 4-6 6-1 6-2 loss on fellow-qualifier Virginie Razzano . Niculescu , who defeated French Open champion Li Na in the opening round , will come up against Maria Kirilenko next after the Russian eased to a 6-1 6-2 win over Austria 's Tamira Paszek . Second seed Victoria Azarenka was forced to withdraw from her match against Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova , meaning world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki is the only top 10 player left in the draw .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Actress Natasha Richardson was hospitalized after she fell on a ski slope at a Quebec resort , a resort spokeswoman said in a statement Tuesday . Actress Natasha Richardson was transferred Tuesday to an undisclosed location in the United States . Richardson was taken to a hospital near Station Mont Tremblant before she was transferred to Hopital du Sacre-Coeur in Montreal following her fall on Monday , according to the statement . However , she was transferred Tuesday to an undisclosed location in the United States , according to Michelle Simard , spokeswoman for Hopital du Sacre-Coeur . Simard said she had no further details . Richardson fell on a beginners ' trail Monday during a ski lesson at Station Mont Tremblant , said the statement from the resort , located about 80 miles northwest of Montreal . She was not wearing a helmet , the resort said . At the time , Richardson was accompanied by a veteran female ski instructor , who called the ski patrol , the statement said . The ski patrol members examined her and found no visible sign of injury , according to the statement . `` As standard protocol , the ski patrol insisted that Ms. Richardson be transported to the base of the hill in a rescue toboggan , '' the resort statement said . Once at the base of the hill , staffers advised Richardson to seek additional medical attention , but she declined . Accompanied by the instructor , Richardson went to her hotel , where she was again advised to see a doctor , the resort said . As a precautionary measure , the instructor stayed with her , the statement said . The statement offered no details on Richardson 's condition or injuries , but said resort staffers and police were providing support to Richardson 's family and friends . Richardson , 45 , has appeared in many television , film and stage roles , including the movies `` Nell '' and `` The Parent Trap . '' She won a Tony award in 1998 for her performance as Sally Bowles in `` Cabaret . '' She is married to actor Liam Neeson and is the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave . The Montreal Gazette reported that Richardson 's two sons with Neeson were skiing with her at the time of her fall , and that Neeson flew to Montreal from a Toronto film set to be with her at the hospital .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Texas grand jury indicted polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs on sexual assault charges , and five of his followers also face a variety of charges , state Attorney General Greg Abbott said . Members of the polygamous FLDS revere jailed leader Warren Jeffs as their prophet . Jeffs was charged in the Tuesday indictment with sexual assault of a child , a first-degree felony . A conviction on the charge could mean a maximum penalty of five to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of $ 10,000 , said Dirk Fillpot , a spokesman for the attorney general . Jeffs , 52 , is the so-called leader and `` prophet '' of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , which broke off from mainstream Mormonism in the 1890s over the practice of polygamy . The FLDS openly practices polygamy at its Yearning for Zion Ranch outside Eldorado , Texas , and in two towns straddling the Utah-Arizona state line : Hildale , Utah , and Colorado City , Arizona . Jeffs is accused in the indictment of assaulting a child `` younger than 17 years of age and not legally married to the defendant '' in January 2005 . The alleged victim , whose name is redacted on the document , `` was a person who the defendant was prohibited from marrying or purporting to marry or with whom the defendant was prohibited from living under the appearance of being married '' under Texas law . The indictments , which were handed down by a grand jury in San Angelo , Texas , also charge four of Jeffs ' followers with single counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 17 . One of the four also faces a count of bigamy . A fifth follower is charged with three counts of failure to report child abuse . The Texas attorney general 's office was cooperating with other agencies to ensure the five others would be taken into custody , Fillpot said . Their names have not been made public , and only Jeffs ' indictment has been released . Jeffs has been in custody since August 2006 , when he was arrested during a routine traffic stop after spending several months on the FBI 's 10 most wanted fugitives list . Jeffs is serving two consecutive sentences of five years to life in prison on accomplice to rape charges in Utah for his role in the marriage of a sect member to his 14-year-old cousin . He is being held Arizona while he awaits trial on similar charges . It was not immediately clear when Jeffs would be brought to Texas . Authorities seized more than 400 children in April during a raid on the Texas ranch . The children were returned to their families after the Texas Supreme Court ruled the state had no right to remove the children and lacked evidence to show they faced imminent danger of abuse . In May , DNA samples were taken from Jeffs as part of a criminal investigation into allegations that he `` spiritually '' married four girls ranging in age from 12 to 15 , authorities said . A search warrant seeking the DNA samples said marital records -- known as bishop 's records -- from the ranch show that Jeffs married a 14-year-old girl on January 18 , 2004 , in Utah . The records showed that Jeffs `` married '' two 12-year-olds and a 14-year-old at the YFZ Ranch , according to the search warrant . One of the 12-year-olds , believed to have married Jeffs on July 27 , 2006 , was sexually assaulted by Jeffs later that day , the search warrant said . The warrant made reference to pictures of Jeffs with his alleged underage brides . In one photograph , the warrant states , he is kissing one of the 12-year-olds . In another , he is shown with a 15-year-old wife at the birth of their child in October 2004 . Authorities had said the DNA samples would determine whether he is the father of the children born to underage mothers . FLDS spokesman Rod Parker , who is vacationing in Colorado this week , had no immediate comment on the indictment Tuesday . `` As far as an indictment of Warren Jeffs , I 'd want to know a little more before I start talking about it , '' he said . On Thursday , the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is planning to hold a hearing on polygamy and the need for a `` coordinated state and federal response , '' according to an agenda . Carolyn Jessop , a former FLDS member who recently wrote a book about leaving her marriage and the sect , is scheduled to testify , along with federal prosecutors , Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nevada , and the attorneys general of Texas and Arizona .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rafael Nadal 's shock French Open exit at the hands of a player ranked outside the top 20 is already attracting suggestions that it may be the biggest upset in tennis history . Rafael Nadal faces media after his shock loss to Sweden 's Robin Soderling at the French Open on Sunday Nadal , the world number one had never lost a game at Roland Garros , winning the previous four titles in a row . However , Sweden 's Robin Soderling proved too good for the `` King of Clay , '' beating him 6-2 6-7 6-4 7-6 . The official French Open Web site called it `` one of the greatest upsets in Grand Slam history , '' while other news outlets have rushed to praise the Swede for the `` game of his life . '' The result leaves the men 's draw at the French Open tournament wide open -- with Roger Federer and Andy Murray now the highest-ranked players remaining . Undoubtedly a massive upset , Nadal 's loss also raises the question of what have been the biggest men 's Grand Slam upsets in tennis history . Is this is the biggest ? Below , in no particular order , are ten of the most shocking.What do you think the biggest upset in recent tennis history is ? Tell us in the Sound Off box below . 1 . Robin Soderling beats Rafael Nadal , French Open 2009 Spain 's clay master was unbeaten at Roland Garros and looking for his fifth title in a row when he was shocked by the 23rd seed Swedish player . Soderling was too good for Nadal , and deserved the win . 2 . Michael Chang beats Lendl and Edberg , French Open 1989 American Michael Chang etched his name in history by winning the 1989 French Open aged just 17 years and three months . He beat legends Ivan Lendl and Stefan Edberg -LRB- in an epic five set final -RRB- to win the event and he is still the youngest winner of a Grand Slam . 3 . George Bastl beats Pete Sampras , Wimbledon 2002 Swiss player Bastl was ranked 145 in the world when he took on the seven-time champion of Wimbledon , Pete Sampras . Bastl , who only got into the tournament as a lucky loser after failing to qualify , beat the American in five sets . 4 . Mark Edmondson wins the 1976 Australian Open The Australian only ever won one Grand Slam event , and he beat defending champion John Newcombe in the final to do it . The most remarkable point however , was that he was ranked 212th in the world when he did it . He remains the lowest-ranked player to win a Grand Slam title . 5 . Goran Ivanisevic wins 2001 Wimbledon Left-handed Ivanisevic had lost the Wimbledon final three times before he finally won it in 2001 . The eventual victory was a near-miracle , as he had only entered the tournament as a wild card . Ranked outside the top 100 at the time , he became the lowest-ranked player and only wild card to win Wimbledon . 6 . Mats Wilander wins the 1982 French Open The young Swede shocked the tennis world when at 17 years of age he beat the second , third , fourth and fifth seeds at Roland Garros to win the tournament . He was unseeded for the event . 7 . Richard Krajicek beats Pete Sampras , Wimbledon 1996 Krajicek surprised everyone when he became the first Dutchman to win Wimbledon in 1996 , but the biggest upset had come when he defeated Pete Sampras in the quarter-final . His win was Sampras ' only loss at the grass tournament between 1993 and 2001 . 8 . Gustavo Kuerten wins the 1997 French Open It 's no surprise that `` Guga '' was a Roland Garros favorite . When he won the 1997 tournament he was ranked 66th in the world and he beat three former champions along the way . He remains the third-lowest ranked Grand Slam champion . 9 . Lleyton Hewitt beats Andre Agassi while ranked # 550 The Australian went on to win his first ATP tour title after beating Agassi in the semi-final of the Adelaide International . The win over former world number one Agassi was remarkable given that he was ranked at 550th and only 16 years old . 10 . Vladimir Voltchkov makes 2000 Wimbledon semi-final The Belarussian was ranked 237 when he managed to make it through to the semi-finals of Wimbledon -- becoming the lowest-ranked player to ever make the last four at the London tournament .","question":""}
{"answer":"BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. military announced Wednesday that coalition forces recently killed al Qaeda in Iraq 's `` charismatic '' senior leader in northern Iraq . Abu Qaswarah was second only to Abu Ayyub al-Masri -LRB- pictured -RRB- in al Qaeda in Iraq leadership . Abu Qaswarah , also known as Abu Sara , was killed during an operation in Mosul on October 5 , the military said . The Moroccan native was second-in-command to al Qaeda in Iraq -LRB- AQI -RRB- leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri , according to the military . He had `` historic ties '' to al-Masri 's predecessor , Abu Musab al-Zarqawi , and senior al Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan , the military said . Abu Qaswarah -- who became AQI 's senior leader in northern Iraq in June 2007 -- was the target of the military raid in Mosul earlier this month , the military said . Coalition forces tracked him down inside a building in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul , which `` served as a key command and control location for AQI , '' according to the military . `` Upon entering the building , forces were immediately fired upon , '' the military said . `` Coalition forces returned fire in self-defense , leading to the death of five terrorists . It was later determined that one of the five was positively identified as Abu Qaswarah . '' The U.S. military described Abu Qaswarah as a `` charismatic '' leader who rallied al Qaeda in Iraq 's northern network after `` major setbacks to the terrorist organization across Iraq . '' Groups comprised mainly of former Sunni insurgents -- known as Awakening Councils or `` Sons of Iraq '' -- have turned against al Qaeda in Iraq , helping to diminish its presence in several parts of the country . The U.S. military credits them with playing a key role in bringing about the nationwide drop in violence that coincided with the `` surge '' of U.S. forces . Abu Qaswarah -- who trained with al Qaeda in Afghanistan -- helped bring foreign terrorists into northern Iraq , where they carried out a spate of suicide attacks , according to the military . He also organized and led AQI 's attacks in Mosul , including the `` failed attempt to destroy the Mosul Civic Center during the holy month of Ramadan , '' which took place in September , the military said . That attack , the military said , `` could have killed hundreds of innocent Iraqis . '' The military said Abu Qaswarah 's death `` will significantly degrade AQI operations in Mosul and northern Iraq , leaving the network without a leader to oversee and coordinate its operations in the region . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"KARBALA , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A female suicide bomber apparently targeting Shiite worshippers killed at least 40 people and wounded at least 65 in Karbala on Monday , according to an Interior Ministry official . Iraqi security forces gather around the site of a car bomb explosion in Baghdad on Monday . The incident occurred one-half mile from the Imam Hussein shrine of Karbala . Karbala is a Shiite holy city , and the Imam Hussein shrine is one of Shiite Islam 's holiest locations . The shrine marks the burial spot of Hussein bin Ali , the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed , who was killed in battle nearby in 680 . No more information was immediately available about the blast southwest of the capital city , Baghdad . Earlier Monday , in Baghdad , a roadside bomb exploded near an Iraqi police patrol , killing one officer and wounding another , the Interior Ministry told CNN . A short time later , another roadside bomb exploded near an Iraqi police patrol on Palestine Street in eastern Baghdad , wounding four bystanders , a ministry official said . The first attack took place about 8:30 a.m. in the upscale Mansour neighborhood , where law enforcement officials have come under frequent attacks in recent weeks . Also Monday , two American soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb north of Baghdad , officials said . The incident occurred about 12:20 p.m. as the soldiers were `` conducting a route-clearance combat operation north of Baghdad , '' according to a news release . The names of the soldiers were not immediately released . Meanwhile , U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in the Iraqi capital Monday on an unannounced visit . Cheney told reporters that the five years in Iraq since the war 's start has been `` well worth the effort . '' He said he met with top Iraqi officials . He appeared at a news conference with Gen. David Petraeus , the top U.S. commander in Iraq , and Ryan Crocker , the U.S. ambassador to the country . Cheney began a trip to the Middle East on Sunday with an official itinerary that listed stops in Oman , Saudi Arabia , Turkey , Israel and the West Bank , according to the White House . E-mail to a friend CNN 's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A grand jury has indicted polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs on a second sexual assault charge in connection with a probe of his Texas compound , prosecutors said Wednesday . The charge against Warren Jeffs stems from a probe into his sect 's Yearning for Zion Ranch near Eldorado , Texas . The Schleicher County , Texas , grand jury charged Jeffs , who already could be sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of a different charge in Utah , with a first-degree felony count of aggravated sexual assault . The indictment is Jeffs ' second in Schleicher County . In July , he was charged with sexually assaulting a child under 17 . Grand jurors have also indicted three more members of Jeffs ' Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , prosecutors said Wednesday . One member faces a count of conducting the unlawful marriage of a minor , another faces three counts of bigamy and a third faces three counts of bigamy and one count of tampering with evidence . The Texas charges stem from a state and federal investigation into the sect 's Yearning for Zion Ranch outside Eldorado , about 190 miles northwest of San Antonio . In April , child welfare workers removed more than 400 children from the compound , citing allegations of physical and sexual abuse . After a court battle , the Texas Supreme Court ordered the children returned in June , saying the state had no right to remove them and there was no evidence to show the children faced imminent danger of abuse on the ranch . To date , 12 people associated with the compound have been indicted as part of the investigation , Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said . Jeffs , 52 , is the leader and `` prophet '' of the estimated 10,000-member FLDS , an offshoot of the mainstream Mormon church . The FLDS openly practices polygamy at the YFZ Ranch , as well as in two towns straddling the Utah-Arizona state line -- Hildale , Utah , and Colorado City , Arizona . In Utah , Jeffs was convicted on accomplice to rape charges for his role in the marriage of a sect member to a 14-year-old . He is awaiting trial in Arizona , where he faces similar charges . He faces a sentence of up to life in prison for the Utah conviction , and he also could face another life term if convicted of the Texas charges . His attorney in Arizona , Michael Piccarreta , has questioned the motives of Texas authorities , telling CNN in a July interview that the state 's investigation into Jeffs and his followers is an effort `` to cover themselves up on the botched attack on the ranch in Texas . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Natasha Richardson , a film star , Tony-winning stage actress and member of the famed Redgrave acting family , died Wednesday after suffering injuries in a ski accident , according to a family statement . She was 45 . Natasha Richardson fell on a beginners ' slope in Canada . Richardson , wife of actor Liam Neeson , was injured Monday in a fall on a ski slope at a Quebec resort about 80 miles northwest of Montreal . Richardson 's family released a statement saying , `` Liam Neeson , his sons , and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha . They are profoundly grateful for the support , love and prayers of everyone , and ask for privacy during this very difficult time . '' According to a statement from Mont Tremblant Ski Resort , Richardson fell during a lesson on a beginners ' trail . Watch a report on Richardson 's life '' `` She did not show any visible sign of injury , but the ski patrol followed strict procedures and brought her back to the bottom of the slope and insisted she should see a doctor , '' the statement said . Richardson , accompanied by her instructor , returned to her hotel , but about an hour after the fall was `` not feeling good , '' the statement said . An ambulance was called , and Richardson was taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Hopital du Sacre-Coeur in Montreal . From there she was transferred to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City . Friends and colleagues were saddened by her death . `` Natasha was brilliant , beautiful , funny , talented beyond measure , as emotionally raw as she was razor sharp , '' said Jodie Foster , who worked with Richardson in `` Nell , '' in a statement . `` Tasha loved fiercely and that love continues in all of us who knew her . May Liam , her beautiful boys and her loving family hold her close as they move through this tragic moment . '' `` Natasha combined the best of -LSB- her parents , Vanessa -RSB- Redgrave and -LSB- Tony -RSB- Richardson : the enormous depth and emotional force of a great actor on the one hand , and the intelligence and objectivity of a great director on the other . She was a one-of-a-kind , a magnificent actress , '' said director Sam Mendes in a statement . Mendes directed Richardson in her Tony-winning `` Cabaret '' performance . Richardson was practically born to perform . Her grandfather , Sir Michael Redgrave , was a famed British actor . Her mother , Vanessa Redgrave , is an Oscar-winning actress , and her father , the late director Tony Richardson , helmed such films as `` Look Back in Anger , '' `` The Entertainer '' and the Oscar-winning `` Tom Jones . '' Natasha Richardson 's uncle Corin Redgrave , aunt Lynn Redgrave , and sister Joely Richardson are also noted performers . But being part of a family of actors was n't always easy for Richardson . Her parents divorced when she was 4 and her mother , involved in controversial political causes , gave away a lot of money , putting the family in financial straits , according to the BBC . Then there was the family heritage , of which Richardson once said , `` Though my name opened doors it did n't get me work , and a lot of pressure comes from having a mother who is considered one of the greatest actresses of her generation , '' the BBC reported . In 2007 , Richardson worked with her mother in the film `` Evening . '' Richardson said she made one point to director Lajos Koltai about the relatives working together . `` This is a unique opportunity , '' she said she told him . `` This is the one time my mother and I are going to play mother and daughter on screen , so you 've got to take advantage of it . '' Watch Richardson talk about working with her mom '' Richardson 's first film role was a bit part in her father 's `` The Charge of the Light Brigade '' -LRB- 1968 -RRB- , made when she was 4 . After a handful of roles through her teens and early 20s , she broke through as Mary Shelley in Ken Russell 's film `` Gothic , '' and followed that up as Patty Hearst in Paul Schrader 's 1988 film of the same name . iReport.com : Share memories of Richardson Richardson 's other notable films included `` The Handmaid 's Tale '' -LRB- 1990 -RRB- ; the TV movie `` Zelda '' -LRB- 1993 -RRB- ; `` Nell '' -LRB- 1994 -RRB- , alongside Neeson , whom she married in 1994 ; the 1998 remake of `` The Parent Trap '' ; and `` Wild Child '' -LRB- 2008 -RRB- . Watch Larry King and his panel talk about Richardson 's career and death '' But some of Richardson 's greatest successes were on the stage . At 22 , she played opposite her mother and Jonathan Pryce in a London production of Anton Chekhov 's `` The Seagull '' ; the performance earned her the London Drama Critics ' most promising newcomer award . She won a Tony for her performance as Sally Bowles in the 1998 revival of `` Cabaret '' and earned raves for her Blanche DuBois in a 2005 production of `` A Streetcar Named Desire . '' She was scheduled to perform in a revival of Stephen Sondheim 's `` A Little Night Music '' this year , following a January benefit performance of the show . She and Neeson have two children , Michael and Daniel . Richardson was married to Robert Fox from 1990 to 1994 .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Barack Obama told supporters that `` change has come to America '' as he claimed victory in a historic presidential election . Sen. Barack Obama addresses a crowd of 125,000 people in Chicago , Illinois . `` The road ahead will be long . Our climb will be steep . We may not get there in one year or even one term , but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there . I promise you -- we as a people will get there , '' Obama said in Chicago , Illinois , before an estimated crowd of up to 240,000 people . With Obama 's projected win , he will become the first African-American to win the White House . Obama had an overwhelming victory over Sen. John McCain , who pledged Tuesday night to help Obama lead . Watch Obama pay tribute to McCain \u00c2 '' `` Today , I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much , and tonight , I remain her servant , '' McCain said . McCain called Obama to congratulate him , and Obama told the Arizona senator he was eager to sit down and talk about how the two of them can work together . President Bush also called Obama to offer his congratulations . Bush told Obama he was about to begin one of the great journeys of his life , and invited him to visit the White House as soon as it could be arranged , according to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino . Obama will be working with a heavily Democratic Congress . Democrats picked up Senate seats in New Hampshire , New Jersey , North Carolina and Virginia , among others . Read about the Senate races `` While the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight , we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress , '' Obama said . Watch more on the balance of power \u00c2 '' Flanked by American flags , Obama told the roaring crowd , `` This is your victory . '' `` To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn -- I may not have won your vote , but I hear your voices , I need your help , and I will be your president too , '' he said . Watch Obama tell voters ` all things are possible ' \u00c2 '' Supporters in Chicago cheering , `` Yes , we can '' were met with cries of `` Yes , we did . '' More than 1,000 people gathered outside of the White House , chanting `` Obama , Obama ! '' Sen. Hillary Clinton , Obama 's former rival for the Democratic nomination , said in a statement that `` we are celebrating an historic victory for the American people . '' iReport.com : Share your Election Day reaction with CNN `` This was a long and hard fought campaign but the result was well worth the wait . Together , under the leadership of President Barack Obama , Vice President Joe Biden and a Democratic Congress , we will chart a better course to build a new economy and rebuild our leadership in the world . '' Sen. Ted Kennedy said Americans `` spoke loud and clear '' in electing Obama . `` They understood his vision of a fairer and more just America and embraced it . They heard his call for a new generation of Americans to participate in government and were inspired . They believed that change is possible and voted to be part of America 's future , '' the Massachusetts senator said in a statement . As results came in Tuesday night , Obama picked up early wins in Pennsylvania and Ohio -- states considered must-wins for McCain . Obama also won Virginia , a state that has not voted for a Democratic president since 1964 . Going into the election , national polls showed Obama with an 8-point lead . Voters expressed excitement and pride in their country after casting their ballots in the historic election . Poll workers reported high turnout across many parts of the country , and some voters waited hours to cast their ballots . Read about election problems Tuesday marks the end of the longest presidential campaign season in U.S. history -- 21 months . Obama , 47 , will now begin his transition to the White House . He will be sworn in at the 44th president on January 20 , 2009 .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- 'T is the season , for movies , that is ! This holiday season is introducing audiences to a whole new crop of flicks guaranteed to drive you to a theater , despite the $ 10 ticket . Check out the movies taking 2010 out with a bang . `` Burlesque '' Christina Aguilera stars as a small-town girl who goes to Los Angeles , California , to perform in a musical revue run by Cher , an Oscar-winning actress who has n't starred in a film in a decade . In real life , Cher has reportedly been helping Aguilera through her divorce . But things are looking up for Aguilera , who got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame right before the movie 's premiere on November 15 . `` Burlesque '' will be released November 24 and also stars Stanley Tucci , Kristen Bell and Julianne Hough . `` Love and Other Drugs '' In this flick , which also opens November 24 , a pharmaceutical salesman -LRB- Jake Gyllenhaal -RRB- begins a relationship with a woman who has Parkinson 's disease -LRB- Anne Hathaway -RRB- . The movie is loosely adapted from Jamie Reidy 's book `` Hard Sell : The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman '' and features Gabriel Macht , Hank Azaria and Oliver Platt . `` The King 's Speech '' The plot of this movie follows an Australian speech therapist who tries to help King George VI of Britain overcome a speech impediment . Colin Firth is already getting Oscar nods for his role as King George VI . The buzz-worthy film opens November 26 and features Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter . `` Black Swan '' After dominating the film-festival circuit , `` Black Swan '' is coming to theaters December 3 . The sexy film tells the tale of the relationship between a veteran ballet dancer and her rival . Natalie Portman is expected to earn a best actress nomination for her performance as a mentally unstable ballerina and co-star Mila Kunis is getting Oscar buzz as well . Kunis reportedly lost 20 pounds for the role , as both stars underwent vigorous ballet training . `` The Chronicles of Narnia : The Voyage of the Dawn Treader '' Due in theaters December 10 , Lucy -LRB- Georgie Henley -RRB- and Edmund Pevensie -LRB- Skandar Keynes -RRB- are drawn back into Narnia with their cousin Eustace -LRB- Will Poulter -RRB- to help Caspian -LRB- Ben Barnes -RRB- find seven lords while aboard the Dawn Treader ship . This is the third film based on C. S. Lewis ' books , and reportedly Barnes ' favorite of the seven tales . The first Narnia film , `` The Lion , the Witch and the Wardrobe '' is the 35th highest grossing movie worldwide of all time . `` The Company Men '' Opening December 10 , Tommy Lee Jones , Ben Affleck and Chris Cooper star as three men trying to survive during a year in which their company undergoes corporate downsizing . The film might hit a bit too close to home for some people in the recession , but critics are giving it solid reviews . `` The Fighter '' Mark Wahlberg 's passion project hit theaters December 10 . The film takes a look at the true-life story of boxing hero '' Irish '' Micky Ward and his brother -LRB- played by Christian Bale -RRB- who helped train him before going pro in the mid-1980s . The movie also stars Oscar nominees Melissa Leo and Amy Adams , along with Conan O'Brien 's younger sister , Kate , who plays one of Ward 's seven sisters . `` The Tourist '' Opening December 10 , Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp star in this highly anticipated film in which an Interpol agent draws a tourist into a web of intrigue . We expect ladies and gentlemen to flock to theaters in hopes of seeing two of the world 's most beautiful people lock lips , even if it 's only rated PG-13 . `` How Do You Know '' How do you know when you 're in love ? In luck ? In trouble ? If you 're in the mood for a lighthearted chick flick , check out Oscar winners Jack Nicholson and Reese Witherspoon in this romantic comedy , hitting theaters December 17 . In the film , Witherspoon is caught in a love triangle involving a baseball player -LRB- Owen Wilson -RRB- and an old friend -LRB- Paul Rudd . -RRB- Our favorite line from the trailer ? `` I think I 'm in love with somebody when I wear a condom with the other girls . '' `` All Good Things '' It 's , as the tagline says , `` The perfect love story . Until it became the perfect crime . '' `` All Good Things '' is a love story and murder mystery based on the most notorious unsolved missing person 's case in New York history . It was inspired by the story of superwealthy Robert Durst , who was suspected , but never tried , in the death of his wife , Kathie , who disappeared in 1982 and was never found . The film stars Ryan Gosling , Kirsten Dunst , Kristen Wiig and Frank Langella and will first be released in New York on December 3 . Click here for a complete list of holiday movies","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- 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 .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- Health.com -RRB- -- Women run a lower risk of having babies with certain birth defects if they eat a diet rich in fruits , vegetables , and whole grains during their childbearing years , a new study suggests . Women who followed healthy Mediterranean-style diets in the year before pregnancy were up to one-half as likely as those who ate diets high in meat , fat , and sugar to have a baby with anencephaly , a neural-tube defect that blocks the development of the brain and tends to result in miscarriage . Compared with fat - and sugar-heavy diets , healthier diets -- which included plenty of folate , iron , and calcium -- were also associated with up to a one-third lower risk of cleft lip , a one-quarter lower risk of cleft palate , and a one-fifth lower risk of spina bifida , another neural-tube defect . `` Diet quality matters , and it was protective , '' says Suzan L. Carmichael , Ph.D. , the lead author of the study and an associate professor of pediatrics at the Stanford School of Medicine , in Palo Alto , California . Health.com : Feed the Belly : Recipes for a healthy pregnancy The defects covered in the study are very rare overall , occurring in less than 0.1 % of all births . They have become less common since the 1990s , when government health officials led a campaign to increase folic-acid intake among pregnant women through supplements and fortified grain products . Deficiencies in folic acid -- the synthetic form of folate , a B vitamin -- have been linked to both neural-tube defects and cleft lip and palate . Carmichael and her colleagues took into account whether the women in the study were taking folic acid , which suggests that a healthy diet provides protection against birth defects over and above that provided by folic acid . Women of childbearing age should , however , still take folic-acid supplements , says Gail Harrison , Ph.D. , a professor of community health services at the UCLA School of Public Health , in Los Angeles . `` Folic acid has made a difference , '' says Harrison , who was not involved in the study . `` In countries that have used fortification levels higher than the U.S. , it has made an even bigger impact . '' Health.com : How to soothe heartburn during pregnancy Most research on diet and birth defects has focused on single nutrients , such as vitamins A and B12 -LRB- in addition to folate -RRB- . Carmichael and her colleagues took a different approach by looking at overall diet quality -- a method that has become common in cancer and heart-disease research . The government-funded study , which appears this week in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine , compared the diets of 3,824 mothers whose children experienced birth defects with those of 6,807 mothers of healthy children . The researchers collected detailed questionnaires about the women 's diets in the year before they became pregnant , and used that data to score their diet quality on two indexes , one modeled on the U.S. Department of Agriculture dietary guidelines and another based on the Mediterranean diet . Both indexes considered fruits , vegetables , whole grains , and `` good '' fats to be healthy , and saturated fats and sweets to be unhealthy . Health.com : Good fats , bad fats : how to choose Across the board , women with the healthiest diets were far less likely to have had children with birth defects than the women with the poorest-quality diets . High scores on both indexes were associated with a reduced risk of defects , although the association was stronger for the USDA score . Seventy-eight percent of the women took supplements containing folic acid during early pregnancy , but higher-quality diets were protective regardless of whether the women took folic acid . The study authors and other experts strongly recommend that pregnant women continue taking folic-acid supplements . But the study does raise the general question of whether `` eating the right foods '' can provide health benefits that supplements do not , says David R. Jacobs Jr. , Ph.D. , a professor of public health at the University of Minnesota , in Minneapolis . Health.com : Diabetes ? 7 tips for a healthy pregnancy `` We have evolved to eat food . We have not evolved to eat supplements , '' says Jacobs , who cowrote an editorial accompanying the study . `` If you would like to be healthy , the better way to do that is by getting what you need from food rather than isolated compounds . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- EW.com -RRB- -- The 2012 box office got off to a fine start this weekend , as Paramount 's `` found footage '' -LRB- riiiight ... -RRB- horror movie `` The Devil Inside , '' which the studio acquired for just under $ 1 million , earned a tremendous $ 34.5 million in its first three days , becoming the first breakout box office star since `` The Lion King 3D . '' In fact , the strong debut marks the third-best January opening of all time behind `` Cloverfield '' -LRB- $ 40.1 million -RRB- and a re-release of `` Star Wars '' -LRB- $ 35.9 million -RRB- . Is this a sign of things to come in 2012 ? Perhaps . But it 's more likely a sign of the recent popularity of possession movies . Demonic tales have made a mini-comeback in the last few years -- starting with the success of 2005 \u2032 s `` The Exorcism of Emily Rose , '' which earned $ 75.1 million domestically . Since then , similar titles like 2009 \u2032 s `` The Haunting in Connecticut '' -LRB- $ 55.4 million -RRB- , 2010 \u2032 s `` The Last Exorcism '' -LRB- $ 41 million -RRB- , and 2011 \u2032 s `` Insidious '' -LRB- $ 54 million -RRB- have all proven lucrative thanks to their tiny budgets . `` Insidious , '' for example , cost just $ 1.5 million to make . Of course , the `` Paranormal Activity '' movies -LRB- the fourth of which was just announced this week -RRB- are the biggest success stories of this whole trend . A total of $ 8 million has been spent making the three `` found footage '' movies , yet they have earned $ 296.7 million domestically . Paramount marketed `` The Devil Inside '' in much the same way the studio markets the `` Paranormal '' films . Commercials included ample shots of audiences screaming at the screen , and viewers were encouraged to use social media to chat up the film with the `` Tweet Your Scream '' campaign . Indeed , all the promotional costs -- certainly a much higher number than the budget -- helped `` The Devil Inside '' achieve a stellar debut , but where does it go from here ? Well , it falls . Fast . Due to their overwhelmingly young audiences , who love to rush out to the theater on opening weekend , horror movies almost always open big and fall precipitously at the box office , but `` The Devil Inside , '' with its utterly terrible `` F '' CinemaScore grade -LRB- some issue has been raised as to whether the grade is actually an `` F '' or closer to the `` C '' range -RRB- , will likely plummet even more quickly . Not that it really matters , though -- the horror pic is already in the black , and it may finish with as much as $ 70 million . In second place , `` Mission : Impossible - Ghost Protocol , '' another Paramount film , continued its comeback performance with $ 20.5 million in its fourth weekend . The action blockbuster , which became the biggest hit of the holidays , has now earned $ 170.2 million , and it should finish well above $ 200 million . `` Sherlock Holmes : A Game of Shadows '' held onto third place with a $ 14.1 million weekend . The sequel , which initially appeared a major disappointment when compared to the original `` Sherlock Holmes , '' has redeemed itself handily in the last few weeks . After two weekends , `` Shadows '' was trailing `` Sherlock Holmes '' by $ 59.7 million , but over the past two weeks , the sequel has narrowed that gap to $ 22.7 million , and it now has a running total of $ 157.4 million -- still disappointing , but not nearly the disaster it first appeared . `` The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo '' finished the frame in fourth place with $ 11.3 million , dipping only 24 percent , the smallest drop in the Top 10 . Could the edgy adaptation finally be finding its adult audience now that the warm n ' fuzzy holiday season is over ? After 19 days , `` Dragon Tattoo '' has grossed $ 76.8 million , and if it maintains strong holds like this , it should pass $ 100 million . `` Alvin and the Chipmunks : Chipwrecked '' rounds out the Top 5 . The kiddie threequel , which has majorly underperformed compared to expectations , dropped 42 percent to $ 9.5 million . It has now grossed $ 111.6 million total . The next three spots were filled by holiday releases that never totally found their footing . Two of them , `` War Horse '' and `` We Bought A Zoo , '' are performing respectably , though . The films earned $ 8.6 and $ 8.5 million , respectively , this weekend , and they have nearly identical totals of $ 56.8 million and $ 56.6 million . Still , there seems to be a common understanding in the blogosphere that `` War Horse '' -LRB- which cost $ 66 million -RRB- is performing admirably , while `` We Bought A Zoo '' -LRB- which cost $ 50 million -RRB- kind of fizzled , to which I say : Huh ?! In eighth place is a movie which has actually fizzled -- at least domestically . `` The Adventures of Tintin , '' Steven Spielberg 's expensive motion-capture animation , dropped 42 percent this weekend to $ 6.6 million and $ 61.9 million total . In ninth place , Focus Features ' `` Tinker , Tailor , Soldier , Spy , '' which expanded into 809 theaters this weekend , performed admirably in its wider release . The well-reviewed spy drama maintained a robust $ 7,129 per theater average , giving the film a $ 5.8 million weekend and an early $ 10.4 million total after five weekends . `` New Year 's Eve '' held onto a spot in the Top 10 for one final weekend . The ensemble romantic comedy fell 48 percent to $ 3.3 million . The film has earned $ 52 million -LRB- less than half the gross of Valentine 's Day -RRB- , and it likely wo n't make it much further . 1 . The Devil Inside - $ 34.5 million 2 . Mission : Impossible -- Ghost Protocol - $ 20.5 million 3 . Sherlock Holmes : A Game of Shadows - $ 14 million 4 . The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - $ 11.3 million 5 . Alvin and the Chipmunks : Chipwrecked -- $ 9.5 million 6 . War Horse - $ 8.6 million 7 . We Bought A Zoo -- $ 8.5 million 8 . The Adventures of Tintin -- $ 6.6 million 9 . Tinker , Tailor , Soldier , Spy -- $ 5.8 million 10 . New Year 's Eve -- $ 3.3 million See the full article at EW.com . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly \u00a9 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. . All rights reserved .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN Student News -RRB- -- Record the CNN Special Investigations Unit Classroom Edition : Notes from North Korea when it airs commercial-free on CNN . -LRB- A short feature begins at 4:00 a.m. and precedes the program . -RRB- Program Overview CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour travels to North Korea as the New York Philharmonic Orchestra makes a historic visit to one of the world 's most closed societies . She examines the tense standoff with the U.S. over nuclear weapons and provides a rare look inside a notorious , top-secret nuclear facility . Grade Levels : 9 -- 12 , College Subject Areas : U.S. History , World History , Current Events , Political Science , Government Objectives The CNN Special Investigations Unit Classroom Edition : Notes from North Korea and its corresponding discussion questions and suggested activities challenge students to : Curriculum Connections Social Studies Standard VI . Power , Authority , and Governance : Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people create and change structures of power , authority , and governance . The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies -LRB- http:\/\/www.socialstudies.org\/standards\/strands\/ -RRB- are published by the National Council for Social Studies -LRB- http:\/\/ncss.org\/ -RRB- . United States History Standard 27 . Understands how the Cold War and conflicts in Korea and Vietnam influenced domestic and international politics Level IV -LSB- Grade 9-12 -RSB- Benchmark 1 . Understands U.S. foreign policy from the Truman administration to the Johnson administration Standard 30 . Understands developments in foreign policy and domestic politics between the Nixon and Clinton presidencies Level IV -LSB- Grade 9-12 -RSB- Benchmark 5 . Understands the influence of U.S. foreign policy on international events from Nixon to Clinton Content Knowledge : A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education -LRB- Copyright 2000 McREL -RRB- is published online by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning -LRB- McREL -RRB- -LRB- http:\/\/www.mcrel.org\/standards-benchmarks -RRB- , 2550 S. Parker Road , Suite 500 , Aurora , CO 80014 ; Telephone : 303\/337 -0990 . World History Standard 44 . Understands the search for community , stability , and peace in an interdependent world Level IV -LSB- Grade 9-12 -RSB- Benchmark 11 . Understands common arguments of opposition groups in various countries around the world , common solutions they offer , and the position of these ideas with regard to Western economic and strategic interests Content Knowledge : A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education -LRB- Copyright 2000 McREL -RRB- is published online by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning -LRB- McREL -RRB- -LRB- http:\/\/www.mcrel.org\/standards-benchmarks -RRB- , 2550 S. Parker Road , Suite 500 , Aurora , CO 80014 ; Telephone : 303\/337 -0990 . Civics III . How Does The Government Established By The Constitution Embody The Purposes , Values , And Principles Of American Democracy ? 4 . Major responsibilities of the national government in domestic and foreign policy IV . What Is The Relationship Of The United States To Other Nations And To World Affairs ? 1 . Nation-states 2 . Interactions among nation-states 4 . The historical context of United States foreign policy 5 . Making and implementing United States foreign policy 6 . The ends and means of United States foreign policy 7 . Impact of the American concept of democracy and individual rights on the world The National Standards for Civics and Government -LRB- http:\/\/www.civiced.org\/index.php?page=stds -RRB- are published by the Center for Civic Education -LRB- http:\/\/www.civiced.org\/ -RRB- . Discussion Questions 1 . Who is the leader of North Korea ? According to the report , how do North Koreans regard this leader ? What aspects of his personality are revealed in the program ? 2 . According to the program , North Korea is a `` closed society . '' What does this mean ? 3 . How does the report describe the history of U.S.-North Korea relations ? According to the report : What tensions currently exist between these two nations ? What humanitarian and political concerns exist in North Korea ? 4 . Why do you think that North Korea invited the New York Philharmonic to play , and decided to open the Yongbyon nuclear facility to the media at this point in time ? Why are these events historically and politically significant ? 5 . Who is Madeline Albright ? When and where did she meet with Kim Jong-Il ? How does she describe her visit with Kim Jong-Il ? Why does Albright say that she is not surprised that Kim Jong-Il chose the New York Philharmonic for this `` cultural overture '' ? 6 . According to the report , why is the division of Korea an emotional issue for many Koreans ? Who are Kim Cho Wun and Ji Hae Nam ? To what countries did they defect , and why did they flee North Korea ? What risks and sacrifices do you think that they assumed when they chose to defect ? 7 . According to the report : Why did New York Philharmonic President Zarin Mehta accept North Korea 's invitation to play ? Why was this performance controversial ? What logistical hurdles did Mehta have to overcome to execute the trip ? 8 . What were some of the pieces of music that the New York Philharmonic played during its concert ? Which of these pieces , if any , do you think were politically significant ? Explain . If you were choosing the music for this performance , what pieces would you have selected , and why ? 9 . Following the concert , North Korea 's nuclear negotiator , Minister Kim Gye Gwan , was quoted as saying that the concert was `` a political breakthrough ; an act of courage by both nations . '' What do you think that he means ? Do you agree with the minister ? Why or why not ? 10 . What is `` cultural diplomacy '' ? How do you think that cultural diplomacy differs from other forms of diplomacy ? Give examples . According to U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill and former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry , why is `` people-to-people diplomacy '' important to the future of U.S.-North Korea relations ? 11 . According to Amanpour , to what extent did the New York Philharmonic 's concert impact U.S-North Korea relations ? In your view , what actions , if any , might these two nations take to build upon the goodwill that was generated by the concert ? 12 . What did CNN 's Christiane Amanpour observe during her visit to the Yongbyon nuclear facility ? What impact , if any , do you think that this visit will have on U.S.-North Korea relations ? 13 . In your opinion , should the U.S. fulfill its commitment to remove North Korea from its list of states that sponsor terrorism ? State your rationale . 14 . Prior to viewing this program , what preconceived notions , if any , did you have about North Korea ? To what extent did Amanpour 's report challenge or reinforce these perceptions ? Explain . Suggested Activity Point out to students that towards the end of World War II , Korea was divided by the Soviet Union and the United States at the 38th parallel , and that by 1948 , North and South Korea had become independent nations . Generate a class discussion about students ' knowledge of North Korea . Next , refer students to online resources to learn more about North Korea . Use the following questions to guide their research : After students present their findings , ask : Do you think that peace talks between North and South Korea could benefit the two nations , as well as the international community ? Explain . Given the cultural diplomacy represented by the New York Philharmonic 's trip to Pyongyang , what do you think should be the next step in relations between the U.S. and North Korea ? Challenge each student to write a brief for a North Korean , South Korean or an American diplomat that outlines a strategy for addressing the existing tensions among these parties . Have students present their documents to the class . Keywords North Korea , Pyongyang , Kim Jong Il , secret state , New York Philharmonic Orchestra , Yongbyon nuclear facility , defect , diplomacy , negotiations , United Nations","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Despite the bruising battle over their proposals to overhaul health care , congressional Democrats have maintained an advantage over their Republican counterparts on one key measure , according to a new national poll . A CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Wednesday indicates that a bare majority of Americans , 51 percent , believe that the Democrats ' policies are good for the country , with 46 percent saying that those policies would take the U.S. in the wrong direction . Fifty-three percent of people questioned in the poll said the GOP 's polices would move the nation in the wrong direction , with 42 percent saying Republican policies are good for the country . `` The numbers for both parties are virtually unchanged since late August , just before President Barack Obama 's health care speech to Congress opened the latest round of debate on this divisive issue , '' said Keating Holland , CNN 's polling director . Democrats will be defending their large majorities in Congress next year when all 435 House seats and more than a third of the Senate seats are up for grabs . `` This advantage on policy could be an important edge for the Democrats heading into the 2010 midterm elections , '' Holland added . `` But independents will be the key to the midterms , and the numbers among independents spell bad news for both parties among that important group . '' In an August survey , independent voters ' views of GOP policies were evenly divided . But a majority of independents now say Republicans would move the country in the wrong direction . Nonetheless , the number of independents who dislike Democratic policies , now at 57 percent , is higher than the 52 percent who hold a negative view of Republican policies . The survey suggests that Sen. Joe Lieberman is taking a hit in popularity due to his opposition to a major element in the health care bill . The Connecticut independent , who caucuses with the Democrats to give the party a 60-vote filibuster-proof majority in the Senate , threatened to undermine the bill unless compromises were made . Lieberman opposed the creation of a government-run public insurance option and the expansion of Medicare to individuals as young as 55 . Both of those proposals were dropped from the bill this month , enraging many liberals . According to the poll , Lieberman 's favorable rating has dropped 9 percentage points , from 40 percent to 31 percent , from early December . His unfavorable rating has risen 6 percentage points , from 28 percent to 34 percent . `` Lieberman 's biggest decline -- a 14-point drop -- came among independents , '' Holland said . `` Only Republicans continue to like Lieberman . '' The survey also indicates that just one in five Americans trust the federal government always or most of the time , down 4 percentage points from a year ago . The CNN\/Opinion Research poll was conducted December 16 through Sunday , with 1,160 adult Americans questioned by telephone . The survey 's overall sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points . CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- After about 30 hours of deliberation , a jury on Monday convicted music producer Phil Spector of second-degree murder in the death of actress Lana Clarkson more than six years ago . Phil Spector will not remain free on bail pending his May 29 sentencing . Wearing a black suit with a red tie and pocket square , Spector showed no reaction as the verdict was announced . Now 69 , he faces a sentence of 18 years to life in prison when he is sentenced May 29 . Asked if he agreed to the sentencing date , Spector quietly answered , `` Yes . '' Prosecutor Alan Jackson said he believed the jury reached the correct verdict , and he acknowledged the strength and backing of Clarkson 's family . But defense attorney Doron Weinberg said Spector 's defense team disagreed and planned to appeal . `` We do n't believe justice was done , '' Weinberg said . Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler declined to allow Spector to remain free on bail pending sentencing , citing Spector 's years-long `` pattern of violence '' involving firearms . Watch the lawyers give their views of the verdict '' `` This was not an isolated incident , '' Fidler said , noting Spector 's two previous firearm-related convictions from the 1970s . `` The taking of an innocent human life , it does n't get any more serious than that . '' Spector 's wife , Rachelle , was in the courtroom to hear the verdict Monday , as was Clarkson 's mother , Donna . Clarkson , 40 , was found dead , slumped in a chair in the foyer of Spector 's Alhambra , California , mansion with a gunshot wound through the roof of her mouth in February 2003 . A mistrial was declared in Spector 's first trial in September 2007 . After deliberating 15 days , jurors told Fidler that they were unable to reach a verdict . Spector was also charged with second-degree murder in that trial . Jurors deadlocked 10-2 in favor of conviction . In closing arguments at the retrial , prosecutor Truc Do called Spector `` a very dangerous man '' who `` has a history of playing Russian roulette with women -- six women . Lana just happened to be the sixth . '' Weinberg argued that the prosecution 's case hinged on circumstantial evidence . He said the possibility that Clarkson committed suicide could not be ruled out . Do pointed out , however , to jurors that Clarkson bought new shoes on the day of her death -- something a suicidal woman would not have done , the prosecutor said . A female juror who declined to be identified told reporters the jurors considered all the evidence and testimony to reach their verdict . `` This entire jury took this so seriously , '' she said with tears in her eyes , before adding that `` it 's tough to be in a jury , '' because another person 's life is in the jury 's hands . Clarkson starred in the 1985 B-movie `` Barbarian Queen '' and appeared in many other films , including `` DeathStalker , '' `` Blind Date , '' `` Scarface , '' `` Fast Times at Ridgemont High '' and the spoof `` Amazon Women on the Moon . '' She was working as a VIP hostess at Hollywood 's House of Blues at the time of her death . In the 2007 trial , Spector 's attorneys argued that Clarkson was depressed over a recent breakup and grabbed a .38 - caliber pistol to kill herself while at Spector 's home . But prosecution witnesses painted Spector as a gun-toting menace . Five women took the stand and claimed he had threatened them with firearms . His driver testified that he heard a loud noise and saw the producer leave the home , pistol in hand , saying , `` I think I killed somebody . '' Spector 's retrial began in October . Fidler ruled that jurors could consider the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter against Spector . Spector 's professional trademark was the `` Wall of Sound , '' the layering of instrumental tracks and percussion that underpinned a string of hits on his Philles label -- named for Spector and his business partner , Lester Sill -- in the early 1960s . iReport.com : What do you think of this verdict ? The roaring arrangements were the heart of what he called `` little symphonies for the kids '' -- among them No. 1 hits like the Ronettes ' `` Be My Baby '' and the Righteous Brothers ' `` You 've Lost That Lovin ' Feelin ' . '' Spector co-produced the Beatles ' final album , `` Let It Be , '' and worked with ex-Beatles George Harrison and John Lennon on solo projects after the group broke up . His recording of Harrison 's 1971 benefit concert for war relief in Bangladesh won the 1972 Grammy award for album of the year . Spector has won two Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 , but he stayed out of the public eye for two decades before his 2003 arrest in Clarkson 's death .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- EW.com -RRB- -- A remake , a prequel , and one woefully misguided bird-watching comedy could n't take down Hugh Jackman and the robots of `` Real Steel '' at the box office this weekend . `` Steel '' punched up an estimated $ 16.3 million this weekend , marking a healthy 40 percent drop from its $ 27.3 million debut . As evidenced by the film 's impressive 64 percent boost on Saturday , it appears that `` Real Steel '' is playing as an outright family affair , and that sort of appeal will help it achieve small drops in the coming weeks . Still , the $ 110 million Dreamworks film , which is being distributed by Disney 's Touchstone Pictures , has a very long way to go before it 's in the black . So far , `` Real Steel '' has earned $ 51.7 million in ten days . Paramount 's $ 24 million remake `` Footloose '' managed to open in second place with $ 16.1 million , a rather lackluster result . Instead of playing like a hyped-up event movie , `` Footloose '' played much more like a typical dance flick . It attracted fewer dance fans than movies like `` Save the Last Dance '' -LRB- 2001 , $ 23.4 million opening -RRB- and `` Step Up '' -LRB- 2006 , $ 20.7 million opening -RRB- , but it performed on the same level as `` Step Up 3D '' -LRB- 2010 , $ 15.8 million opening -RRB- and `` You Got Served '' -LRB- 2004 , $ 16.1 million -RRB- . The film played best with women , who made up 75 percent of the audience , and older moviegoers , who composed 61 percent of the opening weekend crowd . `` Footloose '' earned a solid `` A '' CinemaScore grade , and strong word-of-mouth could help it dance its way out of financial trouble , but it will not be able to match the $ 80 million total that the original `` Footloose '' achieved back in 1984 . In third , Universal 's horror prequel `` The Thing '' did n't scare up many ticket sales this weekend , opening with $ 8.7 million . The film , which totes a reported $ 35 million budget , performed below Universal 's expectations , becoming the latest 2011 horror film to not connect with audiences . Movies like `` Scream 4 '' -LRB- $ 38.2 million total -RRB- , `` The Rite '' -LRB- $ 33 million -RRB- , and `` Priest '' -LRB- $ 29.1 million -RRB- have all struggled at the box office this year . Even `` Thing '' star Mary Elizabeth Winstead 's former franchise film , `` Final Destination 5 , '' performed unremarkably , earning only $ 42.1 million . The best comparison for `` The Thing '' is probably `` Do n't Be Afraid of the Dark , '' which opened with a similar $ 8.5 million and finished with $ 23.2 million . Considering `` The Thing '' earned a weak `` B - '' CinemaScore grade and a sad $ 2,990 per theater average , that total is about the best it can hope for . George Clooney 's political thriller `` The Ides of March '' held very well in its sophomore weekend , dipping only 28 percent to $ 7.5 million in fourth place . That decline is far less severe than Clooney 's other recent political flicks , `` The American '' and `` The Men Who Stare At Goats , '' which dropped by 57 and 54 percent in their second weekends , respectively . Perhaps Clooney has made a political movie that 's a bit more palatable for general audiences -- or perhaps it 's just the Ryan Gosling effect . Either way , after ten days , `` Ides , '' which cost Sony $ 12.5 million to produce , has earned $ 22.2 million . If it keeps up the soft declines , it could become a serious Oscar contender . `` Dolphin Tale '' spent one last weekend in the Top 5 , sliding 31 percent to $ 6.3 million . After four weekend 's Warner Brothers ' surprise 3-D hit has accrued a nice $ 58.7 million total . Along with `` Moneyball '' -LRB- $ 57.7 million after four weeks -RRB- and `` The Lion King 3D '' -LRB- $ 90.5 million after five -RRB- , `` Dolphin Tale '' is one of the few box office bright spots since `` The Help . '' The weekend 's other new wide release , `` The Big Year , '' debuted way back in ninth place with $ 3.3 million out of 2,150 theaters . Fox spent $ 41 million on the Jack Black , Steve Martin , Owen Wilson bird-watching collaboration that was n't quite a comedy , was n't quite a drama , was n't quite a competition film , and apparently was n't at all enticing for audiences , who gave the picture a `` B - '' CinemaScore grade . Between the financial failure of `` The Big Year , '' and 2006\u00e2 $ \u00b2 s `` Hoot , '' which opened to $ 3.4 million out of 3,018 theaters , maybe Hollywood should think twice about the appeal of birds at the box office . They do n't always soar . In limited release , Pedro Almodovar 's deeply creepy `` The Skin I Live In '' got off to a strong start , with $ 231,000 in six theaters , good for a robust $ 38,500 per theater average . Internationally , tastes were n't quite as refined , as `` The Smurfs '' finally passed $ 400 million overseas . 1 . Real Steel -- $ 16.3 mil 2 . Footloose -- $ 16.1 mil 3 . The Thing -- $ 8.7 mil 4 . The Ides of March -- $ 7.5 mil 5 . Dolphin Tale -- $ 6.3 mil 6 . Moneyball -- $ 5.5 mil 7 . 50\/50 -- $ 4.3 mil 8 . Courageous -- $ 3.4 mi 9 . The Big Year -- $ 3.3 mil 10 . The Lion King 3D -- $ 2.7 mil See the full article at EW.com . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly \u00a9 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. . All rights reserved .","question":""}
{"answer":"United Nations -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Delegates from the United States and other nations walked out of the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivered a fiery speech that criticized Washington , capitalism and the world body itself . Though incendiary statements from Ahmadinejad are nothing new , tension in the hall grew as the Iranian leader recounted various conspiracy theories about the September 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks on New York and Washington . `` Some segments within the U.S. government orchestrated the attack , '' Ahmadinejad told the General Assembly . He followed with the claim that the attacks were aimed at reversing `` the declining American economy and its scripts on the Middle East in order to save the Zionist regime . The majority of the American people , as well as most nations and politicians around the world , agree with this view . '' That appeared to be the last straw for many of the diplomats . Representatives from the United States , Britain , Sweden , Australia , Belgium , Uruguay and Spain walked out while Ahmadinejad asserted that U.S. government was involved in the attacks or allowed them to happen as an excuse to go to war in Afghanistan and Iraq . President Barack Obama already had delivered his address to the General Assembly and had left the grounds before Ahmadinejad spoke . White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president `` found the comments to be outrageous and offensive , given how close we are to ground zero , '' the New York site of the attacks . And Mark Kornblau , a spokesman for the U.S. mission to the U.N. , said in a statement , `` Rather than representing the aspirations and goodwill of the Iranian people , Mr. Ahmadinejad has yet again chosen to spout vile conspiracy theories and anti-Semitic slurs that are as abhorrent and delusional as they are predictable . '' A European Union diplomat said that all 27 member nations had agreed to walk out if Ahmadinejad made inflammatory statements during his address . The exits did not deter the Iranian leader from his line of attack , however . Ahmadinejad went on to compare the death toll in the September 11 attacks to the casualty count in the wars in Afghanistan in Iraq . `` It was said that some 3,000 people were killed on September 11th , for which we are all very saddened , '' he said . `` Yet , up until now in Afghanistan and Iraq , hundreds of thousands of people have been killed , millions wounded and displaced , and the conflict is still going on and expanding . '' Ahmadinejad also continued the attack on capitalism that he began during a Monday address at the Millennium Global Development Summit . He linked the U.S.-led conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan with wars for colonial expansion in Africa , Latin America and Asia . The Iranian president also touched on the recent controversy over a Florida pastor 's plans to burn copies of the Quran , the Muslim holy book , by waving copies of a Bible and a Quran as he declared his respect and reverence for both . And he concluded his address with a defense of Iran 's nuclear ambitions , discussing a recently submitted statement to the U.N. 's nuclear watchdog , the International Atomic Energy Agency . CNN 's Richard Roth and Joe Vaccarello contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The man police say was driving drunk when he ran a red light and struck a car , killing a Major League Baseball pitcher and two others has been charged with murder . Fans gather around a memorial for Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart on Friday . Andrew Thomas Gallo , 22 , was charged with three counts of murder , driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crime , the Orange County district attorney 's office announced Friday . Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was among those killed in the crash in Fullerton , California , early Thursday morning . Adenhart was beginning his first full season in the majors and had pitched his fourth Major League game hours earlier . Gallo , whose blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit , according to police , faces up to life in prison if convicted on all charges . According to the DA 's office , Gallo was driving a minivan 65 mph in a 35 mph zone at about 12:35 a.m. Thursday . He was on probation and his license had been suspended after a previous drunk-driving charge . Watch Adenhart 's agent describe his friend '' Authorities say he ran a red light and hit the car Adenhart was in , killing the pitcher , 20-year-old California State University student Courtney Stewart and law student Henry Pearson , 25 . A fourth victim , 24-year-old John Wilhite , a former baseball player at California State , remained in critical condition Friday . A driver in a third car suffered minor injuries . Adenhart died at UC Irvine Medical Center , where he underwent surgery , according to spokesman John Murray . The Angels ' game Thursday night with the Oakland A 's was postponed at the direction of MLB Commissioner Bud Selig . `` Major League Baseball is in mourning today upon the news of this tragedy that has taken Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others , '' Selig said in a statement that accompanied the announcement . `` Nick was just 22 years of age , with a wonderful life and career ahead of him . '' After the wreck , Gallo fled the scene , according to the district attorney . He was captured about 30 minutes later . Adenhart pitched in a game against the Oakland A 's Wednesday night in Anaheim , California , making what was characterized as a `` brilliant effort '' despite the Angels ' 6-4 loss , according to Major League Baseball 's Web site , MLB.com . In his fourth major league start , Adenhart pitched a scoreless six innings , allowing seven hits , three walks and five strikeouts . `` The Angels family has suffered a tremendous loss today , '' Tony Reagins , the team 's general manager , said in a written statement . `` We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic loss . Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nick 's family , friends , loved ones and fans . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"CABO SAN LUCAS , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hurricane Jimena weakened to a Category 3 storm Tuesday afternoon , but remained dangerous as it bore down on the Mexican peninsula of Baja California , with the resort town of Cabo San Lucas in its path . Jimena bears down Tuesday evening on Baja California , with the resort town of Cabo San Lucas in its path . Meanwhile , Tropical Storm Erika formed in the Atlantic on Tuesday , east of the northern Leeward Islands , the National Hurricane Center said . Jimena 's maximum wind speed dropped from 125 mph to 120 mph -LRB- 195 kph -RRB- , according to the U.S. National Weather Service 's 5 p.m. PT -LRB- 8 p.m. ET -RRB- update . `` A gradual weakening is forecast during the next 24 to 48 hours , '' the weather service said . `` However , Jimena could be near major hurricane strength when it makes landfall . '' The storm 's center is forecast to come ashore on Thursday morning , but the weather service warned that `` because it will be moving parallel to the coastline , any slight change in direction could have a huge impact in the location and timing of landfall . '' Mexico 's government extended a hurricane warning for most of the southern half of the Baja peninsula -- from Punta Abreojos on the peninsula 's west coast to Mulege on its east coast , according to the National Weather Service . See the storm 's projected path '' A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area in the next 24 hours and people should quickly prepare `` to protect life and property . '' `` A dangerous storm surge along with battering waves will produce significant coastal flooding along the Baja California Peninsula , '' NWS said . On its current track , Jimena 's center will approach the peninsula 's southern portion later on Tuesday and central Baja California peninsula by Thursday , the weather service said . In addition to damaging winds , the storm could bring as much as 15 inches of rain , forecasters said . Jimena -- the 10th named storm of the Pacific season -- was centered about 85 miles -LRB- 135 km -RRB- west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas , according to the weather service . It was traveling north-northwest near 12 mph -LRB- 19 kph -RRB- . On Tuesday , the skies in Cabo San Lucas were overcast and gusts of wind began to pick up . There were good waves for surfing , but popular beaches were devoid of tourists . Red flags warned people to stay out of the water , in case they needed any reminding . The day before , airlines offered extra flights to leave the area . Lionel Alvarez , who runs a resort hotel called `` Las Ventanas al Pariaso '' in the town of San Jose del Cabo , found a silver lining to the coming storm . `` The wind is refreshing a little bit because of the high temperatures we 've gone through in the past few days , '' he said . But Alvarez , like other locals , had work to do in preparation of Jimena . `` We protect the property by dismantling all that could be dangerous , fly or can be broken , '' he said . Authorities had asked about 10,000 people to evacuate the area , but many had decided to wait out the storm . Cuauhtemoc Morgan , a local resident of Los Cabos who sent videos to to CNN 's iReport , said residents had protected every home in his neighborhood , fortifying windows with masking tape . Lines at supermarkets were long with worried residents preparing for the storms , Morgan said . See iReport videos Authorities were setting up shelters in schools and trying to devise a plan to protect the homeless , he added . The Pacific is n't the only place seeing action . As of 8 p.m. ET Tuesday , tropical storm watches were issued for the Caribbean islands of St. Maarten , Antigua , Barbuda , St. Kitts , Nevis , Anguilla , St. Martin and St. Barthelemy by the governments of France , the Netherlands Antilles , and Antigua and Barbuda , according to the hurricane center . A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions , including winds of at least 39 mph , are possible within 36 hours . See Erika 's projected path '' Interests in the northern Leeward Islands , the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico should monitor Erika 's progress , forecasters advised . Erika 's center was about 390 miles -LRB- 625 km -RRB- east of the northern Leeward Islands , the hurricane center said . Its maximum sustained winds were near 50 mph -LRB- 80 kph -RRB- , with higher gusts . While Erika meandered Tuesday afternoon , it was expected to start moving west-northwest at about 9 mph during the night . `` Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days , '' forecasters said . Tropical-storm force winds extended outward up to 105 miles -LRB- 170 km -RRB- from Erika 's center . The storm was moving west-northwest at near 9 mph -LRB- 15 kph -RRB- , and was expected to continue doing so for the next couple of days , the hurricane center said . Tracking maps put the storm east of the Bahamas by Sunday . On the forecast track , Erika should remain northeast of the Leeward Islands , forecasters said . CNN 's Betty Nguyen and CNN Radio 's Matt Cherry and Ninette Sosa contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- Budget Travel -RRB- -- When you have beach on the brain , who wants to bother with a layover ? Budget Travel has prepared the ultimate insider 's guide to seven resort towns south of the border that are just one quick flight away . The Pacific-coast resort of Puerto Vallarta has attracted artists in recent years with its natural beauty and well-preserved colonial architecture . MAZATL\u00c1N As resort towns go , Mazatl\u00e1n is one of Mexico 's prettiest , with an assortment of 19th-century neoclassical , republican , and French baroque buildings in pastel colors . The best place for wandering is Old Mazatl\u00e1n , particularly the tree-lined streets around Plazuela Machado , where guitarists and singers roam from one sidewalk caf\u00e9 to the next . Eat Sample traditional Sinaloan dishes at Pedro & Lola , a restaurant with seating on the square that 's known for its Mexican Molcajete , grilled beef served with cactus and onions -LRB- 011-52\/669 -982 -2589 , restaurantpedroylola.com , beef $ 14 -RRB- . Drink On nearby Belisario Dom\u00ednguez street , locals gather nightly for tequila and Pacifico beers at La Tertulia , a bullfighting-themed bar that 's owned and staffed by actual bullfighters and has posters , costumes , and pictures of the sport 's greats all over the walls -LRB- no phone , tequila from $ 2 -RRB- . BudgetTravel.com : Find a nonstop route to Mexico Stay Among the hotel options in the area , the 72-room Best Western Posada Freeman Express has the most character -- it 's in a renovated 1940s high-rise and has a rooftop pool with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean -LRB- 011-52\/669 -985 -6060 , book.bestwestern.com , from $ 80 -RRB- . Detour To lose the crowds , jump on one of Aqua Sport Center 's boats to tiny , uninhabited Deer Island just off the coast . It has a white-sand beach , trails for hiking , and clear waters that are perfect for snorkeling -LRB- 011-52\/669 -913 -3333 , $ 12 -RRB- . IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO The twin cities of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are separated by just three miles , but despite that proximity , they do n't have a lot in common . Zihuatanejo , which dates back to precolonial times , is a relaxed fishing town set on an enclosed bay with not a single high-rise hotel . Stay The 30 rooms at the Hotel Brisas del Mar are accented with Mexican tiles and have hammocks on the balconies -LRB- 011-52\/755 -554 -2142 , hotelbrisasdelmar.com , from $ 102 -RRB- . Ixtapa , in contrast , was built 36 years ago as part of a government effort to spur tourism development on the coast . Today , it has a gleaming strip of beachfront hotels , manicured lawns , and a wide range of restaurants , from local spots to large Mexican chains . Eat El Arbolito serves fresh seafood dishes , such as camaronillas -- shrimp and cheese in a fried tortilla -- and creative cocktails like the Black Banana , a mixture of Kahlua , coconut liqueur , and orange juice -LRB- 011-52\/755 -553 -3700 , entr\u00e9es from $ 8 -RRB- . Drink At Barcel\u00f3 Ixtapa Beach Hotel 's Sanca Bar , bands play salsa and Cuban music on weekend nights -LRB- 011-52\/755 -555 -2000 , barcelo.com , beer from $ 3 -RRB- . Do Ixtapa has no shortage of beaches , but if you 're in the mood for something more active , rent a bike at Xplora Adventours -LRB- 011-52\/755 -553 -3584 , $ 3 per half hour -RRB- and take a ride through Parque Ecol\u00f3gico Aztl\u00e1n , a forest teeming with native birds , turtles , and iguanas . BudgetTravel.com : Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo photos ACAPULCO Acapulco got its glamorous start in the 1950s and '60s , when celebrities like Frank Sinatra , Elizabeth Taylor , and Judy Garland turned the exclusive hotels on the rugged cliffs over the bay into their playground . Drink One of these spots , the 78-year-old Hotel el Mirador , is the place to go for a quintessential Acapulco experience : Watching cliff divers plunge 130 feet into the bay while having a watermelon daiquiri on the patio at the on-site La Perla bar -LRB- 011-52\/744 -483 -1155 , hotelelmiradoracapulco.com.mx , $ 24 drink minimum -RRB- . For another side of the city 's nightlife , find a dance partner and head to Ninas , a salsa and merengue club where bands play nightly -LRB- 011-52\/744 -484 -2400 , cover $ 24 , with open bar -RRB- . Stay Close to the city center , One Hotel Acapulco Costera has 126 rooms with simple , Scandinavian-style furniture -LRB- 800\/343 -7821 , onehotels.com , from $ 75 -RRB- . Eat The open-air restaurant El Zorrito offers a wide range of regional Guerrero dishes , such as posole , hominy stew with chicken -LRB- 011-52\/744 -485 -3735 , posole $ 6 -RRB- . Detour Eight miles south of downtown Acapulco is one of the most secluded beaches around : Playa Majahua . Swim in the bay and then try the ceviche at one of the tiny shacks set up near the sand . BudgetTravel.com : Acapulco photos PUERTO VALLARTA Puerto Vallarta 's art scene does n't yet rival that of San Miguel de Allende , but it 's well on its way : Painters , sculptors , and other artisans have moved to the Pacific-coast resort town in recent years , drawn by the natural beauty of the mountainous coast and the well-preserved colonial architecture in Old Vallarta . Shop The old town has a number of galleries and boutiques , such as Joyer\u00eda Yoler , which sells handcrafted silver jewelry -LRB- 011-52\/322 -222 -8713 -RRB- , and Peyote People , a purveyor of Huichol Indian art -LRB- 011-52\/322 -222 -2302 -RRB- . See Large bronze sculptures by Mexican artists adorn the city 's Malec\u00f3n , the oceanfront boardwalk lined with dozens of restaurants and shops . Stay One of the best hotel options in the area is the Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Spa , which has more than 200 newly renovated rooms -- some with beamed ceilings -- and a pool overlooking Playa Camarones -LRB- 011-52\/322 -226 -7000 , hotelbuenaventura.com.mx , from $ 120 -RRB- . Eat Dine on a patio overlooking the beach at nearby El Barracuda , which specializes in seafood dishes like the Dynamite : shrimp , octopus , and tilapia served over rice -LRB- 011-52\/322 -222 -4034 , entr\u00e9es from $ 13 -RRB- . LOS CABOS Wedged between granite peaks and the water on the tip of Baja California , Los Cabos has one of Mexico 's most dramatic settings . But a less-than-thrilling 20-mile-long tourist corridor connects the towns of San Jos\u00e9 del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas , making it all the more appealing to choose a town and stick with it . See In San Jos\u00e9 del Cabo 's downtown arts district , galleries like Old Town show works by Mexican artists -LRB- 011-52\/624 -142 -3662 , oldtowngallery.net -RRB- . Stay El Encanto Inn & Suites is decorated in Spanish-colonial style , with chandeliers in the entryway and a fountain in the courtyard -- plus , the 28 rooms all have balconies -LRB- 011-52\/624 -142 -0388 , elencantoinn.com , from $ 95 -RRB- . Eat Set in a hacienda in Cabo San Lucas , La Fonda serves dishes that chef Christopher Chong 's grandmother used to cook , like empanadas with a red chili sauce -LRB- 011-52\/624 -143 -6926 , empanadas $ 11 -RRB- . Do At Playa M\u00e9dano in Cabo San Lucas , Andromeda Divers y Mas offers water sports such as sea kayaking and parasailing -LRB- 011-52\/624 -143 -2765 , scubadivecabo.com -RRB- . Detour An hour 's drive north of Los Cabos , eclectic shops and galleries have opened in artist-friendly Todos Santos , including the bookstore El Tecolote Libros -LRB- 011-52\/612 -145 -0295 -RRB- and Galer\u00eda de Todos Santos -LRB- 011-52\/612 -145 -0500 , galeriadetodossantos.com -RRB- . BudgetTravel.com : Los Cabos photos CANC\u00daN Canc\u00fan may never shake its reputation as a rowdy college-party destination , but outside of spring-break season , the city is a surprisingly subdued place . The peninsula is where most of the major resorts are located , so if you 're looking for character , it 's best to head downtown on the mainland . Stay The boutique hotel Sol y Luna has 11 brightly painted rooms , mosaic-trimmed baths , and balconies overlooking Parque de las Palapas -LRB- 011-52\/998 -887 -5579 , solylunahotel.com , from $ 48 -RRB- . Eat The park is a popular gathering spot for musicians in the evenings ; it 's also where you 'll find one of the city 's best restaurants , Labn\u00e1 , which serves Yucatecan dishes such as pibil , achiote-flavored pork wrapped in a banana leaf -LRB- 011-52\/998 -892 -3056 , labna.com , pibil $ 9 -RRB- . Drink The aptly named Bling Resto Bar , on the resort peninsula , is just what it sounds like ; lounge on the patio with a grape mojito and watch the sun go down over the lagoon -LRB- 011-52\/998 -840 -6014 , blingcancun.com , drinks from $ 5 -RRB- . Detour Xcaret , a sprawling ecological and adventure theme park about 45 minutes south of Canc\u00fan , is an ideal spot for families . Activities here range from swimming through caves in an underground river to walking through a butterfly pavilion and watching monkeys , manatees , pumas , and jaguars in their natural environments -LRB- 011-52\/998 -883 -0470 , www.xcaret.com , from $ 69 -RRB- . BudgetTravel.com : Cancun photos COZUMEL Surrounded by vibrantly colored coral reefs , the island of Cozumel , 11 miles off the Yucat\u00e1n coast , has been attracting divers since Jacques Cousteau popularized it in the 1960s . The most central place to be situated for day trips around the island is the town of San Miguel , which has a number of reasonably priced guesthouses . Stay Las Anclas gets high marks not only for its seven bi-level suites and beautiful garden , but also for owners Pedro and Eyal , who are eager to offer up restaurant recommendations -LRB- 011-52\/987 -872 -5476 , lasanclas.com , from $ 95 -RRB- . Eat A local favorite is La Candela , which serves hearty dishes like chicken stuffed with ham and cheese , and jamaica , a cold tea made from hibiscus flowers -LRB- 011-52\/987 -878 -4471 , chicken $ 8 -RRB- . Do The tour operator Deep Blue arranges dive trips to some of the hardest-to-reach reefs around the island -LRB- 011-52\/987 -872 -5653 , deepbluecozumel.com , from $ 68 -RRB- . Or , you can take a boat ride through the mangroves in the Faro Celarain Eco Park for an adventure of a different sort : crocodile spotting -LRB- 011-52\/987 -872 -1680 , cozumelparks.com , $ 11 -RRB- . Get the best travel deals and tips emailed to you FREE - CLICK HERE ! Copyright \u00a9 2008 Newsweek Budget Travel , Inc. , all rights reserved . Note : This story was accurate when it was published . Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Prescription drug overdose is now the fastest-growing drug problem in the country , surpassing the number of people who overdosed during both the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s and the black tar heroin epidemic of the 1970s combined , the Obama administration says . The problem is so severe , the administration is releasing a plan to combat what it calls a crisis of epidemic proportions . `` The toll our nation 's prescription drug abuse epidemic has taken in communities nationwide is devastating , '' said Gil Kerlikowske , White House director of national drug control policy . `` We share a responsibility to protect our communities from the damage done by prescription drug abuse . '' According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy , in 2007 about 28,000 people died from drug overdoses . Most were accidental and were related to prescription drugs . `` Today , we are making an unprecedented commitment to combat the growing problem of prescription drug abuse , '' said Vice President Joe Biden as he announced the administration 's plan Tuesday morning . `` The government , as well as parents , patients , health care providers , and manufacturers all play a role in preventing abuse . This plan will save lives , and it will substantially lessen the burden this epidemic takes on our families , communities , and workforce . '' The effort , called `` Epidemic : Responding to America 's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis , '' is primarily aimed at cracking down on abuse of opioids , some of the most powerful pain relievers on the market . Opioids are a class of drugs used to treat chronic pain and include products like OxyContin , Vicodin , Darvon , Dilaudid and Demerol . When abused they can be highly addictive . Prescriptions for these painkillers have increased dramatically over the past 10 years . In 2000 pharmacies filed 174 million opioid prescriptions . By 2009 that number was 257 million . According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration , over the past five years , hospital emergency room visits linked to prescription drug abuse or misuse have doubled . `` Unintentional drug overdose is a growing epidemic in the U.S. and is now the leading cause of injury death in 17 states , '' said Dr. Thomas Frieden , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . `` There are effective and emerging strategies out there to address this problem . Support for this action plan will help us implement those strategies which will go a long way to save lives and reduce the tremendous burden this problem has on our health care system and our society . '' The plan seeks to reduce abuse and drug diversion , educate both parents and health care providers , find better ways to dispose of unused pills , and beef up enforcement efforts by clamping down on pill mills and doctor shopping . The Food and Drug Administration will provide support by requiring an opioids Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy to determine that a drug 's benefits outweigh its risks . Under this process , drug manufacturers must make educational materials on proper prescribing and disposal available to anyone writing prescriptions for long-acting and extended-release painkillers . The agency must approve all materials before they are released . `` Long-acting and extended-release opioid drugs have benefit when used properly and are a necessary component of pain management for certain patients , but we know that they pose serious risks when used improperly , with serious negative consequences for individuals , families and communities , '' said FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg . `` The prescriber education component of this opioid -LRB- risk evaluation and mitigation strategy -RRB- balances the need for continued access to these medications with stronger measures to reduce their risks . '' Thirty-five states already have prescription drug monitoring programs in place that help track how prescriptions are prescribed and distributed by authorized healthcare providers and pharmacies . The program 's main goal is to prevent abuse and diversion at the retail level . Under the new plan , agencies will work to establish prescription drug monitoring programs in every state . The Drug Enforcement Agency will be heavily involved in enforcement , recovering prescription drugs , and focusing on doctors who illegally prescribe and dispense these drugs . They will also target `` doctor shoppers '' -- people who visit multiple doctors to secure multiple prescriptions and pill mills . `` When abused , prescription drugs are just as dangerous and just as addictive as drugs like methamphetamine or heroin , '' DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart said . `` The more we can do to stop the abuse of prescription drugs , the more effective we will be in reducing the death , destruction and despair that accompanies all drug abuse . '' A number of other federal agencies will also be involved in the effort , including the departments of Health and Human Services , Justice , Defense and Veterans Affairs .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Massachusetts sued the U.S. government on Wednesday , challenging the constitutionality of a federal law that defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman . The state of Massachusetts says the Defense of Marriage Act denies same-sex couples essential rights . `` We 're taking this action today because , first , we believe that -LSB- the Defense of Marriage Act -RSB- directly interferes with Massachusetts ' long-standing sovereign authority to define and regulate the marital status of its residents , '' Attorney General Martha Coakley said Wednesday afternoon . `` Massachusetts has a single category of married persons , and we view all married persons equally and identically , '' she said . `` DOMA divides that category into two distinct and unequal classes of marriage . '' The lawsuit argues that the act , which became law in 1996 , denies same-sex couples essential rights and protections , including federal income tax credits , employment and retirement benefits , health insurance coverage and Social Security payments . `` In enacting DOMA , Congress overstepped its authority , undermined states ' efforts to recognize marriages between same-sex couples , and codified an animus towards gay and lesbian people , '' the state wrote in the lawsuit , which was filed Wednesday in federal court . Massachusetts , the first state to legalize gay marriage , said that about 16,000 same-sex couples have been married there since 2004 , when it began issuing marriage licenses . Since that time , the lawsuit said , `` the security and stability of families has been strengthened in important ways throughout the state . '' The state is challenging Section 3 of the law , which defines marriage as `` a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife '' and a spouse as `` a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife . '' Before the act , the lawsuit argues , defining marital status was the prerogative of the states . The law `` eviscerated more than 200 years of federal government deference to the states with respect to defining marriage , '' it said . The lawsuit also argues that the law forces Massachusetts to treat same-sex married couples differently from heterosexual married couples , particularly through determining who qualifies for the state 's Medicaid program , known as MassHealth , and whether a same-sex spouse of a veteran can be buried in a veteran cemetery . `` But for DOMA , married individuals in same-sex relationships in the commonwealth would receive the same status , obligations , responsibilities , rights , and protections as married individuals in different-sex relationships under local , state , and federal laws , '' the lawsuit said . The defendants named in the lawsuit include the Department of Health and Human Services , Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius , the Department of Veterans Affairs , Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and the United States itself . Charles Miller , a spokesman for the Department of Justice , said the department will review the case but noted that President Obama supports the legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act . In March , Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders -- the same Boston-based group that successfully argued in 2003 for same-sex marriage rights in Massachusetts -- also sued the federal government over Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act . Besides Massachusetts , three other states recognize same-sex marriages : Connecticut , Maine , and Iowa . Vermont and New Hampshire will join their company when same-sex marriages become legal later this year and early next year .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Federal health officials are expanding efforts to ensure no additional bacteria-tainted cantaloupes get to consumers in what has become the deadliest U.S. outbreak of a food-borne illness in more than a decade . The Food and Drug Administration said it has teamed up with state officials in the effort . `` FDA and its state partners are conducting checks at retail stores , wholesalers and distributors to make sure they have received notification about the Jensen Farms ' whole cantaloupe recall and that they have taken appropriate action to notify their customers and remove the recalled whole cantaloupes from the shelves , '' the agency said in a statement Wednesday . Thirteen people have died in what has become the deadliest U.S. outbreak of a food-borne illness since 1998 , according to records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The outbreak -- blamed on the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes -- was first reported September 12 . It was traced to consumption of Rocky Ford cantaloupes grown at Jensen Farms ' fields in Granada , Colorado . What you need to know about Listeria As of Monday , it had grown to 18 states , 72 illnesses and 13 deaths , according to the CDC 's latest statistics . `` Because some of the wholesalers and distributors may have further distributed the recalled cantaloupes to food processors , it is possible that additional products that contain cantaloupe from Jensen Farms could be recalled , '' the FDA said . `` There is no indication of foreign distribution at this time . '' In 1998 , 21 people died from consuming tainted hot dogs , according to a CDC database . Food poisoning 101 In the current outbreak , four people who ate contaminated cantaloupes died in New Mexico , two each in Colorado and Texas , and one each in Kansas , Maryland , Missouri , Nebraska , and Oklahoma . Public health officials also have reported illnesses in California , Florida , Illinois , Indiana , Montana , North Dakota , Virginia , West Virginia , Wisconsin and Wyoming . Listeria can grow even at low temperatures and can also can take three weeks or longer to make a person sick , so more cases may emerge in the coming weeks , officials said . 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 older adults , people with weakened immune systems . In pregnant women , it can cause miscarriages , stillbirth and premature delivery . Pregnant women may experience only mild flu-like symptoms , said Dr. David Acheson , a former chief medical officer for the FDA who is now the managing director for food and import safety practice at Leavitt Partners , a firm which advises clients on health care and food safety . Listeria can be devastating to a fetus , he said , particularly in the second or third trimesters , so pregnant women who may have been exposed and have any flu-like symptoms should see a doctor . Symptoms can be more pronounced in the elderly or those with compromised immune systems , he said . About 1,600 people become seriously ill because of the bacteria each year , the CDC reports , and about 260 die . How to keep your food safe","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Didier Drogba came off the bench to rescue a point for Ivory Coast as they drew 1-1 with Malawi on Saturday to book their place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa . Didier Drogba scored for Ivory Coast as they drew 1-1 with Malawi to book their place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa . Ivory Coast needed only a point from their match with the bottom-placed team in African qualifying Group E but found themselves a goal down in the 64th minute when Jacob Ngwira put the hosts ahead at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre . Elephants coach Vahid Halilhodzic responded by throwing on Chelsea striker Drogba who was able to level the scores in the 67th minute . Malawi pushed for a winner as the second half wore on but were unable to add to the score and Ivory Coast secured the point they required for qualification . The result brought Ivory Coast 's 100 percent run in the group to an end but ensured they will feature in the World Cup Finals for a second time following their debut appearance in 2006 . Malawi also improved their chances of qualifying for the African Cup of Nations by moving third with four points , just behind Burkina Faso who have six and Guinea who are now last with three points . Elsewhere in the African qualifying zone Egypt recorded a 1-0 win over Zambia in their Group C clash in Konkola to potentially set up a deciding match with Algeria in Cairo next month . Egypt were on the back foot in the first half and were indebted to goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary who frustrated the Zambia fans with several fine saves as the visitors struggled to get to grips with the pitch at the Konkola Stadium . But the Pharaohs were a much-improved side after the half-time break and Hosny Abd-Rabou secured all three points with the only goal of the game in the 68th minute . Egypt defender Sayed Moawad laid off the ball for Abd-Rabou to fire a powerful right-footed shot past Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene and into the top corner of the net . The result means qualification will go right down to the wire even if Algeria take maximum points from their clash with bottom side Rwanda on Sunday and go three points clear of Egypt at the top of the group . Cameroon moved a step closer to qualification as they remained top of Group A with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Togo in Yaounde . The Indomitable Lions took the lead in the 32nd minute through Newcastle midfielder Geremi when he smashed home the rebound after Togo goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale had saved his initial shot from the penalty spot . Lyon 's Jean Makoun doubled the advantage two minutes after the interval after he tapped home following a mazy dribble by Samuel Eto'o and Achille Emana made the points safe in the 52nd minute with a low drive . Gabon remain a point behind Cameroon after they clinched a 3-1 win over Morocco in Libreville having taken the lead after Hicham Mahdoufi put through his own net moments before half-time . Eric Mouloungou and Daniel Cousin gave Gabon a three-goal lead before Adel Taarabt pulled one back for Morocco with a late consolation . Paul Le Guen 's Cameroon side , who had looked doubtful to qualify when he took over , are in pole position at the top of the group with 10 points ahead of Gabon on nine , Togo on five and Morocco with three .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- 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 -LRB- 7-5 -RRB- 7-6 -LRB- 8-6 -RRB- 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 -LRB- 7-3 -RRB- 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 -LRB- 5 -RRB- , 7-6 -LRB- 4 -RRB- . 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 .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Gillette said Saturday it was `` limiting '' golfer Tiger Woods ' role in its marketing programs to give him the privacy he needs to work on family relationships after disclosures of his `` infidelity . '' In a statement , the Boston , Massachusetts-based body grooming company said it supports Woods ' decision to take `` an indefinite break '' from professional golf . On his Web site Friday , Woods admitted to infidelity and said he was taking a break from the sport to focus on his family . `` In the midst of a difficult and unfortunate situation , we respect the action Tiger is taking to restore the trust of his family , friends and fans , '' Gillette spokesman Mike Norton said in the statement . `` We fully support him stepping back from his professional career and taking the time he needs to do what matters most . We wish him and his family the best . `` As Tiger takes a break from the public eye , we will support his desire for privacy by limiting his role in our marketing programs , '' Norton said . Woods ' Friday posting said : `` After much soul searching , I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf . I need to focus my attention on being a better husband , father and person . '' `` I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people , most of all my wife and children , '' Woods ' statement said . `` I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness . It may not be possible to repair the damage I 've done , but I want to do my best to try . '' Woods , 33 , who tops the sport 's world rankings , crashed his car outside his Florida mansion late last month . Authorities issued a citation for careless driving , and he was given a $ 164 fine . Woods was not required to talk to police about the wreck and declined to talk with investigators on several occasions . In the week following the crash , Woods apologized for `` transgressions '' that let his family down . The same day , US Weekly published a report alleging that Woods had an affair with Jaimee Grubbs , a 24-year-old cocktail waitress . US Weekly 's report followed a National Enquirer article before the crash that the athlete was having an affair with New York nightclub hostess Rachel Uchitel , an assertion she vigorously denied , according to The New York Post . It was not immediately clear how Woods ' hiatus would affect his other sponsorships , which include Nike , Gatorade and Electronic Arts . `` He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era , '' Nike spokeswoman Beth Gast said in a statement . `` We look forward to his return to golf . He and his family have Nike 's full support . '' The statement did not elaborate on whether Woods ' announcement would impact his business relationship with the sports company , which has worked with him for more than a decade . Woods has won three U.S. Open titles and the Masters tournament and the PGA tournament each four times . The PGA Tour said it supports Woods and looks forward to his return to the game . `` We fully support Tiger 's decision to step away from competitive golf to focus on his family . His priorities are where they need to be , and we will continue to respect and honor his family 's request for privacy , '' the PGA Tour said in a statement Friday . `` We look forward to Tiger 's return to the PGA Tour when he determines the time is right for him . '' EA Sports , the company that makes Woods ' video game , also said it is standing behind the golfer . `` We respect that this is a very difficult and private situation for Tiger and his family . At this time , the strategy for our Tiger Woods PGA TOUR business remains unchanged , '' said David Tinson , a company spokesman .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- On his final full day in office , President Bush issued commutations for two former U.S. Border Patrol agents convicted in 2006 of shooting and wounding an unarmed illegal immigrant -- suspected of drug smuggling at the time -- and then covering it up . An artist 's sketch shows Ignacio Ramos , left , and Jose Compean . The prison sentences of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean will now end March 20 . Ramos had received an 11-year prison sentence ; Compean had received a 12-year term . They began serving their sentences in January 2007 . The Office of the Pardon Attorney was still reviewing the clemency request when Bush made his decision , Justice Department spokeswoman Laura Sweeney said . `` The president has reviewed the circumstances of this case as a whole and the conditions of confinement and believes the sentences they received are too harsh and that they , and their families , have suffered enough for their crimes , '' a senior administration official said . `` Commuting their sentences does not diminish the seriousness of their crimes . Ramos and Compean are convicted felons who violated their oaths to uphold the law and have been severely punished , '' the official stated . `` This commutation gives them an opportunity to return to their families and communities , but both men will have to carry the burden of being convicted felons and the shame of violating their oaths for the rest of their lives . '' The official noted that both Democratic and Republican members of Congress have supported a commutation , including President-elect Barack Obama 's incoming White House chief of staff , Rahm Emanuel , and Texas GOP Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn . The head of the labor union representing Border Patrol agents told CNN Radio he was `` grateful '' that Bush commuted the sentences but questioned why the prison terms wo n't end until March 20 . `` I would be quite curious to learn why they have to wait another two months for an unjust sentence , '' said Rich Pierce , president of the National Border Patrol Council . He said the union 's ultimate goal would be for the men to get their Border Patrol jobs back . The shooting happened February 17 , 2005 , on the border southeast of El Paso , Texas . During their trial , Ramos and Compean said the illegal immigrant , Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila , had brandished a gun while actively resisting arrest . Aldrete-Davila , however , said he was unarmed and was attempting to surrender when Compean attempted to beat him with a shotgun . Aldrete-Davila was shot while fleeing toward the Rio Grande . Ramos and Compean were ultimately convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon , lying about the incident and violating Aldrete-Davila 's Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure . After receiving immunity to testify in the case against the two agents , Aldrete-Davila was arrested in 2007 on charges of bringing more than 750 pounds of marijuana into the United States . The case quickly became a political flash point , with advocates of tighter border controls defending the agents and civil liberties groups saying that the agents had used illegal and excessive force against Aldrete-Davila . Bush has granted 189 pardons and 11 commutations over his eight years in office , far fewer than Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan in their two-term administrations . During the final months of the Bush administration , speculation has swirled around the question of whether former vice presidential aide Lewis `` Scooter '' Libby would be granted the presidential favor . Libby was convicted in March of 2007 of four counts of lying and impeding a federal investigation into the leak of information that revealed that Valerie Plame was a covert CIA operative . Among the more notable people who have applied for -- but not received -- some form of clemency are : former Rep. Randall `` Duke '' Cunningham , R-California , who was convicted of receiving bribes ; publishing executive Conrad Black , who was found guilty of fraud ; former junk bold salesman Michael Milken , who pleaded guilty to securities fraud ; and former WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers , convicted of accounting fraud . The parents of John Walker Lindh , who was given a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty to supporting terrorists in Afghanistan , held a news conference in December urging Bush to commute their son 's sentence . There is a long tradition of presidents issuing pardons and commutations during their final days in office . Clinton pardoned fugitive financier Marc Rich during his last hours in office , setting off a firestorm of controversy . A commutation reduces a convict 's prison term , but the conviction remains on the person 's record . A pardon , however , wipes the slate clean by erasing the record of the conviction . A president has the sole authority to grant clemency to whomever he chooses , although a Justice Department office usually reviews applications and makes recommendations after considering such standards as a person 's degree of remorse and ability to lead a responsible and productive life after release . Those applying for a pardon through the Justice Department are required to wait at least five years after their conviction or release from confinement .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that laboratory tests on popular smoking devices known as electronic cigarettes have found they contain carcinogens and other toxic chemicals dangerous to humans . E-cigarettes are battery-operated and contain cartridges filled with nicotine and other chemicals . Known as `` e-cigarettes , '' the devices are battery-operated and contain cartridges filled with nicotine and other chemicals , spiced with flavors such as chocolate , cola or bubble gum . While manufacturers tout e-cigarettes as a `` healthy way '' to smoke , federal health officials say the devices turn nicotine , which is highly addictive , and other chemicals into a vapor that is inhaled by the user . `` The FDA is concerned about the safety of these products and how they are marketed to the public , '' said Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg , commissioner of the FDA . CNN contacted Florida-based Smoking Everywhere , one of the largest manufacturers of e-cigarettes , after the FDA announcement , and a spokeswoman said the company had no comment . Because e-cigarettes have not been submitted to the FDA for evaluation or approval , the agency had no way of knowing the levels of nicotine or the amounts or kinds of other chemicals that the various brands of these products deliver to the user . That is why the FDA began to test them . The FDA 's Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis analyzed the ingredients in a small sample of cartridges from two leading brands of e-cigarettes . In releasing its information , the FDA did not identify the two companies , but said in one sample , diethylene glycol -- a chemical used in antifreeze that is toxic to humans -- was detected . Other samples detected carcinogens that are dangerous to those who smoke them , the FDA said . The FDA has been examining and seizing shipments of non-U.S.-made e-cigarettes at the U.S. border since summer 2008 . To date , 50 shipments have been stopped . The products examined thus far meet the definition of a combination drug-device product under the Federal Food , Drug , and Cosmetic Act . `` We know very little about these devices , said Dr. Jonathan Samet , director of the Institute for Global Health at the University of Southern California , `` but to say they are healthy -- that 's highly doubtful . '' Samet and other health experts attended the FDA announcement on its findings . Dr. Jonathan Winickoff , chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics Tobacco Consortium , said parents need to be aware of e-cigarettes . `` It is very important that parents let their children know these are not safe and to make recommendations , or even enforce rules that they not be used , '' he said . `` Children who use these products may also be using other tobacco products , '' said Dr. Matthew McKenna , director of the Office of Smoking and Health , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . `` It 's a good idea to make sure the child is aware of the dangers of tobacco in products in general . '' The FDA has been challenged regarding its jurisdiction over certain e-cigarettes in a case pending in federal court . The FDA suggested health care professionals and consumers report serious side effects or product quality problems with the use of e-cigarettes to the FDA 's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program either online , by regular mail , fax or phone . CNN 's Valerie Willingham contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Gulf of Mexico undersea gusher is the largest oil spill in United States history -- possibly already more than twice as big as the Exxon Valdez spill , government estimates suggested Thursday . Scientists observed 130,000 to 270,000 barrels of oil on the water 's surface on May 17 , and think a similar amount had already been burned , skimmed , dispersed or evaporated . That would mean 260,000 to 540,000 barrels had leaked as of 10 days ago . The Exxon Valdez leaked about 250,000 barrels into Alaska 's Prince William Sound in 1989 . The busted well is spewing oil at a rate of at least 12,000 to 19,000 barrels a day , U.S. Geological Survey chief Marcia McNutt told reporters Thursday . A barrel of oil has 42 gallons , so that 's 504,000 to 798,000 gallons a day . That 's more than twice as much as previous estimates , which put the rate at 5,000 barrels , or 210,000 gallons , per day . It 's also the more conservative estimate of two reached by two separate teams of government scientists who used two different methods , McNutt told reporters Thursday . One team looked at the oil on the surface and came up with the estimate of 12,000 to 19,000 barrels per day . A second team used a different method and came up with a range of 12,000 to 25,000 barrels per day , McNutt said . The official estimate uses the range where the estimates overlap . The lower end of the government estimate -- 12,000 barrels per day -- would mean that about 18.6 million gallons of oil has been spilled since the April 20 oil rig explosion that started the leak . The higher end -- 19,000 barrels per day -- would mean 29.5 million gallons has been spilled . The Exxon Valdez spilled about 11 million gallons of oil . Worldwide , there have been more than a dozen bigger oil spills than the Gulf spill . The worst was the destruction of Kuwaiti terminals and tankers by Saddam Hussein 's forces during the 1991 Gulf war , which spilled 240 million gallons , according to the Oil Spill Intelligence Report . The amount of oil spilled could have very specific financial ramifications for BP . If the government finds the company negligent or the leak avoidable , BP will owe royalties on the lost oil , Minerals Management Service spokesman Nicholas Pardi told CNN . `` Now we know the true scale of the monster we are fighting in the Gulf , '' said Jeremy Symons , senior vice president of the National Wildlife Federation . `` BP has unleashed an unstoppable force of appalling proportions . It 's as if two Exxon Valdez tankers have already run aground , and more are on the way if they do n't get this hole plugged . `` This independent government estimate shows what we expected all along -- BP can not be trusted , because every gallon of oil that is spilled means they will pay more in fines and liability , '' Symons said . The estimates are preliminary and based on new methodologies , McNutt said in a teleconference . The first team , which got the lower estimate , analyzed how much oil was on the surface of the Gulf of Mexico on a given date , using aerial imaging . They estimated that `` 130,000 to 270,000 barrels -LRB- were -RRB- on the surface of the Gulf of Mexico on May 17 , '' McNutt said . `` We estimate that , in addition , as of May 17 a similar volume of oil had already been burned , skimmed , dispersed or evaporated , '' she said . That led those scientists to the range of 12,000 to 19,000 barrels per day . The second group used video observations to arrive at the higher figure . The scientific teams were composed of federal scientists , independent experts and representatives from universities around the country , McNutt said . BP , which owns the well , was not involved except to provide raw data , she said . CNN 's Richard Allen Greene , David Mattingly and Courtney Yager , and CNN Radio 's Lisa Desjardins contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- City officials in New York have denied Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 's request to visit the site of the destroyed World Trade Center next week , a police spokesman said Wednesday . Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad asked to visit ground zero , but New York city officials said no . The controversial , outspoken president wanted to `` pay his respects '' and lay a wreath at the site of the 2001 al Qaeda attacks during his visit to the U.N. General Assembly , Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said , citing Iranian officials . But workers are rebuilding the foundations of the site , `` and it would not be possible for him to go where other people do n't go , '' Kelly told CNN . Iranian officials have not put in any additional requests to visit the public platforms at ground zero , police spokesman Paul Browne told CNN . But , he said , `` If there were a further request , we 'd reject it '' because of security fears . Watch why New York said no to Iranian leader '' The Iranian mission to the U.N. said it had not been told of the decision , but in a statement issued Wednesday evening , it called the rejection `` unfortunate . '' Iran is ruled by a Shiite Muslim government hostile to the fundamentalist Sunni al Qaeda . Ahmadinejad 's predecessor at the time of the September 11 attacks , Mohammed Khatami , condemned them , and Tehran cooperated with the U.S.-led campaign to topple al Qaeda 's Taliban allies in Afghanistan that followed . The United States and Iran have not had formal diplomatic relations since 1980 after Iranian militants stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran and held Americans hostage for 444 days . The United States considers Iran a state sponsor of terrorism and has accused the country of meddling in Iraq and in Afghanistan where U.S. troops are battling Taliban and al Qaeda remnants more than six years after the September 11 , 2001 , attacks . More than 2,700 people died in the attack on the World Trade Center , when al Qaeda terrorists flew hijacked passenger jets into the twin towers . A third jet hit the Pentagon , and a fourth crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers resisted their hijackers . `` It is appalling that President Ahmadinejad , one of the world 's leading sponsors of terror , would find it appropriate to visit this hallowed ground , '' State Department spokesman Tom Casey said . Several presidential candidates also condemned the requested visit . Hillary Clinton , the New York senator and Democratic front-runner , called the request `` unacceptable . '' Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney , a leading Republican , called it `` shockingly audacious . '' And former Mayor Rudy Giuliani -- whose leadership after the attacks is the cornerstone of his GOP presidential bid -- said that `` under no circumstances '' should Ahmadinejad be allowed to visit the World Trade Center site . Zalmay Khalilzad , the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations , said the site should not be `` used as a photo op . '' Numerous critics have attacked Ahmadinejad 's hard-line anti-Israel stance and his insistence that Iran will defy U.N. demands that it halt its production of enriched uranium . Iran insists it is producing nuclear fuel for civilian power plants , but Washington accuses Tehran of trying to produce a nuclear bomb . E-mail to a friend CNN Correspondent Deborah Feyerick contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Scientist and author Stephen Hawking is `` very ill '' and has been hospitalized , according to Cambridge University , where he is a professor . Stephen Hawking in Pasadena , California , in March . Cambridge University said the 67-year-old is `` comfortable '' and will stay overnight at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge . Hawking , one of the world 's most famous physicists , is also a cosmologist , astronomer , and mathematician . Wheelchair-bound Hawking is perhaps most famous for `` A Brief History of Time , '' which explored the origins of the universe in layman 's terms . The book is considered a modern classic . Hawking has Lou Gehrig 's Disease -LRB- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis , or ALS -RRB- , which is usually fatal after three years . Hawking has survived for more than 40 years since his diagnosis . On his Web site , Hawking has written about living with ALS . `` I try to lead as normal a life as possible , and not think about my condition , or regret the things it prevents me from doing , which are not that many , '' he wrote . He added : `` I have been lucky , that my condition has progressed more slowly than is often the case . But it shows that one need not lose hope . '' The disease has left him paralyzed -- he is able to move only a few fingers on one hand . Hawking is completely dependent on others or technology for virtually everything -- bathing , dressing , eating , even speech . He uses a speech synthesizer with an American accent . Hawking has been married and divorced twice . In 2004 , police completed an investigation into accusations by Hawking 's daughter that his second wife was abusing him . Authorities said they found no proof . His Web site says he has three children and one grandchild . Hawking was born in Oxford , England , on what turned out to be an auspicious date : January 8 , 1942 -- the 300th anniversary of the death of astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei . A Cambridge University spokesman told CNN : `` Professor Hawking is very ill and has been taken by ambulance to Addenbrookes Hospital , Cambridge . '' Professor Peter Haynes , head of the university 's department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics , said : `` Professor Hawking is a remarkable colleague , we all hope he will be amongst us again soon . '' At Cambridge , he holds the position of Lucasian Professor Mathematics -- the prestigious post held from 1669 to 1702 by Sir Isaac Newton . Hawking has guest-starred , as himself , on Star Trek : The Next Generation and The Simpsons . He also said if he had the choice of meeting Newton or Marilyn Monroe , his choice would be Marilyn . In October , CNN 's Becky Anderson interviewed Hawking . The following are some quotes from that interview : `` Over the last twenty years , observations have to a large extent confirmed the picture I painted in ' A Brief History of Time . ' The one major development that was not anticipated was the discovery that the expansion of the universe is accelerating now , rather than slowing down ... We live in the most probable of all possible worlds . '' CNN 's Jennifer Pifer contributed to this report","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The death of a 14-year-old girl in England after she received a vaccination for Human Papilloma virus -LRB- HPV -RRB- has prompted a widespread freeze on the country 's national vaccination program . Millions of girls have received vaccinations for HPV since 2008 , the virus that causes 99 percent of cervical cancers . More than 1.4 million girls have received the vaccination in England since the National Health Service -LRB- NHS -RRB- started administering it in September 2008 . Natalie Morton 's sudden death Monday occurred within hours after she received a shot of the vaccine Cervarix at the NHS at her school in Coventry . Three other girls at the Blue Coat Church of England school suffered mild symptoms of dizziness and nausea after receiving the vaccine , according to media reports . It remains unclear if the vaccine caused Morton 's death . Only an autopsy will be able to determine the exactly cause of death . Glaxo Smith Kline , the manufacturer of Cervarix , issued a recall of the batch of vaccine used in Coventry as a `` precautionary measure . '' Watch reaction to Natalie Morton 's death '' `` At this stage the cause of this tragic death is unknown , '' the company said in a statement posted on their Web site . `` Following immediate quarantine of the batch involved last night , we have taken the decision to voluntarily recall this batch as a further precautionary measure while the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Natalie 's death is conducted . '' On Tuesday several NHS clinics and schools indefinitely postponed immunizations . `` As a purely precautionary measure , we have asked the NHS to quarantine all stocks of HPV vaccine from the batch related to this case , '' a spokesperson for the NHS said . `` Where the local NHS has supplies of vaccine from other production batches , they should continue with the vaccination program . '' Many clinics were forced to close as they checked the numbers on their batches of the vaccine . What is HPV ? HPV stands for human Papilloma virus . Although there are more than 100 types of HPV , only a few of them are known to cause cervical cancer . Most strains of HPV are harmless or cause genital warts . HPV is a common sexually-transmitted disease . Almost half of all women who have sex will be infected at one point in their life , according to the British National Health Service . HPV infects the cells of the surface of the cervix . Infections can clear up on their own or stay for many years without any symptoms and develop into cervical cancer . Ninety-nine percent of cervical cancers are caused by HPV . What is the Cervarix HPV vaccine ? The Cervarix HPV vaccine protects against the two strains of HPV -LRB- 16 and 18 -RRB- that cause cervical cancer in over 70 percent of women . The vaccine is typically injected in the upper arm , or thigh , in three doses within six months , and is recommended for teenage girls . How effective is the Cervarix vaccine ? According to the manufacturer , Glaxo Smith Kline , Cervarix is over 99 percent effective . Is Cervarix the most common vaccine for HPV ? No . Gardisil , manufactured by Merck is used by the majority of vaccine programs worldwide . Gardisil protects against four strains of HPV -LRB- 16 , 18 , 6 and 11 -RRB- . Strains 6 and 11 cause less serious conditions , such as genital warts . Gardisil proved comparatively effective in trials carried out by Merck . Of 23 million American girls who have already been vaccinated , 32 deaths were reported , though the reports do not determine if the deaths were caused by the vaccine or just a coincidence . Why was Cervarix chosen for the UK ? According to the NHS , Cervarix , `` was selected because the bid from this company scored higher than the competitor in the adjudication process against pre-agreed award criteria . The pre-agreed award criteria were shared with the manufacturers during the process so that they were fully informed of the criteria against which their bids would be evaluated . '' When was the vaccine introduced ? In September 2008 , England began a national program to vaccinate girls aged 12-13 , and a three-year catch up campaign offering the vaccine to 13-18 year old girls . Do condoms protect against HPV ? Using condoms reduces the risk of HPV transmission , but infection is still possible because HPV can be spread by contact with parts of the body that the condom does not cover . What are the known dangers associated with taking the HPV vaccine ? Cervarix has undergone rigorous safety testing as part of the licensing process required in the UK and other European countries , according to the NHS . The most commonly reported side effects are mild swelling or pain at the injection site , nausea , a mild temperature , dizziness , diarrhea and muscle aches . In rare cases allergic reactions in the form of skin rashes and in very rare cases anaphylactic shock has occurred .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Massachusetts sued the U.S. government on Wednesday , challenging the constitutionality of a federal law that defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman . The state of Massachusetts says the Defense of Marriage Act denies same-sex couples essential rights . `` We 're taking this action today because , first , we believe that -LSB- the Defense of Marriage Act -RSB- directly interferes with Massachusetts ' long-standing sovereign authority to define and regulate the marital status of its residents , '' Attorney General Martha Coakley said Wednesday afternoon . `` Massachusetts has a single category of married persons , and we view all married persons equally and identically , '' she said . `` DOMA divides that category into two distinct and unequal classes of marriage . '' The lawsuit argues that the act , which became law in 1996 , denies same-sex couples essential rights and protections , including federal income tax credits , employment and retirement benefits , health insurance coverage and Social Security payments . `` In enacting DOMA , Congress overstepped its authority , undermined states ' efforts to recognize marriages between same-sex couples , and codified an animus towards gay and lesbian people , '' the state wrote in the lawsuit , which was filed Wednesday in federal court . Massachusetts , the first state to legalize gay marriage , said that about 16,000 same-sex couples have been married there since 2004 , when it began issuing marriage licenses . Since that time , the lawsuit said , `` the security and stability of families has been strengthened in important ways throughout the state . '' The state is challenging Section 3 of the law , which defines marriage as '' a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife '' and a spouse as `` a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife . '' Before the act , the lawsuit argues , defining marital status was the prerogative of the states . The law `` eviscerated more than 200 years of federal government deference to the states with respect to defining marriage , '' it said . The lawsuit also argues that the law forces Massachusetts to treat same-sex married couples differently from heterosexual married couples , particularly through determining who qualifies for the state 's Medicaid program , known as MassHealth , and whether a same-sex spouse of a veteran can be buried in a veteran cemetery . `` But for DOMA , married individuals in same-sex relationships in the commonwealth would receive the same status , obligations , responsibilities , rights , and protections as married individuals in different-sex relationships under local , state , and federal laws , '' the lawsuit said . The defendants named in the lawsuit include the Department of Health and Human Services , Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius , the Department of Veterans Affairs , Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and the United States itself . Charles Miller , a spokesman for the Department of Justice , said the department will review the case but noted that President Obama supports the legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act . In March , Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders -- the same Boston-based group that successfully argued in 2003 for same-sex marriage rights in Massachusetts -- also sued the federal government over Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act . Besides Massachusetts , three other states recognize same-sex marriages : Connecticut , Maine , and Iowa . Vermont and New Hampshire will join their company when same-sex marriages become legal later this year and early next year .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A woman convicted in the 2002 kidnapping of Utah teenager Elizabeth Smart pleaded guilty in the attempted kidnapping of Smart 's cousin a month later , court officials said Monday . In exchange for Wanda Barzee 's plea of guilty but mentally ill to one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping , prosecutors dropped state charges against her in Smart 's abduction , said Nancy Volmer , spokeswoman for Utah state courts . Barzee , 64 , pleaded guilty in November to federal charges of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor in connection with Smart 's abduction . As part of that plea agreement , she agreed to cooperate with the state and federal cases against her husband , Brian David Mitchell , federal prosecutors have said . Barzee and Mitchell were accused of abducting Smart , then 14 , at knifepoint from her bedroom in her family 's Salt Lake City home in June 2002 . Smart was found nine months later , walking down a street in the Salt Lake City suburb of Sandy , Utah , in the company of Barzee and Mitchell , a drifter and self-described prophet who calls himself Emmanuel and had done some handyman work at the Smarts ' home . The month after Smart was kidnapped , prosecutors alleged , Barzee and Mitchell attempted to break into the home of her cousin , but were unsuccessful . The girl was 15 years old at the time , according to CNN affiliate KSL . She is not named in court documents . `` Mr. Mitchell 's attempt was thwarted when the minor child awakened , which caused Mr. Mitchell to flee , '' the court documents said . Following her arrest in 2003 , Barzee told authorities that she and Mitchell went to the home in order to abduct the girl , and planned to hold her , along with Smart , in the couple 's camp in the mountains , according to court documents . Sentencing is set for May 21 on the state charge , Volmer said . Barzee faces between one and 15 years in prison , but prosecutors have agreed to allow that sentence to run concurrently with her federal sentence , according to court documents . Federal prosecutors have recommended a sentence of 15 years in prison for her in exchange for her cooperation against Mitchell . Federal sentencing was set for May 19 , but a spokeswoman for federal prosecutors has said a sentence would not be imposed until Barzee 's cooperation against Mitchell is complete . At the hearing in federal court , Barzee apologized to Smart , according to a transcript . `` I 'm greatly humbled as I realize how much Elizabeth Smart has been victimized and the role I played in it , '' she said . `` I 'm so sorry , Elizabeth , for all the pain and suffering I have caused you and your family . It is my hope that you will be able to find it in your heart to forgive me one day . '' Barzee had been housed at the Utah State Hospital while courts determined her competency as well as Mitchell 's . After years of being declared incompetent , she recently was declared competent to stand trial , according to the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper . A state court had ruled she could be forcibly medicated , and that ruling led federal prosecutors to proceed with bringing a case against the couple , the Tribune said . At a competency hearing for Mitchell in October , Smart , now 21 , testified that she had been held captive in Utah and California . Just after her abduction , Mitchell took her to a wooded area behind her home and performed a mock marriage ceremony with her , she said . During the nine months of her captivity , Smart testified , no 24-hour period passed without her being raped by Mitchell . U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball has not yet ruled on Mitchell 's competency . State court proceedings are on hold pending the outcome of the federal case . CNN 's Ashley Hayes and Eliott McLaughlin contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. government has charged an international arms dealer with conspiring to sell a rebel group millions of dollars in weapons `` to be used to kill Americans in Colombia , '' federal prosecutors announced Tuesday . Viktor Bout is accused of selling missiles , rockets and other weapons to FARC , a Colombian rebel group . Viktor Bout , who was recently captured in Thailand , had agreed to sell the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia -LRB- FARC -RRB- surface-to-air missiles , armor-piercing rocket launchers , `` ultralight '' airplanes , unmanned aerial vehicles , and other weapons , the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release . There was no immediate public response from Bout , who remains in custody in Thailand . Federal authorities unsealed an indictment charging Bout with four terrorism offenses : conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals , conspiracy to kill U.S. officers or employees , conspiracy to acquire and use an anti-aircraft missile , and conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization . FARC is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department . Justice Department officials said they are seeking Bout 's extradition to the United States . The indictment alleges that Bout made agreements with FARC between November 2007 and March of this year . In their news release , federal prosecutors said Bout agreed to sell weapons `` to two confidential sources '' working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration , who had `` represented that they were acquiring these weapons for the FARC , with the specific understanding that the weapons were to be used to attack United States helicopters in Colombia . '' The news release also refers to a `` covertly recorded meeting in Thailand on March 6 , 2008 . '' `` With the unsealing of this indictment , we are one step closer to ensuring Bout has delivered his last load of high-powered weaponry and armed his final terrorist , '' DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Loenhart said in the news release . Attorney General Michael Mukasey last month singled out Bout as a leading example of a new breed of organized crime leaders who operate across international boundaries to amass wealth without regard to political ideology . `` Viktor Bout has long been considered by the international community as one of the world 's most prolific arms traffickers , '' U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia said in the news release Tuesday . Bout 's assets in the United States were frozen in 2004 after he allegedly shipped weapons to Liberia in violation of U.S. government restrictions .","question":""}
{"answer":"NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Syrian arms dealer was sentenced to 30 years in a U.S. federal prison for conspiring to sell weapons as part of a plot to kill Americans in Colombia , according to prosecutors . Syrian-born arms dealer Monzer al-Kassar , seen in a file photo , tried to sell weapons to undercover U.S. agents . Monzer al-Kassar was also ordered Tuesday to forfeit all of his assets , according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Southern District of New York . Al-Kassar 's co-defendant Luis Felipe Moreno Godoy received a 25-year prison sentence for his role in the conspiracy . Both men were convicted in November of five charges , including conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals , conspiracy to acquire and export anti-aircraft missiles , conspiracy to provide support for FARC guerrillas in Colombia , and money laundering . The federal indictment paints al-Kassar as an international arms dealer with a hand in conflicts in nearly every part of the world , with a web of bank accounts and front companies across Europe and the Middle East . Al-Kassar was arrested in Spain in 2007 on a U.S. warrant and his associate Moreno Godoy was arrested in Romania . Both were extradited to the United States . The arrests stemmed from an undercover sting operation involving U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents posing as members of FARC . During the 16-month operation , the agents arranged to buy more than 12,000 weapons from the two men , according to the indictment . Al-Kassar agreed to provide surface-to-air missiles for the FARC to shoot down American helicopters , and also offered to send 1,000 men to fight with the FARC , plus explosives and men who could train the FARC in how to use them , the indictment charged . Al-Kassar demanded 3,500,000 euros -LRB- $ 4.4 million -RRB- as `` partial payment '' for the weapons , it said . Justice Department officials say al-Kassar has been a source of weapons and military equipment for armed combatants since the 1970s . Kassar had told journalists before he was arrested that he had retired from arms dealing , but the United States says he had been involved since the 1970s , providing weapons and military equipment to armed factions in Nicaragua , Cyprus , Bosnia , Croatia , Iran , Iraq , Somalia , and elsewhere . CNN Justice Producer Terry Frieden contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- North Carolina State University women 's basketball coach Kay Yow , who won more than 700 games in nearly four decades of coaching , died Saturday after a long struggle with breast cancer , the university said . North Carolina State University 's Kay Yow , in 1996 , was one of only six coaches to amass 700 wins . She was 66 . Yow , who was in her 38th season as a coach , had amassed numerous awards , including inductions into the Women 's Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame . In her 34 years on the sidelines for the Wolfpack , her teams won four Atlantic Coast Conference titles , averaged 20 wins a season , appeared in 20 of 27 NCAA tournaments and reached the Final Four in 1998 . She was one of only six coaches in the women 's game to win at least 700 games , the university said . She also coached the 1988 women 's Olympic basketball team to a gold medal in Seoul , South Korea . Yow was beloved by her players , colleagues and fans , and in 2007 , N.C. State christened the court in Raleigh 's Reynolds Coliseum in her name . Since being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 , Yow had been active in efforts to raise awareness and money to battle the disease , which forced her to miss two games during the 2004-05 season and another 16 in the 2006-07 season , the university said . She helped establish the Kay Yow\/WBCA Cancer Fund , which raised money for the cause . About three weeks ago , Yow announced that she was stepping away from coaching duties for the remainder of the 2008-09 season , after missing four straight games because of an extremely low energy level . `` Stepping away from coaching is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make , '' Yow said January 6 , according to N.C. State . `` Even though I do n't feel well enough to coach , I 'm hopeful to feel well enough to attend some ACC games and show my support for the team as well as N.C. State University , '' she added . Yow was born in 1942 in Gibsonville , North Carolina , about 16 miles outside Greensboro . She began coaching at local high schools in 1964 before Elon University hired her . N.C. State hired her in 1975 . `` It has been an honor and a privilege to work with Coach Yow for the last 15 seasons . I suddenly find myself grasping to retain everything she has ever said and ever taught me , '' interim head coach Stephanie Glance said , according to the university . The team 's game against Wake Forest University , which was scheduled for Monday , has been postponed until February 10 in Winston-Salem , the university said .","question":""}
{"answer":"Baghdad , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Saddam Hussein 's cousin Ali Hassan al-Majeed -- also known as Chemical Ali -- was executed Monday , an Iraqi government spokesman said . He was hanged after having been convicted on 13 counts of killings and genocide , Ali al-Dabagh said . Al-Majeed had been sentenced to death in four separate trials , including one that focused on his involvement in a poison gas attack against Iraqi Kurds that killed about 5,000 people . His execution had been delayed for political rather than legal reasons . It is not clear what change , if any , led to the reported execution . Al-Majeed had been held in United States custody since his capture in 2003 . But he was handed over to the Iraqi authorities in the 24 hours before his execution , U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill told CNN 's Diana Magnay on Monday . The 1988 poison gas attack on the village of Halabja , which earned al-Majeed his nickname , was part of the Anfal campaign , in which the Hussein regime killed at least 100,000 Iraqi Kurds . The campaign is believed to be worst poison gas attack on civilians ever . Al-Majeed was sentenced to death separately for his role in putting down a Shiite uprising against Hussein in 1991 , and for his part in putting down a Baghdad revolt in 1999 . Estimates of the Shiite death toll in the 1991 rebellion range from 20,000 to 100,000 . Al-Majeed was convicted of playing a key part in the slaughter during the revolt in southern Iraq that followed the 1991 Persian Gulf War . One of his co-defendants in the Anfal case , Sultan Hashem , is a prominent Sunni leader who is considered a key player in efforts to reconcile the country 's once-dominant Sunni community with the Shiite majority that now wields political power . Hashem was also sentenced to death , but Iraq 's Sunni Arab Vice-President Tariq al-Hashimi has long refused to sign his execution order . That delayed the execution of al-Majeed and another defendant as well . Iraqi law requires all three members of the Iraqi presidency council -- the president and two vice-presidents -- to sign execution orders . It does not say what happens if they do not sign . CNN 's Yousif Bassil contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- Mental Floss -RRB- -- It 's Nobel Prize announcement week , and if you had Carol W. Greider , Elizabeth Blackburn , or Jack Szostak in your office pool , you 're off to a good start -LRB- the trio will share this year 's Nobel Prize in Medicine -RRB- . As we await news of the rest of the winners , here are some stories about past Nobel laureates . Nobel Prize winners receive a medal and a cash award . 1 . Robert Lucas , winner of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on the theory of `` rational expectations , '' split his $ 1 million prize with his ex-wife . If there were a Nobel Prize for Foresight or Timing , she should be nominated , based on a clause in their divorce settlement from seven years earlier : `` Wife shall receive 50 percent of any Nobel Prize . '' The clause expired on October 31 , 1995 . Had Lucas won any year after , he would have kept the whole million . 2 . Physicist Lise Meitner , whose work helped lead to the discovery of nuclear fission , was reportedly nominated for the Nobel Prize 13 times without ever winning -LRB- though nominations are kept secret , so we do n't know for sure -RRB- . This makes her the Dynasty of the Nobel Prize scene -- that show was nominated for 24 Emmy Awards but never won . Other analogies we 'd accept : The Color Purple -LRB- 11 Oscar nominations in 1985 , no wins -RRB- , the Buffalo Bills or Minnesota Vikings -LRB- 4 Super Bowl losses each without a victory -RRB- and William Jennings Bryan -LRB- three-time Democratic nominee for President , losing twice to McKinley and once to Taft . -RRB- 3 . People who refused the prize : \u2022 Le Duc Tho was awarded the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize with Henry Kissinger for their roles in brokering a Vietnam cease fire at the Paris Peace Accords . Citing the absence of actual peace in Vietnam , Tho declined to accept . \u2022 Jean Paul Sartre waved off the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature . His explanation : `` It is not the same thing if I sign Jean-Paul Sartre or if I sign Jean-Paul Sartre , Nobel Prize winner . A writer must refuse to allow himself to be transformed into an institution , even if it takes place in the most honorable form . '' \u2022 Afraid of Soviet retribution if he traveled to Stockholm to claim his prize , Boris Pasternak declined to accept the 1958 Prize in Literature , which he 'd earned for Doctor Zhivago . The Academy refused his refusal . `` This refusal , of course , in no way alters the validity of the award . There remains only for the Academy , however , to announce with regret that the presentation of the Prize can not take place . '' Yevgeny Pasternak accepted the prize on behalf of his deceased father in 1989 . \u2022 Swedish poet Erik Axel Karlfeldt won for Literature in 1918 . He did not accept because he was Secretary of the Swedish Academy , which awards the prize . He was given the award posthumously in 1931 . This was allowed because the nomination was made before Karlfeldt died -- no candidate may be proposed after death . Mental Floss : 10 technologies we stole from the animal kingdom 4 . In 2007 , 90-year-old professor Leonid Hurwicz became the oldest person to ever win -LRB- one-third of the Prize in Economics -RRB- ; at 87 , writer Doris Lessing became the oldest woman -LRB- Literature -RRB- . 5 . DNA expert Kary Mullis -- 1993 winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry -- was scheduled to be a defense witness in O.J. Simpson 's murder trial . However , Simpson 's lawyer Barry Scheck felt the prosecution 's DNA case was already essentially destroyed , and he did n't want Mullis ' personal life to distract jurors -LRB- he 'd expressed an affinity for LSD . -RRB- 6 . Nobel Laureates you must know : Teddy Roosevelt , Woodrow Wilson , Rev. Martin Luther King , Jr. , Mother Teresa , Elie Wiesel , Mikhail Gorbachev , Nelson Mandela , Yasser Arafat , Shimon Peres , Yitzhak Rabin , Jimmy Carter , Toni Morrison , William Faulkner , T.S. Eliot , Ernest Hemingway , Samuel Beckett , Pierre & Marie Curie , Max Planck and Albert Einstein . 7 . Big names who never won : Dmitri Mendeleev , Leo Tolstoy , Virginia Woolf , James Joyce , Marcel Proust , Mark Twain , Gertrude Stein , Henrik Ibsen , Joan Robinson , Thomas Edison , Nikola Tesla , Jules-Henri Poincar\u00e9 , Raymond Damadian and Mahatma Gandhi . Mental Floss : 6 people who accidentally found a fortune 8 . Winners without the greatest reputations : \u2022 Daniel Carleton Gajdusek , who won in 1976 for his research in human slow-virus infections , spent 19 months in jail after pleading guilty in 1997 to charges of child molestation . \u2022 Johannes Fibiger won in 1926 after discovering parasitic worms cause cancer -- a breakthrough that turned out to not be true . \u2022 Yasser Arafat shared the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize with Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin . This decision caused Nobel Committee member Kare Kristiansen to resign . `` What consequences will result , '' he asked at the time , `` when a terrorist with such a background is awarded the world 's most prestigious prize ? '' \u2022 William Shockley won for Physics in 1956 for his role in the invention of the semiconductor , but his support of the eugenics movement alienated the scientific community . Shockley also donated sperm to the Repository for Germinal Choice , a sperm bank developed to spread humanity 's best genes . 9 . As part of his divorce settlement , Einstein 's Nobel Prize money went to his ex-wife , Mileva Maric . 10 . The Curie family is a Nobel Prize machine , winning five : Pierre and Marie for Physics in 1901 ; Marie solo for Chemistry in 1911 ; daughter Irene and her husband Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Joliot-Curie for Chemistry in 1935 ; and Henry Labouisse , who was married to Pierre and Marie 's daughter Eve , accepted on behalf of UNICEF in 1965 . 11 . Marie Curie 's second prize was marred by scandal . Then a widow , Curie had an affair with a married scientist , Paul Langevin -- a former pupil of Pierre Curie . Love letters were involved , eventually leading to a duel between Langevin and the editor of the newspaper that had printed them -LRB- no shots were actually fired . -RRB- According to NobelPrize.org , when it was suggested that Curie not accept the prize , she wrote a shrewd letter , `` which pointed out that she had been awarded the Prize for her discovery of radium and polonium , and that she could not accept the principle that appreciation of the value of scientific work should be influenced by slander concerning a researcher 's private life . '' 12 . Singing support -- While there 's no evidence the Nobel judges can be swayed by theme songs , that has n't stopped Loriana Lana from composing one for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi . `` Peace Can '' includes the lyrics , `` Silvio forever will be \/ Silvio is reality \/ Silvio forever ! \/ Silvio gives us trust . '' 13 . Alfred Nobel -- inventor of dynamite -- may have been inspired to create the Nobel Prize after a premature obituary in a French newspaper called him a `` merchant of death . '' 14 . Nobel died on December 10 , 1896 . The formal awards ceremony is held in Stockholm each year on the anniversary of his death . The first awards show took place on December 10 , 1901 . -LRB- These things take time to plan . -RRB- And in case you were wondering just how much of a say Alfred Nobel had in the prize , here 's what he wrote in his will : `` The whole of my remaining realizable estate shall be dealt with in the following way : `` The capital shall be invested by my executors in safe securities and shall constitute a fund , the interest on which shall be annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who , during the preceding year , shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind . The said interest shall be divided into five equal parts , which shall be apportioned as follows : one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery or invention within the field of physics ; one part to the person who shall have made the most important chemical discovery or improvement ; one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery within the domain of physiology or medicine ; one part to the person who shall have produced in the field of literature the most outstanding work of an idealistic tendency ; and one part to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity among nations , for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses . `` The prizes for physics and chemistry shall be awarded by the Swedish Academy of Sciences ; that for physiological or medical works by the Caroline Institute in Stockholm ; that for literature by the Academy in Stockholm ; and that for champions of peace by a committee of five persons to be elected by the Norwegian Storting . It is my express wish that in awarding the prizes no consideration whatever shall be given to the nationality of the candidates , so that the most worthy shall receive the prize , whether he be Scandinavian or not . '' Mental Floss : 13 bizarre stipulations in wills For more mental_floss articles , visit mentalfloss.com","question":""}
{"answer":"TEHRAN , Iran -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iran 's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday he sees no change in U.S. policy toward Iran despite the U.S. promise of a `` new beginning . '' Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran would change its policy when the U.S. did so as well . Khamenei said a change in rhetoric is not enough , and Washington must practice what it preaches , according to the English-language Press TV channel in Iran . He also promised that Iran will change its policy if the United States does so as well , Press TV reported . Khamenei 's comments , which he made in a televised address to mark the start of the Iranian New Year on Friday , come a day after U.S. President Barack Obama reached out to Iran in a videotaped message . A spokesman for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad condemned U.S. foreign policy Friday in response to the video . Obama 's message spoke of `` new beginnings '' with the promise of a new year . `` My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us , and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States , Iran and the international community , '' the president said in his message Friday . Obama said the United States seeks engagement with Iran that is `` honest and grounded in mutual respect . '' The president 's message is part of a dramatic shift in tone from that of the Bush administration , which branded Iran as part of an `` axis of evil '' along with North Korea and Iraq . It also echoes Obama 's inaugural speech in which he told the Muslim world , `` We seek a new way forward , based on mutual interest and mutual respect . '' Ahmadinejad said last month that Iran would welcome talks with the United States `` in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect . '' Khamenei also said world powers have come to realize they are not able to block Iran 's nuclear progress . He looked back on the February 25 testing of Iran 's first nuclear power plant , at Bushehr , as one of the `` joyful developments '' of the past year . Last month , the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security released a report saying that Iran has reached `` nuclear weapons breakout capability '' -- it has enough uranium to make a nuclear bomb . The report was based on an analysis of data from the International Atomic Energy Agency . However , an IAEA official who asked not to be named cautioned against drawing such dramatic conclusions from the data , saying Iran 's stock of low-enriched uranium would have to be turned into highly enriched uranium to be weapons-grade material . That has n't been done , the official said . The United States has had tortuous relations with Tehran since the Islamic revolution in 1979 . Meanwhile , the widow of the late founder of the Islamic Republic , Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini , died Saturday morning after a long period of illness , the Iranian-run Islamic Republic News Agency said . A funeral for Khadije Saghafi was scheduled to be held Sunday in Tehran and she was set to be laid to rest in Khomeini 's tomb , the agency reported . Khomeini was the leader of the 1979 revolution that led to the toppling of the shah of Iran and the ushering in of an Islamic state . He died in 1989 .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Boys may soon be able to get Gardasil , the vaccine given to girls and young women to prevent infection by four types of human papillomavirus . Gardasil , a vaccine against human papillomavirus , would be given to boys exactly as it is to girls . A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee voted Wednesday to recommend that the vaccine be made available to boys and young men aged 9 to 26 for protection against genital warts caused by HPV . The vaccine protects against four types of HPV , and two of those are believed to be responsible for 70 percent of cervical and anal cancers , and HPV-associated penile and throat-and-neck cancers . The other two cause 90 percent of genital warts cases , researchers say . At Wednesday 's advisory committee meeting , pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. , maker of Gardasil , presented data from three clinical trials that the company claims supports broadening the distribution of the vaccine to include males . The trials included more than 5,400 boys and men from six continents and 23 countries . According to Anna Giuliano , an independent scientist at Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa , Florida , and the trials ' principal investigator , `` The data clearly demonstrates that there was a benefit to men in receiving Gardasil . Overall , we saw a 90 percent reduction in disease -- genital warts and pre-cancerous lesions -- caused by HPV in men and an 89 percent reduction in genital warts incidence . `` Essentially , we have a really fantastic opportunity to extend the benefit of the vaccine to men , '' Giuliano said . `` This is a sexually transmitted infection ; if we can reduce infection and related diseases in men , we have the potential to have a much broader public health impact by reducing the overall burden of infection and disease in the community at large . '' Giuliano said there were no serious adverse events related to the vaccine . There were some minor side effects such as pain at the injection site and low-grade fever . The vaccine would be administered in boys and young men exactly as it 's been given to girls and young women : three doses over a period of six months . Merck spokeswoman Pam Eisele said the cost will be $ 130 per dose . According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , about 20 million Americans are infected with HPV . There are 6.2 million new infections each year . The CDC says that at least 50 percent of sexually active men and women get an HPV infection at some time in their life . The American Social Health Association says HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus and puts that number at 75 percent or more . The CDC says that although HPV is very common in both sexes , most men wo n't develop symptoms or serious health problems , and there is no test to detect the virus in men . The only approved HPV test on the market is for women , for use in cervical-cancer screening . The advisory committee also voted that Cervarix , a new HPV vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline , appeared to be safe and effective for girls and young women 10 to 25 years of age . Cervarix has been approved in Europe . `` This is an important step in cancer prevention for the millions of girls and young women at risk for cervical cancer , '' said Barbara Howe , vice president and director of North American vaccine development for GlaxoSmithKline . `` If approved , Cervarix will provide protection against cervical cancer , a devastating disease that is responsible for thousands of deaths in U.S. women each year . '' Still , the panel recommended that Glaxo do more studies that would monitor miscarriages and other problems reported by patients . In a final review , both applications will be considered by the FDA , which usually -- but not always -- follows the recommendations of its advisory committees .","question":""}
{"answer":"A whopping 70 percent of American kids are n't getting enough vitamin D , and such youngsters tend to have higher blood pressure and lower levels of good cholesterol than their peers , according to two new studies published this week in the journal Pediatrics . Low vitamin D levels also may increase a child 's risk of developing heart disease later in life , experts say . People who drank milk less than once a week were among those most at risk for vitamin-D deficiency , a study found . `` We were astounded at how common it was , '' says study author Dr. Michal Melamed , an assistant professor of medicine , epidemiology , and population health at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine , in the Bronx , New York . `` There is a lot of data that suggests adults with low vitamin-D levels are at risk for diabetes , high blood pressure , cardiovascular disease , and a lot of cancers , and if kids start out with low levels and never increase them , they may be putting themselves at risk for developing all of these diseases at a much earlier age . '' Vitamin D is often called the `` sunshine vitamin '' because the human body makes it only when exposed to sunlight -- although it only takes 10 to 15 minutes a day to make an adequate amount . Vitamin D , which helps the bones better absorb calcium , is also added to multivitamins and milk . In Melamed 's study , the researchers looked at the vitamin D levels of more than 6,000 people ages 1 to 21 . They checked for vitamin-D deficiency , which is defined as less than 15 nanograms per milliliter of blood -LRB- ng\/mL -RRB- , and vitamin-D insufficiency , which is defined as 15 to 29 ng\/mL . Overall , 7.6 million , or 9 percent , of U.S. children were vitamin-D deficient , and another 50.8 million , or 61 percent , had insufficient levels of this important vitamin in their blood . Children with low levels of vitamin D were more likely to have high blood pressure and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein , also known as good cholesterol -- two factors that are considered major risk factors for heart disease later in life . Health.com : How cholesterol affects your heart 's health Children with low vitamin-D levels also had higher levels of parathyroid hormone than their counterparts with adequate vitamin D in their blood . Parathyroid hormone is a measure of bone health . When levels are high , it suggests that bones need more calcium to grow . Watch more on kids in the U.S. and low levels of vitamin D '' Overall , those most at risk for a vitamin-D deficiency were older , female , obese , drank milk less than once a week , and spent more than four hours a day watching TV , playing video games , or working on a computer . They were also more likely to be children with darker skin , including non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican-Americans . -LRB- Children with darker skin are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D because they have more melanin than their fairer counterparts . Melanin is the pigment that gives skin color , but it may prevent the skin from absorbing enough sunlight to produce an adequate amount of vitamin D. -RRB- Health.com : Battle aging with vitamin D In the second study , a research team led by Jared P. Reis , Ph.D. , of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions , looked at 3,577 adolescents ages 12 to 19 . Those with low levels of vitamin D were more likely to have high blood pressure , high levels of blood sugar , and metabolic syndrome -LRB- a cluster of factors known to increase risk of heart disease -RRB- than their counterparts with ample vitamin D in their blood , regardless of how much they weighed . Exactly how a lack of vitamin D increases the risk of heart disease is an evolving story . In terms of blood pressure , vitamin D helps control renin , a protein that plays a role in regulating blood-pressure levels . Health.com : Why belly fat increases type 2 diabetes risk The best vitamin-D boosting strategy involves a three-pronged approach , says Melamed . `` You can get a little bit from food , but not as much as you need , '' she says . `` Supplements are readily available , and kids like to take Flintstones or gummy-bear multivitamins , which typically contain vitamin D. '' Also , parents should help their children get at least 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure daily without sunscreen . `` Set your watch and then apply sunscreen after 15 minutes , '' Melamed says . Some children , including those in high-risk groups , may need to be screened to check for low vitamin-D levels . Dr. Michael F. Holick , Ph.D. , a professor of medicine , physiology , and biophysics at Boston University School of Medicine , and the author of `` The Vitamin D Solution '' -LRB- to be released in April 2010 -RRB- , has been sounding an alarm about the dangers of low vitamin-D levels for years . Health.com : Easy food swaps cut cholesterol , not taste `` This is a recipe for serious diseases occurring in our children when they are in their 20s and 30s , '' he says . Holick was among the first to document the return of rickets -- a disorder caused by a lack of vitamin D and other minerals -- which can lead to the softening and weakening of the bones . Health.com : How to get vitamin D safely '' -LSB- But -RSB- rickets is just the tip of the iceberg , '' Holick says . `` Vitamin-D deficiency has insidious , serious long-term health consequences for children that could remain with them throughout their lives , '' he explains . '' -LSB- Parents should know -RSB- their child is likely to be vitamin-D deficient if the child does not take a supplement of 400 IU vitamin D a day and receive some unprotected sun . It is next to impossible to get enough vitamin D from diet , and the sun-phobic attitude has made the problem much worse . '' Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama will welcome Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for an official state visit Tuesday . The two leaders will discuss a range of global , regional and bilateral issues , the White House said . Those discussions are likely to center on Afghanistan , climate change and nuclear energy cooperation . Singh has been quoted as saying that a Taliban victory in Afghanistan would be disastrous for Central and South Asia . Singh 's visit will be the first state visit hosted by the administration , the highest honor extended to a foreign dignitary . It will be Singh 's second visit to Washington ; he has also met with former President George W. Bush . Grammy - and Oscar-award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson will entertain the black-tie crowd , several sources involved in the planning outside the administration said . Hudson , raised in Chicago like first lady Michelle Obama , sang the National Anthem at the Democratic National Convention in August 2008 at the request of the Obama campaign , when Obama became the Democratic presidential nominee . Singh arrived Sunday for his five-day visit . On Monday , he attended a luncheon hosted by the U.S.-India Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce . He addressed the Council on Foreign Relations later in the day . Obama will receive the prime minister at the White House on Tuesday , and Singh and his wife will be the guests at an official state dinner Tuesday night . On Wednesday , Singh will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates and will later attend a reception for the Indian community hosted by Indian Ambassador to the United States Meera Shankar . Singh will leave Washington Thursday morning and fly to Port of Spain , Trinidad , to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit . Singh , 77 , is a Cambridge - and Oxford-educated economist who was governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1982 to 1985 and the nation 's finance minister from 1991 to 1996 . A member of the Congress Party , he is serving a second five-year term as prime minister . He was sworn in as prime minister in May 2004 and again this past May . He and his wife of 51 years , Gursharan Kaur , have three daughters .","question":""}
{"answer":"CHICAGO , Illinois -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich vowed Friday to fight federal corruption charges and stay on the job , despite calls for his resignation amid allegations that he attempted to sell President-elect Barack Obama 's former Senate seat . Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich spoke to reporters at a news conference Friday but did not take questions . `` I will fight , I will fight , I will fight until I take my last breath . I have done nothing wrong , '' Blagojevich said in a brief news conference in Chicago . `` I 'm not going to quit a job that people have hired me to do . '' The spirited comments were the first public statements from the second-term governor about the allegations since his arrest December 9 on federal corruption charges . Federal prosecutors have accused the governor of trying to sell Obama 's former Senate seat . Prosecutors also allege the governor and his former chief of staff , John Harris , tried to have Chicago Tribune editorial board members fired by leveraging state assistance to the parent company of the newspaper , the Tribune Co. , in its sale of Wrigley Field . Blagojevich said he was `` dying '' to show his innocence , but maintained he would reserve his comments for an appropriate forum . `` I 'm not going to do what my accusers and political enemies have been doing , and that is talk about this case in 30-second sound bites on ` Meet the Press ' or on the TV news , '' he said . `` I have on my side the most powerful ally there is , and it is the truth . '' Watch Blagojevich speak at the news conference '' Quoting Rudyard Kipling 's poem , `` If , '' Blagojevich called on the public to be patient and reserve judgment until the facts unfold in criminal proceedings . `` If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you ; if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you , but make allowance for their doubting , too ; if you can wait and not be tired by waiting ; or being lied about , do n't deal in lies ; or being hated , do n't give way to hating , '' he said . Blagojevich did not take questions from reporters . Earlier Friday , his attorney , Ed Genson , said he did not feel it was prudent for the governor to answer questions now . Genson has said that the governor did nothing wrong and that evidence obtained through wiretaps in Blagojevich 's office and home was `` illegally obtained . '' The 76-page criminal complaint against Blagojevich includes snippets of intercepted phone calls involving the governor 's alleged efforts to benefit from the Senate vacancy . After Blagojevich 's statement , Genson 's co-counsel , Sam Adam Jr. , told reporters that the U.S. attorney 's office has not provided them with information related to the criminal complaint . `` We 've been asking for the documents . We 've been asking for the tapes . We 've been asking for the witnesses , we 're asking for a witness list . We have not gotten that , '' he said . Blagojevich 's arrest has thrown Illinois politics into chaos . Many of the state 's political leaders -- including Obama -- have called on the governor to resign . Harris , who was also arrested on federal corruption charges , resigned days after his arrest . Watch Illinois lawmakers discuss impeachment '' Members of an Illinois House of Representatives panel met Wednesday to continue discussions about whether there is a basis to impeach Blagojevich .","question":""}
{"answer":"MIAMI , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hurricane Omar became a major Category 3 storm Wednesday night as it barreled toward the Virgin and Leeward Islands in the West Indies , the National Hurricane Center said . A man watches waves crash into the shore Tuesday at Club Nautico in Falcon state , Venezuela . Omar is expected to continue gathering strength as it passes east of the Virgin Islands in the next few hours and makes its way to the northern Leeward Islands Thursday morning , the hurricane center said . At 11 p.m. , Omar was moving northeast at about 20 mph with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph . The hurricane 's center was about 30 miles -LRB- 45 km -RRB- southwest of St. Croix and about 105 miles -LRB- 165 km -RRB- southwest of St. Martin . A hurricane warning -- meaning winds of 74 mph and higher are expected within a day -- is in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands , the islands of Vieques , Culebra , St. Martin , Saba , St. Eustatius , St. Barthelemy , the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla . See where Omar is headed '' Puerto Rico is under a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch , as are St. Kitts and Nevis , the hurricane center said . As Omar approached , Hovensa , a 500,000-barrel-a-day oil refinery on St. Croix , began shutting down all processing and auxiliary equipment `` except those necessary to maintain power supply in the complex , '' refinery spokesman Alex Moorhead said in a statement . Watch Venezuelans try to save homes , dogs '' The move was to ensure the safety of employees and the operation of the refinery , which is jointly owned by Hess Corp. and Venezuela 's state oil company . The U.S. Coast Guard closed the Christiansted Harbor , where the refinery is located , on Tuesday , and it will remain closed until the order is lifted , Moorhead said . `` Once Hurricane Omar has passed , we will conduct an inspection of our facilities as soon as it is safe to do so . If no damage is found that would impact safe operation of the refinery , the start-up of processing units will begin in sequential order , '' Moorhead said . Puerto Rico and some portions of the northern Leeward Islands , which includes the Virgin Islands , could get up to 20 inches of rain , according to the forecast . `` These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides , '' the hurricane center warned . Also , the storm could produce large swells affecting the western and southern coasts of the Lesser Antilles , the Caribbean islands that stretch from the Virgin Islands southward to the islands off Venezuela 's coast . The swells could cause beach erosion and damage coastal structures , the hurricane center said . Antigua , Barbuda and Montserrat are under a tropical storm warning , meaning they could experience tropical storm conditions over the coming 24 hours . A tropical storm watch is in effect for Guadeloupe . The storm 's forecast track shows it heading into the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean after crossing over the Virgin Islands and sweeping past Puerto Rico , but hurricane tracks are subject to variation , and such long-range predictions can change . Omar formed Tuesday in the eastern Caribbean . It is the 15th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season , which began June 1 and ends November 30 .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A visit to the Eiffel Tower , the Statue of Liberty and the Pyramids is on the itinerary of most jet-setting travelers . Visiting the Eiffel Tower was voted the most overrated experience by tourists . But some of the most famous and iconic tourist attractions in the world are the most disappointing to actually visit , according to a survey of British tourists . And those questioned did n't think too highly of their own country 's best-known landmarks either , with Big Ben , Buckingham Palace and the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain also turning people cold . Travel expert Felice Hardy explained why many tourists , often after spending inflated amounts on reaching and then viewing the most famous places , are left with a feeling of anti-climax . `` It 's easy to be swayed by brochures that opt for the mainstream and focus on clich\u00e9d tourist sights around the world , '' she said . `` But many of them are overcrowded and disappointing . `` Pick carefully and do n't always go for the obvious . Natural phenomena are usually more exciting than the man-made , and can be wonderfully free of tourists . '' The Eiffel Tower -- described by Hardy as `` frustratingly overcrowded and overpriced '' -- was dubbed the most disappointing international sight . Britain 's biggest letdown was Stonehenge , a sacred Druid sight in the rural south of England , which was dismissed as `` an isolated pile of rocks in a usually muddy field '' by Hardy . The Diana fountain resembled `` a colorless wet skateboard park '' while as far as Big Ben was concerned : `` Once you 've seen it , you 'll know what time it is -- time to go somewhere else . '' Three of America 's most famous sights -- New York 's Times Square and Statue of Liberty plus The White House in Washington also made the list of shame . But the 1,267 adults questioned by Virgin Travel Insurance also nominated the best places to visit in the world , with the Treasury in the ancient city of Petra in Jordan topping the list . Other unmissables included the Grand Canal in Venice , Italy , the Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya and Australia 's Sydney Harbor Bridge . Alnwick Castle in Northumberland was voted Britain 's top tourist sight . TOP TEN MOST DISAPPOINTING GLOBAL SIGHTS 1 . The Eiffel Tower , Paris ; 2 . The Louvre , Paris ; 3 . Times Square , New York ; 4 . Las Ramblas , Barcelona ; 5 . Statue of Liberty , New York ; 6 . Spanish Steps , Rome ; 7 . The White House , Washington DC ; 8 . The Pyramids , Egypt ; 9 . The Brandenburg Gate , Berlin ; 10 . The Leaning Tower of Pisa . TOP TEN MOST DISAPPOINTING UK SIGHTS 1 . Stonehenge ; 2 . Angel of the North . Gateshead ; 3 . Blackpool Tower ; 4 . Land 's End , Cornwall ; 5 . Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain , London ; 6 . The London Eye ; 7 . Brighton Pier ; 8 . Buckingham Palace ; 9 . White Cliffs of Dover ; 10 . Big Ben . TOP TEN BEST GLOBAL SIGHTS 1 . The Treasury at Petra , Jordan ; 2 . The Grand Canal , Venice ; 3 . The Masai Mara , Kenya ; 4 . Sydney Harbour Bridge ; 5 . Taroko Gorge , Taiwan ; 6 . Kings Canyon , Northern Territory , Australia ; 7 . Cappadoccia caves , Turkey ; 8 . Lake Titicaca , Peru and Bolivia ; 9 . Cable Beach , Broome , Western Australia ; 10 . Jungfraujoch railway , Switzerland . TOP TEN BEST UK SIGHTS 1 . Alnwick Castle , Northumberland ; 2 . Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge , County Antrim ; 3 . The Royal Crescent , Bath ; 4 . Shakespeare 's Globe Theatre , Southwark , south London ; 5 . The Backs , Cambridge ; 6 . Holkham Bay , Norfolk ; 7 . Lyme Regis and the Jurassic Coast , Devon and Dorset ; 8 . Tate St Ives gallery , Cornwall ; 9 . Isle of Skye , Scotland ; 10 . The Eden Project , Cornwall E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN Student News -RRB- -- Students will examine Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's famous `` I Have a Dream '' speech . Also , they will compose written responses to Dr. King in which they compare his historic vision of racial equality in the United States to the reality of present-day life . Procedure On August 28 , 1963 , Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared his vision of racial equality in America in his historic `` I Have a Dream '' speech . Now , efforts are under way to build on that dream by constructing a monument to Dr. King on the banks of the National Mall 's Tidal Basin in Washington , D.C. . In class discussion , have students define the following terms : racism , prejudice and discrimination . Have them give examples of each . Then , point out that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of being judged not by the color of one 's skin , but by the content of his or her character . Direct your students to read Dr. King 's famous `` I Have a Dream '' speech and discuss its content in class . Then , challenge each student to compare Dr. King 's dream to the reality of life in the U.S. in the year 2008 . Direct each student to compose a written response to Dr. King , explaining what life is like in the U.S. today and to what extent his dream has been realized . -LRB- Encourage students to be creative in their responses . For example , students could write a letter , a speech , a song or a poem . -RRB- After students share their responses to Dr. King , pose the following questions for class discussion : Do you think that in today 's society individuals are judged by the content of their character and not by their race ? Give examples to support your opinion . Correlated Standards United States History Standard 29 . Understands the struggle for racial and gender equality and for the extension of civil liberties Level II -LSB- Grade : 5-6 -RSB- Benchmark 1 . Understands the development of the civil rights movement -LRB- e.g. , the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education and its significance in advancing civil rights ; the resistance to civil rights in the South between 1954 and 1965 ; how the `` freedom ride , '' `` civil disobedience , '' and `` non-violent resistance '' were important to the civil rights movement ; Martin Luther King Jr. 's `` I Have a Dream '' speech in the context of major events -RRB- Level III -LSB- Grade : 7-8 -RSB- Benchmark 1 . Understands individual and institutional influences on the civil rights movement -LRB- e.g. , the origins of the postwar civil rights movement ; the role of the NAACP in the legal assault on the leadership and ideologies of Martin Luther King , Jr. and Malcolm X ; the effects of the constitutional steps taken in the executive , judicial , and legislative branches of government ; the shift from de jure to de facto segregation ; important milestones in the civil rights movement between 1954 and 1965 ; Eisenhower 's reasons for dispatching federal troops to Little Rock in 1957 -RRB- McREL : Content Knowledge : A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education -LRB- Copyright 2000 McREL -RRB- is published online by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning -LRB- McREL -RRB- -LRB- http:\/\/www.mcrel.org\/standards-benchmarks -RRB- , 2550 S. Parker Road , Suite 500 , Aurora , CO 80014 Keywords Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. , `` I Have a Dream '' speech , racial equality , discrimination , prejudice , racism","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rapper Kanye West and his business manager face vandalism , battery and grand theft charges in connection with a scuffle with photographers at Los Angeles International Airport last September . Rapper Kanye West has been charged after an incident last year involving two photographers . The Los Angeles County district attorney declined to file felony charges , but L.A. City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo decided to charge West , 31 , and Don Crawley , 33 , with misdemeanors Wednesday . Police arrested West on September 11 , 2008 , after an altercation with two paparazzi , airport police said . The incident , which took place near the airport 's Terminal 4 , occurred between the rap star and Crawley -- his road manager and bodyguard -- and a photographer and a cameraman who were taking their photos , airport police said . The cameras of the paparazzi were damaged in the altercation , police said . West was charged with one count of vandalism , one count of grand theft and one count of battery , according to Frank Mateljan , the spokesman for the city attorney . Crawley was charged with two counts of vandalism , two counts of grand theft and two counts of battery , Mateljan said . If convicted of all charges , West could face up to two years and six months in jail , while Crawley could face up to five years , he said . Their arraignment hearing is set for April 14 at the Los Angeles Airport Courthouse , he said . West , a 10-time Grammy winner , and Crawley were in the airport to catch a flight to Honolulu , Hawaii , police said . The pair were outside of passenger security screening when the incident occurred . CNN could not immediately reach the star 's publicist for comment . The celebrity Web site TMZ posted a video of the incident shot by one of its reporters , who was also in the terminal when the altercation occurred . The video was short and chaotic , and the man whom TMZ identifies as West never shows his face , which is shrouded in the hood of a gray sweatshirt . According to the Web site , after West grabbed the camera from the photographer , Crawley took it from him , leaving the rap star with the lighting component . The video shows the man in the gray sweatshirt and another man in a red sweatshirt -- whom TMZ identifies as Crawley -- each smashing parts of a camera on the ground . Then the man in red approaches the camera as it is filming . He reaches out for the camera , and it appears a struggle ensues . As airport officials arrive , the man walks off . TMZ reported that after the incident with the first photographer , Crawley grabbed the TMZ reporter 's camera and allegedly broke it . Police stopped West and Crawley as they tried to leave to go through security to board the plane , the Web site said . TMZ is partly owned by AOL , part of CNN 's parent company , Time Warner . West quickly became a hip-hop star after his first album , `` College Dropout , '' debuted in 2004 , earning him a best rap album Grammy that year . He twice matched that feat with 2005 's `` Late Registration '' and 2007 's `` Graduation . '' West also has won three best rap song Grammys for his hits `` Jesus Walks , '' `` Diamonds from Sierra Leone '' and `` Good Life . '' His other four Grammys include two best rap solo performance awards , one for best rap performance by a duo or group , and one for best R&B song for his role in helping write `` You Do n't Know My Name , '' a song performed by Alicia Keys . The platinum rapper is also known for controversial outbursts , most notably in 2005 , when he went off script during an NBC telethon for victims of Hurricane Katrina , saying , `` George Bush does n't care about black people . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"Miami , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tropical Storm Paula pushed across western Cuba Thursday evening with wind gusts just under hurricane strength in some places , bringing heavy rain and high winds to the island nation , forecasters said . The storm is gradually weakening and is expected to become a tropical depression Friday , the Miami , Florida-based National Hurricane Center said As of 8 p.m. ET , the center of Paula was about 25 miles -LRB- 45 kilometers -RRB- east of Havana , the center said . It was moving east at 14 mph -LRB- 22 kph -RRB- . Paula passed just south of the Cuban capital around 6 p.m. Thursday -- with sustained winds of 41 mph -LRB- 67 kph -RRB- and a gust of 54 mph -LRB- 87 kph -RRB- recorded in Havana -- after making landfall at about noon near Puerto Esperanza . The storm 's maximum sustained winds have weakened to 55 mph -LRB- 90 kph -RRB- , the center said Thursday night , but wind gusts of 68 mph had been recorded earlier near Puerto Esperanza . Stronger gusts were confined to a small area near the storm 's center , the center said . Paula 's tropical storm-force winds have expanded to 70 miles -LRB- 110 km -RRB- outward from the center , altering the landscape of a storm that has been roughly half that size for most of its duration . Forecasters said the storm was likely to stick to an east to east-northeast track , moving across western and central Cuba Thursday night and Friday . The hurricane center said that tropical storm force winds should continue to spread eastward across western and central Cuba Thursday night , primarily along the north coast . The center discontinued an earlier tropical storm watch also was for the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas . Emergency management officials in the Keys said Wednesday they were keeping an eye on the progress of Paula and expected some gusty winds and rain , but no protective actions had been initiated . Forecasters predict the center of Paula will remain south of the Keys . Paula is likely to dump an additional 2 to 4 inches of rain over portions of western and central Cuba over the next two days , the National Hurricane Center said . Total maximum amounts could be 10 inches in some areas . Heavy rain could trigger flash floods and mudslides , forecasters said . The Florida Keys could see between 1 and 2 inches of rain . In addition , a storm surge is forecast to raise water levels by 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels along the coast of western Cuba , accompanied by `` large and destructive waves , '' the hurricane center said .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNET -RRB- -- Well , here 's what we 've all been waiting for . Apple put out a couple of announcements on Tuesday related to its desktop computers . Apple on Tuesday announced a new Mac Pro high-end desktop powered by Intel 's `` Nehalem '' processor . The company unveiled a new Mac Pro high-end desktop powered by Intel 's `` Nehalem '' processor , a new and more graphics-intensive Mac Mini machine , and updated iMacs that include the lowest price point yet for the consumer desktops . Let 's look at the new Mac Pro first : priced at $ 2,499 for the quad-core version and $ 3,299 for the eight-core version , those Intel `` Nehalem '' Xeon processors run at 2.93 GHz , and the interior of the machine has been cleaned up to make physical expansions easier . On the green front , it meets the new Energy Star 5.0 requirements that will go into effect later this year . The new iMac desktop is a 24 '' machine that is priced at $ 1,499 , the cost of Apple 's previous 20 '' iMac . The 20-inch is now $ 1,199 . The 20 '' is powered by a 2.66 GHz processor ; the 24 '' has processor speed options of 2.66 GHz , 2.93 GHz -LRB- for $ 1,799 -RRB- , or 3.02 GHz -LRB- for $ 2,199 -RRB- . The 24 '' comes with a 640GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM expandable to 8GB ; the 20 '' comes with a 320GB hard drive and 2GB of RAM expandable to 8GB . `` Our flagship 24-inch iMac with twice the memory and twice the storage is now available for just $ 1,499 , '' Apple chief operating officer Tim Cook , currently standing in at the helm of the company in place of iconic CEO Steve Jobs , said in a release . `` The Mac mini is not only our most affordable Mac , it 's also the world 's most energy efficient desktop computer . '' As for the new Mac Mini , the big upgrade is NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics that Apple says will improve its graphics performance as much as fivefold . The monitor-free machine costs either $ 599 for a lower-end edition -LRB- 1GB RAM , 120GB hard drive -RRB- or $ 799 for the higher-end -LRB- 2GB RAM , 320GB hard drive -RRB- . All these machines , like the new Mac Pro , meet Energy Star 5.0 requirements . Rumors of new Apple desktop computers were first reported at AppleInsider . \u00a9 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. . All rights reserved . CNET , CNET.com and the CNET logo are registered trademarks of CBS Interactive Inc. . Used by permission .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Foreign nationals who are HIV-positive will find it easier starting Monday to visit the United States . The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed HIV infection from the list of diseases that prevent non-U.S. citizens from entering the country . HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus -- the virus that causes AIDS . Advocates for HIV-positive people said the new policy was long overdue , calling it `` a significant step forward for the United States . '' `` The end of the HIV travel and immigration ban is the beginning of a new life for countless families and thousands who had been separated because of this policy , '' said Steve Ralls , spokesman for Immigration Equality , a national rights organization for lesbian , gay , bisexual , transgender and HIV-positive individuals . `` This is a new beginning for them . '' The final rule was approved in November and went into effect Monday . The new regulation takes HIV infection out of the category of `` communicable diseases of public health significance , '' the CDC said . It also removes required testing for HIV infection from the U.S. immigration medical screening process and eliminates the need for a waiver for entry into the United States . U.S. laws and regulations enacted since 1952 have made persons `` who were afflicted with any dangerous contagious disease '' ineligible to receive a visa to enter the country . People infected with HIV have been restricted since 1987 , when Congress directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to add HIV to its list of diseases of public health significance . The United States Global Leadership Against HIV\/AIDS , Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 , which President Bush signed on July 30 , 2008 , removed the statutory requirement that mandated the inclusion of HIV on the list of diseases of public health significance that barred entry in the United States . The legislation did not , however , automatically change the existing regulations , administered by HHS , that continued to list HIV as a `` communicable disease of public-health significance '' and required the more cumbersome visa process . The United States was one of 13 countries that restricted entry of HIV-positive visitors , according to amfAR , an AIDS research foundation .","question":""}
{"answer":"Los Angeles -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Four southern California teenagers have been charged following the apparent drug overdose death of an 18-year-old high school quarterback whose father is a retired NFL player , the Los Angeles County Sheriff 's Department said Saturday . Three of the teens have been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Griffen Kramer , son of former pro quarterback Erik Kramer , who played for several NFL teams including the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions , officials said . Griffen Kramer played quarterback at Thousand Oaks High School , which lists him as a 6-foot 210-pound senior . Kramer was found dead October 30 in a friend 's bedroom in Agoura Hills , the sheriff 's office said in a statement . That friend , David Nemberg , 19 , of Agoura Hills , is charged with involuntary manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance , authorities said . After investigating several of Kramer 's acquaintances who were involved in narcotics-related activities , police also charged Corey Baumann , 19 , also of Agoura Hills , with involuntary manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance for sales , the sheriff 's office said . Baumann and Nemberg were each released in lieu of a $ 125,000 bail , authorities said . The two other accused teenagers are minors , whose names were n't released , the sheriff 's office said . A 17-year-old boy from Oak Park , California , was charged with involuntary manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance , the sheriff 's office said . He is being held at Sylmar Juvenile Hall without bail , authorities said . Investigators found `` deplorable '' living conditions during the search of the boy 's home and took five children from the residence into protective custody , said authorities . The fourth teen , also a 17-year-old boy , of Agoura Hills , was charged with possession of a controlled substance , the sheriff 's office said . He was released to his parents ' custody , according to police . Police allege Griffen , Nemberg and a juvenile met at Sumac Park in Agoura Hills on October 29 and drove to a nearby cul-de-sac , where Griffen injected narcotics , causing him to instantly become ill and unconscious , authorities said . Nemberg allegedly dragged the unconscious Griffen into his car and then drove him around the area , police said . Nemberg called acquaintances and asked them if he could drive to their residences , but they told him no because their parents were home , police said . Nemberg allegedly took a still unconscious Griffen to Nemberg 's home , authorities said . He did n't seek medical attention for Griffen until the next morning , when Nemberg woke up and saw Griffen was still unconscious , authorities alleged . `` He woke up the following morning and called 911 because Griffen was unresponsive , '' Sheriff 's Sgt. Barry Hall said in a statement . Griffen was believed to have been dead for several hours before Nemberg made the call , according to the Los Angeles County coroner 's office . Investigators believe Griffen had likely died from an overdose , but `` we 're still waiting for a toxicology results to determine the ultimate cause of death , '' Hall said . CNN 's Michael Martinez contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Robin van Persie hat-trick earned Arsenal a thrilling 5-3 win over their west London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the English Premier League on Saturday . Chelsea started the match strongly taking the lead in the 14th minute when Juan Mata delivered an inch-perfect cross for Frank Lampard to guide a header past Szczesny in the Arsenal goal . The home side continued to dominate possession but Arsenal hit back in the 36th minute when Aaron Ramsey threaded the ball through to Gervinho who selflessly squared the ball back for van Persie to side-foot past Petr Cech . Chelsea had a goal disallowed two minutes later with Ramires being ruled offside , but earned a deserved halftime lead when John Terry bundled the ball home from a corner kick in the 45th minute . Arsenal were far from finished though and hit back four minutes after the break as Alex Song played in Andre Santos who squeezed a shot underneath Cech to level the scores at 2-2 . Six minutes later , Theo Walcott gave the Gunners the lead -- unleashing a fierce shot inside Cech 's near post after outwitting three Chelsea defenders . A 25-yard strike from Mata restored parity for Chelsea in the 80th minute , but van Persie put Arsenal ahead again five minutes later , pouncing on a mistake by John Terry to slot home his second before lashing home his third in injury time to seal a remarkable win . Manchester United bounced back from the 6-1 battering from their city rivals last weekend edging past Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park . Havier Hernandez was on hand to side-foot home from a Patrice Evra cross in the 19th minute to give United the lead after they had made a bright opening to the match . Everton battled their way back into the match and came close to an equalizer -- Leighton Baines hitting the crossbar from a free-kick , while David De Gea saved smartly from Leon Osman . But despite the pressure , United held firm to cement second place in the table behind leaders , Manchester City who enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers . Edin Dzeko opened the scoring for City in the 52nd minute with Aleksandar Kolarov adding a second 15 minutes later . City 's Belgian defender Vincent Kompany was sent off in the 75th minute for a challenge on Kevin Doyle -- the resulting penalty was converted by Stephen Hunt . But Adam Johnson -LRB- who came on for Dzeko midway through the second half -RRB- netted in injury time to ensure Robert Mancini 's side maintained their five-point lead at the top of the table . First half goals from Charlie Adam and Andy Carroll proved enough for Liverpool who beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at The Hawthorns . Liverpool were awarded a penalty in the 9th minute when Luis Suarez was bundled over in the box -- Adam making no mistake with the spot kick . Suarez was involved again in the second , setting up Carroll who poked a shot past advancing West Brom keeper Ben Foster . Despite a host of chances in the second half Liverpool could n't extend their lead , but the win lifts them to fifth . West Brom are 13th with 11 points . Norwich City came from two goals down to earn a 3-3 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers -- a result which keeps Steve Kean 's side in the bottom three . Norwich are in eighth place . Sunderland also came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa . Goals from Villa 's Bulgarian midfielder Stiliyan Petrov -LRB- 20th minute -RRB- and Richard Dunne -LRB- 85th minute -RRB- were canceled out by Connor Wickham , who scored seven minutes before half time and Stephane Sessegnon who stole a point for Sunderland seconds before the final whistle . Swansea City continued their promising start to season with 3-1 over struggling Bolton Wanderers . The result moves them up to 10th place . Bolton , meanwhile , are second from bottom with six points , one point ahead of Wigan who suffered their third home defeat of the season losing 2-0 to Fulham . Goals from Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele lift Martin Jol 's side up to 15th .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The United States Mint launched a new coin Tuesday featuring jazz legend Duke Ellington , making him the first African-American to appear by himself on a circulating U.S. coin . The District of Columbia coin honoring Duke Ellington was introduced Tuesday in Washington . Ellington , the composer of classics including `` It Do n't Mean a Thing If It Ai n't Got That Swing '' appears on the `` tails '' side of the new D.C. quarter . George Washington is on the `` heads '' side , as is usual with U.S. quarters . The coin was issued to celebrate Ellington 's birthplace , the District of Columbia . U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy introduced the new coin at a news conference Tuesday at the Smithsonian Institution 's National Museum of American History . Members of Ellington 's family were present at the ceremony , and the jazz band of Duke Ellington High School performed . Ellington won the honor by a vote of D.C. residents , beating out abolitionist Frederick Douglass and astronomer Benjamin Banneker . Also on the coin is the phrase `` Justice for all . '' The Mint rejected the first inscription choice of D.C. voters , which was `` taxation without representation , '' in protest of the district 's lack of voting representation in Congress . Edward Kennedy `` Duke '' Ellington received 13 Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize , among numerous other honors . His orchestra 's theme song , `` Take the A Train , '' is one of the best-known compositions in jazz . Ellington was born in the district in 1899 and composed more than 3,000 songs , including `` Satin Doll , '' `` Perdido '' and `` Do n't Get Around Much Any More . '' `` It Do n't Mean a Thing If It Ai n't Got That Swing '' helped usher in the swing era of jazz . Ellington performed with other famous artists , including John Coltrane , Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald , and he traveled around the world with his orchestras . He died in 1974 at the age of 75 . The first African-American to appear on a circulating coin was York , a slave who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their `` Corps of Discovery '' adventures across America at the dawn of the 19th century . The 2003 Missouri quarter features the three men together in a canoe on the obverse . The U.S. Mint distinguishes between circulating coins , which are intended for daily use , and commemorative ones , which mark special occasions . African-Americans including Jackie Robinson , who broke baseball 's color barrier , have appeared on commemorative coins . Educator Booker T. Washington , botanist George Washington Carver and the first Revolutionary War casualty , Crispus Attucks , all of whom were black , have also appeared on commemorative coins , according to the U.S. Mint .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Forbes ' list of the world 's wealthy has named Warren Buffett the richest person on the planet , surpassing his friend and philanthropic partner Bill Gates who had held the title for 13 consecutive years . American investor Warren Buffett has been named world 's richest person . The American investor and philanthropist is worth an estimated $ 62 billion , up $ 10 billion from a year ago thanks to surging prices of Berkshire Hathaway stock , according to Forbes magazine 's annual ranking of the world 's billionaires . Gates , the co-founder of Microsoft , is now ranked as the world 's third richest person . At $ 58 billion , his net worth is up $ 2 billion from a year ago . Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim Helu was named the world 's second richest man , with a net worth of around $ 60 billion , up $ 11 billion since last March . For the first time , Forbes ' rich list named more than 1,000 billionaires from around the world , with 226 newcomers . The total net worth of the group is $ 4.4 trillion , up $ 900 billion from 2007 . Watch who 's up and who 's down '' This year 's survey finds an increasing number of the world 's richest coming from emerging markets , including China , India and Russia . Two years ago , 10 of the top 20 billionaires were from the United States . This year , there are only four . India is now home to four of the 10 richest people in the world , the highest number for a single country . But the United States still holds the top spot as the country with the most billionaires -- Americans account for 42 percent of the world 's billionaires and 37 percent of the total wealth , according to Forbes . With 87 billionaires , Russia is now in second place , overtaking Germany , with 59 billionaires , which had held that position for six years . It is also a record-breaking year for young billionaires , with Forbes listing 50 billionaires under the age of 40 . Check out the youngest billionaires '' Over half of them are self-starters , including Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page , and India 's Sameer Gehlaut , who started online brokerage Indiabulls . Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg , age 23 , was called `` quite possibly the world 's youngest self-made billionaire ever . '' E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"BEIRUT , Lebanon -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A car bomb struck a U.S. Embassy vehicle Tuesday as it traveled along a coastal highway north of Beirut , killing at least three Lebanese civilian bystanders , according to American and Lebanese officials . Lebanese soldiers and Red Cross workers stand near charred cars at the site of the explosion in Beirut . The driver of the embassy vehicle suffered minor injuries , and the sole passenger walked away unscathed , U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said . Both were Lebanese nationals , he said . An American citizen who happened to be in the area suffered non-life-threatening injuries , the spokesman said . Lebanese internal security forces said three Lebanese civilian bystanders were killed in the explosion in Beirut 's Dora area , contradicting earlier reports of four . Twenty-one others -- including the American bystander -- were wounded in the explosion , which was caused by a 15-kilogram -LRB- 33-pound -RRB- bomb placed in a car before the explosion , the security forces said . The United States is outraged by the terrorist attack , said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice , who is traveling with President Bush in Saudi Arabia . `` I want on behalf of our country to say to those who were wounded , and certainly to the families of those who were killed , that our condolences are with them , '' she added . It was not clear whether the blast was caused by a suicide attack or by a remotely detonated car bomb . A communique issued by the U.S. Embassy in Beirut said the embassy vehicle was apparently the intended target of the attack , and identified the driver and passenger as Lebanese security personnel for the embassy . But McCormack cautioned against jumping to any conclusions on the intended target . `` We do n't yet have a full picture of exactly what happened , who is responsible , who is exactly being targeted , '' he told reporters during the State Department 's daily briefing . `` We will see over the next day or two ... where the facts lead us . '' Citing security concerns , McCormack would also not address unconfirmed reports that the vehicle was part of a convoy for departing U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman . A U.S. Embassy statement said Feltman canceled a farewell ceremony that he was to host Tuesday night `` out of respect to the victims of today 's terrorist explosion . '' In addition to the American , an Iraqi and at least three Lebanese were among those wounded in the blast , according to a Western diplomatic source . Video of the scene showed several damaged cars , including at least one that was left a pile of twisted metal . A nearby high-rise building also sustained damage . Mohammed Chatah , senior adviser to Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora , pointed out that the attack happened during `` a major political crisis '' in Lebanon , which has been without a president for nearly eight weeks amid a bitter political feud . `` This explosion just exacerbates a difficult situation , '' Chatah told CNN . Tuesday 's blast appears to be the latest in a series of attacks against pro-Western , anti-Syrian targets in the Lebanese capital . Most recently , an explosion in Beirut 's Christian suburb of Baabda killed Brig. Gen. Francois Al-Hajj , the head of operations for the Lebanese army , and his bodyguard on December 12 . Al-Hajj was believed to be a top candidate to take over as army commander in the event current commander Gen. Michel Suleiman was elected to replace Emile Lahoud as president . Lebanon has been in the midst of a political crisis as pro- and anti-Syrian lawmakers in parliament are locked in a battle to elect a new president . The nation has been without a president since November 23 , when the pro-Syrian Lahoud stepped down at the end of his term . In February 2005 , the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Beirut sparked widespread protests that led to the ouster of Syrian forces from Lebanon . E-mail to a friend CNN 's Anthony Mills in Beirut and Elise Labott in Washington contributed to this report","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In what he called a `` defining moment for our nation , '' Sen. Barack Obama on Tuesday became the first African-American to head the ticket of a major political party . Sen. Barack Obama on Tuesday told supporters he will be the Democratic nominee . Obama 's steady stream of superdelegate endorsements , combined with the delegates he received from Tuesday 's primaries , put him past the 2,118 threshold , CNN projects . `` Tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another -- a journey that will bring a new and better day to America , '' he said . `` Tonight , I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States . '' Watch Obama say he 'll be the nominee '' Obama 's rally was at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul , Minnesota -- the same arena which will house the 2008 Republican National Convention in September . Speaking in New York , Sen. Hillary Clinton , congratulated Obama for his campaign , but she did not concede the race nor discuss the possibility of running as vice president . `` This has been a long campaign , and I will be making no decisions tonight , '' she said . Watch Clinton congratulate Obama '' There were reports earlier in the day that she would concede , but her campaign said she was `` absolutely not '' prepared to do so . Two New York lawmakers also told CNN on Tuesday that during a conference call Clinton expressed willingness to serve as Obama 's running mate in November . Watch the latest on a possible joint ticket '' ' One source told CNN that Clinton told those on the call that if asked by Obama , she would be interested in serving as his running mate . One of the lawmakers said Clinton 's husband , former President Bill Clinton , has been pushing the idea privately for several weeks . The Clinton campaign maintains the New York senator merely said she would do whatever is in the party 's best interest , and that her comments Tuesday are no different than what she has been saying for weeks . Clinton said she would meet with supporters and party leaders in the coming days to determine her next steps . She also asked people to go to her Web site to `` share your thoughts with me and help in any way that you can . '' Watch what could be in store in Clinton 's future '' CNN has projected that Clinton will win the primary in South Dakota and Obama will take Montana . Those states marked the final contests in the primary season . Obama praised Clinton 's campaign . He has been speaking favorably of the New York senator as his focus has turned toward the general election and his battle against John McCain , the presumptive GOP presidential nominee . `` Sen. Hillary Clinton has made history in this campaign not just because she 's a woman who has done what no woman has done before , but because she 's a leader who inspires millions of Americans with her strength , her courage , and her commitment to the causes that brought us here tonight , '' he said . Diving into general election mode , Obama turned his attacks to McCain , saying it 's `` time to turn the page on the policies of the past . '' `` While John McCain can legitimately tout moments of independence from his party in the past , such independence has not been the hallmark of his presidential campaign , '' he said . `` It 's not change when John McCain decided to stand with George Bush 95 percent of the time , as he did in the Senate last year . '' Earlier Tuesday night , McCain portrayed himself as the candidate of `` right change . '' `` No matter who wins this election , the direction of this country is going to change dramatically . But the choice is between the right change and the wrong change , between going forward and going backward , '' he said in Kenner , Louisiana . CNN 's Candy Crowley , Jim Acosta , Suzanne Malveaux , Paul Steinhauser and Robert Yoon contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A U.S. soldier convicted of rape and murder two decades ago will be executed December 10 in the nation 's first military execution since 1961 , the Army said Thursday . Pvt. Ronald Gray has been on the military 's death row at Fort Leavenworth , Kansas , since 1988 . A court-martial panel sitting at Fort Bragg , North Carolina , unanimously convicted him of committing two murders and other crimes in the Fayetteville , North Carolina , area , and sentenced him to death . Gray 's execution by injection will be carried out by Fort Leavenworth soldiers at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute , Indiana , the Army said in a news release . Gray was convicted of raping and killing a female Army private and a civilian near his post at Fort Bragg . He was also convicted of the rape and attempted murder of another fellow soldier in her barracks at the post . Both military and civilian courts found Gray responsible for the crimes , which were committed between April 1986 and January 1987 . Gray pleaded guilty to two murders and five rapes in a civilian court and was sentenced to three consecutive and five concurrent life terms . The general court-martial at Fort Bragg then tried him and in April 1988 convicted him of two murders , an attempted murder and three rapes . In July , President George W. Bush approved the Army 's request to execute Gray . `` The president took action following completion of a full appellate process , which upheld the conviction and sentence to death , '' the Army said in the news release . `` Two petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court were denied during the appellate processing of Pvt. Gray 's case . '' Members of the U.S. military have been executed throughout history , but just 10 have been executed with presidential approval since 1951 under the Uniform Code of Military Justice , the military 's modern-day legal system . The Army also sought Bush 's authorization to execute another condemned soldier , Pvt. Dwight Loving , who was convicted of robbing and killing two cab drivers in 1988 . The last U.S. military execution was in 1961 , when Army Pvt. John Bennett was hanged for raping and attempting to kill an 11-year-old Austrian girl . Bennett was sentenced in 1955 . The U.S. military has n't actively pursued an execution for a military prisoner since President John F. Kennedy commuted a death sentence in 1962 . Nine men are on military death row . CNN 's Mike Mount contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNET -RRB- -- Well , here 's what we 've all been waiting for . Apple put out a couple of announcements on Tuesday related to its desktop computers . Apple on Tuesday announced a new Mac Pro high-end desktop powered by Intel 's '' Nehalem '' processor . The company unveiled a new Mac Pro high-end desktop powered by Intel 's `` Nehalem '' processor , a new and more graphics-intensive Mac Mini machine , and updated iMacs that include the lowest price point yet for the consumer desktops . Let 's look at the new Mac Pro first : priced at $ 2,499 for the quad-core version and $ 3,299 for the eight-core version , those Intel `` Nehalem '' Xeon processors run at 2.93 GHz , and the interior of the machine has been cleaned up to make physical expansions easier . On the green front , it meets the new Energy Star 5.0 requirements that will go into effect later this year . The new iMac desktop is a 24 '' machine that is priced at $ 1,499 , the cost of Apple 's previous 20 '' iMac . The 20-inch is now $ 1,199 . The 20 '' is powered by a 2.66 GHz processor ; the 24 '' has processor speed options of 2.66 GHz , 2.93 GHz -LRB- for $ 1,799 -RRB- , or 3.02 GHz -LRB- for $ 2,199 -RRB- . The 24 '' comes with a 640GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM expandable to 8GB ; the 20 '' comes with a 320GB hard drive and 2GB of RAM expandable to 8GB . `` Our flagship 24-inch iMac with twice the memory and twice the storage is now available for just $ 1,499 , '' Apple chief operating officer Tim Cook , currently standing in at the helm of the company in place of iconic CEO Steve Jobs , said in a release . `` The Mac mini is not only our most affordable Mac , it 's also the world 's most energy efficient desktop computer . '' As for the new Mac Mini , the big upgrade is NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics that Apple says will improve its graphics performance as much as fivefold . The monitor-free machine costs either $ 599 for a lower-end edition -LRB- 1GB RAM , 120GB hard drive -RRB- or $ 799 for the higher-end -LRB- 2GB RAM , 320GB hard drive -RRB- . All these machines , like the new Mac Pro , meet Energy Star 5.0 requirements . Rumors of new Apple desktop computers were first reported at AppleInsider . \u00a9 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. . All rights reserved . CNET , CNET.com and the CNET logo are registered trademarks of CBS Interactive Inc. . Used by permission .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Three more members of a polygamous sect led by Warren Jeffs are facing sexual assault charges , Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Tuesday . The latest charges come two months after Warren Jeffs and five followers were indicted in Texas . On Tuesday , a Texas grand jury indicted the three male members of Jeffs ' Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints compound outside Eldorado , Abbott said . Each faces one felony count of sexual assault of a child . Two of them also face felony bigamy charges . The identities of the men were not released because they had not been arrested as of Tuesday afternoon . In July , the Schleicher County grand jury indicted Jeffs and four of his Texas FLDS followers on child sexual assault charges . Jeffs was charged with sexually assaulting a child under 17 . A fifth follower was charged with failure to report child abuse . The charges stem from a state and federal investigation into the sect 's Yearning for Zion Ranch . In April , child welfare workers removed more than 400 children from the compound , citing allegations of physical and sexual abuse . After a court battle , the Texas Supreme Court ordered the children returned in June , saying that the state had no right to remove them and that there was no evidence to show the children faced imminent danger of abuse on the ranch . Jeffs , 52 , is the leader and `` prophet '' of the estimated 10,000-member FLDS , an offshoot of the mainstream Mormon church . The FLDS openly practices polygamy at the YFZ Ranch and in two towns straddling the Utah-Arizona state line : Hildale , Utah , and Colorado City , Arizona . Jeffs , who is facing a sentence in Utah of up to life in prison and is awaiting trial in Arizona , could face another life sentence in Texas if convicted on the latest charge . In Utah , he was convicted on accomplice to rape charges for his role in the marriage of a sect member to a 14-year-old . He faces similar charges in Arizona . His attorney in Arizona , Michael Piccarreta , has questioned the motives of Texas authorities . He said in July that the state 's investigation into Jeffs and his followers is an effort `` to cover themselves up on the botched attack on the ranch in Texas . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday that he wo n't push to visit the site of the destroyed World Trade Center during his visit to the United Nations next week . Iran 's president said he wanted to `` pay his respects '' and lay a wreath at the site of the 2001 al Qaeda attacks . The controversial leader asked to `` pay his respects '' and lay a wreath at the site of the 2001 al Qaeda attacks , but New York city officials on Wednesday denied that request , citing safety concerns at what is now a construction site . Ahmadinejad said he would try to visit the site `` if we have the time and the conditions are conducive . '' But if local officials can not make the proper arrangements , `` I wo n't insist , '' he said in an interview to be aired Sunday on CBS ' `` 60 Minutes . '' The Bush administration considers Iran a state sponsor of terrorism , and State Department spokesman Tom Casey called the request `` the height of hypocrisy . '' CBS correspondent Scott Pelley told Ahmadinejad he `` must have known that visiting the World Trade Center site would infuriate many Americans . '' `` Well , I 'm amazed , '' he said , surprised by the question . `` How can you speak for the whole of the American nation ? The American nation is made up of 300 million people . There are different points of view over there . '' More than 2,700 people died in the attack on the World Trade Center , when al Qaeda terrorists flew hijacked passenger jets into the twin towers . A third jet hit the Pentagon , and a fourth crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers resisted their hijackers . Iran is ruled by a Shiite Muslim government hostile to the fundamentalist Sunni al Qaeda . Ahmadinejad 's predecessor , Mohammed Khatami , condemned the attacks and cooperated with the U.S.-led campaign to topple al Qaeda 's Taliban allies in Afghanistan that followed . But the United States calls Iran the world 's top state sponsor of terrorism because of its support of the Lebanese Shiite Muslim militia Hezbollah and other militant groups . Washington and Tehran have not had formal diplomatic relations since 1980 after Iranian militants stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran and held Americans hostage for 444 days . The Bush administration has also accused Iran of meddling in Iraq and Afghanistan , where U.S. troops are battling Taliban and al Qaeda remnants more than six years after the September 11 , 2001 , attacks . It accuses Iran of supplying advanced explosives to Shiite Muslim militias , some of which have used the devices against U.S. troops . Ahmadinejad also has drawn fire for his hard-line anti-Israel stance and his insistence that Iran will defy international demands that it halt its production of enriched uranium . Iran insists it is producing nuclear fuel for civilian power plants , but Washington accuses Tehran of trying to create a nuclear bomb . The Iranian leader has made statements suggesting that Israel be politically `` wiped off the map , '' though he insists that can be accomplished without violence . He has questioned the existence of the Holocaust , the genocidal Nazi campaign against European Jews , and warned Europeans that they may pay a heavy price for its support of Israel . Ahmadinejad is also slated to speak on the campus of Columbia University during his visit , university President Lee Bollinger said . His presence is likely to spark protests on and off campus . Bollinger said the appearance is part of the World Leaders Forum -- an annual university event `` intended to further Columbia 's long-standing tradition of serving as a major forum for robust debate . '' E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Michael Vick turned himself in to authorities on Monday to get a head start on serving his sentence for running a dogfighting ring , the U.S. Marshals Service said . Michael Vick leaves court in Richmond , Virginia , in August after pleading guilty to dogfighting charges . The Atlanta Falcons quarterback is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10 on a federal conspiracy charge of bankrolling the dogfighting operation . Vick , 27 , voluntarily turned himself in around noon , said Kevin Trevillan of the Marshals Service , and is being held at Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw , Virginia , until the sentencing hearing . The quarterback , who has been suspended indefinitely by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell , faces 12 to 18 months in prison on the charge . Vick pleaded guilty in August after three associates admitted their own roles in the operation and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors . `` From the beginning , Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility for his actions and his self-surrender further demonstrates that acceptance , '' Vick 's attorney , Billy Martin , said in a statement . `` Michael wants to again apologize to everyone who has been hurt in this matter and he thanks all of the people who have offered him and his family prayers and support during this time , '' Martin 's statement said . CNN Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin speculated that Vick started his sentence early `` to get it out of the way . '' Watch Toobin explain why Vick would surrender early '' On September 25 , a Virginia grand jury indicted Vick and the three co-defendants -- Purnell Peace , 35 , of Virginia Beach , Virginia ; Quanis Phillips , 28 , of Atlanta , Georgia ; and Tony Taylor , 34 , of Hampton , Virginia -- on state charges of running a dogfighting ring at Vick 's home outside Newport News . The Surry County grand jury brought two charges against the four men : one count of unlawfully torturing and killing dogs and one of promoting dogfights . Each is a felony charge that could result in a five-year prison term . In addition , Taylor faces three additional counts of unlawful torture and killing of dogs . A hearing in that case is set for November 27 , but Vick does not have to be in court at that time . In September , Vick was put under tight restrictions by the federal court after he tested positive for marijuana use . Vick tested positive for the drug on September 13 , a court document from the Eastern District of Virginia shows . As a result , U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson ordered Vick to `` submit to any method of testing required by the pretrial services officer or the supervising officer for determining whether the defendant is using a prohibited substance . '' Those methods could include random drug testing , a remote alcohol testing system `` and\/or any form of prohibited substance screening or testing , '' the order said . Vick was also ordered to stay home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. , `` or as directed by the pretrial services officer or supervising officer , '' the order said . He was to be electronically monitored during that time . Vick must participate in substance abuse therapy and mental health counseling `` if deemed advisable by the pretrial services officer or supervising officer '' at his own expense , the order said . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- EW.com -RRB- -- `` Real Steel '' showed what it was made of , as the robot-boxing action drama won the weekend with an estimated $ 27.3 million . That 's the strongest opening ever for a boxing-themed picture , beating `` Rocky IV '' 's $ 20 million debut in 1985 -LRB- when not adjusting for inflation -RRB- . DreamWorks ' $ 110 million film , which was released by Disney 's Touchstone Pictures , scored a superb `` A '' rating from CinemaScore graders . That bodes well for the movie 's box-office stamina , especially since there are no other major family films hitting theaters until `` Puss in Boots '' pounces on October 28 . Unsurprisingly for a movie about mechanical fighters beating up one another , `` Real Steel '' skewed male -- 66 percent of the audience according to Disney . It also attracted a younger crowd , with 44 percent under the age of 25 . The PG-13 movie 's respectable opening must also come as a relief to star Hugh Jackman , who has n't had a non-X-Men film open to more than $ 20 million since 2004\u00e2 $ \u00b2 s `` Van Helsing . '' In second with $ 10.4 million was the political thriller `` The Ides of March . '' The R-rated film -- which George Clooney directed , co-wrote , and co-stars in along with Ryan Gosling , Philip Seymour Hoffman , Paul Giamatti , Evan Rachel Wood , and Marisa Tomei -- particularly appealed to older women . According to Sony , 58 percent of the audience was female and 60 percent was over the age of 35 . The $ 12.5 million movie earned a `` B '' grade from CinemaScore participants , which is a bit lower than expected considering its awards buzz and positive reviews . `` The Ides of March '' will need to hold up well the next few weeks if it wants to keep its Oscar hopes alive . The rest of the top five consisted of prior releases that all dropped around -LRB- a very commendable -RRB- 35 percent from last week . In third place , the family film `` Dolphin Tale '' slipped 34 percent for $ 9.2 million , pushing the film 's cumulative tally to $ 49.1 million . The Brad Pitt baseball drama `` Moneyball , '' a critical darling , grossed $ 7.5 million for a 38 percent decline . And the well-reviewed cancer comedy `` 50\/50 , '' starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen , fell 36 percent for $ 5.5 million . In limited release , the why-does-this-movie-exist horror sequel `` The Human Centipede 2 : Full Sequence '' stitched together a decent $ 54,000 from 18 theaters , with most locations only offering late-night showings . 1 . Real Steel -- $ 27.3 mil 2 . The Ides of March -- $ 10.4 mil 3 . Dolphin Tale -- $ 9.2 mil 4 . Moneyball -- $ 7.5 mil 5 . 50\/50 -- $ 5.5 mil See the full article at EW.com . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly \u00a9 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. . All rights reserved .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Senate passed groundbreaking legislation Thursday that would make it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity . President Obama has said the country must make significant changes to ensure equal rights . The expanded federal hate crimes law now goes to President Obama 's desk . Obama has pledged to sign the measure , which was added to a $ 680 billion defense authorization bill . President George W. Bush had threatened to veto a similar measure . The bill is named for Matthew Shepard , a gay Wyoming teenager who died after being kidnapped and severely beaten in October 1998 , and James Byrd Jr. , an African-American man dragged to death in Texas the same year . `` Knowing that the president will sign it , unlike his predecessor , has made all the hard work this year to pass it worthwhile , '' said Judy Shepard , board president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation named for her son . `` Hate crimes continue to affect far too many Americans who are simply trying to live their lives honestly , and they need to know that their government will protect them from violence , and provide appropriate justice for victims and their families . '' Several religious groups have expressed concern that a hate-crimes law could be used to criminalize conservative speech relating to subjects such as abortion or homosexuality . Attorney General Eric Holder has asserted that any federal hate-crimes law would be used only to prosecute violent acts based on bias , as opposed to the prosecution of speech based on controversial racial or religious beliefs . Holder called Thursday 's 68-29 Senate vote to approve the defense spending bill that included the hate crimes measure `` a milestone in helping protect Americans from the most heinous bias-motivated violence . '' Watch survivor of attack discuss legislation '' `` The passage of this legislation will give the Justice Department and our state and local law enforcement partners the tools we need to deter and prosecute these acts of violence , '' he said in a statement . Joe Solmonese , president of the Human Rights Campaign , called the measure `` our nation 's first major piece of civil rights legislation for lesbian , gay , bisexual and transgender people . '' `` Too many in our community have been devastated by hate violence , '' Solmonese said in a statement . `` We now can begin the important steps to erasing hate in our country . '' This month , Obama told the Human Rights Campaign , the country 's largest gay rights group , that the nation still needs to make significant changes to ensure equal rights for gays and lesbians . `` Despite the progress we 've made , there are still laws to change and hearts to open , '' he said during his address at the dinner for the Human Rights Campaign . `` This fight continues now , and I 'm here with the simple message : I 'm here with you in that fight . '' Among other things , Obama has called for the repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in the military , the `` do n't ask , do n't tell '' policy . He also has urged Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and pass the Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act . The Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage , for federal purposes , as a legal union between a man and a woman . It allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages . The Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act would extend family benefits now available to heterosexual federal employees to gay and lesbian federal workers . More than 77,000 hate-crime incidents were reported by the FBI between 1998 and 2007 , or `` nearly one hate crime for every hour of every day over the span of a decade , '' Holder told the Senate Judiciary Committee in June . The FBI , Holder added , reported 7,624 hate-crime incidents in 2007 , the most current year with complete data .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The number of deaths linked to cantaloupes contaminated with the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria has risen to 23 , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Wednesday . At least 116 cases of listeria have been reported in 25 states , the agency said . The two latest fatalities came in Louisiana . The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals confirmed this week that an 87-year-old Baton Rouge woman died earlier this month . Last week the department also indentified a Shreveport-area woman , 81 , who died from the same strain . Health officials have said the number of cases could continue to grow , citing reporting lags and the fact the disease can develop slowly in some people , taking up to two months . The listeria outbreak is the deadliest food-borne illness outbreak in the United States since 1998 . Five people each have died in New Mexico and Colorado from consuming the tainted fruit , along with two people each in Kansas , Texas and now Louisiana . One has died in Indiana , Maryland , Missouri , Nebraska , New York , Oklahoma and Wyoming , the CDC said . In addition , one woman who was pregnant at the time of the illness had a miscarriage . Cases have also been reported in Alabama , Arkansas , California , Idaho , Illinois , Montana , North Dakota , Oregon , South Dakota , Texas , Virginia , West Virginia and Wisconsin . Groups at high risk for listeria include older adults , people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women , officials have said . The grower , Jensen Farms of Granada , Colorado , issued a voluntary recall of its Rocky Ford brand cantaloupes on September 14 . The tainted cantaloupes should be off store shelves , the CDC said . Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms should be disposed of immediately , even if some of them have been eaten , the CDC said . If consumers are uncertain about the source of a cantaloupe , they are urged to ask their supermarket . If the source remains unknown , the fruit should be thrown out , officials have said . Refrigerating a cantaloupe will not kill the bacteria , which can grow at low temperatures , authorities have said , and consumers should not try to wash off the bacteria .","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Music producer Phil Spector was sentenced Friday to the maximum sentence of 19 years to life for the murder six years ago of actress Lana Clarkson . Phil Spector 's first murder trial in 2007 ended in a mistrial as jurors said they could n't reach a verdict . That means Spector , 69 , would be 88 before he would be eligible for parole . Slumped , stone-faced and wearing a dark suit and bright red tie , he sat silently throughout his sentencing by Judge Larry Paul Fidler . Spector 's lawyer gave a $ 17,000 check to Donna Clarkson , the victim 's mother , to pay for her funeral expenses -- part of the court-ordered sentence . `` All of our plans together are destroyed , '' the mother said , reading a statement on behalf of her family . `` Now , I can only visit her at the cemetery . '' Fidler denied a motion for a new trial by defense attorney Doron Weinberg , who said he would file an appeal . `` The evidence did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he is guilty for the simple reason -LSB- that -RSB- he did not kill Lana Clarkson , '' Weinberg said . Watch Spector receive his sentence '' `` Obviously , he 's not very happy , '' Spector 's wife , Rachelle , told reporters about her husband . `` I 'm going to stand by him and get him out of that awful place so he can come home where he belongs . '' Clarkson , 40 , was found dead -- slumped in a chair in the foyer of Spector 's Alhambra , California , mansion with a gunshot wound through the roof of her mouth -- in February 2003 . View a timeline of the case '' Spector 's trial , which began in October , ended last month when jurors deliberated for 30 hours and then announced a guilty verdict on the second-degree murder charge . Fidler had ruled jurors also could consider the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter . Spector 's first murder trial in 2007 ended in a mistrial as jurors said they could n't reach a verdict after 15 days of deliberations . Jurors then were deadlocked 10-2 in favor of conviction . Fidler declined to allow Spector to remain free on bail pending sentencing , citing Spector 's years-long `` pattern of violence '' involving firearms . `` This was not an isolated incident , '' Fidler said , noting Spector 's two firearms-related convictions from the 1970s . `` The taking of an innocent human life , it does n't get any more serious than that . '' In closing arguments at the retrial , prosecutor Truc Do called Spector `` a very dangerous man '' who `` has a history of playing Russian roulette with women -- six women . Lana just happened to be the sixth . '' Weinberg argued that the prosecution 's case hinged on circumstantial evidence . He said the possibility that Clarkson committed suicide could not be ruled out . Do pointed out to jurors , however , that Clarkson had bought new shoes on the day of her death -- something he said a suicidal woman would not have done . A female juror who declined to be identified told reporters the jurors considered all the evidence and testimony to reach their verdict . `` This entire jury took this so seriously , '' she said with tears in her eyes , before adding that `` it 's tough to be in a jury , '' because another person 's life is in the jury 's hands . Clarkson starred in the 1985 B-movie `` Barbarian Queen '' and appeared in many other films , including `` Deathstalker , '' `` Blind Date , '' `` Scarface , '' `` Fast Times at Ridgemont High '' and the spoof `` Amazon Women on the Moon . '' She was working as a VIP hostess at Hollywood 's House of Blues at the time of her death . In the 2007 trial , Spector 's attorneys argued that Clarkson was depressed over a recent breakup and grabbed a .38 - caliber pistol to kill herself while at Spector 's home . But prosecution witnesses painted Spector as a gun-toting menace . Five women took the stand and testified that he had threatened them with firearms . His driver testified that he heard a loud noise and saw the producer leave the home , pistol in hand , saying , `` I think I killed somebody . '' Spector 's professional trademark was the `` Wall of Sound , '' the layering of instrumental tracks and percussion that underpinned a string of hits on his Philles label -- named for Spector and his business partner , Lester Sill -- in the early 1960s . The roaring arrangements were the heart of what he called `` little symphonies for the kids '' -- among them No. 1 hits like the Ronettes ' `` Be My Baby '' and the Righteous Brothers ' `` You 've Lost That Lovin ' Feelin ' . '' Spector co-produced the Beatles ' final album , `` Let It Be , '' and worked with ex-Beatles George Harrison and John Lennon on solo projects after the group broke up . His recording of Harrison 's 1971 benefit concert for war relief in Bangladesh won the 1972 Grammy award for album of the year . That was one of two Grammy Awards won by Spector , who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 . He stayed out of the public eye for two decades before his 2003 arrest in Clarkson 's death .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former Sen. Tom Daschle will be announced Thursday as President-elect Barack Obama 's nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a Democratic source said Wednesday . Former Sen. Tom Daschle , shown with his wife , Linda , says he will write Obama 's health care plan . CNN has previously reported that the 61-year-old former Senate majority leader from South Dakota would be Obama 's choice , but not the announcement date . In November , Daschle said he was excited about the possibility of serving as point person in Obama 's effort to change the nation 's health care system . Daschle is on the health care advisory group of Obama 's transition team and said he plans to write the health care plan that Obama submits to Congress next year . `` I hope to have the plan enacted by next year , and then it will take several years to implement , '' Daschle said last month . Daschle said reforming health care in the United States must be a priority in the current economic climate . `` We ca n't afford not to do it , '' he said . `` If we do nothing , we 'll be paying twice as much on health care in 10 years as we do today . '' Daschle served as Democratic leader in the Senate from 1995 until he lost a re-election bid in 2004 . Representing South Dakota , he was first elected as a congressman in 1978 and served in the House until he was elected to the Senate in 1986 . He recently wrote a book on health care titled `` Critical : What We Can Do About the Health Care Crisis . '' In the book , he pushed for universal health care coverage to reach 46 million uninsured Americans by expanding the federal employee health benefits program to include private employer plans together with Medicaid and Medicare . Most Republicans oppose any such plan , saying it would give too much power to the government . They 've also questioned Daschle 's recent work for a Washington lobbying firm . His wife , Linda Daschle , is a registered lobbyist for a firm that includes health care clients . But a source close to Daschle told CNN that Linda Daschle would be leaving the firm at the end of the year to set up her own company focusing on transportation lobbying in order to clear any potential conflicts of interest . CNN 's Candy Crowley and Ed Henry contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"ISLAMABAD , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pakistani authorities have arrested two top leaders of the Islamic militant group India blames for the November massacre in Mumbai , Pakistan 's prime minister confirmed Wednesday . Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistani security forces had rounded up a number of militant figures . The top military officer in the U.S. on Wednesday said he is `` encouraged '' by Pakistan 's recent arrests of `` significant players '' in the Mumbai attacks . U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen said the arrests amount to `` first steps '' toward determining who plotted the three day siege last month that killed 160 people in Mumbai , India 's financial capital . `` There are more steps to follow , '' he noted . He also thanked India for showing restraint against Pakistan , which it has accused of harboring the terrorist groups behind the November massacre . Zarar Shah , a top operational commander of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba , and Zakir Rehman Lakhvi , whose arrest had been reported Tuesday , were among the militant figures rounded up in recent days , Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told reporters . Gilani would not confirm the detention of Masood Azhar , the leader of another militant group , Jaish-e-Muhammad . But he said his government has launched its own investigation into India 's allegations that the gunmen who killed more than 160 people in Mumbai had links to Pakistan . The acknowledgment came three days after Pakistani security forces raided an LeT camp near Muzaffarabad , the capital of Pakistani-controlled Kashmir , in the first sign of government action against Lashkar-e-Tayyiba since the three-day siege of India 's financial capital . Both LeT and Jaish-e-Muhammad were formed to battle Indian rule in the divided Himalayan territory of Kashmir , and both were banned after a 2001 attack on the Indian parliament that brought the South Asian nuclear rivals to the brink of war . The United States has listed LeT as a terrorist group with ties to Osama bin Laden 's al Qaeda network . According to the U.S. government , Lakhvi , 47 , has directed LeT 's military operations in southeast Asia , Chechnya , Bosnia and Iraq . Pakistan 's Defense Minister Choudhry Mukhtar Ahmed told CNN 's sister network in India , CNN-IBN , that Lakhvi and Azhar had been arrested on Monday . Azhar has been in Pakistan since 1999 , when he was released from an Indian prison in exchange for hostages aboard a hijacked Indian airliner . Indian authorities say the sole surviving gunman in the Mumbai attacks told investigators that he was trained at an LeT camp near Muzaffarabad , along with the nine other attackers who were killed in the three-day siege . A Pakistani security official said the terror raids on banned militant groups are ongoing and have resulted in at least 15 arrests .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The United States has renewed a travel alert to Mexico , citing increased violence in the country . The alert , issued Sunday by the State Department , is in effect until August 20 and supersedes an alert issued August 20 , 2009 . `` Recent violent attacks have caused the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to delay unnecessary travel to parts of Michoacan , Durango , Coahuila and Chihuahua ... and to advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution , '' the alert says . `` Drug cartels and associated criminal elements have retaliated violently against individuals who speak out against them or whom they otherwise view as a threat to their organization . These attacks include the abduction and murder of two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua . '' More than 16,000 people have died in Mexico since President Felipe Calderon declared war on the drug cartels shortly after assuming office in December 2006 . Ciudad Juarez , in Chihuahua state across the border from El Paso , Texas , is the most violent city in the nation . `` The situation in the state of Chihuahua , specifically Ciudad Juarez , is of special concern , '' the alert says . `` Mexican authorities report that more than 2,600 people were killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2009 , '' the report states . `` Additionally , this city of 1.3 million people experienced more than 16,000 car thefts and 1,900 carjackings in 2009 . U.S. citizens should pay close attention to their surroundings while traveling in Ciudad Juarez , avoid isolated locations during late night and early morning hours , and remain alert to news reports . '' But the problems are not limited to Juarez , the State Department says . `` Mexican drug cartels are engaged in violent conflict -- both among themselves and with Mexican security services -- for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S.-Mexico border , '' the report says . `` In order to combat violence , the government of Mexico has deployed military troops throughout the country . U.S. citizens should cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways . `` Some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have resembled small-unit combat , with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades . Large firefights have taken place in towns and cities across Mexico , but occur mostly in northern Mexico , including Ciudad Juarez , Tijuana , Chihuahua City , Nogales , Matamoros , Reynosa and Monterrey . During some of these incidents , U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area . '' A number of areas along the border continue to experience a rapid growth in crime , with robberies , homicides , petty thefts and carjackings increasing during the past year nationwide , the alert says . The State Department reports notable spikes in Chihuahua , Sinaloa , and northern Baja California . `` Ciudad Juarez , Tijuana and Nogales are among the cities which have experienced public shootouts during daylight hours in shopping centers and other public venues , '' the alert says . `` Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles in border areas including Nuevo Laredo , Matamoros , and Tijuana . Travelers on the highways between Monterrey and other parts of Mexico to the United States -LRB- notably through Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros -RRB- have been targeted for robbery and violence and have also inadvertently been caught in incidents of gunfire between criminals and Mexican law enforcement . Such incidents are more likely to occur at night but may occur at any time , '' the alert says .","question":""}
{"answer":"BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iraqi leaders are applauding President Obama 's plan to withdraw most U.S. troops from the country by August 2010 . U.S. troops will cede security measures to Iraqi security forces including the police , shown here , and the army . Iraq 's Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi 's office released a statement Saturday saying he received a call from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton informing him of Obama 's announcement of the withdrawal . `` Mr. al-Hashimi welcomed the American administration 's commitment to withdrawing its troops from Iraq according to the agreed-on schedule and stressed that every possible effort should be exerted to increase the readiness of Iraqi security forces and improve their performance , '' the statement said . Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Obama called him to tell him about the plan Friday . The prime minister said Iraqi security forces have proven their ability to provide security across Iraq `` which qualifies them to take over full security responsibilities from American forces . '' Obama said Friday he plans to withdraw most U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of August 2010 . Watch Obama say `` Our combat mission will end '' '' Between 35,000 and 50,000 troops will remain to help execute a drawdown plan under which all U.S. forces will be out of Iraq by December 31 , 2011 . That was a deadline set under an agreement the Bush administration signed with the Iraqi government last year . `` Let me say this as plainly as I can : By August 31 , 2010 , our combat mission in Iraq will end , '' Obama said in a speech at the Marine Corps ' Camp Lejeune , North Carolina . Meanwhile , Iraqi President Jalal Talabani visited neighboring Iran , where the supreme leader warned him that the United States is planning a prolonged stay in Iraq . `` Occupying military forces are laying the groundwork for a long-lasting stay in Iraq , and that is a great danger , '' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Talabani on Saturday , according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency . `` Occupying military forces should leave Iraq as soon as possible , '' Khamenei said , according to IRNA . `` Every day their exit is delayed will be a detriment to the Iraqi nation . '' On Friday , Talabani met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad , who described Tehran 's ties with Iraq as `` growing and deep , '' according to IRNA . The two leaders vowed to expand their political , cultural and security relationships .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Basketball commentator and former hoops star Charles Barkley was arrested Wednesday in Scottsdale , Arizona , on suspicion of drunken driving , a police spokesman said . Charles Barkley was driving an Infiniti SUV through a trendy area of Scottsdale on Wednesday , police say . Barkley issued a brief statement , saying , `` I am disappointed that I put myself in that situation . The Scottsdale police were fantastic . I will not comment any further as it is a legal matter . '' Lt. Eric Shuhandler of the Gilbert Police Department said an officer pulled Barkley over after he ran a stop sign in Scottsdale 's Old Town area , a trendy spot known for its nightclubs and bars . Gilbert and Scottsdale are in the Phoenix metro area . `` The officer identified the driver of the 2005 Infiniti as Charles Barkley , '' according to a written statement from police . `` Mr. Barkley was administered the standard field sobriety tests after the odor of intoxicating liquor was detected . '' Watch : Barkley ` disappointed ' by arrest '' At a news conference later in the day , Shuhandler said Barkley 's `` performance on the field sobriety test revealed there was probable cause to make an arrest . '' Barkley declined to take a breath test to measure his blood-alcohol level , Shuhandler said earlier . `` When he arrived at the station , police administered a blood test , which is customary of our police department to do , '' he said , adding that Barkley consented to the blood test . It will take `` a few days '' for the crime lab to test the blood sample and determine Barkley 's blood-alcohol level , Shuhandler said . The former NBA power forward was cited for driving while impaired and released . `` It was a pretty routine arrest , '' Shuhandler said . Barkley 's sport-utility vehicle was impounded under mandatory vehicle impound laws , police said . Shuhandler said Barkley behaved professionally during the booking and was `` very respectful and cordial with our officers . '' Watch Shuhandler describe the arrest '' Barkley , 45 , is a commentator for TNT 's coverage of the NBA . In October , he told CNN 's Campbell Brown that he plans to run for governor of his home state of Alabama in 2014 , saying , `` I ca n't screw up Alabama . We are number 48 in everything and Arkansas and Mississippi are n't going anywhere . '' Although he is well known for entertaining comments and a cocky attitude , he also compiled an impressive r\u00e9sum\u00e9 as a professional basketball player . A Hall of Famer and 11-time All-Star , Barkley is one of four players in history to rack up more than 20,000 points , 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists in a career . He also earned the NBA 's most valuable player designation in 1993 and brought home gold medals with the U.S. Olympic basketball team in 1992 and 1996 . His commanding performance on the court earned him the nicknames `` Sir Charles '' and the `` Round Mound of Rebound . '' Barkley was drafted out of Auburn University in 1984 by the Philadelphia 76ers and played 16 seasons with the Sixers , Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets before he was permanently sidelined in 1999 with a ruptured tendon in his left knee . TNT is owned by Turner Broadcasting Corp. , also the parent company of CNN . CNN 's Nick Valencia contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- Health.com -RRB- -- Doctors often recommend exercise for patients with fibromyalgia , but the chronic pain and fatigue associated with the condition can make activities like running and swimming difficult . Tai chi -- a slow , meditative martial art -- may be an effective alternative , a new study suggests . Fibromyalgia patients who took tai chi classes twice a week for three months experienced less pain , stiffness , and fatigue than a control group that attended lifestyle education and stretching sessions , according to the study , which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine . Tai chi involves a series of slow , fluid movements that focus on balance and deep breathing . Although it 's not clear from the study how exactly tai chi might improve fibromyalgia symptoms , both the physical activity and the meditative aspects are likely beneficial , says Chenchen Wang , M.D. , the lead researcher and an associate professor at the Tufts University School of Medicine , in Boston , Massachusetts . `` Some people need the physical improvement ; some people need more mental improvement , '' she says . `` Tai chi can help with both . '' Health.com : How fibromyalgia is diagnosed Previous research has shown that tai chi can help relieve the symptoms of arthritis and other pain conditions , but this study is the first controlled trial to examine its effectiveness as a treatment for fibromyalgia , which affects an estimated 10 million Americans . The study included 66 fibromyalgia patients who were randomly assigned to take one-hour tai chi classes with an experienced teacher or one-hour classes that taught coping skills , pain-management techniques , and stretching . Participants were also asked to practice tai chi or stretch on their own for 20 minutes each day , depending on which group they were in . Health.com : 13 mistakes fibro patients make After three months , Wang and her colleagues asked the patients to rate their pain symptoms , physical functioning , fatigue , and mood , all of which were combined on a single scale ranging from 0 to 100 , with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms . -LRB- The patients completed the same survey before the study began . -RRB- The average score among the tai chi patients dropped from 63 to 35 , while the average for the control group dropped by just nine points , from 68 to 59 . Three months after the sessions stopped , the scores had remained roughly the same , which suggests that the benefits of the tai chi were lasting , Wang says . The results were encouraging , as existing fibromyalgia treatments -- including medication , sleep therapy , and aerobic exercise -- fail to help many patients . `` We need another approach , '' says Wang . Health.com : Medical marijuana may help fibromyalgia pain Robert Shmerling , M.D. , an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and the clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , in Boston , says that he often recommends alternative treatments , such as acupuncture and massage , to his fibromyalgia patients , although some of them are skeptical . `` I would certainly put tai chi on the list , '' says Shmerling , who co-wrote an editorial that accompanies the study . `` It 's difficult to take something that 's as safe as tai chi and show that it has this dramatic benefit and not be enthusiastic about it . '' The calming style of tai chi used in the study , known as Yang , may be especially effective for fibromyalgia patients , says Kim D. Jones , Ph.D. , an associate professor at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing , in Portland . `` It works more on the parasympathetic nervous system , ... the part of the nervous system that helps us feel calm and relaxed , '' says Jones , who studies Yang-style tai chi and yoga in fibromyalgia but was n't involved in the study . Health.com : 13 conditions that mimic fibromyalgia Jones recommends that fibromyalgia patients find a well-trained instructor rather than trying tai chi on their own . She points out that learning tai chi in a group may have its own therapeutic benefits , by boosting confidence , for instance . Many community centers offer affordable tai chi classes , but experienced teachers can be expensive and hard to come by . However , if future studies support the benefits of tai chi , insurance companies might start to cover the practice , Shmerling says .","question":""}
{"answer":"Tehran , Iran -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iran 's Bushehr nuclear power plant is just weeks from operating at full capacity , the country 's top nuclear official said Saturday . Feireidoun Abbasi , the head of Iran 's Atomic Energy Organization , also said Tehran has shown its new Iranian-made centrifuges to a representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency -LRB- IAEA -RRB- . The Bushehr plant , located along the Persian Gulf coast , will reach its full capacity of 1,000 megawatts by February 1 , Abbasi said , according to the country 's official news agency , IRNA . The plant was connected to the country 's electric grid in September with a capacity of 60 megawatts . At 1,000 megawatts , Bushehr will be able to provide 2.5 % of Iran 's current electricity consumption , the IAEA said . Abbasi made the announcement about Bushehr while attending a meeting on Iran 's nuclear achievements held in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas . He told the meeting that Tehran had shown the new generation of its homemade centrifuge machines to the IAEA `` in a bid to demonstrate the ability of Iranian scientists , '' he said . Abbasi said the centrifuges , which are used to enrich uranium , were shown to the deputy of IAEA , Director-General Yukiya Amano , but he did not say when . It was not immediately clear whether an IAEA representative had in fact been to Iran and seen the centrifuges . The new centrifuges will enable Iran to enrich uranium over the current purity level of 5 % , according to experts cited by the news agency . Uranium enriched to between 3 % and 5 % is necessary to make fuel for reactors . Uranium enriched to 93.5 % is considered weapons-grade . The construction of Bushehr -- a civilian , not military , plant -- started in 1975 when Germany signed a contract with Iran . Germany , however , pulled out of the project following the 1979 revolution that created the current Islamic republic . Iran then signed a deal with Russia in 1995 , under which the plant was originally scheduled to be completed in 1999 , but the project was delayed repeatedly . Bushehr finally opened in August 2010 . The United States and other Western nations have expressed concerns that Iran 's development of missile and nuclear fuel technology mean it is developing a nuclear program for military purposes . The IAEA said in a November report that it has `` serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions '' to Iran 's nuclear program . The agency said it has information indicating Iran has carried out `` activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device . '' Iran has denied such allegations , saying the Bushehr plant will be used only to generate electricity and operates under IAEA supervision . U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the concern is not the Bushehr plant , but other nuclear facilities like Natanz , in the middle of the country ; a facility at Qom , south of Tehran ; `` and other places where we believe they are conducting their weapons program . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"Fourth seed Elena Dementieva avoided an embarrassing early exit when comeback queen Jelena Dokic 's French Open hopes were ended by a back injury on Thursday . Jelena Dokic was left in tears after being forced to retire hurt against Elena Dementieva at the French Open . Dokic , taking part in her first French Open since 2004 following well-documented family problems , won the first set 6-2 and -- after her first break for treatment -- broke the 2004 finalist to lead 3-2 in their second round clash . But the Russian won the next two games as the tearful former world No. 4 was reduced to walking pace before calling it quits . `` I went for a return and I just went down and could n't get back up , '' she said . `` It 's very painful and very disappointing because I felt as if I had the match in my hands . '' Dokic , now ranked 80th after reviving her career with a run to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in January , had won her opening match on Tuesday when she came back from a set down to beat Slovenia 's Karolina Sprem 3-6 6-1 6-2 . The 26-year-old 's career had nosedived following her highly-publicized split from controversial mentor and father Damir . Dementieva will next play Australian 30th seed Samantha Stosur , who won her second-round match in straight sets against Belgium 's Yanina Wickmayer . Earlier on Thursday , the Williams sisters also progressed through to the third round with contrasting victories . Second seed Serena crushed Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-2 6-0 to set up a clash with another unseeded Spaniard , Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez . Third seed Venus survived a scare against unseeded Czech Lucie Safarova before completing a match that was halted on Wednesday night due to bad light . The American saved a match point at 5-4 down in the third set before managing to hold , break her opponent and then serve out to love for a 6-7 -LRB- 5-7 -RRB- 6-2 7-5 success . Venus , who lost the 2002 final to Serena , will next play Hungarian 29th seed Agnes Szavay . Fifth seed Jelena Jankovic had no such troubles in beating Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia 6-1 6-2 , setting up a third-round clash with unseeded Austrian Jarmila Groth . Seventh-seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova also advanced along with Danish 10th seed Caroline Wozniacki , but 13th seed Marion Bartoli of France made a surprise exit . The 2007 Wimbledon finalist lost 6-3 7-5 to Tathiana Garbin of Italy , who will next take on unseeded Virginie Razzano of France .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A United Nations court convicted a former governor of Rwanda to life in prison for his role in a 1994 genocide that left about 800,000 dead in the central African country . An estimated 800,000 people -- mainly Tutsis -- were killed in Rwanda in 1994 . Tharcisse Renzaho was found guilty of genocide , crimes against humanity and war crimes . The verdict , delivered Tuesday , is the third judgment on charges of genocide delivered this year by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda -LRB- ICTR -RRB- . The U.N. court is holding hearings in Arusha , Tanzania , where it is based . Renzaho was governor of the capital , Kigali , and a colonel in the Rwandan Armed Forces in 1994 during the country 's genocide , when extremist militias made up of ethnic Hutus slaughtered ethnic Tutsis across Rwanda . It began in April of that year and within 100 days , an estimated 800,000 people were killed . The court found that Renzaho ordered soldiers , police and militias to set up roadblocks to identify Tutsi civilians to be executed . It found he ordered the distribution of weapons to people who then killed Tutsis . Renzaho also supervised a selection process at a refugee site where about 40 Tutsis were abducted and killed , the court found . Renzaho participated in an attack at the Sainte Famille church in which more than 100 Tutsis were killed . People across Rwanda sought refuge in churches all over the country as the genocide unfolded . He also made remarks encouraging the sexual abuse of women , according to the court , and was found criminally liable for the rapes that followed . The genocide ended when Tutsi-led militias backing Rwandan President Paul Kagame ousted the Hutu government supporting the massacre . Renzaho was arrested in September 2002 in the Democratic Republic of Congo . His trial began in January 2007 and closed in September that year after hearing from 53 witnesses , including Renzaho . Throughout the trial , Renzaho maintained his innocence and said he had no association with the militia . Renzaho 's lawyer blamed the case on political interference by the Rwandan government . Renzaho has the right to appeal the verdict . The decision is the third judgment on charges of genocide delivered this year by the tribunal . Emmanuel Rukundo , a former military chaplain , was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity and sentenced to 25 years in prison . The court found Rukundo had a history of contempt for Tutsis and his fellow clergymen , and that he ordered the killings of Tutsi civilians . Callixte Kalimanzira was sentenced to 30 years in prison for genocide and incitement to commit genocide . The court found that Kalimanzira , a senior civil servant who at one point worked with the Interior Ministry , participated in various massacres of Tutsi civilians and actively encouraged other crimes against them . Prosecutors at his trial said he beat some Tutsis to death and called for the elimination of all Tutsis , including pregnant women and their babies .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Arsenal will face Celtic in a mouthwatering all-British tie later this month to decide who reaches the Champions League group stages . Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will see his side face an early-season test against Celtic . Scottish side Celtic went into the final qualifying round with a superb 2-0 away win over Dinamo Moscow earlier this week , overturning a 1-0 deficit from the first leg . Arsenal , who reached the semifinals of the Champions League last season where they lost to Manchester United , will be favorites to go through , but according to their former striker Charlie Nicholas , who also played for the Celtic , they will not be relishing the task . `` They would have wanted to avoid each other , '' he told Sky Sports News . `` For Arsenal , the concern is the lack of players they 've brought in and injuries . I think it will be very tight . '' The first leg matches will be played on August 18 and 19 , the same week as the start of the English Premier League season , the return matches are on August 25 or 26 . A total of 10 pairings were drawn with the prize for the winners a place in the lucrative group stages of the world 's most prestigious club competition . The losers will drop down to play in the Europa League , formerly the UEFA Cup . Five of the pairings feature match-ups between the champions of lower-rated leagues such as Latvia and Cyprus . European governing body UEFA effectively ring fenced five places in the group stages for these sides by separating them in the draw from teams from stronger leagues such as England , Italy and Spain . It has led to a series of intriguing clashes with Panathinaikos of Greece facing Spanish side Atletico Madrid . Portugal 's Sporting Lisbon take on Fiorentina of Italy , deposed French champions Lyon play Anderlecht of Belgium and Romainian side Timisoara face Stuttgart of Germany . Timisoara surprisingly beat Shakhtar Donetsk of the Ukraine in the previous qualifying round . Shakhtar won the UEFA Cup last season and will now be able to defend their title under the guise of the revamped Europa League . They were paired against Turkish side Sivasspor when the draw for the competition was also made at UEFA 's headquaters in Nyon on Friday . Champions League play-off draw : Champions group : Sheriff -LRB- Mol -RRB- v Olympiakos -LRB- Gre -RRB- Salzburg -LRB- Aut -RRB- v Maccabi Haifa -LRB- Isr -RRB- Ventspils -LRB- Lat -RRB- v Zurich -LRB- Swi -RRB- Copenhagen -LRB- Den -RRB- v Apoel Nicosia -LRB- Cyp -RRB- Levski Sofia -LRB- Bul -RRB- v Debrecen -LRB- Hun -RRB- Non-champions group : Lyon -LRB- Fr -RRB- v Anderlecht -LRB- Bel -RRB- Celtic -LRB- Sco -RRB- v Arsenal -LRB- Eng -RRB- Timisoara -LRB- Rom -RRB- v VfB Stuttgart -LRB- Ger -RRB- Sporting Lisbon -LRB- Por -RRB- v Fiorentina -LRB- Ita -RRB- Panathinaikos -LRB- Gre -RRB- v Atletico Madrid -LRB- Sp -RRB-","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Obama administration raised the stakes in the health care debate Monday , releasing a new blueprint that seeks to bridge the gap between measures passed by the Senate and House of Representatives last year . If enacted , the president 's sweeping compromise plan would constitute the biggest expansion of federal health care guarantees since the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid more than four decades ago . The White House said it would extend coverage to 31 million Americans . Among other things , the White House said it would expand Medicare prescription drug coverage , increase federal subsidies to help people buy insurance and give the federal government new authority to block excessive rate hikes by health insurance companies . It increases the threshold -- relative to the Senate bill -- under which a tax on high-end health insurance plans would kick in . As with both the House and Senate plans , it includes significant reductions in Medicare spending in part through changes in payments made under the Medicare Advantage program . President Obama 's plan does not include a government-run public health insurance option , an idea strongly backed by liberal Democrats but fiercely opposed by both Republicans and key Democratic moderates . It also eliminates a deeply unpopular provision in the Senate bill worked in by Sen. Ben Nelson , D-Nebraska , that would exempt his Midwestern state from paying increased Medicaid expenses . Administration officials said Obama 's measure would cut the deficit by $ 100 billion over the next 10 years . They estimate the total cost of the bill to be $ 950 billion in the next decade . The Senate bill would cost an estimated $ 871 billion , according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office , while the more expansive House plan has been estimated to cost more than $ 1 trillion . The release of Obama 's plan sets the stage for a critical televised health care summit Thursday with top congressional Republicans . The White House is trying to pressure GOP leaders to present a detailed alternative proposal in advance of the meeting . `` We view this as the opening bid for the health meeting '' on Thursday , White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer told reporters . `` We took our best shot at bridging the differences '' between the House and Senate bills . `` It is our hope the Republicans will come together around -LSB- their -RSB- plan and post it online '' before the meeting . President 's health care blueprint Pfeiffer said Obama will come to Thursday 's meeting `` with an open mind . '' The president 's willing to back decent Republican ideas if the two sides can have an `` honest , open , substantive discussion '' in which `` both parties can get off their talking points , '' he said . GOP leaders have indicated they will attend the meeting but have urged Democrats to scrap the Senate and House bills completely . They characterized Obama 's proposal Monday as setting the stage for a meeting that will amount to little more than political posturing . `` The president has crippled the credibility of this week 's summit by proposing the same massive government takeover of health care based on a partisan bill the American people have already rejected , '' said House Minority Leader John Boehner , R-Ohio . `` This new Democrats-only backroom deal doubles down on the same failed approach that will drive up premiums , destroy jobs , raise taxes and slash Medicare benefits . This week 's summit clearly has all the makings of a Democratic infomercial . '' Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Kentucky , released a statement calling the plan `` disappointing that Democrats in Washington either are n't listening or are completely ignoring what Americans across the country have been saying . '' White House press secretary Robert Gibbs dismissed the GOP criticisms , arguing that Republican leaders had asked for this week 's meeting for months . `` If they 're not the party of no , Thursday 's the perfect venue to be the party of yes , '' Gibbs said . Highlights of Obama 's proposal Under Obama 's plan : \u2022 The health and human services secretary would work with a seven-member board of doctors , economists and consumer and insurance representatives to review premium hikes . This Health Insurance Rate Authority would provide an annual report to recommend to states whether certain rate increases should be approved , although the secretary could overrule state insurance regulators . \u2022 New health insurance subsidies would be provided to families of four making up to $ 88,000 annually , or 400 percent of the federal poverty level . Compared with the Senate bill , Obama 's proposal lowers premiums for families making between $ 44,000 and $ 66,000 , according to the White House . Compared with the House legislation , it lowers premiums for families making between $ 55,000 and $ 88,000 . \u2022 The Medicare prescription drug `` doughnut hole '' would be closed by 2020 . Under current law , Medicare stops covering drug costs after a plan and beneficiary have spent more than $ 2,830 on prescription drugs . It starts paying again after an individual 's out-of-pocket expenses exceed $ 4,550 . \u2022 A 40 percent tax would be imposed on insurance companies providing so-called `` Cadillac '' health plans valued at more than $ 27,000 for families . The tax would kick in starting in 2018 for all plans . In contrast , the Senate bill would apply the tax to plans valued at more than $ 23,000 for families . The House bill does not include the tax , which labor unions vehemently oppose . \u2022 The federal government would assist states by picking up 100 percent of the costs of expanded Medicaid coverage through 2017 . The federal government would cover 95 percent of costs for 2018 and 2019 , and 90 percent in the following years . \u2022 Health insurance exchanges would be created to make it easier for small businesses , the self-employed and unemployed to pool resources and purchase less expensive coverage . \u2022 Total out-of-pocket expenses would be limited , and insurance companies would be prevented from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions . Insurers would be barred from charging higher premiums based on a person 's gender or medical history . \u2022 Individuals under Obama 's plan would be required to purchase coverage or face a fine of up to $ 695 or 2.5 percent of income starting in 2016 , whichever is greater . The House bill , in contrast , would have imposed a fine of up to 2.5 percent of an individual 's income . The Senate plan would have required a person to buy coverage or face a fine of up to $ 750 or 2 percent of his or her income . All three plans include a hardship exemption for poorer Americans . \u2022 Companies with more than 50 employees under Obama 's plan would be required to pay a fee of $ 2,000 per worker if the company does not provide coverage and any of that company 's workers receives federal health care subsidies . The first 30 workers would be subtracted from the payment calculation . As with the individual requirement , this represents a compromise between the House and Senate plans . \u2022 Some $ 40 billion in tax credits would be established for small businesses to help them provide health care options for their employees . \u2022 States could choose whether to ban abortion coverage in plans offered in the health insurance exchanges . Individuals purchasing plans through the exchanges would have to pay for abortion coverage out of their own funds . The White House is following the Senate 's lead . The stricter House version banned abortion coverage in private policies available in the exchange to people receiving federal subsidies . \u2022 Illegal immigrants would not be allowed to buy health insurance in the health insurance exchanges . They would be exempted from the individual insurance mandate . As with abortion , the White House is adopting the Senate 's language . CNN 's Dana Bash , Lisa Desjardins , Kristi Keck , Suzanne Malveaux , Alan Silverleib and Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The medical examiner has ruled that the death of Daniel Kerrigan , the father of figure skater Nancy Kerrigan , was a homicide , the Middlesex County district attorney 's office said Tuesday . The skater 's brother , Mark , was arraigned in January on assault and battery charges in an incident involving his father , but the district attorney 's office would not say if other charges might be filed against the younger Kerrigan in light of the medical examiner 's finding . Daniel Kerrigan , 70 , died January 24 after an alleged altercation with his son at the Kerrigan home in Stoneham , Massachusetts . The Kerrigan family released a statement through their attorney expressing disappointment `` that the medical examiner would release a cause of death without having all of the relevant facts . We believe this finding to be premature and inaccurate . '' `` The Kerrigan family does not blame anyone for the unfortunate death of Dan Kerrigan , who had a pre-existing heart condition , '' said the family statement , released by attorney Tracy Miner . Mark Kerrigan , 45 , pleaded not guilty to the charges against him January 26 . Through his attorney , he denied any responsibility in his father 's death . According to Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Keeley , police responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:30 a.m. January 24 from Brenda Kerrigan , wife of Daniel and mother to Mark and Nancy Kerrigan . Keeley told District Court Judge Mark Sullivan during the arraignment for Mark Kerrigan that there was a violent argument and struggle between the father and his son , resulting in the elder Kerrigan falling or collapsing on the kitchen floor . Keeley said Mark Kerrigan told authorities `` that he did in fact have an argument with his father , the argument became physical , he grabbed his father around the neck , and at some point the father collapsed to the floor . '' According to Keeley , police found Mark Kerrigan in the basement of the house , `` clearly intoxicated '' and `` extremely combative . '' He refused to comply with police officers , said Keeley , and they had to subdue him with pepper spray before forcibly removing him from the home . Mark Kerrigan 's attorney , Denise Moore , said in court that Kerrigan was unemployed , was recently released from a correctional facility and was living at home with his parents . He is taking medications and seeking psychological help for post-traumatic stress , apparently from his time in the Army , she added . Despite appeals from his attorney , the judge ordered Kerrigan held on $ 10,000 cash bail . His next court appearance is expected to be February 24 . Nancy Kerrigan first gained prominence by winning a bronze medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville , France . In 1994 she earned a silver medal in Lillehammer , Norway . But she is perhaps best remembered for being injured in an attack before the 1994 Winter Games by skating rival Tonya Harding 's ex-husband and an accomplice .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Oklahoma State University women 's basketball coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna were killed when their plane crashed on the way to a recruiting trip in Arkansas , university officials said Friday . Former Oklahoma state Sen. Olin Branstetter and his wife , Paula , also died in the crash Thursday , university spokesman Gary Schutt said . `` It 's a terribly sad day , '' he said . The crash occurred in Perry County , Arkansas , leaving no survivors . The plane , a Piper Cherokee PA-28 , according to FAA records , crashed under `` unknown circumstances '' in a wooded area about four miles south of Perryville , Arkansas , about 4:30 p.m. CT on Thursday , agency spokesman Lynn Lunsford said Friday . No additional information about the crash was immediately available . The National Transportation Safety Board has sent investigators to the crash site , the agency said Friday . Budke and Serna were on a recruiting trip to Little Rock , Arkansas , the university said . `` For any coaching community to lose bright stars like Kurt and Miranda is tragic , '' NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a statement . `` This is a profound loss for the Oklahoma State women 's basketball family , the entire university and future women 's basketball players as well . '' University officials credited Budke for turning the school 's women 's basketball program around , culminating with a top-10 national ranking and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season . He was in his seventh season with the school . `` Kurt was an exemplary leader and a man of character who had a profound impact on his student-athletes , '' Oklahoma State President Burns Hargis said . `` He was an outstanding coach and a wonderful person . We send our deepest sympathies to his wife , Shelley , and their children , Sara , Alex and Brett . '' Serna was also in her seventh season with OSU after coming to the school to work for Budke from Louisana Tech , where they both previously worked . She served as the program 's recruiting coordinator , according to the school . Hargis called her `` an up-and-coming coach and an outstanding role model for our young ladies . '' `` Its our worst nightmare , '' he added . The school called off games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday , and grief counselors were on hand for athletes and staff , the university said . Jim Littell , the team 's associate head coach , will take over as interim head coach , according to Mike Holder , OSU vice president for athletics . The crash is the second fatal plane crash to strike the OSU basketball program in nearly 11 years . Ten people , eight of them associated with the university 's men 's basketball program , died when their plane crashed in a Colorado snowstorm on January 28 , 2001 .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- RealSimple.com -RRB- -- Overwashing , overapplying , and product overkill wo n't improve your skin . Rein in your regimen to get real results . Want beautiful skin like model Megan Gale ? Do n't overdo it , experts say . Cleansing and exfoliating You do n't need to wash or scrub as often -- or as vigorously -- as you may think . `` Many women go overboard here , figuring it will make their skin look better if they do both more frequently , '' says dermatologist Leslie Baumann . `` But that only damages the skin 's natural barrier and creates dryness and irritation . '' Combination skin How often : Wash your face twice a day , and gently exfoliate once or twice a week ; this is enough to keep skin balanced and encourage cell turnover , according to experts . What to look for : A mild cleanser that is n't too rich or too drying , says Mary Lupo , a dermatologist in New Orleans , Louisiana . Use an exfoliant that contains gentle particles or acids to remove dead cells without abrading your skin . Where to find it : Cleanser -- Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash , $ 6 at drugstores . Exfoliant -- St. Ives Elements Microdermabrasion Scrub , $ 7 at drugstores . Dry skin How often : Cleanse skin at night , when it 's dirtiest . Rinse with cool water in the morning to help maintain natural oils . If skin is flaky , exfoliate once a week , says Lisa Donofrio , a professor of dermatology at Yale University . What to look for : A cleansing oil or creamy wash that has moisturizing ingredients , such as glycerin . If you have sensitive skin to boot , avoid products that contain fragrances or alcohol , which can irritate . Where to find it : Cleanser -- Laura Mercier Purifying Oil , $ 40 , www.sephora.com ; or CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser , $ 11.50 at drugstores . Exfoliant -- Your safest bet is to use a wet washcloth . Oily\/acne-prone skin How often : Lather up two to three times a day -LRB- as needed -RRB- but never more ; overwashing kicks oil glands into overproduction . Exfoliate once or twice a week , but skip this if you have acne ; the friction can make it worse . What to look for : An oil-free , non-comedogenic foaming cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to prevent breakouts . The scrub should contain mild acids to keep the pores open and clean . Where to find it : Cleanser -- Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser , $ 7 at drugstores . Exfoliant -- Bior\u00e9 Pore Unclogging Scrub , $ 6 at drugstores . Sensitive skin How often : Wash once a day if your skin is irritated by nearly everything or if you have eczema or psoriasis ; twice a day if your skin is dirty . Forget about exfoliating , as it 's too abrasive for your skin type . What to look for : Hypoallergenic and fragrance - and soap-free cleansers . Calming ingredients , like green tea , chamomile , feverfew , and aloe , are a bonus . As a general rule , the fewer ingredients in a product , the better . Where to find it : Cleanser -- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser -LRB- $ 19.50 , www.laroche-posay.com -RRB- . Apply with your fingers . `` Think of the way you 'd touch a newborn , '' says Barbara Reed , a Denver , Colorado , dermatologist . Portion control \u2022 Use a quarter-size amount of cleanser on most skin types . \u2022 A dime-size dollop of scrub will do . \u2022 A pea-size dab of cleanser is plenty for sensitive skin . Real Simple : Best facial cleansers Moisturizing and protecting No matter what your skin type , moisture is important . `` If your skin is n't hydrated , it ca n't protect itself from the free radicals that cause damage , discoloration , and wrinkles , '' says dermatologist Leslie Baumann . Year-round daily sun protection is also a must . Fortunately there are moisturizers with SPF available for every complexion . Combination skin How often : Each morning , apply moisturizer with SPF after cleansing your skin . Reapply if you 're spending more than 30 minutes outside , as sun-screens break down in sunlight over time . What to look for : A medium-weight lotion with skin-protective antioxidants , such as green tea , coenzyme Q10 , and vitamin C , and broad-spectrum sun protection with an SPF of 15 or higher . Where to find it : L'Or\u00e9al Paris Revitalift UV Daily Moisturizing Cream with Mexoryl SX SPF 15 , $ 22 at drugstores ; or Clinique Super-defense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer Dry Combination , $ 43 , www.clinique.com . Dry skin How often : To help seal in water , apply moisturizer with SPF once a day , right after cleansing , while your skin is still damp . Reapply at midday if your skin begins to feel tight , and use a cream at night . What to look for : A rich cream that contains antioxidants , plus hyaluronic acid , glycerin , or ceramides . `` Hyaluronic acid and glycerin bind in moisture , and ceramides prevent water loss from the skin , '' says Donofrio . Where to find it : Dove Pro Age Day Moisturizer SPF 15 , $ 14 at drugstores ; or Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 , $ 10.50 at drugstores . Oily\/acne-prone skin How often : Moisturize every morning . Oily skin needs the right type of moisture and lightweight , non-comedogenic sun protection . Reapply as needed , since blotting away shine can remove sunscreen . What to look for : An oil-free , featherweight lotion , serum , or gel with antioxidants . If you 're acne-prone , avoid products with cocoa butter , cinnamon , or coconut oil , as they can trigger breakouts , says Baumann . Where to find it : DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew SPF 15 , $ 38 , www.ddfskincare.com ; or Clean & Clear Soft Oil-Free Day Moisturizer SPF 15 , $ 8.50 at drugstores . Sensitive skin How often : In the morning , apply moisturizer to skin that has been dabbed dry . Ingredients penetrate wet skin more deeply , which is often a good thing , but this can irritate sensitive skin . What to look for : Fragrance-free lotions or creams that contain anti-inflammatories , such as chamomile , green tea , feverfew , and caffeine . Avoid lipoic acid , as it can be irritating . Where to find it : Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Moisture Lotion SPF 15 , $ 14 at drugstores ; or Dermalogica Super Sensitive Faceblock SPF 30 , $ 45 , www.dermalogica.com for locations . Portion control Use a nickel-to quarter-size amount of moisturizer with SPF for face coverage . Real Simple : Seventeen affordable moisturizers Treating and troubleshooting Nighttime is best for targeting fine lines , blemishes , and discoloration . That 's when the skin repairs itself , and the sun is n't around to degrade the active ingredients in the treatments . Careful and consistent use of effective products -LRB- most also provide moisture -RRB- will gradually yield great results . Combination skin To keep it smooth : Four nights a week , use a cream with retinol , a potent , tried-and-true wrinkle reducer . Try : Philosophy Help Me Retinol Night Treatment , $ 45 , www.philosophy.com . To clear it up : Use a 5 percent benzoyl peroxide or 2 percent salicylic acid gel nightly . Try : B. Kamins Medicated Acne Gel 5 , $ 26 , www.bkamins.com ; or Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Eliminating Gel , $ 8 at drugstores . To even tone : Retinol evens tone , but for darker spots , at night use a formula that also has skin-lightening licorice , kojic acid , soy , or vitamin C. Try : RoC Multi-Correxion Night Treatment , $ 25 at drugstores . Dry skin To keep it smooth : As dry skin can be sensitive , apply gentle retinols every other night with a moisturizer . Try : Av\u00e8ne R\u00e9trinal Cream .05 , $ 56 , www.skincarerx.com . Other nights , just moisturize . To clear it up : Heal blemishes using a moisturizing 2 percent salicylic acid treatment or a sulfur-based salve once or twice a week . Try : AcneWorx Gentle Moisturizing Clear Acne Treatment Gel , $ 20 , www.amazon.com . To even tone : Slather on a rich cream that contains skin-brightening ingredients , like coffeeberry extract , each night . Try : Reval\u00e9Skin Night Cream , $ 99 , www.skincarerx.com . Oily\/acne-prone skin To keep it smooth : Nightly use of a retinol gel or serum softens fine lines -LRB- skip it on nights you treat blemishes , as below -RRB- . Try : Replenix Retinol Plus Smoothing Serum 3X , $ 56 , www.skincarerx.com . To clear it up : Oily skin can take a 5 or 10 percent benzoyl peroxide gel twice a day , says Sonia Badreshia-Bansal , a dermatologist in Danville , California . Try : Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 , $ 5 at drugstores . To even tone : Each night smooth a thin layer of a lightweight vitamin C serum over your face to gradually lighten any discoloration . Try : Avon Anew Alternative Clearly C 10 % Vitamin C Serum , $ 20 , www.avon.com . Sensitive skin To keep it smooth : Every third night , apply a mild retinol -LRB- see dry skin -RRB- . Or use peptides nightly on lines . Try : Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Moisturizing Treatment , $ 18 at drugstores . To clear it up : Treat blemishes with a 2 percent salicylic acid treatment and follow with moisturizer . Try : Exuviance Blemish Treatment Gel , $ 16 , www.exuviance.com . Avoid benzoyl peroxide , which can be irritating . To even tone : Consider a nightly application of a lotion with a gentle lightener , like a niacin derivative or vitamin C. Try : NIA 24 Intensive Recovery Complex , $ 110 , www.skincarerx.com . Portion control \u2022 A pea-size amount of a retinol cream is adequate . \u2022 A dime-size dollop of a skin brightener or moisturizer will do the trick . \u2022 A sunflower seed -- size dot of an acne salve is all your spots require . Get a FREE TRIAL issue of Real Simple - CLICK HERE !","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tiger Woods apologized on Wednesday for `` transgressions '' that `` let his family down . '' `` I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart . I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves , '' he said in a statement on his official Web site . `` I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect . I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family . Those feelings should be shared by us alone . '' Woods made the comments in a statement posted on his Web site the same day that a gossip magazine published a story alleging that Woods had an affair with a 24-year-old New York cocktail waitress . The nightclub hostess , identified by a supermarket tabloid as Tiger Woods ' mistress had called allegations that she is romantically involved with the golf superstar false and `` ridiculous . '' In an interview published Tuesday , Rachel Uchitel told The New York Post that a disgruntled acquaintance sold the story to the National Enquirer and that `` not a word of it is true . '' `` I work in clubs , and I am a businesswoman , '' Uchitel said . `` I do not have sex with celebrities , and I have not had an affair with Tiger Woods . '' Speculation has swirled around Woods since a wreck outside his Florida home early Friday left him with minor injuries and a citation for careless driving . The Florida Highway Patrol said Tuesday that its citation closes its investigation of the crash . Woods was not required to talk to state police about the wreck and did not sit for an interview with investigators . He issued a statement Sunday saying he alone was responsible for the crash and denouncing `` the many false , unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me . '' Opinion : Woods is only human The 33-year-old golf phenomenon has won the Masters tournament and the PGA tournament each four times , as well as three U.S. Open titles . Investigators have said they do n't have details on why Woods was driving away from his home at such an early hour . A police report says the wreck was not alcohol-related . Uchitel said she has met Woods twice , once in her capacity as the VIP director at a club in Manhattan 's trendy Meatpacking District and another time through a mutual friend . `` That 's my job : to know these people , to have a relationship with them , to hang out with them , '' she told the Post . `` It does n't mean I am having sex with them or an affair with them . '' She said the allegations `` must feel horrible '' to Woods ' wife , Elin Nordegren . `` The worst part of it , it 's not true , '' Uchitel said .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A woman who pleaded guilty to kidnapping Utah teenager Elizabeth Smart in 2002 -- and attempting to kidnap Smart 's cousin a month later -- will be sentenced for both offenses in state and federal court Friday . Wanda Eileen Barzee , 64 , pleaded guilty in November to federal charges of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor in Smart 's kidnapping . As part of that plea agreement , she agreed to cooperate with the state and federal cases against her husband , Brian David Mitchell , federal prosecutors have said . Barzee and Mitchell were accused of abducting Smart , then 14 , at knifepoint from her bedroom in her family 's Salt Lake City , Utah , home in June 2002 . Smart was found nine months later , walking down a street in the Salt Lake City suburb of Sandy in the company of Barzee and Mitchell , a drifter and self-described prophet who calls himself Emmanuel and had done some handyman work at the Smarts ' home . Federal prosecutors have recommended Barzee be sentenced to 15 years in prison in exchange for cooperation against Mitchell . In state court in February , Barzee pleaded guilty but mentally ill to one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping in the attempted kidnapping of Smart 's cousin . In exchange for her plea , prosecutors dropped state charges against her in Smart 's abduction , said Nancy Volmer , spokeswoman for Utah state courts . The month after Smart was kidnapped , prosecutors alleged , Barzee and Mitchell attempted to break into the home of her cousin , but were unsuccessful . The girl was 15 years old at the time , according to CNN affiliate KSL-TV . She is not named in court documents . `` Mr. Mitchell 's attempt was thwarted when the minor child awakened , which caused Mr. Mitchell to flee , '' the court documents say . After her arrest in 2003 , Barzee told authorities that she and Mitchell went to the home to abduct the girl , and planned to hold her , along with Smart , in the couple 's camp in the mountains , according to court documents . Barzee faces between one and 15 years in state prison . But prosecutors have agreed to allow that sentence to run concurrently with her federal sentence if she cooperates with the case against Mitchell , said Mark Biljanic , spokesman for the Salt Lake County district attorney 's office . The federal sentencing will be held first Friday , at 10:30 a.m. , followed by the state court sentencing at 1 p.m. . When she entered pleaded guilty to Smart 's kidnapping in federal court , Barzee apologized to Smart , according to a transcript . `` I 'm greatly humbled as I realize how much Elizabeth Smart has been victimized and the role I played in it , '' she said . `` I 'm so sorry , Elizabeth , for all the pain and suffering I have caused you and your family . It is my hope that you will be able to find it in your heart to forgive me one day . '' Barzee had been housed at the Utah State Hospital while courts determined her competency as well as Mitchell 's . After years of being declared incompetent , she recently was declared competent to stand trial , according to the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper . A state court had ruled she could be forcibly medicated , and that ruling led federal prosecutors to proceed with bringing a case against the couple , the Tribune said . At a competency hearing for Mitchell in October , Smart , now 21 , testified that she had been held captive in Utah and California . Just after her abduction , Mitchell took her to a wooded area behind her home and performed a mock marriage ceremony with her , she said . During the nine months of her captivity , Smart testified , no 24-hour period passed without her being raped by Mitchell . In March , U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball ruled Mitchell competent to stand trial . His federal trial is set to begin November 1 . State court proceedings against him are on hold pending the outcome of the federal case .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Republican National Convention is kicking off in full force Tuesday in the Twin Cities -- the first time the GOP has held a presidential convention there since 1892 . Laura Bush and Cindy McCain speak at a shortened first day of the Republican National Convention Monday . The convention , delayed briefly when Hurricane Gustav hit the Gulf Coast , is also being held later in the year than any nominating convention in history . Check out these tidbits of convention history and political trivia . Location The Republican National Convention is being held in the Xcel Energy Center , the home of the National Hockey League team the Minnesota Wild . To prepare the Xcel center for the GOP convention , workers removed 3,000 seats and installed more than 25 miles of cable Sen. Barack Obama gave his first speech as the Democrats ' presumptive 2008 presidential nominee at the Xcel Center on June 3 . The Twin Cities and Denver have each received $ 50 million each in federal funds for convention security . No Republican since Richard Nixon has carried Minnesota in a presidential general election -- the longest Democratic streak of any state in the nation . The Delegates About 2,300 delegates and 2,200 alternates delegates are expected to journey to the twin cities for the event , and the Minneapolis\/St . Paul economy is expected to benefit to the tune of $ 150 to $ 160 million . The Candidates , past and present John McCain turned 72 last week ; if elected , he 'll be the oldest president sworn in to a first term . Two GOP presidential nominees were older than McCain ; Ronald Reagan was 73 in 1984 when he was running for his second term and Bob Dole was 73 in 1996 . Dole lost that election to Bill Clinton . John McCain was a prisoner of war in Vietnam from 1967 to 1973 ; his service awards include the Silver Star , the Bronze Star , the Legion of Merit and a Purple Heart . McCain 's father and grandfather were both U.S. Navy admirals ; they were the first father and son to achieve that rank . McCain represented Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1987 ; he has served in the U.S. Senate since 1987 . McCain was the presidential nominating speaker in 1996 for Sen. Robert Dole . McCain clinched the Republican presidential nomination on March 4 after winning 26 primary season contests . Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is the second woman to serve on a major party ticket -- in 1984 Democratic vice presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman to serve on a major party ticket . Palin is the first woman to serve as Alaska governor ; she was elected in 2006 , winning the election to the governorship as a maverick reformer willing to distance herself from the Republican Party . McCain first met Palin at the National Governors Association meeting in Washington in February of 2008 . Conventions National political conventions were covered on radio for the first time in 1924 , and covered on television for the first time since 1948 . 2008 marks the fourth time the parties have held back-to-back conventions ; it also happened in 1912 , 1916 and 1956 . The longest convention in history was the 1924 Democratic convention in New York -- It lasted 17 days . The shortest convention in history was the 1872 Democratic convention in Baltimore -- it only lasted six hours .","question":""}
{"answer":"ISLAMABAD , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pakistani authorities have arrested two top leaders of the Islamic militant group India blames for the November massacre in Mumbai , Pakistan 's prime minister confirmed Wednesday . Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistani security forces had rounded up a number of militant figures . The top military officer in the U.S . on Wednesday said he is `` encouraged '' by Pakistan 's recent arrests of `` significant players '' in the Mumbai attacks . U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen said the arrests amount to `` first steps '' toward determining who plotted the three day siege last month that killed 160 people in Mumbai , India 's financial capital . `` There are more steps to follow , '' he noted . He also thanked India for showing restraint against Pakistan , which it has accused of harboring the terrorist groups behind the November massacre . Zarar Shah , a top operational commander of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba , and Zakir Rehman Lakhvi , whose arrest had been reported Tuesday , were among the militant figures rounded up in recent days , Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told reporters . Gilani would not confirm the detention of Masood Azhar , the leader of another militant group , Jaish-e-Muhammad . But he said his government has launched its own investigation into India 's allegations that the gunmen who killed more than 160 people in Mumbai had links to Pakistan . The acknowledgment came three days after Pakistani security forces raided an LeT camp near Muzaffarabad , the capital of Pakistani-controlled Kashmir , in the first sign of government action against Lashkar-e-Tayyiba since the three-day siege of India 's financial capital . Both LeT and Jaish-e-Muhammad were formed to battle Indian rule in the divided Himalayan territory of Kashmir , and both were banned after a 2001 attack on the Indian parliament that brought the South Asian nuclear rivals to the brink of war . The United States has listed LeT as a terrorist group with ties to Osama bin Laden 's al Qaeda network . According to the U.S. government , Lakhvi , 47 , has directed LeT 's military operations in southeast Asia , Chechnya , Bosnia and Iraq . Pakistan 's Defense Minister Choudhry Mukhtar Ahmed told CNN 's sister network in India , CNN-IBN , that Lakhvi and Azhar had been arrested on Monday . Azhar has been in Pakistan since 1999 , when he was released from an Indian prison in exchange for hostages aboard a hijacked Indian airliner . Indian authorities say the sole surviving gunman in the Mumbai attacks told investigators that he was trained at an LeT camp near Muzaffarabad , along with the nine other attackers who were killed in the three-day siege . A Pakistani security official said the terror raids on banned militant groups are ongoing and have resulted in at least 15 arrests .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Champions League newcomers Manchester City are still waiting for their first win in the competition as a double from Mario Gomez gave in-form Bayern Munich a 2-0 Group A victory at the Allianz Arena . Bayern went into the match on the back of nine successive victories and they always looked dangerous in the first half , with Bastian Schweinsteiger volleying over the crossbar from close range in the 36th minute . However , the home side took the lead just two minutes later when goalkeeper Joe Hart did superbly to keep out shots from Frank Ribery and Thomas Mueller , but Gomez was on hand to stab home from three meters out . And the same player added a second goal on the stroke of half-time when Daniel Van Buyten 's header was wonderfully saved by Hart , only for Gomez to be on hand again from close range . City could find no response after the break , and a bad night for them was made worse when manager Roberto Mancini later confirmed that former captain Carlos Tevez refused to come onto the pitch in the second half after being named only as a substitute . An angry Mancini told reporters : `` I asked him to go on and help the team . We have 11 players -- maybe he was disappointed because he did n't play from the start . If I have my way he will be out of the club . '' The result leaves Bayern top of the table with a maximum six points from their two games , with Napoli second on four points after the Italian side beat Villarreal 2-0 in Naples . They opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Marek Hamsik chested down Ezequiel Lavezzi 's cross at the back post , before firing home with his left foot . And Edinson Cavani added a second from the penalty spot just three minutes later after Lavezzi was fouled by Gonzalo Rodriguez in the area . Big-spending City , who are joint top of the English Premier League with five wins and a draw from their six games so far , are back in third with just a single point following their opening home draw against Napoli , while Spanish side Villarreal are bottom of the group without a point , or a goal , so far . Meanwhile , 2010 champions Inter Milan made it two wins out of two under new coach Claudio Ranieri with a thrilling 3-2 Group B victory at CSKA Moscow . Ranieri replaced Gian Piero Gasperini last week , and began his San Siro tenure with a 3-1 Serie A win at Bologna over the weekend . And Inter showed they had got their shock opening 1-0 defeat by Trabzonspor out of their system , by repelling a CSKA fightback to secure their first victory in the tournament . Brazilian defender Lucio fired Inter ahead from the edge of the box after just six minutes and the Italian side doubled their lead midway through the half , when Giampaolo Pazzini netted from close range after fine work from Yuto Nagatomo . However , the Russian side pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time with a well-placed Alan Dzagoev free-kick and Brazilian Vagner Love levelled with 13 minutes remaining with a low drive . But , just a minute later , Mauro Zarate converted from Esteban Cambiasso 's pass to give Inter a vital victory . The other group match saw Trabzonspor and Lille share a 1-1 draw in Turkey . Moussa Sow opened the scoring for the French side when he converted Eden Hazard 's pass from a tight angle , but the home side earned a draw in the 75th minute when Gustavo Colman scored from the penalty spot after Mathieu Debuchy handled in the area . The result sees Trabzonspor top the group with four points , ahead of Inter on three , Lille on two and CSKA Moscow on a single point . Premier League leaders Manchester United needed a last-gasp Ashley Young goal to rescue a 3-3 Group C draw at home to Swiss side Basel , in a thrilling match that saw United squander a comfortable two-goal lead . United took a 16th minute lead when Danny Welbeck , in for the injured Wayne Rooney , was left unmarked in the area to score off the post , and the young England international added his second just a minute later when side-footing home a Ryan Giggs pass . But United took their foot off the gas and Basel pulled a goal back when Fabian Frei lashed home in the 58th minute after the United defense were slow to clear a corner . And , just two minutes later , Basel drew level when Frei 's right-wing cross was superbly headed home by his namesake Alex Frei . Basel looked to have stolen a famous victory when they went ahead in the 75th minute after Antonio Valencia fouled Marco Streller in the area and Alex Frei scored the resulting penalty . But Young 's late header from Nani 's cross rescued a point for United , although they surrendered their 20-match winning run at Old Trafford in all competitions . Benfica beat Otelul Galati 1-0 in Romania in the other group game , which leaves Basel and Benfica level on top of the group on four points , with Manchester United third on two points after drawing their opening two matches . Real Madrid are top of Group D with a maximum six points from their two matches , after a 3-0 win over Ajax at the Bernabeu . Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 25th minute when he converted a fine flowing move that saw five players involved . And the Spanish giants doubled their lead four minutes before the break when Kaka fired home a left-foot shot into the bottom corner of the net from Ronaldo 's pass . The home side secured the points early in the second half when Kaka found Karim Benzema , who found the net from 10 yards out . Lyon are second in the table with four points after they beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 at the Stade de Gerland in their 100th Champions League game . Bafetimbi Gomis opened the scoring with a sublime chip and Bakary Kone sealed the points from close range . Ajax are third in the group with a single point , while Zagreb are bottom after losing their opening two matches .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A first-half hat-trick by Lionel Messi helped Barcelona to a 5-0 win over Mallorca at the Nou Camp on Saturday . The Argentina international opened the scoring after 13 minutes with a spot kick after Emilio Nsue had handled the ball in the penalty area . Eight minutes later he tapped in after a miscue from Adriano before completing his hat-trick on the half-hour mark , expertly guiding home a cross from Dani Alves . Twenty-year-old Issac Cuenca scored his first senior goal for the club five minutes into the second half , while Alves rounded things off with a superbly taken goal in injury time . A ninth-minute goal from Argentina striker Higuain earned Real Madrid a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad on Saturday night . The win puts them one point ahead of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with 25 points , although Levante will depose them if they win at Osasuna on Sunday . Two goals from Frenchman Sofiane Feghouli and one for Aritz Aduriz earned fourth-placed Valencia a 3-1 win over Getafe , while Villareal were comfortable 2-0 winners over Rayo Vallecano -- Bruno Soriano and Borja Valero scoring goals in either half . Meanwhile in Italy , Juventus remain top of Serie A after a 2-1 win at Inter Milan on Saturday . All the goals came in an action-packed first half with Juve taking an early lead thanks to a 12th minute strike from Mirko Vucinic . Maicon equalized for the hosts in the 28th minute , but it was n't long before the visitors were back in front -- Claudio Marchisio scoring in the 33rd minute . The win gives Juve a two-point lead at the top of Serie A , but that will be reduced to one point if Udinese beat Palermo on Sunday . Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as AC Milan beat Roma 3-2 at the Stadio Olimpico to send the reigning league champions up to second in the table . The Swedish striker opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Nicolas Burdisso equalized for the home side in the 28th minute . Alessandro Nesta restored Milan 's lead two minutes later before Ibrahimovic made it 3-1 in the 78th minute to all but clinch three points . Bojan Krkic pulled one back for Roma three minutes before the end but it was n't enough to deny the Rossoneri vital away points . Napoli lost ground with the league leaders as they went down to a 2-1 defeat at Catania . Edinson Cavani had given Napoli the lead after just 27 seconds , but goals from Giovanni Marchese in the 25th minute and Gonzalo Bergessio three minutes after the break were enough to earn the home side all three points . Napoli played half the match with 10 men after Mario Santana was sent off shortly before half time .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- Mental Floss -RRB- -- Having a disease named after you is a decidedly mixed bag . On the one hand , your scientific developments are forever commemorated . On the other hand , though , you 're stuck with the knowledge that no patient will ever be happy upon hearing your name . Who are the scientists and doctors behind some of our most famous diseases and conditions , though ? Here are a few of the physicians and their eponymous ailments : 1 . Crohn 's disease The inflammatory digestive disease could just have easily ended up with the name Ginzburg 's disease or Oppenheimer 's disease . In 1932 , three New York physicians named Burrill Bernard Crohn , Leon Ginzburg , and Gordon Oppenheimer published a paper describing a new sort of intestinal inflammation . Since Crohn 's name was listed first alphabetically , the condition ended up bearing his name . 2 . Salmonellosis Yes , the salmonella menace that haunts undercooked chicken is named after a person . Daniel Elmer Salmon was a veterinary pathologist who ran a USDA microorganism research program during the late 19th century . Although Salmon did n't actually discover the type of bacterium that now bears his name -- famed epidemiologist Theobald Smith isolated the bacteria in 1885 -- he ran the research program in which the discovery occurred . Smith and his colleagues named the bacteria salmonella in honor of their boss . Mental Floss : Margherita pizza , other foods named after people 3 . Parkinson 's disease James Parkinson was a busy fellow . While the English apothecary had a booming medical business , he also dabbled in geology , paleontology , and politics ; Parkinson even published a three-volume scientific study of fossils . Following a late-18th-century foray into British politics where he advocated a number of social causes and found himself briefly ensnared in an alleged plot to assassinate King George III , Parkinson turned his attention to medicine . Parkinson did some research on gout and peritonitis , but it was his landmark 1817 study `` An Essay on the Shaking Palsy '' that affixed his name to Parkinson 's disease . 4 . Huntington 's disease George Huntington was n't the most prolific researcher , but he made his papers count . In 1872 , a fresh-out-of-med-school Huntington published one of two research papers he would write in his life . In the paper , Huntington described the effects of the neurodegenerative disorder that now bears his name after examining several generations of family that all suffered from the genetic condition . 5 . Alzheimer 's disease In 1901 , German neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer began observing an odd patient at a Frankfurt asylum . The 51-year-old woman , Mrs. Auguste Deter , had no short-term memory and behaved strangely . When Mrs. Deter died in 1906 , Alzheimer began to dissect the patient 's brain , and he presented his findings that November in what was the first formal description of presenile dementia . Mental Floss : 4 people with super memory 6 . Tourette syndrome Credit George Gilles de la Tourette for his modesty . When the French neurologist first described the illness that now bears his name in 1884 , he did n't name it after himself . Instead , he referred to the condition as `` maladie des tics . '' Tourette 's mentor and contemporary Jean-Martin Charcot renamed the illness after Tourette . Tourette did n't have such great luck with patients , though . In 1893 , a deluded former patient shot the doctor in the head . The woman claimed that she lost her sanity after Tourette hypnotized her . Tourette survived the attack . 7 . Hodgkin 's lymphoma British pathologist Thomas Hodgkin first described the cancer that now bears his name while working at Guy 's Hospital in London in 1832 . Hodgkin published the study `` On Some Morbid Appearances of the Absorbent Glands and Spleen '' that year , but the condition did n't bear his name until a fellow physician , Samuel Wilks , rediscovered Hodgkin 's work . 8 . Bright 's disease The kidney disease bears the name of Richard Bright , an English physician and colleague of Hodgkin 's at Guy 's Hospital . Bright began looking into the causes of kidney trouble during the 1920s , and in 1927 he described an array of kidney ailments that eventually became known as Bright 's disease . Today , doctors understand many of the symptoms historically clumped together as Bright 's disease are in fact different maladies , so the term is rarely used . 9 . Addison 's disease Guy 's Hospital was apparently the place to work in the 19th century if you wanted to have a disease named after you . Thomas Addison , a colleague of Bright and Hodgkin at Guy 's Hospital , first described the adrenal disorder we call Addison 's disease in 1855 . On top of this discovery , Addison also published an early study of appendicitis . Mental Floss : 11 celebrities who overcame dyslexia 10 . Tay-Sachs disease Although both of their names are attached to this genetic disorder , Warren Tay and Bernard Sachs did n't work together . In fact , they did n't even work in the same country . Tay , a British opthalmologist , first described the disease 's characteristic red spot on the retina in 1881 . In 1887 Bernard Sachs , a colleague of Burrill Crohn at Mount Sinai Hospital , described the cellular effects of the disease and its prevalence among Ashkenazi Jews . 11 . Turner syndrome The chromosomal disorder got its name from Oklahoma doctor Henry Turner , who first described the condition in 1938 . 12 . Klinefelter 's syndrome The genetic condition in which males have an extra X chromosome bears the name of Harry Klinefelter , a young Boston endocrinologist who published a landmark study while working under the tutelage of endocrinology star Dr. Fuller Albright in 1942 . Albright pushed his young prot\u00e9g\u00e9 to be the lead author of the paper that described the condition , so the young Klinefelter 's name is forever associated with the syndrome . 13 . Asperger 's syndrome Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger first described the syndrome that now bears his name in 1944 after observing a group of over 400 children who suffered from what Asperger described as `` autistic psychopathy . '' Interestingly , since Asperger 's research was all written in German , his contributions to the literature went unrecognized until much later . The term `` Asperger 's syndrome '' did n't come into widespread usage until 1981 . For more mental_floss articles , visit mentalfloss.com","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Utah man with chronic health problems died Wednesday from complications associated with swine flu , a local health official said . If confirmed , it would be the ninth U.S. fatality associated with the flu outbreak . Memorials appeared at the door of I.S. 238 in Queens , New York , this week after the death of an administrator . The man , who was from around Salt Lake City , was between 18 and 25 years old and `` had chronic medical conditions that may have contributed to severe complications from influenza , '' said Gary Edwards , executive director of the Salt Lake Valley Health Department . Also on Wednesday , health and education officials in New York announced that 21 of the city 's public schools had been closed after an increase of reports of students with flu-like symptoms . A school administrator in Queens died after being hospitalized with the H1N1 virus , commonly called swine flu . Nineteen of the schools closed at the recommendation of the Health Department are public and two are private , the city 's Education Department announced in a news release . In addition , two private schools in Manhattan -- St. Davis Academy and Horace Mann -- have decided on their own to close after a number of students exhibited flu-like symptoms , according the schools ' Web sites . In the city 's news release , city Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden repeated what has become a familiar refrain : `` We continue to see a rising tide of flu in many parts of New York City . As the virus spreads , we will look to slow transmission within individual school communities by closing individual schools . '' Late last week the city closed 11 schools in Queens and one in Brooklyn after confirming cases of the virus at Intermediate School 238 in Queens and unusually high levels of flu-like symptoms in the others . Mitchell Wiener , an assistant principal at I.S. 238 who died Sunday after being hospitalized with the disease , had an underlying condition , according to Frieden . The death in Utah was the first associated with the swine flu , or H1N1 , virus . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked eight U.S. deaths to the flu outbreak , but had not confirmed a link to H1N1 in the Utah death as of Wednesday evening . The outbreak has sickened at least 10,176 people and caused at least 80 deaths -- mostly in Mexico , according to the World Health Organization . The actual number of people affected may be higher , as it takes time for national governments to confirm cases and report them to the global body . In the United States , at least 5,710 cases of swine flu have been reported , according to recent figures from the CDC . Utah officials echoed national agencies in saying that the swine flu has largely behaved like typical seasonal influenza , which usually is fatal only among the very old , the very young or people with other health problems . In New York , 19 of the schools closed at the recommendation of the Health Department are public and two are private , it and the city 's Education Department announced in a news release . In addition , two private schools in Manhattan -- St. Davis Academy and Horace Mann -- have decided on their own to close after a number of students exhibited flu-like symptoms , according the schools ' Web sites . In the city 's news release , city Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden repeated what has become a familiar refrain : `` We continue to see a rising tide of flu in many parts of New York City . As the virus spreads , we will look to slow transmission within individual school communities by closing individual schools . '' Late last week the city closed 11 schools in Queens and one in Brooklyn after confirming cases of the H1N1 virus , commonly called swine flu , at Intermediate School 238 in Queens and unusually high levels of flu-like symptoms in the others . An assistant principal of Intermediate School 238 died Sunday after being hospitalized with H1N1 . Frieden has said the administrator , Mitchell Wiener , had an underlying condition . CNN 's Deb Brunswick contributed to this report","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Nineteen former patients at a Denver , Colorado , hospital have tested positive for hepatitis C , federal prosecutors said Thursday as they announced new charges against a former hospital employee accused of exposing the patients to the virus . A hospital worker is accused of injecting herself and using unclean syringes for patients . Prosecutors charged Kristen Diane Parker with 21 counts of tampering with a consumer product and another 21 counts of obtaining a controlled substance by deceit or subterfuge , according to an indictment . Parker , 26 , had previously faced three federal counts from earlier this month . Parker , who worked as a surgical technician at Rose Medical Center in Denver , is accused of injecting herself with syringes that held patients ' pain medication Fentanyl , then replacing the pain medication in the syringes with saline , according to a statement from the office of the U.S. attorney for Colorado . In a statement to police during the investigation , Parker said , `` I ca n't take back what I did , but I will have to live with it for the rest of my life , and so does everyone else . '' Parker 's attorney did not return a call from CNN on Thursday . Authorities said Parker knew she had hepatitis C , a contagious liver disease . Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Parker believes she contracted the virus through using heroin and sharing needles with other users while she lived in New Jersey in 2008 , authorities said . According to an affidavit filed by an investigator with the Food and Drug Administration , Rose Medical Center knew Parker tested positive for hepatitis C . She was counseled on how to limit her exposure to patients . Parker worked at Rose Medical Center from October 2008 to April 2009 , said Jeff Dorschner , a spokesman for the U.S. attorney for Colorado . Parker 's employment was terminated after she failed a hospital-ordered drug test , said Leslie Teegarden , spokeswoman for Rose Medical Center . The tests were ordered after co-workers reported `` suspicious behavior , '' Teegarden said Thursday . Rose Medical Center contacted about 4,700 patients who may have been exposed to the virus , according to a statement on the center 's Web site . Of those patients , 3,540 have been tested thus far , Teegarden said . She said the hospital plans to use tamper-resistant , pre-filled Fentanyl syringes to prevent intentional contaminations . Parker also worked at Northern Westchester Hospital in New York and Audubon Ambulatory Surgical Center in Colorado Springs , Colorado . Prosecutors have not charged her with any crimes related to her employment at the other two facilities . About 1,200 patients may have been exposed between May 4 and July 1 of this year , when Parker worked at Audubon , according to the center 's Web site . As of last week , 545 of Audobon 's former patients had been tested for the virus , according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment . One patient tested positive for hepatitis C , but that infection could not be linked to Parker , according to the department 's Web site . Nearly 1,000 patients had been tested as of Thursday , said Audubon spokeswoman Amy Triandiflou . Details about what Parker may have done to expose Audubon patients to the virus are still sketchy , Triandiflou said . More than 2,700 patients could have been exposed at Northern Westchester Hospital , according to the hospital 's Web site . The site did not indicate whether any infections had been detected . There is no vaccine for hepatitis C . If Parker is convicted and if any one of the former patients suffers serious bodily injury because of her actions , she could face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison , prosecutors said . If she is convicted and if any one of the former patients dies as a result of the infection , she could be sentenced to life in prison , according to prosecutors . CNN 's Jim Spellman contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A former engineer for Rockwell International and Boeing was convicted Thursday of economic espionage and acting as an agent of China , authorities said . A Delta IV rocket launches on March 10 , 2003 at Cape Canaveral , Florida . Dongfan `` Greg '' Chung , 73 , was accused of stealing restricted technology and Boeing trade secrets , including information related to the space shuttle program and the Delta IV rocket . U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney convicted him on charges of conspiracy to commit economic espionage ; six counts of economic espionage to benefit a foreign country ; one count of acting as an agent of the People 's Republic of China ; and one count of making false statements to the FBI , according to a statement from federal prosecutors . Carney presided over Chung 's three-week bench trial last month . In a bench trial , there is no jury and the judge decides whether to convict a defendant after hearing testimony . Chung was free on bond after his arrest by FBI agents and NASA investigators in February 2008 . He was taken into custody after Carney 's ruling was read . Chung , a native of China who is a naturalized United States citizen , was employed by Rockwell International from 1973 until Boeing acquired its defense and space unit in 1996 , and by Boeing thereafter . He retired from Boeing in 2002 , but returned as a contractor , a position he held until September 2006 , prosecutors said . Chung held a `` secret '' security clearance , authorities said . `` For years , Mr. Chung stole critical trade secrets from Boeing relating to the space shuttle and the Delta IV rocket -- all for the benefit of the government of China , '' said David Kris , assistant attorney general for national security , in the prosecutors ' statement . `` Today 's verdict should serve as a warning to others willing to compromise America 's economic and national security to assist foreign governments . '' The case against Chung resulted from an investigation into another engineer who obtained information for China . That engineer , Chi Mak , and several of his relatives were convicted of providing defense articles to the PRC , authorities said . Mak was sentenced to more than 24 years in prison last year . According to evidence presented at trial , individuals in the Chinese aviation industry began sending tasks to Chung via letter as early as 1979 , federal prosecutors said . Over the years , the letters directed Chung to collect data related to the space shuttle and various military and civilian aircraft . In his letters back to China , Chung referenced materials he had already sent , including 24 manuals relating to the B-1 bomber , which Rockwell had forbidden for distribution outside the company and federal agencies . In addition , between 1985 and 2003 , Chung traveled to China several times and met with government officials . His contacts in China discussed these trips in letters and recommended methods of passing information , authorities said . In a 2006 search of Chung 's home , FBI and NASA agents found more than 250,000 pages of documents from Boeing , Rockwell and other defense contractors in the house and in its crawl space , prosecutors said . They included `` scores of binders containing decades ' worth of stress analysis reports , test results and design information for the space shuttle . '' Each economic espionage charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $ 500,000 fine , authorities said . The charge of acting as an agent for a foreign government carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $ 250,000 fine . The charges of conspiracy to commit economic espionage and making false statements to federal investigators each carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $ 250,000 fine . Chung is set for sentencing November 9 .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Shortly before President Obama departs for a trip to the Middle East , a new national poll suggests that one in five Americans has a favorable view of Muslim countries . President Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visit an Istanbul mosque in April . That view compares with 46 percent of the people questioned in a CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. survey who say they have an unfavorable opinion of Muslim countries . That 's up 5 percentage points from 2002 , when 41 percent indicated that they had an unfavorable view . Meanwhile , three in 10 say they have a neutral opinion of Muslim countries . The poll also suggests that most Americans suspect people in Muslim countries do n't think highly of the United States . Nearly eight in 10 questioned say people in Muslim countries have a unfavorable opinion of the United States , with 14 percent saying Muslims hold a favorable view . iReport.com : Your perspectives on the Muslim world But the poll indicates Americans seem to be split on whether such negative opinions by Muslims matter . Fifty-three percent of those questioned say they think Muslim views of the United States matter greatly or moderately , with 47 percent saying that Muslim opinions of the United States do n't matter very much or at all . The poll 's release comes hours before the president flies to Saudi Arabia for meetings with King Abdullah . Following the stop in Saudi Arabia , Obama will head to Egypt , where he 'll deliver a long-awaited speech Thursday on relations between the United States and the Muslim world . Watch the challenges Obama faces with the speech '' At a town hall in Turkey earlier this year , the president declared that `` the United States is not , and will never be , at war with Islam . '' Many Americans seem to agree with the president : Sixty-two percent of those surveyed say they do n't think the United States is at war with the Muslim world , with 36 percent indicating that the country is at war with Muslim countries . Those numbers have remained stable since CNN 's 2002 poll . But the poll suggests that six out of 10 think that the Muslim world considers itself at war with the United States . `` The feeling seems to be mutual . We distrust Muslims . They distrust Americans . Views of Americans have not changed very much over the past seven years . There are some indications that Muslims ' views of Americans have improved a bit since Barack Obama took office , but they are still not positive , '' said Bill Schneider , CNN senior political analyst . The CNN\/Opinion Research poll was conducted May 14-17 , with 1,010 adult Americans questioned by telephone . The survey 's sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The chief operating officer of the National Children 's Museum was arrested Tuesday and is charged with distributing child pornography over the Internet , authorities said . Robert A . Singer is accused of sending images depicting child pornography to people he believed to be a 12-year-old girl and her 33-year-old mother , according to a statement issued by U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia of the Southern District of New York . In reality he was communicating with an undercover detective for the New York Police Department . Some of the pornographic images were sent from Singer 's computer at the museum , according to an affidavit filed in support of the charges by a special agent who investigates child pornography and child exploitation for U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement . The Washington museum posted a message on its Web site saying officials there are `` horrified '' by news of Singer 's arrest . They reported that he has been suspended from his post , effective immediately , and is barred from the property . Singer , 49 , was arrested at his home in Falls Church , Virginia , by federal agents , according to the prosecutors ' statement . Authorities allege he engaged in several instant messaging `` chats '' and e-mail communications with the undercover detective , posing as the woman and her daughter , from August to September . He is charged with five counts of distributing child pornography in interstate commerce . If convicted on each count , he would face a sentence of up to 140 years in prison -- up to 20 years for the first count and up to 40 years for each additional count , prosecutors said . Singer allegedly initiated contact with the undercover detective , posing as the mother , in an America On Line chat room called `` Cuties . '' The chat room attracts people who `` are known to trade in pornographic images , including child pornography , '' according to an affidavit filed in the case by a special agent who investigates child pornography and child exploitation for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement . `` On five separate occasions in August 2007 , Singer sent several images of child pornography over the Internet to the mother and the daughter , including images depicting sexual acts between minors and adults and images depicting known victims of child exploitation , '' prosecutors said . In his communications with the supposed daughter , Singer pretended to be a 15-year-old boy , authorities said . In August 2007 , he sent her two images featuring child pornography , according to the affidavit , with the instruction , `` just delete it when you are done . '' A search of Singer 's AOL account activity showed that from July to September , he sent about 80 images featuring child pornography to people including the detective , authorities said in the statement . Also , the search revealed that he had received about 10 images and one video depicting child pornography . Singer was expected to appear before a U.S. magistrate judge later Tuesday . He is identified in the complaint as a spokesman for the National Children 's Museum , but a spokeswoman who asked not to be identified said he was promoted to chief operating officer within the past few months . He has been employed by the museum for four years , she said . In a written statement , the museum said it was notified by the Department of Homeland Security and ICE of Singer 's arrest . `` We are horrified by the charges , '' the statement said . `` This news is deeply upsetting to the National Children 's Museum family . '' `` As its essence , the National Children 's Museum is about enriching the lives of children , '' the statement said . `` We are educators , child advocates and parents . Anyone who does anything that might endanger the welfare of a child has no place here . Harming children is against everything we stand for as an organization and as individuals . '' The museum , formerly known as the Capital Children 's Museum , has been closed to the public since 2004 , and operates from administrative offices , the statement said . A new facility is being built and is scheduled to open in 2012 . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama will announce the U.S. troop strategy for Afghanistan in a speech at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point , New York , White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Wednesday . In the speech , Obama will explain why the United States is in Afghanistan , its interests there and his decision-making process , Gibbs said , but `` the president does not see this as an open-ended engagement . `` Our time there will be limited , and I think that 's important for people to understand , '' he said . `` We are in year nine '' in Afghanistan , Gibbs told reporters . `` We 're not going to be there another eight or nine years . '' Obama will meet with members of Congress at the White House on Tuesday afternoon before the speech . Cost issues are among the topics the president will address , Gibbs said . `` It 's a million dollars a troop for a year , '' he said . `` Ten thousand troops is $ 10 billion . That 's in addition to what we already spend in Afghanistan and Pakistan . That also does not include training , and it does n't include the maintaining of a security force . It 's very , very , very expensive . '' But , Gibbs added , `` I think the president , throughout this process , has talked about the cost in terms of American lives and in terms of the cost to our treasury , and I think he 'll continue to talk about it . '' The president ordered more than 20,000 additional troops to Afghanistan in March . Gen. Stanley McChrystal , the U.S. commander in Afghanistan , reportedly has called for up to 40,000 more to wage a counterinsurgency campaign against the Taliban , the Islamic militia originally ousted by U.S. military action in 2001 . Obama has weighed several options for bolstering the American contingent , ranging from sending a few thousand troops to the 40,000 McChrystal requested . A defense official told CNN earlier this week the Pentagon is making detailed plans to send about 34,000 more troops to Afghanistan in anticipation of Obama 's decision on the 8-year-old war . There had been no final word on Obama 's decision as of Tuesday , said the Defense Department official , who has direct knowledge of the process . But the official said planners have been tasked with preparing to send 34,000 additional American troops to Afghanistan with the expectation that Obama was leaning toward approving that many . iReporters sound off ; share your views on sending more troops in Afghanistan Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to receive the paperwork Thursday to approve orders to deploy 1,000 Marines from Camp Lejeune , North Carolina , to Afghanistan in late December -- the first of the new troops to be sent , a U.S. military official told CNN on Wednesday . The official is not authorized to talk about the plans because they have not been officially announced . The 1,000 Marines are part of a battalion task force that has been preparing and training for the deployment , the official said . The president held a lengthy meeting with top advisers Monday night , and he told reporters Tuesday that he would announce new plans for Afghanistan after Thanksgiving . McChrystal took part in the meeting Monday , along with Vice President Joe Biden , Gates , Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen and Karl Eikenberry , the U.S. ambassador in Kabul , Afghanistan . Obama said Tuesday that the deliberations had been `` comprehensive and extremely useful . '' `` It 's going to be important to recognize that in order for us to succeed there -LSB- in Afghanistan -RSB- , you 've got to have a comprehensive strategy that includes civilian and diplomatic efforts , '' he said at a news conference Tuesday with visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh . The defense official said Tuesday that the military is planning to send three U.S. Army brigades , totaling about 15,000 troops ; a Marine brigade with about 8,000 troops ; a headquarters element of about 7,000 ; and between 4,000 and 5,000 support troops -- a total of about 34,000 troops . CNN reported last month that this was the Pentagon 's preferred option . However , the official said Wednesday that the Marines are expected to deploy 8,000 combat , aviation and support troops , plus 1,000 to 1,500 Marines as part of a headquarters unit -- a total of between 9,000 and 9,500 . They will be in addition to the 11,000 Marines already in Afghanistan . After the first deployment , the remaining Marines will deploy over the next three to four months , the military official said . The troops would be dispatched throughout Afghanistan but would be focused mainly on the southern and southeastern provinces , where much of the recent fighting has taken place . Currently , brigades from Fort Drum in upstate New York and Fort Campbell in Kentucky are among those next in line to deploy . About 68,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan , along with about 45,000 from the NATO alliance . Two U.S. military officials have told CNN that NATO countries would be asked to contribute more troops to fill the gap between the 34,000 the Pentagon expects Obama to send and the 40,000 McChrystal wants . The request is expected to come during a December 7 meeting at the alliance 's headquarters in Brussels , Belgium . Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Brussels next week to meet with allies , State Department sources told CNN . Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell would not discuss specific numbers , but he said NATO would be asked for additional help . Obama 's Afghanistan plan will include `` very broad terms '' that show how and where the United States is succeeding in the nation , a senior U.S. military official told CNN . Those points will be used to determine how and when troops can be brought home . Another senior military official said McChrystal will take his orders from Obama and will do the best he can with what he has . The question , he said , is not the number of troops , but is whether the United States has `` the right resources to do what we need to do . '' `` We ca n't just go and blow people up and win this war , '' the official said . `` We have to gain the trust of the people , and that is a major part of the plan here . '' U.S.-led troops invaded Afghanistan in response to the al Qaeda terrorist network 's September 11 , 2001 , attacks on New York and Washington . The invasion overthrew the ruling Taliban , which had allowed al Qaeda to operate from its territory -- but most of the top al Qaeda and Taliban leadership escaped the onslaught . Taliban fighters have since regrouped to the mountainous region along Afghanistan 's border with Pakistan , battling U.S. and Afghan government forces on one side and Pakistani troops on the other . Al Qaeda 's top leaders , Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri , remain at large and are suspected to be hiding in the same region . The conflict has so far claimed the lives of more than 900 Americans and nearly 600 allied troops . CNN 's Jill Dougherty , Deirdre Walsh , Elaine Quijano and Mike Mount contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In the wake of the Christmas Day attempt to blow up a U.S. airliner , most Americans remain confident the Obama administration can protect the country from terrorism , according to a new national poll . A CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Monday also indicates the vast majority of Americans believe that full-body scanners should be used in airports across the country . Nearly two-thirds of people questioned in the poll said they have a moderate or great deal of confidence in the administration to protect the public from future terrorist attacks , up 2 percentage points from August . Thirty-five percent said they have not much or no confidence , down 1 percentage point from August . Read the full poll results -LRB- PDF -RRB- A number of Republicans have criticized President Obama over his handling of the attempted bombing of Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam , Netherlands , to Detroit , Michigan . But according to the survey , 57 percent approve of the way Obama has responded , while 39 percent disapprove of how he handled the situation . `` Only a third of Republicans have a positive view of Obama on this matter , but the key for the administration is the 55 percent of independents who approve of how the president responded to the incident on Christmas Day , '' said Keating Holland , CNN 's polling director . The poll also indicates no increase in overall concern about terrorism . `` In October , about a third said they were worried that a family member would become a victim of terrorism , and that number is unchanged in the wake of the attempted attack in December , '' Holland said . `` The public seems to react calmly to individual incidents , possibly because most Americans believe that the government can not prevent every single terrorist plot from occurring . '' Six in 10 said terrorists always will find a way to launch an attack , no matter what the government does , he added -- identical to the number who felt that way during the Bush administration . The poll indicates a majority , 57 percent , think suspect Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab should be tried in military court and not a civilian criminal court . Forty-two percent back handling the case in civilian court . According to the survey , Americans also are split on whether heads should roll as a result of the attempted bombing of the airliner . Forty-six percent questioned feel that top officials in the federal agencies responsible for handling the issue of terrorism should be fired , while 51 percent said no . The poll indicates that nearly eight in 10 believe full-body scanners should be used in U.S. airports , while 15 percent said they would refuse to go through one of the machines if asked to do so . `` Most Americans do n't see full-body scanners as a health risk , and more than seven in 10 say they would be unconcerned if asked to go through one at an airport , '' Holland said . `` Women in particular seem to prefer the idea of a full-body scanner to being frisked by a security guard , even when the question makes clear that the guard doing the manual pat-down would also be a woman . '' The CNN\/Opinion Research poll was conducted Friday through Sunday , with 1,021 adult Americans questioned by telephone . The survey 's overall sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points . CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"MOSCOW , Russia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A leading human rights activist was abducted and killed in Russia Wednesday , the organization she worked for told CNN . Estemirova , pictured in 2007 , had been openly critical of Chechnya 's president , Ramzan Kadyrov . Natalya Estemirova , of the Russian human rights group Memorial , was kidnapped outside her home in Grozny , Chechnya , Oleg Orlov said , citing eyewitness reports . She was later found dead in the neighboring Russian republic of Ingushetia , said Orlov , the head of the organization 's Moscow office . Estemirova , 50 , was a leading human rights activist in the North Caucasus area who had been openly criticizing Chechnya 's authoritarian president , Ramzan Kadyrov , and his methods . Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed indignation at the murder and said her killers should be punished to the full extent of the law , his office said . He expressed his condolences to her family , press secretary Natalya Timakova said . Estemirova shouted that she was being kidnapped as she was forced into a white Lada automobile that had stopped on the road in front of her house at 8:30 a.m. -LRB- 12:30 a.m. ET -RRB- , Orlov said . An unidentified man grabbed her and shoved her into the car , he told CNN . `` This is a kidnapping , '' she yelled , he said . Estemirova studied history at Grozny University , then taught history before turning to journalism and human rights in 1998 , Memorial said . She joined the organization in March 2000 . In a written statement , U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said the United States is `` deeply saddened '' by the report of Estemirova 's death . `` We call upon the Russian government to bring those responsible to justice , '' he said . He described Estemirova as `` uncompromising in her willingness to reveal the truth regardless of where that might lead . She was devoted to shining a light on human rights abuses , particularly in Chechnya . '' The Committee to Protect Journalists , in a written statement , demanded that the killing be thoroughly investigated immediately . `` As she uncovered massive , ongoing human rights violations in Chechnya by the federal and regional authorities , Estemirova was often at odds with Chechen authorities , according to her colleagues , '' the advocacy group said . She won three international awards for human rights activities -- including the inaugural Anna Politkovskaya Award , named for the Russian investigative journalist who was herself murdered almost three years ago . Estemirova was Politkovskaya 's `` most frequent companion during travel and investigations in Chechnya , '' the organization Reach All Women in War said in announcing the prize for Estemirova . `` They investigated a number of cases together -- about which Anna wrote for -LRB- the newspaper -RRB- Novaya Gazeta and Natalya wrote for Memorial 's Web site and for local newspapers . '' `` President Medvedev must make good on his promise to investigate this shocking killing by ensuring that the inquiry is thorough and transparent , '' said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney . `` The killers of this courageous reporter , one of the few left in Chechnya , must not be allowed to walk free like so many before them . '' CNN 's Maxim Tkachenko in Moscow , Russia , contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The bone fragment found near the California home where Jaycee Dugard is said to have been confined for 18 years is `` probably human , '' a sheriff 's spokesman said Tuesday . Jaycee Dugard was locked in a shed tucked under a blue tarp in her alleged captor 's backyard . Investigators said they found the bone last week on a neighbor 's property in an area that Dugard 's accused captor and rapist , Philip Garrido , had access to . The fragment , which was analyzed by an outside expert , will go on to the state DNA lab for testing , Jimmy Lee , director of Public Affairs for the Contra Costa County 's Sheriff 's Office said in an e-mail . `` The expert has determined that the bone fragment found in the backyard of Garrido 's neighbor is probably human , '' Lee said . `` We will be requesting the state to see if it can develop a DNA profile on the fragment . It should be noted that it is not uncommon to find Native American remains in Contra Costa County , '' he said . Garrido and his wife , Nancy , have pleaded not guilty to 29 felony charges , including rape and kidnapping , stemming from Dugard 's disappearance when she was 11 years old . Investigators believe Garrido kidnapped Dugard in 1991 in South Lake Tahoe , California , fathered two daughters with her and held her captive in a well-hidden compound behind his home in Antioch . After the Garridos were arrested in August , investigators used cadaver dogs to search the couple 's ramshackle home and the surrounding rural property for possible connections to unsolved crimes . Police in Hayward , California , are trying to determine whether Garrido is linked to the 1988 kidnapping of Michaela Garecht , Hayward Police Lt. Chris Orrey said last week . Garecht and Dugard were of similar age and appearance , both were abducted in daylight and a sketch of a suspect resembled Garrido , Orrey said . In Dublin , California , investigators said last week they were looking into whether Garrido was connected to the 1989 disappearance of Ilene Misheloff , who was 13 when she was abducted . Garrido was convicted of kidnapping and raping Katie Callaway Hall in 1976 . He was released from prison after serving 10 years of a 50-year sentence . He was labeled a sex offender and put on lifetime parole . CNN 's Dan Simon contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth has been suspended indefinitely by the National Football League , days after he pleaded guilty to killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol , the NFL said . Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth on Tuesday pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter . Stallworth , 28 , pleaded guilty in a Florida court Tuesday to DUI manslaughter charges in the March death of construction worker Mario Reyes . Under terms of a plea agreement , he will serve 30 days . Prosecutors said he began serving his sentence immediately . `` The conduct reflected in your guilty plea resulted in the tragic loss of life and was inexcusable , '' NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told Stallworth in a letter Thursday , the league said . Excerpts from the letter were posted on the NFL Web site . `` While the criminal justice system has determined the legal consequences of this incident , it is my responsibility as NFL commissioner to determine appropriate league discipline for your actions , which have caused irreparable harm to the victim and his family , your club , your fellow players and the NFL . '' Stallworth 's suspension is effective immediately , the league said . Goodell wrote in the letter that `` in due course '' the league would contact his attorney to schedule a meeting with him , after which a final determination would be made on discipline . Stallworth was driving his black Bentley GT east on the MacArthur Causeway , which connects Miami , Florida , to the South Beach area of Miami Beach , when he struck Reyes on the morning of March 14 , according to prosecutors . He had been drinking at a Miami Beach club , according to court documents . His blood alcohol level was 0.126 percent , prosecutors said ; Florida 's legal limit is 0.08 . Reyes , 59 , reportedly was heading to a bus stop after work when he was struck . Court documents said he suffered `` critical head , chest and abdominal injuries '' and died at a hospital . When police arrived at the scene , Stallworth told them he was the driver of the car and admitted striking Reyes . During Tuesday 's hearing , Stallworth offered his `` deepest condolences to the Reyes family . '' `` Though I can not bring back Mr. Reyes or ease his family 's pain , I can and will honor his memory by committing my time , my resources and my voice by educating this community about the dangers of drunk driving , '' he said . Stallworth could have served up to 15 years in prison . But State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle noted in a statement that he cooperated with authorities and had no previous criminal record or traffic violations . Reyes ' family supported the plea agreement , she said . Stallworth 's attorney , Chris Lyons , on Tuesday told CNN sister network HLN that Stallworth had reached an `` amicable '' financial settlement with Reyes ' family but would not disclose the amount . He said the length of Stallworth 's jail term `` had nothing to do with Donte Stallworth being a celebrity , a professional football player or money . '' Stallworth has shown `` genuine remorse '' and accepted responsibility for his actions , Lyons said . Goodell wrote Stallworth that there is `` ample evidence to warrant significant discipline '' under both the NFL 's personal conduct and substance abuse policies . `` There is no reasonable dispute that your continued eligibility for participation at this time would undermine the integrity of and public confidence in the league , '' the letter said . `` Everyone associated with the league derives tremendous benefits from participating in our game and from the extraordinary support we receive from the public , '' Goodell wrote . `` With these benefits comes , among other things , the responsibility to conduct ourselves in a lawful and responsible way , with no entitlement to or expectation of favorable treatment . '' Goodell notified NFL clubs earlier this year that there would be increased emphasis on addressing driving under the influence and other misconduct , the league said . It noted the NFL offers a `` safe rides '' program used by most clubs to provide players and other employees with alternative transportation if they have been drinking . Under terms of Stallworth 's plea agreement , he will face two years of house arrest upon his release . He is also required to donate $ 2,500 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving , serve eight years of probation and submit to random drug and alcohol testing throughout his probation . His driver 's license was permanently revoked . CNN 's Rich Phillips contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Terrell Owens , a former San Francisco 49er and a former Philadelphia Eagle , is now a former Dallas Cowboy . The Cowboys released Owens late Wednesday , according to published reports . The Dallas Cowboys have decided to part ways with wide receiver Terrell Owens , according to published reports . Questions surrounding the future of the controversial wide receiver have swirled since the Cowboys ' season ended with a 44-6 loss at Philadelphia that kept Dallas out of the playoffs . Owner Jerry Jones had said in recent weeks that he had not decided whether to keep or release Owens . In early February , Jones struck down an ESPN report that Jones ' son , Stephen , who is the team 's vice president , was lobbying his father to cut the wide receiver . Owens signed a three-year , $ 25 million contract with Dallas in March 2006 . He signed a new four-year , $ 34 million deal that included a $ 12 million signing bonus , in June 2008 . Owens finished the 2008 season 69 receptions for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns . In Owens ' three seasons with the team , the Cowboys went 31-17 , but 0-2 in the playoffs . While Owens has produced solid numbers on the field , his career has been plagued with controversy . After Owens left the San Francisco 49ers in 2003 , he insinuated in an interview with Playboy magazine that his then-quarterback , Jeff Garcia , was homosexual . As a Philadelphia Eagle , Owens made headlines for coming back to play in Super Bowl XXX after suffering a severely sprained ankle and a fractured fibula weeks earlier . The following season , he voiced his displeasure with QB Donovan McNabb and Eagles management , which led to a four-game suspension without pay and his eventual deactivitation from the team . In September 2006 , police responded to Owens ' home after his publicist found the wide receiver unresponsive with an empty bottle of painkillers . Owens refuted reports that it was a suicide attempt and claimed a combination of painkillers and supplements made him groggy . This past season , Owens was reportedly jealous of Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo 's relationship with tight end Jason Witten . According to published reports , Owens believed Romo and Witten held private meetings and created plays without including him . Published reports also said Owens had issues with Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett 's play-calling . -- CNN.com 's Kamal Wallace contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Actress Natasha Richardson died of injuries caused by blunt impact to the head , the New York City Medical Examiner 's Office confirmed Thursday . Natasha Richardson fell on a beginners ' ski slope in Canada . The death was ruled an accident , the office said . Paramedics dispatched to help Richardson minutes after she fell on a Canadian ski slope Monday were turned away and did not have a chance to check her injury , the ambulance service director told a Toronto , Canada , newspaper . Richardson -- a film star , Tony-winning stage actress and member of the famed Redgrave acting family -- died two days later in a New York hospital from a head injury suffered at a Quebec resort about 80 miles northwest of Montreal . Yves Coderre , operations director for Ambulances Radisson , told Toronto 's The Globe and Mail newspaper on Wednesday that his company sent an ambulance to the slopes at Mont Tremblant Ski Resort after a call from the ski patrol . `` They never saw the patient , '' Coderre said . `` So they turned around . '' Watch how brain injuries can be hidden '' Coderre did not say who sent the ambulance away . Efforts by CNN to reach Coderre have been unsuccessful . A resort spokeswoman said a statement was being prepared in response to the latest report . An earlier statement from the resort said a paramedic from its ski patrol `` arrived on the scene within minutes '' after Richardson , 45 , fell during a lesson on a beginners ' trail . The ski patrol paramedic `` did not find any visible sign of injury , '' it said . `` As standard protocol , the ski patrol insisted Ms. Richardson be transported to the base of the hill in a rescue toboggan , '' it said . `` Once at the base of the hill , Ms. Richardson was advised by staff to consider seeking additional medical attention which was declined . '' The resort 's statement said Richardson , accompanied by her instructor , returned to her hotel but about an hour after the fall was `` not feeling good , '' the statement said . Another ambulance was later called to the hotel , where paramedics found her conscious , but she `` was n't in good shape , '' Coderre said . Richardson was taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Hopital du Sacre-Coeur in Montreal . From there she was transferred to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York . She and her husband , actor Liam Neeson , have two children , Michael and Daniel . Her family issued a short statement Wednesday night acknowledging her death . `` Liam Neeson , his sons , and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha . They are profoundly grateful for the support , love and prayers of everyone , and ask for privacy during this very difficult time . '' Richardson is a member of acting royalty . Her grandfather , Sir Michael Redgrave , was a famed British actor . Her mother , Vanessa Redgrave , is an Oscar-winning actress , and her father , late director Tony Richardson , helmed such films as `` Look Back in Anger , '' `` The Entertainer '' and the Oscar-winning `` Tom Jones . '' Watch a review of her career '' Richardson 's uncle Corin Redgrave , aunt Lynn Redgrave and sister Joely Richardson are also noted performers . Natasha Richardson won a Tony for her performance as Sally Bowles in the 1998 revival of `` Cabaret '' and earned raves for her Blanche DuBois in a 2005 production of `` A Streetcar Named Desire . '' She was scheduled to perform in a revival of Stephen Sondheim 's `` A Little Night Music '' this year , after a January benefit performance of the show . Broadway dimmed its lights Thursday evening in tribute to Richardson .","question":""}
{"answer":"Beijing , China -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Prominent Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo , who was arrested in 1989 for his role in the Tiananmen Square protest , faces trial Wednesday for allegedly `` inciting subversion '' in a more recent case . Liu , a former university lecturer and literary critic , faces a possible 15-year jail sentence , amid growing international outrage over his yearlong detention , according to media reports . The trial begins Wednesday at 9 a.m. local time -LRB- Tuesday 8 p.m. ET -RRB- . On Monday , the Times of London quoted Liu 's wife , Liu Xia , as saying , `` I have no hope whatsoever , I ca n't even attend the trial . '' She said she planned to wait outside the courthouse . `` I think he will be sentenced to more than ten years , '' she said . Liu , 53 , was detained on December 8 , 2008 , and held under `` residential surveillance '' as police investigated the case , according to the PEN American Center , a U.S. literary and human rights organization . On June 23 of this year , he was arrested and charged with inciting subversion of state power , the organization said . Liu is on the PEN board of directors . The case was turned over to the prosecutor 's office December 8 -- one year from the time Liu was detained . Liu co-authored Charter 08 , `` a declaration calling for political reform , greater human rights , and an end to one-party rule in China that has been signed by hundreds of individuals from all walks of life throughout the country , '' PEN says on its Web site . The group said Liu was arrested before the formal release of Charter 08 . `` Liu has been engaged in agitation activities , such as spreading of rumors and defaming of the government , aimed at subversion of the state and overthrowing the socialism system in recent years , '' according to a police statement reported by China 's state-run Xinhua news agency . The statement claimed Liu confessed to the charge during a preliminary police investigation . Liu served as an adviser to student leaders during the demonstrations at Tiananmen Square in 1989 . Along with three other intellectuals , he took part in hunger strikes there on June 2 of that year prior to the crackdown to show support for the flagging student protests . He was arrested two days after the Tiananmen crackdown and was released in 1991 . In May 1995 he was detained again for collecting signatures for a petition calling for human rights guarantees . The U.S. government has pressed for Liu 's release . `` The U.S. government is deeply disturbed by reports that Liu Xiaobo has been formally arrested and charged with serious crimes , '' said Richard Buangan , deputy spokesman at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing , following Liu 's latest arrest . `` We call on the government of China to release Mr. Liu and respect the rights of all Chinese citizens who peacefully express their desire for internationally recognized freedoms . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hall of Fame football linebacker Lawrence Taylor was charged Thursday with rape and patronizing a prostitute in a case involving a 16-year-old girl , police in Ramapo , New York , said . Taylor 's attorney said the former New York Giants star denied the charges and will fight them . `` My client did not have sex with anybody . Period , '' Arthur Aidala said , adding : `` Lawrence Taylor did not rape anybody . '' Taylor appeared at an afternoon court hearing where a judge set bail at $ 75,000 . Taylor was not asked to enter a plea and left the courthouse after posting bail . Seeing television cameras outside the courthouse , Taylor said , `` I 'm not that important '' as he walked away . Taylor , 51 , was arrested in a Holiday Inn room a few hours after the alleged rape took place , according to Christopher St. Lawrence , the town supervisor and police commissioner in Ramapo , about 30 miles northwest of New York City . Police Chief Peter Brower said Taylor was charged with third-degree rape , a felony , for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with someone younger than 17 . Taylor also was charged with third-degree patronization for allegedly paying the underage victim $ 300 to have sex , Brower said . According to Brower , the rape charge carries a possible four-year prison term , and the patronization charge , a misdemeanor , could bring up to a year in prison . Asked whether Taylor knew that the victim was underage , Brower said `` ignorance is not an excuse '' for having sex with a minor . Aidala said after the bail hearing that Taylor `` is denying and preparing to fight each and every one of those charges . '' Aidala said that `` no violence , no force , no threat , no weapons '' was involved in the case . He noted that the rape charge against Taylor was for consensual sex with a minor and said Taylor denied it . St. Lawrence and Brower said the alleged victim , since March a runaway from New York 's Bronx borough , was allegedly brought to Ramapo by a pimp on Wednesday night . When the pimp and the girl returned to New York early Thursday , she texted an uncle who notified the New York police , St. Lawrence said . New York police arrested the pimp and called Ramapo police , and Taylor was arrested in his hotel room at around 4 a.m. , according to St. Lawrence . The alleged victim had facial injuries that police determined occurred before she entered the Holiday Inn room , St. Lawrence said . Detective Lt. Brad Weidel said police knocked twice on Taylor 's hotel door and identified themselves before entering the room . Weidel and St. Lawrence said Taylor was cooperative with authorities . Taylor was a 10-time All-Pro linebacker for the New York Giants from 1981 to 1993 after earning All American honors at the University of North Carolina . A punishing tackler and pass rusher known by his initials `` L.T. , '' he was on two Super Bowl champion teams and was inducted into the National Football League 's Hall of Fame , which noted that he `` redefined the way the outside linebacker position was played . '' However , Taylor was twice suspended by the NFL for substance abuse and battled a cocaine addiction long after retirement , resulting in several arrests and a downward spiral that he chronicled in a 2003 autobiography . After kicking drugs , he worked as a sports commentator and appeared as a contestant on ABC 's `` Dancing With the Stars '' in 2009 . Taylor and his dance partner on the program , Edyta Sliwinska , were eliminated in the seventh week of competition . Brower said that police found a bottle of alcohol in Taylor 's hotel room but that Taylor showed no sign of inebriation . Brower said that no drugs were found in the room . Mark Lepselter , Taylor 's agent , said Taylor was very upset about the charges against him . `` He 's worked very hard over the last 12 years to change perceptions about him , '' Lepselter said . CNN 's Ross Levitt and Alan Chernoff contributed to this story .","question":""}
{"answer":"MIAMI , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hurricane Bill weakened Friday afternoon to a Category 2 hurricane , with its maximum sustained winds at 105 mph , forecasters said . Hurricane Bill is expected to pass between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast over the weekend . As of 11 p.m. Friday , Bill 's center was about 180 miles west-southwest of Bermuda , and about 545 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras , North Carolina . Its forward speed had increased to about 20 mph as it continued moving north-northwest , forecasters said . The storm was expected to gradually turn toward the north late Friday and into Saturday . See Bill 's projected path '' If the storm follows its current track , it should pass over the open water between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast on Saturday , forecasters said . Earlier Friday , Bill 's outer bands began producing rain in Bermuda as the storm neared the British territory , the hurricane center said . Forecasters expect Bill to pelt Bermuda with 1 to 3 inches of rain , although up to 5 inches is possible . iReport.com : Bermuda 's preparations The storm also was beginning to affect the U.S. East Coast , where dangerous rip currents and battering waves were developing , said CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras . Rip currents form as wind and waves push water against the shore , where it is caught behind an obstacle such as a sandbar until it breaks free , sending a strong channel of water flowing away from the shoreline . The large swells are expected to affect most of the U.S. East Coast within the next couple of days , the hurricane center said . There were reports of waves at the center of the storm as high as 54 feet , Jeras said . With Bill advancing , the Bermuda Weather Service forecasts the storm tide will raise water levels by as much as 3 feet along the coast and produce large , battering waves . Large swells were affecting Puerto Rico , the island of Hispaniola and the Bahamas to the south , the agency said . Bermuda remained under a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch . The warning means winds of at least 39 mph are expected within 24 hours , while the watch indicates winds of at least 74 mph are possible within 36 hours . Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 85 miles from the center and storm-force winds outward as much as 275 miles , the hurricane center said . Forecasters advised people along the New England coast and in the Canadian Maritime provinces to monitor Bill 's progress .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- Health.com -RRB- -- Over the past several years , researchers have noticed an odd pattern in the relationship between body weight and Alzheimer 's disease : Middle-aged people have a higher long-term risk of developing the disease if they 're overweight or obese , while older people have a lower risk of the disease if they 're carrying excess weight . A new study , published this week in the journal Neurology , may offer a clue to this so-called obesity paradox . Non-overweight individuals in their late 60s , 70s , and early 80s who have no outward symptoms of Alzheimer 's are more likely than their heavier peers to have biological markers -LRB- or biomarkers -RRB- of the disease , the study found . This finding raises the possibility that weight loss or a low body mass index -LRB- BMI -RRB- later in life may be an early warning sign of mental decline , the researchers say . `` Weight changes or body composition changes may actually be a manifestation of disease , which would explain the obesity being an apparent protective factor , '' says Jeffrey M. Burns , M.D. , the lead author of the study and the associate director of the University of Kansas Alzheimer 's Disease Center , in Kansas City . Health.com : 25 signs and symptoms of Alzheimer 's disease Well before memory loss and other symptoms appear , Alzheimer 's may trigger metabolism changes that promote weight loss , Burns says . `` In general , we think of Alzheimer 's as a brain disease , but this is evidence that there are systemic problems throughout the body in the early stages of Alzheimer 's . '' Burns and his colleagues analyzed data from the Alzheimer 's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative , a huge study spanning 58 hospitals and universities that 's funded by the National Institutes of Health and an array of nonprofit organizations and drug companies . The goal of the initiative is to find ways to measure the progression of Alzheimer 's and the precursor condition known as mild cognitive impairment . The researchers looked at 101 people who underwent brain scans designed to identify the plaques and abnormal tangle of proteins that are the hallmark of Alzheimer 's , and another 405 people whose cerebrospinal fluid was analyzed for fragments of these proteins -LRB- beta-amyloid peptide and tau -RRB- . Each group included some people with Alzheimer 's disease , some with mild cognitive impairment , and some with no signs of mental deterioration . Health.com : 7 ways to protect your memory There was no connection between BMI and Alzheimer 's biomarkers in the patients who actually had Alzheimer 's . But in the other two groups , lower BMI was associated with higher levels of biomarkers and a higher likelihood of having brain plaques and tangles . Among people with mild cognitive impairment , for instance , 85 percent of non-overweight individuals had signs of these brain abnormalities , compared to just 48 percent of those who were overweight or obese . -LRB- A BMI of 25 or above is considered overweight . -RRB- Richard Lipton , M.D. , an attending neurologist at Montefiore Medical Center , in New York City , who was not involved in the new research , agrees with the authors that the findings suggest that Alzheimer 's can affect the entire body early on . `` The most obvious manifestations of Alzheimer 's disease are in the brain , but Alzheimer 's disease has a large number of effects on the body as well , '' says Lipton , the principal investigator of a long-running study on aging and Alzheimer 's . `` The brain regulates blood pressure and respiratory rate and pulse and hunger and satiety and blood flow to various organs in the body , so it would n't be surprising if a widespread disease of the brain had effects on many , many different aspects of bodily function . '' Health.com : Aging workforce means dementia on the job could rise The study shows only an association , not cause and effect , so Burns and his colleagues ca n't be sure that Alzheimer 's directly causes weight loss -LRB- or prevents weight gain -RRB- . In fact , the researchers found no association between BMI changes and Alzheimer 's biomarkers in a subset of study participants whose weight was tracked for two years . May Ahmad Baydoun , Ph.D. , a staff scientist at the National Institute on Aging who studies risk factors for dementia , described the study as `` very strong '' overall . But , she says , `` the results would have been a lot stronger if they found weight loss over time is associated with increased Alzheimer 's disease pathology , also over time . '' The relationship between weight loss and the progression of Alzheimer 's is likely a two-way street , Lipton says . People who start to experience declines in mental function may shop for groceries less regularly , cook less frequently , and eat less -- and the poor nutrition that results could in turn accelerate the progression of the disease , he says . Health.com : Foods that may help save your memory `` It seems pretty likely to me that both things are true -- that good health practices prevent illness , and health practices may fall apart in the early stages of illness and accelerate cognitive and physical decline , '' Lipton says .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Federal Aviation Administrator Randy Babbitt resigned Tuesday , three days after he was arrested on a drunk driving charge near his suburban Washington home . In a brief statement released to the media , Babbitt said he had submitted his resignation to his boss , Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood , and that LaHood had accepted it . Babbitt , 65 , a former airline pilot and president of a major pilots ' union , said serving as FAA administrator had been `` the highlight of my professional career , '' adding , `` But I am unwilling to let anything cast a shadow on the outstanding work done 24 hours a day , 7 days a week by my colleagues at the FAA . '' His statement made no mention of his arrest , although it was clearly the event that precipitated his action . Earlier in the day , Secretary LaHood told reporters he was `` very disappointed '' that he had learned about Babbitt 's Saturday night arrest only after the Fairfax City , Virginia , police department issued a news release about the incident . In a statement released just minutes after Babbitt announced his resignation , LaHood called Babbitt a `` dedicated public servant and outstanding leader . '' `` I 'm proud to say that we have the safest aviation system in the world , and thanks to Randy 's stewardship , it became safer and stronger , '' LaHood said . `` He worked tirelessly to improve relations with the labor community and bolstered employee engagement among his 49,000 colleagues at the FAA . '' Fairfax City police arrested Babbitt late Saturday night after they allegedly saw Babbitt driving on the wrong side of the road . The police put out a news release on Monday morning detailing the incident . Babbitt was alone in the car , and was cooperative , police said . He was released on personal recognizance , meaning no bail was required . The police department said Babbitt failed a sobriety test , but they did not release the results of any blood-alcohol test . On Monday , DOT officials appeared to be caught off-guard when the police department , in accordance with its policies , issued a news release saying Babbitt had been arrested . DOT officials Monday afternoon issued a statement saying that Babbitt had asked for a leave of absence , and it had been granted . A court date for Babbitt has been set for February 2 in Virginia . Deputy Administrator Michael Huerta is serving as acting administrator .","question":""}
{"answer":"DUBAI , United Arab Emirates -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir on Tuesday accused the international media of `` exaggerating '' the situation in Darfur to detract from atrocities in Iraq , the Palestinian territories and Somalia . Refugees from Darfur gather at a camp in Chad . Sudan 's president says the crisis in Darfur is a `` media fabrication . '' El-Bashir spoke at a news conference in Dubai following a three-day visit to the Persian Gulf emirate . He said the crisis in Sudan 's western Darfur region is a `` media fabrication . '' El-Bashir 's government has been blamed by the United Nations of supporting militias that conduct `` indiscriminate attacks '' on civilians in the Darfur region , including torture , rape , and killings . Rebels fighting the government-backed militias have also been accused by the U.N. of widespread human rights abuses . During Tuesday 's news conference , el-Bashir restated his position that foreign intervention in Darfur was an obstacle in achieving peace in the region . The Sudanese president has been outspoken in his opposition to allowing non-African forces in Darfur . At the start of this year , more than 9,000 members of a joint UN-African Union peacekeeping force were deployed to the region to address the fighting and humanitarian suffering . The force will eventually number 26,000 . Speaking on Tuesday , el-Bashir said that the fighting only affects 10 percent of the region . In the majority of Darfur , there is little to no conflict and people are living normal lives , he said . Citing Sudanese government statistics , el-Bashir said that less than 10,000 people have died in the conflict and less than 500,000 have been displaced . International figures , including United Nations ' data , put the death toll in Darfur at approximately 200,000 , with another 2.5 million people displaced by the violence since 2003 . The conflict started five years ago when ethnic African tribesmen took up arms , complaining of decades of neglect and discrimination by the Sudanese government . Sudan 's Arab-dominated government is accused of responding by unleashing the tribal militias known as janjaweed , which have committed the worst atrocities against Darfur 's local communities . El-Bashir , however , rejected claims that the Darfur conflict is being fought along ethnic lines . E-mail to a friend CNN 's Elham Nakhlawi in Dubai contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Condolences continued to pour in late Sunday night following the death of heavy metal rocker Ronnie James Dio , who lost his battle with stomach cancer earlier in the day . `` Today my heart is broken , Ronnie passed away at 7:45 a.m. 16th May , '' his wife , Wendy Dio , said in a message on his official website . Dio , 67 , followed Ozzy Osbourne as Black Sabbath 's lead vocalist in 1979 . `` Many , many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away , '' she wrote . `` Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all . '' The rock community paid tribute to Dio in messages late Sunday . `` In addition to his powerhouse vocal ability , Ronnie was a true gentleman who always emanated great warmth and friendship to us and everyone around him , '' KISS said . `` We will miss him . '' Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian called Dio 's death a big loss . `` So many memories of Ronnie . Toured together many times . He always had a kind word and a smile , and he loved the Yankees , '' Ian said . Musician Slash summed up the loss in one sentence : `` Ronnie died at 7:45 a.m. , but his music will live for eternity . '' Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx , who became friends with Dio while touring Europe , said the rocker will be missed . `` I still have this image of him standing on stage in front of 100,000 belting out ` Man on the Silver Mountain ' and remember the shivers it sent up my spine , '' Sixx said . He called Dio `` one of the kindest souls I have ever met and his talent was beyond inspirational to so many of us . '' `` Those of us that had the opportunity to know Ronnie can tell you what a wonderful and passionate man he was , '' Sixx said . Dio most recently was touring with Heaven and Hell , a version of Black Sabbath renamed for legal reasons . All shows were canceled last March because of his illness . His last public appearance was in April at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards when he accepted a vocalist of the year award for his work on last year 's Heaven and Hell album . Dio appeared frail , but he spoke while accepting his award . Born Ronald James Padavona in 1942 , Dio 's professional music career began as a high school student in the late 1950s . His 1960s rock group The Electric Elves evolved into Elf by the early 1970s , when the group played heavy blues rock . Dio 's rock became darker with his band Rainbow , which he left in 1979 to join Black Sabbath . Black Sabbath released three albums with Dio , including `` Heaven and Hell '' in 1980 , `` Mob Rules '' in 1981 and `` Live Evil '' in 1982 . Dio left that band in 1982 , but he had a brief reunion with the group a decade later . He formed the group Dio in 1982 and later Heaven and Hell .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Harold Pinter , the Nobel Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter whose absurdist and realistic works displayed a despair and defiance about the human condition , has died , according to British media reports . He was 78 . The much-honored Harold Pinter received the French Legion d'honneur in 2007 . Pinter 's wife , Lady Antonia Fraser , confirmed his death . Pinter , who had been suffering from cancer , died on Christmas Eve , according to the reports . Fraser told the Guardian newspaper : `` He was a great , and it was a privilege to live with him for over 33 years . He will never be forgotten . '' Pinter was known for such plays as `` The Birthday Party '' -LRB- 1957 -RRB- , `` The Homecoming '' -LRB- 1964 -RRB- , `` No Man 's Land '' -LRB- 1974 -RRB- , `` Mountain Language '' -LRB- 1988 -RRB- , and `` Celebration '' -LRB- 2000 -RRB- . The works caught a linguistic rhythm -- the legendary `` Pinter pause '' -- and an air of social unease that resonated throughout the English-speaking world and in myriad translations . His movie credits , like his plays , span the decades and include `` The Quiller Memorandum '' -LRB- 1965 -RRB- and `` The French Lieutenant 's Woman '' -LRB- 1981 -RRB- . Pinter also wrote the screenplay for his 1978 play `` Betrayal , '' the story of a doomed love affair told backward , which was made into a 1983 film with Ben Kingsley , Jeremy Irons and Patricia Hodge . He received the Nobel Prize in literature in 2005 . Pinter 's later plays were more overtly political , with works such as `` One for the Road '' -LRB- 1984 -RRB- and `` The New World Order '' -LRB- 1991 -RRB- focusing on state torture . In commentaries , he became a blistering critic of the United States , writing in his Nobel lecture that the country `` quite simply does n't give a damn about the United Nations , international law or critical dissent , which it regards as impotent and irrelevant . It also has its own bleating little lamb tagging behind it on a lead , the pathetic and supine Great Britain . '' But Pinter could also be a man of great humor . In 2006 , he recounted a story about a fall that had landed him in the hospital a year earlier . `` Two days later , I woke up to find that I 'd been given the Nobel Prize in literature , '' he said . `` So life is really full of ups and downs , you see . '' Harold Pinter was born in London on October 10 , 1930 . He was the son of Jewish immigrants , his father a dressmaker , his mother `` a wonderful cook , '' he once recalled . In 1948 he was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts , then as now one of Great Britain 's most renowned drama schools . But the RADA did n't take ; Pinter hated the school and dropped out after two terms . He became an actor and turned to playwriting with his first work , `` The Room , '' in 1957 . Later that year he wrote `` The Birthday Party , '' a `` comedy of menace , '' in the words of one critic , that helped make Pinter 's reputation -- though , in an irony he could appreciate , after it closed in London due to scathing notices . Ensuing Pinter plays , including `` The Dumb Waiter '' -LRB- 1957 -RRB- and `` The Homecoming , '' made him Britain 's most famous playwright , as influential to `` late 20th-century British theater -LSB- as -RSB- Tennessee Williams is to mid-century American stages , '' CNN.com 's Porter Anderson wrote in 2006 . `` What 's generally meant as a ` Pinter play ' in the purest sense usually revolves around one or more characters who are imposing on themselves a constricted , even deprived existence in order to hold off a presumed but uncertain threat , '' Anderson wrote . Pinter 's plays featured sparse dialogue , often spiced with paranoia or simple befuddlement . In `` The Birthday Party , '' a boardinghouse resident is accosted by two malevolent visitors who insist it 's his birthday ; in `` The Homecoming '' -- which won the Tony Award for best play when it premiered on Broadway in 1967 -- a professor and his wife return to his working-class British family , where the wife becomes the center of attention . Pinter credited Samuel Beckett , among others , as an influence . -LRB- He starred in a production of Beckett 's `` Krapp 's Last Tape '' in 2006 . -RRB- In turn , writers such as David Mamet and Sam Shepard followed Pinter 's elliptical lead . `` One way of looking at speech is to say it is a constant stratagem to cover nakedness , '' Pinter once said . He was married first to the actress Vivien Merchant . Following a 1980 divorce , Pinter married writer-historian Lady Antonia Fraser .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former Serbian President Milan Milutinovic was Thursday found not guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Kosovo by a U.N. tribunal . Milan Milutinovic had was cleared of war crimes in Kosovo . Five other former high-ranking Serb officials -- Nikola Sainovic , Dragoljub Ojdanic , Nebojsa Pavkovic , Vladimir Lazarevic and Sreten Lukic -- were found guilty on all or some of the same charges . The judgment was the first by The Hague , Netherlands-based tribunal for crimes by the former Yugoslav and Serbian forces during a military campaign against Kosovo 's ethnic Albanians in 1999 . Their crimes took place during a Serb-led military campaign against Kosovo 's ethnic Albanian population during the first six months of 1999 before a NATO bombing campaign forced a halt to the operation . Sainovic , former Yugoslav deputy prime minister and Pavkovic , a former Yugoslav army general were each sentenced to 22 years in prison for crimes against humanity and war crimes . Watch Milutinovic receive not guilty verdict '' Lazarevic , another ex-general and Ojdanic , who was chief of general staff , were each sentenced to 15 years on charges of forced deportation of Kosovo 's ethnic Albanian population . The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia had heard during the two year tribunal how military forces of the former Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia waged a campaign of terror against Kosovo Albanians . The court said Milutinovic did n't have `` direct individual control '' over the army and that `` in practice '' then-Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic `` exercised actual command authority '' over the army during the NATO campaign . Milosevic eventually surrendered to Serbian authorities in 2001 and had been extradited to The Hague , where he was on trial between 2002 and 2006 for the alleged offences in Kosovo and for alleged crimes in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina . He died from natural causes in March 2006 before the trial ended and before a judgment was made . He was the first sitting head of state to be charged for war crimes when he was indicted in 1999 . Kosovo 's government declared its independence from Serbia in February 2008 after being administered by the United Nations since 1999 . The U.S. , Britain and France have recognized Kosovo 's independence , but China and Russia joined Serbia in opposing the move .","question":""}
{"answer":"BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The top court in Iraq sentenced two of Saddam Hussein 's half-brothers to death Wednesday for crimes against humanity . Tariq Aziz , seen in 2002 , was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in jail for crimes against humanity . The court also sentenced former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and a former senior official known as '' Chemical Ali '' -- Ali Hassan al-Majeed -- to 15 years in custody for crimes against humanity , an official with the Iraq High Tribunal told CNN . The men were sentenced for their roles in the 1992 execution of 42 merchants . In an unrelated trial last week , Al-Majeed was sentenced to death for his role in putting down an uprising in Baghdad a decade ago , Iraqi state TV reported . It was the third death sentence for al-Majeed , a cousin of Hussein , the former dictator of Iraq who was toppled from power by the U.S.-led coalition in 2003 . Al-Majeed and other former members of Hussein 's regime remain in U.S. custody . His execution has been delayed for political rather than legal reasons . In last week 's trial , Aziz was acquitted . Aziz , one of the best-known faces of the Hussein regime , was Iraq 's deputy prime minister from 1981 to 2003 and also served as minister of foreign affairs for part of that time . He was captured by U.S. forces in April 2003 , shortly after the U.S. invasion of Iraq . Meanwhile , car bombs in the northern Iraqi cities of Mosul and Kirkuk killed six people on Wednesday , officials told CNN . The Mosul car bomb , which targeted troops , killed four people and wounded 14 others , an Interior Ministry official said . The car , parked near the city 's medical college , blew up near an Iraqi army patrol . Of the dead , three were soldiers . Four other soldiers were among those wounded . Mosul , which has long been a volatile city , has had a strong militant presence . In Kirkuk , a parked car bomb exploded near a police patrol , killing two civilians and wounding seven others . The oil-rich and ethnically diverse city is known for sectarian and political tension . People were injured in wo other incidents in Iraq on Wednesday . In Baghdad , mortar fire in a residential area wounded four civilians . And a roadside bomb in the largely Kurdish town of Jalawla in Diyala province wounded four police officers . CNN 's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this story","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Pentagon is making detailed plans to send about 34,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan in anticipation of President Obama 's decision on the future of the eight-year-old war , a defense official said Tuesday . Obama held a lengthy meeting with top advisers Monday night and said Tuesday that he would announce plans for Afghanistan after the Thanksgiving holiday . A Defense Department official with direct knowledge of the process said there has been no final word on the president 's decision . But planners have been tasked with preparing to send 34,000 additional American troops into battle with the expectation that is the number Obama is leaning toward approving , the official said . Obama ordered more than 20,000 additional troops to Afghanistan in March . Gen. Stanley McChrystal , the U.S. commander in Afghanistan , reportedly has called for up to 40,000 more to wage a counterinsurgency campaign against the Taliban , the Islamic militia originally ousted by the U.S. invasion in 2001 . The president has weighed several options for bolstering the American contingent , ranging from sending a few thousand troops to sending the 40,000 McChrystal requested . McChrystal was among those who took part in Monday 's conference with Obama and other top advisers , which broke up at 10 p.m. Vice President Joe Biden , Defense Secretary Robert Gates , Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen and Karl Eikenberry , the U.S. ambassador in Kabul , were among the other senior officials in the meeting . Obama said Tuesday that the deliberations have been `` comprehensive and extremely useful . '' `` It 's going to be important to recognize that in order for us to succeed there , you 've got to have a comprehensive strategy that includes civilian and diplomatic efforts , '' he said at a news conference Tuesday with visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh . The military has planning under way to send these units : three U.S. Army brigades , totaling about 15,000 troops ; a Marine brigade with about 8,000 troops ; a headquarters element of about 7,000 ; and between 4,000 and 5,000 support troops -- a total of approximately 34,000 troops , according to a defense official with direct knowledge of Pentagon operations . CNN reported last month that this was the preferred option within the Pentagon . The troops would be dispatched throughout Afghanistan but would be focused mainly on the southern and southeastern provinces , where much of the recent fighting has taken place . Currently , brigades from Fort Drum in upstate New York and Fort Campbell in Kentucky are among those that are next in line to deploy . About 68,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan , along with about 45,000 from the NATO alliance . Two U.S. military officials said NATO countries would be asked to contribute more troops to fill the gap between the 34,000 the Pentagon expects Obama to send and the 40,000 McChrystal wanted . The request is expected to come during a December 7 meeting at the alliance 's headquarters in Brussels , Belgium . Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell would not discuss specific numbers , but he said NATO would be asked for additional help . `` Clearly , if the president decides to commit additional forces to Afghanistan , there would be an expectation that our allies would also commit additional forces , '' Morrell said . U.S.-led troops invaded Afghanistan in response to the al Qaeda terrorist network 's September 11 attacks on New York and Washington . The invasion overthrew the Taliban , which had allowed al Qaeda to operate from its territory , but most of the top al Qaeda and Taliban leadership escaped the onslaught . Taliban fighters have since regrouped in the mountainous region along Afghanistan 's border with Pakistan , battling U.S. and Afghan government forces on one side and Pakistani troops on the other . Al Qaeda 's top leaders , Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri , remain at large and are suspected to be hiding in the same region . The conflict has claimed the lives of more than 900 Americans and nearly 600 allied troops . A CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. poll released Tuesday suggests that the U.S public is split over whether more troops should be sent to Afghanistan . Fifty percent of those polled said they would support such a decision , with 49 percent opposed . The poll found that 66 percent of Americans believe the war is going badly , up 11 percentage points from a similar survey in March . Overall support for the war has fallen to 45 percent , with 52 percent opposed . iReporters sound off ; share your views on sending more troops in Afghanistan Afghanistan was among the topics Obama and Singh discussed in their meetings Tuesday . Singh said the international community needs `` to sustain its engagement in Afghanistan , to help it emerge as a modern state . '' `` The forces of terrorism in our region pose a grave threat to the entire civilized world and have to be defeated , '' he said . `` President Obama and I have decided to strengthen our cooperation in the area of counterterrorism . '' India is one Afghanistan 's biggest international donors , contributing $ 1.2 billion in aid . That involvement has been met with suspicion in Pakistan , India 's nuclear rival in South Asia . But it has helped the United States by sharing some of the burden of stabilizing the country and providing civilian support . In addition , several leading analysts have argued that settling the decades-old tensions between India and Pakistan would allow both sides to pull troops off their borders , giving Pakistan more resources to battle the Taliban along its northwest frontier . `` I think that will certainly be at the center of the agenda this week , '' Nicholas Burns , a former State Department official , said on CNN 's `` American Morning . '' U.S. prospects in Afghanistan depend partly `` on convincing Pakistan to be more cooperative in the fight against those terrorist groups . '' `` The United States is not going to be an outright mediator between Pakistan and India , but we can quietly , behind the scenes , push them to reduce their problems , '' Burns said . CNN 's Elaine Quijano and Mike Mount contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Health care reform backers won a key victory Saturday night as the Senate voted to move ahead with a floor debate on a sweeping $ 848 billion bill . The 60-39 vote to prevent a Republican filibuster against the start of debate on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid 's legislation broke down along strict party lines . All 58 Senate Democrats -- along with independent Sens. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont -- supported bringing the measure to the floor . Thirty-nine of the 40 Senate Republicans opposed the motion . Sen. George Voinovich , R-Ohio , did n't vote . `` Tonight 's historic vote brings us one step closer to ending insurance company abuses , reining in spiraling health care costs , providing stability and security to those with health insurance and extending quality health coverage to those who lack it , '' White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement . The polarized vote set the table for a holiday season now virtually certain to be marked by acrimonious deliberations on President Obama 's top domestic priority . Top Senate Democrats , who are trying to pass a bill before the end of the year , spent much of the day tarring their Republican colleagues as defenders of a broken status quo benefitting rich insurance companies at the expense of ordinary American families . Republicans , in turn , slammed Democrats for pushing a bill that conservatives insist will force millions of Americans to drop insurance plans they like while boosting premiums , raising taxes and leading to government rationing of care . Read the health care bill -LRB- PDF -RRB- `` Today we -LSB- decide -RSB- whether to even discuss one of the greatest issues of our generation , '' Reid , a Nevada Democrat , said shortly before the vote . `` Whether this nation will finally guarantee its people the right to live free from fear of illness and death , which can be prevented by decent health care for all . '' The Republicans `` are frightening people , '' said Sen. Tom Harkin , D-Iowa . `` Now is not the time to go wobbly in the knees . Now is the time to stand strong ... and move this country forward . '' `` This bill ... is a massive monument to bureaucracy and spending , '' replied Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Kentucky . It `` imposes punishing taxes on almost everyone . ... A vote in favor of proceeding to this bill is a vote in favor of adding to the tax burden of the American people in the midst of double digit unemployment . '' The bill `` does worse than nothing , '' said Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa . It `` threatens the economic recovery . ... Changes to the health care system must be responsible and not break the backs of the taxpayers . '' The procedural vote represented another milestone in what has become an epic battle over the future of America 's health care system . The House of Representatives narrowly passed a more than $ 1 trillion bill this month . If the Senate also manages to pass a bill , a congressional conference committee will then need to merge the House and Senate proposals into a consensus version requiring final approval from each chamber before moving to Obama 's desk to be signed into law . The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has projected that Reid 's 2,074-page bill would extend health insurance coverage to 31 million additional Americans . The agency estimates that the proposal would reduce the federal deficit by $ 130 billion over the next 10 years , through 2019 . Any effect on the deficit in the following decade would be `` subject to substantial uncertainty , '' but probably would result in `` small reductions in federal budget deficits , '' according to budget office analysts . A minimum of 60 votes is required to break a filibuster in the 100-member Senate . The outcome of the Senate vote was unclear before Saturday afternoon , when Sen. Blanche Lincoln , D-Arkansas , announced her intention to back a floor debate on the measure . Lincoln , a key moderate probably facing a tough re-election campaign in 2010 , said the issue deserved further debate and consideration . She made clear , however , that she opposes several aspects of Reid 's bill , including a controversial government-run public option . `` Although I do n't agree with everything in this bill , I believe it is important to begin debate , '' Lincoln said . `` The issue is very complex . There is no easy fix . '' Republicans wasted no time tearing into Lincoln 's vote , issuing a news release while she was still announcing her decision , proclaiming that she had caved to `` pressure from the left wing of her party . '' `` There 's no doubt that this vote will be a critical issue for Sen. Lincoln as she embarks on her uphill re-election bid , '' said Amber Wilkerson Marchand , a GOP spokeswoman . `` The people of Arkansas will have an opportunity to hold her accountable when they cast their ballots next November . '' Two other Democratic moderates whose support was considered to be in doubt -- Nebraska 's Ben Nelson and Louisiana 's Mary Landrieu -- also announced their decision to back a full debate shortly before the vote . Reid 's bill , projected to ensure coverage for 94 percent of Americans , includes a range of tax increases and new fees . The Medicare payroll tax on individuals earning $ 200,000 a year and couples earning $ 250,000 a year would increase by half a percentage point , from the current 1.45 percent to 1.95 percent . In addition , insurers providing costly health coverage -- known as Cadillac plans -- would face a 40 percent tax on policies worth more than $ 8,500 for individuals and $ 23,000 for families . The bill also includes a 5 percent tax on the cost of elective cosmetic surgery , as well as new fees for insurers and pharmaceutical manufacturers . The total projected revenue raised by all the taxes and fees would exceed $ 200 billion . The bill would require individuals to buy health insurance , with a fine for non-compliance of $ 95 in the first year that would escalate to $ 750 by 2016 . Unlike the plan recently passed by the House , the Senate bill does not mandate that all employers offer health care . Businesses with more than 50 workers , where at least one employee qualifies for government subsidies , would face a penalty of $ 750 for every full-time employee if it does not offer health care coverage . Reid 's bill also would expand government-run Medicaid coverage for the poor to everyone making less than 133 percent of the national poverty level . Democratic leaders in both chambers have been wrestling with the most contentious issues , including abortion and immigration , as well as how to pay for reform . The House bill has more restrictive abortion language and includes a 5.4 percent income tax surcharge on individuals making more than $ 500,000 and couples earning more than $ 1 million . Both bills include a government-run public option , but the Senate version allows states to opt out before the national program would go into effect in 2014 . The two bills are virtually identical on a broad range of changes , including creating health insurance exchanges , expanding Medicaid , subsidizing insurance for low - and some middle-income families , and capping out-of-pocket medical expenses while preventing insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions . Insurers under both plans would be barred from charging higher premiums based on a person 's gender or medical history .","question":""}
{"answer":"One doctor says the study `` very clearly shows that autism did not arrive through a vaccine . '' A new study published in the January 2008 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry found the prevalence of autism cases in California children continued to rise after most vaccine manufacturers started to remove the mercury-based preservative thimerosal in 1999 , suggesting that the chemical was not a primary cause of the disorder . Researchers from the State Public Health Department found that the autism rates in children rose continuously during the study period from 1995 to 2007 . The preservative , thimerosal , has not been used in childhood vaccines since 2001 , except for some flu shots . The latest findings failed to convince some parents and advocacy groups , who have long blamed mercury , a neurotoxin , for the disorder . For years , parents have been concerned that a mercury-containing vaccine preservative may play a role in autism . But a study conducted in California found that autism rates increased even after thimerosal was removed from most vaccines . The study authors say this is evidence that thimerosal does not cause autism , although advocacy groups say it 's too soon to determine whether autism rates have been affected . Do these findings suggest that autism is n't linked to mercury in vaccines ? Dr. Sanjay Gupta , chief medical correspondent : Let me explain . In 1999 , manufacturers began removing thimerosal - which is a mercury-based preservative - from vaccines . Some people believed autism would decrease as a result , because they thought the two were connected . A new study in the Archives of General Psychiatry says this just did n't happen . Researchers looked at cases of autism in California after 1999 . They reasoned that if mercury exposure in vaccines was a major cause of autism , the number of affected kids should have dropped after thimerosal was removed . Just the opposite happened . From 2004 to 2007 , when exposure to thimerosal dropped significantly for 3 - to 5-year-olds , the autism rate continued to go up , from 3 per 1,000 children to 4 per 1,000 children in California . A child psychiatrist who supported the study said it `` very clearly shows that autism did not arrive through a vaccine . '' But advocacy groups say it 's too soon to determine whether autism rates were affected by removing thimerosal from vaccines . The National Vaccine Information Center says the study does n't include children under the age of 3 , which they say is the only group that was never exposed to mercury in vaccines . It says thimerosal was n't completely off the shelves until 2002 or 2003 . Their main point is that mercury is a neurotoxin , so why take a chance by putting it in vaccines ? What do scientists think causes autism ? As many as one in every 166 children in this country is found to have autism , and doctors still do n't know why . Doctors point to genetics and environment as culprits , but it could be more complicated than that . The latest research shows these children are not necessarily born with autism but with the potential to develop it . What exactly are these outside factors ? It 's hard to pinpoint . What we eat , what we breathe , what we drink -- all these things could play a role . Some doctors say the increase is due to a change in the way the condition is diagnosed kids who were once labeled mentally retarded are now being labeled as autistic . What are possible signs of autism in your child ? Doctors are now looking for signs of autism in children as young as 18 to 24 months . Some red flags that indicate your child may have autism : no babbling or pointing by 12 months , no single words by 16 months , no brief phrases by 24 months , loss of language or social skills . If you see any of these signs , the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends seeing a pediatric neurologist , developmental pediatrician or child psychologist . What led companies to remove thimerosal from vaccines to begin with ? Several things pushed companies in this direction . Over the past decade , more and more attention was given to the health effects of mercury on humans . And then in the '90s , the CDC added new vaccines to the list of routine shots that children should get . Some of them used thimerosal as a preservative . This was happening while the government was trying to decrease our exposure to mercury . So the FDA began looking into the issue . In 1997 , Congress passed a bill that mandated review of products containing mercury , which led manufacturers to begin removing thimerosal from vaccines two years later .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Somalia said a senior al Qaeda operative tied to several attacks in East Africa was killed Monday in a U.S. strike in southern Somalia . Saleh ali Saleh Nabhan , pictured on the FBI 's Web site , reportedly was tied to al Qaeda 's East Africa operations . Intelligence sources have confirmed to the Somali government that Saleh ali Saleh Nabhan was killed , Information Minister Dahir Mohamud Gelle said Tuesday . `` We welcome that attack because those people targeted were murderers , and they are unwanted and unwelcome in Somalia , '' Gelle said . Nabhan 's death will have `` a major impact '' on al Qaeda 's operations in the Horn of Africa , according to one regional analyst . U.S. special operations forces used a helicopter to fire on a car Monday in southern Somalia , killing several people , including one they believed was Nabhan , U.S. officials told CNN earlier . Nabhan , 30 , was born in Kenya and had been tied to attacks that included the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania , according to the sources . More than 200 were killed , and 4,000 wounded in those attacks , most of them Kenyans . The United States targeted Nabhan in an airstrike in southern Somalia near the Kenyan border in March 2008 , U.S. officials said at the time . In February 2006 , the FBI announced that Nabhan was wanted for questioning in connection with the 2002 suicide bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel and the unsuccessful attack on an Israeli charter jet in Mombasa , Kenya . Ten Kenyans and three Israelis -- including two children -- were killed when three suicide bombers detonated a car bomb outside Mombasa 's Paradise Hotel in November 2002 . The bombing took place within minutes of an unsuccessful missile attack on an Israeli charter jet , which was taking off with 261 passengers and 10 crew members . President Obama signed off on Monday 's operation , a senior U.S. official said . The United States had been monitoring the situation for days and had intelligence that Nabhan was in the area , the U.S. officials said . The officials who talked to CNN are familiar with the latest information on Monday 's strike but did not want to be identified because they were not authorized to talk to the media . The U.S. helicopter flew from a U.S. Navy warship offshore , while the ship kept watch on the operation , one of the sources said . The warship was ready to rescue the American troops if they got into trouble . Farmers in the southeastern town of Barawe , Somalia , said they witnessed the assault . They said helicopters attacked a car and its occupants and that at least two people died . The witnesses said some helicopters landed and that some of the injured or dead were pulled into at least one helicopter . A U.S. official said the troops landed to take away the body believed to be that of Nabhan for positive identification . Nabhan is believed to be an associate of al Qaeda member Harun Fazul , who was indicted in the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies . The U.S. military has long sought Nabhan because he is believed to be deeply involved in al Qaeda 's East African operations , a senior U.S. official said last year . `` He was certainly one of the leading al Qaeda figures in East Africa , '' said Rashid Abdi , a Somalia analyst for the International Crisis Group , an independent advisory and analysis organization . Nabhan `` has been living in the shadows '' in Somalia and not much is known about his recent activity , Abdi said . `` The fact that he is now out of the picture will have a bigger impact on al Qaeda than on Al-Shabaab , '' he said , referring to the Islamist militia in Somalia that has ties to al Qaeda . `` He is a man with an important organizational memory , and if a key figure like him is killed , it always has a major impact . '' Al-Shabaab is waging a bloody battle against Somalia 's transitional government and is on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations because of its al Qaeda ties . There are growing concerns that Somalia could be the next base for al Qaeda as U.S. forces pound their positions in Afghanistan and Pakistan . CIA Director Leon Panetta recently said the intelligence agency is keeping tabs on the region as a possible destination for fleeing al Qaeda operatives . Journalist Mohammed Amiin Adow and CNN 's David McKenzie , Barbara Starr and Ed Henry contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno said Sunday the string of sexual child abuse charges against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky are `` shocking . '' Sandusky , 67 , allegedly engaged in fondling , oral and anal sex with young boys over a period of more than 10 years , according to an investigative state grand jury 's summary of testimony . He maintains he is innocent . Also named in the state grand jury report are Penn State Athletic Director Timothy Curley , 57 , and Gary Schultz , 62 , the university 's senior vice president for finance and business . They face one count of perjury each in connection to an alleged cover-up of the abuse . `` If true , the nature and amount of charges made are very shocking to me and all Penn Staters . While I did what I was supposed to with the one charge brought to my attention , like anyone else involved I ca n't help but be deeply saddened these matters are alleged to have occurred , '' Paterno said in a statement . The legendary coach said an assistant coach told him in 2002 about an `` incident in the shower of our locker room facility . '' `` It was obvious that the witness was distraught over what he saw , but he at no time related to me the very specific actions contained in the Grand Jury report . Regardless , it was clear that the witness saw something inappropriate involving Mr. Sandusky . As Coach Sandusky was retired from our coaching staff at that time , I referred the matter to university administrators , '' Paterno said . Sandusky , who served 23 years as defensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions , faces seven counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse , and numerous other charges , including aggravated indecent assault and endangering the welfare of a child . In some cases , Sandusky promised boys gifts or invited them to football games and sleepovers , according to the grand jury . `` One of the most compelling and disturbing pieces of testimony in this investigation came from an eyewitness to a late-night sexual assault that allegedly occurred in March of 2002 , in the locker room of the Lasch Football Building on the University Park Campus , '' Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly said Saturday . `` Hearing what sounded like sexual activity in the showers of a building that was supposed to be empty , a graduate assistant reportedly observed Sandusky sexually assaulting a naked boy who appeared to be about 10 years old , '' she said . The assistant reported the incident to head football coach Paterno , who in turn alerted athletic director Curley , said Kelly . Instead of reporting the incident to authorities , Curley and Schultz banned Sandusky from having children from Second Mile visit the football building , Kelly said . Sandusky , who retired from coaching in 1999 , was founder of the Second Mile , a charitable organization that began as a group foster home `` dedicated to helping troubled boys , '' the grand jury states . He was arrested and released Saturday on $ 100,000 unsecured bail . `` If this is true we were all fooled , along with scores of professionals trained in such things , and we grieve for the victims and their families . They are in our prayers , '' Paterno said in his statement . He added : `` I understand that people are upset and angry , but let 's be fair and let the legal process unfold . In the meantime I would ask all Penn Staters to continue to trust in what that name represents , continue to pursue their lives every day with high ideals and not let these events shake their beliefs nor who they are . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Obama administration will ask Congress for another $ 83.4 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through the end of September , Democratic congressional sources said Thursday . President Obama 's spending measure is likely to be the last supplemental request submitted to pay for the wars . The request is expected to pay for those conflicts for the rest of the 2009 budget year , two Democratic congressional sources said . The money would bring the running tab for both conflicts to about $ 947 billion , according to figures from the Congressional Research Service . More than three-quarters of the $ 864 billion appropriated so far has gone to the war in Iraq , the agency estimated . Since taking office in January , President Obama has announced plans to shift troops out of Iraq and beef up U.S. forces in Afghanistan , where American troops have been battling al Qaeda and Taliban fighters since al Qaeda 's 2001 attacks . In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Obama said the situation in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan `` demands urgent attention . '' `` The Taliban is resurgent , and al Qaeda threatens America from its safe haven along the Afghan-Pakistan border , '' Obama wrote in submitting the funding request . `` There is no question of the resolve of our military women and men . Yet , in Afghanistan , that resolve has not been matched by a comprehensive strategy and sufficient resources , '' Obama wrote . About $ 75 billion of the latest request would pay for military operations , including $ 9.8 billion for body armor and protective vehicles and $ 11.6 billion to replace worn-out equipment . The rest would go to diplomatic programs and development aid -- including $ 1.6 billion for Afghanistan , $ 1.4 billion for Pakistan and $ 700 million for Iraq . The request would also provide about $ 800 million for the Palestinian Authority , including humanitarian aid for Gaza , the Hamas-ruled territory that was heavily bombarded by Israel in December and January ; $ 800 million to support U.N. peacekeeping missions in Africa ; and $ 30 million to the Department of Justice to manage the closure of the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba . The supplemental spending bill is likely to be the last such request submitted to Congress to pay for the wars , White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said . While the Bush administration relied on supplemental spending bills to fund the conflicts , Obama began including war spending in his 2010 budget . The president urged Congress to move quickly on the request `` and not to use the supplemental to pursue unnecessary spending . '' But Rep. Lynn Woolsey , a prominent anti-war Democrat , said the requested funding would `` prolong our occupation of Iraq through at least the end of 2011 , '' when U.S. troops are scheduled to leave the country , `` and it will deepen and expand our military presence in Afghanistan indefinitely . '' `` Instead of attempting to find military solutions to the problems we face in Iraq and Afghanistan , President Obama must fundamentally change the mission in both countries to focus on promoting reconciliation , economic development , humanitarian aid , and regional diplomatic efforts . '' Last month , Obama announced the United States plans to withdraw most of its troops from Iraq by the end of August 2010 . A residual force of between 35,000 to 50,000 troops will remain until December 31 , 2011 . There are 142,000 American troops in Iraq now . Obama has ordered the deployment of 17,000 troops to fight the Taliban in the south and east and 4,000 more to train Afghan troops .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres will join the judges ' panel on `` American Idol '' for the show 's ninth season beginning in 2010 , a Fox spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday . Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres brings years of experience in front of a live audience to her role . `` I 'm thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol , '' DeGeneres said Wednesday . `` I 've watched since the beginning , and I 've always been a huge fan . So getting this job is a dream come true , and think of all the money I 'll save from not having to text in my vote . '' The popular comedian and entertainer will fill a seat left vacant by Paula Abdul , who announced she was leaving the show in August after eight seasons . Was DeGeneres the right replacement ? DeGeneres will sit alongside Simon Cowell , Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi after auditions are completed for the popular talent show , which starts in January . Until then , guest judges including Mary J. Blige , Kristin Chenoweth , Joe Jonas and Neil Patrick Harris will fill the empty slot , Fox said . Watch Jackson discuss what DeGeneres brings to the show '' `` We are thrilled to have Ellen DeGeneres join the `` American Idol '' judges ' table this season . She is truly one of America 's funniest people and a fantastic performer who understands what it 's like to stand up in front of audiences and entertain them every day , '' said Mike Darnell , president of Alternative Entertainment for Fox . `` We feel that her vast entertainment experience , combined with her quick wit and passion for music , will add a fresh new energy to the show . '' DeGeneres brings years of experience in front of a live audience as the host of `` The Ellen DeGeneres Show , '' now in its seventh season , and the host of the 79th Annual Academy Awards . In her new role , the Emmy Award-winning talk show host faces the task of winning over Abdul 's supporters , who lamented that her departure would irreparably alter the show . The singer-dancer turned `` Idol '' judge was known for her positive comments to the singers participating in the shows . She was also known for her on-camera run-ins with Cowell and other judges in the show . `` With sadness in my heart , I 've decided not to return to Idol . I 'll miss nurturing all the new talent , but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon , '' a statement on Abdul 's verified Twitter account said last month .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- There are around 200 known types of cancers . Some are far more widespread than others . Australian Professor Ian Frazer has developed a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer and is working on a vaccine for skin cancer . Cancer researchers are making significant breakthroughs in unlocking the complete genetic makeup of many common cancers . Through extensive studies and research , they are understanding exactly how the rogue cells differ from normal cells , and modifying treatments so they work on just the cancer cells . We take a look at some of the most common types of cancers plus some possible causes , treatments and developments . Lung Cancer Lung cancer develops when cells of the lungs divide and grow in an uncontrolled manner . There are two types of lung cancer : non-small cell lung cancer -LRB- NSCLC -RRB- and small cell lung cancer -LRB- SCLC -RRB- . The latter is more likely to spread further in the body in its early stages . Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide , according to the World Health Organization , with 1.2 million new cases every year . Nearly all lung cancers arise because of smoking and men have always been more affected by lung cancer than women . However , a rise in female smoking worldwide has started reversing the trend . Treatments Not all lung-cancer patients are suitable for surgery . Surgery on non-small cell lung cancers is more common than in small cell lung cancer , but can still only happen in a minority of cases . Other options are radio therapy and chemotherapy . Developments In December 2008 , scientists pinpointed a gene that protects against lung cancer . It is hoped the discovery of the role of the tumor suppressor gene -- LIMD1 -- may lead to new treatments and techniques to pick up the disease earlier . The disease is often not picked up until it has reached an advanced stage and many patients die within a year of being diagnosed . Skin Cancer Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin . It generally develops in the outermost layer of skin , so a tumor is usually clearly visible and easier to detect than most other cancers . Skin cancer is the most diagnosed form of the disease , surpassing lung , breast , colorectal and prostate cancer . Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that usually starts within a mole or a dark spot on the skin . If found early , simple surgical treatment works well and usually leads to a cure , the British Medical Journal advises . However they can spread quickly and are responsible for the majority of skin-cancer-related deaths . It 's not entirely clear why skin cancers develop , but according to the U.S. National Institute of Health , UV radiation from the sun is the main cause . UV radiation is particularly harmful for children and teenagers and even a short exposure can lead to skin cancer much later in life . Diagnosis and Treatment Diagnosis is made with a skin biopsy , under local anesthetic with an injection . Treatment depends on the circumstances of the cancer and the patient ; including age , type of cancer and location . Treatments can include , amongst others , radiotherapy -LRB- radiation -RRB- , chemotherapy -LRB- pills -RRB- and surgery . Developments Scientists have recently conducted experiments on `` immune-priming , '' -- using the patients ' own immune systems to fight the skin cancer . This therapy is still relatively new , but has been shown to boost the immune system and thereby attack skin cancers and viruses . The Australian scientist who developed a vaccine for cervical cancer , Ian Frazer , told Australia 's Medical Research Congress in November 2008 that he is working on a skin cancer vaccine that could be available within a decade . Breast Cancer Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the breast tissue , leading to damage to the cells ' DNA . This results in cell division and growth and eventually leads to the formation of a lump . The malignant cells can then invade other organs where metastases -LRB- secondary lumps -RRB- may form . Breast cancer is the most common in women , affecting one in nine women at some point in their lives . The World Health Organization states that breast cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths , causing 502,000 deaths worldwide in 2005 . Diagnosis and Treatment Women are encouraged to check their breasts regularly for any lumps or other irregularities , such as discharge from the nipple . General practitioners or gynecologists can also do physical checks . To make a diagnosis , doctors can perform a mammogram or an ultrasound and take a tissue sample . Once a lump has been identified as malignant , the most common treatments are surgery , radiation therapy and chemotherapy . Developments Interstitial laser thermotherapy -LRB- ILT -RRB- is a relatively new minimally invasive , laser surgery procedure that reduces the possibility of complications during and after an operation . Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer develops in the prostate , a gland in the male reproductive system . It occurs when cells of the prostate mutate and begin to multiply out of control . These cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body . Rates of prostate cancer vary widely across the world and are most common in Europe and the United States . It is least common in South and East Asia , according to the figures from Cancer Research UK . A quarter of all new cases of cancer diagnosed in British men are prostate cancers . Almost 60 per cent of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men aged over 70 years . Diagnosis and Treatment Prostate cancer is most often discovered by prostate specific antigen -LRB- PSA -RRB- screening and less commonly by physical examination through the rectum or by the appearance of symptoms . Treatment options for prostate cancer depend on the age of the man , his health and the spread of the cancer . The most common treatments are surgery and radiation therapy . Colorectal cancer Colorectal cancer , also called colon cancer or large bowel cancer , includes cancerous growths in the colon , rectum and appendix . According to the WHO , colorectal cancer causes 655,000 deaths worldwide per year and is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world Risk factors and symptoms According to the American Cancer Society , the following factors increase the risk for colorectal cancer : \u2022 Age : Most cases occur in people in their 60s and 70s . Cases in people aged 50 or under are uncommon unless a family history of early colon cancer is present . \u2022 Women who have had cancer of the ovary , uterus , or breast have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer . \u2022 A history of colorectal cancer in the family \u2022 Smoking Treatment Surgery is the primary treatment , while radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be applied depending on the patient , the tumor 's stage and other medical factors . If performed at a late stage or when the cancer has already spread , colorectal cancer is unlikely to be cured with surgery .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Republicans ' tough task of taking back control of the Senate next year now looks even tougher . Sen. Pete Domenici , R-New Mexico , says he will retire at the end of his term . Republican Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election . `` For the past 35 years my friends and neighbors have given me the honor of allowing me to serve them as their United States senator , '' he said . `` Who could ask for anything more ? Domenici joins three other Republican senators who also are retiring at the end of their terms next year . Democrats took back both houses of Congress last November , but hold thin majorities . In the Senate , they have a 51-49 margin . Their advantage in the House of Representatives is 233-202 . Of 34 Senate seats being contested next year , Republicans hold 22 . With the four senators retiring and four others facing difficult re-election bids , the numbers are stacked against GOP hopes of recapturing the upper chamber of Congress . Read more about the senators who are retiring '' Domenici , a six-term senator , earlier had hinted he would run for re-election despite some criticism of his role in the controversial firings of U.S. attorneys . One of the prosecutors , David Iglesias , contends Domenici and U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson , R-New Mexico , wanted him to push harder on a corruption investigation of state Democrats before the 2006 midterm elections . Iglesias said he felt `` leaned on '' when Domenici called him to inquire about when indictments would be brought . The senator , who nominated Iglesias for the post , apologized for making the call but said he never pressured Iglesias . Domenici said he had complained to Justice Department officials about the pace of prosecutions in Iglesias ' office . Then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Domenici had complained to him about Iglesias in the fall of 2005 , saying the U.S. attorney `` was in over his head . '' Iglesias , a Naval Reserve lawyer listed in a Justice Department evaluation as a `` diverse up-and-comer '' before 2006 , was told to resign that December . Domenici , 75 , was first elected to the Senate in 1972 and has n't faced a tough re-election battle since then . But New Mexico 's other senator , Jeff Bingaman , is a Democrat , as is Gov. Bill Richardson , who is running for president , and Democrats are likely to pour a lot of resources into trying to capture Domenici 's seat . Republicans also face tough competition to hold onto the seats of retiring senators in Nebraska , Virginia and Colorado . In Nebraska , former Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has told friends he will run for retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel 's seat . Johanns is a former Nebraska governor , and Hagel said he has encouraged him to run . Nebraska Attorney General John Bruning had planned to run against Hagel and still could run against Johanns for the Republican nomination . Two other Republicans are also in the hunt for the open seat . Former Democratic Sen. Bob Kerrey also is considering running for Hagel 's seat . President Bush handily carried Nebraska in his 2004 re-election , but an unpopular war and an unpopular president could give the Democrats hope next year . The state 's other senator , Ben Nelson , is a Democrat . In Virginia , where longtime Republican Sen. John Warner is retiring , Democratic former Gov. Mark Warner , no relation to the senator , intends to run for the open seat . Mark Warner 's term as governor ended in January 2006 , and he left office with high favorable ratings . Democrats have won three major statewide elections there this decade . In 2006 , Democrat Jim Webb ousted Republican Sen. George Allen by a margin of fewer than 10,000 votes , or less than half a percentage point . Webb 's victory helped give Democrats their slim Senate majority . On the Republican side , there could be a bitter primary fight between Rep. Tom Davis , a moderate from northern Virginia , and conservative former Gov. Jim Gilmore , who dropped out of the presidential race earlier this year . In Colorado , Sen. Wayne Allard announced this year that he 's retiring after his term finishes , and Democrats made major gains there in the 2004 and 2006 elections . In addition to those races , tough re-election fights lie ahead for Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine , John Sununu of New Hampshire , Norm Coleman of Minnesota and Gordon Smith of Oregon . As of now , only one Senate Democrat -- Mary Landrieu of Louisiana -- appears to face a challenge . The recent scandal involving Sen. Larry Craig 's arrest in an airport restroom should not hurt the GOP 's chances of holding on to his Senate seat in Idaho in 2008 , even if the Republican does leave office . Democrats have n't won a Senate seat in Idaho in more than 30 years . Craig had said he would resign from the Senate if he could not get his guilty plea to a disorderly conduct charge withdrawn by September 30 . But last week , Craig said he would n't resign until `` legal determinations '' are made . On Thursday , a judge denied Craig 's request to withdraw his guilty plea . While the controversy over his arrest and guilty plea may not cost the GOP a Senate seat , it wo n't help his party either . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"MEXICO CITY , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Mexican federal police have arrested a fugitive on the FBI 's 10 Most Wanted list , Mexican authorities said . Jorge Alberto Lopez Orozco allegedly murdered his girlfriend and her two young sons . Jorge Alberto Lopez Orozco is wanted in Elmore County , Idaho , on charges that he shot and killed three people , the FBI said . The charred remains of a woman and her sons , ages 2 and 4 , were found inside a burned-out vehicle on August 11 , 2002 , it said . Each victim had been shot in the head or chest . The FBI was still working Friday to confirm the identity of the man in custody , said Debbie Dujanovic , a spokeswoman in the agency 's Salt Lake City , Utah , field office . The Salt Lake City office has jurisdiction in the case . An extradition order was issued in January 2007 , the Mexican attorney general 's office said in a news release Thursday . A reward of up to $ 100,000 was being offered , the FBI said . Lopez , 33 , was captured in Zihuatanejo , a city northwest of Acapulco on the Pacific Coast in southern Mexico , the Mexican attorney general 's office said . Zihuatanejo is in Guerrero state , but Lopez was transferred to a jail in neighboring Michoacan state , officials said . The arrest came about after investigation and intelligence work by Mexican authorities , the attorney general 's office said . According to the FBI , Lopez abducted his girlfriend , Rebecca Ramirez , and her two young sons from her father 's house in Nyssa , Oregon , on July 30 , 2002 . The car he had been driving was found nearly two weeks later on a rural road near Mountain Home , Idaho , officials said . It had been torched with the three bodies inside . The suspect 's brother , Simon Lopez Orozco , and Simon 's wife , Maria Cruz Garcia , have been charged with accessory to first-degree murder , the FBI said . Garcia was arrested in California three years ago , but Simon Lopez Orozco is believed still at large . Mexican officials captured another FBI Top 10 fugitive on July 17 . Emigdio Preciado Jr. was wanted in connection with the shooting of two Los Angeles County , California , sheriff 's deputies in September 2000 . He had been charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution , attempted murder of a police officer .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada is expected to plead guilty Wednesday in federal court to a count of lying to Congress about his knowledge of Major League Baseball players using performance-enhancing drugs , according to officials familiar with the case . Miguel Tejada , a shortstop for the Houston Astros , has been charged with lying to Congress . In a document filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia , Tejada is charged in a criminal `` information , '' a document that routinely signals a plea bargain agreement . The document does not directly accuse Tejada of using steroids or other substances . However , the court document says that in 2003 Tejada gave another player more than $ 5,000 in checks `` for substances which he believed to be HGH -LSB- human growth hormone -RSB- . '' The document says Tejada lied to congressional investigators when he told them on August 26 , 2005 , that he had never heard discussions about steroids by other players , and that he never knew of any other player using steroids . After the December 2007 Mitchell Report on steroid use in baseball , which appeared to contradict Tejada , the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform asked the Justice Department to investigate whether Tejada `` made knowingly false statements to the committee . '' The investigators concluded he had lied . `` Defendant Tejada unlawfully withheld pertinent information from the committee because defendant Tejada before and during his interview with the committee staff , then and there well knew that Player # 1 -LSB- unidentified -RSB- , one of his teammates on the Oakland Athletics , had used steroids and HGH , '' the document says . Tejada played for the Athletics from 1997 to 2003 . He is scheduled to appear at 11 a.m. Wednesday before a magistrate judge , indicating the charge against him will be a misdemeanor carrying a maximum sentence of a year in jail . However , a government official familiar with the case said that under sentencing guidelines , Tejada could get from zero to 6 months , which means he may receive probation without jail time . Tejada , who started his MLB career in 1997 , hit at least 30 home runs from 2000 through 2004 with the exception of 2003 , when he hit 27 . He won the American League 's most valuable player award in 2002 , when he hit a career-best 34 home runs . He matched that total in 2004 , his first year with the Baltimore Orioles . He began playing with Houston in 2008 . The information came one day after MLB star Alex Rodriguez -- the New York Yankees ' third baseman since 2004 -- admitted that he had used a `` banned substance '' during the 2001-2003 seasons . Sports Illustrated had reported that Rodriguez had tested positive for steroids in 2003 , when he was playing for the Texas Rangers .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Italian football manager Carlo Ancelotti has gone from Milan to London in less than a day . Carlo Ancelotti will take over as manager of Chelsea from July 1 this year . Just 24 hours after resigning from his highly-successful eight-year stint at Italy 's AC Milan , he has been announced as the new manager of English Premier League club Chelsea -- replacing temporary manager Guus Hiddink . Chelsea , who won the FA Cup at the weekend , were looking for a permanent manager for the start of next season -- and Ancelotti has been signed on a three-year deal to the west-London club . A statement on Chelsea 's web site read : `` Carlo was the outstanding candidate for the job . He has proved over a long period his ability to build teams that challenged for , and have been successful in , major domestic and European competitions . '' Ancelotti , who turns 50 next week , has been in management since 1995 , when he took charge of Italian Serie B club Reggiana . Although he only spent one season at Reggiana , he managed to earn them promotion to the top-flight Serie A league . Since then he has managed Parma and Juventus , before taking on the San Siro-based giants AC Milan . Is Ancelotti 's appointment the right move for Chelsea ? Tell us in the Sound Off box below . As a manager he has enjoyed plenty of success , particularly in his time at the Rossoneri . He steered Milan to the Coppa Italia in 2003 , the Serie A title in 2003 -- 04 , the UEFA Champions League in both 2002 -- 03 and 2006 -- 07 , the UEFA Super Cup in 2003 and 2007 and the FIFA Club World Cup crown in 2007 . Before entering management , Ancelotti had a significant playing career as a midfielder with AS Roma and AC Milan . During his time at both clubs he amassed three Serie A titles , two European Cups , and he also won the Coppa Italia four times with Roma . He is one of only six people to ever win the Champions League as both a player and manager -- a list which includes current Barcelona manager and this year 's winner , Josep Guardiola . Ancelotti also represented Italy on 26 occasions , scoring once . He played in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups alongside players such as Roberto Mancini and the recently-retired Paolo Maldini . Despite his management success at AC Milan , it has been widely reported that his relationship with the club 's owner , Silvio Berlusconi , has not been strong in 2009 . He takes over at Chelsea as the permanent replacement for Luiz Felipe Scolari , although Guus Hiddink has been in charge since Scolari was sacked from Stamford Bridge in February .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In the wake of a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis linked to bacteria-tainted cantaloupe , authorities assured the public that cantaloupe grown in places other than Colorado 's Jensen Farms is safe . But if in doubt about a fruit 's origin , they said , it 's best to throw it out . The outbreak -- blamed on the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes -- was first reported September 12 . As of Wednesday , it had grown to 72 cases in 18 states and had killed 13 people , officials with the Centers for Disease Control said . The number of cases is expected to rise , as it can take one to three weeks for a person who ingests the bacteria to show symptoms . All of the tainted cantaloupes were grown at Jensen Farms in Granada , Colorado , although they were shipped to 17 states -- Illinois , Wyoming , Tennessee , Utah , Texas , Colorado , Minnesota , Kansas , New Mexico , North Carolina , Missouri , Nebraska , Oklahoma , Arizona , New Jersey , New York and Pennsylvania . `` It 's important to know that if you know the cantaloupe that you have is not Jensen Farms , then it 's OK to eat , '' CDC Director Tom Frieden told reporters during a conference call Wednesday . `` But if you 're in doubt , then throw it out . '' The recalled cantaloupes may bear a green-and-white sticker that says , `` Product of USA-Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford-Cantaloupe , '' or a gray , yellow and green sticker that says , `` Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords . '' But not all cantaloupes may have a sticker , Frieden said . Consumers are urged to ask the supermarket or supplier if they know where the cantaloupes came from . If the cantaloupe 's origins remain unconfirmed , it should be disposed of , he said . However , the likelihood of tainted cantaloupes in the nation 's food supply is decreasing , thanks to the fruit 's short shelf life -- about two weeks , officials said . The recalled cantaloupes were shipped from July 29 through September 10 , `` so we really are nearing the end of the shelf life of the product in addition to its recalled product , '' Sherri McGarry , a senior adviser with the Food and Drug Administration -LRB- FDA -RRB- , told reporters . The recall itself should be removing the cantaloupes from shelves , she said , but the shelf life means the tainted cantaloupes will not be edible much longer . `` But consumers do have their own practices so we need to be cognizant some folks may hold that a little bit longer than we might expect , '' she said . If consumers do have a cantaloupe from Jensen Farms , authorities recommend they do n't try to wash off the bacteria . `` We want you to throw that product away , '' McGarry said . The fruits should be disposed of in a closed plastic bag and placed in a sealed trash can , to prevent people or animals from eating them , the CDC said . Refrigeration will not kill the Listeria bacteria , which can grow even at low temperatures , officials said . And the longer a contaminated food is stored in the refrigerator , the more opportunity the bacteria has to grow . `` It is very important that consumers clean their refrigerators and other food preparation surfaces '' in order to minimize risk , the FDA says on its website . After washing refrigerators , cutting boards and countertops , the agency recommends sanitizing them with a solution of one tablespoon chlorine bleach per gallon of hot water and drying them with a paper towel or cloth that has not been previously used . Jensen Farms has now ended its cantaloupe harvest for the season , so no new contaminated fruit will be entering the market , FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said Wednesday . Although Jensen Farms does produce other products , there is no concern for any other product from the company , McGarry said . Listeriosis causes fever , muscle aches , diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms . It rarely is a serious concern for healthy children and adults , the CDC said , but can be dangerous for older adults or those with weakened immune systems . It can be treated with antibiotics . The source of the outbreak -- the deadliest U.S. outbreak of a food-borne illness since 1998 -- remained under investigation . Officials could not give a figure Wednesday for the number of cantaloupes recalled .","question":""}
{"answer":"Editor 's note : Dr. John Boyce , chief of the Infectious Diseases Section at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven , Connecticut , was lead author of the Centers for Disease Control 's national hand hygiene guidelines for health-care workers and heads the Hand Hygiene Resource Center . Dr. John Boyce says hands contaminated with virus are often a pathway for people to develop flu . -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The rapid spread of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus -LRB- also known as swine flu -RRB- from Mexico to at least 19 other countries in less than 10 days is a cause of major concern . It emphasizes the need for the public to become familiar with how influenza is spread and which preventive measures they can use to reduce their chances of becoming infected . Although little information is available at this time , it appears that this influenza virus spreads from one person to another in the same way as other influenza viruses -- by `` droplet spread . '' Respiratory droplets are generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes and expels droplets of fluid . Those droplets travel short distances -LRB- usually less than three feet -RRB- through the air and can be deposited on the mouth or in the nose of people or on surfaces . Those who develop influenza often shed large amounts of virus in their respiratory secretions for several days after they become ill . Experience with other viruses suggests that individuals with influenza can contaminate their hands when coughing , sneezing or blowing their noses . The virus can survive on the hands for at least one hour . If a person whose hands are heavily contaminated touches a surface such as a doorknob , table or computer keyboard , they can deposit the virus onto that surface , where it can survive for minutes to several hours . One study conducted with a regular seasonal strain of influenza virus found that the virus could survive on facial tissues for several minutes and for two to eight hours on stainless steel or plastic surfaces . If another person touches a contaminated surface with his hands when the virus is still alive and then touches his own mouth or nose , he may become infected . Infection might also occur when a person with influenza shakes hands with another person who subsequently touches their own mouth or nose with their fingers . Several studies have found that many people touch their noses or mouths several times an hour during the course of daily activities . So there are plenty of opportunities for people to inadvertently introduce a flu virus into their bodies if their hands become contaminated . As a result , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -LRB- CDC -RRB- recommends that individuals perform hand hygiene -- also known as hand washing or decontamination -- frequently during influenza outbreaks . In addition to reducing the risk of developing influenza , hand hygiene can help protect people from becoming ill with several other respiratory viruses by eliminating these organisms from the hands . A recent study found that hand washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer were both highly effective in reducing a seasonal strain of influenza virus on the hands . This should also be true for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus . Either plain soap or antimicrobial soap will reduce the amount of virus on the hands . To ensure decontamination , be sure to wash your hands vigorously and keep both soap and water on your hands for at least 15 seconds . When sinks are not readily available , alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a convenient and effective way of eliminate the virus from hands . Use an amount of sanitizer at least the size of quarter or enough to keep your hands wet for at least 15 to 20 seconds while you 're rubbing them together . The CDC also recommends that people should avoid touching their mouths , noses and eyes , since surfaces they touch may be contaminated when flu virus is present . People who develop influenza or other respiratory viral infections should also clean their hands after blowing their nose or after covering a cough with their hands . Since droplet spread is the most common way influenza is transmitted from person to person , the CDC also recommends avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick . If you do become ill with influenza , the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others . Hand hygiene is an important tool in preventing infection from influenza viruses such as this recent strain and is an easy and effective way to prevent contracting infectious diseases in general . Take the time to educate yourself about proper hand hygiene to protect both yourself and your family . Note : Further information about the 2009 H1N1 influenza -LRB- swine flu -RRB- outbreak can be obtained by going to CDC 's Web site . For general information about hand hygiene in health-care settings , go to this CDC site or this Hand Hygiene Resource Center site . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of John Boyce .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Actress Lynn Redgrave died Sunday after a seven-year battle with breast cancer , according to her family . Redgrave , 67 , was surrounded by her children at her Connecticut home when she died , the family said in a statement Monday morning . The star of stage , film and television was twice nominated for an Academy Award : for best actress in 1966 for her role in `` Georgy Girl '' and for best supporting actress in the 1998 film `` Gods and Monsters . '' `` She lived , loved and worked harder than ever before , '' the family said . `` The endless memories she created as a mother , grandmother , writer , actor and friend will sustain us for the rest of our lives . Our entire family asks for privacy through this difficult time , '' the statement said . Redgrave is from `` a family of actors , embracing as it does more than five generations , '' she wrote on her official website . She is the younger sister of Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave and the aunt of the late actress Natasha Richardson . Her parents , Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson , were British stage and film actors . Her paternal grandparents , Roy Redgrave and Margaret Scudamore , were stage and silent film actors . Redgrave teamed with daughter Annabel Clark in 2004 to produce the book `` Journal : A Mother and Daughter 's Recovery from Breast Cancer . '' `` I thought I was living very fully before this happened , '' she said in 2005 . `` But in comparison , no , I really was n't . I was n't taking the time to notice things . I did n't see things as brightly or as sharply or as memorably as I do now . `` I really do n't let a moment slide by . I just do n't . It 's a big price to pay , is n't it , to have to have cancer to learn that ? But it is in the end , I have to say , a price worth paying , '' Redgrave said . Redgrave 's professional acting debut was in 1962 at London 's Royal Court Theatre in a production of `` A Midsummer Night 's Dream . '' A year later , she was invited to join Britain 's National Theatre for its inaugural season under the direction of Sir Laurence Olivier , according to her personal biography . Her first film performance came in `` Tom Jones , '' a 1963 movie co-starring Albert Finney and her mother . Redgrave 's `` Georgy Girl '' role three years later , opposite James Mason , earned her a best actress Golden Globe and the Academy Award best actress nomination . Her portrayal of a wisecracking young woman was a box office hit . Other early film roles included `` The National Health , '' `` Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex , '' `` The Happy Hooker '' and `` Getting It Right . '' Redgrave enjoyed a revitalized film career late in life . She won a second Golden Globe and her second Oscar nomination for her comedic role in `` Gods and Monsters . '' She continued to make movies despite her illness , including her last film role in `` Confessions of a Shopaholic , '' which hit theaters a year ago . Redgrave debuted on Broadway in 1967 in `` Black Comedy . '' The first of three Tony nominations came in 1976 for `` Mrs. Warren 's Profession . '' She was nominated again for her Broadway roles in `` Shakespeare for My Father '' in 1993 and `` The Constant Wife '' in 2005 . She teamed with her sister Vanessa Redgrave on the London stage in `` Three Sisters '' in 1991 . The sisters worked together the same year in a television version of `` Whatever Happened to Baby Jane ? '' Her three Emmy nominations all came for TV work in the 1980s , including an episode of `` House Calls '' in 1981 , `` The Shooting Company '' in 1982 and `` Walking on Air '' in 1987 . CNN 's David Daniel contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"PALO ALTO , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sharing the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize helps underscore the urgency of the climate crisis , said former Vice President Al Gore on Friday . `` This is a chance to elevate global consciousness about the challenges that we face now , '' said Al Gore . Gore 's comments came hours after the Nobel committee announced he would share the award with the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for their work to raise awareness about global warming . `` This is a chance to elevate global consciousness about the challenges that we face now , '' Gore said , speaking to reporters in Palo Alto , California . `` It truly is a planetary emergency , and we have to respond quickly . '' The former vice president said he would donate his half of the $ 1.5 million prize to the Alliance for Climate Protection , an organization he founded to persuade people to reduce global warming by cutting pollution . `` That amount is very small compared to the enormous challenge that lies ahead , '' Gore said , including organizing a massive grass-roots movement and a mass advertising campaign focused on `` trying to change the way people think . '' Watch Gore describe what he calls a ` planetary emergency ' '' Earlier Friday , a White House spokesman said President Bush was pleased that Gore , Bush 's opponent in the 2000 presidential race , had won the award . `` Of course , he 's happy for Vice President Gore , happy for the International Panel on Climate Change scientists , who also shared the Peace Prize , '' White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto said . `` Obviously it 's an important recognition , and we 're sure the vice president is thrilled . '' Fratto said Bush would not be under any pressure to adopt mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions , a policy Gore has advocated . Gore 's ex-boss , former President Clinton , also said he 's `` thrilled by this well-deserved recognition , '' and credited Gore with `` warning and educating us about the dangers of climate change for decades . He saw this coming before others in public life . '' The Nobel committee 's announcement cited Gore and the IPCC `` for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change , and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change . '' The award ceremony will be held December 10 in Oslo , Norway . In recent weeks , Gore has been the target of a campaign to persuade him to enter the 2008 presidential race . A source involved in Gore 's past political runs told CNN that he definitely has the ambition to use the peace prize as a springboard to run for president . But he will not run , because he wo n't take on the political machine assembled by Sen. Hillary Clinton , said the source . If the senator from New York had faltered at all , Gore would take a serious look at entering the race , the source said . But Gore has calculated that Clinton is unstoppable , according to the source . Gore repeatedly denied he has any plans to run again , but this week a group of grass-roots Democrats calling themselves `` Draft Gore '' took out a full-page ad in The New York Times in a bid to change his mind . Watch Gore discuss global warming and politics `` Your country needs you now , as do your party , and the planet you are fighting so hard to save , '' the group said in an open letter . `` America and the Earth need a hero right now , someone who will transcend politics as usual and bring real hope to our country and to the world . '' The Nobel committee praised Gore as being `` one of the world 's leading environmentalist politicians . '' `` He is probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding of the measures that need to be adopted , '' said Ole Danbolt Mjos , chairman of the Nobel committee . In making the announcement , Mjos said , `` Through the scientific reports it has issued over the past two decades , the IPCC has created an ever-broader informed consensus about the connection between human activities and global warming . `` Thousands of scientists and officials from over 100 countries have collaborated to achieve greater certainty as to the scale of the warming . '' Said Rajendra Pachauri , chairman of the U.N. panel : `` This is an honor that goes to all the scientists and authors who have contributed to the work of the IPCC . '' Renate Christ , secretary of the panel , called the award `` the most significant recognition that the IPCC has received . '' The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was established in 1988 to study climate change information . The group does n't do independent research but instead reviews scientific literature from around the world . The U.N.-sanctioned group was formed by the World Meteorological Organization and U.N. Environment Program . U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was `` delighted '' with the news that Gore and the IPCC will share in prize . The Nobel caps a series of prestigious awards associated with Gore , including two Oscars this year for the 2006 documentary film , `` An Inconvenient Truth , '' which followed him on a worldwide tour publicizing the dangers of climate change . Last month , he also picked up an Emmy -- the highest award in U.S. television -- for `` Current TV . '' The show , which Gore co-created , describes itself as a global television network giving viewers the opportunity to create and influence its programming . Previous American recipients of the peace prize include former Presidents Carter in 2002 , Wilson in 1919 and Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 . In 1973 , Secretary of State Henry Kissinger shared the award with North Vietnam 's Le Duc Tho . The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. received the honor in 1964 . See more on 2007 Nobel winners '' Gore was vice president for eight years before winning the 2000 Democratic presidential nomination and running against Bush . But he failed in his White House bid -- despite winning the popular vote -- when the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his challenge over voting results in Florida , securing an Electoral College majority for Bush . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sonia Sotomayor , who rose from humble roots in a Bronx , New York , housing project to a high-powered legal career , was sworn in Saturday as the 111th justice of the U.S. Supreme Court . Judge Sonia Sotomayor takes the judicial oath Saturday as her mother , Celina , holds the Bible . With friends and family looking on , the 55-year-old jurist took the judicial oath in the court 's wood-paneled East Conference Room , pledging to `` faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me . '' It was the first time such a ceremony was televised . Chief Justice John Roberts administered the 62-word oath required of all federal judges . In a private ceremony just moments before , Sotomayor took a separate , constitutional oath across the hall . Both oaths are necessary for her to assume her new duties . As her mother , Celina , held a ceremonial Bible , Sotomayor beamed as she waved to relatives and guests when she entered the room for the public ceremony . Among those in the room was her brother , Juan Sotomayor . Watch Sotomayor take the oath '' Roberts made brief preliminary remarks , telling the audience of about 60 that after the swearing-in , Sotomayor can `` begin her duties as an associate justice without delay . '' `` Congratulations and welcome to the court , '' he said afterward . Sotomayor made no statements and did not answer questions . She hugged her mother and several people in the front row . The newest justice can begin moving into her chambers and preparing for the upcoming fall term . The other justices plan to return early from their three-month recess to hear a case September 9 on free speech and campaign finance laws . Sources close to Sotomayor say she has already begun reading up on the caseload , and will soon formally hire four law clerks . She also will have two secretaries and a messenger to assist her . Justice Anthony Kennedy was the only current Supreme Court member on hand for the swearing-in ceremony . David Souter , whom Sotomayor replaces on the bench , was not there . He has retired to New Hampshire . The Senate confirmed Sotomayor on Thursday in a 68-31 vote . President Obama , who did not attend the swearing-in , will welcome his first high court appointee to the White House for a reception Wednesday . Watch Senate vote '' Obama , who selected Sotomayor on May 26 , said Thursday he was `` deeply gratified '' by the Senate vote . `` This is a wonderful day for Judge Sotomayor and her family , but I also think it 's a wonderful day for America , '' he said in brief remarks . Sotomayor , who watched Thursday 's final vote surrounded by friends and family at the federal courthouse in Manhattan , was confirmed after senators spent a final day of debate rehashing the main arguments for and against her . Democrats continued to praise Sotomayor as a fair and impartial jurist with an extraordinary life story . Many Republicans portrayed her as a judicial activist intent on reinterpreting the law to conform with her own liberal political beliefs . See how Sotomayor measures up to other justices '' Sotomayor 's confirmation capped an inspiring personal and professional journey . Her parents came to New York from Puerto Rico during World War II . Her father worked in a factory and did not speak English well . She was born in the Bronx and grew up in a public housing project , not too far from the stadium of her favorite team , the New York Yankees . Her father died when she was 9 . Her mother , whom Sotomayor has described as her biggest inspiration , worked six days a week as a nurse to care for her and her younger brother . Sotomayor graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University and attended Yale Law School , where she was editor of the Yale Law Journal . She worked at nearly every level of the judicial system over a three-decade career before being tapped by Obama . Her supporters touted her as someone with bipartisan favor and historic appeal . President George H.W. Bush named her a district judge in 1992 . She had served as a judge on the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals since President Bill Clinton appointed her in 1998 . Prior to her judicial appointments , Sotomayor was a partner at a private law firm and spent time as an assistant district attorney prosecuting violent crimes .","question":""}
{"answer":"Editor 's note : Kevin Fenton is director of the National Center for HIV\/AIDS , Viral Hepatitis , STD and TB Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Fenton has written for journals including The Lancet , AIDS , the British Medical Journal and the Journal of Infectious Diseases . After graduating from medical school , Fenton earned his Masters in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and his Ph.D. in Epidemiology from University College London . Dr. Kevin Fenton urges Americans to get tested for HIV . ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Every 9 1\/2 minutes someone 's brother , mother , sister , father , or neighbor becomes infected with HIV in the United States . That 's 56,000 people every year . But there 's something we can all do to help protect ourselves and our partners from this disease -- get tested for HIV . In the fight against HIV , I can tell you that few things are more important than testing . It 's an essential step in reducing the number of new HIV infections and extending the lives of those who are infected . Put simply , HIV testing saves lives . As a CDC official , I 've spoken with hundreds of people who have made the decision to get tested . Many described the relief they felt when they found out they were HIV-negative . Thanks to the HIV test , they could take steps to make sure they and their partners stay that way . I 've also met people who found out they were HIV-positive . Although initially worried about their diagnosis and their future , they were thankful they had their infection diagnosed early , and were able to live long , healthy and productive lives with HIV . They had the knowledge and will to protect their partners from infection , or to prevent their infants from becoming HIV infected . I recently met one young woman who learned about her HIV infection after being diagnosed during routine HIV testing in pregnancy . By getting tested early , and having access to effective treatment , her child was born without HIV , and she now has two healthy children . She is a living testament that life does not stop with this disease . Instead , knowledge of her HIV status along with effective treatment and care has given her the freedom , resolve and respect to make choices to protect her life and the lives of those she loves . Yet today , not everyone has benefited from knowing their HIV status . Far too many individuals with HIV do n't know that they 're infected . CDC estimates that one in five people with HIV in the United States is unaware of being infected . That 's more than 200,000 Americans who may be transmitting the virus to others without knowing it , and who ca n't take advantage of HIV treatments that could prolong and improve the quality of their lives . As we mark National HIV Testing Day on Saturday , I strongly encourage all Americans to get tested for HIV . At CDC , our goal is to make HIV testing as routine as a blood pressure check . HIV testing has never been quicker , easier or more accessible . In fact , with rapid HIV tests , results can be available in as little as 20 minutes , and tests can be given in your doctor 's office or other locations in your community , such as churches and college campuses . To ensure that all Americans know their HIV status , CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV as part of routine medical care -- regardless of their perceived risk for infection . CDC also recommends that those at increased risk , such as sexually active gay and bisexual men , get tested at least annually . We are also working with our partners to bring HIV testing services directly to communities across the nation . Increased HIV testing will make it possible to significantly reduce the number of new infections . Research indicates the majority of new sexually transmitted HIV infections are transmitted by people who do not know they are HIV-infected . Studies also show that most people who test HIV-positive take steps to protect their partners from infection . Nearly 30 years after the start of the epidemic , far too many people continue to be diagnosed late in the course of their infection . Too many times , I 've heard stories from people who went to the emergency room after a few days of flu-like symptoms . Once there , doctors conduct tests and inform them they have both pneumonia and AIDS . They never knew they were HIV infected , and yet they had the virus for years . In fact , data released today show that nearly 40 percent of people develop AIDS within just a year of being diagnosed with HIV . Many of these people could have stayed healthier if they were diagnosed with HIV and began drug treatment much earlier . Anti-retroviral treatment can lower the amount of the virus in the blood , slowing progression from HIV to AIDS . We must remember that AIDS still kills in this country -- more than 14,000 people die every year . Yet we have the tools to diagnose an HIV infection early , to begin life-prolonging treatments to prevent progression to AIDS , and to ensure a strong quality of life for HIV-infected people . But without a test , there is no diagnosis -- and no treatment . The fight against HIV here at home is far from over . But too many mistakenly believe that HIV in the United States is no longer a serious problem . In fact , a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found a troubling decline in awareness and concern about the domestic HIV\/AIDS crisis , in the general population and among those at greatest risk . To help combat this complacency , the White House recently joined CDC and the rest of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to announce a new communication campaign , `` Act Against AIDS . '' The campaign is working on a number of fronts to refocus national attention on the U.S. epidemic , and to increase the number of Americans who get tested for HIV . Although HIV\/AIDS continues to pose a serious threat to the nation 's health , HIV testing is a powerful weapon against the disease . By increasing the number of people who know their HIV status , we can decrease the number of new HIV infections , and help save thousands of lives . What you do n't know can hurt you . In fact , it can kill you . But a simple test could change your fate and the fate of others . That 's why today I urge all Americans to take the test -- and take control . To learn more about HIV\/AIDS and where you can receive a confidential HIV test , visit hivtest.org , call 800-CDC-INFO , or text your ZIP code to `` Know It '' -LRB- 566948 -RRB- . For comprehensive information about HIV prevention , visit http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nineandahalfminutes\/index.html , the Web site for the first phase of CDC 's recently-launched Act Against AIDS campaign .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Somalia 's interim prime minister said Thursday that he has spoken to one of two French hostages seized earlier this week by gunmen who stormed their hotel in Mogadishu . Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke said the government will hold Hizbul Islam responsible for the safety of both men . Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke told a news conference at the presidential palace in the Somali capital that the hostage said he was in good health and is being treated well . Sharmarke said three low-level security officials have been arrested for their involvement in the kidnapping . The Somali government is negotiating the release of the hostages , who are being held by Islamist militants , he added . The two French nationals -- who have not been identified -- were abducted Tuesday when a group of about 10 armed men raided the hotel where they were staying . The French Foreign Ministry said the two were on an official mission to help the Somali government with security . The ministry has not divulged any details of its efforts to release the hostages , saying only that it is `` mobilized . '' The two advisers had apparently told the hotel they were journalists , something that the media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders has criticized . `` We hope these two advisers are freed quickly , but we are shocked that they were passing themselves off as journalists , '' Reporters Without Borders said . `` They were on an official mission and had no need of cover . Their behavior endangers journalists in a region where media personnel are already in danger . '' Sharmarke said the two hostages were kidnapped by the militant group Hizbul Islam but later were transferred to Al-Shabaab . Both Islamic insurgencies are trying to topple the current Somali government . Eyewitnesses said a group of gunmen stormed into the Sahafi hotel , which is frequented by foreigners , and took the two blindfolded and bound hostages on foot toward Mogadishu 's Bakara market , a stronghold for Islamist insurgents fighting against the Somali government . The Somali prime minister said that the government will hold Hizbul Islam responsible for the safety of both men . He did not say if any demands had been made for the hostages ' release . Hizbul Islam is led by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys , a bitter rival of Somalia 's transitional president , Sheikh Sharif Ahmed . The two men once shared leadership of the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia , which opposed the presence of Ethiopian forces in Somalia . The alliance split because the two leaders disagreed over whether to use force to oust the Ethiopian forces . Hizbul Islam and Al-Shabaab have continued their fight in Somalia despite the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces earlier this year . The United Nations had hoped that the withdrawal of the Ethiopians and the election of Ahmed -- an Islamist -- to the post of transitional president would help quell the insurgency in Somalia . The Islamist insurgency is led by Al-Shabaab -- an al Qaeda-linked group that is on the United States ' terror list . It wants to overthrow Somalia 's weak , transitional government and implement a radical version of sharia , or Islamic law . Fighting in Somalia 's capital city has displaced 200,000 Mogadishu residents since early May , according to the United Nations . Journalist Mohamed Amin Adow contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Welcome to New York City . Hope you packed your appetite . We 're not claiming these are the definitive `` best , '' `` most essential , '' or `` most authentic '' restaurants in all of NYC or any of that jazz . We are just saying that if it were us in town for a few days , these are the places we 'd make a beeline for to eat , drink and generally be delighted . Not a fan of our faves ? Well , OK then . Just send us a DM or a note @eatocracy on Twitter , let us know where you are , and we 'll find you some food to suit your mood . Have a delicious stay . Terroir | Tribeca Address : 24 Harrison St. Phone : 212.625.9463 Website : http:\/\/www.wineisterroir.com\/ Categories : Downtown , Bar , Eat at the bar Solo Dining : Yes Tip : Three words : Riesling on tap . It may be touted as a wine bar , but the food is killer . Chicken liver and lardo bruschette are life-changers . Caracas Arepa Bar Address : 93 1\/2 East 7th St. Phone : 718.218.6050 or 212.529.2314 Website : http:\/\/www.caracasarepabar.com Categories : Downtown Tip : For a taste of Venezuela , chomp into one of these stuffed corn-flour arepas . Feeling indecisive ? Try the La Popular sampler of three different , traditional varieties . Otto Enoteca Pizzeria Address : 1 Fifth Ave. Phone : 212.995.9559 Website : http:\/\/www.ottopizzeria.com\/ Categories : Downtown , Celebrity chef , Eat at the bar Solo Dining : Yes Tip : Order some antipasti at Mario Batali 's casual pizzeria while you wait on his thin-crusted creations . Runny yolk fans opt for the Pane Frattau -- a pie with a sunnyside-up egg in the center . The house-made olive oil gelato is the ultimate sweet-savory ending . Gramercy Tavern Address : 42 East 20th St. Phone : 212.477.0777 Website : http:\/\/www.gramercytavern.com\/ Categories : Gramercy\/Flatiron , Date night Solo Dining : Yes Tip : It 's one of the New York 's most beloved restaurants -- and for good reason with its luxurious yet homey atmosphere . Everything 's seasonal and you really ca n't go wrong . Sakagura Address : 211 East 43rd St. Phone : 212.953.7253 Website : http:\/\/www.sakagura.com\/ Categories : Midtown , Hidden gem , Eat at the bar Solo Dining : Yes Tip : A taste of Tokyo is hidden in the basement of a Midtown East office building -- your friends will be impressed you found this place . Go for lunch and sake -- their platters are a multi-course steal at $ 20 . Pearl Oyster Bar Address : 18 Cornelia Street Phone : 212.691.8211 Website : http:\/\/www.pearloysterbar.com\/ Categories : Downtown , No reservations Solo Dining : Yes Tip : Come for the lobster roll , stay for the blueberry pie . Impatient diners take note : they do not accept reservations . Spotted Pig Address : 314 West 11th Street Phone : 212.620.0393 Website : http:\/\/thespottedpig.com\/ Categories : Downtown , Celeb spotting , Late night Tip : The gastropub to end all gastropubs . Devils on Horseback , chicken liver and a burger with Roquefort are a few of its hearty offerings . A 2-hour wait is normal during peak time as is celeb-spotting in the witching hours . Momofuku Ssam Bar Address : 207 2nd Avenue Phone : 212.254.3500 Website : http:\/\/www.momofuku.com\/ssam-bar\/ Categories : Downtown , Celebrity chef Tip : Order the pork buns and stop by Milk Bar next door for a compost cookie , crack pie or one of the ever changing , always inventive soft-serve ice creams . Porchetta Address : 110 East 7th Street Phone : 212.777.2151 Website : http:\/\/www.porchettanyc.com\/ Categories : Downtown , Casual Solo Dining : Yes Tip : Pork lovers : eat Porchetta 's porchetta . That is all . Marea Address : 240 Central Park South Phone : 212.582.5100 Website : http:\/\/www.marea-nyc.com\/home.html\/ Categories : Midtown , Date night , Eat at the bar Solo Dining : Yes Tip : It was just named Best New Restaurant at the James Beard Awards so reservations may be tight . But , it 's worth the fuss to order fusilli with red wine braised octopus and bone marrow and eat at the bar . Taim Address : 222 Waverly Place Phone : 212.691.1287 Website : http:\/\/taimfalafel.com\/ Categories : Downtown , Casual Solo Dining : Yes Tip : Skip the ubiquitous street cart falafel and head to the West Village . Choose between red , green or harissa falafel flavors . The Little Owl Address : 90 Bedford Street Phone : 212.741.4695 Website : http:\/\/www.thelittleowlnyc.com\/ Categories : Downtown , Date night Tip : This darling neighborhood restaurant is perfect for date night . Signature meatball sliders are a must , while a pork chop with butter beans and dandelion is close to porcine perfection . If soft shell crab is available , dive in for a suprisingly light taste of summer . Katz 's Delicatessen Address : 205 E. Houston Street Phone : 212.254.2246 Website : http:\/\/www.katzdeli.com\/ Categories : Downtown , Old New York , Casual Solo Dining : Yes Tip : It 's the quintessential New York deli -- as seen in When Harry Mat Sally . Order the classics : corned beef , pastrami or tongue with a Dr. Brown 's Cel-Ray chaser . Grand Central Oyster Bar Address : 89 E. 42nd St. -LRB- in Grand Central Station -RRB- Phone : 212.490.6650 Website : http:\/\/oysterbarny.com\/ Categories : Midtown , Old New York Solo Dining : Yes Tip : This is old school New York . Nab a table in the cavernous , subterranean dining room or saloon or a seat at the curving lunch counter or raw bar and slurp down fresh oysters or a classic pan roast . Blue Hill Address : 75 Washington Place Phone : 212.539.1776 Website : http:\/\/bluehillfarm.com\/food\/blue-hill-new-york Categories : Downtown , Date night Tip : Dine like the First Couple at this lauded , lovely farm-to-table restaurant helmed by James Beard Award winning chef Dan Barber . Torrisi Italian Specialities Address : 250 Mulberry St. Phone : 212.965.0955 Website : http:\/\/www.piginahat.com\/index.php Categories : Downtown , Casual Solo Dining : Yes Tip : Italian-American classics to take-out or eat-in by two accomplished , contemporary chefs . Word has quickly spread about this 18 seat restaurant 's chicken parm hero and turkey sandwich . Degustation Address : 239 East 5th Street Phone : 212.979.1012 Website : No website Categories : Downtown , Adventurous Tip : Skip a la carte and go for the tasting menu : a New York bargain at 5-courses for $ 55 . The tiny restaurant seats diners at a counter around an open kitchen -- dinner and a show . Shake Shack Address : 366 Columbus Ave. Phone : 212.889.6600 Website : http:\/\/shakeshack.com Categories : Gramercy\/Flatiron , Casual , Outdoors Solo Dining : Yes Tip : Shack burgers , Chicago-style dogs and shakes are the draw at Danny Meyer 's ode to summertime eats . Park yourself in the inevitable line -- locations in Madison Square Park , the Upper West Side and Citi Field triple your chances to satisfy crinkle-fry cravings . Death & Co. . Address : 433 E. 6th St. Phone : 212-388-0882 Website : http:\/\/www.deathandcompany.com\/lounge\/ Categories : Downtown , Bar Tip : Cocktails are to die for at this East Village bar . Drinks like the Joy Division and the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test sparkle amid the Gothic loveliness of this cocktail manor . Lombardi 's Address : 32 Spring St Phone : 212-941-7994 Website : http:\/\/www.firstpizza.com Categories : Downtown , Casual Tip : The nation 's first pizzeria does n't accept reservations , but their wood-oven pies are worth the wait . Hill Country Address : 30 West 26th Street Phone : 212.255.4544 Website : http:\/\/www.hillcountryny.com\/ Categories : Gramercy\/Flatiron , Casual , Good for groups , Live music Tip : Boot scoot on over to Hill Country for some low and slow-smoked brisket , ribs and all the southern fixings . Save room for a PB & J cupcake . Everything 's bigger in Texas so bring your appetite . Beacon Address : 25 W. 56th St. Phone : 212-332-0500 Website : http:\/\/www.beaconnyc.com\/ Categories : Midtown , Eat at the bar Solo Dining : Yes Tip : This undersung Midtown gem boasts some of the city 's greatest bar treats - woodfired pizza and serious cocktails . Lunch prix fixe is a steal . Sripraphai Address : 6413 39th Avenue Woodside , Queens Phone : -LRB-718-RRB- 899-9599 Website : http:\/\/www.sripraphairestaurant.com\/ Categories : Queens , Adventurous Tip : Sure , it 's a shlep from Manhattan -LRB- hop the 7-train to Woodside Ave. -RRB- , but the papaya and catfish salad and fish maw soup are worth the journey for serious Thai devotees . Sushi Yasuda Address : 204 East 43rd Street Phone : -LRB-212-RRB- 972-1001 Website : http:\/\/www.sushiyasuda.com\/ Categories : Midtown , Date night Solo Dining : Yes Tip : Oh , oh , the otoro ! Opt for bar seating to watch the master prepare sumptuous fatty tuna , Arctic char and shockingly fresh urchin up close . Flatiron Lounge Address : 37 West 19th St. Phone : -LRB-212-RRB- 727-7741 Website : http:\/\/www.flatironlounge.com\/ Categories : Gramercy\/Flatiron , Date night , Bar Tip : Artful mixologists led by the fabulous Julie Reiner craft bygone cocktails and daily drink flights by hand in this lovely , Art Deco-influenced bar . Get there early . Han Bat Address : 53 West 35th Street Phone : -LRB-212-RRB- 629-5588 Website : No website Categories : Midtown , Late night Tip : Skip the late night slice and opt for bi bim bop and ox knee broth served 24\/7 in the heart of NYC 's Koreatown . Keens Steakhouse Address : 72 West 36th St. Phone : -LRB-212-RRB- 947-3636 Website : http:\/\/www.keens.com\/ Categories : Midtown , Old New York Solo Dining : Yes Tip : In 1905 , Lillie Langtry sued to be allowed access to the gents-only premises . Upon winning , she swept in and ordered the mutton chop . Follow her lead . Do n't miss prime-rib hash and 200 + single malts . Hearth Address : 403 East 12th St. Phone : -LRB-646-RRB- 602-1300 Website : http:\/\/restauranthearth.com\/ Categories : Downtown , Date night Tip : Chef Marco Canora 's Italian-influenced American fare is inventive , hospitable and homey -- complemented by one of the most creative wine lists in town . WD ~ 50 Address : 50 Clinton St. Phone : 212.477.2900 Website : http:\/\/www.wd-50.com\/ Categories : Downtown , Adventurous Tip : Chef Wylie Dufresne deconstructs classic like eggs Benedict to re-imagine using high-tech `` molecular gastronomy '' techniques . Like Mama never made . Pegu Club Address : 77 W. Houston St. , 2nd Floor Phone : -LRB-212-RRB- 473-7348 Website : http:\/\/www.peguclub.com Categories : Downtown , Bar Tip : Named for the Pegu Club cocktail , this romantic upstairs bar boasts classics and original inventions by mixologist Audrey Saunders . Nice Green Bo Address : 66 Bayard St. Phone : -LRB-212-RRB- 625-2359 Website : No website Categories : Downtown , Adventurous Solo Dining : Yes Tip : The bare-bones atmosphere and terse service are n't the draw ; the turnip and ham pastries and sumptuous stewed pork balls surely are . Prune Address : 54 East 1st St. Phone : -LRB-212-RRB- 677-6221 Website : http:\/\/www.prunerestaurant.com\/ Categories : Downtown , Killer brunch Tip : A wild Sunday brunch Bloody Mary menu and an omelet with a marrow bone side sates adventurous eaters . Spaghetti carbonara breakfast soothes damage from late night revels . Jimmy 's Corner Address : 140 W. 44th St Phone : 212-221-9510 Website : No website Categories : Midtown , Dive bar Tip : a.k.a. . The Boxing Bar . Jimmy Glenn 's low-key joint is a longtime haven for thirsty locals in need of respite from Times Square tourists . Kabab Caf\u00e9 Address : 25-12 Steinway St. Astoria Queens N\/R to Astoria\/Ditmars Blvd. . Phone : 718-728-9858 Website : No website Categories : Queens , Adventurous Tip : This eclectically decorated cash-only caf\u00e9 is home to Egyptian fare so soulful and sumptuous , it 's not unusual to see patrons tearing up . Get the meze platter and let Chef Ali El Sayed select the rest of your meal for you .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hundreds of Cambodians packed a courtroom in Phnom Penh on Monday as three top Khmer Rouge leaders went on trial for their role during the bloody four-year regime in the mid-1970s . The U.N.-backed Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia has scheduled four days of opening statements for the defendants , who are all in their 80s . On trial are Ieng Sary , the former Khmer Rouge foreign minister ; Khieu Samphon , the nominal head of state ; and Nuon Chea , the prime minister , also known as Brother Number 2 . The head of the Khmer Rouge , Pol Pot , was known as Brother Number 1 . He died in 1998 , long before the U.N.-backed court came into existence . A fourth defendant , Ieng Thirith , was ruled unfit to stand trial because she suffers from dementia and could be set free , prosecutor said . She is Sary 's wife and served as the social affairs ministry during the regime . Prosecutors have charged the defendants with crimes against humanity , grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions , genocide , homicide , torture and religious persecution . Under Pol Pot 's leadership , the Khmer Rouge regime was responsible for the deaths of millions of ordinary Cambodians during a four-year reign of terror that was eventually halted in 1979 by invading Vietnamese forces . In 1975 , the Khmer Rouge ordered people out of Phnom Penh , the capital , and other cities in Cambodia to work in the countryside . It is said to be responsible for about 1.7 million deaths , roughly a quarter of the population at the time . Its stated aim was to create a Communist utopia , but instead the regime forced Cambodians into what has been described as a living hell . Soldiers marched city-dwellers into the countryside and forced them to work as farm laborers . Those already living in rural Cambodia were expected to produce enough food for the country while teaching farming to those who had never done it before . The regime abolished currency , and considered anyone with an education a threat . It did not allow modern medicine , and it isolated Cambodia to make it completely self-sufficient . The results were disastrous : People died of starvation and disease as soldiers tortured and killed anyone suspected of being disloyal . In the end , virtually everyone , including the soldiers , became a target due to the leadership 's paranoia .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- After nearly 40 years of recorded increases , the number of immigrants living in the United States remained flat between 2007 and 2008 , recent statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau show . The number of naturalized citizens in the U.S. increased , partly attributed to voter drives for the 2008 election . According to the Census Bureau 's American Community Survey , the U.S. foreign-born population represented about 12.5 percent of the population in 2008 , down from 12.6 percent in 2007 . Taking into account the margin of error , it was possible that the immigrant population remained even . `` Between '07 and '08 there really was n't that much of a change , '' said Elizabeth Grieco , chief of immigration statistics staff at the Census Bureau . But given the steep upward trend in the foreign-born population since 1970 , no change is big news . The American Community Survey collects data from about 3 million addresses each year , and provides one of the most complete pictures of the population , according to the bureau . The survey does n't give a reason for the leveling off , but experts pointed to the economic downturn and the resulting high unemployment as factors behind the shift . `` The recession has had a significant effect on immigrants ' decisions on whether to come to the U.S. , '' said Michelle Mittelstadt , director of communications at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute . Would-be unauthorized immigrants and legal temporary workers are mostly the ones who have decided to stay put in their home countries for now , Mittelstadt said . The largest declines in the foreign-born population were in states that were hardest hit by the recession , including California , Florida and Arizona . Mittelstadt noted , however , that those immigrants already in the United States appear to be staying . A recent study by the Pew Hispanic Center concluded that emigration from Mexico , the largest source of immigrants to the United States , slowed at least 40 percent between mid-decade and 2008 , based on national population surveys in the United States and Mexico , as well as Border Patrol apprehension figures . The Mexican-born population in the United States dropped by about 300,000 between 2007 and 2008 , according to census data . The new Census statistics show that for the first time since the American Community Survey was fully implemented in 2005 , the number of noncitizens decreased , Grieco said . There were about 21.6 million noncitizens in 2008 , down from 21.9 million in 2007 . The label noncitizens includes both legal residents and illegal immigrants . Along with the decline in the noncitizen population , however , there was a notable increase in the number of naturalized citizens , Grieco said . The number of individuals who are naturalized citizens increased to 43 percent of the foreign-born population in 2008 from 42.5 percent in 2007 . The Census survey matches reports from the Department of Homeland Security on the rise of naturalization applications . `` Naturalizations grew at a record pace between 2006 and 2008 , with a total of 2.4 million immigrants becoming new citizens in the United States , '' according to a DHS statement . A significant fee increase imposed in 2007 for naturalization applications and an awareness of citizenship brought on during voter registration drives for the 2008 election help explain the increase , Mittelstadt said .","question":""}
{"answer":"WHITE OAK , Maryland -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Seeking to remove unapproved drugs from the marketplace , the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday ordered nine companies to stop manufacturing narcotics whose therapeutic claims have not been proved . The FDA ordered nine companies to stop selling unapproved drugs marketed for pain relief . The FDA 's warning letters notified the companies they may be subject to legal action if they do not stop manufacturing and distributing `` prescription unapproved products '' that include high-concentrate morphine sulfate oral solutions and immediate-release tablets containing morphine sulfate , hydromorphone or oxycodone . This action does not include oxycodone capsules . All of these drugs are used for pain relief and are forms of previously approved medications . The agency says this is not a recall , but is instead a warning to manufacturers . The companies have 60 days to pull these pain-relief drugs from the market . Distributors have 90 days to stop shipping them . If these drugs are not off the market by those deadlines , a company could face seizure of the narcotics and legal action . `` We estimate there are several hundred unapproved drugs out there , '' said Deborah Autor , director of the office of compliance within the FDA 's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research . `` We will continue to take aggressive action against those firms that do not have the required FDA approval for their drugs . Today 's warning letters are another demonstration of our commitment to remove illegal , unproved drugs from the market . '' Although the FDA does not know whether these drugs are unsafe , it has not approved them so can not certify that the products are 100 percent safe and effective . `` Consumers have a right to expect that their drugs meet the FDA 's safety and effectiveness standards , '' said Dr. Janet Woodcock , director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research . `` Doctors and patients are often unaware that not all drugs on the market are backed by FDA approval . It is a high priority for the FDA to remove these products from the market because they may be unsafe , ineffective , inappropriately labeled , or of poor quality . '' The FDA believes Americans have access to plenty of legal narcotics for pain relief and removing these unapproved drugs will not create a shortage . Consumers who may be concerned that they are taking any unapproved drug products should refer to the FDA 's Unapproved Drugs Web page , which includes a list of manufacturers of these products . Those who find they are taking unapproved drugs should see their health care professionals for treatment options . Those companies receiving warning letters are Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane Inc. , Columbus , Ohio ; Cody Laboratories Inc. , Cody , Wyoming ; Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc. , Mahwah , New Jersey ; Lannett Company Inc. , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania ; Lehigh Valley Technologies Inc. , Allentown , Pennsylvania ; Mallinckrodt Inc. . Pharmaceuticals Group , St. Louis , Missouri ; Physicians Total Care Inc. , Tulsa , Oklahoma ; Roxane Laboratories Inc. , Columbus , Ohio ; and Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc. , Newport , Kentucky .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A new national poll suggests most Americans favor an economic stimulus package even if it comes with an $ 800 billion price tag , although that support does n't indicate the public wants to see a new era of big government . Two-thirds of people polled think Present-elect Barack Obama 's stimulus package will help the economy . Fifty-six percent of those questioned in a CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Tuesday said they favor the stimulus package that President-elect Barack Obama is proposing ; 42 percent were opposed . Obama is pushing Congress to pass the plan soon after he 's inaugurated on January 20 , to help jump-start an economy mired in a deep recession . The poll also indicates that two-thirds of the public thinks the stimulus package will do just that , with 17 percent saying it will help the economy a lot and another 50 percent feeling that it will help the economy somewhat . Twenty-one percent say the stimulus package wo n't help the economy very much and 10 percent say it wo n't help at all . But Americans seem to be split on whether they 'd like more government regulation of business and industry , with 39 percent saying there 's too much government regulation and an equal amount saying too little . Twenty percent said the amount of government involvement is just right . Watch why most Americans back the bailout '' `` Attitudes toward government have not changed since 2006 , when the economy was still in pretty good shape , '' said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland . `` Most still say the government is doing too much that should be left to individuals and businesses , and trust in government is still low . '' On the other hand , he said , `` with the economy in such poor shape , government action to stimulate the economy seems to get an exemption to the general concerns about big government . '' There also appears to be a divide between the parties when it comes to government involvement . `` Six in 10 Democrats want to see the federal government do more , '' Holland said . `` But three-quarters of Republicans would like to see a smaller government . The tiebreaker is independents . A majority of the independents polled say that government is doing too much that should be left to individuals and businesses . '' The poll also suggests that a declining number of Americans trust the government to do what 's right . iReport.com : What should Obama do first ? Twenty-two percent of those polled said they trust the government to do what 's right most of the time . That 's down 6 points from when the question was asked two years ago . Sixty-six percent said they trust the government some of the time , and 9 percent said they never trust Washington . On the opposite end of the spectrum , 3 percent said they can always trust the government to do the right thing . The CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. poll was conducted Friday through Sunday , with 1,013 adult Americans questioned by telephone . The survey 's sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Attorneys on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate faced off Monday in a federal appeals court in California , as a panel of judges heard arguments about the constitutionality of Proposition 8 . In August , a federal judge ruled that the voter-approved measure , which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman , violated the U.S. Constitution . The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals considered an appeal of that judge 's ruling Monday . The three-judge panel opened Monday 's hearing with tough questioning of parties seeking to appeal the decision , including ProtectMarriage.com and Isabel Vargas , who 's a deputy clerk and deputy commissioner of civil marriages for Imperial County , California , where voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 8 . `` What 's your best case to allow for your standing in federal court ? '' one judge asked attorney Charles Cooper , representing ProtectMarriage.com . `` Your honor , I do n't have a case , '' Cooper responded , referring to relevant court cases . Cooper later urged the panel to consider how the California Supreme Court earlier ruled in favor of the voter-approved Proposition 8 . `` If you do n't agree with me that we have standing , '' Cooper told the court , `` then I do urge you to answer the California Supreme Court decision . '' Then Judge Stephen Reinhardt questioned attorney Robert Tyler , who represented Vargas , about how a deputy clerk , instead of the clerk , could have legal standing in the appeal . After a lengthy exchange , Reinhardt appeared frustrated and stated : `` If you do n't know the answer , say so , as the prior attorney did . '' In asserting that his client has standing in the appeal , Tyler told the court that the county clerks are local officers , but they perform state functions such as civil marriages . Monday 's arguments in San Francisco , California , were being divided into two hour-long sessions -- one over the legal standing of those appealing the decision , and one over the constitutionality of Proposition 8 . Monday 's hearing is the latest in a lengthy legal battle over same-sex marriage in California . The state 's high court had allowed same-sex marriage , but then the 2008 Proposition 8 voter referendum passed with 52 percent of the vote . The California Supreme Court subsequently allowed that initiative to stand , saying it represented the will of the people . Two same-sex couples filed a federal challenge , saying the law violated 14th Amendment constitutional protections of due process and equal protection . On August 4 , U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker agreed , ruling that the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage violated the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution . `` Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license , '' Walker , who was appointed to the federal bench by former President George H.W. Bush , wrote in his 136-page opinion . `` Indeed , the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples . '' Same-sex marriage is currently legal in five states and in the District of Columbia . The five states are Massachusetts , Connecticut , Vermont , Iowa and New Hampshire . Walker 's landmark ruling led to a swift federal appeal that could ultimately reach the Supreme Court .","question":""}
{"answer":"ROME , Italy -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Amanda Knox will testify Friday in an Italian courtroom to defend herself against charges that she took part in the killing of her roommate two years ago , her lawyer said . American college student Amanda Knox , 21 , is expected to take the witness stand Friday at her Italian murder trial . Knox , 21 , an American college student from Seattle , Washington , will be questioned by her attorneys first and her testimony could continue Saturday , said Luciano Ghriga , one of her lawyers . The trial against Knox and her Italian former boyfriend , Raffaele Sollecito , 24 , began January 16 in Perugia , a university town about 185 kilometers -LRB- 115 miles -RRB- north of Rome . They are charged with murder and sexual assault in the November 2007 slaying of Knox 's roommate , British exchange student Meredith Kercher , who died in what prosecutors called a `` drug-fueled sex game '' with the couple . A third person , Rudy Hermann Guede , from the Ivory Coast , was convicted of murder in October and sentenced to 30 years in prison . Kercher was found dead in her bed , half-naked , with a knife wound to her neck . In court papers , prosecutors stated that Sollecito held Kercher by her wrists while Knox poked at her with a knife and Guede sexually assaulted her . Prosecutors say they have physical evidence placing the defendants at the scene , and that they gave investigators confusing and contradictory statements about their whereabouts the night Kercher died . Knox first said she was at the house she shared with Kercher , then changed her story , according to court records . Sollecito , meanwhile , said he was never at the house , but was at his apartment , watching a movie on his computer with Knox . Later , he told investigators he did not remember whether Knox was with him the entire night . Defense lawyers are expected to argue that the physical evidence was tainted by sloppy police work . The case is being heard by a panel of eight judges . The trial has drawn more than 140 journalists from 86 news outlets to the courthouse in Perugia , Italy . The presiding judge in the case , Giancarlo Massei , has barred cameras from the courtroom and said he could completely close portions of the trial dealing with the most graphic sexual assault allegations .","question":""}
{"answer":"NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- After spending nearly 28 years in an irreversible coma , heiress and socialite Martha `` Sunny '' von Bulow died Saturday in a New York nursing home , according to a family statement . She was 76 . Sunny von Bulow is pictured during her 1957 wedding to Prince Alfred von Auersperg . Von Bulow was subject of one of the nation 's most sensational criminal cases during the 1980s . Her husband , Claus , was accused of trying to kill her with an overdose of insulin , which prosecutors alleged sent her into the coma . He was convicted of making two attempts on her life , but the conviction was overturned on appeal . He was acquitted in a second trial . His retrial in 1985 received national attention . `` We were blessed to have an extraordinarily loving and caring mother , '' said the statement from Von Bulow 's three children -- Annie Laurie `` Ala '' Isham , Alexander von Auersperg and Cosima Pavoncelli -- released by a spokeswoman . `` She was especially devoted to her many friends and family members . '' Martha von Bulow was born Martha Sharp Crawford into a wealthy family . She inherited a fortune conservatively estimated at $ 75 million , according to an article on the von Bulow case posted on truTV.com 's Crime Library Web site . In her early years , she drew comparisons to actress Grace Kelly . She became known as Princess von Auersperg with her first marriage , to Prince Alfred von Auersperg of Austria . That marriage produced two children : Alexander and Annie Laurie . The von Bulows married in 1966 and had a daughter , Cosima . On the morning of December 22 , 1980 , family members found Martha von Bulow unconscious in the bathroom of the family 's posh Newport , Rhode Island , home . She never regained consciousness . She had been hospitalized a year earlier after lapsing into a coma but recovered , according to the Crime Library site . Doctors had diagnosed her with hypoglycemia , or low blood sugar . Prosecutors accused Claus von Bulow of twice attempting to kill his wife by injecting her with insulin . The case also led to a major motion picture , `` Reversal of Fortune . '' Actor Jeremy Irons won an Oscar for his portrayal of Claus von Bulow . Famed defense attorney Alan Dershowitz , who won Claus von Bulow a new trial on appeal after his conviction , said in a statement Saturday that Martha von Bulow 's death is `` a sad ending to a sad tragedy that some members of her family tried to turn into a crime . We proved overwhelming -LSB- ly -RSB- that there was no crime and that the coma was self-induced . We saved his life , but could not save hers . '' Claus von Bulow 's defense team maintained that Martha von Bulow 's alcohol use , among other factors , caused her coma . Dershowitz said he had spoken with Claus von Bulow , who now lives in London , England . Claus von Bulow was saddened by his former wife 's passing , Dershowitz said . The family statement said Martha von Bulow is survived by her children , their spouses and nine grandchildren . Alexander von Auersperg and Ala von Auersperg Isham , who had sided with prosecutors against Claus von Bulow , filed a civil suit against their stepfather after his acquittal . The case was settled out of court in 1987 , according to a 2007 article in the Providence Journal newspaper in Rhode Island . Claus von Bulow had agreed to waive his claim to his wife 's money and to a divorce in exchange for the suit being dropped . The von Bulows ' daughter , Cosima , sided with her father . Vanity Fair writer Dominick Dunne , who covered the von Bulow case , told the New York Daily News in 2007 that Sunny von Bulow was moved from Columbia Presbyterian hospital to a private nursing home in 1998 . Watch Dunne recall case \u00c2 '' Ala von Auersperg Isham served for a time as president of the Sunny von Bulow Coma and Head Trauma Research Foundation , according to the Providence Journal . An offshoot of that organization , the Brain Trauma Foundation , still operates in New York , the newspaper said . The family statement notes that Martha von Bulow actively supported the Metropolitan Museum of Art , the Metropolitan Opera and the J.P. Morgan Library in New York and the Preservation Society of Newport , Rhode Island . A private memorial service will be held for family and friends in New York in the coming days , the family statement said Saturday , along with a private burial . CNN 's Julian Cummings contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Over-the-counter painkillers and fever reducers will now carry new labels warning consumers of the potential risks of liver damage and internal bleeding associated with the drugs , according to a final ruling Tuesday by the Food and Drug Administration . The new warning labels will affect over-the-counter pain relievers including Tylenol , aspirin and ibuprofen . The new rule covers acetaminophen , the popular pain medicine also known as Tylenol , and a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs . The most commonly used NSAIDs include aspirin , ibuprofen -LRB- the main ingredient in Motrin and Advil -RRB- , naproxen and ketoprofen . The modified labeling also applies to all products that contain these ingredients , such as cough and cold medicines . Under the new rule , package labels and bottles must prominently state in highlighted text the drug 's ingredients . For acetaminophen , the label must include bold lettering warning patients about severe liver damage . The new labeling also instructs patients using the blood thinner warfarin to consult their doctor before using acetaminophen . Bold lettering on NSAIDs labels must warn of severe stomach bleeding . `` Acetaminophen and NSAIDs are commonly used drugs for both children and adults because they are effective in reducing fevers and relieving minor aches and pain , such as headaches and muscle aches , '' said Dr. Charles Ganley , director of nonprescription drugs in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research . `` However , the risks associated with their use need to be clearly identified on the label so that consumers taking these drugs are fully aware of the potential harm they can cause . It is important that they know how to take these medications safely to reduce their risk . '' The new labeling for acetaminophen also warns against taking multiple drugs that contain acetaminophen at the same time and exceeding the recommended dosage of the drug . And , it warns that drinking alcohol -- three or more drinks a day -- while using the painkiller can increase the risk of liver damage . For NSAIDs , the new labels will also caution users that alcohol use and taking the drugs for longer than directed can increase the risk of stomach bleeding . The agency says the use of blood thinning drugs or steroids while taking NSAIDs can also increase the risk of internal bleeding . The American Pain Foundation is pleased with the new rule . `` This ruling will not only help protect consumers using OTC pain medication on a periodic basis , '' APF said , `` But will be especially meaningful for people suffering from chronic pain who may face co-morbid conditions and are taking OTC pain medication along with their prescribed pain medication . '' According to the FDA , some manufacturers have already voluntarily started listing some of these risks on their product labels . The new rule gives manufacturers one year from today 's date to re-label their products .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rep. Tom Lantos , the Democratic chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs , died Monday due to complications from cancer , his office said . Lantos was 80 . Rep. Tom Lantos represented his Northern California district for 14 terms . He died at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda , Maryland , surrounded by his wife , Annette , daughters Annette and Katrina and many of his 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren , according to his office . Lantos ' life was `` defined by courage , optimism , and unwavering dedication to his principles and to his family , '' said his wife , Annette , his childhood sweetheart , in a statement the House of Representatives released . Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday that she was `` quite devastated '' by the death of her `` dear , dear friend . '' She called him `` a true American hero '' and `` the genuine article . '' `` He 's going to be really , really missed , '' she said . Rice described Lantos as `` the embodiment of what it meant to have one 's freedom denied and then to find it and to insist that Americans stand for spreading the benefits of freedom and prosperity to others . '' Lantos , who was serving his 14th term in the House , was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in December . He announced last month that he would not seek a new term . `` It is only in the United States that a penniless survivor of the Holocaust and a fighter in the anti-Nazi underground could have received an education , raised a family and had the privilege of serving the last three decades of his life as a member of Congress , '' Lantos said in a statement at the time . `` I will never be able to express fully my profoundly felt gratitude to this great country . '' Watch Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid remember Lantos '' The lawmaker is the only Holocaust survivor to have served in Congress . The Hungarian-born Lantos came to the United States in 1947 after surviving a forced-labor camp in his Nazi-allied homeland . He escaped and was sheltered in a Budapest safe house set up by Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg , who was credited with saving tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews during World War II . He arrived in the United States after being awarded an academic scholarship to study , according to his congressional Web site . He received bachelor 's and master 's degrees in economics from the University of Washington in Seattle and later earned a doctorate in economics from the University of California , Berkeley , the site said . As a lawmaker , Lantos was an outspoken human rights advocate . He supported the 2002 congressional resolution that authorized President Bush to launch the invasion of Iraq but later became an outspoken critic of the conflict . He was the latest of more than a dozen members to announce plans to leave the House at the end of the year , most of them Republicans . His San Francisco-area district is solidly Democratic , and he won re-election with more than three-quarters of the vote in 2006 . `` Chairman Lantos will be remembered as a man of uncommon integrity and sincere moral conviction -- and a public servant who never wavered in his pursuit of a better , freer and more religiously tolerant world , '' House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri said in a statement . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Roger Federer suffered a surprise defeat to Czech Tomas Berdych in the fourth round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami . The Swiss top seed was a long way from his best as Berdych edged a tight battle 6-4 6-7 -LRB- 3-7 -RRB- 7-6 -LRB- 8-6 -RRB- . Federer had a match point in the deciding tie-break but missed his chance with a wayward forehand , allowing Berdych to claim the victory three points later . Federer , who won the latest of his record 16 Grand Slam singles titles at the Australian Open in January , had only lost once to Berdych in nine previous meetings . `` It 's no secret I 've struggled the last five matches I 've played here in the States , '' Federer told the official ATP Tour Web site . `` I 'm definitely lacking timing . I do n't know where that comes from because I played so nicely in Australia . So it 's disappointing to not be able to back it up . '' They were joined in the quarterfinals by American Andy Roddick , who fought back from 4-1 down to defeat Germany 's Benjamin Becker 7-6 -LRB- 7-4 -RRB- 6-3 . Fourth seed Rafael Nadal beat fellow Spaniard and 15th seed David Ferrer 7-6 -LRB- 7-5 -RRB- 6-4 and will next face eighth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga , who trounced Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain 6-2 6-2 . Fifth seed Robin Soderling of Sweden progressed with a 6-0 6-7 -LRB- 3-7 -RRB- 6-2 victory over Chile 's Fernando Gonzalez , while Mardy Fish of the U.S. was forced to retire while trailing 6-1 1-0 against 13th seed Mikhail Youzhny . In the women 's tournament , Venus Williams advanced to the semi-finals with a 6-3 6-1 victory over Agnieszka Radwanska . She will face France 's former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli , who beat Yanina Wickmayer 6-4 , 7-5 . Williams , who had required three sets to defeat Daniela Hantuchova in the previous round , was delighted to have had an easier ride this time around . `` Getting through a match like yesterday makes me more confident because it was n't exactly my best game , '' she told the tournament 's official Web site . `` Today I was kind of eager to clean up my act . We had some really good rallies and really good points , but I just see me keep coming out on top , so of course I like that . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"Researchers may be getting closer to an effective way of preventing age-related macular degeneration , one of the leading causes of vision loss among older Americans . A new study found that vitamins B6 , B12 and folic acid may help prevent age-related macular degeneration . A new study finds that women who took a combination of B6 and B12 vitamins along with a folic acid supplement had lower risks of developing age-related macular degeneration . The women who got the supplements , compared with those taking a placebo , had a 34 percent lower risk of developing any form of AMD , and a 41 percent lower risk of more severe forms of AMD . Epidemiologist and study author William G. Christen , Sc.D. , of Brigham and Women 's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , expects that if these findings are successfully replicated in future studies , `` the combination of these vitamins might become the first prevention method of early stages of age-related macular degeneration other than avoiding cigarette smoking . '' Christen also noted that although the study was conducted among women age 40 and older , there is no particular reason to believe the same results would not hold true in a similar group of men . Christen and his colleagues examined the role of vitamins B6 and B12 and folic acid in AMD partly because previous studies have shown these vitamins are known to lower levels of homocysteine , an amino acid found in the blood that when elevated has been associated with higher risks of AMD . The 5,442 women who participated in the randomized , double-blind clinical trial already had heart disease or at least three risk factors for cardiovascular disease . The majority of them did not have AMD at the start of the study , which lasted more than 7 years . Christen explains that the underlying mechanism of AMD likely involves the vascular system , and researchers widely believe that cardiovascular disease and AMD share common risk factors . Age-related macular degeneration is a vision disease common among people older than 60 , involving the deterioration of tissues in the macula , the central part of the retina . The condition impedes the performance of critical everyday functions such as reading and driving because it affects the ability to see items that a person is looking at directly , as opposed to items even a few degrees off to either side of the direct line of vision . `` If you affect that central part of your vision , no one goes blind from it but it really interferes with your quality of life , '' explains Dr. Roy Rubinfeld , ophthalmologist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology . There are two types of macular degeneration : wet and dry . Wet forms of AMD are caused by abnormal blood vessels growing beneath the macula , which can rupture and bleed . The dry form is generally caused by cells in the macula degenerating over time and thus losing function . While some treatments do exist for the wet form of the disease -LRB- including laser surgery , photodynamic therapy and injections into the eye -RRB- , there is currently not much in the way of treatments for the more common dry form . When asked if the study results mean that people at high risk for AMD should begin taking a vitamin supplement that provides vitamins B6 , B12 and folic acid , retina specialist Dr. Robert Frank of the American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests probably not yet . `` If you do anything , I would take a supplement of antioxidant vitamins containing high doses of vitamins A , E , C and zinc , '' suggests Frank , who has no financial interest in the vitamin supplement industry . These antioxidant vitamins were found to prevent the progression of age-related macular degeneration in the 10-year Age-Related Eye Disease Study conducted by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health . However , Frank does say that while it still remains to be seen whether people currently taking a multivitamin containing the B vitamins and folic acid will be able to prevent early AMD from developing -- answers which will probably not be found for several years , after a large-scale clinical trial is begun -- there is little risk for most people in taking a daily multivitamin .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. State Department has sold its London embassy building to a Qatari real estate company , the embassy announced Tuesday . The signing of the deal is another major step in the embassy 's plans to relocate from its longtime headquarters in central London to a new site in Wandsworth , on the south bank of the River Thames . It was n't immediately clear how much Qatari Diar Real Estate paid for the embassy building in Grosvenor Square , whose 1960s facade was recently given listed status , meaning its design ca n't be changed . The embassy will continue to operate from the current building until the new one is completed in 2016 or 2017 , the embassy said . Construction is expected to begin in 2012 or 2013 . It was a year ago that the embassy announced it was looking for a new site that is more modern , open , and secure than the current building in London 's West End . It has now settled on a site in Wandsworth and is having a design competition for the new building . When the embassy does move to Wandsworth , it will mark the end of a more than 200-year association with Grosvenor Square , in the historic and exclusive neighborhood of Mayfair near Hyde Park . John Adams , who later became U.S. president , lived on the square from 1785 to 1788 , when he was the first U.S. minister to the Court of St. James . The building in which he lived still stands in the square 's northeast corner . The embassy moved to various locations in the West End before returning to Grosvenor Square in 1938 . For years , it occupied a building on the east side of the square -- a building that now houses the Canadian High Commission . During World War II , the square was known as `` Little America '' because the embassy was on one side and Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower 's headquarters were on the other . The embassy moved to its current site , occupying the entire west side of the square , when the building was completed in 1960 . The concrete , four-story structure was designed by Eero Saarinen , who also designed the Gateway Arch in St. Louis , Missouri , and the U.S. Air Force Academy Chapel in Colorado Springs , Colorado . Since the September 11 attacks in 2001 , the embassy has caused controversy locally by installing blast walls in a wide perimeter around the building . Neighbors complained the walls were unsightly , and the walls caused the road in front of the building to be closed to traffic . Sitting atop the building at the front is a huge gilded aluminum eagle with a 35-foot wingspan . It is not clear whether the eagle will be considered part of the building 's listed status , meaning it will have to stay on the facade , or whether it can be moved to the new location , according to a spokesman for the realty firm Cushman and Wakefield , which advised the United States on the sale .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Justice Department on Thursday announced 300 additional arrests in a four-year operation that it says produced nearly 1,200 arrests and seizures totaling 11.7 tons of illegal drugs . Authorities look through seized property after a drug raid at a house near Atlanta , Georgia , on Wednesday . Attorney General Eric Holder announced the wrap-up of Project Coronado , which resulted in arrests in 15 states in the past two days . Holder said the operation targeted the distribution network of a major Mexican drug trafficking organization known as La Familia . About 3,000 federal agents participated in the investigation and raids , officials said . `` This unprecedented , coordinated U.S. law enforcement action -- the largest ever undertaken against a Mexican drug cartel -- has dealt a significant blow to La Familia 's supply chain of illegal drugs , weapons and cash flowing between Mexico and the United States , '' Holder said in a news conference . Watch Holder announce the arrests '' Michele Leonhart , acting chief of the Drug Enforcement Administration , said the cartel was known for specializing in the trafficking of methamphetamine and for its brutal violence , including beheadings . Authorities said the arrests made Wednesday and Thursday occurred in California , Colorado , Georgia , Massachusetts , Minnesota , Mississippi , Missouri , Nevada , New York , North Carolina , Oklahoma , South Carolina , Tennessee , Texas and Washington . Dozens of arrests occurred in the Dallas , Texas , area where agents with the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives filed charges against cartel members believed to have illegally purchased and shipped high-powered firearms to the cartel , which was based in the Mexican state of Michoacan . U.S. officials vowed to indict cartel leaders and extradite them to the United States . One leader , Servando Gomez-Martinez , was indicted in New York on Thursday . He remains at large , and is presumed to be in Mexico . A senior law enforcement official involved in the operation , who asked not to be identified , said he was certain the latest crackdown on La Familia would affect the methamphetamine market in the United States for months . `` It 'll make a difference not only because of how hard we hit 'em , but where we hit 'em , '' the official said . Another official said during the course of the investigation that labs run by La Familia had been discovered in Atlanta , Georgia , and San Jose , California . To date , Project Coronado has led to 1,186 arrests in 44 months . During that time , agents seized $ 32.8 million in U.S. currency , and about 1,225 kilograms -LRB- 2,700 pounds -RRB- of methamphetamine , 2,000 kilograms -LRB- 4,409 pounds -RRB- of cocaine , 13 kilograms -LRB- 29 pounds -RRB- of heroin and more than 8 tons -LRB- 7,200 kilograms -RRB- of marijuana .","question":""}
{"answer":"Paris , France -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The widow of former Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana , whose assassination sparked the 1994 genocide , was arrested Tuesday in Paris on a Rwandan warrant , French and Rwandan officials said . Agathe Habyarimana was arrested at her French home Tuesday morning and is scheduled to appear in court later in the day , said a deputy prosecutor who declined to give his name because he is not authorized to speak about the matter . Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo told CNN that Habyarimana was arrested on genocide charges . They include genocide , conspiracy to commit genocide , complicity to commit genocide , and direct and public incitement to commit genocide , said John Bosco Mutangana , the head of Rwanda 's Genocide Fugitives Tracking Unit . The charges also cover crimes against humanity , specifically murder and extermination ; creation of a criminal gang , namely the Hutu militias ; and aiding and abetting the killings perpetrated by soldiers in violation of the Geneva Convention , Mutangana told CNN . `` We have of course strong evidence linking her to the genocide and the planning of the genocide itself , as early as the early 1990s , '' Mutangana said . Former president was killed in April 1994 when his plane was shot down near the capital , Kigali . The mass killings began hours later , and by the time they ended 100 days later , some 800,000 people had been killed . Most were members of the country 's Tutsi minority , killed by members of the Hutu majority . The circumstances surrounding Habyarimana 's death remain a mystery . He was a Hutu , and speculation immediately fell on Tutsis as the perpetrators of the attack -- but some have also speculated that Hutus themselves shot down the plane to provide cover for the genocide . Top officials such as army generals and politicians who allegedly took part in the genocide have been tried in the Rwandan justice system and the International Criminal Tribunal , which is based in Tanzania . Civilians who allegedly contributed either directly or indirectly are tried by local communities in `` gacaca '' courts , which allow survivors to confront their attackers . Some human rights organizations have criticized the gacaca courts for falling short on delivering justice . Agathe Habyarimana is now under temporary arrest , the French deputy prosecutor said . The Court of Appeal in Paris must now decide whether to remand her into custody or place her under judicial control at her home , he said . After that , the French court must decide on the validity of the Rwandan warrant before any decision on extradition can be made , the deputy prosecutor said . Rwandan officials began working on Agathe Habyarimana 's case in 1995 , but it took a while before they could gather enough evidence to indict her , Mutangana said . They submitted the indictment last October , he said . Mutangana said Rwanda is hoping France will extradite her . `` We are the first beneficiaries of justice , the Rwandans , '' he said . CNN 's Alix Bayle in Paris , France , and Melissa Gray in London , England , contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hurricane Paloma continued to intensify Friday night as the Category 3 storm pounded Grand Cayman island with strong winds and heavy rain . As of 10 p.m. ET Friday , Paloma was moving northeast through the Cayman Islands . The National Hurricane Center said additional strengthening of the storm could occur through Saturday night as Paloma turned northeast and headed toward Cuba . A hurricane warning was in effect Friday throughout the Cayman islands , with residents being told that `` preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion , '' the center said . A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours . Cuban officials also issued a hurricane warning for the provinces of Sancti Spiritus , Ciego de Avila , Camaguey and Las Tunas , the Miami , Florida-based hurricane center said in an advisory . As of 10 p.m. ET , Paloma 's winds were near 115 mph -LRB- 185 kph -RRB- with higher gusts . Paloma is forecast to approach Cuba as a Category 2 storm after weakening late Saturday , according to the hurricane center . Watch rainstorms beat the Cayman Islands '' Friday evening , the center of Paloma was about 25 miles -LRB- 40 kilometers -RRB- south of Grand Cayman Island and about 275 miles -LRB- 443 kilometers -RRB- southwest of Camaguey , Cuba . It was moving northeast at about 7 mph and was expected to pass near Grand Cayman Friday night and approach the coast of central Cuba late Saturday , the hurricane center said . The storm 's projected path would steer it away from the U.S. mainland and into the Atlantic . See where the hurricane could be headed '' J.B. Webb , a manager at a radio station on Grand Cayman , said Friday evening that some residents had gone to shelters and others were shutting themselves in downtown businesses rebuilt to withstand a Category 5 hurricane . He said the local government had advised people to be off the roads by 11 a.m. . The storm is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches over the Caymans and central and eastern Cuba , with isolated maximum totals of 15 inches possible . Flash floods and mudslides are possible , forecasters said . Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center , and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 120 miles , the hurricane center said . iReport.com : Are you in Paloma 's path ? Forecasters predicted storm-surge flooding of 5 to 7 feet above normal tide levels , accompanied by dangerous battering waves , near the center of Paloma in the Cayman Islands . Near where Paloma is expected to make landfall , along Cuba 's southern coast , storm surge flooding of 8 to 12 feet is forecast , the hurricane center said . Cuban television was broadcasting advisories to viewers , telling them not to cross swollen rivers , to avoid fallen cables and to evacuate if told to do so by Civil Defense officials . In Las Tunas , students in boarding schools were sent home , because the schools will be used as shelters . Evacuations were under way in some coastal areas prone to flooding . Rice and cereal was being shipped to other parts of the country to keep it from spoiling , and no tourists were being allowed to enter many areas . CNN 's Morgan Neill and Rory Suchet contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Singer Chris Brown has recorded a song with his girlfriend , Rihanna , after charges were filed against him for allegedly assaulting her , a source close to the record 's producer , Polow Da Don , said Thursday . A music producer says Rihanna recorded a duet with Chris Brown , who is accused of assaulting her . The source , who did not wish to be named because she was not authorized to speak on the matter , did not have any further details `` My heart goes out to both Chris and Rihanna for what has happened in the past , '' Da Don said in a statement . `` They are both great artists to work with , and I wish them well . '' The Los Angeles , California , district attorney filed two felony counts against Brown , 19 , last week relating to a February 8 incident in which police said he assaulted Rihanna , 21 . A police statement said the incident began when Rihanna , whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty , found a text message on Brown 's cell phone from `` a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with , '' according to court documents released last week . Brown issued a public apology to his fans last month . `` Words can not begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired , '' he said in a statement released by his spokesman . `` I am seeking the counseling of my pastor , my mother and other loved ones , and I am committed , with God 's help , to emerging a better person . '' When Brown made his first appearance in court last Thursday , Rihanna 's lawyer asked the judge not to prohibit him from having contact with her while he faces the charges . Media reports have said the couple has reunited since the alleged incident ; spokespersons for both have neither confirmed nor denied it . Watch some tough love for Rihanna '' Brown is due back in court on April 6 for his formal arraignment . If he is convicted , he could face as much as four years and eight months in prison , the Los Angeles County District Attorney 's Office said . The case has been moved to L.A. County Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg who signed the search warrant in the case . Brown 's attorney , Mark Geragos , requested a prearraignment hearing which is scheduled for March 23 in Schnegg 's chambers . Brown is not required to be at the hearing . iReport.com : Chris Brown fans : Share your reaction On Wednesday he withdrew his nominations for two Nickelodeon Kids ' Choice Awards , a spokesman said . Brown , 19 , had been nominated for `` Favorite Song '' and `` Favorite Male Singer . '' `` Unfortunately , the controversy surrounding the incident last month has shifted the focus from the music to whether he should be allowed to be among those nominated , '' the spokesman said in a written statement . `` While Chris would like to speak to his fans directly about this and other issues , pending legal proceedings preclude his doing so at this time . Once the matter before him has been resolved , he intends to do so . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"White Plains , New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik on Thursday pleaded guilty to charges of lying to Bush administration officials who vetted his unsuccessful 2004 nomination to be homeland security secretary . Kerik admitted to eight counts as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors , who are recommending a 27 - to 33-month prison term . U.S. District Judge Stephen Robinson set Kerik 's sentencing for February 18 . In court papers , prosecutors said Kerik denied to a White House official that there was `` any possible concern '' about his relationships with the contractors involved in renovations to his apartment or that he had any financial dealings with prospective city contractors . Kerik , 54 , had been scheduled to go to trial next week on a variety of corruption charges , including allegations that he received and concealed benefits of about $ 255,000 in renovations to his Riverdale , New York , apartment from a company seeking to do business with the city of New York . He pleaded guilty to that charge and several tax-related counts during Thursday morning 's hearing . Robinson said he would take into account Kerik 's life and career , which he said `` included good '' as well as wrongdoing . Kerik put his head in his hands at that point . Kerik has spent the past two weeks in jail after a judge revoked his bail . According to court papers released in late October , he violated the terms of his bail by leaking confidential evidence about his case to a lawyer who published the material online . Kerik served as New York police commissioner from 1998 to 2002 -- a tenure that included the September 11 , 2001 , terrorist attack that destroyed the World Trade Center and killed more than 2,700 people . He spent a brief stint in Iraq training the country 's police force after the U.S. invasion in 2003 , and was nominated by President George W. Bush for the post of homeland security secretary in 2004 . However , he withdrew from consideration after allegations surfaced that he employed a nanny whose immigration status was murky . In 2006 , Kerik pleaded guilty to accepting tens of thousands of dollars worth of gifts while he worked as city corrections commissioner , but under a plea agreement he paid $ 221,000 in fines and avoided jail time . His admission dogged the 2008 presidential campaign of his longtime patron , former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani , who said his endorsement of Kerik had been `` a mistake . '' Kerik made an unsuccessful appeal for clemency to Bush in late 2008 , according to court papers released in October . CNN 's Mary Snow and Julian Cummings contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Nearly two years into the recession , opinion about which political party is responsible for the severe economic downturn is shifting , according to a new national poll . A CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Friday morning indicates that 38 percent of the public blames Republicans for the country 's current economic problems . In May , 53 percent blamed the GOP . According to the poll , 27 percent now blame the Democrats for the recession , up 6 points from May , and 27 percent now say both parties are responsible . `` The bad news for the Democrats is that the number of Americans who hold the GOP exclusively responsible for the recession has been steadily falling by about two to three points per month , '' said Keating Holland , CNN polling director . `` At that rate , only a handful of voters will blame the economy on the Republicans by the time next year 's midterm elections roll around . . '' Thirty-six percent of people questioned said that President Obama 's policies have improved economic conditions , with 28 percent feeling that the president 's programs have made things worse , and 35 percent saying what he 's done has had no effect on the economy . One reason for that , Holland said , may be the growing federal budget deficit : Two-thirds say that the government should balance the budget even in a time of war and recession . The survey indicates that only 18 percent said the economic conditions in the country today are good , down 3 points from August . Eighty-two percent said economic conditions are poor . `` Some economic indicators may suggest that the economy has turned the corner -- but try telling that to the American people , '' Holland said . The number of Americans who said the economy is in good shape -- a number that grew steadily through the spring and summer -- has now stalled , with fewer than one in five expressing a positive view of current conditions . More than eight in 10 say that economic conditions are in poor shape , with 43 percent calling them very poor . The CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. poll was conducted November 13-15 , with 1,014 adult Americans questioned by telephone . The survey sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points . CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The wife of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid underwent neck surgery Friday after being injured with their daughter in a four-vehicle wreck in suburban Washington a day earlier , her surgeon said . Since the surgery , Landra Reid , 69 , has been able `` to get out of bed , her pain is well-controlled and she 's able to swallow some , '' said Dr. Elizabeth Franco of Inova Fairfax Hospital . She can move her arms and legs , but is expected to go through physical therapy before being released in a few days , Franco said . Reid 's wife broke her neck , a vertebra in her lower back and her nose , the doctor said . The couple 's adult daughter , Lana Reid Barringer of McLean , Virginia , suffered a neck injury and facial lacerations , the senator 's spokesman , Jon Summers , said Thursday . Lana Reid was released from the hospital Thursday night . The wreck occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Fairfax County at 1:10 p.m. , when the 2005 Honda Odyssey driven by the daughter began braking in stop-and-go traffic and was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer , according to a Virginia State Police report . `` The impact forced the Honda Odyssey to rear-end the vehicle in front of it , a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee , '' it says . `` The Jeep Grand Cherokee was then forced into the next lane over where it struck a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt . '' The drivers of the Jeep and the Chevrolet also were taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital . Their injuries were not considered life-threatening . The driver of the truck , Allan W. Snader , 59 , of Ohio , was charged with reckless driving , the police report said . He was not injured in the crash . The tractor-trailer was carrying rolls of plastic . The 70-year-old senator visited his wife and daughter shortly after hearing of the accident at 2:15 p.m. , then returned to his office in the Capitol to work on health care legislation , said Reid spokesman Jim Manley . He was back at the hospital later in the afternoon and stayed until midnight , then returned early Friday to be there for his wife 's surgery , Summers said . Summers told reporters Landra Reid 's recovery is the senator 's top priority , but `` his plans have not changed at all '' in Congress . `` Landra and I have been married for 50 years -- she is the love of my life , '' Reid said in a statement read by Summers at a news conference . `` And I look forward to her making a quick recovery as soon as possible . '' Reid met his wife at Basic High School in Henderson , Nevada , during the mid-1950s . They married in 1959 and had their first child , Lana , two years later . Three boys followed . The couple has 16 grandchildren . CNN Congressional Producer Ted Barrett and Brianna Keilar contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- Entertainment Weekly -RRB- -- Sandra Bullock will surely be popping open the champagne as her new romantic comedy , `` The Proposal , '' accepted the top spot at the box office this weekend by grossing $ 34.1 million , according to early estimates by Hollywood.com Box Office . Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock have reason to celebrate after `` The Proposal '' takes top box office spot . Not only did `` The Proposal '' win the weekend , but it was by far the best opening of Bullock 's career , nearly doubling the opening of her previous best , `` Premonition , '' which debuted to $ 17.6 million in 2007 . While `` The Proposal 's '' success was fueled mostly by women -LRB- 73 percent of the audience was female -RRB- , both women and men gave it a healthy `` A - '' CinemaScore rating , so expect the movie to hold up fairly well during the next few weeks . The weekend 's other big release , the prehistoric buddy comedy `` Year One , '' landed in fourth place with $ 20.2 million -- an okay debut for the $ 60 million movie . However , all indicators point to a quick descent for the Jack Black\/Michael Cera flick . `` Year One '' dropped 24 percent from Friday to Saturday -LRB- never a reassuring sign -RRB- , and the movie received an unimpressive `` B - '' rating from CinemaScore . `` Year One '' is all but certain to join `` Land of the Lost '' as another box-office disappointment for high-concept comedies . On the other hand , `` The Hangover '' -LRB- No. 2 with $ 26.9 million -RRB- and `` Up '' -LRB- No. 3 with $ 21.3 million -RRB- continued to show off their box-office stamina , dropping only 18 percent and 31 percent , respectively , from the prior weekend . `` Up '' now stands at $ 224 million , and may levitate past `` Star Trek '' -LRB- currently at $ 239 million -RRB- to become the year 's highest-grossing film . Finishing off the top five was `` The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 , '' which fell an alarming 52 percent for an $ 11.3 million weekend stash . Also opening this weekend was Woody Allen 's `` Whatever Works , '' starring Larry David . The New York-based comedy laughed up $ 281,000 from just nine theaters for a weekend-leading $ 31,000 gross per theater . The film will expand to more than 300 theaters on July 3 . Overall , the box office was up 3 percent compared to last year 's Father 's Day weekend , when `` Get Smart '' debuted to a surprisingly sharp $ 38.7 million . Hope you all are having a splendid Father 's Day ! I know I will -- I 'm taking my pop to see `` Up . '' CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An al Qaeda suspect alleged to have been involved in the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania that killed 11 people faces war crimes charges , the Pentagon announced Monday . Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani is shown in a photo posted by the FBI in 2004 . The bombing in Dar es Salaam , which also wounded hundreds , was one of two carried out nearly simultaneously on August 7 , 1998 . One in Nairobi , Kenya , killed 213 people . Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani , from Tanzania , faces nine charges , six of them offenses that could carry the death penalty if he is convicted by a military tribunal . He was captured by Pakistan in 2004 and is being held at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba . In a written announcement , the Pentagon said Ghailani is `` charged with the following substantive offenses : murder in violation of the Law of War , murder of protected persons , attacking civilians , attacking civilian objects , intentionally causing serious bodily injury , destruction of property in violation of the Law of War and terrorism . In addition , he is charged with conspiracy to commit all of the above offenses . `` Ghailani is further charged with providing material support to terrorism . This charge alleges that after the bombing , Ghailani continued in his service to al Qaeda as a document forger , physical trainer at an al Qaeda training camp , and as a bodyguard for Osama bin Laden . '' The charges say he purchased bomb components , scouted the embassy with the suicide bomb driver , met with co-conspirators , and fled to Karachi , Pakistan , one day before the bombing . The convening authority for military commissions , Susan J. Crawford , will determine whether probable cause exists for a trial by military commission , said Brig. Gen. Thomas Hartman of the Office of Military Commissions . For Ghailani to ultimately be sentenced to death , the 12-member jury would have to unanimously find him guilty , determine that aggravating factors apply , and concur on the death sentence , Hartman told reporters at the Pentagon . `` Everything has to be unanimous . '' `` And then there are four levels of post-trial review , which is an extraordinary set of rights available , '' he said . In December , 1998 -- a few months after the embassy bombings -- Ghailani and three other fugitives were indicted in U.S. District Court in New York . It is not known whether he may ultimately face a federal trial . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"TEHRAN , Iran -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iraq 's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Sunday tried to allay Iranian fears over a planned U.S.-Iraq security pact , saying his government would not allow Iraq to become a launching pad for an attack on its neighbor . Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad , left , greets Iraq 's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Sunday . `` Iraq today does n't present any threat as it used to be in the times of the former regime , '' al-Maliki told Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a Sunday meeting between two leaders , according to a statement from the prime minister 's office . `` Today 's Iraq is a constitutional state based on the rule of law , and it seeks to develop its relations with the regional countries based on cooperation and mutual respect , '' al-Maliki said . Earlier , Iran 's state-run news agency IRNA quoted the Iraqi leader as saying that `` Baghdad would not allow its soil to be used as a base to damage the security of the neighboring countries , including Iran . '' His remarks come as the United States and Iraq are trying to reach a bilateral agreement on how long the U.S. military will remain in Iraq and what role it will play in Iraq 's security . But al-Maliki media adviser Ali Hadi said negotiations between Iraq and the United States are in their `` very early stages '' and were not part of Sunday 's talks . Watch Ahmadinejad and al-Maliki sit down for talks '' `` The treaty is purely an Iraqi-American treaty . The Iranians have nothing to do with it , '' Hadi said . `` We will not discuss the progress or the key elements of agreements or disagreements with them because this is an Iraqi issue . '' The proposed U.S.-Iraqi pact has triggered street protests in Iraq , where many suspect the deal could lead to the establishment of permanent American bases , a long-term presence of U.S. troops and a weakening of Iraqi government control over those troops . Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr , whose militia was the target of a U.S.-backed Iraqi clampdown in Basra and Baghdad recently , has called for weekly protests against the agreement . Al-Maliki and Ahmadinejad met Sunday afternoon , with Ahmadinejad calling on Iraq 's neighbors and the United Nations to help restore security and stability to Iraq , IRNA reported . And al-Maliki thanked Ahmadinejad for his call for an end to longstanding U.N. sanctions against Iraq that date back to the 1991 Persian Gulf war . Iran has long called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq , which the United States invaded in 2003 . Meanwhile , the United States has accused Iran of arming and training `` criminal '' Shiite militias in Iraq and of seeking to develop nuclear weapons , allegations the Iranians deny . It is al-Maliki 's third visit to Iran since he became prime minister more than two years ago . The two countries , which are neighbors , both have Shiite Muslim majorities , and al-Maliki 's ruling coalition is dominated by Shiite religious parties long backed by Iran . Adnan Pachachi , a leading Sunni Arab member of Iraq 's parliament , told CNN he wanted al-Maliki to call on Iran to stop supporting armed factions in Iraq . `` I think this has to stop , '' Pachachi told CNN . `` I hope that Mr. Maliki will make it absolutely clear that Iraqis of all parties , of all sectarian origins and ethnic origins , are strongly opposed to Iran 's attempt to interfere in Iraq 's affairs . '' Pachachi , a former foreign minister , said al-Maliki 's predecessor , Ibrahim al-Jaafari , allowed Iraq 's security forces to be dominated by sectarian and ethnic militias , and that U.S. troops should remain until those influences are weeded out . `` In the long run , it is in the interest of the United States to have a secure Iraq and armed forces and security forces of Iraq with undivided loyalty and allegiance to the state and not influenced by sectarian affiliations or party loyalties , '' he said .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama announced Thursday that the federal government will spend $ 8 billion developing a nationwide high-speed train system -- an investment the White House says is needed to help spur long-term economic growth . The investment , to be made through a series of state grants , will be funded through the government 's $ 862 billion economic stimulus package . Overall , projects and planning involving the rail corridors will take place in 31 states , according to a White House statement . The program `` will help accelerate job growth in an economy that is already beginning to grow , '' Obama said at a town hall at the University of Tampa in Florida . `` There is no reason why other countries can build high-speed rail lines and we ca n't , '' Obama said . More than 30 rail manufacturers have agreed to establish or expand U.S. operations if they are hired to work on the high-speed rail network , the administration said . The president first mentioned the program in his State of the Union speech Wednesday night . The administration initially released an outline for a national high-speed rail network last April . Each of the corridors identified by the administration last year are between 100 and 600 miles long . The program is `` a long-term venture in which states will need to plan projects , purchase and lay track , build and assemble equipment , and construct or upgrade train stations , tunnels and bridges , '' the statement said . In addition to the $ 8 billion mentioned by Obama , the plan also includes $ 1 billion a year for five years in the federal budget `` as a down payment to jump-start the program , '' the White House said . Train corridors in the program include : -- San Diego-Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo in California -- Oakland-Sacramento in California -- Portland-Eugene in Oregon -- Seattle-Portland in Washington and Oregon -- Chicago-St . Louis in Illinois and Missouri -- St. Louis-Kansas City in Missouri -- Minneapolis\/St . Paul-Madison in Minnesota and Wisconsin -- Madison-Milwaukee in Wisconsin -- Milwaukee-Chicago in Wisconsin and Illinois -- Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati in Ohio -- Detroit\/Pontiac-Chicago in Michigan , Indiana and Illinois -- Tampa-Orlando in Florida -- Raleigh-Charlotte in North Carolina -- Washington-Richmond in the District of Columbia and Virginia -- Raleigh-Richmond in North Carolina and Virginia -- New York City-Albany-Buffalo in New York -- New York City-Montreal in New York and Quebec , Canada . -- Boston-New York-Washington in Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Connecticut , New York , New Jersey , Delaware , Maryland , and the District of Columbia -- Brunswick-Portland in Maine -- Philadelphia-Harrisburg-Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania -- Springfield-East Northfield in Massachusetts -- New Haven-Springfield in Connecticut and Massachusetts","question":""}
{"answer":"JERUSALEM -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pope Benedict XVI will not visit Israel 's Holocaust museum when he makes his first trip to the region as pope in May , though he will visit a memorial that is part of the site , his ambassador to Israel said Tuesday . Pope Benedict XVI , shown at the Vatican during a prayer Sunday , has spoken out forcefully against the Holocaust . He will also become the first pontiff to visit the Dome of the Rock , one of the holiest sites in Islam , said the envoy , papal nuncio Antonio Franco . Foreign heads of state normally visit the Holocaust museum , which is part of the Yad Vashem complex in Jerusalem . But it includes controversial wording describing the role of Pope Pius XII during World War II , which is why Pope Benedict balked , an Israeli official said . Critics have accused Pope Pius of doing too little to prevent the mass murder of European Jews by the Nazis under Adolf Hitler . A caption in the museum says he maintained a neutral position during the years of mass extermination of Europe 's Jews . The Vatican defends him and is gradually opening its archives in an effort to show that he acted behind the scenes . Franco gave the news of Pope Benedict 's visit to Yad Vashem at a news conference in Jerusalem . Pope John Paul II also did not visit the museum section on his historic pilgrimage to Israel in 2000 , Father Federico Lombardi , a papal spokesman , said as he confirmed that Pope Benedict will not do so . An official with Israel 's Foreign Ministry said the decision was made jointly because of the sensitivity of the matter . Yigal Palmor conceded that there is an argument over the wartime pope 's actions during the Holocaust and noted that the museum has a sign stating that the facts are in dispute . He said that Pope Benedict may visit other parts of the Yad Vashem complex , which is divided into several compounds , and that the pontiff will lay a wreath at the site 's Hall of Remembrance , which is part of the protocol for visiting heads of state . The announcement that Pope Benedict will visit only part of Yad Vashem also follows international outrage over his rehabilitation of a rebel bishop who denied the Nazis systematically murdered 6 million Jews in the Holocaust . The Vatican ordered the bishop , Richard Williamson , to recant , and said the pope was not aware of Williamson 's views on the Holocaust when he lifted the excommunication of the bishop . Pope Benedict , who was born in Germany and forced to join the Hitler Youth as a teenager , has spoken out forcefully against the Holocaust on a number of occasions , including on a visit to the site of the Auschwitz concentration camp . Pope Benedict will make his pilgrimage to the Holy Land May 8-15 with stops in Amman , Jerusalem , Bethlehem and Nazareth , according to the itinerary released by the Vatican . He will be celebrating Mass in Jerusalem , Bethlehem and Nazareth , the city where Christians believe Jesus preached and lived . Some 50,000 pilgrims are expected to attend that event , the bishop of Nazareth said . In Jerusalem , a city holy to all three of the major monotheistic faiths , Pope Benedict will visit the Western Wall , Judaism 's holiest prayer site , and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher , which Catholics believe is the site of the crucifixion , burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ . The pope will also meet Israel 's chief rabbis and enter the Dome of the Rock with the chief Muslim cleric in the Holy Land , the grand mufti of Jerusalem . He will also meet Jordan 's King Abdullah and Israeli President Shimon Peres , as well as Mahmoud Abbas , the president of the Palestinian Authority , Franco said . CNN 's Guy Azriel in Jerusalem and Alessandro Gentile in Rome contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Mexico City , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Authorities believe assassins targeted a pregnant woman and two other people connected with a U.S. consulate who were killed in drive-by shootings over the weekend , Ciudad Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz said Monday . The killings were carried out by a local gang , known as Los Aztecas , that is allied with the Juarez Cartel , Reyes told CNN . No arrests had been made by Monday afternoon . `` We know that the U.S. citizens were targeted , '' Reyes told CNN , saying a police officer saw gunfire from a car directed at the Americans ' car . `` We know they were chasing them . We know they wanted to kill them . '' Two of the victims were a four-months-pregnant employee of the consulate in Juarez and her U.S. citizen husband who was a jailer in nearby El Paso , Texas , U.S. and Mexican officials said . The couple 's 10-month-old child , who was in the vehicle , was not injured , Reyes and other officials said . The child has been turned over to U.S. consular officials , Reyes said . The couple lived in El Paso , the State Department said . The third victim , found dead in a separate vehicle , was identified as the husband of a Mexican employee of the consulate . His wife was not traveling with him , but two of their children in the car were wounded , officials said . All the victims had left a birthday party at the consulate Saturday before they were attacked , Reyes and State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Monday . The slain couple , Arthur Redelfs , 34 , and Lesley Ann Enriquez , 35 , were on their way home to El Paso , Crowley said . Redelfs was a 10-year veteran of the El Paso County Sheriff 's Office , according to Jesse Tovar , a spokesman for the department . Reyes said the attackers may have been confused because both groups of victims were traveling in similar-looking vehicles . Redelfs and his wife were in a white late-model Toyota RAV4 SUV . The third victim , Jorge Alberto Salcido Ceniceros , was driving a late-model white Honda Pilot , the mayor said . Salcido , 37 , was a state police officer who was married to a Mexican employee at the U.S. consulate , Reyes said . His two children , ages 4 and 7 , were wounded and transported to a hospital , the attorney general 's office said . Salcido 's wife was traveling in another vehicle , which was not attacked , Reyes said . In Washington , President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed their anger . `` The president is deeply saddened and outraged by the news of the brutal murders of three people associated with the United States Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez , '' National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer said in a statement Sunday . `` He extends his condolences to the families and condemns these attacks on consular and diplomatic personnel serving at our foreign missions . In concert with Mexican authorities , we will work tirelessly to bring their killers to justice . '' Clinton said the `` safety and security of our personnel and their families in Mexico and at posts around the world is always our highest priority . '' `` I have spoken with our ambassador in Mexico , and we are working with the government of Mexico to do everything necessary to protect our people and to ensure that the perpetrators of these horrendous acts are brought to justice , '' she said . In response to the shootings , the U.S. State Department authorized the temporary relocation of employees ' families working in border-area consulates . `` These appalling assaults on members of our own State Department family are , sadly , part of a growing tragedy besetting many communities in Mexico , '' Clinton said in a statement Sunday night . `` They underscore the imperative of our continued commitment to work closely with the Government of -LSB- Mexican -RSB- President -LSB- Felipe -RSB- Calderon to cripple the influence of trafficking organizations at work in Mexico . '' The families of employees at U.S. consulates in Tijuana , Nogales , Ciudad Juarez , Nuevo Laredo , Monterrey and Matamoros are allowed to leave for 30 days `` in response to an increase in violence along the Mexican side of its border with the U.S. , '' State Department spokesman Fred Lash told CNN . The authorization can be renewed after 30 days , depending on a review , Lash said , adding that this was not a mandatory evacuation . The announcement was part of a warning to U.S. citizens regarding travel to Mexico . The warning urges U.S. citizens to delay nonessential travel to parts of the states of Durango , Coahuila and Chihuahua , where Juarez is located , because of `` recent violent attacks . '' U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to all or parts of these three states . Attacks include the kidnapping and killing of two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua , the warning states . `` Some recent confrontations between Mexican authorities and drug cartel members have resembled small-unit combat , with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades , '' the warning says . `` During some of these incidents , U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area . '' Reyes , who received a death threat last week , said the shootings highlight a problem shared by both countries along their 2,000-mile border . `` It is not just a Mexican problem -- it 's is a U.S.-Mexico problem , '' Reyes said . `` I 'm very glad that the U.S. has taken that position . '' He said that he supported the State Department 's authorization to consular families and that `` it is important they feel safe . '' Mexico said Sunday that it was committed to protecting all people , citizens and visitors alike , diplomats or not . `` The Mexican government deeply laments the killings of three people linked to the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez , '' Mexico 's foreign ministry said in a statement . `` The Mexican authorities are working with determination to clear up the facts surrounding the crime scene and put those responsible before the law . '' Juarez is one of the front lines in Mexico 's war against the drug cartels that operate in its territory . More than 2,600 people were killed in Juarez in 2009 . The city has become a focal point of Calderon 's anti-drug efforts after the January 31 killings of 15 people there , most of whom were students with no ties to organized crime . The incident sparked outrage across Mexico . But the violence is not restricted to Juarez . In the western state of Guerrero , at least 25 people were killed Saturday , state officials said . The bodies of 14 people , including nine civilians and five police officers , were found in various parts of the resort city of Acapulco , the official Notimex news agency reported , citing Guerrero Public Security Secretary Juan Heriberto Salinas . In the small city of Ajuchitlan del Progreso , 10 civilians and one soldier were killed in two shootouts that started when federal officials tried to execute search warrants at two locations , Salinas said . Police in the state were on a heightened security alert , he said . The government has not released official figures , but national media say 7,600 Mexicans lost their lives in the war on drugs in 2009 . Calderon said last year that 6,500 Mexicans died in drug violence in 2008 . Unofficial tallies this year say more than 16,000 people have been killed since Calderon declared war on the cartels after assuming office in December 2006 . CNN 's Arthur Brice , Mariano Castillo and Jamie Crawford contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sen. Mel Martinez , a Florida Republican , announced Friday that he will resign his seat as soon as a replacement can be named by the governor . Sen. Mel Martinez is the only Hispanic Republican in the U.S. Senate . `` My priorities have always been my faith , my family and my country , and , at this stage of my life and after nearly 12 years of public service in Florida and in Washington , it is time to return to Florida and my family , '' the 62-year-old said in Orlando , Florida . `` So today I am announcing my decision to step down from public office . '' Martinez said he is resigning `` of my own free will . There is no impending reason ; it 's only my desire to move on and to get on with the rest of my life . '' He added that he is in good health and that he expects the next phase of his life will take place in the private sector . `` However , I do hope that I can have a voice to speak out on issues I think are important , '' he said . Martinez added that he has no plans to run for any other public office . At a news conference at McDill Air Force Base in Florida , Gov. Charlie Crist said he will `` undertake a very thorough , comprehensive , thoughtful process '' to find a replacement for Martinez . He vowed not to appoint himself to complete Martinez 's six-year term , which ends in about 17 months , and predicted that he would reach a decision before the Senate returns from recess September 8 . Crist , a Republican , had announced in May that he would not seek a second term as governor and instead would run for Martinez 's seat in the 2010 election . Martinez was elected in 2004 . He announced in December his intention to retire at the end of his term . Martinez is the only Hispanic Republican in the Senate . He joined eight other Republicans on Thursday in voting to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic justice to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court . Democrats hold a tenuous filibuster-proof majority in the Senate , with 60 votes . Martinez is one of six Republicans who have stated they would not seek re-election in 2010 . But the Florida senator is the second Republican who has decided to leave before the curtain drops on the 111th Congress next fall . Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison , R-Texas , recently announced her intention to quit the Senate three years before her term expires , in order to run for governor next year . The five other Republicans who are retiring are Missouri Sen. Kit Bond , Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback , New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg , Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning and Ohio Sen. George Voinovich . Two Democrats will not run in 2010 : Illinois Sen. Roland Burris and Delaware Sen. Ted Kaufman . Republicans must defend 19 seats next year , and Democrats must protect 18 . CNN 's Rick DiBella , Mark Preston and Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Southwest Airlines jet made an emergency landing in Charleston , West Virginia , on Monday after a football-sized hole in its fuselage caused the cabin to depressurize , an airline spokeswoman said . Southwest Flight 2294 made an emergency landing at Yeager Airport in Charleston , West Virginia , on Monday . There were no injuries aboard the Boeing 737 , which was traveling at about 34,000 feet when the problem occurred , Southwest spokeswoman Marilee McInnis told CNN . The sudden drop in cabin pressure caused the jet 's oxygen masks to deploy . Southwest Flight 2294 was en route from Nashville , Tennessee , to Baltimore , Maryland , with 126 passengers and a crew of five aboard , McInnis said . It landed at 5:10 p.m. after the crew reported a football-sized hole in the middle of the cabin near the top of the aircraft , McInnis said . What caused the damage to the jet had not been determined , she said . Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident , FAA spokeswoman Holly Baker said . `` There is no responsible way to speculate as to a cause at this point , '' Southwest said in a statement Monday night . Watch as passenger describes watching the hole form '' `` We have safety procedures in place , and they were followed in this instance to get all passengers and crew safely on the ground , '' the airline said . `` Reports we have are that our passengers were calm and that our pilots and flight attendants did a great job getting the aircraft on the ground safely . '' Southwest dispatched a replacement aircraft to take passengers on to Baltimore . See map of flight path '' Charleston airport spokesman Brian Belcher said a local pizzeria provided food for the passengers as they waited . The damaged jet will remain on the ground there until federal inspectors can examine it , he said . In addition , all 181 of Southwest 's 737-300s -- about a third of the airline 's fleet -- will be inspected overnight after the emergency landing , McInnis said . Southwest does not expect the inspections to create delays , she said . CNN 's Shawn Nottingham and Stephanie Gallman contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Chelsea have qualified for the last 16 of the European Champions League after two Didier Drogba goals helped them to a 3-0 Group E victory over Valencia at Stamford Bridge . The English Premier League side needed a victory to guarantee their place in the knockout stage and they got the perfect start when Drogba scored in the third minute -- Chelsea 's fastest ever Champions League goal . Midfielder Ramires doubled their advantage midway through the half after capitalizing on some hesitant Valencia defending . Real Madrid to topple Barcelona in ` El Clasico ' clash ? And Drogba sealed the victory 14 minutes from time when sliding the ball home from Juan Mata 's slide-rule pass . The result also means Chelsea top the group with 11 points after Bayer Leverkusen -- who had already qualified -- were held to a 1-1 draw by Genk in Belgium . Jelle Vossen put the home side ahead in the first half with a superb volley , but Swiss striker Eren Derdiyok leveled for the Bundesliga side 11 minutes from time . Leverkusen go through as group runners-up on 10 points , with third-placed Valencia going into the Europa League and Genk eliminated from Europe . There was late drama in Group F , where Marseille came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Dortmund , a result that saw them go through to the last 16 in second place behind already-qualified Arsenal . Poland midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski put the home side ahead from close range in the 23rd minute and Mats Hummels doubled Dortmund 's advantage nine minutes later from the penalty spot , after captain Sebastian Kehl received a nasty kick in the face from defender Stephane Mbia . But Marseille gave themselves hope on the stroke of half-time when Loic Remy headed home Morgan Amalfitano 's right-wing cross . The score stayed that way until five minutes from the end when Andre Ayew powerfully headed home Amalfitano 's corner . And a sensational comeback was completed just two minutes later when substitute Mathieu Valbuena skipped past a couple of challenges before curling home a delightful winner . Marseille 's victory was bad news for Olympiakos , who beat a depleted Arsenal side 3-1 in Piraeus . Rafik Djebbour put the hosts ahead from a tight angle after a defensive mix-up and David Fuster made it 2-0 when goalkeeper Vito Mannone 's headed clearance fell to his feet -- and he found the net from outside the area . Yossi Benayoun pulled a goal back early in the second half with a fine strike from just inside the area but Olympiakos secured the win when Francois Modesto scored from close range after Olof Mellberg 's header had come back off the post . Despite the win , Marseille 's comeback means Olympiakos -LRB- 9 points -RRB- have to settle for the Europa League . Arsenal finish top on 11 points with Marseille just a point behind and German champions Dortmund out of Europe on just four points . Surprise packages APOEL Nicosia had already qualified from Group G , but they ended the group with a defeat as Shakhtar Donetsk claimed a 2-0 away victory . The Ukrainian side had already been eliminated , but they inflicted a first defeat on the Cypriot side courtesy of goals from Luiz Adriano and Yevhen Seleznyov . Porto needed to beat Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg at home to qualify alongside APOEL , but the visitors defended solidly to secure a 0-0 draw . It meant APOEL and Zenit both qualified with nine points , with the Cypriot side top virtue of a better head-to-head record . Porto -LRB- eight points -RRB- have to settle for the Europa League . Barcelona and AC Milan had already qualified from Group H , but they enjoyed contrasting fortunes on Tuesday . Defending champions Barca thumped BATE Borisov 4-0 at the Nou Camp despite coach Pep Guardiola resting a host of key players ahead of ` El Clasico ' against Real Madrid on Saturday . Real Madrid to topple Barcelona in ` El Clasico ' clash ? It may have been an unfamiliar line-up , but the style of football was completely familiar as Barca scored at will against the Belarussians . Sergi Roberto opened the scoring in the 35th minute from the edge of the area and Martin Montoya made it 2-0 on the hour mark with his first senior goal . The more familiar face of Pedro added a third when he flicked home a cross -- and the Spanish international scored his second of the evening from the penalty spot . So Barcelona strolled through as group winners with an impressive 16 points , while BATE are eliminated in bottom place . In the other match , Italian champions AC Milan wasted a two-goal lead as Czech side Viktoria Plzen scored twice in the final minute to snatch an unlikely 2-2 draw . Alexandre Pato put Milan ahead two minutes after the break when controlling Robinho 's pass on his chest before rounding the keeper to score . And a minute later , the two Brazilians combined again , this time for Robinho to fire home . But , in a dramatic finale , Marek Bakos crossed for David Bystron to tap home from close range . Then Michal Duris burst into the Milan area in injury time to score a dramatic equalizer . Milan qualify for the last 16 in second place with nine points , while Plzen go into the Europa League after finishing with five points .","question":""}
{"answer":"Naoma , West Virginia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- West Virginia 's governor on Tuesday named a former head of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration to lead a state investigation into last week 's coal mine explosion that left 29 miners dead . Davitt McAteer has overseen investigations into two previous mine accidents , the Sago disaster that killed 12 miners in 2006 and the fire at the Aracoma Alma No. 2 mine that left two workers dead . The West Virginia native served as the Clinton administration 's assistant labor secretary for mine safety in the 1990s and is vice president of Wheeling Jesuit University . `` Davitt has the experience and knowledge to lead what will be a complex and extensive investigation into this horrible accident , '' Gov. Joe Manchin said in announcing McAteer 's appointment . `` We made tremendous progress in 2006 immediately following the Sago and Aracoma accidents , and I fully expect that we will learn even more from this and make dramatic changes to protect our miners . '' The last bodies were recovered early Tuesday from the Upper Big Branch mine , the scene of the fatal explosion April 5 . McAteer was critical of the mine 's owner , Virginia-based Massey Energy , in the days after the blast . `` Some companies , and this appears to be one , take the approach that these violations are simply a cost of doing business -- it 's cheaper for us to mine in an unsafe way or in a way that risks people 's lives than it is for us to comply with the statutes , comply with the laws , '' McAteer said last week . There was no immediate response from Massey Energy to McAteer 's appointment , but Massey CEO Don Blankenship said last week that its safety history is among the best in the industry . The Montcoal , West Virginia , mine received 458 citations from federal inspectors in 2009 , and more than 50 of those were for problems that the operators knew about but had not corrected , according to federal mine safety records . Inspectors cited the operators more than 100 times in the first quarter of 2010 , including six times for `` unwarrantable failure '' to correct violations . Massey subsidiary Aracoma Coal pleaded guilty to 10 criminal charges and paid a record $ 4.2 million in fines and civil penalties in connection with the January 2006 fire that McAteer investigated . Manchin said the state owes an explanation for last week 's disaster to the families of the men who died in the Upper Big Branch mine , `` And we owe it to them and every coal miner working today to do everything humanly possible to prevent this from happening again . '' Managers of two pension funds have called on Massey 's board to oust Blankenship , who has been critical of mining regulations in the past . `` Massey 's cavalier attitude toward risk and callous disregard for the safety of its employees has exacted a horrible cost on dozens of hard-working miners and their loved ones , '' New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a written statement Monday . He said Blankenship `` must step down and make room for more responsible leadership at Massey . '' New York 's state pension fund , which DiNapoli manages , has about $ 14 million worth of Massey stock -- a tiny fraction of the company 's estimated $ 4.3 billion market capitalization . But his call was echoed by the CtW Investment Group , which manages pension funds for about 6 million union workers . CtW blamed Blankenship 's `` confrontational approach to regulatory compliance '' and the failure of the company 's board of directors to challenge him for the disaster . `` Under Chairman and CEO Blankenship 's domineering leadership , Massey Energy placed short-term production and profit goals ahead of prudent risk management , with devastating consequences for the corporation , its shareholders and employees , '' the fund wrote in a letter to the board . `` In light of these consequences , the urgent need for new leadership is apparent . '' The company has not commented on calls for Blankeship 's ouster , but said safety `` has been and will continue to be our top priority every day . '' `` We do not condone any violation of Mine Safety and Health Administration regulations , and we strive to be in compliance with all regulations at all times , '' it said in a written statement last week . Bodies of the remaining victims were removed overnight , said Jama Jarrett , spokeswoman for the West Virginia Office of Miners ' Health , Safety and Training . The bodies of seven victims had been recovered shortly after the explosion , and 13 bodies were removed Sunday . Until Sunday , U.S. flags on all federal buildings in the state will be kept at half-staff per a proclamation that President Obama signed on Monday . The mining disaster was the worst in the United States since 1972 , when 91 miners died in a fire at the Sunshine Mine in Kellogg , Idaho . CNN 's Rachel Streitfeld contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- Health.com -RRB- -- People who take vitamin E supplements regularly for years -- whether they are smokers or nonsmokers -- may lower their risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , the lung condition that is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States . COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is often , but not always , caused by smoking . While the risk reduction is relatively small , 10 percent , COPD is a common and life-threatening condition in which a decline in lung function can be slowed down but not reversed . COPD symptoms include shortness of breath , coughing , and fatigue . `` The effect appears to be modest . But for something for which there is n't really any effective therapy and tends to be a degenerative condition , anything that would reduce the risk even somewhat is not an insubstantial benefit , '' says Jeffrey B. Blumberg , Ph.D. , a professor of nutrition at Tufts University in Boston who was not involved in the study . The research , from the government-funded Women 's Health Study , included 39,876 women 45 years and older who were free of COPD before they were randomly assigned to take a placebo , vitamin E supplements -LRB- 600 IU every other day -RRB- or aspirin -LRB- 100 mg per day -RRB- , either alone or in combination . At the end of 10 years , 760 of the 19,937 women who took vitamin E alone or with aspirin developed COPD compared with 846 of the 19,939 who took a placebo or aspirin alone -- a 10 percent risk reduction . Vitamin E did not lower the risk of asthma , a condition associated with a higher risk of COPD . Health.com : 10 ways to have cleaner air at home The researchers took into account factors such as cigarette smoking and age , which can affect COPD risk . The study , conducted by Cornell University and Brigham and Women 's Hospital researchers , is to be presented this week at the annual American Thoracic Society meeting in New Orleans . The idea that vitamin E can reduce the risk of developing COPD is `` biologically plausible , '' says Yvonne Kelly , Ph.D. , an associate professor in the department of epidemiology and public health at University College London . Experts believe vitamins A , C , and E -- the so-called ACE antioxidants -- combat oxidative stress in the lungs that can lead to COPD . Health.com : Eight causes of a chronic cough Several studies have shown that these vitamins , as well as vitamin D , may help improve lung health . In a 2003 study , Kelly and her collaborators found that men and women with diets high in vitamins C and E had greater lung capacity and produced less phlegm , respectively . Phlegm production and wheezing are also COPD symptoms . One limitation of the study is that the researchers relied on the women to report whether or not they had a diagnosis of COPD , says Michael Sims , M.D. , an assistant professor in the pulmonary critical care division at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center . He points out that people with asthma may think they have COPD , or vice versa , since the symptoms are similar . In addition , early diagnoses can be inconclusive or due to lung problems that do n't turn out to be COPD . Health.com : How to buy the right air cleaner In future studies , Sims says that the researchers should diagnose COPD using a breathing test called spirometry . `` If you showed in a similar study with a gold standard outcome -LSB- like spirometry -RSB- , among smokers and nonsmokers , that you could affect the incidence of COPD , I would imagine the committees that meet on this would take a serious look at increasing daily recommended intake -LSB- of vitamin E -RSB- for the general population , '' he says . Currently , no vitamin supplements are recommended to prevent or treat COPD . The best way to prevent the disease is to quit smoking , says Dr. Sims . About 24 million people in the U.S. have COPD -- 12 million who 've been diagnosed with the disease and another 12 million who have COPD but do n't know they have it . In the study , women who smoked were four times more likely than nonsmokers to develop COPD . Health.com :12 best COPD blogs and Web sites The daily recommended intake of vitamin E is about 22 international units for those 14 and older , and is relatively easy to obtain from oils such as sunflower , almonds , peanut butter , and spinach . The vitamin E intake in the study was far higher , at 300 IU per day . However , Blumberg says this is within the range of most over-the-counter vitamin supplements , which deliver 100 or 400 IU daily . `` This study is still five times below the highest dose at which no adverse effect has been found , '' he says . Vitamin E intake is generally a concern only at very high doses , above 1500 IU per day . Several studies have suggested that these levels promote hemorrhaging and interfere with normal blood clotting . For this reason , high doses of vitamin E are not recommended for people taking blood-thinners such as warfarin -LRB- Coumadin -RRB- and aspirin . Health.com : Eight breathing tips for people with COPD For people concerned about their lung health , taking vitamin E and C is not a bad idea , says Blumberg . `` If I were talking to somebody who was a former smoker and who was concerned about minimizing their risk of not only lung disease but also heart disease and cancer , then taking a supplement of C and E would be a reasonable thing to do , '' he says . In fact , anyone who thought he or she was at increased risk of COPD could potentially benefit from these supplements , he adds . Supplements of beta-carotene , which is a precursor of the antioxidant vitamin A , should be used with caution , however . While a 2006 French study found that people with diets high in beta-carotene had a slower decline in lung function over an eight-year period , heavy smokers and drinkers may not benefit . Two studies found that beta-carotene supplements increased the risk of lung cancer in people who smoked more than one pack a day and drank heavily . According to Sims , the new study offers an incentive to look closer at the potential to use vitamin E or other antioxidants to help prevent COPD . `` If it could be done with something like vitamin E , that 's a relatively low-risk intervention , that would be the Holy Grail . '' Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reached an important milestone Wednesday in her quest to pay the debt from her failed 2008 presidential bid : For the first time in eight months , her campaign committee reported having more money in the bank than it owes . Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 's campaign committee reported owing $ 2.3 million in debt at the end of March . On a day most Americans were preoccupied with filing their federal income taxes , Clinton 's campaign committee filed finance documents with the Federal Election Commission , reporting a total of $ 2.3 million in debts at the end of March , compared with $ 2.6 million in the bank . The nation 's top diplomat has been steadily chipping away at unpaid campaign bills since suspending her White House bid in June 2008 , when her debt peaked at $ 25.2 million . That amount covered $ 12 million owed to vendors , as well as the $ 13.2 million she loaned her campaign from personal funds . Clinton 's campaign was unable to repay that personal loan by the time the Democratic National Convention convened in Denver , Colorado , last August , the deadline mandated by the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance law . The former New York senator was forced to forgive the entire loan amount . Her campaign owed $ 6.4 million to 16 creditors at the end of November ; $ 5.9 million to five creditors at the end of December ; and the current $ 2.3 million owed to just one creditor at the end of March . That creditor is Penn , Schoen & Berland , a political consulting and polling firm that advised Clinton during her presidential bid . The firm 's president , Mark Penn , was Clinton 's senior campaign strategist until he stepped down last April amid revelations that he had lobbied on behalf of Colombia for a U.S.-Colombia trade deal that Clinton opposed . Penn remained involved with the campaign . Earlier this year , Clinton and her supporters raced to pay as much of the debt as possible by the time she was confirmed and sworn in as the nation 's 67th secretary of state on January 21 . As of that date , Clinton became subject to a federal law known as the Hatch Act , which prohibits federal employees from personally soliciting or accepting political contributions . The Hatch Act allows others to keep raising money on Clinton 's behalf , without her direct involvement . This week , longtime Clinton ally James Carville , a CNN contributor , sent a fundraising e-mail to Democrats on behalf of Clinton 's campaign , requesting contributions of as little as $ 5 in exchange for a chance to win one of several prizes , including spending a day with former President Bill Clinton . `` I wo n't spend a lot of time trying to convince you to help Hillary , '' Carville e-mailed . `` I know what she means to you , and I 'm sure you know how important it is for her to have her campaign pay off all its obligations . '' It 's unclear whether the campaign will use the $ 2.6 million in the bank to clear its $ 2.3 million in debts in the short term . Continued fundraising indicates that it will not . Additional operating expenses and other outlays could emerge . Any extra money from the campaign could be donated to political causes or returned to donors . Clinton 's campaign reported raising $ 938,000 in contributions in the first three months of 2009 . In addition to tapping traditional fundraising , the campaign also generated money by selling or renting various campaign assets to other organizations . It received $ 2.6 million from Clinton 's `` Friends of Hillary '' U.S. Senate campaign committee for the sale of unspecified assets and an additional $ 2.2 million from renting out its lists of campaign supporters . Organizations that have rented Clinton 's lists include the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee , the inaugural committee of then-President-elect Barack Obama , and the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation . Those organizations each paid $ 274,297 . Clinton 's political action committee , HillPAC , rented the lists for $ 822,492 . Among the Democratic candidates who have rented Clinton 's campaign lists are Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln ; Virginia gubernatorial candidate and former Clinton campaign Chairman Terry McAuliffe ; New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , who was appointed to fill Clinton 's seat ; and New York congressional candidate Scott Murphy , who hopes to succeed Gillibrand in the U.S. House .","question":""}
{"answer":"JERUSALEM -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A U.N. team entered Gaza on Monday to investigate possible human rights abuses by Israel and Hamas during a three-week conflict that ended January 18 . Palestinians run from an Israeli airstrike on a U.N. school in northern Gaza on January 17 . Richard Goldstone , a former Rwanda and Yugoslavia war crimes prosecutor , is leading the Human Rights Council investigation of the conflict that claimed the lives of more than 1,000 Palestinians and 13 Israelis . Goldstone and three other investigators entered Gaza via Egypt for a five-day visit . Upon crossing into the Palestinian territory , Goldstone told reporters , `` We 've come here to see . We 've come here to learn . We 've come here to talk to people in all walks of life , ordinary people , governmental people , administrative people , obviously nongovernmental organizations that are so important in this sort of situation . '' The Geneva , Switzerland-based Human Rights Council established the fact-finding mission April 3 `` to investigate all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law that might have been committed at any time in the context of the military operations that were conducted in Gaza during the period from 27 December 2008 and 18 January 2009 , whether before , during or after . '' Israel launched its offensive in Gaza with the stated intent of stopping a barrage of rockets -- primarily short-range homemade Qassam rockets -- fired from the territory into southern Israel by Hamas fighters . The Israeli government is not assisting the investigators , who are not scheduled to visit Israel as part of the inquiry . Yigal Palmor , a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry , said that `` there is not a chance we will cooperate with this mission '' under the terms of the Human Rights Council mandate . `` The resolution was adopted by a vote of non-Democratic countries , and the democratic countries either abstained or rejected the resolution , '' Palmor said . Israel has been long been a critic of the Human Rights Council , arguing that it is one-sided in its approach to the Jewish state . The Israeli military conducted an investigation of its actions in the Gaza conflict and concluded in a report released in April that it `` operated in accordance with international law . '' An Israeli human rights group called that conclusion problematic since an impartial external body did not lead the investigation . The Palestinian Center for Human Rights has said that 1,417 Palestinians were killed in the fighting , of which 236 were active combatants . The Israeli military put the death toll at 1,166 and has maintained that more than half were `` Hamas terror operatives '' The Hamas movement welcomed the arrival of the investigators . Fawzi Barhoum , a Hamas spokesman , said , `` We are ready to help these committees and encourage them to unveil the truth and bring out all the hidden details of what took place during the war , hoping to show the entire world the truth . '' Barhoum went on to say that Israel 's lack of cooperation was evidence that it was trying to cover up crimes committed in Gaza . The U.S. State Department has labeled Hamas , a Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist organization , a terrorist group . Its military wing , Izzedine al Qassam , has admitted responsibility for terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians as well as attacks against the Israeli military .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Deaths from pregnancy and childbirth in the United States have doubled in the past 20 years , a development that a human rights group called `` scandalous and disgraceful '' Friday . In addition , the rights group said , about 1.7 million women a year , one-third of pregnant women in the United States , suffer from pregnancy-related complications . Most of the deaths and complications occur among minorities and women living in poverty , it noted . Amnesty International issued a report Friday that calls on President Obama to take action . `` This country 's extraordinary record of medical advancement makes its haphazard approach to maternal care all the more scandalous and disgraceful , '' said Larry Cox , executive director of Amnesty International USA . `` Good maternal care should not be considered a luxury available only to those who can access the best hospitals and the best doctors . Women should not die in the richest country on earth from preventable complications and emergencies , '' Cox said in a news release . The report , `` Deadly Delivery : The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the USA , '' notes that the lifetime risk of maternal deaths is greater in the United States than in 40 other countries , including virtually all industrialized nations . The report also noted that severe pregnancy-related complications that nearly cause death -- known as `` near misses '' -- have increased by 25 percent since 1998 . Up to 40 percent of near misses are considered preventable with better quality of care , according to a 2007 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology . Minorities , women living in poverty , Native Americans , immigrants and those who speak little or no English are particularly affected , Amnesty International said . `` The thing that really struck us was that these problems hit women of color , low-income , particularly hard , '' said Nan Strauss , researcher and co-author of the Amnesty report . `` But every woman who is going through pregnancy in this country is at risk . '' Figures compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta , Georgia , show that black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth than their white counterparts . White women have a mortality rate of 9.5 per 100,000 pregnancies , the CDC said . For African-American women , that rate is 32.7 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies . `` This has been known for a while and no one has a good handle on it , '' said Dr. Elliot Main , chairman and chief of obstetrics at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco . `` This is a national disgrace and a call to action . Both numbers are a call to action -- maternal mortality and racial disparity . '' The CDC analysis shows that deaths during pregnancy and childbirth have doubled for all U.S. women in the past 20 years . In 1987 , there were 6.6 deaths for every 100,000 pregnancies . The number of deaths had climbed to 13.3 per 100,000 in 2006 , the last year for which figures were available . A report called `` Healthy People 2010 '' by the Department of Health and Human Services says that number should be around four deaths for each 100,000 pregnancies . Statistics for other highly industrialized countries show that the U.S. goal of four deaths for every 100,000 pregnancies is attainable . Great Britain , for example , has fewer than four deaths for each 100,000 pregnancies , Main said . `` Women 's health is at risk , '' said Strauss . `` We spend the most , and yet women are more likely to die than in 40 other countries . And that disconnect is what makes it such a problem . '' Amnesty International points out that nearly 13 million U.S. women of reproductive age -LRB- 15 to 44 years old -RRB- , or one in five , do not have health insurance . Minorities account for 32 percent of all women in the United States but 51 percent of uninsured women , the rights group said . Furthermore , Amnesty International said , one in four women do not receive adequate prenatal care , starting in the first trimester . The number rises to about one in three for African-American and Native American women , the human rights group said . Amnesty International also cited what it called `` burdensome bureaucratic procedures in Medicaid enrollment -LSB- that -RSB- substantially delay access to vital prenatal care for pregnant women seeking government-funded care . '' In addition , the group said , a shortage of health care professionals poses a serious obstacle to timely and adequate care , especially in rural areas and inner cities . In 2008 , 64 million people were living in `` shortage areas '' for primary care , Amnesty International said . `` Obstacles to care are widespread , even though the USA spends more on health care than any other country and more on pregnancy and childbirth-related hospital costs , $ 86 billion , than any other type of hospital care , '' the rights group said . In its call for Obama to take action , Amnesty International said a health care reform proposal before Congress does not address the issue . `` Reform is primarily focused on health care coverage and reducing health care costs , and even optimistic estimates predict that any proposal on the table will still leave millions without access to affordable care , '' said Rachel Ward , one of the authors of the `` Deadly Delivery '' report . `` Mothers die not because the United States ca n't provide good care , but because it lacks the political will to make sure good care is available to all women , '' said Cox , Amnesty International USA 's executive director . Medical professionals and researchers note that although the percentage of maternal deaths is increasing , the overall number still remains low . `` They are low in absolute number sense , '' said Main in San Francisco . `` These are rare events . They serve as a canary in the mine shaft -- tell us that we need to look more carefully at the system of maternity care . Overall , childbirth is very safe . '' More of an alarm is not sounded , analysts said , because most practitioners do n't see many -- if any -- deaths each year . There is now approximately one death for every 6,000 to 10,000 births , Main said . A typical hospital has about 1,500 births a year , so any hospital can go years without a maternal death , he said . `` It 's still , thank heavens , quite rare , '' said Debra Bingham , executive director of California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative . But that does n't mean there 's not a problem , she said . `` When you see trends worsen in such a short period of time , it requires thoughtful examination , '' said Bingham . `` And you ca n't just dismiss that . '' Rivka Gordon , director of strategic initiatives at the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals , also believes something should be done . `` It 's unacceptable in a resource-rich country like the U.S. that we are seeing maternal - and pregnancy-related deaths trending upward , '' she said . `` We have to look very , very carefully at this . '' CNN 's Ashley Wennersherron contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"BANGKOK , Thailand -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Thai court has found deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra guilty of corruption , and sentenced him in absentia to two years imprisonment . Thaksin Shinawatra lives in self-imposed exile in London . The case stemmed from a Bangkok land deal while Thaksin was in office . He was convicted of violating a law that bans ministers or their wives from conducting business with government agencies . Thaksin , who now lives in the United Kingdom , is unlikely to serve any jail time . He fled from Thailand in August just as he was to appear in court . In the land deal , Thaksin 's wife , Pojama , is accused of using her husband 's political influence to buy undeveloped land from a government agency for about a third of its estimated value . Watch more about the verdict '' The case is one of several corruption cases against Thaksin and his family that are winding their way through the legal system . The billionaire is accused of abusing the country 's system of checks and balances and bending government policy to benefit his family 's business . Thaksin has consistently denied that he or his family was involved in any wrongdoing . In August , Thaksin and his wife skipped a court appearance and fled to the United Kingdom rather than testify in the real-estate case . He said he did so because he did not think he would get a fair trial in Thailand . Thaksin , a telecommunications tycoon , once owned the English Premier League Manchester City Football Club but sold his stake this year . His party won two landslide victories before he was deposed in a bloodless military coup in September 2006 after massive anti-government street protests . He returned to Thailand after his allies in the People Power Party won nearly half the seats in the lower house in December 's parliamentary elections and formed the ruling coalition . In recent weeks , the country has seen daily demonstrations from anti-government protesters who want PPP leaders purged from the Cabinet . They have laid siege to the Government House -- the seat of the Thai government -- since August 26 . The protesters -- led by the People 's Alliance for Democracy -- contend that the PPP is trying to amend the constitution so Thaksin does not have to face charges . In September , Thailand 's Constitutional Court stripped then-Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej of his position , ruling that he had violated the constitution by appearing as a paid guest on a television cooking show . The PPP responded by picking Thaksin 's brother-in-law as Samak 's replacement -- further inflaming the protesters . CNN 's Dan Rivers contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Florida man in custody in Haiti faces first-degree murder charges in the deaths of his wife and five children , authorities said Tuesday . Police have obtained a warrant to arrest Mesac Damas , 33 , on suspicion of six counts of first-degree murder . Police obtained a warrant overnight to arrest Mesac Damas , 33 , on suspicion of six counts of first-degree murder , the Collier County , Florida , Sheriff 's Office said in a statement . `` This warrant was obtained based on information and evidence collected thus far in the investigation and statements made by Damas to a federal agent after his detention in Haiti , '' the statement said . The body of Damas ' wife , Guerline Damas , 32 , was found Saturday in the family 's North Naples , Florida , home , along with those of the couple 's five children -- Michzach , 9 ; Marven , 6 ; Maven , 5 ; Megan , 3 ; and Morgan , 11 months , police said . Authorities have not said how the five were killed , but Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk described the scene as `` horrific . '' Police released few new details in the case at a Tuesday news conference , except to say they think the killings were premeditated . They added that under the law , `` premeditated '' does not necessarily mean a crime was planned far in advance . Damas was last seen about 9 p.m. Thursday at the Naples restaurant where he was employed as a cook , authorities said . On Friday , he is thought to have arrived at Miami International Airport about 7 a.m. . He boarded a flight for Haiti about 10 a.m. , Rambosk said . His car was found at the airport . He purchased a one-way ticket to Haiti , police said Tuesday . Police had asked the FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for help in finding Damas . The FBI 's legal attach\u00e9 in the Dominican Republic notified Collier County authorities that a man believed to be Damas was taken into custody Monday by the Haitian National Police . `` Information obtained by CCSO shows Damas was found hiding near a hotel in the capital city of Port-au-Prince , '' a sheriff 's statement said Tuesday . The judge who signed the warrant ordered that Damas be held without bond upon his return to Collier County , authorities said . If convicted of six counts of first-degree murder , Damas could face life in prison or the death penalty . Collier County investigators are traveling to Port-au-Prince on Tuesday to interview Damas , the statement said . Rambosk said authorities are looking into two options to return Damas to Florida : following the normal extradition process , or having him deported from Haiti , since he is a U.S. citizen . Mesac and Guerline Damas had a history of domestic violence , police said . Mesac Damas was arrested in January , and pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery charges against his wife in June . Police said they did not believe he served any jail time , and did not think a restraining order was currently in place regarding the couple . However , an arrest warrant was issued Monday for Damas on charges of violating probation stemming from the January arrest . The Damases had been married about 10 years , Rambosk said . He did not know how long they had lived in Naples . The six bodies were found about 6:30 p.m. Saturday , a day after police had visited the home to check on the family , Collier County sheriff 's Capt. Chris Roberts said . A family member asked police to conduct a welfare check on the home Friday , saying a resident there had not been heard from , Roberts said . Responding officers knocked on the door and got no answer , he said , but they saw nothing that aroused their suspicions . The following morning , the family member became more concerned and filed a missing persons report , Rambosk said . Later , authorities requested a key to the house from property management , as well as authorization to enter . Rambosk said Tuesday the victims ' family members are `` extremely emotional and distraught . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic intends to skip the start of his war crimes trial because he says he has had too little time to prepare , a spokeswoman for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia said Thursday . Radovan Karadzic wrote to the court to say he would not attend the trial . The trial is still expected to begin on Monday despite Karadzic 's intended absence , which he announced in a letter to the court , the spokeswoman said . `` The tribunal judges control court proceedings . They are the only relevant body that can make a decision about the readiness of the case for trial , '' she said . Karadzic , who is defending himself , faces genocide charges and nine other counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims , Bosnian Croats and other non-Serbian civilians during the brutal and bloody dissolution of Yugoslavia in the 1990s . The conflict introduced the phrase `` ethnic cleansing '' into the lexicon describing war crimes , as different factions in multi-ethnic Yugoslavia sought to kill or drive out other groups . Karadzic was arrested last year after more than a decade on the run and was found to have been living in Belgrade , the capital of Serbia , and practicing alternative medicine in disguise . In a letter dated Wednesday and made public Thursday , Karadzic complains that he has not been given the relevant case material on time -- and he says the volume of material would have been too much to go through even if he had received it promptly . `` I ask Your Excellencies -- why and how is it possible that the prosecution is allowed to literally bury me under a million of pages , only to start disclosing relevant material many months after my arrest ? '' he writes . `` Why and how is it possible that the prosecution is allowed to file its final indictment against me on the eve of the planned trial date ? '' Karadzic says he should not be penalized for representing himself . `` No lawyer in this world could prepare defense within this period of time , '' he writes . `` I hereby inform you that my defense is not ready for my trial that is supposed to begin as scheduled , on the 26th of October , and that therefore I shall not appear before you on that date . '' He promised to continue his preparations in `` the most intensive way '' and inform the court when he is ready . The genocide charges against him stem partly from the most notorious massacre of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina , once a part of Yugoslavia . More than 7,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were killed at Srebrenica when ethnic Serb troops overran a U.N. `` safe area '' in July 1995 . It was the worst European massacre since World War II . Prosecutors at the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague accuse Karadzic of responsibility . `` On 8 March 1995 , Karadzic instructed Bosnian Serb forces under his command to create an unbearable situation of total insecurity with no hope of further survival for the inhabitants of Srebrenica , amongst other places , '' the tribunal said in a statement this month . The Hague indictment also says Karadzic committed genocide when forces under his command killed non-Serbs during and after attacks in more than a dozen Bosnian municipalities in the early stages of the war . Karadzic , who faces life in prison if he is convicted , denies the charges . The court can not impose the death penalty . When he was arrested in July 2008 , Karadzic had grown a large white beard and let his famous steel-gray hair grow long and turn white . He had spent more than 13 years in hiding , during which he practiced alternative medicine at a Belgrade clinic . Karadzic 's arrest leaves his former military commander , Ratko Mladic , as the highest-ranking fugitive still being sought by the war crimes tribunal . Prosecutor Alan Tieger told the court in July that the case against Karadzic would take approximately 490 hours . That means prosecutors are likely to need more than a year to lay out their evidence , a court spokeswoman said . The 1992-95 Bosnian war was the longest of the wars spawned by the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s . Backed by the government of then-Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic , Bosnian Serb forces seized control of more than half the country and launched a campaign against the Muslim and Croat populations . Karadzic was removed from power in 1995 , when the Dayton Accords that ended the Bosnian war barred anyone accused of war crimes from holding office . Milosevic died in 2006 while on trial at The Hague .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The man believed to be the suicide bomber who killed seven CIA employees and contractors last month appears in a newly released video , in which he vows revenge for the killing of a Taliban leader . The video shows Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi , whom a former U.S. intelligence official identified as the suicide bomber . Al-Balawi 's brother told CNN Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson that the man in the video , who uses the alias Abu Dajana Al-Khorasani , was his sibling . In the tape , which aired Saturday on the Arabic satellite news channel Al-Jazeera , al-Balawi says his message is for the CIA and Jordanian intelligence . The December 30 bombing at a U.S. base in Khost , in southeastern Afghanistan , killed seven CIA operatives and a Jordanian army captain . Al-Balawi was a Jordanian doctor whom Jordanian authorities had recruited as a counterterrorism intelligence source , a Jordanian official told CNN this week . Jordanian and U.S. intelligence agencies apparently believed al-Balawi had been rehabilitated from his extremist views and were using him to hunt Ayman al-Zawahiri , al Qaeda 's No. 2 figure , a former U.S. intelligence official said . Al-Balawi says in the video that his faith can not be sold to bidders , an apparent message to Jordanian and U.S. officials that they had failed to win his allegiance . It puts into question how well the CIA and other intelligence agencies can penetrate al Qaeda . Gen. David Petraeus , head of U.S. Central Command , told CNN 's Christiane Amanpour that local officials are better at `` human intelligence '' than foreign agents . `` That 's not to say that you ca n't have some real breakthroughs , '' Petraeus said during the interview , to be aired Sunday . `` It 's not to say you ca n't develop sources , you ca n't put people in there and so forth . '' Al-Balawi mentions Baitullah Mehsud , the leader of the Taliban in Pakistan who was killed in a missile strike last August . `` We will never forget the blood of our leader Baitullah Mehsud , may God have mercy on his soul , '' he says in Arabic , according to a CNN translation . `` It will remain that we take revenge -LRB- for his death -RRB- in America and outside America . It is a trust on every person who left everything for the sake of God , whom Baitullah Mehsud supported . '' Al Qaeda 's commander of operations in Afghanistan , Mustafa Abu Yazid , said this week that the attack avenged Mehsud 's death . Mehsud was the leader of Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan -LRB- TTP -RRB- . It was TTP that released the video , according to IntelCenter , a think tank that specializes in tracking terrorist groups . At one point , the video shows the date of December 20 , 2009 . That is five days before Nigerian passenger Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab allegedly tried to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight to Detroit , Michigan . The Yemen-based group al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has claimed responsibility for the Christmas Day plot . It is impossible to know whether the date on the video is accurate , or whether al-Balawi was aware of AbdulMutallab 's alleged plans . If al-Balawi did know about the plot , it could indicate a greater degree of communication between TTP and al Qaeda than previously thought . In an analysis of the video , IntelCenter said there is a connection between the two groups . But IntelCenter also pointed out al-Balawi appears in the video next to TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud , and that it was TTP that released the video . `` The TTP and al Qaeda have a close relationship , and in all likelihood al Qaeda was involved at some level in the operation , '' IntelCenter said in an analysis of the video . `` However , the release of the video with TTP Emir Hakimullah Mehsud firmly places the attack under the TTP banner . '' Of the seven CIA operatives who were killed in the December 30 attack were two members of the private security firm Xe , formerly known as Blackwater . The Jordanian military officer who was killed was Army Capt. Sharif Ali bin Zeid , a cousin of Jordan 's King Abdullah II . It was one of the worst attacks ever on America 's intelligence community . CNN 's Nic Robertson and Amir Ahmed contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Colombo , Sri Lanka -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sri Lanka 's response to a scathing United Nations report alleging war crimes and human rights violations has reached the president 's desk . President Mahinda Rajapaksa received the 400-page document on Sunday night . The response , compiled by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission , will be presented to Parliament , though Rajapaksa did not say when . At their president 's urging , Sri Lankans took to the streets in May to rail against the U.N. report , which cites `` credible allegations '' that crimes were committed by both sides during the final stages of the country 's civil war . A three-member U.N. panel recommended that Sri Lanka immediately conduct an investigation into the alleged violations of international law . Human rights groups have already alleged both government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels violated humanitarian laws and that thousands of civilians were killed during the war , which ended in May 2009 after the government declared victory . The rebels had fought a 26-year bloody separatist war that left thousands dead and large numbers of others internally displaced , according to the United Nations . The U.N. report concluded there were `` credible allegations , which , if proven , indicate that a wide range of serious violations of international humanitarian law and international humanitarian rights law was committed both by the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE -LRB- rebels -RRB- , some of which would amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity . '' In the war 's final stage , which lasted from September 2008 to May 2009 , the Sri Lankan army advanced into an area of northern Sri Lanka known as the Vanni , where about 330,000 people were trapped by fighting . The report said the government used `` large-scale and widespread shelling '' that left many civilians dead . Some of the shelling happened in no-fire zones where the government had encouraged civilians to congregate , the report said . Government forces also shelled a U.N. hub and food distribution lines and fired near International Committee of the Red Cross ships that were picking up the wounded , the report said . The government also shelled hospitals on the front lines , some of them repeatedly , the report said . `` Most civilian casualties in the final phases of the war were caused by government shelling , '' the report said . A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Ban hopes the U.N. report `` will make a contribution to full accountability and justice so that the Sri Lankan government and people will be able to proceed towards national reconciliation and peace . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Veteran actor Karl Malden , who won an Academy Award for his role in `` A Streetcar Named Desire , '' has died at age 97 , his manager said Wednesday . Karl Malden in `` The Streets of San Francisco '' in 1974 . Malden was nominated for four Emmys for the series . Malden died in his sleep about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday , said his manager , Bud Ross . Malden appeared alongside Marlon Brando in two of director Elia Kazan 's classic films of the 1950s -- `` A Streetcar Named Desire '' and `` On the Waterfront . '' He won the best supporting actor Oscar for `` Streetcar , '' which was released in 1951 , in 1952 and was nominated for his role as a priest crusading against crooked union bosses in `` On the Waterfront . '' Ross said he did not know the cause of death . `` It could be a combination of things , '' Ross said . `` He was 97 years old . '' Born Mladen George Sekulovich in Gary , Indiana , the bulb-nosed actor made his New York stage debut in 1938 and first appeared in films in the 1940 melodrama `` They Knew What They Wanted . '' After serving in the Army Air Corps in World War II , he made his mark in the New York production of `` Streetcar , '' by Tennessee Williams . Watch Malden talk about why he got into acting '' Malden also did extensive work in television , starring with Michael Douglas in the police drama `` The Streets of San Francisco '' from 1972-77 . He was nominated four times for Emmys for the show , and won a supporting-actor Emmy for his part in the miniseries adaptation of the true-crime bestseller `` Fatal Vision '' in 1985 . His other well-known screen roles include his performances in `` Patton , '' in which he played World War II Gen. Omar Bradley alongside George C. Scott 's title character ; the steamy `` Baby Doll , '' another Elia Kazan-Tennessee Williams collaboration ; and `` Gypsy . '' Malden was also famous for a series of television ads for the American Express card , in which he advised viewers , `` Do n't leave home without it . '' Watch Malden talk why he took such diverse roles '' A memorial service is expected to be held within the next three to four weeks , Ross said . Malden was the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1989 to 1992 . The Academy is best known for its annual awards , the Oscars . Malden 's `` Streetcar '' Oscar had its own mini-drama . In 1985 , he sent it to the manufacturer in Chicago for replating . But he discovered the award sent back to him was a fake in 2006 , when the original appeared for sale on eBay . The Academy sued the sellers , Randy and Matt Mariani , who eventually returned the award . In 2004 , he received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award . Malden was born on March 22 , 1912 , and grew up in Gary . He broke his nose twice playing football in high school , where his athleticism won him a scholarship to Arkansas State Teacher 's College in Conway . After being forbidden by his basketball coach to appear in a school play , Malden left college and began playing semi-pro basketball . He later worked in the steel mills of Gary to save money for drama school . When his acting career began , Malden took his grandfather 's first name and rearranged the spelling of his own first name to make his professional last name . He said he changed his name , `` to fit theater marquees . '' One of Malden 's last acting roles was in 2000 , according to IMDB.com . He played a priest in an episode of `` The West Wing . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A hearing is set for Monday in a case involving actress Lindsay Lohan after an arrest warrant was issued for her Friday , officials said . A warrant issued for Lindsay Lohan apparently stems from her 2007 drunken driving convictions , police said . Lohan 's attorney told CNN the warrant was issued `` out of a misunderstanding . '' It was not known whether she would attend the hearing Monday . The warrant was issued by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge in Beverly Hills , California . It apparently stems from Lohan 's 2007 convictions for drunken driving , police said Friday . She is serving three years probation . Sandi Gibbons of the Los Angeles County District Attorney 's office told CNN on Sunday the warrant is believed to be in connection with a possible probation violation . The district attorney 's office prosecuted the original 2007 case , she said . The hearing is set to begin sometime after 8:30 a.m. , she said . Lohan `` has the right to appear '' at the hearing , said Alan Parachini , Los Angeles Superior Court spokesman . `` That decision is up to her . '' Lohan 's attorney , Shawn Chapman Holley , told CNN on Sunday that she will appear at the hearing on Lohan 's behalf . `` Since her case was resolved , Ms. Lohan has been in compliance with all the terms and conditions of her probation and all orders of the court , '' Holley said in a statement . `` The warrant issued on Friday was , in our view , born out of a misunderstanding which I am confident I can clear up next week , '' Holley said . Police said Saturday they were not actively seeking Lohan , as they would not usually go after a person to take them into custody in such cases . Beverly Hills police Sgt. Mike Foxen said on Friday authorities were hoping Lohan would turn herself in . Lohan was arrested twice in 2007 on driving under the influence charges , with a cocaine possession charge in the second incident . The first arrest , in May 2007 , came after Lohan lost control of her Mercedes-Benz convertible and struck a curb in Beverly Hills . Just two weeks after checking out of a Malibu drug and alcohol rehab facility , she was arrested again in July 2007 after a woman called Santa Monica police saying Lohan was trying to run her down in a car . A judge sentenced Lohan to three years probation after she entered guilty and no contest pleas to the charges . Lohan 's acting career , which started at age 10 on a soap opera , took off on the big screen a year later when she played both identical twins in Disney 's `` The Parent Trap . '' Since then , she has starred in at least a dozen movies , including `` Georgia Rule '' with Jane Fonda in 2007 . Her pop music recording career , boosted by her movie roles , has floundered in the past year . Her last album was released in 2005 . CNN 's Irving Last contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza moved a step closer Friday to extradition to the U.S. , where he faces terrorism-related charges . Abu Hamza al-Masri 's followers include the `` shoe bomber '' and the only person charged in the 9\/11 attacks . UK authorities had ordered his extradition , but he appealed . Britain 's High Court dismissed the appeal Friday , a spokesman for Britain 's Home Office said . That gives the Egyptian-born cleric , who lives in London , 14 days to apply to the High Court for permission to appeal to the House of Lords . The one-eyed , hook-handed cleric faces 11 terrorism-related charges in the U.S. . They include conspiracy in connection with a 1998 kidnapping in Yemen and conspiring with others to establish an Islamic jihad , or holy war , training camp in rural Bly , Oregon in 1999 . Abu Hamza , one of the highest-profile radical Islamic figures in Britain , is already in prison for inciting racial hatred at his North London mosque . He was convicted in Britain on 11 terror-related charges and sentenced to seven years prison in 2006 . If he is extradited , his British sentence could be interrupted so he could stand trial in the U.S. , the Home Office has said . If he receives a prison sentence in the U.S. , he would return to England to complete his sentence there before serving time back in the States , the Home Office said . Abu Hamza formerly preached at the Finsbury Park Mosque in London . His followers included the so-called `` shoe bomber '' Richard Reid , who was convicted of trying to light a bomb in his shoes on a trans-Atlantic flight . They also included Zacarias Moussaoui , who was charged in the U.S. over the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terror attacks . The cleric was also convicted of possessing eight video and audio recordings , which prosecutors said he intended to distribute to stir up racial hatred . In all , police seized some 2,700 audio tapes and about 570 video tapes from two addresses -- one of them his home - during raids in 2003 . The material included a 10-volume `` encyclopedia '' of Afghan jihad , which prosecutor David Perry described as `` a manual for terrorism . '' The texts discussed how to make explosives , explained assassination methods and detailed the best means of attack . Both non-Muslims and Muslims condemned his preaching , which include praising the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attacks on the U.S. , calling al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden a hero , and describing the 2003 Columbia shuttle disaster as punishment from Allah because the astronauts were Christian , Hindu and Jewish .","question":""}
{"answer":"DUBAI , United Arab Emirates -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Dubai has forgiven the nearly $ 7 billion Baghdad owes it , Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced Sunday . UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has promised to appoint an ambassador to Iraq . UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan promised to `` put out these debts , '' appoint an ambassador to Baghdad , and `` help Iraq building the holy shrines that were targeted by the terrorists , '' al-Maliki said in a written statement . Al-Maliki and the sheikh met Sunday , the first day of a two-day official visit . Al-Maliki was accompanied by the Iraqi ministers of Interior , Commerce and Industry . `` Our biggest challenge is now the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the economic situation and to provide services to our citizens , '' al-Maliki said . Debt relief is a major issue for Iraq , and the United States has urged other nations to forgive Iraqi debt , most of which is held by Arab states , U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt said in late May . Also , the UAE Cabinet on Sunday nominated Abdullah Ibrahim al-Shehhi to be the country 's ambassador to Iraq . Al-Shehhi , who previously served as the Emirates ' ambassador to India , is to travel to Iraq after his nomination is confirmed . An official government source said the UAE intends to reopen its embassy in Baghdad by the end of the year . The United States and other nations have urged Arab countries to post ambassadors to Iraq , reopen embassies and forge closer relationships with Iraq 's government . The UAE mission in Iraq has n't been active since a UAE diplomat was kidnapped and released two years ago . The year before that , two Iraqis working for that mission were killed . No ambassador from an Arab country has been stationed permanently in Iraq since July 2005 , when Egypt 's ambassador , Dr. Ihab al-Sherif , was abducted from a Baghdad street and slain . Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the assassination , saying it had killed al-Sherif because of Egypt 's foreign policies and its alliances with the United States and Israel . The UAE 's announcement Sunday came a month after its foreign minister , Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan , visited Baghdad . During that visit , al-Nahyan extended the official invitation that brought al-Maliki to Dubai . Iraq 's government said that al-Nahyan 's one-day visit was the first to Iraq by a Gulf Cooperation Council foreign minister since the 2003 U.S-led invasion that toppled the regime of President Saddam Hussein . The Gulf Cooperation Council also includes Bahrain , Kuwait , Oman , Qatar and Saudi Arabia . Prior to al-Nahyan 's visit , only Syria and Jordan had sent foreign ministers to Iraq in the post-Saddam Hussein era . The Arab League 's secretary-general has also visited . War and the Sunni-Shiite rivalry in Iraq and the Muslim world have slowed the Arab world 's re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Iraq . Iraq 's mixed population is mostly Arab with some Kurds and Turkmens , and mostly Shiite Muslim , with a Sunni Muslim minority . Most Arab countries -- including the UAE -- are Sunni-ruled . Iraq 's government is Shiite-dominated and it is forging a close relationship with its neighbor , the non-Arab Shiite nation of Iran -- a development that concerns Arab nations wary of Iran 's Islamic Republic government . Al-Maliki 's government is seeking to develop close ties to all countries of the region . CNN 's Caroline Faraj in Dubai and Mohammed Tawfeeq in Baghdad contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Syrian-born naturalized American was ordered held in custody Wednesday after he was charged for allegedly spying on Syrian protesters in the United States . Judge Theresa Buchanan at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ordered Mohamad Anas Heitham Soueid , 47 , held until Friday , when there will be a detention hearing . Prosecutor Dennis Fitzpatrick told the judge that Soueid was a flight risk . Soueid , of Leesburg , Virginia , was charged October 5 with conspiring to collect video and audio recordings and other information about people `` in the United States and Syria who were protesting the government of Syria and to provide these materials to Syrian intelligence agencies in order to silence , intimidate and potentially harm the protestors , '' the Justice Department said Wednesday . The Syrian Embassy in Washington responded Wednesday by denying the allegations , saying Soueid never worked for the Syrian government to spy on protesters . Soueid was arrested Tuesday after a federal grand jury charged him in a six-count indictment . He is charged with conspiring to act and acting as an agent of the Syrian government in the United States without notifying the attorney general as required by law ; two counts of providing false statements on a firearms purchase form ; and two counts of providing false statements to federal law enforcement , the Justice Department said . This comes amid Syria 's seven-month-long crackdown against protesters . `` Today 's indictment alleges that the defendant acted as an unregistered agent of the Syrian government as part of an effort to collect information on people in this country protesting the Syrian government crackdown . I applaud the many agents , analysts and prosecutors who helped bring about today 's case , '' said Lisa Monaco , assistant attorney general for national security . The indictment says Soueid has been an agent of the Syrian Mukhabarat , a reference to Syrian intelligence agencies . `` At no time while acting as an agent of the government of Syria in this country did Soueid provide prior notification to the Attorney General as required by law , the indictment alleges , '' the Justice Department said . `` Under the direction and control of Syrian officials , Soueid is accused of recruiting individuals living in the United States to collect information on and make audio and video recordings of protests against the Syrian regime -- including recordings of conversations with individual protesters -- in the United States and Syria . He is also charged with providing the recordings and other information to individuals working for the Mukhabarat . According to the indictment , Soueid and others conspired to use this information to undermine , silence , intimidate and potentially harm those in the United States and Syria who engaged in the protests . '' In late June , the Syrian government paid for Soueid to travel to Syria . He met with intelligence officials and privately spoke with President Bashar al-Assad , the indictment said . `` In addition to the recordings , Soueid is accused of providing the Mukhabarat contact information , including phone numbers and e-mail addresses , for protesters in the United States . In a handwritten letter sent to UCC-1 -LRB- an unindicted co-conspirator -RRB- , Soueid allegedly expressed his belief that violence against protesters -- including raiding their homes -- was justified and that any method should be used to deal with the protesters . The indictment also alleges that Soueid provided information regarding U.S. protesters against the Syrian regime to an individual who worked at the Syrian Embassy in Washington , D.C. '' In a statement , the Syrian Embassy challenged the Justice Department to provide evidence of the allegations . It said Soueid is not an agent of any Syrian institution and has never worked for any Syrian official . The allegation that any U.S. citizen is working with Syria to intimidate other U.S. citizens is `` absolutely baseless and totally unacceptable , '' the embassy said . Syria never paid Soueid for travel or any other expense , the embassy said . It also denied there had ever been a private meeting between Soueid and al-Assad , calling it a `` ludicrous '' accusation . It also said the embassy had never recruited anyone to inform on any activities in the United States . `` Contrary to the statement of the Department of Justice , Mr. Soueid has never provided any individual at the Syrian Embassy in the U.S. with any information regarding U.S. protesters or otherwise , '' it said . `` This is a flagrant effort to defame the Embassy of Syria based on sheer lies and fabrications . '' The indictment also said FBI agents interviewed Soueid and he is accused of lying `` when he denied that he had collected information on U.S. persons and transmitted that information to the government of Syria . '' `` In addition , Soueid allegedly made further false statements when he denied to FBI agents that he had directed someone to audio or videotape a conversation , meeting , rally or protest , or that he was aware of any individual taking photographs or videotaping people . He also allegedly made false statements when he denied that he had ever been an agent of the Syrian government or a foreign intelligence officer . '' `` The ability to assemble and protest is a cherished right in the United States , and it 's troubling that a U.S. citizen from Leesburg is accused of working with the Syrian government to identify and intimidate those who exercise that right , '' said Neil MacBride , U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia . `` Spying for another country is a serious threat to our national security , especially when it threatens the ability of U.S. citizens to engage in political speech within our own borders . '' If Soueid is convicted , he faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison . Soueid is also known as Anas Alswaid , the Justice Department said . Alswaid had been named in a civil suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by Syrian citizens or Syrian-Americans who say they have been subjected to abuse or are family members of those who have been abused by the defendants . Along with Alswaid , the defendants include the Syrian Arab Republic , the Ministry of State Security Intelligence , al-Assad 's brother Maher , the Syrian ambassador to the U.S. , Imad Moustapha , and others . The suit was filed in May . `` Alswaid is an integral part of the criminal conspiracy to torture , maim , and kill Syrians . Through his efforts , the al-Assad regime learns the identities of Syrians based in the United States , who are trying to assist in the efforts to counteract the tactics of the al-Assad regime . He transmits such information to Damascus to initiate criminal conduct against the families of the identified Syrians , '' the suit alleges . CNN 's Carol Cratty and Joe Sterling contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pregnant women in Peru are dying at scandalous rates , according to the author of an Amnesty International report into maternal mortality in the South American country . The report , `` Fatal Flaws : Barriers to Maternal Health in Peru '' found that hundreds of poor , rural and indigenous pregnant women are dying because they are being denied the same health services as other women in the country . It also concluded that the government 's response to tackling the problem was inadequate . Peruvian government figures state 185 in every 100,000 women die in childbirth , but the United Nations says the number is much higher , 240 per 100,000 , which makes it one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the Americas . In wealthy developed nations , only nine women die for every 100,000 births . The five main causes of pregnancy-related deaths in Peru are hemorrhage , pre-eclampsia , infection , complications following abortion and obstructed birth , according to Peru 's Ministry of Health figures . Amnesty 's Peru researcher Nuria Garcia said , in a written statement : `` The rates of maternal mortality in Peru are scandalous . The fact that so many women are dying from preventable causes is a human rights violation . `` The Peruvian state is simply ignoring its obligation to provide adequate maternal health care to all women , regardless of who they are and where they live . '' Garcia added : `` Health services for pregnant women in Peru are like a lottery : If you are poor and indigenous , the chances are you will always lose . '' The report said pregnant women in Peru die because they lack access to emergency obstetric care , to information on maternal health , and to health staff members who can speak Indigenous languages such as Quechua -- a native Andean language spoken by some 5 million people in Peru . According to the report , 27 percent of deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes occurred during pregnancy ; 26 percent occurred during the birth itself ; and 46 percent during the first six weeks after giving birth . A 2007 Census of Indigenous People showed that 60 percent did not have access to a health facility , said Amnesty International . The Amnesty International report notes that the Peruvian government has instituted policies aimed at reducing the rates of maternal mortality , such as increasing maternal waiting houses -- rooms where pregnant women who live far from health centers can stay . Other measures include more training for health staff members on the vertical birth method common among indigenous women and teaching the Quiche language to health professionals , Amnesty International said . But the human rights group said Peruvian women and health professionals have complained that the measures are not being implemented effectively . For example , the rights group said , even though the number of waiting houses has increased more than threefold in the past eight years , only half of them are in rural areas . The agency also contends that training for health professionals on the vertical birth method is not sufficiently widespread . According to Peru 's Human Rights ombudsperson , more than 45 percent of health staff last year said they had not received appropriate training , Amnesty International said . `` Official initiatives to reduce maternal mortality are good news , '' Garcia said . `` However , lack of clear responsibilities for implementing them and the absence of effective resourcing and monitoring puts any initiative in great jeopardy . '' Though Peru 's rate of maternal deaths is high , it pales in comparison to sub-Saharan Africa , which has about 900 deaths for each 100,000 births , the United Nations says . For Africa as a whole , the number is 820 . The highest rates were in Sierra Leone , with 2,000 , and Afghanistan , with 1,900 . Latin America and the Caribbean average 130 deaths per 100,000 births , the United Nations says , with the lowest rates in Chile , Costa Rica and Cuba . Worldwide , there were an average of 400 deaths for each 100,000 births in the year 2000 , the United Nations says . The lowest rates were in Iceland , with zero , and Austria , with four per 100,000 births . The United States had 11 deaths per 100,000 births in 2005 , the United Nations says . CNN 's Stephanie Busari contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Lillo Brancato Jr. , an actor who appeared in `` The Sopranos , '' was acquitted of the 2005 killing an off-duty New York City police officer but found guilty of attempted burglary . Lillo Brancato Jr. appeared on `` The Sopranos '' and played alongside Robert De Niro in `` A Bronx Tale . '' Brancato , 32 , was also acquitted of two counts of burglary , but could face three to 15 years in prison on the attempted burglary charge . He has already served three years , according to his attorney , Joseph Tacopina . Police officer Daniel Enchautegui , 28 , was killed trying to break up a burglary attempt at his neighbor 's house in the Bronx in December 2005 . During the trial , Brancato said there was not a break-in . Brancato said he knew the owner of the home , and that he and friend Steven Armento , 51 , were drinking at a strip club when they decided to go hunt for valium . Brancato told the jury that the owner , a Vietnam veteran , gave him permission to come to his house and take painkillers or other pills whenever he wanted . Brancato admitted to breaking a window at the home , but said it was strictly because he was going through intense heroin withdrawal that night and he said he was trying to wake up his friend to get the drugs . When Brancato and Armento entered the home , the next door neighbor -- Enchautegui -- came outside to investigate . That 's when prosecutors said Armento shot the officer through the heart with his .357 Magnum . Armento was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in November . The jury in that trial took less than six hours to convict Armento . Enchautegui was shot in the chest by Armento when he interrupted the alleged robbery , but managed to shoot both suspects multiple times before dying . `` This jury spoke loud and clear , that Lillo had nothing to do with the murder of this police officer , '' Tacopina said . Brancato appeared on six episodes of the hit HBO series `` The Sopranos '' as a wannabe mobster in 2000 . As a teen , Brancato starred alongside actor Robert De Niro in `` A Bronx Tale . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Authorities have re-arrested three men in connection with the disappearance of an Alabama teenager in Aruba in 2005 , based on new evidence in the case , prosecutors announced Wednesday . Natalee Holloway disappeared while on an Aruba vacation in 2005 . Brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe were arrested in Aruba at the same time authorities in the Netherlands picked up Joran Van der Sloot at the request of the Aruban government , the statement said . Van der Sloot is attending school in Holland . The three had previously been arrested in 2005 , Aruban prosecutors noted in a statement , but a court released them , citing insufficient evidence . They are now charged with `` involvement in the voluntary manslaughter of Natalee Holloway or causing serious bodily harm to Natalee Holloway , resulting in her death , '' the statement said . Watch interview with Holloway 's father '' Van der Sloot , now 20 , and the Kalpoes , now ages 24 and 21 , were the last people seen with Holloway , 18 , as she left Carlos n ' Charlie 's nightclub in Oranjestad , Aruba , about 1:30 a.m. on May 30 , 2005 . All three men have maintained their innocence in her disappearance . View a timeline of the case '' No information was immediately available about what the new evidence was that led to the arrests . Aruban prosecutors said a team of detectives from the Netherlands has been reviewing the Holloway case at the request of authorities in Aruba , and had been on the island as late as last month to complete the investigation . The Kalpoe brothers were being interrogated by Aruban police Wednesday , Aruba prosecutor Dop Kruimel told CNN . They will appear before a judge Friday for a preliminary arrest hearing , in which the judge determines whether the arrest was credible , she said . The judge can then authorize their being detained for eight more days , meaning police have that much time to produce evidence . The suspects then go before a judge again , she said . Van der Sloot was arrested in Arnhem , the Netherlands , by Dutch police , Kruimel said . Aruban authorities have asked for him to be extradited to Aruba within eight days . Because they were not familiar with the case , Dutch police were not questioning Van der Sloot , she said . He will be questioned when he is brought back to Aruba , she said . However , he will appear before a judge Thursday in Arnhem . When CNN called the Kalpoe household , the person who answered the phone hung up . Earlier , Van der Sloot 's mother , Anita Van der Sloot , told CNN her son had not been arrested , but had only reported to a police station in the Netherlands for questioning Wednesday after receiving a letter asking him to do so . Anita Van der Sloot said she had spoken to her son briefly from her home in Aruba . She said a Dutch attorney was with him , and she expected him to appear before a judge and be released Thursday . Meanwhile , a spokeswoman for Holloway 's mother , Beth Holloway , said in a statement , `` The family is always hopeful when a step in the right direction is made in the case . '' Beth Holloway was refusing interviews for now , said spokeswoman Sunny Tillman . She previously was known as Beth Holloway-Twitty , but has returned to using Holloway after a divorce earlier this year . Natalee Holloway was visiting Aruba with a group of about 100 classmates celebrating their graduation from Mountain Brook High School in suburban Birmingham , Alabama , when she went to Carlos n ' Charlie 's that night in 2005 . The group had planned to leave for home the following day , and Holloway 's packed bags and passport were found in her hotel room after she failed to show up for her flight . Her disappearance triggered an exhaustive search and investigation and a media sensation in the United States , Aruba , the Netherlands and beyond , but Holloway has never been found . Aruban authorities have been criticized for their handling of the case . At least 10 men , including Van der Sloot and the Kalpoes , have been arrested and identified as suspects either in Holloway 's disappearance or in an alleged cover-up . All were questioned and released . Legal experts , however , have said differences in the U.S. and Aruban systems should be taken into account . Aruba 's criminal justice system is based on Dutch law and a descendant of the Napoleonic code . In Aruba , authorities ' reasonable suspicion that someone knows about or is involved in a crime is enough to make an arrest , while magistrates investigate and judges determine a suspect 's guilt or innocence . There are no jury trials . Aruban authorities , meanwhile , have suggested that Holloway may have overdosed on drugs or died of alcohol poisoning . Beth Holloway and Natalee Holloway 's father , Dave Holloway , filed a lawsuit last year against Van der Sloot and his father , Aruban judge Paulus Van der Sloot , in the Supreme Court of the State of New York . The Van der Sloots were served with the suit while on a trip to New York . However , a judge in August 2006 dismissed the suit , saying New York was an inconvenient forum in which to consider it . It was unclear whether Holloway 's parents have pursued legal action elsewhere . E-mail to a friend CNN 's Kimberly Segal and Eric Marrapodi contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"What the heck are triglycerides ? If you do n't know , you have plenty of company . One in every three Americans has high triglyceride levels , which elevate risk of heart disease and early death . The fatty particles found in your blood are important for heart health , but do n't get nearly as much attention as , say , cholesterol . Now a new study suggests that there 's a good chance that your triglycerides are in the unhealthy zone , whether you know what they are or not . About one-third of American adults have triglyceride levels that are borderline or too high , according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report published Monday in Archives of Internal Medicine . `` I see it as a major problem that we 've completely ignored this problem so far , '' said Dr. B\u00f8rge Nordestgaard of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark . Nordestgaard has conducted research linking high triglyceride levels to cardiovascular disease and early death , but was not involved in the CDC research . `` Everyone in clinical practice seemed to be so focused on LDL , LDL , LDL -LSB- bad cholesterol -RSB- , people tended to forget triglycerides . '' he said . Being too heavy , getting too little activity , drinking lots of alcohol and eating lots of saturated fat can all add up to higher triglyceride levels because the body stores excess calories as triglycerides . Health.com : Fats to eat , fats to avoid Triglycerides are a third type of fatty particle found in the blood , along with LDL cholesterol and HDL -LRB- also known as good -RRB- cholesterol . People taking certain medications or those who have diabetes or a genetic condition can have high triglycerides . Health.com : What cholesterol tests reveal about your heart 's health Nordestgaard said that high triglycerides are as dangerous as high cholesterol levels as a risk marker for heart disease and early death . `` There 's a really big potential for further prevention of heart disease and strokes by getting more focused on that , '' he said . Health.com : How stress can trigger heart problems The problem : Right now , the best way to attack high triglycerides is by losing weight , eating more healthily , and becoming more active -- a tall order for many of us . In the new report , Dr. Earl Ford of the CDC , and his colleagues looked at a nationally representative group of 5,610 people 20 and older . They found that 33.1 percent had triglyceride levels above 150 milligrams per deciliter , while 17.9 percent had levels above 200 milligrams per deciliter , 1.7 percent had levels of 500 milligrams per deciliter or above , and 0.4 percent had levels higher than 1,000 milligrams per deciliter . Triglycerides of 150 to 199 milligrams per deciliter are considered borderline high and anything above 200 milligrams per deciliter is considered too high . Men were more likely than women to have high triglycerides , while whites were at greater risk than African Americans and Mexican Americans . Very high triglyceride levels can cause inflammation of the pancreas . Although there 's increasing evidence that elevated triglycerides are associated with cardiovascular disease and early death , no one has yet shown that treating high triglyceride levels reduces cardiovascular disease , according to an editorial by Dr. Warren G. Thompson and Dr. Gerald T. Gau of the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine , in Rochester , Minnesota . Lifestyle changes -- exercising , losing weight , swapping healthy fats for unhealthy ones , and the like -- are the treatment of choice right now for people with triglyceride levels between 150 milligrams per deciliter and 500 milligrams per deciliter . According to the National Cholesterol Education Panel , higher-risk people with triglyceride levels falling in this range may also need medication . Beyond lifestyle changes , treatments for high triglycerides include statins , fibrates , niacin , and fish oil . But while fibrates reduce the risk of cardiovascular events like stroke and heart attack , Thompson and Gau note , they do n't reduce mortality and actually increase the risk of death from non-heart-related causes ; they are only recommended for people with triglycerides above 1,000 milligrams per deciliter . `` What we really need scientifically , we need companies to come up with drugs that are more efficient at particularly reducing triglycerides , '' said Nordestgaard . He usually recommends that people try statins first if lifestyle changes are not enough -- as do Thompson and Gau . Health.com : The therapeutic lifestyle changes -LRB- TLC -RRB- diet for heart disease `` People with hypertriglyceridemia should talk to their physician about appropriate steps to take to bring their levels of triglycerides down , '' said Ford . `` For people with levels in the 150-500 milligrams per deciliter range , therapeutic lifestyle change is recommended . '' Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com","question":""}
{"answer":"After years of rising cholesterol levels from fatty diets and pudgy waistlines , there 's finally good news , experts say . More people who are trying to lower their cholesterol are actually succeeding in getting their low-density lipoprotein , or bad cholesterol , down to healthy levels . Research suggests that decreasing LDL -- via drugs , exercise and\/or diet -- can ward off heart attacks and strokes . However , there 's still room for improvement , according to research from nine countries , including the United States and Canada . And there 's good reason to stay focused on lowering your cholesterol : Research suggests that decreasing LDL can ward off heart attacks , strokes , and other health problems . In the new study , which was funded by Pfizer and published in Circulation : Journal of the American Heart Association , an international group of researchers led by David D. Waters , M.D. , of the University of California , San Francisco , looked at 9,955 people with an average age of 62 to see whether cholesterol-lowering efforts -- including taking medication or trying diet and exercise alone -- were having the intended effect . For healthy people , the current target for LDL cholesterol is less than 160 mg\/dL , and for those with two or more heart disease risk factors , it 's less than 130 mg\/dL . For people with heart disease , LDL should be less than 100 mg\/dL and possibly even less than 70 mg\/dL for those at super-high risk . The survey , known as the Lipid Treatment Assessment Project 2 , is an update of a similar survey done in the United States in 1996 and 1997 . At that time , just 38 percent of Americans in general and 18 percent of people with heart disease who were trying to lower cholesterol actually had their LDL cholesterol under control . Health.com : 4 tips for healthy drinking while dieting Things have definitely gotten better . Waters and his colleagues found that in 2006 -- 2007 , 73 percent of people had their LDL cholesterol in an acceptable range . This included 86 percent of people at relatively low risk of heart problems , 74 percent at moderate risk , and 67 percent at high risk . But just one in three people , or 30 percent , who already had heart disease and at least two other risk factors -LRB- such as obesity and smoking -RRB- had their LDL cholesterol in the healthy range . About 75 percent of the patients in the survey were taking statins , 16 percent were treated with only diet and exercise , and the remainder took a cholesterol-lowering medication that was not a statin . Statins include brand-name drugs like Lipitor , Zocor , and Crestor , among others . The findings `` should be a wake-up call '' to people who already have or are at risk of heart attack and strokes , says Gregg Fonarow , M.D. , the codirector of the UCLA Preventative Cardiology Program , who was not involved with the research . People with cardiovascular disease should not `` assume that just because they 're under medical care that they 've optimized their cardiovascular health , '' he says . Health.com : Ultimate guide to fresh fruits and veggies However , Dan Hackam , M.D. , Ph.D. , of the University of Western Ontario and the Stroke Prevention and Atherosclerosis Research Centre in London , Ontario , says the survey may not be a fair representation of people with high cholesterol . The survey included only people who had been using the same cholesterol-lowering approach for at least three months . `` There 's lots of people in the general population who should be on these drugs who are n't on them , '' Hackam says . `` I see a lot of patients who 've had heart attacks and strokes who are n't on these medications . '' Nevertheless , according to Hackam , the findings are `` very good news . '' When the original survey was done , he says , there were just a couple of major clinical trials showing the health benefits of cholesterol reduction with statins . Since then , there have been around 50 such trials , he adds , including some with women , minorities , and seniors . `` There 's just so much more awareness now among physicians of the clinical evidence , '' he says . Health.com : 10 celebrity couples : Who 's healthy , who 's not ? Fonarow says there are still plenty of doctors out there who do n't treat cholesterol as aggressively as they should . `` The threat to the patient is something that plays out over many years or decades ; it 's not an immediate threat , '' he notes . This time lag can make it difficult for some people to see the benefits of treating high cholesterol just as aggressively as they would a heart attack , says Fonarow . Hackam says he measures his patients ' heart disease and stroke risk by giving them a 12-hour fasting cholesterol test and a scan of the walls of the arteries in their neck . If the scan shows fatty plaques , he recommends cholesterol-lowering therapy even if the patient 's cholesterol levels are normal . Health.com : New iPhone apps for healthier , more earth-friendly shopping Other steps people can take , aside from seeing their doctor , include quitting smoking and exercising more , Hackam says . There 's even a home cholesterol test -- just like the home glucose tests used by people with diabetes -- that patients could use . `` People can be very proactive , '' he explains . To find out if your cholesterol levels are where they should be , and what to do if they are n't , Fonarow recommends checking out the interactive Web sites run by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology . Why are more people hitting cholesterol targets ? It probably is n't because more patients are taking their medication properly or sticking with their diet , according to an editorial published with the study . It 's more likely that the newer cholesterol-lowering drugs do a better job of curbing LDL , writes Antonio M. Gotto , Jr. , M.D. , D.Phil , of Weill Cornell Medical College , in New York City . About half of the study participants were taking one of these newer drugs , he notes . Health.com : The medical tests every woman must have Gotto is a consultant for Merck and other companies and is on the advisory board of DuPont and Novartis . Waters and other study coauthors have received consulting fees from Pfizer and other pharmaceutical companies . Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com","question":""}
{"answer":"Alexandria , Virginia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson was sentenced Friday to 13 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on 11 counts of corruption . Jefferson was also ordered to forfeit more than $ 470,000 after his conviction for using his office to solicit bribes . He will also have to pay $ 1,100 in special assessments . The case against the former nine-term Louisiana Democrat included allegations of influence-peddling and the discovery of $ 90,000 in cash in his freezer . Judge T.S. Ellis will determine at a hearing next Wednesday whether Jefferson will remain free pending appeal . Until then , he is free . `` The court 's sentence today reaffirms the principle that all people -- no matter what their title or position -- are equal before the law , '' said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman in a statement . `` In a stunning betrayal of the public 's trust , former Congressman Jefferson repeatedly used his public office for private gain . The lengthy prison sentence imposed on Mr. Jefferson today is a stark reminder to all public officials that the consequences of accepting bribes can and will be severe . '' Jefferson 's family was in the courtroom when District Judge T.S. Ellis handed down the sentence . He had faced up to 150 years in prison . `` This sentence should be a clear signal that our society will not tolerate bribery , '' U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride said in a written statement . `` It 's not just another cost of doing business in government . `` Mr. Jefferson 's repeated attempts to sell his office caused significant damage to the public 's trust in our elected leaders . This sentence will begin to repair that damage and to restore that trust . `` Mr. Jefferson is well-known for the $ 90,000 found in his freezer . It is our hope that he will now be well-known for the tough sentence handed down today , showing that no one -- including our elected officials -- are above the law . '' Jefferson , of New Orleans , still faces the forfeiture of nearly $ 500,000 -- money a jury said is linked to criminal activity for which he has been convicted . On August 5 , a jury found Jefferson guilty on four bribery counts , three counts of money laundering , three counts of wire fraud and one count of racketeering . He was acquitted on five other counts , including wire fraud and obstruction of justice . He had remained free prior to Friday 's sentencing . Jefferson was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 4 , 2007 , about two years after federal agents said they found the money in his freezer . Authorities said the cash was part of a payment in marked bills from an FBI informant in a transaction captured on video . The trial was delayed while it was resolved whether an FBI search of Jefferson 's congressional office was constitutional . Defense attorney Robert Trout had asked the judge for leniency , citing Jefferson 's personal history of humble beginnings and long-standing public service . Prosecutors , in turn , filed a response saying Jefferson deserved no preferential treatment since he `` still chose to cheat , steal and lie . '' `` Congressman Jefferson has still not accepted responsibility for his own criminal conduct , '' prosecutors wrote . He `` still rationalizes his own unethical , illegal and immoral conduct . '' CNN 's Paul Courson contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former New York City police Commissioner Bernard Kerik pleaded not guilty in federal court Monday to a revised indictment charging him in a corruption and tax evasion case , according to a spokesman for the New York District Attorney . A revised indictment brings to 15 the number of counts against former police Commissioner Bernard Kerik . The revised indictment includes two new counts of aiding the filing of false returns and a charge involving making false statements while applying for a housing loan , spokesman Herbert Hadad of the district attorney 's office told CNN . Kerik is accused of failing to report more than $ 500,000 in income between 1999 and 2004 , said Patricia Haynes , the IRS agent in charge of the case . Prosecutors allege Kerik received and concealed benefits of about $ 255,000 in renovations to his Riverdale , New York , apartment from a company seeking to do business with the city of New York . Revisions to the original indictment , which included charges of corruption , conspiracy and tax evasion , bring to 15 the number of counts against Kerik . Barry Berke , Kerik 's attorney , declined to comment . The indictment also charges that Kerik made several false statements to the White House and other federal officials when he applied for the position as adviser to the Homeland Security Advisory Council , to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq and in connection with his nomination to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security . U.S. District Judge Stephen Robinson did not rule Monday on whether the two counts that include charges of lying to White House officials will be tried in Washington or White Plains , New York . Kerik is due back in court February 3 for a hearing on pretrial motions , Hadad said . A trial date has not been set . Kerik , 53 , is a longtime friend and former protege of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani . President Bush nominated him to be secretary of homeland security after winning re-election in 2004 , but Kerik withdrew his name amid allegations that he employed a nanny who had a questionable immigration status . Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson began investigating allegations that Kerik had traded payment on repairs to his Bronx apartment for favors , including city contracts . The former chief pleaded guilty in 2006 to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in gifts while he worked as city corrections commissioner . He was fined $ 221,000 and avoided jail time under his plea agreement . Before tapping Kerik for a Cabinet post , Bush dispatched him to Baghdad to train Iraqi police after the U.S. invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein . He left three months into an expected six-month stint , with Iraqi officials telling reporters that he had completed his assignment . In 2004 , he campaigned for Bush 's re-election and spoke at the Republican National Convention in New York . CNN 's Mary Snow contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- EW.com -RRB- -- The box office had to contend with the World Series , a very early snowstorm in the Northeast , and Halloween festivities across the country this weekend , but audiences still managed to make it to the movies ! That being said , grosses for new releases `` Puss in Boots , '' `` In Time , '' and `` The Rum Diary , '' were n't all that strong . Check out how they performed below : Dreamworks Animation 's `` Puss in Boots '' was the top cat this weekend , clawing its way to a $ 34 million debut , 51 percent of which came from 3-D screens , and 7 percent of which was from IMAX theaters . On paper , that number sounds good -- and , to be clear , it is by no means a disaster -- but the result comes with a `` Real Steel '' - ish caveat . `` Puss in Boots '' cost $ 130 million to produce , and it earned Dreamworks ' third-worst debut for a computer animated film , beating only `` Flushed Away '' and `` Antz , '' which started with $ 18.8 million and $ 17.2 million , respectively . The 3-D `` Shrek '' - spinoff , cost as much as Dreamworks ' `` Megamind , '' which opened in early November 2010 , but that film began with $ 46 million , and it played well through the Thanksgiving season on its way to a $ 148.4 million total . `` Puss in Boots '' entered theaters a week earlier , but it will need to endure even better than `` Megamind '' to earn back its budget . The `` A - '' CinemaScore grade it earned from audiences should at least make that achievement possible , but considering people are already familiar with the `` Puss in Boots '' character , it 's doubtful that the film will attract many uninitiated viewers . We wo n't officially know where `` Puss in Boots '' is headed until next weekend , when we see how much the snowstorm , the World Series , and Halloween really affected the box office this frame . -LRB- My guess is not much -- and I 'm not just being catty . -RRB- Second place belonged to `` Paranormal Activity 3 , '' which fell by 65 percent to $ 18.5 million in its second weekend . The found footage horror sequel has scared up $ 81.3 million after ten days in theaters , and considering the huge business the film will likely do on Halloween , `` PA3 '' is only a day away from passing Paranormal Activity 2 's $ 84.8 million cume . Not too shabby for a film that cost Paramount only $ 5 million to make ! Fall Movies : Get the latest news , photos , and more Fox 's $ 40 million Justin Timberlake\/Amanda Seyfried thriller `` In Time '' underwhelmed with just $ 12 million in its opening weekend . That debut is less than Timberlake 's last film , `` Friends with Benefits , '' which began with $ 18.6 million on its way to $ 55.8 million , as well as Seyfried 's recent `` Red Riding Hood , '' which debuted with $ 14 million on its way to $ 37.6 million . Ads for `` In Time '' failed to effectively communicate the convoluted time-shifting story , and negative reviews likely kept older moviegoers away . Timberlake 's leading man status may not have helped matters too much , either -- audiences seem to find him more appealing as part of an ensemble , like in `` The Social Network '' and `` Bad Teacher . '' Moviegoers issued `` In Time '' an unenthusiastic `` B - '' CinemaScore grade , which may prevent the film from finding the same kind of legs that time-jumping thriller `` Source Code '' -LRB- $ 14.8 million opening , $ 54.7 million total -RRB- enjoyed earlier this year . In its third weekend , dancing remake `` Footloose '' fell to fourth place , dropping 48 percent to $ 5.4 million . The $ 24 million production has now earned $ 38.5 million after 17 days in theaters , and it will pass the total of Julianne Hough 's first feature film , `` Burlesque '' -LRB- $ 39.4 million -RRB- , sometime this week . Johnny Depp 's latest , `` The Rum Diary , '' stumbled out of the gate with just $ 5 million . `` Pirates of the Caribbean '' this was not . The disappointing opening fell in line with Depp 's other substance abuse picture , 1998\u00e2 $ \u00b2 s `` Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas , '' which debuted to $ 3.3 million and earned $ 10.7 million total . `` The Rum Diary 's '' edgy story was always going to be a tough sell , and FilmDistrict 's President of Theatrical Distribution Bob Berney admits : `` While we all wish the numbers were better , we 're proud of the film and its loving tribute to Hunter S. Thompson . '' The $ 50 million picture marks the third straight box office disappointment for FilmDistrict , the young distributor that found success with Insidious -LRB- $ 54 million -RRB- earlier this year . The studio has since struggled with both `` Do n't Be Afraid of the Dark '' -LRB- $ 23.9 million -RRB- and `` Drive '' -LRB- $ 33.7 million so far -RRB- recently . Unfortunately for FilmDistrict , audiences , which were 88 percent above the age of 25 , gave `` The Rum Diary '' a harsh `` C '' CinemaScore grade , so it 's not likely to hold well in future weeks . Talk about a bad hangover ... In limited release , Sony 's Shakespeare tale `` Anonymous '' started with $ 1 million out of 256 theaters . That was good enough for a $ 3,774 per theater average , which does not merit huge expansions in the coming weeks . Young romance `` Like Crazy '' fared better , grossing $ 120,000 out of only 4 theaters , resulting in a $ 30,000 average . Richard Gere 's latest , `` The Double , '' was D.O.A. , pulling in only $ 27,545 out of 11 theaters . It 's not likely to platform much further . Zeitgeist-y Wall Street thriller `` Margin Call '' continued to play fairly well , grossing $ 713,000 out of 140 theaters . It has earned $ 1.5 million so far . Internationally , `` The Adventures of Tintin '' got off to an excellent start . Sony 's motion capture animation grossed $ 55.8 million out of 19 territories , including $ 21.5 million in France and $ 10.7 million in the United Kingdom , where its being distributed by Paramount . Sony is bragging loudly about the film 's performance , perhaps in response to some prognosticators claiming that `` Tintin '' is likely to underperform domestically . -LRB- The picture is based on a series of comic books by Herg\u00c3 \u00a9 which were very popular in Europe , but only cult hits in the U.S. -RRB- We 'll find out how excited audiences are about `` Tintin '' on December 21 . 1 . `` Puss in Boots '' -- $ 34 million 2 . `` Paranormal Activity 3 '' -- $ 18.5 mil 3 . `` In Time '' -- $ 12 mil 4 . `` Footloose '' -- $ 5.4 mil 5 . `` The Rum Diary '' -- $ 5 mil 6 . `` Real Steel '' -- $ 4.7 mil 7 . `` The Three Musketeers '' -- $ 3.5 mil 8 . `` The Ides of March '' -- $ 2.7 mil 9 . `` Moneyball '' -- $ 2.4 mil 10 . `` Courageous '' -- $ 1.8 mil See full article at EW.com . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly \u00a9 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. . All rights reserved .","question":""}
{"answer":"Men who are circumcised are less likely to get sexually transmitted infections such as genital herpes and human papillomavirus -LRB- HPV -RRB- , but not syphilis , according to a study of adult African men published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine . Circumcision rates have traditionally been higher in the U.S. than in Europe , but they 've been on the decline . The finding adds to the evidence that there are health benefits to circumcision . It was already known that circumcision can reduce the risk of penile cancer , a relatively rare disease . In a previous study , the same research team found that adult circumcision could reduce the risk of HIV infection . Efforts to increase the practice of male circumcision in areas with high rates of sexually transmitted infections , including Africa , could have a tremendous benefit , say the study 's authors . Genital herpes has been associated with an increased risk of HIV , and HPV can cause genital warts as well as a higher risk of anal , cervical -LRB- in women -RRB- , and penile cancers . Health.com : Is your partner cheating ? How to protect yourself In the United States , infant circumcision is declining . About 64 percent of American male infants were circumcised in 1995 , down from more than 90 percent in the 1970s . Rates tend to be higher in whites -LRB- 81percent -RRB- than in blacks -LRB- 65 percent -RRB- or Hispanics -LRB- 54 percent -RRB- . Some opponents say the removal of the foreskin is an unnecessary surgical procedure that may reduce sexual sensitivity in adulthood . In Jewish and Muslim cultures , young or infant boys are routinely circumcised for religious reasons . Circumcision rates have traditionally been higher in the U.S. than in Europe , but the American Academy of Pediatrics currently says that the medical benefits are insufficient to recommend circumcision for all baby boys . In the new study , a research team at the Rakai Health Sciences Program in Uganda -- in collaboration with researchers from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore , Maryland , and Makerere University in Uganda -- conducted two clinical trials involving 3,393 uncircumcised men ages 15 to 49 . All the men were negative for HIV and genital herpes -LRB- also known as herpes simplex virus type 2 -RRB- ; a subgroup of men also tested negative for HPV . Roughly half of the men underwent medically supervised circumcision at the start of the trial , while the other half were circumcised two years later . Overall , circumcision reduced the men 's risk of genital herpes by 28 percent -LRB- 10.3 percent of uncircumcised men developed genital herpes compared with 7.8 percent of circumcised men -RRB- and HPV infection by 35 percent -LRB- 27.8 percent of uncircumcised men were infected with HPV compared with 18 percent of circumcised men -RRB- . Circumcision did not , however , protect against syphilis . -LRB- About 2 percent of men in both groups contracted syphilis . -RRB- Health.com : A sexual risk taker comes to terms with drinking , depression , and STDs Study coauthor Thomas C. Quinn , M.D. , professor of global health at Johns Hopkins University , says that choosing circumcision , whether it 's the parents of an infant or an adult male for himself , is and should remain an individual decision . `` But the critics need to really look at the benefits versus the risks , '' he adds . `` By now a large body of evidence has shown that the health benefits clearly outweigh the minor risk associated with the surgery . In our study , we did n't see any adverse effects or mutilation . We 're recommending supervised , safe , sterile environments -- not circumcision out in an open field with rusty instruments . '' Increasing circumcision rates in Africa may not only help men , but would likely protect women too , possibly lowering the rates of female cervical cancer , the authors say . Ronald H. Gray , M.D. , professor of public health at Johns Hopkins University and study coauthor , says that the researchers plan to look at whether male circumcision reduces the transmission of HPV to female sexual partners . Health.com : 10 questions to ask a new partner before having sex Even in the United States , this study has relevance , says Anthony Fauci , M.D. , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases -LRB- which funded one of the trials -RRB- . `` In this country , circumcision for infant boys remains a personal decision for the parents , '' he says . `` This makes us rethink whether doctors should be more aggressive in recommending that it at least be considered . If parents say no just because generations before them have said no , they should learn more about the significant health benefits before making that choice . '' Roughly three-quarters of U.S. adults have had at least one HPV infection , according to an editorial by Matthew R. Golden , M.D. , and Judith N. Wasserheit , M.D. , both of the University of Washington . Although vaccines against some of the most dangerous HPV strains have been approved for girls ages 13 to 26 , the vaccines are expensive and routine Pap tests are still necessary to pick up cervical cancers . Health.com : How to tell your ex you have an STD Golden and Wasserheit note that `` rates of circumcision are declining and are lowest among black and Hispanic patients , groups in whom rates of HIV , herpes , and cervical cancer are disproportionately high . '' Medicaid , which insures many low-income patients in these populations , does not pay for routine infant circumcision in 16 states . The study authors hope that this growing evidence in favor of circumcision will persuade policy-making bodies , both in the United States and in other countries , to officially recommend the procedure -- which could make patient education and insurance coverage more likely . It 's not clear why circumcision may affect infection rates . But the study authors suggest that penile foreskin may provide a moist , favorable environment for herpes and HPV to survive and enter cells on the skin 's surface . Once the foreskin is surgically removed , the risk of infection may be reduced . Health.com : Men can lose their sex drives too They also note , however , that male circumcision is not completely effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections . Safe sex practices , including consistent condom use , are still necessary to provide the best protection . Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com","question":""}
{"answer":"New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Somali suspect in the hijacking of the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama in the Indian Ocean last April has been charged with involvement in two additional hijackings , authorities said Tuesday . One of the hijacked vessels is still being held hostage , federal prosecutors said in announcing a 10-count indictment filed against Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse . The vessels are identified in court documents as `` Ship-1 '' and `` Ship-2 . '' Under the indictment , Muse faces charges including piracy ; seizing a ship by force ; kidnapping and hostage taking , along with charges of possessing a machine gun in the commission of other offenses . If convicted , he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison . He was to be arraigned on the additional charges Tuesday afternoon in federal court , authorities said . Muse is accused of participating in the two hijackings before the Maersk Alabama was hijacked April 8 , prosecutors said in a statement . Ship-1 was seized by pirates in March in the Indian Ocean , according to the indictment and a criminal complaint . Authorities say Muse and others `` known and unknown '' boarded the vessel while armed with guns , threatened its captain and took control , holding the ship 's captain and crew hostage . While on the ship , prosecutors said , Muse aimed a gun at one of the hostages and threatened to kill him . He also showed a hostage what appeared to be an improvised explosive device , the statement said . `` Muse placed the IED in the vicinity of the hostage , and indicated that if the authorities came the IED would explode and the hostage would be killed . '' In April , Muse and the others left Ship-1 on a small boat , called `` the skiff , '' prosecutors said . When the skiff returned , the ship and the skiff `` were made to rendezvous '' with another ship , Ship-2 . `` The captain of Ship-1 was ordered to pull Ship-1 up to Ship-2 . Ship-1 was then attached to Ship-2 , '' according to the statement . `` Muse and others held hostage , on board Ship-2 , both the captain and the crew of Ship-1 and the captain and crew of Ship-2 . '' On April 8 , Muse and three others left Ship-2 and boarded the Maersk Alabama , the indictment said . Prosecutors allege the four fired shots at the Maersk Alabama before boarding it . The captain and crew of Ship-2 are still being held hostage , according to the documents . The indictment does not say what happened to Ship-1 , its captain or crew . The Maersk Alabama was attacked about 350 miles off the Somali coast , authorities have previously said . Muse allegedly demanded that the ship be stopped , then he and others allegedly took a life boat and held the captain of the ship -- Capt. Richard Phillips -- hostage on it . The USS Bainbridge came to the assistance of the vessel , and in radio communications , Muse and the others threatened to kill Phillips if they were not guaranteed safe passage away from the scene , authorities have said . On April 12 , Muse boarded the Bainbridge and demanded safe passage for himself and the others in exchange for Phillips ' release , according to a criminal complaint . While he was away from the lifeboat , Navy SEALs shot and killed the three remaining pirates , authorities said . Muse was taken into custody . `` Piracy on the high seas is a threat against the community of nations , '' Preet Bharara , U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York , said in the statement Tuesday . `` Today 's indictment alleges criminal conduct that extends beyond the attack against the captain and crew of the American-flagged Maersk Alabama . Modern-day pirates who wreak havoc off faraway coasts will be met with modern-day justice in the United States . '' The investigation is continuing , Bharara said . A federal judge ruled in April that Muse could be tried as an adult . His father in Somalia told defense attorneys he was born November 20 , 1993 , meaning he would have been 15 at the time of the hijackings . However , the prosecution argued otherwise , saying Muse made statements suggesting he was older .","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former baseball great Lenny Dykstra reached a deal with prosecutors , pleading no contest Wednesday to three counts of grand theft auto and filing a false financial statement , the Los Angeles County District Attorney 's Office said . Dykstra , a three-time Major League Baseball All-Star who led the New York Mets to a World Series championship , was released pending sentencing Jan. 20 , 2012 , the office said in a statement . The former athlete , who faces up to four years in prison , admitted the loss was more than $ 100,000 , according to a statement from the district attorney 's office . In exchange for Dykstra 's plea , 21 charges against him , including attempted grand theft auto , identity theft , possession of a controlled substance and unauthorized possession of a syringe , will be dismissed at sentencing , according to the statement . Beginning in January , Dykstra , 48 , and two co-defendants tried to lease various high-end automobiles from several area dealerships by providing fraudulent information and claiming credit through a phony business , prosecutors said . A criminal complaint contended that Dykstra and Robert Hymers , 27 , his accountant , provided information from a man they claimed was a co-signer , but who had not authorized his name to be used . Leases were not approved at two dealerships , but the pair and Christopher Gavanis , 30 , a friend of Dykstra 's , drove off with three cars at one company by providing fraudulent information to a dealer , Deputy District Attorney Alex Karkanen said . When Dykstra was arrested in April , Los Angeles police detectives allegedly found cocaine and ecstasy along with somatropin , a synthetic human growth hormone , when they searched his Encino home . In September , Hymers pleaded no contest to one felony count of identity theft . Gavanis pleaded no contest to one felony count of filing a false financial statement , prosecutors said . In a separate case , Dykstra was indicted in May on federal charges , including obstruction of justice for allegedly taking more than $ 400,000 in property that should have gone to his bankruptcy creditors and then lying about it under oath , prosecutors claim . Dykstra 's stellar professional baseball career began in 1981 , when the New York Mets drafted him out of high school . During his second year in the majors , the player nicknamed `` Nails '' for his tenacity , hit a lead-off home run in Game 3 of the 1986 World Series at Boston 's Fenway Park , after the Mets lost the first two games . That spark rallied the Mets to a seven-game series victory over the Boston Red Sox . CNN 's Stan Wilson contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The brother of skater Nancy Kerrigan , charged with assault and battery in an incident involving his father , was released on bond , authorities said Wednesday . Mark Kerrigan posted the previously set $ 10,000 bail and was released from custody , according to the Woburn District Court Clerk 's office in Massachusetts . Kerrigan , 45 , was fitted with a tracking device and under conditions of his release is not allowed to leave his home other than to visit his attorney , the clerk 's office said . He also is forbidden to use any drugs or alcohol other than prescription medication , can have no access to weapons and must have mental health counseling . `` The Kerrigan family is delighted to have Mark back with them , '' family spokeswoman Nancy Sterling said in a statement . `` They ask that you respect their privacy as they welcome Mark home . '' He was arraigned in January and pleaded not guilty to charges he assaulted his father , Daniel Kerrigan , 70 . The elder Kerrigan died January 24 after an alleged altercation with his 45-year-old son at the family 's home in Stoneham , Massachusetts . Mark Kerrigan , through his attorney , has denied any responsibility in his father 's death . Daniel Kerrigan 's death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner , but Middlesex County prosecutors have not said whether other charges might be filed against the younger Kerrigan in light of the finding . The Kerrigan family has said , in a statement released through their attorney , that they believe the medical examiner 's finding to be `` premature and inaccurate . '' `` The Kerrigan family does not blame anyone for the unfortunate death of Dan Kerrigan , who had a pre-existing heart condition , '' said the family statement , released by attorney Tracy Miner . According to Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Keeley , police responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:30 a.m. January 24 from Brenda Kerrigan , wife of Daniel and mother to Mark and Nancy Kerrigan . Keeley told District Court Judge Mark Sullivan during the arraignment for Mark Kerrigan that there was a violent argument and struggle between the father and his son , resulting in the elder Kerrigan falling or collapsing on the kitchen floor . Keeley said that Mark Kerrigan told authorities `` that he did in fact have an argument with his father , the argument became physical , he grabbed his father around the neck , and at some point the father collapsed to the floor . '' According to Keeley , police found Mark Kerrigan in the basement of the house , `` clearly intoxicated '' and `` extremely combative . '' He refused to comply with police officers , said Keeley , and they had to subdue him with pepper spray before forcibly removing him from the home . Mark Kerrigan 's attorney , Denise Moore , said in court that Kerrigan was unemployed , was recently released from a correctional facility and was living at home with his parents . He is taking medications and seeking psychological help for post-traumatic stress , apparently from his time in the Army , she added . Nancy Kerrigan first gained prominence by winning a bronze medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville , France . In 1994 she earned an Olympic silver medal in Lillehammer , Norway . She is perhaps best remembered for surviving an attack before the 1994 Winter Games by skating rival Tonya Harding 's ex-husband and an accomplice . CNN 's Bob Crowley , Evan Buxbaum and Vanessa Juarez contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"DURBAN , South Africa -- India 's Yuvraj Singh smashed six sixes in one over as England crashed out of cricket 's World Twenty20 tournament in South Africa on Wednesday . Yuvraj Singh smashes his sixth successive six off England fast bowler Stuart Broad Paul Collingwood 's side were eliminated at the Super Eights stage after South Africa earlier beat New Zealand by six wickets in Durban . England then lost by 18 runs to the Singh-inspired Indians , who kept their semifinal hopes alive ahead of Thursday 's must-win clash with the hosts . Singh reached the fastest 50 in Twenty20 history , needing just 12 deliveries , as India made 218-4 . The left-hander 's six consecutive sixes in the 19th over bowled by Stuart Broad made him the first player to do so in Twenty20 matches and just the fourth in all senior cricket . South Africa 's Herschelle Gibbs performed the feat at the 50-over World Cup in the West Indies earlier this year , while Sir Garfield Sobers and Ravi Shastri achieved it in first-class matches . Singh 's innings ended on 58 -- from 16 balls -- when he hit a full-toss from Andrew Flintoff to captain Collingwood at long-on from the penultimate delivery of the final over , in which he also cleared the boundary ropes once . Virender Sehwag top-scored with 68 off 52 balls , putting on 136 for the first wicket with Gautam Gambhir , who hit 58 off 41 deliveries . Broad ended with the embarrassing figures of 0-60 off his four overs , while fellow seamer Chris Tremlett took 2-45 . In reply , England battled gamely but could only post 200-6 in their 20 overs . Opener Vikram Solanki top-scored with 43 off 31 balls , and Kevin Pietersen hit 39 off 23 deliveries , but no-one could match the fireworks provided by Singh . Left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan claimed figures of 3-37 off four overs , while Rudra Pratap Singh took 2-28 . If India can beat South Africa , it would create a three-way tie and require net run-rates to decide the two teams going through . The Proteas have two wins from two Group E outings after beating New Zealand , who have completed their Super Eights fixtures with two victories and a defeat . South Africa restricted the Black Caps to 153-8 from their 20 overs on Wednesday , then reached the target with five deliveries to spare as Justin Kemp made an unbeaten 89 . Kemp was named man of the match after smashing a six off the otherwise economical Mark Gillespie for the winning runs . He belted six sixes and six fours in his 56-ball innings , having come to the crease in the fourth over with South Africa reeling at 17-2 . Kemp added 28 in four overs with Gibbs -LRB- 19 -RRB- before putting on another 65 in eight overs with Mark Boucher . Boucher departed for 23 , caught by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum off Gillespie , who ended with figures of 2-11 off 3.1 overs . The experienced Shaun Pollock then joined Kemp , and struck one six in his unbeaten 16 off 11 deliveries to help guide the Proteas to their second victory . The in-form Craig McMillan top-scored for the Kiwis , hitting an unbeaten 48 off only 25 balls to follow up his blistering 57 in Tuesday 's five-run win against England . McCullum had put on 68 for the first wicket with Lou Vincent , scoring 38 before becoming the first of Morne Morkel 's four victims . Morkel , who ended with figures of 4-17 off four overs , then removed Ross Taylor -LRB- 1 -RRB- two runs later and later bowled the dangerous Jacob Oram for a quickfire 15 . He had Shane Bond caught by Boucher , and then almost became the first Twenty20 bowler to claim five wickets when his penultimate delivery -- which clean bowled Gillespie -- was declared a no-ball by umpire Billy Doctrove . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President-elect Barack Obama offered an outline of his economic recovery plan Saturday , and jobs were the top priority . President-elect Barack Obama talks about his economic plan Saturday on a video on his Web site . American workers will rebuild the nation 's roads and bridges , modernize its schools and create more sources of alternative energy , Obama said in the weekly Democratic address , posted on his Web site . `` The plan will mean 2.5 million more jobs '' by 2011 , Obama said . His Web site clarified that the plan would `` save or create '' that many jobs . `` These are n't just steps to pull ourselves out of this immediate crisis , '' he said . `` These are the long-term investments in our economic future that have been ignored for far too long . '' Details of the plan are still being worked out by his economic team , Obama said , but he hopes to implement the plan shortly after taking office January 20 . Listen to Obama 's economic plan '' He referred to figures out this week showing that new home purchases in October were the lowest in 50 years and that 540,000 new unemployment claims had been filed , the most in 16 years . iReport.com : How are you making yourself layoff-proof ? `` We must do more to put people back to work and get our economy moving again , '' he said . More than a million jobs have been lost this year , he said , and `` if we do n't act swiftly and boldly , most experts now believe that we could lose millions of jobs next year . '' The plan will be aimed at jump-starting job creation , Obama said , and laying the foundation for a stronger economy . `` We 'll put people back to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges ; modernizing schools that are failing our children ; and building wind farms and solar panels , fuel-efficient cars and the alternative energy technology that can free us from our dependence on foreign oil and keep our economy competitive in the years head , '' he said . He noted that he will need support from both Democrats and Republicans to pass such a plan and said he welcomes suggestions from both sides of the aisle . `` But what is not negotiable is the need for immediate action , '' he said . `` Right now , there are millions of mothers and fathers who are lying awake at night wondering if next week 's paycheck will cover next month 's bills . `` There are Americans showing up to work in the morning , only to have cleared out their desks by the afternoon . Retirees are watching their life savings disappear , and students are seeing their college dreams deferred . These Americans need help , and they need it now . '' Throughout history , he said , Americans have been able to rise above their divisions to work together , he said . `` That is the chance our new beginning now offers us , and that is the challenge we must rise to in the days to come , '' Obama said . `` It is time to act . As the next president of the United States , I will . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The federal government is starting to deploy full-body scanning machines to 11 airports across the United States , Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced Friday . Forty body-imaging machines already have been put into use at 19 airports nationwide as part of a field test , according the Department of Homeland Security . The Transportation Security Administration expects to deploy 450 units by the end of this year . `` By accelerating the deployment of this technology , we are enhancing our capability to detect and disrupt threats of terrorism across the nation , '' Napolitano said in a statement . The first of the new units are being installed Friday at Boston 's Logan International Airport , according to a DHS statement . The list of other airports set to receive the scanners by the end of summer includes Chicago O'Hare International , Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International , Cincinnati\/Northern Kentucky International , Mineta San Jos\u00e9 International , Los Angeles International , Port Columbus International , Oakland International , San Diego International , Kansas City International and Charlotte Douglas International . The imaging machines are being funded through the Obama administration 's $ 862 billion economic stimulus plan . Under existing protocols , full-body scans are optional at airport checkpoints . Travelers who decline the scans are funneled to a location where they may be given a pat down and subjected to other tests such as swabs that can detect minute traces of explosives on hands or luggage . The TSA said most passengers prefer a body scan to a pat down . But others have objected to the body scans , calling them electronic strip searches . Passenger privacy is maintained during the scannning process by blurring all images , deleting images after they are viewed and placing the screener viewing the images in a remote location , according to DHS officials . Acting TSA Administrator Gale Rossides testified before Congress on Thursday that the machines will not significantly slow the passenger screening process , saying it will be done at the same time as carry-on baggage screening . The TSA has spent years testing full-body imagers . Plans to deploy them this year were given added urgency after the arrest of a Nigerian man , Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab , who has been accused of attempting to detonate an explosive sewn into his underwear on a December 25 flight . Field testing of full-body scanners already is under way at the following 19 airports : \u2022 Albuquerque International Sunport Airport \u2022 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport \u2022 Baltimore\/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport \u2022 Denver International Airport \u2022 Dallas\/Fort Worth International Airport \u2022 Detroit Metro Airport \u2022 Indianapolis International Airport \u2022 Jacksonville International Airport \u2022 McCarran International Airport \u2022 Los Angeles International Airport \u2022 Miami International Airport \u2022 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport \u2022 Raleigh-Durham International Airport \u2022 Richmond International Airport \u2022 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport \u2022 San Francisco International Airport \u2022 Salt Lake City International Airport \u2022 Tampa International Airport \u2022 Tulsa International Airport CNN 's Mike Ahlers contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Los Angeles , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Dr. Conrad Murray , personal physician to Michael Jackson , was charged Monday with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the pop star 's death last summer . A criminal complaint filed earlier in the day alleged that Murray `` did unlawfully , and without malice , kill Michael Joseph Jackson . '' Murray turned himself in shortly before 4 p.m. at a branch courthouse near Los Angeles International Airport . He pleaded not guilty during a brief hearing before Judge Keith L. Schwartz . The judge set bail at $ 75,000 , despite arguments from prosecutor David Walgren that Murray is a flight risk . The judge refused to suspend Murray 's medical license as a term of his bond , but he did order him not to use any anesthesia on patients . `` I do n't want you sedating people , '' Schwartz told Murray . Read the criminal complaint The involuntary manslaughter charge means that Murray caused Jackson 's death by acting `` without due caution and circumspection . '' If convicted , Murray would face a maximum four-year prison sentence , according to prosecutors . More on involuntary manslaughter Members of Michael Jackson 's family -- including his parents Joe and Katherine Jackson , sister La Toya Jackson , and brothers Jackie , Jermaine , Randy and Tito Jackson -- attended the hearing . `` Not enough , '' Jermaine Jackson said when asked what he thought of the charge . `` I do n't like what happened , '' Joe Jackson said as he left the courthouse . La Toya Jackson later issued a statement through a publicist . `` Michael was murdered and although he died at the hands of Dr. Conrad Murray , I believe Dr. Murray was a part of a much larger plan , '' her statement said . `` There are other individuals involved and I will not rest and I will continue to fight until all of the proper individuals are brought forth and justice is served . '' Her statement did not elaborate on what she meant in her reference to `` a much larger plan . '' Murray traveled to Los Angeles at the end of January from his home in Houston , Texas , in expectation of possible charges , his lawyer said . He used part of his time last week to visit the pop star 's resting place in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale , California . Murray , a cardiologist , was hired as Jackson 's personal physician last spring as the singer prepared for comeback concerts in London , England . The doctor told Los Angeles police that he was with Jackson at his $ 100,000-a-month rented Holmby Hills mansion through the early morning hours of June 25 , 2009 , in an effort to help the pop star fall asleep , according to a police affidavit . He administered sleep aids , and after Jackson finally began sleeping in the late morning hours , Murray said , he left the bedroom for `` about two minutes maximum , '' the affidavit says . `` Upon his return , Murray noticed that Jackson was no longer breathing , '' it says . The doctor stayed with Jackson as an ambulance rushed him to UCLA Medical Center . Efforts at CPR proved fruitless , and Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. . The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson 's death a homicide , resulting from a combination of drugs , primarily propofol and lorazepam . The coroner 's statement said Jackson died from `` acute propofol intoxication , '' but there were `` other conditions contributing to death : benzodiazepine effect . '' Lorazepam and two other drugs Murray said he used are benzodiazepines . The doctor told investigators he had given Jackson three anti-anxiety drugs to help him sleep in the hours before he stopped breathing , a police affidavit said . Murray had been treating Jackson for insomnia for six weeks at the time of the singer 's death . The doctor told investigators he gave Jackson 50 milligrams of propofol , the generic name for Diprivan , diluted with the anesthetic lidocaine every night via an intravenous drip . The doctor told police he was worried that Jackson was becoming addicted to the drug and tried to wean him off it . During the two nights before Jackson 's death , Murray said , he put together combinations of other drugs that succeeded in helping Jackson sleep . The full autopsy report , which was released Monday afternoon , included an analysis by an anesthesiology consultant of the use of propofol . The consultant , Dr. Selma Calmes , concluded that the `` standard of care for administering propofol was not met . '' `` There was no evidence of an infusion pump for control of an IV infusion . No monitors were found at the scene ; a blood pressure cuff and portable pulse oximeter were recovered from a closet in the next room , '' Calmes wrote . An oxygen tank was found near where Jackson slept , but it was empty when the coroner investigator checked it two weeks after Jackson died , Calmes said . `` Multiple opened bottles of propofol were found with small amounts of remaining drugs , '' Calmes said . `` A used bottle should be discarded six hours after opening , to avoid possible bacterial growth . '' `` The level of propofol found on toxicology exam are similar to those found during general anesthesia for major surgery , '' Calmes said . During such surgery , any patient would be `` intubated and ventilated by an anesthesiologist , '' she said . The consultant 's report said that the level of lorazepam found in Jackson `` would have accentuated the respiratory and cardiovascular depression from propofol . '' CNN 's Ted Rowlands contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- 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 -LRB- $ 100,000 -RRB- and his compatriot Adam Voges -LRB- $ 50,000 -RRB- , while Chennai Super Kings signed South Africa 's Justin Kemp -LRB- $ 100,000 -RRB- and Sri Lanka 's Thissara Perera -LRB- $ 50,000 -RRB- . 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 -LRB- 44 -RRB- , 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 , who made 47 after putting on 90 for the first wicket with Virender Sehwag -LRB- 45 -RRB- . CNN 's Harmeet Singh contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"SAN FRANCISCO , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The California Supreme Court has cleared the way for Californians to vote in November on whether to ban same-sex marriages in the state . A gay couple is married in California in June . Voters could void same-sex marriages in the state in November . The court on Wednesday denied a petition to remove the initiative from the state 's general election ballots . The unanimous decision was handed down without elaboration . Hundreds of marriage licenses have been issued to same-sex couples since mid-June , a month after the court overturned the state 's laws against such unions . However , on June 2 , opponents of same-sex marriage filed for a ballot initiative that would ban such marriages in the state 's constitution . Such a ban would overturn the court 's May ruling . Equality California , a Sacramento-based activist group , filed a petition against the initiative -- Proposition 8 -- arguing that it involves a constitutional revision that ca n't be adopted through a ballot vote . The group also contended that petitions circulated to qualify the proposition for the ballot contained material that misled readers about the measure 's effects . Jennifer Kerns , a spokeswoman for the proposition , called Wednesday 's decision `` a huge victory . '' `` We believe it deals a strong blow to our opponents and sends a strong message that they wo n't be able to keep the ballot initiative away from the people of California , '' she said . Calls Wednesday to Equality California were not immediately returned . If the proposition is approved , it would be the second time same-sex marriages have been voided in California . In February 2004 , San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom -- who is considering a run for governor -- challenged the state 's laws against same-sex marriage , ordering city officials to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples . Those unions were voided by the California Supreme Court , though the justices sidestepped the issue of whether banning same-sex marriage was unconstitutional , allowing legal cases to work their way through the lower courts . Several gay and lesbian couples -- along with the city of San Francisco and gay-rights groups -- sued , saying they were victims of unlawful discrimination . A lower court ruled San Francisco had acted unlawfully in issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples . However , the state Supreme Court 's ruling in May struck down the state 's ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional . That decision made California the nation 's second state , after Massachusetts , to legalize same-sex marriage . Four other states allow civil unions .","question":""}
{"answer":"NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In a column appearing in Newsweek , world affairs expert and author Fareed Zakaria said he thinks it would be best for Republican presidential hopeful John McCain if Gov. Sarah Palin bowed out as his vice presidential running mate . `` For him to choose Sarah Palin to be his running mate is fundamentally irresponsible , '' says Zakaria . Zakaria says McCain did not put the country first in making his V.P. choice , and he says Palin is not qualified to lead the United States . CNN spoke to him about his commentary titled , `` Palin is ready ? Please . '' CNN : What did you initially think when Sarah Palin was announced as the Republican vice presidential nominee ? Zakaria : I was a bit surprised -- as I think most people were . But I was willing to give her a chance . And I thought her speech at the convention was clever and funny . But once she began answering questions about economics and foreign policy , it became clear that she has simply never thought about these subjects before and is dangerously ignorant and unprepared for the job of vice president , let alone president . Watch Zakaria slam Sarah Palin '' CNN : You do n't think she is qualified ? Zakaria : No . Gov. Palin has been given a set of talking points by campaign advisers , simple ideological mantras that she repeats and repeats as long as she can . But if forced off those rehearsed lines , what she has to say is often , quite frankly -- nonsense . Just listen to her response to Katie Couric 's question about the bailout . It 's gibberish -- an emptying out of catchphrases about economics that have nothing to do with the question or the topic . It 's scary to think that this person could be running the country . Here is their exchange : Katie Couric : Why is n't it better , Gov. Palin , to spend $ 700 billion helping middle-class families who are struggling with health care , housing , gas and groceries ; allow them to spend more and put more money into the economy instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess ? Gov. Sarah Palin : That 's why I say I , like every American I 'm speaking with , we 're ill about this position that we have been put in where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out . But ultimately , what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health-care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy , helping the -- it 's got to be all about job creation , too , shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track . So health-care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans . And trade , we 've got to see trade as opportunity , not as a competitive , scary thing . But one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today , we 've got to look at that as more opportunity . All those things under the umbrella of job creation . This bailout is a part of that . CNN : But Dan Quayle was n't very qualified and that did n't seem to matter , did it ? Zakaria : This is way beyond Dan Quayle . Quayle was a lightweight who was prone to scramble his words , or say things that sounded weird , but you almost always knew what he meant . One of his most famous miscues was to the United Negro College Fund when he said , `` What a terrible thing to have lost one 's mind . Or not to have a mind at all . '' Now he was trying to play off a famous ad that the group used to run , `` A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste . '' And he screwed it up in a funny way . But read Gov. Palin 's answers and it does appear that she does n't have any understanding about the topic under discussion . CNN : But she has a lot of supporters . Zakaria : Look , I 'm not saying that she is not a feisty , charismatic politician who has done some good things in Alaska . It is just we are talking about a person who should be ready to lead the United States at a moment 's notice . She has never spent a day thinking about any important national or international issue , and this is a hell of a time to start . CNN : Does it make you concerned about Sen. McCain as a president ? Zakaria : Yes , and I say this with sadness because I greatly admire John McCain , a man of intelligence , honor and enormous personal and political courage . However , for him to choose Sara Palin to be his running mate is fundamentally irresponsible . He did not put the country first with this decision . Whether it is appropriate or not , considering Sen. McCain 's age most people expected to have a vice presidential candidate who would be ready to step in at a moment 's notice . The actuarial odds of that happening are significant , something like a one-in-five chance .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill that would make suing for pay discrimination easier by altering a time limit on such suits . The act is named for Lilly Ledbetter , seen here in 2008 . Her discrimination lawsuit victory was overturned in 2007 . The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act , which passed 250-177 , would give workers alleging unequal pay the right to sue within 180 days of their most recent paycheck . Current law says such employees must sue within 180 days of receiving their first unfair paycheck . Supporters of the new legislation say that , under the current law , an employer merely needs to hide unfair pay practices for three months before being able to continue them without penalty . The act , named for a former Goodyear Tire employee who sued the company for gender discrimination in 1998 , would effectively overturn a 2007 Supreme Court decision on the limit . Ledbetter was awarded $ 360,000 in back pay by a federal judge in Alabama , but the verdict was overturned in a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling in May 2007 . The court said that even though she filed her complaint within 180 days of when she first learned that she was getting paid less than comparable male employees , she had failed to file within 180 days of the first unequal paycheck . After Tuesday 's House vote , Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the chamber had `` taken a bold step '' in passing the legislation . `` In doing so , it has injected fairness , reason and common sense back into policy , '' Pelosi said . The legislation , which passed the Senate on Thursday , now goes to President Barack Obama , who has promised to sign it into law . It is the first major piece of legislation Congress has sent to Obama for his approval . On the campaign trail , Obama and Republican nominee Sen. John McCain debated the bill . Obama heavily emphasized what he called the plan 's benefits to working women , while McCain criticized it as a boon for trial lawyers . Pelosi said Obama called to congratulate her on the bill 's passage . Obama danced with Ledbetter at one of his inaugural balls , and she spoke at the Democrat National Convention at which he accepted his party 's nomination . `` My case is over -- I will never receive the pay I deserve , '' Ledbetter said in that speech . `` But there will be a far richer reward if we secure fair pay for our children and grandchildren , so that no one will ever again experience the discrimination that I did . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The bad economy and downturn in the housing market are n't the only painful things for Realtor Anne Stephens . Her knees , hips and ankles hurt from arthritis . Anne Stephens , 61 , was in her late 30s when she was diagnosed with osteoarthritis . `` I ca n't sit too long . I ca n't stand too long , and I ca n't walk too long , '' said Stephens , 61 , from Conyers , Georgia . Stephens is among the 27 million Americans who suffer from the most common form of arthritis called osteoarthritis . `` I think people tend to think of this as more of a nuisance , '' said Dr. John Klippel , president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation . `` They think of it as only aches and pains and not the serious problem that it actually is -- the leading cause of disability in this country . '' Klippel said part of the misconception has to do with all the myths surrounding the disease . Common myth 1 : Arthritis is a disease of the elderly While older people do develop arthritis , children and teenagers can get certain forms of the condition , Klippel said . The Arthritis Foundation reports two-thirds of people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis are under age 65 . Watch more on arthritis fact and fiction \u00c2 '' Stephens was in her late 30s when she developed osteoarthritis after injuring her knees running and playing volleyball . She felt a sharp pain and recalled , `` It was downhill after that . '' Researchers do n't know the exact cause of arthritis , but they do know what puts people at risk . Klippel said that while the disease is associated with aging , other risk factors include heredity , joint injury , obesity and lack of fitness . Common myth 2 : Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis Despite what your grandmother told you , experts say cracking your knuckles is not a risk factor for arthritis . `` It 's annoying -- it 's certainly not good for the joints , but on the other hand , it does n't cause arthritis , '' Klippel said . Common myth 3 : Predicting the weather `` Boy , there 's a good myth , '' Klippel said with a chuckle . `` I ca n't tell you how many patients I would take care of who would say they were better than the weatherman at predicting changes in humidity . '' He said researchers have studied the claims , but concluded there is no scientific evidence to suggest arthritis flare-ups occur during bad weather . Klippel also does n't buy the argument that arthritis patients are better off if they live in a warmer climate . `` If you live in a warmer climate , you 're simply more active for more months of the year and that 's probably why people feel better , '' Klippel said . `` It probably has very little to do with the weather itself . '' Common myth 4 : Exercise aggravates arthritis Staying active actually is one of the most important ways to prevent and ease the pain of arthritis , Klippel said . It also helps with weight control . `` For people with arthritis , it hurts to exercise , '' he said . `` But over time , the post-exercise pain actually diminishes if you push through it . '' He recommended choosing joint-friendly exercises such as walking , biking or swimming . In addition to putting ice on an aching joint , Klippel suggested taking nonsteroidal , anti-inflammatory medication before or after exercising to help relieve the pain . `` People need to stay active and move their joints to keep the muscles strong and to keep the joints flexible , '' Klippel said . Common myth 5 : Nothing helps Klippel worries about arthritis patients who do n't seek medical help because they do n't think anything can be done about the pain . He said a proper diagnosis can lead to a host of possible treatments , including the latest prescription medicines for pain and rehabilitating aching joints through physical therapy . Klippel urges people not to wait until the pain is unbearable before seeing a doctor . `` If aches and pains persist for more than four weeks , that 's a time to pay attention , '' he said . Anne Stephens followed that advice and she said it has made all the difference . She manages the inflammation and pain by taking prescription medication -LRB- a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug -RRB- . She also exercises at least three days a week ; the workouts help her strengthen her muscles . And she sees her doctor several times a year . `` I 've learned to adapt , '' she said . `` I know what 's going to hurt me and what does n't . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- As families head home after the holidays and children return to school , New York City is on sale for travelers willing to brave the cold temperatures in exchange for lower prices . New York 's first-ever Hotel Week will feature discounts for eight city hotels between January 6 and January 15 . More basic hotel rooms , or those slightly off the beaten path , can be found for as little as $ 100 per night plus taxes , while fancier rooms can go for $ 200 or $ 250 per night -- still a deal by city standards . `` Hotel occupancy dips considerably during the first week in January , '' said hotel publicist Nancy J. Friedman , who launched the Hotel Week concept with six of her hotel clients and two nonclients . `` It 's a similar model to Restaurant Week , which is so successful at filling up restaurants during quiet times . '' Speaking of Restaurant Week , the city 's 20th anniversary promotion starts January 16 and runs through February 10 -LRB- Mondays through Fridays -RRB- . For more information , click here . There is n't a central website or phone number to book Hotel Week rooms . Several hotels have created special websites for the promotions , while others require calling the reservations number . Links are at the end of this article . Always mention Hotel Week when booking and know that these specific discounts are limited . For visitors who wo n't be able to take advantage of limited Hotel Week discounts , more than 120 participating New York City hotels are offering discounts between January 2 and February 29 , sponsored by NYC & Co. , the city 's tourism office . Discounts include a free night for stays of three or more nights , complimentary upgrades or complimentary breakfast . To book a room , click here . During the same period , a group of 20 luxury hotels is offering a free third night to visitors who book two consecutive nights at one of 20 participating `` Signature Collection '' hotels . More information can be found here . Theater-lovers can score two-for-one tickets during Broadway Week , January 17 to February 4 . Off-Broadway theater week offers the same deal between January 30 and February 12 . Tickets also go on sale January 4 for both theater weeks . For Broadway shows , click here . For off-Broadway shows , click here . Hotel Week discount links To receive hotel week discounts , be sure to mention Hotel Week when booking . Some rates are available only by calling the reservations line or by using the hotel 's special Hotel Week website . Cheapest : $ 100\/night plus taxes and fees The Hotel @ Times Square : To book for Hotel Week , call -LRB-212-RRB- 790-2710 . For more information about the hotel , click here . nyma , the new york manhattan hotel : To book for Hotel Week , call -LRB-212-RRB- 790-2710 . For more information about the hotel , click here . The Pod Hotel : To book for Hotel Week , call -LRB-212-RRB- 355-0300 . For more information about the hotel , click here . Z NYC Hotel -LRB- Queens -RRB- : To book for Hotel Week , call -LRB-212-RRB- 319-7000 . For more information about the hotel , click here . A step up : $ 200\/night plus taxes and fees Andaz Wall Street : To book for Hotel Week , use the hotel 's special link here . Hyatt 48 Lex : To book , use the hotel 's link here . Deluxe : $ 250\/night plus taxes and fees Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC : To book , use the hotel 's discount link here . Gansevoort Park Avenue NYC : To book during Hotel Week , use the hotel 's discount link here .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Police are searching for any other alleged victims of a Sunday school teacher accused of raping and killing an 8-year-old girl from Tracy , California . Melissa Huckaby is charged with killing 8-year-old Sandra Cantu , who was a friend of her own daughter . `` We are asking the public if they have any indication that any of their children may have had inappropriate contact with -LSB- the suspect -RSB- to contact us , '' Tracy Police Sgt. Tony Sheneman said Tuesday evening . `` There has been no indication that this has happened . But she is a Sunday school teacher and did have contact with children , so that is why we are asking . '' Melissa Huckaby , 28 , was arrested and charged with killing and raping 8-year-old Sandra Cantu , a friend of her 5-year-old daughter . Huckaby , wearing red jail scrubs over a white T-shirt , was in court Tuesday for an arraignment . She was charged with murder , kidnapping , the performance of a lewd and lascivious act on a child under 14 and rape by instrument . If convicted , Huckaby would face the death penalty or life in prison without parole , San Joaquin County District Attorney James Willett told reporters after the hearing . A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made later , he said . Huckaby did not enter a plea or speak during the court hearing , although she flinched when Sandra Cantu 's name was spoken , and she cried at times . Sandra 's body was found April 6 , stuffed into a suitcase and submerged in a pond at a dairy farm . Huckaby was arrested Friday night after questioning by police . Sandra was last seen alive March 27 in the mobile home park where she lived with her family -- the same mobile home park where Huckaby lives with her daughter . The two children were close friends and played together frequently , police said . Huckaby is the granddaughter of Clifford Lane Lawless , pastor of Clover Road Baptist Church near the mobile home park , and she taught Sunday school at the church , police have said . The church was searched as part of the investigation into Sandra 's disappearance and death . Before her arrest , Huckaby acknowledged to a newspaper reporter that she owned the suitcase that contained Sandra 's body . But Huckaby said the suitcase had been stolen . Willett declined to comment on any of the evidence or allegations in the case , saying evidence would be presented in court . A memorial ceremony is scheduled for Sandra at 1 p.m. Thursday at a high school in Tracy , police said . -- CNN 's Ninette Sosa contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tamil Tiger rebels acknowledged the death of their leader Sunday , nearly a week after the Sri Lankan government said it had recovered the body of Velupillai Prabhakaran and declared victory in the country 's 25-year civil war with the rebels . In this picture taken 27 November 2003 , Velupillai Prabhakaran stands next to an LTTE flag . Prabhakaran `` attained martyrdom fighting the military oppression of the Sri Lankan state '' on May 17 , according to Tamilnet.com , a rebel Web site , citing the group 's international affairs spokesman . On Tuesday , President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared victory against the Tamil Tigers . `` We are celebrating the defeat of terrorism , '' he said in a nationally televised speech before parliament . `` We have won and restored democracy in the country . '' The president declared a national holiday for the following day to celebrate the war 's end and begin a new phase in the country 's history . Watch the victory parade '' A short time after the presidential address , the military announced that it had recovered the body of Prabhakaran , leader and founder of the Tamil Tigers . The rebels initially denied the death of their leader , claiming on Tamilnet.com that Prabhakaran was `` alive and safe . '' The defense ministry said the bodies of Prabhakaran and 18 other senior rebel leaders were among corpses found in mop-up operations , after government troops routed the Tigers -- formally known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam . The leaders included Prabhakaran 's eldest son , Charles Anthony , as well as Pottu Amman , the Tigers ' intelligence leader , according to the ministry . Watch the U.N. chief discuss the humanitarian crisis '' Prabhakaran founded the Tamil Tigers , who have been declared a terrorist organization by 32 countries . It initiated the use of women in suicide attacks and , according to the FBI , invented the explosive suicide belt . Prabhakaran is accused of masterminding the killing of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 in the Tamil-dominated Indian state of Tami Nadu . Sri Lankan authorities allege that Prabhakaran was avenging Gandhi 's decision to send Indian peacekeepers to Sri Lanka . Two years later , a Tigers suicide bomber , allegedly acting on Prabhakaran 's orders , detonated explosives that killed Sri Lanka 's then-president , Ranasinghe Premadasa , during a rally . The rebels have fought for an independent state for minority Tamils in Sri Lanka since July 1983 . An estimated 70,000 to 80,000 people have died during the quarter century of fighting .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Baseball legend Barry Bonds is scheduled to be sentenced Friday for his obstruction of justice conviction . The hearing at 11 a.m. -LRB- 2 p.m. ET -RRB- will take place in a San Francisco federal courtroom less than two miles from the ballpark where Bonds broke Hank Aaron 's major league home run record in August 2007 . Federal prosecutors want Bonds , 47 , to serve 15 months in prison , according to a sentencing memo filed in court earlier this month . Defense lawyers argued in their filing that the judge should accept the probation office 's recommendation that Bonds be sentenced to two years ' probation , fined $ 4,000 and ordered to perform 250 hours of community service . Jurors who found Bonds guilty in April said he was `` evasive '' in his testimony to the federal grand jury investigating illegal steroids use by pro athletes . `` Because Bonds 's efforts were a corrupt , intentional effort to interfere with that mission , a sentence of 15 months imprisonment is appropriate , '' the prosecution said in its memo to U.S. District Judge Susan Illston . But jurors , who were deadlocked on three perjury counts , said that it was not proven that Bonds lied when he testified that he had not knowingly used steroids . Prosecutors decided not to pursue a retrial . Prosecutors still argued in the sentencing memo that Bonds ' denial that he was `` taking steroids and human growth hormone were patently false . '' Bonds ' testimony in December 2003 was part of the investigation that targeted Bonds ' personal trainer Greg Anderson and employees of the California drug testing laboratory known as the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative -LRB- BALCO -RRB- . The testimony that led to Bonds ' conviction came when a grand jury prosecutor asked Bonds if Anderson ever gave him `` anything that required a syringe to inject yourself with . '' Bonds told the grand jury that only his personal doctors `` ever touch me , '' and he then veered off the subject to say he never talked baseball with Anderson . Defense lawyers argued that Bonds thought the creams and ointments Anderson was giving him were made of flax seed oils . Sentences for other athletes convicted in connection with the BALCO investigation have not included prison time . CNN 's Greg Morrison and Alan Duke contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"The Hague , Netherlands -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Prosecutors in the long-awaited war crimes trial of Radovan Karadzic said they will push ahead Tuesday , though the Bosnian Serb leader is expected to be a no-show once again . On Monday -- the opening day of the trial -- the court was forced to adjourn after Karadzic refused to appear , saying he did not have enough time to prepare . Karadzic , who is accused of masterminding the worst massacre in Europe since World War II , is representing himself . `` Obviously , it is the court 's preference for Karadzic to attend , '' said Nerma Jelacic , spokeswoman for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia . `` But if he chooses not to attend , then some facility will be provided to him to allow him to watch the court 's proceedings from his prison cell . '' The court can not force a defendant to appear . Karadzic , as a `` self-representing accused , '' is the only one who can cross-examine witnesses and speak in court about the substance of the charges against him . However , judges can impose a lawyer on Karadzic if he continues to refuse to cooperate . Karadzic faces 11 counts of genocide , war crimes and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims , Bosnian Croats and other non-Serbian civilians during the brutal and bloody dissolution of Yugoslavia in the 1990s . Bosnia and Herzegovina were a part of Yugoslavia at the time . The conflict introduced the phrase `` ethnic cleansing '' into the lexicon describing war crimes , as different factions in multi-ethnic Yugoslavia sought to kill or drive out other groups . Karadzic was arrested last year after more than a decade on the run and was found to have been living in Belgrade , the capital of Serbia , and practicing alternative medicine in disguise . In a letter dated Wednesday and made public Thursday , Karadzic complained to the International Criminal Tribunal that he had not received the relevant case material on time . He also said there was too much material to go through , even had he received it promptly . `` I ask Your Excellencies -- why and how is it possible that the prosecution is allowed to literally bury me under a million of pages , only to start disclosing relevant material many months after my arrest ? '' he wrote . `` Why and how is it possible that the prosecution is allowed to file its final indictment against me on the eve of the planned trial date ? '' He promised to continue his preparations in `` the most intensive way '' and inform the court when he is ready . The genocide charges against Karadzic stem partly from killings in Srebrenica , the most notorious massacre of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina . Memories of the massacre remain raw . Watch the video Prosecutors at the U.N. war crimes tribunal accuse Karadzic of responsibility . `` On 8 March 1995 , Karadzic instructed Bosnian Serb forces under his command to create an unbearable situation of total insecurity with no hope of further survival for the inhabitants of Srebrenica , amongst other places , '' the tribunal said in a statement this month . The Hague indictment also said Karadzic committed genocide when forces under his command killed non-Serbs during and after attacks in more than a dozen Bosnian municipalities early in the war . Karadzic , who faces life in prison if he is convicted , denies the charges . The court can not impose the death penalty . The 1992-95 Bosnian war was the longest of the wars spawned by the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s . Backed by the government of then-Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic , Bosnian Serb forces seized control of more than half the country and launched a campaign against the Muslim and Croat populations . Karadzic was removed from power in 1995 , when the Dayton Accords that ended the Bosnian war barred anyone accused of war crimes from holding office . Milosevic died in 2006 while on trial at The Hague .","question":""}
{"answer":"Baghdad , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The United States plans to appeal a federal judge 's dismissal of charges against five Blackwater security guards accused of killing 17 people in Baghdad in 2007 , Vice President Joe Biden announced Saturday . Speaking at a joint appearance with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in Baghdad , Biden said he was `` disappointed '' with the ruling , and that the Justice Department would file the appeal next week . `` The United States is determined to hold accountable anyone who commits crimes against the Iraqi people , '' Biden told reporters . The September 2007 shootout in Baghdad 's Nusoor Square left 17 Iraqis dead and two dozen wounded . The killings led Iraq 's government to slap limits on security contractors hired by Blackwater , now known as Xe , and other firms . An attorney representing one of the five defendants in the case said he was disappointed by Biden 's announcement in Iraq , saying it was motivated by `` political purposes '' as opposed to legal reasoning . `` This is not how the Justice Department announces its intentions in any case , '' said David Schertler , attorney for Dustin Heard . `` We had no idea that the vice president was going to announce a political decision . '' Last month , U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina found that the government 's case was built largely on `` statements compelled under a threat of job loss in a subsequent criminal prosecution , '' a violation of the Fifth Amendment rights of the five men charged . `` In their zeal to bring charges against the defendant in this case , the prosecutors and investigators aggressively sought out statements the defendants had been compelled to make to government investigators in the immediate aftermath of the shooting and in the subsequent investigation , '' Urbina wrote in a 90-page decision . Federal prosecutors `` repeatedly disregarded the warnings of experienced , senior prosecutors assigned to the case '' in doing so , he found . Urbina also sharply criticized prosecutors and federal agents who developed the case , calling their explanations for using the guards ' statements `` all too often contradictory , unbelievable and lacking in credibility . '' `` In short , the government has utterly failed to prove that it made no impermissible use of the defendants ' statements or that such use was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt , '' he wrote . Schertler , Heard 's attorney , said Urbina 's `` reasoning is sound and will hold up in appeal . '' The men were guarding a State Department convoy moving through western Baghdad when the shooting began . The company said its contractors came under attack , but Iraqi authorities called the gunfire unprovoked and indiscriminate . Each of the now-former guards -- Paul Slough , Evan Liberty , Dustin Heard , Donald Ball and Nicholas Slatten -- faced 14 counts of manslaughter , 20 counts of attempted manslaughter and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime . Prosecutors requested that charges against Slatten be dropped in November , but Thursday 's ruling dismisses the counts against all five . `` We 're obviously pleased at the decision dismissing the entire indictment and are very happy that these courageous young men can begin the new year without this unfair cloud hanging over them , '' Slough 's lawyer , Mark Hulkower , said at the time of the dismissal . A sixth guard , Jeremy Ridgeway , pleaded guilty in 2008 to voluntary manslaughter and attempted manslaughter . CNN 's Dan Lothian and Samira Simone contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- With the election of the next president a year away , Sen. Hillary Clinton remains the person to beat , a CNN\/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Monday suggests . As the countdown begins to November 4 , 2008 , the New York Democrat continues to dominate the race for the Democratic presidential nomination , and comes out ahead when voters are asked whether they prefer her or the GOP front-runner , former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani . But Clinton 's path to the White House is in no way certain . Clinton was criticized for her performance during a debate last week , and her rivals for the Democratic nomination have stepped up attacks that she has equivocated on her position on Iraq , Iran and other major issues . The Republican presidential candidates have also stepped up their attacks on the Democratic front-runner , with each suggesting that he has the best chance of stopping Clinton . The attacks may be working . The CNN\/Opinion Research polls suggests that Clinton 's support has slipped from its height one month ago . Watch CNN 's Bill Schneider on the latest poll numbers '' `` Clinton 's strength is about where it was throughout the summer , indicating that she has lost the support she gained last month but that Obama has not yet cut into her core constituency , '' CNN political director Keating Holland said . Clinton is the top choice of 44 percent of the likely Democratic voters interviewed for the poll . Her closest rival , Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois , was the top choice of 25 percent , and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina has 14 percent . All other Democratic candidates were in single digits . New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was backed by 4 percent , Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware by 3 percent , Sen. Christopher Dodd by 2 percent , Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich by 2 percent and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel was at 1 percent . The poll involved 467 interviews conducted on November 2-4 with Democrats or independents who lean Democratic . The poll 's margin of error was plus or minus 4.5 percentage points . View the poll results '' In an October CNN\/Opinion Research poll , Clinton was supported by 51 percent of Democratic voters and had a 30 point lead over Obama . During last week 's Democratic debate , Clinton received heavy criticism from her fellow Democratic presidential rivals , who are desperate to shake up the presidential race just months before the first voting occurs in the Iowa Caucus in early January . Edwards was particularly aggressive during the debate , criticizing Clinton for her stance on Iraq , Iran and Social Security . `` The American people ... deserve a president of the United States that they know will tell them the truth and wo n't say one thing one time and something different at a different time , '' Edwards said . Edwards has also accused Clinton of being a `` corporate Democrat '' too willing to defend a `` corrupt '' Washington establishement . `` We desperately need in the next president someone that recognizes we have a system in Washington that 's become broken , corruption has crept into it , and we have to tell the truth about that , '' Edwards said Monday . `` If you defend that system , I do n't believe you can bring about the change that America needs . '' In the Republican presidential race , Giuliani continues to be the leading candidate , with the backing of 28 percent of the Republican primary voters polled . Former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee was backed by 19 percent . Sen. John McCain of Arizona was the top pick of 16 percent , and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had 11 percent . Of the remaining Republican candidates , former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee received 10 percent , Texas Rep. Ron Paul 5 percent , California Rep. Duncan Hunter 4 percent and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo 3 percent . The poll involved telephone interviews with 397 Republicans or independents who lean Republican . The poll 's margin of error was 5 percentage points . In a head-to-head matchup of the two front-runners , Clinton leads Giuliani 51 percent to 45 percent . That lead has increased since October , when Clinton led Giuliani 49 percent to 47 percent . `` The overall political environment seems to favor the Democrats , partly because Democratic voters are more enthusiastic about the coming election and partly because the public is in a sour mood , which is usually not a good sign for the incumbent party , '' Holland said . Only 42 percent of Americans think things are going well , while 58 percent think things are going badly , the poll found . `` The public is not just pessimistic about the country -- Americans are angry , '' Holland said . `` More than eight in 10 say they are angry about the way things are going in the country . '' Clinton 's lead over Giuliani would be greater if a third-party candidate entered the race who believes abortion should be illegal in all circumstances , the poll found . In a three-way race , Clinton would get the support of 48 percent of voters , Giuliani 32 percent and the third-party candidate 18 percent . The poll 's margin of error was plus-or-minus 3 percent . `` My analysis of it is that -LSB- a third-party candidate -RSB- is more of an attempt to keep the nomination from me , '' Giuliani said . `` You know it is a tactic , and a legitimate one . People have to think about that and consider it . '' The lack of enthusiasm for Giuliani , particularly by social conservatives , could spell trouble for the GOP next year if he becomes the nominee , Holland said . `` Only 27 percent of Republicans say they would feel enthusiastic if Giuliani won the GOP nod , and the remaining GOP candidates fare even worse , '' he said . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Six heat-trapping gases that contribute to air pollution pose potential health hazards , the Environmental Protection Agency said Friday in a landmark announcement that could lead to regulation of the gases . `` This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem , '' EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said . The gases -- carbon dioxide , methane , nitrous oxide , hydrofluorocarbons , perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride -- have been the subject of intensive analysis by scientists around the world , the EPA said . The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the EPA 's scientific review in 2007 . `` This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations , '' EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said in a release , later adding , `` The science clearly shows that concentrations of these gases are at unprecedented levels as a result of human emissions , and these high levels are very likely the cause of the increase in average temperatures and other changes in our climate . '' The EPA 's finding now goes into a public comment period . The report , titled `` Assessment of the Impacts of Global Change on Regional U.S. Air Quality : A Synthesis of Climate Change Impacts on Ground-Level Ozone , '' is the culmination of a study started in 2000 , the EPA said . The White House moved quickly to try to squelch any concerns that the EPA would immediately issue any regulations concerning the gases . `` The president has made clear his strong preference that Congress act to pass comprehensive legislation rather than address the climate challenge through administrative action , '' White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said . `` That 's why the president has repeatedly called for a bill to provide for market-based solutions to reduce carbon pollution and transition to a clean-energy economy that creates millions of green jobs . '' The EPA announcement comes amid efforts by Congress to enact a limit on global warming pollution . The House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to begin hearings next week on a comprehensive energy and climate bill , called the American Clean Energy and Security Act . Committee Chairman Henry Waxman is said to want the bill out of committee by Memorial Day , which falls on May 25 , and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she wants to bring the bill to the House floor for a vote this year . Environmentalists hailed the EPA 's announcement , with the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund calling it a `` historic step ... -LSB- that -RSB- formally determined that global warming pollution ` endangers ' the nation 's human health and well-being . '' `` The U.S. is taking its first steps as a nation to confront climate change , '' said Vickie Patton , deputy general counsel at the environmental advocacy group . `` Global warming threatens our health , our economy , and our children 's prosperity . EPA 's action is a wake-up call for national policy solutions that secure our economic and environmental future . '' But critics say the finding will just produce a `` glorious mess . '' `` Today 's action by the EPA is the beginning of a regulatory barrage that will destroy jobs , raise energy prices for consumers and undermine America 's global competitiveness , '' said Sen. James Inhofe , R-Oklahoma , the ranking member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee . `` It now appears EPA 's regulatory reach will find its way into schools , hospitals , assisted living facilities and just about any activity that meets minimum thresholds in the Clean Air Act . '' The EPA notes in an accompanying report released Friday that global warming could make ozone pollution worse in some parts of the United States . Future ozone management decisions may have to take into account the possible effects of global warming , the report says . `` Climate change , along with other aspects of global change , including changes in population , land use and the technologies employed for energy production and transportation , may alter the capacity for U.S. states to successfully attain the national air quality standards in the future , '' the report concludes . Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight causes a chemical reaction in the air between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds emitted by motor vehicles and industrial plants . Ozone levels are typically higher on sunny days in areas that have many vehicles or smoke-stack industries . Global warming also could increase the number of days with weather conditions conducive to forming ozone , potentially causing air quality alerts earlier in the spring and later in the fall , the report says . In addition to health problems , the report says global warming could lead to increased drought , more heavy downpours and flooding , and more frequent and intense heat waves and wildfires . Global warming could also cause a greater rise in sea level , more intense storms and harm to water resources , agriculture , wildlife and ecosystems , the report said . CNN political correspondent Jessica Yellin contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Events commemorating the bombing of an American airliner over the Scottish town of Lockerbie were taking place Sunday in both the UK and the U.S. to mark the 20th anniversary of the attack which killed 270 people . Mourners gathered at a wreath-laying ceremony Sunday to mark the Lockerbie bombing . All 259 people on board Pan Am flight 103 from London to New York were killed when the plane exploded in midair on December 21 , 1988 . A further 11 people died on the ground as debris rained down on Lockerbie . In Scotland , mourners watched as a commemorative wreath was laid at Dryfesdale Cemetery , the site of a permanent memorial and remembrance garden to the victims of the attack . Canon Michael Bands , who led the service , said that the disaster had `` long ceased to be a Lockerbie event and become a world event . '' `` It is awful that we should gather today on this stormy sort of day to feel the sadness again of the tragedy that took place here 20 years ago , '' Bands said , according to the UK 's Press Association . Services marking the exact time of the attack at 1903 GMT were also due to take place later in local churches . A private service for relatives of victims and former Pan Am employees will also take place at London 's Heathrow airport , where the airliner began its final flight . In the U.S. , remembrance services were scheduled to take place at Arlington National Cemetery and at New York 's Syracuse University , which lost 35 students in the bombing . Scotland 's First Minister Alex Salmond said the anniversary marked an opportunity to reflect on `` the lasting links that have been established with those in other nations who were touched by the disaster . '' `` I know that through the events being organised in Lockerbie , at Syracuse University , and at other locations in the UK and the U.S. , that fitting tribute will be paid to those who so tragically lost their lives and those , in the south of Scotland and beyond , whose lives have been affected by the atrocity . '' A former Libyan intelligence officer , Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi , was convicted of the bombing in 2001 . Al Megrahi , who is serving a life sentence in Scotland 's Greenock Prison , last month lost an appeal to be released because he is suffering from advanced prostate cancer . Al Megrahi has always denied any involvement in the bombing . He was convicted after prosecutors argued he had placed the bomb , hidden in a suitcase , on a flight from Malta to Frankfurt , Germany . There , prosecutors said , the bomb was transferred onto the Pan Am jet that went first to London 's Heathrow Airport and then was to continue to New York . The prosecution maintained that Megrahi , who worked at Malta 's Luqa Airport , was an agent for the Libyan intelligence services and had been seen buying clothes that were in the suitcase that contained the bomb . In 2007 Scottish judges granted Megrahi the right to make a second appeal against his conviction on grounds that he may have suffered a miscarriage of justice . That process is ongoing . Another man -- Al-Amin Khalifa Fahima -- was also tried in the bombing but was acquitted . Libya has formally accepted responsibility for the bombing , though Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi later denied any culpability . The north African country has paid out more than $ 500 million to the families of victims of the attack as part of a wider $ 1.5 billion settlement to end its legal liability in U.S. terrorism cases and restore diplomatic full relations with Washington .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A court hearing is scheduled Thursday in the case of a northern California couple accused of abducting Jaycee Dugard and holding her captive for more than 18 years in a ramshackle backyard compound . Phillip Garrido , 58 , and his wife , Nancy , 54 , are charged with 29 felony counts in the kidnapping of Dugard , who was 11 when she was snatched in 1991 from the street in front of her house in South Lake Tahoe , California . The couple has pleaded not guilty . The hearing , scheduled for 1 p.m. -LRB- 4 p.m. ET -RRB- at the El Dorado County Superior Court , is a procedural matter about witnesses in the case . Authorities say the Garridos held Dugard in a hidden compound behind their home for 18 years . She was 29 when she was found in August at the Garridos ' home in Antioch about 120 miles from her house . Garrido , a registered sex offender on parole at the time of his arrest , is accused of fathering two daughters with Dugard during her captivity . Dugard now lives in seclusion with her mother , Terry Probyn , and Dugard 's two daughters . Earlier this month , Judge Douglas Phimister denied a request by the Garridos to be able to see each other while they remain jailed . Instead , the judge ruled , the couple can have one five-minute phone conversation this month and in June . He also said that officials can monitor the calls . The judge did not offer a reason for denying the request . The prosecution had opposed the motion on security grounds . Authorities maintain Dugard does not want to speak to Garrido or his attorneys and have tried to keep her location a secret . In March , Dugard made her first public statement since the arrests of her alleged captors . `` Hi , I 'm Jaycee . I want to thank you for your support , and I 'm doing well , '' Dugard said in a home video released exclusively to ABC News . `` It 's been a long haul , '' said Dugard , `` but I 'm getting there . '' The video showed Dugard baking cookies with her mother and playing with her dogs . `` We released this video so that you can see that we are happy and well -- when we have more to share , we will , '' Probyn said in the home video . `` As a mother I am pleading for our privacy in this very public story . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sen. John McCain has inched ahead of Sen. Barack Obama in national polls , but the Democratic candidate holds a steady lead in the most recent Electoral College estimates . John McCain and Sarah Palin are campaigning hard in battleground states . In national surveys , McCain leads by 2 points , 47 percent to 45 percent , according to CNN 's poll of polls released Monday night . In the Electoral College standings , the most recent survey shows 243 electoral votes either safely in Obama 's column or leaning his way . At this point , McCain can claim only 189 . Many of the state polls used to determine the Electoral College standings , however , were conducted before the conventions . Monday marked the first time McCain passed Obama in CNN 's poll of polls . Watch how the race has tightened '' On Saturday , Obama was up by 3 in the poll of polls . That lead shrank to just 1 point Sunday before disappearing Monday . In the most recent survey , 8 percent of respondents said they were still unsure about who they were going to vote for . The poll of polls is an average of five surveys : CNN -LRB- September 5-7 -RRB- , ABC\/Washington Post -LRB- September 5-7 -RRB- , CBS -LRB- September 5-7 -RRB- , Gallup -LRB- September 5-7 -RRB- and Diageo\/Hotline -LRB- September 5-7 -RRB- . The poll of polls does not have a sampling error . The CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. poll released Monday shows McCain and Obama tied at 48 percent . The poll , which was conducted Friday through Sunday , carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points . It was based on 1,022 telephone interviews . Republicans are hoping that if McCain can close the popular vote gap , he can also make gains in the electoral gap . The Electoral College will ultimately decide who takes over the White House . Watch what the different standings mean '' Although polls across the country are open on one day , the election is not a national poll but a series of 51 state-level elections that decide the members of the Electoral College . Technically , voters are n't choosing a candidate but a slate of electors who have pledged to vote for that candidate when the Electoral College meets . With 538 electors up for grabs , the candidate with more than half -- 270 -- wins the presidency . The number of electors from each state equals the number of senators and representatives the state sends to Congress Both candidates are turning their focus to battleground areas as they try to stack the states in their column . According to CNN 's electoral map , the states that could go either way are Colorado , Florida , Michigan , Missouri , New Hampshire , Nevada , Ohio and Virginia . McCain and his running mate , Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin , are campaigning Tuesday in Lebanon , Ohio , just 30 miles from Obama , who is in Riverside . No Republican has won the White House without winning Ohio . Obama 's running mate , Delaware Sen. Joe Biden , is campaigning in Missouri . Both parties are putting a lot of emphasis on Missouri . For the past century , the state has voted for the winning presidential candidate in every election except one . -LRB- Missouri picked Adlai Stevenson over Dwight Eisenhower in 1956 . -RRB- McCain and Palin campaigned there Monday . They 're hoping the state 's landscape will help them take its 11 electoral votes . The state has the 13th oldest population in the country , and Obama has struggled with older voters . Also , 37 percent of Missourians are evangelical Christians , according to the Pew Forum . That 's substantially higher than the 26 percent nationally . If McCain can take Missouri and tilt the toss-up states of Florida and Ohio , which also have older populations , he will pull ahead of Obama . CNN 's Tom Foreman contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"The U.N. Security Council and U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday called for both sides in Sri Lanka 's civil war to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid into the conflict zone , where tens of thousands are trapped . President Obama criticized the Tamil Tigers for using civilians as `` human shields . '' In a statement at the White House , Obama urged Sri Lankan government troops to halt the `` indiscriminate '' shelling of civilians trapped with the remnants of the country 's Tamil Tiger rebels and demanded the rebels stop using civilians as `` human shields . '' Security Council members issued a statement demanding `` that all parties respect their obligations under international humanitarian law . '' Though the rebels once controlled much of northeastern Sri Lanka , government troops have forced them from all but a small portion of the island since November . The remaining rebel force is pinned down on a narrow strip on the island 's northern coast , but more than 50,000 civilians are trapped there as well , the United Nations estimates . Anna Neistat , of the New York-based Human Rights Watch , told CNN that both sides in the conflict are guilty of `` egregious violations '' of humanitarian law . `` I think the government claims that they 're not using heavy weapons do not pass the laugh test any more , '' she said . `` Witnesses are telling us about the shelling . We also get photos of remnants of the shells that hit the areas . '' U.N. spokesman Gordon Weiss told CNN on Monday that hundreds of civilians died during weekend fighting because the Sri Lankan army had put residents in the crossfire , and Obama and the Security Council urged the government to live up to its commitment to stop using heavy weapons . Neistat said at least 30 hospitals had been attacked in the conflict zone as well . Meanwhile , the Tigers -- who have been branded a terrorist organization by the United States , more than 30 other countries and the European Union -- are refusing to let the civilians who surround them evacuate , Neistat said . `` Witnesses are telling us that they were not allowed to leave , that those who tried to leave were shot at by the Tamil Tigers , '' she said . The group , formally known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , have fought for an independent state in Sri Lanka since 1983 . As many as 70,000 people have been killed since the civil war began , and nearly 200,000 people are now sheltering in camps across the country 's north . Obama called on the remaining rebels `` to lay down their arms and let civilians go . '' `` Their forced recruitment of civilians and their use of civilians as human shields is deplorable . These tactics will only serve to alienate all those who carry them out , '' he said . Obama also said government troops `` should stop the indiscriminate shelling that has taken hundreds of innocent lives '' in recent days . A Red Cross worker was killed Wednesday during shelling in the conflict zone in Sri Lanka -- the third aid worker killed in six weeks -- the International Committee of the Red Cross said . The fighting between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers has intensified in the conflict area to the point that the Red Cross can not get food to that area or help the sick and wounded , said Sarasi Wijeratne , a Red Cross spokeswoman . `` Without urgent action , this humanitarian crisis could turn into a catastrophe , '' Obama said . `` Now 's the time , I believe , to put aside some of the political issues that are involved and to put the lives of the men and women and children who are innocently caught in the crossfire , to put them first . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- More than 1 million babies born prematurely die each year before they are a month old , the March of Dimes said Sunday in the first comprehensive global report on premature births . A premature baby rests at a hospital in Kabul , Afghanistan , in October 2007 . The organization suggested the situation could worsen if the rate of premature births increases . Each year , 12.9 million infants -- or nearly 10 percent of the annual worldwide birth total -- are born before 37 weeks of development in the womb , the organization said . More than 85 percent of the premature births occur in developing countries in Africa and Asia . `` Premature births are an enormous global problem that is exacting a huge toll emotionally , physically and financially on families , medical systems and economies , '' March of Dimes President Jennifer Howse said in a statement . `` In the United States alone , the annual cost of caring for preterm babies and their associated health problems tops $ 26 billion . '' The March of Dimes report , which used data collected by the World Health Organization , breaks down premature birth rates by continent . The highest premature birth rate is in Africa , where 11.9 percent of births each year are preterm , with more than 4 million premature deliveries annually . In populous Asia , although the preterm birth rate is lower at 9.1 percent , the number of premature births is higher , at nearly 7 million a year . While North America -- consisting of the United States and Canada in this report -- counts fewer than 500,000 premature births a year , its preterm birth rate is close to that of Africa , at 10.6 percent of all births , according to the report . The rate is the world 's second highest . In the United States , the rate of preterm births has increased 36 percent in the past 25 years , with births between the 34th and 36th week of gestation accounting for the majority of the increase , the organization found . Much of the hike in preterm births is linked to more pregnancies after the age of 35 and the use of fertility treatments that can lead to multiple births . `` Wherever trend data are available , rates of preterm birth are increasing , '' the report said . Infants who survive premature birth face lifelong health risks , including the possible development of cerebral palsy , blindness , hearing loss , learning disabilities and other chronic conditions , according to the March of Dimes . `` Preterm birth is a global problem that needs greater attention by policymakers , researchers , health care providers , the media , donor organizations and other stakeholders , '' the report said . `` The marked disparities in preterm birth along racial\/ethnic lines in many high-income countries and the concentration of preterm births in Africa and Asia also clearly indicate that addressing preterm birth is essential for reducing the pronounced inequities in neonatal health and for the world to achieve , '' it added . The March of Dimes , a nonprofit agency engaged in pregnancy and baby health research , said some premature births can be prevented by addressing risk factors in mothers , including diabetes , high blood pressure , nutrition , body weight and tobacco and alcohol use . Women who earlier gave birth to a preemie face a greater risk of having another . While doctors know some of the health and behavior factors in mothers that increase the risk of preterm births , doctors have yet to identify a reliable remedy to prevent early labor , said Christopher Howson , vice president for global programs of the March of Dimes . `` While much can be done right now to reduce death and disability from preterm birth even in low-resource settings , we need to know more about the underlying causes of premature birth in order to develop effective prevention strategies , '' Howson said .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tuesday , January 19 10:37 p.m. -- Two children were pulled alive Tuesday night from the rubble of a two-story building in Port-au-Prince . The 8-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl , rescued by a team from the New York City fire and police departments , were taken to an Israeli tent hospital . 10:31 p.m. -- Rescue teams on Tuesday stopped searching the rubble of Port-au-Prince 's Caribbean Supermarket , where five people were rescued over the weekend . `` You have to accept the realization that the potential for survivability is extremely low , '' said Capt. Joe Zahralban of the South Florida Urban Search and Rescue team . `` It gets to a point where you can only risk the rescuers ' life so much before you say , we do n't think there is anybody left . '' 10:25 p.m. -- Heavy traffic is making the 200-mile drive from the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo to the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince take as long as 18 hours , a United Nations situation report says . This is hampering groups ' ability to send aid from the Dominican Republic to areas in need in Haiti . 8:53 p.m. -- Although aid organization Doctors Without Borders is `` facing huge problems '' in receiving supplies , it is doing what it can to get work done , said Renzo Fricke , the group 's chief of Haiti operations . `` This morning we had to buy a saw in the market , in the city ... for our surgeons to do amputations , '' he told CNN 's Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday . `` We had to buy a saw because our materials -- the medical equipment is not coming as it should arrive . '' Bottlenecks at Port-au-Prince 's small airport has been a problem for aid groups since the earthquake ; Doctors Without Borders says that five of its supply planes have been diverted from Haiti to the Dominican Republic since January 14 . 8:40 p.m. -- Ena Zizi , the woman in her 70s who was rescued from rubble in Port-au-Prince today , has been airlifted by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter to the USS Bataan , CNN 's Ivan Watson reports . Earlier , she was being treated at a clinic , but it did n't have the operating facilities she needed . 8:24 p.m. -- At a candlelight vigil outside the Haitian Embassy in Washington , D.C. , Haitian Ambassador Raymond Joseph urges people to donate money for Haiti as opposed to supplies . `` It is more cumbersome to transport all these things from here in Washington , D.C. , all the way to Port-au-Prince , '' he said . 7:26 p.m. -- Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore , who led relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina in 2005 , says `` we need to start talking about evacuating the vulnerable population '' -- including those who are injured , elderly , pregnant and disabled . `` We need to talk about a mass evacuation , and we need to tell the United States military to open two more airports . ... We 've got the capability to do it , we need somebody in Washington to wake up and make it happen , and we ca n't wait for the U.N. to figure out it needs to be done , '' Honore said on CNN 's `` The Situation Room . '' 5:44 p.m. -- Doctors at a makeshift , outdoor hospital in Jacmel , Haiti , say they need more specialists , including orthopedic doctors and anesthesiologists , CNN 's Soledad O'Brien reports . The doctors currently there say they 're approaching the limits of what they can do for the 75 patients , some of whom have broken limbs and head injuries that need further treatment . 5:25 p.m. -- The mayor of Washington , D.C. , says the city will help the Haitian Embassy there handle the flood of phone calls and donations it has been receiving since the January 12 earthquake in Haiti . Mayor Adrian Fenty says the city is opening a `` command center '' at the embassy that will add 20 phone lines and laptop computers to assist with communication efforts , CNN 's Greg Clary reports . 5:07 p.m. -- Medical personnel treating Ena Zizi , who was rescued today from rubble in Port-au-Prince , say she needs surgery but they do n't know where to send her for one , CNN 's Anderson Cooper reports . The people at the clinic where she 's being treated are trying to find a surgical unit . Zizi , believed to be in her 70s , did not have access to food or water in the seven days since the quake , Cooper reports . 4:51 p.m. -- A U.S. Air Force plane is broadcasting radio messages urging Haitians not to attempt ocean voyages to the United States , saying they will be intercepted and turned back home if they do , CNN 's Mike M. Ahlers and Mike Mount report . `` It is part of the U.S. effort to help keep Haitians safe . We do n't want people to endanger their lives by taking risk to try to get to the U.S. at this time , '' State Department deputy spokesman Gordon Duguid said . Haitians who have valid visas can come to the United States on commercial flights . Read 4:36 p.m. -- About 2,000 U.S. troops are in Haiti , and more than 5,000 are just off-shore on U.S. ships , said Maj. Gen. Daniel Allyn , the deputy commander of Joint Task Force Unified Response . He said the U.S. military anticipated eventually having an `` aggregate strength '' about 10,000 troops . 4:33 p.m. -- Regarding the scores of U.S. soldiers who landed on the grounds of the ruined presidential palace in Port-au-Prince today : Some of them moved to the capital 's general hospital , which is without electricity or running water . `` Our primary purpose is in getting to the population , whether it be the distribution of water , food , or , in this case , where they 've got medical treatment going on and they 're overwhelmed , '' Lt. Gen. P.K. Keen , head of U.S. Southern Command , told CNN at the hospital . He said the troops were providing some security there . 4:11 p.m. -- A clarification on the death toll : At least 72,000 bodies have been recovered since the earthquake , and that does n't include bodies buried by families or collected by the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti , Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive says . Some death toll estimates range from 100,000 to 150,000 in the capital alone . 3:58 p.m. -- In rubble not far from where Zizi was rescued today , a German team is looking for two people it believes are still alive , CNN 's Anderson Cooper reports . The team was drawn there by a text message that was believed sent from beneath the debris . Watch 3:54 p.m. -- The newly rescued woman , Ena Zizi , said , `` Thank God , thank God , '' after being rescued , CNN 's Anderson Cooper reports . She was taken to a nearby medical center in Port-au-Prince . A Mexican search-and-rescue team pulled her from the rubble . 3:24 p.m. -- The woman rescued Tuesday -LRB- see 3:08 p.m. entry -RRB- is Ena Zizi . Her son , Maxime Janvier , told CNN that he never gave up hope that she 'd be found . `` We were praying a lot for that to happen , '' he said . Watch 3:08 p.m. -- A woman was rescued Tuesday from rubble at or near the national cathedral in Port-au-Prince , seven days after the earthquake struck , CNN 's Anderson Cooper reports . Rescuers believe two other people might be alive in the rubble , Cooper reports . 3:03 p.m. -- Twenty-eight Americans have been confirmed dead in Haiti since last week 's earthquake , according to U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley . `` We have an additional number that are presumed dead , but ... we 're still looking for specific confirmation , '' he said . About 4,500 U.S. citizens have been evacuated from Haiti , he said . 2:58 p.m. -- Haitian authorities have recorded 70,000 deaths since last week 's magnitude 7 earthquake outside Port-au-Prince , its prime minister says . 12:53 p.m. -- A 2-year-old girl named Carla opened her eyes Tuesday while being treated at a Cuban-run field hospital after being rescued from rubble on Monday , six days after Haiti 's earthquake . 12:50 p.m. -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the United Nations Security Council has approved a proposal to send an additional 2,000 soldiers and 1,500 police officers to Haiti . 11:05 a.m. -- As of Monday , charities had raised more than $ 210 million in donations for Haiti earthquake relief , according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy , a newspaper covering nonprofit organizations . The estimate is based on a survey of 25 charities contributing the largest amounts of money to Haiti . How you can help 10:23 a.m. -- Several helicopters from the U.S. Army 's 82nd Airborne Division landed Tuesday on the grounds of the ruined presidential palace in Port-au-Prince . It was not immediately clear what their mission was . Share your earthquake stories 9:58 a.m. -- A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck off the coast of the Cayman Islands , 600 miles west of Haiti , on Tuesday morning , the U.S. Geological Survey reported . There were reports of weak to light shaking on Grand Cayman Island , according to the USGS . 9:50 a.m. -- About 50 Haitian orphans , including infants , arrived Tuesday at a Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , airport and will be taken to Children 's Hospital of Pittsburgh , where adoptive parents are expected to greet them . The children were accompanied on the flight by Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell , several doctors and a few members of Congress . Read more 9:20 a.m. -- Haiti 's fledgling tourism industry was showing glimmers of promise before the earthquake struck . Story 7:36 a.m. -- The American Red Cross and UNICEF 's United States Fund raised about $ 7.3 million in donations from 8 p.m. to midnight , while `` Haiti : How You Can Help , '' a special `` Larry King Live , '' aired on CNN . 7:13 a.m. -- Nearly 500,000 people have encamped in a tent city in the Champs de Mars square in downtown Port-au-Prince , the largest of numerous tent cities scattered throughout the ruined city . iReport.com : Looking for loved ones 6:02 a.m. -- About 50 orphans who survived last week 's earthquake are expected to arrive in Pennsylvania aboard a military transport plane at 9 a.m. ET . In Florida , where evacuees have been ferried in since Saturday , more flights from Haiti are scheduled for Tuesday . Officials at Orlando Sanford International Airport expect arrivals for the next two weeks . Follow daily developments : January 12 Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A multistate romaine lettuce recall because of fear of contamination with a potentially deadly bacteria has restaurants east of the Mississippi River scrambling to assure customers that their salad is safe . `` We have taken the extra precaution of contacting our lettuce supply chain partners to ensure that our product meets our usual high standard of quality , '' New York-based franchise Just Salad said in an e-mail to its customers . `` We are happy to say that we have confirmed that this recall will have no effect on Just Salad 's romaine lettuce , '' the e-mail said . On Thursday , Freshway Foods in Sidney , Ohio , announced a voluntary recall of products containing shredded romaine lettuce with a use-by date of May 12 or earlier because they may be contaminated with E. coli linked to outbreak of illness . Read about recall on CNN 's This Just in Yum ! Brands -- the largest restaurant company , and owner of popular fast food chains KFC , Pizza Hut , Taco Bell and Long John Silver 's -- said Freshway Foods is a not supplier to any of its brands . The romaine lettuce , sold under the Freshway and Imperial Sysco brands , was recalled in connection with an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 19 people in Michigan , Ohio and New York . Most E. coli strains are harmless , but some cause severe illness . Diarrhea , urinary tract infections , pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses are just some of the consequences of ingesting certain kinds of the bacteria . Blog : What you need to know about E. coli The lettuce under recall was sold to wholesalers and food service outlets in Alabama , Connecticut , the District of Columbia , Florida , Georgia , Illinois , Indiana , Kansas , Kentucky , Maryland , Massachusetts , Michigan , Missouri , New Jersey , New York , North Carolina , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , South Carolina , Tennessee , Virginia , West Virginia and Wisconsin . Freshway Foods also advised consumers not to eat `` grab and go '' salads sold at in-store salad bars and delis at Kroger , Giant Eagle , Ingles Markets and Marsh stores in 23 states and the District of Columbia . The Freshway recall does not affect bagged and prepackaged romaine lettuce mixes sold in the produce section . `` It is important to note that bulk and prepackaged romaine or bagged salad mixes containing romaine that were purchased in supermarkets are not included in this recall ; Freshway Foods does not produce these products , '' Freshway said in a statement . Consumers with recall questions and concerns can contact Freshway Foods at 888-361-7106 or visit its website , www.freshwayfoods.com .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iraq is raking in more money from oil exports than it is spending , amassing a projected four-year budget surplus of up to $ 80 billion , U.S. auditors reported Tuesday . Oil accounted for 94 percent of the Iraq 's revenue from 2005 to 2007 , a U.S. report says . Leading members of Congress , noting that Washington is paying for reconstruction in Iraq , expressed outrage at the assessment . One called the findings `` inexcusable . '' `` We should not be paying for Iraqi projects while Iraqi oil revenues continue to pile up in the bank , including outrageous profits from $ 4-a-gallon gas prices in the U.S. , '' said Sen. Carl Levin , the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee . `` We should require that U.S. taxpayers be reimbursed for the cost of large projects . '' Baghdad had a $ 29 billion budget surplus between 2005 to 2007 . With the price of crude roughly doubling in the past year , Iraq 's surplus for 2008 is expected to run between $ 38 billion and $ 50 billion , according to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office . The United States has put about $ 48 billion toward reconstruction since the 2003 invasion of Iraq , auditors reported . About $ 23 billion of that was spent on the oil and electricity industries , water systems and security . Iraq spent $ 3.9 billion on those sectors from 2005 through April 2008 , according to the GAO , the investigative arm of Congress . The ongoing fighting there , a shortage of trained staff and weak controls have made it difficult for the Iraqi government to spend its surplus on needed projects , the agency 's report concluded . Levin , a Michigan Democrat , has been an outspoken critic of the slow progress of reconstruction and an advocate of a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq . His criticism Tuesday was echoed by Sen. John Warner , a Virginia Republican who is the former chairman and now a leading member of Levin 's committee . `` Despite Iraq earning billions of dollars in oil revenue in the past five years , U.S. taxpayer money has been the overwhelming source of Iraq reconstruction funds , '' Warner said in a joint statement with Levin . `` It is time for the sovereign government of Iraq , using its revenues , expenditures and surpluses , to fully assume the responsibility to provide essential services and improve the quality of life for the Iraqi people . '' In its written response to the audit report , the Treasury Department said U.S. officials are working with Iraqis to address the issue , `` and we believe progress is being made . '' `` The report shows Iraq 's budget surplus is likely to grow significantly over the course of 2008 , but it is equally important to realize that spending in Iraq is also increasing , '' Deputy Assistant Treasury Secretary Andy Baukol wrote to the GAO . Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki 's government submitted a $ 22 billion supplemental budget to the Iraqi parliament in July , including $ 8 billion in proposed capital expenditures , Baukol wrote . The issue raised the hackles of several members of Congress earlier this year -- particularly because Bush administration officials said on the eve of the war that Iraqi oil money would pay for reconstruction . In 2003 , then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz told the House Appropriations Committee : `` We 're dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction , and relatively soon . '' Rep. Henry Waxman , D-California , said Tuesday 's report `` is going to make a lot of American families very angry . '' `` The record gas prices they are paying have turned into an economic windfall for Iraq , but the Iraqi government is n't spending the money on rebuilding , '' said Waxman , the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee . Levin spokeswoman Tara Andringa said the senator hopes to tighten rules governing U.S. expenditures on Iraqi reconstruction efforts in the next Pentagon authorization bill . The Iraqi surplus has piled up even though the country 's oil production has only recently matched prewar levels , according to the Brookings Institution 's latest Iraq Index . The country spent about 80 percent of its $ 29 billion operating budget in 2007 , including public services and salaries , but only 28 percent of its $ 12 billion investment budget , the GAO found . The export of crude oil accounted for 94 percent of Iraq 's revenues from 2005 to 2007 , the GAO reported .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The United States is expelling the Venezuelan ambassador to the United States in response to a similar move by Venezuela , U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Friday . `` We have informed the Venezuelan ambassador to the United States that he will be expelled and should leave the United States , '' McCormack said . Separately , the U.S. Treasury Department accused Friday two senior Venezuelan intelligence officials -- Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios and Henry de Jesus Rangel Silva -- and one former official -- Ramon Rodriguez Chacin -- of assisting leftist rebels in the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia , or FARC , with narcotics trafficking . `` Today 's designation exposes two senior Venezuelan government officials and one former official who armed , abetted and funded the FARC , even as it terrorized and kidnapped innocents , '' said Adam J. Szubin , director of the Treasury 's Office of Foreign Assets Control , in a statement . The action freezes assets the three men may have under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits Americans from conducting business with them . The U.S. decision to expel the Venezuelan ambassador , Bernardo Alvarez Herrera , is the latest move in an escalating diplomatic battle that pits the United States against two of Latin America 's leftist leaders . It comes a day after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced that he was expelling the U.S. ambassador to Venezuela , Patrick Duddy . Chavez also said he was recalling the Venezuelan ambassador from the United States . `` He has 72 hours , from this moment , the Yankee ambassador in Caracas , to leave Venezuela , '' Chavez told a crowd of supporters . `` When there 's a new government in the United States , we 'll send an ambassador . A government that respects Latin America . '' The president said he was making the moves `` in solidarity with Bolivia and the people of Bolivia . '' Bolivian President Evo Morales on Thursday accused the United States of fomenting a coup d'etat by rich eastern department landowners against him , and he called for the U.S. ambassador to leave for allegedly encouraging those protesters . For the past two weeks , the demonstrators in the country 's richer eastern lowlands have been protesting Morales ' plans to redistribute the country 's natural gas revenues . `` Without fear of anyone , without fear of the empire , today before you , before the Bolivian people , I declare the ambassador of the United States persona non grata , '' Morales said Wednesday of Ambassador Philip Goldberg in a nationally televised speech . The United States called the allegations baseless and kicked out the Bolivian ambassador Thursday . The Bolivians `` made it very clear what their intention was and we took them at their word , '' McCormack said Friday . `` We take President Chavez at his word in this particular case , and we have reacted appropriately . '' Before expelling the U.S. diplomat from his country , Chavez also said Thursday that he had uncovered a U.S.-backed plot to remove him from power . `` It 's the empire that 's behind this , '' he told supporters in a televised address . `` They go around looking for a way to stop our revolution and , with it , to strike all the processes of change that are occurring in our Americas , in the Caribbean , in Central America . '' Chavez then played a four-minute tape of what he said were conversations among current and retired members of the Venezuelan military discussing whom they could count on to support a movement against the presidential palace . He said also that the presence of two Russian warplanes on Venezuelan soil for a training exercise `` is a warning '' to the rest of the world that Venezuela 's allies include Russia .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama said in an interview aired Sunday that the hardest decision he 's made since taking office was to send more troops to Afghanistan . In a `` 60 Minutes '' interview , President Obama said , `` I fundamentally disagree with Dick Cheney . '' Also in the interview on CBS ' `` 60 Minutes , '' Obama defended his decision to shut down the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , and he countered criticism from former vice president Dick Cheney . `` I fundamentally disagree with Dick Cheney -- not surprisingly , '' Obama said . `` I think that Vice President Cheney has been at the head of a movement whose notion is somehow that we ca n't reconcile our core values , our Constitution , our belief that we do n't torture , with our national security interests . I think he 's drawing the wrong lesson from history . '' Obama was responding to comments Cheney made to CNN 's `` State of the Union '' on March 15 , when he said the president is making the nation less safe by closing the Guantanamo prison and ending interrogation practices that Bush administration critics consider torture for terror suspects . Just a month into office , Obama ordered 17,000 troops to Afghanistan , the original front in the `` war on terrorism '' sparked by the September 2001 attacks on New York and Washington . `` I think it 's the right thing to do . But it 's a weighty decision because we actually had to make the decision prior to the completion of the strategic review that we were conducting , '' Obama said . Coming off a tumultuous week over the millions in bonuses paid out to employees of AIG , Obama said Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner 's job is secure despite critics calling for his resignation . Obama joked that even if Geithner were to tender his resignation , the president would tell him , `` Sorry buddy , you 've still got the job . '' Geithner has come under fire over the $ 165 million in bonuses AIG paid its top executives after the insurance giant received more than $ 170 billion in federal bailout money . A loophole in the recently approved economic stimulus bill , included at the behest of the Treasury , allowed AIG to pay the bonuses . `` It 's going to take a little bit more time than we would like to make sure that we get this plan just right , '' Obama said . The president also stressed that his administration wo n't endorse a House bill that would levy a 90 percent tax on bonuses paid out by companies that receive bailout money . `` As a general proposition , you do n't want to be passing laws that are just targeting a handful of individuals , '' Obama said . `` You want to pass laws that have some broad applicability ... you certainly do n't want to use the tax code to punish people . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Senior Bush administration officials authorized aggressive interrogation techniques -- including forced nudity and waterboarding -- on suspected terrorists , despite concerns from military psychologists and attorneys , according to a Senate report released Tuesday . The Senate report focuses on the authorization to use aggressive techniques to interrogate detainees . `` The fact is that senior officials in the United States government solicited information on how to use aggressive techniques , redefined the law to create the appearance of their legality , and authorized their use against detainees , '' said the report , which reveals new details about prisoner treatment at U.S. military prisons in Cuba , Afghanistan and Iraq . `` Those efforts damaged our ability to collect accurate intelligence that could save lives , strengthened the hand of our enemies and compromised our moral authority , '' the report said . The full report on the Senate Armed Services Committee investigation was declassified Tuesday by the Defense Department , less than a week after the Obama administration released several Bush-era memos detailing the use of such techniques . `` In my judgment , the report represents a condemnation of both the Bush administration 's interrogation policies and of senior administration officials who attempted to shift the blame for abuse ... to low-ranking soldiers , '' Sen. Carl Levin , D-Michigan , chairman of the Senate committee , said Tuesday . `` Claims , such as that made by former Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz that detainee abuses could be chalked up to the unauthorized acts of a ` few bad apples , ' were simply false . '' The Senate report said that in December 2001 the Defense Department 's General Counsel 's Office solicited information on the `` exploitation '' of detainees from the federal agency charged with training U.S. troops on how to withstand enemy interrogation techniques considered illegal by the Geneva Conventions . The inquiry to that agency , the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency , was submitted more than a month before then-President George Bush signed a memo stating that U.S. military personnel `` shall continue to treat detainees humanely and , to the extent appropriate and consistent with military necessity , in a manner consistent with the principles of the Geneva Conventions . '' The Senate committee 's investigation was largely focused on the influence of a Joint Personnel program called `` Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape . '' The program is used to train U.S. soldiers how to resist enemy interrogation , and employs harsh techniques such as forced nudity , use of fear , sleep deprivation and -- until last year -- waterboarding . The Senate report said Bush administration officials green lighted the use of Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape techniques on detainees -- despite warnings from military psychologists against doing so . The report includes an e-mail from an Army psychologist . '' -LSB- T -RSB- he use of physical pressures brings with it a large number of potential negative side effects ... If individuals are put under enough discomfort , i.e. pain , they will eventually do whatever it takes to stop the pain , '' said Lt. Col. Morgan Banks , the senior Army Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape psychologist , in an October 2 , 2002 , e-mail to personnel at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba . Levin said the program is supposed to prepare troops in the event they are captured and subjected to abusive interrogations , and that it was `` never intended to be used in the interrogation of detainees in U.S. custody . '' In a section titled , `` The Department of Justice Changes the Rules , '' the Senate report noted that less than a week after the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency sent the Defense Department information about the interrogation techniques , the Justice Department issued two legal opinions signed by then-Assistant Attorney General Jay Bybee . The first opinion `` presented a narrow interpretation of what constituted torture under U.S. law , '' the report said . The memo said that to constitute torture , physical pain would have to match the intensity of that accompanying `` serious physical injury , such as organ failure , impairment of bodily functions or even death . '' The opinion said the administration could defend itself against the federal anti-torture statute by arguing necessity or self-defense . The second opinion concerned the interrogation of a specific detainee , al-Qaeda operative Abu Zubaydeh , and concluded that 10 different techniques -- including sleep deprivation and waterboarding -- did not violate prohibitions against torture . Last week , the Obama administration released the second Bybee opinion -- which the Senate committee did not have access to during the investigation -- and three others written by then-Deputy Assistant Attorney General Steven Bradbury in May 2005 . Bradbury 's opinions concern hypothetical situations with the same interrogation techniques , as well as some others not mentioned in the 2002 memo . Those memos also conclude , for varying reasons , that the techniques did not violate prohibitions against torture . The Senate report reveals new information about Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape use on accused enemy combatants held at Guantanamo -- which President Obama plans to close within a year . `` By early October -LSB- 2002 -RSB- there was increasing pressure to get ` tougher ' with detainee interrogations '' at Guantanamo , according to testimony cited in the Senate report from a military behavioral scientist , Maj. Paul Burney , who worked with interrogators at the facility in Cuba . So , Burney and a colleague drafted a memo proposing aggressive interrogation techniques at the facility . The scientist testified that Guantanamo 's intelligence chief told him the memo needed to contain coercive techniques or it `` was n't going to get very far , '' the report said . Levin said that despite `` serious legal concerns raised by the military service lawyers , '' Defense Department General Counsel Jim Haynes recommended that then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld approve 15 of the interrogation techniques -- including stress positions , removal of clothing , use of phobias -LRB- such as fear of dogs -RRB- and deprivation of light and auditory stimuli . After Rumsfeld 's December 2 , 2002 , approval , senior Guantanamo staff issued a memo on the use of aggressive techniques , saying , `` The premise behind this is that the interrogation tactics used at U.S. military SERE schools are appropriate for use in real-world interrogations , '' according to the report . The report details how Rumsfeld 's approval prompted interrogators in Afghanistan and Iraq to adopt the aggressive techniques . Military officials essentially copied and pasted interrogation policies from Guantanamo , and posted them as their own in Afghanistan and , ultimately , Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq . In September 2003 , U.S. Central Command lawyers raised concerns about the interrogation techniques authorized for Abu Ghraib , which included stress positions , sleep deprivation and exploiting fears of dogs , the report said . The report reveals a newly declassified September 16 , 2003 , e-mail from a CentCom lawyer , Maj. Carrie Ricci , who warned that `` Many of the techniques appear to violate -LSB- Geneva Conventions -RSB- III and IV and should not be used . ... '' Dozens of military personnel who served at Abu Ghraib confirmed that the interrogation techniques cleared by Rumsfeld had made their way to the prison , according to the Senate report . An Army dog handler at Abu Ghraib told military investigators in February 2004 that `` someone from -LSB- military intelligence -RSB- gave me a list of cells , for me to go see , and pretty much have my dog bark at them . ... Having the dogs bark at detainees was psychologically breaking them down for interrogation purposes . '' The Senate report said that an interrogator told military investigators in May 2004 that it was `` common to see detainees in cells without clothes or naked '' and said it was `` one of our approaches . '' Levin noted that , despite the revelation of widespread use of aggressive and abusive interrogation techniques , there is still the question of whether the senior officials who approved the policies should be held accountable . Obama on Tuesday left open the possibility of criminal prosecution , saying it would be up to Attorney General Eric Holder to decide whether to prosecute the former officials . `` With respect to those who formulated those legal decisions , I would say that is going to be more a decision for the attorney general within the parameter of various laws and I do n't want to prejudge that , '' Obama told reporters . `` There 's a host of very complicated issues involved there . As a general deal , I think we should be looking forward and not backwards . I do worry about this getting so politicized that we can not function effectively and it hampers our ability to carry out critical national security operations . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- House Democrats unveiled their revised version of health care reform Tuesday , offering a proposal that includes a government-funded health insurance option , requires both individuals and employers to participate , and taxes the wealthy to help cover costs . President Obama has urged Congress to work quickly on creating a health care reform bill . Democratic House leaders said the measure , titled `` America 's Affordable Health Choices Act , '' met the requirements set by President Obama for health care reform by lowering costs to consumers and businesses , letting people keep their current plan if desired , and preventing denial of coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions . `` The House proposal will begin the process of fixing what 's broken about our health care system , reducing costs for all , building on what works , and covering an estimated 97 percent of all Americans , '' Obama said in a written statement . `` And by emphasizing prevention and wellness , it will also help improve the quality of health care for every American . '' Rep. Henry Waxman , D-California , said the bill is intended to repair a `` dysfunctional '' health care system that is draining the U.S. economy while leaving 46 million Americans without health insurance . `` We are going to accomplish what many people felt would n't happen in our lifetime , '' he said . But House Republicans slammed the Democrats ' bill and pledged to try to amend it as three House committees begin considering the legislation later this week . Rep. Roy Blunt , R-Missouri , said the bill `` without any question will kill jobs , will limit access to health care , will raise taxes and will lead to a government takeover of health care . '' Blunt said he will offer an amendment requiring all elected federal officials , including Obama and Vice President Joe Biden , to enroll in the new public insurance option . Republicans and some fiscally conservative Democrats also question the cost of health care reform . An earlier draft of the House Democrats ' bill carried a price tag of $ 1 trillion over 10 years . The Congressional Budget Office said the revised house bill also would cost $ 1 trillion . However , a senior Democratic House committee staffer said the CBO analysis only covered costs without factoring in cost-saving measures worth $ 500 billion over 10 years or the revenue from tax surcharges on wealthy Americans , estimated to raise more than $ 500 billion over a decade . According to the CBO , the bill would cover 97 percent of Americans by 2015 . The bill includes tax surcharges on Americans in the top 1.2 percent of income . It proposes a 5.4 percent surtax on couples earning more than $ 1 million , a 1.5 percent surtax on couples with income between $ 500,000 and $ 1 million , and a 1 percent surtax on joint incomes over $ 350,000 or individual income over $ 280,000 . Anticipating Republican complaints that the tax surcharges would harm small business owners who report their income as personal , Democratic sponsors said the measure would affect less than 5 percent of all small business owners . Specific provisions of the bill include : -- A Health Insurance Exchange providing individuals and small business with choices for coverage , including a government-funded public option . -- No more coverage exclusion for pre-existing conditions . -- Affordability credits for low - and moderate-income individuals and families , available to those with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level , or $ 43,000 for individuals and $ 88,000 for a family of four . -- Limits on annual out-of-pocket spending . -- Expanded Medicaid coverage to individuals and families with incomes at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level . -- Required participation by individuals , with a penalty of 2.5 percent of adjusted gross income for non-compliance . -- Requirement that businesses with payrolls exceeding $ 250,000 provide their employees with health coverage or contribute up to 8 percent of their payroll on their behalf . -- A series of measures intended to reduce costs of Medicaid , Medicare and other existing systems . A statement Tuesday from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups opposed some of the bill 's proposals , calling for market forces and employer autonomy instead of mandated participation by businesses . `` Exempting some micro-businesses will not prevent this provision from killing many jobs , '' the statement said . The House bill now goes to three committees for debate and revision before consideration by the full chamber . The Senate also is considering health reform measures that contain some of the House bill provisions . Obama has said he wants both chambers to pass their respective proposals before Congress goes on its August recess as part of a timetable to get a final bill to his desk by the end of the year . House Republican Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia argued that the current economic conditions mean Congress should take its time on a major overhaul of the health care system . `` There 's no need for us to be rushing into passing legislation before the end of this month at the potential cost of , really , millions of jobs , '' Cantor said Tuesday . A CNN-Opinion Research Corp. survey released July 1 found that a slim majority -- 51 percent -- support Obama 's health care plans , but most worry that their costs would go up , and only one in five think their families would be better off . CNN 's Deirdre Walsh contributed to this story","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Authorities believe that a registered sex offender who this month admitted killing two California teenagers attempted to follow an 11-year-old girl walking home from school the day before one of the teens disappeared , according to documents filed in the case . John Albert Gardner , 31 , pleaded guilty April 16 to killing Chelsea King , 17 , and Amber Dubois , 14 . He also pleaded guilty to a charge of assault with intent to commit rape in a December incident involving a third woman . King was last seen leaving Poway High School in suburban San Diego , California , on February 25 . Her car , with her cell phone inside , was found at Rancho Bernardo Community Park . King was known to run on the park 's trails . Her disappearance triggered a massive search that ended a few days later , when King 's remains were found in the park . Dubois disappeared in February 2009 while walking to school in Escondido , California . She was considered a missing person for more than a year until her remains were found in March . Prosecutors said Gardner led police to Dubois ' body after being assured that it would not be used against him in court . Gardner avoided the death penalty with his guilty plea but will be sentenced June 1 to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole , under terms of the plea deal with prosecutors . On February 24 , a day before King went missing , an 11-year-old girl reported that she was walking home from school when she heard a vehicle slowly approaching her from behind , according to an affidavit requesting a police search of Gardner 's home , posted on the website of CNN affiliate KTLA-TV . The documents were unsealed Monday , KTLA reported . The girl told police the vehicle drove past her and then parked about 30 feet in front of her , the documents said . The driver stayed in the vehicle , the girl said , and did not attempt to speak to her . But a woman pulled up next to the girl and told her the person in the vehicle `` seemed very suspicious '' and offered to follow her home , according to the affidavit . The man , who was in a black car , then made a U-turn and left , and the woman followed the girl the remaining two blocks to her house , the documents said . The girl 's mother called police after her daughter told her what happened . The girl 's mother told authorities that after seeing a photo of Gardner following his arrest in the King case , her daughter said Gardner was `` the guy in the car , '' the affidavit said . Gardner 's girlfriend drives a black 2002 Nissan Sentra , according to the documents . The documents also detail the December assault on the third woman near where King 's car was found at the park . She told authorities she was on a hiking trail and a man walked past her , the affidavit said . She told him , `` Good morning , '' and he returned the greeting , but then tackled her from the side as he passed her , knocking her to the ground on her back . The man pinned her to the ground , and she screamed while struggling with him , the affidavit said . He told her to `` shut up , '' and she said , `` You 're going to have to kill me . '' `` That can be arranged , '' he responded . The man then demanded money from her , the affidavit said . She was able to sit up and used her elbow to strike him in the nose , telling police she felt `` the crunch of cartilage . '' The man let go of her and grabbed his nose , she said , and she ran . A woman also told police that she saw Gardner on the jogging trails near the park on the day King disappeared , the affidavit said . She said he was sitting and drinking a beer and had several empty beer cans around him . He warned her about a rattlesnake that was nearby , and they spoke briefly . The woman said she ran past the man and then talked to him some more on her return trip . The man was wearing blue jeans and a Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt , she said , according to the affidavit . A second woman also recalled seeing a man in the Hard Rock Cafe shirt on a trail that day about 3 p.m. , about an hour and a half after the first woman said she saw him , the affidavit said . The same woman believes she saw King on the trail as well . Both women told police they were 100 percent sure the man they saw was Gardner , the affidavit said . The area where the second woman recalled seeing Gardner was `` 300 yards from where the panties of Chelsea King were found and about a mile from where the body of Chelsea King was found , '' the affidavit said . At the time of his arrest , Gardner was a registered sex offender . In 2000 he was convicted of two counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and a count of false imprisonment , according to a probation officer 's report . The victim in that case was a 13-year-old girl , who was molested and beaten when she tried to resist , the report said . `` The defendant ... manifests marked predatory traits and is not seen as a suitable candidate for sex offender treatment insofar as he refuses to accept any responsibility for what he has done , '' according to the 2000 report . Gardner knew the girl and was a former neighbor of hers , the report said . `` The fact that he would try to force himself on her sexually is indefensible but then to beat her as he did out of frustration ... represents a qualitative leap to extremely serious criminal behavior . '' The report recommended that Gardner be sentenced to six years in prison . KTLA reported that he served five years before being paroled .","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Farrah Fawcett has been hospitalized in the latest stage of her battle against cancer , a producer working with the actress said Monday . Farrah Fawcett , shown here in 2004 , was first diagnosed with cancer in 2006 . `` She is not unconscious , she is not unresponsive , and she is not comatose , '' Craig Nevius told CNN . He added that Fawcett `` is surrounded by family and friends . '' She `` has a real iron will '' and is `` a fighter , '' he said . Nevius has been working with the 62-year-old on a documentary about her fight with cancer . Earlier , he told People magazine that Fawcett had checked into `` a Los Angeles hospital . '' Fawcett was diagnosed in 2006 . People magazine reported that she has anal cancer . Early in 2007 , Fawcett said she was told her cancer had gone into remission . Her official Web site has posts from February , 2007 celebrating the news . But the cancer returned later that year . Fawcett was a model best known for bit parts and commercials , and as `` Six Million Dollar Man '' actor Lee Majors ' wife , when she shot a best-selling pinup poster in early 1976 at the behest of a Cleveland , Ohio , company called Pro Arts . Photographer Bruce McBroom placed Fawcett -- then known as Farrah Fawcett-Majors -- in the Indian blanket-draped front seat of his 1937 Chevy and snapped away . The poster , with Fawcett 's million-dollar smile front and center and right nipple obvious through the fabric of her red bathing suit , became a sensation . Soon after the photo shoot , Fawcett was asked to join the cast of a new Aaron Spelling TV show , `` Charlie 's Angels , '' about a trio of female detectives who work for a mysterious man named Charlie . Fawcett , who played Jill Munroe , was the last to be cast -- co-star Kate Jackson was the known name at the time -- but , thanks to her poster , Fawcett became the series ' breakout star . The highly rated TV series kicked off what came to be known as `` jiggle TV , '' series full of young actresses who appeared in bikinis at the drop of a hat . `` Denunciations of ` massage parlor television ' and ` voyeurism ' only brought more viewers to the screen , to see what the controversy was about , '' wrote Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh in their exhaustive reference , `` The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows . '' `` Charlie 's Angels '' turned out to be a huge hit , and shows ranging from the sitcom `` Three 's Company '' to the drama `` Baywatch '' owe the show a debt . Fawcett did n't stay with `` Angels '' long . At the end of the first season , unhappy with her contract , she left the show , replaced by Cheryl Ladd . Fawcett 's career stagnated for a time after `` Charlie 's Angels , '' as she appeared in a handful of forgettable films and divorced Majors . But her career received a major boost with her starring role in `` The Burning Bed , '' a 1984 made-for-television movie co-starring Paul LeMat . In the film , Fawcett played an abused wife who sets fire to her husband 's bed as he lies sleeping . Fawcett received an Emmy nomination for her performance . Around that time , Fawcett became romantically involved with actor Ryan O'Neal , with whom she had a son , Redmond , in 1985 . Redmond O'Neal was arrested Sunday morning for narcotics possession . In recent years , Fawcett has appeared sporadically in the public eye . She posed nude for Playboy in 1995 . In 1997 , she appeared on `` The Late Show with David Letterman , '' an interview that became notorious for Fawcett 's apparent incoherence . She later said she was just having fun with Letterman . She reunited with her `` Charlie 's Angels '' co-stars , Jackson and Jaclyn Smith , for an awards-show appearance in 2006 . Fawcett has been making a documentary , `` A Wing and a Prayer , '' for NBC about her cancer battle . `` She is an icon , and you do n't become an icon by being weak , '' Nevius said Monday . `` All you have to do is look back at her 30-year-plus career to see that she is not somebody that has ever stepped down or backed down from a challenge of any kind . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"Bangkok , Thailand -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Anti-government protesters poured a small amount of blood at the headquarters of the government in Bangkok on Tuesday , but the demonstration did not live up to their threat to douse the ministers ' offices in blood . The protesters had launched a blood drive earlier to collect enough samples for the demonstration . Thousands of `` red shirts '' -- so named for their clothing -- held out their forearms to allow their compatriots to draw blood . The protesters intended to collect 1,000 liters -LRB- 1 million cubic centimeters -RRB- and then throw the blood on the grounds of the Government House , which houses ministerial offices , at 6 p.m. -LRB- 7 a.m. ET -RRB- . `` Red shirts '' rally in Bangkok : Share your photos If Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva still refuses to dissolve parliament , the demonstrators said they will collect another 1,000 liters of blood Wednesday and splash it on the headquarters of the ruling party . The next day , they will collect 1,000 more liters and target the prime minister 's residence , the demonstrators said . What are the protests about ? Abhisit has repeatedly said he will listen to the protesters but will not accede to their demands . The anti-government demonstrations began Friday . By Sunday , tens of thousands of protesters had poured into the center of Bangkok . The rallies have been largely peaceful . Abhisit has said his government will not use force to quell the demonstrations . The nation 's tourism minister estimated the demonstrations might have resulted in a 20 percent drop in tourists . The impact on Chinese visitors appears to have been greater , with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce reporting a 50 percent cancellation rate . The protesters are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra , who was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006 . Thaksin was the only Thai prime minister to serve a full term and remains hugely popular . He fled the country in 2008 while facing trial on corruption charges that he says were politically motivated . The protesters say Abhisit was not democratically elected and have demanded that he call new elections . Since Thaksin 's ouster , Thailand has endured widespread political unrest that has pitted Thaksin loyalists against Abhisit supporters . Two people were killed and at least 135 wounded in riots in April 2009 when protesters clashed with demonstrators supporting the government . CNN 's Kocha Olarn and Dan Rivers contributed to this report","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Serbian tennis player has been banned for life and fined $ 100,000 after being found guilty of match-fixing offenses . David Savic has been punished for three violations of the 2010 Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Program in October 2010 , it was revealed on Saturday . A Tennis Integrity Unit investigation found that the 26-year-old tried to contrive the outcome of an event , sought to persuade another player to not try to win and also offered money `` with the intention of negatively influencing a player 's best efforts in any event . '' Savic is currently ranked 659th in singles , with a highest standing of 363 in October 2009 . He is a compatriot of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic , who helped Serbia win the Davis Cup last year before winning three grand slam titles in 2011 . Savic is the second man to be banned for life over match-fixing , following Austria 's Daniel Kollerer in May . The Tennis Integrity Unit is run by the International Tennis Federation , the Grand Slam Committee and the men 's ATP and women 's WTA tours . Meanwhile , world No. 4 Andy Murray will face Donald Young in Sunday 's Thailand Open final after the American upset second seed Gael Monfils . Young , ranked 55th , triumphed 4-6 7-6 -LRB- 7-5 -RRB- 7-6 -LRB- 7-5 -RRB- against the Frenchman in Saturday 's semis to reach his first top-level title match . He has already beaten Murray once this year , at Indian Wells , but lost to the Briton in the fourth round of the U.S. Open . Young will break into the men 's top-50 next week , having started August in 128th place . The defeat dented 14th-ranked Monfils ' hopes of reaching the season-ending ATP World Tour finals in London . Murray , who was runner-up in Bangkok in his first ATP final six years ago , is seeking his third title this year after winning 6-2 3-6 6-2 against another Frenchman , Gilles Simon . Agnieszka Radwanska boosted her hopes of qualifying for the season-ending WTA Championships in Turkey by winning the Tokyo Open title on Saturday . The Polish ninth seed defeated world No. 4 Vera Zvonareva for the third time this year , with the 22-year-old winning 6-3 6-2 to claim her sixth title . Zvonareva has already qualified for Istanbul , and is joined by Tokyo semifinalists Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova , the 2011 Wimbledon champion . `` Before this tournament my chances of qualifying for the Championships were very small , but now they 'll be better , '' Radwanska said . The China Open has also begun , with Italian seventh seed Francesca Schiavone and Russia 's No. 16 Svetlana Kuznetsova winning first-round matches in Beijing on Saturday . Ninth seed Andrea Petkovic of Germany also went through , but Serbian 10th seed Jelena Jankovic was beaten 7-5 6-4 by Austria 's Tamira Paszek .","question":""}
{"answer":"HARARE , Zimbabwe -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe said Monday that he does not believe foul play was involved in a car wreck that killed his wife . The vehicle the couple were traveling in was left overturned off the highway . `` When something like that happens there is speculation , but I want to assure you if it was foul play , it is one in a thousand , '' he said Monday . `` It was an accident that took her life . '' Tsvangirai 's comments came amid widespread speculation that the wreck was caused by his political opponents aligned with President Robert Mugabe . Tsvangirai 's political party , the Movement for Democratic Change , has said the crash was an assassination attempt . It has called for an independent inquiry . Zimbabwe 's new prime minister was hurt in the wreck and returned home Monday from neighboring Botswana . `` Life has to go on and I 'm certain that if she was here she would liked life to go on , '' he said . `` It will be difficult to fill the gap left by her . '' Tsvangirai has long been a leading opposition figure in Zimbabwe , but he joined a coalition government with Mugabe last month . That seemed to resolve an impasse created by a disputed presidential election between Mugabe and Tsvangirai last year . Tsvangirai received the most votes in the March 2008 election , but he fell short of the 50 percent required to avoid a runoff . He withdrew as a candidate in the runoff , citing political violence and intimidation targeting his supporters . Negotiations between the two sides culminated in the power-sharing agreement that was implemented just weeks ago . Questions about the wreck surfaced shortly after it happened Friday on a busy two-lane highway between Tsvangirai 's hometown of Buhera and the capital city of Harare . On Saturday , members of Tsvangirai 's political party , the Movement for Democratic Change , told CNN that Tsvangirai believed that the driver of the truck that struck his car deliberately drove toward him in an effort to take his life . The party 's secretary-general , Tendai Biti , said police should have provided better security for Tsvangirai . The wreck might not have happened , he said , if a police escort been on hand . A former U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe , Tom McDonald , said the wreck raised suspicion . `` I 'm skeptical about any motor vehicle accident in Zimbabwe involving an opposition figure , '' said McDonald , who was ambassador to Zimbabwe from 1997 to 2001 . `` President Mugabe has a history of strange car accidents when someone , lo and behold , dies -- it 's sort of his M.O. of how they get rid of people they do n't like . '' McDonald , however , was quick to add that traffic accidents are common in Zimbabwe . The highway on which Tsvangirai was traveling is a two-lane road on which tractor-trailers are common , he said . Vehicles in the country are often in bad shape and many drivers are inexperienced , he said . `` It 's certainly plausible that this was just one of those tragic things , '' he said . -- CNN 's Nkepile Mabuse contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Four-time Fed Cup champions Russia edged Serbia 3-2 on Sunday to reach the semifinals of this year 's competition where they will play the United States . Russia owed their victory to the doubles partnership of Svetlana Kuznetsova and Alisa Kleybanova , who beat Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic 6-1 6-4 in the decisive rubber in Belgrade Earlier in the reverse singles , Kleybanova beat Ivanovic 6-2 6-3 while Jankovic scored her second victory of the weekend as she saw off Kuznetsova 6-3 4-6 6-3 to level the tie . `` We are really happy after this hard-fought victory , '' Kuznetsova told the official Web site www.fedcup.com `` We played the crucial doubles like real partners . Alisa was really good although she 's a singles player . '' The United States , missing both the Williams sisters , were still too good for France as they wrapped up a 4-1 win on an indoor clay court at the Stade Couvert Regional de Lievin . Teenage star Melanie Oudin continued her heroics with a second singles victory as she beat Julie Coin 7-6 6-4 to give her side an unassailable 3-0 lead . `` I was a little nervous in the beginning , '' Oudin said . `` She definitely stepped up her game when she came out on court and served some really great service games . `` There was n't much I could do in the beginning , besides staying in there with her . '' France restored some pride with Pauline Parmentier 's 6-4 6-4 win over Christina McHale before Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Liezel Huber won the concluding doubles for the U.S. Defending champions Italy are also in the semifinals after a convincing 4-1 win over the Ukraine . Francesca Schiavone came from a set down to beat Kateryna Bondarenko to seal the victory after Flavia Pennetta had downed Alona Bondarenko on straight sets in the first reverse singles on Sunday . They will play the Czech Republic who beat Germany 3-2 thanks to a decisive doubles victory . Lucie Hradecka , who was making her Fed Cup debut as a late replacement for the injured Lucie Safarova , proved the final day star in Brno . In the opening reverse singles she beat Andrea Petkovic 6-1 7-6 to give the home team a 2-1 lead . Anna-Lena Groenefeld beat Petra Kvitova 4-6 6-3 6-2 to draw the Germans level , but Hradecka and Kveta Peschke saw off Groenefeld and Tatjana Malek 6-3 6-2 to seal a deserved passage to the last four .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Texas Department of Public Safety took the unprecedented step Thursday of telling college students not to visit Mexican border cities during spring break because they are just too dangerous . Several universities issued similar warnings last year , but this was the first time the Texas law enforcement agency had issued the specific advisory against travel , said spokeswoman Tela Mange . In the past , she said , Texas authorities had just urged students to be careful . `` Because of the increased violence , we decided to step it up a little bit and say , ` Parents , bad idea , ' '' Mange said . DPS Director Steven C. McCraw said , `` Parents should not allow their children to visit these Mexican cities because their safety can not be guaranteed . '' The State Department renewed a travel alert to Mexico last month , citing increased violence in the country -- border areas in particular . `` Recent violent attacks have caused the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to delay unnecessary travel to parts of Michoacan , Durango , Coahuila and Chihuahua ... and to advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution , '' the alert says . More than 16,000 people have died in Mexico since President Felipe Calderon declared war on the drug cartels shortly after assuming office in December 2006 . Ciudad Juarez , in Chihuahua state across the border from El Paso , Texas , is the most violent city in the nation . `` The situation in the state of Chihuahua , specifically Ciudad Juarez , is of special concern , '' the alert says . Two U.S. citizens were abducted and killed in Chihuahua , the State Department said . `` Mexican authorities report that more than 2,600 people were killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2009 , '' the report states . `` Additionally , this city of 1.3 million people experienced more than 16,000 car thefts and 1,900 carjackings in 2009 . U.S. citizens should pay close attention to their surroundings while traveling in Ciudad Juarez , avoid isolated locations during late night and early morning hours , and remain alert to news reports . '' But the problems are not limited to Juarez , the State Department says . `` Mexican drug cartels are engaged in violent conflict -- both among themselves and with Mexican security services -- for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S.-Mexico border , '' the report says . `` In order to combat violence , the government of Mexico has deployed military troops throughout the country . U.S. citizens should cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways . `` Some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have resembled small-unit combat , with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades . Large firefights have taken place in towns and cities across Mexico , but occur mostly in northern Mexico , including Ciudad Juarez , Tijuana , Chihuahua City , Nogales , Matamoros , Reynosa and Monterrey . During some of these incidents , U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area . '' A number of areas along the border continue to experience a rapid growth in crime , with robberies , homicides , petty thefts and carjackings increasing during the past year nationwide , the alert says . The State Department reports notable spikes in Chihuahua , Sinaloa , and northern Baja California . `` Ciudad Juarez , Tijuana and Nogales are among the cities which have experienced public shootouts during daylight hours in shopping centers and other public venues , '' the alert says . CNN 's Arthur Brice contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The struggle for women 's rights against the backdrops of the Arab Spring and democratic progress in Africa will be recognized by this year 's Nobel Peace Prize on Saturday , at a ceremony unlikely to repeat controversy seen last year . Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf , and Leymah Gbowee , a social worker and peace campaigner from the same country , will share the prize with Tawakkul Karman , an activist and journalist who this year played a key opposition role in Yemen . The three , chosen `` for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women 's rights to full participation in peace-building work , '' will be honored in Oslo , Norway , during a program of events that culminates on Sunday in a star-studded concert . All three will be interviewed by CNN 's Jonathan Mann , a veteran of Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies , shortly after they receive their medals and $ 1.5 million in cash . The interviews and concert , hosted by actors Helen Mirren and Rosario Dawson , will be broadcast live online and mobile on CNN.com . Acts performing at the concert include David Gray , Jill Scott , rock band Evanescence and country duo Sugarland . Johnson Sirleaf , a 73-year-old Harvard graduate whose political resilience has earned her the nickname `` Iron Lady , '' became Africa 's first democratically-elected female president in 2006 , three years after decades of civil war ended . Crediting women with ending the conflict and challenging the dictatorship of former President Charles Taylor , she declared a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and made education compulsory and free for all primary-age children . Gbowee , 39 , led a women 's movement that protested the use of rape and child soldiers in Liberia 's civil war . She mobilized hundreds of women to force delegates at 2003 peace talks to sign a treaty - at one point calling for a `` sex strike '' until demands were met . Read more about this year 's Nobel Peace Prize winners Although Karman , 32 , emerged as an icon of change as Yemen was swept up in the tumult of the Arab Spring , the mother-of-three has long been active in campaigning for women and human rights . Karman , the first Arab woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize -- and one of its youngest recipients -- founded the rights group Women Journalists without Chains , and emerged as a key figure in protests against President Ali Abdullah Saleh 's regime . While Johnson Sirleaf 's Nobel achievement has stirred anger among Liberian political opponents who claim recent elections were rigged in her favour , this year 's Nobel Peace Price is unlikely to attract the level of controversy seen in 2010 . China and more than a dozen other countries , including Russia , Saudi Arabia and Iran , boycotted the event over the decision to award the prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo , a key figure in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests . Read more about the Nobel Peace Prize Liu , who is serving an 11-year-sentence in a Chinese prison for what the government called `` inciting subversion of state power , '' was not allowed to travel to Norway to accept the prize , which China denounced as a `` political farce . '' Awarded almost every year since 1901 -LRB- it has been halted during times of major international conflict -RRB- the Peace Prize has a history of contentious laureates . Previous winners include former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger , who won alongside Vietnamese revolutionary Le Duc Tho -LRB- who declined the award -RRB- , and the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat , who won jointly with Israeli President Shimon Peres and former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin . In 2009 , the prize was awarded to U.S. President Barack Obama despite the fact he had spent less than one year in office . Two years earlier , former U.S. Vice President Al Gore was a joint recipient in recognition of work highlighting climate change . \u00e2 $ cents Just hours after officially receiving the Nobel Peace Prize , this year 's three co-laureates sit down with Jonathan Mann for an hour-long special interview . The interview will broadcast live on CNN International and CNN.com on Saturday at 1600 GMT -LRB- 11 am ET -RRB- and repeated on Sunday at 0300 GMT -LRB- 10 pm ET Saturday -RRB- . \u00e2 $ cents The concert in honor of the Nobel prize winners will be broadcast on CNN.com on Sunday between 1900-2000 GMT -LRB- 2pm-3pm ET -RRB- and 2030-2130 GMT -LRB- 3.30pm-4 .30 pm ET -RRB- .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A woman accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter and dumping her body in Texas ' Galveston Bay went on trial Tuesday on capital murder charges in the child 's death , court officials said . Kimberly Dawn Trenor has pleaded guilty to an evidence-tampering charge , her attorney says . Kimberly Dawn Trenor , 20 , pleaded guilty last week to tampering with evidence in the case , but she pleaded not guilty to the capital murder charge , said her attorney , Tom Stickler . Trenor 's husband , Royce Clyde Zeigler II , 25 , also faces capital murder and evidence-tampering charges , but is being tried separately and has not been arraigned . The body of Trenor 's daughter , Riley Ann Sawyers , was found in October 2007 in a large plastic blue container on an uninhabited island in Galveston Bay . Jurors in Trenor 's trial also will determine her sentence on the evidence-tampering charge , which carries a penalty of two to 20 years in prison , according to The Houston Chronicle . Riley Ann 's case drew national attention after a fisherman found her body . Authorities were unsure of her identity , and police dubbed her `` Baby Grace . '' After authorities distributed composite sketches of the girl nationwide , Sheryl Sawyers , the girl 's paternal grandmother , contacted police from her Ohio home to say the drawing resembled her granddaughter . DNA testing confirmed the child 's identity . According to an affidavit , Trenor told police Riley had been beaten and thrown across a room and that her head was held under water before she died on July 24 , 2007 . She said the couple hid the girl 's body in a storage shed for one to two months before they put it in the plastic container and dumped it into the bay . The disposal of the girl 's body led to the evidence-tampering charge . A medical examiner said Riley 's skull was fractured in three places , injuries that would have been fatal . A capital murder charge carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison , the Chronicle reported . A cross has since been erected on the island where the toddler was found , which was named Riley 's Island in her honor , according to the Houston newspaper . Trenor and the girl moved to Texas from Ohio in May 2007 to be with Zeigler , whom Trenor had met on the Internet . While in custody , Trenor gave birth this summer to another child , who is now in the care of relatives , her attorney , Tom Stickler , said .","question":""}
{"answer":"ORLANDO , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An ex-astronaut accused of assaulting a romantic rival in a Florida parking lot will stand trial December 7 , a judge ruled . Prosecutors accuse Nowak of driving nearly 900 miles wearing NASA diapers to track down her rival . Lisa Marie Nowak , 46 , is accused of stalking Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman and pepper-spraying her in a parking lot at Orlando International Airport in February 2007 . She has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted kidnapping with intent to inflict bodily harm , battery and burglary of a vehicle using a weapon . If convicted , she could face a sentence of up to life in prison . Prosecutors accuse Nowak of driving nearly 900 miles from Houston to Orlando -- wearing NASA diapers to cut down on the number of stops she needed to make -- and donning a disguise before following Shipman from baggage claim to a parking lot . Her attorney , Don Lykkebak , has denied that she wore the diapers . Shipman told police that after she got into her car , Nowak feigned distress and knocked on the window . When Shipman cracked it to talk to her , Nowak sprayed her in the face with pepper spray , Shipman said . Police said Nowak was apprehended as she was disposing of her disguise in an airport trash bin . Nowak has said she went to the airport to talk to Shipman , who had begun dating Nowak 's former love interest , Navy Cmdr. Bill Oefelein , who was also an astronaut but has since left the astronaut corps . Judge Marc Lubet handed Nowak a legal victory in November 2007 when he ruled evidence found in her car and statements she made to police after her arrest were inadmissible at trial because both were unlawfully obtained . Prosecutors appealed , however , and in July 2008 , the Fifth District Court of Appeals ruled that evidence found in Nowak 's car was admissible , although it agreed her statements to police were not . At a hearing in August 2007 , Orlando police detective William Becton testified that when he searched Nowak 's car , he found maps showing how to reach the airport , maps of the airport 's layout , a buck knife and papers including a letter Nowak appeared to have written to Oefelein 's mother . He also testified he found used and clean diapers in the car . Police previously said they also found a BB gun , a steel mallet , a 4-inch knife and rubber tubing in the vehicle . Nowak 's attorneys have said they intend to utilize an insanity defense , saying in court documents her diagnoses include more than a dozen psychiatric disorders . A pretrial conference in the case is set for November 10 , Lubet ruled Tuesday . A hearing set for Friday was canceled . CNN 's Rich Phillips contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"HARARE , Zimbabwe -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Robert Mugabe 's political rivals Saturday accused the Zimbabwean president of `` ambush '' in allocating key ministries to his own party in defiance of a power-sharing agreement aimed at ending political turmoil in the country . The opposition MDC accuses Mugabe of `` ambush . '' Zimbabwe 's state-run Herald newspaper reported that ministries inlcuding defense , justice , and media , were being placed in the hands of Mugabe 's ZANU-PF . Party spokesman Bright Matonga said the move had cross-party support but the Movement for Democratic Change 's Nelson Chamisa decried the move is an `` ambush '' that puts the power-sharing deal in jeopardy . Under the deal reached last month , Mugabe stays in office but shares power with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai , who became vice president . Arthur Mutambara , who leads a splinter MDC faction , became deputy vice president . `` The MDC dismisses ZANU-PF 's unilaterally gazetted wish list of ministries , which is a betrayal of the wishes , expectations and aspirations of the majority of Zimbabweans , '' the MDC said in a statement . `` It is a giant act of madness which puts the whole deal into jeopardy . '' The plan outlined in The Herald would give 14 government ministries to ZANU-PF and 13 to the MDC . Three ministries would go to Mutambara 's faction . Among the ministries reportedly allocated to ZANU-PF are defense , home affairs , foreign affairs , justice and legal affairs , and media and information . Ministries given to Tsvangirai 's MDC would include constitutional and parliamentary affairs , economic planning , health , labor , and sport , arts and culture , the paper said . Mutambara would oversee education , industry and commerce , and regional integration and international cooperation . The ministry of finance , the paper said , remains in dispute . The MDC accused the ZANU-PF of trying to undermine the work of former South African President Thabo Mbeki , who helped broker a deal to end months of violence following a disputed election . The paper said Mbeki was due to to go Zimbabwe to resolve the question of the finance ministry . Mbeki mediated the power-sharing talks that aimed to resolve the disputed March election . Tsvangirai won the most votes in March but not enough to avoid a runoff , according to the government 's official count . Tsvangirai withdrew from the June 27 runoff days before the vote , saying Mugabe 's supporters had waged a campaign of violence and intimidation against opposition supporters .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- More than 200 federal , state and local law enforcement personnel have been assigned to an operation intended to find who was responsible for Saturday 's fatal shootings of three people linked to the U.S. consulate in Cuidad Juarez , Mexico , an official said . Among the agencies involved in Operation Knock Down -- taking place in southern New Mexico and in the vicinity of El Paso , Texas -- are the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration , said DEA spokesman David Ausiello . El Paso is across the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juarez . A law enforcement official said investigators believe that there could be a connection between Barrio Azteca , a gang that operates in both cities , and the killings . The official said that mistaken identity has not been ruled out . A relative of U.S. consulate worker Lesley Ann Enriquez said Wednesday that the 35-year-old woman was four months pregnant with a boy when she was shot dead . Enriquez 's husband , 34-year-old Arthur Redelfs , was also killed . He was a 10-year veteran of the El Paso County Sheriff 's Office . The couple was fired on in their SUV as they left a birthday party at the U.S. consulate . Their 7-month-old daughter , Rebecca , who was in the back of the SUV , was unhurt . A third victim , who had also left the party , was identified as Jorge Alberto Salcido Ceniceros , 37 , a state police officer who was married to a Mexican employee of the U.S. consulate . His wife was not traveling with him , but two of their children , ages 4 and 7 , were in the car and were wounded , officials said . `` We have all come together to find Barrio Azteca members as part of a major intelligence effort , '' said Andrea Simmons , a public information officer for the FBI in El Paso . In addition to the FBI and the DEA , other organizations involved are the Immigration and Customs Enforcement , U.S. Customs and Border Protection , the El Paso Police Department , the El Paso County Sheriff 's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety . `` Part of this is being done to generate leads regarding the ongoing investigation in Juarez as well as an opportunity to gather information on the location of Eduardo Ravelo , one of the top 10 fugitives , '' she said . The FBI is offering $ 100,000 for information leading to the arrest of Ravelo , who is accused of being a leader of Barrio Azteca . This week , Mexican President Felipe Calderon made his third visit in slightly more than a month to Ciudad Juarez . Its more than 2,600 drug-related deaths last year made it the most violent city in Mexico . No official numbers are available , but more than 400 killings have been reported in local media this year . CNN 's Arthur Brice contributed to this story .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hurricane Ida moved into the southern Gulf of Mexico Sunday , prompting a declaration of emergency in Louisiana and concern along the U.S. Gulf Coast . The storm regained hurricane intensity overnight Saturday , becoming a Category 2 hurricane , but forecasters said it is expected to weaken as it moves north . Ida drenched Nicaragua after making landfall last week as a Category 1 hurricane , then weakened to a tropical storm before resuming strength . In El Salvador , at least 91 people died in flooding and mudslides , according to the government , but a low-pressure system out of the Pacific -- not Hurricane Ida -- triggered the disaster , forecaster Robby Berg of the National Hurricane Center said Sunday . A hurricane warning , meaning hurricane conditions are possible within 24 hours , extends from Pascagoula , Mississippi to Indian Pass , Florida , forecasters said . From Grande Isle , Louisiana , to west of Pascagoula , Mississippi , a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch are in effect . This area includes New Orleans , which the center earlier excluded from the watch , and Lake Pontchartrain , the hurricane center said . In anticipation of the storm 's arrival , Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency Sunday afternoon . Hurricane Ida `` threatens the safety and security of those citizens '' along the state 's southeast coastline , he wrote in the declaration . The declaration gives the director of the governor 's office of emergency preparedness authority `` to undertake any activity authorized by law which he deems necessary and appropriate '' to prepare for the possibility of a hurricane . Track Ida 's progress , potential path Alabama 's Baldwin County commission urged that residents living in mobile homes , coastal communities or low-lying , flood-prone areas voluntarily evacuate . The county is under a local state of emergency and opened a shelter , according to a Sunday night statement from the county commission . As of 10 p.m. ET Sunday , Ida had maximum sustained winds near 105 mph -LRB- 165 km\/hr -RRB- with higher gusts . But the storm was expected to weaken on Monday and possibly begin losing tropical characteristics on Tuesday , the hurricane center said . The center of Ida was located about 400 miles -LRB- 645 km -RRB- south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River , forecasters said . It was moving north-northwest at nearly 14 mph -LRB- 22 km\/hr -RRB- and was expected to increase in speed . The storm was expected to be near coastal areas of the northern Gulf by Monday night or early Tuesday , the hurricane center said . As Ida moves in the Gulf of Mexico , conditions are expected to be unfavorable for any additional development , said CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen . Ida is expected to weaken because of a combination of wind shear , cooler water temperatures and the storm 's interaction with a strong frontal system pushing off the Gulf Coast , he said . But Ida is forecast to remain a hurricane as it moves in the northern Gulf toward the U.S. coast , the center said . Florida 's Division of Emergency Management asked residents to have disaster plans in place . `` Whether Ida maintains a storm or loses tropical characteristics , the Florida Gulf Coast region has the potential to see several inches of rain , strong winds , isolated tornadoes and dangerous surf and coastal flooding beginning Monday evening and continuing into Wednesday , '' the office said in a statement . The area stretching from Indian Pass , Florida , to Aucilla River , Florida , is also under a tropical storm warning . Tropical storm conditions are possible within 24 hours , the center said . Ida could drop between 1 and 3 inches of rain on portions of western Cuba , with isolated amounts of 8 inches possible in some spots , forecasters said . The central and eastern areas of the Gulf Coast northward to eastern Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachian Mountains could see 3 to 5 inches of rain with some areas getting as much as 8 inches , the center said . Ida is the Atlantic region 's ninth named storm . The Atlantic hurricane season ends November 30 . CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras and journalist Merlin Delcid in El Salvador contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A New York Times reporter who was held by the Taliban for seven months has escaped , the newspaper reported Saturday . New York Times reporter David Rohde , shown in 1995 , escaped from the Taliban . David Rohde told his wife , Kristen Mulvihill , that he and a local reporter , Tahir Ludin , climbed over the wall of a compound late Friday where they were being held in the North Waziristan region of Pakistan . Pakistani military spokesman Gen. Athar Abbas told CNN that the Pakistani military was involved in freeing Rohde . Additional details were not immediately available . U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement expressing her relief about Rohde 's `` return to freedom . '' `` I would like to thank the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan for their assistance in ensuring his safe return , '' Clinton said . `` Journalists put themselves at risk every day to report the news in regions gripped by conflict . We rely on their vital role and I am grateful for their service . '' Watch CNN 's Nic Robertson report on the escape '' Rohde , Ludin and their driver were kidnapped outside of Kabul , Afghanistan , on November 10 , and Afghan and Western officials said recently that Rohde was being held in Pakistan . After leaving the compound Friday night , the two men then found a Pakistani army scout who led them to a nearby army base . On Saturday , they were flown to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan , the newspaper said . A U.S. official told CNN that Rohde will arrive in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates at 10 p.m. Saturday . `` They just walked over the wall of the compound , '' Mulvihill said , according to the newspaper . Ludin hurt his foot during the escape , but otherwise both men appear to be in good health , the newspaper said . The driver , Asadullah Mangal , did not escape , the newspaper said . `` It is hard to describe the enormous relief we felt at hearing the news of David and Tahir 's escape and knowing he is safe , '' a statement from Rohde 's family said . `` Every day during these past seven months , we have hoped and prayed for this moment , '' said the statement , which was provided to CNN by The New York Times . It asked that the family 's privacy be respected . White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said the White House was `` very pleased to see that David Rohde is now safe and returning home . '' `` This marks the end of a long and difficult ordeal for David 's family , friends and co-workers . The FBI has been the lead agency on his case , and we refer you to them for any further information , '' he said . The New York Times and other media outlets had kept the kidnapping quiet out of concern for the men 's safety . `` From the early days of this ordeal , the prevailing view among David 's family , experts in kidnapping cases , officials of several governments and others we consulted , was that going public could increase the danger to hostages , '' The New York Times said in a written statement . `` Therefore , we did not publicly discuss the kidnapping . We are deeply grateful to the other news organizations that honored our request to refrain from reporting on it . '' A Taliban spokesman told CNN several weeks ago that the Taliban had released two `` proof of identity '' videos and had demanded negotiations . The Taliban wanted some of its leaders in U.S. custody to be released as well as money , the spokesman said . Rohde , 41 , had traveled to Kabul in early November to work on a book , The New York Times said . He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1996 for his reporting on the Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia while working for The Christian Science Monitor . He was also part of The New York Times reporting team that won a Pulitzer Prize in May for coverage of Afghanistan and Pakistan last year .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino , whose `` People Power '' movement pushed out longtime strongman Ferdinand Marcos less than three years after her husband 's assassination , has died at age 76 , her family announced Saturday . `` She was the agent of change in Philippine democracy , '' said Ray Donato , the nation 's consul-general in Atlanta . Aquino , the first woman to lead the Philippines , had been battling colon cancer since March 2008 and died of cardio-respiratory arrest at 3:18 a.m. Saturday -LRB- 3:18 p.m. Friday ET -RRB- , said Mai Mislang , a spokeswoman for her son , Philippine Sen. Benigno Aquino III . Funeral arrangements were being set up , Mislang said . Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has also announced a 10-day mourning period for the former president , said Ray Donato , the country 's consul-general in Atlanta . `` She was the agent of change in Philippine democracy , and almost all the Filipinos I know revered her during her presidency , '' Donato said . Aquino had been born into a wealthy family and was educated in the United States . She had not been involved in politics before her husband , opposition leader Benigno `` Ninoy '' Aquino Jr. , was gunned down at Manila 's airport in August 1983 as he returned from exile . The political novice took over the leadership of her husband 's movement after his death and challenged Marcos in a 1986 election , making a yellow dress her trademark and bolstered by the support of the country 's Roman Catholic churches . Marcos had been backed by the United States , the former colonial power in the Philippines , for two decades as a stalwart anti-communist . He and his wife Imelda were friends of then-President Ronald Reagan and his wife , Nancy . But widespread allegations of electoral fraud and a mutiny by the country 's military led the Reagan administration to withdraw its support , and Marcos went into exile in Hawaii . Aquino took office in a country with a $ 28 billion debt , widespread poverty and a persistent Marxist insurgency . She put in place a U.S.-style constitution that limited presidents to a single six-year term and survived seven coup attempts -- including one that was supressed with American help . She also oversaw the closure of the major U.S. military bases in the country before leaving office in 1992 . The bases had been a bulwark of American power in the Pacific since the early 1900s and employed nearly 80,000 Filipinos , but Aquino 's opponents argued the country was too dependent on the United States . Aquino announced in 1990 that it was time to begin negotiating the `` orderly withdrawal '' of U.S. forces .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor Sr. was sentenced Friday to 97 years in prison for charges including torture and conspiracy , according to a federal court in Florida . The U.S.-born son of Charles Taylor Sr. , pictured , moved to Liberia when his father became president . U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga sentenced Charles `` Chuckie '' Taylor Jr. , 31 , in a Friday morning session that lasted four hours , according to a court document . Altonaga cited Taylor 's `` sadistic , cruel and atrocious past , '' saying it `` constituted unacceptable , universally condemned torture , '' The Miami Herald reported . `` The lengthy prison term handed down today justly reflects the horror and torture that Taylor Jr. visited upon his victims , '' said Matthew Friedrich , acting assistant attorney general of the criminal division . Taylor , also known as Charles McArthur Emmanuel , was convicted October 30 of torture , conspiracy to commit torture and firearm charges . His case , tried in Miami , was the first brought under a 1994 U.S. law saying those accused of committing torturous acts overseas can be tried in a U.S. federal court , as long as the person is a U.S. national or is present in the United States , regardless of nationality . Calls to Taylor 's defense attorneys were not immediately returned . Prosecutors had asked for Taylor to be sentenced to 147 years . Taylor was born in Boston , Massachusetts , but he moved to Liberia when his father was named president . Prosecutors said Taylor became the leader of the Anti-Terrorist Unit and the Liberian National Police while his father was president . The two groups are accused of abducting , torturing and killing people . From 1999 to 2002 , Taylor committed torture and allowed others to commit torture , prosecutors said . Taylor and his associated burned victims with molten plastic , lighted cigarettes , candle wax and an iron . Some were severely beaten with firearms , cut and stabbed and shocked with an electric device , prosecutors said in an indictment that superseded the initial indictment from 2006 . In the initial indictment , Taylor was charged with one count of torture , one count of conspiracy to torture and one count of using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime . The superseding September 2007 indictment -- which incorporated the initial charges -- included five counts of torture , one count of conspiracy to torture , one count of using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and one count of conspiracy to use a firearm during the commission of a violent crime . The defense had said the U.S. government had little or no evidence to back up its claims . Also Friday , the World Organization for Human Rights USA filed a civil class action suit against Taylor on behalf of a group of people who are said to have been subjected to torture and other human rights abuses by Taylor or his subordinates , according to the organization . The suit seeks declaratory relief and general , compensatory and punitive damages , the organization said in a written statement . `` This civil suit aims to address Defendant Taylor 's wrongs on a much greater scale '' than the criminal trial , the organization said . Taylor 's father , Charles Taylor Sr. , is standing trial in The Hague , Netherlands , on war crimes charges . CNN 's John Couwels contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In his final public address from the White House , a reflective President Bush on Thursday recalled the ups and downs of his eight-year tenure and said he was willing to make the tough decisions . President Bush touts what he considers his foreign policy achievements Thursday at the State Department . `` I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right . You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made . But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions . '' Bush , who as president has become known for adamantly sticking to positions even when they 've come under criticism , acknowledged setbacks and said he would have done some things differently . `` Like all who have held this office before me , I have experienced setbacks , '' Bush said . `` There are things I would do differently if given the chance . Yet I have always acted with the best interests of our country in mind . Watch Bush 's final address '' Bush also said he is `` filled with gratitude , '' and characterized Obama 's inauguration as a `` moment of hope and pride for our whole nation . '' Bush predicted a bright future . `` We have faced danger and trial and there is more ahead , '' Bush said . `` But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals , this great nation will never tire , never falter and never fail . '' Recalling the defining moment of his presidency , Bush said the September 11 , 2001 , attacks forever altered the way he approached his job . `` As the years passed , most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9\/11 , '' Bush said . `` But I never did . '' iReport.com : Share your thoughts on Bush 's farewell `` Every morning , I received a briefing on the threats to our nation . And I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe , '' he said . He cited the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and changes in the military and intelligence communities as part of the reason the United States has not seen another significant terrorist attack since 2001 . `` There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions , '' he said , an allusion that could refer to constitutional challenges to the administration-backed U.S. Patriot Act , controversy over the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo , Cuba , and the decision to invade Iraq before Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda had been vanquished in Afghanistan . View iconic moments in Bush 's presidency '' `` But there can be little debate about the results -- America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil . '' He warned that America 's `` enemies are patient , and determined to strike again '' and urged against isolationism and protectionism in the face of economic and other challenges from abroad . Watch Bush 's exit interview with King '' As he exits the world stage , Bush 's approval rating , battered by a tanking economy and an unpopular , lingering war in Iraq , hovers just above all-time lows . A USA Today\/Gallup poll released Wednesday indicates that , even with a 5-point `` lame duck bounce '' from last month , only 34 percent of Americans approve of the job he 's doing as president . View key moments in Bush 's presidency '' The roughly 13-minute address was delivered in front of about 40 people `` with stories to tell '' invited by the White House . Bush mentioned several -- from the principal who opened a New Orleans , Louisiana , charter school in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to a Marine sergeant decorated for charging into an ambush to rescue three of his comrades . The presidential farewell address is a tradition dating to George Washington 's departure from office in 1797 . Presidents Eisenhower , Reagan , Carter and Clinton -- among others -- all delivered farewell speeches .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Banana producer Chiquita will pay a $ 25 million fine and serve five years ' probation for once paying millions of dollars to groups in Colombia considered by the U.S. to be terrorist organizations , a Department of Justice spokesman said Tuesday . A worker at a banana plantation in Santa Maria , Colombia , in December 2000 . In so doing , the banana producer avoided prosecution for the company 's now-defunct payoff of Colombian terrorists protecting its most profitable banana-growing operation , according to terms of a plea agreement with the U.S. Justice Department . If approved by U.S. courts , the $ 25 million fine would represent the largest U.S. criminal penalty ever imposed under federal global terrorism sanction regulations , said Justice spokesman Dean Boyd . The regulations prohibit transactions with people who commit , threaten to commit or support U.S.-designated terrorists and establish penalties for doing so . Attorneys from the Justice Department 's National Security Division and federal prosecutors for the District of Columbia filed a joint sentencing motion Tuesday asking the court to accept the plea agreement , which was reached March 19 , Boyd said . A hearing on the matter is set for Monday . In its motion , the government asked that Chiquita Brands International be fined and sentenced to probation , as well as being required to implement an effective ethics program in connection with the company 's guilty plea , Boyd said . Federal prosecutors accused the Cincinnati-based company of paying more than $ 1.7 million to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia , a right-wing paramilitary group , in two parts of Colombia where the company grew bananas . The payments to the group , known as the AUC , went through the company 's Colombian subsidiary , Banadex , from 1997 to 2004 , according to court documents filed in the case . Court papers also say Chiquita paid Colombia 's two leftist guerrilla groups , the FARC -LRB- Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia -RRB- and ELN -LRB- National Liberation Army -RRB- from about 1989 to 1997 . At the time , according to court documents , those groups controlled areas where the company grew bananas . The AUC , FARC and ELN are all combatants in Colombia 's decade-long civil war , and all have been designated as terrorist organizations by the United States . In a written statement issued in March , Chiquita Brands International CEO Fernando Aguirre said the company viewed the plea agreement `` as a reasoned solution to the dilemma the company faced several years ago . '' The company voluntarily disclosed the payments to the Justice Department in 2003 , he said , adding the payments were made `` to protect the lives of its employees . '' Court documents said the company began making the payments after a Banadex general manager met with the then-leader of the AUC , Carlos Castano . Castano told the manager that the AUC was preparing to drive FARC from Colombia 's Uraba region and asked for payments to be made to the AUC through private security companies . `` Castano sent an unspoken but clear message that failure to make the payments could result in physical harm to Banadex personnel and property , '' court documents said . Charges filed in the case said senior company executives knew about the payments to the AUC and , while checks were written to the security companies , the companies provided no actual services . In 2002 , after the U.S. government designated the AUC as a terrorist organization , Chiquita began paying the organization in cash , according to court documents , and continued the payments even after being told by outside counsel that the payments were illegal and should be stopped . In the motion filed Tuesday , federal prosecutors noted Chiquita 's cooperation in the investigation and its voluntary disclosure of its illegal activity , Boyd said . While the government considered filing additional charges in the matter , it decided not to `` after an extensive investigation and after considering critical evidence and information that Chiquita provided through its post-plea cooperation , '' he said . Chiquita sold Banadex to another company more than two years ago but remains one of the largest purchasers of bananas in Colombia . E-mail to a friend CNN 's Kevin Bohn contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Christine Beatty , chief of staff for former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick , pleaded guilty Monday to charges stemming from their text-messaging sex scandal case and will serve four months in jail , according to the Wayne County prosecutor 's office . Under a plea deal , Christine Beatty , shown in August at an arraignment in Detroit , will serve five years probation . Beatty pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice , according to Maria Miller , the prosecutor 's spokeswoman . Charges of perjury and misconduct against Beatty will be dropped as part of the plea arrangement , she said . Beatty agreed to a plea arrangement under which she will serve five years probation -- the first 120 days to be served in jail -- and pay a $ 100,000 fine , `` based on -LSB- Beatty 's -RSB- ability to pay , '' Miller said . Beatty will begin serving her jail sentence on January 5 , when she will be formally sentenced , Miller said . Kym L. Worthy , prosecuting attorney for Wayne County , released a statement saying she is `` very pleased that this defendant admitted her guilt . '' `` We live in an age where greed and protecting one 's secrets is glorified and accepted , '' Worthy said . `` Now the city of Detroit , the region and the state of Michigan can truly begin to move forward when this ugly chapter in Detroit 's history is put to rest . '' In September , Kilpatrick resigned as mayor and pleaded guilty to two felony obstruction of justice charges stemming from his efforts to cover up his relationship with Beatty . Like Beatty , Kilpatrick was sentenced to five years probation with the first four months to be served in jail . He is serving that sentence in the Wayne County jail . At the time of his sentencing in October , the judge in the case called Kilpatrick `` arrogant and defiant , '' particularly for a televised speech that aired hours after Kilpatrick entered his pleas . `` That night , the community expected to hear a message of humility , remorse and apology , '' Wayne County Circuit Judge David Groner said at Kilpatrick 's sentencing . `` Instead , we heard an arrogant and defiant man who accused the governor , among others , for his downfall . '' In addition to his jail and probation sentence , Kilpatrick must also pay the city of Detroit $ 1 million in restitution , and forfeit any future pension . Initially , Kilpatrick was accused of blocking a criminal investigation into his office and firing a police deputy to cover up an affair with Beatty , then his chief of staff . When that deputy , Gary Brown , filed a whistle-blower suit , Kilpatrick and Beatty denied under oath that an affair had taken place between them . Text messages that contradicted Kilpatrick 's and Beatty 's denials of an affair were made public in January by the Detroit Free Press , and county prosecutor Worthy charged Kilpatrick and Beatty with multiple counts of perjury , obstruction of justice and misconduct in office . The most serious charges would have carried a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison upon conviction . Beatty resigned her post after the text messages were made public . Kilpatrick initially refused to resign after the scandal broke , and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm called a hearing on whether she should remove him from office at the request of the Detroit City Council . Granholm adjourned those hearings after Kilpatrick pleaded guilty and resigned in September .","question":""}
{"answer":"LAGOS , Nigeria -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- More than 200 people have died of meningitis in the past week alone in Niger and Nigeria , according to the World Health Organization . A health care worker vaccinates a child during an earlier outbreak of meningitis in Niger . The disease is an epidemic in 76 areas of the two countries , the health agency reported Wednesday . A spokesman for W.H.O. in Nigeria , Dr. Olaokun Soyinka , said Saturday that the outbreak is bigger than usual and stretches across the African meningitis belt from east - to west-sub-Saharan Africa . The outbreak began around the start of the year , Soyinka told CNN . It usually peaks in the dry season because of dust , winds and cold nights , before dipping around May when the rains come , he said . A shortage of vaccines means officials are relying on '' effective prevention , '' in which they watch for outbreaks and then vaccinate people in the epicenter and surrounding areas , Soyinka told CNN . There have been nearly 25,000 suspected cases and more than 1,500 deaths in the meningitis belt in the first 11 weeks of the year , W.H.O. reported . More than 85 percent of those cases happened in northern Nigeria and Niger . Nigeria 's Ministry of Health has reported 17,462 suspected cases of meningococcal disease , including 960 deaths , the world health agency said . In the past week , it reported 4,164 suspected cases with 171 deaths . Sixty-six local government areas in Nigeria have crossed the epidemic threshold . Epidemic thresholds are a way the W.H.O. confirms the emergence of an epidemic so it can step up vaccinations and other management measures . Niger 's Ministry of Health has reported 4,513 suspected cases of meningococcal disease , including 169 deaths , since the start of the year . In the past week , 1,071 suspected cases and 30 deaths have been reported , the W.H.O. said . Ten of Niger 's 42 districts have crossed the epidemic threshold . By comparison , other countries are reporting fewer than 50 cases a week . Meningitis is an infection of the meninges , the thin lining that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord . Several different bacteria can cause meningitis but Neisseria meningitidis -- which is to blame for this outbreak -- is one of the most significant because of its potential to cause epidemics . Health authorities have released 2.3 million doses of vaccine to Nigeria and 1.9 million doses to Niger , the W.H.O. said . CNN 's Christian Purefoy in Lagos , Nigeria , contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison in a deadly bank robbery plot -- described by the judge in the case as `` incredibly bizarre '' -- in which a pizza deliveryman died when a bomb affixed to his neck exploded . This device held a bomb to the neck of Brian Wells during a 2003 bank robbery in Erie , Pennsylvania . At the sentencing in Erie , Pennsylvania , prosecutors repeated their contention that the pizza deliveryman was involved in planning the robbery attempt but wore a live bomb only after being threatened by his co-conspirators . Kenneth Barnes , 55 , of Erie , was sentenced Wednesday after he pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to commit bank robbery and using a destructive device during a crime of violence . Prosecutors said Barnes and three co-conspirators -- one of whom was pizza deliveryman Brian Wells -- planned to rob a PNC Bank on the outskirts of Erie , and Wells , 46 , carried out the robbery on August 28 , 2003 . Authorities said Wells walked into the bank with a pipe bomb locked to his neck and passed a note demanding money to a teller . The robbery netted about $ 8,700 . Wells died when the bomb exploded as he sat in a parking lot after being stopped by police shortly after the robbery . The case drew national attention and was the subject of intense investigation and questions about whether Wells was a willing participant or a murder victim . Prosecutors said after Barnes ' sentencing that Wells was involved in planning the robbery but balked when he realized that the bomb he was supposed to wear was real . He was threatened with a gun to make him wear the bomb , according to prosecutors . U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan called the sentence `` appropriate and just , '' and said the contentions of Wells ' family that he was not involved in the plot are `` overwhelmingly '' countered by evidence of meetings with Wells , Barnes and the other two co-conspirators before the robbery . One of the alleged co-conspirators is now dead and the other one , Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong , is undergoing treatment at a federal facility in Texas after the judge in the case found her mentally incompetent to stand trial . Her case will be re-examined by the court next year , said Margaret Philbin , spokeswoman for Buchanan 's office . In sentencing Barnes , U.S. District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin said , `` To me , the callousness and complete lack of regard for human life is , in a word , chilling . This case represents the unhappy combination of incredibly bizarre and sadly tragic . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"BEIRUT , Lebanon -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Lebanon 's prime minister condemned the firing of rockets into northern Israel after an attack wounded two Israelis on Thursday . He said his government is trying to determine who was responsible . U.N. soldiers on Thursday inspect the site in Lebanon thought to be the source of rockets fired into Israel . Israel 's military warned Israeli civilians to stick close to shelters after police said at least four rockets hit near the city of Nahariya , about 6 miles -LRB- 10 kilometers -RRB- south of the Lebanese border . The Israeli military said it returned fire across the border with mortars . Schools and kindergartens were closed in Nahariya and the nearby town of Shlomi , the Israel Defense Forces reported . `` What happened in the south -LSB- of Lebanon -RSB- is a violation of Resolution 1701 and is rejected by Lebanon , '' Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said , referring to the U.N. resolution that ended the 2006 conflict between Israel and Lebanon 's Hezbollah militia . In a statement issued by his office , Siniora said he has asked Lebanese authorities to investigate the attack alongside troops from the U.N. peacekeeping force deployed along the border . He also condemned the Israeli retaliatory strikes , which the Lebanese military said inflicted no casualties . Watch CNN 's Christiane Amanpour discuss rocket attack \u00c2 '' There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks , which came as Israeli airstrikes on Gaza , to the south , entered a 13th day . The Israeli campaign in Gaza is aimed at halting rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory . Israel fought a similar battle against the Lebanese Shiite Muslim militia Hezbollah in 2006 , during which Hezbollah rained rockets on cities in Israeli 's north for a month before a cease-fire was reached . But Hezbollah has kept a tight rein on its forces in southern Lebanon since the cease-fire , and a number of Palestinian factions operate in southern Lebanon as well . Andrea Tenenti , a spokesman for UNIFIL , the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon , said the rockets appear to have been fired from a point about 4.5 miles east of Naqoura , where the peacekeepers are headquartered . `` We 've been intensifying our patrols on the ground in order to prevent any further incident , '' Tenenti said . He said UNIFIL 's commander , Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano , is in `` constant and close contact '' with both sides `` and has urged maximum restraint in order to prevent any escalation of the situation . '' CNN 's Michal Zippori in Jerusalem and Cal Perry and Nada Husseini in Beirut contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The family of boxing great Joe Frazier on Wednesday announced details of his Philadelphia funeral services and said he died as `` one of God 's men . '' Frazier , who handed the legendary Muhammad Ali his first defeat , died Monday , just a month after being diagnosed with liver cancer . The 67-year-old athlete 's remains will be in public view at the Wells Fargo Center from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday , the family said . `` This will be an opportunity for his many fans , supporters and boxing lovers from around the world to pay their final respects to Joe Frazier . '' The service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church . `` The Family of Joe Frazier continues to stress that they want everyone to know that Joe Frazier was a man of God and a man who loved all of his family , '' relatives said in a statement . Star boxer Floyd `` Money '' Mayweather offered to pay for Frazier 's funeral . The family said donations in Frazier 's memory can be made to the American Cancer Society . The former heavyweight champion became a legend in his own right and personified the gritty working-class style of his hard-knuckled hometown , Philadelphia -- a fitting setting for the `` Rocky '' film series , starring Sylvester Stallone as hardscrabble boxer Rocky Balboa . Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter called Frazier the `` quintessential Philadelphia boxer . '' `` You could hear him coming , snorting and grunting and puffing , like a steam engine climbing a steep grade , '' Bill Lyon wrote in a Philadelphia Inquirer column about Frazier , nicknamed `` Smokin ' Joe . '' Frazier used his devastating left hook with impunity during his professional career , retiring in 1976 with a 32-4-1 record and staging one last comeback fight in 1981 . Frazier bested Ali at 1971 's `` Fight of the Century '' at Madison Square Garden . In the 15th round , Frazier landed perhaps the most famous left hook in history , catching Ali on the jaw and dropping the former champ for a four-count , according to Frazier 's bio at the International Boxing Hall of Fame . Frazier left the ring as the undisputed champ and handed Ali his first professional loss . Ali won a 12-round decision in a January 1974 rematch , setting the stage for the classic `` Thrilla in Manila '' just outside the Philippine capital in 1975 . Ali took the early rounds , but Frazier rebounded before losing the last five rounds . By the end of the 14th , Frazier 's eyes were nearly swollen shut , and his corner stopped the bout , according to the biography . Frazier , a two-time heavyweight champion for nearly three years until he lost in January 1973 to George Foreman , ran a well-known boxing gym in Philadelphia for years .","question":""}
{"answer":"LAGOS , Nigeria -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- More than 200 people have died of meningitis in the past week alone in Niger and Nigeria , according to the World Health Organization . A health care worker vaccinates a child during an earlier outbreak of meningitis in Niger . The disease is an epidemic in 76 areas of the two countries , the health agency reported Wednesday . A spokesman for W.H.O. in Nigeria , Dr. Olaokun Soyinka , said Saturday that the outbreak is bigger than usual and stretches across the African meningitis belt from east - to west-sub-Saharan Africa . The outbreak began around the start of the year , Soyinka told CNN . It usually peaks in the dry season because of dust , winds and cold nights , before dipping around May when the rains come , he said . A shortage of vaccines means officials are relying on `` effective prevention , '' in which they watch for outbreaks and then vaccinate people in the epicenter and surrounding areas , Soyinka told CNN . There have been nearly 25,000 suspected cases and more than 1,500 deaths in the meningitis belt in the first 11 weeks of the year , W.H.O. reported . More than 85 percent of those cases happened in northern Nigeria and Niger . Nigeria 's Ministry of Health has reported 17,462 suspected cases of meningococcal disease , including 960 deaths , the world health agency said . In the past week , it reported 4,164 suspected cases with 171 deaths . Sixty-six local government areas in Nigeria have crossed the epidemic threshold . Epidemic thresholds are a way the W.H.O. confirms the emergence of an epidemic so it can step up vaccinations and other management measures . Niger 's Ministry of Health has reported 4,513 suspected cases of meningococcal disease , including 169 deaths , since the start of the year . In the past week , 1,071 suspected cases and 30 deaths have been reported , the W.H.O. said . Ten of Niger 's 42 districts have crossed the epidemic threshold . By comparison , other countries are reporting fewer than 50 cases a week . Meningitis is an infection of the meninges , the thin lining that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord . Several different bacteria can cause meningitis but Neisseria meningitidis -- which is to blame for this outbreak -- is one of the most significant because of its potential to cause epidemics . Health authorities have released 2.3 million doses of vaccine to Nigeria and 1.9 million doses to Niger , the W.H.O. said . CNN 's Christian Purefoy in Lagos , Nigeria , contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Apex , Nevada -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday that he is `` very proud '' of having told Barack Obama early on that he believed he was a viable candidate for president and could win election . Responding to the controversy surrounding a newly published remark he made privately about Obama 's race in 2008 , Reid sought to emphasize his longstanding support for the nation 's first African-American president . `` I can still remember the meeting that took place in my office with Sen. Barack Obama , telling him that I think he can be elected president , '' Reid said . Obama `` was kind of surprised that the Democratic leader was calling this new senator over to suggest that he could be elected president , '' he added . A new book quotes Reid , D-Nevada , as saying privately in 2008 that Obama could be successful as a black candidate in part because of his `` light-skinned '' appearance and speaking patterns `` with no Negro dialect , unless he wanted to have one . '' Reid said Monday that numerous prominent African-American officials , including NAACP Chairman Julian Bond and Attorney General Eric Holder , have called him to offer support amid the controversy that began over the weekend . `` I 've apologized to everyone with the sound of my voice that I could have used a better choice of words , '' he said after an event announcing a new energy project in his home state . `` And I 'll continue doing my work for the African-American community . '' Reid said that `` as a very young man , '' he became a leader of civil rights efforts , including the integration of the gaming community . He added that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar called him to say he should `` tell everybody that you have done more for diversity in the United States Senate than all the rest of the people put together . '' Asked whether he should apologize to voters , Reid -- who had issued a statement over the weekend apologizing `` for offending any and all Americans '' -- did not answer directly and instead cited the support he has received from around the country and within his own state . `` I 'm not going to dwell on this any more , '' Reid said . `` It 's in the book . I 've made all the statements I 'm going to make . '' iReport : What do you think about the words Reid used ? The book he referred to , `` Game Change , '' went on sale Monday . The authors write that `` Reid was convinced , in fact , that Obama 's race would help him more than hurt him in a bid for the Democratic nomination . '' Reid apologized in a statement sent to CNN over the weekend . `` I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words , '' he said . He added , `` I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans , especially African-Americans , for my improper comments . I was a proud and enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama during the campaign and have worked as hard as I can to advance President Obama 's legislative agenda . '' Reid called the president Saturday and apologized . In a statement issued after the call , Obama expressed support for Reid , saying , `` As far as I am concerned , the book is closed . '' Speaking to CNN contributor Roland Martin , Obama described Reid as `` a friend of mine . He has been a stalwart champion of voting rights , civil rights . '' `` This is a good man who has always been on the right side of history . For him to have used some inartful language in trying to praise me and for people to try and make hay out of that makes absolutely no sense , '' he said in the interview , which will air this month . `` I guarantee you the average person , white or black , right now is less concerned about what Harry Reid said in a quote in a book a couple of years ago than they are about how we are going to move the country forward , and that 's where we need to direct our attention . '' A senior administration official said Monday that Obama will go to Nevada in February to campaign on behalf of Reid . iReporter : `` I do n't think he should be kicked out of the Senate '' Reid also called a host of African-American political figures , including House Democrats Barbara Lee of California and Jim Clyburn of South Carolina ; the Rev. Al Sharpton ; CNN political contributor and Democratic strategist Donna Brazile ; and the head of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights , Wade Henderson . Republicans pounced on the controversy . Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , head of the GOP 's Senate campaign arm , called for Reid to give up his leadership posts after the `` embarrassing and racially insensitive '' remarks . Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele , speaking Sunday on NBC 's `` Meet the Press , '' also called for Reid to step down . `` Racism and racist conversations have no place today in America , '' the first African-American GOP chairman said . Steele also was on the defensive for a remark he made last week . Speaking to Fox News , Steele said the GOP platform `` is one of the best political documents that 's been written in the last 25 years , honest Injun on that . '' `` Fox News Sunday '' host Chris Wallace said lawmakers from both parties have called that a racial slur . `` Well , if it is , I apologize for it . It 's not an intent to be a racial slur . I was n't intending to say a racial slur at all , '' Steele said . iReporter : Mixing race and politics equals trouble Numerous Democrats came to Reid 's defense . The Congressional Black Caucus said Sunday that it had accepted his apology and dismissed calls for the Nevada Democrat to step down . `` Sen. Reid 's record provides a stark contrast to actions of Republicans to block legislation that would benefit poor and minority communities , '' Lee , chairwoman of the caucus , said in a written statement . Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton , D-District of Columbia , a former chairwoman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission , issued a statement saying , `` Like President Barack Obama , African-Americans are likely to accept Majority Leader Reid 's apology for an obvious reason . He has earned it . '' She added , `` Harry Reid 's opponents will not find a welcome mat in the black community if they seek to capitalize on the Reid remark . While Sen. Reid has been producing for African-Americans , many of his critics were opposing him on these same issues . '' Democrats rejected a parallel drawn by some Republicans between Reid 's remark and one by former Sen. Trent Lott , R-Mississippi , in 2002 . Lott lost his post as Senate majority leader after saying the nation would have been better off if Strom Thurmond had been elected president . Thurmond had run as a segregationist candidate in 1948 . `` There is a big double standard here , '' Steele said on NBC . `` When Democrats get caught saying racist things , you know , an apology is enough . '' Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia , chairman of the Democratic Party , shot back , telling NBC that `` there is no comparison '' between the two sets of remarks . Reid is embroiled in a tough re-election campaign to stay in the Senate . Only one-third of Nevada voters have a favorable opinion of him , while 52 percent have an unfavorable opinion of the four-term senator , according to a survey by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research for the Las Vegas Review-Journal released over the weekend . The poll was conducted Tuesday through Thursday , before news of Reid 's comments broke . CNN 's Dana Bash , Mark Preston , Rebecca Sinderbrand and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Democrats increased their 36-seat majority in the U.S. House , according to CNN projections , by defeating established Republicans and winning open seats as they capitalized on an unpopular GOP president . Rep. Chris Shays , R-Connecticut , failed to win his 11th full term . Democrats clinched a majority and took at least 21 seats from Republicans , with the GOP taking only four from the Democrats , according to CNN projections as of 4 a.m. ET Wednesday . With winners yet to be called for 11 of the House 's 435 seats , Democrats were projected to win 251 seats , with Republicans having 173 . Heading into Election Day , the Democrats had a 235-199 majority . The Democrats ' apparent gains Tuesday come two years after they took control of the House -- with a gain of 30 seats -- after 12 years in the minority . Among Tuesday 's GOP casualties was longtime Rep. Chris Shays of Connecticut , whose reputation for occasionally bucking his party could n't keep him from losing to Democrat Jim Himes . Shays ' defeat leaves New England without any Republicans in the House . Shays was seeking his 11th full term . House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-California , said Tuesday night she was confident Democrats would ride a `` wave '' of pro-Democratic sentiment across the country and add to their House majority , though she declined to predict by how much . Watch Pelosi say Americans voted for change `` We have surfers to ride that wave , '' Pelosi said at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington , where she was watching election results . Here are highlights of other races with projected winners : \u2022 Democrats gained at least two seats in Ohio , including that of Rep. Steve Chabot , who was seeking an eighth term in a Cincinnati-area district that normally votes about evenly for GOP and Democratic presidential candidates . CNN projects that Chabot lost to Democrat Steve Driehaus . Just two years earlier , Chabot was re-elected with 52 percent of the vote despite an anti-Republican tide that helped Democrats capture Ohio 's governorship and take a U.S. Senate seat . Democrats also gained a seat left open by retiring Rep. Ralph Regula . Democrat John Boccieri defeated the GOP 's Kirk Schuring in the northeastern Ohio contest . \u2022 In New York , Democrats won three Republican seats , including two left open by incumbents not seeking re-election . In one of the open races , Democrat Mike McMahon won the last GOP-held seat in New York City , defeating the GOP 's Robert Straniere . Democrat Dan Maffei defeated Republican Dale Sweetland , who was trying to win a seat vacated by 10-term GOP Rep. Jim Walsh . In a rematch of a 2006 race , former naval officer Eric Massa beat GOP Rep. Randy Kuhl in a western New York district that generally votes Republican . \u2022 Freshman Rep. Michele Bachmann , R-Minnesota , was projected to survive a race that tightened after she made comments about Sen. Barack Obama last month . She was leading Democratic challenger Elwyn Tinklenberg 47 percent to 43 percent with 86 percent of precincts reporting . Bachmann set off a storm of criticism in October when she said Obama 's connection to 1960s radical William Ayers made her concerned that Obama may have anti-American views . Bachmann 's comments prompted a flood of fundraising for Tinklenberg . \u2022 In Florida , Democrats captured from Republicans two of the four seats that analysts thought they could win . Democrat Suzanne Kosmas defeated Rep. Tom Fenney , and Democrat Alan Grayson defeated Rep. Ric Keller . However , brothers and Republicans Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Mario Diaz-Balart , who represent districts in southern Florida , held off their Democratic challengers . Lincoln Diaz-Balart won a ninth term , defeating former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez . \u2022 Democratic incumbents were n't invulnerable in Florida . Rep. Tim Mahoney -- a south-central Florida Democrat elected to replace scandal-plagued GOP Rep. Mark Foley in 2006 -- lost to his Republican challenger , Tom Rooney . Mahoney already was going to have a tough race in his Republican-leaning district . But the race became tougher in mid-October with allegations that Mahoney had an affair with one of his aides and paid her thousands of dollars in hush money . Mahoney admitted to causing `` pain '' in his marriage , but he denied paying the aide to keep quiet . \u2022 In Pennsylvania , Rep. John Murtha handily defeated Republican challenger William Russell . Republicans had hoped to defeat Murtha after he called his western Pennsylvania district `` a racist area '' and `` redneck . '' \u2022 The House 's third-ranking Republican , Rep. Adam Putnam of central Florida , was re-elected but wrote to his colleagues Tuesday night that he would n't run again for a leadership post , saying he wanted to return his focus `` to crafting public policy solutions for America 's generational challenges . '' He is currently the GOP conference chairman . \u2022 In a heavily Republican district near Houston , Texas , Democratic Rep. Nick Lampson lost his re-election bid against Pete Olson . Lampson won the seat in 2006 after Republican and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay resigned to fight state money laundering charges . \u2022 In Ohio 's 11th District , Democrats easily took a seat that was vacant since the death of Democratic Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones . Democrat Marcia Fudge defeated Republican Thomas Pekarek . Tubbs Jones , who represented the district that covers parts of Cleveland and its suburbs , died in August after brain hemorrhaging caused by an aneurysm . \u2022 The House 's first two Muslim members , Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Rep. Andre Carson of Indiana , won their contests Tuesday . Carson has won his first full term ; he had succeeded his grandmother , the late Rep. Julia Carson , in a March special election . Not all 435 seats will be decided immediately . Two Louisiana districts used Election Day for primary run-offs ; the general election for those seats will be December 6 .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Griffin Bell , who served as attorney general in the Carter administration , has died , according to the Carter Center in Atlanta , Georgia . He was 90 . Griffin Bell is sworn in as attorney general in January 1977 . Former President Jimmy Carter issued a statement saying that he and former first lady Rosalynn Carter were deeply saddened by Bell 's death . `` A trusted and enduring public figure , Griffin 's integrity , professionalism , and charm were greatly valued across party lines and presidential administrations , '' Carter said . `` As a World War II veteran , federal appeals court judge , civil rights advocate , and U.S. attorney general in my administration , Griffin made many lasting contributions to his native Georgia and country . Our thoughts and prayers are with his family . '' The son of a south Georgia cotton farmer , Bell passed the Georgia bar exam while still a student in law school , according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia . He went on to help build the prominent Atlanta law firm King and Spalding , and then to serve as the nation 's top legal officer . He was a chairman of John F. Kennedy 's 1960 presidential campaign , and Kennedy appointed him to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1961 . As a federal judge , Bell was involved in desegregation rulings in the 1960s , and he became known as a moderate legal voice in the South . Fellow Georgian Jimmy Carter nominated Bell as attorney general in 1976 . He was confirmed shortly after Carter 's inauguration but only after sometimes difficult Senate hearings . Bell 's memberships in private segregated clubs and some of his decisions as a federal judge became issues . He was confirmed in January 1977 by a Senate vote of 75 to 21 . Bell 's tenure as attorney general followed the Watergate era , and he was credited with helping restore public confidence in the Justice Department during the late 1970s . Bell resigned as attorney general in 1979 to return to private law practice in Atlanta with King and Spalding . He resurfaced in the public eye periodically , including in 2004 when he was listed among Georgia Democrats who endorsed President George W. Bush for re-election . Also in 2004 , he co-authored an independent study ordered by FBI Director Robert Mueller of the FBI 's internal disciplinary procedures . The report sharply criticized the FBI and called its methods for determining punishments for its agents `` seriously flawed . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A U.N. tribunal convicted two Serb cousins Monday of having burned alive more than 100 Muslims in what the presiding judge called a part of the `` wretched history of man 's inhumanity to man . '' Serb Milan Lukic has been found guilty of burning alive more than 100 Muslims . Milan Lukic and Sredoje Lukic were convicted of crimes dating back to the early 1990s , during the bitter ethnic conflict that ravaged the former Yugoslavia . Milan Lukic organized a group of local paramilitaries with ties to police and the military , sometimes referred to as the `` White Eagles '' or `` Avengers , '' according to an indictment . Before and during the war , his cousin Sredoje Lukic worked as a policeman before joining the group . The crimes include two incidents in which Muslim men , women and children were forced into homes that were then set on fire -- and some who tried to escape were shot . Milan Lukic was found `` guilty of persecutions , murder , extermination , cruel treatment and inhumane acts , as crimes against humanity and war crimes , in relation to six discrete incidents , '' the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia -LRB- ICTY -RRB- at the Hague said . He was sentenced to life in prison . Sredoje Lukic was found guilty of `` aiding and abetting the commission of the crime of persecutions inhumane acts , murder and cruel treatment . '' He was sentenced to 30 years in prison . Their crimes were committed during the 1990s . Bosnia-Herzegovina seceded from Yugoslavia in 1992 and Radovan Karadzic declared himself president of a Bosnian Serb republic . The Bosnian Serbs , backed by the Serb-dominated Yugoslav military and paramilitary forces , quickly seized control of most of the country and laid siege to Sarajevo , the capital . During the conflict that followed , the Serb forces launched what they called the `` ethnic cleansing '' of the territories under their control -- the forced displacement and killings of Muslims and Croats . The cousins ' cases are a small part of the caseload the Tribunal has dealt with regarding violations of humanitarian law committed in the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 2001 . Since its creation the Tribunal has indicted 161 people on charges of serious violations of humanitarian law . The court found Milan Lukic responsible for the murder of 59 Muslim women , children and elderly men in a house in the town of Visegrad . `` On 14 June 1992 , the victims were locked into one room of the house which was then set on fire , '' the tribunal wrote . `` Milan Lukic was found to have placed the explosive device into the room , which set the house ablaze . Milan Lukic shot at people trying to escape from the burning house . '' Sredoje Lukic `` knew what would happen to the victims that he helped herd '' into the home , the court wrote in its judgment . Milan Lukic was also found guilty of the murder of at least 60 Muslim civilians in another house in Visegrad later that same month . The court found that he and others `` forced the civilians inside the house , blocked all exits and threw in several explosive devices and petrol , setting the house on fire . '' In all , the court found that Milan Lukic `` personally killed at least 132 Muslim people . '' The defense for both men denied the accusations against them , but the evidence demonstrated their guilt , the court said in its judgment . `` The perpetration by Milan Lukic and Sredoje Lukic of crimes in this case is characterized by a callous and vicious disregard for human life , '' presiding judge Patrick Robinson said . `` In the all too long , sad and wretched history of man 's inhumanity to man , the Pionirska street and Bikavac fires must rank high . `` At the close of the twentieth century , a century marked by war and bloodshed on a colossal scale , these horrific events stand out for the viciousness of the incendiary attack , for the obvious premeditation and calculation that defined it , for the sheer callousness and brutality of herding , trapping and locking the victims in the two houses , thereby rendering them helpless in the ensuing inferno , and for the degree of pain and suffering inflicted on the victims as they were burnt alive . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Bush administration misused intelligence to build a case for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 , the Senate Intelligence Committee said in a report issued Thursday . President Bush did n't request intelligence reports about the post-war situation , the Senate panel 's report says . The White House exploited its ability to declassify intelligence selectively to bolster its case for war , the committee chairman , Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV , D-West Virginia , said in the report . Senior officials disclosed and discussed sensitive intelligence reports that supported the administration 's policy objectives and kept out of public discourse information that did not , he said . The report also found that the administration misled the American people about contacts between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda . `` Policymakers ' statements did not accurately convey the intelligence assessments '' about contacts between the then-Iraqi leader and Osama bin Laden 's group , `` and left the impression that the contacts led to substantive Iraqi cooperation or support of al Qaeda , '' the report said . `` Statements and implications by the president and secretary of state suggesting that Iraq and al Qaeda had a partnership , or that Iraq had provided al Qaeda with weapons training , were not substantiated by the intelligence , '' according to the committee 's exhaustive report on prewar intelligence . The top Republican on the committee dismissed its findings as `` partisan gamesmanship . '' `` It is ironic that the Democrats would knowingly distort and misrepresent the committee 's findings and the intelligence in an effort to prove that the administration distorted and mischaracterized the intelligence , '' said Sen. Christopher Bond of Missouri . The White House also rejected the report as old news . `` I know this is another report , and I 'm sure that they put a lot of considerable thought into it , but this is a subject that has been gone over many many , many times , and I do n't know of anything that 's particularly new in it , '' said spokeswoman Dana Perino , who said she had not yet read it . She said the White House relied on the same information as the rest of the world , admitting that it was wrong but denying that Bush had set out to mislead the country . White House claims that Hussein was seeking weapons of mass destruction were partially backed by available intelligence , the report found , but did not reflect disputes within the intelligence community . The CIA , among others , believed Iraq was trying to acquire nuclear weapons , but the Department of Energy disagreed , the report said . No weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq after the invasion . The report also took the administration to task for its predictions about the aftermath of the invasion , including Vice President Dick Cheney 's assertion that U.S. troops would be greeted as liberators . Bush and Cheney did not request intelligence reports about the post-war situation , and their public statements did not reflect doubts and uncertainties in the intelligence community , the report said . The report comes days after former White House press spokesman Scott McClellan published a book saying Bush decided on war with Iraq soon after the September 11 , 2001 , attacks . `` Bush and his advisers knew that the American people would almost certainly not support a war launched primarily for the ambitious purpose of transforming the Middle East . Rather than open this Pandora 's Box , the administration chose a different path -- not employing out-and-out deception , but shading the truth , '' McClellan wrote in his memoir , `` What Happened . '' Current and former White House officials have dismissed McClellan 's accusations , saying he was not in a position to know about top-level White House decision-making before the war when he was deputy press secretary . The Senate committee chairman slammed the White House in a statement marking the release of the long-awaited report . `` Before taking the country to war , this administration owed it to the American people to give them a 100 percent accurate picture of the threat we faced , '' Rockefeller said Thursday . `` Unfortunately , our committee has concluded that the administration made significant claims that were not supported by the intelligence . In making the case for war , the administration repeatedly presented intelligence as fact when in reality it was unsubstantiated , contradicted or even nonexistent . As a result , the American people were led to believe that the threat from Iraq was much greater than actually existed , '' he added . The report picked apart three speeches by Bush , including his 2003 State of the Union address two months before the invasion , one by Cheney and then-Secretary of State Colin Powell 's U.N. presentation about Iraq in the run-up to the war . The report was approved by a 10-5 vote , with some Republicans dissenting . Some GOP members of the committee had wanted the report to examine prewar statements by Democrats , including Sen. Hillary Clinton . Democrats on the committee blocked the suggestion and limited the report 's purview to administration statements only . CNN 's Pam Benson and Ed Henry contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The House of Representatives voted unanimously Thursday to impeach Judge G. Thomas Porteous Jr . of U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana , making him the nation 's 15th federal judge ever impeached . `` Our investigation found that Judge Porteous participated in a pattern of corrupt conduct for years , '' said U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff , D-California , chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Task Force on Judicial Impeachment . `` Litigants have the right to expect a judge hearing their case will be fair and impartial , and avoid even the appearance of impropriety . Regrettably , no one can have that expectation in Judge Porteous ' courtroom . '' After the impeachment vote , Schiff and Rep. Bob Goodlatte , R-Virginia , were named the lead impeachment managers for the Senate trial , which will decide whether to remove Porteous from the bench . `` Today 's vote marks only the second time in over 20 years that this has occurred , '' Goodlatte said in a House news release . `` However , when evidence emerges that an individual is abusing his judicial office for his own advantage , the integrity of the entire judicial system becomes compromised . '' In a statement , Porteous ' lawyer Richard W. Westling said the Justice Department had decided not to prosecute because it did not have credible evidence . `` Unfortunately , the House has decided to disregard the Justice Department 's decision and to move forward with impeachment . As a result , we will now turn to the Senate to seek a full and fair hearing of all of the evidence . '' In a telephone interview , Westling said he did not know when the Senate trial would be held . `` There are no clear rules that dictate timing , '' he said . Last year , the Task Force on Judicial Impeachment held evidentiary hearings that led to unanimous approval of the four articles of impeachment , citing evidence that Porteous `` intentionally made material false statements and representations under penalty of perjury , engaged in a corrupt kickback scheme , solicited and accepted unlawful gifts , and intentionally misled the Senate during his confirmation proceedings , '' the House release said . Porteous was appointed to the federal bench in 1994 . In 2007 , after an FBI and federal grand jury investigation , the Justice Department alleged `` pervasive misconduct '' by Porteous and evidence `` that Judge Porteous may have violated federal and state criminal laws , controlling canons of judicial conduct , rules of professional responsibility , and conducted himself in a manner antithetical to the constitutional standard of good behavior required of all federal judges . '' The complaint said the department opted not to seek criminal charges for reasons that included issues of statute of limitations and other factors . But Westling said the statute of limitations was not applicable . An Impeachment Task Force held four hearings late last year that focused on allegations of misconduct by Porteous , including : -- Involvement in a corrupt kickback scheme -- Failure to recuse himself from a case he was involved in -- Allegations that Porteous made false and misleading statements , including concealing debts and gambling losses -- Allegations that Porteous asked for and accepted `` numerous things of value , including meals , trips , home and car repairs , for his personal use and benefit '' while taking official actions on behalf of his benefactors -- Allegations that Porteous lied about his past to the U.S. Senate and to the FBI about his nomination to the federal bench `` in order to conceal corrupt relationships , '' Schiff said in his floor statement as prepared for delivery Porteous was invited to testify , but he declined to do so , Schiff said . `` His long-standing pattern of corrupt activity , so utterly lacking in honesty and integrity , demonstrates his unfitness to serve as a United States District Court judge , '' he said . Porteous , 63 , has not worked as a judge since he was suspended with pay in the fall of 2008 , Westling said . The last federal judge impeachment occurred last year , when Judge Samuel B. Kent of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas resigned after being impeached on charges of sexual assault , obstructing and impeding an official proceeding , and making false and misleading statements , according to the Web site of the Federal Judicial Center . The Senate , sitting as a court of impeachment , dismissed the articles . Before then , Judge Walter L. Nixon of U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi was impeached in 1989 on charges of perjury before a federal grand jury . The Senate convicted him and removed him from office that year .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The current debate over controversial interrogation practices -- tactics that some say constitute torture -- is rooted in the early years of the fight against terrorism and the Iraq war . The photographs from Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq sparked outrage across the globe . After the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States , the Bush administration crafted the legal basis for aggressive interrogation techniques of prisoners and terrorism suspects . The techniques included keeping the prisoner in stress positions for extended periods of time , sleep deprivation , slapping , enclosing the prisoner in a box with insects , and waterboarding , which simulates drowning . Those techniques were detailed in four Bush-era legal memos -- one from 2002 and three from 2005 -- released by the Obama administration last month . The memos concluded that such techniques did not constitute torture and were not illegal . See timeline of events '' The Obama administration disagrees . President Obama formally banned the techniques by issuing an executive order requiring that the U.S. Army field manual be used as the guide for terror interrogations . `` I can stand here tonight and say without exception or equivocation that the United States of America does not torture , '' he said during an address to a joint session of Congress in February . More than 400 people have been disciplined based on investigations involving detainee abuse , according to Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman . He said the punishments have ranged from prison sentences to demotions and letters of reprimand . `` The policy of the Department of Defense is to treat prisoners humanely , and those who have violated that policy have been investigated and disciplined , '' he said . The most notorious of the cases centered on Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq . In 2004 , images leaked to the media showed U.S. troops abusing Iraqi prisoners . Some prisoners were stacked atop each other while naked , and others were being threatened by dogs . See disturbing images from Abu Ghraib -LRB- discretion advised -RRB- '' One widely disseminated photograph showed an Iraqi prisoner hooded and wired , as if an electrocution were about to take place . Eleven American soldiers were tried and convicted of Abu Ghraib offenses , and some officers were reprimanded . Some received prison sentences . Janis Karpinski , a brigadier general and commander of the prison during the time the photographs were taken , was demoted to colonel . She was eventually rotated out of Iraq . The prison was shut down in September 2006 . Karpinksi , now retired , said the recent disclosures have validated her earlier claims that she and her troops were following orders and that the abuses at Abu Ghraib were not simply the work of a few `` bad apples , '' as once described by then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld . See gallery of key players '' `` That is what we have been saying from the very beginning , that , wait a minute , why are you inside pointing the finger at me ? Why are you pointing the fingers at the soldiers here ? There 's a bigger story here , '' Karpinski said . `` I was never inside an interrogation room where they were conducting interrogations , but I read the memorandums many times over , '' she added . `` Waterboarding is torture . '' Other recent disclosures of harsh interrogation tactics have also raised questions . One Bush-era memo -- dated May 30 , 2005 , and recently released by the Obama administration -- said CIA interrogators used waterboarding at least 266 times on two top al Qaeda suspects . The technique was used at least 83 times in August 2002 on suspected al Qaeda leader Abu Zubaydah , according to the memo . Interrogators also waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed -- said to be the mastermind of the September 11 attacks -- 183 times in March 2003 , the memo said . Obama said last week that he felt comfortable releasing the classified memos because the Bush administration acknowledged using some of the practices associated with the memos , and the interrogation techniques were widely reported and have since been banned . `` Withholding these memos would only serve to deny facts that have been in the public domain for some time , '' Obama said in a statement . `` This could contribute to an inaccurate accounting of the past and fuel erroneous and inflammatory assumptions about actions taken by the United States . '' However , Obama recently reversed course on the court-ordered release of hundreds of additional images said to show abuse in detention facilities in Afghanistan and Iraq . He argued that the photos could `` inflame anti-American opinion '' and have `` a chilling effect '' on further investigations of detainee abuse . The photos `` are not particularly sensational , especially when compared to the painful images that we remember from Abu Ghraib , '' he said last week . The Obama administration said last month that it would not object to the release of the photos . The images are from more than 60 criminal investigations into detainee abuse between 2001 through 2006 , Pentagon officials said . The release was ordered in response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed by the American Civil Liberties Union . `` Essentially , by withholding these photographs from public view , the Obama administration is making itself complicit in the Bush administration 's torture policies , '' ACLU attorney Amrit Singh said . Bush-era officials , especially former Vice President Dick Cheney , have defended the controversial interrogation tactics , arguing that they helped provide valuable information in the fight against terrorism and other conflicts . `` I know specifically of reports that I read , '' Cheney told Fox News last month , `` that lay out what we learned through the interrogation process and what the consequences were for the country . '' The Obama administration `` did n't put out the memos that showed the success of the effort , '' he said . The memos ' release has added momentum to the debate over whether Bush administration officials ought to be prosecuted for authorizing such policies . Obama said Attorney General Eric Holder would decide whether to investigate Bush administration officials who formed the legal basis for the techniques . The Obama administration has said that CIA interrogators who followed the instructions would not be prosecuted for their work . `` We are going to follow the evidence , follow the law and take that where it leads , '' Holder said . `` No one is above the law . '' CNN 's Arwa Damon , Terry Frieden , Ed Hornick , Jonathan Mann , Mike Mount and Samira Simone contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Investigators found testosterone , painkillers and anti-anxiety drugs in the body of professional wrestler Chris Benoit , who killed his wife and son last month before hanging himself in his Atlanta home , a medical examiner said Tuesday . Investigators found steroids in the body of pro wrestler Chris Benoit , who killed his family in June . Dr. Kris Sperry , Georgia 's chief medical examiner , said the body of Benoit 's wife , Nancy , also contained painkillers and anti-anxiety drugs . Sperry said it 's likely the Benoits ' 7-year-old son , Daniel , was sedated at the time he was murdered , because a high level of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax was found in the boy 's system . Xanax is not normally prescribed for children , Sperry said . Chris Benoit 's body contained an `` elevated '' level of testosterone and therapeutic levels of Xanax and the painkiller hydrocodone , Sperry said . But , he said , the level of testosterone revealed nothing conclusive about the wrestler 's state of mind before his death . `` There 's no reliable scientific data that says elevated levels of testosterone lead to psychotic rage , '' Sperry said . `` The only thing we can ascertain is that this level of testosterone indicates that he had been using testosterone at least in some reasonably short period of time before he died , '' he said . `` It could be an indication he was being treated for testicular insufficiency . '' The investigators found no other drugs , including steroids , in Benoit 's body . The investigation into the Benoits ' deaths led to speculation that the wrestler may have been injecting steroids and had experienced what is called '' ` roid rage , '' leading him to kill his wife and son . An official who is part of the investigation told CNN last month that Benoit 's name was on receipts that indicated he had purchased shipments of anabolic steroids and human growth hormones from Signature Pharmacy . The Orlando , Florida , facility is at the center of a nationwide investigation into the sale of illegal steroids . Phil Astin , Benoit 's personal doctor , has been indicted by a grand jury on seven charges of improperly dispensing and distributing painkillers and other drugs . Astin has been released on $ 125,000 bond and is under house arrest . Although Benoit 's name was not mentioned in Astin 's indictment , his arrest stemmed from the investigation into the Benoits ' deaths . `` Through prescription records for Mr. Benoit maintained at a pharmacy in Fayetteville , Georgia , Dr. Astin was identified as prescribing , on average , a 10-month supply of anabolic steroids to Mr. Benoit every three to four weeks from May 4 , 2006 , through May 9 , 2007 , '' the U.S. attorney 's office said . Sperry said the body of Nancy Benoit also contained therapeutic levels of hydrocodone and Xanax , along with hydromorphone , which he said is a byproduct of the breakdown of hydrocodone . Nancy Benoit 's blood alcohol level was .184 , which is over the legal limit for intoxication , but Sperry said all of the alcohol found in her body `` could come from the decomposition process . '' Sperry said investigators did not have enough specimen to test for steroids or human growth hormone in Daniel 's body . Daniel 's body showed signs of needle marks at the time of his death , but Sperry could not speculate why . District Attorney Scott Ballard would not answer questions about the state of the investigation into the Benoits ' deaths , which he said is ongoing . `` We 'd rather wait until we have more of the pieces so we can be more accurate and discuss more of a whole what happened , '' he said . `` We 're trying to envision as best we can what happened inside that household . This -LRB- the toxicology report -RRB- adds one element to all the other elements . '' Police have said Benoit , 40 , strangled his wife , Nancy , and suffocated Daniel , then placed Bibles next to their bodies before hanging himself on a portable weight machine over the weekend of June 23 . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iraq 's government has authorized Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to submit to Washington amendments to a draft security agreement with the United States , an Iraqi government spokesman said Tuesday . Students protest the status-of-forces agreement Tuesday at Baghdad 's Mustansiriya University . Ali al-Dabbagh said the Iraqi government approved several amendments that were `` necessary , essential and appropriate '' to the draft status-of-forces agreement , which would set the terms for U.S. troops in Iraq after the United Nations mandate on their presence expires at the end of this year . `` The Iraqi government authorizes the prime minister to bring up these amendments to the U.S. side in order to reach a draft agreement that will preserve the fundamental principles and the sovereignty of Iraq and its high interests , '' al-Dabbagh said . It is unclear when al-Maliki will submit the changes to the draft document . U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently said that there was `` great reluctance '' to make any more changes to the agreement . However , senior U.S. officials -- speaking under the condition of anonymity -- are not ruling out possibly renegotiating parts of the deal with Iraq if the country 's parliament does not approve it . The most vocal opponent of the draft security deal in Iraq has been the political party of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr , which opposes any U.S. military presence in Iraq . U.S. military helicopters Tuesday flew over Baghdad 's Mustansiriya University , where hundreds of students took part in a demonstration organized by the Sadr movement against the status-of-forces deal . `` We are against this agreement between the Iraqi government and between the American government because it is against Iraqi sovereignty , '' said law student Ahmed Fadhil Abbas , one of the demonstrators . Fellow demonstrator and law student Hisham Mohammed said the students plan to organize a sit-in and a strike across universities in Iraq to protest the agreement . The draft status-of-forces agreement , according to a copy obtained by CNN , calls for U.S. combat troops to be out of Iraqi cities and villages by July 30 , 2009 , and out of the country entirely by December 31 , 2011 . The agreement allows for an earlier withdrawal or an extension of the U.S. forces ' stay in Iraq , by agreement of both parties . It also allows the Iraqi government to ask `` the United States government to leave certain forces for training and for support purposes for the Iraqi forces . '' Legal jurisdiction over U.S. forces in Iraq has been a sticking point in the negotiation , with the U.S. side preferring that its troops and contractors remain immune from Iraqi law . Baghdad had sought the power to arrest and try Americans accused of crimes not related to official military operations , plus jurisdiction over troops and contractors who commit major crimes in the course of their duties . Under the draft agreement , U.S. forces or contractors who commit `` major and premeditated murders '' while off duty and outside U.S. facilities would fall under Iraqi jurisdiction , according to the copy obtained by CNN . All other crimes -- and murders committed inside U.S. facilities or by on-duty forces -- would fall under American jurisdiction , the agreement says .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The world 's population is forecast to hit 7 billion in 2011 , the vast majority of its growth coming in developing and , in many cases , the poorest nations , a report released Wednesday said . Riders cram into a train last month in New Delhi , India . India 's population is expected to be 1.7 billion by 2050 . A staggering 97 percent of global growth over the next 40 years will happen in Asia , Africa , Latin America and the Caribbean , according to the Population Reference Bureau 's 2009 World Population Data Sheet . `` The great bulk of today 's 1.2 billion youth -- nearly 90 percent -- are in developing countries , '' said Carl Haub , a co-author of the report . Eight in 10 of those youth live in Africa and Asia . `` During the next few decades , these young people will most likely continue the current trend of moving from rural areas to cities in search of education and training opportunities , gainful employment , and adequate health care , '' Haub continued , calling it one of the major social questions of the next few decades . In the developed world , the United States and Canada will account for most of the growth -- half from immigration and half from a natural increase in the population -- births minus deaths , according to the report . High fertility rates and a young population base in the developing world will fuel most of the growth , especially in Africa , where women often give birth to six or seven children over a lifetime , the report says . The number is about two in the United States and 1.5 in Canada . A stark contrast can be drawn between Uganda and Canada , which currently have about 34 million and 31 million residents , respectively . By 2050 , Canada 's population is projected to be 42 million , while Uganda 's is expected to soar to 96 million , more than tripling . `` Even with declining fertility rates in many countries , world population is still growing at a rapid rate , '' said Bill Butz , president of the bureau . `` The increase from 6 billion to 7 billion is likely to take 12 years , as did the increase from 5 billion to 6 billion . Both events are unprecedented in world history . '' By 2050 , India is projected to be the world 's most populous nation at 1.7 billion , overtaking current leader China , which is forecast to hit 1.4 billion . The United States is expected to reach 439 million for No. 3 on the list .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- South Africa lock Bakkies Botha will miss the final Test against the British and Irish Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday after failing in his appeal against a two-week ban . Bakkies Botha will be eligible to return for the start of the Springboks ' Tri-Nations campaign . The 29-year-old was cited for a dangerous charge which left Lions prop Adam Jones with a dislocated shoulder . Jones was forced off shortly after halftime during last Saturday 's second Test in Pretoria , in which the Springboks fought back to snatch a 28-25 victory and clinch a 2-0 series triumph . The incident ended Jones ' tour , while Lions center Brian O'Driscoll also went home early after suffering concussion in the same match . Beginner 's guide to the Lions . The South African management decided to appeal as they felt Botha had legally been trying to clear out a ruck . Assistant coach Dick Muir said : `` We certainly do n't see any wrongdoing in that challenge and if it was n't for the injury which came from it , I do n't think anything would have been said about it . '' The Blue Bulls forward will return in time for the Springboks ' Tri-Nations opener against the All Blacks in Bloemfontein on July 25 . For Saturday 's third Test against the Lions , Botha will be replaced by Johann Muller , who captained his Sharks province to defeat against the tourists in one of the warm-up matches . He gets his chance with Andries Bekker injured and versatile loose-forward Danie Rossouw struggling with concussion . The Springboks will also be without flanker Schalk Burger , who was banned for eight weeks for eye-gouging Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald . There was no appeal on that ruling , but the International Rugby Union has pledged to review its punishments for such offenses in the wake of criticism that the player got off lightly . Peter de Villiers has made 10 changes , leaving captain John Smit , vice-captain Victor Matfield , Fourie du Preez , Tendai Mtawarira and Juan Smith as the only survivors in the starting XV . Last weekend 's match-winner Morne Steyn starts in place of fly-half in place of Ruan Pienaar , who has paid for his poor goalkicking form . Zane Kirchner will make his debut at full-back , while Odwa Ndungane , Jaque Fourie , Wynand Olivier and Jongi Nokwe also come in to the backline . Chiliboy Ralepelle , Heinrich Brussow and Ryan Kankowski join Muller as new faces in the forward pack . Lions boss Ian McGeechan has made seven changes and one positional alteration , meaning mean just four players will have started all three Tests : fly-half Stephen Jones , scrum-half Mike Phillips , skipper Paul O'Connell and No. 8 Jamie Heaslip . With Wales center Jamie Roberts joining O'Driscoll on the sidelines due to a wrist injury , England 's Riki Flutey forms a new midfield combination with Tommy Bowe , who switches from the wing . Ugo Monye , dropped after the first Test defeat , returns on the right wing , with world player of the year Shane Williams starts in place of Fitzgerald on the left . Teams for the third Test : South Africa : Z Kirchner ; O Ndungane , J Fourie , W Olivier , J Nokwe ; M Steyn , F du Preez ; T Mtawarira , C Ralepelle , J Smit , J Muller , V Matfield , H Brussow , J Smith , R Kankowski . Replacements : B du Plessis , G Steenkamp , D Carstens , S Sykes , P Spies , R Pienaar , F Steyn . British and Irish Lions : R Kearney ; U Monye , T Bowe , R Flutey , S Williams ; S Jones , M Phillips ; J Heaslip , M Williams , J Worsley ; P O'Connell , S Shaw ; P Vickery , M Rees , A Sheridan . Replacements : R Ford , J Hayes , A-W Jones , D Wallace , T Croft , H Ellis , J Hook .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama said Wednesday night he will work with Congress and the military to repeal the `` do n't ask , do n't tell '' policy that bars gays and lesbians from openly serving in the armed forces . Obama made the remark in his first State of the Union speech during a short litany of civil rights issues , which included his successful hate crimes bill , a move to `` crack down on equal-pay laws '' and improvement of the immigration system . `` We find unity in our incredible diversity , drawing on the promise enshrined in our Constitution : the notion that we are all created equal , that no matter who you are or what you look like , if you abide by the law you should be protected by it , '' he said . `` We must continually renew this promise . My administration has a Civil Rights Division that is once again prosecuting civil rights violations and employment discrimination . We finally strengthened our laws to protect against crimes driven by hate , '' he said . `` This year , I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are . '' Weigh in on the president 's address Former Navy pilot Sen . John McCain said `` it would be a mistake '' to repeal the 1993 law that bars gay men and lesbians from revealing their sexual orientation , and prevents the military from asking about it . `` This successful policy has been in effect for over 15 years , and it is well understood and predominantly supported by our military at all levels , '' McCain said . `` We have the best-trained , best-equipped , and most professional force in the history of our country , and the men and women in uniform are performing heroically in two wars . At a time when our Armed Forces are fighting and sacrificing on the battlefield , now is not the time to abandon the policy . '' But in a message to Pentagon leadership , Gen. John Shalikashvili , former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , said it 's time to repeal the law . `` As a nation built on the principal of equality , we should recognize and welcome change that will build a stronger more cohesive military , '' said Shalikashvili . His letter was sent to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , D-New York , who supports repealing the policy . The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network , an organization that works with those affected by the `` do n't ask , do n't tell '' law , praised Obama 's call for repeal . `` We very much need a sense of urgency to get this done in 2010 , '' the group said . `` We call on the president to repeal the archaic 1993 law in his defense budget currently being drafted , that is probably the only and best moving bill where DADT can be killed this year . ... The American public , including conservatives , is overwhelmingly with the commander in chief on this one . '' House Minority Leader John Boehner , R-Ohio , flatly disagreed with the idea of ending it . `` When it comes to ` do n't ask do n't tell , ' frankly , I think it 's worked very well . And we just ought to leave it alone , '' he said to reporters Wednesday morning . The policy prohibits openly gay men and women from serving in the U.S. armed forces . The policy bans military recruiters or authorities from asking about an individual 's sexual orientation but also prohibits a service member from revealing that he or she is gay . Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin , D-Michigan , supports ending the practice but wants to go about it carefully . Levin said he did not have any details about what the president would say . `` If we do this in a way which is n't sensitive ... we could have exactly the opposite effect of what I hope will be the case -- which is to change the policy , '' he said Monday . Levin said the committee plans to hold hearings on the issue in early February , although the hearing may be with outside experts -- delaying a hearing with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen , that had originally been promised , CNN was told by a congressional source . Obama campaigned on the promise that he would repeal the law in his first year of office . Speaking to the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign , in October , Obama admitted that `` our progress may be taking longer than we like , '' but he insisted his administration was still on track to overturn the policy . `` Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach , '' he said . Pentagon Spokesman Geoff Morrell deflected repeated questions about the policy at Wednesday 's Pentagon briefing , directing reporters to take their questions to the White House . `` We continue to work on this problem , '' said Morrell . `` But I 'm not going to get into it with more specificity than that . '' CNN 's Ed Hornick and Laurie Ure contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Four U.S. soldiers died in a roadside bombing in Iraq on Sunday , military officials reported , bringing the American toll in the 5-year-old war to the grim milestone of 4,000 deaths . Troops emerge from a bunker after receiving the `` all clear '' Sunday following a truck bombing in Mosul . The four were killed when their vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device while patrolling a neighborhood in southern Baghdad , the U.S. military headquarters in Iraq reported Sunday night . A fifth soldier was wounded in the attack , which took place about 10 p.m. -LRB- 3 p.m. ET -RRB- . The U.S. milestone comes just days after Americans marked the fifth anniversary of the start of the war . `` No casualty is more or less significant than another ; each soldier , Marine , airman and sailor is equally precious and their loss equally tragic , '' Rear Admiral Gregory Smith , the U.S. military 's chief spokesman in Iraq , said . `` Every single loss of a soldier , sailor , airman or Marine is keenly felt by military commanders , families and friends both in theatre and at home , '' Smith said . Of the 4,000 U.S. military personnel killed in the war , 3,263 have been killed in attacks and fighting and 737 in non-hostile incidents , such as traffic accidents and suicides . Eight of the 4,000 killed were civilians working for the Pentagon . Many of those killed over the years , like the four soldiers slain on Sunday in Baghdad , have been targeted by improvised explosive devices -- the roadside bombs that have been described as the weapon of choice for insurgents and a weapon that has come to symbolize Iraq 's tenacious insurgency . The existence of the Pentagon 's Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization has been developed to counter the threat of IEDs in Iraq as well as Afghanistan . The group calls IEDs the `` weapon of choice for adaptive and resilient networks of insurgents and terrorists . '' Watch how IEDs have become deadly staple in Iraq war '' Meanwhile , estimates of the Iraqi death toll range from about 80,000 to the hundreds of thousands , with another 2 million forced to leave the country and 2.5 million people displaced within Iraq , according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees . President Bush ordered U.S. troops into Iraq on March 19 , 2003 , after months of warnings that then-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was concealing stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons and efforts to build a nuclear bomb . U.N. weapons inspectors found no sign of banned weapons before the invasion , and the CIA later concluded that Iraq had dismantled its weapons programs in the 1990s . Hussein 's government fell in early April 2003 , and Iraq 's new government executed him in December 2006 . The news of the 4,000 mark came on the same day that Iraq 's national security adviser urged Americans to be patient with the progress of the war , contending that it is `` well worth fighting '' because it has implications about `` global terror . '' `` This is global terrorism hitting everywhere , and they have chosen Iraq to be a battlefield . And we have to take them on , '' Mowaffak al-Rubaie said Sunday on CNN 's `` Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer . '' `` If we do n't prevail , if we do n't succeed in this war , then we are doomed forever , '' he said . `` I understand and sympathize with the mothers , with the widows , with the children who have lost their beloved ones in this country . `` But honestly , it is well worth fighting and well worth investing the money and the treasure and the sweat and the tears in Iraq . '' Nearly 160,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq , and the war has cost U.S. taxpayers about $ 600 billion , according to the House Budget Committee . The conflict is now widely unpopular among Americans : A CNN-Opinion Research Corp. poll out Wednesday found only 32 percent of Americans support the conflict . And 61 percent said they want the next president to remove most U.S. troops within a few months of taking office . In the weekly Democratic radio address Saturday , Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey said President Bush `` took us to war on the wings of a lie . '' Menendez said that the war has depleted the resources and morale of the U.S. military ; diverted national attention away from the war in Afghanistan , where al Qaeda is regrouping ; and hurt the hunt for Osama bin Laden . The Iraq war has not made Americans safer , Menendez said , but has instead hurt the U.S. economy . The senator called for a `` responsible new direction '' regarding Iraq . CNN learned last week , from several U.S. military officials familiar with the recommendations but not authorized to speak on the record , that senior U.S. military officials are preparing to recommend to Bush a four - to six-week `` pause '' in additional troop withdrawals from Iraq after the last of the `` surge '' brigades leaves in July . `` If the conditions on the ground dictate that we have to have a pause , then we will have to have a pause , '' al-Rubaie said . The return of all five brigades added to the Iraq contingent last year could reduce troop levels by up to 30,000 , but still leave approximately 130,000 or more troops in Iraq . Al-Rubaie emphasized Sunday that any drawdown of U.S. troops `` has to be based on the conditions on the ground . '' `` It depends on the development and the growth and the equipment and the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces , and the preparedness of the Iraqi security forces , '' he said . `` This should not be a purely political decision . It should be also a technical , military and intelligence decision . '' But there has been too much `` foot-dragging on key governance questions in Iraq , '' Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said on CNN on Sunday . `` It seems to me you put off those troop withdrawals , you send exactly the wrong message to the Iraqis . '' On Wednesday , Bush will visit the Pentagon to be briefed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff , chaired by Adm. Michael Mullen . The American troop level in Iraq `` depends on the negotiations that we are engaged in now between the government of Iraq and the United States government , '' al-Rubaie said . When conditions warrant the withdrawal of American troops , the Iraqis will say '' ` Thank you very much , indeed , ' '' al-Rubaie said . `` A big , big thank you for the United States of America for liberating Iraq , for helping us in sustaining the security gains in Iraq ... and we will give them a very , very good farewell party then . '' Responding to recent remarks from U.S. presidential candidates that Iraqis are not taking responsibility for their own future , al-Rubaie said Iraqis are making political and security gains . `` Literally by the day and by the week , we are gradually assuming more responsibility , '' he said , noting that Iraqis have taken responsibility for security in many provinces . Other developments : \u2022 U.S. troops raided a suspected suicide bomber cell in Diyala province on Sunday , killing a dozen militants , half of whom had shaved their bodies -- which the U.S. military says indicates they were in the final stage of preparation for a suicide attack . Diyala province stretches north and east of Baghdad and has been a major front for U.S. troops fighting militants . \u2022 Several mortars landed in Baghdad 's International Zone on Sunday , according to the Interior Ministry . A U.S. Embassy spokeswoman said there were no major casualties . Watch smoke rise from the Green Zone '' \u2022 A suicide car bomb exploded at a fuel station Sunday in a predominantly Shiite neighborhood in northwest Baghdad , killing seven people and wounding 12 others , the Interior Ministry said . \u2022 A suicide bomber detonated a truck full of explosives outside the main gate of an Iraqi military base in Mosul , killing at least 10 Iraqi soldiers and wounding 35 people , including 20 soldiers , Mosul police said . The U.S. military put the death toll higher , at 12 . \u2022 A mortar round landed in a Shiite neighborhood in eastern Baghdad , killing seven people and injuring nine others , a ministry official said . Six more mortar rounds landed in other Baghdad neighborhoods Sunday night , killing three people , the Interior Ministry said . \u2022 In southeastern Baghdad , gunmen riding in at least two cars opened fire on a crowded outdoor market , killing at least three people and wounding 17 others , the Interior Ministry said . \u2022 A suicide bomber detonated a small truck rigged with explosives outside a local Awakening Council leader 's house just east of Samarra on Saturday , killing at least five people and wounding 13 others , a Samarra police official said . Awakening Councils are largely Sunni security groups that have been recruited by the U.S. military . E-mail to a friend CNN 's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"KABUL , Afghanistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two separate militant assaults Saturday in the southeastern Afghan province of Paktika led to the deaths of two U.S. soldiers and at least 42 insurgents , military officials said . U.S. Marines , under fire from a building , move to take it Saturday in Helmand province , Afghanistan . The soldiers died when Taliban fighters attacked a base in Zerok that houses members of the U.S. military , Afghan national police and Afghan National Army , said the provincial governor 's spokesman , Hamidullah Zawak . He said the Taliban first detonated a truck full of explosives , then attacked the base with missiles and rockets . The military responded by sending in aircraft and dropping bombs , killing 32 Taliban fighters and wounding many , Zawak said , without giving a number . Seven of the wounded Taliban fighters were arrested . Zawak said one U.S. soldier was killed and another wounded . Sgt. Chuck Marsh , however , a U.S. military spokesman , said two U.S. service members were killed and four wounded . Two soldiers from the Afghan National Army were also hurt , Zawak said . A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack in a phone call to a CNN stringer in Kabul . Several hours later , at least 10 militants were killed and one detained in an assault on a combat outpost in the province . Insurgents attacked with indirect fire , including multiple rockets and mortars -- at least one of which contained white phosphorous -- small-arms fire and a car bomb , according to a statement from NATO 's International Security Assistance Force -LRB- ISAF -RRB- . Soldiers from ISAF and the Afghan National Army fired back , aided by planes and attack helicopters . No civilian casualties were reported . In other developments in and around Paktika : \u2022 On Saturday , a suicide car bomb detonated near a private security company in Lashkar Gah city in Helmand province . One person was killed and five were wounded , said Assadullah Sherzad , Helmand provincial police chief . \u2022 The U.S.-led Operation Khanjar , or Strike of the Sword , is targeting Taliban militants in Helmand province , near Paktika in southern Afghanistan . Thousands of U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers are trying to rout the Taliban from strongholds in the Helmand River Valley . The operation began early Thursday . Helmand 's poppy crop produces more than half of the opium cultivated in Afghanistan , the source of 90 percent of the global supply , according to the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime . The revenues help support the Taliban . \u2022 On Tuesday , a U.S. soldier was abducted in Paktika province . The Taliban claimed responsibility . A senior U.S. military official later said the soldier was being held by the militant Haqqani clan , a Taliban-affiliated network led by warlord Siraj Haqqani . The Haqqanis -- who operate on both sides of the Afghan and Pakistani borders -- are well-known to the U.S. military , which said it was using all means to locate the soldier , whose name has not been released . CNN 's Atia Abawi and reporter Wahidullah Mayar contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sudan 's government and rebels from its troubled Darfur region signed a confidence-building agreement Tuesday in Qatar , a step toward ending a six-year conflict that has killed about 300,000 people , the emirate 's state news agency reported . A member of the Justice and Equality Movement -LRB- JEM -RRB- stands guard near the Sudan-Chad border in 2007 . Detailed talks between the government and the Justice and Equality Movement are scheduled to begin in two weeks after Tuesday 's signing , Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabr al-Thani , Qatar 's prime minister , told the SUNA news agency . Roger Middleton , an Africa specialist at the British think-tank Chatham House , said Tuesday 's agreement deals mostly with prisoner releases . But he said the two parties ' decision to hold further talks `` is an important move forward , which there has n't necessarily been in the past . '' `` It is certainly a step in the right direction , '' he said . `` But a lot more needs to be done if we 're going to see a full cessation of fighting in Darfur . '' Other rebel groups are not included in the pact , and `` many , many things '' could cause the talks to fail , he said . `` It is a start , but it 's very fragile , and we must n't get overexcited just yet , '' Middleton said . In November , Sudan 's President Omar al-Bashir agreed to an immediate , unconditional cease-fire in Darfur , but JEM was not included in the talks . Sudan 's Culture Minister Amin Hassan Omar and Jibril Ibrahim , a top rebel official , signed Tuesday 's agreement . Qatar has been mediating talks between the two sides in the Darfur conflict , which erupted in 2003 after rebels began an uprising against the Khartoum government . The government launched a brutal counter-insurgency campaign , aided by government-backed Arab militias that went from village to village in Darfur , killing , torturing and raping residents , according to the United Nations , Western governments and human rights organizations . Al-Bashir is under pressure to end the fighting , particularly because he was charged with genocide by the International Criminal Court last year for the government 's campaign of violence in Darfur . In the past six years , an estimated 300,000 people have been killed through direct combat , disease or malnutrition , the United Nations says . An additional 2.7 million people fled their homes because of fighting among rebels , government forces and allied militias .","question":""}
{"answer":"CABO SAN LUCAS , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A `` dangerous '' Hurricane Jimena bore down Tuesday on the Mexican peninsula of Baja California , with the resort town of Cabo San Lucas lying in its path . Meanwhile , a new tropical storm was forming in the Atlantic Ocean . A NOAA satellite image shows Hurricane Jimena off the coast of Baja California , Mexico , on Tuesday morning . Jimena 's maximum wind speed dropped from 145 mph to 135 mph , but it still remained a Category 4 storm , according to the U.S. National Weather Service 's 11 a.m. PT -LRB- 2 p.m. ET -RRB- update . `` Some fluctuations in strength are likely today and gradual weakening is forecast on Wednesday , '' the weather service said . `` However , Jimena is expected to remain a major hurricane until landfall . '' Also on Tuesday , Tropical Storm Erika formed in the Atlantic , 390 miles east of the Leeward Islands , the National Hurricane Center said . Jimena 's storm center is forecast to come ashore on Thursday morning , but the weather service warned that `` because it will be moving parallel to the coastline , any slight change in direction could have a huge impact in the location and timing of landfall . '' Mexico 's government extended a hurricane warning for most of the southern half of Baja California -- from Punta Abreojos on the peninsula 's west coast to Mulege on its east coast , according to the National Weather Service . A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area in the next 24 hours and people should quickly prepare `` to protect life and property . '' `` A dangerous storm surge along with battering waves will produce significant coastal flooding along the Baja California Peninsula , '' NWS said in its 11 a.m. PT report On its current track , Jimena 's center will approach the peninsula 's southern portion later on Tuesday and central Baja California peninsula by Thursday , the weather service said at 11 a.m. PT . In addition to damaging winds , the storm could bring as much as 15 inches of rain , forecasters said . Jimena -- the 10th named storm of the Pacific season -- was centered about 110 miles -LRB- 175 km -RRB- south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas , according to the weather service . It was traveling north-northwest near 12 mph -LRB- 19 kph -RRB- . People in his town of Los Cabos , at the very tip of the peninsula , were preparing for the storm and were getting a precursor as winds and rains began to pick up , said resident Cuauhtemoc Morgan on Monday . Morgan , who sent videos to to CNN 's iReport , said residents had protected every home in his neighborhood , fortifying windows with masking tape . Lines at supermarkets were long with worried residents preparing for the storms , Morgan said . Authorities were setting up shelters in schools and trying to devise a plan to protect the homeless , he added .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Chastity Bono , gay-rights activist and child of performer Cher and the late entertainer and politician Sonny Bono , is in the early stages of transitioning from a female to a male and will be known as Chaz , his spokesman said Thursday . Activist Chastity Bono is transitioning from female to male and will be known as Chaz . `` Chaz , after many years of consideration , has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity , '' Howard Bragman said in a written statement . `` He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones . It is Chaz 's hope that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue , just as his ` coming out ' did nearly 20 years ago . '' Someone 's decision to transition does not necessarily mean they are undergoing gender reassignment surgery , and in many cases they do not , said Mara Keisling , executive director of the Washington-based National Center for Transgender Equality . `` The whole media fixation on surgery is kind of misplaced , '' she said . `` Almost no transgender people ever have surgery . We do n't have any idea how many do . '' iReport.com : Do you have a transgender story ? An estimated one-quarter to one-half percent of the American population is transsexual , however , Keisling said . `` It 's sort of a general term that encompasses both or either a social transition or a medical transition . '' Keisling said she was unaware of the specifics in Bono 's case , but speaking generally , a transition means that he will now want to be `` known , seen , viewed '' as a male . `` The actual details depend on his needs and wants and his doctor 's needs and wants , '' she said . Bragman asked that the media `` respect Chaz 's privacy during this long process , as he will not be doing any interviews at this time . '' Now 40 , Bono as a little girl made regular appearances on her parents ' show , `` The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour . '' As an adult , he has been a longtime gay-rights advocate and been closely associated with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation . See more photos from Chastity Bono 's life '' Bono 's father , Sonny Bono , was a U.S. representative from California when he was killed in a skiing accident in January 1998 .","question":""}
{"answer":"Los Angeles , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The autopsy on Corey Haim revealed the actor 's heart was enlarged and his lungs were filled with water when he died , Haim 's manager said . The Los Angeles County coroner told Haim 's mother that her son suffered from pulmonary congestion , manager Mark Heaslip said . Heaslip said this was evidence that Haim 's death was not caused by a drug overdose , but Brian Elias with the coroner 's office said they are waiting for toxicology tests before deciding what killed Haim . The 1980s teen movie actor , who struggled for decades with drug addiction , died early Wednesday after collapsing in the Los Angeles apartment he shared with his mother , authorities said . Longtime friend and frequent co-star Corey Feldman asked Wednesday that people not `` jump the gun '' to conclude a drug overdose killed Haim . Heaslip , manager to both Feldman and Haim , said he seemed to be winning his battle against drug abuse in the weeks before his death . Haim , 38 , was taken to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank , California , early Wednesday , where he was pronounced dead at 2:15 a.m. PT -LRB- 5:15 a.m. ET -RRB- , said Ed Winter , Los Angeles County deputy coroner . Haim was in the apartment he shared with his mother , Judy Haim , when he `` became a little dizzy , he kind of went to his knees in the bedroom , '' Winter said . `` His mom assisted him in the bed . He became unresponsive . '' His mother called paramedics to the apartment , which is between Hollywood Hills and Burbank , he said . Haim had suffered from flulike symptoms for two days , the deputy coroner said . `` We found no illicit drugs . However , we did recover four of his prescription meds at the location , '' Winter said , adding he does not know what those drugs were . Haim was `` weaned down to literally zero medications '' in the past two weeks by an addiction specialist , Heaslip said on HLN 's `` Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell '' on Wednesday . The doctor `` put him on a new line of medications , '' Feldman said on CNN 's `` Larry King Live '' on Wednesday . Feldman pleaded with people not to draw conclusions that Haim died from a drug overdose . He said that until the autopsy report is issued , `` nobody knows and nobody 's going to know . '' Watch Corey Feldman talk about his friend 's death on `` Larry King Live '' `` I know that there were symptoms that he was showing that expressed it could be a number of things , '' Feldman said . `` This could have been a kidney failure . This could have been a heart failure . '' Heaslip that said Haim 's mother , Judy , told him `` there were no signs of him overdosing . '' His death came as his career was picking up , with Haim booking `` movie after movie , '' Heaslip said . His latest film is set for release soon , he said . Haim `` really became a man '' in recent months as he helped his mother in her battle with cancer , Feldman said . `` He 's been there for her , taking care of her , being responsible , '' he said . Feldman said he was angry about how Haim has been snubbed in recent years by the entertainment industry . He was broke , without a car and living in a month-to-month rental apartment with his mother , he said . `` We build people up as children , we put them on pedestals and then when we decide that they are not marketable anymore , we walk away from them , '' he said . Haim 's most famous role was in the 1987 movie `` The Lost Boys , '' in which he appeared with Feldman . Haim played the role of a fresh-faced teenager whose brother becomes a vampire . In later years , the two friends -- who appeared in eight movies together -- struggled with drug abuse and went their separate ways . They reunited for a reality show , `` The Two Coreys , '' in 2007 , but A&E Network canceled the program after slightly more than a year . In a 2007 interview on CNN 's `` Larry King Live , '' Haim and Feldman discussed their battle with drugs . Feldman told King that he had gotten clean , but it took Haim longer . Haim called himself `` a chronic relapser for the rest of my life . '' `` I think I have an addiction to pretty much everything , '' he said . `` I mean , I have to be very careful with myself as far as that goes , which is why I have a support group around me consistently . '' In 2008 , Feldman told People magazine that he would no longer speak to Haim until his former co-star got sober . In a clip from `` The Two Coreys , '' Feldman and his wife , along with two other former teen stars , called on Haim in an effort to get him to admit he needed help , the magazine said . The meeting followed an incident in which Haim , scheduled to film a cameo appearance in a direct-to-DVD sequel to `` The Lost Boys , '' appeared on the set `` clearly under the influence , '' People reported . Feldman told King on Wednesday that he renewed his contact with Haim in the past year because of the progress he made against his addiction . Haim was born December 23 , 1971 , in Toronto , Ontario , according to a biography on his Web site . He made his first television appearance in 1982 on the Canadian series `` The Edison Twins . '' His first film role was in the 1984 movie `` First Born . '' Haim also won rave reviews for his title role in the 1986 film `` Lucas . '' Film critic Roger Ebert said of him at the time , `` If he continues to act this well , he will never become a half-forgotten child star , but will continue to grow into an important actor . '' Following `` The Lost Boys , '' Haim and Feldman appeared in `` License to Drive '' and `` Dream a Little Dream . '' CNN 's Brittany Kaplan contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"HARARE , Zimbabwe -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Zimbabwe 's inflation rate has soared in the past three months and is now at 11.2 million percent , the highest in the world , according to the country 's Central Statistical Office . Zimbabwe 's inflation rate has soared to a world high . Official figures dated Monday show inflation has surged from the rate of 2.2 million percent recorded in May , despite the government 's price controls . The country 's finance minister confirmed the new figure in an interview but said the rising inflation rate was not confined to Zimbabwe alone . `` While our case has been aggravated by the illegal sanctions imposed by the Western powers , rising food prices are a world phenomenon because of the use of bio-fuel , '' said Samuel Mumbengegwi . `` But we will continue to fight inflation by making sure that prices charged are realistic . '' In February , the price of a loaf of bread in the country was less than 200,000 Zimbabwe dollars . On Monday , that same loaf of bread cost 1.6 trillion Zimbabwe dollars . Analysts have said the Zimbabwean government 's official inflation rate figures are conservative . Last week , one of Zimbabwe 's leading banks , Kingdom Bank , said the country 's inflation rate was now more than 20 million percent . The locally-owned bank predicted tougher times ahead for Zimbabwe in the absence of donor support and foreign investment in an economy that has been in freefall for almost a decade . Once considered the breadbasket of Africa , Zimbabwe has been in the throes of an economic meltdown ever since the country embarked on a chaotic land reform program that has decimated commercial agriculture . Analysts say the crisis has worsened following President Robert Mugabe 's disputed reelection in the June 27 presidential run-off . His challenger Morgan Tsvangirai boycotted the race over widespread allegations of violence and voter intimidation . The economic crisis has destroyed Zimbabwe 's currency and made it difficult for Zimbabweans to buy basic commodities , electricity , fuel , and medicines . Many Zimbabweans have left the country amid rising unemployment and deepening poverty . Last week a summit in South Africa of regional African leaders failed to persuade Zimbabwe 's political parties to agree to form a government of national unity , which observers view as the best way to end Zimbabwe 's record recession .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A double amputee sprinter has won the right to be eligible to compete at this summer 's Olympic Games in Beijing after sport 's highest court backed his appeal against a ban imposed by athletics authorities . Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorious competed in two able-bodied athletics meetings in 2007 . The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that South African Oscar Pistorius , who runs on prosthetic blades , is eligible to compete against able-bodied athletes . Pistorius , 21 , who lost both legs below the knees when he was a baby , runs on shock-absorbing carbon-fiber prosthetics that resemble bent skis -- earning him the nickname `` Blade Runner . '' Pistorius , a Paralympic Games champion and world record holder , had lobbied the International Association of Athletics Federations -LRB- IAAF -RRB- to allow him to compete at the Olympics this August , but after extensive tests the IAAF ruled in January that his J-shaped prosthetics qualify as technical aids , which are banned in IAAF-governed sports . The IAAF does allow athletes with prosthetics to compete in able-bodied sports , as long as the IAAF believes they do not give the athlete an unfair edge . But Friday 's ruling by the CAS in Lausanne , Switzerland , overturned that verdict . In a statement , it said that its panel had `` not been persuaded that there was sufficient evidence of any metabolic advantage in favor of a double-amputee '' using Pistorius ' blades . Appeals of court decisions are allowed , but on very limited grounds . But the CAS said it did not exclude the possibility that future scientific tests could be developed which might enable the IAAF to prove that the blades provided Pistorius with an advantage over able-bodied athletes . The South African won gold in the 200 meters , and bronze in the 100 meters at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens . He holds the Paralympic world records in the 100 , 200 , and 400 meters . Since Athens , he has competed in two able-bodied races in which he finished second and last , respectively . Pistorius will have emphasized to the court the disadvantages he feels he has by running with prosthetics , CNN World Sport 's Don Riddell said . `` There are disadvantages when it 's windy , when it 's raining , -LRB- and -RRB- it takes him longer to get up to speed at the start , '' Riddell said . `` He will be hoping that they take everything into consideration and not just rule on how much spring his prosthetic limbs give him . '' In November , the IAAF carried out tests on Pistorius over two days at the German Sport University in Cologne to determine if his prosthetics , known as Cheetah limbs , could be considered a technical aid . A team of more than 10 scientists used high-speed cameras , special equipment to measure ground-reaction forces , and a three-dimensional scanner to record body mass . The scientists concluded Pistorius was able to run with his prosthetic blades at the same speed as able-bodied sprinters with about 25 percent less energy expenditure . Pistorius ' blades gave him an energy return nearly three times higher than the human ankle joint offers in maximum sprinting , they said . Riddell described Friday 's ruling in Pistorius ' favor as `` groundbreaking , '' and said it raised questions about the future of paralympic sports . `` What does this do to the future of the Paralympics if he 's allowed to run in the able-bodied Olympics ? Is he actually doing a disservice to other Paralympic athletes ? Does it cheapen the Paralympic Games ? '' Riddell asked .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A former federal prosecutor was arrested Wednesday on charges related to the murder of a witness in a drug case , among many other counts , the U.S. Attorney 's Office in Newark , New Jersey , said . Former federal prosecutor Paul Bergrin is charged with leading a racketeering conspiracy that included a murder . Paul Bergrin and three others were taken into custody after a federal grand jury in New Jersey indicted them on 14 counts , including murder , racketeering , wire fraud and money laundering charges , a statement from Acting U.S. Attorney Ralph J. Marra Jr. said . The indictment charges Bergrin with leading a racketeering conspiracy that included the murder of a witness in a drug case and an attempt to hire a hit man in another drug case , the statement said . Bergrin also is charged with wire fraud and money laundering , Marra said . Gerald Shargel , Bergrin 's attorney , said his client would plead not guilty to all charges . `` This is largely dredging up old issues , and we intend to vigorously fight the charges , '' Shargel said . The U.S. Attorney 's Office statement said Bergrin was involved in the murder of a confidential witness in one federal drug case and tried to hire a Chicago , Illinois , hit man to kill a witness in another drug case . The second killing never occurred , the statement said , because the proposed hit man was a cooperating witness in the case . Marra called Bergrin 's alleged conduct `` simply shocking . '' `` A licensed lawyer , a former prosecutor essentially became one of the criminals he represents , supporting , encouraging , indeed directing , a criminal enterprise that engaged in murder and murder conspiracies , drug trafficking and financial fraud , '' Marra said in the statement . `` Bergrin can now expect to feel the full weight of the very legal system he turned on its head with his conduct . '' Bergrin was an assistant U.S. attorney in New Jersey before going into private practice . According to the New York Law Journal , Bergrin , 53 , pleaded guilty this month to two misdemeanor counts for his involvement with a prostitution ring . He later represented U.S. Army Sgt. Javal Davis , one of seven people charged in the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal in Iraq . In that case , Davis entered a plea agreement on reduced charges before his court martial began . A recorded message at Bergrin 's Newark , New Jersey , office said it was closed today , and messages left with Bergrin 's cell phone and the cell phones of two associates went unanswered .","question":""}
{"answer":"Editor 's note : Kathleen Sebelius is secretary of Health and Human Services in the Obama administration . Kathleen Sebelius says health care costs are a huge and growing burden on the economy . -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Today in Washington , some politicians like to suggest that the many challenges we face as a nation mean we should n't tackle health care reform . Nothing could be further from the truth . With more and more of America 's families , businesses , and local , state and federal governments struggling with the crushing costs of health care , health care reform has never been more important . As President Obama has often said , you ca n't fix the economy without fixing health care . Unless we fix what is broken in our current system , everyone 's health care will be in jeopardy . Health care reform is not a luxury . It is a necessity . It 's important to look at the size of the problem we face and where we stand . Today , we have by far the most expensive health system in the world . We spend 50 percent more per person on health care than the average developed country , according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development . We spend more on health care than housing or food , the McKinsey Global Institute reported . Nearly 46 million Americans are uninsured , millions more are underinsured , and they are n't the only ones who are suffering . The high cost of care is hurting all of us . A recent study by Families USA estimates that insured families pay a hidden health tax of more than $ 1,000 every year . The hidden tax is the amount businesses and families with insurance have to pay in insurance premiums , taxes and donations to help cover the cost of treating uninsured Americans . Health insurance premiums for families that are covered through a job at a small business have increased 85 percent since 2000 , and more small businesses are thinking about dropping health insurance benefits . Nationwide , health care costs consume 18 percent of our gross domestic product . If we continue on our current path , health care costs will consume 34 percent of our GDP by 2040 , and the number of uninsured Americans will rise to 72 million , according to the Council of Economic Advisers . Even though we spend more than any other nation on health care , we are n't healthier . Only three developed countries have higher infant mortality rates . Our nation ranks 24th in life expectancy among developed countries . More than one-third of Americans are obese . These statistics are the signs of a system that is both unacceptable and unsustainable . They also show us the high cost of doing nothing . If we choose the status quo , more Americans will be uninsured , costs will continue to rise , and every American 's health care will be at risk . Inaction is not an option , and reform is long overdue . The Obama administration is working to enact reform that will reduce costs for families , businesses and government ; protect people 's choice of doctors , hospitals and health plans ; and assure affordable , quality health care for all Americans . We are guided by a simple principle : Protect what works about health care and fix what 's broken , and do it in a way that does not add to the deficit . The president has already introduced proposals that will provide $ 950 billion over 10 years in savings to finance health care reform . Much of these resources come from wringing waste out of the current system and aggressively prosecuting fraud and abuse . We will continue to work with Congress as it explores other financing options , and the president is open to ideas about how we finance health care reform . But we are not open to deficit spending . Health care reform will be paid for , and it will be deficit-neutral over 10 years . Working together , we can pass real health care reform that gives Americans the choices they deserve and the affordable , quality coverage they need . And we know they do not want us to wait . Too many people have suffered without basic medical care or paid too much for it . For years , the American people have called on Washington to meet this challenge . They have waited long enough . The time for reform is now . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Kathleen Sebelius .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The biggest surprise on a busy night of international football on Wednesday came in Duesseldorf , where Euro 2008 finalists Germany were beaten by Norway for the first time in 73 years . Norway players celebrate Christian Grindheim 's -LRB- No. 16 -RRB- goal in their shock victory over Germany . Midfielder Christian Grindheim scored from close-range , from Morten Gamst Pedersen 's cross , in the 63rd minute to give the visitors a 1-0 victory to stun the 45,000 home supporters on a freezing evening . Not since the 1936 Olympics in Berlin had Germany lost to Norway -- the defeat even more suprising as Germany coach Joachim Loew had the luxury of naming a full-strength side , while new Norway coach Egil Olsen was missing seven key players . In Marseille , Lionel Messi scored a brilliant solo goal to give Argentina a 2-0 win over France and give Diego Maradona a second straight win as national coach . The Barcelona striker collected the ball outside the penalty area and ran right through the home defense before expertly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Steve Mandanda . Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez had opened the scoring four minutes before the interval with a shot that went inside Mandanda 's left-hand post . Meanwhile , Jamel Saihi scored a second-half equalizer to give home side Tunisia a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in Rades . Montpellier star Saihi netted midway through the second-half with a long-range shot that Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg should have saved . Klaas Jan Huntelaar has given the visitors the lead in the 62nd minute when converting his 11th goal in 19 internationals , after Joris Mathijsen had headed down a long ball from Stijn Schaars . Elsewhere , Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva returned to action for the first time since breaking his leg 12 months ago -- helping Croatia to a 2-1 victory over Romania in Bucharest . Eduardo , who fractured his left fibula and dislocated his ankle against Birmingham in February 2008 , replaced Ivica Olic in the 61st minute and set up Niko Kranjcar for a 75th-minute winner . Ciprian Marica gave Romania the lead in the 22nd minute but the visitors levelled just six minutes later when Ivan Rakitic scored with a superb long-range free-kick . Unsettled Chelsea striker Didier Drogba scored an injury-time equalizer to give Ivory Coast a 1-1 draw with Turkey in Izmir . Drogba , who has been out of favor for his club side this season , tapped in a cross from the right in the second minute of injury time in his first match for his country in over a year . Gokhan Unal put the European 2008 semifinalists ahead in the 11th minute with a shot into the top right-hand corner of the net . World Cup host nation South Africa 's run of five consecutive victories came to an end when they were beaten 2-0 by Chile in Polokwane .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- California corrections officials released a startling new prison mug shot of Grammy-winning music legend Phil Spector , convicted last month of second-degree murder and serving 19 years to life in prison . Phil Spector 's prison mug shot , taken June 5 , shows him without a hairpiece . Spector , 69 , is being held at North Kern State Prison , where he is being evaluated before receiving a permanent prison assignment , corrections spokesman Gordon Hinkle said . The process could take up to 70 days . The mug shot , which shows a bald-pated Spector , was taken on June 5 as part of the routine intake process . California prison inmates are not permitted to wear wigs under Title 15 , Article 5 , Section 3062 of the state 's prison regulations , which addresses inmate hygiene . Corrections officials also are concerned that wigs can be used to hide contraband . A judge in Los Angeles sentenced Spector last month to the maximum sentence for second-degree murder in the February 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson . Spector , 69 , wo n't be eligible for parole until he is 88 years old . Clarkson , 40 , was found dead , slumped in a chair in the foyer of Spector 's Alhambra mansion with a gunshot wound through the roof of her mouth . View a timeline of the case '' Spector 's retrial began in October and ended in April . It took jurors 30 hours to convict him . His first murder trial in 2007 ended in a mistrial when the jury deadlocked 10 to 2 in favor of conviction after 15 days of deliberations . Clarkson starred in the 1985 B-movie `` Barbarian Queen '' and appeared in many other films , including `` Deathstalker , '' `` Blind Date , '' `` Scarface , '' `` Fast Times at Ridgemont High '' and the spoof `` Amazon Women on the Moon . '' She was working as a VIP hostess at Hollywood 's House of Blues at the time of her death . At both trials , Spector 's attorneys argued Clarkson was depressed over a recent breakup and her flagging Hollywood career . They said she grabbed a .38 - caliber pistol and killed herself while at Spector 's home . But prosecution witnesses painted Spector as a gun-toting menace . Five women took the stand and testified he threatened them with firearms . His driver testified he heard a loud noise and saw Spector leave the home , pistol in hand , saying , `` I think I killed somebody . '' Spector 's professional trademark was the `` Wall of Sound , '' the layering of instrumental tracks and percussion that underpinned a string of hits on his Philles label , named for Spector and his business partner , Lester Sill , in the early 1960s . CNN 's Alan Duke contributed to this story .","question":""}
{"answer":"TEHRAN , Iran -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A funeral procession for a senior Iraqi Shiite leader wound through the streets of Tehran , the Iranian capital , on Thursday . Iraqi Shiite leader Abdul Aziz al-Hakim , seen in a 2007 photo , was an ally of both the U.S. and Iran . Mourners turned out to say goodbye to Abdul Aziz al-Hakim , who spent 20 years in exile in Iran before returning to Iraq after U.S.-led forces toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein . The funeral procession started at the Iraqi Embassy in Tehran , said Haitham al-Husseini , a senior official with al-Hakim 's office and one of his advisers . Iraqi and Iranian government officials attended the procession with senior religious figures and some members of the Iraqi parliament . Another funeral procession is scheduled to be held Friday in Baghdad , Iraq , before the casket travels to several parts of southern Iraq with large Shiite populations . Authorities are concerned about security since Sunni insurgents have targeted large Shiite gatherings in the past . The Iraqi government announced the start of three days of mourning on Thursday , according to state television in Iraq . Al-Hakim died Wednesday in Tehran after a lengthy battle with lung cancer . He was 59 . He will be buried in his hometown of Najaf , one of the holiest cities for Shiite Muslims , al-Husseini said . U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill and the top U.S. commander in Iraq , Gen. Ray Odierno , described him as `` a national hero '' in a joint statement that expressed sadness over the death . `` Throughout his life , His Eminence demonstrated courage and fortitude , contributing to the building of a new Iraq , '' the statement said . `` We offer our sincere condolences to his family and colleagues . Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki also offered condolences , saying al-Hakim was `` like an old brother . '' Al-Maliki credited him for being a `` strong supporter during the phase of fighting the ousted regime and a key figure in the process of building the new Iraq . '' Watch how al-Hakim helped shape Iraq 's future '' `` His death at this critical stage that we are passing through is a great loss for Iraq , '' al-Maliki said . Al-Hakim ended his exile in Iran in 2003 when he returned to Iraq after Hussein and his regime were toppled . `` It was very emotional for me to meet with my people after Saddam fell , '' al-Hakim said in a 2006 interview . `` I was longing to see them , my goal in this life is to serve those great people and I am very proud to be a part of them . '' Iraqi Shiites were suppressed under the Hussein regime , which favored the country 's minority Sunni Muslims . Al-Hakim played a central role in shaping Iraq 's future following his return . During his exile , which began in the early 1980s , al-Hakim commanded the Badr Brigades , the military wing of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq , or SCIRI . SCIRI -- a religious opposition movement to the Hussein regime -- was led by al-Hakim 's brother until he was assassinated in August 2003 . Al-Hakim himself was also the target of assassination attempts . He took over as the head of SCIRI and began his ascent to power as the Badr Brigades became the bulk of the Iraqi security forces in Iraq 's predominantly Shiite south . SCIRI changed its name to the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq -LRB- ISCI -RRB- in 2007 to remove the word `` revolution , '' in an effort to reflect the situation in Iraq . Al-Hakim had always propagated a message of peace , calling on Iraqis to stop taking part in the bitter sectarian conflict that followed the fall of Hussein . But despite his desire for a secular democracy in Iraq , he wanted a country that recognized the importance of religion , religious institutions and its authorities . Al-Hakim successfully harnessed the fervor generated from emotional religious rituals like Ashura , a national day of fasting , and turned them into a powerful political platform . That ability led some to consider him Iraq 's most powerful man . His political bloc won the most seats in the Iraqi Parliament in 2005 . And although al-Hakim never held a government position , he commanded respect from those who did . Government ministers would meet with him at his office , not theirs , and he was often seen in the company of former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad . And when talks on Iraq 's constitution stalled , former President George W. Bush called al-Hakim , not the Iraqi prime minister or president . He visited the United States three times during the Bush administration to address the situation in Iraq . But al-Hakim remained artfully vague about Iran 's influence in Iraq , saying its role was a positive one -- in direct contradiction to the U.S. government , which raised concerns about what it called Iran 's `` meddling . '' He said the two predominantly Shiite Muslim countries shared border , historical and cultural relations , and emphasized the desire for strong ties . Al-Hakim died at a time of violent political turmoil in Iraq . The power of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq -LRB- ISCI -RRB- party he leaves behind is just as uncertain as the nation he wanted to serve . Al-Hakim was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007 and was first treated in the United States , then later in Iran . When he returned to Iraq later that year , he told CNN that he felt good . But it was around that time that it became apparent he was grooming his son , Ammar al-Hakim , to take over as head of ISCI . It was once Iraq 's most powerful Shiite political party , but ISCI lost much of its influence following elections in January when politicians allied with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki won control of most of Iraq 's provincial councils . CNN 's Arwa Damon , Jomana Karadsheh and Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Democratic presidential front-runner Sen. Barack Obama is in excellent health , according to a statement from his doctor , released by the campaign . Besides being an `` intermittent smoker , '' Sen. Barack Obama is in excellent health , his doctor says . Obama , 46 , last saw Dr. David Scheiner in January 2007 , shortly before he declared he was running for president . Scheiner , who has been Obama 's primary doctor since 1987 , observed that the Illinois senator 's diet , weight , blood pressure and cholesterol were all healthy . `` In short , his examination showed him to be in excellent health , '' Scheiner said . Obama `` exercised regularly , often jogging three miles . His diet was balanced with good intake of roughage and fluids . ... On physical examination , his blood pressure was 90\/60 and pulse 60\/minute , '' Scheiner wrote . The Illinois senator has been an `` intermittent '' cigarette smoker who has `` quit on several occasions and is currently using Nicorette gum with success . '' Sen. John McCain , the presumptive Republican nominee for president , released his health records last week . McCain 's doctors also described him as being in `` excellent health , '' despite a history of skin cancer , and said there appears to be no physical reason why the 71-year-old candidate could not carry out the duties of the office . Obama released a one-page statement from his primary care physician . He did not release any medical records or make his doctors available to the media . By contrast , McCain made more than 1,000 pages of medical documents available to journalists , including CNN 's chief medical correspondent , Dr. Sanjay Gupta . Four of McCain 's doctors held a conference call with reporters after the records were made available . McCain has had four malignant melanomas removed . Three of them -- on his left shoulder , left arm and left nasal wall -- were limited to the top skin layer and were not invasive . They were removed in 1993 , 2000 and 2002 . But a fourth melanoma proved to be invasive and was removed from his left lower temple in 2000 , said Dr. John D. Eckstein , an internist who has been overseeing McCain 's treatment for 16 years at the Mayo Clinic 's campus in Scottsdale , Arizona .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama introduced a health care plan that he says will bridge the gap between the House and Senate bills passed last year . His proposal is similar to the Senate bill , with a few nods to the House plan . Here are some of the highlights of his plan , according to the White House . Basics The president says his health care proposal will help more than 31 million uninsured Americans get coverage . Obama says his plan includes the largest middle-class tax cut for health care in history . It establishes a health insurance market that would provide the same insurance choices that members of Congress have . Health insurance exchanges , as proposed in the Senate bill , would be created to make it easier for small businesses , the self-employed and the unemployed to purchase less expensive coverage . There is no public option , an idea strongly backed by liberal Democrats but fiercely opposed both by Republicans and key Democratic moderates . Like the House and Senate plans , Obama 's proposal would bar insurers from charging higher premiums based on a person 's gender or medical history or denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions . Key differences Obama 's plan eliminates the controversial proposal added to the Senate bill that exempts Nebraska from paying increased Medicaid expenses . It also provides additional federal financing to all of the states for the Medicaid expansion . The president 's proposal closes the Medicare prescription drug `` doughnut hole . '' Under current Medicare limits , seniors must pick up the costs once their drug costs reach $ 2,830 and pay all costs out of pocket until they reach $ 4,550 , at which point Medicare coverage kicks back in . Obama 's proposal eases the `` doughnut hole '' in the short term by providing a $ 250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries who reach the limit in 2010 . The plan closes the doughnut hole completely by 2020 . The plan also establishes a Health Insurance Rate Authority to provide an additional level of oversight of insurance premium increase at the federal level , giving the government new authority to block excessive rate hikes by health insurance companies . Tax credits The president 's proposal increases federal subsidies to help people buy insurance . New health insurance subsidies would be provided to families making up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level . Compared to the Senate bill , Obama 's proposal lowers premiums for families making between $ 44,000 and $ 66,000 , according to the White House . Compared to the House bill , it lowers premiums for families making between $ 55,000 and $ 88,000 . Obama 's plan also provides more cost-sharing assistance than the House and Senate bills for families with incomes below $ 55,000 . For families making about $ 55,000 , the president 's proposal matches the assistance in the Senate bill . Penalties and fees The House and Senate bills both require payments from individuals who choose not to get health care coverage . Obama 's plan lowers the maximum penalty for individuals . Obama 's plan also provides $ 40 billion in tax credits for small businesses to help them provide health care options for their employees . Like the Senate bill , the president 's proposal does not mandate that employers provide insurance . Under Obama 's plan , companies with more than 50 employees would be required to pay a fee of $ 2,000 per worker if the company does not provide coverage and any of that company 's workers receives federal health care subsidies . The first 30 workers would be subtracted from the payment calculation . As with the individual requirement , this represents a compromise between the House and Senate plans . Obama 's proposal delays the $ 67 billion assessment on health insurers , pushing it to 2014 , when exchanges and the new health insurance market will be set up . The president 's proposal also increases the revenue drawn from the pharmaceutical industry to $ 23 billion over the next three years -- $ 10 billion more than the Senate bill . It delays the implementation of these fees to 2011 . Waste , fraud and abuse The president 's proposal includes a number of provisions to help eliminate waste and fight fraud . Some of those provisions include establishing Medicare and Medicaid sanctions databases , increasing access to the health care integrity and protection data bank , expanding efforts to recover overpayments made to providers and suppliers , and establishing a system to more quickly identify potentially fraudulent payments . Obama 's proposal also calls for preventing delays in access to generic drugs . Questions The president 's proposal does n't address many of the sticking points that hung up the House and Senate bills . Obama says his plan also reduces the deficit by $ 100 billion over the next decade and about $ 1 trillion over the following decade by `` cutting government overspending and reining in waste , fraud and abuse . '' The White House says the plan would cost about $ 950 billion over the next 10 years , but that 's not an official estimate . There are also not a lot of specifics on how to pay for the plan . The Senate plan , according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office , would cost an estimated $ 871 billion ; the more expansive House plan has been estimated to cost over $ 1 trillion . The Obama plan resembles the Senate version on how to block subsidies from funding abortions , choosing it over the more conservative House version . On health care and illegal immigrants , the president 's proposal follows the Senate language , which imposes far more limits on undocumented workers than the House version . Outlook Obama 's proposal is a long way from becoming law . His proposal would need to be drafted into legislation , debated and passed by the House and Senate . As the past year has shown , health care is an emotional subject , and debate can drag on for months . Immediate reaction from Republicans suggests that this time around , it wo n't be any easier . `` Nearly one year ago , the president moderated a health care summit that kicked off a national debate that has led us to where we are today : a partisan bill devoid of support from the American people and a diminished faith in this government 's capacity to listen . Let 's not make the same mistake twice , '' Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said . House Minority Leader John Boehner revived the abortion debate , saying , `` Republicans are also standing with the American people by calling for health care reform to protect human life and not use taxpayer money to fund abortion . ... Health care reform should be an opportunity to protect human life -- not end it -- and the American people agree . '' CNN 's Lisa Desjardins , Kristi Keck and Alan Silverleib contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Texas couple charged with killing the little girl known as `` Baby Grace '' now face capital murder charges , after a Texas grand jury upgraded the charges on Wednesday . Riley Ann Sawyers was moved from Ohio to Texas by her mother . Prosecutors said they have not decided whether to seek the death penalty against the girl 's mother , Kimberly Dawn Trenor , and Trenor 's husband , Royce Clyde Zeigler II . Two-year-old Riley Ann Sawyers was beaten to death and her body was disposed of in Galveston Bay . Riley 's body was found October 29 by a fisherman on an uninhabited island in the bay . It was wrapped in black plastic bags and stuffed in a blue , plastic bin . Her identity was not known at first , and police dubbed her `` Baby Grace . '' Police sketches of the child were widely distributed , and Sheryl Sawyers , the girl 's paternal grandmother , contacted police from her Ohio home to say the drawing resembled her granddaughter . DNA testing confirmed the child 's identity . Trenor , 19 , and Zeigler , 24 , were initially charged with injury to a child and tampering with evidence . But since the initial charges were filed last month the investigation has continued and police have gathered additional evidence , in addition to confirming Riley 's identity , said a statement released Wednesday by Galveston County Criminal District Attorney Kurt Sistrunk . Based on that , the grand jury was asked to upgrade the charges , he said . A three-hour hearing was held Wednesday in which grand jurors heard testimony from five witnesses , including police and FBI investigators and the medical examiner . The grand jury deliberated for only three minutes Wednesday before upgrading the charges , Sistrunk said . Trenor told police Riley had been beaten and thrown across a room and that her head was held under water before she died July 24 . She said the couple hid the girl 's body in a storage shed for one to two months before putting it in the plastic container and dumping it into the bay . A medical examiner said Riley 's skull was fractured in three places that would have been fatal injuries . Trenor and the girl moved to Texas from Ohio in May to be with Zeigler , who Trenor had met online . Sistrunk said the investigation is continuing , and a decision on whether to seek the death penalty will not be made until its conclusion . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Elvis Presley may have left the building three decades ago , but he raked in more money last year than many living titans of the music industry Singer Elvis Presley tops the Forbes list for the second year in a row , raking in $ 52 million last year . For the second year in a row , Presley topped the Forbes magazine 's list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities , hauling in $ 52 million last year . In comparison , the very-much-alive Justin Timberlake earned $ 44 million while another superstar , Madonna , made $ 40 million , the magazine reported Tuesday . The 30th anniversary of Presley 's death boosted attendance and merchandise sales last year at his Memphis , Tennessee , home , Graceland . A long list of licensing deals , such as a Presley show on satellite radio , added to the earnings . The business magazine has been compiling its annual list of departed celebrities ' earnings since 2001 . Since 2003 , the feature has coincided with Halloween . This year , the top 13 celebrities earned a combined $ 194 million in the last 12 months . The magazine says it talked to people inside the celebrities ' estates and calculated their gross earnings from October 2007 to October 2008 . Some celebrities are staples on the list , which is in its eighth year . Cartoonist Charles Schulz , who created Snoopy , Charlie Brown and the assorted cast of `` Peanuts '' characters , is second on the list . Schulz , who died in 2000 , had posthumous earnings last year of $ 33 million , the magazine reported . He owes his constant presence to a steady revenue stream from the ongoing licensing of his characters , the magazine said . Schulz and Presley join Theodor `` Dr. Seuss '' Geisel -LRB- this year 's No. 6 -RRB- , Beatles legend John Lennon -LRB- No. 7 -RRB- and actress Marilyn Monroe -LRB- No. 9 -RRB- as the only entertainers to make the list every year since its inception . Physicist Albert Einstein , best known for his theory of relativity , is fourth on the list . It is his third consecutive year making the Forbes rankings . Though he died in 1955 , a franchise bearing his name -- Baby Einstein -- made big bucks last year selling educational books , DVDs , CDs , toys and other products . It plans to expand into the young-adult market this year . Australian actor Heath Ledger , who died of an overdose in January , made his debut on the list in third place . The magazine estimated his earnings at $ 20 million , thanks to the success of the movie , `` The Dark Knight , '' in which Ledger played the Joker . The movie grossed $ 991 million worldwide . Paul Newman , who died of lung cancer last month , also made his first appearance on the list , raking in $ 5 million . `` His income still largely stems from residuals from his classic pictures , as well as more recent productions , '' the magazine said . The legendary actor 's line of natural and organic food products , Newman 's Own , earned revenues of $ 120 million last year , but the earnings were not considered in the tally because Newman donated all profits to charity while he was living , the magazine said . Several entertainers from last year 's list failed to make this year 's cut , including composer , producer and Beatles guitarist George Harrison , rapper\/actor Tupac Shakur , `` Godfather of Soul '' James Brown , and reggae legend Bob Marley .","question":""}
{"answer":"JERUSALEM -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Palestinian militant groups including the armed wing of Hamas are committing war crimes when they fire rockets into Israel , according to a report by campaign group Human Rights Watch . Palestinian militants from the al-Ahrar Brigades march during a rally in Gaza City in July . Three Israelis have been killed and dozens more seriously injured in Palestinian attacks since November 2008 with rockets striking populated areas up to 40 kilometers -LRB- 25 miles -RRB- inside Israeli territory and putting 800,000 Israelis in danger , the report said . Two Palestinian girls died in Gaza when a rocket fell short of its intended target while the attacks have also put Palestinian citizens at risk from Israeli counterstrikes , it added . Human Rights Watch urged Hamas , which controls Gaza , to hold those responsible for the attacks accountable . Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union . Hamas militants have cut down on rocket strikes in the past few months , but the group has not denounced those targeting Israeli civilians , nor has it tried those behind the attacks , the New York-based watchdog said . `` Hamas rocket attacks targeting Israeli civilians are unlawful and unjustifiable , and amount to war crimes , '' said Iain Levine , program director at Human Rights Watch . `` As the governing authority in Gaza , Hamas should publicly renounce rocket attacks on Israeli civilian centers and punish those responsible , including members of its own armed wing . '' A spokesman for Hamas , Sami Abu Zuhri , criticized the report , claiming Palestinians had the right to defend themselves against Israeli military operations . `` The report is not fair , '' he said . `` It should condemn the -LRB- Israeli military -RRB- crimes instead of condemning people who defend themselves . `` The international law gives them the right to defend themselves because they are occupied . We have the right to defend our land . '' During Israel 's offensive into Gaza during December and January , Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants claimed to have fired 820 rockets at Israel , the report said . Human Rights Watch said the use of homemade Qassam and Soviet-designed Grad rockets to strike at densely populated areas amounted to indiscriminate attacks on civilians because the weapons can not be aimed with any reliability . The watchdog found no evidence that Palestinian armed groups had deliberately used civilians as shields in rocket attacks . But it said militants took insufficient precautions to avoid putting civilian lives in danger . `` Hamas forces violated the laws of war both by firing rockets deliberately or indiscriminately at Israeli cities and by launching them from populated areas and endangering Gazan civilians , '' Levine said . Human Rights Watch has also documented war violations by Israeli forces during its three-week offensive into Gaza . While Israeli military operations had been more harmful , killing hundreds of civilians with airstrikes , tank shelling and other assaults , `` violations by one party to a conflict never justify violations by the other , '' it said . `` Attacks targeting civilians are never permitted under the laws of war , which require armed forces to target only military objectives , and to take all feasible precautions to spare civilians from harm , regardless of the reasons for resorting to armed conflict . '' The United Nations is investigating violations by both sides and is due to report to the U.N. Human Rights Council in September .","question":""}
{"answer":"Rome , Italy -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Vatican did not know about an American priest believed to have molested up to 200 boys until 20 years after civil authorities investigated and then dropped the case , its top spokesman said Thursday . Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi issued the statement in response to a New York Times story alleging that top Vatican officials , including the future Pope Benedict XVI , failed to discipline or defrock the now-deceased Rev. Lawrence C. Murphy of Wisconsin , despite warnings from several American bishops . But Jeff Anderson , a lawyer who obtained the internal church paperwork the newspaper based its story on , said it `` shows a direct line from the victims through the bishops and directly to the man who is now pope . '' Lombardi rejected the accusation . `` During the mid-1970s , some of Father Murphy 's victims reported his abuse to civil authorities , who investigated him at that time , '' Lombardi said . `` However , according to news reports , that investigation was dropped . '' The Vatican 's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , the office led by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger , who would later become pope , `` was not informed of the matter until some 20 years later , '' Lombardi said . The office is in charge of deciding whether accused priests should be given canonical trials and defrocked . `` The case of Lawrence Murphy has been well-documented since the mid-1970s , when allegations were first reported to civil authorities , although criminal charges were not filed , '' the Archdiocese of Milwaukee said in a statement Thursday . `` Murphy 's actions were criminal , and we sincerely apologize to those who have been harmed . The Archdiocese of Milwaukee continues to reach out to victims-survivors who were harmed by Lawrence Murphy and encourages them to report any abuse they suffered . '' Anderson , a lawyer representing five men who are suing the archdiocese , obtained correspondence from Milwaukee to Ratzinger as part of the lawsuit , along with other internal church documents related to the case . The documents , dating to 1974 , include letters between bishops and the Vatican , victims ' affidavits , the handwritten notes of an expert on sexual disorders who interviewed Murphy and minutes of a final Vatican meeting on the case . Murphy began as a teacher for St. John 's School for the Deaf in St. Francis , Wisconsin , in 1950 , and was promoted to run the school in 1963 in spite of the fact that students had warned church officials of molestation , according to the documents , which CNN has seen . Many of Murphy 's victims were hearing-impaired . Ratzinger failed to respond to two letters about the case in 1996 from Milwaukee 's then-archbishop , Rembert G. Weakland . After eight months , Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone , who at the time was second in command of the doctrinal office and now is the Vatican 's secretary of state , told Wisconsin bishops to begin a secret canonical trial , the documents show . Lombardi said that church rules did not mean a priest would automatically be punished but that punishment , if warranted , could include being defrocked . `` In such cases , the Code of Canon Law does not envision automatic penalties but recommends that a judgment be made not excluding even the greatest ecclesiastical penalty of dismissal from the clerical state , '' he said . `` In light of the facts that Father Murphy was elderly and in very poor health , and that he was living in seclusion and no allegations of abuse had been reported in over 20 years , the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith suggested that the Archbishop of Milwaukee give consideration to addressing the situation by , for example , restricting Father Murphy 's public ministry and requiring that Father Murphy accept full responsibility for the gravity of his acts , '' the statement said , noting that Murphy died four months later . Three successive archbishops in Wisconsin were told of the abuse , but none reported it to criminal or civil authorities , according to Anderson , the lawyer . Lombardi , however , said that neither canon law nor Vatican norms prohibit the reporting of such cases to law enforcement . But `` he did not address why that had never happened in this case , '' the Times said . The Archdiocese of Milwaukee said abuse was reported in fall 1973 to Milwaukee police , who turned the report over to St. Francis police , but no charges were filed . Murphy was removed in May 1974 as director of the St. John 's School for the Deaf but remained as fundraiser and alumni director until summer 1974 , when he was removed from any role at the school , according to a chronology posted on the archdiocese Web site . In August 1974 , a series of newspaper articles in the Milwaukee Sentinel reported on Murphy 's removal and the allegations , the chronology said . In September , he relocated to a family home in the Diocese of Superior . A district attorney reviewed the allegations against Murphy in fall 1974 , according to the archdiocese . A civil lawsuit was filed in 1975 against the archdiocese relating to Murphy but was resolved the following year , the chronology said . Murphy 's request for retirement was accepted in January 1993 , but restrictions against him were reinstated that year and reinforced twice . The bishops warned the Vatican , according to the newspaper , that failure to act on the matter could result in embarrassment to the Church . `` The tragic case of Father Lawrence Murphy , a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee , involved particularly vulnerable victims who suffered terribly , '' Lombardi said in the statement . `` By sexually abusing children who were hearing-impaired , Father Murphy violated the law and , more importantly , the sacred trust that his victims had placed in him . `` In the late 1990s , after over two decades had passed since the abuse had been reported to diocesan officials and the police , the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was presented for the first time with the question of how to treat the Murphy case canonically , '' the statement said . At the time , there was no procedure in place for reporting church abuse to the doctrinal office , according to Vatican sources . The office was informed of the matter , Lombardi said , because it involved abuse at confession , which is a violation of the Sacrament of Penance . St. John 's School for the Deaf closed in 1983 , the archdiocese said in its statement . `` Most importantly , today , no priest with any substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor serves in public ministry in any way in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee . '' CNN 's Diana Magnay contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tuesday 's off-year election might not have the high stakes of the 2008 presidential election , but there are several significant races worth watching : \u2022 Virginia governor : McDonnell is projected winner CNN has projected that Republican Bob McDonnell will be elected Virginia governor . The 55-year-old former state attorney general will be the first Republican to win the state 's highest office in 12 years . With 99 percent of precincts reporting , McDonnell was leading Democratic opponent Creigh Deeds 59 percent to 41 percent . The race was seen as an early referendum on voters ' attitudes toward President Obama and his policies and an opportunity for Republicans to turn back recent Democratic gains . More on Virginia gubernatorial race \u2022 New Jersey governor : GOP 's Christie is winner , CNN projects Republican challenger Chris Christie will defeat New Jersey Gov. John Corzine , CNN has projected . With 99 percent of precincts reporting , Christie was leading Corzine , a Democrat , 49 percent to 45 percent . Chris Daggett , an independent candidate , had 6 percent . Corzine , who was seeking a second term , trailed Christie during the summer , but recent polls showed them in a dead heat . As Election Day approached , some thought growing support for the moderate Daggett might siphon votes from Christie . More on New Jersey gubernatorial race \u2022 New York mayor : Bloomberg to win third term , CNN projects New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will win a third term despite a tough challenge from Democrat Bill Thompson , CNN has projected . With 99 percent of precincts reporting , Bloomberg led Thompson 51 percent to 46 percent . Bloomberg 's apparent victory comes after he changed the city 's constitution to lift a two-term limit . Bloomberg , an independent candidate , had led Thompson , the city comptroller , by double digits in most pre-election surveys . Bloomberg has outspent his rival in TV ads , $ 33 million to $ 2.66 million . \u2022 Boston , Massachusetts , mayor : Menino wins , Globe says Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has won a record fifth term , the Boston Globe reported . CNN is not making a projection in the race . With all precincts reporting , Menino led City Councilman Michael Flaherty 57 percent to 42 percent , according to the Globe . In Menino 's previous races , he either won overwhelmingly or he ran unopposed . Boston.com : Menino wins fifth term \u2022 Maine same-sex marriage vote : Early results are close Early results on a measure that would reject a law allowing same-sex marriage were tight , according to the Bangor -LRB- Maine -RRB- Daily News . With 70 percent of precincts reporting , nearly 52 percent of voters chose to reject the law , with more than 48 percent voting to retain it , according to the Daily News . When Gov. John Baldacci signed the legislation on May 6 , he did so knowing there was a possibility that voters could overturn it . In September , opposition groups delivered the necessary signatures to get a vote . Maine would be sixth state to allow same-sex marriage if voters uphold the legislation . iReport.com : Same-sex marriage proponents work to get out the vote \u2022 Medical marijuana in Maine : ` Yes ' has lead Early results seemed to favor the passage of a referendum that would expand the use of medical marijuana in Maine . With 70 percent of precincts reporting , 59 percent of voters chose `` yes '' in the referendum , according to the Bangor -LRB- Maine -RRB- Daily News . Voters in Maine , one of 14 states to allow the use of medical marijuana , were asked to decide whether to expand the list of conditions that could be treated with medical marijuana and make it easier to expand the list further in the future . It also would create state-licensed dispensaries . Portland Press Herald : Turnout may surpass 50 percent , official says \u2022 New York 's 23rd Congressional District Why it matters : A conservative backlash against a moderate Republican candidate propelled this race into national headlines as proof of an ongoing family feud between the far right and moderates for control of the party . What 's the story ? : Local Republican leaders picked Dede Scozzafava because of her appeal to centrist Republicans , independents and even some Democrats . But it sparked a conservative revolt , and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman outpolled Scozzafava , forcing her to withdraw . Scozzafava has since endorsed Democrat Bill Owens . New York district bares fight for GOP 's soul iReport.com : Interviews with supporters of Owens , Hoffman \u2022 Civil unions in Washington state Why it matters : Washington decides whether to edge closer to same-sex marriage . What 's the story ? : Earlier this year , what is called Washington 's `` everything but marriage '' bill was signed into law and gave registered domestic partners additional state-granted rights currently given only to married couples . In a vote similar to Maine 's , Washington will decide whether to overturn the legislation . Share election day images from your town \u2022 Atlanta , Georgia , mayor Why it matters : Thirty-five years of African-American control of the mayor 's office could end in Georgia 's capital city . What 's the story ? : White City Councilwoman Mary Norwood is the front-runner in this nonpartisan race between her and chief competitors City Council President Lisa Borders and former state lawmaker Kasim Reed . Incumbent Shirley Franklin , limited to two terms , recently said she is voting for Reed . Watch how Atlanta 's mayor is n't backing the front-runner Atlanta Journal-Constitution : Coverage of mayoral race \u2022 Houston , Texas , mayor Why it matters : The nation 's fourth-largest city could elect its first openly gay mayor . What 's the story ? : City Controller Annise Parker , who has been elected six times to citywide posts , has an even chance of winning , according to polls . Among her competitors are City Councilman Peter Brown and City Attorney Gene Locke . Watch how a Texas candidate could make history KHOU : Voter turnout appears light Tuesday Houston Chronicle : Scouting report on mayoral race CNN 's Paul Steinhauser , Emily Sherman , Ed Hornick , Robert Yoon and John Helton contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Barack Obama headed to the Czech Republic on Wednesday night to meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and sign an arms control agreement that reduces the nuclear stockpiles of both nations . The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty -LRB- START -RRB- to be signed Thursday by the two leaders builds on a previous agreement that expired in December . Obama has called the treaty the `` the most comprehensive arms control agreement in nearly two decades '' and said it would cut the nuclear weapons of the United States and Russia by about a third . After meeting with Medvedev and attending the signing ceremony in Prague , the Czech Republic capital , Obama will have dinner with heads of government from 11 countries -- Bulgaria , Croatia , Czech Republic , Estonia , Hungary , Latvia , Lithuania , Poland , Romania , Slovakia and Slovenia . The highlight of the two-day trip is the new treaty with Russia , which is another step in nuclear arms relations between the former Cold War adversaries . Its signing comes two days after the Obama administration announced a new U.S. nuclear weapons policy and four days before Obama convenes a summit of 47 nations on nuclear security issues . `` It significantly reduces missiles and launchers , '' Obama said of the new treaty , which lasts for 10 years . `` It puts in place a strong and effective verification regime . And it maintains the flexibility that we need to protect and advance our national security , and to guarantee our unwavering commitment to the security of our allies . '' Obama has made nuclear non-proliferation a major priority of his presidency , prompting criticism from conservatives who fear the president will weaken the U.S. nuclear deterrent against possible attack . `` We believe that preventing nuclear terrorism and nuclear proliferation should begin by directly confronting the two leading proliferators and supporters of terrorism , Iran and North Korea , '' according to a statement issued Tuesday by Arizona 's two Republican U.S. senators , John McCain and Jon Kyl . `` The Obama Administration 's policies , thus far , have failed to do that and this failure has sent exactly the wrong message to other would be proliferators and supporters of terrorism . '' According to information released by the White House , the new treaty limits both nations to `` significantly fewer strategic arms within seven years '' of its signing . One of the limits : 1,550 warheads . `` Warheads on deployed ICBMs -LRB- Intercontinental ballistic missiles -RRB- and deployed SLBMs -LRB- submarine-launched ballistic missiles -RRB- count toward this limit and each deployed heavy bomber equipped for nuclear armaments counts as one warhead toward this limit , '' the White House said . There also are limits on launchers . The treaty also lays out a `` verification regime '' that includes on-site inspections , data exchanges and notifications , the White House said . `` The treaty does not contain any constraints on testing , development or deployment of current or planned U.S. missile defense programs or current or planned United States long-range conventional strike capabilities , '' according to the White House . Obama said the agreement is part of the U.S. effort to `` reset '' the U.S. relationship with Russia . `` With this agreement , the United States and Russia -- the two largest nuclear powers in the world -- also send a clear signal that we intend to lead , '' the president said . `` By upholding our own commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty , we strengthen our global efforts to stop the spread of these weapons , and to ensure that other nations meet their own responsibilities . '' Negotiators have been working since April 2009 to wrap up the `` follow-on '' to the 1991 START agreement . Talks were difficult , with disagreements over verification , including on-site inspection of missiles that carry nuclear warheads . A U.S. official with knowledge of the talks earlier said that negotiators had found `` innovative '' ways to verify what each side has . Verification will be a top issue politically because the U.S. Senate and the Russian parliament will each have to ratify any agreement . Russian officials at one point objected to the Obama administration 's plans to build a missile-defense system in Eastern Europe . Specifically , they were angered by news leaks from Romania that it had agreed to allow missile interceptors to be installed in that country . The issue , according to arms control experts , was resolved by including non-binding language in the START treaty 's preamble stating that there is a relationship between offensive and defensive weapons ; however , the treaty itself deals only with limits on offensive weapons systems . This resolution could help placate U.S. critics who want no link in the treaty between offensive and defensive weapons , arguing that it might be used to try to limit a U.S. missile-defense plan . The new treaty would be the first pact related to arms control since the end of the Cold War , experts have said , setting the stage for further arms reductions that will tackle thorny issues such as what to do with non-deployed warheads that are kept in storage , tactical nuclear weapons and further cuts in missiles and launch vehicles . Some of those issues are expected to come up at the nuclear security summit in Washington on April 12-13 .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Top Democrats have expressed concern over President Obama 's plan to draw down nearly two-thirds of U.S. forces in Iraq by August 2010 , while some key Republicans are offering praise . House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this week questioned the need to keep 50,000 troops in Iraq until 2011 . At issue : Obama plans to leave between 35,000 to 50,000 residual forces in the war-torn country , serving in a training or advisory role to the Iraqi military . All U.S. troops have to be out of Iraq by December 31 , 2011 , under an agreement the Bush administration signed with the Iraqi government last year . There are currently 142,000 U.S. troops in Iraq . House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-California , indicated earlier this week that the residual force Obama is planning to leave in Iraq is too large . Pelosi on Wednesday told MSNBC 's Rachel Maddow : `` I do n't know what the justification is for 50,000 , a presence of 50,000 troops in Iraq . ... I do think that there 's a need for some . I do n't know that all of them have to be in -LSB- the -RSB- country . '' Pelosi clarified her concerns after Obama announced the plan at an event Friday at Camp Lejeune , North Carolina . iReport.com : Do you think troops should be pulled , or should numbers increase ? `` As President Obama 's Iraq policy is implemented , the remaining missions given to our remaining forces must be clearly defined and narrowly focused so that the number of troops needed to perform them is as small as possible , '' Pelosi said in a press release . `` The president 's decision means that the time has come at last for Iraq 's own security forces to have the prime responsibility for Iraq 's security . '' Rep. Lynn Woolsey , D-California , co-founder of the Out of Iraq House Caucus , was critical of the plan . `` I am deeply troubled by the suggestion that a force of 50,000 troops could remain in Iraq beyond this time frame , '' she said in a statement Friday . `` Call such a troop level what you will , but such a large number can only be viewed by the Iraqi public as an enduring occupation force . This is unacceptable . '' Rep. Dennis Kucinich , D-Ohio , said that while he supports Obama 's `` step in the right direction , '' the new troop plan does not `` go far enough . '' `` You can not leave combat troops in a foreign country to conduct combat operations and call it the end of the war . You ca n't be in and out at the same time , '' Kucinich said in a release Friday . And top Senate Democrats echoed some of their House colleagues ' skepticism . `` That 's a little higher number than I expected , '' Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nevada , said Thursday . The third-ranking Senate Democrat , Sen. Charles Schumer of New York , said , `` It has to be done responsibly , we all agree . But 50,000 is more than I would have thought . '' On Thursday afternoon , the president briefed bipartisan leaders from the House of Representatives and Senate -- including Sen. John McCain , R-Arizona , at the White House about the troop plan . Sen. Carl Levin , D-Michigan , chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee , said that 50,000 is `` somewhat larger '' than what he expected . However , he said he has always believed `` a few tens of thousands '' of troops would be needed for noncombat missions such as training and fighting terrorism . Watch Obama announce the new Iraq plan '' Before the White House meeting , Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois , the No. 2 Senate Democrat and a close Obama ally , said he was anxious to get the troops home . But he defended the administration , saying it is `` trying to strike the right balance '' between ending the war and maintaining stability in Iraq . Rep. John McHugh of New York , the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee , said later that Obama assured him the plan to withdraw all combat forces will be revisited if conditions on the ground in Iraq deteriorate . `` The president 's objective to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq is one we should pray for , plan for and work toward , '' McHugh said in a statement . `` However , I remain concerned that the security situation in Iraq is fragile , and we should work to mitigate any risks to our troops and their mission . I specifically raised these points with the president this evening . '' McHugh added , `` Our commanders must have the flexibility they need in order to respond to these challenges , and President Obama assured me that there is a ` Plan B. ' '' On Friday morning , McCain , who criticized Obama 's plan to pull combat troops from Iraq in the presidential race , offered warm praise for the new proposal . In a speech on the Senate floor , McCain said Obama 's decision is `` reasonable '' and that he is `` cautiously optimistic that the plan that is laid out by the president can lead to success . '' McCain , the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee , said that a `` failing situation in Iraq has been arrested and reversed '' due to the `` dramatic success of the surge strategy , '' referring to President Bush 's plan in 2007 to send additional troops to Iraq . He also praised Obama 's willingness to leave behind a significant residual force and reassess the situation if conditions change in the future . `` We are finally on a path to success '' in Iraq , McCain said . `` Let us have no crisis of confidence now . '' Obama touted his opposition to the Iraq war during the presidential campaign , a position popular with liberal groups such as MoveOn.org . But according to a new CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. poll , many Democrats may not be satisfied with Obama 's plan . When asked if the U.S. should keep the same number of troops in Iraq that are currently stationed there , 12 percent of Democratic respondents agreed -- compared with 58 percent of Republican respondents . Watch more on the poll '' Asked if U.S. forces should be removed by `` next spring , '' 87 percent of Democrats and 39 percent of Republicans surveyed were in favor . But the survey suggested that half of all Americans think the United States is winning the war in Iraq , the highest percentage since that question was first asked in a CNN poll in 2004 . `` This indicates that the public thinks the surge worked , but that has n't changed their view of the war in Iraq at all , '' said Keating Holland , CNN polling director . `` As a result , nearly seven out of 10 favor the idea of removing most U.S. troops from Iraq by next spring , a proposal that was a key part of Obama 's presidential campaign last year . '' The CNN\/Opinion Research poll was conducted February 18-19 , with 1,046 adult Americans questioned by telephone . The survey 's sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points . CNN 's Ted Barrett , Mark Preston and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The new district attorney of Boulder County , Colorado , said he plans to take a fresh look at the investigation into the 1996 slaying of JonBenet Ramsey . The DA 's office assumed responsibility for the investigation in 2002 . But District Attorney Stan Garnett told CNN that he wants to decide during his first 30 days in office whether the case should be returned to Boulder police . `` I 'm trying to determine whether it 's efficient to have the ongoing investigation handled by my office or somebody else , '' said Garnett , who was sworn in as district attorney January 13 . The DA 's office is relatively small , he said , with 27 lawyers and six investigators handling between 2,000 and 2,500 felony cases a year . Although the Ramsey case has not generated news since last year , tips and information regularly come in to authorities . Whoever is handling the investigation is charged with checking them out and deciding whether they are worth pursuing , Garnett said . He said reports that he is considering reopening the case are inaccurate . `` It 's not closed . It has n't been solved , and it 's been open the whole time . '' The case is one of the nation 's most famous unsolved murders . On December 26 , 1996 , John Ramsey discovered the body of his 6-year-old daughter , JonBenet , in the basement of the family 's Boulder home . The girl had been strangled and beaten . A ransom note was found on the stairs of the home , demanding $ 118,000 . Early in the case , Boulder police said JonBenet 's parents , John and Patsy Ramsey , were under `` an umbrella of suspicion '' in her death . But they were never formally named as suspects , and a grand jury refused to indict them . Patsy Ramsey died in 2006 after a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer . In July , Garnett 's predecessor , Mary Lacy , issued a public apology for the suspicion surrounding the Ramsey family after a DNA test performed using new technology showed that DNA found on JonBenet 's underwear and under her fingernails belonged to an unidentified man . The test results , Lacy said , were `` powerful evidence '' that allows investigators to think the Ramsey family were victims , not suspects . That same third-party DNA exonerated John Mark Karr , a one-time teacher , after he was arrested in Thailand and brought to Colorado . Authorities said Karr told a University of Colorado professor in e-mails that he was involved in JonBenet 's death . He told reporters after his arrest that he was with the child when she died , although he called her death an accident and said he loved her . Lacy was widely criticized , including by then-Gov . Bill Owens , for the handling of Karr 's arrest . Boulder police also have long faced criticism over their handling of the investigation . But , Garnett said Friday , `` I 've been very impressed by the Boulder P.D. . They are a fine department now and have handled a number of cases very well . ... They 've done a very nice job . '' The department has 24 investigators , four times as many as the DA 's staff , he said . Garnett was elected DA in November to replace Lacy , who could not run again because of term limits . Before he was elected , he served as a trial lawyer for 22 years , according to the DA 's Web site .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Nearly all healthy pregnant women who receive a single dose of the H1N1 flu vaccine will be protected from that flu , according to just-released clinical trial data . In a news conference Monday at the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease , said out of about 100 pregnant women who participated in trial studies , over 90 percent showed a robust immune response to a single 15-microgram dose of the H1N1 vaccine . And at this point , there have been no reported side effects , Fauci said . Fauci stressed that these results should be reassuring for already-vaccinated pregnant women and this is `` vital information for those who have not yet been vaccinated . '' He added that `` pregnant women have tolerated the vaccine well , and no safety concerns have arisen . '' Pregnant women are considered to be among the highest at risk for serious complications of this new flu strain . Since H1N1 , also known as swine flu , first emerged in April , 28 pregnant women reportedly have died from complications of this flu , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -LRB- CDC -RRB- . Despite health officials repeatedly saying the H1N1 vaccine is safe , questions about it persist . To reassure those who question the safety of the vaccine , Dr. Bruce Gellin , director of the National Vaccine Program Office , noted that a new independent panel has been formed to review data from all sources on the safety of the vaccine . The group will monitor all sources reporting problems with the vaccine . `` The vast amount of adverse events have been minor , '' said Gellin . He said there has been one reported death linked to the vaccine , but further investigation showed that the person died from the actual H1N1 flu , not the vaccine . Gellin said the panel was designed to keep an eye on any possible negative consequences and report them immediately . According to Dr. Anne Schuchat , director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC , who also attended the news conference , 30 million doses of the vaccine are available for states to order . She explained that that does not mean 30 million shots are available to the public at this point . The vaccines need to be ordered by each state and distributed before they make it to doctor 's offices and clinics . Schuchat reassured the public that more vaccines would be made available within the next few weeks , as demand for shots continues to rise . Fauci also noted further studies on children -- youngsters between the ages of 6 months to 35 months , and children from the age of 3 years to 9 years -- found they responded much better to two 15-microgram doses of the vaccine , than one single dose . For children 9 and older , a single 15-microgram dose gave young people a robust immune reaction that should protect them against the virus . When asked how this H1N1 virus differed from the seasonal flu , Schuchat said they were at opposite ends of the spectrum when it came to high-risk patients . `` With seasonal flu , '' said Schuchat , `` Ninety percent of the deaths every year are in people over the age of 65 . '' She noted , `` But with H1N1 , 90 percent of the deaths , thus far , have been in people under the age of 65 . '' And she added , `` half of those are under the age of 25 years , in young people . So those are the people we want to get our message to . Children , pregnant women , young people should be getting vaccinated . '' Fauci agreed saying , `` You need to look at the risk ... Right now , the risk of becoming seriously ill , even dying from this virus , outweighs the risk of something happening to you if you take the vaccine . It 's really that simple . '' CNN 's Miriam Falco contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"UNITED NATIONS -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Coca cultivation and cocaine production have decreased in Colombia but increased in Bolivia and Peru , the United Nations reported . Workers help eradicate coca plantations in northwest Colombia in May . Colombian cultivation was down 18 percent , and production decreased 28 percent in 2008 , the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime said in a report issued Friday . But cultivation increased 6 percent in Bolivia and 4.5 percent in Peru , the report said . Likewise , production went up 9 percent in Bolivia and 4.1 percent in Peru . `` The increases for Bolivia and Peru show a trend in the wrong direction , '' said Antonio Maria Costa , executive director of the U.N. drug office . Much of the decline in Colombia resulted from the manual eradication of 237 acres of coca , an increase of 44 percent over 2007 , and the spraying of another 328 acres with herbicide , the U.N. said . The production level is at a 10-year-low , the report said , and the cultivation amount is down to 2004 to 2006 levels . `` This is a remarkable achievement , '' Costa said in a release . `` It means that more coca bush was eradicated in Colombia than was grown in all of Bolivia and Peru . '' The value of coca leaf in Colombia is decreasing , making it less attractive for farmers -- 20,000 fewer households grew coca in 2008 than in 2007 , a decrease of 26 percent . The drug trade also is being disrupted , the report said . In Colombia , the U.N. said , authorities seized 200 tons of cocaine in 2008 , a 57 percent increase in seizures over 2007 , the report said . Peru reported an 86 percent increase in seizures of coca base and a 100 percent increase in the seizure of cocaine . Bolivia , likewise , reported a 45 percent uptick in seizures of coca base and a 145 percent increase in the seizure of cocaine . `` Cocaine supply is shrinking , as is demand in major markets of North America while cocaine use in Western Europe has stopped growing , '' Costa said . `` This may explain why prices are up , and purity is down . This may also explain why cartels are becoming so violent . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Three Pakistan international cricketers have been banned from the sport for the next five years after being found guilty at an anti-corruption hearing on Saturday . Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were found to have been involved in `` spot-fixing '' -- a practice involving illegal gambling during matches . Butt , 26 , was banned for 10 years with half of that suspended on certain conditions while Asif , 28 , received a seven-year ban with 24 months suspended . Amir , 18 , was given a straight five-year penalty for his involvement in incidents during the Test series against England in August 2010 . They have 21 days to appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport . The International Cricket Council announced the punishments following an independent tribunal 's hearing in Qatar . It came a day after Britain 's Crown Prosecution Service charged the trio and their agent Mazhar Majeed with conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments , and conspiracy to cheat . Amir and Asif were accused of deliberately bowling no-balls -- deliveries which incur a scoring penalty and can not dismiss batsmen -- to the instructions of Majeed , who received money from a third party , while Butt was said to be aware of the arrangement . The conditions of the reduced sentences require Butt and Asif to refrain from further breaches of the anti-corruption code and to participate in an education program run by the Pakistan Cricket Board . Pakistan trio to face criminal charges The independent tribunal resumed its hearing on Saturday after adjourning on January 11 . It dismissed a charge that Butt had agreed to bat out a run-less -LRB- or `` maiden '' -RRB- over in the match played at London 's Oval ground from August 18-21 , but said the player failed to disclose to the ICC 's anti-corruption unit that Majeed had approached him with such a request . The main charges stem from the following match at Lord 's , the final Test of the series . `` The tribunal found that the charges under Article 2.1.1 of the Code that -LRB- respectively -RRB- Mr Asif agreed to bowl , and did bowl , a deliberate no-ball in the Lord 's Test match played between Pakistan and England from 26 to 29 August 2010 , Mr Amir agreed to bowl , and did bowl , two deliberate no-balls in the same Test , and Mr Butt was party to the bowling of those deliberate no-balls , were proved , '' it said in a statement on the ICC website on Saturday . Amir is the youngest bowler to claim 50 Test wickets , six of which came at Lord 's as Pakistan lost to England by an innings and 225 runs . Butt has played in 33 Test matches since making his debut for Pakistan in 2003 , and scored 1,889 runs . He became captain of the side in 2010 and led his country in a Test series against Australia as well as the tour of England before being replaced by Misbah-ul-Haq in the wake of the scandal . Asif has twice tested positive for steroids , resulting in year-long bans , and in 2008 was detained for three weeks after being found in possession of illegal substances at Dubai airport .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama tapped a former Army general Monday to lead the Transportation Security Administration . Obama nominated Robert A. Harding , a retired major general with 33 years in the Army , to become the TSA administrator . Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the nomination with Harding by her side . `` The TSA administrator is among the most important , unfilled posts in the Obama administration , '' Napolitano said . `` The president and I both believe that Gen. Harding has the experience and perspective to make a real difference in carrying out the mission of this agency . '' `` If there were ever a nominee that warranted expedited , and detailed , consideration in the Senate , this is it , '' she said . Obama announced the nomination in a White House news release . `` I am confident that Bob 's talent and expertise will make him a tremendous asset in our ongoing efforts to bolster security and screening measures at our airports , '' Obama said . `` I can think of no one more qualified than Bob to take on this important job , and I look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead . '' The TSA has been under the leadership of an acting administrator since Edmund `` Kip '' Hawley resigned at the end of the Bush administration . In September , Obama nominated Erroll Southers , a Los Angeles airport police department official , to the head the agency . But Republican Sen. Jim DeMint , R-South Carolina , spearheaded GOP efforts to block the nomination based on concerns Southers would unionize airport screeners . Southers withdrew his nomination in January after lawmakers questioned his changing explanation about a personnel action taken against him decades ago . Harding would be the TSA 's first African-American administrator . Southers is also black . Harding has served as CEO of Harding Security Associates , a defense and intelligence government contracting firm he founded in 2003 and sold in July 2009 . From 1996 to 2000 , Harding was director for operations at the Defense Intelligence Agency , where he was the Defense Department 's senior human intelligence officer . Before that , he was director for intelligence for the Army 's Southern Command . The TSA was created in the months after the September 11 , 2001 , attacks and soon took over security at the nation 's airports , including screening commercial airline passengers and luggage . CNN 's Jeanne Meserve and Mike Ahlers contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Pennsylvania woman told police she was attacked at an ATM in Pittsburgh by a robber who became angry when he saw a John McCain bumper sticker on her car , a spokeswoman for the Pittsburgh Police Department said Thursday . Police can not confirm whether a man attacked this woman because she had a McCain sticker on her car . Public Information Officer Diane Richard said police can not substantiate her story , however , and the investigation is ongoing . Richard said the 20-year-old told investigators a man approached her Wednesday night at an ATM in the city 's East End , put a blade to her neck and demanded money . She said she gave him $ 60 and stepped away from him , Richard said . But the woman said the man `` became very angry '' when he noticed her car had a bumper sticker supporting the GOP presidential nominee , according to Richard . The woman said he punched her in the back of the head , knocked her to the ground and `` continued to punch and kick her while threatening her , '' the spokeswoman said . Before he left , the woman said , he carved the letter `` B '' into her face with a knife , according to Richard . There was no indication what the `` B '' indicated . The alleged assailant fled on foot , Richard said . `` We , the police , can not substantiate this yet , '' she said . `` This is what she told police . '' The woman , who is not from Pittsburgh , refused medical attention , Richard said , although she told the investigating officer she would see a doctor Thursday . There was no update on her condition , she said . Richard said the woman described her alleged attacker as a dark-skinned African-American , 6 feet 4 inches tall with a medium build and short dark hair , wearing dark clothing and shiny shoes . McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker told CNN that McCain and running mate Sarah Palin `` spoke to the victim and her family after learning about the incident earlier this afternoon . '' Hazelbaker said the campaign would not offer more detail out of respect for the woman 's privacy . The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama responded to the report with a statement saying , `` Our thoughts and prayers are with the young woman for her to make a speedy recovery , and we hope that the person who perpetrated this crime is swiftly apprehended and brought to justice . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Elvis Presley may have left the building three decades ago , but he raked in more money last year than many living titans of the music industry Singer Elvis Presley tops the Forbes list for the second year in a row , raking in $ 52 million last year . For the second year in a row , Presley topped the Forbes magazine 's list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities , hauling in $ 52 million last year . In comparison , the very-much-alive Justin Timberlake earned $ 44 million while another superstar , Madonna , made $ 40 million , the magazine reported Tuesday . The 30th anniversary of Presley 's death boosted attendance and merchandise sales last year at his Memphis , Tennessee , home , Graceland . A long list of licensing deals , such as a Presley show on satellite radio , added to the earnings . The business magazine has been compiling its annual list of departed celebrities ' earnings since 2001 . Since 2003 , the feature has coincided with Halloween . This year , the top 13 celebrities earned a combined $ 194 million in the last 12 months . The magazine says it talked to people inside the celebrities ' estates and calculated their gross earnings from October 2007 to October 2008 . Some celebrities are staples on the list , which is in its eighth year . Cartoonist Charles Schulz , who created Snoopy , Charlie Brown and the assorted cast of `` Peanuts '' characters , is second on the list . Schulz , who died in 2000 , had posthumous earnings last year of $ 33 million , the magazine reported . He owes his constant presence to a steady revenue stream from the ongoing licensing of his characters , the magazine said . Schulz and Presley join Theodor '' Dr. Seuss '' Geisel -LRB- this year 's No. 6 -RRB- , Beatles legend John Lennon -LRB- No. 7 -RRB- and actress Marilyn Monroe -LRB- No. 9 -RRB- as the only entertainers to make the list every year since its inception . Physicist Albert Einstein , best known for his theory of relativity , is fourth on the list . It is his third consecutive year making the Forbes rankings . Though he died in 1955 , a franchise bearing his name -- Baby Einstein -- made big bucks last year selling educational books , DVDs , CDs , toys and other products . It plans to expand into the young-adult market this year . Australian actor Heath Ledger , who died of an overdose in January , made his debut on the list in third place . The magazine estimated his earnings at $ 20 million , thanks to the success of the movie , `` The Dark Knight , '' in which Ledger played the Joker . The movie grossed $ 991 million worldwide . Paul Newman , who died of lung cancer last month , also made his first appearance on the list , raking in $ 5 million . `` His income still largely stems from residuals from his classic pictures , as well as more recent productions , '' the magazine said . The legendary actor 's line of natural and organic food products , Newman 's Own , earned revenues of $ 120 million last year , but the earnings were not considered in the tally because Newman donated all profits to charity while he was living , the magazine said . Several entertainers from last year 's list failed to make this year 's cut , including composer , producer and Beatles guitarist George Harrison , rapper\/actor Tupac Shakur , `` Godfather of Soul '' James Brown , and reggae legend Bob Marley .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Three people connected to the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez , Mexico , were killed in two drive-by shootings , a senior White House official told CNN Sunday . Two of the victims were an American employee at the consulate and her U.S. citizen husband . Their 1-year-old child , who was in a vehicle with the couple at the time of the shooting , survived the incident , according to the El Paso County Sheriff 's Office . The American couple were found dead inside a white Toyota RAV4 with Texas license plates , according to the Chihuahua state attorney general 's office . The woman was shot in the neck and left arm , while the man had a bullet wound near his right eye , officials said . `` We know that the U.S. citizens were targeted , '' Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz told CNN , saying a police officer witnessed a car shooting at the Americans ' car . `` We know they were chasing them . We know they wanted to kill them . '' The Americans were identified as Arthur Redelfs , 34 , and Lesley Enriquez by the El Paso County Sheriff 's Office , where Redelfs worked as a detention officer . Redelfs was a 10-year veteran of the department , according to Jesse Tovar , a spokesman for the sheriff 's office . `` On behalf of the men and women of the Sheriff 's Office , I would like to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family during this difficult time , '' said Sheriff Richard Wiles . `` Our thoughts and prayers are with them . '' Authorities retrieved only one shell casing , from a 9 mm weapon . About 10 minutes before authorities received the call , they were alerted to a body inside a 2003 Honda Pilot . Inside was the husband of the Mexican employee , identified as Jorge Alberto Salcido Ceniceros , 37 . Reyes said the victim was a state police officer who was married to a Mexican employee at the U.S. consulate . Two children , 4 and 7 , were injured in that shooting and transported to the hospital , the attorney general 's office said . Police recovered two shells at that scene from an assault rifle , authorities said . `` The president is deeply saddened and outraged by the news of the brutal murders of three people associated with the United States Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez , '' National Security Council Spokesman Mike Hammer said in the statement Sunday . `` He extends his condolences to the families and condemns these attacks on consular and diplomatic personnel serving at our foreign missions . In concert with Mexican authorities , we will work tirelessly to bring their killers to justice . '' In response , the U.S. State Department authorized the temporary relocation of employees ' families working in border-area consulates . `` These appalling assaults on members of our own State Department family are , sadly , part of a growing tragedy besetting many communities in Mexico , '' Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement Sunday night . `` They underscore the imperative of our continued commitment to work closely with the Government of -LRB- Mexican -RRB- President -LRB- Felipe -RRB- Calder\u00f3n to cripple the influence of trafficking organizations at work in Mexico . '' The families of employees at U.S. consulates in Tijuana , Nogales , Ciudad Juarez , Nuevo Laredo , Monterrey and Matamoros , are allowed to leave for a period of 30 days `` in response to an increase in violence along the Mexican side of its border with the U.S. , '' State Department spokesman Fred Lash told CNN . After 30 days , the authorization can be renewed , depending on a review , Lash said , adding that this was not a mandatory evacuation . The announcement was part of a warning to American citizens regarding travel to Mexico . The warning urges U.S. citizens to delay nonessential travel to parts of the states of Durango , Coahuila and Chihuahua , where Juarez is located , because of recent violent attacks . U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to all or parts of these three states . The attacks include the kidnapping and killing of two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua , the warning states . `` Some recent confrontations between Mexican authorities and drug cartel members have resembled small-unit combat , with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades , '' the warning says . `` During some of these incidents , U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area . '' The mayor said the shootings highlight a problem shared by both countries along their border . `` It is not just a Mexican problem -- it 's is a U.S.-Mexico problem , '' Reyes said . `` I 'm very glad that the U.S. has taken that position . '' He said he supported the State Department 's authorization to consular families and that `` it is important they feel safe . '' Mexico on Sunday said that its government was committed to protecting all people , citizens and visitors alike , diplomats or not . `` The Mexican government deeply laments the killings of three people linked to the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez , '' Mexico 's foreign ministry said in a statement . `` The Mexican authorities are working with determination to clear up the facts surrounding the crime scene and put those responsible before the law . '' Juarez is one of the front lines in Mexico 's war against the drug cartels that operate in its territory . More than 2,600 people were killed in Juarez in 2009 . Juarez , across from El Paso , Texas , has become a focal point of Mexican President Felipe Calderon 's anti-drug efforts after the January 31 killings of 15 people , most of whom were students with no ties to organized crime . The incident sparked outrage across Mexico . In the western state of Guerrero , at least 25 people were killed in a series of violent acts on Saturday , state officials said . The bodies of 14 people , including nine civilians and five police officers , were found in various parts of the resort city of Acapulco , the official Notimex news agency reported , citing Guerrero Public Security Secretary Juan Heriberto Salinas . In the small city of Ajuchitlan del Progreso , 10 civilians and one soldier were killed in two shootouts that started when federal officials tried to carry out search warrants on two locations , Salinas said . Police in the state were on a heightened security alert , he said . The government has not released official figures , but national media say 7,600 Mexicans lost their lives in the war on drugs in 2009 . Calderon said last year that 6,500 Mexicans died in drug violence in 2008 . CNN 's Mariano Castillo and Jamie Crawford contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"SUSSEX , Virginia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick must adhere to tightened restrictions after he tested positive for marijuana use , a federal judge said Wednesday . Suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick tested positive for marijuana in a September 13 drug test . Vick tested positive for the drug on September 13 , a court document from the Eastern District of Virginia shows . As a result , U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson ordered Vick to `` submit to any method of testing required by the pretrial services officer or the supervising officer for determining whether the defendant is using a prohibited substance . '' Those methods could include random drug testing , a remote alcohol testing system `` and\/or any form of prohibited substance screening or testing , '' the order said . Vick , 27 , must participate in substance abuse therapy and mental health counseling `` if deemed advisable by the pretrial services officer or supervising officer '' at his own expense , the order said . Vick was also ordered to stay home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. , `` or as directed by the pretrial services officer or supervising officer , '' the order said . He is to be electronically monitored during that time . The conditions are to apply until Vick 's sentencing , which is set for December 10 . Read about the federal case against Vick '' `` This is a very difficult time for Mr. Vick , '' said Billy Martin , Vick 's lead defense counsel , in a written statement . `` He will comply with the court 's new conditions regarding release . '' Vick faces a possible prison term of 12 to 18 months after his August guilty plea to federal conspiracy charges related to dogfighting on his property in Surry County , Virginia . The original terms of the pretrial release , set in July by U.S. Magistrate Dennis W. Dohnal , required that Vick not use narcotic drugs or other controlled substances unless prescribed by a doctor . Vick 's guilty plea in the federal case came after three associates -- Purnell Peace , 35 , of Virginia Beach , Virginia ; Quanis Phillips , 28 , of Atlanta , Georgia ; and Tony Taylor , 34 , of Hampton , Virginia -- admitted their roles in the operation and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors . On Tuesday , a Virginia grand jury indicted Vick and the three co-defendants on state charges of running a dogfighting ring at the home . See a timeline of the case against Vick '' The Surry County grand jury brought two charges against Vick : one count of unlawfully torturing and killing dogs and one of promoting dogfights . Each is a felony charge that could result in a five-year prison term . Vick will be arraigned October 3 in state court in Virginia . Vick 's attorneys say they are fighting the state charges on the grounds that he ca n't be convicted twice of the same crime . E-mail to a friend CNN 's Eric Fiegel contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"JERUSALEM -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police in east Jerusalem stretched into Sunday evening after a visit by a Jewish group to one of the city 's holiest sites . Israeli border police charge towards Palestinian protesters during clashes in Jerusalem 's Old City . Street battles began in the Old City on Sunday morning , when Palestinians praying at the site -- known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif , or `` Noble Sanctuary , '' and to Jews as Temple Mount -- began to throw rocks at the visiting Jews , said Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld . Police responded with stun grenades and arrested eight demonstrators , he said . Rosenfeld also said two Palestinians and two police officers were wounded in the melee , but Sheikh Ikrima Sabri , a former grand mufti of Jerusalem , said nine Palestinians were hurt . Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat called the visit a deliberate provocation by hardliners opposed to a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , and criticized the police response to the protests . Erakat compared the visit to the 2000 trip by Ariel Sharon -- before he was elected prime minister -- to the al-Aqsa mosque that Palestinians blame for touching off three years of violence . `` We 've seen this before , and we know what the consequences are , '' Erakat said in a statement issued Sunday evening . He said the visit was `` deliberately timed '' on the eve of the anniversary of Sharon 's September 28 , 2000 visit . There was no immediate response from the Israeli government to Erakat 's statement . The demonstration was broken up about 1:30 p.m. , but Palestinians continued battling police with rocks and Molotov cocktails for several hours in other parts of east Jerusalem . Erakat said Israel was `` deliberately escalating tensions '' in Jerusalem at the same time that U.S. President Barack Obama is trying to coax the two sides into restarting talks aimed a permanent settlement of the decades-old conflict . `` Providing a police escort for settlers who are against peace at all costs , and whose presence is deliberately designed to provoke a reaction , are not the actions of someone who is committed to peace , but of someone who will go to extraordinary lengths to scuttle all hopes of peace , '' Erakat said . CNN 's Shira Medding contributed to this report","question":""}
{"answer":"NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A construction company and three supervisors were indicted Monday on manslaughter and related charges in the deaths of two firefighters battling a 2007 blaze at the Deutsche Bank building in lower Manhattan . Firefighters Joseph Graffagnino , left , and Robert Beddia died in the Deutsche Bank building blaze . Prosecutors also reached an agreement with the city of New York requiring the implementation of new fire safety measures . `` Our goal is to put in place procedures which will prevent a disaster of the magnitude of the Deutsche Bank fire and to make sure that firefighters are never again exposed to the risks they faced in that fire , '' Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said . The indictments against the John Galt Corp. , Jeffrey Melofchik , Mitchel Alvo and Salvatore DePaola also allege negligent homicide and reckless endangerment . The indictment is the result of an investigation into an August 18 , 2007 , blaze that consumed nine floors of the Deutsche Bank building . The building had been scheduled for demolition after being contaminated by debris , asbestos and other hazardous substances after the September 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings . The two firefighters killed in the blaze -- Robert Beddia , 53 , and Joseph Graffagnino , 33 -- were caught in a smoke-filled stairwell that prosecutors say was improperly blocked off by barriers erected to seal off floors being stripped of contaminants . In addition to the deaths of Beddia and Graffagnino , 105 other firefighters were injured combating the blaze . The agreement with the city of New York mandates the creation of a new civilian inspection unit at the city 's fire department , the sole purpose of which will be to perform inspections at construction sites throughout the city . `` The regulatory measures we have put in place and the additional reforms set out today are designed to prevent any firefighter again confronting the conditions that firefighters faced at the Deutsche Bank building that tragic day , '' New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a written statement . The father of one of the firefighters killed in the blaze , Joseph Graffagnino Sr. , said the indictments did not go far enough . `` I do n't understand if the -LSB- city -RSB- agency ca n't be indicted , why ca n't individuals be indicted who we already know should have been responsible for doing their jobs and did not do their jobs , '' he said to reporters . Graffagnino was referencing the lack of criminal charges brought against employees of the city fire department , the city 's department of buildings and the building 's landlord , the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Friday , January 22 10:37 p.m. -- CNN 's Brian Todd reports on a fire at what is believed to be a textile factory in Port-au-Prince . Watch 9:02 p.m. -- Israeli rescuers pulled a 22-year-old man from the ruins of a three-story building in Port-au-Prince on Friday , 10 days after the January 12 earthquake . The man , who was not immediately identified , was rescued near the quake-ravaged presidential residence south of the capital , according to the Israel Defense Forces . The rescuers `` were able to release him whole and healthy '' and take him to an IDF field hospital in stable condition for further treatment , '' Maj. Zohar Moshe said . 8:41 p.m. -- Thousands of earthquake victims ' bodies have been buried in mass graves northwest of Port-au-Prince , a manager at the site tells CNN 's Brian Todd . Watch 7:39 p.m. -- Haitians have to be in the driver 's seat as they try to rebuild their country , the head of the International Monetary Fund says . `` We can provide resources , but there must be ownership by the Haitians themselves and especially by the Haitian authorities , '' Dominique Strauss-Kahn told CNN 's Christiane Amanpour . He previously has called for some kind of Marshall Plan like the one that rebuilt Western Europe after World War II . 7:10 p.m. -- About 4 million pounds of food are being sent by barge from Puerto Rico to Haiti , CNN 's Mike M. Ahlers reports . Puerto Rican authorities say that when it arrives in Haiti on Monday morning , it will be the single largest shipment of aid to arrive there to date . The food is said to be enough to feed the people of Port-au-Prince for a week . Organizers say it would take 150 planes to carry as much cargo . 6:42 p.m. -- About 250,000 people in Haiti are in urgent need of aid and another 3 million have been affected , according to the European Union , whose commissioner for development and humanitarian aid , Karel De Gucht , got a firsthand view of the situation in Port-au-Prince this week . The EU has estimated the death toll in Haiti to be at 200,000 . 5:31 p.m. -- A Haitian woman who was trapped in her collapsed house for five days with her 20-year-old daughter talks about her desperate , unsuccessful attempts to keep the daughter alive . Read 5:13 p.m. -- A man was killed , apparently by someone striking him with a concrete block , on one of the busiest streets in Port-au-Prince today . Witnesses say the man was trying to steal people 's money . One person called it `` citizen justice . '' Read 4:55 p.m. -- Yele Haiti , the nonprofit formed by musician Wyclef Jean , says it hired an accounting firm in the wake of increased public scrutiny of its finances , CNNMoney.com reports . The announcement comes days after Jean tearfully denied allegations that he misappropriated funds from his charity . The accusations emerged after the Haitian native returned to the U.S. following several days of relief work in Port-au-Prince in the wake of the January 12 earthquake . Read 1:39 p.m. -- The international aid organization Partners in Health reports it has 24 operating rooms established and working 24 hours a day in Haiti . More than 140 surgeons , nurses , anesthetists and other specialists were involved in the organization 's quake relief effort , it said . 1:20 p.m. -- CNN 's Ivan Watson speaks to a fisherman in Petit Paradis , Haiti , who describes a tsunami from the 7.0-magnitude earthquake more than 12 feet high . The water swept away his father and at least three other people in the fishing village , the fisherman tells Watson . 12:24 p.m. -- As of Thursday evening more than $ 355 million in donations had been raised for relief efforts , according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy , a newspaper covering nonprofit organizations . The estimate is based on a survey of 35 charities contributing the largest amounts of money to Haiti . 11:57 a.m. -- Corporate donations to Haiti earthquake relief have surpassed $ 100 million , according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 's Business Civic Leadership Center . The center reports the $ 106 million donated so far is the fifth-largest corporate response to a natural disaster ever , trailing only hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 , the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami , and earthquakes in Kashmir -LRB- 2005 -RRB- and China -LRB- 2008 -RRB- . 11:25 a.m. -- Soccer stars Zinedine Zidane and Kaka will take part in a charity match to help raise money for the the victims of the Haiti earthquake . They will be among 40 internationals lining up for the United Nations Development Program 's annual game , which will be held in Lisbon , Portugal , on Monday . Read How you can help 10:18 a.m. -- The International Organization for Migration reports that as of Friday 508 makeshift settlements have been identified in the area of Port-au Prince . Surveys by the organization and the Haitian government of 314 of those settlements put their population at 472,000 . 7:54 a.m. -- The U.S. Geological Survey reports a 4.4-magnitude aftershock strikes about 15 miles north-northwest of Port-au-Prince . Depth was about 6 miles . Share your earthquake stories 6:40 a.m. -- Authorities pushing to clear earthquake-relief bottlenecks in Haiti continue to work Friday to improve the flow of relief supplies at the south pier in Port-au-Prince . The January 12 quake damaged the capital 's north and south piers . Haitian authorities and the U.S. military had restored one-way traffic to the south pier , which is the smaller of the two , by Thursday . Port-au-Prince 's north pier remains unusable . Follow daily developments : January 12 January 13 January 14 January 15 Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Billy Powell , keyboardist with the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd , died of a heart ailment at his condo in the Jacksonville , Florida , suburb of Orange Park , police said Thursday . He was 56 . Billy Powell , center , poses with other members of Lynyrd Skynyrd at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2006 . Powell , who died early Wednesday , had survived the band 's October 1977 plane crash in Mississippi that killed lead singer Ronnie Van Zant ; guitarist Steve Gaines ; Gaines 's sister , vocalist Cassie Gaines ; an assistant road manager ; and the pilot and copilot . Powell was seriously injured in the crash . More than 40 fans left messages on a fan Web site . `` Billy , you are truely free now . Rock on with Ronnie and the gang . You also will be forever missed , '' read a note signed by traceyspruill . `` I can not believe the hurt that I have felt from being a Skynyrd fan , but I realize that it only hurts so much because I love the members of this band like my own family . We will always miss you , Billy . I can hear your fingertips rolling off those ivory keys right now . Thanks for being you . Rest in peace and may God bless you , '' another fan wrote . According to Orange Park Police Lt. Mark Cornett , Powell called 911 around midnight Tuesday from his condo at the Club Continental , complaining about chest pains . `` When paramedics and police arrived , they found him unresponsive on the bed , '' Cornett said . Powell was pronounced dead at the scene , and his cardiologist signed the death certificate at 1:52 a.m. ET Wednesday . According to the officer , Powell missed an appointment with the same doctor on Tuesday . Powell joined the original Skynyrd band in 1972 , but he worked for the Jacksonville , Florida-based band for several years before that as a crew member . Among the Southern rock band 's acclaimed songs are `` What 's Your Name , '' `` Freebird '' and `` Sweet Home Alabama , '' all released in the 1970s . `` Sweet Home Alabama '' reached the top 10 in 1974 . The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 . Two years after the plane crash , Powell , Allen Collins , Gary Rossington and Leon Wilkeson formed the Rossington-Collins Band . It broke up in 1982 . A new Lynyrd Skynyrd band formed in 1987 and included Johnny Van Zant , Ronnie 's brother . It began a tour in Baton Rouge , Louisiana , where the plane was headed when it crashed . The band 's last album , `` Vicious Cycle , '' came out in 2003 .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara , a key architect of the U.S. war in Vietnam under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson , has died at age 93 , according to his family . Robert McNamara took a lead role in managing the U.S. military commitment in Vietnam . McNamara was a member of Kennedy 's inner circle during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 , when the United States and the Soviet Union stood on the brink of nuclear war . But he became a public lightning rod for his management of the war in Vietnam , overseeing the U.S. military commitment there as it grew from fewer than 1,000 advisers to more than half a million troops . Though the increasingly unpopular conflict was sometimes dubbed `` McNamara 's War , '' he later said both administrations were `` terribly wrong '' to have pursued military action beyond 1963 . `` External military force can not reconstruct a failed state , and Vietnam , during much of that period , was a failed state politically , '' he told CNN in a 1996 interview for the `` Cold War '' documentary series . `` We did n't recognize it as such . '' A native of San Francisco , McNamara studied economics at the University of California and earned a master 's degree in business from Harvard . He was a staff officer in the Army Air Corps during World War II , when he studied the results of American bombing raids on Germany and Japan in search of ways to improve their accuracy and efficiency . After the war , he joined the Ford Motor Company and became its president in November 1960 -- the first person to lead the company from outside its founding family . A month later , the newly elected Kennedy asked him to become secretary of defense , making him one of the `` whiz kids '' who joined the young president 's administration . In October 1962 , after the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba , McNamara was one of Kennedy 's top advisers in the standoff that followed . The United States imposed a naval `` quarantine '' on Cuba , a Soviet ally , and prepared for possible airstrikes or an invasion . The Soviets withdrew the missiles in exchange for a U.S. guarantee not to invade Cuba , a step that allowed Soviet premier Nikita Kruschev to present the pullback as a success to his own people . In the 2003 documentary `` The Fog of War , '' McNamara told filmmaker Errol Morris that the experience taught American policymakers to `` put ourselves inside their skin and look at us through their eyes . '' But he added , `` In the end , we lucked out . It was luck that prevented nuclear war . '' McNamara is credited with using the management techniques he mastered as a corporate executive to streamline the Pentagon , computerizing and smoothing out much of the U.S. military 's vast purchasing and personnel system . And in Vietnam , he attempted to use those techniques to measure the progress of the war . Metrics such as use of `` body counts '' and scientific solutions such as using the herbicide Agent Orange to defoliate jungles in which communist guerrillas hid became trademarks of the conflict . McNamara made several trips to South Vietnam to study the situation firsthand . He , Johnson and other U.S. officials portrayed the war as a necessary battle in the Cold War , a proxy struggle to prevent communism from taking control of all of Southeast Asia . But while they saw the conflict as another front in the standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union , which backed communist North Vietnam , McNamara acknowledged later that they underestimated Vietnamese nationalism and opposition to the U.S.-backed government in Saigon . `` The conflict within South Vietnam itself had all of the characteristics of a civil war , and we did n't look upon it as largely a civil war , and we were n't measuring our progress as one would have in what was largely a civil war , '' he told CNN . Casualties mounted , as did domestic opposition to the war . In 1965 , a Quaker anti-war protester , Norman Morrison , set himself on fire outside McNamara 's office window . In 1967 , tens of thousands of demonstrators marched on the Pentagon , which was ringed with troops . By November 1967 , McNamara told Johnson that there was `` no reasonable way '' to end the war quickly , and that the United States needed to reduce its forces in Vietnam and turn the fighting over to the American-backed government in Saigon . By the end of that month , Johnson announced he was replacing McNamara at the Pentagon and moving him to the World Bank . But by March 1968 , Johnson had reached virtually the same conclusion as McNamara . He issued a call for peace talks and announced he would not seek re-election . After leaving the Pentagon in early 1968 , McNamara spent 12 years leading the World Bank . He said little publicly about Vietnam until the publication of a 1995 memoir , `` In Retrospect . '' `` You do n't know what I know about how inflammatory my words can appear , '' he told Morris . `` A lot of people misunderstand the war , misunderstand me . A lot of people think I 'm a son of a bitch . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Interrogation tactics such as waterboarding , sleep deprivation and slapping did not violate laws against torture when there was no intent to cause severe pain , according to a Bush-era memo on the tactics released Thursday . Attorney General Eric Holder says government workers who followed protocol wo n't be prosecuted . `` To violate the statute , an individual must have the specific intent to inflict severe pain or suffering , '' said an August 2002 memo from then-Assistant Attorney General Jay Bybee to John Rizzo , who was acting general counsel for the CIA . `` Because specific intent is an element of the offense , the absence of specific intent negates the charge of torture . ... We have further found that if a defendant acts with the good faith belief that his actions will not cause such suffering , he has not acted with specific intent , '' Bybee wrote . The Bybee opinion was sought on 10 interrogation tactics in the case of suspected al Qaeda leader Abu Zubaydah . The memo authorized keeping Zubaydah in a dark , confined space small enough to restrict the individual 's movement for no more than two hours at a time . In addition , putting a harmless insect into the box with Zubaydah , who `` appears to have a fear of insects , '' and telling him it is a stinging insect would be allowed , as long as Zubaydah was informed the insect 's sting would not be fatal or cause severe pain . `` If , however , you were to place the insect in the box without informing him that you are doing so ... you should not affirmatively lead him to believe that any insect is present which has a sting that could produce severe pain or suffering or even cause his death , '' the memo said . Other memos allowed the use of such tactics as keeping a detainee naked and in some cases in a diaper , and putting detainees on a liquid diet . On waterboarding , in which a person gets the sensation of drowning , the memo said , `` although the waterboard constitutes a threat of imminent death , prolonged mental harm must nonetheless result '' to violate the law . Authorities also were allowed to slap a detainee 's face `` to induce shock , surprise or humiliation '' and strike his abdomen with the back of the hand in order to disabuse a detainee 's notion that he will not be touched , the memos said . Bybee noted in the memo that the CIA agreed all tactics should be used under expert supervision . Other memos said waterboarding can be used only if the CIA has `` credible intelligence that a terrorist attack is imminent '' and if a detainee is believed to have information that could prevent , disrupt or delay an attack , and other methods fail to elicit the information . Another memo to Rizzo , from Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Steven G. Bradbury on May 10 , 2005 , noted that nudity could be used as an interrogation technique . `` Detainees subject to sleep deprivation who are also subject to nudity as a separate interrogation technique will at times be nude and wearing a diaper , '' it said , noting that the diaper is `` for sanitary and health purposes of the detainee ; it is not used for the purpose of humiliating the detainee and it is not considered to be an interrogation technique . '' `` The detainee 's skin condition is monitored , and diapers are changed as needed so that the detainee does not remain in a soiled diaper , '' the memo said . Another Bradbury memo laid out techniques and when they should be used in a `` prototypical interrogation . '' `` Several of the techniques used by the CIA may involve a degree of physical pain , as we have previously noted , including facial and abdominal slaps , walling , stress positions and water dousing , '' it said . `` Nevertheless , none of these techniques would cause anything approaching severe physical pain . '' All of the CIA techniques were adapted from military `` survival evasion resistance escape '' training , according to a May 30 , 2005 , memo from Bradbury to Rizzo . `` Although there are obvious differences between training exercises and actual interrogations , the fact that the United States uses similar techniques on its own troops for training purposes strongly suggests that these techniques are not categorically beyond the pale , '' the memo said . The memo said waterboarding and other techniques were used on Zubaydah ; Khalid Sheikh Mohammed , believed to be the mastermind behind the September 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks and identified as `` KSM '' in the memo ; and another suspected al Qaeda leader , Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri . `` The CIA believes that it would have been unable to obtain critical information from numerous detainees , including KSM and Abu Zubaydah , without these enhanced techniques , '' the memo said . `` These legal legal memoranda demonstrate in alarming detail exactly what the Bush administration authorized for ` high value detainees ' in U.S. custody , '' said Sen. Patrick Leahy , D-Vermont , and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , in a statement . `` The techniques are chilling . This was not an ` abstract legal theory , ' as some former Bush administration officials have characterized it . These were specific techniques authorized to be used on real people . '' In releasing the memos in response to a public records request from the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups , the Obama administration informed CIA officials they will not be prosecuted for past waterboarding and other harsh interrogation tactics . Attorney General Eric Holder promised in a separate statement that officials who used the controversial interrogation tactics were in the clear if their actions were consistent with the legal advice from the Justice Department under which they were operating at the time . `` My judgment on the content of these memos is a matter of record , '' President Obama said in a statement released from the White House . Obama prohibited the use of `` enhanced interrogation techniques '' such as waterboarding shortly after taking office in January . Such techniques `` undermine our moral authority and do not make us safer , '' he said Thursday . The president said that while United States must sometimes `` protect information that is classified for purposes of national security , '' he decided to release the memos because he believes `` strongly in transparency and accountability '' and `` exceptional circumstances surround these memos and require their release . '' Obama argued that `` withholding these memos would only serve to deny facts that have been in the public domain for some time . '' `` This could contribute to an inaccurate accounting of the past , and fuel erroneous and inflammatory assumptions about actions taken by the United States , '' he said . He added that the officials involved in the questionable interrogations would not be subject to prosecution because the intelligence community must be provided `` with the confidence '' it needs to do its job . The president pledged to work to ensure the actions described in the memos `` never take place again . '' CNN 's Kate Bolduan and Terry Frieden contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sen. Barack Obama decisively defeated Sen. Hillary Clinton in North Carolina Tuesday , but Clinton 's narrow victory in Indiana will likely send the race for the Democratic presidential nomination on to the next round of primaries . Sen. Barack Obama and his wife , Michelle , greet supporters in Raleigh , North Carolina . As polls closed in Indiana , Clinton had a double-digit lead over Obama , but by the end of the evening , Clinton 's lead had shrunk , dragging the race out until early Wednesday . A clear winner did not emerge until 1:15 a.m. Wednesday -- seven hours after the polls closed -- because results were slow to come in from Lake County , a Chicago suburb in northwestern Indiana with several precincts that went strongly for Obama . By Wednesday morning , all absentee ballots had been counted in Lake County and the final results showed Obama had taken the county by 12 percentage points . There were 115 delegates at stake in North Carolina and 72 in Indiana . Because Democratic delegates are awarded proportionally , Obama added four delegates to his lead , according to CNN estimates . Obama earlier claimed a decisive victory in North Carolina . With 99 percent of precincts reporting , Obama held a 14-point lead over Clinton . Watch analysis of NC , IN primaries '' `` Some were saying that North Carolina would be a game-changer in this election . But today , what North Carolina decided is that the only game that needs changing is the one in Washington , '' Obama told supporters in Raleigh , North Carolina . Watch Obama thank his supporters '' Obama took an overwhelming 91 percent of the black vote in North Carolina , according to exit polls , while Clinton claimed only 6 percent . Clinton took 59 percent of the white vote compared to 36 percent for Obama , according to the polls . Clinton told her supporters in Indianapolis , `` it 's full-speed on to the White House . '' Watch Clinton greet her supporters '' Clinton made a strong pitch to blue-collar workers in Indiana . She pulled a majority of the votes in rural and suburban Indiana during Tuesday 's primary . In CNN exit polling , Clinton took 53 percent of the vote in suburban areas , compared with 47 percent for Obama of Illinois . She took 68 percent of the rural vote compared with Obama 's 32 percent . In all , 1,738 voters were polled . Clinton had pitched herself as the candidate best-suited to turn around a flailing economy and consciously courted working-class voters in the state -- even driving a pickup truck up to a gas pump once to help promote her proposed temporary rollback of federal tax on gasoline . `` I believe that Americans need a champion in their corners , '' she said at a rally in Indianapolis . `` For too long we 've had a president who has stood up and spoken out for the wealthy and the well-connected , but I do n't think that 's what Americans need . `` Standing up for working people is about the American dream and about the Democratic Party ; standing up for the middle class is who we are and what we can be if we stick together . '' Eighty-nine percent of Indiana voters said they have been affected by what they called a recession . Clinton had a slight edge when voters were asked who is most likely to improve the economy -- taking 49 percent to Obama 's 47 percent . The candidates now turn their attention to the upcoming contests in West Virginia , Kentucky and Oregon . According to early exit polls , half of Clinton 's supporters in Indiana would not vote for Obama in a general election matchup with Sen. John McCain , the presumptive Republican presidential nominee . Watch what the exit polls show '' A third of Clinton voters said they would pick McCain over Obama , while 17 percent said they would not vote at all . Forty-eight percent of Clinton supporters said they would back Obama in November . Obama got even less support from Clinton backers in North Carolina , where 45 percent of Clinton supporters said they would vote for him over McCain . Thirty-eight percent of Clinton supporters said they would vote for McCain while 12 percent said they would not vote . Obama voters appear to be more willing to support Clinton in November . In Indiana , 59 percent of Obama backers said they 'd vote for Clinton , and 70 percent of Obama backers in North Carolina said vote for her against McCain . Obama on Tuesday said he did n't agree with those who said his party would not be able to unite . `` Tonight , many of the pundits have suggested that this party is inalterably divided -- that Sen. Clinton 's supporters will not support me , and that my supporters will not support her , '' he said . `` I 'm here tonight to tell you that I do n't believe it . Yes , there have been bruised feelings on both sides . Yes , each side desperately wants their candidate to win . But ultimately , this race is not about Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama or John McCain . `` This election is about you -- the American people -- and whether we will have a president and a party that can lead us toward a brighter future . '' Obama currently leads in pledged delegates and in states won , and he is ahead in the popular vote , if Florida and Michigan are not factored into the equation . Those states are being penalized for moving their primaries up in violation of party rules . With neither candidate expected to win the 2,025 delegates needed to clinch the Democratic nomination by June 3 , the end of the primary season , the final decision will most likely fall to the 796 superdelegates : Democratic governors , members of Congress and party officials . Watch how superdelegates could come into play '' Both candidates have spent the past two weeks shuttling between Indiana and North Carolina , each arguing to crucial working-class voters that their rival is out of touch when it comes to the pocketbook issues that are dominating the campaign . CNN 's Susan Candiotti , Dan Lothian and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A man suspected in the slayings of his girlfriend and her four children admitted choking the Oklahoma woman to death , but said the children were not present at the time , according to an affidavit filed in the case . Joshua Steven Durcho was arrested Tuesday after a car chase with police . Joshua Steven Durcho , 25 , was arrested Tuesday night in Hamilton County , Texas , officials said . He is suspected of killing Summer Rust , 25 ; her son Teagin , 4 ; and daughters Evynn , 3 , and Autumn and Kirsten , both 7 . All five bodies were found in Rust 's apartment in El Reno , Oklahoma , about 30 miles west of Oklahoma City , on Monday . Durcho 's first cousin notified authorities he found the body of Rust , who is identified in the affidavit as Summer Dawn Garas . Police also found the children 's bodies in the apartment , according to the affidavit , written by a special agent with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and filed Tuesday in Canadian County , Oklahoma , District Court . `` The Medical Examiner 's Office has reported to our agents that the preliminary assessment of the cause and manner of death for all five individuals was asphyxiation , suffocation and strangulation , '' the affidavit said . `` It was also reported that each body had ligature marks around the neck . The ligature marks were also observed by OSBI crime scene investigators . '' A spokeswoman for the state medical examiner 's office told CNN on Wednesday that the cause of death for Summer Rust and Teagin was strangulation , and that a ligature -- which could include a string , cord or wire -- was used to strangle them . Autopsies on the three girls were being conducted Wednesday , the spokeswoman said . A woman told police Durcho came to her apartment Monday afternoon and told her he had `` choked '' Summer Rust to death and that he was leaving Oklahoma , according to the affidavit . The woman asked Durcho about Rust 's children , the affidavit said , and `` Durcho told her that the children were at their grandmother 's residence ... while he and Summer worked out their relationship problems . '' The woman called Durcho 's mother and told her what he had said about killing Rust , the affidavit said . Durcho 's mother drove to the apartment to check on the woman , but no one answered her knocks . She then called her nephew , Durcho 's cousin , to accompany her , leading to the discovery of Rust 's body , according to the document . About 6:30 p.m. Monday , the affidavit said , Durcho went to the home of another cousin , a female , and told her `` he was in trouble and that he was headed out of state . '' Durcho was driving Rust 's 1989 white Ford Thunderbird , the document said , and asked his cousin to swap cars with him , but she declined . A surveillance video showed Durcho at a truck stop on Interstate 40 about three hours later , driving the Thunderbird , the affidavit said . Early Tuesday morning , a text message was sent from a cell phone in Durcho 's possession to his mother 's cell phone , according to the affidavit . Tracking and cell phone records showed Durcho 's phone was located in Wichita Falls , Texas , at the time . Later that morning , Durcho called his mother , with the call shown to be from the Abilene , Texas , area , the affidavit said . Durcho 's mother said `` Durcho told her he loved her and had to go , '' according to the document . Police said Durcho was arrested after a car chase Tuesday night . A Texas state trooper attempted to stop the car Durcho was driving because the trooper suspected the driver was drunk , according to Erin Mangrum of the Canadian County sheriff 's office . When the trooper ran the license plate on the car , it matched the tag number of a vehicle sought by Oklahoma police . The car sped off , Mangrum said , and during the ensuing chase the car crashed . Durcho suffered only minor injuries and was taken into custody , Mangrum said . A court hearing was to be held for Durcho on Wednesday in Hamilton County , according to CNN affiliates . The Hamilton County district attorney 's office did not immediately return a call from CNN . Durcho was being held in the county jail Tuesday night , Mangrum said . Rust 's mother , Susan Rust of Carson City , Nevada , said Durcho was unemployed and had been living with Rust and her children .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Mexican woman -- a former inmate in Maricopa County , Arizona -- claims in a lawsuit that sheriff 's officers mistreated her during and after her pregnancy , including shackling her while she was in labor and after her Caesarean section . The federal suit filed by Miriam Mendiola-Martinez this week comes days after the U.S. Department of Justice alleged the Maricopa County Sheriff 's Office , under the leadership of Sheriff Joe Arpaio , engaged in a pattern of discrimination against Latinos . Mendiola-Martinez 's suit is against the sheriff 's office , Arpaio , the Maricopa Medical Center and unidentified male and female officers , doctors and nurses . Mendiola-Martinez , a Mexican citizen , alleges in the suit she was arrested October 23 , 2009 , by Scottsdale , Arizona , police , and was booked into Maricopa County 's Estrella Jail on charges of identity theft . She was held without bond under Arizona law . According to the police report filed at the time of her arrest , Mendiola-Martinez was accused of using someone else 's name , date of birth and Social Security number to obtain work . She was arrested at her place of employment , a department store , while she was vacuuming the floor . When arrested , she was six months ' pregnant and had developed gestational diabetes and high blood pressure , according to the suit . On December 10 , 2009 , Mendiola-Martinez pleaded guilty to solicitation to commit forgery under a plea agreement . Her sentencing was set for December 24 . While incarcerated , in what her attorney , Joy Bertrand , called `` two months of hell , '' Mendiola-Martinez says in the suit that she was told by jail staff she would receive a `` special '' pregnancy diet . That diet , she claims , consisted of `` items such as two slices -LRB- of -RRB- cheese or ham , two slices of bread , indistinguishable cooked vegetables and occasionally a piece of fruit . '' She also said she was given two small cartons of milk a day and a pill that she was told was a vitamin . On days when she was transported to court , Mendiola-Martinez said , she was given no food during the day . In one instance , she alleges in the suit , an officer taunted her and other inmates with his food , telling them there was no food for them . On December 20 , four days before her sentencing , Mendiola-Martinez began to have contractions , according to the suit . She was shackled at her ankles and taken to the Maricopa Medical Center , where medical personnel determined she was not in labor and returned her to the jail . By the following day , however , her pain had increased . `` Ms. Mendiola-Martinez had been left in the jail visitation room , in extreme pain , '' the suit says . Guards ignored her attempts to speak to them in Spanish , so she asked an English-speaking person in the room to tell them she needed help . She was again taken to the Maricopa Medical Center , where she gave birth to a son via Caesarean section . She was shackled before and after the surgery , according to the suit . While she was recovering , a male correctional officer `` insisted that she be shackled to the hospital bed , '' and the shackles on her feet were painful , according to the lawsuit . Asked about the allegations in 2010 , Maricopa County Sheriff 's Office Lt. Brian Lee said in a statement that Mendiola-Martinez `` was not shackled during or directly after her medical procedure . After the procedure , she did have a soft restraint attached on one leg to her bed to prevent escape . '' Maricopa County sheriff 's spokesman Justin Griffin referred to the earlier statement when asked about the suit . Lee said Mendiola-Martinez was treated the way any other inmate would be while receiving treatment `` in an unsecured facility . Although she was being held on a Class Three felony , MCSO would have treated other inmates in the same manner . '' Mendiola-Martinez was not initially shackled , thanks to a `` guardian angel '' guard , Bertrand said , but `` she has her C-section , the guards change and this new guard comes in as she 's recovering from this major surgery and insists on shackling her to the bed . '' `` It 's incredibly painful , it 's incredibly dangerous because now she ca n't move around , she ca n't avoid clotting , and he refuses to take the shackle off , '' Bertrand said . Mendiola-Martinez was not allowed to hold or nurse her baby , the suit alleges . She was discharged on December 23 , but was not given a wheelchair to leave the hospital , the suit says . `` Wearing only a hospital gown , Ms. Mendiola-Martinez was forced to walk through the hospital with her hands and feet shackled , '' according to the suit . Meanwhile , she began to bleed , the suit says . A nurse `` scolded '' the corrections officer for taking her `` so quickly and without Ms. Mendiola receiving her pain medication or discharge paperwork , '' so she was again chained and forced to walk back to the nurse 's station , according to the suit . `` Ms. Mendiola-Martinez was in so much pain she could hardly walk , '' the suit says . `` Shackled at her hands and ankles , with a bleeding surgery wound , Ms. Mendiola-Martinez was returned to the Estrella jail . '' She spent the nights following her discharge `` in pain and crying , '' the suit says . Maricopa County Medical Center spokesman Michael Murphy , asked about shackling inmates in labor , said hospital staff defers to law enforcement , according to the suit . Hospital spokeswoman Judy Cane declined comment on the matter Wednesday . `` I 'd like to think that any woman held in that jail is going to be treated with respect and dignity , '' Bertrand said . Mendiola-Martinez declined to be interviewed , saying she fears retaliation by the sheriff 's office . International standards say using restraints on pregnant women `` is cruel , inhumane and degrading treatment , and given medical or other factors impeding pregnant or birthing women from attempting escape or becoming violent , the presumption must be that no restraints should be applied , '' the suit says . `` A woman 's privacy and dignity must be respected during labor and birth . '' International standards also say a pregnant woman in her third trimester should not be restrained while being transported , and efforts should be made `` to afford the mother reasonable access to the baby without impeding her movements by restraints , '' according to the suit . The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association oppose the shackling of women in labor or after delivery , the suit says . The Arizona Department of Corrections , the U.S. Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Prisons have all eliminated the practice . The suit claims officers violated Mendiola-Martinez 's rights , including her right to be protected from cruel and unusual punishment . Hospital staffers ' deferring to law enforcement officers regarding the shackling of women in labor and after delivery also `` demonstrates an ongoing policy of deliberate indifference to Ms. Mendiola-Martinez 's serious medical needs , '' according to the suit . It also alleges that a U.S. citizen in a similar situation would be less likely to be shackled . `` Ms. Mendiola-Martinez was subject to a lower standard of medical care -- and a higher degree of danger to her and -LRB- her -RRB- fetus -- than similarly-situated women who are United States citizens , '' the suit says . `` This disparate treatment is consistent with the findings of the United States Department of Justice regarding the systemic bias towards Latinos demonstrated by Sheriff Arpaio and the Maricopa County Sheriff 's Office . '' Arpaio is known as `` America 's toughest sheriff '' for his stance against illegal immigration . He and his attorneys last week condemned the Justice Department civil rights investigation as politically motivated and a `` witch hunt . '' Mendiola-Martinez seeks a jury trial and damages in the suit . Journalist Valeria Fernandez in Phoenix contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"ADELAIDE , Australia -- World record-breaking wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has announced he will retire from cricket at the end of the Australian summer . Adam Gilchrist takes a spectacular catch off Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the third Test against India . The 36-year-old chose Australia Day to make his decision public , coming at the end of the third day of the fourth and final Test against India in Adelaide . Gilchrist said he would retire from Tests at the end of the current match , and then hang up his gloves in one-day internationals after the upcoming tri-series with Sri Lanka and India . `` It is with great pride and happiness that I make the decision to retire from Tests and one-day internationals , '' he said in a statement on Saturday . `` I 've come to the decision after much thought and discussion with those most important to me . `` My family and I have been fortunate to have had an amazing journey full of rich experiences throughout my career and are sincerely grateful to all who have helped make this stage of our lives so fulfilling . `` I am now ready and excited to move into the next phase of my life which will , of paramount importance , include much more time with my family . '' Gilchrist broke the world record for the most wicketkeeping dismissals in Tests with 414 on Friday , overtaking South Africa 's Mark Boucher in his 96th outing in the five-day game . Boucher , by comparison , played in 109 Tests . Gilchrist took over the gloves from Ian Healy -- third on the list with 395 dismissals from 119 Tests -- in November 1999 , and went on to establish himself both as a wicketkeeper and as a batsman of brutal hitting capabilities . He has scored 5,556 runs to date , at an average of 47.89 , with a highest score of 204 not out and having made 17 centuries . He has been similarly prolific in 277 one-dayers , scoring 9,297 runs at an average of 36 and reaching three figures 15 times . Gilchrist 's revelation came as Australia put themselves in a strong position to win the series against the touring Indians , reaching 322-3 at stumps . Captain Ricky Ponting , whose team lead 2-1 , was unbeaten on 79 after adding an unbroken 81 for the fourth wicket with Michael Clarke -LRB- 37 -RRB- . Resuming the day on 62-0 in reply to India 's imposing first innings of 526 , Matthew Hayden and Phil Jaques took their opening stand to 159 . Jaques was the first to fall , bowled by India captain Anil Kumble for a patient 60 off 159 deliveries . Hayden , on his return after missing the defeat in Perth due to a hamstring injury , reached his 30th Test century before being bowled by 19-year-old seamer Ishant Sharma for 103 off 200 balls . Ponting , who came in at first drop , added another 55 with Mike Hussey before the left-hander was also castled by fast bowler Irfan Pathan for 22 to leave the home side teetering a little at 241-3 . But Ponting , who has struggled for form so far in the series , ground out his 40th half-century in Tests and Clarke provided able support to take Australia through to the close of play with no further loss of wickets . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It 's difficult to overestimate Quincy Jones 's contribution to American music . Over the last 60 years he has excelled as a musician , composer , record producer , arranger , conductor and media company executive . Quincy Jones has won 27 Grammy awards during his extraordinary career . In a career studded with landmarks , Jones produced Michael Jackson 's multi-platinum albums `` Off The Wall , '' `` Bad '' and `` Thriller '' -- the best selling album of all time -- and produced and conducted `` We Are The World , '' one of the biggest-selling singles in history . Quincy Delight Jones Jr. , known to his friends as `` Q , '' was born on March 14 , 1933 , in Chicago . He moved to Seattle as a child and began playing trumpet aged 12 . When he was 14 he befriended a young Ray Charles , who taught him how to arrange music , and Jones was soon playing bebop in nightclubs , backing up the likes of Billie Holiday . In 1951 , Jones won a music scholarship at prestigious Schillinger House , in Boston , but he abandoned his studies to tour with bandleader Lionel Hampton . By the mid-50s , he was arranging and recording for the likes of Sarah Vaughan , Duke Ellington and his old friend Ray Charles . In 1956 he toured with Dizzy Gillespie 's Big Band , recording his first album as a leader in the same year . In 1957 , Jones moved to Paris to study music composition and theory , taking a job with Mercury Records ' French distributor to pay for his studies . After a European tour proved a financial disaster , the president of Mercury offered him a position at the record label and Jones soon became vice-president at the company . In the 60s , Jones worked as a conductor and arranger for Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald . He also began scoring music for films , including `` In the Heat of the Night , '' `` In Cold Blood '' and `` The Pawnbroker , '' which featured his hit `` Soul Bossa Nova , '' later re-used as the theme to the `` Austin Powers '' movies . Jones would go on to score 33 movies during his career and he also composed the themes for TV shows such as `` Ironside , '' `` The Bill Cosby Show '' and `` Roots , '' which earned him an Emmy award . Having made his name as a composer and arranger in the 70s , he moved away from jazz to record a series of hit albums of his own soulful music . See photos of Quincy in Seattle '' Jones 's career was dramatically put on hold in 1974 , when he suffered a severe aneurysm , but it did little to stall his incredible drive . In the 80s , as well as producing three Michael Jackson albums and `` We are the World , '' he co-produced and scored the Steven Spielberg movie `` The Color Purple , '' and formed multi-media company Quincy Jones Entertainment . In his role as CEO he was executive producer of TV series `` The Fresh Prince of Bel Air '' and published `` Vibe '' and `` SPIN '' magazines . His 1989 album `` Back On The Block '' won Album Of The Year at the Grammys and 1993 's `` Miles and Quincy Live At Montreux '' , featuring Jones conducting Miles Davis , earned another Grammy . All in all , Jones has won 27 Grammys , been nominated for seven Academy Awards , and has added to his business interests with Quincy Jones Media Group and Qwest Broadcasting . Perhaps because of his own upbringing in tough neighborhoods in Chicago and Seattle , Jones has long been involved in social activism . He supported Martin Luther King 's Operation Breadbasket , which promoted economic development in the inner cities , and worked on Reverend Jesse Jackson 's People United to Save Humanity project . Jones founded the Listen Up ! Foundation , which has worked on youth projects in Los Angeles and South Africa , and he helped launch the We Are the Future project , which helps children in poor and conflict-ridden areas . He is also one of the founders of the Institute for Black American Music -LRB- IBAM -RRB- , which raises money to establish a national library of African-American art and music . Over the course of his incredible career , Jones somehow found the time to marry three times and father seven children . In 1990 , his life was chronicled in the movie `` Listen Up : The Lives of Quincy Jones '' and in 2001 , Jones published `` Q : The Autobiography of Quincy Jones . '' Watch Quincy Jones on My City_My Life '' Of his own career , which has taken him from being a teenage musician in the clubs of Seattle to a world-famous music mogul , Jones says , `` You have to turn all of your drunken dreams into sober realizations . I think I was blessed with the ability to see things and make them happen before everybody else saw them . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Henry Allingham , the world 's oldest man and the oldest surviving British veteran from World War I , has died at the age of 113 , his care home said Saturday . Henry Allingham was a founding member of the modern Royal Air Force . Allingham died in his sleep at St. Dunstan 's care home in Ovingdean , England , the home said in a statement . Born on June 6 , 1896 , Allingham was active until his final days , having celebrated his 113th birthday last month on the HMS President with his family , the care home said . The Guinness Book of World Records Certified Allingham as the world 's oldest man last month , St. Dunstan 's said . Britain 's Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Gordon Brown both paid their respects to Allingham on Saturday . `` The queen was saddened to hear of the death of Henry Allingham . He was one of the unique generation who sacrificed so much for us all . Our thoughts are with his family at this time , '' Buckingham Palace said in a statement . `` I had the privilege of meeting Henry many times , '' said Brown . `` He was a tremendous character , one of the last representatives of a generation of tremendous characters . My thoughts are with his family as they mourn his passing but celebrate his life . '' Born in the East End of London during the reign of Queen Victoria , Allingham was brought up by his mother and grandparents . His father died when he was a baby . He joined the Royal Naval Air Service as an aircraft mechanic in 1915 after his mother died . Allingham was the last known survivor of the Battle of Jutland , considered the greatest battle of World War I . He was serving aboard the armed trawler HMT Kingfisher , which was sent to meet up with the British fleet as it fought the Germans off what is now mainland Denmark . The battle still holds the record for the most gun-armed battleships and battlecruisers engaged in a fight , according to Britain 's Ministry of Defence . In 1917 Allingham was sent to France to support the Royal Flying Corps . His job as a mechanic was to service the aircraft and recover parts from downed planes , but pilots would often ask their mechanics to fly with them , so Allingham would sit behind the pilot and drop bombs or operate the machine gun . Allingham served in Flanders until that November , when he moved to the aircraft depot at Dunkirk , France . He stayed there until the end of the war . Allingham was a founding member of today 's Royal Air Force , which was formed in 1918 when the Royal Naval Air Service merged with the Royal Flying Corps . He married his wife , Dorothy , in late 1918 and left the RAF a few months later , in April 1919 . But Allingham remained a reservist , and during World War II he was called on to find a solution to the German magnetic mines that were bottling up the English harbor of Harwich , on the Essex coast . Allingham and his team devised an effective system to neutralize the mines , after which every ship was fitted with a neutralizing device using the system . His dedication to the military and the memory of fallen troops never wavered . In his later years especially , Allingham was often seen at memorial events , even though he could no longer walk and had to be transported in a wheelchair . `` Henry was always determined to ensure that today 's generation does not forget the sacrifice of those who died on the Western Front , '' St. Dunstan 's said in a statement after his death . `` Until recently , he regularly visited schools and attended war-based events as an ambassador for his generation . '' Asked once at a memorial ceremony how he would like to be remembered , Allingham brushed off any thought of it , saying people should instead remember those who died in the wars . `` Remember them , not me , '' he said . He was made a chevalier in France 's Legion of Honor in 2003 and was promoted to officer earlier this year . In awarding him the honor this year , the French ambassador to Britain thanked Allingham on behalf of French President Nicolas Sarkozy for his part in protecting France during both World Wars . The Royal Navy celebrated Allingham 's birthday last month by throwing him a party aboard the HMS President . A birthday cake and card signed by the First Sea Lord was delivered by fast raiding craft of the Royal Marines , and he was given a decanter of Pussers Rum , his `` favorite tipple , '' on behalf of the Fleet Air Arm . Allingham 's wife , Dorothy , died in 1970 . Their two daughters both died in their 80s . He is survived by six grandchildren , 16 great-grandchildren , 21 great-great-grandchildren , and one great-great-great grandchild , all of whom live in the United States , the care home said . Since 2006 , Allingham had lived at St. Dunstan 's , a care home for blind ex-servicemen and - women on the southern English coast . He had lost his sight as a result of age-related macular degeneration . `` Everybody at St. Dunstan 's is saddened by Henry 's loss and our sympathy goes out to his family , '' said Robert Leader , chief executive at the care home . `` As well as possessing a great spirit of fun , he represented the last of a generation who gave a very great deal for us . Henry made many friends among the residents and staff at St Dunstan 's . He was a great character and will be missed . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Eunice Kennedy Shriver , the sister of President John F. Kennedy and a champion of the disabled who founded the Special Olympics , died Tuesday , the Special Olympics said . She was 88 . Eunice Kennedy Shriver speaks at a dinner in honor of the Special Olympics in July 2006 . Born on July 10 , 1921 , in Brookline , Massachusetts , Shriver was the fifth of nine children to Joseph P. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy . She emerged from the long shadow of siblings John F. Kennedy , Robert F. Kennedy and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy as the founder of the Special Olympics , which started as a summer day camp in her backyard in 1962 . Today , 3.1 million people with mental disabilities participate in 228 programs in 170 nations , according to the Special Olympics . `` She was the light of our lives , a mother , wife , grandmother , sister and aunt who taught us by example and with passion what it means to live a faith-driven life of love and service to others , '' the Shriver family said Tuesday in a statement . `` For each of us , she often seemed to stop time itself -- to run another Special Olympics Games , to visit us in our homes , to attend to her own mother , her sisters and brothers , and to sail , tell stories , and laugh and serve her friends . '' No final decision has been made on funeral arrangements , a source close to the family said . Shriver 's husband , R. Sargent Shriver , and her five children and their spouses and all of her 19 grandchildren were with her when she died , the Special Olympics said in a statement . Watch a look at Eunice Kennedy Shriver 's life '' `` We are tremendously grateful for the extreme outpouring of support and prayer from the public as we honor our beloved founder , '' Brady Lum , Special Olympics president and chief operating officer , said in a statement Tuesday . `` Today we celebrate the life of a woman who had the vision to create our movement . It is an enormous loss , but I know we can rest assured that her legacy will live on through her family , friends , and the millions of people around the world who she touched and transformed . '' Even before launching the Special Olympics in 1968 , Shriver had established a reputation as an advocate for the disenfranchised and a trailblazer for the rights of the disabled through a variety of roles in the private and public sector . She also persuaded the Kennedy family to go public with one of its most guarded secrets . In September 1962 , Shriver wrote an article about her mentally disabled sister , Rosemary , which was published in The Saturday Evening Post . At an event honoring her in 2007 , Shriver spoke of her life : `` Most people believe I spent my whole life really interested in only one thing and that one thing is working to make the world a better place for people with intellectual disabilities . `` As important as it has been , it is not the whole story of my life . My life is about being lucky as a child to be raised by parents who loved me and made me believe in possibilities . It is also about being lucky to have had these extraordinary children . ... It is also about being especially lucky to have a wonderful husband . '' Watch Shriver reflect on her life '' At the same event , Edward Kennedy paid tribute to his sister , saying she had inherited the best qualities from his parents , including compassion . `` She had that sense no one should be left out or left behind . She picked this up , obviously , at a very early age . All of us could see that special relationship that Eunice had with Rosemary . '' After receiving a degree in sociology from Stanford University in Palo Alto , California , Shriver worked for the U.S. State Department in the Special War Problems Division from 1943 to 1945 , helping former prisoners of war readjust to civilian life . From 1947 to 1948 , she worked for $ 1 at the Department of Justice as executive secretary for the National Conference on Prevention and Control of Juvenile Delinquency . See highlights of Shriver 's public and private life '' In the early 1950s , she was a social worker at a federal prison for women in West Virginia and in juvenile court in Chicago , Illinois . She married Sargent Shriver Jr. , a World War II veteran who was building his career as a lawyer and public servant , in 1953 . The couple 's five children include California 's first lady , Maria Shriver . Sargent Shriver had roles in many top government initiatives of the 1960s , including Head Start and the Peace Corps . He also worked with his wife on the Special Olympics . He ran President Johnson 's War on Poverty and was U.S. ambassador to France from 1968 to 1970 . He was Democrat George McGovern 's running mate in the 1972 presidential election . In 1957 , Eunice Shriver became executive vice president of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. . Foundation , which was established in 1946 to honor the family 's eldest son -- who was killed in World War II -- to research the causes of disabilities and to improve the treatment of disabled people . Watch Shriver receive a special honor '' Her work with the foundation paved the way for a number of initiatives furthering the cause of disability advocacy . In 1962 she helped establish the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , a government agency that conducts research on topics related to the health of children , adults and families that was named after Shriver in 2008 . Disturbed by the treatment of disabled people in institutions across the country in the 1950s and 1960s , Shriver began inviting disabled children to a summer day camp , called Camp Shriver , on her farm in Maryland . Her vision expanded over the years , and in July 1968 the first International Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago . She also assisted in the establishment of a network of university-affiliated facilities and intellectual disabilities research centers at major medical schools across the United States , including centers for the study of medical ethics at Harvard and Georgetown universities in 1971 . In 1981 , Shriver began the Community of Caring program to reduce disabilities among babies of teenagers . That led to the establishment of Community of Caring programs in 1,200 public and private schools from 1990 to 2006 . Along the way , Shriver earned worldwide accolades and awards , including the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom , the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame 's Founder 's Award and nine honorary degrees . In 1995 , the U.S. Mint issued a commemorative coin with her portrait . The Mint says that made her the first living woman to be depicted on an American coin . In 2009 , a painting of Shriver with several Special Olympians was added to the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery . See images from Shriver 's life '' Her health began to fail in recent years , landing her in the hospital in 2005 after a minor stroke and hip fracture . She was hospitalized again in 2007 for an undisclosed ailment . In addition to her husband and daughter , Shriver is survived by her sons Robert Sargent Shriver III , Timothy Perry Shriver , Mark Kennedy Shriver and Anthony Paul Kennedy Shriver .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Mexican President Felipe Calderon made his third visit in a little more than a month Tuesday to the troubled border city of Juarez , where three people associated with the U.S. Consulate were killed over the weekend . Ciudad Juarez is the most violent city in Mexico , with more than 2,600 drug-related deaths in 2009 . No official numbers are available , but more than 400 killings have been reported in local media this year . The city , long the focal point of Calderon 's war on drug cartels , came to renewed prominence after the January 31 killings of 15 people , most of them students with no links to organized crime . The massacre sparked outrage throughout Mexico and drew worldwide attention . Saturday 's deaths of a pregnant woman and two other people connected with the U.S. Consulate renewed attention to the blood-soaked city . Calderon visited Juarez twice in mid-February within a one-week period , meeting with local officials and residents . More such meetings were scheduled for Tuesday . Although Tuesday 's visit had been scheduled before the latest slayings , analysts say it highlights the city 's importance to the president . `` What it says is that he has really decided that success in Juarez is essential for stemming the tide of organized crime , '' said Andrew Selee , director of the Woodrow Wilson Center 's Mexico Institute . `` He has staked his presidency on success in Juarez . '' Juarez , which accounted for about one-third of the drug-related killings in Mexico last year , was already significant because of the high death count , Selee said . But the killings in January and over the weekend have elevated the city to a symbolic level , the analyst said . `` It has gained an emotional value , '' Selee said . The latest killings were carried out by a local gang known as Los Aztecas , who are allied with the Juarez Cartel , Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz said . The three victims were followed and targeted , Reyes said . They were attacked as they left a birthday party at the U.S. Consulate in Juarez . U.S. and Mexican officials said a consulate employee who was four months pregnant and her husband , a U.S. citizen who was a jailer in El Paso , Texas , across the border from Juarez , were slain in their SUV . The couple 's 10-month-old daughter , who was in the vehicle , was not injured , Reyes and other officials said . Authorities identified the couple as El Paso residents Arthur Redelfs , 34 , and Lesley Ann Enriquez , 35 . Redelfs was a 10-year veteran of the El Paso County Sheriff 's Office , department spokesman Jesse Tovar said . The third victim was identified as Jorge Alberto Salcido Ceniceros , 37 , a state police officer who was married to a Mexican employee at the U.S. Consulate . His wife was not traveling with him , but two of their children , ages 4 and 7 , were in the car and were wounded , officials said . Authorities said they do n't know of a motive , nor had they made any arrests Tuesday . Widespread violence throughout northern Mexico in the past few weeks has led U.S. officials to take precautions , including the temporary relocation of State Department employees ' families in border-area consulates . The family members at U.S. consulates in Tijuana , Nogales , Ciudad Juarez , Nuevo Laredo , Monterrey and Matamoros are allowed to leave for up to 30 days , the State Department said . The leave can be renewed after 30 days . The announcement was part of a continued warning to U.S. citizens regarding travel to Mexico . U.S. citizens are advised to delay nonessential travel to parts of the states of Durango , Coahuila and Chihuahua , where Juarez is located . In addition , U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to all or parts of the three states . Attacks have included the kidnapping and killing of two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua , the warning states . `` Some recent confrontations between Mexican authorities and drug cartel members have resembled small-unit combat , with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades , '' the warning says . `` During some of these incidents , U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area . '' About two weeks ago , the Texas Department of Public Safety took the unprecedented step of telling college students not to visit Mexican border cities during spring break because they are too dangerous . It was the first time Texas authorities had taken that step . Canada , likewise , issued an advisory Tuesday urging citizens not to take nonessential trips to Ciudad Juarez and to `` exercise a high degree of caution '' throughout Mexico . `` Travelers are advised to reconsider their need to travel to Ciudad Juarez and should only do so if it is absolutely necessary , '' the government warning says . Asked if Ciudad Juarez is safe for visitors , Mayor Reyes laughed softly . `` We have a problem in Ciudad Juarez , '' he said . `` We ca n't deny that or lessen it . `` Normally , the violence is directed at people involved in crime , but at times , civilians are affected who are not involved in crime . '' Violence last weekend is a prime example of the extent of the problem . In the western state of Guerrero , for instance , at least 25 people were killed Saturday , state officials said . The bodies of 14 people , including nine civilians and five police officers , were found in various parts of the resort city of Acapulco , the official Notimex news agency reported , citing Guerrero Public Security Secretary Juan Heriberto Salinas . In the small city of Ajuchitlan del Progreso , 10 civilians and one soldier were killed in two shootouts that started when federal officials tried to carry out search warrants in two locations , Salinas said . The Mexican government has not released official figures , but national media said 7,600 people were killed in drug-related violence in 2009 . Calderon said last year that 6,500 Mexicans died in drug killings in 2008 . No official figures are available , but unofficial tallies this year say more than 17,000 people have been killed since Calderon declared war on the cartels after assuming office in December 2006 .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Britain 's Queen Elizabeth II unveiled a new medal Wednesday to honor the families of British service personnel killed while serving their country . The Elizabeth Cross may be given to family members of service personnel who have died since 1948 . The Elizabeth Cross will be given to the next of kin of armed forces personnel killed on operations or as a result of terrorism `` as a mark of national recognition for their loss , '' the Defense Ministry said . It is the first time the name of a reigning monarch has been given to a new award since the queen 's father , King George VI , instituted the George Cross in 1940 . That medal recognizes acts of bravery of both civilians and military personnel . The most prestigious medal , the Victoria Cross , was introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856 for acts of gallantry by the armed forces . `` This seems to me a right and proper way of showing our enduring debt to those who are killed while actively protecting what is most dear to us all , '' the queen said in a message to the armed forces . `` The solemn dignity which we attach to the names of those who have fallen is deeply ingrained in our national character . As a people , we accord this ultimate sacrifice the highest honor and respect . '' The Elizabeth Cross is a sterling silver emblem in the shape of a cross over a wreath . In the center is the queen 's monogram , EIIR , which stands for Elizabeth II Regina , or Queen Elizabeth II . At each of the four tips of the cross are floral symbols : a rose for England , a thistle for Scotland , a shamrock for Northern Ireland , and a daffodil for Wales . The reverse of the cross will be engraved with the name of the person who died . The name will also be written on a scroll signed by the queen , to be given to family members along with the medal , the Defense Ministry said . The award may be given to family members of all service personnel who have died since 1948 . Charles Mosely , the former editor in chief of Debrett 's , an authority on etiquette , said the Elizabeth Cross is a good way to recognize the sacrifice made by members of the military and their families . `` It seems very praiseworthy and very overdue , '' he said . It makes sense for the medal to be named after the reigning monarch , he said , because she is head of the armed forces . `` They have personal allegiance to the sovereign , a personal loyalty , '' he said .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Airlines are uncertain about when commercial service to disaster-ravaged Haiti will resume . In the meantime , some carriers are organizing relief efforts . American Airlines canceled its five round-trip flights on Wednesday and Thursday . The airline is allowing passengers with plans to travel to Haiti this month to change their plans without fee or penalty through February 14 , spokesman Tim Smith said in an e-mail . `` We are completely out of Haiti today , no scheduled operations -- we do n't know yet for how long , '' he said . American Airlines plans to offer its frequent flier program members mileage incentives for contributing to the Red Cross , Smith said . The carrier flew three American Eagle aircraft into Haiti on Wednesday carrying 30,000 pounds of relief supplies for airline employees and local hospitals and aid efforts . The airline plans to send more relief flights on Thursday and Friday . `` The airport tower is badly damaged , and while I do n't know the precise status of the runway , flights -LRB- including ours and Air France 's -RRB- did make it out last night , '' Smith said Wednesday afternoon . U.S. Embassy staff at the Port-au-Prince airport said the tower and the lights were working , U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Wednesday . Spirit Airlines , which operates one flight a day between Fort Lauderdale , Florida , and Port-au-Prince also canceled Wednesday and Thursday flights . Customers with reservations for travel to , from or through Haiti between Wednesday , January 13 , and Sunday , January 17 , may rebook their travel without penalty , provided the new departure is on or before February 7 , according to Spirit 's Web site . The airline will waive the change fee for travelers who move their travel beyond February 7 , but it will charge for any difference in fare . The airline plans to resume service as soon as the airport in Port-au-Prince reopens . `` At this time we do n't know when we 'll be able to get flights in and out , '' Spirit spokeswoman Misty Pinson said via e-mail . The airline will give 5,000 free Spirit miles to the first 200,000 members of its frequent flier program who donate at least $ 5 to UNICEF , the Red Cross or Y\u00e9le Haiti . Members must register online to participate . Delta Air Lines has canceled its only flight Wednesday in and out of Port-au-Prince from New York 's John F. Kennedy International Airport . There are no details on when the airline will resume commercial service , spokesman Anthony Black said . JetBlue Airways does not fly into Haiti , but the airline is waiving change fees and fare differences for passengers scheduled to fly into neighboring Dominican Republic on Wednesday . The airline 's operations in the Dominican Republic have not been disrupted , but customers who do n't feel comfortable flying can move their flights back , spokeswoman Alison Croyle said . Passengers who were scheduled to fly to , from or through Puerto Plata , Santiago or Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday may cancel without penalty and receive a full refund or reschedule to fly Thursday or Friday with no fees , Croyle said .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Carly Fiorina , the former Hewlett-Packard CEO turned top John McCain aide , said she does n't think Sarah Palin is qualified to run a major corporation . For that matter , Fiorina said , McCain , Obama and Biden are n't capable of that kind of job either . Ex-Hewlett-Packard CEO and McCain adviser Carly Fiorina said Sarah Palin could not run a major company . The Republican presidential candidate has been trying to portray himself as someone who can fix the country 's economic woes . But that is a far different task than running a Fortune 500 corporation , Fiorina told MSNBC Tuesday . Democratic candidate Barack Obama 's camp immediately circulated copies of her words -- which did n't exactly paint their candidate in a soft light , either . `` Well , I do n't think John McCain could run a major corporation , I do n't think Barack Obama could run a major corporation , I do n't think Joe Biden could run a major corporation , '' Fiorina said . `` It is a fallacy to suggest that the country is like a company . So , of course , to run a business , you have to have a lifetime of experience in business , but that 's not what Sarah Palin , John McCain , Joe Biden or Barack Obama are doing . '' Fiorina was president of Hewlett-Packard until her high-profile ousting in 2006 after the company 's unfavorable performance . `` If John McCain 's top economic adviser does n't think he can run a corporation , how on Earth can he run the largest economy in the world in the midst of a financial crisis ? '' said Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor . `` Apparently , even the people who run his campaign agree that the economy is an issue John McCain does n't understand as well as he should . '' Watch Fiorina says Palin is n't ready for big business '' Fiorina made similar comments earlier Thursday to a St. Louis , Missouri , radio station . She was asked if she thinks Palin is qualified to run a company like Hewlett-Packard . `` No , I do n't , '' Fiorina answered . `` But that 's not what she 's running for . Running a corporation is a different set of things . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Three former leaders of Sierra Leone 's brutal Revolutionary United Front guerrilla movement were found guilty Wednesday of crimes against humanity including murder , rape , sexual slavery and forced marriages , the Special Court for Sierra Leone announced . The RUF rebels were notorious for brutality . The charges stemmed from a civil war in the diamond-rich West African nation that lasted more than 10 years and stood out for its viciousness , even on a continent that has suffered many vicious conflicts . It led to tens of thousands of deaths and more than 2 million people fleeing their homes in the country of 6 million . The RUF rebels were known for hacking off civilians ' hands and feet during the war , which lasted from March 1991 until January 2002 . Former RUF `` interim leader '' Issa Hassan Sesay , former RUF commander Morris Kallon and former RUF chief of security Augustine Gbao each faced 18 counts of war crimes , crimes against humanity , attacking U.N. peacekeepers , and recruiting and using child soldiers . Sesay and Kallon each were found guilty on 16 counts , while Gbao was found guilty on 14 , the court announced . They were charged with `` extermination , murder , rape , sexual slavery , forced marriages and physical violence '' as well as enslaving civilians , mutilating people , and pillaging . They were convicted on all counts except two specifically related to the kidnapping of international peacekeepers in May 2000 . Gbao was also found not guilty of two other charges related to an attack on peacekeepers , although Sesay and Kallon were convicted of those crimes . Human Rights Watch senior Africa researcher Corinne Dufka called the verdict `` very significant . '' `` The RUF were renowned for leading one of the most brutal rebel movements in modern days . Everyone knows about the signature atrocity of limb amputation , but there was also horrific sexual violence , abductions , use of child soldiers , and forced marriages , '' she told CNN by phone from Senegal in West Africa . She lived Sierra Leone from 1999 to 2004 , documenting atrocities . `` It was difficult to find someone who had n't been a victim of or a witness to a war crime , '' she said . Watch Jim Clancy 's report on the battle for Sierra Leone '' Amnesty International also welcomed the convictions , but said much more needs to be done to bring hundreds of other perpetrators to justice . The group called it a `` positive , but still insufficient , step in the fight against impunity '' in the country , and said `` many others -- numbering perhaps in the several hundreds -- must be investigated in Sierra Leone . '' Eight people have now been convicted of war crimes connected with the conflict -- some on the rebel 's side and some on the government 's . The Special Court 's mandate is to try only `` those who bear greatest responsibility for atrocities committed in Sierra Leone . '' Sesay , Kallon and Gbao had pleaded not guilty on all counts in a trial that lasted nearly five years . They are due to be sentenced within a month . The Special Court can not impose the death penalty . The RUF seized most of Sierra Leone from the government and fought international and African peacekeepers . The capital , Freetown , was retaken by international forces in 2000 . The trial of the three former leaders was the last of three to be held at the Special Court , a unique joint project of Sierra Leone and the United Nations . Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is on trial separately at an international court in The Hague for his role in the conflict . The prosecution rested in the Taylor case last month after a year of presenting its arguments . The Leonardo DiCaprio movie `` Blood Diamond '' is set in Sierra Leone during the civil war . Despite the country 's diamond wealth , 70 percent of the population lives below the poverty line . In the days of the slave trade , the West African country was the departure point for thousands of captives bound for the Americas . Freetown was founded in 1787 as a home for repatriated former slaves .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Greek physician Hippocrates was the first to use the words `` carcinos '' and `` carcinoma '' in 400 BC to describe tumors , which led to the term `` cancer '' being coined . Greek physician Hippocrates was the first to use the words `` carcinos '' and `` carcinoma '' to describe tumors , which led to the term ` cancer . '' Since his day , medical advances in the treatment of cancer have evolved significantly . Below we chart some of the key moments in the battle against cancer . 1890 -- William Stewart Halsted , the first professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins , Harvard , and Yale , performs the first mastectomy to treat breast cancer . 1895 -- Wilhelm Conrad R\u00f6ntgen discovers X-ray radiation , which makes the detection of tumors in the body much easier and non-invasive . Later in 1899 , Tage Anton Ultimus Sjogren becomes the first person to successfully treat cancer with X-rays . 1896 -- Removal of the ovaries is performed for the first time to treat breast cancer . 1898 -- Marie and Pierre Curie discover radium and later use it to treat tumors . 1900 -- Thor Stenbeck cures a patient with skin cancer using small doses of daily radiation therapy . This technique is later referred to as fractionated radiation therapy . 1900s -- Dr. George Papanicolaou invents the Pap smear test after his findings suggest that vaginal cell smears reveal the presence of cancer . 1943 -- The first electron linear accelerator is designed for radiation therapy . Today , it is widely used for treatment of cancer . Late 1960s -- Lars Leksell develops the Gamma Knife -- a radiosurgical tool that uses a high dose of radiation to eradicate cancerous cells . 1964 -- The Epstein-Barr virus is linked to human cancer for the first time . 1974 -- Dr. Lawrence Einhorn finds a cure for advanced testicular cancer . This changes the cure rate from 5 percent to 60 percent . 1975 -- Scientists Georges Kohler and Cesar Milstein develop tailor-made antibodies in large quantities in a laboratory , leading to ways of attacking cancer and diagnosing disease . They go on to win the Nobel Prize in 1984 . 1976 -- Michael Bishop and Harold Varmus discover oncogene , a gene that , when mutated or expressed at high levels , helps turn a normal cell into a cancer cell . They win the 1989 Nobel Prize . 1980s -- Anti-nausea drugs are developed to suppress the side effects of chemotherapy . 1991 -- The U.S. Human Genome project begins . The first gene transfers in humans also take place in that same year . 1998 -- Tamoxifen , a drug that helps reduce the risks of breast cancer by half in women is approved for wide use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration -LRB- FDA -RRB- . 2004 -- The FDA approves Avastin , a monoclonal antibody that restricts tumor growth by blocking the formation of new blood vessels for the treatment of metastatic cancer . 2007 -- The FDA approves Nexavar , an oral inhibitor for liver cancer . This is the only drug approved for liver cancer . 2008 -- German scientist Harald zur Hausen wins a Nobel Prize for his research that found that oncogenic human papilloma virus , or HPV , causes cervical cancer , the second most common cancer among women . He made the discovery in the early 1980s . Sources : Emory University , Cure Today , Britannia.com CNN intern Priyanka Deladia contributed to this report","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sen. Hillary Clinton got her campaign back on track with projected wins in the Texas , Ohio and Rhode Island primaries . Sen. Hillary Clinton claimed victory in Texas , Ohio and Rhode Island . Delegate-rich Texas and Ohio were considered must-wins for her campaign . Obama , who claimed victory in Vermont , had won 12 straight contests since Super Tuesday on February 5 . Texas also held Democratic caucuses Tuesday , but it was too close to declare a winner . `` For everyone here in Ohio and across America who 's been ever been counted out but refused to be knocked out , for everyone who has stumbled but stood right back up , and for everyone who works hard and never gives up -- this one is for you , '' Clinton said before supporters in Columbus . `` You know what they say , '' she said . `` As Ohio goes , so goes the nation . Well , this nation 's coming back and so is this campaign . '' Obama congratulated Clinton on her victories but downplayed his losses . CNN 's political team weighs in on the results '' `` We know this : No matter what happens tonight , we have nearly the same delegate lead as we had this morning , and we are on our way to winning this nomination , '' Obama told supporters in Texas . Sen. John McCain swept all four Republican contests on Tuesday to become his party 's presumptive nominee . Read about McCain 's victory McCain won primaries in Texas , Ohio , Vermont and Rhode Island , giving him more than the 1,191 delegates needed to clinch the GOP nomination . `` I am very , very grateful and pleased to note that tonight , my friends , we have won enough delegates to claim with confidence , humility and a great sense of responsibility , that I will be the Republican nominee for president of the United States , '' McCain told supporters Tuesday night . Watch McCain claim victory '' Mike Huckabee dropped out of the Republican race after the results came in . `` It 's now important that we turn our attention not to what could have been or what we wanted to have been , but now what must be -- and that is a united party , '' Huckabee told a crowd in Dallas . Watch Huckabee bow out '' McCain is slated to go to the White House on Wednesday to receive the endorsement of President Bush , according to two Republican sources . The Arizona senator 's campaign -- his second run for the White House -- was largely written off for dead last summer amid outspoken opposition from the party 's conservative base , a major staff shakeup and disappointing fundraising . But McCain said earlier Tuesday that he was confident he would emerge as the presumptive nominee by the end of the night . McCain overwhelmingly won moderates and conservatives in Ohio , but he lost the evangelical vote to Huckabee , according to exit polls . Obama 's campaign pressed to extend voting by one hour in two Ohio counties . See county-by-county results in Ohio `` Due to reports of ballot shortages in Cuyahoga and Franklin counties , we requested a voting extension in those counties , '' said Obama spokesman Bill Burton . A judge ruled to keep parts of Cuyahoga county open an extra hour . In Texas , Clinton held a two-to-one advantage over Obama with Hispanic voters , while Obama had the overwhelming advantage with black voters in the state 's Democratic primary , according to CNN 's exit poll . See county-by-county results in Texas Eighty-three percent of blacks voted for Obama , while 16 percent supported Clinton , according to the exit poll . Meanwhile , 64 percent of Hispanics backed Clinton , while 32 percent went for Obama . Early exit polls indicate a distinct `` age gap '' in both states . Obama appealed most strongly to younger voters while older voters favored Clinton . Among Ohio Democratic primary voters aged 17 to 29 , 65 percent went for Obama , and 34 percent went for Clinton . Among those age 60 and older , Clinton led Obama 67-31 percent . The same pattern held true in early exit polling from the Texas Democratic primary . Among voters aged 18 to 29 , Obama led Clinton 61-39 percent , and among voters 60 and older , Clinton led Obama 63 - 36 percent . Poll workers in Collin County , near Dallas , estimated that nearly three-quarters of the Democratic voters would participate in the Democratic caucuses to be held after the polls close . In an unusual system , the 193 delegates that Texas will send to the Democratic National Convention will be split between Obama and Clinton according to the results of both the primary and the caucuses . State party officials say the dual primary\/caucus system promotes participation in the party . Both Clinton and Obama have encouraged supporters to do the `` Texas two-step '' and vote in both events . Obama came into the day with momentum on his side . He had 1,378 pledged delegates and superdelegates to Clinton 's 1,269 . Neither candidate is close to the 2,025 needed to win the Democratic nomination . Allocate delegates yourself and see how the numbers add up '' Former President Bill Clinton said in February that if his wife won Ohio and Texas , she 'd go on to win the nomination . E-mail to a friend CNN 's Paul Steinhauser , Rachel Stratfield , Mary Snow , Mark Preston and Sasha Johnson contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sri Lankan officials rejected a proposed cease-fire from the Tamil Tiger rebels Sunday , warning instead that government troops intended to continue a new offensive until the group surrenders , a senior government official said . Tamil demonstrators call for a cease-fire in Sri Lanka during a rally Saturday in Paris , France . `` The government is firm that -LRB- the rebels -RRB- lay down their arms and surrender . We do not recognize this so-called offer , '' said Lakshman Hulugalle , director of Sri Lanka 's Media Center for National Security . The proposed cease-fire came six days after the Sri Lankan army launched a new offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam -LRB- LTTE -RRB- in the country 's northern area . Government troops made significant advances into rebel-held territory on Friday and Saturday , according to Sri Lankan Army sources . A government-imposed deadline for the Tigers to surrender passed last Tuesday . Tens of thousands of displaced civilians currently remain wedged in a dwindling swath of territory controlled by the Tigers along the country 's northeastern coast . Government troops say they have rescued 39,000 civilians trapped in the area , but a U.N. refugee agency said Friday that a wave of `` fresh displacement '' has now exceeded 100,000 individuals . `` In the face of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and in response to the calls made by the U.N. , EU , the governments of the USA , India and others , the -LRB- LTTE -RRB- has announced an unilateral cease-fire . All of LTTE 's offensive military operations will cease with immediate effect , '' the rebel leaders said in a written statement issued earlier Sunday . `` We welcome the attempts by the U.N. and its agencies to assist the civilian population and are ready to engage and cooperate with them to address the humanitarian needs of the population . ... We are in full agreement that the humanitarian crisis can only be overcome by declaration of an immediate cease-fire . '' The Tiger leadership asked the international community to `` pressure the Sri Lankan government to reciprocate '' on the cease-fire offer . The Tigers have been fighting for an independent state in Sri Lanka 's northeast since 1983 . As many as 70,000 people have been killed since the civil war began , and the group has been declared a terrorist organization by 32 countries , including the United States and the European Union .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN Student News -RRB- -- Watch `` Planet in Peril : Battle Lines '' on Thursday , December 11 , at 9 p.m. ET\/PT on CNN , hosted by Anderson Cooper , chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta , and `` The Oprah Winfrey Show '' correspondent and National Geographic host Lisa Ling . CNN 's award-winning series examines the environmental conflicts between growing populations and natural resources . After watching `` Planet in Peril , '' use these questions to focus students ' attention on the concepts explored in the program . Teachers : `` Planet in Peril : Battle Lines '' depicts environmental struggles in the real world . The scenes and accounts presented may not be appropriate for all students . Please determine whether this content is appropriate for your students . Bush meat and Zoonotic Viruses 1 . What is bush meat ? According to the program , what are some examples of bush meat ? Why do people eat bush meat ? 2 . What are zoonotic viruses ? What are some examples of zoonotic viruses described in the show ? What is the relationship between bushmeat and zoonotic viruses ? 3 . According to the program , why are some people turning to wilderness areas for their food ? In your opinion , is hunting bush meat different from hunting wild game in the United States ? Explain your rationale . 4 . What are some of the negative impacts of hunting bush meat on the local ecology ? Do you think these environmental concerns should outweigh the demand for food in these villages ? Explain . 5 . What are some factors that might cause an increase in the spread of zoonotic viruses ? What are some methods Dr. Nathan Wolfe has used to stop the spread of zoonotic viruses ? In your opinion , how might scientists and policymakers prevent the spread of these diseases ? Nigerian Oil 1 . What valuable resource found in Nigeria generates billions of dollars in revenue ? 2 . Who is currently benefiting from the oil revenues ? In your opinion , who should benefit from Nigeria 's oil resources ? Explain . 3 . What is MEND ? What is MEND 's goal ? How is MEND trying to achieve that goal ? 4 . Do you agree with MEND 's tactics ? If so , why ? If not , why not ? How would you address the issue ? 5 . What are some of the environmental challenges faced by the Nigerian communities surrounding the oil fields ? In your opinion , who should be responsible for addressing these issues , and how should they be addressed ? Shark Finning 1 . According to the program , why do some people engage in shark fishing ? What are some ways that people catch sharks ? 2 . What is shark finning ? What are some of the markets for shark fins ? How do humans use shark fins ? Why are they so expensive ? What do some fishermen do with the rest of the shark 's body ? 3 . According to the program : What is the economic value of the fishing industry ? What do you think shark fishermen might do if they were not allowed to hunt sharks ? 4 . How is the shark finning affecting the shark populations ? In your opinion , should people care about the issue of shark finning ? Why or why not ? 5 . What are Peter Knight and Wild Aid doing to try to stop the shark trade ? Do you agree with Peter Knight 's analogy when he says , `` If it was Yellowstone Park and people were shooting up grizzlies , no one would ever get away with it , '' in reference to shark killings ? Why or why not ? In your opinion , should shark species be preserved ? Why or why not ? 6 . How have some countries tried to regulate the shark-fishing trade ? What are some of the challenges faced by those who regulate the industry ? In your opinion , have they been successful ? What more , if anything , could they do ? 7 . What might happen to the fishing industry if there are no more sharks to fish ? What might happen to the ocean 's ecosystems if the shark population becomes extinct ? What effect could this have on the global economy ? Shark Tourism 1 . What is cage diving ? According to the program , what might be the positive and negative impacts of cage dives ? 2 . What is chumming ? According to the program , what controversies surround the issue of chumming for sharks ? How have some countries tried to regulate chumming ? Why ? Do you think this regulation is a good or bad idea ? Explain . 3 . According to the segment , what are some reasons that sharks are misunderstood ? What are some things that scientists are trying to understand about great white sharks ? What do you think motivates scientist Allison Kok to study great white sharks ? According to Kok , are the sharks associating humans with food , leading to more shark attacks on humans ? Explain . 4 . Why does Mike Rutzen say that free diving `` is the same as a jackal at a lion feed '' ? What do you think Rutzen means when he says , `` They 're just trying to be sharks '' ? 5 . How does Anderson Cooper compare his experiences diving with sharks in a cage to free diving ? Would you prefer to cage dive or free dive with great white sharks ? Explain . Ivory Wars 1 . According to the segment , what are some of the challenges facing the Zakouma Park elephants in Chad ? 2 . How is Mike Fay attempting to save these elephants ? Why do you think he works to save these elephants ? 3 . Why are poachers targeting the elephants ? What part of the elephant are they after ? What do they do with the rest of the elephant 's body ? 4 . What is ivory ? How much is it worth ? Why do some value it highly ? 5 . According to Mike Fay , what is the status of the `` Ivory Wars '' ? Who are the combatants ? What do you think are the motives for participants on each side of the conflict ? 6 . What do you think might be the environmental impact if all the African elephants disappeared ? Gorilla Tourism 1 . What struggle did Rwanda recently undergo ? How were Rwandan mountain gorillas affected by the conflict ? 2 . How is the Rwandan government managing the mountain gorillas now ? Why do you think Anderson Cooper calls the story of the mountain gorillas `` a success story in one of the most unlikely places on earth '' ? 3 . Why do you think that park ranger Digirinana Francois risked his life for the gorillas just after the genocide ? 4 . Why do you think poachers plunder rare wildlife such as the mountain gorilla ? What do you think can be done to prevent poaching ? 5 . According to Rwanda 's head of parks and tourism , Rosette Rugamba , why were the efforts to save the mountain gorilla `` a tough sell '' ? How are the Rwandans using the mountain gorillas to promote tourism ? What have been the benefits of gorilla-related tourism ? 6 . Using the program as a guide , contrast the mountain gorillas ' situation in Rwanda with their situation in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo . What is the impact of instability in the Congo on the lives of the gorillas ? 7 . Why is continuing the research on gorillas important ? How do mountain gorillas benefit humans ? What role do mountain gorillas play in their ecosystems ? 8 . What are some pressures the mountain gorillas face from humans ? How might these issues be resolved ? Who should be responsible for resolving these issues ? Overview Questions 1 . What role do environmentalists play in the prevention of the plundering of wildlife ? Overall , do you think their efforts have been successful in the examples from this program ? Why or why not ? 2 . What responsibility do individuals , corporations , non-governmental organizations and government policymakers each have in managing natural resources ? What responsibility does each of these entities have in maintaining economic development ? Can environmental and economic priorities be balanced ? If so , how ? If not , why not ? 3 . If the issues portrayed in the program were not addressed , what do you think might happen to each of the species involved ? How might that affect the global environment ? 4 . How do the issues examined in this program relate to you , if at all ? 5 . If you could choose an environmental cause to champion , what would it be ? How would you raise awareness of the issue ? How would you address the issue ? What challenges do you think you would have to face ?","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Dutch striker Robin van Persie continued his superb scoring streak this season , netting another double as Arsenal beat German champions Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the European Champions League to clinch top spot in Group F and secure qualification for the last 16 . Captain Van Persie had already found the net 15 times for Arsenal this season , and he added another one to his tally in the 49th minute when he headed home after some superb individual play on the left from Alex Song . And Van Persie wrapped up a comfortable night for the Gunners when scoring his 17th goal from just 18 matches , tapping home from close range after Mikel Arteta 's corner had been flicked on at the near post by Thomas Vermaelen . Dortmund did pull one back through Shinji Kagawa with the final kick of the game , but it was too late to make a difference as Arsenal made it eight wins and a draw from their last nine matches , following a poor start to the season . Andre-Villas Boas needs to be given more time Arsenal are on 11 points , four clear of Greek champions Olympiakos , who stunned Marseille 1-0 in France . Koannis Fetfatzidis netted a late winner to leave Olympiakos third on six points , one point behind Marseille , with Dortmund bottom of the table on four points . However , there is a scenario that could see all those teams finish on seven points , if Olympiakos draw with Arsenal and Dortmund defeat Marseille in the final group matches in a fortnight . Meanwhile , there was drama in Group E , with Bayer Leverkusen scoring a last-gasp winner against Chelsea to virtually secure their place in the last 16 with a 2-1 victory . An injury time header from defender Manuel Friedrich saw the home side fight back from going a goal down , to inflict Chelsea 's fourth defeat in seven matches and increase the pressure on under-fire manager Andre Villas-Boas . The visitors went ahead three minutes after the break when Didier Drogba turned smartly in the area before firing into the bottom corner of the net . But the German side levelled in the 73rd minute when substitute Eren Derdiyok headed into an empty net after goalkeeper Petr Cech came off his line to try and intercept Sidney Sam 's superb cross . And Friedrich rose highest from a corner in the dying stages to secure a stunning comeback for Leverkusen . That result leaves Leverkusen on nine points , one clear of Chelsea and Valencia , who crushed Genk 7-0 at the Mestalla stadium . Roberto Soldado scored a first-half hat-trick for the Spanish side to leave qualification finely poised . If Chelsea beat Valencia , or draw 0-0 at Stamford Bridge in their final match , they will qualify , while Leverkusen need to avoid defeat against Genk to also go through . Defending champions Barcelona had already secured qualification , but a 3-2 victory over Milan at the San Siro ensured they will go through as Group H winners , with Milan in second place . Barca took a 14th minute lead when Mark van Bommel turned Seydou Keita 's cross into his own net but Milan leveled six minutes later when Barca old boy Zlatan Ibrahimovic 's shot crept under goalkeeper Victor Valdes . Lionel Messi restored Barca 's lead from the penalty spot in the 31st minute after Alberto Aquilani had fouled Xavi in the area , but once again Milan equalized with a superb individual goal from Kevin-Prince Boateng . However , Barca were not to be denied and they clinched the win when Messi picked out Xavi , who expertly slotted home . In the other group game , Czech side Viktoria Plzen secured their first-ever competition win with a 1-0 success at BATE Borisov , to move onto four points , while BATE remain bottom on two points . Meanwhile , outsiders APOEL Nicosia have become the first Cypriot club to reach the last 16 after a 0-0 Group G draw at Russian side Zenit St Petersburg . APOEL , who were completely unfancied going into the group stage , held their nerve in a highly-charged atmosphere , which saw play halted twice when smoke bombs covered the whole pitch making it impossible to carry on . The result means APOEL have nine points from their five matches , one ahead of Zenit and two clear of Porto , who won 2-0 at Shakhtar Donetsk in the other group match . Porto entertain Zenit in their final group game , with the winners going through alongside APOEL , although a draw would also see Zenit go through .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The 2009 presidential inauguration is looking to be historic and , frankly , headache-inducing for the throngs of people descending on the nation 's capital to watch Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th president . Workers are putting the finishing touches on the innaugural stage on the steps of U.S. Capitol . CNN has compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers . Q : How crowded will Washington be , and how will I get around ? A : Think Times Square on New Year 's Eve . Throw in tight security , then multiply that by 12 . At least , that 's how it will most likely feel . Nearly 2 million people are expected to hit the streets of the nation 's capital January 20 . Police will be shutting bridges across the Potomac River into Washington , along with a huge chunk of the downtown area . Two of the major routes coming into the city -- Interstates 395 and 66 -- will be closed to inbound traffic , at least for private vehicles . And for those coming from Virginia , all of the bridges between the state and Washington are going to be shut . In order to get in : walk or take public transport , such as the metro area 's subway system . Amtrak says that it has increased the number -- and length -- of trains running to Washington on Inauguration Day and that tickets are still available but are going fast . iReport.com : Are you going to the inauguration ? Security officials also say charter buses , taxis and car services will be another option for those attending . Q : What ca n't I bring ? A : There are several obvious items that are prohibited , according to the U.S. Secret Service , including : `` Firearms , ammunition , explosives , weapons of any kind , aerosols , supports for signs and placards , packages , coolers , thermal or glass containers , backpacks , bags exceeding size restrictions , laser pointers , animals other than helper\/guide dogs , structures , bicycles and any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard . '' Items surrendered to security officials will not be returned . Other items that are being banned include baby strollers and umbrellas . Read more about Secret Service traffic , security plans -LRB- PDF -RRB- Q : When do the festivities start ? A : Saturday , January 17 . Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will begin their whistlestop-like train tour , stopping in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania ; Wilmington , Delaware ; and then making a stop for an event in Baltimore , Maryland , before pulling into Washington . That evening , Michelle Obama , Jill Biden and their families will hold a free `` Kids ' Inaugural '' concert to honor military families . Sunday , January 18 Obama will kick off the schedule of official inaugural activities in Washington , D.C. , with a welcome event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial . The event will be free and open to the public . HBO will exclusively broadcast the event from 7 to 9 p.m. ET . The event will be televised by HBO on an open signal accessible to all U.S. viewers with access to cable , telcos or satellite television . It will also be a star-studded affair , with Beyonc\u00e9 , Mary J. Blige , Bono , Garth Brooks , Sheryl Crow , Renee Fleming , Josh Groban , Herbie Hancock , Heather Headley , John Legend , Jennifer Nettles , John Mellencamp , Usher Raymond IV , Shakira , Bruce Springsteen , James Taylor , will.i.am and Stevie Wonder -- among many others . The Rev. Gene Robinson , an openly gay Episcopal bishop , will deliver the invocation . Monday , January 19 -LRB- Martin Luther King Jr. . Day -RRB- Obama and Biden will honor King 's legacy by urging supporters to participate in activities dedicated to serving others in communities across Washington , according to the Obama transition Web site , Change.gov . On Monday night , Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Rockefeller Foundation will present `` A Celebration of America '' at the Kennedy Center in Washington . The event -- marking King 's legacy and the 56th inauguration -- will be broadcast live on CNN . Special guest stars will be announced shortly . Tuesday , January 20 : Inauguration Day The order of events , according to the Presidential Inauguration Committee , include : \u2022 Musical selections : The United States Marine Band , followed by the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus \u2022 Call to order and welcoming remarks : Sen. Dianne Feinstein , D-California \u2022 Invocation : Dr. Rick Warren , pastor of the Saddleback megachurch in Orange County , California \u2022 Musical selection : Aretha Franklin \u2022 Vice President-elect Biden will be sworn into office by John Paul Stevens , associate justice of the Supreme Court \u2022 Musical selection : John Williams , composer\/arranger , with Itzhak Perlman , Yo-Yo Ma , Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill \u2022 Obama will then take the oath of office , using President Abraham Lincoln 's inaugural Bible , administered by John G. Roberts Jr. , chief justice of the United States \u2022 Inaugural address \u2022 Poem : Elizabeth Alexander \u2022 Benediction : The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery \u2022 The national anthem : The United States Navy Band `` Sea Chanters '' According to Change.gov , after President Obama gives the inaugural address , he will escort outgoing President George Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol 's Statuary Hall . The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House , with groups traveling from all over the country to participate . iReport.com : Sneak peek of inauguration parade stand Wednesday , January 21 Obama -- as the new president -- will take part in a prayer at the National Cathedral in northwest Washington . The Rev. Sharon Watkins , the general minister and president of the 700,000-member Christian Church -LRB- Disciples of Christ -RRB- , will be the first woman to deliver the sermon at the traditional inaugural event . Q : What 's the dish on the inaugural balls ? A : There will be 10 balls throughout Washington on Tuesday night . They include : \u2022 Commander-in-Chief Ball , which is dedicated to military personnel and their families . \u2022 Five regional balls dedicated to each section of the United States . Only those invited may attend . \u2022 Neighborhood Ball , which will be open for Washington , D.C. , residents who paid for tickets in advance . Both Obamas will attend the ball , which will be broadcast live on ABC and over the Internet . \u2022 Youth Inaugural Ball at the Washington Hilton . It is reserved for those between the ages of 18 and 35 . Tickets are relatively cheap : $ 75 a pop . MTV will broadcast the event live . \u2022 Obama Home States Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center , includes invited guests from Illinois and Hawaii . \u2022 Biden Home States Inaugural Ball also at the Washington Convention Center , includes invited guests from Delaware and Pennsylvania . For a full listing of the balls , log on to Pic2009.org . CNN 's Mike M. Ahlers contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An extensive federal report released Monday concludes that roughly one in four of the 697,000 U.S. veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War suffer from Gulf War illness . A U.S. soldier wears protection against chemical weapons during the Gulf War in a February 1991 photo . That illness is a condition now identified as the likely consequence of exposure to toxic chemicals , including pesticides and a drug administered to protect troops against nerve gas . The 452-page report states that `` scientific evidence leaves no question that Gulf War illness is a real condition with real causes and serious consequences for affected veterans . '' The report , compiled by a panel of scientific experts and veterans serving on the congressionally mandated Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans ' Illnesses , fails to identify any cure for the malady . It also notes that few veterans afflicted with Gulf War illness have recovered over time . `` Today 's report brings to a close one of the darkest chapters in the legacy of the 1991 Gulf War , '' said Anthony Hardie , a member of the committee and a member of the advocacy group Veterans of Modern Warfare . `` This is a bittersweet victory , -LSB- because -RSB- this is what Gulf War veterans have been saying all along , '' Hardie said at a news conference in Washington . `` Years were squandered by the federal government ... trying to disprove that anything could be wrong with Gulf War veterans . '' The committee 's report , titled `` Gulf War Illness and the Health of Gulf War Veterans , '' was officially presented Monday to Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake . Noting that overall funding for research into Gulf War illness has declined dramatically since 2001 , it calls for a `` renewed federal research commitment '' to `` identify effective treatments for Gulf War illness and address other priority Gulf War health issues . '' Watch CNN 's Elizabeth Cohen report more on Gulf War illness '' According to the report , Gulf War illness is a `` complex of multiple concurrent symptoms '' that `` typically includes persistent memory and concentration problems , chronic headaches , widespread pain , gastrointestinal problems , and other chronic abnormalities . '' The illness may also be potentially tied to higher rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -LRB- ALS -RRB- -- more commonly known as Lou Gehrig 's Disease -- among Gulf War veterans than veterans of other conflicts . The illness is identified as the consequence of multiple `` biological alterations '' affecting the brain and nervous system . iReport.com : Do you know someone affected by Gulf War illness ? While it is sometimes difficult to issue a specific diagnosis of the disease , it is , according to the report , no longer difficult to identify a cause . The report identifies two Gulf War `` neurotoxic '' exposures that `` are causally associated with Gulf War illness . '' The first is the ingestion of pyridostigmine bromide -LRB- PB -RRB- pills , given to protect troops from effects of nerve agents . The second is exposure to dangerous pesticides used during the conflict . The report does not rule out other possible contributors to Gulf War illness -- including low-level exposure to nerve agents and close proximity to oil well fires -- though it fails to establish any clear link . The report concludes there is no clear link between the illness and a veteran 's exposure to factors such as depleted uranium or an anthrax vaccine administered at the time . `` Gulf War illness is n't some imaginary syndrome , '' said Ken Robinson , the senior intelligence officer for the initial Department of Defense investigation into Gulf War illness in 1996-97 . `` This is real , and it has devastated families . Now is the time to restore the funding cuts that have been made in the Veterans Administration . Our mission has to be to ensure that these veterans get help and become whole again . '' Robinson noted that soldiers in the field today are not at risk for Gulf War illness , because the military is no longer using the PB pills or pesticides that led to the illness in 1990 and 1991 . The report backs Robinson 's conclusion , noting that no problem similar to Gulf War illness has been discovered among veterans from the conflict in Bosnia in the 1990s or in the current engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq . The committee report also backs Robinson 's call for more effective treatments among veterans suffering from Gulf War illness . Noting that overall funding for research into Gulf War illness has declined dramatically since 2001 , it calls for a `` renewed federal research commitment '' to `` identify effective treatments for Gulf War illness and address other priority Gulf War health issues . '' Specifically , the report calls for at least $ 60 million in new annual federal funding on research committed to improving the health of Gulf War veterans .","question":""}
{"answer":"PRETORIA , South Africa -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The United States no longer supports a power-sharing deal between Zimbabwe 's President Robert Mugabe and the country 's main opposition because a viable unity government is not possible with Mugabe in power , a top U.S. diplomat said Sunday . Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe , in a speech to supporters Saturday , refused calls to step down . The statement from U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer follows recent calls from President Bush and other world leaders for Mugabe to abandon power amid a growing cholera epidemic that the United Nations says has killed more than 1,000 people in recent months . Frazer visited southern Africa to articulate the change in U.S. policy toward Mugabe at the request of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice . She made the comments Sunday during a roundtable discussion with journalists in Pretoria , South Africa , before her expected return to the United States later in the day . She called for a new vote in Zimbabwe . `` Fresh elections are necessary but not possible under the current environment , '' Frazer told reporters . Zimbabwe has had no Cabinet since the March presidential election , during which no candidate won enough votes to avoid a runoff , according to the government . After opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew from a June runoff , saying Mugabe 's supporters had waged a campaign of violence against opposition supporters , Tsvangirai and Mugabe reached a power-sharing agreement that has yet to be implemented . The political impasse has aggravated the country 's humanitarian and economic crisis , including a cholera outbreak that began in August . Frazer said that during her trip , she consulted with the leaders of Zimbabwe 's neighbors who are stuck between their concerns about Mugabe 's grip on power and their support of the power-sharing agreement , which they still think is the best way to deal with the crisis without creating a backlash . Frazer said she believes it could be weeks before African leaders put pressure on Mugabe to step down , which she said could be achieved by simply telling him with one voice that he should go . She said the U.N. Security Council will deal with the issue of Zimbabwe next month . This time , she said , South Africa will not be able to block resolutions calling for more sanctions because South Africa will no longer hold a seat on the council in 2009 . Watch what options the international community has in Zimbabwe `` The South African government will be held responsible for what is happening in Zimbabwe because they are the country with the most influence in Zimbabwe than any other in the world , '' Frazer said . The Security Council 's recent failure to impose sanctions on Mugabe 's regime drew scoffs from the 84-year-old Mugabe , who has accused Britain -- Zimbabwe 's former colonizer -- of trying to take over the country to get its resources . Tsvangirai said Friday that his party will withdraw from efforts to form a unity government unless 42 party members who have been kidnapped are either released or brought to court to face formal charges by New Year 's Day . Mugabe 's ZANU-PF party and the Movement for Democratic Change , led by Tsvangirai , have failed to implement the September 15 power-sharing deal because they can not agree on who should control key ministries . Under the deal , brokered by former South African President Thabo Mbeki , Mugabe would remain president while Tsvangirai would become Zimbabwe 's prime minister . There had been hope that a unity government would reverse Mugabe 's policies , which are widely blamed for the country 's economic crisis . Mugabe blames economic sanctions imposed by Western nations for Zimbabwe 's economic collapse . Zimbabwe , once the breadbasket of Africa , is now a net importer of food and facing acute shortages of most essentials such as fuel , electricity and medical drugs . Its inflation rate -- the highest in the world -- is officially at 231 million percent . Last week , Zimbabwe 's central bank introduced a $ 10 billion note worth less than 20 U.S. dollars . Mugabe has repeatedly refused calls from Western leaders to step down , most recently telling his supporters late Saturday that he would not follow the U.S. president to his `` political death . '' `` They now want to topple the Mugabe government . Mugabe must go because Bush is going , '' he said in his address Saturday to his party 's 10th annual conference outside Zimbabwe 's capital , Harare . `` Zimbabweans will refuse that one of their sons must accompany Bush to his political death , '' Mugabe said . `` Is it a ritual now that Bush with his political death must be accompanied by some African from Zimbabwe , and that African must be the leader himself , and that leader is Mugabe ? '' Mugabe did not mention the cholera epidemic , which his government has said is under control despite the United Nations ' assessment that half the country 's population may be at risk . There are more than 20,000 suspected cases of the water-borne disease in Zimbabwe , and the U.N. said it fears that number will triple by the time the rainy season ends in April . In addition to Bush , the leaders of Britain , France and several African countries have called on Mugabe to abandon power and let a national unity government take over to help prevent the cholera epidemic from spilling across Zimbabwe 's borders .","question":""}
{"answer":"BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Attackers launched assaults across Iraq over the past 24 hours , killing 11 police recruits and six civilians , including a 7-year-old . Iraqi and U.S. troops conduct a joint patrol Monday in the northern city of Mosul during a push against insurgents . Also , the U.S. military said it killed an al Qaeda in Iraq leader in northern Iraq . The violence erupted as a peace agreement was taking hold in Baghdad 's Sadr City , for weeks the scene of battles between Iraqi security forces and Shiite militias . A suicide bomber exploded his vest outside the house of an Awakening Council leader , Sheikh Mutleb al-Nadawi , about 50 miles -LRB- 80 kilometers -RRB- east of Baquba in Diyala province , the military command in Diyala said . Al-Nadawi was in the house and escaped injury , but a 7-year-old was killed and two of al-Nadawi 's bodyguards were wounded . Awakening Councils are the U.S.-backed Sunni groups that oppose al Qaeda in Iraq . A mortar round landed on a busy outdoor market in Balad Ruz , about 25 miles -LRB- 40 kilometers -RRB- east of Baquba . Three civilians were killed , and nine were wounded . A bomb exploded Tuesday inside a minibus in southeastern Baghdad 's Rustumiya district , killing two passengers and wounding five , an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said . Insurgents also attacked a minibus filled with police recruits Monday in Baaj , a Nineveh province town near the Syrian border , killing 11 people , according to Mosul police . Iraqi security forces arrested 15 people in connection with the attack . Backed by U.S. soldiers , Iraqi forces have been conducting an offensive against al Qaeda in Iraq in Mosul and the rest of Nineveh province . American-led coalition troops killed a senior al Qaeda in Iraq leader east of Samarra in northern Iraq on Tuesday , the U.S. military said . Meanwhile , the agreement forged to end the weeks of fighting in the capital 's Sadr City is taking hold , government officials and witnesses said . Thousands of soldiers and police officers have moved deep inside the restive neighborhood without resistance from Shiite militia members who have been fighting Iraqi and U.S. troops . The troops have been clearing mines and soon will begin the process of confiscating weapons , officials said . No violence has been reported in the area since Monday . Much of the earlier fighting involved the Mehdi Army militia of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and security forces dominated by a rival political party , the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq . The latter is the leading party in the government 's United Iraqi Alliance bloc . The agreement , hammered out between the United Iraqi Alliance and the Sadrists , is intended to clear the neighborhood of weaponry and outlaws and restore stability to the area . Tahseen al-Sheikhly , civilian spokesman for Baghdad 's security plan , said there has been great cooperation among residents , Sadrist supporters and government forces . Gen. Qassim Atta , the military spokesman of Baghdad 's security plan , said Tuesday that checkpoints and patrols have been established and coalition forces are ready to help Iraqi troops , but they have not entered Sadr City . Elsewhere in Baghdad , the trial of Saddam Hussein-era officials Tariq Aziz , Ali Hassan al-Majeed -- also known as Chemical Ali -- and six others resumed Tuesday . They are facing charges in connection with the executions of 42 Iraqi merchants in 1992 . CNN 's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- How does the American public feel about the war in Afghanistan ? In a word , wary . U.S. forces have been engaged in fierce fighting to oust the Taliban in Afghanistan . President Obama on Friday announced his strategy to fight terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan , a plan that includes more troops , new legislation , improved troop training and added civilian expertise . `` The United States of American did not choose to fight a war in Afghanistan . Nearly 3,000 of our people were killed on September 11 , 2001 , '' Obama said Friday . `` We have a clear and focused goal : to disrupt , dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan , '' he said . Stressing that `` the safety of people around the world is at stake , '' Obama said the `` situation is increasingly perilous '' in the region in and around Afghanistan , where the United States has been fighting al Qaeda and the Taliban for more than 7 1\/2 years after attacks in New York and at the Pentagon . Nevertheless , the American public has been wary about the war in Afghanistan , according to a CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. poll conducted in February . Watch CNN 's Bill Schneider break down the numbers '' Last month , Americans were almost evenly divided between those who support the war and those who oppose it , the poll showed , with 47 percent in favor and 51 percent opposed . Opposition to the war in Afghanistan is more muted than opposition to the war in Iraq , but it 's not so muted among Democrats . Two-thirds of Americans overall oppose the war in Iraq , but 64 percent of Democrats oppose the war in Afghanistan . The anti-war movements in Vietnam and Iraq helped define what the Democratic Party stands for . Watch : Is Afghanistan Obama 's Vietnam ? '' `` If we do n't learn from our Iraq experience , we are doomed to repeat it , '' Rep. Lynn Woolsey , D-California , said on the House floor Thursday . Why are Americans wary about Afghanistan ? The recession . Iraq War fatigue . And frustration . Only 31 percent of Americans believe the United States is winning the war in Afghanistan . Fifty percent believe the United States is winning in Iraq -- the highest number in at least five years . But Americans still want to get out of Iraq . Last month , when President Obama said he would send 17,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan , the public was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt . Democrats were willing to go along with the president , but they were less enthusiastic than Republicans A solid majority of Americans believe the United States can win a military victory in Afghanistan , but Afghanistan has become a political war . Winning depends , not just on what the United States can do , but also what Afghanistan and Pakistan can do . Americans have far less confidence in them . The CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. poll surveyed 1,046 adult Americans by telephone on February 18-19 , 2009 . The sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A former U.S. military contractor has pleaded guilty to federal charges in a kickback scheme involving Army contracting officials , the Department of Justice said . Terry Hall , 43 , of Snellville , Georgia , pleaded guilty to bribery conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy in federal court in Birmingham , Alabama , on Wednesday , the department said in a release . Hall ran several companies that received $ 21 million as part of contracts with the Department of Defense , prosecutors said . `` To obtain the contracting business and facilitate unlawful payments by other contractors , Hall admitted he made more than $ 3 million in unlawful payments and provided other valuable items and services to U.S. Army contracting officials '' stationed at Camp Arifjan , an Army base in Kuwait , authorities said . The case against Hall stemmed from `` a wide-ranging investigation of corruption at the Camp Arifjan contracting office , '' authorities said . Hall is the eighth person to enter a guilty plea in connection with the bribery scheme . Hall 's companies , including Freedom Consulting and Catering Co. and Total Government Allegiance , provided goods and services to the Department of Defense in connection with the Iraq war , according to court documents . The companies received a `` blanket purchase agreement '' to deliver bottled water in Iraq and a contract to build a security fence in Kuwait , authorities said . Such an agreement is `` an indefinite delivery , indefinite quantity contract by which the DoD agrees to pay a contractor a specified price for a particular good or service , '' according to the Department of Justice . `` Based on a -LRB- blanket purchase agreement -RRB- , the DoD is permitted to order the supplies on an as-needed basis , and the contractor is bound by the price agreed upon in the -LRB- agreement -RRB- . '' Hall faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the money laundering conspiracy charge and a maximum of five years on the bribery conspiracy charge , plus a $ 250,000 fine on each charge . In addition , Hall agreed to forfeit some $ 15.7 million to the U.S. government . It was unclear when he is scheduled to be sentenced . Others who have pleaded guilty in the probe include former Maj. James Momon , who according to court documents arranged for Hall 's companies to receive $ 6.4 million worth of orders for bottled water . As a result , Hall paid Momon more than $ 300,000 , the Department of Justice said . Momon pleaded guilty in August 2008 to receiving bribes from contractors at the base and is awaiting sentencing . Another is former Maj. John Cockerham , who arranged for Hall 's companies to receive $ 2.6 million in bottled water orders . Hall paid Cockerham about $ 800,000 , authorities said . He was sentenced in December to more than 17 years in prison and ordered to pay $ 9.6 million in restitution . Hall was indicted in May along with Army Maj. Eddie Pressley and Pressley 's wife , Eurica . The indictment against the Pressleys says they received more than $ 2.8 million in cash and other items from Hall `` in exchange for Eddie Pressley 's agreement to take official actions to benefit Hall , '' the Department of Justice said . Eurica Pressley allegedly arranged for a company named EGP Business Solutions Inc. to be incorporated , opened a bank account in the business ' name in the United States , the United Arab Emirates and the Cayman Islands , according to the indictment .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A former `` Manson family '' member who stabbed actress Sharon Tate to death more than 40 years ago and is now terminally ill faces her 13th parole hearing on Wednesday . Susan Atkins , shown here after her indictment in the Manson murders , has a parole hearing Wednesday . Susan Atkins , 61 , has terminal brain cancer . As of earlier this year , she was paralyzed over 85 percent of her body and could not sit up in bed or be moved into a wheelchair , according to a Web site maintained by her husband and attorney , James Whitehouse . However , despite her declining health and an impressive prison record , Whitehouse wrote , `` there is still a very real chance the Parole Board will nonetheless insist her release would be a danger to society . '' The hearing will be held at the Central California Women 's Facility at Chowchilla , California , said Terry Thornton , spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation . Atkins was moved to the Chowchilla facility from the California Institution for Women at Frontera last year because of her illness . Watch Linda Kasabian describe the murders '' `` Last we heard , she is expected to attend , '' Thornton said Tuesday of Atkins . The proceeding is scheduled to be held in a hearing room , but depending on Atkins ' condition , it could be held at her bedside , Thornton said . The panel is expected to render its decision following the hearing after deliberating behind closed doors , she said . Atkins -- California 's longest-serving female inmate -- has been denied parole 12 times previously , Thornton said . She was 21 when she and other followers of Charles Manson participated in a two-night rampage that left seven people dead and terrorized the city of Los Angeles in August 1969 . She and the others -- Manson , Leslie Van Houten , Patricia Krenwinkel and Charles `` Tex '' Watson -- were initially sentenced to death in the slayings of five people , including Tate , and two additional deaths the following night . Their sentences were automatically commuted to life in prison when the Supreme Court struck down the nation 's death penalty laws in 1972 . By her own admission , Atkins held Tate down as she pleaded for mercy , and stabbed the actress , who was eight months pregnant , 16 times . In a 1993 parole board hearing , Atkins said Tate `` asked me to let her baby live . ... I told her I did n't have any mercy on her . '' After killing Tate , according to historical accounts of the murders , Atkins scrawled the word `` pig '' in blood on the door of the home Tate shared with her husband , director Roman Polanski . Polanski was not home at the time , but three of Tate 's houseguests were also slain by the killers , as was a teenager who was visiting the home 's caretaker in his nearby cottage . If the panel decides to grant Atkins parole -- called a `` tentative suitability finding '' -- the decision is subject to a 120-day review process by the California Board of Parole Hearings , Thornton said . If it still stands , the matter then goes to the governor 's office . The governor 's options include allowing the decision to stand , actively approving it , modifying it or reversing it , according to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 's Web site . However , Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has previously opposed Atkins ' request for compassionate release -- a request made by terminally ill patients wishing to be released before death . The Board of Parole Hearings unanimously denied that request in July 2008 . It was also opposed by Debra Tate , Sharon Tate 's sister . If parole is not granted , another hearing will be set in three , five , seven , 10 or 15 years , at the discretion of the panel , Thornton said . Atkins has been described as a model prisoner who has accepted responsibility for her role in the slayings and now shuns Manson . But Debra Tate told CNN in an e-mail in March she does not believe any Manson family member convicted of murder should ever be set free , saying the slayings were `` so vicious , so inhumane , so depraved , that there is no turning back . '' `` The ` Manson Family ' murderers are sociopaths , and from that , they can never be rehabilitated , '' Debra Tate said . `` They should all stay right where they are -- in prison -- until they die . There will never be true justice for my sister Sharon and the other victims of the ` Manson Family . ' Keeping the murderers in prison is the least we , as a society who values justice , can do . '' In a manuscript posted on her Web site , Atkins , who was known within the Manson family as Sadie Mae Glutz , wrote that `` this is the past I have to live with , and I have to live with it every day . '' `` Unlike the reader , or the people who seem to think Charles Manson was cool , I ca n't think about it for an hour or so and then go on with my life . Just like the families and friends of the victims , this is with me every day . I have to wake up every day with this and no matter what I do for the rest of my life and no matter how much I give back to the community I will never be able to replace what my crime took away . And that 's not ` neat , ' and that 's not ` cool . ' '' Atkins ' brain cancer was diagnosed in March 2008 , Whitehouse wrote on his Web site . On May 15 , doctors predicted she would live less than six months . But she passed that deadline , he wrote , and celebrated her 21st wedding anniversary on December 7 .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Unsanitary conditions at a Colorado cantaloupe farm 's packing facility are a possible contributing cause of one of the nation 's worst outbreaks of listeria contamination in food , the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday . Meanwhile , a Centers for Disease Control official said it is too early to declare the outbreak over , but the number of new cases appeared to be diminishing . `` The peak in illnesses appears to have occurred from late August until the middle of September , '' said Dr. Barbara Mahon of the CDC , who added that additional monitoring will be needed for at least another two weeks . The FDA said it was unable to pinpoint the definitive cause of the outbreak , which has been linked to 25 deaths so far . An FDA letter to Jensen Farms of Granada , Colorado , however , cited violations in sanitary conditions that must be addressed . It said tests showed `` widespread contamination throughout your facility and indicates poor sanitary practices in the facility . '' The agency cited several likely causes of the spread of the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria at Jensen Farms . The likely causes included packing equipment that `` was not easily cleaned and sanitized '' and the use of washing and drying equipment for cantaloupe packing as well as other raw agricultural commodities . In addition , the agency said in a statement , the facility lacked a `` pre-cooling step '' to remove field heat from the cantaloupes before cold storage , possibly leading to condensation in the cooling process that promoted growth of the listeria bacteria . A letter dated Tuesday from the FDA to Jensen Farms cited violations in sanitary conditions . The letter said tests at the facility found listeria bacteria contamination . `` These positive swabs were taken from different locations throughout the washing and packing areas in your facility , all of which were either food contact surfaces or areas adjacent to food contact surfaces , '' the letter said . `` This significant percentage of swabs that tested positive for outbreak strains of Listeria monocytogenes demonstrates widespread contamination throughout your facility and indicates poor sanitary practices in the facility . '' According to the letter , the company has 15 days to document steps it has taken to correct the problems . The letter also said the company notified the FDA on Monday that it agreed to inspection by the agency of its growing , packaging , and cold storage operations before it resumes food harvesting , packaging , or processing . Jensen Farms also agreed to correct all objectionable observations noted during said FDA inspections , the letter said . A total of 123 people in 26 states have been infected by the listeria outbreak , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says . Additionally , a woman who was pregnant at the time of her illness had a miscarriage , the agency said . The listeria outbreak is the deadliest food-borne illness outbreak in the United States since 1998 . Groups at high risk for listeria include older adults , people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women . Jensen Farms issued a voluntary recall of its Rocky Ford brand cantaloupes on September 14 . The tainted cantaloupes should be off store shelves , the CDC has said . Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms should be disposed of immediately , even if some of them have been eaten , the agency recommended . If consumers are uncertain about the source of a cantaloupe , they are urged to ask their supermarket . If the source remains unknown , the fruit should be thrown out . Refrigerating a cantaloupe will not kill the bacteria , which can grow at low temperatures , and consumers should not try to wash off the bacteria .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- English Premier League form side Tottenham are on the brink of going out of the Europa League after Greek outfit PAOK Salonika claimed a shock 2-1 Group A victory at White Hart Lane . Tottenham have been in superb form in recent weeks , winning nine of their last 10 league games to move up to third place in the table . However , their European form has not been as strong , and this month 's 1-0 reverse at Rubin Kazan was followed by another defeat on Wednesday to leave Harry Redknapp 's side needing PAOK to win their last game next month in order to help Tottenham achieve qualification through to the last 32 . The visitors went ahead in the sixth minute when an unmarked Dimitris Salpingidis guided the ball home from Giorgos Georgiadis ' right-wing cross . And PAOK doubled their lead seven minutes later when Stefanos Athanasiadis tapped home from close range after more suspect Spurs marking . The home side pulled one back seven minutes before the break when Luka Modric scored from the penalty spot after Konstantinos Stafylidis was dismissed for handball on the line . However , despite having a numerical advantage for the whole of the second half , Tottenham failed to find the goal they needed . The result means PAOK are top on 11 points and have qualified for the last 32 knockout stage . Russian side Rubin Kazan are second on 10 points after thrashing Shamrock Rovers 4-1 in the other group game . For Spurs to qualify , they will now need to win heavily at Shamrock in their final match , and hope Rubin Kazan are beaten at PAOK in the other tie . Also through to the last 32 are 2010 winners Atletico Madrid , after the Spanish side won 1-0 at Celtic in Group I thanks to a superb long-range strike from Turkish international Arda Turan on the half-hour mark . The other match between Rennes of France and Italians Udinese ended 0-0 , a result that means Atletico have qualified with 10 points ahead of the final round of matches . Udinese are second on eight points and they will secure their place in the knockout round if they draw at home to Celtic in their final game , with the Scottish side needing a victory to progress . Group C is the only group where both qualifiers have now been decided , after PSV Eindhoven won 3-0 at Legia Warsaw . That result means both sides have gone through , on 13 points and nine points respectively . Romanians Rapid Bucharest needed to beat Israeli side Hapoel Tel-Aviv at home to retain any hope , but they were beaten 3-1 . Another side to reach the knockout stage is Standard Liege , who saw off Germans Hannover 2-0 to make it three wins and two draws from their five Group B matches so far . The Belgian outfit are on 11 points , three ahead of Hannover , who need a point from their final match against Vorskla Poltava to also secure qualification . Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkov continued their impressive run of form in the competition , thumping Austria Vienna 4-1 to secure their qualification from Group G with 13 points from their five matches . Malmo and AZ Alkmaar drew 0-0 in the other match to leave Alkmaar needing to beat Kharkov in their final match to join their opponents in the last 32 . However , there is all to play for in Group H , with any two of three teams still able to qualify . Last year 's beaten finalists Sporting Braga beat Birmingham City 1-0 , while a remarkable match in Slovenia saw Bruges of Belgium fight back from 3-0 down to win 4-3 in injury time against Maribor . That means Bruges and Braga are level on 10 points and they play each other in the final match . A draw there will see them both qualify with Birmingham , who are three points behind in third place , needing to beat Maribor in their final match and hoping the other game does not end in a draw . There was a suprise result in the English League Cup quarterfinals , where Manchester United were beaten 2-1 at home by Championship side Crystal Palace in extra time . That result means Palace now play fellow-second tier side Cardiff City in the semifinals , while Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City face each other in the second semifinal .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Spain striker Fernando Torres faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the World Cup after being ruled out for the rest of the European soccer season . Torres ' English club Liverpool announced that the player was to have knee surgery on Sunday night and would be sidelined out for about six weeks . That means the 26-year-old will miss the last four games of the English Premier League campaign , with Liverpool battling to qualify for next season 's Champions League . He has scored 22 goals this season , but had a month out after a knee operation in January . Top scorer Torres will also sit out both legs of the Europa League semifinal against Spanish side Atletico Madrid , with the second-tier European club tournament being Liverpool 's only hope of winning a trophy this season . `` Fernando saw a specialist in Spain earlier today and it was decided that he would need surgery on a torn cartilage in his right knee , '' Liverpool 's Web site reported on Sunday . `` This will be carried out later tonight . We can not comment ahead of the operation , but as a guide , the usual rehabilitation period for this type of procedure is around six weeks . '' The World Cup in South Africa kicks off on June 11 , with Spain 's first match against Switzerland five days later -- which gives Torres a two-week window to return to match fitness . Spain coach Vicente del Bosque must name his final 23-man squad by June 1 . European champions Spain will have pre-tournament friendlies in Austria against Saudi Arabia on May 29 and South Korea on June 3 , then play Poland in Murcia on June 8 . Meanwhile , Arsenal 's English Premier League title hopes are over after the third-placed London club conceded three goals in the last 11 minutes to lose 3-2 at struggling Wigan . Arsenal led with goals by England winger Theo Walcott and French defender Mikael Silvestre either side of halftime , but Ben Watson pulled one back with 10 minutes to play and a howler by Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski gifted Titus Bramble a headed equalizer and Charles N'Zogbia curled in a superb injury-time winner . It was Arsenal 's second defeat in five days following the 2-1 reverse at fourth-placed Tottenham , and left Arsene Wenger 's team six points behind leaders Chelsea with three games to play . Wigan moved seven points clear of the relegation zone to almost guarantee another season in the top flight . Aston Villa moved above Liverpool into sixth place with a 2-1 win at relegated Portsmouth as substitute Nathan Delfouneso scored the winner with his first touch after Norway striker John Carew leveled and then missed a first-half penalty . In Spain , Real Madrid closed the gap on leaders Barcelona with a 2-0 victory at home to third-placed Valencia . Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain coolly slotted his 25th league goal of the campaign after turning onto Guti 's threaded pass in the 25th minute , while fellow top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo sidefooted home Marcelo 's low cross with 12 minutes to play to also have 27 this season . Real trail champions Barca by one point with five matches to play , while Valencia are another 24 points adrift . Mallorca can move up to fourth place above Sevilla with victory at home to Osasuna on Monday . In Sunday 's other games , Athletic Bilbao stayed seventh after a 0-0 draw at home to struggling Zaragoza , third-bottom Tenerife won 3-2 against eighth-placed Getafe , Deportiva La Coruna drew 0-0 with Almeria , while Malaga were also held goalless by fellow relegation battlers Valladolid . In Italy , Roma returned to the top of Serie A with a 2-1 victory against Rome rivals Lazio on Sunday . Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic scored both goals , the second a fine free-kick , after Tommaso Rocchi 's 14th-minute opener for Lazio as Roma went one point clear of champions Inter Milan with with games to play . Lazio should have led 2-0 but Sergio Floccari missed a penalty just after halftime , while teammate Cristian Ledesma was sent off at the end . Third-placed AC Milan lost 2-1 at Sampdoria , with defender Daniele Bonera sent off after 53 minutes with his team 1-0 up thanks to a first-half goal from Marco Borriello . Antonio Cassano leveled from the penalty resulting from Bonera 's dismissal and Giampaolo Pazzini headed an injury-time winner to put his side fourth , seven points behind Milan . In Germany , Borussia Dortmund failed to overtake fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen after conceding a late equalizer in the 1-1 draw with visiting strugglers Hoffenheim . Bottom club Hertha Berlin earned a 2-2 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt but are still six points from safety with three games to play .","question":""}
{"answer":"NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Topps Meat Co. on Saturday expanded a recall of ground beef from about 300,000 pounds to 21.7 million pounds , one of the largest meat recalls in U.S. history . The recalled products are all ground beef patties with various brand names . In a statement , the Elizabeth , New Jersey , company said the hamburger patties may be contaminated with E. coli O157 : H7 , a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea and cramps , as well as other complications . A statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said 25 illnesses are under investigation in Connecticut , Florida , Indiana , Maine , New Jersey , New York , Ohio and Pennsylvania . The ground beef products being recalled have a `` sell by date '' or a `` best if used by date '' between September 25 , 2007 , and September 25 , 2008 , Topps ' statement said . Watch the latest on the beef recall '' The packages also have the marking `` Est. 9748 '' inside the USDA mark of inspection . Tuesday , the company announced a recall of about 331,000 pounds of hamburger meat , according to the USDA . `` Because the health and safety of our consumers is our top priority , we are taking these expansive measures , '' said Vice President of Operations Geoffrey Livermore in the statement . `` Topps is continuing to work with the USDA , state departments of health , retailers and distributors to ensure the safety of our consumers . Additionally , we have augmented our internal quality control procedures with microbiologists and food safety experts . We sincerely regret any inconvenience and concerns this may cause our consumers , '' Livermore said . This is the company 's first recall in its 65 years of business , the statement said . Consumers who find the products at home are asked to cut off the UPC code and return it to Topps for a full refund , then dispose of the product immediately , Topps spokeswoman Michelle Williams said . The company said to avoid E. coli , consumers should wash hands thoroughly after handling the beef . Topps set up a toll-free recall help line at -LRB-888-RRB- 734-0451 . Williams said because the products may have been produced up to a year ago , many of them have already been safely consumed . Production in the ground beef area of the company 's plant in Elizabeth has been shut down until all the investigations are complete , Williams said in a phone interview . `` We 're working with the USDA and the CDC -LSB- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -RSB- and conducting our own investigation , '' she added . The products , all ground beef patties and hamburgers with various brand names , were distributed mainly in the northeastern United States , but went to retailers in many other areas of the country as well , Williams said . While the sheer size of the recall is large , two other companies have been involved in larger recalls . In 2002 , Pilgrim 's Pride recalled more than 27 million pounds of poultry , and Hudson Foods recalled 25 million pounds of ground beef in 1997 . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The actors of `` Slumdog Millionaire '' won outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture , and Heath Ledger posthumously won best supporting male actor at the 15th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday . `` Slumdog Millionaire '' actors Irrfan Khan , Dev Patel , Freida Pinto and Anil Kapoor accept the film-cast prize . `` It was overwhelming enough to be nominated , but to win this is unbelievable , '' said `` Slumdog '' actor Anil Kapoor of the award given to him and his cast mates at Los Angeles ' Shrine Exposition Center . The cast 's win comes two weeks after the modestly budgeted movie , about a poverty-raised orphan in Mumbai who goes on the Indian version of `` Who Wants to Be a Millionaire , '' won the Golden Globe award for best drama . The film has been nominated for 10 Oscars , including for best picture . `` The Curious Case of Benjamin Button , '' the big name when the Academy Award nominations were announced earlier this week , was shut out at the SAG Awards . The movie leads all films with 13 Oscar nods . Ledger , who was 28 when he died just more than a year ago of an accidental prescription drug overdose , won his award for his role in `` The Dark Knight , '' 2008 's box-office king . Ledger 's performance was widely praised , and he won the Golden Globe for best supporting actor two weeks ago . He also is considered the front-runner for an Academy Award for supporting actor . Watch a roundup of SAG winners '' Actor Gary Oldman accepted the SAG award for his friend . `` He was an extraordinary young man with an extra ordinary talent , and it is wonderful that you have acknowledged that and honored that talent tonight , '' Oldman said . Josh Brolin , one of four actors who lost to Ledger on Sunday night , compared the SAG awards to `` a big campfire we 're all showing up for . '' `` It 's not a competition , '' Brolin said . `` We 're just happy to party together . '' Meryl Streep echoed Brolin 's words when she accepted for best leading actress in a movie for her role in `` Doubt . '' `` Can I just say there 's no such thing as the best actress , '' Streep said . Streep was dressed as if she might ready for Brolin 's campfire , wearing black pants , a black blouse and no jewelry except for earrings . `` I did n't even buy a dress , '' she said . Watch SAG awards fashion '' Sean Penn , chosen as best leading male actor in a movie for `` Milk , '' told the four actors he won against that he wept when he watched their work . `` You 're stunning , '' Penn said . Penn 's took a brief political turn when spoke about `` Milk , '' the story of a gay San Francisco politician assassinated in 1978 . `` This is a story about equal rights for all human beings , '' Penn said . iReport.com : Share your thoughts on the Oscar race Kate Winslet 's win as best supporting actress for her performance as Hanna Schmitz in `` The Reader '' could help her best actress Oscar nomination for the same role . Watch an overwhelmed Winslet backstage '' Winslet was nominated for SAG 's lead actress in a movie for `` Revolutionary Road , '' but lost to Streep . The SAG Awards are watched closely by Oscar fans , but they 're not always a guarantee of Oscar gold . Last year , for example , Julie Christie won the SAG 's outstanding lead actress for her work in `` Away From Her . '' At the Academy Awards , she was beaten by Marion Cotillard , who played French singer Edith Piaf in `` La Vie en Rose . '' Most of the SAG trophies handed out during the first half of Sunday night 's show were for TV categories . Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney won for their roles in HBO 's `` John Adams . '' Giamatti got the trophy for best male actor in a TV movie or miniseries for his role as President John Adams , while Linney won the female actor award for her portrayal of first lady Abigail Adams . Watch Linney say ` I 've been very lucky ' '' Veteran actress Sally Field won her first SAG Actor trophy after seven nomination over the past 14 years . Field won outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series for her work on `` Brothers & Sisters . '' Hugh Laurie won best male actor in a TV drama series for a second time for his work in `` House . '' He won the same trophy two years ago . `` I actually had $ 100 on James Spader , '' Laurie said . `` This is just not my night . '' Spader was also up for the best actor award . The TV drama ensemble award was given to the cast of AMC 's `` Mad Men . '' The evening began with NBC 's `` 30 Rock '' sweeping best actor and ensemble trophies . Tina Fey won the outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series category , while Alec Baldwin won the male honor for his `` 30 Rock '' role . The 10 actors in the `` 30 Rock '' cast also captured the trophy for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series . The 16 SAG categories include honors for both television and film actors . James Earl Jones was given SAG 's 45th Life Achievement Award . `` Whatever medium he tackles , he consistently delivers , '' actor Forest Whitaker said . Jones ' trademark deep voice has been heard in movies as `` the most evil voice in the entire universe ... and the voice of God , '' Whitaker said . Jones used his acceptance speech to salute the late actor Paul Newman . `` Somebody down here likes you , '' Jones said to Newman . In 1956 , Newman starred in `` Somebody Up There Likes Me . '' The 15th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards aired on TNT and TBS . Both TNT and TBS are units of Time Warner , the parent company of CNN .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sen. Barack Obama raised more than $ 40 million from more than 442,000 donors in March , his presidential campaign announced Thursday . Sen. Barack Obama greets campaign volunteers during a stop in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , Wednesday . More than 218,000 of the donors were giving for the first time , the campaign said . The figures are estimates , a campaign spokesman said . `` We 're still calculating . '' Sources in Sen. Hillary Clinton 's campaign said the New York senator raised $ 20 million in March . Impressive as the $ 40 million figure is , it is well below the $ 55 million Obama raised in February . Clinton , Obama 's rival for the Democratic nomination , raised about $ 35 million in February . Political analysts say this kind of fundraising power catches the attention of voters . `` They add to the so-called ` bandwagon effect ' -- the sense that Obama is building , that he 's going to be the nominee , '' said Stu Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Political Report . With its March totals , the Obama campaign has raised approximately $ 234 million , which surpasses the Democratic record of $ 215 million that 2004 nominee Sen. John Kerry raised in that presidential primary season . Obama is $ 25 million shy of President Bush 's presidential primary fundraising record of $ 259 million , set in his uncontested campaign in 2004 . Obama raised $ 194 million through the end of February . Official fundraising tallies for March are due to the Federal Election Commission by April 20 . Clinton raised $ 156 million through the end of February . The Clinton campaign said Thursday morning it would not release March figures until required to file its FEC report , two days before the critical Pennsylvania primary April 22 . But later , campaign sources provided the figures , which show March to be Clinton 's second-highest fund-raising month for the campaign . A Clinton spokesman downplayed the importance of Obama 's fundraising total . `` We knew that he was going to out-raise us . He has out-raised us for the last several months , '' Howard Wolfson said after Obama 's figures were released . `` We will have the resources that we need to compete and be successful in the upcoming primary states . '' Wolfson also said he expected Clinton 's tax returns to be released soon . Clinton pledged March 25 she would release her returns within a week . Sen. John McCain , the expected Republican nominee , raised $ 11 million in February . He has not announced his March total . E-mail to a friend CNN 's Rebecca Sinderbrand and Rob Yoon contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"PERUGIA , Italy -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A judge Tuesday convicted Rudy Guede , a native of the Ivory Coast , in last year 's murder of a British woman in Italy and sentenced him to 30 years in prison . Briton Meredith Kercher was found dead in her Perugia apartment last November . Judge Paolo Micheli also ruled that adequate evidence exists to try an American woman , Amanda Knox , and her former Italian boyfriend , Raffaele Sollecito , in the killing of Meredith Kercher , said defense attorneys and Francisco Maresca , the lawyer for the victim 's family . Their trial will begin December 4 . Guede , Knox and Sollecito have all denied wrongdoing . Guede 's attorney said he will appeal the conviction and sentence . Kercher , a 21-year-old exchange student at the University of Perugia , was found nearly a year ago , dead in her bed , with a knife wound to her neck . Official reports said Kercher may have been sexually assaulted before she died and that she bled to death . Members of Kercher 's family spoke to reporters following the court proceeding . John Kercher Jr. , one of the woman 's brothers , said it was `` overwhelming '' to be in the same room as Guede when the judge convicted and sentenced him . But Lyle Kercher , a second brother , said that `` pleased '' was n't the right word for the family 's feelings , noting that his sister was murdered . `` Satisfied '' was more appropriate given the circumstances , he said . At his lawyers ' request , Guede , hoping for a lesser sentence , received a separate fast-track trial from Knox and Sollecito . Lawyers for Sollecito , 24 , and Knox , 21 , asked that their clients -- who have been in jail since shortly after the murder -- be allowed to stay under house arrest if indicted . However , Sollecito 's attorney , Luca Maori , and Knox 's attorney , Carlo Dalla Vedova , said the judge had not ruled on their request . They expect an answer in coming days , they said . Prosecutors allege Guede committed sexual violence against Kercher with the help of Knox and Sollecito . They have said the three then strangled and stabbed the British student and took money , credit cards and cell phones in an attempt to make it look like the crime occurred during a robbery . Guede has admitted being in the villa when Kercher was killed , but has said an unknown assailant killed her while he was out of the room . Police say a bloody footprint from a shoe next to Kercher 's body came from Sollecito . They also say investigators found traces of blood belonging to both Knox and Kercher mixed together in a bathroom adjacent to the room where Kercher died . Both Knox and Sollecito have given what prosecutors have said are confusing and contradictory accounts of what happened the night Kercher was killed . CNN 's Hada Messia contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A three-judge federal appeals court panel Tuesday overturned a lower court 's order blocking key parts of a Texas law requiring doctors to provide a sonogram to pregnant women before they get an abortion , potentially clearing the way for enforcement of the law . In August , just before the law was set to take effect September 1 , U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks in Austin , Texas , found several portions of the law `` unconstitutionally vague , '' and ruled it violated the First Amendment by compelling doctors and patients to engage in government-mandated speech . But a panel on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated Sparks ' injunction against enforcing the law , saying opponents did not prove it violated the Constitution . The panel remanded the suit back to the lower court for further proceedings . As written , the law would require women seeking an abortion in Texas to view a picture of the embryo or fetus and hear a description of its development before having the procedure . Sparks ' injunction blocked Texas from enforcing any penalties against a doctor who failed to place sonogram pictures where a pregnant woman may see them , or does not make the fetus ' heartbeat audible . It also blocked penalties against the woman . A previous U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a Pennsylvania case `` held that the fact that such truthful , accurate information may cause a woman to choose not to abort her pregnancy only reinforces its relevance to an informed decision , '' U.S. Circuit Judge Patrick Higginbotham wrote in a concurring opinion . `` Insisting that a doctor give this information in his traditional role of securing informed consent is permissible . '' `` Today 's ruling is a victory for all who stand in defense of life , '' Texas Gov. Rick Perry said in a statement . `` Every life lost to abortion is a tragedy , and this important sonogram legislation ensures that every Texas woman seeking an abortion has all the facts about the life she is carrying , and understands the devastating impact of such a life-ending decision . `` We will continue to fight any attempt to limit our state 's laws that value and protect the unborn , '' Perry said . The suit was filed by the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights . Nancy Northrup , the center 's president and CEO , said the court decision was `` extreme . '' `` This clears the way for the enforcement of an insulting and intrusive law whose sole purpose is to harass women and dissuade them from exercising their constitutionally protected reproductive rights , '' Northrup said in a statement . `` Until today , every court that has reviewed similarly intrusive laws have ruled the laws unconstitutional . '' The law , she said , `` serves only to place multiple hurdles between women and the free and full exercise of their reproductive rights . '' The center , she said , is evaluating `` all available means '' to challenge the Texas law `` and all laws that seek to undermine women 's fundamental rights . '' The bill generated some controversy in Texas , but easily passed through the state 's House and Senate , both of which are controlled by Republicans . The law says that at least 24 hours before an abortion is performed , women must undergo a sonogram , a procedure that uses ultrasound to create an image . The doctor is required to give , `` in a manner understandable to a layperson , a verbal explanation of the results of the sonogram images , including a medical description of the dimensions of the embryo or fetus , the presence of cardiac activity and the presence of external members and internal organs , '' the law says . CNN 's Jamie Crawford contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"ROME , Italy -- Italian tennis players Potito Starace and Daniele Bracciali have been banned by the ATP for betting on matches . Top Italian player Potito Starace has been suspended for six weeks for betting on matches . The country 's top player Starace -- 31st in the ATP rankings -- has been suspended for six weeks from January 1 and fined $ 30,000 -LRB- 20,890 euros -RRB- for making five bets totalling around 90 euros two years ago . Bracciali , world ranked 258 , has been banned for three months and fined $ 20,000 -LRB- 13,930 euros -RRB- for making around 50 five-euro bets between 2004 and 2005 . The Italian Tennis Federation -LRB- FIT -RRB- confirmed the news on its website , www.federtennis.it . However , they denounced the penalties as disproportionate , saying the players never bet on their own matches . `` Injustice is done , '' the statement said . `` These penalties are absolutely , excessively severe compared to the magnitude of the violations carried out by the two players . '' The federation said the two were not aware of the ATP 's betting regulations , and that they stopped placing the bets as soon as they learned it was against the rules . Another Italian player , Alessio Di Mauro , became the first player sanctioned under the ATP 's new anti-corruption rules when he received a nine-month ban in November , also for betting on matches . Starace and Bracciali said they were scapegoats for a larger match-fixing scandal . `` It 's disgusting , '' said the 26-year-old Starace . `` The ATP does n't know where to turn . It 's all a joke . '' Bracciali said the two had been `` sacrificed . '' `` That 's why they came after us , '' the 29-year-old said . `` We are not champions and we do n't count in the upper echelons . '' ATP officials could not be reached for comment on Saturday . Concerns about match-fixing have risen since August , when an online betting company reported unusual betting patterns during a match between fourth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko of Russia and Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina . The company , Betfair , voided all bets and the ATP has been investigating . Davydenko , who retired while trailing in the third set , denies wrongdoing . Since then , several players have said that they had been approached with offers to fix matches in exchange for money . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former terrorist suspects detained by the United States were tortured , according to medical examinations detailed in a report released Wednesday by a human rights group . A U.S. serviceman with his dog watches a detainee at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq in 2003 . The Massachusetts-based Physicians for Human Rights reached that conclusion after two-day clinical evaluations of 11 former detainees , who had been held at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq , at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , and in Afghanistan . The detainees were never charged with crimes . `` We found clear physical and psychological evidence of torture and abuse , often causing lasting suffering , '' said Dr. Allen Keller , a medical evaluator for the study . In a 121-page report , the doctors ' group said that it uncovered medical evidence of torture , including beatings , electric shock , sleep deprivation , sexual humiliation , sodomy and scores of other abuses . The report is prefaced by retired U.S. Major Gen. Antonio Taguba , who led the Army 's investigation into the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal in 2003 . Watch why a rights group says there 's evidence of torture '' `` There is no longer any doubt that the current administration committed war crimes , '' Taguba says . `` The only question is whether those who ordered torture will be held to account . '' Over the years , reports of abuses at Abu Ghraib and allegations of torture at Guantanamo prompted the Bush administration to deny that the U.S. military tortures detainees . Since only 11 detainees were examined `` the findings of this assessment can not be generalized to the treatment of all detainees in U.S. custody , '' the report says . However , the incidents documented are consistent with findings of other investigations into government treatment , `` making it reasonable to conclude that these detainees were not the only ones abused , but are representative of a much larger number of detainees subjected to torture and ill treatment while in U.S. custody . '' Four of the men evaluated were arrested in or taken to Afghanistan between late 2001 and early 2003 and later were sent to Guantanamo Bay , where they were held for an average of three years before being released without charge , the report says . The other seven were detained in Iraq in 2003 and released within a year , the report says . All the subjects told examiners that they were subjected to multiple forms of torture or ill treatment that `` often occurred in combination over a long period of time , '' the report says . While the report presents synopses of the detainees ' backgrounds based on interviews with them , the authors did not have access to the detainees ' medical histories . Therefore , there 's no way to know whether any of the inmates may have had medical or mental problems before being detained . Among the ex-detainees was an Iraqi in his mid-40s , identified only as Laith , whom U.S. soldiers took into custody in October 2003 and who was released from Abu Ghraib in June 2004 . According to the report , Laith was subjected to sleep deprivation , electric shocks and threats of sexual abuse to himself and his family . `` They took off even my underwear . They asked me to do some movements that make me look in a very bad way so they can take photographs . ... They were trying to make me look like an animal , '' Laith told examiners , according to the report . According to the report , Laith said the most `` painful '' experiences involved threats to his family : `` And they asked me , ` Have you ever heard voices of women in this prison ? ' I answered , ` Yes . ' They were saying , ` Then you will hear your mothers and sisters when we are raping them . ' '' The examiners concluded in the report that `` Laith appears to have suffered severe and lasting physical and psychological injuries as a result of his arrest and incarceration at Abu Ghraib prison . '' Another detainee , Youssef , was detained by U.S. soldiers nearly seven years ago when he tried to enter Afghanistan from neighboring Pakistan without a passport , the report says . He initially was held in an Afghan prison , where he describes `` being stripped naked , being intimidated by dogs , being hooded and being thrown against the wall on repeated occasions , '' the report says . A few months later , he was taken to the Guantanamo Bay facility , where he was subjected to interrogators who would enter his cell and force him to lie on the floor with his hands tied behind his back to his feet , the report says . Youssef said the interrogators wanted him to confess of involvement with the Taliban , the report says . Based on its investigation , the report calls on the U.S. government to issue a formal apology to detainees subject to torture and ill treatment by the military since fall 2001 in Afghanistan , Iraq , Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere . The rights group also demands that the Bush administration : \u2022 `` Repudiate all forms of torture and cruel , inhuman or degrading treatment '' ; \u2022 Establish an independent commission to investigate and report publicly the circumstances of detention and interrogation at U.S.-run prisons in Afghanistan , Iraq and Guantanamo Bay ; \u2022 Hold individuals involved in torturing detainees accountable through criminal and civil processes ; and \u2022 Monitor thoroughly the conditions at U.S.-run prisons all over the world . CNN Radio contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- 10:54 p.m. -- People looking for loved ones in Haiti are posting their pictures on CNN.com 's iReport page dedicated to them . Likewise , people in Haiti are sending messages out to say they 're OK . Are you there ? Send us images , video 10:45 p.m. -- CNN 's Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta is the only doctor left at a makeshift hospital in Port-au-Prince after medical personnel were told by United Nations officials to leave the area . `` There is concern about riots not far from here -- and this is part of the problem , '' Gupta said . 10:16 p.m. -- Officials caution that international aid teams arriving in Haiti need to be self-sufficient or they 'll be putting pressure on services that are already strained : `` If aid personnel arrive needing support in terms of transportation , lodging , food , and water , this just puts additional stress on services that are already constrained and needed by the Haitian population , '' said Dr. Jon Andrus , deputy director of the Pan American Health Organization . 10:07 p.m. -- Hundreds of people filled the pews of a Catholic church in Silver Spring , Maryland , a suburb of Washington , D.C. , Friday evening to offer prayers for members of the area 's Haitian community in the wake of the earthquake in their homeland . 9:54 p.m. -- A general lack of resources in makeshift medical clinics means patients are undergoing amputations without anesthesia and staff are cleaning apparatus with soap and water , according to CNN Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen . `` They 're not even low-tech , they 're no tech , '' she says . Read more 9:49 p.m. -- A top United Nations official acknowledges that the earthquake relief operation in Haiti is not progressing fast enough : `` You ca n't snap your fingers and make it happen just by magic , '' U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes says . `` We will do it , slowly and surely . '' 9:07 p.m. -- Y\u00e9le Haiti , the charity organization founded by musician Wyclef Jean , denies allegations that the organization is misusing donations : `` Wyclef Jean , the founder of Y\u00e9le Haiti , has never profited from his organization . It 's a shame that during this international emergency , we have had to divert resources away from our response efforts to address these allegations , '' says Hugh Locke , president of Y\u00e9le Haiti . 8:39 p.m. -- Aftershocks continue to rock Haiti 's capital city of Port-au-Prince . Some are barely perceptable , others shake the ground , eliciting screams . One pair of overnight aftershocks were so strong they compelled a resting CNN crew to throw on their shoes and leave their rooms as a precaution . 8:09 p.m. -- Kids Alive International , an international orphan rescue group , is planning to bring 50 Haitian orphans to group homes in the Dominican Republic until new homes can be built for them in Haiti , the group said Friday . 7:51 p.m. -- Fire trucks and tanker trucks are sporadically driving around distributing drinkable water in a sign that food and water is slowly becoming available , according to CNN Radio 's Steve Kastenbaum . At a U.N. distribution center guarded by Bolivian peacekeeping troops , thousands of plates of cooked rice and chicken were handed out to Haitians waiting in an orderly line . 7:30 p.m. -- The World Food Program gearing up to distribute ready-to-eat food rations to 2 million people in quake-stricken Haiti . WFP is part of the United Nations system and is voluntarily funded . Read more 7:25 p.m. -- The U.S. Postal Service is holding mail destined for Haiti , a spokeswoman said . Mail addressed to Haiti will still be accepted at post offices , but will be held until alternative transportation arrangements become available . 6:57 p.m. -- The deaths of three American citizens have been announced by their families or others . It is not known if they were among the five confirmed by The State Department . They are Jean Arnwine of Dallas , Texas ; Molly Hightower , 22 , of Port Orchard , Washington ; and Benjamin Larson , 25 , a student at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque , Iowa . 6:16 p.m. -- An 11-year-old girl who was rescued yesterday from a pile of rubble that was her home has died , CNN 's Ivan Watson reports . Rescue workers struggled to extract the girl as she wailed in pain under the weight of the rubble , which had crushed her leg . Her family says she died an hour after she was rescued . Watch her story 6:06 p.m. -- Entertainer Lady Gaga will donate all the proceeds from her January 24 show in New York City to relief efforts , a representative for her label , Interscope , said . She will also donate proceeds from all merchandise purchased that day at the venue and on her Web site . 5:46 p.m. -- U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced Friday that she is designating a temporary protected status for Haitian nationals who were in the United States as of Tuesday . Napolitano said the temporary status allows an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 Haitian nationals in the nation illegally to stay in the United States for 18 months . 5:38 p.m. -- The State Department has launched a `` Person Finder '' tool on its site that helps people find and share information on missing loved ones in Haiti . 5:02 p.m. -- At least 100 bodies were discovered by a CNN crew in one open pit outside Port-au-Prince , along with several other pits half-filled or completely covered over with earth . In the capital city , bodies litter the streets , and barely functioning clinics are overwhelmed . There is still no confirmed death toll , but the Haitian consul general to the United Nations has estimated the toll could top 100,000 . Watch -LRB- graphic content -RRB- 4:43 p.m. -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announces she will travel to Haiti tomorrow with U.S. Agency for International Development Director Rajiv Shah . Clinton , the first major U.S. official to travel to the quake-battered country , will meet with President Rene Preval and other members of the government . Watch 4:28 p.m. -- Philadelphia 76ers center and Haiti native Samuel Dalembert taped a public service announcement for UNICEF encouraging fans to contribute to relief efforts . UNICEF volunteers will also be available to collect donations from fans at tonight 's home game at the Wachovia Center . 3:47 p.m. -- As of Friday afternoon , corporate America had pledged more than $ 40 million in donations to support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti , according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce . Read more 3:20 p.m. -- A number of celebrities , including George Clooney , Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie , are contributing to Haiti relief efforts , according to ABC News . Clooney and MTV are working on a telethon for Haiti later this month , ABC said . 2:04 p.m. -- Images from Google Earth illustrate the devastation wrought by Haiti 's earthquake . Watch 1:47 p.m. -- President Obama confirmed Friday that he will team up with former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to discuss how best to encourage a broad-based national volunteer relief effort for Haiti . The three leaders will meet Saturday at the White House . 1:30 p.m. -- The United Nations announced Friday that at least 37 of its personnel have died -- 36 with the U.N. mission and one with the World Food Programme . The number of unaccounted for U.N. people stands at 330 out of the 12,000 people working for U.N. organizations in Haiti before the earthquake . 1:12 p.m. -- `` The entire world stands with the government and the people of Haiti , '' President Obama said at the White House . He said the United States bears a special responsibility to help Haiti , given the countries ' close proximity . 12:55 p.m. -- Pop star Madonna announced she has donated $ 250,000 to Partners in Health , a health care provider in Haiti . `` My prayers are with the people of Haiti , '' statement from the singer said . `` I ca n't imagine the terrible pain and suffering they are experiencing . Sadly the depths of the tragedy are just becoming known and the need for our support grows more urgent with every passing moment . '' 12:10 p.m. -- Jimmy O , a well-known singer and songwriter in Haiti who also was active in hip-hop artist and philanthropist Wyclef Jean 's charity , is dead . Jimmy O , 35 , was crushed in a vehicle in downtown Port-au-Prince during the earthquake . 11:30 a.m. -- President Obama spoke with Haitian President Rene Preval for about 30 minutes Friday morning , according to the White House . Obama reiterated his pledge of help , and Preval asked him to pass a message to the American people : `` From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the Haitian people , thank you , thank you , thank you . '' Follow daily developments : Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 11:25 a.m. -- A text-message and social network campaign has raised $ 8 million for the Red Cross ' relief efforts in Haiti , according to a Twitter message from the White House that was reposted on the Red Cross account . 11:13 a.m. -- CNN 's Anderson Cooper reports Port-au-Prince 's prison is empty but for four decomposing bodies . Watch -LRB- graphic content -RRB- 10:43 a.m. -- Within four days , 700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne will be in the quake zone . By Tuesday , three more U.S. Navy ships carrying 2,200 Marines and heavy equipment will join them . By Saturday , about 5,000 to 6,000 men and women dedicated to supporting the relief effort will be in Haiti , military officials say . Watch CNN affiliate WRAL 's report on the Marines ' mission 10:39 a.m. -- Five more American deaths have been confirmed in Haiti , State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Friday , adding he expects the number to go up . 10:24 a.m. -- The USS Carl Vinson arrived off the coast of Haiti on Friday morning , Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen said . 9:22 a.m. -- U.S. Army 's 82nd Airborne unit 's Iraq and Afghanistan veterans welcome an opportunity to take part in a humanitarian mission . Watch CNN affiliate WTVD 's report 8:15 a.m. -- Diesel fuel is selling on the black market in Port-au-Prince for $ 25 a gallon . It usually sells for $ 3 a gallon . 7:57 a.m. -- Cuba is allowing the United States to use its airspace to fly medical evacuation flights -- but no other relief flights -- from Haiti , White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said Friday . This agreement will allow the United States to fly earthquake victims directly from Haiti to the United States and reduce the flight time . 7:15 a.m. -- At least 12 American corporations have pledged donations of $ 1 million or more to the Haiti relief effort . 7:09 a.m. -- Aid agencies continue to struggle to get relief items from the Port-au-Prince airport , said Dave Toycen , a relief worker with the aid agency World Vision . `` The issue is obviously logistics . It is problematic to get the streets clear , '' Toycen said . `` There was a mile-long line to get gasoline . We are short the basics . '' 5:55 a.m. Friday , January 15 , 2010 -- The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is to arrive in Haiti on Friday , carrying 19 helicopters and 30 pallets of relief goods , Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser said .","question":""}
{"answer":"ISLAMABAD , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan announced a 10-day cease-fire on Sunday in Pakistan 's Swat Valley , a volatile region in North West Frontier Province that is largely controlled by the Taliban . The Taliban says it has agreed a 10-day cease-fire with Pakistani forces in the Swat Valley . The Taliban are holding talks with the North West Frontier Province 's government in the town of Timagera in the province 's Lower Dir district , he said . Taliban leader Sufi Mohammad is heading negotiations for the militants . There was no immediate confirmation of the cease-fire from the Pakistani government . Swat Valley was once Pakistan 's biggest tourist destination until it was overrun by militants led by radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah . The valley boasted the country 's only ski resort and was once a draw for trout-fishing enthusiasts . It is believed to be the deepest advance by militants into Pakistan 's settled areas -- meaning areas outside its tribal region along the border with Afghanistan . The negotiations are the latest attempt by Pakistan 's civilian government -- which took power last year -- to achieve peace through diplomacy in areas where Taliban and al Qaeda leaders are believed to have free rein . Swat has been overrun by forces loyal to Maulana Fazlullah 's banned hardline Islamic group , Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat Mohammadi -LRB- TNSM -RRB- which has allied itself with Taliban fighters . TNSM was once led by Sufi Mohammed , Fazlullah 's father-in-law who is leading the latest negotiations . Sufi Mohammed was released from jail last year by Pakistani authorities after he agreed to cooperate with the government . He had been jailed in 2002 after recruiting thousands of fighters to battle U.S. forces in Afghanistan . Fazlullah took over TNSM during Sufi Mohammed 's jail stint and vowed to continue his fight to impose fundamentalist Islamic law in the region . Last May , Pakistan 's government announced it reached a peace deal with militants in Swat Valley . Analysts as well as critics within the establishment have described those talks as a failure that gave the Taliban time to regroup and gain more ground . The Taliban have recently targeted local politicians , including the head of the Awami National Party -- which represents the region -- who was forced to flee to Islamabad . Pakistan is under enormous pressure to control the militants within its borders , blamed for launching attacks in neighboring Afghanistan where U.S. and NATO forces are fighting militants . Pakistan 's military operation in the region is unpopular among Pakistanis , but efforts to deal diplomatically with militants have not worked in the past . Pakistan 's previous military ruler , Gen. Pervez Musharraf , reached a cease-fire deal with militants in South Waziristan in 2006 which was widely blamed for giving al Qaeda and Taliban a stronger foothold in the region . CNN 's Zein Basravi contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"The Hague , Netherlands -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Bosnian war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic launched a full-throated attack on the International War Crimes Tribunal Tuesday , as he appeared at a hearing to discuss his refusal to appear for trial . He said he `` can not take part in something that has been bad from the start , and where my fundamental rights have been violated . '' Karadzic , who is accused of responsibility for the worst massacre in Europe since World War II , says he has had insufficient time to prepare his defense . He is representing himself . But Judge O-Gon Kwon told Karadzic it was the court , not the defendant , who decides when the case is ready for trial . He advised Karadzic to participate in order to get a fair trial . The judges will decide by the end of the week how to deal with the former Bosnian leader 's boycott of the proceedings , Judge Kwon said before adjourning the trial for the day . Karadzic , the Bosnian Serb leader during the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s , faces 11 counts of genocide , war crimes and crimes against humanity . Memories of the massacre remain raw . Watch the video The charges stem partly from the massacre of more than 7,000 Muslim men and boys at the town of Srebrenica , in what is know Bosnia and Herzegovina , in 1995 . Karadzic has been insisting he has not had enough time to prepare for the trial , saying there are 1.3 million pages of documents to study . He denied stalling , and said imposing a lawyer on him would not help . `` It is with joy that I am preparing for these proceedings , '' he said through a translator . `` Nobody can get through this material better than I can , no lawyer . The best possible solution would be that the defense be given sufficient time '' to prepare . He rejected prosecutor Hildegard Uertz-Retzlaff 's assertion that Tuesday 's proceedings constituted part of the trial . `` I hope that this is not some kind of a trick , '' he said . `` I am attending a status conference hearing . '' The court can not force a defendant to appear . Karadzic , as a `` self-representing accused , '' is the only one who can cross-examine witnesses and speak in court about the substance of the charges against him . However , judges can impose a lawyer on Karadzic if he continues to refuse to cooperate . The trial began without his presence on October 26 , more than a year after Karadzic was captured in Belgrade , the capital of Serbia . He had been on the run for more than 13 years and was living in disguise in Belgrade , practicing alternative medicine at a clinic . Karadzic faces life in prison if he is convicted . The court can not impose the death penalty . The 1992-95 Bosnian conflict was the longest of the wars spawned by the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s . Backed by the government of then-Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic , Bosnian Serb forces seized control of more than half the country and launched a campaign against the Muslim and Croat populations . Karadzic was removed from power in 1995 , when the Dayton Accords that ended the Bosnian war barred anyone accused of war crimes from holding office . Milosevic died in 2006 while on trial at The Hague .","question":""}
{"answer":"New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The federal government moved Thursday to seize assets belonging to the Alavi Foundation and the Assa Corp . , including a Manhattan skyscraper and four mosques , citing alleged links to the Iranian government . Preet Bharara , the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York , announced Thursday 's filing of an amended civil complaint seeking forfeiture of the Alavi Foundation 's interest in the 36-story office tower located on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan . The tower is owned by 650 Fifth Avenue Company , a partnership between the Alavi Foundation and Assa Corp. , the Justice Department said . The amended complaint alleges that the Alavi Foundation provided services to the Iranian government and transferred money from 650 Fifth Avenue Company to Bank Melli , Iran 's largest state-owned financial entity . U.S. and European Union officials last year designated Bank Melli as a proliferator for supporting Iran 's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and funneling money to the Revolutionary Guard and Quds Force , considered terrorist groups by the United States . Bank Melli issued a statement last year denying involvement in any deceptive banking practices . Thursday 's amended complaint seeks forfeiture of all assets of the Alavi Foundation and Assa Corp. , including bank accounts owned by 650 Fifth Avenue Company , the Alavi Foundation and Assa Corp. ; and properties owned by the foundation in New York , Maryland , Virginia , Texas and California . It alleges that the properties were `` involved in and -LSB- were -RSB- the proceeds of money laundering offenses , '' and that the owners violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act , executive orders and U.S. Department of Treasury regulations . `` As today 's complaint alleges in great detail , the Alavi Foundation has effectively been a front for the government of Iran , '' Bharara said . `` For two decades , the Alavi Foundation 's affairs have been directed by various Iranian officials , including Iranian ambassadors to the United Nations , in violation of a series of American laws . The Alavi Foundation 's former president remains under investigation for alleged obstruction of justice , and both the criminal and civil investigations are ongoing . '' John Winter , a New York lawyer representing the Alavi Foundation , said his client would challenge the complaint . `` We 're obviously disappointed that the government brought this action because we have been cooperating with the government since this investigation began about a year ago and we intend to litigate this matter , '' he said in a telephone interview . `` It may take some time , but at the end of this litigation , we 're of the mind that we 're going to prevail here . '' The buildings remained open and were continuing to operate as usual . `` There are no allegations of any wrongdoing on the part of any of these tenants or occupants , '' said Yusill Scribner , a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Southern District of New York in a written statement . `` The tenants and occupants remain free to use the properties as they have before today 's filing . '' According to the complaint , the New York tower was built in the 1970s by a nonprofit organization operated by the Shah of Iran to pursue the country 's charitable interests in the United States . Bank Melli financed its construction in prime real estate near Rockefeller Center . In 1979 , after the Iranian revolution , the Islamic Republic of Iran established the Bonyad Mostazafan of New York , since renamed the Alavi Foundation , to take possession of and manage property it had expropriated from the former government , including the Fifth Avenue building . Calls to the Iranian Mission were not immediately returned . The mosques are in New York , Maryland , California and Texas . At the Islamic Institute of New York in Queens , two worshipers said they found out about the move Thursday as they arrived for evening prayers . The front page of the court document stating the terms of the case was tacked to the front door accompanied by a letter from the U.S. Attorney 's office to the Mostazafan Foundation . A senior Justice Department official , trying to blunt any criticism from Muslim groups , told reporters that the government is moving against the Iranian landlords of the buildings , not targeting or `` seizing mosques '' as religious-oriented facilities . The mosques just happen to be among the tenants of the buildings in question , the official said . But , in a statement , the Council on American-Islamic Relations called the move unprecedented and said it may have First Amendment implications . `` Whatever the details of the government 's case against the owners of the mosques , as a civil rights organization we are concerned that the seizure of American houses of worship could have a chilling effect on the religious freedom of citizens of all faiths and may send a negative message to Muslims worldwide , '' said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper . He said the move comes at a bad time , given the community 's fear of a backlash resulting from a Muslim psychiatrist being charged in the deadly shooting spree at Fort Hood in Texas . Relations between Iran and much of the international community have been tense in recent years over Iran 's nuclear ambitions . Iran states that it wants to develop its nuclear program solely for peaceful purposes ; the United States and a number of other countries have said they suspect the oil-rich nation is pursuing a nuclear bomb . In another U.S.-Iran development , President Obama said Thursday in a letter to Congress that the national emergency with respect to Iran that was declared in 1979 during the Iranian revolution has not ended . `` Our relations with Iran have not yet returned to normal , and the process of implementing the January 19 , 1981 , agreements with Iran is still under way , '' Obama wrote in an official `` notice of continuation '' required to extend the emergency status with Iran beyond the anniversary date of November 14 . `` For these reasons , I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared on November 14 , 1979 , with respect to Iran , beyond November 14 , 2009 . '' CNN 's Terry Frieden , Brian Todd , Deb Feyerick , Eddie DeMarche and Ross Levitt contributed to this story .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Kenya has enjoyed a reputation as one of East Africa 's most stable nations since achieving independence from the UK in 1963 . Residents of the Mathare slum in Nairobi shout at demonstrators during violent clashes . But a booming tourism industry , impressive economic growth -- currently six percent a year according to The Economist -- and decades of peace in a region scarred by conflict have served to disguise widespread poverty , violent crime and corruption and simmering ethnic tensions . Tribal bonds remain stronger than national identity in Kenya , with the country 's 36 million people claiming allegiance to around 40 different tribes . Last week 's election pitched incumbent President Mwai Kibaki , a member of Kenya 's largest Kikuyu tribe , against opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Luo tribe . The Kikuyu make up about 22 percent of Kenya 's population . Mostly originating from Kenya 's central highlands , the Kikuyu have long wielded strong economic and political power within the country . Kenya 's first post-independence leader , Jomo Kenyatta , president from 1964 until 1978 , was a Kikuyu . Kibaki , a government minister from 1965 until winning power as head of the Party of National Unity in elections five years ago , also enjoys the support of Kenyatta 's successor , Daniel Arap Moi , a member of the Kalenjin tribe who ruled Kenya for 24 years from 1978 to 2002 . The Luo make up around 13 percent of the population , mostly in the west of the country . But they also form a sizeable community in some of Nairobi 's most notorious slums , such as the vast Kibera shantytown where Odinga enjoys strong support and where some of this week 's fiercest violence has occurred . Odinga 's Orange Democratic Movement is also backed by many members of the Luhya tribe , Kenya 's second largest ethnic group , after Odinga promised to make a leading Luhya his deputy if elected . This week 's violence came as election officials declared victory for Kibaki with 51.3 percent to 48.7 percent for Odinga in the closest presidential vote in Kenyan electoral history . But the result has been questioned by international election observers , throwing the country 's political future into doubt . Kibaki 's first election success in 2002 -- declared free and fair by international observers -- was hailed at the time as a step forward for Kenyan democracy . However , his term has been dogged by allegations of corruption and graft . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Thursday brings one of the biggest slates of Hollywood entertainment to open on Christmas Day in many years . Tom Cruise stars as would-be Hitler assassin Col. Claus von Stauffenberg in the World War II drama `` Valkyrie . '' Stars such as Tom Cruise , Brad Pitt and Adam Sandler are featured in a slew of big-budget movies hoping to lure people into theaters this holiday season . Here are the top five movies opening Thursday : 1 . `` Valkyrie '' -- Tom Cruise stars in the true story of a German military officer who conspires to assassinate Adolf Hitler . Cruise plays Col. Claus von Stauffenberg , a proud military man who realizes that Hitler must be stopped before Germany and Europe collapse under Nazi rule . Joining Cruise are three-time Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh as Maj. Gen. Henning von Tresckow and twice-nominated actor Tom Wilkinson as Gen. Friedrich Fromm . United Artists is releasing the film . 2 . `` The Curious Case of Benjamin Button '' -- Brad Pitt stars in this fantasy drama about a man who ages backward . He 's born in his 80s and then gets younger as the years pass . `` Button '' is based on the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald and runs two hours and 47 minutes . The cast includes Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett , who is creating Oscar buzz this year as well for her portrayal of Daisy in `` Button . '' The film , released by Paramount Pictures , already has won several film critics ' awards . 3 . `` Marley & Me '' -- Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston learn life lessons from an out-of-control canine they decide to adopt . This comedy-drama is adapted from the best-selling novel by John Grogan . Some audiences expecting a feel-good comedy such as `` Turner & Hooch '' or `` Beethoven '' may be surprised by this painfully realistic portrayal that could leave audiences teary-eyed at the end . The supporting cast includes Alan Arkin and Kathleen Turner . The PG-rated film gets a 20th Century Fox release . 4 . `` Bedtime Stories '' -- Funny guy Adam Sandler shoots for the family crowd with this fantasy comedy about a hotel handyman who tells his niece and nephew a bedtime story , only to find out that his fantasy stylings are coming true . Sandler 's film , which also stars Guy Pearce , Courteney Cox and Keri Russell , is getting mixed reviews so far . It 's rated PG for mild rude humor and mild language . 5 . `` The Spirit '' -- Based on a graphic novel about a masked crusader , `` The Spirit '' will cater to the so-called fanboys who hope the film 's PG-13 rating will push the envelope on violence and other cool stuff . iReport.com : Will you see any of the new movies on tap during the holidays ? Gabriel Macht plays Denny Colt , aka The Spirit , in this story of a man who fakes his death so he can fight a coldblooded killer known as the Octopus -LRB- Samuel L. Jackson -RRB- . Eva Mendes is along for the ride , which could be a plus for the film 's desired demographic of young men 13 to 21 . Lionsgate is distributing .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Penn State students and supporters of head football coach Joe Paterno rallied Tuesday evening outside his home amid growing calls for him to resign related to his response to child sex abuse allegations brought against a former assistant . The crowd in State College , mostly young people , greeted and cheered Paterno hours after his weekly news conference was canceled . Speaking outside and from a window at his residence , the 84-year-old Nittany Lions legend said he was praying for victims in the case . Paterno , a longtime coach with a largely spotless record , is under pressure because of his response to allegations brought to him in 2002 by a graduate assistant who said he had seen retired defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulting a young boy in the shower at the campus football complex . Paterno reported the allegations to his boss , and Pennsylvania 's attorney general said it appeared that the coach had met his obligations under state law . Still , some critics have said that he should have reported the suspected abuse to police . `` We do n't yet know who is legally guilty , '' SI.com columnist Michael Rosenberg wrote on the website . `` But several prominent employees at the state university are morally guilty . And one of them is Joe Paterno . '' On Tuesday , Paterno 's son , Scott Paterno , said on Twitter that reports in the New York Times , citing people briefed on the matter , that university officials were planning an end to Paterno 's 46-year coaching tenure were `` premature . '' `` No discussions about retirement with JVP , '' Paterno said , using his father 's initials . He said the decision to cancel the news conference was not his father 's . `` Due to the ongoing legal circumstances centered around the recent allegations and charges , we have determined that today 's press conference can not be held and will not be rescheduled , '' the university said in a statement . Joe Paterno said Tuesday afternoon that he hopes to hold another news conference soon . `` I know you guys have a lot of good questions , and I 'd like to answer them , but I ca n't do it now , '' Paterno said after practice . A preliminary hearing for Sandusky , originally set for Wednesday , has been rescheduled for December 7 , officials said Tuesday afternoon . Sandusky 's attorney has said more time was needed to bring in witnesses . On Sunday , Penn State announced that two university officials accused by state authorities of failing to report suspected abuse had stepped down , one of them returning to retirement and the other taking administrative leave . Attorney General Linda Kelly said Monday that the alleged failure of Penn State Athletic Director Timothy Curley , 57 , and Gary Schultz , 62 , the university 's senior vice president for finance and business , to report abuse claims `` likely allowed a child predator to continue to victimize children for many , many years . '' Curley and Schultz , who are each charged with one count of perjury and one count of failure to report suspected abuse , were released Monday on $ 75,000 bail each . At the arraignment hearing , their attorneys said the men were innocent of the charges and would fight to clear their names . Sandusky is accused of sexual offenses , child endangerment and `` corruption of a minor '' charges involving eight boys , most or all of whom he met through the Second Mile , the charity he founded to help troubled youth , according to prosecutors . Sandusky 's involvement with the group provided him with `` access to hundreds of boys , many of whom were vulnerable due to their social situations , '' the grand jury said . The former coach is said to have engaged in fondling , oral sex and anal sex with young boys over at least 15 years , according to the investigative grand jury 's summary of testimony . A source with direct knowledge of the investigation confirmed to CNN 's Jason Carroll that a man walked into a Montoursville , Pennsylvania , state police station and claimed he was victimized by Sandusky . Interviews with the man will determine whether he 's a ninth victim , the source said . Sandusky , who served 23 years as defensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions football team before retiring in 1999 , is free on $ 100,000 bail . His attorney , Joseph Amendola , has not returned a message from CNN seeking comment . Overheard on CNN.com about Joe Paterno The grand jury investigation that led to the charges began with the claims of one alleged victim who said Sandusky had `` indecently assaulted '' him and engaged in sex acts while he was a guest at the coach 's home , according to the attorney general . The victim met Sandusky through the Second Mile , and Sandusky allegedly used expensive gifts such as trips to professional and college games , golf clubs , a computer and money , Kelly said . The relationship , which began in 2005 and lasted into 2008 , included overnight stays at Sandusky 's home , where touching led to sexual acts , according to Kelly and grand jury testimony . However , the most explosive charges in the grand jury report involve a 2002 incident in which a graduate student reported seeing Sandusky in the shower performing anal sex on a young boy , according to the grand jury and prosecutors . `` One of the most compelling and disturbing pieces of testimony in this investigation came from an eyewitness to a late-night sexual assault that allegedly occurred in March of 2002 , in the locker room of the Lasch Football Building on the University Park Campus , '' Kelly said . `` Hearing what sounded like sexual activity in the showers of a building that was supposed to be empty , a graduate assistant reportedly observed Sandusky sexually assaulting a naked boy who appeared to be about 10 years old . '' The assistant reported the incident to Paterno , who in turn alerted Curley . Paterno said in his statement that he had done his duty in informing Curley . `` It was obvious that the witness was distraught over what he saw , but he at no time related to me the very specific actions contained in the grand jury report . Regardless , it was clear that the witness saw something inappropriate involving Mr. Sandusky . As Coach Sandusky was retired from our coaching staff at that time , I referred the matter to university administrators , '' Paterno said . But instead of reporting the incident to authorities , Curley and Schultz took Sandusky 's locker room keys and banned him from having children from Second Mile visit the football building , Kelly said . In his statement , Paterno called the charges `` shocking . '' `` While I did what I was supposed to with the one charge brought to my attention , like anyone else involved , I ca n't help but be deeply saddened these matters are alleged to have occurred , '' he said in the statement . Prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges or victims in the case . CNN 's Jason Carroll and Kiran Khalid contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Juventus are back on top of the Italian Serie A table after a comfortable 3-0 home win over Palermo on Sunday maintained their unbeaten start to the season . Goals from Simone Pepe , Alessandro Matri and Claudio Marchisio put Juve ahead of Lazio , who drew 0-0 at Napoli on Saturday , on goal difference -- with Antonio Conte 's side also having a vital game in hand . Pepe opened the scoring in the 20th minute when he was left unmarked to head home Giorgio Chiellini 's cross . Andrea Pirlo then hit the post with a curling effort before Matri doubled the advantage three minutes into the second half when finishing from a tight angle . And the points were sealed in the 65th minute when Marchisio netted from close range after a smart dummy from Matri deceived the Palermo defense . Although Juventus are back on top of the table , the race for this year 's Scudetto promises to be the tightest for years with just one point separating the top four teams . Champions AC Milan are third , a point behind the top two , after their goalless draw at Fiorentina on Saturday , while former leaders Udinese are now in fourth place -- level on points with Milan -- after losing 2-0 at Parma . A Jonathan Biabiany header and a Sebastian Giovinco penalty gave Parma a victory that lifted them up to ninth place in the table . Despite their defeat to Juventus , Palermo remain fifth , although they are five points behind Udinese . Meanwhile , at the bottom of the table , Marco Parolo scored seven minutes from time to give Cesena their first win of the season , 1-0 at fellow strugglers Bologna . Despite that win , Cesena remain bottom on six points , one behind Novara who were beaten 1-0 at Genoa . Two matches were played in the German Bundesliga , with Thorsten Fink collecting his first win as Hamburg coach with a 2-0 success at Hoffenheim . Jose Guerrero and Marcel Jansen secured Fink 's maiden success after three successive draws as Hamburg moved out of the relegation zone and into 14th place . The day 's other match saw Austrian striker Martin Harnik score both of Stuttgart 's goals in a 2-1 win over bottom club Augsburg , who are three points adrift at the foot of the table . The victory lifts Stuttgart up to sixth place in the table , seven points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Organization of American States suspended Honduras late Saturday because the nation 's new leaders refused to reinstate ousted President Jose Manuel Zelaya . Ousted Honduran President Jose Manuel Zelaya appears Tuesday at the U.N. General Assembly . Zelaya was removed by the military on June 28 and flown to Costa Rica . Congressional leader Roberto Micheletti was sworn in as provisional president later that day . The OAS set a Saturday deadline for Honduras to return Zelaya to power or be suspended from the 35-nation hemispheric organization . Honduran officials told OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza on Friday that they would not allow Zelaya to return to power . Thousands of protesters demanding the return to power of ousted Honduran President Jose Manuel Zelaya pushed through riot police at Tegucigalpa 's airport and surrounded the terminal Saturday , but there were no reports of violence . The airport continued to operate , CNN Correspondent Karl Penhaul reported . Zelaya , a leftist who took office in 2006 , says he will return to Honduras on Sunday . Micheletti has vowed to have Zelaya arrested if he returns . `` I am simply defending a system , '' Zelaya told the OAS delegates early Sunday , after the 33-0 vote to suspend Honduras . Among the delegates were two heads of state : Presidents Christina Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina and Fernando Lugo of Paraguay . `` I am here not only as president of the republic of Argentina , but also as part of a delegation who was the object of coups in Argentina , '' Fernandez said . Lugo also spoke in favor of restoring Zelaya and democracy to his nation . `` I come from Paraguay , a country that has had the long night of dictatorships , '' Lugo said . `` I come here with a pain , but also with a hope . '' Micheletti repeated in an interview with CNN en Espa\u00f1ol on Saturday night that a coup did not take place . What happened , he said , was a constitutional transfer of power authorized by the nation 's congress . But Micheletti is swimming against world opinion . The U.N. General Assembly condemned the coup last week and demanded that Zelaya be reinstated . The European Union and other nations have recalled their ambassadors from Honduras , and the United States and the World Bank have suspended some aid . Honduran officials have said the Central American nation was prepared to withdraw from the OAS rather than reinstate Zelaya . `` If the Organization of American States does n't deem Honduras worthy of membership of the Organization of American States , then Honduras would renounce with immediate effect the inter-American charter , '' said Deputy Foreign Minister Marta Lorena Alvarado . At the center of the dispute was a referendum Zelaya had vowed to carry out even after the country 's supreme court and congress found it illegal . The nonbinding referendum could have led to the creation of a constitutional assembly to modify the country 's charter to allow the president to run for re-election . Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez , a Zelaya ally , won a similar referendum this year , and many Hondurans thought Zelaya was trying to maneuver a way to seek re-election in November . Zelaya has denied that was his intent . Zelaya narrowly won the presidency in 2005 , with 49.8 percent of the vote to 46.1 percent for Porfirio `` Pepe '' Lobo . After 18 years of nearly uninterrupted military rule , Honduras returned to civilian control in 1981 . Since then , the military has not seemed interested in holding power in the nation of more than 7 million people , about 70 percent of whom live in poverty . Military interventions were once common in Latin America , but civilian governments have held sway since the 1980s . Before Sunday , the only other barracks revolt this decade was an unsuccessful 2002 coup attempt against Chavez , when the military displaced him but backed down days later and allowed his reinstatement . CNN 's Tom Watkins contributed to this report","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rep. Charlie Rangel temporarily stepped down as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday , a decision forced by a growing storm of ethics controversies threatening the longtime congressman . The 20-term New York Democrat told reporters he had submitted a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi requesting a temporary leave of absence until a broad-reaching House ethics committee investigation concludes . `` In order to avoid my colleagues ' having to defend me during their elections , I have this morning sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi asking her to grant me a leave of absence until such time as the ethics committee completes its work , '' Rangel said Wednesday . In a statement , Pelosi said she had accepted Rangel 's request and praised the congressman for `` his decades of leadership on jobs , health care and the most significant economic issues of the day . '' Read Rangel 's letter to Pelosi The night before Rangel said he had no plans to step aside from his powerful post . The Ways and Means Committee is responsible for drafting the nation 's tax policies . Rangel is being investigated for , among other things , failing to pay taxes on a home in the Dominican Republic . The congressman also has admitted failing to report several hundred thousand dollars in assets on federal disclosure forms . In addition , he is under scrutiny for the purported misuse of a rent-controlled apartment for political purposes , as well as for allegedly preserving tax benefits for an oil-drilling company in exchange for donations to a project he supported at the City College of New York . Rangel was formally admonished Friday by the House ethics committee for violating rules on receiving gifts . Specifically , the committee found that Rangel violated House gift rules by accepting reimbursement payments for travel to conferences in the Caribbean in 2007 and 2008 . Rangel 's staff , according to the committee , knew that corporations had given money to the Carib News , which sponsored the events . That fact had not been divulged to the ethics committee when Rangel asked for and received approval to attend the trips , according to the committee 's report . The committee found that while Rangel did not know about the contributions , he was nevertheless responsible . A source told CNN on Tuesday that if Rangel stepped aside , senior Ways and Means Democrat Pete Stark would take over as the committee 's chairman `` on a temporary basis . '' House Republicans plan to introduce a resolution Wednesday calling on Rangel to permanently step down and again force House Democrats to go on record defending him . They issued a statement after Rangel 's announcement , calling his decision to temporarily step aside an `` embarrassing episode '' for the Democratic majority . `` Nancy Pelosi 's promise to run the ` most ethical Congress in history ' has been reduced to a punch line , and as a result she is presiding over a caucus in chaos , '' said GOP spokesman Ken Spain . `` The Democrats -- under Speaker Pelosi 's leadership -- are incapable of leading the United States Congress . '' House Democrats have blocked previous GOP resolutions on the House floor , but several Democrats in competitive districts have come out publicly in recent days , saying they thought it was time for Rangel to step down . Rangel is a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus , which has 42 members in the House . CNN 's Brianna Keilar and Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report","question":""}
{"answer":"RIO DE JANEIRO , Brazil -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A 12-mile oil slick near where an Air France jet crashed Monday into the Atlantic Ocean indicates the plane likely did n't break up until it hit the water , Brazil 's defense minister said Wednesday . Image released by the Brazilian Air Force shows oil slicks in the water near a debris site . If true , that would argue against an in-flight explosion as the cause of the crash of Air France Flight 447 , Defense Minister Nelson Jobim told reporters . But Robert Francis , former vice chairman of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board , said the question of determining where a plane broke up `` is a very difficult one to deal with . '' He told CNN 's `` Anderson Cooper 360 '' that `` there are lots of things that cause a plane to go out of control . '' He added that extremely strong winds are not unusual near Brazil . Pilots who fly over that part of the world keep track of radar and `` are very , very wary about the weather as they go back and forth down in that area . '' Jobim said currents had strewn the debris widely and that the search area had been expanded to 300 square miles . The Airbus A330 , carrying 228 people , went down about three hours after beginning what was to have been an 11-hour flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris , France . No survivors have been found . Map of Flight AF 447 's flight path '' Investigators have not determined what caused the plane to crash . The flight data recorders have not been recovered , and the plane 's crew did not send any messages indicating problems before the plane disappeared . Watch as high seas hamper recovery '' The Brazilian Air Force said it found the oil slick and four debris fields Wednesday , but rain and rough seas kept searchers from plucking any of the debris from the water . Among Wednesday 's finds were objects in a circular 5-kilometer -LRB- 3-mile -RRB- area , including one object with a diameter of 7 meters -LRB- 23 feet -RRB- and 10 other objects , some of which were metallic , Brazilian Air Force spokesman Jorge Amaral said . Searchers had found two debris fields Tuesday and identified the wreckage as coming from Flight 447 . The debris was found about 650 kilometers -LRB- 400 miles -RRB- northeast of the Fernando de Noronha Islands , an archipelago 355 kilometers -LRB- 220 miles -RRB- off the northeast coast of Brazil . It included an airplane seat and an orange float . Wednesday 's debris find was about 90 kilometers -LRB- 56 miles -RRB- south of Tuesday 's discoveries , Amaral said . Eleven aircraft and five ships are engaged in the search , including airplanes from France and the United States . Watch as experts question whether recovery is possible '' The NTSB said Wednesday it has accepted an invitation from the French aviation accident investigation authority , the Bureau d'Enquetes et d'Analyses , to aid in the investigation . NTSB Acting Chairman Mark V. Rosenker has designated senior air safety investigator Bill English as the U.S. accredited representative . The U.S. team will include technical advisers from the Federal Aviation Administration ; General Electric , which made the plane 's engines ; and Honeywell , which made the plane 's data recorders . The aircraft 's computer system did send about four minutes of automated messages indicating a loss of cabin pressure and an electrical failure , officials have said . Some investigators have noted that the plane flew through a severe lightning storm . Foul play has not been ruled out . Air France had received a bomb threat May 27 for a flight from Buenos Aires , Argentina , to Paris , sources in the Argentine military and police told CNN on Wednesday . According to the officials , who had been briefed on the incident and declined to be identified because of the ongoing investigation , the Air France office in Buenos Aires received the threat from a man speaking Spanish . Authorities checked the Boeing 777 and did not find anything . Security was tightened during check-in for Flight 415 , which left on time and without incident , the officials said . Although officials have said the likelihood of finding survivors of Flight 447 's crash is small , authorities have not closed the door on the possibility . `` Until the aircraft is identified , and the remains indicate that survival is technically impossible , we will maintain the possibility that there could be survivors , '' Amaral said . The majority of the people on the flight came from Brazil , France and Germany . The remaining victims were from 29 other countries , including three passengers from the United States . French officials said Wednesday they may never find the jet 's flight data recorders . The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates the ocean depth in the area at 3,000 meters -LRB- about 9,840 feet -RRB- to 7,500 meters -LRB- 24,600 feet -RRB- . Brazilian officials have said the sea depth in the area is around 2,000 to 3,000 meters -LRB- 6,562 to 9,842 feet -RRB- . `` We need time to reach the recorders , '' said Paul-Louis Arslanian , head of France 's accident investigation bureau . The recorders are built to emit locator signals for up to 30 days . The French government has sent a research vessel carrying a deep-diving submersible to where the debris was found . `` Recorders from time to time were found after the 30 days , but I 'm not so optimistic , '' Arslanian said . `` It 's not only deep , it 's also very mountainous at that place of the ocean . '' But Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed optimism that the flight data recorders would be found . `` I think that a country with the ability to retrieve oil from 6,000 meters -LRB- 3.7 miles -RRB- underwater can retrieve a plane from 2,000 meters -LRB- 1.2 miles -RRB- . The truth is , we are going to see -- I 'm not a specialist and do n't want to give predictions of what will happen , '' Lula said , according to the Brazilian state news agency . A memorial for the victims of Flight AF 447 , which included 61 people from France , 58 Brazilians , 26 Germans and people from 29 other countries , took place Wednesday at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris . Brazil has declared three days of mourning . CNN correspondent John Zarrella in Rio de Janeiro and journalist Brian Byrnes from Buenos Aires contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The father of American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan is dead and her brother is behind bars , accused of assault and battery against 70-year old Daniel Kerrigan , according to Massachusetts authorities . Daniel Kerrigan died Sunday after being taken by emergency personnel from his family home in Stoneham , Massachusetts , to a hospital , authorities said . His son Mark , 45 , was arraigned Monday and pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged assault . According to Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Keeley , police responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday from Brenda Kerrigan , wife of Daniel and mother to Mark and Nancy Kerrigan . Keeley told Middlesex District Court Judge Mark Sullivan during the arraignment Monday for Mark Kerrigan that there was a violent argument and struggle between the father and his son , resulting in the elder Kerrigan falling or collapsing on the kitchen floor . Keeley said that Mark Kerrigan told authorities `` that he did in fact have an argument with his father , the argument became physical , he grabbed his father around the neck , and at some point the father collapsed to the floor . '' The Middlesex District Attorney 's office said Monday that authorities were still investigating the `` entirety of the circumstances of the incident , '' along with the cause and manner of death . The county medical examiner is expected to release a report within a couple of weeks . According to Keeley , police found Mark Kerrigan in the basement of the house , `` clearly intoxicated '' and `` extremely combative . '' He refused to comply with police officers , said Keeley , and they had to subdue him with pepper spray before forcibly removing him from the home . Mark Kerrigan wept softly during Monday 's arraignment . His attorney , Denise Moore , told the judge that Kerrigan was in grief and `` quite distraught about his father 's death . '' Through his attorney , Mark Kerrigan denied any responsibility in the death . Moore said in court that Mark Kerrigan was unemployed , was recently released from a correctional facility and was living at home with his parents . He is taking medications and seeking psychological help for post-traumatic stress , apparently from his time in the Army , Moore said . Despite appeals from his attorney , Sullivan ordered Kerrigan held on $ 10,000 cash bail . His next court appearance is expected to be February 24 . Nancy Kerrigan first gained prominence by winning a bronze medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville , France . In 1994 she earned an Olympic silver medal in Lillehammer , Norway . But she is perhaps best remembered for surviving an attack before the 1994 Winter Games by skating rival Tonya Harding 's ex-husband and an accomplice . Through a spokeswoman on Tuesday , the Kerrigan family released a statement saying : `` Dan Kerrigan was a wonderful husband for 47 years , a caring and loving father to his daughter Nancy and two sons , Michael and Mark , and a grandfather of eight . ... The family 's focus is on mourning Dan and honoring his life and many contributions . '' CNN 's Vanessa Juarez contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Republican Party that struggled in the wake of recent Democratic landslides sprang back to life Tuesday with wins in hotly contested races for governor in Virginia and New Jersey , according to CNN projections . In Virginia , 55-year-old former state attorney general Bob McDonnell will be the first Republican to win the state 's highest office in twelve years , CNN projects . Republicans will win races for Virginia 's lieutenant governor and attorney general as well . In New Jersey , former federal prosecutor Chris Christie will oust first-term Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine , CNN projects . Christie will be the first Republican to win the top office in heavily Democratic New Jersey in 12 years . Corzine will be the first New Jersey governor to lose a re-election bid since 1993 , when then-Gov . Jim Florio , a Democrat , lost to GOP challenger Christie Todd Whitman . The two gubernatorial contests have been deemed by some analysts as the first major referendum on President Obama 's administration . Republicans leaders , demoralized after landslide defeats in 2006 and 2008 , have been hoping to capitalize on wins in Virginia and New Jersey to help fuel a nationwide Republican resurgence . They were buoyed by a huge swing of independent voters to the Republican column . Democrats sought to minimize the defeats . Since 1989 , it was noted , the party winning the White House has always gone on to lose the gubernatorial races in both states the following year . CNN also projects that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be re-elected to a third term . The billionaire mayor is believed to have spent well over $ 100 million of his own money in his quest for a third term -- shattering the record for personal spending in any American campaign . Democrat Bill Owens has won a vacant U.S. House seat in upstate New York , CNN projects . The contest to fill the seat sparked a vicious internal fight between GOP conservatives and moderates . The struggle has been viewed as a proxy for a national struggle between activists arguing the GOP slipped by betraying conservative values and officials warning a rightward move would further alienate an increasingly independent-minded electorate . The split could result in the election of a new Democratic congressman from a region that has backed Republican congressional candidates since 1872 . Voters in nearby Maine -- not generally noted for their hard-edged , ideological politics -- tackled an emotional hot-button issue as voters decided whether to overturn a recently enacted law legalizing same-sex marriage . Results on the measure were not immediately expected , however . Washington state voters are choosing whether to uphold a law granting same-sex domestic partners the same rights as heterosexual married couples . Results on either measure were not immediately available , however . The fight for control of New York 's City Hall is one of 380 mayoral races across the country , including contests in Atlanta , Georgia ; Boston , Massachusetts ; Detroit , Michigan ; Houston , Texas ; and Seattle , Washington . It was the two races for governor , however , that appeared to attract the most interest at the White House . Obama personally campaigned for the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in both states . A plurality of voters in both states cited the economy as their top concern , according to exit polls . Majorities in both states said Obama 's job performance was not a factor in their vote . In Virginia , McDonnell beat Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds , a state senator from the rural western part of the state , by 21 points among critical independent voters . Last year , in contrast , Obama edged out GOP presidential nominee John McCain by one point among Virginia independents . African-Americans , as expected , voted overwhelmingly for the 51-year-old Deeds . Their total share of the vote , however , dropped from 20 percent from last year -- when Obama topped the ballot -- to 16 percent . McDonnell benefited from a Virginia electorate that , according to the exit poll , was slightly more conservative Tuesday than it was in 2008 . Conservatives were also more unified in their support for McDonnell than they were for former GOP presidential nominee John McCain . McDonnell himself is a staunch conservative , but stressed bipartisan solutions to problems relating to job growth and transportation . Deeds sought to peel social moderates and political independents away from McDonnell in part by highlighting McDonnell 's graduate school thesis , in which the Republican was critical of homosexuals and women in the workplace . The attacks appeared to backfire on Deeds . Almost two of every three voters said Deeds attacked McDonnell unfairly ; those voters broke for McDonnell by a 21-point margin . McDonnell 's expected victory is in keeping with Virginia 's tradition of backing candidates from the party that most recently lost the White House . Republican George Allen was elected in 1993 , one year after Bill Clinton won the presidency . Democrat Mark Warner won in 2001 , a year after George W. Bush 's first presidential victory . In 2008 , Obama became the first Democratic presidential nominee to carry an increasingly diverse Virginia in more than four decades . Fewer than one in five voters on Tuesday , however , said their vote was meant to express support for the president . Almost one in four said their vote was meant to express opposition to Obama . Further north in New Jersey , Corzine had pulled even in the final surveys before Election Day with the help of a virtual 2-to-1 spending advantage . Many analysts believed independent candidate Chris Daggett , a socially moderate former Republican , was also be digging into Christie 's support . Obama , who carried New Jersey by almost 16 points in 2008 , campaigned for Corzine three times , most recently this past Sunday . The president 's help , however , was not enough to save Corzine , who was saddled with burden of seeking reelection in the midst of a steep economic downturn . Almost one-third of New Jersey voters cited the economy as their top concern in early exit polls , with another 25 percent citing the state 's high property taxes . One in five voters said their top concern was the state 's ongoing struggle with corruption . Independent voters broke even more heavily for Christie in New Jersey than for McDonnell in Virginia . Corzine was able to keep the race close , however , due to New Jersey 's political landscape . New Jersey voters were both more Democratic and more liberal than Virginia voters . Last year , the president also managed to carry New York 's sprawling 23rd congressional district , a traditional GOP stronghold running along the Canadian border from Lake Champlain to Lake Ontario . The area has sent Republican representatives to Congress since Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant occupied the White House . But this year it was the scene of a GOP civil war . The district 's U.S. House seat opened up a few months ago after nine-term Republican Rep. John McHugh stepped down to become secretary of the Army . Local Republican leaders picked state assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava as their nominee to replace McHugh because they felt her moderate views would appeal to centrist Republicans , independents and even some Democrats . The decision , however , sparked a revolt among conservatives angry with what they saw as Scozzafava 's liberal views on same-sex marriage , abortion and fiscal matters such as the president 's $ 787 billion economic stimulus plan . They backed Doug Hoffman , an accountant , ran on the state 's Conservative Party line . Scozzafava suspended her campaign Saturday after her poll numbers plummeted following a flood of support and contributions to Hoffman from leading conservative politicians and organizations . Republican leaders were fractured by the choice . Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich backed Scozzafava . Gingrich 's one-time deputy , former House Majority Leader Dick Armey , backed Hoffman . After dropping out , Scozzafava endorsed Democratic nominee Bill Owens . She campaigned for him on Monday . CNN 's Peter Hamby and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Barack Obama claimed the second major legislative victory of his young administration Wednesday , signing a bill to provide federally funded health care to an estimated 4 million children . President Obama says the SCHIP bill is a downpayment on his `` commitment to cover every single American . '' The final version of the new law , which expands the State Children 's Health Insurance Program -LRB- SCHIP -RRB- by roughly $ 35 billion over the next five years , passed a sharply polarized House of Representatives earlier in the day , with almost every Democrat voting in favor of the expansion and most Republicans opposing it . With the bill , Obama said at a White House ceremony , `` We fulfill one of the highest responsibilities that we have -- to ensure the health and well-being of our nation 's children . '' The president said the bill was a downpayment on his `` commitment to cover every single American . '' The SCHIP expansion is Obama 's second major legislative win in less than a week . The first was Thursday 's approval of the Lilly Ledbetter Pay Equity Act , which makes it easier to sue employers for wage-based discrimination . Learn more about the SCHIP program '' The expansion is also a sign of the strength of Washington 's new Democratic majority . Former President George W. Bush vetoed two similar health care bills in 2007 , arguing that the legislation would encourage families to leave the private insurance market for the federally funded , state-run program . Before the bill 's passage , SCHIP covered almost 7 million children whose parents earn too much to qualify for Medicaid -- the federal health insurance program for the poor -- but who ca n't afford private insurance . The new law boosts total SCHIP funding to approximately $ 60 billion . The expanded program will be financed with a 62-cent-per-pack increase in the federal tax on cigarettes . `` This is a day worthy of celebration . There can be no greater cause ... than protecting the well-being of our nation 's children , '' New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone , the legislation 's primary House author , said shortly before the bill 's final passage on a 290-135 vote . Passing the health program 's expansion is `` morally the right thing to do by our children , '' said freshman Rep. Tom Perriello , D-Virginia . `` At a time when the cost of health care is crushing America 's families ... this is an important lifeline . '' Opponents of the legislation argued that , among other things , it will allow undocumented immigrants to illegally access taxpayer-financed health care , and is insufficiently funded . `` This will go out of control just like all the other -LSB- entitlement -RSB- programs have , and our children will pay , '' Rep. Jack Linder , R-Georgia , warned during the House debate Wednesday . Rep. Steve King , R-Iowa , ripped the bill as a `` foundation stone for socialized medicine in the United States , '' arguing that raising the income limit for SCHIP eligibility will serve as the basis for a massive expansion of government-run health care . The Senate passed the expansion Friday in a 66-32 vote . All those voting against the bill were Republicans , though nine Republicans voted in favor of the measure .","question":""}
{"answer":"ROCKVILLE , Maryland -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday announced it is blocking the import from China of five species of seafood until their importers can prove they are not contaminated . About 10 percent of catfish eaten in the U.S. comes from China , according to the National Fisheries Institute . `` FDA is initiating an import alert against several species of imported Chinese farmed seafood because of numerous cases of contamination with drugs and unsafe food additives , '' said Dr. David Acheson , the agency 's assistant commissioner for food protection , in a conference call with reporters . The species cited are catfish , eel , shrimp , basa and dace , he said . Basa is similar to catfish ; dace is similar to carp . The medications cited include the antimicrobials nitrofuran , malachite green , gentian violet and fluoroquinolones . Nitrofuran , malachite green , and gentian violet have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals . Use of fluoroquinolones in food-producing animals can result in antibiotic resistance . None of them is approved for use in farmed seafood in the United States and some of them have been shown to cause cancer when fed to laboratory animals for `` prolonged periods of time , '' Acheson said . Alerts have been issued in the past , but Thursday 's announcement is the largest . The food will not be allowed into the United States until the importer can prove it is free from harmful contaminants , Acheson said . He said the agency decided to broaden its previous alerts for products from individual companies to a countrywide alert after tests showed that 15 percent of those species of seafood produced by 18 companies in China contained traces of one or more of the contaminants . `` FDA is taking this action to protect the public health of the American people , '' he said . Watch more on the FDA 's import alert on five kinds of fish from China . '' The products `` could cause serious health problems if consumed over a long period of time , '' he said . Still , Acheson added , the low levels of contaminants means that there is `` no imminent threat '' to the public health . China is the world 's largest producer of farmed fish , accounting for 70 percent of the total produced , he said . It is the third-largest exporter of farmed fish to the United States . The action is an import alert , which means that these products from Chinese processors `` will be detained and refused entry into the United States until the importer can demonstrate that the product is safe and in compliance with applicable regulations , '' said Margaret O ' K. Glavin , FDA 's associate commissioner for regulatory affairs . Last year , the FDA slapped a countrywide alert on all Chinese eel after tests showed residues of an antimicrobial agent , she said . Since then , and `` despite extensive communications between FDA and appropriate Chinese authorities to correct the problem , we have continued to find residues of certain veterinary drugs or food additives that are not permitted for use in the United States , '' she added . Glavin said the FDA inspects 5 percent of seafood from China . The first alert on Chinese seafood occurred before 2001 , she said . `` We 're not asking for this product to be withdrawn from the market or for people to take this out of their freezers and throw it away , '' Acheson said . `` This is a long-term health concern ; it is not an acute health concern . '' China is not the sole offender , Glavin said . Import alerts have been ordered for firms in the Philippines , Mexico `` and several others , '' though this is the first countrywide import alert , she said . More than 80 percent of shrimp eaten in the United States is imported , including 7 percent from China , according to the National Fisheries Institute . About 10 percent of catfish eaten in the United States comes from China , the seafood industry advocacy group said . Last year , the United States imported 590,299 metric tons of shrimp from abroad ; 68,150 metric tons of which came from China , according to the Department of Commerce . The United States imported $ 1.2 billion of fish from China in 2004 , according to H. M. Johson & Associates , a seafood industry research group . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The oldest-known hominid skeleton was a 4-foot-tall female who walked upright more than 4 million years ago and offers new clues to how humans may have evolved , scientists say . This sketch shows what a 4 million-year-old hominid , nicknamed Ardi , may have looked like . Scientists believe that the fossilized remains , which were discovered in 1994 in Ethiopia and studied for years by an international team of researchers , support beliefs that humans and chimpanzees evolved separately from a common ancestor . `` This is not an ordinary fossil . It 's not a chimp . It 's not a human . It shows us what we used to be , '' said project co-director Tim White , a paleontologist at the University of California , Berkeley . Ardipithecus ramidus , nicknamed `` Ardi , '' is a hominid species that lived 4.4 million years ago in what is now Aramis , Ethiopia . That makes Ardi more than a million years older than the celebrated Lucy , the partial ape-human skeleton found in Africa in 1974 . Ardi 's 125-piece skeleton includes the skull , teeth , pelvis , hands and feet bones . Scientists say the data collected from Ardi 's bone fragments over the past 17 years push back the story of human evolution further than previously believed . `` In fact , what Ardipithecus tells us is that we as humans have been evolving to what we are today for at least 6 million years , '' C. Owen Lovejoy , an evolutionary biologist at Kent State University and project anatomist , said Thursday . Analysis of Ardi 's skeleton reveals that she weighed about 110 pounds , had very long arms and fingers , and possessed an opposable big toe that would have helped her grasp branches while moving through trees . Ardi 's brain was believed to be the size of a chimp 's , but she also had many human-like features , such as the ability to walk upright on two legs . Her `` all-purpose type '' teeth indicate that she probably ate a combination of plants , fruits and small mammals , scientists say . `` The anatomy behind this behavioral combination is very unexpected and is certain to cause considerable rethinking of not only our evolutionary past , but also that of our living relatives : the great apes , '' said Alan Walker , professor of biological anthropology at Pennsylvania State University . Many scientists hypothesize that humans took a different evolutionary trajectory from those of chimpanzees , bonobos and gorillas . Ardi 's findings help challenge earlier beliefs that humans evolved from chimpanzees , their closest genetic relatives , scientists say . Researchers are still trying to pinpoint when the two lineages -- chimps and humans -- split from their common ancestor . Digging up the past has not been easy . Scientists stumbled upon the Ardipithecus fossil in 1994 when a graduate student found a single upper molar tooth . The rest of Ardi 's fossilized bones , sandwiched between layers of volcanic rock , took three years to be recovered and many more to be analyzed . `` In many ways , the discovery of Ardipithecus has been like a marathon , '' White said . `` Ardipithecus ramidus and its prevailing anatomy revolutionize the way most of us understood the earlier part of our evolutionary history , '' said team member Yohannes Haile-Selassie , paleontologist at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History . The Ardi findings are the work of 47 paleontologists and geologists representing 10 countries . The results will be published Friday in 11 articles in a special edition of the journal Science . Until now , Australopithecus , nicknamed `` Lucy , '' was the oldest fossil studied by scientists seeking to explain human evolution . Lucy is believed to have lived about 3.2 million years ago in what is now Ethiopia . Many scientists credit Ethiopia with taking the lead in helping the world better understand the origins of humans . `` This finding points to a deeper sense of our -LSB- humans ' -RSB- interconnectedness , '' Samuel Assefa , Ethiopian ambassador to the United States , said Thursday . `` We are all Ethiopians at heart . '' Ardi 's skeleton resides in the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Floyd Mayweather Jr will have to pay Juan Manuel Marquez a reported $ 600,000 after weighing in two pounds too heavy ahead of Saturday night 's welterweight showdown in Las Vegas . Floyd Mayweather Jr , left , faces off with Juan Manuel Marquez ahead of Saturday night 's fight . Fight promoters Golden Boy confirmed after Friday 's weigh-in that there had been a contractually agreed weight of 144 pounds for Mayweather 's comeback bout , and that the American would pay a stipulated -- but undisclosed -- amount for every pound over that amount . As it was , Mayweather tipped the scales at 146 pounds and Mexican Marquez , whose usual weight is around 135 pounds , was weighed at 142 as he stepped up from lightweight for the fight . The maximum for a welterweight is 147 pounds . `` The fight was contracted as a welterweight fight with an agreed upon weight of 144 pounds . However , there were pre-negotiated weight penalties built in , '' Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com . The website also reported sources who stated that each extra pound would cost Mayweather $ 300,000 , thus giving Marquez an additional $ 600,000 on top of his $ 3.2 million guarantee for the fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena . The 32-year-old Mayweather , who returns to the boxing ring for the first time since December 2007 when he beat Ricky Hatton to retain his WBC world welterweight championship , has a reported minimum guarantee of $ 10 million before pay-per-view TV revenues are added . Mayweather is undefeated with a career record of 39-0 , while the 36-year-old Marquez , who holds the WBA and WBO world lightweight belts , has 50 victories from 55 fights , 37 by knockout . Meanwhile , Nikolai Valuev will defend his WBA heavyweight title against British boxer David Haye in Germany on November 7 . The fight , originally announced in July , had been in doubt as American John Ruiz lodged a legal challenge claiming that he was the giant Russian 's mandatory challenger . However , the 36-year-old 's promoters have clinched a deal with Ruiz , meaning the bout can go ahead as planned at Nuremberg 's Arena Nurnberger Versicherung , where Valuev beat Sergei Liakhovich in February 2008 . The 7 ' 1 '' Valuev , the tallest and heaviest boxing champion of all time who has a record of 50 wins from 52 fights , will dwarf the 6 ' 3 '' Haye , the former undisputed cruiserweight champion .","question":""}
{"answer":"London , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The death of a British soldier on an explosives-clearing operation in Afghanistan has pushed the British death toll there past that of the 1982 Falklands War , the Ministry of Defence announced Tuesday . The soldier 's death brings to 256 the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since operations there began in 2001 , the defense ministry said . The British death toll from the Falklands conflict was 255 . The soldier , from the 36 Engineer Regiment , died Monday from an explosion in the Nad-e-Ali district of Afghanistan 's southern Helmand Province . He was part of a task force to clear roadside bombs . `` He was leading a team conducting route-clearance operations at the time , making the way ahead safe for others to follow , '' said Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield , a spokesman for Task Force Helmand . `` His indomitable courage and fortitude , the hallmark of his profession , will not be forgotten . '' The Ministry of Defence did not release his name , but said his next of kin had been informed . Two soldiers from The Royal Scots Borderers , 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland , were killed by an explosion Monday , also in Helmand Province , the defense ministry said . The deaths of those soldiers , whose names were not released , meant the total death toll matched that of the Falklands . `` Sad milestones such as this naturally attract attention in the UK , but in theater our people continue resolutely and courageously with the task of assisting Afghans to build their own future , '' said Air Chief Marshal Jock Stirrup , chief of the British Defense Staff . `` We should not forget that each and every death of a member of our armed forces is a tragedy of equal proportion , '' British Defense Secretary Bob Ainsworth said . `` Our thoughts at this time lie firmly with the families and friends of all the brave men and women fallen in Afghanistan , and we should all remember that every one of them has given their lives in defense of their -- and our -- country . '' The Falkland Islands are a British territory located 670 miles -LRB- 1,000 kilometers -RRB- from the coast of Argentina . Argentina has claimed sovereignty over the islands since they were occupied by the British in 1833 . Argentine troops invaded the islands in April 1982 , sparking a two-month war with intense land and sea battles . Argentina surrendered June 14 , having lost nearly 650 troops .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Described as the largest single gathering of displaced residents in the world today , tens of thousands of civilians are seeking shelter along the Afgooye corridor outside Mogadishu , according to the United Nations . Members of the U.S. Navy take a young Somali boy to safety after rescuing him and 51 others adrift in a skiff . Fighting between government forces and Islamist militias has triggered the flight of more than 67,000 Somalis in and around Mogadishu since May 8 , the U.N. refugee agency said Tuesday . Most of them are heading to the Afgooye corridor , a 30-kilometer -LRB- 19-mile -RRB- stretch of ramshackle housing described by the United Nations ' World Food Program as `` a nightmare . '' The corridor between Mogadishu and the town of Afgooye is already home to 400,000 displaced Somalis , some of them living in huts made of twigs and branches . The clinics are already overwhelmed with malnourished and sick children . This week , Somalia 's transitional president , Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed , asked the international community `` to help Somalia defend against foreign militants who have invaded the country . '' Ahmed told local journalists Monday that he feared these foreign fighters would turn Somalia into another Iraq or Afghanistan , where U.S.-led forces are fighting Islamic extremist groups . The fighting has cut supplies of `` desperately needed humanitarian aid '' to the displaced Somalis near the capital city , according to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees . `` We are starting today the distribution of aid for some 50,000 people in Afgooye corridor through our local partners in Somalia , '' the refugee office said Tuesday . `` Today 's distribution will include cooking sets , plastic sheeting , blankets and mats . '' The number of Somali refugees fleeing to nearby countries also continues to rise , with some 500,000 already in Kenya , Ethiopia , Uganda , Djibouti , Eritrea and Tanzania . Many Somalis have also made the dangerous journey across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen . On Saturday , a U.S. guided missile destroyer rescued a group of 52 Somali men women and children -- including a woman who was eight months pregnant -- who had been stranded aboard a small skiff for nearly a week off Somalia 's coast , the U.S. Navy said . See photos of the rescue '' A helicopter based on the USS Lake Champlain happened to spot the stranded mariners , according to the vessel 's commanding officer . `` It 's fortunate that our helicopter was flying over the right place at the right time , '' Capt. Kevin P. Campbell said in a U.S. Navy news release . `` I 'm glad we were able to be of assistance and rescue these men , women and children . Our chief hospital corpsman stated that had we not found them at the time we did , the pregnant woman may not have survived . '' USS Lake Champlain has been deployed as part of the U.S. 5th Fleet 's mission to patrol the Gulf of Aden region , which has been plagued by pirate attacks off Somalia 's coast . `` We were very fortunate to have come across these people in the state they were in , '' said the ship 's chaplain , Lt. j.g. Jarrod Johnson . `` Seeing their condition really makes your heart go out to them . You can see the relief and hope in their eyes , and hear it in their conversation . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"Los Angeles -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The father of actress Lindsay Lohan was arrested in connection with a domestic dispute , authorities said Tuesday . Michael Lohan , 50 , was arrested late Monday , the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department 's West Hollywood Station said in a statement . Deputies arrested him on suspicion of inflicting corporal injury on a cohabitant , false imprisonment and preventing the report of victimization , the statement said . All are felony charges . Bail was set at $ 200,000 , the statement said , but authorities said Tuesday afternoon Lohan had not been booked . He was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after he complained of `` a medical condition not related to the incident '' following his arrest . He will remain at the hospital on observation for at least 24 hours before he is booked at the West Hollywood Station , police said . The sheriff 's department did not identify the alleged victim . But Kate Major , Lohan 's former fiancee , told CNN she was the victim . `` I can confirm but barely type , '' Major wrote in an e-mail . `` No other comment . '' The alleged victim suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment , the sheriff 's department said . Lohan was arrested near West Hollywood Station following the incident when deputies saw him walking on Santa Monica Boulevard , the statement said . The relationship between Michael Lohan and his 24-year-old daughter has been publicly strained for years , although the two did undergo family counseling together during her recent treatment at the Betty Ford Center . Lindsay Lohan must decide by Wednesday if she will accept a plea deal that would send her to jail or move closer to a trial on a felony grand theft charge . She is accused of walking out without paying for a $ 2,500 necklace from Kamofie and Co. , a jewelry store in Venice , California , on January 22 . If Lindsay Lohan decides to go to trial , a preliminary hearing will be held April 22 . The judge at that time would also consider the matter of her probation violation ; she faces possible jail time for violating her probation for a drunk-driving arrest because of the theft charge . CNN 's Brittany Kaplan , Carey Bodenheimer and Alan Duke contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- At least 26 people were killed Monday in the Syrian government 's ongoing crackdown on dissidents , the pro-democracy group Local Coordination Committees of Syria said . Among the dead was a 12-year-old boy shot to death when Syrian security forces fired on a funeral procession , according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . . The funeral procession was for a protester killed Sunday , the observatory said . In addition , 17 people were killed during operations by the military and security forces in Hama as authorities searched for wanted activists and demonstrators , the organization said . Meanwhile , an adviser to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said parliamentary elections could be held in the country by the end of the year , Russian media reported earlier Monday . Bouthaina Shaaban , the political and media adviser to al-Assad , was in Moscow on Monday to speak to journalists on the situation in Syria . `` I can tentatively say that such elections may be held either at the end of this year or the beginning of next , '' Shaaban said , according to the RIA-Novosti news agency . The number of people killed in unrest in Syria since mid-March has reached at least 2,600 , the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said Monday . The U.S. State Department , meanwhile , is condemning the killing of a key Syrian opposition organizer who it says died while in the custody of Syria 's security forces . Ghiyath Mattar , described as a key organizer of protests against al-Assad 's regime , was killed after being arrested last Tuesday in the Damascus suburb of Darya , State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement released Sunday . `` His brave commitment to confronting the regime 's despicable violence with peaceful protest serves as an example for the Syrian people and for all those who suffer under the yoke of oppression , '' the statement said Mattar was arrested along with leading opposition activist Yahya Sharbaji and a number of other activists , Nuland said . Mattar was `` a symbol of what the Syrian revolution should be -- peaceful and nonviolent , '' said one of Mattar 's friends . `` His death is an attack by the regime on peace . His attack is saying , ` We want to destroy the messengers of peace in Syria and the ideals and values they hold . '' `` His personality was perfectly built to take the role of a leader , '' said another man , a colleague of Mattar 's . `` Everyone loved him and he had so many close friends and relatives . '' Both men asked not to be named for fear of retribution . On September 6 , Mattar was with Sharbaji when he received a call from Sharbaji 's brother saying he was injured and needed help , according to the friend . In reality , security forces had forced the brother to call Sharbaji . The operation led to the arrests , the friend said . Unrest has plagued Syria for more than six months , as protesters demanding more freedom , democratic elections and an end to al-Assad 's regime have been met by brute force . The government has maintained a consistent narrative : It is going after armed terrorists . But opposition activists say the regime is behind a systematic , sustained slaughter . Mattar , 26 , was on the run for three months before being taken into custody , according to the Syrian Observatory . The group , citing reports from Mattar 's fellow opposition members , said he was tortured to death . Syria 's crackdown on protesters has been roundly condemned by many world leaders and the United Nations . The Arab League has publicly called for al-Assad 's regime to show restraint and end the violence . The United States has imposed sanctions on Syria , freezing assets of specific regime members and banning Americans from doing business with the country . The European Union banned the import of Syrian oil and imposed a travel ban . Navi Pillay , the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights , put the number killed in the unrest at 2,600 , citing `` reliable sources on the ground , '' in remarks prepared for delivery Tuesday during the commission 's session . The Syrian Observatory has said more than 2,000 people -- mostly demonstrators -- have died since the uprising began in mid-March . In her statement , Nuland repeated calls by the United States for al-Assad to step down . `` We call on the -LRB- al-Assad -RRB- regime to immediately cease all violence against the Syrian people and release all political prisoners . We again call on -LRB- al-Assad -RRB- to step aside and allow the Syrian people to embark upon the democratic transformation they demand , '' she said the in the statement . A video posted on YouTube purportedly showing the funeral of Mattar in Darya showed people marching in the street and chanting : `` We will sacrifice our lives and our blood for you , Ghiyath '' and `` Freedom , freedom , we are the youths of freedom . '' Mattar 's colleague said that Syrian security forces fired on mourners , and that one man was shot and later died . CNN can not independently verify the authenticity of the video , the claims or the death toll because the government has repeatedly denied requests for journalists to report inside Syria . CNN 's Salma Abdelaziz , Maxim Tkachenko , Mohammed Jamjoom and Yousuf Basil contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The FBI attained `` actionable intelligence '' from bombing suspect Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab in the first hours after his arrest on Christmas Day , White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday . `` AbdulMutallab spent a number of hours with FBI investigators in which we gleaned useable , actionable intelligence , '' Gibbs told reporters . According to authorities , Nigerian-born AbdulMutallab tried to detonate explosives hidden in his underwear as a flight from Amsterdam , Netherlands , made its final approach to Detroit , Michigan , December 25 . The device failed to fully detonate , instead setting off a fire at the man 's seat . Gibbs declined to elaborate on the nature of the intelligence . AbdulMutallab , 23 , has been tied to the Yemen-based group al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula . In a statement to reporters after meeting with his national security team , President Obama said U.S. officials had enough information in their possession before the failed bombing attack to have prevented the suspect from getting on the plane , but had been unable to `` connect the dots . '' Obama said he could accept the imperfect nature of intelligence work , `` but it is increasingly clear that intelligence was not fully analyzed or fully leveraged , '' he said , adding : `` That 's not acceptable , and I will not tolerate it . '' `` Time and again we 've learned that quickly piecing together information and taking swift action is critical to staying one step ahead of a nimble adversary , '' Obama said . `` So we have to do better , and we will do better , and we have to do it quickly . American lives are on the line . '' In one step , senior State Department officials told CNN on Tuesday that new criteria for information collected on possible terrorists would make it easier to ban them from U.S.-bound flights . Speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the material , the officials said the United States has lowered the threshold for information considered important enough to put suspicious individuals on a no-fly list or revoke their visas . If the new criteria had been in place before Christmas , AbdulMutallab would have been added to the no-fly list , the officials said . AbdulMutallab is being held at the Federal Correctional Institution in Milan , Michigan , where he 's still being treated for the burn injuries he received in the failed bombing . He faces charges of attempting to destroy an aircraft , and will face his first court hearings Friday . The suspect apparently arrived in Amsterdam already carrying the explosives he planned to use , Dutch prosecutors said Tuesday . `` The suspect traveled through Ghana before he arrived via Lagos -LSB- Nigeria -RSB- at Schiphol , '' prosecutors said , referring to the airport where AbdulMutallab boarded the flight to Detroit . `` So far , it seems he already had the explosives with him before he landed at Schiphol . '' Also Tuesday , British officials announced that London 's Heathrow Airport will introduce more body scanners within weeks , and that all British airports must have equipment to detect explosives by the end of the year . British Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the British government had no evidence AbdulMutallab had been planning an attack . Johnson added that British authorities were directing airports to carry out more random searches of passengers because metal detectors can not spot explosives without metal parts . Last week , Obama blamed human error and security lapses for the failure by officials to act on information that AbdulMutallab was a possible terrorist threat . He had a valid multiple-entry U.S. visa . His father , a leading banker in Nigeria , had warned U.S. authorities before the attack that his son might be involved with Islamic extremists , but the information failed to prompt a response such as canceling the visa . Tuesday 's White House meetings were held just hours after the United States reopened its embassy in Yemen . It 's believed that AbdulMutallab may have received training in Yemen from the group al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula . The United States ' decision to close the embassy came after intelligence suggested that four al Qaeda operatives could have been planning an attack on the compound , a senior administration official said Monday . A statement posted on the Embassy 's Web site said `` successful counter-terrorism operations '' conducted by Yemeni security forces Monday north of the Yemeni capital , Sanaa , addressed `` a specific area of concern and have contributed to the Embassy 's decision to resume operations . '' Yemen 's state-run news agency , SABA , reported Monday that two al Qaeda suspects were killed and two others were injured in clashes with a Yemeni anti-terrorism unit . CNN 's Dan Lothian and Suzanne Malveaux in Washington , Per Nyberg in London , England , and Christian Purefoy in Lagos , Nigeria , contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- World number four Andy Murray continued his superb end of season form , coming back from a set down to beat top seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal in the final of the Japan Open in Tokyo on Sunday . Murray won last week 's Thailand Open , as well as last month 's Cincinnati Masters , but he looked to be on course for a sixth successive loss against world number two Nadal when the Spaniard powered through the opening set . But Murray turned things around in devastating style , taking the second set and then outplaying 10-times major champion Nadal in the decider , allowing his opponent just four points in the whole set , to complete an impressive 3-6 6-2 6-0 success . It was Murray 's 21st win from his last 22 matches , his only defeat in that time coming to Nadal in the semifinals of the U.S. Open , and ensured he closed the gap to third-ranked Roger Federer ahead of next week 's Shanghai Masters tournament in China . Murray told the official ATP Tour website : `` I 've played well in the last few months in Cincinnati and then the U.S. Open and I now need to carry on that form into Shanghai . `` I need to keep up the wins and hopefully I 'll get to the No. 3 ranking . It 's not the ultimate goal , but it 's the target I set myself for the last few tournaments of the year . '' He added : `` It had to be some of the best tennis I have ever played in the third set . I 've played some good matches against Rafa in the past but it was just very consistent . I did n't make too many mistakes and played well at important moments , '' he added . Nadal , who is again seeded to meet Murray in the final in Shanghai , conceded that his opponent was too strong for him on the day . `` Andy 's serve worked fantastic at important moments . He played unbelievable and made no mistakes in the third set when he played very aggressive and hit a lot of winners . '' Meanwhile , Czech Tomas Berdych claimed his first ATP Tour title in nearly two-and-a-half years with a 3-6 6-4 6-1 success over Croat Marin Cilic in the final of the China Open in Beijing . Third seed Berdych was securing his sixth career title but his first since winning on the clay courts of Munich in May 2009 . In the women 's final , 11th seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland overcame a second set hiccup to defeat Andrea Petkovic of Germany , seeded nine , 7-5 0-6 6-4 to claim her seventh career title .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Obama administration is giving General Motors 60 days worth of financing for restructuring , according to senior administration officials . General Motors ' Rick Wagoner , CEO of the company since 2000 , is on his way out , sources say . Chrysler will receive as much as $ 6 billion and 30 days to complete an agreement with Italian automaker Fiat , the officials said . Meanwhile , White House and GM sources told CNN Sunday that GM Chief Executive Rick Wagoner will resign as part of the federal government 's bailout strategy for the troubled automaker . Wagoner 's departure comes as President Obama is expected to announce Monday the latest details of the government 's plans for restructuring GM and Chrysler LLC , which have been pushed to the brink by huge losses and a sharp decline in sales . Fritz Henderson , GM 's chief operating officer , is expected to be named GM 's interim CEO , according to two GM sources . A GM spokesman declined to comment on reports of Wagoner 's resignation . A company statement said : `` We are anticipating an announcement soon from the administration regarding the restructuring of the U.S. auto industry . '' GM and Chrysler face a Tuesday deadline to prove to the Treasury Department that they can be viable in the long term . Without such a finding , the government can recall the $ 13.4 billion it already loaned to GM and the $ 4 billion it loaned to Chrysler . Wagoner , a 32-year company veteran , has been CEO of General Motors since 2000 . Before becoming CEO , he was chief operating officer and led the company 's North American operations . He also served as chief financial officer from 1992 to 1994 . A senior GM official official told CNN that the White House and its auto task force had `` sent very clear signals '' that the key to more help was `` new leadership '' and something that would help the administration see real change . General Motors has been hit hard as auto sales have plummeted . Sales have continued to tumble through the early months of this year , falling 40 percent across the industry and about 50 percent at GM and Chrysler . The companies and industry analysts have slashed their sales estimates for the year , and that has heightened the need for more loans to keep GM and Chrysler afloat . Last month , the two companies filed reports on their restructuring efforts . GM said it needed up to $ 16.6 billion more in loans . Chrysler asked for an additional $ 5 billion , and said it would need the money by the end of March to avoid running out of cash . The Obama administration had been widely expected to approve the requests . Obama has repeatedly spoken about the importance of saving the struggling auto industry , and on March 19 , the Treasury Department announced $ 5 billion in federal help for GM 's and Chrysler 's auto parts suppliers . CNN 's Kate Bolduan and John King contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The family of a retired FBI agent who was reported missing in Iran two years ago said Monday that they remain hopeful for his return . Photos from Robert Levinson 's family show him in 2006 , left , and as he might look today . Monday marks the second anniversary of the disappearance of Robert Levinson , a father of seven children and grandfather of two . `` After two years of constantly praying for his return , we continue to anxiously await word of his whereabouts , '' said Christine Levinson , the missing man 's wife , in a statement . `` Two years -LSB- have passed -RSB- since our seven children and I last heard his voice , saw his warm , loving smile , and since we last hugged him hello or kissed him goodbye , '' she said . Tuesday will be Levinson 's 61st birthday . Levinson disappeared during a business trip to Iran 's Kish Island in 2007 . Iranian authorities have said repeatedly that they do not know what might have happened to him , but the claim is widely doubted in the United States . `` Since that day our family has been living a nightmare , '' Christine Levinson said . `` This has brought so much darkness to our lives . '' Christine Levinson released a computer-enhanced photograph showing what the family thinks Bob Levinson may look like today . The State Department has consistently denied Levinson was working for the U.S. government and has unsuccessfully pressed Tehran for information about his whereabouts . `` We reiterate our commitment to determining Mr. Levinson 's welfare and whereabouts , and reuniting him with his family , '' acting State Department spokesman Robert Wood said in a statement on Sunday . Congressional reaction in Levinson 's home state of Florida has been more pointed . `` On several diplomatic occasions when Bob Levinson 's name has been brought up to Iranian officials , the standard answer is , ` We do n't know anything about that . ' But the next thing out of the Iranian officials ' mouths are to discuss the matter of the Iranians held by the Americans in Irbil , Iraq , '' Sen. Bill Nelson , D-Florida , told reporters last month . `` You can draw your own conclusions , '' he said . U.S. troops arrested five Iranians accused of being members of an elite Iranian military unit during a January 2007 raid in the Iraqi city of Irbil . The Iranians were accused of supporting Shiite militias in Iraq , but Iran said they were diplomats and accused the United States of violating international law by raiding a consulate . Nelson and Rep. Robert Wexler , D-Florida , have said they plan to introduce legislation in their respective chambers calling on Iran to cooperate with the United States and come up with information about Levinson . Levinson had been working as a private investigator in Dubai . He was last heard from on March 8 , 2007 , when he checked into a Kish Island hotel and then checked out to return to the United States the following day . Wexler has said Levinson never arrived at the airport for his flight home . In December 2007 , Levinson 's wife and other relatives traveled to Iran and met with officials . Christine Levinson has said the Iranian government was polite and guaranteed her family 's security on their trip , but provided no details regarding her husband 's whereabouts . `` In the past two years , our family 's grief has grown to despair , '' Christine Levinson said . The State Department is asking anyone with information about the case to contact the department or the Levinson family via their Web site , www.helpboblevinson.com . CNN 'S Jill Dougherty contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former South African President Nelson Mandela toiled for 27 years in South African prisons before gaining his freedom and leading his nation from white minority rule to full democracy . In the process , he became an international symbol of strength and hope . Mandela became South Africa 's first black president in 1984 . This month he celebrates his 90th birthday with a lavish , star-studded concert in London that confirms his enduring status as a revered global icon . But his journey from young protester to political prisoner to leader of his nation has not been without heartache and personal loss . Mandela was born in 1918 in the South African village Qunu . He was the son of the chief councilor to a Thembu chief , and he soon became passionate about political reformation , founding the African National Congress Youth League in 1944 with lifelong friend Oliver Tambo . Mandela 's natural leadership skills pushed him front and center during the ANC 's 1952 Defiance Campaign , which urged South African citizens not to cooperate with certain laws deemed discriminatory . Mandela urged nonviolent solutions to the South African government 's political , economic and social oppression of the nation 's black majority . His commitment to nonviolent change was tested , however , in March of 1960 when black protestors in the township of Sharpeville were fired upon by South African police as they gathered to protest a law that required all black citizens to carry passbooks at all times . Sixty-nine people were killed and more than 180 were injured in the clash . The Sharpeville Massacre sparked riots , strikes and protest demonstrations across South Africa , and the government declared a state of emergency . But the massacre also highlighted the tragedy of apartheid to the rest of the world . The United Nations condemned the massacre , and its security council convened on April 1 , 1960 , to consider the ravaging effects of apartheid on South Africa 's people . Inside the country , Mandela and his colleagues reconsidered the use of violence to further their cause for freedom . Mandela formed the revolutionary group Spear of the Nation In 1961 and was named its commander in chief . He slipped out of South Africa for military training in Algeria in 1962 but was arrested soon after he returned . See pictures of Mandela 's life '' Mandela had several previous run-ins with police , and he was eventually sentenced to life in prison for his actions protesting South Africa 's apartheid government . At the time of his sentence Mandela made a dramatic statement that illustrated his overarching commitment to freedom : `` During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people , '' he said . `` I have fought against white domination , and I have fought against black domination . I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities . It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve . But , if needs be , it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die . '' Listen to famous speech '' During his long incarceration , Mandela nearly became a myth . He smuggled out notes of encouragement to his followers that read like pronouncements . `` Any man or institution that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose , '' one note said . He might have been condemned to hard labor in a limestone quarry , but Mandela 's unyielding moral stance held him high on a pedestal to his followers . In 1990 , it became clear to then-South African President F.W. de Klerk that Mandela 's release was necessary for the nation to heal . Mandela was 71 years old when he walked free from Victor Verster prison , his clenched fist held high . He 'd lived a life of protest for a cause for which he 'd been prepared to die . And now he would lead a nation on the brink of civil war to democracy . Three years later , de Klerk and Mandela would share the Nobel Peace Prize . `` The policy of reconciliation that Nelson R. Mandela and Frederik Willem de Klerk represent provides hope not only for South Africa ; it is also a shining example for the world that there are ways out of the vicious circle of violence and bitterness , '' said Francis Sejersted , chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee as he awarded the shared prize . In 1994 , Mandela was elected president in South Africa 's first all-race general elections . Since his retirement in 1999 , Mandela has turned his attention to international diplomacy : He convinced Libya to hand over two suspects for trial in the Lockerbie airplane bombing , and he played a role in the Burundi peace process . In 2005 , he took up a personal cause closer to home . Mandela 's son , Makgatho Mandela , 54 , died of an AIDS-related illness . Nearly 5 million South Africans may have AIDS , medical experts estimate , and for many in the country discussing the disease is a taboo . `` Let us give publicity to HIV\/AIDS and not hide it , because the only way to make it appear like a normal illness like TB , like cancer , is always to come out and to say somebody has died because of HIV\/AIDS , '' Mandela said in January at a news conference where he announced his loss . `` And people will stop regarding it as something extraordinary . '' On Mandela 's 80th birthday he wed his 52-year-old companion , Graca Machel , from Mozambique at a private ceremony in his home in Johannesburg , South Africa . He danced at the double celebration surrounded by his grandchildren , family and close friends .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A North Carolina man charged with killing a pregnant Fort Bragg soldier was the father of her unborn child , authorities said Wednesday . Sgt. Edgar Patino faces first-degree murder charges in the slaying of Megan Touma . Army Sgt. Edgar Patino is linked to two anonymous `` confession '' letters sent in what police believe was an attempt to derail the investigation into Megan Touma 's death , police said . Patino , 27 , was arrested at his Hope Mills , North Carolina , home Tuesday night without incident . Patino , who is stationed at Fort Bragg 's JFK Special Warfare Training Center , faces first-degree murder charges in the slaying of Touma , 23 , who was seven months pregnant . Touma 's decomposing body was found in the bathtub of a hotel room near Fort Bragg on June 21 . Authorities said Wednesday that they believe she died late June 13 or early June 14 . Although her death has been ruled a homicide , authorities said Wednesday that the state medical examiner has not made a final determination of how she died . Watch officials discuss the case '' Patino has admitted being in Touma 's hotel room June 13 , and investigators found that the room 's electronic key card was last used on that day , police said Wednesday . However , Patino has not admitted killing Touma . Patino wore red jail coveralls in his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon . He spoke only to answer the judge 's questions , acknowledging that he understood he was charged with first-degree murder and that the charge carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison without parole . He also requested that an attorney be appointed for him . Fayetteville , North Carolina , police Chief Tom Bergamine said Wednesday that Patino , who is married , was the father of Touma 's fetus . Police also said evidence links Patino to a letter received June 25 by the Fayetteville Observer newspaper . In it , the writer claimed to have killed Touma and said more killings were planned . The letter was signed with a circular symbol similar to one used by the Zodiac killer in California in the late 1960s . At the request of police , the newspaper withheld information regarding the letters and delayed publishing a story for several days to allow police to conduct an investigation , Bergamine said . Police also received a similar letter . Fayetteville police Sgt. Chris Corcione said both letters were postmarked June 24 and sent from Fayetteville . Patino purchased a typewriter the day before the letters were sent , Corcione said . That typewriter is now in police custody . Police , however , stopped short of saying Patino wrote the letters , saying only that evidence links him to them . Two of Touma 's friends , who are also female soldiers and asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the case , said Touma and Patino had been stationed together in Germany and had dated . They said Patino had proposed to Touma in Germany , but when the two returned to North Carolina , she discovered that he was married . Police said Wednesday that Patino was a person of interest from the early days of their investigation . Corcione said his initial interview with authorities could be described as `` deceptive , '' and officials had little other contact with him until his arrest . Police have found no criminal record for him . `` We felt like from the beginning , there was no major concerns of a serial killer being out there , '' Bergamine said . Patino was being held without bail at the Cumberland County Detention Center , Bergamine said . Asked what police believe the motive to be , Fayetteville police Detective Joshua Carter said , `` Right now , the motive is going to be held close . There 's still several months of investigation left to be conducted . '' `` I think one of the things that folks need to understand is that scientific evidence , things that have to go to the lab , they 're going to take time , '' Bergamine said . `` This is not the world of television and ` CSI . ' Things do n't get settled within a hour . '' Touma , a five-year Army veteran , had served with the U.S. Army Dental Activity Clinic in Bamberg , Germany , and in Fort Drum , New York , before her stint at Fort Bragg . She is the second female soldier from Fort Bragg to die under suspicious circumstances since June . Army 2nd Lt. Holley Wimunc was killed in early July . Her Fayetteville apartment was torched July 10 , and her charred body was found nearby a few days later . Her husband , Marine Cpl. John Wimunc , was charged with arson and first-degree murder in connection with the death . Another Marine , Lance Cpl. Kyle Alden , was charged with arson and felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder . Camp Lejeune , North Carolina , also had a homicide case involving a female service member this year . The charred body of Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach , 20 , was found in the backyard of another Marine stationed at the base , Cpl. Cesar Laurean . Lauterbach was eight months pregnant when she died . Laurean , who has been charged with first-degree murder , was arrested in Mexico in April , but because he holds citizenship in the United States and Mexico , he can not be immediately deported and must go through an extradition process . Authorities have said that if he chooses to fight extradition , it could take two years to return him to North Carolina . CNN 's Marylynn Ryan contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"London -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Fans and friends of Paul McCartney gathered in central London Sunday to watch the ex-Beatle walk down the aisle for the third time , as he married girlfriend Nancy Shevell . The couple arrived together just before 3:30 p.m. , the groom in a blue suit and the bride in a long-sleeved white gown with a white flower in her hair . Both wore outfits by McCartney 's fashion designer daughter Stella , said Monique Jessen of People magazine . The crowd of hundreds went wild when they appeared , with one well-wisher saying of the match : `` It just seems right . '' McCartney , 69 , and his 51-year-old bride left Marylebone Town Hall about an hour later and waved to crowds while being showered with confetti , before arriving at McCartney 's home . Ringo Starr , the only other surviving former Beatle , was there , as was iconic U.S. television host Barbara Walters , who reportedly played a role in introducing McCartney and Shevell , an American trucking heiress . Walters is Shevell 's second cousin , she said on her show `` The View '' in 2007 . McCartney and Shevell got engaged in May , a McCartney representative told CNN at the time . The wedding took place at the same venue where McCartney married his first wife , Linda , in 1969 . She died of breast cancer , aged 56 , in 1998 . A memorial service for her two months later was the first time McCartney , Starr and George Harrison appeared together in public since the Beatles split in 1970 . John Lennon , the fourth member of the band , was shot dead in New York in 1980 . Shevell , the bride , is the daughter of a New Jersey trucking magnate . She is an executive at her father 's company , New England Motor Freight , and a 10-year member of New York 's Metropolitan Transportation Authority . She was married once before , to lawyer Bruce Blakeman , who is active in Republican and Jewish circles in New York state . He ran unsuccessfully for Senate against Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand last year . Her father 's company has annual revenues of about $ 400 million , says Blakeman 's biography on his law firm 's website . Press reports say they have a 19-year-old son . Alison Cathcart , who performed McCartney 's third wedding , called the venue `` a rock 'n' roll place to tie the knot . '' Liam Gallagher and Patsy Kensit married there , as did Melanie Griffiths and Antonio Banderas . Cathcart has conducted marriage services for celebrities including Sylvester Stallone and Joan Collins , Westminster City Council says . McCartney 's second marriage -- to model Heather Mills -- ended in a bitter divorce in 2008 after four years . They have a daughter , Beatrice . Mills fought for a large divorce settlement , saying McCartney had limited her ability to work as a model during their marriage and that she had acted as a psychologist to him as he grieved for his first wife . Judge Hugh Bennett all but laughed both assertions out of court , saying her testimony was not only `` inconsistent and inaccurate but less than candid . '' He awarded her 24.3 million pounds -LRB- $ 48.6 million at the time -RRB- -- less than one-fifth of the 125 million pounds she had asked for . Sunday would have been John Lennon 's 71st birthday . CNN 's Erin McLaughlin contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Mormon leader Gordon B. Hinckley died Sunday night at age 97 , the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced . Gordon B. Hinckley , 97 , president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , died Sunday . Hinckley had `` been in failing health for some time and his passing is due to age , '' said church spokesman Bruce Olsen . `` He was speaking in public as late as two to three weeks ago and had a full schedule in his office as late as last week . '' Hinckley became president of the Salt Lake City-based church in 1995 , at age 84 , and had been a member of its top leadership since the 1960s . Mormon church presidents serve for life . The church has about 13 million members worldwide and has experienced 5 percent annual growth in recent years . He died about 7 p.m. Sunday with his family by his side , church officials said . `` His life was a true testament of service , and he had an abiding love for others , '' said U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch , a Utah Republican and fellow Mormon . `` His wit , wisdom , and exemplary leadership will be missed by not only members of our faith , but by people of all faiths throughout the world . '' Hinckley married Marjorie Pay at the Salt Lake City temple in 1937 . They had five children , 25 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren . Marjorie Hinckley died in 2004 . `` I 've been blessed so abundantly that I can never get over it , '' Hinckley told CNN 's Larry King in 2004 . `` I just feel so richly blessed . I want to extend that to others , whenever I can . '' Hinckley was the 15th president in the 177-year history of the Mormon church . President Bush awarded him a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 . Watch Hinckley receive medal , share his views '' According to a church statement , Hinckley was the most-traveled president in the church 's history , visiting more than 60 countries . He also oversaw a massive temple-building program , doubling the number of temples worldwide to more than 100 . Hinckley spent 70 years working in the church and is considered the architect of its vast public relations network . He worked to defuse controversies over polygamy and to promote full inclusion of nonwhites . Mormons believe the president of the church is a living prophet and apostle . They considered his words divinely inspired , including his views on homosexuality and the role of men and women in the home . `` We are not anti-gay . We are pro-family , let me put it that way , '' Hinckley told King in 2004 . `` We love these people and try to work with them and help them . We know they have a problem . We want to help them solve that problem . '' In an earlier interview with King , Hinckley laid out his views on family structure . `` Put father at the head of the house again , '' he said . `` A good father , who loves his wife and whose wife loves him , and whose children love him ... and let them grow together as good citizens of the land . '' A church body known as the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes its governing body upon the death of a president . It will choose a successor after Hinckley 's funeral . No arrangements have been announced , Olsen said . E-mail to a friend CNN 's Matt Smith , Ed Payne and Ninette Sosa contributed to this story .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Queen Elizabeth and the royal family cost British taxpayers an average of 66 pence -LRB- $ 1.32 -RRB- per person last year , Buckingham Palace announced Friday in its annual report of royal finances . The Queen and the royal family cost Britons a little bit more in the latest financial year . The total cost of the queen and royal family was 40 million pounds -LRB- $ 80 million -RRB- in the past fiscal year , an increase of 2 percent from the year before , according to the Royal Public Finances report . The man in charge of managing the queen 's financial affairs said she has tried to keep costs down , pointing out that the queen 's expenses are more than 3 percent lower in real terms than they were in 2001 . `` The reduction in the amount of head of state expenditure in real terms reflects the continuous attention the royal household pays to obtaining the best value for money in all areas of expenditure , '' said Alan Reid , whose official title is `` keeper of the privy purse . '' Funding for property maintenance at the royal palaces increased by almost 1 million pounds -LRB- $ 2 million -RRB- from the year before to 15.3 million pounds -LRB- $ 30.6 million -RRB- , but it will stay at that level for the next three years , the palace said . Reid warned that the money is not enough to deal with a backlog of maintenance work . `` This backlog relates to essential maintenance and does not include any allowance for projects such as the redecoration of the state rooms at Buckingham Palace , most of which were last redecorated before the queen 's reign , '' he said . Available funds are also unlikely for replacing the lead and slate roofs at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle -LRB- which would cost an estimated 16 million pounds , or $ 32 million -RRB- ; replacing heating and electrical wiring and removing asbestos at the palace -LRB- 2.4 million pounds , or $ 4.8 million -RRB- ; and replacing Victorian cast iron and lead water mains at the castle -LRB- 3 million pounds , or $ 6 million -RRB- . Travel was a major expense for the queen and her family over the past year , the reports showed . The most expensive trip was the queen 's six-day state visit to the United States , which cost a total of 414,042 pounds -LRB- about $ 828,000 -RRB- . It cost 316,061 pounds -LRB- about $ 632,000 -RRB- for Prince Charles and his wife , Camilla , to take an eight-day trip to Uganda and Turkey in November for Britain 's Foreign Office . Prince Andrew , the Duke of York , also had a series of expensive trips as part of his role as the United Kingdom 's special representative for international trade and investment . He visited more than 20 countries in that capacity last year , trying to attract investors to Britain and helping British companies improve their prospects overseas . `` This report is provided every year to show transparency in the royal accounts , '' said CNN royal watcher Richard Quest . `` It is often used as an example to show profligacy , for instance with the cost of the royal train , which runs around 20,000 pounds -LRB- $ 40,000 -RRB- a day . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- He came out on court wearing a Halloween mask , but Novak Djokovic had to overcome a fright of his own before winning his comeback match in Switzerland on Tuesday . The world No. 1 , playing his first ATP Tour tournament since winning the U.S. Open six weeks ago , survived a second-set scare against Xavier Malisse before beating the Belgian 6-2 4-6 7-5 at the Swiss Indoors event . Djokovic suffered a recurring back injury in Serbia 's Davis Cup defeat by Argentina just days after beating Rafael Nadal in an epic final in New York . He missed tournaments in Asia , including the Shanghai Masters , but has returned to action in Basel where he was champion in 2009 and runner-up to Roger Federer last year . `` I 'm only just back from the biggest injury of my career , '' Djokovic said after extending his record this year to 65-3 . `` It was a big ask for me to have played really well . `` I could do nothing for four and a half weeks , I 've only been hitting for a week and a half . That 's not enough to play at my best . I 've lost rhythm . `` I had too many errors and too many double-faults . But I 'm happy just to be playing tennis again . I hope to build on this performance . '' As top seed , he is in the opposite half of the draw from Federer and new world No. 3 Andy Murray , who could meet in the semis . The 24-year-old will next play either Poland 's world No. 59 Lukasz Kubot or 91st-ranked German Tobias Kamke , who both came through the qualifying draw . Fifth seed Mardy Fish 's hopes of qualifying for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals suffered a blow when he was forced to retire with a hamstring injury against fellow American James Blake after winning the opening game . Fish holds the last of the eight places on offer for the London showpiece but could be overhauled if he has to miss the penultimate tournament in Paris starting next week . Blake will next play Kazakhstan 's Mikhail Kukushkin , a lucky loser from qualifying who upset American wildcard Donald Young in his opening match . Stanislas Wawrinka , a semifinalist in 2006 and the Swiss No. 2 behind Federer , beat Croatia 's Ivan Dodig 6-4 6-4 to set up a match with either Murray or Dutchman Robin Haase , who meet on Wednesday . Federer 's next match is against Jarkko Nieminen , after the Finn beat Brazil 's Thomaz Belluci 6-7 -LRB- 5-7 -RRB- 6-4 6-3 . Tomas Berdych had the sixth finals place ahead of his clash with Japan 's Kei Nishikori , but the Czech failed to earn any ranking points after losing 3-6 6-3 6-2 . Seventh-ranked Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga closed to within five points of Berdych by winning his opening match at the Valencia Open on Tuesday . Tsonga had to battle before beating 19-year-old Spanish wildcard Javier Marti 4-6 7-5 6-2 to secure his 12th win in 14 matches and set up a second-round clash with American Sam Querrey -- who defeated Latvia 's Ernests Gulbis 6-4 6-4 . Top seed David Ferrer is one of the five players already qualified for London , and he overcame fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3 6-2 in his opening match to set up a meeting with Canadian qualifier Vasek Pospisil . French third seed Gael Monfils went through with a 6-3 6-1 win over Albert Montanes , but Ukrainian seventh seed Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jr. was eliminated by another Spaniard , Marcel Granollers .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Four decades after he won over America with his scratchy , soulful voice and blues-inspired rock , British-born Joe Cocker is receiving an honor from the queen . Joe Cocker is being honored at Buckingham Palace for his services to music . Cocker , 63 , was set to receive an OBE , or Order of the British Empire , at a ceremony Thursday morning at Buckingham Palace . The award officially recognizes Cocker 's `` services to music . '' Prince Charles was planning to present Cocker with the honor , part of the queen 's annual birthday honors list . Famous for songs including `` You Are So Beautiful '' and his cover of the Beatles ' `` With a Little Help from My Friends , '' Cocker began his career by singing Ray Charles songs in pubs around his hometown of Sheffield , northern England in the early 1960s . Cocker toured with a string of bands , often playing American airbases in Europe , winning fans among the servicemen . The press hailed his first U.S. television performance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1969 , and the following summer , Cocker played to half a million people at the historic Woodstock rock festival in New York state . The ensuing live album `` Mad Dogs and Englishmen '' remains a Cocker classic , with songs including `` Cry Me A River '' and `` Feelin ' Alright . '' Rolling Stone magazine says Cocker 's `` gritty , powerful voice remains one of the most distinctive in rock & roll . '' A whirlwind U.S. tour after Woodstock left Cocker `` exhausted , '' according to his own Web site , and reported drug and alcohol abuse came soon after . Cocker had a top 10 song in 1975 with `` You are So Beautiful , '' but his fortunes really turned in 1982 with his No. 1 duet with Jennifer Warnes , `` Up Where We Belong , '' the theme from the movie `` An Officer and a Gentleman . '' Cocker 's most recent U.S. top 10 was `` When the Night Comes , '' written by Bryan Adams . Cocker now lives on a ranch in Colorado but still tours extensively . He has been touring Europe since June and plans shows in Sheffield and London this weekend . E-mail to a friend","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula One in 2012 , after Renault announced on Tuesday that the 2007 world champion has signed a two-year deal with the team . The Finn won the drivers ' championship with Ferrari in 2007 before leaving the sport in 2009 , but he will return next season after spending time in the World Rally Championship and NASCAR . `` I 'm delighted to be coming back to Formula 1 after a two-year break , and I 'm grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity , '' the 32-year-old told the team 's official website . `` My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver , but I ca n't deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming . Final F1 2011 season standings `` It was an easy choice to return with Lotus Renault GP as I have been impressed by the scope of the team 's ambition . Now I 'm looking forward to playing an important role in pushing the team to the very front of the grid . '' Raikkonen entered F1 with Sauber in 2001 before going on to enjoy a successful five-season spell with McLaren between 2002 and 2006 , winning nine grands prix and twice finishing runner-up in the world championship . Speaking to CNN World Sport , Renault team principal Eric Boullier said he was delighted to have secured Raikkonen 's services and insisted the Finn would soon be challenging the sport 's top echelon of drivers . `` His motivation is huge and clearly the talent he has will maybe need a little bit of time to get back on track and to adapt to the new car and the new tires but I 'm very confident he will get back , '' he said . `` I hope we push as much as we can , as much as we did at the beginning of the season . It is difficult to set up a competitive Formula One team , it takes time , but we learn every year from the experience . `` Kimi 's experience is huge , he has been world champion , he has won many races , he has been working and driving for great constructors like Sauber and McLaren . It will be a huge boost for us and his determination will be a big boost for the team . '' Ferrari 's Alonso eyes 2012 charge Boullier said Renault , who will compete under the Lotus name in 2012 , were still yet to decide who would partner Raikkonen after they were represented by three drivers last season . Russian Vitaly Petrov initially partnered Nick Heidfeld before Brazilian Bruno Senna replaced the German in August . Polish driver Robert Kubica raced for the team in 2010 , but missed all of last season following a rally crash in Italy in February . It had been hoped Kubica would return in time for the 2012 season , but the 26-year-old announced last week that his recovery from serious arm injuries was not yet complete . Boullier said he did not yet know if Kubica would be fit to race : `` It 's a little bit early to answer this question , '' he added . `` If we can bring him back into F1 we will try our best . '' The 2011 season came to an end at last Sunday 's Brazilian Grand Prix , with Red Bull 's Sebastian Vettel finishing the race second behind teammate Mark Webber having already sealed a second consecutive championship . The 2012 season will is see a total of six former world champions line-up on the grid , with Raikonnen and Vettel being joined by Mercedes ' seven-time winner Michael Schumacher , Ferrari 's two-time champion Fernando Alonso and McLaren 's championship-winning duo of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton .","question":""}
{"answer":"Islamabad , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pakistani officials have detained a 10th person in connection with the investigation into the failed May 1 car bombing of New York 's Times Square , a Pakistani intelligence source told CNN Tuesday . The intelligence source , who asked not to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media , identified the man as Shoaib Mughal . He is suspected of having served as an intermediary between the bombing suspect , Faisal Shahzad , and the Pakistani Taliban , the source said . Mughal 's uncle , who also asked not to be identified , told CNN that Mughal , who is married , owns and operates a computer parts store in Islamabad . The uncle said six men dressed in civilian clothing detained Mughal , who has never been outside Pakistan , at his shop on May 6 . In addition , a Pakistani intelligence source told CNN that detainee Muhammad Shahid Hussain was a friend of Faisal Shahzad when the bombing suspect was studying in the United States . The two men met frequently last year , when Shahzad returned to Pakistan , the source said . Hussain 's brother , Muhammad Khalid , told CNN that Hussain traveled to the United States in 2000 to participate in an MBA program and remained there until 2004 . Hussain 's brother and father , Muhammad Ramzan , have denied he has any links to terrorist groups or the attempted bombing in Times Square . The intelligence official added that another suspect , Major Adnan , resigned from the Pakistani Army last year . The official said Adnan contacted Shahzad by e-mail at least once but the official did not disclose when the e-mail was sent or what it contained . This month , a senior administration official said Shahzad , a Pakistani-American , was looking for help from the Pakistani Taliban in carrying out a bomb attack during his last visit to Pakistan . `` The question is : Did he go there looking for help or did he fall in their lap ? It seems the former . It appears he went seeking help for this attack , '' the official said . `` He had an attack in mind when he went there . '' The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because this person was n't allowed to speak publicly about the investigation . Top advisers to President Barack Obama said early this month that Shahzad worked with the Taliban movement in Pakistan . `` The evidence that we have now developed shows the Pakistani Taliban directed this plot , '' Attorney General Eric Holder told NBC 's `` Meet the Press '' on May 9 . John Brennan , assistant to the president for counterterrorism and homeland security , told CNN that the Pakistani Taliban -- also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban , or TTP -- is `` closely allied with al Qaeda . '' Shahzad was arrested while trying to fly out of New York on May 3 , two days after federal authorities say he left a vehicle filled with explosive materials in Manhattan 's Times Square . The makeshift bomb failed to detonate . Shahzad had traveled to Pakistan several times in recent years , Brennan said . CNN 's Reza Sayah and Nasir Habib contributed to this story .","question":""}
{"answer":"MIAMI , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A grand jury Tuesday indicted four suspects on charges of first degree felony murder and armed burglary in the slaying of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor . A grand jury identified Eric Rivera Jr. as the shooter in the death of NFL star Sean Taylor . Court documents say the youngest is alleged to have fired the fatal shot . The three adult suspects -- Venjah K. Hunte , 20 , Jason Scott Mitchell , 19 , and Charles Kendrick Lee Wardlow , 18 -- appeared in court Tuesday via videoconference wearing thick green vests , which defense attorneys said were suicide safety smocks . They were ordered held without bail at the Pre-Trial Detention Center in Miami , Florida , where Corrections Officer Janelle Hall said they are under suicide watch . The fourth suspect -- Eric Rivera Jr. , 17 -- remained in custody in Fort Myers , Florida . His attorney , Wilbur Smith , told CNN he expected his client to be moved to a Miami-Dade juvenile detention facility Wednesday . Watch CNN 's Rick Sanchez speak to attorneys for two of the suspects '' Rivera was armed during the alleged burglary , and `` during the course of the commission of the offense ... discharged a firearm and as a result of the discharge , death or great bodily harm was inflicted upon Sean Maurice Taylor , a human being , '' the indictment says . The four men were arrested Friday , officials said . Taylor , 24 , died a day after he was shot during an apparent burglary at his home . Miami-Dade police investigators said they believe the burglars thought the house was empty . Thousands of mourners attended Taylor 's funeral Monday at Florida International University 's arena . See photos from the funeral '' Police said Taylor and his girlfriend , Jackie Garcia , were awakened by noise coming from the living room early November 26 . Taylor got up and locked the bedroom door , but the door was kicked in and two shots were fired , police said . One struck Taylor in the leg . Garcia and the couple 's 18-month-old daughter were not hurt . Authorities have said Garcia told police she was hiding under the bedding during the attack , did not see what happened and could not provide a suspect description . A break-in had been reported at Taylor 's residence eight days earlier . A police report from that incident said someone forced a window open and left a kitchen knife on a bed . Several drawers and a bedroom safe were searched during the break-in , according to the report . Taylor spent four years with the Redskins , earning his first Pro Bowl selection in 2006 . He suffered a sprained right knee in a November 11 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and had not played since . The 2004 first-round draft pick played at the University of Miami , where he was an All-American in 2003 . He was regarded as one of the hardest-hitting players in the NFL . E-mail to a friend CNN 's Kim Segal and John Couwels contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is set to deliver the Republican response to President Obama 's upcoming joint address to Congress , a high-profile slot the party often gives to one of its rising stars . Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal , 37 , will give GOP response to President Obama 's address to Congress this month . `` Gov. Jindal embodies what I have long said : The Republican Party must not be simply the party of ` opposition , ' but the party of better solutions , '' House Minority Leader John Boehner said in a Wednesday statement . Jindal , a former congressman in his first term as Louisiana 's governor , was widely believed to be on Republican presidential nominee John McCain 's short list for vice president , and he often served as a campaign surrogate on the Arizona senator 's behalf . The 37-year-old son of Indian immigrants also was given a prime-time speaking slot at the GOP convention last September , though he ultimately decided not to attend the four-day event as Hurricane Gustav headed for landfall in his state . An Ivy League grad and Rhodes Scholar , and his state 's first nonwhite governor , Jindal has long been on the GOP 's radar screen as a potential future leader and likely presidential candidate . And as the GOP is launching full-scale efforts to appeal to nonwhite voters , Jindal has become one of the party 's most high-profile minorities . `` His stewardship of the state of Louisiana , dedication to reforming government and commitment to bringing forth new and innovative ideas make him a leader not just within the Republican Party , but in our nation as a whole , '' Boehner also said of Jindal on Wednesday . Jindal , who became governor two years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana , has drawn praise for spearheading the ongoing recovery efforts . `` When you look at major statewide offices Republicans have won over the past three years , there is one , Louisiana , '' said Alex Castellanos , a CNN contributor and Republican strategist . `` In a state where we lost confidence in government , perhaps more than any other state , he restored it and cut taxes . '' Though he is often mentioned as a likely contender for the 2012 Republican presidential race , Jindal has said his current focus is on winning reelection in 2011 . Jindal also said late last year that even if he were considering running for president , now is the time to support the sitting president . `` It does n't matter whether you 're Republican , Democrat or independent , it does n't matter whether you voted for him or not , President-elect Barack Obama is our president , '' he said . The White House announced on Tuesday that Obama will deliver the annual State of the Union address to both houses of Congress on February 24 . In 2008 , Democrats tapped Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius -- then considered to be a possible vice presidential candidate -- to give the rebuttal speech to former President Bush 's final State of the Union address . Other Democrats who delivered responses to Bush 's State of the Unions include Virginia Sen. Jim Webb , Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine , and former Washington Gov. Gary Locke , the nation 's first Chinese-American governor . The last Republican to deliver a response to a State of the Union address was Maine Sen. Susan Collins in 2000 .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Typhoon Morakot bore down on Taiwan Friday , packing 89 mph -LRB- 143 kph -RRB- winds and threatening to soak the entire island when it makes landfall Saturday morning , Taiwan 's Central Weather Bureau said . A man fights against strong winds in Hsintien , Taipei county , Taiwan , on Friday . As of 10 a.m. Friday -LRB- 2 a.m. GMT -RRB- , wind gusts were reaching 112 mph , and Morakot , a medium-strength typhoon , was moving west-northwest at 14 mph en route to landfall , the agency said . Already , mudslides and landslides were occurring on the land , as airlines canceled flights , and government offices , schools and the Taiwan Stock Exchange closed for the day , according to Taiwan 's Central News Agency . The storm was centered about 124 miles -LRB- 200 km -RRB- southeast of Taipei and could wind up directly over the capital , said CNN meteorologist Kevin Corriveau . He predicted its impact would be massive . `` This storm has already dumped about 400 millimeters -LRB- 16 inches -RRB- of rain in the central and southern part of the island , and they 're still expecting another 500 -LRB- 20 inches -RRB- to 800 millimeters -LRB- 32 inches -RRB- of rain over the next 24 to 48 hours , '' he said . Watch how the storm is affecting life on the island '' Drought in recent months has severely affected the area , leaving the ground so hard that it can not absorb the rainfall , Corriveau said . However , the island tends to prepare well for typhoons , Corriveau added . `` They take it very seriously , '' Corriveau said . `` Just like Cuba is very good at handling hurricanes , Taiwan is very good at handling typhoons . '' On Thursday , Taiwanese Premier Liu Chao-shiuan examined the island 's emergency operation center and asked all personnel to stay on high alert over the next day , with the typhoon forecast to `` affect all regions of Taiwan , '' according to CNA . Taiwan and eastern China are particularly vulnerable to flash flooding and mudslides because of the proximity of the mountains to the sea . Once it hits land , Morakot is expected to weaken to tropical storm strength , the Central Weather Bureau reported .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Dozens of suspected terrorists released by the United States from Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , are believed to have returned to terrorism activities , according to the Pentagon . Pentagon officials say 61 former Gitmo detainees have committed or are suspected of returning to terrorism . Since 2002 , 61 former detainees have committed or are suspected to have committed attacks after being released from the detention camp , Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said at a briefing Tuesday . The number is up since the Pentagon 's last report in March 2008 when officials said 37 former detainees had been suspected of returning to the battlefield since 2002 . Since 2007 , more than 100 detainees were released , significantly more than in previous years , according to Pentagon officials . According to the statistics , of the 61 former detainees that are believed to have returned to fighting , 18 have been officially confirmed while 43 are suspected , Morrell said . The 18 were confirmed through intelligence , photographs , fingerprints and other information , Morrell said . Of the 43 other detainees suspected of taking part in terrorist attacks , only `` plausible reporting '' on their activities indicated some kind of involvement , according to Morrell . Officials would only identify one of the confirmed attackers , Adballah Salih al-Ajmi , a Kuwaiti man released from U.S. custody at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in 2005 . Pentagon officials said Salih al-Ajmi blew himself up in a suicide attack in Iraq in April 2008 . Since 2002 , the Pentagon has released about 520 detainees to their home countries or counties that agreed to take them . Some have been released in full by those countries while others are still being held . `` There , clearly , are people who are being held at Guantanamo who are still bent on doing harm to America , Americans and our allies , so there will have to be some solution for the likes of them , '' Morrell said . About 250 detainees remain held at Guantanamo and about 60 of those detainees have been cleared for release by the Pentagon , but their home countries will not take them or the U.S. believes they could be harmed by their governments if returned . President-elect Barack Obama has said he intends to shut down Guantanamo . Earlier this week , two sources close to the Obama transition team said he could issue an order to do so as early as his first week in office , saying that Obama believes `` the legal framework at Gitmo has failed to successfully and swiftly prosecute terrorists . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A double strike from Welsh winger Gareth Bale helped Tottenham to a 3-1 English Premier League win over QPR on Sunday , a result that lifts them up to fifth place in the table and keeps their unbeaten run going . Dutchman Rafael Van der Vaart was also on target for Harry Redknapp 's side , who have not lost in 11 matches since their 5-1 home defeat by Manchester City back in August . Bale put the home side ahead in the 19th minute when he fired home an angled drive after a long ball from the back was headed on by Emmanuel Adebayor . And a rampant Tottenham doubled their advantage 13 minutes later when Van der Vaart picked up a mis-hit shot from Ledley King to place the ball inside the far post . QPR fought back after the break and halved the arrears on the hour mark when Jay Bothroyd nodded home from close range . But Tottenham sealed their victory with a superb goal 18 minutes from time , with Aaron Lennon and Bale exchanging a series of passes outside the box before Bale curled home a shot that gave keeper Paddy Kenny no chance . Manchester City still blaze a trail at the top of the table , with nine wins and a draw from 10 matches . They lie on 28 points , five clear of rivals Manchester United . Chelsea , Newcastle and Tottenham are all level on 19 points but Chelsea have played a game more and unbeaten Newcastle will move up to third position if they get at least a draw against Stoke on Monday night . Meanwhile , in Sunday 's two German Bundesliga matches , Lukas Podolski netted twice in a 3-0 win over 10-man Augsburg . Poland midfielder Slawomir Peszko added a third for the home side , while the visitors had Torsten Oehrl sent off for a dangerous tacle with 14 minutes remaining . The win moves Cologne up to 11th place in the table with five wins and five defeats , but Augsburg are second bottom with just one win and eight points . Hamburg are just one point and one place above Augsburg after they drew 1-1 with Kaiserslautern on Sunday . The home side had Slobodan Rajkovic sent off in the 21st minute for elbowing Kaiserslautern captain Christian Tiffert and the visitors went ahead seven minutes before half-time through Pierre De Wit . But Peru striker Jose Paolo Guerrero levelled for the hosts in the second-half , although the point was enough to lift Kaiserslautern up a place to 13th in the table .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The second-highest ranking official in Iraqi President Jalal Talabani 's political party resigned Saturday , along with four other high-ranking Kurdish politicians , officials said . Iraqi President Jalal Talabani could be jeopardized by the resignations of five key members of his party . Khosrat Rasul , the vice president of the Kurdistan Regional Government , resigned , along with four other members of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan -LRB- PUK -RRB- , according to Kurdish lawmakers . Rasul is a battle-scarred veteran of Kurdish rebellions against former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein . Kurdish members of the Iraqi Parliament say the resignations threaten the delicate balance of power in Iraqi Kurdistan , a semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq . It has been the most stable part of the country since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion . `` It looks very serious , '' said Ala Talabani , the president 's niece and a PUK member , as well as a member of Parliament . She spoke by phone from the Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya , long a stronghold of the PUK . `` It 's about corruption , '' Ala Talabani said of the resignations . `` They are asking about the resources and the money . Who is spending it . And who is in charge of the income of the party . '' `` It 's not good , '' said Mahmoud Othman , a member of the Iraqi Parliament and an independent Kurdish politician . `` The PUK is one of the main two -LSB- Kurdish -RSB- players , '' he added . `` A problem like this will upset the whole situation . '' Iraqi Kurdistan broke free from Baghdad 's control after the 1991 Gulf War . Since then , the region has been divided between two rival Kurdish factions , Talabani 's PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party , led by Massoud Barzani . For several years throughout the 1990s , the groups battled each other in the mountains and valleys of northern Iraq . Those historic divisions faded somewhat following the United States ' overthrow of Hussein . For the past five years , the Kurds have worked together in Baghdad to enhance the Kurdish region 's position in Iraq . Kurdish politicians deftly took advantage of divisions between Sunni and Shi'a Arab factions . They successfully lobbied to maintain Kurdistan 's militia of pesh merga fighters . Demands to expand the Kurdish zone of control and win the right to exploit oil deposits in Kurdish territory have increased tensions between Kurdish and Arab politicians . The resignation of Rasul and his allies threatens the power base of Talabani , the first Kurdish president in Iraqi history . `` If it is not fixed by Talabani by tomorrow , this could change the entire landscape of Kurdish politics , '' said Hiwa Osman , the Iraq country director of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting . Iraq 's three northern Kurdish provinces are scheduled to hold regional elections in May . Talabani is expected to travel to Kurdistan to hold emergency meetings with Rasul and his other former comrades-in-arms . This is not the first time the stout Kurdish leader has faced a rebellion from within the ranks of his followers . Kurdish observers say these disputes usually stem from disagreements over money and power .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Japan have comfortably beaten Denmark 3-1 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup . First half goals from Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo gave the Danes a mountain to climb . They never looked like they would recover and a miserable night was completed when Shinji Okazaki added a third in the 87th minute , shortly after a Jon Dahl Tomasson 81st minute goal had given Denmark a glimmer of hope . The Danes were comprehensively outplayed by Japan who produced their most resolute and skilful display of the tournament so far . As runners up in Group E Japan will now face Paraguay in Pretoria on Tuesday for a place in quarter-finals . The three-time Asian Cup champions join Netherlands , who confirmed first place in the group by beating an already-eliminated Cameroon 2-1 in Cape Town . A first half strike from Robin van Persie and a second by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar seven minutes from time ensured Netherlands finished with a 100 percent record at the top of Group E setting up a second round clash with Italy 's vanquishers Slovakia in Durban on Monday . Champions Italy crash out of World Cup The win over Cameroon team in Cape Town completed a comfortable group stage for the Dutch , despite not playing their best football . They will be boosted though by the return of Arjen Robben who came on as a second half substitute . Japan 3-1 Denmark Denmark , who needed to win the match to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stages , started their match with Japan brightly . Skipper Jon Dahl Tomasson saw a chance go narrowly wide in the opening minutes . But two Japanese strikes within 13 minutes of each other stunned the Danes . Honda gave Japan the lead in the 17th minute with fine free kick which flew past keeper Thomas Sorensen who appeared to be deceived by the flight of the ball . Yasuhito Endo doubled Japan 's lead in the 30th minute when he curled a beautifully executed free kick around the Danish wall and past the despairing dive of Sorenson . If the Danish keeper was possibly at fault for the first goal , there was nothing he could do with Endo 's strike which found the bottom left corner of the net . The second half did n't get any better for the Danish keeper when he fumbled an innocuous looking free kick from Yasuhito Endo . His blushes were saved when the ball cannoned to safety off his right hand post . Jon Dahl Tomasson scored for Denmark in the 81st minute , turning in the rebound from his own penalty kick which had been awarded for a push on Daniel Agger . But it was too little too late for the 1992 European Champions . Moments later , Okazaki scored a third for Japan after Keisuke Honda unselfishly laid the ball on for him . It sealed a memorable win and qualification for the last 16 on foreign soil for the first time in their history . But man-of-the-match Honda believes Japan could go even further in the tournament . `` I expected to be really jubilant but I 'm not as jubilant as I thought I would be because I do n't think we are finished here . I believe we can go further in this competition , '' the CSKA Moscow star said , AFP reported . Netherlands 2-1 Cameroon Robin Van Persie opened the scoring for Netherlands in the 36th minute . Playing a neat one-two with Rafael van der Vaart on the edge of Cameroon 's penalty area , the Arsenal striker then fired a low shot under keeper Souleymanou to register his first goal of the tournament . Inter Milan 's Samuel Eto'o leveled the scores in the 65th minute after Cameroon were awarded a penalty by the Chilean referee , Pablo Pozo when Rafael van der Vaart raised an arm to block Geremi 's free-kick in the box . Eto'o stepped up to score his second goal of the tournament . The introduction of Arjen Robben -- his first appearance at the 2010 World Cup -- immediately created panic in the Cameroon defense . Cutting in from the right , Robben fired a shot from 20 yards which rebounded off the post . The ball fell kindly to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who coolly slotted home the ball into an empty net and secure victory for Netherlands .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Monday , January 18 10:32 p.m. -- The Haitian National Police force in Port-au-Prince , normally with 4,000 people , has dropped to about 1,500 people since last week 's quake , according to National Police Chief Mario Andresol . Many of those who have n't reported to work are dead or injured , he says . 9:56 p.m. -- The American Red Cross and UNICEF 's United States Fund have raised nearly $ 5 million since 8 p.m. ET , when `` Haiti How You Can Help , '' a special `` Larry King Live , '' started , according to CNN 's Larry King . The show ends at 10 p.m. ET and is scheduled to repeat at midnight . How you can help 9:47 p.m. -- Maxine Fallon , the 23-year-old student rescued today in the rubble of a building at Universite G.O.C. in Port-au-Prince , says she was pressed in the same position , with legs folded uncomfortably and very little wiggle room , for all six days she was trapped , CNN 's Chris Lawrence reports . Watch | Read 9:39 p.m. -- The American Red Cross and UNICEF 's United States Fund have raised $ 2.9 million since 8 p.m. ET , when `` Haiti How You Can Help , '' a special `` Larry King Live , '' started , according to CNN 's Larry King . The show lasts until 10 p.m. ET . 9:36 p.m. -- While visiting the injured at a U.N. clinic in Port-au-Prince , Haitian President Rene Preval says his country -- already the Western Hemisphere 's poorest -- needs not only medicine and food , but also long-term reconstruction assistance . `` The more we receive help , the more we can take care of them , '' he said . 9:12 p.m. -- A U.S. Air Force cargo plane on Monday , bypassing the gridlock at Haiti 's main airport in Port-au-Prince , dropped 40 pallets of bottled water and ready-to-eat food on a field just north of the airport , CNN 's Larry Shaughnessy reported . `` There are so many relief agencies funneling through the airport that it has kind of created a bottleneck , '' U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Leon Strickland said en route to the drop point . `` We 're going to put things directly out of the air onto the ground and open up another distribution point north of the -LSB- Port-au-Prince -RSB- airfield . '' 8:31 p.m. -- The following video shows CNN 's Anderson Cooper dragging a bleeding boy from a crowd as looting went on Monday in a Port-au-Prince street . The video includes graphic content . Viewer discretion is advised . Watch 7:39 p.m. -- The student saved today from the rubble of a Port-au-Prince university building , 23-year-old Maxine Fallon , says she prayed for someone to find her . `` I had hoped I would be rescued , '' Fallon said . Doctors told CNN that Fallon is suffering from severe lacerations and trauma to her organs , among other injuries . She was drifting in and out of consciousness and was transported to a field hospital in the Port-au-Prince suburb of Petionville , CNN 's Chris Lawrence and Arthur Brice reported . Read 6:41 p.m. -- A volunteer at Sacre Coeur Hospital in northern Haiti said the facility has large numbers of open beds , but no easy way to get patients there from Port-au-Prince . `` My surgeons are sitting around looking at each other , wondering why they came , '' Tim Traynor told CNN . The hospital , in Milot , has more than 200 beds but fewer than 30 patients , Traynor said . He said the U.S. Coast Guard has flown some injured people up from Port-au-Prince , `` one or two or three or four people at a time . '' Another volunteer , Carol Fipp , said : `` Shout it from the mountaintops : We need helicopters . '' 6:35 p.m. -- Limited runway space and battered telecommunications networks are hindering efforts to get food , water and medical aid into the hands of desperate Haitians , relief agencies say . The U.S. Ambassador to Haiti , Kenneth Merten , says another big obstacle is Haiti 's damaged infrastructure , which is making it difficult to move aid from the airport quickly . 5:41 p.m. -- A 12-year-old girl on whom CNN 's Dr. Sanjay Gupta performed brain surgery on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson this morning is `` doing very well , '' Gupta says . Shrapnel had penetrated her brain . A military helicopter flew Gupta from Port-au-Prince to the aircraft carrier for the procedure . 5:23 p.m. -- The people who 've just rescued student Maxine Fallon from the crumbled university knew to go there because text messages had been sent from beneath the rubble , said paramedic Clever Sobrino , who added that more trapped survivors are believed to be inside . Read 5:20 p.m. -- The student who has just been rescued from the Port-au-Prince university rubble , Maxine Fallon , 23 , was treated by an Israeli doctor and taken to a U.N. treatment center on the back of a CNN truck , CNN 's Chris Lawrence reports . A paramedic had flagged down the truck , which was passing through the area , and asked that the truck be used to take Fallon to the treatment center . 5:09 p.m. -- A university student has been pulled out of the rubble of a school in Port-au-Prince and taken to a hospital . 5:05 p.m. -- In his interview with CNN 's Christiane Amanpour , U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon could n't give a timeline for how long it will take to get the abundance of aid collected for Haiti flowing freely into the country . `` We are in an initial stage of this , coordinating and organizing effective way of delivering aid , '' Ban said . Read 4:27 p.m. -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon tells CNN 's Christiane Amanpour that 46 U.N. staff members have died as a result of last week 's earthquake , and he fears that number could rise . The previous confirmed toll was 37 . The U.N. 's mission headquarters in Port-au-Prince collapsed in the earthquake . Read 4:11 p.m. -- Two South Florida residents talk to CNN affiliate WFOR about their mother 's rescue from a Port-au-Prince grocery store 108 hours after the earthquake . 3:46 p.m. -- The U.S. State Department now says the number of Haitian children who have left Haiti to be with adoptive parents in the U.S. since last week 's earthquake is 24 , not 150 as officials said Sunday . The State Department says it 's working on nearly 300 cases of Americans who are waiting to adopt Haitian children , and 200 of those cases are being accelerated , CNN 's Elise Labott reports . 3:30 p.m. -- A campaign using text messages to raise money for the Red Cross has tallied more than $ 21 million for relief efforts in Haiti , CNN 's Doug Gross reports . The total has obliterated the nearly $ 4 million that , according to the Red Cross , was donated to all charities by mobile texts in all of 2009 . Read 3:25 p.m. -- At a press conference , Haitian-American musician Wyclef Jean tearfully denies recent allegations that he misappropriated funds from his Yele Haiti charity . Meanwhile , experts on nonprofits say they ca n't find serious wrongdoing , except for a lapse of discipline in filing his taxes , CNNMoney.com reports . Read 3:17 p.m. -- CNN 's Anderson Cooper provides more detail on the looting he saw in downtown Port-au-Prince on Monday : Several hundred people broke into a damaged supply store , and some of them -- young men holding two-by-fours with nails hammered into them -- began attacking each other . One boy collapsed onto the street in a pool of blood . Some people came with money , buying supplies from looters -- in some cases hoping to sell for more somewhere else . 1:50 p.m. -- Twenty-four Americans are confirmed dead in the Haiti quake , the State Department said . About 25 other American deaths have been reported but not confirmed . 1:47 p.m. -- U.S. Muslims have raised more than $ 800,000 for Haiti 's earthquake victims since a call to help went out at Friday prayers across the country , according to the group Islamic Relief USA . `` We will probably reach our million dollar goal by this afternoon , '' spokesman Anwar Khan told CNN on Monday . 1:24 p.m. -- Former President Bill Clinton has arrived in Haiti , accompanied by his daughter , Chelsea , to check on relief efforts . 12:58 p.m. -- CNN 's Anderson Cooper reports widespread looting in downtown Port-au-Prince . `` People are actually stealing this , then will sell it later and then they 'll use that money for their families , '' Cooper said . 12:40 p.m. -- The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan and accompanying ships with more than 2,200 Marines on board were arriving off Haiti on Monday , the Pentagon said . The Marines bring with them heavy lift and earth-moving equipment , a dozen helicopters and additional medical support capabilities . 12:33 p.m. -- Rescue crews in Haiti have saved more than 75 people from the rubble , and continue to search for survivors six days after the earthquake , U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Merten said Monday . 12:20 p.m. -- Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist , a medical doctor , arrived in Port-au-Prince , Haiti , on Monday to help in the relief effort . The Tennessee Republican will be working at Baptist Mission Hospital in Haiti with the international relief agency Samaritan 's Purse , according to a statement from Hope Through Healing Hands , Frist 's nonprofit aid organization . iReport.com : Looking for loved ones 12:09 p.m. -- Military officials now say three Americans , not 30 , were injured in an incident outside the Port-au-Prince airport . They are being treated for injuries that are not life-threatening , CNN Pentagon correspondent Chris Lawrence reports . 11:40 a.m. -- Military officials in Port-au-Prince , Haiti , tell CNN Pentagon correspondent Chris Lawrence that 30 Americans have been hurt . 10:37 a.m. -- Rick Santos , president and CEO of the humanitarian organization IMA World Health , said he and a few of his colleagues survived 50 hours beneath the rubble of a hotel , sustained by a Tootsie Pop and a bit of chewing gum . Read Share your earthquake stories 8:22 a.m. -- CNN 's Dr. Sanjay Gupta is on board the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson assisting in the care of a 12-year-old girl with a serious head injury . The military sought Gupta 's help , and he was taken to the ship by helicopter . CNN has been told that the girl 's condition is stable . 8:15 a.m. -- Bill Clinton , the U.N. special envoy to Haiti , is set to meet with local officials to discuss how best to proceed with recovery operations in Haiti . 6:30 a.m. -- The Pentagon said it will have 7,000 personnel in Haiti on Monday working on earthquake relief . U.S. military personnel have supplied 130,000 rations and 70,000 bottles of water as of Monday morning , it said . Follow daily developments : Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- U.S. Masters -- April 9-12 , 2009 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson puts the green jacket on 2008 winner Trevor Immelman . While The Open Championship at St Andrews , Scotland may rival it for history , few would argue that the U.S. Masters tournament is unrivalled in terms of beauty and exclusivity . Played at the prestigious Augusta National Golf club in the city of Augusta , Georgia , the first `` major '' of the golfing year is a strictly invitational event controlled by the club itself . The top 50 golfers in the official world rankings are all guaranteed an invite . The dramatic azalea-draped course -- the brainchild of golfing great Bobby Jones -- provides a tough test for the world 's elite golfers , particularly since it has been lengthened or `` Tiger-proofed '' in recent years . However the relatively short 12th hole , named Golden Bell , is arguably the most challenging . Jack Nicklaus once called it `` the hardest tournament hole in golf , '' due to the fact that its perilously narrow green is protected in front by Rae 's Creek , with two sand traps behind it . Misjudge the wind or get your club selection wrong and the ball will most likely end up in the water . Since Horton Smith won the inaugural Masters title in 1934 , the tournament has become as famous for its traditions as it has for the quality of golf on show . Winners are presented with a green jacket by the defending champion -- which they are obliged to return to the clubhouse the following year . Nicklaus , nicknamed the `` Golden Bear , '' became the first golfer to successfully defend his green jacket . He also holds the record for the most titles won at Augusta with six -- his last coming in 1986 at the age of 46 . American players currently dominate the competition , following a period in the 1980s and 1990s which saw European players , including Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo , win 10 titles in 17 years . Current world number one Tiger Woods has won four times at Augusta since 1997 , while compatriot and rival for top spot , Phil Mickelson , won in 2004 and 2006 . South Africa 's Trevor Immelman is the current owner of the coveted green jacket . 2008 season in pictures '' U.S. Open - June 15-21 , 2009 Tiger Woods and his caddie walk up to the 18th green on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in 2002 . The second of the four major tournaments , the U.S. Open is hosted by the United States Golf Association -LRB- USGA -RRB- . Since its inaugural event in 1895 at the Newport Golf and Country Club , the event has been staged at a number of different courses . What 's your favorite tournament ? It was n't until 1913 that the U.S. Open championship really caught the imagination when a young American amateur , Francis Ouimet , stunned the golf world by defeating famous English professionals , Harry Vardon and Ted Ray , in a playoff . The format of the tournament has changed several times . The USGA extended the championship to 72 holes in 1898 , with 36 holes played on each of two days . In 1926 , the format was changed to 18 holes played each of two days , then 36 holes on the third day . In 1965 , the present format of four 18-hole daily rounds was implemented for the first time . Over the years , much has been made of the way U.S. Open courses have been set up , with incredibly tough pin positions and rough thick enough to require a compass to navigate through . `` Sometimes the players feel -LSB- the USGA -RSB- has gotten a little close to the edge on some holes , '' defending champion Retief Goosen told the BBC at Pinehurst , North Carolina in 2005 . Two years later , when Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania hosted the tournament , World Golf.com quoted Tiger Woods as saying `` a 10-handicapper did n't stand a chance at breaking 100 '' on a course that boasts over 200 deep bunkers . Bobby Jones , Jack Nicklaus , Ben Hogan , Willie Anderson and Hale Irwin have all triumphed at the U.S. Open on four occasions , while Woods , who won last year 's event at Torrey Pines following a dramatic playoff victory over Rocco Mediate , counts three so far among his haul of 14 major titles . The U.S. Open is the only major that requires participants to play-off over 18 holes . This year 's event at Bethpage State Park 's Black Course in Farmingdale , New York should be familiar to Woods , as he won here in 2002 . At 7,214-yards , the municipally-owned Bethpage was the longest U.S. Open course in history . The aptly-named Black Course even carries a warning sign about its difficulty on the first tee . In 2002 , American Hale Irwin missed the cut for only the sixth time in 33 Open starts after two torrid rounds of 82 and 81 . `` They can go out and write a new book and title it , ` Massacre at ... wherever the heck we are , '' U.S. Open.com quoted him as saying . It remains to be seen whether the recently-injured Tiger can tame the course once again . Watch more about Woods ' comeback '' The Open Championship -- July 16-19 , 2009 Padraig Harrington -LRB- right -RRB- and Greg Norman line up putts during the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale . Organized by the R&A , which takes its name from Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews , Scotland , The -LRB- British -RRB- Open Championship is the oldest of the four major tournaments . It is also the only one held outside of the United States . First held in October , 1860 , The Open was mostly played in Scotland during its early years . Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire was the birthplace of the event , which saw just eight players compete in its inaugural year . A year later the tournament was declared open to the whole world and the event has been known simply as `` The Open '' ever since . Since the early days , the R&A has established a rota of British seaside `` links '' courses to host the event . The major difference between a links course and a parkland course -- such as Augusta -- is that it is far less manufactured . Links courses are constructed out of the sandy , windswept coastal terrain , with few `` man-made '' additions . Players are faced with thick rough , narrow undulating fairways that snake around dunes , and lightening quick greens . There are far fewer trees and water hazards . When the wind gusts these courses demand the highest level of skill and imagination . This year 's tournament will be held on the famous Ailsa course at Turnberry on the west coast of Scotland . With its dramatic views and elevated cliff-top holes , the 7,200 yard course previously hosted The Open in 1977 , 1986 , 1994 . The winning aggregate scores in 1977 and 1994 rank among the lowest recorded in Open history , largely because the wind was n't blowing as it can . Current Open champion Padraig Harrington will arrive at Turnberry looking to win the tournament for the third time in as many years . At Carnoustie in 2007 , Harrington became the first Irishman to win The Open since Fred Daly in 1947 . He defended his title the following year at Royal Birkdale , finishing four strokes ahead of England 's Ian Poulter . Harrington has a long way to go before matching the great Harry Vardon 's record of six Open victories between 1896 and 1914 . Surprisingly , U.S. golfers -- more used to parkland courses -- have enjoyed great success in the competition in recent years , with 10 wins in 12 years . Tiger Woods , who missed out through injury last year , lifted the Claret Jug in 2000 , 2005 and 2006 . U.S. PGA Championship -- August 10-16 , 2009 Harrington pumps his fist as he sinks a putt to win the 2008 U.S. PGA Championship at Oakland Hills . The final major of the year , The PGA Championship is organized by the Professional Golfers Association of America -LRB- PGA of America -RRB- and is also held at a different course each year . The brainchild of New York salesman Rodman Wannamaker , the first PGA Championship was held at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville , New York in 1916 -- the same year the PGA of America was founded . The winners ' trophy is named after him . The competition , which was only switched from a matchplay to a strokeplay format in 1958 , does not allow amateurs to compete . It always attracts a world class field , in addition to a number of ordinary club professionals in the United States who can qualify through a national tournament . This year 's tournament will be held at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska , Minnesota , the scene of Rich Beem 's defeat of a charging Tiger Woods in 2002 . Beem , an unknown club professional who also sold car stereos , held off Woods by recording birdies in his final four holes for a 68 that gave him victory by just one shot . The 7,149-yard course is ranked among the top courses in the United States , according to the PGA . Its signature 16th hole features a wide open fairway that narrows into a long peninsula featuring an elevated green protected by Lake Hazeltine . This year Padraig Harrington will attempt to defend the trophy , a year after he pulled off a dramatic victory over Spain 's Sergio Garcia at Oakland Hills . If he succeeds he will become only the second man -- after Tiger Woods -- to be back-to-back PGA Champion . However , both men lag behind Jack Nicklaus , who won a record-equaling fifth U.S.PGA title in 1980 at Oak Hill , Rochester -- the hometown of Walter Hagen , the player whose record Nicklaus tied .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iraq 's presidency council Thursday approved the U.S.-Iraq security agreement -- the final step for the agreement to be ratified by the Iraqi government , a council spokesman said . The pact allows the presence of American troops in Iraq for three more years . U.S. soldiers gather at the `` Crossed Swords '' in Baghdad 's secure Green Zone on Tuesday . The three-member presidency council -- Kurdish President Jalal Talabani , Shiite Vice President Adel Abdul Mehdi and Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi -- approved the agreement unanimously a week after the Iraqi parliament passed the measure . Under the Iraqi constitution , unanimous approval by the presidency council is required for ratification of a law or agreement . The security pact will replace a U.N. mandate for the U.S. presence in Iraq that expires at the end of this year . The agreement , reached after months of negotiations , sets June 30 , 2009 , as the deadline for U.S. combat troops to withdraw from all Iraqi cities and towns . The date for all U.S. troops to leave Iraq is December 31 , 2011 . The agreement -- which stresses respect for Iraqi sovereignty -- `` requests the temporary assistance '' of U.S. forces , but severely restricts their role . The pact says that all military operations are to be carried out with the agreement of Iraq and must be `` fully coordinated '' with Iraqis . A Joint Military Operations Coordination Committee will oversee military operations . Iraq has the `` primary right to exercise jurisdiction '' over U.S. forces `` for grave premeditated felonies , '' the agreement says . Suspects can be held by U.S. forces but must be available to Iraqi authorities for investigation or trial . Iraq also will have the `` primary right to exercise jurisdiction '' over U.S. contractors and their employees under the agreement . Also , the pact says that `` Iraqi land , sea and air should n't be used as a launching or transit point for attacks against other countries . '' The presidency council also approved a U.S.-Iraqi bilateral pact called the strategic framework agreement , which covers a wide range of bilateral cooperation efforts and which was approved by the Iraqi parliament last week . U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker and Gen. Ray Odierno , the top U.S. military official in Iraq , issued a statement welcoming the council 's ratification of the measures . `` We look forward , under these agreements , to the continued reduction in U.S. forces and the normalization of bilateral relations as two sovereign and co-equal nations , '' the two said in their statement . `` We will undertake initiatives to strengthen our cooperation in the fields of economics , energy , health , the environment , education , culture , and law enforcement . The United States will support Iraq 's request to the U.N. Security Council to continue protection of Iraqi assets , '' the statement said .","question":""}
{"answer":"CHICAGO , Illinois -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Impeached former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich , who was arrested in December on charges of conspiracy and fraud , was indicted Thursday on 16 felony counts by a federal grand jury , the U.S. attorney 's office said . Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is facing such charges as racketeering , conspiracy and wire fraud . The 19-count indictment charges Blagojevich and some of his closest aides and advisers with a wide-ranging `` scheme to deprive the people of Illinois of honest government , '' according to a statement by the attorney 's office . Blagojevich , 52 , faces charges including racketeering , conspiracy , wire fraud and making false statements to investigators , according to the release . Three counts in the indictment are against the aides and advisers . In a written statement , Blagojevich maintained his innocence -- as he has done throughout a political soap opera that captivated the nation . `` I 'm saddened and hurt but I am not surprised by the indictment , '' he said . `` I am innocent . I now will fight in the courts to clear my name . '' Blagojevich was vacationing with his family in Florida on Thursday . In video shot at a Disney resort outside Orlando , Florida , by CNN affiliate WESH-TV , he declined to comment on his legal situation . He was filmed shortly before the indictments were handed down . In the WESH video , the ex-governor was sitting near a pool at the resort . `` I 'm enjoying Disney World with my kids and I do n't think you 're supposed to be here , '' said Blagojevich , after his wife attempted to shield him from the camera . `` I 'm happy to talk to you at the appropriate time . '' A man who identified himself only as `` someone who knows who he is '' then blocked the camera . U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Illinois , said he hoped the former governor would n't use the announcement as a reason to hit the media circuit again . `` We can only hope the former governor will not view this indictment as a green light for another publicity tour , '' he said . `` Rod Blagojevich deserves his day in court , but the people of Illinois deserve a break . '' Blagojevich and his chief of staff , John Harris , were arrested in December on federal corruption charges alleging that , among other things , they conspired to sell President Obama 's vacant U.S. Senate seat . Harris and Blagojevich 's brother , Robert Blagojevich , were among the others indicted on Thursday . In early January , federal Judge James Holderman gave the attorney 's office three additional months to decide whether to indict Blagojevich , who was impeached by the state legislature and resigned from office . That deadline ends Tuesday . On Thursday , current Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn called the charges a reminder for political leaders in the state to help stamp out corruption , and he pledged to `` work night and day to clean up our government . '' `` Today , more than ever , I 'm committed to making sure our government has fundamental reform from top to bottom , '' said Quinn , also a Democrat and the former lieutenant governor who was appointed governor in January . `` We need to overhaul Illinois government to make sure everything is done right for the people . '' The charges are part of what investigators have dubbed `` Operation Board Games , '' an ongoing investigation into political corruption in the state . Among the specific claims in the 75-page indictment are that Blagojevich schemed with others in 2002 , even before he took office , to use his position to make money , which they would split after he left office . Blagojevich is accused of denying state business to companies that would not hire his wife , extorting campaign contributions from a children 's hospital that was set to get state money and pressuring a racetrack executive to give political contributions before the governor signed a gambling bill . The indictment said that after Obama was elected president , Blagojevich began meeting with others to figure out a way he could make money from his position to appoint a replacement senator . It said Blagojevich asked others , including state employees , to contact people who may be interested in the seat , and that he believed an associate of someone referred to in the indictment as `` Senate Candidate A '' had offered $ 1.5 million in campaign contributions in exchange for the appointment . He had asked his brother to meet with an associate of `` Senate Candidate A '' and say that some of those contributions needed to come through before he made the appointment , but the meeting was canceled after a newspaper article reported that Blagojevich had been recorded talking about selling the seat . A lengthy FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps trying to profit from the Senate vacancy . The indictment said that Blagojevich communicated `` directly and with the assistance of others '' with people he believed were in contact with Obama , trying to gain political favor by possibly appointing someone the president-elect supported . He ultimately appointed a former state comptroller and attorney general , Roland Burris , who was seated in the Senate despite protests from the chamber 's Democratic leaders . Those leaders said a special election should be called because of the controversy over the appointment . `` The U.S. Attorney 's indictment serves to confirm the public 's long-standing distrust of former Gov. Blagojevich and his administration , and it underscores the culture of corruption that has afflicted our state for far too long , '' state Attorney General Lisa Madigan said in a written statement . `` While this is a terrible day in Illinois history , it is also a moment in which we can recognize an opportunity for real reform . '' Thursday 's charges supersede the ones filed in December . The Illinois House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in January to impeach Blagojevich , accusing him of abusing his gubernatorial power . Blagojevich faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the 15 most serious charges in the indictment , and five years on a single indictment of making false statements . The government also charges that Blagojevich has bought property with money he got illegally , and is going after homes he owns in Chicago and Washington . `` I would ask the good people of Illinois to wait for the trial and afford me the presumption of innocence that they would give to all their friends and neighbors , '' Blagojevich , who was vacationing with his family , said in the statement . In addition to the Blagojevich brothers and Harris , also charged in the indictments were businessman and fundraiser Christopher Kelly , 50 ; lobbyist and longtime Blagojevich associate Alonzo Monk , 50 ; and William F. Cellini Sr. , 74 , another businessman who raised money for Blagojevich .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A woman accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter and dumping her body in Galveston Bay in Texas has pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence in the case . Kimberly Dawn Trenor is scheduled to go on trial for murder next week in the death of her daughter . But Kimberly Dawn Trenor , 20 , pleaded not guilty to the capital murder charge , her lawyer said Wednesday . Trenor and her husband , Royce Clyde Zeigler II , 25 , both were charged with tampering with evidence and capital murder in the case of Riley Ann Sawyer , whose body was found in a large blue plastic container on an uninhabited island in Galveston Bay , Texas , in October 2007 . The charge of tampering with evidence accused the couple of concealing the child 's remains . Trenor was arraigned Tuesday in Galveston , Texas , said her lawyer , Tom Stickler . Jury selection for her trial on the capital murder charge begins Wednesday . The trial will begin in earnest on January 27 , he said . The jury also will sentence Trenor on the evidence tampering charge , which carries a penalty of two to 20 years in prison , The Houston Chronicle reported . Zeigler , who is being tried separately , has not been formally arraigned , Stickler said . Both remain in jail . The Houston Chronicle reported bail had been set at $ 850,000 each . Riley Ann 's case garnered national headlines after a fisherman found her body on the island in the bay . Authorities were unsure of her identity , and police dubbed her '' Baby Grace . '' Police distributed composite sketches of the girl nationwide , and Sheryl Sawyers , the girl 's paternal grandmother , contacted police from her Ohio home to say the drawing resembled her granddaughter . DNA testing confirmed the child 's identity . According to an affidavit , Trenor told police Riley had been beaten and thrown across a room and that her head was held underwater before she died on July 24 , 2007 . She said the couple hid the girl 's body in a storage shed for one to two months before they put it in the plastic container and dumped it into the bay . A medical examiner said Riley 's skull was fractured in three places , injuries that would have been fatal . A cross has since been erected on the island where the child was found , which was named Riley 's Island in her honor , the Houston Chronicle reported . Trenor moved to Texas from Ohio with the girl in May 2007 to be with Zeigler , whom Trenor had met on the Internet . While in custody , Trenor gave birth this summer to another child , who is now in the care of relatives , Stickler said .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- She had many plans for the future : to go to college , start a career , meet the man of her dreams , raise a family -- when the time was right . Expert : `` There 's a big disconnect between pregnancy rates and what Latina families want and value . '' It was all cut off by an unexpected pregnancy . The baby became her life , consuming her energy and forcing her dreams to the back burner of her life . She is 19 or younger and Latina , and has had her first baby . It 's not what she wanted . Nor did her parents , who are the greatest influence on her decisions about sex , according to a wide-ranging survey released Tuesday by experts on the Hispanic community in the United States . The survey also found that 84 percent of Latino teens and 91 percent of Latino parents believe that graduating from college or university or having a promising career is the most important goal for a teen 's future . Somewhere along the way , the aspirations fail to match up to reality . The survey attempts to examine some of the reasons for the disparity and why Latinas now have the highest teen birth rate among all ethnic and racial groups in the United States . `` There 's a big disconnect between pregnancy rates and what Latina families want and value , '' said Ruthie Flores , senior manager of the National Campaign 's Latino Initiative . According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy , 53 percent of Latinas get pregnant in their teens , about twice the national average . After a period of decline , the birth rate for U.S. teenagers 15 to 19 years rose in 2007 by about 1 percent , to 42.5 births per 1,000 , according to preliminary data in a March 2009 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's National Center for Health Statistics . In 2007 , the birth rate among non-Hispanic whites ages 15 to 19 was 27.2 per 1,000 , and 64.3 per 1,000 for non-Hispanic black teens in the same age range . The teen birth rate among Hispanic teens ages 15 to 19 was 81.7 per 1,000 . Of the 759 Latino teens surveyed , 49 percent said their parents most influenced their decisions about sex , compared with 14 percent who cited friends . Three percent cited religious leaders , 2 percent teachers and 2 percent the media . Watch more on the survey results '' Three-quarters of Latino teens said their parents have talked to them about sex and relationships , but only half said their parents discussed contraception . The survey also found that : \u2022 74 percent of Latino teens believe that parents send one message about sex to their sons and a different message altogether to their daughters , possibly related to the Latino value of machismo . \u2022 Latino teens believe that the most common reason teens do not use contraception is that they are afraid their parents might find out . \u2022 72 percent of sexually experienced teens say they wish they had waited . \u2022 34 percent of Latino teens believe that being a teen parent would prevent them from reaching their goals , but 47 percent say being a teen parent would simply delay them from reaching their goals . \u2022 76 percent said it is important to be married before starting a family . Flores said it is crucial to understand the beliefs and attitudes that influence teen behavior in order to reduce the high rates of Hispanic teen pregnancy . The survey , co-sponsored by the Hispanic advocacy group National Council of La Raza , was an attempt to to do just that . She said that despite a rich culture and the growing influence of Hispanics in America , the Latino community disproportionately suffers from troubling social indicators . Consider that fewer than six in 10 Latino adults in the United States have a high school diploma . Latino teens are more likely to drop out than their non-Hispanic counterparts , and of all the children living in poverty , 30 percent are Latino . `` Teen pregnancy is not an isolated issue , '' Flores said . `` It 's related to poverty , to dropout rates . That 's going to have an impact on our national as a whole . '' Flores said 69 percent of Latino teen moms drop out of high school , and the children of teen mothers are less likely to do well in school themselves and often repeat grades . `` That has a big economic impact , '' Flores said . It 's an impact that is sure to be noticed . The nation 's 45 million Latinos constitute the largest minority group in the United States with a growth rate twice that of the general population . That means by 2025 , one-quarter of all American teens will be Latinos .","question":""}
{"answer":"SAN JUAN , Puerto Rico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sen. Hillary Clinton claimed victory in Puerto Rico on Sunday and insisted that she is leading Sen. Barack Obama in the popular vote . Clinton won 68 percent of the vote compared with Obama 's 32 percent . Her vote tally was 263,120 ; his was 121,458 . The win gives Clinton the larger share of Puerto Rico 's 55 delegates . The Democratic primary season ends Tuesday when Montana and South Dakota cast their votes . `` When the voting concludes on Tuesday , neither Sen. Obama nor I will have the number of delegates to be the nominee , '' she said in San Juan , Puerto Rico . `` I will lead the popular vote ; he will maintain a slight lead in the delegate count , '' she said . Obama leads in the overall delegate count -- 2,070 to Clinton 's 1,915 . CNN analysts weigh in on Clinton 's next steps '' A candidate needs 2,118 to claim the Democratic nomination . The Clinton campaign has been focusing on the popular vote as it tries to convince superdelegates to pick her instead of Obama . The superdelegates are a group of about 800 party leaders and officials who vote at the convention for the candidate of their choice . But the popular vote count is debatable . If all the primary results including Florida and Michigan are counted , but not the caucus votes , Clinton leads in the popular vote 17,461,845 to Obama 's 17,244,762 , according to CNN estimates . That number includes giving Obama all the `` uncommitted '' votes from Michigan . Florida and Michigan were stripped of their delegates for scheduling their primaries too early . Clinton won both states , but Obama 's name was not even on the ballot in Michigan . The Democratic National Committee decided Saturday to reinstate all of Florida and Michigan 's delegates to the national convention , with each delegate getting a half-vote to penalize the two states for holding their primaries earlier than party rules allowed . The DNC 's Rules and Bylaws Committee 's move gave Clinton 87 delegates and Obama 63 . In a second scenario , which adds in CNN 's estimate of the caucus-goers , Obama leads Clinton 17,928,000 to 17,843,000 . And in a third scenario , which includes all of the caucuses but does not give Obama Michigan 's `` uncommitted '' vote , Clinton leads 17,873,000 to 17,703,000 . Obama campaign spokesman Robert Gibbs expressed confidence that Obama would clinch the nomination in the coming days . `` If not Tuesday , I think it will be fairly soon , '' he said Sunday on ABC 's `` This Week . '' `` We hope this week , absolutely , '' he added . At a campaign stop in Mitchell , South Dakota , Obama congratulated Clinton for her win Sunday and praised her for being an `` outstanding public servant . '' `` She is going to be a great asset when we go into November to make sure that we defeat the Republicans , '' he said . Watch Obama rally in South Dakota '' As Clinton tries to win over the undecided superdelegates , she argued Sunday that she would be the stronger candidate to face Republican John McCain in the fall . `` In the final assessment , I ask you to consider these questions : Which candidate best represents the will of the people who voted in this historic primary ? Which candidate is best able to lead us to victory in November ? And which candidate is best able to lead our nation as our president in the face of unprecedented challenges at home and abroad ? '' In the Puerto Rico primary , Clinton swept Obama in every major demographic group , including groups Obama generally wins , such as younger voters and higher-income voters , according to CNN 's exit polls . CNN estimated turnout to be between 325,000 and 425,000 . `` Most people in Puerto Rico , I would venture to guess , they are not even aware that there 's a primary going on , '' said Luis Pab\u00f3n-Roca , a local political analyst . Part of the reason for the lack of interest , he said , is because voters feel the primary is n't meaningful since Puerto Ricans can not vote in the general election . The Democratic and Republican parties run the primaries and caucuses , and they allow U.S. territories , such as the commonwealth of Puerto Rico , to take part in the process . But only the 50 states and the District of Columbia vote in the general election . CNN 's Juan Carlos Lopez , Willie Lora , Bill Schneider , Xuan Thai and Jessica Yellin contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"London -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- British government ministers secretly advised Libya on how to get convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi released from a life sentence in a Scottish prison , American documents published by WikiLeaks allege . A Foreign Office official explained to the Libyans how to apply for compassionate release for Megrahi after he was diagnosed with cancer , according to an October 2008 U.S. Embassy cable newly published by WikiLeaks . The British government believed Scotland would be inclined to grant the bomber compassionate release , the cable says . Megrahi , the only person convicted in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 , which killed 270 , was released in 2009 . He is now living in Libya . Then-Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell wrote to Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Abdulati al-Obeidi in October 2008 to explain how to apply for compassionate release , a British official told the U.S. Embassy in London , the cable says . The Foreign Office in London and the office of Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond in Edinburgh did not respond immediately to CNN requests for comment . The British government has always said it was not its decision whether or not to release Megrahi , but that of the Scottish authorities because the bomber was imprisoned in Scotland . Scotland has some control over its own affairs , including justice , but London runs British foreign policy . Some American senators , led by New Jersey Democrat Robert Menendez , have been furious about Megrahi 's release . They said in a report in December that his medical condition did not justify setting him free . The leaked U.S. Embassy cable says Megrahi had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer and that the average life expectancy for someone with his condition was 18 months to two years . It noted that he could have as long as five years to live . The October 2008 American cable is broadly consistent with hundreds of documents about the case declassified by Scotland after Megrahi was released in August 2009 . Those documents and American diplomatic cables published earlier by WikiLeaks show that Libya was determined to win the release of Megrahi , warning London that it would react badly if the bomber died in jail . The British have consistently denied that commercial considerations -- such as oil giant BP 's desire to drill in Libya -- played a role in Megrahi 's release .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Manager Jose Mourinho was sent off as Italian leaders Inter Milan crashed to a 2-1 defeat at title hopefuls Juventus on Saturday night . Second-placed AC Milan are now four points adrift of their city rivals after a 3-0 home crushing of Sampdoria , who remained in fifth . Ten-man Juve went third , five points behind Inter , after ending the defending champions ' eight-match unbeaten run in Serie A. Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo was credited with the 20th-minute opening goal in Turin as he deflected in a free-kick from compatriot Diego , and Mourinho was ordered from the dugout following his protestations about the foul being awarded in the first place . Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o leveled six minutes later with a header from Dejan Stankovic 's cross , but new Italy international Claudio Marchisio gave the home side victory in the 58th minute after goalkeeper Julio Cesar blocked a shot by midfielder Mohamed Sissoko . Melo was sent off with three minutes left for his second yellow card after aiming an elbow at Mario Balotelli , who was also booked for his theatrical reaction . The defeat was a blow to Inter 's confidence ahead of Wednesday 's Champions League showdown with Russia 's Rubin Kazan at the San Siro , with the winner earning a place in the knockout stages . AC Milan scored all three goals in the first half as striker Marco Borriello , who used to play for Sampdoria 's city rivals Genoa , headed the opener in the first minute from Ronaldinho 's cross . The Brazilian was in fine form , and also set up the second goal for Clarence Seedorf in the 21st minute as he threaded a neat pass to the veteran Dutch midfielder . Ronaldinho 's compatriot Alexandre Pato made it 3-0 just two minutes later with his seventh goal of the season , netting at the second attempt after goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi blocked his initial effort following a header on by Borriello . It was Milan 's fifth successive victory , with coach Leonardo taking Ronaldinho off at halftime as a precaution due to a slight knee problem ahead of Tuesday 's Champions League trip to FC Zurich , which will determine whether the Rossoneri qualify for the knockout stages . Sampdoria slumped to a third defeat in a week , having been knocked out of the Italian Cup by lowly Livorno in midweek following the embarrassing 3-0 derby defeat to Genoa last weekend .","question":""}
{"answer":"LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The woman allegedly assaulted by singer Chris Brown in Hollywood early Sunday was his girlfriend , singer Rihanna , according to sources close to the couple . Chris Brown attends a party saluting music producer Clive Davis in Beverly Hills , California , on Saturday . While Los Angeles Police have a policy against identifying alleged domestic violence victims , two people who know both Brown and Rihanna confirmed she was the woman police said had `` suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker . '' Brown , 19 , turned himself in to police Sunday night after police said they were looking for him . He was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats . Brown was later released on a $ 50,000 bond and given a March 5 court date . `` Detectives investigating the alleged domestic violence felony battery booked him for criminal threats , '' a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department said . `` At the time the case is presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney 's office , additional charges may be filed . '' Brown , nominated for two Grammy Awards , was scheduled to perform at the show . His girlfriend , singer Rihanna , abruptly canceled her planned Grammys performance , but neither her spokesman nor the show organizers gave a reason . `` Rihanna is well , '' her spokesman said in a written statement . `` Thank you for concern and support . '' Watch the latest developments in the case '' Brown , 19 , and Rihanna , 20 , were seen together Saturday night at a pre-Grammys dinner at the Beverly Hills Hilton , about five miles from where police said the alleged incident happened at 12:30 a.m. Sunday . The police statement said Brown and a woman were in a vehicle near Hollywood 's Hancock Park when `` they became involved in an argument . '' `` After stopping his car , Brown and the woman got out and the argument escalated , '' police said . After receiving a 911 call at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday , officers found the woman at the scene of the alleged fight , but Brown had left , the department said . Investigators were treating the incident as a possible felony battery case , police said . Executives with Brown 's record label at the Grammy Awards told CNN they knew nothing about the incident and declined further comment . Brown was nominated for two Grammys this year , including in the best male R&B vocal performance category for his song `` Take You Down . '' He also shares a best pop collaboration with vocals nomination with Jordin Sparks for `` No Air . '' The introduction to the CBS broadcast of the Grammys , apparently pretaped , listed both Brown and Rihanna as performers .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill commemorating Harvey Milk , the first openly gay politician elected to public office in the state , a spokesman for the governor said Monday . Stuart Milk , nephew of Harvey Milk , sits next to a photo of the gay rights activist in March . `` He really saw this signing as a way to honor the gay community in California , '' spokesman Aaron McLear told CNN in a telephone interview . Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill last year , saying he believed Milk should be recognized at the local level . But since then , `` Milk has become much more of a symbol of the gay community , '' McLear said , citing the eponymous movie starring Sean Penn , Milk 's posthumous receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and his induction into the California Hall of Fame . Milk served briefly as San Francisco 's supervisor before he and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated in 1978 by Dan White , a city supervisor who had recently resigned but wanted his job back . Under the measure , the governor each year would proclaim May 22 -- Milk 's birthday -- as a day of significance across the state . The bill was one of 704 signed Sunday -- most of them near the midnight deadline -- by Schwarzenegger , said spokesman Aaron McLear . The legislation passed the state Senate in May and the state Assembly last month . The legislation has been divisive , with the governor 's office receiving more than 100,000 phone calls and e-mails , most of them in opposition , spokeswoman Andrea McCarthy said last month . But she added that most of the Twitter posts the governor received were in favor of the bill . Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill last year , saying he believed Milk should be recognized at the local level . Milk was a `` unique '' historical figure who led a civil rights movement and then was `` assassinated in his public office for being who he was , '' State Sen. Mark Leno , a Democrat , told CNN last month . The day of significance would not close schools or state offices , according to its text . However , Randy Thomasson , the president of SaveCalifornia.com , said the bill was vague and could allow for a number of things at schools , including gay pride parades or `` mock gay weddings . '' `` Harvey Milk was a terrible role model for children , '' said Thomasson , whose organization opposed the bill . `` The reality is Harvey Milk is a hero to so many people and a great role model , '' said Geoff Kors , executive director of Equality California , the group that backed the bill introduced by Leno . `` It 's very appropriate that the state he worked in and passed the first gay rights bill in the country should honor him . '' He said the bill marks the first time any state has officially honored an openly gay person . Leno said that claims that the bill would lead to schools holding gay-pride parades and similar activities were `` hyperbole . '' The bill `` mandates nothing , '' he said , although it `` affords an educational opportunity . '' President Obama posthumously honored Milk with a Presidential Medal of Freedom this year , and Sean Penn portrayed him in the 2008 film `` Milk , '' for which he received an Oscar for best actor .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Florida man arrested with his wife on anabolic steroid possession charges claimed to have sold steroids to professional hockey and baseball players in the District of Columbia , but the National Hockey League and Washington Capitals said Wednesday they doubted the allegation . Richard Thomas and his wife , Sandra , were arrested Tuesday night at their home in Lakeland , Florida . Richard Thomas , 35 , told officers he sold the steroids to unidentified players on the NHL 's Capitals and the Washington Nationals of baseball 's National League , said Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County , Florida . `` Richard Thomas told us that he sold steroids to ballplayers on those teams , '' Judd said after the arrests late Tuesday night . `` Now , is that one ballplayer to two ballplayers ? We do n't know . '' NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league would investigate the claim , but added that the Washington Capitals `` have no knowledge of any aspect of this allegation . '' `` Capitals players were subjected to no-notice testing five separate times over the past two seasons pursuant to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and there was no indication of any improper conduct or wrongdoing , '' Daly said in a statement issued Wednesday . A separate statement by Capitals president Dick Patrick said the team had `` no reason to believe there is any merit to this story , '' but would fully cooperate with the NHL 's investigation . MLB.com , the Web site of Major League Baseball , reported Wednesday that the league would look into the allegation involving the Washington Nationals . The report posted on the Web site of the Washington Nationals quoted Nationals president Stan Kasten as saying the team knew nothing about the steroids claim , and that the league was handling it . Thomas and his wife , Sandra , 49 , were arrested Tuesday night at their home in Lakeland , Florida , on 21 counts of possession of anabolic steroids , importation of anabolic steroids and maintaining a residence for drug sales , Judd said . He said the couple has been charged with 10 counts of steroid possession with intent to distribute , 10 counts of importing the drugs and one count of maintaining a residence for drug sales . According to Judd , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Philadelphia received information that the Florida couple would be receiving a shipment of steroids . Judd 's office then obtained a search warrant for the Lakeland home , where officers found steroids from points outside the United States , including Iran , he said . The arrest report says Richard Thomas told officers he was `` the biggest steroids dealer in central Florida . '' Bond for Richard and Sandra Thomas was set at $ 215,000 each , said Carrie Eleazer , spokeswoman for the Polk County Sheriff 's Office , and Sandra Thomas was released on bail Wednesday afternoon . The two are scheduled to make an initial court appearance Thursday . CNN 's John Couwels contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Los Angeles , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Corey Haim 's death is linked to an `` illegal and massive prescription-drug ring , '' California Attorney General Jerry Brown said Friday . Brown 's office is investigating `` an unauthorized prescription under the former child star 's name that was found during an ongoing investigation of fraudulent prescription-drug pads ordered from a vendor in San Diego . '' `` These prescriptions are very recent , and it involves Oxycontin and we 're not talking just 40 pills , more than that , '' Brown said in an interview Friday with CNN Radio . The announcement comes before the coroner has ruled on what killed Haim , the 1980s teen movie actor who struggled for decades with drug addiction . Haim , 38 , died early Wednesday after collapsing in the Los Angeles apartment he shared with his mother , authorities said . `` Corey Haim 's death is yet another tragedy linked to the growing problem of prescription-drug abuse , '' Brown said . `` This problem is increasingly linked to criminal organizations , like the illegal and massive prescription-drug ring under investigation . '' Brown said the ring uses stolen doctor 's identities to order prescription-drug pads that are used to write counterfeit prescriptions . `` The doctor whose name is printed on the form is usually unaware that his or her identity has been stolen for this purpose , '' Brown said . Haim got two powerful drugs from a pharmacy 11 days before his death , according to a source with knowledge of the transaction . His primary-care doctor did not know about the prescriptions and called the pharmacy two days later to find out what Haim had been given , the source said . Brown 's announcement did not specify whether any of the prescription drugs found in Haim 's apartment after his death were illegally obtained . Several prescription-drug bottles were taken from Haim 's apartment , Los Angeles County Deputy Coroner Ed Winter said Friday . Although the bottles indicated the drugs included Vicodin , Valium and Soma , no tests have been done to confirm what they are , he said . Haim had a prescription for the muscle relaxer Soma and the narcotic pain reliever Norco filled at a pharmacy on February 26 , a source with knowledge of the transaction said . Two days after Haim personally picked up the drugs , his primary-care doctor called the San Fernando Valley pharmacy to ask about the prescriptions , the source said . The doctor said that `` Haim was not feeling well '' and he needed to know what drugs had been prescribed for the actor , the source said . The source , who worked at the pharmacy , asked not to be identified because his employer had not authorized him to talk . Haim 's manager , Mark Heaslip , and close friend Corey Feldman both said Haim began seeing an addiction specialist two weeks before his death . Tiffany Shepis , who was engaged to be married to Haim last May , said on HLN 's `` Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell '' that he was taking large amounts of Valium and Vicodin during their yearlong relationship . `` You 're talking about a person that , at the time when I knew him , you know , was ingesting 40 some-odd pills a day , '' Shepis said . Although the autopsy showed Haim 's heart was enlarged and he had fluid in his lungs , the coroner 's chief investigator said a drug overdose has not been ruled out as the cause of the actor 's death . `` You can have somebody with an enlarged heart and some other medical conditions , but you do n't know if the actual cause of death is from illegal substances , medication or heart failure , '' Los Angeles County Deputy Coroner Ed Winter said Friday . Heaslip said the enlarged heart was evidence that Haim 's death was not caused by a drug overdose , but Winter disputed that . `` There were some preliminary findings and we agreed to let the mother know what those were , '' Winter said . `` It was explained to her that even though this is some preliminary findings that the doctor observed , there would n't be a final cause of death until the final toxicology tests are back . '' The cause of death may not be determined for another six weeks , Winter said . Feldman , a longtime friend and frequent co-star , asked Wednesday that people not `` jump the gun '' to conclude a drug overdose killed Haim . Heaslip , manager to both Feldman and Haim , said Haim had seemed to be winning his battle against drug abuse in the weeks before his death . Haim was `` weaned down to literally zero medications '' by an addiction specialist in the two weeks before his death , Heaslip said . The doctor `` put him on a new line of medications , '' Feldman said on CNN 's `` Larry King Live '' Wednesday . Haim 's death came as his career was picking up , with Haim booking `` movie after movie , '' Heaslip said . His latest film is set for release soon , he said . Haim 's most famous role was in the 1987 movie `` The Lost Boys , '' in which he appeared with Feldman . Haim played the role of a fresh-faced teenager whose brother becomes a vampire . In later years , the two friends , who appeared in eight movies together , struggled with drug abuse and went their separate ways . They reunited for a reality show , `` The Two Coreys , '' in 2007 , but A&E Network canceled the program after slightly more than a year . In a 2007 interview on CNN 's `` Larry King Live , '' Haim and Feldman discussed their battles with drugs . Feldman told King that he had gotten clean , but it took Haim longer . Haim called himself `` a chronic relapser for the rest of my life . '' `` I think I have an addiction to pretty much everything , '' he said . `` I mean , I have to be very careful with myself as far as that goes , which is why I have a support group around me consistently . '' Haim was born December 23 , 1971 , in Toronto , Ontario , according to a biography on his Web site . He made his first television appearance in 1982 on the Canadian series `` The Edison Twins . '' His first film role was in the 1984 American movie `` First Born . '' Haim also won rave reviews for his title role in the 1986 film `` Lucas . '' Film critic Roger Ebert said of him at the time , `` If he continues to act this well , he will never become a half-forgotten child star , but will continue to grow into an important actor . '' After `` The Lost Boys , '' Haim and Feldman appeared in `` License to Drive '' and `` Dream a Little Dream . '' CNN 's Brittany Kaplan and Jack Hannah contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A national campaign to inoculate tens of millions of Americans against H1N1 influenza began Monday , with health care workers in Indiana and Tennessee targeted as the first recipients , federal health authorities said . Health care workers in Indiana and Tennessee are among the first to receive the H1N1 vaccine Monday . `` I think the world has watched history unfold , '' Dr. Judy Monroe , Indiana 's state health commissioner , told reporters at Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis . Earlier Monday , the hospital received a shipment of 52 boxes -- each containing 100 pre-filled sprayers . `` This first 5,200 doses that came to Marion County is really just the tip of the iceberg , '' Monroe said . Health Director Virginia Caine said the shipment will be split among the county 's hospitals . A similar scene unfolded at LeBonheur Children 's Medical Center in Memphis , Tennessee , where three children have died from H1N1 , sometimes referred to as swine flu . Jennilyn Utkov , a spokeswoman for LeBonheur , said the hospital received about 100 doses . By noon , the supply had been depleted . The vaccines shipped to both sites and to a few other places around the nation are the first of some 195 million doses the U.S. government has purchased from five vaccine manufacturers , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's Dr. Jay Butler told reporters at the Indianapolis event . That number includes both spray and injectable forms . Butler , who heads the agency 's 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Task Force , has promised there will be enough for anyone who wants it . Butler said vaccine makers will ship 10 million to 20 million doses per week over the next couple of months . `` Is that fast enough ? '' he asked . `` No , but it 's what 's feasible . It 's what can be done . '' Monroe predicted that an ample supply of the injectable form will be available by mid-October . Last week , the CDC said it had received reports of 60 deaths of children related to H1N1 flu since April ; 11 of those deaths were reported last week alone . From August 30 until September 26 , the agency tallied 16,174 hospitalizations nationwide and 1,379 deaths associated with influenza virus infection . iReport.com : How should H1N1 be handled ? The 27 states reporting widespread flu activity are Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Delaware , Florida , Georgia , Illinois , Indiana , Kansas , Kentucky , Louisiana , Maryland , Minnesota , Mississippi , New Mexico , North Carolina , Ohio , Oklahoma , Pennsylvania , Texas , Tennessee , Virginia , Washington and Wyoming . Track the H1N1 virus '' Nearly all of the viruses identified so far are H1N1 , the agency said in a posting on its Web site . `` These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine '' and remain susceptible to antiviral drugs `` with rare exception , '' it added . Those who are at the highest risk of getting seriously ill -- pregnant women , children , young adults and people with chronic lung disease , heart disease or diabetes -- should be among the first to get vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus , health officials have said . Understanding the H1N1 virus '' According to a CNN\/Opinion Corp. poll in late August , two-thirds of Americans said they plan to be vaccinated against H1N1 flu . Health care workers may not necessarily be foremost among them . In the past , about 40 percent of health care workers have opted to be vaccinated against the flu , according to the CDC . Health officials also have recommended people reduce their chances of getting sick by washing their hands frequently , sneezing into a tissue or sleeve rather than into one 's hand and staying home when sick . More than 340,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1 and more than 4,100 deaths have been reported to the World Health Organization . Many countries -- including the United States -- have stopped counting cases , particularly of milder illness , meaning that the true number is likely much higher .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When Albert Budacz was young , he prided himself on having good eyesight ; he never wore glasses . But as he eased into his late 40s , he could n't see as well . `` I noticed a change in my vision , '' he explained . `` Primarily in church when I would open a Bible , or something like that , I had to position myself under a light to see it . '' Ophthalmologist Dr. Sharon Solomon examined Albert Budacz and found age-related macular degeneration . Concerned that he was beginning to lose his sight , Budacz went to his ophthalmologist , Dr. Sharon Solomon with the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins . He was found to have the beginnings macular degeneration , an eye condition that occurs when the central portion of the retina -- called the macula -- begins to deteriorate . Until recently , people with age-related macular degeneration , the leading cause of severe vision loss in Americans older than 60 , had few treatment options . But now , thanks to new research and advancing technology , there are more vision-saving choices . Early signs of macular degeneration-related vision loss include shadowy areas or fuzzy distortion in a person 's central vision . `` A patient told me recently that he noticed when he was driving that the streetlights were slanted ; the poles themselves were slanted , '' Solomon said . `` That 's a classic sign of the beginning of this disease . '' Although obesity , smoking , high blood pressure and certain drugs can cause it , age is the primary risk factor . `` As people approach their 50s and later , they may have little yellow deposits that develop underneath the retina , and that 's called drusen , '' Solomon explained . `` Those deposits are the hallmark of what we call early age-related macular degeneration . '' There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration , or AMD : the dry form , known as non-neovascular , and the wet form , called neovascular . The dry form , which Budacz has , is more common . According to the National Eye Institute , about 85 to 90 percent of patients with advanced macular degeneration have the dry form . Dry macular degeneration is caused when drusen begin to accumulate in and around the macula . Drusen , those yellowish deposits , are debris from deteriorating tissue . With dry AMD , there is usually a gradual loss of central vision . Over a period of years , dry AMD can progress to a gradual deterioration of retinal cells , which can result in severe vision loss or lead to the wet version of AMD . As of now , there is no FDA-approved treatment for dry macular degeneration , although a few drugs and devices are in clinical trials . Health Minute : Watch more on new therapies for macular degeneration '' However , studies have shown that supplements and a healthy diet can slow the progression of dry macular degeneration . A recent National Eye Institute study found that certain nutrients such as beta carotene -LRB- vitamin A -RRB- and vitamins C and E may reduce the risk of progression of early-stage AMD by 25 percent . Solomon says these antioxidants have a positive effect . `` They 're known as ` preservision , ' '' she said , noting that they are commonly given to certain patient groups to slow their progression to advanced macular degeneration . Other research has shown that B6 , B12 and folic acid may help prevent age-related macular degeneration . In a study of more than 5,000 women , researchers noted those who took a combination of B6 and B12 vitamins along with a folic acid supplement had a 34 percent lower risk of developing AMD then those taking a placebo . Although the studies showed strong results , the American Academy of Ophthalmology cautions patients to talk to their eye doctors about which supplements are best for their condition before they start popping vitamins . In the wet version of macular degeneration , abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid . This leakage causes permanent damage to light-sensitive retinal cells , which die off and create blind spots in central vision . Doctors say it 's the body 's misguided way of attempting to supply the retina with more nutrients and oxygen . Instead , the attempt creates scarring , leading to severe central vision loss . Up until recently , there 's been very little doctors could do for the wet form of macular degeneration . But over the past decade , there have been a few treatments developed to slow its progression . Cold lasers are now used to freeze the abnormal blood vessels responsible for destroying the macula ; they have a 60 percent success rate . And within the past three years , researchers pinpointed a protein in the eye , called vascular endothelial growth factor , that stimulates the development of blood vessels . Injectable drugs that inhibit VEGF are now FDA-approved and available ; without VEGF , there is little to encourage the growth of blood vessels in the retina . `` They actually have a 90 percent chance of stabilizing vision and a 30 to 40 percent chance of improving vision , '' Solomon said . `` This is the first therapy that we 've had that can actually -LSB- reverse -RSB- vision loss . '' Most ophthalmologists prefer an ounce of prevention to a pound of cure . They promote yearly eye exams as the easiest way to keep macular degeneration in check -- and warn against waiting for a crisis to schedule a checkup . `` We typically pick up a patient when , all of a sudden , they 've had an acute , abrupt loss of vision or change in the quality of their vision , '' Solomon said . `` And sometimes it 's too late . '' Albert Budacz was lucky . He caught his macular degeneration in time . He 's stopped smoking and takes antioxidants to slow the progression of the disease . And although he may not have the eyesight he had as a young man , he can still see pretty well with or without glasses . And to him , that 's all that matters .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and members of the Sex Pistols have led tributes to the band 's former manager Malcolm McLaren who died of cancer on Thursday aged 64 . As manager of the Sex Pistols and owner , with his then-lover Westwood , of the Sex boutique in London during the mid-1970s , McLaren was considered one of the pioneers of the punk movement . `` When we were young and I fell in love with Malcolm , I thought he was beautiful and I still do , '' Vivienne Westwood said in a written statement . Westwood 's son with McLaren , Joe Corre , her other son , Ben Westwood , and McLaren 's girlfriend , Young Kim , were with him when he died in Switzerland after a battle with mesothelioma . `` I thought he is a very charismatic , special and talented person . The thought of him dead is really something very sad , '' said Westwood . The lead singer of the Sex Pistols , John Lydon , better known as Johnny Rotten , also paid tribute to the band 's former manager . `` For me , Malc was always entertaining , and I hope you remember that , '' Lydon said . `` Above all else , he was an entertainer , and I will miss him , and so should you . '' McLaren and the Sex Pistols had a turbulent relationship during the band 's brief , spectacular and controversial career . Originally known as the Strand , McLaren drafted in Lydon as lead singer and renamed the band the Sex Pistols . Lydon had been spotted wearing a Pink Floyd T-shirt with the words `` I hate '' added to it . The Sex Pistols ' raucous public appearances and raging lyrics on songs like `` Anarchy in the UK '' and the sneering `` God Save the Queen '' -- which became a hit despite the BBC 's refusal to play it -- made the band notorious on both sides of the Atlantic by 1977 . The Sex Pistols broke up in 1978 after one studio album , in large part because of a feud between McLaren and Rotten , who walked off stage at the end of the band 's last show declaring , `` Ever get the feeling you 've been cheated ? '' The band 's surviving members have regrouped for periodic tours since 1996 , but its official Web site still refers to McLaren as its '' -LRB- mis -RRB- manager . '' McLaren went on to assemble the pop act Bow Wow Wow and record several albums of his own in the 1980s and '90s . CNN 's Stephanie Halasz and Todd Leopold contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor said Monday that her hotly disputed judicial philosophy is , in fact , quite simple : Remain faithful to the law . Judge Sonia Sotomayor speaks Monday to the Senate panel considering her nomination to the Supreme Court . `` In the past month , many senators have asked me about my judicial philosophy , '' Sotomayor told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee during her opening statement at her confirmation hearings . `` It is simple : fidelity to the law . The task of a judge is not to make law , it is to apply the law . And it is clear , I believe , that my record ... reflects my rigorous commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to its terms , interpreting statutes according to their terms and Congress 's intent and hewing faithfully to precedents established by the Supreme Court and by my Circuit Court . In each case I have heard , I have applied the law to the facts at hand . '' Sotomayor said the `` process of judging is enhanced when the arguments and concerns of the parties to the litigation are understood and acknowledged . '' That , she noted , `` is why I generally structure my opinions by setting out what the law requires and then explaining why a contrary position , sympathetic or not , is accepted or rejected . That is how I seek to strengthen both the rule of law and faith in the impartiality of our judicial system . '' Watch Sotomayor talk about her judicial philosophy '' Sotomayor argued that her `` personal and professional experiences help -LSB- her -RSB- listen and understand , with the law always commanding the result in every case . '' Watch Sotomayor 's remarks to the Senators '' Some of Sotomayor 's critics have argued that she has allowed her rulings to be swayed by factors such as ethnicity and race . Sotomayor , a federal appellate judge , would be the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court if her nomination is approved by the Judiciary Committee and the full Senate . She would be the 111th person to sit on the nation 's highest court , and the third woman justice . Watch Sotomayor take the oath '' Sotomayor , her foot in a cast from breaking her ankle a week after President Obama nominated her in May , sat impassively as senators detailed a deep divide between majority Democrats and minority Republicans on whether she is the best choice to fill the vacancy left by Justice David Souter 's retirement . In an emotional moment in the beginning of her remarks , Sotomayor singled out her mother , who attended the hearing . `` I am here today because of her aspirations and sacrifices , '' she said . `` Mom , I love that we are sharing this together . '' Watch Sotomayor credit her mother '' The first Supreme Court confirmation hearing of the Obama presidency began Monday with leading Democrats and Republicans signaling a fierce ideological debate over Sotomayor 's qualifications to sit on the high court . It attracted a packed gallery and was disrupted three times by protesters shouting anti-abortion sentiments . Democrats praised Sotomayor 's extensive experience as a judge , which they called the most by any Supreme Court nominee in a century . They insisted her record showed she has been a modest jurist who consistently applied the rule of law . `` Judge Sotomayor 's journey to this hearing room is a truly American story , '' committee Chairman Patrick Leahy , D-Vermont , said after gaveling the first session to order . `` Let no one demean this extraordinary woman . '' Leahy also ripped conservative `` ideological pressure groups '' for `` distorting '' Sotomayor 's record and opposing a woman who `` will be a justice for all Americans . '' He noted she was first nominated to the federal bench by a Republican president , George H.W. Bush . Watch Leahy praise Sotomayor '' However , Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama , the committee 's ranking Republican , said Sotomayor represents the kind of activist judge that threatens the traditional foundation of the U.S. legal system . Sessions , a former attorney general in his home state , challenged the attribute of empathy cited by President Obama in nominating Sotomayor . `` Call it empathy , call it prejudice , call it sympathy -- whatever it is , it is not law , '' Sessions said . iReport.com : Share your thoughts on the Sotomayor hearings In particular , Sessions quoted Sotomayor from past speeches in which she said a wise Latina woman should be able to reach a better ruling than a white man , saying it showed an inherent bias . `` I want to be clear : I will not vote for and no senator should vote for an individual nominated by any president who is not fully committed to fairness and impartiality toward every person who appears before them , '' Sessions said . Watch Sessions call Sotomayor nomination `` critical '' '' Other Republicans conceded that Sotomayor was likely to win confirmation because Democrats hold a majority in both the Judiciary Committee and the full Senate , but questioned whether her judicial philosophy was for activism or applying the rule of law . `` Unless you have a complete meltdown , you 're going to get confirmed , '' Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-South Carolina , said . He described Sotomayor as `` someone of good character , '' but he questioned her `` wise Latina '' comment as a possible indication of bias based on gender or race . Watch Graham tell Sotomayor Republicans are `` unnerved '' by her speeches '' `` If I said anything remotely like that , my career would have been over , '' Graham said , adding that `` it just bothers me when somebody wearing a robe takes the robe off and says their experience makes them better than someone else . '' Democrats called such concern unjustified , saying Sotomayor 's record showed she was fair in applying the law as written . Read about some of Sotomayor 's key rulings '' `` I 'm not sure how many of this panel can sit here today and seriously suggest that she comes to the bench with a personal agenda , '' said Sen. Charles Schumer of New York , noting her history showed no pattern of favoritism or bias for anyone . Other Democrats complained that Chief Justice John Roberts , nominated by Republican President George W. Bush in 2005 , has been a conservative activist on the Supreme Court . Find out how Sotomayor compares to current justices '' Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse , D-Rhode Island , quoted CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin 's statement that `` in every major case since he became the nation 's 17th chief justice , Roberts has sided with the prosecution over the defendant , the state over the condemned , the executive branch over the legislative and the corporate defendant over the individual plaintiff . '' `` And is it a coincidence that this pattern , to continue Toobin 's quote , has served the interests and reflected the values of the contemporary Republican Party ? '' Whitehouse said . `` Some coincidence . '' Three brief outbursts occurred as different Democratic senators gave opening statements . In one , an unidentified man shouted : `` What about the unborn , senator ? Abortion is murder . Stop the genocide of unborn Latinos . '' Another , later in the session , repeatedly shouted : `` Abortion is murder . '' While the nation 's newest senator , Al Franken of Minnesota , made his inaugural committee statement , a woman and man shouted `` you 're wrong '' at his reference to a woman 's reproductive health and rights . The woman , Norma McCorvey , is better known as `` Jane Roe '' from the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade . McCorvey , once a supporter of abortion rights , was the lead plaintiff in the 1973 ruling establishing a constitutional right to abortion . In all three cases , Leahy immediately ordered the protesters removed from the hearing room . Watch protester disrupt hearing '' If history is a guide , Sotomayor appears certain to get Senate approval with mostly Democratic support . When she won Senate confirmation for the federal appellate court in 1998 , there were 29 `` no '' votes , all cast by Republicans . CNN 's William Mears and Peter Hamby contributed to this story","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- AOL Autos -RRB- -- Consumer Reports recently announced its annual used cars ratings , and we were n't surprised to see one of the major categories was `` Best in Fuel Economy . '' With gasoline and oil prices on a seemingly endless upward spiral , that 's a key factor these days when choosing a used car -- or even a new one . The cars that made this list were , according to Consumer Reports , `` the affordable and reliable vehicles -LSB- that -RSB- returned some of the best results in our real-world fuel-economy tests . '' What follows is a list of the vehicles that magazine rated `` Best in Fuel Economy '' in the under $ 10,000 price range , with a short description of each vehicle . The mileage figures stated are the ones calculated by Consumer Reports in their own on-the-road tests . 2000 Honda Insight Overall MPG : 51 When the Insight hit showrooms in 1999 for the 2000 model year , it was hailed as one of the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicles in the world . It was the first gasoline-electric hybrid to be sold in the U.S. , and won several design , engineering and technology awards . The Insight employs Honda 's Integrated Motor Assist -LRB- IMA -RRB- system , combining an extremely lightweight 1.0-liter , three-cylinder gasoline automobile engine with an ultra-thin electric motor . Early models came with a 5-speed manual transmission , but a continuously variable transmission -LRB- CVT -RRB- was offered starting in ' 01 . 2001 - 2002 Toyota Prius Overall MPG : 41 This was one of the earliest generations of the fuel-sipping Prius , and it certainly has become a green living icon since then . Drawing its power from a combination of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor , these earlier editions generated only 70 hp , but muscle is n't the point in a hybrid car . It 's pod-like design had a certain retro-futuristic appeal , and was roomier than one might think . 2000 - 2005 Toyota Echo Overall MPG : 38 The Echo was rolled out in 2000 as a no-frills compact econo-box , for those who wanted Toyota quality but were on a budget that precluded them from snagging a Corolla . The interior is plain , but the engine is reliable and efficient , and the taut suspension delivers a ride comparable to larger models . This version of the Echo comes with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder 108-hp 16-Valve EFI engine . 1998 - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm Overall MPG : 32 The Prizm of this era bore some resemblance to the Corolla , since both were built on the same assembly line in a joint GM\/Toyota plant . A front-wheel-drive subcompact sedan , the Prizm was initially rolled out under the Geo nameplate , but later became a Chevy model . Available as a base model and LSi , the Prizm is powered by single twin-cam four-cylinder engines that produced 120 hp in 1998 and 1999 , but the addition of VVT in 2000 boosted the ponies to 125 . 1998 Mazda Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 LX Overall MPG : 32 Mazda redesigned the Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 in 1995 , upgrading it considerably with a more rigid chassis and much-improved ride quality -- not to mention increased interior space . This edition also offers a silkier ride , crisp handling and solid performance for a small car . This model year has a 92-hp 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine , and comes in three trim levels . 1998 - 2000 Toyota Corolla CE\/LE Overall MPG : 32\/31 The Corolla has been a stalwart for more than 40 years , for its quality , dependability and , maybe most importantly , for its fuel economy . The 1998-1999 editions are powered by a 1.8 L , 120-hp , four-cylinder 16-Valve EFI , with aluminum alloy block and head . By 2000 , they 'd tweaked the engine to deliver 125 ponies . A front-wheel drive job , the Corollas of this period come in three trim levels , but Consumer Reports chose the midline CE and top-end LE . 1998 - 2001 Acura Integra LS Overall MPG : 32 The Acura Integra sport coupe and sport sedan lineups have always been standard-bearers for innovative technology , craftsmanship , and exhilarating performance . It was the top-selling automobile in its segment from 1994 - 1998 . It is available on five sport-coupe trim levels and three sport - sedan trims . The Intergra LS came with a 1.8-liter , 140-hp engine , automatic transmission is optional . 2004 - 2005 Scion xA Overall MPG : 31\/30 The Scion xA 's body lines are rounder and more sculpted than the distinctly boxy shape of its xB cousin , but it 's just as well-constructed and just as comfy inside . Low maintenance costs are a big selling point , as is the taut ride . A 1.5-liter , 108-hp 16-valve four-cylinder comes standard on the 2004 - 2005 , along with a five-speed manual transmission , and an automatic transmission was optional .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- PEOPLE.com -RRB- -- They 're going for an even 20 ! Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar , stars of TLC 's `` 19 Kids and Counting , '' are expecting their 20th child this spring . `` We are so excited , '' says Michelle , 45 , who is now about three-and-a-half months into her pregnancy and due in April . `` I feel good . I am past the sickness stage now . '' The Tontitown , Ark. , couple , who are parents to children Joshua , 23 -LRB- who is married to Anna , 23 and has two children , Mackynzie , 2 and Michael , 4 months -RRB- , twins Jana and John-David , 21 ; Jill , 20 ; Jessa , 19 ; Jinger , 17 ; Joseph , 16 ; Josiah , 15 ; Joy-Anna , 14 ; twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah , 12 ; Jason , 11 ; James , 10 ; Justin , 8 ; Jackson , 7 ; Johanna , 6 ; Jennifer , 4 ; and Jordyn , 3 , weathered the medical emergency of their youngest daughter , Josie 's birth on Dec. 10 , 2009 . She was born following Michelle 's preeclampsia diagnosis at a mere 25 weeks , weighing only 1lb. , 6 oz . Josie 's medical drama -- and Michelle 's own fight for survival -- was documented throughout their TV series . Josie will turn 2 in December and is developing normally , without any longterm effects from her premature birth . `` It is a miracle . Josie is the most energetic , busy little almost-2-year-old , '' says Michelle . `` She is short , and yet she can keep up with the big girls and she thinks she is just as big as they are . We are amazed at what she can do . '' Questions About the Pregnancy Following Josie 's life-threatening arrival into the world , the Duggars understand that some might question their latest pregnancy . `` Michelle is probably in better health now than she was 10 years ago , '' says Jim Bob , 46 . `` She has been getting on an elliptical for about an hour a day and is very careful of what she eats . '' Michelle , who is under the care of a high-risk pregnancy doctor , says she is being cautious , eating a lot of protein and green vegetables and abstaining from caffeine . Approximately 10 to 15 percent of women have preeclampsia -- Michelle had it with her second pregnancy -- and the condition can strike randomly . Women who have had it previously are at higher risk , however . `` We are just going to do the best we can , '' says Michelle . `` I am taking a nap every day , and we are just taking good care . '' Jim Bob agrees : `` If we had lived by fear after Michelle had preeclampsia after her second delivery , we would have missed out on all our wonderful blessings , '' he says . `` So many of her pregnancies have gone extremely well . '' One completely new aspect of this pregnancy ? Michelle will have her very first scheduled Cesarean section since Josie 's premature birth required a special cut on the inside of her uterus . `` I 've never had a planned C-section , '' Michelle says . `` So this one will be different . '' Spreading the News Also different : how to tell 19 siblings that one more is on the way . Jim Bob gathered all the kids together for a family picture , but instead of telling them to say `` cheese , '' told them to say , `` Mom 's going to have another baby ! '' `` The kids were all asking , ` Are you joking or are you serious ? ' '' says Michelle . `` It was a big surprise . The little ones started jumping up and down when they realized he was serious . '' After hugs and high fives all around , the siblings are now debating the baby 's gender and name . The Duggars , who heard the baby 's heartbeat in a recent ultrasound , expect to find out whether they are having a boy or girl around Christmas . The Season 5 finale of `` 19 Kids and Counting '' airs 9 p.m. Tuesday on TLC . The special `` Duggars World Tour : Scotland & Ireland , '' showing a newly pregnant Michelle traveling to Europe with the whole family , premieres November 13 , at 8 p.m. on TLC . See the full article at PEOPLE.com . \u00a9 2011 People and Time Inc. . All rights reserved .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Josef Fritzl , the Austrian accused of keeping his daughter in a cellar for decades and fathering her seven children , will plead guilty to rape and incest when his trial opens Monday , Fritzl 's lawyer told CNN . Josef Fritzl is expected to plead guilty to rape and incest on Monday , his lawyer tells CNN . However , Fritzl will deny other charge he faces : murder , enslavement and assault , attorney Rudolph Mayer said Sunday . The 73-year-old expects to spend the rest of his life in prison , Mayer added . Fritzl faces six charges in a closed-door trial . The trial is scheduled to last five days , but Mayer said it could be shorter . Fritzl was charged in November with incest and the repeated rape of his daughter , Elisabeth , over a 24-year period . But he was also charged with the murder of one of the children he fathered with her , an infant who died soon after birth . State Prosecutor Gerhard Sedlacek said Michael Fritzl died from lack of medical care . In all , Fritzl is charged with : murder , involvement in slave trade -LRB- slavery -RRB- , rape , incest , assault and deprivation of liberty , Sedlacek 's office said . If convicted , he could face life in prison . Austria does not have the death penalty . `` This man obviously led a double life for 24 years . He had a wife and had seven kids with her . And then he had another family with his daughter , fathered another seven children with her , '' said Franz Polzer , a police officer in Amstetten , the town where Fritzl lived , at the time of his arrest . The case first came to light in April 2008 when Elisabeth 's daughter , Kerstin , became seriously ill with convulsions . Elisabeth persuaded her father to allow Kerstin , then 19 , to be taken to a hospital for treatment . Hospital staff became suspicious of the case and alerted police , who discovered the family members in the cellar . Fritzl confessed to police that he raped his daughter , kept her and their children in captivity and burned the body of the dead infant in an oven in the house . Elisabeth told police the infant was one of twins who died a few days after birth . When Elisabeth gained her freedom , she told police her father began sexually abusing her at age 11 . On August 8 , 1984 , she told police , her father enticed her into the basement , where he drugged her , put her in handcuffs and locked her in a room . Fritzl explained Elisabeth 's disappearance in 1984 by saying the girl , who was then 18 , had run away from home . He backed up the story with letters he forced Elisabeth to write . Elisabeth Fritzl and all but three of her children lived in the specially designed cellar beneath her father 's home in Amstetten , Austria , west of Vienna . The other three children lived upstairs with Fritzl and his wife ; Fritzl had left them on his own doorstep , pretending the missing Elisabeth had dropped them off . Under Austrian law , if Fritzl is convicted on several offenses , he will be given the sentence linked to the worst crime . The charges he faces are : \u2022 Murder : The infant who died in 1996 died from a lack of medical care , the state prosecutor said . The charge carries a sentence of life in prison . \u2022 Involvement in slave trade : From 1984 until 2008 , prosecutors allege , Fritzl held his daughter , Elisabeth , captive in a dungeon , abused her sexually and treated her as if she were his personal property -- in a situation similar to slavery . If he is convicted , the sentence could range from 10 to 20 years in prison . \u2022 Rape : Between August 30 , 1984 , and June 30 , 1989 , Fritzl `` regularly sexually abused Elisabeth , '' according to the prosecutor . The sentence could be from five to 15 years in prison . \u2022 Incest : Parallel to the rape charge . It carries a sentence of up to one year . \u2022 Withdrawal of liberty : Three of the children Fritzl had with Elisabeth were illegally held captive in a dungeon with no daylight or fresh air , according to prosecutors . That charge carries a sentence of one to 10 years . \u2022 Assault : Between August 28 , 1984 , and April 26 , 2006 , Fritzl repeatedly threatened Elisabeth and their three children with gas and booby traps as warnings in case they tried to escape , authorities allege . The sentence would range from six months to five years . CNN 's Frederik Pleitgen and Melissa Gray contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Southeast is among the areas of the United States with the highest concentration of cases of HIV and AIDS , according to a new online tool called the National HIV\/AIDS Atlas . In this map of AIDS prevalence rates in the Southeast , red represents the highest -LRB- 0.593 percent or greater -RRB- . AIDS experts in the region say that access to health care , especially when it comes to screening , is a major problem in rural communities . In the Southeast , people with HIV tend to get tested late , after they have become sick , partly because of stigma , said Kathie Hiers , executive director of AIDS Alabama in Birmingham . `` If you look at access to health care and almost any kind of health care report card , the South is the worst , '' she said . With little or no public transportation , people in non-metropolitan areas are at a disadvantage when they need to see a particular kind of doctor , experts say . There is also a shortage of doctors who deal with HIV in the region , Hiers said . These problems also resonate with Georgia 's rural communities , which represent 39 percent of the HIV\/AIDS burden in the state , said Raphael Holloway , director of the HIV Unit at the Georgia Division of Public Health . The remaining 61 percent of people living with HIV or AIDS are in the metro Atlanta area . `` In some districts , for example , there may be 10 counties within that health district but only one infectious disease doctor that people can access for care and services , '' he said . It is also difficult to get HIV education to people in rural areas , he said . Of the 29 states reporting county-level data for the National HIV\/AIDS Atlas , Georgia had more counties than any other state with the highest levels of HIV and AIDS prevalence . Although this does not represent a comprehensive national assessment , Georgia ranked fifth in reporting of new AIDS cases in 2007 , behind Texas -LRB- fourth -RRB- , Florida -LRB- third -RRB- , New York -LRB- second -RRB- and California -LRB- first -RRB- , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The Northeast also has a heavy burden of HIV\/AIDS cases nationally , atlas collaborators said . Other states with high numbers of counties with high HIV prevalence included Florida , New York and South Carolina . The atlas , the first of its kind to map out HIV and AIDS at the level of counties , launched in time for Saturday 's HIV\/AIDS Testing Day . The National Institutes of Health is encouraging everyone age 13 to 64 to get tested for HIV as part of routine health care . `` Not knowing one 's HIV status endangers one 's health and the health of one 's sexual partners . By getting tested for the virus and learning one 's HIV status soon after infection , treatment can begin early , substantially delaying the development of HIV-related illness and prolonging life , '' said Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health . The National HIV\/AIDS Atlas allows users to explore the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in any region of the United States . The map , a project of the National Minority Quality Forum , encompasses all 50 states , the District of Columbia , Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands . The more red a region appears , the greater the prevalence , which is the ratio of the number of people living with the disease at a given time to the total number of people living there at that time . Users can look at rates of disease by gender , race\/ethnicity and age group in regions where this information is available . The map also has different settings for HIV and AIDS , the more severe illness caused by the HIV virus . They can also zoom into counties and , for New York City only , ZIP codes . About 33 million people have HIV\/AIDS worldwide as of 2007 , according to the World Health Organization . The CDC estimates that 1.1 million Americans have HIV and that 56,300 new infections occurred in the United States in 2006 . Nearly 75 percent of HIV\/AIDS diagnoses among adolescents and adults in that year were for males . People who worked on the atlas project were surprised at how concentrated HIV and AIDS are in certain U.S. counties . `` Being able to look at all the data in this way reminds us that the HIV epidemic is not uniformly distributed throughout the U.S. , '' said Patrick Sullivan , associate professor of epidemiology at Emory University , who collaborated on the atlas . The atlas also reflects the disproportionate number of African-Americans who have HIV and AIDS . `` You can see at the level of the national map that there 's so much variation in the U.S. about which groups have been impacted , '' Sullivan said . Demographics and county-level data are not available for some states , or parts of some states , because of the way these places report data by region , researchers said . These areas appear as gray when users zoom in . Some places also appear gray because the disease case count is so low . The atlas is based on data from public health departments from 2006 , the most recent available . Collaborators say they hope to update the maps when new data become available . The atlas , which launched Monday morning , had about 100,000 visitors by Tuesday afternoon , and more than 10,000 people completed the free registration in that time , said Gary Puckrein , executive director of the atlas project . To find an HIV testing facility near you , visit www.hivtest.org .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Florida prosecutors on Thursday revealed a list of reasons they 're seeking the death penalty against Casey Anthony , who is charged with killing her daughter , Caylee . Under Florida , law , prosecutors need to raise only one of 15 possible aggravating factors to support their decision to seek the death penalty . Assistant State Attorney Jeffrey Ashton cited five circumstances , according to a document obtained by CNN affiliate WESH and other Orlando , Florida , media outlets . In death penalty cases , jurors are asked to weigh aggravating circumstances that make a crime especially heinous against mitigating factors that favor mercy , such as a lack of prior offenses . Among the legal reasons cited : Caylee 's death occurred during aggravated child abuse , was especially `` heinous , atrocious , or cruel , '' and was committed in a `` cold , calculated and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification , '' according to the document . Caylee was also under 12 years old , and Anthony `` stood in a position of familial or custodial authority over her , '' the document states . Karen Levey , the court public information officer , could not confirm that Judge Belvin Perry Jr. received a copy of the notice . As of Thursday evening , defense attorney Jose Baez said he had not been served with the notice . In a hearing this week , Perry ordered the State Attorney 's Office to disclose the aggravating factors they intend to cite in a penalty phase if Anthony is convicted of premeditated murder . Anthony , 24 , is accused of killing 2-year-old Caylee , who disappeared in June 2008 . Her body was found that December in a vacant lot near her grandparents ' home in Orlando . Defense lawyers have said that prosecutors are seeking the death penalty to bankrupt the defense and prevent Anthony from having the attorney of her choice . The defense said that prosecutors had originally said they would not seek death in the case but reversed that position in March 2009 when they learned that Anthony had $ 205,000 for her defense . The bulk of the money came from ABC News for the licensing of photos and videos , Baez testified during a previous hearing . Anthony 's trial is scheduled to begin May 9 , 2011 .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Michael Jackson could n't sleep . A coroner preliminarily has concluded Michael Jackson died of an overdose of propofol , court documents say . Maybe it was anxiety over his upcoming comeback concert series in London , England . Perhaps his body was trying to process too many different medications . The reason may never be known , but a sworn affidavit makes clear that the King of Pop could n't get rest the night before he died on June 25 . The affidavit , from Detective Orlando Martinez of the Los Angeles Police Department , outlines probable cause for search warrants on the offices of doctors who are thought to have treated Jackson . Yet it also opens a window into Jackson 's final hours , revealing information about the singer 's treatment and the drugs given him by Dr. Conrad Murray , his personal physician , before his death . Watch a panel discuss Jackson 's death '' Based on interviews , visits to Jackson 's home as well as records and documents gathered during the investigation , the affidavit provides the following account of Jackson 's last days : In May , Jackson hired Murray , a cardiologist . The singer was spending long days rehearsing for concerts that he saw as crucial to reviving his career . For six weeks , Murray told police that he treated Jackson for insomnia . He said he had been giving the singer an intravenous drip with 50 milligrams of propofol , diluted with lidocaine , every night to help him sleep . Jackson was already familiar with propofol , a powerful anesthetic , Murray said . The singer even called it his `` milk '' because of its milky appearance , he said . With the concerts approaching , Jackson started to need these drugs every night , Murray said -- and the doctor said he worried that Jackson was becoming addicted to propofol . He wanted to wean Jackson off the drug . Three days before Jackson 's death -- on June 22 -- Murray gave the singer a combination of drugs that he hoped gradually would move the singer off propofol . That mixture involved propofol , the anti-anxiety drug lorazepam -LRB- known by its brand name , Ativan -RRB- and midazolam -LRB- known as Versed -RRB- . It succeeded in helping Jackson to sleep for that night and the next , Murray said . But by the night of June 24 , Jackson again apparently was unable to sleep . Learn more about the events of Jackson 's final hours '' At 1:30 a.m. on June 25 , Murray decided to forgo the propofol in favor of 10 milligrams of Valium . Half an hour later , with Jackson still awake in bed , Murray injected the singer with two milligrams of lorazepam . It still was n't working . At 3 a.m. , Murray gave the singer two milligrams of midazolam , pushed slowly into his IV . And two hours later , with Jackson still awake , Murray administered another two milligrams of lorazepam through Jackson 's IV . The drugs did nothing to help Jackson sleep . At 7:30 a.m. , Murray gave the singer another two milligrams of midazolam in his IV . By that point , Murray was n't even leaving Jackson 's room anymore , let alone his bedside . The doctor told police he sat next to the singer in his bedroom , monitoring Jackson 's pulse and oxygen levels . More than three hours later , despite a night of medication and doctor 's care , Jackson remained awake . Jackson was repeatedly asking -- even demanding -- that Murray give him more propofol to help him sleep , the doctor told police . So Murray finally administered 25 milligrams of propofol diluted with lidocaine via Jackson 's IV drip . The singer now had his `` milk , '' and it worked . After a restless night , Jackson was finally able to close his eyes and go to sleep . Murray told police he watched Jackson sleep for about 10 minutes before going to the bathroom . It had been a long night for both of them . The trip to the bathroom took less than two minutes , Murray told police . But when he came back , he said , he saw Jackson was n't breathing . He started cardiopulmonary resuscitation , but it did n't work . Jackson was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead later that afternoon . According to court documents released Monday , Dr. Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran , the chief medical examiner-coroner for Los Angeles County , concluded Jackson died of an overdose of propofol . Sathyavagiswaran reached that preliminary conclusion after reviewing toxicology results carried out on Jackson 's blood , according to a search warrant and affidavit unsealed in Houston , Texas . The coroner 's office would not comment on the statements in the affidavit . But Ed Chernoff , Murray 's attorney , took issue with some of the information included in the court documents . `` Much of what was in the search warrant affidavit is factual . However , unfortunately , much is police theory , '' Chernoff said , specifically referring to media reports the coroner would rule Jackson 's death a homicide . The Los Angeles County district attorney 's office said it has not yet seen a police report on the case , and no criminal charges have been filed .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The reality television show personality who accused football player Shawne Merriman of choking her over the weekend has denied that she was drunk during the incident , her Twitter page said Monday . Shawne Merriman is accused of restraining reality TV star Tila Tequlia as she tried to leave his home , police say . `` I am allergic to alcohol , '' said the posting for Tila Nguyen , 27 , who goes by Tila Tequila . `` It has been publicly known for years . That is how I got the name Tila ` Tequila ' cuz the irony . I ca n't drink . '' The incident began at 3:45 a.m. Sunday , when authorities responded to a disturbance call from Nguyen , the San Diego -LRB- California -RRB- County Sheriff 's Department said in a statement . `` Nguyen told deputies she had been choked and physically restrained by Merriman when she attempted to leave his residence , '' it said . Merriman , 25 , was taken into custody on suspicion of battery and false imprisonment , the statement said . Deputies saw no physical injuries on Nguyen , who is described on her Twitter page as 4 feet , 11 inches tall and 93 pounds , but she asked to be taken to a hospital , said sheriff 's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell . Watch Caldwell talk about the incident '' The San Diego Chargers linebacker released a statement Sunday noting that no charges had been filed and saying he had done nothing wrong . `` I was concerned about her welfare given the intoxicated state she appeared to be in and I encouraged her to stay until safe transportation could be provided , '' Merriman said . `` I in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen , however , paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported . '' Merriman said he was looking forward to clearing his name of the `` false accusations . '' Merriman 's lawyer , Todd Macaluso , said Sunday that more than a dozen other people were at the house at the time , and `` witness after witness after witness will back up his story 100 percent . '' In a statement posted on the Chargers ' Web site Sunday , team General Manager A.J. Smith said , `` It is disappointing to hear about the issue involving Shawne Merriman . `` We 'll continue to monitor the situation and let the legal process run its course , '' Smith said . The 6-foot , 4-inch 265-pounder is entering his fifth year with the Chargers . The team begins its 2009 NFL regular-season campaign September 14 in Oakland , California , for a game against the Raiders . Merriman , a three-time Pro Bowl selection , recorded at least 10 sacks in each of his first three seasons , but he was limited to one game last season because of a knee injury that required surgery .","question":""}
{"answer":"ROME , Italy -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Vatican said Tuesday it has worked out a way for groups of Anglicans who are dissatisfied with their faith to join the Catholic Church . The Vatican says more Anglicans have expressed an interest in joining the Catholic Church . The process will enable groups of Anglicans to become Catholic and recognize the pope as their leader , yet have parishes that retain Anglican rites , Vatican officials said . The move comes some 450 years after King Henry VIII broke from Rome and created the Church of England , forerunner of the Anglican Communion . The parishes would be led by former Anglican clergy -- including those who are married -- who would be ordained as Catholic priests , said the Rev. James Massa , ecumenical director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops . `` This sets up a process for whole groups of Anglicans -- clergy and laity -- to enter in to the Catholic Church while retaining their forms of worship and other Anglican traditions , '' Massa said . The number of Anglicans wishing to join the Catholic Church has increased in recent years as the Anglican Church has welcomed the ordination of women and openly gay clergy and blessed homosexual partnerships , said Cardinal William Joseph Levada , the head of the Vatican 's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith . Their talks with the Vatican recently began speeding up , Vatican officials said , leading to Tuesday 's announcement . `` The Catholic Church is responding to the many requests that have been submitted to the Holy See from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful in different parts of the world who wish to enter into full visible communion , '' Levada said . Levada said `` hundreds '' of Anglicans around the world have expressed their desire to join the Catholic Church . Among them are 50 Anglican bishops , said Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia of the Congregation for Divine Worship . While married Anglican priests may be ordained as Catholic priests , the same does not apply to married Anglican bishops , Levada said . `` We 've been praying for this unity for 40 years and we 've not anticipated it happening now , '' Di Noia said . `` The Holy Spirit is at work here . '' One interested group is the Traditional Anglican Communion , an association of churches that is separate from the Anglican Communion and has hundreds of thousands of members worldwide . The TAC in 2007 petitioned the Vatican for unity with the Catholic Church with the stipulation that the group retain its Anglican rites . The TAC 's primate , Archbishop John Hepworth of Australia , said in a statement Tuesday that the Vatican 's announcement `` more than matches the dreams we dared to include in our petition two years ago . '' That is because the Vatican 's move involves not only the TAC but other Anglican groups that want to unite with the Catholic Church , said the Right Rev. Daren K. Williams , bishop ordinary of the western diocese of the Anglican Church of America , which is part of the TAC . The Vatican has yet to release all details of the offer , and the TAC 's leaders will meet and discuss how to respond when it does , Williams said . But Williams said he believes much of TAC will respond favorably . Williams , who also is rector of All Saints Anglican Church in Fountain Valley , California , said his parishioners have generally been `` very warmly receiving '' Tuesday 's announcement . `` It is encouraging for them to know their worship experience would n't be turned upside down by the Roman Catholic Church , '' Williams said . `` The person in the pew should see very little difference in the way we pray . We might be asked to pray aloud for any pope who happens to be in office , in addition to praying for our primate . `` Really , there 'd be very little other difference . '' The parishes retaining the Anglican rites would answer not to Catholic bishops but to regional or nationwide `` personal ordinariates '' who would report to the pope , Massa said . Those officials often will be former Anglican clergy , Vatican officials said . The Church of England said the move ends a `` period of uncertainty '' for Anglican groups who wanted more unity with the Catholic Church . Both groups have a `` substantial overlap in faith , doctrine and spirituality '' and will continue to hold official dialogues , the archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster said in a joint statement . `` Those Anglicans who have approached the Holy See have made clear their desire for full , visible unity in the one , holy , catholic and apostolic church , '' Levada said . `` At the same time , they have told us of the importance of their Anglican traditions of spirituality and worship for their faith journey . '' Preserving Anglican traditions , such as mass rites , adds to the diversity of the Catholic Church , he said . `` The unity of the church does not require a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity , as the history of Christianity shows , '' he said . `` Moreover , the many diverse traditions present in the Catholic Church today are all rooted in the principle articulated by St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians : ` There is one Lord , one faith , one baptism . ' '' CNN 's Hada Messia and Jason Hanna contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- India racked up a massive first-innings lead of 347 runs over South Africa on the third day of the second cricket Test in Kolkata as V.V.S. Laxman and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni contributed centuries . The pair put on an unbroken 259 for the seventh wicket , with Laxman unbeaten on 143 and Dhoni on 132 when the declaration came at 643-6 in the final hour of Tuesday 's play . Their efforts meant that four Indians had passed three figures , following Virender Sehwag 's 165 on Monday and Sachin Tendulkar 's 106 , while four South African bowlers conceded more than 100 runs each . South Africa , who will return to the No. 1 Test ranking above India with a draw , reached 6-0 at stumps as only five balls of a scheduled 10 overs were able to be bowled due to bad light . India , who trail 1-0 in the two-match series , resumed the day on 342-5 with Laxman on nine and nightwatchman Amit Mishra on one . They extended their partnership to 48 before paceman Morne Morkel picked up his second wicket as Mishra was caught at second slip by Jacques Kallis , who had earlier dropped the batsman as did captain Graeme Smith . Laxman was dropped by J.P. Duminy on 48 , and India reached lunch at 431-6 before piling on 117 runs in the two hours after the interval . Laxman completed his 15th Test century and Dhoni his fourth in only the second time that four Indian batsmen had reached three figures in the same innings . Meanwhile , New Zealand piled up 553-7 before declaring on the second day of the one-off Test against tourists Bangladesh in Hamilton . Martin Guptill -LRB- 189 -RRB- and Brendon McCullum -LRB- 185 -RRB- extended their sixth-wicket partnership to a national record of 339 . Guptill scored his maiden Test ton while wicketkeeper McCullum celebrated his 50th appearance in the five-day game with his highest score . Seamer Rubel Hossain took both of their scalps in the middle session and ended with his first five-wicket bag , conceding 166 runs . Bangladesh reached 87-1 at stumps in their first innings , with opener Tamim Iqbal unbeaten on 56 after facing just 48 balls . He put on 79 for the first wicket with Imrul Kayes , who made 28 before edging spinner Daniel Vettori to Ross Taylor at slip .","question":""}
{"answer":"ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Georgia judge threw the book at Brian Nichols on Saturday , giving him four consecutive sentences of life without parole for a 2005 shooting rampage that started in an Atlanta courthouse . Brian Nichols tells the court Saturday in Atlanta , Georgia , `` I will not bring dishonor to the decision to spare my life . '' `` I 'm giving you the maximum -- every day I could give you . If I could give you more , I would , '' Superior Court Judge James Bodiford told Nichols . Nichols , 37 , was convicted last month of 54 counts for a deadly shooting rampage that began March 11 , 2005 , in the same courthouse where he stood trial . Nichols , who was being tried for rape , shot three people to death as he escaped from the downtown courthouse that day and a federal agent the next day in Atlanta 's Buckhead district before being captured in neighboring Gwinnett County . `` I know that the things that I 've done caused a lot of pain , and I am sorry , '' Nichols , who remained seated , told the court before sentence was pronounced . `` And I just wanted to say that I will not bring dishonor to the decision to spare my life . '' Watch victims ' family members react to the sentence '' Nichols was spared a death sentence Friday after the jury deliberating his fate announced that it could not agree on a sentence . Bodiford gave Nichols the maximum sentence on all the non-murder charges , and ordered them to be served consecutively . Those terms ranged from five years for escape to life for armed robbery . Other charges included aggravated assault with a deadly weapon , robbery by force , theft by taking , hijacking a motor vehicle and false imprisonment . `` It 's a large number of years . It 's many lifetimes , '' Bodiford said . Bodiford ordered that Nichols serve his time in the Georgia state penal system , forgoing the possibility of sending him to the federal maximum-security prison in Colorado . Bodiford implored Nichols ' family and attorneys never to trust Nichols again . `` There 's ample evidence that trusting him will get you killed , '' he said in concluding the sentencing hearing . Jurors told Bodiford on Friday night that they were deadlocked , with nine in favor of death and three in favor of life without parole . Under Georgia law , the jurors must reach a unanimous decision in order to impose a death sentence . In the absence of a unanimous jury verdict , the decision fell in the hands of Bodiford . Defense lawyers said Nichols , who confessed to the killings , suffers from a mental disorder . The jurors unanimously found the necessary aggravating circumstances in the four murders , but they were split over the death penalty . After nine weeks of testimony , the jury found Nichols guilty of 54 counts , which included the four murders plus numerous aggravated assaults , carjackings and kidnappings . The shootings began in the Fulton County Courthouse , where Nichols was set to stand trial for rape . He overpowered a sheriff 's deputy and took her gun before proceeding to the courtroom of Judge Rowland Barnes , killing him and court reporter Julie Ann Brandau . Sgt. Hoyt Teasley chased Nichols to outside the courthouse , where Nichols fatally shot him . Nichols killed off-duty U.S. Customs Agent David Wilhelm as he worked on a house in Buckhead the next day . He was captured later that day after a standoff with police in the apartment of a woman he had taken hostage in Gwinnett County . The case drew nationwide attention , in part because of the cost of Nichols ' representation : about $ 2 million at last accounting . Nichols had attempted to plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence , but the Fulton County District Attorney 's Office would not take the death penalty off the table .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The average cost of medical care for a premature or low birth-weight baby for its first year of life is about $ 49,000 , according to a new report from the March of Dimes Foundation . Babies born after the 37th week of pregnancy are less costly to the health care system than premature babies . By contrast , a newborn without complications costs $ 4,551 for care in its first year of life , the report said . Newborns with other kinds of complications , such as congenital defects , have medical expenses of $ 10,273 on average in the first year . The foundation wants to show employers the importance of good maternity care , maternity coverage , and prevention of prematurity , said Jennifer Howse , president of the March of Dimes , a nonprofit for pregnancy and baby health . `` It 's in the best interest of the bottom line for the employer , and of course it 's certainly in the best interest for the baby , the employee , and ultimately the community in which the business is located , '' she said . Although most of these costs go straight to the health care plans , even out-of-pocket expenses are far greater for premature babies than for children delivered at a normal time . The average out-of-pocket expense for a premature or low-birth-weight baby in the first year was $ 1,987 . For uncomplicated births , it is $ 654 , and a baby with other kinds of complications averages $ 953 in out of pocket expenses . But it 's important to note that these are average costs for premature babies born at different times -- a baby born closer to 40 weeks will most likely cost much less than a baby born at 26 weeks , said William Sexson , neonatologist at Emory University and prematurity prevention chair for the March of Dimes for the state of Georgia . Sexson was not involved in the new report . The problem of prematurity By definition , a premature baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy . About 12 percent of all pregnancies in the United States result in premature birth , according to the National Institutes of Health . A low-birth-weight baby weighs less than 2,500 grams , or 5.5 pounds . Prematurity may contribute to problems such as cerebral palsy , vision problems , learning disabilities , and developmental delays , experts say . The rate of premature babies in the United States has increased 36 percent since the early 1980s , the March of Dimes said . One reason for the abundance of premature births may be the increasing number of elective early deliveries , said Sexson . There is a lack of transparency about both patients ' and obstetricians ' decisions to , for example , have a Caesarean section close to term -- technically premature . The March of Dimes recommends every elective delivery before 39 weeks be reviewed . `` There is a real concern that many of those deliveries are a lot more elective than they ought to be , '' Sexson said . Uncomplicated Caesarean deliveries cost over 40 percent more than uncomplicated vaginal deliveries , the new report said . These deliveries also resulted in longer inpatient stays , outpatient visits , and more prescriptions filled . Most of the costs get covered by a health plan -- out-of-pocket expenses were similar for normal Caesarian deliveries , uncomplicated vaginal deliveries , and complicated births . Preventing premature births Prenatal care is essential in helping mothers carry their babies to term , experts say . The vitamin folate is especially important for mothers-to-be because it has been shown to prevent congenital abnormalities , said Janet Larson , chief of neonatology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Premature babies cost the United States at least $ 26 billion each year , according to the Institute of Medicine . Women who have a shortened cervix , or have certain infections , such as bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis , are at higher risk for having a premature baby , according to the NIH . A history of giving birth to premature babies is also a risk factor , said Dr. Charles Macri , obstetrician-gynecologist at the The George Washington University Hospital in Washington . A woman in this situation may take progesterone therapy between weeks 16 and 36 to decrease the likelihood of a premature delivery . A pregnant woman should always tell her doctor if she has had any kind of cervical surgery , which may also contribute to premature births , he said . Women who carry multiples babies at once , even twins , are also at higher risk of giving birth prematurely , he said . Not all premature births can be prevented , however . Some babies are `` destined to be born early , '' Macri said . About 50 percent of pregnancies that result in premature births are completely normal until labor , Sexson said . Costs for premature and low-birth-weight babies are also higher in terms of combined medical costs for the mother and child -- $ 64,713 , compared with $ 15,047 for uncomplicated births , the March of Dimes report said . Even in tough economic times , experts agree that pregnant women should not cut back on health care . `` Investing in health care costs -- that 's the best investment a family can make , '' Howse said .","question":""}
{"answer":"LONDON , England -- Malaria is one of the world 's worst health problems and one of its biggest killers , with half a billion people affected every year , according to the Roll Back Malaria partnership . Around half a billion people are infected with malaria every year . Ninety percent of those cases are in Africa . Saturday marks World Malaria Day , when the world commemorates global efforts to eradicate the disease . Below CNN 's Vital Signs has produced a complete A - Z guide to how malaria spreads , the symptoms to look out for and how to protect yourself . A is for Anti-malarial drugs The history of anti-malarial medicine has been marked by a constant struggle between evolving drug-resistant parasites and the search for new drugs . Currently , anti-malaria experts are focusing on therapies that combine several drugs for better effects . B is for Blood stream Once a mosquito has bitten and the malaria parasites reach the liver , the parasites divide and create thousands of mature parasites . These are released into the blood and infect red blood cells . At that point , typical malaria symptoms such as fever and anemia develop . C is for Chloroquine Until recently , Chloroquine , an anti-malarial drug , was the first option for many people because of its relatively low price and effectiveness . However , resistance to Chloroquine in many parts of the world has rendered the drug ineffective . D is for Diagnosis After noting your symptoms and travel history , your doctor will likely obtain a sample of your blood for observation . Two blood samples , taken at six - and 12-hour intervals , can usually confirm the presence of the malaria parasite and its type . It is possible to be infected by more than one parasite at the same time . E is for Epidemic According to the World Health Organization -LRB- WHO -RRB- , large and devastating epidemics can occur when the mosquito-borne parasite is introduced into areas where people have had little prior contact with the infecting parasite . These epidemics can be triggered by wet weather conditions and further aggravated by floods or mass population movements driven by conflict . F is for Fever The most common symptom of all types of malarias is high fever , which is why doctors often misdiagnose malaria for flu . The fever is a reaction to toxins in the blood . It is therefore advised to tell your doctor you have been to a malaria affected zone , even if symptoms arise months after the trip . G is for Genome In 2002 , -- hundred years after it was discovered that mosquitoes transmit the malaria parasite -- the complete genetic codes of both the human malaria parasite and the mosquito that spreads it was cracked . This development brought scientists a step closer to developing drugs and vaccines to fight the disease , Nature magazine reported . H is for Hotspots Most cases and deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa , many of them occurring among children . However , Asia , Latin America , the Middle East and parts of Europe are also affected . In 2006 , malaria was present in 109 countries and territories . I is for Immunity Travelers from malaria-free regions such as Europe and the United States , with little or no immunity , who go to areas with high disease rates , are particularly vulnerable . It is essential to take precautions by taking anti-malarial drugs prescribed by your doctor . J is for Julius Wagner-Jauregg Julius Wagner-Jauregg , a Viennese doctor , was the first to intentionally infect syphilis patients with malaria parasites . By controlling the subsequent malaria-related fever with an anti-malaria drug , the effects of both syphilis and malaria could be minimized . Jauregg received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1927 . K is for Killer Malaria is a life-threatening disease but it is preventable and curable if the right steps are taken . Education in recognizing the symptoms has reduced the number of cases in some areas by 20 percent . Recognizing the disease in the early stages can stop the disease from becoming a killer . L is for Laser gun U.S. scientists say they are developing a laser gun that could kill millions of mosquitoes in minutes . The laser fires at mosquitoes once it detects the audio frequency created by the beating of wings , the lead scientist on the project told CNN . The project is being funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation . M is for Mosquitoes Malaria is caused by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquitoes . The mosquitoes bite between sunset and sunrise and parasites from the mosquito are then injected into the person 's skin and transported to the liver . About 170 species of such parasites exist , but only four cause malaria in humans . N is for Nets The distribution of mosquito nets with insecticide is a very effective method of malaria prevention , and it is also one of the most cost-effective methods . These nets can often be obtained for around $ 3 . Earlier this month , actor Ashton Kutcher won a Twitter race against CNN to reach 1 million followers . Kutcher had pledged 10,000 mosquito nets to charity if he beat CNN , and 1,000 if he lost . CNN agreed to do the same . O is for Obstacles In many endemic areas , access to health facilities , as well as drug costs , still present major obstacles . Humanitarian agency Medecins Sans Frontieres estimates that the cost of treating a malaria-infected person in an endemic country was between $ 0.25 and $ 2.40 per dose in 2002 . P is for Pandemic For malaria to become a pandemic -LRB- plague -RRB- in an area , several factors have to be present : high human population density ; high mosquito population density ; high rates of transmission from humans to mosquitoes and from mosquitoes to humans . Q is for Quinine Quinine was the first effective treatment for malaria in the 17th century . Since the 1940 's , many other anti-malarial drugs have appeared on the market and have taken precedent over quinine . But quinine is still being used to treat malaria in some cases . R is for Repellent The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says inspect repellents with DEET -LRB- most common active ingredient in strong insecticides -RRB- in them should be used on exposed skin and flying-insect spray can be used to kill mosquitoes in the sleeping area . DEET may be toxic , however and should be used with care . S is for Symptoms Fever is not the only symptom of malaria . Other symptoms can include shivers , headaches and nausea . Sweating and exhaustion is also common and in some cases , it can affect the brain or kidneys . T is for Tablets Malarone is a common anti-malaria drug among many travelers . It is said to have a 97 percent efficacy with relatively few side-effects . It can be given just one day before arrival in a malaria endemic country and only needs to be taken for another week after leaving . U is for Unborn child According to the WHO , pregnant women are at high risk of contracting malaria . The illness can result in high rates of miscarriages and cause more than 10 percent of maternal deaths annually . This figure can rise to 50 percent in cases of severe disease . V is for Vaccine Despite intensive research , no effective malaria vaccine has been developed to date . But according to a report in April 's New Scientist journal , a unique vaccine taken from the saliva of infected mosquitoes has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be tested in people . W is for World Malaria Day April 25 has become World Malaria Day to provide a global effort to control malaria around the world . The international malaria community only has two years left to meet the 2010 targets of delivering effective protection and treatment to all people at risk of malaria , as called for by the UN Secretary-General , Ban Ki-Moon . X is for X-ray X-ray microscopes are used to find the presence of malaria in red blood cells and see how they interact with healthy cells . One of the advantages of this type of microscope is that it produces very-high-resolution images of the cell structure . Y is for Yellow fever Yellow fever is another disease transmitted by mosquitoes . Some countries , such as Peru , require a certificate showing yellow-fever vaccination before you can travel there . Z is for Zanzibar Zanzibar , part of the African republic of Tanzania , has had relative successes in combating malaria ; Africa 's biggest killer according to the New Scientist journal . The achievements are due to the widespread use of treated bed nets , along with the switch to new anti-malarial drugs instead of Chloroquine in 2004 .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A giant panda at the San Diego Zoo gave birth to a cub the size of a stick of butter on Wednesday , her fifth cub born in the zoo since 1999 . The public can view live video of the cub and its mother , Bai Yun , on the zoo 's Web site . The sex of the mostly hairless , pink newborn , which was born around 5 a.m. , is not known yet , said Dr. Ron Swaisgood of the zoo 's Institute of Conservation Research . It will take about one month for the iconic black-and-white coloration of the giant panda to become visible , Swaisgood said . Its mother , Bai Yun , will care for the newborn by herself until she starts leaving the den regularly , at which time members of the zoo 's giant panda team will step in briefly to check on the cub , he said . `` She is a very experienced mother . She raised all of her other cubs until about 1.5 years , the natural age for separation , '' Swaisgood told CNN Radio . `` She 's a real pro . '' Weighing in around 300 pounds , Bai Yun is about 1,000 times the size of her cub , who weighs around 4 ounces. , the typical size of a baby panda , Swaisgood said . `` Pandas give birth to what 's called very ` altricial ' cubs . That means they are very small and fragile . This cub would probably weigh about 4 ounces . It would be pink and hairless and completely dependent on the mother , '' he said . The birth is considered a success for the zoo 's Institute for Conservation Research , which works with research and breeding centers around the world to boost the endangered panda population Herself a model of that effort , Bai Yun was the first panda to be born and survive at the breeding center of the China Center for Research and Conservation of the Giant Panda in the Wolong Nature Reserve in 1991 . She has given birth to four other cubs since arriving at the San Diego Zoo in 1996 from China . Two of them have since been returned to China , Swaisgood said . The newborn 's father , Gao Gao , is a wild-born giant panda that arrived at the San Diego Zoo in 2003 from the Wolong Nature Reserve . He will not be involved in raising the cub . The cub will remain in the den with its mother for a few months and gradually start to come out as soon as it is able to walk , Swaisgood said . In four to five months , the cub will be ready for the public , Swaisgood said . Until then , the public can view live video of the cub and its mother on the zoo 's Web site . `` This highly endangered species still requires a lot of attention and assistance , but there is hope for the future , '' he said .","question":""}
{"answer":"ISLAMABAD , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Militants set fire to a hotel at Pakistan 's only ski resort Thursday , as security in the Swat Valley continued to deteriorate despite a month-old peace deal . Pakistani soldiers on patrol in the Swat Valley , which is home to the country 's only ski resort . Militants forced their way into the state-run hotel in the northwestern tourist valley early Thursday morning , ransacked it and set it on fire , said Sardar Rehim Shahzad , district coordinator for Swat police . The hotel , the only one at the Malam Jabba ski resort , sustained significant damage , he told CNN . The resort is located near the Afghanistan border and about 300km -LRB- 186 miles -RRB- from the capital city of Islamabad . It was shut down last summer after militants overran the area , keeping tourists away , Shahzad said . Swat Valley , located in North West Frontier Province -LRB- NWFP -RRB- , was once Pakistan 's biggest tourist destination . Aside from the ski resort , it was a draw for trout-fishing enthusiasts and visitors to the ancient Buddhist ruins in the area . In recent months , however , militants bent on imposing fundamentalist Islamic law , or Sharia , have unleashed a wave of violence across the NWFP which has claimed hundreds of lives , many of them security personnel . The militants want women to wear veils , beards for men and to ban music and television . After months of bloody battles , the government in May reached a peace deal with fighters loyal to the banned hardline Islamic group , Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat Mohammadi -LRB- TNSM -RRB- . It is the latest attempt by Pakistan 's new government -- headed by the party of the assassinated prime minister Benazir Bhutto -- to achieve peace through negotiations in the lawless tribal areas where Taliban and al Qaeda leaders are believed to have free rein . Ahead of the peace pact , Pakistan 's government released TNSM 's former leader Sufi Mohammed , who had been jailed in 2002 after recruiting thousands of fighters to battle U.S. forces in Afghanistan . He was freed after agreeing to cooperate with the government . Under the terms of his release , TNSM was also expected to lay down its arms and forgo violence . But his son-in-law Fazlullah , who took over TNSM during his jail stint , vowed to continue his fight to impose fundamentalist Islamic law in the region .","question":""}
{"answer":"Los Angeles , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tiger Woods has canceled plans to attend his own golf tournament in southern California because of injuries he suffered near his Florida home early Friday , the pro golfer said in a statement Monday . `` I am extremely disappointed that I will not be at my tournament this week , '' Woods said of the Chevron World Challenge in Thousand Oaks , California . `` I am certain it will be an outstanding event and I 'm very sorry that I ca n't be there . '' He also canceled a Tuesday news conference for the start of the tournament , which helps raise money for Tiger Woods Foundation programs . Woods suffered minor injuries in a vehicle accident early Friday in his luxury neighborhood near Orlando , Florida , according to a police accident report . State police in Florida said Monday an investigation of the single-vehicle crash `` is ongoing and charges are pending . '' The incident has ended Woods ' golf appearances until next season , according to a statement posted on his Web site . `` Woods will not participate in any other tournaments in 2009 and will return to action next year , '' the statement said . The PGA Tour has ended for the year , but the first tournament of the 2010 season is just five weeks away . At least one other charity event is scheduled , but it is not clear if Woods had planned to attend . The Chevron World Challenge will go on despite the absence of its host , said Greg McLaughlin , president of Woods ' foundation . `` We support Tiger 's decision and are confident the strong field and excellent course will provide an exciting week of competition at the Chevron World Challenge , '' McLaughlin said . In a statement issued Sunday afternoon on his Web site , Woods offered no details of his wreck except to say he had cuts and bruises and was `` pretty sore . '' `` This situation is my fault , and it 's obviously embarrassing to my family and me , '' he said . `` I 'm human and I 'm not perfect . I will certainly make sure this does n't happen again . '' According to a police report , Woods pulled out of his driveway about 2:25 a.m. Friday in a 2009 Cadillac SUV and struck a fire hydrant , then a tree . Authorities have said they do n't have details on why Woods was driving away from his home at such an early hour , but a police report said the wreck was not alcohol-related . State troopers have unsuccessfully asked three times to question him about the wreck , police said . Woods canceled the third scheduled interview on Sunday , Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes told CNN . `` We have been informed by the Florida Highway Patrol that further discussion with them is both voluntary and optional , '' said Woods ' agent Mark Steinberg , in a written statement . `` Although Tiger realizes that there is a great deal of public curiosity , it has been conveyed to FHP that he simply has nothing more to add and wishes to protect the privacy of his family . '' Under Florida law , Woods must show his license , registration and proof of insurance to police , but is not obligated to give a statement on the crash . His attorney Mark NeJame handed over the required documents to the troopers Sunday at Woods ' home , Montes said . Opinion : Tiger Woods is only human NeJame told CNN he stood by Woods ' statement and had no further comment . `` If we 're unable to meet with him , we 'll move on with our investigation , '' Montes said . But she called the delays `` very unusual , because it 's such a minor accident . '' Profile : Tiger Woods Last week , a story in the National Enquirer alleged that Woods has been seeing a New York nightclub hostess . The Associated Press contacted the woman and reported she denied having an affair with Woods . The 33-year-old golf phenomenon has won the Masters tournament and the PGA tournament each four times , as well as three U.S. Open Championships . Investigators had sought possible surveillance tapes of the wreck from neighbors , but none were found , she said . Toobin : Why Tiger Woods may not be talking In his Sunday statement , Woods praised his wife Elin Nordegren , saying she `` acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble . '' Nordegren told police she used a golf club to break out the rear window of the vehicle , then pulled Woods from the SUV after she heard the accident from inside their home . `` This is a private matter , and I want to keep it that way . '' `` The only person responsible for the accident is me , '' he said . Woods and his wife have two children , a 2-year-old and a baby born in February . CNN 's Susan Candiotti and Ross Levitt contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"SEOUL , South Korea -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- South Korea bade farewell to former President Kim Dae-Jung Sunday in a ceremony attended by thousands of citizens , dignitaries and politicians . South Korean Buddhist monks pray in front of a portrait of former president Kim Dae-jung during his funeral Sunday . The solemn Sunday afternoon ceremony was held outside parliament , with a large portrait of Kim placed on a shrine surrounded by flowers . The funeral followed six days of mourning for Kim , who died Tuesday of a heart failure . Kim 's age at the time of his death was in dispute , with some reports saying he was 85 while others placing it at 83 . Kim 's state funeral was the second such ever given in the country , South Korea 's Yonhap news agency said . Another president , Park Chung-hee , was also accorded a state funeral after his assassination while in office in 1979 . Kim -- who was president from 1998 to 2003 -- won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for trying to foster better relations with North Korea . The watershed moment of his presidency came in June 2000 when he met North Korean leader Kim Jong Il , becoming the first South Korean leader to do so since the Korean War unofficially ended in 1953 . But rapproachment talks between the two sides hit a wall after conservative South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office in early 2008 with a tougher stance toward the North than Kim and his successor , Roh Moo-hyun . Ahead of the funeral , President Lee met with a visiting North Korean delegation , who delivered a message from Kim Jong Il expressing hopes for improved relations between the two countries . Lee , in turn , reiterated his government 's firm stance , presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan was quoted as saying by Yonhap . But in a possible sign that icy relations between the two rival nations are nevertheless thawing , South Korean Unification Minister Hyun In Taek met with North Korean unity leader Kim Yang Gon on Saturday . It was the first high-level , cross-border contact in nearly two years . The meetings between officials of the two Koreas are in stark contrast to the tense public statements they made about each other earlier this year . Tensions between the two were heightened in July when North Korea launched seven short-range missiles toward the Sea of Japan . The launches came after North Korea conducted a nuclear test on May 25 and threatened the United States and South Korean ships near its territorial waters . South Korea condemned the action , calling the launches `` provocative '' and `` unwise . '' CNN 's Jake Perez contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Los Angeles , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Art Linkletter , the easygoing , smooth-voiced emcee famed for his long-running hosting gigs of the radio and television shows `` House Party '' and `` People Are Funny , '' and author of `` Kids Say the Darndest Things , '' has died , according to his spokeswoman . Linkletter `` died peacefully at home with his family on Wednesday , '' a statement from the family said . He was 97 . `` Just one month earlier , while being honored at an event , he was asked what he considered his greatest life accomplishment , '' the statement said . `` He responded ' Family . ' '' Linkletter rose to fame as a radio announcer in San Diego , later becoming a program director . In 1944 , he launched `` Art Linkletter 's House Party , '' a daytime CBS radio show that moved to television in 1952 and ran until 1969 . `` Kids say the darndest things , '' was Linkletter 's often-repeated phrase because of his humorous interviews with children . It became the title of his best-selling book , a country music hit and was reprised by Bill Cosby as a 1998 TV show . The phrase began as a segment on `` House Party . '' Linkletter would ask several children their thoughts on various topics ; their responses were often hilariously absurd . `` I was Oprah before there was Oprah , '' he once told The Wall Street Journal . Flowers were placed on Linkletter 's star on Hollywood 's Walk of Fame Wednesday afternoon . His nighttime show , `` People Are Funny , '' started on radio in 1942 and ran on NBC television from 1954 to 1961 . According to Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh 's `` The Complete Directory to Primetime Network and Cable Shows , 1946-Present , '' the show featured everyday guests who would be interviewed by Linkletter and then asked to do a stunt . The result for those who failed at the stunt was often a pie in the face or being splashed by water . Linkletter also hosted a short-lived quiz show , `` The Art Linkletter Show , '' in 1963 . At its height , Linkletter 's fame was notable enough to make him part of Milton Bradley 's `` Game of Life , '' which featured Linkletter 's endorsement and his photo on the game 's $ 100,000 bill . His 1960 biography was called `` Confessions of a Happy Man . '' But the host 's own life was touched by a famous tragedy . In 1969 , his daughter Diane -- just 20 at the time -- jumped to her death from a sixth-floor apartment in Hollywood . Linkletter blamed the death on LSD , though the drug use was never confirmed . Linkletter became an ardent anti-drug crusader , releasing a hit record , `` We Love You , Call Collect , '' which won a Grammy Award . Of his five children , two others also predeceased Linkletter : son Robert died in a 1980 auto accident , and another son , Jack , died of lymphoma in 2007 . Linkletter is survived by his wife of 75 years , Lois , and two daughters , Dawn Griffin and Sharon Linkletter . Linkletter was born Gordon Arthur Kelly in Moose Jaw , Saskatchewan , on July 17 , 1912 . Orphaned as an infant , he was adopted by traveling evangelist John Linkletter and his wife , Mary . After a short stint on Wall Street -- he was a typist at an investment bank at the time of the 1929 Crash , he told the WSJ -- he eventually moved to San Diego and attended college at San Diego State University . While in college , he took a job as a staff announcer at CBS affiliate KGB-AM . Linkletter was an astute businessman . The owner of Linkletter Enterprises , he owned millions of acres in Australia and was a sheep and cattle rancher . He also owned oil wells and was a spokesman for several products . CNN 's Todd Leopold and Jack Hannah contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Three U.S. Navy SEALs face criminal charges after the alleged mastermind of one of the most notorious crimes against Americans in Iraq accused them of punching him after his capture , the military said Wednesday . Ahmed Hashim Abed -- thought to be behind the slayings and mutilation of four U.S. contractors in Falluja in 2004 and captured in summer -- made the accusations against the three servicemen , said Lt. Col. Holly Silkman , a spokeswoman for U.S. Central Command . A civilian lawyer for one of three SEALs said his client and the other SEALs declined a nonjudicial resolution to the case , a step sometimes called a `` captain 's mast . '' The servicemen say they did not harm the detainee in any way and they want their names cleared in a court-martial so they can continue their careers in the Navy , said the attorney , Neil Puckett . Because the charges against Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew McCabe , Petty Officer Jonathan Keefe and Petty Officer Julio Heurtas are the military equivalent of misdemeanors , they will go before a special court-martial , which is for less serious offenses than those heard in a general court-martial . If found guilty , they could be sentenced to a maximum of a year in a military prison , demotion to the lowest Navy rank , a cut in pay and a bad conduct discharge . But if found innocent of all charges , they would be able to continue their careers with no record of the case in their personnel files . The three SEALs are with their unit in Norfolk , Virginia . They will make an initial appearance before a military judge on December 7 . The court-martial is scheduled to begin in January . The attorney said he expects the SEALs will not waive their constitutional right to confront the accuser in court , which could cause a logistical challenge . Abed is believed to be in a U.S. military detention center overseas , and it is unclear if the military would want him brought to the United States for the court-martial . The four contractors , one of whom was a former Navy SEAL , were working for the Blackwater company when they were attacked in Falluja in 2004 . After they were killed with hand grenades and rifles , their bodies were set on fire and dragged through the streets . The bodies of two of them were hung from a bridge in Falluja , an image that was broadcast around the world . Four days after the attack , the U.S. Marines launched a major offensive inside Falluja , in part to help find the killers .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Texas child welfare officials have asked a judge to order a teenage member of a polygamous sect to let them take DNA from her infant so they can determine the father 's identity , according to court documents filed in the case . An aerial view taken last year shows some living quarters at polygamist leader Warren Jeffs ' Texas ranch . The teenager , who is younger than 18 , is a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . She is believed to have had the baby in June , Texas Department of Family and Protective Services attorneys said in the documents , filed earlier this month . Child welfare authorities also believe the teenager was married at 14 to an adult male , department attorney John Dolezal writes in the motion . `` In order to determine the identity of the sexual perpetrator who engaged in sexual intercourse with -LSB- the girl -RSB- while she was a minor , which act consequently led to this pregnancy , the department is required to perform genetic testing on the child so as to determine who that individual is , '' the motion said . CNN is not naming the teenager , as authorities allege she is a victim of sexual abuse . A hearing on the matter was conducted Tuesday . Patrick Crimmins , spokesman for DFPS , said the teenager showed up without the baby . An agreement was reached by both sides during the hearing , Crimmins said , but the judge ordered that the agreement not be made public . The department has attempted to resolve the issue with the teenager but had not been successful , the motion said . The FLDS was thrust into the spotlight in April , when child welfare workers removed more than 400 children from the sect 's Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado , Texas , citing allegations of physical and sexual abuse . Following a court battle , the Texas Supreme Court ordered the children returned , saying there was no evidence they faced imminent danger of abuse on the ranch . Critics of the FLDS say the sect forces girls into marriage with men . To date , 12 FLDS members have been indicted on charges including sexual assault of a minor , conducting unlawful marriages involving a minor and bigamy as part of an ongoing investigation , according to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott 's office . They include Warren Jeffs , the FLDS leader and `` prophet . '' Jeffs was already facing charges of sexual assault of a child in Texas , which carries a sentence of up to life upon conviction , when he was indicted earlier this month on a first-degree felony count of aggravated sexual assault . He is also facing a sentence of up to life in Utah , where he was convicted on accomplice to rape charges for his role in the marriage of a sect member to a 14-year-old . He is awaiting trial in Arizona , where he faces similar charges . The FLDS is a 10,000-member offshoot of the mainstream Mormon church . It openly practices polygamy on the ranch , as well as in two towns straddling the Utah-Arizona border .","question":""}
{"answer":"Islamabad , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pakistan 's military said Tuesday that its forces have taken over a Taliban stronghold during the ongoing ground offensive in the tribal region of South Waziristan . Pakistani security forces have secured Sararogha and have started to clear the town of weapons and ammunition , the military said . It comes a day after its forces gained control of Kaniguram , another key Taliban stronghold , which the military says its forces have now completely secured . According to the military , 21 militants and one Pakistani soldier died in the past 24 hours of fighting -- most of them in the raid on Sararogha . The military is trying to rout Taliban insurgents operating along the Pakistan-Afghan border . The restive and largely ungoverned region of South Waziristan is the headquarters of the Pakistani Taliban . Pakistan 's military suspects its leader , Hakimullah Mehsud , is still in the region backed by up to 8,000 militant fighters . Pakistan 's army has launched three similar offensives in Kaniguram and Sararogha since 2004 without success , sometimes agreeing to peace deals that eventually fall apart . Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas recently told CNN that this time a peace deal is not an option . `` Certainly there is no scope of a peace deal , '' Abbas told CNN . `` It is a fight to the finish . '' The military began its ground offensive in South Waziristan three weeks ago , however the region has been affected by a broader anti-Taliban offensive that has uprooted more than 180,000 people this year , according to the United Nations . Many of those people -- more than 94,000 -- have fled South Waziristan since June , the U.N. said last week . In recent weeks , Pakistan has been relentlessly rocked by a wave of attacks as Islamic militants retaliate against the military campaign . On Monday , the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Rawalpindi were hit by separate suicide bombings . A suicide attacker believed to be on a motorcycle targeted people outside a bank in Rawalpindi who were lined up to pick up their monthly checks , police said . That attack killed 30 people , police said on Tuesday . The attack happened in the Cannt area of Rawalpindi , close to Pakistan 's military headquarters where the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan , Gen. Stanley McChrystal , was meeting with Pakistan 's army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Monday . It was unclear if he was there at the time of the attack . Hours later , two suicide bombers detonated their explosives at a police checkpoint in Lahore , injuring 17 police and civilians . CNN 's Samson Desta and Reza Sayah contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sachin Tendulkar confirmed his status as one of cricket 's all-time great batsmen on Wednesday , adding the highest individual one-day international score to his list of world records . The 36-year-old became the first player to score a double-century in the 50-over format as India thrashed South Africa by 153 runs in the second match of the series in Gwalior to take an unassailable 2-0 lead . Tendulkar surpassed the previous record of 194 , which was jointly held by Pakistan 's Saeed Anwar and Charles Coventry of Zimbabwe , to take his record total of runs to 17,598 in 442 one-day internationals played . He passed three figures for the 46th time , and has now scored 17 more one-day centuries than his closest rival Ricky Ponting of Australia . Tendulkar , one of India 's most popular sporting heroes , also holds the records for most runs and most centuries in the five-day Test format . `` I do n't know how to react to this , '' he told reporters after being presented with a silver bat to mark his 20 years in the sport . `` I would like to dedicate this double hundred to all the people of India who stood with me for the last 20 years . I really appreciate their support . This is for all the people in India . '' Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hailed his teammate , with whom he added an unbroken 101 at breakneck pace . `` Even when he 's tired and ca n't play the big shots , he 's very clever to use the pace of the bowler , '' Dhoni said . `` It 's very difficult for the bowlers , they do n't know exactly where to bowl , so I think he batted really well . '' Tendulkar made only four in India 's victory in the first match on Sunday , but batted throughout the home team 's innings of 401-3 as he made exactly 200 . Tendulkar put on 194 for the second wicket with Dinesh Karthik after the early departure of Virender Sehwag for nine with the score on 25 . Tendulkar scorched to his 50 from only 37 deliveries before Karthik became Wayne Parnell 's second victim , having made 79 off 85 balls with three sixes . Yusuf Pathan matched Tendulkar 's ferocious scoring rate as he clubbed 36 off 23 deliveries , adding 81 with the man known as `` the Little Master . '' Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni then joined in with a rapid 68 off only 35 balls , hitting four sixes , while Tendulkar reached 200 with a single off Charl Langeveldt in the final over . As well as three sixes , he hit 25 boundaries -- the most in any individual one-day innings -- in his 147-ball knock . South Africa set the record for highest run chase of 438-9 against Australia in 2006 , and needed to score the third biggest mark to overhaul India 's total . But the tourists did not get close , being dismissed for 248 with 7.1 overs left in their allocation . A.B. De Villiers top-scored with an unbeaten 114 , his fifth one-day century , but the Proteas ' next best was 34 from opener Hashim Amla . Recalled seam bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth took three wickets for India , while Ravindra Jadeja , Pathan and Ashish Nehra claimed two victims each .","question":""}
{"answer":"Fort Hood , Texas -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The sound of taps echoed across the Texas plains Tuesday after President Obama pledged that the work of those killed in last week 's Fort Hood massacre will go on despite their `` incomprehensible '' slayings . Speaking to an estimated 15,000 people at a memorial service at the post , Obama vowed that justice will be done in the attack that left 13 dead and 42 wounded . Though he told the families that `` no words can fill the void that has been left , '' he added , `` your loved ones endure through the life of our nation . '' `` Their life 's work is our security and the freedom that we too often take for granted . Every evening that the sun sets on a tranquil town ; every dawn that a flag is unfurled ; every moment that an American enjoys life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness -- that is their legacy , '' the president said . After his remarks , Obama and first lady Michelle Obama laid a presidential coin before each of the 13 battlefield crosses -- the helmet , boots and rifle representing each of those killed -- before family members and comrades filed past . Fort Hood Army Post has seen 545 soldiers killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan , said Lt. Gen. Robert Cone , the post 's commander , `` but never did we expect to pay such a high price at home . '' Gen. George Casey , the Army 's chief of staff , added , `` Grieve with us . Do n't grieve for us . '' `` Those who have fallen did so in the service of their country , '' he said . `` They freely answered the call to serve , and they gave their lives for something that they loved and believed in . '' Obama called the wartime killings of American troops on their home soil `` incomprehensible . '' But he said the values the dead volunteered to defend will live on and will be extended even to the man accused of carrying to the slayings . The suspected gunman in the attack is a 39-year-old Army psychiatrist , Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan , who remained in intensive care at an Army hospital in San Antonio , Texas . Hasan , an American-born Muslim of Palestinian descent , was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan but had told his family that he wanted to get out of the military . `` No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts , '' Obama said at the memorial service . But he said soldiers who responded to the attack `` remind us of who we are as Americans . '' `` We are a nation of laws whose commitment to justice is so enduring that we would treat a gunman and give him due process , just as surely as we will see that he pays for his crimes , '' he said . No charges have been filed , and authorities have not identified a motive in Thursday 's attack . But in a statement issued Monday night , the FBI said its investigation `` indicates that the alleged gunman acted alone and was not part of a broader terrorist plot . '' Thursday 's victims included 12 soldiers and a retired soldier working as a civilian physician 's assistant . Shortly before the ceremony and 1,200 miles away , the remains of one of the soldiers was carried off a chartered jet in Milwaukee , Wisconsin . An honor guard met the casket of Sgt. Amy Krueger on the apron at General Mitchell International Airport . Krueger , 29 , was a high school athlete who joined the military after the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington . She was assigned to a medical unit that was doing checkups on soldiers bound for Afghanistan and Iraq when the shooting erupted . Defense Secretary Robert Gates , Texas Gov. Rick Perry and more than a dozen members of Congress were among who attended the service on the warm Texas afternoon . CNN correspondent Jill Dougherty contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"Los Angeles , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Michael Jackson 's father suspects his son was murdered and that Dr. Conrad Murray is `` just a fall guy '' in a conspiracy . Joe Jackson appeared on CNN 's `` Larry King Live '' on Monday night , just hours after sitting in a courtroom to hear Murray plead not guilty to a single charge of involuntary manslaughter in his son 's death last summer . A Los Angeles judge set bail at $ 75,000 , despite arguments from the prosecutor that Murray is a flight risk and needs a higher bail . Murray posted the bond and was released several hours later . Michael Jackson 's family , including his parents , four of his brothers and one sister , filled the first two rows of the small courtroom . `` I was looking for justice , and justice , to me , would be a murder charge , '' Joe Jackson told King . Prosecutors charged Murray , who was Jackson 's personal physician , with causing the pop star 's death `` without malice '' by acting `` without due caution and circumspection . '' Murray was with the pop star when he died on June 25 , 2009 . The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson 's death a homicide , resulting from a combination of drugs , primarily propofol -- a powerful anesthesia -- and lorazepam . Joe Jackson suggested it was more than a doctor making a fatal judgment . `` To me , he 's just a fall guy , '' Jackson said . `` There 's other people , I think , involved with this whole thing . But I think that he 's interrogated -- he would come clean and tell everything he knows . '' He said Michael Jackson told his mother , as he was preparing for his comeback concerts in London , England , last year , that he thought he would be killed . `` He was afraid to even do all of these shows , because he was afraid that he would n't get a chance to finish all of the show , '' Joe Jackson said . `` He could n't do all those shows back-to-back . Even his kids say that he had told them that he would be murdered . '' Murray turned himself in shortly before 4 p.m. at a branch courthouse near Los Angeles International Airport . He pleaded not guilty during a brief hearing before Judge Keith L. Schwartz . The judge refused to suspend Murray 's medical license as a term of his bond , but he did order him not to use any anesthesia on patients . `` I do n't want you sedating people , '' Schwartz told Murray . Read the criminal complaint The involuntary manslaughter charge means that Murray caused Jackson 's death by acting `` without due caution and circumspection . '' If convicted , Murray would face a maximum four-year prison sentence , according to prosecutors . More on involuntary manslaughter Jackson family members later reacted to what they saw in the courtroom : `` Not enough , '' Jermaine Jackson said when asked what he thought of the charge . `` I do n't like what happened , '' Joe Jackson said as he left the courthouse . La Toya Jackson later issued a statement through a publicist . `` Michael was murdered and although he died at the hands of Dr. Conrad Murray , I believe Dr. Murray was a part of a much larger plan , '' her statement said . `` There are other individuals involved and I will not rest and I will continue to fight until all of the proper individuals are brought forth and justice is served . '' Her statement did not elaborate on what she meant in her reference to `` a much larger plan . '' Murray traveled to Los Angeles at the end of January from his home in Houston , Texas , in expectation of possible charges , his lawyer said . He used part of his time last week to visit the pop star 's resting place in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale , California . Murray , a cardiologist , was hired as Jackson 's personal physician last spring as the singer prepared for comeback concerts in London , England . The doctor told Los Angeles police that he was with Jackson at his $ 100,000-a-month rented Holmby Hills mansion through the early morning hours of June 25 , 2009 , in an effort to help the pop star fall asleep , according to a police affidavit . He administered sleep aids , and after Jackson finally began sleeping in the late morning hours , Murray said , he left the bedroom for `` about two minutes maximum , '' the affidavit says . `` Upon his return , Murray noticed that Jackson was no longer breathing , '' it says . The doctor stayed with Jackson as an ambulance rushed him to UCLA Medical Center . Efforts at CPR proved fruitless , and Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. . The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson 's death a homicide , resulting from a combination of drugs , primarily propofol and lorazepam . The coroner 's statement said Jackson died from `` acute propofol intoxication , '' but there were `` other conditions contributing to death : benzodiazepine effect . '' Lorazepam and two other drugs Murray said he used are benzodiazepines . The doctor told investigators he had given Jackson three anti-anxiety drugs to help him sleep in the hours before he stopped breathing , a police affidavit said . Murray had been treating Jackson for insomnia for six weeks at the time of the singer 's death . The doctor told investigators he gave Jackson 50 milligrams of propofol , the generic name for Diprivan , diluted with the anesthetic lidocaine every night via an intravenous drip . The doctor told police he was worried that Jackson was becoming addicted to the drug and tried to wean him off it . During the two nights before Jackson 's death , Murray said , he put together combinations of other drugs that succeeded in helping Jackson sleep . The full autopsy report , which was released Monday afternoon , included an analysis by an anesthesiology consultant of the use of propofol . The consultant , Dr. Selma Calmes , concluded that the `` standard of care for administering propofol was not met . '' `` There was no evidence of an infusion pump for control of an IV infusion . No monitors were found at the scene ; a blood pressure cuff and portable pulse oximeter were recovered from a closet in the next room , '' Calmes wrote . An oxygen tank was found near where Jackson slept , but it was empty when the coroner investigator checked it two weeks after Jackson died , Calmes said . `` Multiple opened bottles of propofol were found with small amounts of remaining drugs , '' Calmes said . `` A used bottle should be discarded six hours after opening , to avoid possible bacterial growth . '' `` The level of propofol found on toxicology exam are similar to those found during general anesthesia for major surgery , '' Calmes said . During such surgery , any patient would be `` intubated and ventilated by an anesthesiologist , '' she said . The consultant 's report said that the level of lorazepam found in Jackson `` would have accentuated the respiratory and cardiovascular depression from propofol . '' CNN 's Stan Wilson and Ted Rowlands contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A string of bombings around Iraq 's capital has killed eight people , including three Iraqi soldiers who died when their weapons truck was hit , and wounded at least 32 , the country 's Interior Ministry said . Blood stains the ground following the explosion of an IED on Kahramana Square in Baghdad on January 12 . The soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in the Yarmouk district of western Baghdad about 10:15 a.m. -LRB- 0715 GMT -RRB- on Monday . The blast also set off small arms ammunition loaded on the truck . Four civilians were wounded in the attack . Separately , three civilians died when a car bomb went off outside a bakery in the eastern district of New Baghdad , followed shortly by another car bomb . Ten people were wounded , an Interior Ministry official told CNN . In central Baghdad , two civilians died in roadside bomb attacks -- one near Kahramana Square and the other targeting a police patrol in the Sheikh-Omar commercial area . A total of seven people , including three police officers , were wounded in those incidents . Two other roadside bombs went off near police patrols in neighborhoods on opposite sides of the city -- the Ghazaliya neighborhood in western Baghdad and the Zayuna district on the city 's east side . There were no fatalities in either attack , but 11 people -- including one police officer in Ghazaliya and three in Zayuna -- were wounded . The attacks came as U.S. Vice President-elect Joe Biden on Monday met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in Baghdad . Biden -- who had been the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee -- has been on a foreign visit that included stops in Pakistan and Afghanistan . Barack Obama , the incoming U.S. president , is planning to shift the military focus in the region to fighting militants in Afghanistan , while withdrawing all but a residual force of troops from Iraq . The U.S. military said two of its troops died as a result of non-combat-related injuries on Sunday . One soldier died in northern Iraq and a U.S. Marine in western Iraq . Five U.S. troops have died in Iraq this month , and 4,225 since the war started . CNN 's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The investigation of the E. coli outbreak linked to Nestle Toll House cookie dough is nearly over , according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration . The cause of the contamination has not been identified . Nestle recalled all its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products made at a Danville , Virginia , plant . David Acheson , the FDA 's associate commissioner for foods , says the samples of cookie dough his agency has tested do not contain the E. coli strain that sickened 74 people in 32 states . On June 19 , Nestle recalled all its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products made at a Danville , Virginia , plant . Thirty-four people have been hospitalized ; no deaths have been reported . The CDC reports that the majority of the patients were teenage girls who reported eating the cookie dough raw . Last month , the FDA found E. coli in a production sample of Toll House cookie dough , but after testing , investigators found that the strain in the sample did not match the outbreak strain . `` We are still in speculation mode , '' Acheson said , but the E. coli `` most likely came from raw ingredients '' such as flour . The E.coli strain that caused the outbreak , 0157 : H7 , is typically found in fecal contamination from animals such as cows , sheep or goats . Acheson points out that it 's not unusual for those animals to be carrying more than one strain of the bacteria . But he believes that the root cause of the contamination may never be known . `` We have to conclude we 're unlikely to have a definitive determination , '' he said . Most people with E. coli 0157 : H7 experience diarrhea and abdominal cramps within eight days of infection . The FDA notified Nestle USA on Thursday that its investigation at the Danville plant was over . Nestle says FDA inspectors were at the plant for more than a week and found no E. coli on equipment . More than 1,000 tests have been conducted at the facility after the outbreak . `` We 've dismantled the production line and done extensive testing on all equipment and not found any E. coli , '' Nestle USA spokeswoman Laurie MacDonald said . MacDonald announced that Nestle is easing back into production at the plant . The company has purchased new lots of eggs , flour and margarine and says it is thoroughly testing the new products and all raw ingredients . Consumers will have to wait to see cookie dough back in grocery stores . `` You 're not going to see anything on the shelves for quite some time , '' MacDonald said . But when it does appear , the company will mark the cookie dough with a new label that clearly designates it as a new batch . It will also continue to carry a reminder to not eat the dough raw .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Federal officials are urging consumers to put off eating foods that contain peanut butter until assurances are made that the foods do not contain products manufactured by the Peanut Corp. of America , some of which were found to contain salmonella . A salmonella outbreak has sickened almost 500 people and killed at least six . Food and Drug Administration officials said Saturday that peanut butter and peanut paste made from ground roasted peanuts , manufactured in Peanut Corp. 's Blakely , Georgia , plant were found to contain the bacteria , although a direct link to the strain that has now sickened 474 people in 43 states has not been found . Six deaths may have been connected to this salmonella outbreak . Peanut Corp. announced an expanded recall of peanut butter and peanut paste produced from its Georgia plant Friday night . Peanut Corp. does n't directly supply to supermarkets , so brand-name peanut butters are not expected to be affected , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Instead , Peanut Corp. sells produce in bulk . The peanut butter is sold in containers from 5 to 1,700 pounds . Peanut paste is sold in sizes from 35-pound containers to tankers . The peanut paste is used in the manufacturing of cakes , candies , crackers , cookies and ice cream , FDA officials say . Minnesota and Connecticut health officials have confirmed salmonella Typhimurium linked to this outbreak in bulk containers found in institutions such as prisons , schools and nursing homes . The FDA is urging companies that make these foods to check whether they use peanut butter or paste produced by the company . The recalled peanut butter was manufactured on or after August 8 , 2008 ; the peanut paste was produced on or after September 26 , 2008 . The administration is urging companies to notify consumers if the products they manufacture may contain peanut products from Peanut Corp. . It is also urging companies whose products do not contain Peanut Corp. peanut butter or paste to make that information available to the public . The Kellogg Co. announced a voluntary recall of 16 products , including Keebler and Famous Amos peanut butter cookies , because they contain peanut butter that could be connected to Peanut Corp. . The FDA does not have the authority to order a recall of products . It has to rely on companies doing so voluntarily . Congress would have to pass a law to give the FDA such power Peanut Corp. products are also distributed by King Nut Co. , which voluntarily recalled its products a week ago . `` The majority of products -LSB- like cookies , crackers , ice cream -RSB- are manufactured with products that do n't come from PCA , '' said Dr. Stephen Sundlof , the FDA 's director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition . However , until people can be sure that the peanut cookies or crackers they have do not contain product from Peanut Corp. , the FDA is asking consumers to hold off on eating them . Sundlof said a previous outbreak linked to salmonella-contaminated peanut butter showed that the bacteria are not necessarily killed if the product is heat-treated or baked . `` It took temperatures up to 250 degrees -LSB- Fahrenheit -RSB- to kill salmonella , '' Sundlof said . Even if a cookie is cooked at 350 degrees , it does n't guarantee that the center of the food gets that hot , making it possible for some some salmonella bacteria to survive . CNN 's Miriam Falco contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Health officials expect more than 3 million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to be available in the first week of October . Three flu shot manufacturers were licensed by the FDA last week . `` 3.4 million doses of vaccines will be available , '' said Dr. Jay Butler , who heads the 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Task Force at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . `` All of that vaccine is the inhalable vaccine , '' he said Friday . That form of vaccine is marketed in the United States as FluMist and is approved only for healthy individuals between the ages of 2 and 49 . Pregnant women are not allowed to get this type of vaccine because it contains a live virus . Butler added that he thinks there some flu shots may be available in early October as well , but he had a hard number only for the inhalable vaccine . Flu shots contain an `` inactivated , '' or dead , virus . Take a quiz about the H1N1 flu '' The 3.4 million doses of vaccine that will be shipped at the beginning of October are the first of 195 million doses the U.S. government has purchased from five vaccine manufacturers , Butler said . Last week , the Food and Drug Administration licensed the vaccine from four of those companies . Sanofi Pasteur , Novartis and CSL Limited all manufacture flu shots , and MedImmune manufactures the inhalable vaccine . GlaxoSmithkline , which also is producing injectable flu vaccine , still needs to have its vaccine approved by the agency . Health officials report that the new H1N1 flu virus has not changed from what was seen earlier this year , so they are expecting the vaccine to be very effective . In some parts of the country , the vaccine ca n't some soon enough . The deputy director of the CDC 's Influenza Division , Dr. Daniel Jernigan , said 21 states are now reporting widespread flu activity . `` It 's a very strange thing for us to see that amount of influenza at this time of year '' rather than much later in the flu season . Jernigan said there 's been only a small an increase in hospitalizations , mainly among young children and adults . But there has been a lot of activity in outpatient settings . Watch a report on the surprising spread of flu '' Until the vaccine becomes available , health officials have recommended steps that people can take to cut their chance of getting sick or , for those already sick , prevent the spread of the flu , including frequent handwashing , sneezing into a tissue or sleeve rather than into one 's hand , and staying home when sick . Those who are at the highest risk of getting seriously ill -- pregnant women , children , young adults and people with chronic lung or heart disease or diabetes -- should be the first to get vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus . Health care workers and emergency medical personnel are also encouraged be vaccinated early . `` Our goal is to ultimately make the vaccine available to every American who wishes to be vaccinated , '' Butler said . `` The vaccine demand is hard to predict . '' Learn more about the H1N1 flu from the CDC According to a CNN\/Opinion Corp. poll conducted in late August , 66 percent of Americans plan to be vaccinated against H1N1 flu . Health care workers may not necessarily be among them . In the past , only about 40 percent of health care workers have been vaccinated against flu , according to the CDC .","question":""}
{"answer":"HOLLYWOOD , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Singer Christina Aguilera joins fellow Grammy Award winners Alicia Keys and John Legend for `` CNN Heroes : An All-Star Tribute , '' airing Thanksgiving night on CNN . Christina Aguilera performed her hit single `` Beautiful '' at `` CNN Heroes : An All-Star Tribute . '' The show , taped before an audience of more than 2,000 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood , pays tribute to the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2008 . Liz McCartney , dedicated to helping survivors of Hurricane Katrina rebuild their homes , has been named the 2008 CNN Hero of the Year . McCartney , of St. Bernard Parish , Louisiana , received the honor at Saturday night 's taping of `` CNN Heroes : An All-Star Tribute . '' The telecast airs at 9 p.m. ET\/PT on Thanksgiving on the global networks of CNN . McCartney , who will receive $ 100,000 to continue her work just outside New Orleans , was selected from among the top 10 CNN Heroes after six weeks of online voting at CNN.com . More than 1 million votes were cast . `` To the country and the world , I ask you to please join us , '' McCartney said . `` Together we can continue to rebuild families ' homes and lives . ... If you join us , we 'll be unstoppable . '' Hosted by CNN 's Anderson Cooper , `` CNN Heroes : An All-Star Tribute '' features moving musical performances by Aguilera , Keys and Legend . Watch a preview of the show , including Aguilera 's performance '' Aguilera performed her hit single `` Beautiful . '' Legend , backed by the world-renowned Agape Choir , brought the audience of more than 2,000 to their feet with his powerful call to personal action , `` If You 're Out There , '' from his just-released album , `` Evolver . '' Keys sang `` Superwoman , '' her tribute to women around the world , from her hit album `` As I Am . '' All three performances echoed the spirit of the CNN Heroes campaign , which salutes everyday people accomplishing extraordinary things in their communities and beyond . `` In this time of economic turmoil , it is such a relief to know that there are people like these heroes , people who care more for others than they do for themselves , '' Cooper said . The top 10 CNN Heroes , chosen by a blue-ribbon panel from an initial pool of more than 3,700 viewer nominations , were each honored with a documentary tribute and introduced by a celebrity presenter . Each of the top 10 Heroes receives $ 25,000 . Watch a close-up look at the CNN Hero Award '' Actors Cameron Diaz , Salma Hayek , John Krasinski , Forest Whitaker , Meg Ryan , Terrence Howard , Lucy Liu , Jessica Biel , Kate Beckinsale and Selena Gomez were among the stars joining in CNN 's tribute to the top 10 . See photos of the presenters '' In addition , actor Hugh Jackman presented People magazine 's 2008 Heroes Among Us award to six recipients honored by the magazine . Award-winning producer-director Joel Gallen returned to executive produce this year 's program . Among his credits , Gallen produced telethon events supporting victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina , winning an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award for `` America : A Tribute to Heroes . '' The Kodak Theatre is best known as the first permanent home of the Academy Awards . In addition to its airing on CNN , the second annual `` CNN Heroes : An All-Star Tribute '' will air simultaneously on CNN International and CNN en Espa\u00f1ol at 9 p.m. ET Thursday -LRB- 0200 GMT Friday -RRB- . In alphabetical order , the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2008 as chosen by the blue-ribbon panel are : Watch the members of the blue ribbon panel '' Tad Agoglia , Houston , Texas : Agoglia 's First Response Team provides immediate help to areas hit by natural disasters . In a little over a year , he and his crew have helped thousands of victims at more than 15 sites across the United States , free of charge . Yohannes Gebregeorgis , Addis Ababa , Ethiopia : Moved by the lack of children 's books and literacy in his native Ethiopia , Gebregeorgis established Ethiopia Reads , bringing free public libraries and literacy programs to thousands of Ethiopian children . Carolyn LeCroy , Norfolk , Virginia : After serving time in prison , LeCroy started the Messages Project to help children stay connected with their incarcerated parents . She and volunteer camera crews have taped roughly 3,000 messages from inmates to their children . Anne Mahlum , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania : On her daily morning jogs , Mahlum used to run past homeless men . Today , she 's helping to transform lives by running with them , and others as part of her Back On My Feet program . Liz McCartney , St. Bernard Parish , Louisiana : McCartney moved to New Orleans to dedicate herself to helping Hurricane Katrina survivors move back into their homes . Her nonprofit , St. Bernard Project , has rebuilt the homes of more than 120 families for free . Phymean Noun , Toronto , Ontario : Growing up in Cambodia , Noun struggled to complete high school . Today , she offers hundreds of Cambodian children who work in Phnom Penh 's trash dump a way out through free schooling and job training . David Puckett , Savannah , Georgia : Puckett started PIPO Missions to bring ongoing prosthetic and orthotic care to those in need . Since November 2000 , he has helped more than 420 people in southeastern Mexico , free of charge . Maria Ruiz , El Paso , Texas : Several times a week , Ruiz crosses the border into Juarez , Mexico , bringing food , clothing and toys to hundreds of impoverished children and their families . Marie Da Silva , Los Angeles , California : Having lost 14 family members to AIDS , the nanny funds a school in her native Malawi , where half a million children have been orphaned by the disease . Viola Vaughn , Kaolack , Senegal : The Detroit , Michigan , native moved to Senegal to retire . Instead , a group of failing schoolchildren asked her to help them pass their classes . Today , her 10,000 Girls program is helping hundreds of girls succeed in school and run their own businesses .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- More troops , new legislation , improved troop training and added civilian expertise highlight President Obama 's strategy to fight terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan . President Obama , here with Hillary Clinton on Friday , calls the situation in Afghanistan `` increasingly perilous . '' Obama on Friday announced his plan to tackle what he called an `` international security challenge of the highest order . '' Stressing soberly that `` the safety of people around the world is at stake , '' Obama said the `` situation is increasingly perilous '' in the region in and around Afghanistan , where the United States has been fighting al Qaeda and the Taliban for more than 7 1\/2 years after attacks in New York and at the Pentagon . `` The United States of America did not choose to fight a war in Afghanistan . Nearly 3,000 of our people were killed on September 11 , 2001 , for doing nothing more than going about their daily lives , '' said Obama , who has vowed to make Afghanistan the central front in the fight against terrorism . `` So let me be clear : Al Qaeda and its allies -- the terrorists who planned and supported the 9\/11 attacks -- are in Pakistan and Afghanistan . Multiple intelligence estimates have warned that al Qaeda is actively planning attacks on the U.S. homeland from its safe haven in Pakistan . Watch how the U.S. will target terrorist safe havens '' `` And if the Afghan government falls to the Taliban -- or allows al Qaeda to go unchallenged -- that country will again be a base for terrorists who want to kill as many of our people as they possibly can . '' Obama said it is key Americans understand that Pakistan `` needs our help '' against al Qaeda . `` Al Qaeda and other violent extremists have killed several thousand Pakistanis since 9\/11 . They have killed many Pakistani soldiers and police . They assassinated -LSB- former Pakistani Prime Minister -RSB- Benazir Bhutto . They have blown up buildings , derailed foreign investment and threatened the stability of the state . Make no mistake : Al Qaeda and its extremist allies are a cancer that risks killing Pakistan from within . '' Watch Obama 's speech on Afghanistan , Pakistan threats '' Flanked by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates , Obama called on Congress to pass a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Sens. John Kerry , D-Massachusetts , and Richard Lugar , R-Indiana . The legislation authorizes `` $ 1.5 billion in direct support to the Pakistani people every year over the next five years -- resources that will build schools , roads and hospitals and strengthen Pakistan 's democracy , '' he said . He also urged Congress to pass legislation that would create opportunity zones in the border region . The goal is to develop the economy and bring hope to places plagued by violence . Obama said , `` We will ask our friends and allies to do their part , '' including at a donors conference next month in Tokyo , Japan . `` After years of mixed results , we will not provide a blank check . Pakistan must demonstrate its commitment to rooting out al Qaeda and the violent extremists within its borders . And we will insist that action be taken -- one way or another -- when we have intelligence about high-level terrorist targets . '' Obama said the United States must work with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and others to help Pakistan get through the economic crisis . `` To lessen tensions between two nuclear-armed nations that too often teeter on the edge of escalation and confrontation , we must pursue constructive diplomacy with both India and Pakistan . '' Afghan President Harmid Karzai watched the speech on CNN from Kabul , said Richard Holbrooke , Obama 's special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan . Karzai `` is extremely grateful and will issue his statement of support , '' Holbrooke said . Obama stressed that `` Afghanistan has been denied the resources that it demands because of the war in Iraq '' and now a commitment must be made . Obama said he is sending another 4,000 troops to Afghanistan , along with hundreds of civilian specialists , such as agricultural experts , educators and engineers . The troops -- which are in addition to the 17,000 announced earlier -- will be charged with training and building the Afghan army and police force . The stakes are high as al Qaeda and the Taliban have escalated the insurgency and the number of U.S. troops deaths spiked last year -- the highest yearly death toll for them in the war . Obama said the soldiers and Marines `` will take the fight to the Taliban in the south and east '' and will work with Afghan troops along the border . He said such an effort will bolster `` security in advance of the important presidential election in August . '' Watch Obama tell terrorists U.S. will defeat them '' Obama said the coalition `` will accelerate '' efforts to `` build an Afghan army of 134,000 and a police force of 82,000 so that we can meet these goals by 2011 -- and increases in Afghan forces may very well be needed as our plans to turn over security responsibility to the Afghans go forward . '' He said Afghanistan 's government has been `` undermined by corruption and has difficulty delivering basic services to its people '' and its economy is undercut by `` a booming narcotics trade that encourages criminality and funds the insurgency . '' Watch Obama 's remarks on the Afghan situation '' Obama said the United States will set clear benchmarks for international assistance and wo n't ignore attention to corruption . He said the United States will develop a new contact group for Afghanistan and Pakistan that would include not only NATO allies and other partners but also Central Asian states , Gulf nations and Iran , Russia , India and China . Reacting to Obama 's plan , Sen. Russell Feingold , D-Wisconsin , said he is pleased the president is focusing on al Qaeda and is addressing the role of Pakistan but expressed concern the strategy could remain `` overly Afghan-centric . '' Citing Friday 's suicide attack on a mosque in the Pakistani tribal region near Afghanistan , Feingold said , `` This new administration must ensure that we do what we must not only in Afghanistan but also in Pakistan . '' He said , `` As the bombing near the Khyber Pass this morning highlights , we need to fully address the inextricable links between the crisis in Afghanistan and the instability and terrorist threats in Pakistan . '' The bombing killed at least 48 people and wounded 80 to 90 others . Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Obama 's plan , saying it is `` a significant pivot '' away from the Democratic Party 's left wing . `` So the president 's decision to continue Secretary Gates , follow -LSB- U.S. Central Command chief -RSB- Gen. -LSB- David -RSB- Petraeus ' advice -- which may be somewhat exasperating to his own political left -- I think is in the best interest of the country and I think he 's going to enjoy pretty strong Republican support for the plan , '' the Kentucky Republican told reporters .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- AOL Autos -RRB- -- The conventional wisdom , among most folks , anyway , is that buying a used car is usually something done out of necessity , by those on a budget -- that is , people who want , or need , to `` move down '' from the new-car market because a new model is simply out of their reach . Bottom line , the Lexus reputation is for high-end luxury , quality and long-term dependability . However , there is another category of used cars that appeal to those with a bit more disposable income : used luxury cars . For some buyers , the used-luxury market is a way of getting into that Lexus , Lincoln , Infiniti or Porsche you always wanted , without laying out $ 70,000 or $ 80,000 for something you 're not actually going to live in . For others , scouring the used-luxury-car listings is a way of re-visiting the halcyon years of their youth . At this point , some of these used-luxe models have been around so long that they almost qualify as vintage throwback editions . Recently , Consumer Reports magazine issued its list of best and worst used cars , and divvied them up by price range . Using CR 's recommendations as a guideline , here is a list of some of the best used luxury cars currently on the market in the $ 24,000-30 ,000 price range . 2005 & 2006 Acura MDX A luxury SUV , the MDX is spacious , seats seven , and boasts distinctive styling and Acura 's famed attention to detail . Plus , it packs some punch under the hood -- this generation was powered by 3.5-liter , 253-hp V6 matched to a five-speed automatic transmission . AOL Autos : Used Acura Priced just right as a new vehicle , it included safety features like dual-stage front airbags , three-point seatbelts and adjustable head restraints for all seating positions . 2007 Acura RDX A crossover vehicle that mixes sedan-like ride with SUV roominess , the '07 RDX offered unibody construction , leather upholstery , heated front seats , power moonroof , 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires , xenon HID headlights with foglamps and the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine -- plus a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel , and the patented SH-AWD -LRB- SH for Super Handling -RRB- system . 2006 & 2007 Acura TL A mid-size , front-wheel-drive , four-door sedan powered by a 258-hp 3.2-liter V6 , the Acura TL is a fine road machine . Actually , it was available for ' 06 - '07 as both a TL and a higher-end TL Type S -- the latter of which sported an upgraded engine , a 286-hp 3.5-liter . Depending on trim level , you can find it with a five-speed automatic with a console-mounted lever or shift paddles on the steering wheel . 2007 Audi A3 Audi designers have always shown a certain flair for dynamics , and that is evident here , in a sharply-engineered , handsomely-appointed vehicle that offers a fine balance between silky ride , nimble handling and zesty performance . This sporty compact was powered by a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in ' 07 , and came standard with a six-speed manual and an optional Direct Shift Gearbox . AOL Autos : Used Audi 2005 & 2006 BMW 3-Series The 3-Series is another winning stable of cars , but Consumer Reports especially liked specific model years\/versions\/features in the 3-Series family : The 2005 RWD coupe and convertible ; the '06 325i RWD sedan ; the '06 330i RWD sedan and the '05 Z4 . Depending on the model year and version , the standard engine ranged from a 184-hp 2.5-L to a 255-hp 3.0-L . AOL Autos : Used BMW 2005 & 2006 Infiniti FX35 Another of the many crossovers that have hit the market the last several years , the FX35 is one of the sportier editions . During these model years , the FX35 2WD came with a 280-hp 3.5-liter V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission . Rear-wheel-drive was standard , but AWD was also an option . Some spiffier features included leather seating surfaces , 18-inch wheels , dual-zone climate control with microfiltration and steering-wheel controls . AOL Autos : Used Infiniti Infiniti G35 The G35 is one of the more svelte sports-sedan beauties on the road , offering Infiniti 's typical attention to detail and sporting attitude . Yes , it has four doors , but it handles like a sporty coupe , with its power coming from a finely-tuned 3.5-liter V6 . Horsepower output is 280 for the automatic and 298 with the manual . Luxo amenities include leather upholstery , automatic climate control , steering wheel audio controls , illuminated visor vanity mirrors and high-intensity discharge -LRB- HID -RRB- xenon headlamps . Lexus Any luxury-car aficionado knows that a Lexus is one of the most exquisitely-designed , high-performing chariots on the luxury-car market , and CR saw fit to include more than a half-dozen Lexus models on this list of recommended used luxury cars -- from the '02 SC and LX models , to the ' 03 - '04 GX edition , '03 LS , '04 \/ '06 IS entries , ' 04 - '05 RX model , '05 GS and '06 ES to ... well , you get the picture . Bottom line , given the Lexus reputation for high-end luxury , quality and long-term dependability , it 's hard to go wrong with any of the above-named Lexus entries . And all have plenty of engine oomph and luxo-line amenities . AOL Autos : Used Lexus 2007 Lincoln MKX This luxury crossover vehicle debuted in '07 as a replacement for the Aviator , and made a big splash . A higher-end and pricier version of the Ford Edge , it seats five and is powered by a 265 hp 3.5-liter V-6 and comes with standard six-speed automatic tranny . Either FWD or AWD is available . One cool option was the glass-paneled roof dubbed the `` Vista Roof . '' 2007 Lincoln MKZ Also new for the '07 model year , this handsome and fully-loaded mid-size luxury sedan replaced the Zephyr . Under the hood purrs a muscular 263-hp V6 hitched to a six-speed automatic transmission . FWD is standard , but AWD is optional . Standard safety features include side-impact air bags in the front ; curtain-style head protection airbags for all outboard positions ; plus traction control and antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution . 2007 Lincoln Town Car A venerated luxury car whose heritage goes way back , the Town Car still `` has game '' -- and is a far cry from the floaty boats your granddad drove in the '70s and '80s . It 's still cavernous inside , but now boasts a much more refined design . It seats six comfortably and is powered by a 239-hp 4.6-liter V-8 that 's linked to a four-speed automatic . The well-appointed cabin is trimmed in premium leather and burl walnut appliques . Available in Signature , Signature Limited , Designer and Signature L trim levels , you can find one to fit any taste . 1998 Porsche 911 No , your eyes do n't deceive you -- CR did include a primo , high-line vehicle like a Porsche 911 on its list of recommended used cars under $ 30,000 . But , take note : This is the 1998 edition . But when you 're dealing with quality of this level , even an 10-year-old vehicle has a lot of juice left in it . So , by `` going vintage , '' driving enthusiasts can get into their car of their dreams without breaking the bank . In ' 98 , the 911 was powered by a 3.6 L H-6 282 hp engine . So , while it was n't quite the road-burner it is today , is still packed plenty of thrust . 2007 Volvo S60 -LRB- FWD -RRB- Only a year old , the '07 used edition should still be in fine condition , and it boasts top-drawer performance , stylish design and Volvo 's all-world safety features . The '07 S60 came in several trim levels , with an array of engine sizes , from the turbocharged 2.5-liter 208 hp job to the 2.3-liter 257-hp inline five-cylinder plant to the 2.5-liter high-pressure turbocharged and intercooled engine that churned out 300 ponies . Depending on the trim line , either a manual or automatic transmission can be had . 2006 & 2007 Volvo XC70 The XC70 is a crossover vehicle , splitting the difference between an SUV and a wagon . And it 's one of the finest crossovers on the road . It 's all-wheel drive , and the latest used-model-year , the ' 07 , was powered by a 208-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five-cylinder engine matched to a Geartronic five-speed automatic transmission that also offers manual gear selection .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sugar lovers may have to face a bitter truth : The less sugar added to foods for typical people , the better are their blood-fat profiles and the lower are their cardiovascular risks , a study to be published Wednesday concludes . `` We found that the lower the amount of added sugar people ate , the better their good cholesterol and their blood triglyceride levels , '' said co-author Dr. Miriam B. Vos , assistant professor of pediatrics at Emory University in Atlanta , Georgia , and author of `` The No-Diet Obesity Solution for Kids . '' Unfortunately for dessert lovers , the converse is true . Increased sugars are associated with important cardiovascular disease risk factors , according to the report . The authors cited lower levels of HDL-C , which is sometimes referred to as the good cholesterol , and higher levels of triglycerides . The study , to be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association , highlights a trend some nutritionists consider disturbing : In recent years , the typical American 's diet has increasingly incorporated added sugars . The authors defined them as `` caloric sweeteners used by the food industry and consumers as ingredients in processed or prepared foods to increase the desirability of those foods . '' Data from the mid-1990s show that 15.8 percent of the typical American 's diet was composed of added sugar -- 21.4 teaspoons or 359 calories per day . That 's up from 10.6 percent in 1977-1978 . Added sugars have been linked to obesity , diabetes and tooth decay . The researchers studied 6,113 adults enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey . Interviewers called them and asked what they had eaten the previous day , then estimated the total added sugar in each person 's diet . Participants were then separated into groups : Those who got less than 5 percent of total calories from added sugar ; 5 percent to less than 10 percent ; 10 percent to less than 17.5 percent ; 17.5 percent to less than 25 percent ; and 25 percent or more . Those in the highest-consuming added sugar group eat about 46 teaspoons of added sugar per day , the study said . Those who consumed more added sugar tended to be younger , non-Latino blacks with low income , it said . The report says 18.5 percent of Americans get at least 25 percent of their calories from added sugar . The strongest relationship between added sugar and blood fats was found in values for HDL-C , which fell from 58.7 mg\/dl for those who ate the least added sugar to 47.7 mg\/dl for those who ate the most . A higher HDL-C level is associated with a lower cardiovascular risk . Among some blood fats linked to higher cardiovascular risk , the converse was true : Triglyceride levels went from 105 mg\/dl in the group that ate the least sugar to 114 mg\/dl in the group that ate the most . The so-called bad cholesterol , LDL-C , went from 116 mg\/dl for women who ate the least sugar to 123 mg\/dl for women who ate the most . There were no significant trends for LDL-C among men . The authors concluded that their data support dietary guidelines that aim to cut consumption of added sugar . But those guidelines are all over the map . The Institute of Medicine recommends no more than 25 percent of total energy from added sugars ; the World Health Organization recommends less than 10 percent ; and the American Heart Association has recently advised no more than 100 calories per day for women and 150 calories per day for men , which works out to about 5 percent . `` What it really means is we have to go back to things like whole grains and vegetables and fruit and eat things in moderation in order to be healthy , '' Vos said . `` Plus , a good healthy dose of activity . '' But the study compiled data based on a single day 's consumption , and it was not clear whether that day was representative of other days , she said . `` We do n't know that all of the people had their usual diet the day before , '' she said . `` There are always some weaknesses in that kind of data . '' Carbohydrates have been linked for decades to abnormal blood fat levels , `` but a big contemporary issue is added sugars , '' said Dr. Frank Sacks , professor of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston , Massachusetts . Vos ' study `` fills in a gap in the science base . '' The study will likely be discussed next month when the American Heart Association takes up the matter of added sugars at its meeting in Washington , he said . `` We just overeat too damn much , '' he said . `` What this study is saying is that , for some groups -- especially young people , black , poor -- sugar is just way too big a proportion of their intake . '' `` The real truth is that we 're supposed to eat a balanced diet , less processed food , '' said Carla Wolper , a nutritionist at the Obesity Research Center at St. Luke 's Hospital in New York and assistant professor at Columbia University 's Eating Disorders Center . Wolper praised the study for its size and careful construction . But Dr. Richard K. Bernstein , a diabetes specialist based in Mamaroneck , New York , was unimpressed . `` This is just one more study showing that carbohydrates create abnormal lipid profiles , '' he said .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Five years from now , there 's an excellent chance you wo n't have the same health insurance you have -LRB- or do n't have -RRB- right now . That 's because members of Congress are gearing up to reform the U.S. health care system , and unlike in 1993 when then-first lady Hillary Clinton tried her hand at changing the medical system , this time the important players -- doctors , insurance companies , pharmaceutical manufacturers -- seem to be on board . You heard a lot about health care reform this week , and you 'll be hearing even more in the months to come . It 's an incredibly confusing , complex issue , so in this week 's Empowered Patient , we break it down for you with 10 frequently asked questions about health care reform . Overhauling health care is key to U.S. economic stability , President Obama tells doctors Monday . 1 . Why is health care reform such a hot issue right now ? Fewer and fewer Americans have health insurance , and therefore can not afford good medical care . Nearly 46 million Americans have no insurance , and 25 million more are underinsured . One major reason for this crisis is that many employers have stopped offering insurance to employees because of the high cost . In the United States , total health care spending was $ 2.4 trillion in 2007 -- or $ 7,900 per person -- according to an analysis published in the journal Health Affairs . The United States spends 52 percent more per person than the next most costly nation , Norway , according to the Kaiser Family Foundation . There 's little debate that health care reform is necessary -- President Obama , Republican and Democratic members of Congress , the American Medical Association and America 's Health Insurance Plans , which represents the insurance industry , all have agreed the system needs to be changed , although they disagree on how to do it . 2 . So let 's start with Obama . What are his plans for revamping the system ? A central point of the president 's plan is to create a government-sponsored health insurance program that would be an option for all Americans , similar to how Medicare is now an option for Americans over age 65 . He has also said he 'd `` like to see '' prohibitions against insurers discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions , and incentives for people to use preventive services and wellness plans . Obama outlined this plan last week at a town hall meeting in Green Bay , Wisconsin , and on his Web site . 3 . How does the president plan to pay for this ? Obama said he 's already identified `` hundreds of billions of dollars '' worth of savings in the federal budget that could help finance health care reform , such as rooting out waste , fraud and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid . He 's also proposed reducing tax deductions for high-income Americans . 4 . What do the Republicans think of Obama 's plan ? In particular , they do n't like the idea of having a government-sponsored health insurance program for all Americans . They fear employers would opt for the government-run insurance over private insurance because the government option would most likely be less expensive , but Republicans say it would also be lower quality . For information , see House Minority Leader John Boehner 's Web site . 5 . Since they do n't like Obama 's ideas , how would Republicans like to reform health care ? Republicans think Obama 's plan is costly and will make health insurance more expensive , not less . In a plan outlined this week , House Republicans proposed individual tax breaks for buying health insurance and `` pools '' of states and small business to get lower-cost health care plans . They also proposed increasing incentives for people to build health savings accounts , allowing dependent children to stay on parents ' policies until age 25 and encouraging employers to reward employees for improved health . 6 . I 'm happy with the insurance I receive from my employer . What would health care reform mean for me ? If you receive high-quality health insurance from your employer , Obama said , his plan wo n't change that , and you can still keep your insurance and your doctors . Republicans , however , said that if Obama gets his way , there 's a good chance your employer will stop buying the private insurance you have now and instead opt for the less-expensive government plan . 7 . I have a pre-existing condition and ca n't get health insurance . Will health care reform help me ? You have a terrible problem and you 're in good company . Millions of people who do n't get insurance through their employer try to get insurance on their own and are turned down because they have a pre-existing condition . Obama said at the Green Bay town hall meeting that under his reforms , no insurance plan `` would be able to deny coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions , '' but he did n't explain how he would force insurance companies to insure people with pre-existing health problems . Similarly , Boehner wrote on his blog that `` quality health coverage must exist for every American , regardless of pre-existing health conditions , '' but did not explain how he would pay to insure people with pre-existing conditions . 8 . How do doctors feel about health care reform ? The American Medical Association said while it believes in health care reform , `` the AMA does not believe that creating a public health insurance option ... is the best way to expand health insurance coverage . '' The AMA has told members of Congress that doctors fear a new government-sponsored health insurance program would reimburse them at Medicare rates . `` Medicare reimbursement rates have not kept pace with the cost of practice , '' AMA President Dr. Nancy Nielsen told CNN earlier this week . `` Our Medicare rates are back at 2001 rates , and the reality is , that 's not where our rent is , that 's not where the electricity is . The system for paying doctors is a broken system , and everybody acknowledges it . '' Other doctors ' groups , however , support the idea . The American Academy of Family Physicians , the National Physicians Alliance and other groups put out a statement of support this week for Obama 's plan . `` Having the choice of a public health insurance plan will help make health care more affordable for patients , foster greater competition in the insurance market and guarantee that quality , affordable coverage will be there for our patients no matter what happens , '' they wrote in a joint statement . . 9 . Obama has mentioned high health care costs in McAllen , Texas , several times . What 's up with that ? According to research conducted at the Dartmouth Institute , the average per person health costs for McAllen are sky-high compared with costs in other cities . In McAllen , the average Medicare beneficiary spends $ 15,758 per year , while the average Medicare patient in LaCrosse , Wisconsin , spends $ 6,412 per year . Another comparison : The cost in Miami , Florida , is $ 18,170 , compared with $ 7,478 in Portland , Oregon . Dartmouth researchers believe doctors in high-priced cities tend to refer to specialists more and are more likely to put patients in the hospital rather than handling their problems on an outpatient basis . 10 . How do health care costs in the U.S. compare with costs in other countries ? In the United States , every person spends on average $ 6,714 for health care . That 's significantly higher than in the United Kingdom , where $ 2,760 per person is spent ; or in France , where the cost is $ 3,449 per person ; or in Canada , where medical costs are $ 3,678 per person , according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development . While some would argue that medical care is better in the United States than in these other countries , others would say the opposite is true . For example , the United States ranks 50th in life expectancy , and 180th infant mortality -LRB- meaning 179 countries have higher infant mortality rates such as Angola and Turkey and 43 countries have lower infant mortality rates such as France and Sweden -RRB- according to the CIA World Factbook . For more on international price comparisons , see this segment '' on CNN Newsroom . CNN 's Jennifer Pifer Bixler , Marcy Heard and Sabriya Rice contributed to this report","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Federal and state health officials said Monday that salmonella linked last week in Minnesota to King Nut peanut butter was caused by the same strain of bacteria responsible for an ongoing outbreak of 410 salmonella cases in 43 states . Salmonella bacteria are transmitted to humans by eating contaminated foods . The infection may have contributed to three deaths , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday . `` Preliminary analysis of an epidemiologic study conducted by CDC and public health officials in multiple states comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons has suggested peanut butter as a likely source , '' the disease agency said in a written statement . `` To date , no association has been found with common brand names of peanut butter sold in grocery stores . '' A spokesman for the Food and Drug Administration said Monday that the agency has been collaborating with the CDC , the U.S. Department of Agriculture and public health officials in many states to investigate the outbreak of infections due to Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium . `` This new information from Minnesota will not change what we are currently doing as part of the investigation , '' said FDA spokesman Michael Herndon . What you need to know about food poisoning \u00c2 '' The Minnesota bacteria were linked last week to institutionally distributed peanut butter , sold under the King Nut brand name . In one of the Minnesota patients , a 70-year-old female nursing home resident , the infection proved fatal , said Doug Schultz , a Minnesota public health department spokesman . `` We do not know to what extent the salmonella contributed to the death , '' said Schultz , who added that the patient had other underlying illnesses . Virginia Health officials confirm that two of the three deaths linked to the salmonella outbreak were from their state . Although she could not provide a lot of information due to privacy laws , Michelle Peregoy , a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Health tells CNN that one person who died was over age 65 and from the Southwest part of the state , the other person who died was a younger adult between the ages of 25-64 . As with the Minnesota patient , both Virgina patients had underlying illnesses , which means they had weakended immune systems . Very young people , older people and those with compromised immune systems are the most vulnerable to severe side effects , including death . Late last week , King Nut Companies , based in Ohio , recalled King Nut peanut butter . President and CEO Martin Kanan said the product is manufactured by a Lynchburg , Virginia-based company , Peanut Corporation of America . `` King Nut took this action as soon as it was informed that salmonella had been found in an open five-pound tub of King Nut peanut butter , '' the company said Saturday in a posting on its Web site . King Nut , which distributes peanut butter through food service accounts , does not sell directly to consumers . Kanan said King Nut has asked customers to stop distributing peanut butter with lot codes beginning with `` 8 '' and has canceled orders with the manufacturer . The first cases nationwide were reported September 3 , but most occurred between October 1 and December 31 , the CDC said last week . About 18 percent of cases were hospitalized as a result of their illness , and patients have ranged from 2 months to 98 years of age . California has reported the highest case count with 55 , followed by Ohio with 53 , Massachusetts with 39 , Minnesota with 30 and Michigan with 20 . The other 37 states are each reporting from one to 19 cases . The seven states that have reported no cases connected to the outbreak are Montana , New Mexico , Louisiana , Mississippi , South Carolina , Florida and Alaska . Strains of salmonella linked to outbreaks in the past have been traced to contaminated eggs , meat , poultry , vegetables , pet food and peanut butter . Contaminated tomatoes were blamed for an outbreak in the fall of 2006 caused by salmonella Typhimurium , which sickened at least 183 people in 21 states . Most people suffered from diarrhea and fever for about a week . No one is known to have died in that outbreak . Salmonella infections can be treated with antibiotics , though some strains are resistant to these drugs , according to the CDC . Most people infected develop diarrhea , fever and abdominal cramps within a few days of infection and the illness can last up to a week . Most recover without treatment , but some may suffer dehydration and , in severe cases , require hospitalization . Children , senior citizens , people with chronic illnesses and those with weak immune systems tend to be at highest risk for complications , according to the National Institutes of Health . CNN 's Louise Schiavone and Miriam Falco contributed to this story .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pennsylvania and the nation said goodbye Tuesday to John P. Murtha , politician , warrior , father , friend , gentleman . Speakers at the funeral for the Democratic congressman recalled a man skilled in the ways of Washington but , more importantly , a public servant who never forgot why he was elected 17 times to represent Pennsylvania 's 12th district . `` Jack Murtha never lost sight of God 's purpose in the law , '' said the Rev. William George , president of the Georgetown Preparatory School in Washington . `` Lawmaking should be sacred work , and Jack knew that . '' Murtha , 77 , died February 8 of complications from gall bladder surgery . A former Marine colonel and twice-wounded Vietnam War veteran , Murtha earned a reputation as one of Congress 's loudest anti-war voices . He initially supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq , but he stunned much of Washington when he called for a swift U.S. pullout in November 2005 . `` U.S. and coalition troops have done all they can , '' Murtha said . `` It 's time for a change in direction . '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who led a bipartisan delegation to the funeral , remembered her long-time ally . `` Those who served with him were honored to call him a colleague , '' Pelosi said . `` There were those of us who were privileged to call him friend . '' President Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were among those who filled Westmont Presbyterian Church in Johnstown , Pennsylvania , for the funeral . Murtha 's daughter , Donna , recalled his love of nature and how he enjoyed feeding wild birds , but not squirrels that raided the birdseed . `` He loved to outwit the squirrels , '' Donna Murtha said , her voice breaking at times . `` He could not stand it if they were outwitting him . '' Others recalled Murtha 's dedication to public service . `` Today there is great comfort in the memory of John P. Murtha 's life , '' said the Rev. Douglas Stevens , pastor of Westmont Presbyterian . `` He made a difference . '' Murtha underwent scheduled laparoscopic surgery to remove his gall bladder January 28 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda , Maryland . He was released but rehospitalized a few days later after the complications developed . The operation had been scheduled after Murtha was hospitalized for a few days in December . Murtha represented Pennsylvania 's 12th Congressional District in the House since 1974 , making him the chamber 's eighth most senior member . Two days before he died , Murtha became the state 's longest-serving congressman . He also was the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress , his biography on the House Web site says . Murtha was considered one of `` the kings of pork '' on Capitol Hill by taxpayer watchdog groups for requesting tens of millions of dollars in earmarks . The congressman strongly defended earmarks , saying on his Web site , `` I believe that elected representatives of the people understand their constituents and districts best . '' Supporters said his efforts helped bring thousands of jobs to western Pennsylvania . Born June 17 , 1932 , in West Virginia , Murtha moved with his family to Pennsylvania as a child . Prior to joining the House of Representatives , he served in the Pennsylvania state legislature . He also served 37 years in the Marines and Marine Corps Reserves . He retired from the Reserves in 1990 and received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal . Murtha attended Washington and Jefferson College but dropped out in 1952 to enlist in the Marines . He later graduated from the University of Pittsburgh . He is survived by his wife , Joyce , daughter , Donna , and two sons . `` When they made dad , they broke the mold , '' Donna Murtha said during the funeral . `` He lived by the motto , one man can make a difference . '' Murtha was scheduled to be buried later Tuesday at a private ceremony .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sachin Tendulkar 's wait for a history-making 100th international century continues after the legendary Indian cricketer fell short again in the first Test against Australia in Melbourne on Tuesday . The 38-year-old `` Little Master '' was dismissed for 73 in the final over of the second day as the tourists reached 214-3 in reply to Australia 's first-innings total of 333 . Tendulkar is international cricket 's record run scorer in both the five-day and limited overs formats but has been stranded on 99 centuries since March . He added 117 with Rahul Dravid after coming to the crease at 97-2 , following opening batsman Virender Sehwag 's quickfire 67 off 83 balls . Sehwag passed 8,000 runs in Tests as he registered his 31st half-century . Australia lose late wickets against India Tendulkar continued the brisk pace , as he hit eight fours and a six from 98 deliveries faced , reaching his 64th Test half-century before being bowled by Peter Siddle . Dravid was unbeaten on a patient 65 off 185 balls , with the 38-year-old notching his 63rd Test fifty , while Ishant Sharma successfully negotiated the final three balls of the day to leave India 119 runs behind Australia with seven wickets remaining . Dravid is the second-highest Test run scorer of all time behind Tendulkar on 13,162 , having extended his margin over Australia 's Ricky Ponting -LRB- 12,718 -RRB- . India , seeking a first series victory in Australia in 64 years in the four-match competition , lost an early wicket when Gautam Gambhir was caught by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off the bowling of Ben Hilfenhaus for just three runs with the score at 22 . Australia had resumed on 277-6 , with Haddin on 21 and Siddle unbeaten on 34 . Both fell to Zaheer Khan with the addition of only 14 runs as Haddin was caught by Sehwag for 27 and Siddle by wicketkeeper captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for 41 . Left-arm fast bowler Khan ended with figures of 4-77 off 31 overs , while off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took the last two wickets to fall to finish with 3-81 . Ashwin said the Indians were not concerned by Tendulkar 's failure to reach the coveted landmark . `` It 's going to eventually happen , no point in bothering about it . We 're very happy to be in the position we are presently , '' the 25-year-old told reporters . In other Test action Tuesday , left-arm paceman Chanaka Welegedera took five wickets for 52 runs as Sri Lanka bowled out South Africa for just 168 at Kingsmead in Durban . It left the tourists with a commanding first innings lead of 170 in the second Test , having lost the first by an innings and 81 runs . Sri Lanka lost captain Tillekeratne Dilshan , dismissed by Dale Steyn , to be seven for one when bad light drew proceedings on the second day to an early close . Welegedera had all his victims caught behind or in the slips and was superbly backed up by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath , who four for 49 . Earlier , Sri Lanka were bowled out for 338 with Thilan Samaraweera the last man out for 102 . Marchant de Lange took seven wickets for 81 on his debut for South Africa , the best figures recorded by any bowler in Test cricket in 2011 .","question":""}
{"answer":"LAS VEGAS , Nevada -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs was released from a hospital in Las Vegas , Nevada on Wednesday , a source close to the case told CNN . Jailed polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs , seen in September , has been hospitalized in Las Vegas . Authorities took Jeffs from an Arizona jail to a Nevada hospital on Tuesday after he saying he looked feverish and was `` acting in a convulsive manner , and looked in a very weakened state . '' Doctors there determined he should go to a larger facility , so Jeffs was flown to the Sunrise Medical Center in Las Vegas . Sheriff Tom Sheahan of Mohave County , Arizona said before Jeffs ' release that his condition was not believed to be life-threatening . Further details about his release on Wednesday were unavailable . Sheahan said he is trying to get information about Jeffs ' condition . Watch how authorities are mum about Jeffs '' Jeffs ' attorney in Arizona , Michael Piccarreta , also declined comment on his client 's hospitalization . The 52-year-old is the leader and so-called prophet of the estimated 10,000-member Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , an offshoot of the mainstream Mormon church . The FLDS openly practices polygamy at its Yearning for Zion Ranch outside Eldorado , Texas , along with two towns straddling the Utah-Arizona state line -- Hildale , Utah , and Colorado City , Arizona . The charges against Jeffs are Class 6 felonies under Arizona law , Piccarreta said , meaning that a judge -- upon conviction -- will determine whether the charges are misdemeanors or felonies . Other charges Jeffs initially faced in Arizona have been dismissed , said Piccarreta . In November , Jeffs was sentenced in Utah to two consecutive terms of five years to life in prison after his conviction on two charges of being an accomplice to rape in connection with a 2001 marriage he performed between a girl , 14 , and her cousin , 19 . According to unsealed court documents , Jeffs refused food and drink for a month in January 2007 and developed ulcers on his knees from kneeling in prayer for hours as he awaited trial . On January 28 , 2007 , he attempted to hang himself in his cell , the documents said . In the days afterward while on suicide watch , Jeffs on separate occasions banged his head and threw himself against a wall . He has been in custody since August 2006 , when he was arrested during a routine traffic stop after spending months on the FBI 's 10 most-wanted fugitives list . In April , authorities removed more than 400 children from the YFZ Ranch . Child protection officials said they found a `` pervasive pattern '' of sexual abuse on the ranch through forced marriages between underage girls and older men . In June , however , the Texas Supreme Court ruled the state had no right to remove the children . The court also said the state lacked evidence to show that the children faced imminent danger of abuse . The children were returned to their families . CNN 's Saeed Ahmed and Gary Tuchman contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A total of seven cases of a previously undetected strain of swine flu have been confirmed in humans in the United States , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said . None of the patients has had direct contact with pigs . Swine flu is usually diagnosed only in pigs or people in regular contact with them . Five of the cases have been found in California , and two have been found in Texas , near San Antonio , said Dr. Anne Schuchat , the CDC 's Interim Deputy Director for Science and Public Health Program . The CDC reported Tuesday that two children in the San Diego , California , area , infected with a virus called swine influenza A H1N1 , whose combination of genes has not been seen in flu viruses in either human or pigs before . The patients range from age 9 to 54 , Schuchat said . They include two 16-year-old boys who attend the same Texas school , and a father and daughter in California . `` The good news is that all seven of these patients have recovered , '' Schuchat said . The first two cases were picked up through a special influenza monitoring program , with stations in San Diego and El Paso , Texas . The program aims to get a better sense of what strains exist and to detect new strains before they become widespread , the CDC said . Other cases emerged through routine and expanded surveillance . At this point , the ability for the human influenza vaccine to protect against this new swine flu strain is unknown , and studies are ongoing , she said . There is no danger from contracting the virus from eating pork products , Schuchat said . The new virus has genes from North American swine and avian influenza , human influenza and swine influenza normally found in Asia and Europe , said Nancy Cox , chief of the CDC 's Influenza Division . Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza , according to the CDC . It does not normally inflect humans , but cases have occurred among people , especially those who have had direct exposure to pigs . There have also been cases in the past of one person spreading swine flu to other people , the CDC said . In 1988 , in an apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin , there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had contact with the patient , the CDC said . Person-to-person transmission is believed to occur in a manner similar to the spread of the influenza virus : through infected people coughing and sneezing , the CDC said . People may contract swine flu by touching something with viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose . From December 2005 to February 2009 , 12 cases of human infection with swine flu were documented . Symptoms of swine flu in humans are expected to resemble regular human seasonal influenza symptoms , including fever , lethargy , lack of appetite , and coughing , the CDC said . Other reported symptoms include runny nose , sore throat , nausea , vomiting and diarrhea . The new strain of swine flu has been resistant to the antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine , but has responded to the other licensed options : oseltamivir and zanamivir . The CDC is working closely with health officials in California and Texas to learn more about the virus . The agency expects to find more cases , Schuchat said . If swine flu can mutate to spread between humans , what does this mean for avian flu ? Because of the virus subtype , it is less likely that avian flu would become transmissible from person to person , but still possible , said Dr. William Short at the division of infectious diseases at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . The news is not cause for widespread panic , but people at risk -- those who live in or have traveled to the areas where patients live , or have been in contact with pigs -- should watch out for symptoms and get tested if they occur , Short said . The three criteria for a pandemic are a new virus to which everybody is susceptible , the ability to spread from person to person readily , and wide geographic spread , said Dr. Jay Steinberg , infectious disease specialist at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta , Georgia . The new strain of swine flu only meets one of these criteria : its novelty . On the other hand , bird flu meets two of the criteria : novelty and geographic spread . If history is any indication , flu pandemics tend to occur once every 20 years or so , meaning we 're actually due for one , he said . However , it is not likely to be the swine flu , he said . `` I can say with 100 percent confidence that a pandemic of a new flu strain will spread in humans , '' Steinberg said . `` What I ca n't say is when it will occur . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Wayne Rooney insists he will be fit to lead England 's charge for the World Cup after injury curtailed the Manchester United striker 's English Premier League season . The 24-year-old is currently sidelined with a groin injury but after picking up the Premier League 's player of the year award -- voted for by his fellow professionals -- he said there is no way he will miss out on the tournament in South Africa . Rooney has been in lethal goalscoring form this season , netting 40 goals for club and country , and has been pinpointed as the key player in England 's bid to lift the World Cup for only the second time in their history . `` The groin will be fine for the World Cup , there are no worries about that , '' he told the Professional Footballers ' Association awards in London . `` I 'm hoping to play for United in the last game of the season . '' It is the first time Rooney has won the PFA award , though he has twice scooped the young player of the year award . He said : `` I remember coming here in 2005 and 2006 to win the young player of the year award . I saw the players winning the main one and it 's something I 've aimed for since . '' Rooney paid tribute to his club manager , Alex Ferguson , who insists he has no plans to retire from the game , at 68 . `` Sir Alex is a great manager who has really brought me on as a player since I joined United , Rooney said . `` His hunger passes through to the players . `` It 's great to see that he 's pushing 70 and he has n't changed a bit . I 'm sure he 'll be at United a long time yet . '' Rooney is hoping Manchester United can secure a fourth straight Premier League crown , but they remain one point behind Chelsea after Carlo Ancelotti 's side thrashed Stoke 7-0 on Sunday . Chelsea travel to Liverpool next weekend in a game that could have a huge bearing on the destination of the title and Rooney is confident the Reds can do his side a favor . `` I 'm sure Liverpool will want to beat Chelsea , '' said Rooney . `` The pride they 've got and the history they 've got , I 'm sure they 'll want to win that game . They are fighting to get into the Europa League . '' Aston Villa 's James Milner -- another member of England coach Fabio Capello 's squad -- picked up the young player of the year award .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An estimated 125,000 Western lowland gorillas are living in a swamp in equatorial Africa , researchers reported Tuesday , double the number of the endangered primates thought to survive worldwide . Forest clearings draw large numbers of Western lowland gorillas searching for food . `` It 's pretty astonishing , '' Hugo Rainey , one of the researchers who conducted the survey for the U.S.-based Wildlife Conservation Society , told CNN Tuesday . The last census on the species , carried out during the 1980s , estimated that there were only 100,000 of the gorillas left worldwide . Since then , the researchers estimated , the numbers had been cut in half . WCS survey teams conducted the research in 2006 and 2007 , traveling to the remote Lac Tele Community Reserve in northern Republic of Congo , a vast area of swamp forest . Acting on a tip from hunters who indicated the presence of gorillas , Rainey said that the researchers trekked on foot through mud for three days to the outskirts of Lac Tele , about 80 kilometers -LRB- 50 miles -RRB- from the nearest road . `` When we went there , we found an astonishing amount of gorillas , '' said Rainey , speaking from the International Primatological Society Congress in Edinburgh , Scotland . Though researchers did spot some gorillas , they based their estimate on the number of gorilla nests found at the site , Rainey said . Each gorilla makes a nest to sleep in at night . `` This is the highest-known density of gorillas that 's ever been found , '' Rainey said . Watch a glimpse of gorilla life in African swamp '' Western lowland gorillas are listed as critically endangered , the highest threat category for a species . Their populations are declining rapidly because of hunting and diseases like Ebola hemorrhagic fever , whose symptoms include diarrhea , vomiting and internal and external bleeding . Take a closer look at the Western lowland gorilla '' While the discovery in northern Congo indicates that the gorilla population remains stable in some areas , it is likely that gorillas will remain critically endangered because the threats facing the species are so great , Rainey said . iReport.com : Share photos and video of gorillas in zoos or the wild `` We know very little about Ebola and how it spreads , '' he said . `` We do n't even know the animal that spreads it around . '' The goal now , Rainey said , is to work with the Congolese government and donors to protect the areas in which the gorillas are known to be living . Western lowland gorillas , which are found in Cameroon , the Central African Republic , Equatorial Guinea , Gabon and Nigeria as well as the Republic of Congo , are the most numerous and wide-ranging of the four gorilla subspecies , each of which is threatened by extinction , the WCS says . See where the gorillas live '' Illegal hunting and habitat loss have also threatened the Cross River gorillas , found in the highlands of Cameroon and Nigeria . Only about 250 to 300 are estimated to remain in the world , the WCS says . War , habitat loss , poaching and disease are the major threats to the mountain gorillas , made famous by researcher Dian Fossey and the film `` Gorillas in the Mist . '' The mountain gorilla population is starting to recover after decades of conservation work . From a population of around 230 in the 1970s , the mountain gorillas now number around 700 , the WCS says . Poaching and war have also threatened populations of Grauer 's gorillas in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo , the former Zaire . The WCS estimates their population to be around 16,000 . News of the discovery of the Western lowland gorillas in northern Congo comes the same week as a report that almost 50 percent of the world 's primates are in danger of extinction . Watch what gorilla expert thinks of find '' The report , also delivered to the Edinburgh conference , cites habitat loss and hunting as the greatest threats . The situation is especially dire in Asia , where the report says more than 70 percent of monkeys , apes , and other primates are classified as vulnerable , endangered , or critically endangered . Conservation International and the International Union for Conservation of Nature issued the report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Second seed Andy Roddick is forced to retire with an ankle injury during the first set of his Queen 's Club semifinal against fellow-American James Blake , meaning he misses out on a final showdown against British top seed Andy Murray . Andy Roddick feels his ankle injury before retiring from his semifinal against fellow-American James Blake . Roddick , who was bidding for a record fifth title at the London grass-court tournament , injured his right ankle when he slipped at the back of the court in the fourth game of the first set . He eventually called for treatment three games later and resumed only after having his ankle and foot heavily bandaged . However , Roddick was clearly still in some discomfort as he served in the next game and decided to take the safety-first option with Wimbledon starting in just nine days . `` I 'm going to do everything I can to play at Wimbledon , '' Roddick told Press Association Sport . `` We 're scheduled to get it looked at again on Monday and do some scans on it , then we 'll see where we 're at . `` Initial tests have shown the stability and strength is OK . We 're looking at days , not weeks . My trainer and doctors do n't think anything is torn . '' Blake , beaten in the 2006 Queen 's final by Lleyton Hewitt , admitted he did not take much pleasure from this victory . Speaking after the match , Blake said : `` It was unfortunate but Andy is such a great player and he does n't want to endanger the injury anymore . He normally moves so well and you could tell this was n't the same Andy Roddick . '' Meanwhile , Murray swept into his first-ever Queen 's final with a ruthless 6-2 6-4 win over unseeded Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero . Murray is bidding to become the first Briton to win the pre-Wimbledon warm-up event since Bunny Austin in 1938 . The world number three has not dropped a set in four matches and , in reaching his fifth ATP Tour final this year , he also becomes the first British finalist here since Tim Henman in 2002 . `` I felt it was a good match . I started well but the second set was very close , '' Murray said in a courtside interview after the match . `` I 'm obviously happy to win in two sets . I was very happy with the way I played all round . `` I did n't have the easiest draw so it 's been a good week all around and hopefully I can finish it off on Sunday , '' added the Scot . In the other men 's grass-court tournament being played , second seed Novak Djokovic is through to the final in Halle after a 7-6 6-4 victory over Belgian Olivier Rochus . The Serb will now face unseeded German Tommy Haas , who defeated compatriot Philipp Kohlschreiber 2-6 7-6 7-6 in an epic encounter . Meanwhile , in women 's action , Maria Sharapova crashed out in the semifinals of the Birmingham grass-court event , beaten in straight sets by China 's Li Na . Russian Sharapova had been bidding for a third victory in the tournament , after winning in both 2004 and 2005 , but went out 6-4 6-4 in a match lasting 90 minutes . Fourth seed Li , the highest-ranked player left in the competition , will face Magdalena Rybarikova in the final , after the 13th-seeded Slovakian beat Indian Sania Mirza 3-6 6-0 6-3 .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former college and pro football star Charles Aaron `` Bubba '' Smith , who went on to an acting career after his retirement from sports , was found dead at his home , the Los Angeles County Coroner 's Office said Wednesday . He was 66 . Police and fire officials were called to Smith 's home after `` he was found unresponsive '' and pronounced him dead , said Ed Winter , assistant chief of operations and investigation for the coroner . An autopsy will be performed to determine cause of death , Winter said . However , asked if there was any reason to believe the death was due to anything other than natural causes , he replied , `` Not at this time . '' An imposing 6 foot 8 and 260 pounds , Smith was considered one of the most fearsome pass rushers of his day . The No. 1 overall pick in the 1967 National Football League draft , he played nine seasons in the NFL -- for the Baltimore Colts , Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers . Sports Illustrated gallery : The NFL goes Hollywood He played for the Colts in two Super Bowls and was also a two-time Pro Bowl pick . Smith was one of the anchors of an overwhelming defense that was heavily favored to win Super Bowl III . Nonetheless , the New York Jets , led by Joe Namath , defeated the Colts in the 1969 championship of pro football , widely considered one of the biggest upsets in U.S. sports history . The Colts atoned for that embarrassment -- somewhat -- two years later in a 16-13 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V , but Smith reportedly said he was so dismayed by the game 's sloppiness that he never wore his Super Bowl ring . Smith was sidelined by a severe knee injury during an exhibition game in 1972 , and the next season joined the Raiders . He told Sports Illustrated in 1973 that `` not playing was terrible . I did n't want to show my face in public . I do n't know if it was that we were losing or what , but it almost drove me crazy . '' After retiring from pro football in 1975 , Smith landed small roles on TV series such as `` Good Times , '' `` Charlie 's Angels '' and `` Semi-Tough , '' according to IMDb , before landing his signature role as Lt. Moses Hightower in the first `` Police Academy '' movie in 1984 . He reprised the role in all six movies in the popular comedy franchise . Smith was a two-time All-America defensive end at Michigan State University . He played in what the national media dubbed `` the game of the century '' between Michigan State and Notre Dame in 1966 , a 10-10 tie that resulted in the two teams ' splitting the vote for that year 's national championship . Smith was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988 , an event he called `` the jewel in my crown , for my collegiate days were very special to me . '' Smith was born on February 28 , 1945 , in Beaumont Texas . His father was a high school football coach and his mother had earned two college degrees . According to his member biography on the College Football Hall of Fame website , he said he took his parents with him when he went to speak to youth groups `` to demonstrate my respect for them . ''","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Dutch man once considered a suspect in the 2005 disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway has told a television station he dumped her body in a swamp , Aruba 's chief prosecutor told CNN . However , Joran van der Sloot 's claims to Dutch station RTL-5 are `` unbelievable , '' prosecutor Peter Blanken said . RTL-5 said Tuesday it had `` acquired exclusive material containing a statement by Joran van der Sloot '' regarding Holloway 's disappearance . `` This material was first offered to us in 2009 , '' Remko van Westerloo , the station 's director of programming , said in a statement . `` Obviously , our initial response was skeptical , '' van Westerloo said . `` However , we did feel that this interview required thorough research . We 've spoken to a variety of experts and several critics . These findings resulted in a TV special which will air this Sunday . It 's up to the viewers to form their own opinions on the matter . '' The statement did not divulge the contents of van der Sloot 's interview . However , Blanken told CNN on Tuesday that van der Sloot says in the interview that he dumped Holloway 's body `` in a swamp on the north end of the island . '' `` He was very unspecific , '' Blanken said . Blanken said RTL contacted him about the interview last summer , and the station showed the interview to him to get his reaction . He said his office and Aruban police investigated . `` We tried to verify it , '' Blanken said . `` It could n't be true . We talked with several witnesses and reviewed several facts . The story is unbelievable and not true , in my opinion . '' He said his office told van der Sloot `` we 'd like him to come in and speak with us about it . He failed to respond . '' Asked why van der Sloot gave the interview , Blanken said , `` You should ask him . Maybe he wanted to be on camera or make some money . '' Holloway was 18 when last seen in the early hours of May 30 , 2005 , leaving an Oranjestad , Aruba , nightclub with van der Sloot and two other men , brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe . She was visiting Aruba with about 100 classmates celebrating their graduation from Mountain Brook High School in suburban Birmingham , Alabama . Holloway failed to show up for her flight home the following day , and her packed bags were found in her hotel room . Van der Sloot and the Kalpoes were arrested and released in 2005 in connection with the case . In 2007 , they were arrested a second time after Aruba 's then-chief prosecutor , Hans Mos , said he had received new evidence in the case . Van der Sloot , who was attending college in the Netherlands , was brought back to Aruba . But judges ruled the new evidence -- which included an Internet chat the same day Holloway disappeared with one of the three youths saying she was dead -- was not enough to keep them jailed . In 2008 , prosecutors sought unsuccessfully to arrest van der Sloot a third time after a videotape surfaced on Dutch television . In it , van der Sloot tells a man he considered to be his friend that he had sex with Holloway on the beach after leaving the nightclub , then she `` started shaking '' and lost consciousness . He said he panicked when he could not resuscitate her and called a friend who had a boat . The two put Holloway 's body in the boat , he said , and then he went home . The friend told him the next day that he had carried the body out and dumped it in the ocean . `` I did n't lose a minute of sleep over it , '' van der Sloot said on the tape . Holloway 's mother , Beth Twitty , told ABC at the time that the video showed van der Sloot was `` not innocent . '' But an Aruba court ruled there was not enough evidence to re-arrest him . Aruban prosecutors said authorities had met with van der Sloot in the Netherlands , but in a two-hour interview he denied any role in Holloway 's disappearance . Van der Sloot acknowledged to a Dutch television program he made the comments , but said he was lying . `` That is what he wanted to hear , so I told him what he wanted to hear , '' he said . `` When -LSB- van der Sloot -RSB- really wants to tell the truth , -LSB- we hope -RSB- he will , '' said Blanken , who took over as chief prosecutor in September . `` He did n't tell the truth -LSB- this time -RSB- . '' CNN 's Susan Candiotti contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- One of America 's top World War II fighter pilots , an African-American who took on Nazis abroad and racism at home , was laid to rest Friday at Arlington National Cemetery . Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Lee A. Archer , one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen , died last month in New York at the age of 90 . Archer , who once shot down three German fighters in the span of only a few minutes , went on to become a corporate executive and venture capitalist . His life came to be seen as an example of the potential of any individual , regardless of skin color or background , if given a fair opportunity . Lee Andrew Archer Jr. was born in 1919 in Yonkers , New York . An aviation enthusiast from childhood , he left New York University in 1941 to join the Army . Despite passing a pilot 's test , he was assigned as a communications specialist in Camp Wheeler , Georgia . But several months later , after the United States declared war on the Axis powers , Archer was selected to join a training program for potential black pilots at Alabama 's Tuskegee Army Air Field . Archer graduated first in the program in July 1943 and , after receiving his commission as a second lieutenant , was deployed to Italy as part of the 332nd Fighter Group . On October 12 , 1944 , while piloting a P-51 Mustang , Archer downed three Luftwaffe fighters in the sky over Nazi-occupied Hungary . He also was credited with shooting down a fighter over Germany earlier in the year . U.S. military officials could not confirm a fifth downing by Archer in summer 1944 . If they had been able to do so , he would have become the only Tuskegee Airman to be officially designated as an ace . By the end of World War II , Archer had flown 169 combat missions , providing cover and escorting U.S. bombers in over 11 countries , according to the Air Force . He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross . Archer remained in the military through 1970 , witnessing its desegregation during the Truman administration and serving in several capacities . Among other things , he became a diplomatic officer at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and was chief of headquarters at the U.S. Air Force Southern Command in Panama . He received special citations for his service from Presidents Eisenhower , Kennedy and Johnson . After retiring from the military , Archer became an executive at General Foods and started Archer Asset Management , a venture capital firm . Archer 's wife , Ina , died in 1996 . He is survived by three sons .","question":""}
{"answer":"Editor 's note : Jameel Jaffer and Amrit Singh are attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union and co-authors of `` Administration of Torture : A Documentary Record from Washington to Abu Ghraib and Beyond '' . Jaffer is counsel to the plaintiffs in ACLU v. Department of Defense , a lawsuit that has forced the release of more than 100,000 pages of government documents concerning the abuse of prisoners . Singh is lead counsel in the suit seeking disclosure of photographs of U.S. personnel abusing prisoners at overseas locations . Jameel Jaffer says the courts have ruled that refusal to disclose the abuse photos was unlawful . -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Last week President Obama announced that he would suppress prisoner abuse photographs that he earlier said he would release . Given the president 's stated commitment to government transparency , this reversal was both surprising and profoundly disappointing . The ACLU has sought release of these photos for almost six years . In October 2003 , we filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act for records -- including photographs -- relating to the abuse of prisoners in U.S. detention facilities overseas . In 2005 , a federal judge in New York ruled that the Bush administration 's refusal to disclose the photographs was unlawful , and in 2008 a federal appeals court unanimously affirmed that decision . The Bush administration continued to suppress the photos , and now President Obama has vowed to do the same . The photos are a critical part of the historical record . The government has acknowledged that they depict prisoner abuse at locations other than Abu Ghraib , and it 's clear that the photos would provide irrefutable evidence that abuse was widespread and systemic . The photos would also shed light on the connection between the abuse and the decisions of high-level Bush administration officials . As the district court recognized , the photos are `` the best evidence of what happened . '' In explaining his change of heart , President Obama said that the release of the photos `` would not add any additional benefit '' to the ongoing public debate about the abuse of prisoners . But the ongoing public debate is rife with false claims , and the photos would expose the truth . The Bush administration told the public that abuse was aberrational and isolated , and many media organizations adopted this fraudulent narrative as their own . But even President Obama , in explaining his reversal , perpetuated the myth that the abuse of prisoners `` was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals . '' President Obama 's statement was meant to explain why the photos would not inform the public debate , but it only underscored why the release of the photographs is so important . Many Americans still believe that abuse took place in spite of policy rather than because of it . The truth is that senior officials authorized the use of barbaric interrogation methods that the U.S. once prosecuted as war crimes , and even abuse that was not expressly authorized was traceable to a climate in which abuse was tolerated and often encouraged . The photos would help tell this story . President Obama 's other rationale for suppressing the photographs is that they would `` inflame anti-American opinion and put our troops in greater danger , '' an argument that was repeatedly rejected by the courts when made by the Bush administration . Nobody , of course , wants to see anyone get hurt by the release of this or any other information . But the fundamental problem with the government 's argument is that it lacks a limiting principle . Any photograph of prisoner abuse , civilian casualties in Afghanistan , or U.S. military operations in Iraq could be used to `` inflame anti-American opinion '' ; indeed , the same is true of any news article that discusses -LRB- for example -RRB- torture , Guantanamo , or the CIA 's secret prisons . iReport.com : Did Obama make the right decision on photos ? To give the government the power to suppress information because it might anger an unidentified set of people in an unspecified part of the world and ultimately endanger an ill-defined group of U.S. personnel would be to invest it with a virtually unlimited censorial power . And by investing it with such power , we would effectively be affording the greatest protection from disclosure to records that depict the worst kinds of government misconduct . President Obama has inherited a legacy of lawlessness and abuse , and it 's not easy to untangle that . But the idea that suppressing the photographs will help the country turn the page on the last eight years is misguided . We can not make a clean break with the past until the public knows what happened in the detention centers and why . Blinding ourselves to the ugly consequences of the Bush administration 's policies only deprives us of the opportunity to learn from recent history . And if we fail to learn from this history , we are bound to repeat it . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jameel Jaffer and Amrit Singh .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- Health.com -RRB- -- More than one in 10 women develops depression during pregnancy . Now , a new study suggests that women who are treated with antidepressants are more likely to give birth early or to have newborns that need to spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit . Babies of women taking SSRIs were born earlier and were more likely to have been admitted to intensive care . Depression itself can have ill effects for both mom and baby . Therefore , the benefits of the antidepressants -- known as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors -- may still outweigh the risks for some women , researchers say . `` There is no easy way out of this , '' says Dr. Tim Oberlander , a developmental pediatrician at BC Children 's Hospital , in Vancouver , Canada , who has studied the effects of SSRIs on children exposed in the womb , but was not involved in the current study . `` Depression needs to be managed , and for some women , the use of these medications is appropriate and necessary . '' Health.com : 3 Signs you should stop , adjust , or switch antidepressants The new study , led by Dr. Najaaraq Lund , of Aarhus University , in Denmark , found that babies whose mothers had taken SSRIs were born earlier and were more likely to require treatment in an NICU . Women have been using SSRIs during pregnancy since the early 1990s , Lund and her colleagues point out in the report , which is published in the October issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine . These drugs , which include Zoloft , Prozac , and others , are widely considered to be the safest type of antidepressant medication to take during pregnancy . It 's been difficult to confirm their safety , however , especially since investigators have to find a way to distinguish between the effects of depression itself -- and habits that depressed women may be more likely to engage in , like drinking and smoking -- and the drug on the newborn . Health.com : Do pregnancy and bipolar disorder mix ? Lund and her colleagues tackled this issue by including a group of women who reported a history of some type of psychiatric illness but were n't taking SSRIs . Some , but not all , of these women had suffered from depression . `` Using this group as a comparison group takes into account possible genetic or lifestyle factors associated with present or previous psychiatric disorders , '' the researcher notes . The analysis included 329 women who took SSRIs in pregnancy , 4,902 with a history of psychiatric illness who were n't taking the drugs , and 51,770 women who reported no history of psychiatric illness and were n't taking SSRIs . All had received prenatal care at Aarhus University Hospital between 1989 and 2006 . Babies of women taking SSRIs were born an average of five days earlier than those born to women who had no mental illness , and were twice as likely to be born preterm . The babies whose mothers took SSRIs were 2.4 times as likely to have been admitted to the NICU than infants who had n't been exposed to the drugs in utero . They were also more than four times as likely to have Apgar scores below eight , just five minutes after birth . -LRB- Apgar scores measure an infant 's health at birth by looking at his or her breathing , heartbeat , reflexes , muscle tone , and skin color ; scores of seven and above are considered normal , and a newborn 's Apgar score has no influence on how he or she will fare later in life . -RRB- There was no difference between SSRI-exposed babies and unexposed babies in head circumference or birth weight . Antidepressant medication is just one part of the equation in addressing women 's mental health during pregnancy , notes Oberlander , who says depression in pregnancy is a `` huge public health issue '' with lasting implications for women and their children . Helping ensure that women are getting enough social support and adequate nutrition is essential , he adds , while alternative treatments for depression -- such as exercise , light therapy , and omega-3 fatty acids -- ought to be explored further . `` In general , optimizing non-pharmacological treatment would be a really important step , '' he says . He explains that it is essential to follow SSRI-exposed babies as they grow up , to identify any problems and intervene as necessary . However , he and Lund agree that it 's still unclear whether the differences seen at birth will have lasting effects on a child 's development and health . Health.com : 6 Rules for a healthy postpartum slim-down `` As depression itself can influence birth outcome in a negative direction , treatment is warranted in some cases based on the existing body of evidence , '' Lund says . `` In cases with mild or moderate symptoms , psychotherapy can be used as an alternative treatment . In severe cases and in patients with a history of recurrent , severe depression , continuation or initiation of treatment might be the best option . `` Every single case should be considered individually , and the decision should be made by the woman and her ob-gyn and psychiatrist , '' she says . Health.com : Why you can not wait to treat postpartum depression Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Oscar-winning filmmaker Roman Polanski has been arrested in Switzerland on a decades-old arrest warrant stemming from a sex charge in California , Swiss police said Sunday . Roman Polanski attends a film premiere in Paris , France , in June 2009 . Polanski , 76 , was taken into custody trying to enter Switzerland on Saturday , Zurich police said . A spokesman for the Swiss Justice Ministry said Polanski was arrested upon arrival at the airport . He has lived in France for decades to avoid being arrested if he enters the United States and declined to appear in person to collect his Academy Award for Best Director for `` The Pianist '' in 2003 . The director pleaded guilty in 1977 to a single count of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor , acknowledging he had sex with a 13-year-old girl . But he fled the United States before he could be sentenced , and U.S. authorities have had a warrant for his arrest since 1978 . Watch what happens now for Polanski '' Polanski was nominated for best director Oscars for `` Tess '' and `` Chinatown , '' and for best writing for `` Rosemary 's Baby , '' which he also directed . He was en route to the Zurich Film Festival , which is holding a Polanski tribute this year , when he was arrested by Swiss authorities , the festival said . A provisional arrest warrant was issued last week out of Los Angeles , California , after authorities learned Polanski was going to be in Switzerland , Sandi Gibbons , spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney 's office , told CNN on Sunday . There have been repeated attempts to settle the case over the years , but the sticking point has always been Polanski 's refusal to return to attend hearings . Prosecutors have consistently argued that it would be a miscarriage of justice to allow a man to go free who `` drugged and raped a 13-year-old child . '' The Swiss Justice Ministry said Polanski was put `` in provisional detention . '' But whether he can be extradited to the United States `` can be established only after the extradition process judicially has been finalised , '' a ministry spokesman said in an e-mail . `` It is possible to appeal at the federal penal court of justice against an arrest warrant in view to extradition as well as against an extradition decision , '' the spokesman wrote . `` Their decisions can be taken further to the federal court of justice . '' Gibbons said the extradition process will be determined in Switzerland , but said authorities are ready to move forward with Polanski 's sentencing process , depending on what happens in Zurich . Polanski was accused of plying a 13-year-old girl with champagne and a sliver of a quaalude tablet and performing various sex acts , including intercourse , with her during a photo shoot at actor Jack Nicholson 's house . He was 43 at the time . Nicholson was not at home , but his girlfriend at the time , actress Anjelica Huston , was . According to a probation report contained in the filing , Huston described the victim as `` sullen . '' `` She appeared to be one of those kind of little chicks between -- could be any age up to 25 . She did not look like a 13-year-old scared little thing , '' Huston said . She added that Polanski did not strike her as the type of man who would force himself on a young girl . `` I do n't think he 's a bad man , '' she said in the report . `` I think he 's an unhappy man . '' Polanski pleaded guilty to a single count of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor . There have been repeated attempts to settle the case over the years , but the sticking point has always been Polanski 's refusal to return to attend hearings . Prosecutors have consistently argued that it would be a miscarriage of justice to allow a man to go free who `` drugged and raped a 13-year-old child . '' Polanski 's lawyers tried earlier this year to have the charges thrown out , but a Los Angeles judge rejected the request . In doing so , Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza left the door open to reconsider his ruling if Polanski shows up in court . Espinoza also appeared to acknowledge problems with the way Polanski 's case was handled years ago . According to court documents , Polanski , his lawyer and the prosecutor thought they 'd worked out a deal that would spare Polanski from prison and let the young victim avoid a public trial . But the original judge in the case , who is now dead , first sent the director to maximum-security prison for 42 days while he underwent psychological testing . Then , on the eve of his sentencing , the judge told attorneys he was inclined to send Polanski back to prison for another 48 days . Polanski fled the United States for France , where he was born . In the February hearing , Espinoza mentioned a documentary film that depicts backroom deals between prosecutors and a media-obsessed judge who was worried his public image would suffer if he did n't send Polanski to prison . `` It 's hard to contest some of the behavior in the documentary was misconduct , '' said Espinoza . But he declined to dismiss the case entirely . Legal experts said such a ruling would have been extremely rare . Polanski 's victim is among those calling for the case to be tossed out . Samantha Geimer filed court papers in January saying , `` I am no longer a 13-year-old child . I have dealt with the difficulties of being a victim , have surmounted and surpassed them with one exception . `` Every time this case is brought to the attention of the Court , great focus is made of me , my family , my mother and others . That attention is not pleasant to experience and is not worth maintaining over some irrelevant legal nicety , the continuation of the case . '' Geimer , now 45 , married and a mother of three , sued Polanski and received an undisclosed settlement . She long ago came forward and made her identity public -- mainly , she said , because she was disturbed by how the criminal case had been handled . Following Espinoza 's ruling earlier this year , Geimer 's lawyer , Larry Silver , said he was disappointed and that Espinoza `` did not get to the merits and consider the clear proof of both judicial and prosecutorial corruption . '' He argued in court that had `` Mr. Polanski been treated fairly '' his client would not still be suffering because of publicity almost 32 years after the crime . Polanski 's arrest Saturday came two days after one of his wife 's killers died . The director 's pregnant wife , actress Sharon Tate , and four others were butchered by members of the Manson `` family '' in August 1969 . Polanski was filming in Europe at the time . By her own admission , Susan Atkins held the eight-months-pregnant Tate down as she pleaded for mercy , stabbing the 26-year-old actress 16 times . CNN 's Frederik Pleitgen , Brooke Bowman , Karan Olson and Ann O'Neill contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Nazi war crimes suspect John Demjanjuk was granted an emergency stay late Tuesday to block what appeared to be his imminent deportation to Germany . Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents remove John Demjanjuk from his home Tuesday . The ruling , handed down by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals , came less than two hours after federal immigration officials took Demjanjuk into custody at his home near Cleveland , Ohio . Demjanjuk , 89 , is wanted by German authorities for his alleged involvement during World War II in killings at Sobibor , a Nazi death camp in Poland . The Justice Department would not immediately comment on the stay , saying officials needed to review the order . The last-minute legal maneuvering leading to the order was the latest chapter in one of the longest-running pursuits of an alleged Holocaust perpetrator in history . The deportation of Demjanjuk , who had been transported to an Ohio detention facility when the stay was issued , would set the stage for what would likely prove to be an extraordinary German war crimes trial . `` Upon due consideration of the motion for a stay and the opposition by the attorney general , we conclude that a stay of removal is warranted , '' the circuit court wrote . Representatives of Attorney General Eric Holder argued in response to an emergency motion filed by Demjanjuk 's attorney that the circuit court does not have jurisdiction over the case . But the court acted anyway . `` Because it is our understanding that the government may remove the petitioner later today , we are compelled to rule on the motion for a stay prior to addressing the jurisdictional concerns raised by the government , '' the court said . On Friday , a federal immigration board rejected an emergency appeal for a stay of Demjanjuk 's deportation . His attorney , John Broadley , had argued that deporting him would constitute torture because of his health problems . Broadley has said Demjanjuk suffers from pre-leukemia , kidney problems , spinal problems and `` a couple of types of gout . '' When Broadley filed another appeal with the 6th Circuit Court , Justice Department officials said they believe that his chances of getting the board 's ruling overturned are slim . `` Looking at what 's going on in Cleveland ... is truly appalling , '' Broadley said shortly after Demjanjuk was taken into custody . `` You have an 89-year-old man with various physical ailments , and you have eight guys from -LSB- Immigration and Customs Enforcement -RSB- trying to stuff him into a wheelchair to send him to Germany . This looks like something taking place in Germany and not in the United States . '' Rabbi Marvin Hier of the Simon Wiesenthal Center found irony in Broadley 's argument for his client . `` He wants to plead the sense of fairness that he regularly denied all of the victims at Sobibor , '' Hier said . He called Demjanjuk 's comparison of his planned deportation to torture `` preposterous coming from a person that served the -LSB- Nazi organization -RSB- S.S. in a death camp . It is a preposterous argument and insulting to the survivors of the Holocaust . '' Hier said that 250,000 Jews were killed at the camp and that none of the guards who worked there was blameless . `` You were there for one job : kill the Jews , '' he said . `` And that 's what they did full-time . '' He called the evidence against Demjanjuk `` overwhelming . '' German authorities issued an arrest warrant for Demjanjuk on March 10 , accusing him of being an accessory to 29,000 counts of murder as a guard at Sobibor from March to September 1943 . The warrant was issued after the authorities concluded that an identification card provided by the U.S. Office of Special Investigations was genuine . Demjanjuk , a retired auto worker , has been fighting charges of Nazi war crimes for more than two decades . He was previously extradited from the United States to Israel , where he was convicted in 1986 of being `` Ivan the Terrible , '' a guard at the notorious Treblinka extermination camp . The conviction was overturned by Israeli courts on appeal , and he returned to the United States . The United States filed new charges against him in 1999 , again alleging that he had been a concentration camp guard . He was stripped of U.S. citizenship and has been awaiting deportation since 2005 , after fighting his case all the way to the Supreme Court . Demjanjuk , a Ukrainian , says he saw action in the Soviet army and later was a prisoner of war held by the Germans . CNN 's Terry Frieden contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In their attacks on the food stamp program , some Republican presidential candidates are leaving a deeply misleading impression of the nation 's leading anti-hunger program . No one aspires to enroll , but for those who must , it is an essential lifeline that addresses one of the harshest impacts of poverty and unemployment -- hunger . The food stamp program , now officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -LRB- SNAP -RRB- , provides about 46 million Americans in about 22 million low-income households with debit cards to buy food each month . Participants include families with adults who work in low-wage jobs , unemployed workers and people on fixed incomes , such as Social Security . About three-fourths of SNAP recipients live in households with children ; more than one-quarter live in households with seniors or people with disabilities . SNAP reduces poverty while providing people with much-needed help to buy food . The program kept more than 5 million people out of poverty in 2010 and lessened the severity of poverty for millions of others , under a measure of poverty that counts SNAP benefits as income . SNAP is also highly efficient , with one of the most rigorous quality control systems of any public benefit program . In 2010 , only 3 percent of payments went to ineligible households or to eligible households in excessive amounts . Payment accuracy has been improving in the past few years , despite a large increase in SNAP enrollment . While some have attributed that enrollment increase to Obama administration policies -- Newt Gingrich has termed President Barack Obama the `` food stamp president '' -- in reality it has two main causes that have little to do with this administration . Millions of people hit by the recession a few years ago became eligible for SNAP . Today 's large SNAP caseloads mostly reflect the extraordinarily deep and prolonged recession and the weak recovery that has followed . Long-term unemployment hit record levels in 2010 and has remained extremely high . Today , 43 % of all unemployed workers have been out of work for more than half a year ; the previous post-World War II high was 26 % in 1983 . Workers who are unemployed for a long time are more likely to deplete their assets , exhaust unemployment insurance and turn to SNAP for help . It is one of the few safety net programs available to them . In most states , other programs -- such as cash assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and state General Assistance programs -- have not responded effectively to the rising need brought on by the economy . More than one in five workers who had been unemployed for over six months received SNAP in 2010 , according to Congress 's Joint Economic Committee . The increase in enrollment is also because it 's easier for eligible families to participate . Federal and state officials as well as Congress , with leadership from both parties , have worked throughout the last decade to simplify SNAP procedures so that the program can reach more eligible households , particularly working families and senior citizens . These efforts are paying off : The share of eligible individuals who participated in SNAP rose from 65 % in 2007 to 72 % in 2009 , the most recent year for which we have the data . The recent growth in SNAP enrollment and spending because of the sluggish economy is temporary . One of SNAP 's great strengths is its ability to respond , quickly and automatically , to changes in the economy : Enrollment grows during downturns but contracts during periods of economic growth . The Congressional Budget Office predicts that SNAP spending will fall in the coming years as the economy recovers more robustly and the temporary benefit increases of the 2009 Recovery Act expire . By 2021 , SNAP is expected to return nearly to pre-recession levels as a share of the economy . Over the long term , SNAP is not growing faster than the economy . So it is not contributing to the nation 's long-term fiscal problems . A weak economy has swelled the numbers of unemployed workers and poor families . That 's a serious problem that our policymakers need to address . In the meantime , SNAP helps protect the most vulnerable from very difficult circumstances . Join CNN Opinion on Facebook and follow updates on Twitter . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Stacy Dean .","question":""}
{"answer":"HONG KONG , China -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hong Kong authorities Sunday announced that two recalled candy products made by British confectioner Cadbury had high levels of melamine . The industrial chemical has recently been found in Chinese-made milk products that have sickened nearly 53,000 children in China , killing four . Countries around the world have since banned the import of Chinese products containing milk , or have withdrawn products that contain milk from China -- such as candy -- amid worries they contain melamine . Last week , Cadbury recalled all of its Chinese-made candy products after preliminary tests showed they contained trace amounts of melamine . Cadbury took the action because `` no level of melamine is appropriate , '' spokesman Tony Bilsborough told CNN on Sunday . He could not comment on the latest test results . The company stresses that its products manufactured at its Beijing plant are only exported to Taiwan and Hong Kong , with one product -- Cadbury Eclair -- sent to Australia , Nauru and Christmas Island . Hong Kong 's Center for Food Safety tested 104 samples of products made by a variety of manufacturers , including Cadbury , Nestle , and some U.S. and Chinese companies . Only two of the samples showed unsatisfactory levels of melamine -- Cadbury Dairy Milk Cookies Chocolate -LRB- bulk pack 5kg -RRB- and Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut Chocolate -LRB- bulk pack 5kg -RRB- . The sample of the Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut Chocolate contained melamine levels of 65 ppm -LRB- parts per million -RRB- which is more than 25 times the acceptable level of 2.5 ppm , according to Hong Kong 's government . According to the center , a child weighing 22 pounds -LRB- 10kg -RRB- would have to eat more than 10 small pieces of the hazelnut chocolate to surpass the tolerable daily intake . An average adult weighing 132 pounds -LRB- 60kg -RRB- would have to eat more than 112 small pieces to surpass the level . The melamine levels in the samples of Dairy Milk Cookies Chocolate were 6.9 ppm -- more than twice as high as the legal limit of melamine . Hong Kong 's Center for Food Safety said it will continue to test dairy products and other products with dairy ingredients . Test results on other products -- including milk powder , soya drinks , yogurt , butter , baby food and frozen confections -- would be released on Monday , it said . Chinese authorities have implicated 22 Chinese dairy companies in the tainted milk scandal . Investigators suspect people watered down milk in an attempt to sell more of it , and added melamine in order to fool quality checks , Chinese authorities have said . The toxic chemical is used to bolster apparent protein levels in diluted or poor-quality milk . On Saturday China announced that a test of 607 batches of liquid milk from 27 cities found the samples to be melamine-free , state-run media said . The tests were the sixth Chinese officials have carried out since melamine was discovered in powdered infant formula last month . Chinese authorities have promised to subsidize farmers hit by the shrinking demand for milk , the news agency Xinhua said . Among them is the northern Hebei province , which has earmarked 316 million yuan -LRB- $ 46.1 million -RRB- for subsidies . That translates to giving a farmer 200 yuan -LRB- $ 29 -RRB- per cow , Xinhua said . Melamine is used to bolster apparent protein levels in diluted or poor-quality milk . Chinese authorities have arrested 40 people in connection with the scandal , including two brothers who could face the death penalty if convicted . Authorities have implicated 22 Chinese dairy companies in the scandal .","question":""}
{"answer":"WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Virginia has n't backed a Democrat for president in 44 years , but economic concerns and changing demographics are giving Sen. Barack Obama a chance to steal the once reliably red state from Republicans . Sen. Barack Obama waves as rain falls on a rally in Fredericksburg , Virginia , in late September . Polls earlier this year showed Sen. John McCain , the Republican presidential nominee , leading Obama , his Democratic rival , in Virginia by a healthy margin . A Virginia Commonwealth University poll taken May 12-18 had McCain leading 47 percent to 39 percent . But as the financial crisis has shaken voters ' confidence in the economy , Obama has begun to open a lead in the state , as he has done in other battleground states . The latest CNN poll of polls has Obama leading McCain 49 percent to 45 percent . A CNN\/TIME\/Opinion Research Corporation poll conducted September 28-30 shows Obama with an even bigger lead over McCain , 53 percent to 44 percent . The CNN poll 's margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points . Polls show that voters have more confidence in Obama to handle the economic crisis than they do in McCain , and are more likely to blame Republicans for the recent turmoil than Democrats . Beside an advantage on the economy , Obama is also benefiting from a demographic shift that has reshaped Virginia politics . For the last 10 presidential elections , Republicans have been able to bank on Virginia delivering its 13 electoral votes to the GOP . President Bush won Virginia by 8 percentage points in both 2000 and 2004 , and President Bill Clinton was never able to capture the state when he ran in 1992 and 1996 . But the explosive growth of Northern Virginia in the last decade has changed the state 's electorate . Drawn by government jobs in nearby Washington and high-tech jobs in the Dulles corridor , the growing population in Northern Virginia is more liberal than the mostly rural southern portion of the state , which has remained reliably Republican . In 2000 , Bush carried Northern Virginia 49 percent to 47 percent , but in 2004 , Sen. John Kerry , the Democratic presidential nominee , carried the area 51 percent to 48 percent . Virginia `` is not as red as people think , '' said Doc Thompson , a conservative talk show host for WRVA radio . `` A third of the population in Northern Virginia is pretty liberal . A lot of people are buying into -LSB- Obama 's -RSB- notion of change . '' Virginia Democrats have been able to exploit the changes in the electorate into statewide electoral success after years in which the Republicans had a virtual lock on the state . In fact , Virginia Republicans have not won a statewide race since Mark Warner , a former mobile phone company executive , captured the governorship for the Democrats in 2001 by emphasizing economic growth . Democrat Tim Kaine , who was Warner 's lieutenant governor , succeeded Warner in 2005 . And in what may have been the most surprising result of the 2006 election cycle , Democrat Jim Webb defeated the incumbent Republican George Allen in the race for one of Virginia 's seats in the U.S. Senate . The trend favoring the Democrats is expected to continue this year , which is expected to help drive Virginia Democrats to the polls . The extremely popular Warner is almost certain to win this year 's race against another former governor , Republican Jim Gilmore , to replace Virginia 's long-standing Republican senator , John Warner , who is retiring . -LRB- The two Warners are not related , and John Warner was unopposed in 2002 . -RRB- A Washington Post-ABC News poll conducted in late September found Warner leading Gilmore by 30 points , and Warner 's victory would give Democrats control of both of Virginia 's seats in the U.S. Senate for the first time since 1970 . While conservatives may be demoralized by Gilmore 's poor showing , McCain may also face eroding support from Virginia conservatives for his recent proposals for the government to become heavily involved in the U.S. economy , said Thompson , the radio talk show host . During Tuesday night 's presidential debate , McCain suggested that the government directly buy up to $ 300 billion in home mortgages to help homeowners facing foreclosure . Thompson said that proposal , along with his support for a $ 700 billion bailout package to help Wall Street firms that McCain voted for last week , are two signs that McCain is breaking from the free-market principles that Virginia conservatives support and not stopping `` the march toward socialism '' that has begun since the economic crisis started . `` They missed a real opportunity , certainly , in Virginia with my listeners who say they want someone who is fiscally conservative , '' said Thompson , who added that he 's considering voting for a third-party candidate . `` They could have come out and said , ` no more spending . ' '' CNN 's Scott Anderson contributed to this report .","question":""}
{"answer":"-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two sheriff 's deputies responding to a domestic dispute between a pair of brothers Monday night were shot and badly injured in the same Washington county where four officers were killed last month , authorities said . The Pierce County deputies were wounded while responding to a domestic violence incident at home near the town of Eatonville , south of Seattle , said Hunter George , a county spokesman . They killed the gunman , identified as David E. Crable , in an exchange of fire , authorities said . Sgt. Nick Hausner , 43 , a 20-year veteran of the Pierce County Sheriff 's Department , was transported to Madigan Army Medical Center where he was in serious condition , the department said . He is married and has children who are 14 and 12 years old . Deputy Kent Mundell , 44 , a nine-year veteran , was airlifted to the trauma center at Harborview Medical Center where he was in critical condition with life-threatening injuries , the sheriff 's department said . He also is married and has two children , a 16-year-old and a 10-year-old . Pierce County prosecutor Mark Lindquist said Crable had a history of protection orders sought by family members . Earlier this year , Crable pleaded guilty to malicious mischief and brandishing a knife in an incident involving his brother , Lindquist said , and protection orders were imposed afterward , telling him to stay away from his brother and a female minor . Both counts were misdemeanors . Lindquist said Crable had no felony convictions . The protective orders were not in effect during the Monday night shooting , Lindquist said . The prosecutor said other protection orders that emerged were not the result of charges filed . `` They are a result of people saying this guy is a danger to me , '' Lindquist said . `` I think you can reasonably infer from his history , he had an alcohol problem . '' Crable went to his brother 's house Monday night and there was a domestic dispute , said Sheriff 's detective Ed Troyer . One of the men invited the officers inside the house , while the other man went upstairs . He returned with a weapon and shot at the deputies , striking them several times , Troyer said . Local coverage from CNN affiliate KIRO The deputies returned fire , killing the alleged shooter , he said . `` There were a lot of rounds fired , '' Troyer said . Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire issued a statement saying , `` My thoughts and prayers are with the two wounded Pierce County deputies , their families , friends , and the entire law enforcement community . '' This incident comes in the aftermath of two other recent cop shootings in the Seattle area . Since October 31 , eight police officers or deputies have been shot . Five have died in the attacks . On Halloween night , Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton was fatally shot while sitting in his patrol car . Brenton , 39 , was reviewing paperwork from a traffic stop when someone fired into his patrol car . An officer Brenton was training was wounded in the shooting . A suspect in that case was arrested and pleaded not guilty . On November 29 , four officers from Lakewood , Washington , were killed in an ambush-style shooting at a coffee shop . Police shot and killed the suspect in that attack after a two-day manhunt . Troyer said it was `` surreal '' to be responding to another shooting that involved officers . His department has led the investigation into the shooting of the four Lakewood officers . `` I am deeply troubled by the recent series of attacks on our law enforcement officers , '' Gregoire said in the statement . `` I ask that all Washington citizens join me in sending a clear message that these assaults on law enforcement officers will not be tolerated . `` The people of Washington and across America know that those who wear a badge show us the true meaning of service . They sacrifice their safety for ours . We owe them and their families our gratitude , respect and support . '' CNN 's Patrick Oppmann contributed to this report","question":""}