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[ { "context": "The bearded figure being dragged from his home, into a waiting police van, was a far cry from the man who had entered the building seven years previously. Julian Assange - who co-founded website Wikileaks - had sought sanctuary in Ecuador's embassy from extradition to Sweden and, he feared, to the US. Ecuador withdrew his asylum on Thursday, leading to his arrest and then conviction for failing to surrender to the court. But who exactly is Assange and what has he been accused of? Julian Assange was born in Townsville, Australia, in 1971. His parents ran a touring theatre and his childhood was filled with upheaval. He became a father at 18, later becoming entangled in custody battles. He showed an aptitude for computers and was fined several thousand Australian dollars in 1995 after pleading guilty to hacking activities. Assange avoided jail on the condition that he would not reoffend. He went on to help write a book about the internet, before studying physics and maths at Melbourne University. In 2006, Assange co-founded the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, along with a group of like-minded people from across the internet. The site published thousands of classified documents covering everything from the film industry to national security and war. One of its most high-profile releases came in 2010, when it published a video from a US military helicopter that showed the killing of 18 civilians in Baghdad, Iraq. In the same year, Wikileaks published hundreds of thousands of documents leaked by former US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. They revealed how the US military had killed hundreds of civilians in unreported incidents during the war in Afghanistan. Files from the Iraq war showed that 66,000 civilians had been killed and that prisoners had been tortured by Iraqi forces. At the time, the US government made it clear it hoped to prosecute Assange over the leak of the secret files. Sweden issued an international arrest warrant for Assange over allegations of sexual assault in 2010. He was detained in the UK, and later bailed over the allegations. It followed claims that while on a visit to Stockholm to give a lecture, Assange had raped one woman and sexually molested and coerced another. Assange says both encounters were entirely consensual and the Swedish efforts against him are part of a smear campaign. Following a long legal battle, the Wikileaks founder took refuge in Ecuador's embassy in 2012 to avoid being taken to Sweden to be questioned. He argued that he could also be extradited to the US and put on trial for publishing the secret US documents The Ecuadorian embassy was an obvious choice, since the South American country's then-president, Rafael Correa, was a strong advocate for Wikileaks, Swedish prosecutors dropped the rape investigation into Assange in 2017 because they were unable to formally notify him of the allegations while he stayed in the embassy. The two other charges of molestation and unlawful coercion had to be dropped in 2015 because time had run out. But even after Sweden dropped the charges, Assange stayed in the embassy as he still faced a UK charge of failing to surrender to a court. Relations between Assange and Ecuador's government worsened under President Lenin Moreno, who took office in 2017. Before withdrawing Assange's asylum, Ecuador accused him of improper behaviour, interference in the affairs of other countries and spying. Prime Minister Theresa May welcomed Assange's arrest, saying it showed that \"no one is above the law\" in the UK. But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Assange had revealed \"evidence of atrocities in Iraq and Afghanistan\" and that his extradition to the US \"should be opposed by the British government\". Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said Assange should face the criminal justice system if Swedish authorities decide to charge him. Assange's lawyer Jennifer Robinson said they would fight the US extradition request. She said it set a \"dangerous precedent\" where any journalist could face US charges for \"publishing truthful information about the United States\". Actress Pamela Anderson - a friend of Assange - has said the UK is \"America's bitch\" in response to the arrest. Assange faces legal action in three countries - the UK, Sweden and the US. Westminster Magistrates' Court found him guilty of a British charge of breaching bail on Thursday. He faces up to 12 months in prison for that conviction. Meanwhile, Swedish authorities have said they are considering reopening their investigation into sexual assault allegations against him. The US has already charged the 47-year-old with a single count of participating in the hacking of intelligence computers to reveal controversial intelligence operations in the United States. But he is likely to face more charges if he is extradited to the US - a decision that will be taken by a judge and the UK home secretary. If Sweden also makes an extradition request, one legal expert has said it would be for the home secretary to decide which request would take precedence.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1142, "answer_start": 485, "text": "Julian Assange was born in Townsville, Australia, in 1971. His parents ran a touring theatre and his childhood was filled with upheaval. He became a father at 18, later becoming entangled in custody battles. He showed an aptitude for computers and was fined several thousand Australian dollars in 1995 after pleading guilty to hacking activities. Assange avoided jail on the condition that he would not reoffend. He went on to help write a book about the internet, before studying physics and maths at Melbourne University. In 2006, Assange co-founded the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, along with a group of like-minded people from across the internet." } ], "id": "300_0", "question": "Who is Julian Assange?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1925, "answer_start": 1143, "text": "The site published thousands of classified documents covering everything from the film industry to national security and war. One of its most high-profile releases came in 2010, when it published a video from a US military helicopter that showed the killing of 18 civilians in Baghdad, Iraq. In the same year, Wikileaks published hundreds of thousands of documents leaked by former US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. They revealed how the US military had killed hundreds of civilians in unreported incidents during the war in Afghanistan. Files from the Iraq war showed that 66,000 civilians had been killed and that prisoners had been tortured by Iraqi forces. At the time, the US government made it clear it hoped to prosecute Assange over the leak of the secret files." } ], "id": "300_1", "question": "What happened with Wikileaks?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2358, "answer_start": 1926, "text": "Sweden issued an international arrest warrant for Assange over allegations of sexual assault in 2010. He was detained in the UK, and later bailed over the allegations. It followed claims that while on a visit to Stockholm to give a lecture, Assange had raped one woman and sexually molested and coerced another. Assange says both encounters were entirely consensual and the Swedish efforts against him are part of a smear campaign." } ], "id": "300_2", "question": "How did Sweden get involved?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3180, "answer_start": 2359, "text": "Following a long legal battle, the Wikileaks founder took refuge in Ecuador's embassy in 2012 to avoid being taken to Sweden to be questioned. He argued that he could also be extradited to the US and put on trial for publishing the secret US documents The Ecuadorian embassy was an obvious choice, since the South American country's then-president, Rafael Correa, was a strong advocate for Wikileaks, Swedish prosecutors dropped the rape investigation into Assange in 2017 because they were unable to formally notify him of the allegations while he stayed in the embassy. The two other charges of molestation and unlawful coercion had to be dropped in 2015 because time had run out. But even after Sweden dropped the charges, Assange stayed in the embassy as he still faced a UK charge of failing to surrender to a court." } ], "id": "300_3", "question": "Why did he enter Ecuador's London embassy?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3869, "answer_start": 3181, "text": "Relations between Assange and Ecuador's government worsened under President Lenin Moreno, who took office in 2017. Before withdrawing Assange's asylum, Ecuador accused him of improper behaviour, interference in the affairs of other countries and spying. Prime Minister Theresa May welcomed Assange's arrest, saying it showed that \"no one is above the law\" in the UK. But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Assange had revealed \"evidence of atrocities in Iraq and Afghanistan\" and that his extradition to the US \"should be opposed by the British government\". Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said Assange should face the criminal justice system if Swedish authorities decide to charge him." } ], "id": "300_4", "question": "What do the authorities say?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4212, "answer_start": 3870, "text": "Assange's lawyer Jennifer Robinson said they would fight the US extradition request. She said it set a \"dangerous precedent\" where any journalist could face US charges for \"publishing truthful information about the United States\". Actress Pamela Anderson - a friend of Assange - has said the UK is \"America's bitch\" in response to the arrest." } ], "id": "300_5", "question": "What do his supporters say?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5061, "answer_start": 4213, "text": "Assange faces legal action in three countries - the UK, Sweden and the US. Westminster Magistrates' Court found him guilty of a British charge of breaching bail on Thursday. He faces up to 12 months in prison for that conviction. Meanwhile, Swedish authorities have said they are considering reopening their investigation into sexual assault allegations against him. The US has already charged the 47-year-old with a single count of participating in the hacking of intelligence computers to reveal controversial intelligence operations in the United States. But he is likely to face more charges if he is extradited to the US - a decision that will be taken by a judge and the UK home secretary. If Sweden also makes an extradition request, one legal expert has said it would be for the home secretary to decide which request would take precedence." } ], "id": "300_6", "question": "What will happen to him now?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Donald Trump has become the first sitting US president to set foot in North Korea, after meeting Kim Jong-un in the area dividing the two Koreas. Mr Trump and the North Korean leader posed for handshakes before talking for nearly an hour in the heavily fortified demilitarised zone (DMZ). Both countries agreed to set up teams to resume stalled nuclear talks. Their last summit broke down in February with no progress on denuclearisation in North Korea. Critics have dismissed the occasion - the two leaders' third face-to-face encounter in just over a year - as a political theatre and say North Korea still needs to show that it is serious in getting rid of its nuclear weapons. In a meeting apparently arranged after Mr Trump invited Mr Kim on Twitter on Saturday, they shook hands across the demarcation line between the Koreas before Mr Trump briefly crossed into North Korea, a symbolic milestone. \"Good to see you again. I never expected to meet you at this place,\" a smiley Mr Kim told Mr Trump through an interpreter in an encounter broadcast live on international television. \"Big moment,\" Mr Trump said, \"tremendous progress.\" Looking relaxed, Mr Kim crossed into South Korea and alongside Mr Trump said: \"I believe this is an expression of his willingness to eliminate all the unfortunate past and open a new future.\" The encounter had initially been billed as a short greeting but Mr Trump and Mr Kim ended up talking for almost an hour in a building known as the Freedom House, on the South Korean side. For a brief moment, Mr Trump and Mr Kim were joined by South Korea's President Moon Jae-in, an unprecedented three-way gathering. Speaking next to Mr Trump in a rare statement to the press, Mr Kim said the meeting was a symbol of their \"excellent\" relationship. Calling their friendship \"particularly great\", Mr Trump - who once referred to Mr Kim as \"little rocket man\" - said it was a \"great day for the world\" and that he was \"proud to step over the line\" between the Koreas. North Korean media have yet to mention the talks - including in the 20:00 (11:00 GMT) Korean Central TV bulletin - although typically they wait until the next day to report on the news. A number have been to the armistice line that has divided the peninsula since the Korean War ended in 1953, largely to show support for the South. Both Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton have been to North Korea, flying into the capital, Pyongyang, but only after they left office. Barack Obama wore a bomber jacket and binoculars for his visit to the armistice line. Mr Trump changed the optics, opting for a business suit. Donald Trump once told his West Wing staff to treat each day in the White House like an episode of reality TV, but he prefers to choreograph his own presidency. The meeting with Mr Kim was classic Trumpian stage management, a diplomatic production that began with an impromptu tweet early morning at the G20 that led to a meeting that ordinarily would have taken months to organise. The setting in the demilitarised zone could hardly have been loaded with more meaning, and Mr Trump was more than happy to perform one of the most memorable \"made-for-television\" moments of his presidency, stepping over the 38th parallel into what has long been enemy territory, a threshold no sitting US president has never crossed. The images were mesmerising, but to what end? Donald Trump's unorthodox diplomacy has certainly reduced tensions on the Korean peninsula, but it has not stopped North Korea from continuing to expand its nuclear arsenal. This relationship has produced smiles and handshakes but not the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. Donald Trump's visit to North Korea lasted just over a minute - more than enough time, his critics will say, to legitimise a totalitarian regime with one of the worst human rights records on the planet. Negotiators from the two countries will meet in the next weeks to resume discussions about North Korea's nuclear programme, Mr Trump told reporters, saying he was \"not looking for speed [but] looking to get it right.\" Sanctions on North Korea, he added, would remain in place though he appeared to leave open the possibility of easing them as part of the talks. Mr Trump also said he had invited Mr Kim to visit Washington. But analysts have questioned whether the meeting will result in any substantive progress. \"This whole meme is just another Trump snow-job of flim-flam. Does anyone seriously believe Kim will give up even one warhead [because] Trump is his bud?,\" said Robert Kelly, professor of political science at Pusan University in South Korea. Sue Mi Terry, who served as a US National Security Council aide specializing in Korean affairs, said the meeting could result in progress if Mr Trump shows he is willing to accept a partial accord rather than a comprehensive deal. \"I do think Kim could offer just enough on the negotiating table such as the Yongbyon nuclear facility plus yet another suspected nuclear facility in order to secure an interim deal with Trump and at least some sanctions relief,\" she told the New York Times. But Pope Francis has praised the meeting, saying it was a \"good example of the culture of encounter\". Negotiations with North Korea to try to convince it to abandon its controversial nuclear programme reached a peak last year when Mr Trump and Mr Kim had a historic meeting in Singapore. They both committed to the \"complete denuclearisation\" of the Korean peninsula, but without clarifying what that meant. It was hoped their second meeting, in Hanoi in February, would make some concrete agreement about North Korea handing over its nuclear programme in exchange for some of the tight sanctions against it being lifted. But those talks ended with no deal, as they failed to agree on the pace at which sanctions should be eased. Since then the negotiations have stalled, though Mr Kim and Mr Trump have exchanged letters recently.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2182, "answer_start": 681, "text": "In a meeting apparently arranged after Mr Trump invited Mr Kim on Twitter on Saturday, they shook hands across the demarcation line between the Koreas before Mr Trump briefly crossed into North Korea, a symbolic milestone. \"Good to see you again. I never expected to meet you at this place,\" a smiley Mr Kim told Mr Trump through an interpreter in an encounter broadcast live on international television. \"Big moment,\" Mr Trump said, \"tremendous progress.\" Looking relaxed, Mr Kim crossed into South Korea and alongside Mr Trump said: \"I believe this is an expression of his willingness to eliminate all the unfortunate past and open a new future.\" The encounter had initially been billed as a short greeting but Mr Trump and Mr Kim ended up talking for almost an hour in a building known as the Freedom House, on the South Korean side. For a brief moment, Mr Trump and Mr Kim were joined by South Korea's President Moon Jae-in, an unprecedented three-way gathering. Speaking next to Mr Trump in a rare statement to the press, Mr Kim said the meeting was a symbol of their \"excellent\" relationship. Calling their friendship \"particularly great\", Mr Trump - who once referred to Mr Kim as \"little rocket man\" - said it was a \"great day for the world\" and that he was \"proud to step over the line\" between the Koreas. North Korean media have yet to mention the talks - including in the 20:00 (11:00 GMT) Korean Central TV bulletin - although typically they wait until the next day to report on the news." } ], "id": "301_0", "question": "What happened at the DMZ?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2602, "answer_start": 2183, "text": "A number have been to the armistice line that has divided the peninsula since the Korean War ended in 1953, largely to show support for the South. Both Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton have been to North Korea, flying into the capital, Pyongyang, but only after they left office. Barack Obama wore a bomber jacket and binoculars for his visit to the armistice line. Mr Trump changed the optics, opting for a business suit." } ], "id": "301_1", "question": "Have other US presidents visited?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3849, "answer_start": 2603, "text": "Donald Trump once told his West Wing staff to treat each day in the White House like an episode of reality TV, but he prefers to choreograph his own presidency. The meeting with Mr Kim was classic Trumpian stage management, a diplomatic production that began with an impromptu tweet early morning at the G20 that led to a meeting that ordinarily would have taken months to organise. The setting in the demilitarised zone could hardly have been loaded with more meaning, and Mr Trump was more than happy to perform one of the most memorable \"made-for-television\" moments of his presidency, stepping over the 38th parallel into what has long been enemy territory, a threshold no sitting US president has never crossed. The images were mesmerising, but to what end? Donald Trump's unorthodox diplomacy has certainly reduced tensions on the Korean peninsula, but it has not stopped North Korea from continuing to expand its nuclear arsenal. This relationship has produced smiles and handshakes but not the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. Donald Trump's visit to North Korea lasted just over a minute - more than enough time, his critics will say, to legitimise a totalitarian regime with one of the worst human rights records on the planet." } ], "id": "301_2", "question": "A made-for-TV moment, but to what end?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5197, "answer_start": 3850, "text": "Negotiators from the two countries will meet in the next weeks to resume discussions about North Korea's nuclear programme, Mr Trump told reporters, saying he was \"not looking for speed [but] looking to get it right.\" Sanctions on North Korea, he added, would remain in place though he appeared to leave open the possibility of easing them as part of the talks. Mr Trump also said he had invited Mr Kim to visit Washington. But analysts have questioned whether the meeting will result in any substantive progress. \"This whole meme is just another Trump snow-job of flim-flam. Does anyone seriously believe Kim will give up even one warhead [because] Trump is his bud?,\" said Robert Kelly, professor of political science at Pusan University in South Korea. Sue Mi Terry, who served as a US National Security Council aide specializing in Korean affairs, said the meeting could result in progress if Mr Trump shows he is willing to accept a partial accord rather than a comprehensive deal. \"I do think Kim could offer just enough on the negotiating table such as the Yongbyon nuclear facility plus yet another suspected nuclear facility in order to secure an interim deal with Trump and at least some sanctions relief,\" she told the New York Times. But Pope Francis has praised the meeting, saying it was a \"good example of the culture of encounter\"." } ], "id": "301_3", "question": "What to make of the meeting?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5927, "answer_start": 5198, "text": "Negotiations with North Korea to try to convince it to abandon its controversial nuclear programme reached a peak last year when Mr Trump and Mr Kim had a historic meeting in Singapore. They both committed to the \"complete denuclearisation\" of the Korean peninsula, but without clarifying what that meant. It was hoped their second meeting, in Hanoi in February, would make some concrete agreement about North Korea handing over its nuclear programme in exchange for some of the tight sanctions against it being lifted. But those talks ended with no deal, as they failed to agree on the pace at which sanctions should be eased. Since then the negotiations have stalled, though Mr Kim and Mr Trump have exchanged letters recently." } ], "id": "301_4", "question": "How are US-North Korea relations?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have made an unannounced Christmas visit to US troops in Iraq. They travelled there \"late on Christmas night\" to thank troops for \"their service, their success and their sacrifice\", the White House said. Mr Trump said the US had no plans to pull out of Iraq. The trip came days after Defence Secretary Jim Mattis quit over divisions about strategy in the region. The US still has some 5,000 troops in Iraq to support the government in its fight against what remains of the Islamic State (IS) group. However, a planned meeting between Mr Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was cancelled. Mr Mahdi's office said it was because of disagreements on how to conduct the meeting. A phone call between the two leaders was held instead and the White House said Mr Mahdi had accepted an invitation to visit Washington. Mr Trump, his wife and National Security Adviser John Bolton travelled on Air Force One to al-Asad airbase, west of the capital Baghdad, to meet military personnel in the base's canteen. It was his first visit to the region. During the visit he got a standing ovation from troops as he entered a dining hall and walked around greeting them, posing for selfies and signing autographs. He said the reason for the visit was to personally thank them for helping to defeat IS, adding: \"Two years ago when I became president they were a very dominant group, today they're not so dominant any more. Great job.\" The president told the soldiers he had secured a 10% wage increase for them, after learning their pay had been stagnant for \"more than 10 years\". In fact armed forces personnel have received a pay rise in each of the past 10 years. The increase for 2019, approved by the president in August, will be 2.6%. Mr Trump had planned to spend Christmas at his private golf club in Florida, but stayed behind in Washington because of the current partial government shutdown. The visit to Iraq lasted about three hours. On the flight back, the president's plane refuelled at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Mr Trump used the brief stopover to meet troops stationed there. \"We're no longer the suckers, folks,\" he told American service personnel. \"We're respected again as a nation.\" Mr Trump said the US could use Iraq as a forward base if it \"wanted to do something in Syria\", Reuters news agency reports. He defended his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria during the visit, saying: \"A lot of people are going to come around to my way of thinking. \"I made it clear from the beginning that our mission in Syria was to strip Isis [another name for IS] of its military strongholds. \"Eight years ago, we went there for three months and we never left. Now, we're doing it right and we're going to finish it off.\" Mr Trump also spoke of his conversations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan which are believed to have influenced his decision to pull US forces out of Syria. \"I will tell you that I've had some very good talks with President Erdogan who wants to knock them [IS] out also and he'll do it. And others will do it too,\" Mr Trump said. \"We are in their region. They should be sharing the burden of costs and they're not.\" He said there would be no delays in the withdrawal and added that the US could not \"continue to be the policeman of the world\". \"It's not fair when the burden is all on us, the United States,\" he said. \"We don't want to be taken advantage of any more by countries that use us and use our incredible military to protect them. They don't pay for it, and they're going to have to.\" The president also said that security considerations had prevented him from visiting US troops in the region several weeks ago. Mr Trump announced the decision to pull US troops out of Syria last week. However, important allies including senior Republicans and foreign powers have disputed the claim that IS is defeated in Syria and say the US withdrawal could lead to a resurgence. In his resignation letter, Gen Mattis said he did not share Mr Trump's views. One of the top US diplomats in the fight against IS, Brett McGurk, also resigned early. He reportedly described Mr Trump's decision as a \"reversal of policy\" that \"left our coalition partners confused and our fighting partners bewildered\". A Kurdish-led alliance, the Syria Democratic Forces, has also warned that IS could recover. US troops have helped rid much of Syria's north-east of the jihadist group, but pockets of fighters remain.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2144, "answer_start": 877, "text": "Mr Trump, his wife and National Security Adviser John Bolton travelled on Air Force One to al-Asad airbase, west of the capital Baghdad, to meet military personnel in the base's canteen. It was his first visit to the region. During the visit he got a standing ovation from troops as he entered a dining hall and walked around greeting them, posing for selfies and signing autographs. He said the reason for the visit was to personally thank them for helping to defeat IS, adding: \"Two years ago when I became president they were a very dominant group, today they're not so dominant any more. Great job.\" The president told the soldiers he had secured a 10% wage increase for them, after learning their pay had been stagnant for \"more than 10 years\". In fact armed forces personnel have received a pay rise in each of the past 10 years. The increase for 2019, approved by the president in August, will be 2.6%. Mr Trump had planned to spend Christmas at his private golf club in Florida, but stayed behind in Washington because of the current partial government shutdown. The visit to Iraq lasted about three hours. On the flight back, the president's plane refuelled at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Mr Trump used the brief stopover to meet troops stationed there." } ], "id": "302_0", "question": "What happened during Trump's visit?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3722, "answer_start": 2145, "text": "\"We're no longer the suckers, folks,\" he told American service personnel. \"We're respected again as a nation.\" Mr Trump said the US could use Iraq as a forward base if it \"wanted to do something in Syria\", Reuters news agency reports. He defended his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria during the visit, saying: \"A lot of people are going to come around to my way of thinking. \"I made it clear from the beginning that our mission in Syria was to strip Isis [another name for IS] of its military strongholds. \"Eight years ago, we went there for three months and we never left. Now, we're doing it right and we're going to finish it off.\" Mr Trump also spoke of his conversations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan which are believed to have influenced his decision to pull US forces out of Syria. \"I will tell you that I've had some very good talks with President Erdogan who wants to knock them [IS] out also and he'll do it. And others will do it too,\" Mr Trump said. \"We are in their region. They should be sharing the burden of costs and they're not.\" He said there would be no delays in the withdrawal and added that the US could not \"continue to be the policeman of the world\". \"It's not fair when the burden is all on us, the United States,\" he said. \"We don't want to be taken advantage of any more by countries that use us and use our incredible military to protect them. They don't pay for it, and they're going to have to.\" The president also said that security considerations had prevented him from visiting US troops in the region several weeks ago." } ], "id": "302_1", "question": "What did Trump say in Iraq?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4495, "answer_start": 3723, "text": "Mr Trump announced the decision to pull US troops out of Syria last week. However, important allies including senior Republicans and foreign powers have disputed the claim that IS is defeated in Syria and say the US withdrawal could lead to a resurgence. In his resignation letter, Gen Mattis said he did not share Mr Trump's views. One of the top US diplomats in the fight against IS, Brett McGurk, also resigned early. He reportedly described Mr Trump's decision as a \"reversal of policy\" that \"left our coalition partners confused and our fighting partners bewildered\". A Kurdish-led alliance, the Syria Democratic Forces, has also warned that IS could recover. US troops have helped rid much of Syria's north-east of the jihadist group, but pockets of fighters remain." } ], "id": "302_2", "question": "Why is withdrawing from Syria controversial?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Hurricane Irma has caused a trail of destruction across parts of the Caribbean, battering a number of islands and reducing buildings to rubble. The powerful storm, which is already said to have affected an estimated 1.2m people, is predicted to head north-west to the United States, reaching Florida or neighbouring south-eastern states from Sunday. So what lies in its path? Irma has been making headlines as the most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade with wind speeds of up to 295km/h (185mph). It hit the Caribbean on Wednesday as a category five hurricane, the highest possible level for such a storm, but was downgraded on Friday to a category four. As the storm hit Cuba, the large landmass slowed the storm to 215km/h (130mph) - but forecasters predict it will strengthen once again. The storm first caused massive devastation when it struck the small island of Barbuda - which was later said to be \"barely habitable\", and the island of St Martin, which is split into the French territory of Saint-Martin and the Dutch country of Sint Maarten. It also badly hit the French territory Saint Barthelemy, popularly known as St Barts. At least nine people were reported killed in Saint-Martin and Saint Barthelemy. Another death was later reported in Sint Maarten, with local officials saying that most buildings there have been levelled. Four deaths were confirmed on the US Virgin Islands, which suffered widespread damage to infrastructure. At least three people were reported dead in Puerto Rico, the governor's office said. More than half of the island's three million residents were without power and officials said many could be cut off for several days. The hurricane also hit the British overseas territories of Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands (BVI), where a state of emergency has been declared. One person was killed on Anguilla and a child died on Barbuda. The hurricane went on to batter the Turks and Caicos islands further north on Thursday evening. Haiti and the Dominican Republic were both affected by the extreme weather, but neither had as much damage as initially feared. With the scale of the damage still emerging, the death toll across the region is likely to rise. An estimated 1.2 million people have been affected by Irma and that could rise sharply to 26 million, the Red Cross has said. The hurricane is moving relatively slowly, at about 19km/h (12mph), as it heads towards the southern US coast from the Atlantic. The eye of the storm is moving across Cuba, and is set to hit Florida as a category four hurricane on Sunday, bringing storm surges and flooding. More than five million people - at least a quarter of the state's population - have been ordered to evacuate. About 50,000 tourists are fleeing or have fled Cuba, with resorts on the north coast now empty, Reuters reports. Forecasters projecting the direction of the storm warn that the path could alter and it should not be seen as a guarantee of safety for those in nearby regions. A state of emergency had been declared for Florida and the US is mobilising federal disaster relief efforts. Formal hurricane warnings are in effect for several areas. A storm surge - rising seawater coming in from the coast - is also expected. Forecasters say the water is potentially life-threatening, with swells up to 12ft above ground. The National Weather Service has said that there is a possibility that South Florida \"may be uninhabitable for weeks or months\". Officials have been evacuating tourists and residents of Florida Keys, a resort archipelago. Flights to and from several airports in Florida have been suspended, while Orlando's international airport reported that commercial flights would stop from 17:00 local time on Saturday. The state of Georgia is forecast to be in the line of the storm and is preparing for strong winds and possible flooding this weekend. The governor of Georgia has issued a mandatory evacuation order for the city of Savannah and other coastal areas. US President Donald Trump has also declared an emergency in South Carolina but forecasters have said that the threat from Irma is expected to decrease as the storm moves northwards. There are two other storms of concern at the moment - Hurricanes Jose and Katia. Jose, following behind Irma, has been growing in strength and was upgraded to a category four hurricane on Friday, according to the NHC. Although its path is not clear, Jose could hit some areas already affected by Irma - but is expected to weaken before it reaches them. Katia, in the Gulf of Mexico, has weakened to a tropical depression, and all warnings have been lifted. Seeing multiple storms developing in the same area of the Atlantic in close succession is not uncommon. Rarer though is the strength of the hurricanes, with Hurricane Harvey - which recently hit Texas - also making landfall as a category four. When storms such as Hurricane Irma are described as \"extremely dangerous\" and \"potentially catastrophic\", the threat to humans and property is often unpredictable - we will not know the full extent of the fallout from Irma until later. Hurricane Wilma, in 2005, had similar wind speeds and killed 87 people, costing billions in damage. But wind speeds are not always a good indicator of the damage a storm can do. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew, which was less powerful, killed almost 600 people - more than 500 of them in Haiti. The NHC's final report said that poorly constructed homes were \"completely destroyed\" by winds. Irma is currently only being beaten by 1980s Hurricane Allen for the strongest and most sustained wind speeds. As it intensified across the Caribbean, it killed six people on St Lucia and 238 in the Antilles islands. Hurricane Allen then reached a staggering 305km/h (190 mph) at its peak before hitting Texas with 205km/h (125mph) winds. Fortunately it made landfall in a sparsely populated area of the US state, with few casualties recorded. Extreme weather patterns are complex, and where the storm hits and how prepared the populace are may have a significant effect. Local governments in the path of the storm are issuing their own instructions, which should be followed. Once the storm is a serious threat, the US NHC advises residents to: - Be prepared to evacuate if you live in a storm surge risk area - Secure homes by covering all windows with strong plywood, if you do not have storm shutters installed - Check the websites, news and radio frequently to make sure you have the latest advice - Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level, with as many walls between you and the storm as possible - Keep away from windows, skylights, and glass doors - Be aware that if the eye of the storm passes over, there could be a short period of calm - but wind speed will rapidly increase on the other side Ideally, those in the storm's path should have an emergency kit prepared in advance, with food, water, batteries, artificial light and other supplies.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 792, "answer_start": 376, "text": "Irma has been making headlines as the most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade with wind speeds of up to 295km/h (185mph). It hit the Caribbean on Wednesday as a category five hurricane, the highest possible level for such a storm, but was downgraded on Friday to a category four. As the storm hit Cuba, the large landmass slowed the storm to 215km/h (130mph) - but forecasters predict it will strengthen once again." } ], "id": "303_0", "question": "How big and powerful is Hurricane Irma?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2986, "answer_start": 2328, "text": "The hurricane is moving relatively slowly, at about 19km/h (12mph), as it heads towards the southern US coast from the Atlantic. The eye of the storm is moving across Cuba, and is set to hit Florida as a category four hurricane on Sunday, bringing storm surges and flooding. More than five million people - at least a quarter of the state's population - have been ordered to evacuate. About 50,000 tourists are fleeing or have fled Cuba, with resorts on the north coast now empty, Reuters reports. Forecasters projecting the direction of the storm warn that the path could alter and it should not be seen as a guarantee of safety for those in nearby regions." } ], "id": "303_1", "question": "What is Irma's projected path?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4165, "answer_start": 2987, "text": "A state of emergency had been declared for Florida and the US is mobilising federal disaster relief efforts. Formal hurricane warnings are in effect for several areas. A storm surge - rising seawater coming in from the coast - is also expected. Forecasters say the water is potentially life-threatening, with swells up to 12ft above ground. The National Weather Service has said that there is a possibility that South Florida \"may be uninhabitable for weeks or months\". Officials have been evacuating tourists and residents of Florida Keys, a resort archipelago. Flights to and from several airports in Florida have been suspended, while Orlando's international airport reported that commercial flights would stop from 17:00 local time on Saturday. The state of Georgia is forecast to be in the line of the storm and is preparing for strong winds and possible flooding this weekend. The governor of Georgia has issued a mandatory evacuation order for the city of Savannah and other coastal areas. US President Donald Trump has also declared an emergency in South Carolina but forecasters have said that the threat from Irma is expected to decrease as the storm moves northwards." } ], "id": "303_2", "question": "How badly will the US be hit?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4866, "answer_start": 4166, "text": "There are two other storms of concern at the moment - Hurricanes Jose and Katia. Jose, following behind Irma, has been growing in strength and was upgraded to a category four hurricane on Friday, according to the NHC. Although its path is not clear, Jose could hit some areas already affected by Irma - but is expected to weaken before it reaches them. Katia, in the Gulf of Mexico, has weakened to a tropical depression, and all warnings have been lifted. Seeing multiple storms developing in the same area of the Atlantic in close succession is not uncommon. Rarer though is the strength of the hurricanes, with Hurricane Harvey - which recently hit Texas - also making landfall as a category four." } ], "id": "303_3", "question": "What about Hurricanes Jose and Katia?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 6060, "answer_start": 4867, "text": "When storms such as Hurricane Irma are described as \"extremely dangerous\" and \"potentially catastrophic\", the threat to humans and property is often unpredictable - we will not know the full extent of the fallout from Irma until later. Hurricane Wilma, in 2005, had similar wind speeds and killed 87 people, costing billions in damage. But wind speeds are not always a good indicator of the damage a storm can do. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew, which was less powerful, killed almost 600 people - more than 500 of them in Haiti. The NHC's final report said that poorly constructed homes were \"completely destroyed\" by winds. Irma is currently only being beaten by 1980s Hurricane Allen for the strongest and most sustained wind speeds. As it intensified across the Caribbean, it killed six people on St Lucia and 238 in the Antilles islands. Hurricane Allen then reached a staggering 305km/h (190 mph) at its peak before hitting Texas with 205km/h (125mph) winds. Fortunately it made landfall in a sparsely populated area of the US state, with few casualties recorded. Extreme weather patterns are complex, and where the storm hits and how prepared the populace are may have a significant effect." } ], "id": "303_4", "question": "How are dangerous storms measured?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 6979, "answer_start": 6061, "text": "Local governments in the path of the storm are issuing their own instructions, which should be followed. Once the storm is a serious threat, the US NHC advises residents to: - Be prepared to evacuate if you live in a storm surge risk area - Secure homes by covering all windows with strong plywood, if you do not have storm shutters installed - Check the websites, news and radio frequently to make sure you have the latest advice - Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level, with as many walls between you and the storm as possible - Keep away from windows, skylights, and glass doors - Be aware that if the eye of the storm passes over, there could be a short period of calm - but wind speed will rapidly increase on the other side Ideally, those in the storm's path should have an emergency kit prepared in advance, with food, water, batteries, artificial light and other supplies." } ], "id": "303_5", "question": "What should I do to prepare?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "On a crisp weekday afternoon recently, hundreds of men and women, young and old, thronged a dusty playground of a government high school in a village in India's Madhya Pradesh state. Hemmed in by mobile towers and squalid buildings, the ground in Salamatpur was an unusual venue for a government-sponsored programme to \"spread cheer and happiness\". Undeterred by the surroundings and egged on by an energetic emcee, children in blue-and-white school uniforms, women in bright chiffon saris, and young men in jeans and t-shirts participated in games and festivities all morning. Under a tatty awning, people sprawled and a DJ played some music over crackling speakers. People left some food and old clothes for donation near a \"wall of giving\". On the field, children raced in gunny sacks. A dozen girls, hands tied to their back, sprinted to get their teeth into knotty jalebis, a popular sweet. Women, squealing with delight, competed in tug-of-war contests. Jaunty men from a dancing school vowed the crowd with hip-hop dance moves. A four-year-old girl provided a rousing finale with her Bollywood-style hip-swinging gyrations. At the end of it all, beaming participants received glossy certificates. On the dais crowded with officials and village leaders, there was mirthful insistence that \"happiness week\" had kicked off well. Videos and pictures of festivities from all over the state poured into the phones of excited officials: these included grannies tugging rope and grandfathers running with spoons in their mouths, among other things. The fun and games were part of a week-long Happiness Festival, organised by the ruling BJP government in what is India's second largest state, home to more than 70 million people. They also provided a glimpse of the rollout of what is the country's first state-promoted project to \"to put a smile on every face\". \"Even in our villages, people are becoming introverted and self-centred because of TV and mobile phones. We are trying to get people out of homes, come together, and be happy. The aim is to forget the worries of life and enjoy together,\" said Shobhit Tripathi a senior village council functionary. At the heart of this project is the newly-formed Department of Happiness - the first of its kind in India - helmed by the state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan himself. The yoga-loving three-term 57-year-old leader of the ruling BJP believes the \"state can help in ensuring the mental well being of its people\". Under him a gaggle of bureaucrats and a newly formed State Institute of Happiness are tasked with the responsibility of \"developing tools of happiness\" and creating an \"ecosystem that would enable people to realise their own potential of inner well being\". The department also plans to run some 70 programmes and develop a Happiness Index for the state. Mr Chouhan, who taught philosophy in a local college before embarking on a successful career in politics, told me he had been thinking for a long time on how to \"bring happiness in people's lives\". He then had an epiphany. Why couldn't his government run programmes to help citizens have a \"positive mindset\"? One report said that he was prodded by a popular guru. There is more joy sometimes, Mr Chouhan told me, \"being poor than being wealthy\". But one wonders if people would be happy enough if the state was efficient in delivering basic services and be seen to be fair to all its people. After all, Madhya Pradesh continues to be among India's poorest states. More than a third of its people are Dalits (formerly known as untouchables) and tribespeople, among the most underprivileged. The world's worst industrial accident happened in the state capital, Bhopal, in 1984, killing hundreds of people, and thousands of survivors are still fighting for compensation. Despite impressive strides in farming, infrastructure and public services in recent years, illiteracy, undernourishment and poverty remain major challenges. When Mr Chouhan announced his plan last year, critics warned that the state would have to first deal with several \"unhappy areas to make people happy\". Mr Chouhan agreed that providing food and shelter remained the primary responsibility of the state. But he said he was also worried about \"families breaking up, rising divorces, and the increasing number of single people\". He spoke about the anomie of modern life, and how unwieldy aspirations lead to \"excess stress and result in high suicide rates\". He said that the state, borrowing from religious texts and folk wisdom, can help spread the virtues of \"goodness, altruism, forgiveness, humility and peace\". \"We need people to have a positive mindset. We will try to achieve this through school lessons, yoga, religious education, moral science, meditation and with help from gurus, social workers and non-profits. It will be a wide ranging programme,\" he said. I wondered whether all this would spawn another gargantuan bureaucracy of happiness and invite allegations of cultural indoctrination by a government run by a Hindu nationalist party. Don't worry, Iqbal Singh Bains, the senior-most official in the department of happiness assured me. He's also the top bureaucrat in the energy department. \"This is not about officials delivering happiness. This is not about preachy governance. You cannot deliver happiness to people. You can only bring about an enabling environment. The journey will be yours alone, the government is there to lend you a helping hand,\" he told me. Lending a hand would be more than 25,000 \"happiness volunteers\" who have signed up with the government. Government workers, teachers, doctors, homemakers and assorted people will work in the state's 51 districts, holding \"happiness tutorials and programmes\". Some 90 of them have already been trained. Sushil Mishra is one of them. The 48-year-old school teacher, who lives and works in remote Umaria, has already conducted four hour-long happiness classes at a secondary school, a student's hostel, and government offices. The classes, as he tells me, essentially have turned into confessionals, where participants talk about their good and not-so-good deeds, and pledge to improve themselves. Mr Mishra says it's a challenge to create a relaxing, informal environment, where people can \"wrestle with their inner demons\". \"Then they can listen to the voice of their soul, they are in touch with inner feelings. Nothing is forced.\" Madhya Pradesh is not the first place to try to \"spread happiness\". But the jury is out on whether the state can play the role of a philosopher-counsellor-evangelist and make citizens happy. Three years ago, Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay cast doubts on the country's popular pursuit of Gross National Happiness (GNH), saying that the concept was overused and masked problems with corruption and low standards of living. In 2013, Venezuela announced a \"ministry of happiness\", but it did not stop the country from descending into social and economic chaos. Last year, United Arab Emirates announced the creation of a minister of state for happiness to \"create social good and satisfaction\". Many like sociologist Shiv Visvanathan believe the state has no right getting into the business of spreading happiness. Happiness, they say, is no laughing matter and its relationship with ambition is complex. \"The state cannot start defining what exactly contributes to mental well being. The state cannot colonise the subconscious. What happens to dissenting imagination or civil society? Trying to impose something as abstract as happiness on its people is not only bizarre, but downright dangerous,\" said Dr Visvanathan. Mr Chouhan obviously believes otherwise. In November, 24 of his ministers were sent five questions to find out how happy they were. A score of less than 22 meant that the respondent wasn't happy. Nobody knows the answers yet.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5790, "answer_start": 4109, "text": "Mr Chouhan agreed that providing food and shelter remained the primary responsibility of the state. But he said he was also worried about \"families breaking up, rising divorces, and the increasing number of single people\". He spoke about the anomie of modern life, and how unwieldy aspirations lead to \"excess stress and result in high suicide rates\". He said that the state, borrowing from religious texts and folk wisdom, can help spread the virtues of \"goodness, altruism, forgiveness, humility and peace\". \"We need people to have a positive mindset. We will try to achieve this through school lessons, yoga, religious education, moral science, meditation and with help from gurus, social workers and non-profits. It will be a wide ranging programme,\" he said. I wondered whether all this would spawn another gargantuan bureaucracy of happiness and invite allegations of cultural indoctrination by a government run by a Hindu nationalist party. Don't worry, Iqbal Singh Bains, the senior-most official in the department of happiness assured me. He's also the top bureaucrat in the energy department. \"This is not about officials delivering happiness. This is not about preachy governance. You cannot deliver happiness to people. You can only bring about an enabling environment. The journey will be yours alone, the government is there to lend you a helping hand,\" he told me. Lending a hand would be more than 25,000 \"happiness volunteers\" who have signed up with the government. Government workers, teachers, doctors, homemakers and assorted people will work in the state's 51 districts, holding \"happiness tutorials and programmes\". Some 90 of them have already been trained." } ], "id": "304_0", "question": "Bureaucracy of happiness?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Nigeria could be facing a fiscal crisis if it doesn't improve its ability to collect taxes, the authorities have warned. Government expenditure has doubled and debt servicing costs have grown, but revenues have missed their targets by at least 45% a year since 2015. Despite that, the Nigerian president's office has praised the work of the national tax body, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), for doubling the number of taxpayers since 2015. Some online users were quick to ask if that's true, why hasn't there been an equivalent increase in government revenue, and as a result improvements in things like schools, roads and healthcare? In 2018, 19 million Nigerians paid into federal or state coffers, according to government data. A World Bank report in that year put the country's economically active population at 65 million - so even with rising numbers of taxpayers in recent years, that is still less than 30% paying tax. The government has been going after individuals that it believes are liable for tax and have not been paying. Two years ago, the country offered a 12-month amnesty for Nigerians to declare and pay taxes on all previously undeclared income and assets to avoid penalty payments and possible prosecution. A World Bank report last year said this was only partly successful with just 8% of the target achieved by the end of the amnesty period. However, many Nigerians will be reluctant to pay taxes because of concerns the money raised may be siphoned off instead of being spent on health, education and other public services. The big issue facing the government has been lower international oil prices and the recession experienced by the Nigerian economy in 2016. The average price of crude oil fell from around $113 a barrel in 2012 to just over $54 in 2017. Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer and between 2012 to 2014, the oil sector provided 57% of total government revenue. This fell to 41% between 2016 to 2018. The government says that value added tax (VAT) and company income tax have been on the increase since 2015. But a UN report this year showed that in 2018, Nigeria's estimated VAT gap - the shortfall between potential and actual VAT collections - was one of the largest in Africa. Nigeria also says it is intensifying measures to collect tax from new revenue streams, such as online transactions. It has said it will ask banks to charge tax at 5% on online transactions, both domestic and international, from January 2020. A report this year by Oxford University's Oxford Martin School estimates that non-oil revenues have risen but adds that much of the gain has been wiped out by inflation and currency movements. According to some estimates, Nigeria has one of the world's lowest ratios of tax to GDP. That is the total amount of tax collected as a proportion of GDP - the value of the country's goods and services. In 2016, it was at 6%, going by figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a grouping of the world's leading market economies. That is the latest year for which data is available. The tax-to-GDP ratio in South Africa was 29%, Ghana 18%, Egypt 15% and Kenya 18%, says the OECD. The average for OECD members - which includes all the advanced economies - was 34%. The World Bank uses a slightly different measurement of tax take, which does not include most social security payments. This puts Nigeria's tax-to-GDP ratio in 2016 lower at just 3.4%. In 2017, the ratio did improve to 4.8%, according to figures provided to us by the Nigerian authorities. We don't have a figure for 2018, but it is worth pointing out that 15% is the level which the World Bank says is necessary to achieve economic growth and poverty reduction. Many other developing countries have a low tax-to-GDP ratio and recent data indicates that about 60 countries fall below the 15% threshold. Bernardin Akitoby, an assistant director in the IMF, says a typical advanced country has a tax to GDP ratio of around 40%. Mr Akitoby says there is no one-size-fits-all solution to increase the tax take - but there are a few lessons that can be drawn from countries that have been successful in the past: - a clear political mandate to tackle low levels of tax payment - a simpler tax system with a limited number of rates and exemptions - using taxes on goods and services - boosting tax collection by using new technology The IMF says more comprehensive tax reform in Nigeria could help increase the tax-to-GDP ratio by about eight percentage points.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3738, "answer_start": 2675, "text": "According to some estimates, Nigeria has one of the world's lowest ratios of tax to GDP. That is the total amount of tax collected as a proportion of GDP - the value of the country's goods and services. In 2016, it was at 6%, going by figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a grouping of the world's leading market economies. That is the latest year for which data is available. The tax-to-GDP ratio in South Africa was 29%, Ghana 18%, Egypt 15% and Kenya 18%, says the OECD. The average for OECD members - which includes all the advanced economies - was 34%. The World Bank uses a slightly different measurement of tax take, which does not include most social security payments. This puts Nigeria's tax-to-GDP ratio in 2016 lower at just 3.4%. In 2017, the ratio did improve to 4.8%, according to figures provided to us by the Nigerian authorities. We don't have a figure for 2018, but it is worth pointing out that 15% is the level which the World Bank says is necessary to achieve economic growth and poverty reduction." } ], "id": "305_0", "question": "How does it compare globally?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4531, "answer_start": 3739, "text": "Many other developing countries have a low tax-to-GDP ratio and recent data indicates that about 60 countries fall below the 15% threshold. Bernardin Akitoby, an assistant director in the IMF, says a typical advanced country has a tax to GDP ratio of around 40%. Mr Akitoby says there is no one-size-fits-all solution to increase the tax take - but there are a few lessons that can be drawn from countries that have been successful in the past: - a clear political mandate to tackle low levels of tax payment - a simpler tax system with a limited number of rates and exemptions - using taxes on goods and services - boosting tax collection by using new technology The IMF says more comprehensive tax reform in Nigeria could help increase the tax-to-GDP ratio by about eight percentage points." } ], "id": "305_1", "question": "How do you improve tax take?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A Japanese department store where staff could wear badges if they were on their period has said it will \"rethink\" that policy. The badges - which featured a cartoon character known as Miss Period - were introduced in October. The intention was that staff could get extra help, or longer breaks, if they were wearing one. \"It was never the intention to share the menstrual information with their customers,\" a spokeswoman told the BBC. The Daimaru branch at Osaka Umeda introduced the badges in October for the 500 or so staff in the women's wardrobe section. The badges, which were voluntary, were introduced after a suggestion from employees themselves, and were linked to the opening of a new section of the store. On one side, the badge said the new section devoted to \"women's wellbeing\", was opening on 22 November. On the other side was the \"Seiri-chan\" mascot (seiri meaning period or menstruation). The idea, Daimaru spokeswoman Yoko Higuchi told the BBC, was to \"improve the working environment\" for staff by sharing the information. When the store told the media about the badges on 21 November, some outlets incorrectly reported that the purpose was to let customers - as well as colleagues - know if a woman was on her period. One unnamed Daimaru executive told local media there were then \"many complaints\" from the public, with \"some of them concerning harassment\". Ms Higuchi said some staff \"didn't see the point\" in the badges or were \"reluctant\" to wear them. \"But others were positive,\" she added. \"If you saw a colleague was having her period, you could offer to carry heavy things for her, or suggest she takes longer breaks, and this support would be mutual.\" She also said customers had phoned in with their support. Daimaru are not cancelling the policy, but they are rethinking it. Ms Higuchi said they would come up with a different way of sharing the information - without alerting the public. Analysis by Yuko Kato, BBC News, Tokyo As in many countries, menstruation in Japan was something women rarely talked about in public, let alone with men. And the subject was always tinged with shame. But that is changing in a big way. A few days ago, a widely-watched morning programme \"Asaichi\", on the public broadcaster NHK, spent over an hour - with both female and male commentators - discussing how to talk frankly about menstruation with your family and friends. When the consumption tax rate was raised from 8% to 10% in October, menstrual products were subjected to the hike. This caused indignation among many women - and has added to the social dialogue about women's periods. While social media has contributed to this openness, another impetus has been the experience of many women in shelters during natural disasters. We've seen many (uncorroborated) stories on social media about women in those shelters being told to control their bleeding, or told that asking for tampons was contemptible. One reported response in the shelters, for example, was: \"How can you be thinking about sex at a time like this?\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1042, "answer_start": 435, "text": "The Daimaru branch at Osaka Umeda introduced the badges in October for the 500 or so staff in the women's wardrobe section. The badges, which were voluntary, were introduced after a suggestion from employees themselves, and were linked to the opening of a new section of the store. On one side, the badge said the new section devoted to \"women's wellbeing\", was opening on 22 November. On the other side was the \"Seiri-chan\" mascot (seiri meaning period or menstruation). The idea, Daimaru spokeswoman Yoko Higuchi told the BBC, was to \"improve the working environment\" for staff by sharing the information." } ], "id": "306_0", "question": "Why were the badges introduced?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1739, "answer_start": 1043, "text": "When the store told the media about the badges on 21 November, some outlets incorrectly reported that the purpose was to let customers - as well as colleagues - know if a woman was on her period. One unnamed Daimaru executive told local media there were then \"many complaints\" from the public, with \"some of them concerning harassment\". Ms Higuchi said some staff \"didn't see the point\" in the badges or were \"reluctant\" to wear them. \"But others were positive,\" she added. \"If you saw a colleague was having her period, you could offer to carry heavy things for her, or suggest she takes longer breaks, and this support would be mutual.\" She also said customers had phoned in with their support." } ], "id": "306_1", "question": "What did staff and customers make of it?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1920, "answer_start": 1740, "text": "Daimaru are not cancelling the policy, but they are rethinking it. Ms Higuchi said they would come up with a different way of sharing the information - without alerting the public." } ], "id": "306_2", "question": "What is happening now?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned the Netherlands it will \"pay the price\" for harming ties after two of his ministers were barred. The two ministers were blocked from addressing Turkish voters in Rotterdam on Saturday, with one of them escorted to the German border. The Dutch government said such rallies would stoke tensions days before the Netherlands' general election. Turkey's ties with several EU countries have become strained over the rallies. The rallies aim to increase support among Turks living in Europe who are eligible to vote in a referendum on expanding Turkish presidential powers. Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya, Turkey's family minister, had arrived in Rotterdam by road on Saturday, but was denied entry to the consulate and taken to the German border by Dutch police. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tried to fly in but was refused entry. Several EU countries have been drawn into the row over the rallies: - Mr Cavusoglu called the Netherlands the \"capital of fascism\" after he was refused entry - Mr Erdogan accused Germany of \"Nazi practices\" after similar rallies there were cancelled - words Chancellor Angela Merkel described as \"unacceptable\" - Denmark's Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen postponed a planned meeting with Turkey's prime minister, saying he was concerned that \"democratic principles are under great pressure\" in Turkey - Local French officials have allowed a Turkish rally in Metz, saying it does not pose a public order threat - while France's foreign ministry has urged Turkey to avoid provocations Mr Erdogan accused countries in the West of \"Islamophobia\" and demanded international organisations impose sanctions on the Netherlands. \"I have said that I had thought that Nazism was over, but that I was wrong. Nazism is alive in the West,\" he said. He thanked France for allowing Mr Cavusoglu to travel to Metz to address a rally. The Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte has demanded Mr Erdogan apologise for likening the Dutch to \"Nazi fascists\". \"This country was bombed during the Second World War by Nazis. It's totally unacceptable to talk in this way.\" Mr Erdogan's comments were \"completely unacceptable\", and the Netherlands would have to consider its response if Turkey continued on its current path, he added. The Dutch government is facing a severe electoral challenge from the anti-Islam party of Geert Wilders in its election on Wednesday. Reports say the owner of a venue in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, has also cancelled a pro-Erdogan rally on Sunday that was to have been attended by Turkey's agriculture minister. Sweden's foreign ministry said it was not involved in the decision and that the event could take place elsewhere. Turkey is holding a referendum on 16 April on whether to turn from a parliamentary to a presidential republic, more akin to the United States. If successful, it would give sweeping new powers to the president, allowing him or her to appoint ministers, prepare the budget, choose the majority of senior judges and enact certain laws by decree. What's more, the president alone would be able to announce a state of emergency and dismiss parliament. There are 5.5 million Turks living outside the country, with 1.4 million eligible voters in Germany alone - and the Yes campaign is keen to get them on side. So a number of rallies have been planned for countries with large numbers of eligible voters, including Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Many of the countries, including Germany, have cited security concerns as the official reason. Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said Mr Erdogan was not welcome to hold rallies as this could increase friction and hinder integration. Many European nations have also expressed deep disquiet about Turkey's response to the July coup attempt and the country's perceived slide towards authoritarianism under President Erdogan. Germany in particular has been critical of the mass arrests and purges that followed - with nearly 100,000 civil servants removed from their posts.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3460, "answer_start": 2714, "text": "Turkey is holding a referendum on 16 April on whether to turn from a parliamentary to a presidential republic, more akin to the United States. If successful, it would give sweeping new powers to the president, allowing him or her to appoint ministers, prepare the budget, choose the majority of senior judges and enact certain laws by decree. What's more, the president alone would be able to announce a state of emergency and dismiss parliament. There are 5.5 million Turks living outside the country, with 1.4 million eligible voters in Germany alone - and the Yes campaign is keen to get them on side. So a number of rallies have been planned for countries with large numbers of eligible voters, including Germany, Austria and the Netherlands." } ], "id": "307_0", "question": "What is the row about?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4037, "answer_start": 3461, "text": "Many of the countries, including Germany, have cited security concerns as the official reason. Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said Mr Erdogan was not welcome to hold rallies as this could increase friction and hinder integration. Many European nations have also expressed deep disquiet about Turkey's response to the July coup attempt and the country's perceived slide towards authoritarianism under President Erdogan. Germany in particular has been critical of the mass arrests and purges that followed - with nearly 100,000 civil servants removed from their posts." } ], "id": "307_1", "question": "Why are countries trying to prevent the rallies?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has flatly denied a report that his country was spying on the US. A Politico article cites three former senior US officials who say Israel was likely to be behind surveillance devices found near the White House. But a statement from Mr Netanyahu's office said this was \"a blatant lie\". \"There is a longstanding commitment, and a directive from the Israeli government not to engage in any intelligence operations in the US.\" President Donald Trump, asked by reporters on Thursday about the report, said he did not believe Israel was spying on the US. \"I really would find that hard to believe, my relationship with Israel has been great,\" Mr Trump said, citing the end of the Iran nuclear deal and his administration's controversial decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. \"I wouldn't believe that story. Anything's possible but I don't believe it.\" The allegations appeared in an exclusive story for US news site Politico on Thursday. International mobile subscriber identity-catchers (IMSI catchers) - informally known as StingRays - were reportedly found near the presidential residence and by other sensitive sites across Washington DC during the Trump presidency. These devices act like mobile phone towers, tricking phones into sending their location, identity information, and even call contents and data usage. One of the former officials who spoke anonymously to the site said the StingRays were likely designed to spy on President Trump. He said it is not clear if they succeeded. FBI counterintelligence agents conducted analysis to find out where they came from. \"It was pretty clear that the Israelis were responsible,\" a former senior intelligence official told Politico. This same official also criticised the Trump administration, saying they did not publicly or privately reprimand the Israeli government for the alleged spying. \"I'm not aware of any accountability at all,\" the former official said. Despite Mr Netanyahu's denials, Israel has spied on the US in the past. Rafi Eitan - a Mossad agent who captured Nazi Adolf Eichmann in 1960 - was exposed in the 1980s as the handler of Jonathan Pollard, a US analyst who gave thousands of top secret documents to Israel. In 2006, former US Department of Defense employee Lawrence Franklin received a 13-year prison sentence for passing classified documents on US policy towards Iran to Israel. His sentence was later reduced to ten months' house arrest.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2468, "answer_start": 897, "text": "The allegations appeared in an exclusive story for US news site Politico on Thursday. International mobile subscriber identity-catchers (IMSI catchers) - informally known as StingRays - were reportedly found near the presidential residence and by other sensitive sites across Washington DC during the Trump presidency. These devices act like mobile phone towers, tricking phones into sending their location, identity information, and even call contents and data usage. One of the former officials who spoke anonymously to the site said the StingRays were likely designed to spy on President Trump. He said it is not clear if they succeeded. FBI counterintelligence agents conducted analysis to find out where they came from. \"It was pretty clear that the Israelis were responsible,\" a former senior intelligence official told Politico. This same official also criticised the Trump administration, saying they did not publicly or privately reprimand the Israeli government for the alleged spying. \"I'm not aware of any accountability at all,\" the former official said. Despite Mr Netanyahu's denials, Israel has spied on the US in the past. Rafi Eitan - a Mossad agent who captured Nazi Adolf Eichmann in 1960 - was exposed in the 1980s as the handler of Jonathan Pollard, a US analyst who gave thousands of top secret documents to Israel. In 2006, former US Department of Defense employee Lawrence Franklin received a 13-year prison sentence for passing classified documents on US policy towards Iran to Israel. His sentence was later reduced to ten months' house arrest." } ], "id": "308_0", "question": "What does the Politico report say?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Human trials of a cholesterol-lowering vaccine to help prevent heart disease are under way after successful studies in mice. Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna are testing the safety of their experimental treatment in 72 volunteers. The jab is designed to stop fatty deposits from clogging the arteries. It would offer patients an alternative to taking daily pills to cut their risk of stroke, angina and heart attacks. It will take years more of testing to know if the treatment will be safe and effective enough for human use, Dr Guenther Staffler and colleagues from The Netherlands Organisation of Applied Scientific Research say in the European Heart Journal. Even if it does become available, in six years' time, it should not be seen as an excuse for people to avoid exercise and eat lots of high-fat food, they add. The jab helps the body's immune system to attack a protein, called PCSK9, that would otherwise allow \"bad\" low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to build up in the bloodstream. The researchers envisage that patients could have a yearly booster shot to top up their immunity. In mice, the treatment cuts LDL cholesterol by up to 50% over 12 months and appears to protect against the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis). Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood. We all need it, but too much \"bad\" LDL cholesterol increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. \"Good\" high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, on the other hand, is beneficial because it helps transport other types of cholesterol from the blood to the liver, where it can be broken down. Some people have high cholesterol because of an inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia. Poor diet, high alcohol consumption, smoking and inactivity are also linked with high cholesterol. People with high cholesterol can take cholesterol-lowering drugs, called statins, to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. But although these are very cheap and effective, they will not work for everyone. Some people dislike taking daily medication or forget to take it because they are feeling well. Rarely, there can be side-effects. Researchers have been looking at alternative treatment options that they can give to patients alongside or instead of statins. The first phase of testing on 72 human volunteers should be completed by the end of the year. This will check if there are any safety issues or side-effects before more studies in people can begin. There is a concern that the therapeutic vaccine might increase the risk of diabetes. The researchers at the Medical University of Vienna who are conducting the human studies will be on the look out for this. Dr Tim Chico, a cardiologist from the University of Sheffield, said: \"Many questions remain about whether this approach could work in man. \"This is yet more proof that cholesterol causes heart disease, and lowering cholesterol reduces risk of heart disease, so it confirms the importance of a healthy lifestyle for everyone and medications such as statins for some people to reduce risk of heart disease.\" Prof Sir Nilesh Samani, from the British Heart Foundation, said: \"Finding new ways to manage people's cholesterol levels is absolutely vital. \"Although only tested in mice, this vaccine could lead to a simple way to target high cholesterol and ultimately reduce people's risk of heart disease.\" Follow Michelle on Twitter", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1837, "answer_start": 1285, "text": "Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood. We all need it, but too much \"bad\" LDL cholesterol increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. \"Good\" high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, on the other hand, is beneficial because it helps transport other types of cholesterol from the blood to the liver, where it can be broken down. Some people have high cholesterol because of an inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia. Poor diet, high alcohol consumption, smoking and inactivity are also linked with high cholesterol." } ], "id": "309_0", "question": "What is cholesterol?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2307, "answer_start": 1838, "text": "People with high cholesterol can take cholesterol-lowering drugs, called statins, to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. But although these are very cheap and effective, they will not work for everyone. Some people dislike taking daily medication or forget to take it because they are feeling well. Rarely, there can be side-effects. Researchers have been looking at alternative treatment options that they can give to patients alongside or instead of statins." } ], "id": "309_1", "question": "Aren't there pills to reduce it?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The backstop was the most controversial part of the deal Theresa May negotiated with the EU. It is a position of last resort to prevent any new checks or controls on the Irish border after Brexit. The UK and EU would prefer to maintain the border status quo through a comprehensive trade deal. If such an agreement cannot be reached, or if a technological solution does not emerge, the backstop would come into force. It would keep the UK in a single customs territory with the EU, and leave Northern Ireland in the EU's single market for goods. That would mean goods crossing the border would not need to be subject to checks for customs or product standards. Many Conservative MPs fear the UK could be \"trapped\" in that arrangement for years, leaving it unable to strike its own trade deals on goods with the rest of the world. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), who prop up the government, also do not want to see Northern Ireland treated differently from the rest of the UK. Most of the Conservative leadership contenders are proposing changes to the backstop. The major difficulty with this policy is that the EU say they will not be reopening the withdrawal agreement. The environment secretary has said he wants to see a \"full stop to the backstop\". That would involve a renegotiation with the EU to add what he calls a \"clear exit mechanism\" from the backstop. He has also revived the idea of a \"Stormont lock\", which would mean that a devolved administration could veto any backstop provisions which would lead to Northern Ireland being treated differently from the UK. He would appoint a dedicated minister to lead the search for technological solutions to the border issue. The health secretary has said he would seek a time limit to the backstop. He has also proposed an \"Irish Border Council\", which would involve Northern Ireland's political parties, the British and Irish governments and the EU. Mr Hancock said it would aim to find a way to maintain a soft border and allow the UK to have an independent trade policy. He said the council would be chaired by an independent figure, using the example of Senator George Mitchell's role in the NI peace process. He said it would aim to find a \"long-term political, administrative and technological solution\". The proposal has a focus on technology, but Mr Hancock said any solution would require the political will and consent of communities on both sides of the border. The former chief whip wants the backstop to be removed completely and replaced with the so-called \"Malthouse Compromise\", This was a compromise among Conservative MPs, brokered by Housing Minister Kit Malthouse. It is effectively a free trade deal with \"maximum facilitation\" to deal with issues at the border. Maximum facilitation refers to a range of technical and technological solutions aimed at minimising the need for any checks or controls at the border. Mr Harper said \"existing practices and sensible cooperation\" would be sufficient to avoid a hardening of the border. The foreign secretary has said the EU now accepts that the backstop will never be approved by Parliament. He believes that, with the right approach, the issue can be renegotiated - he takes this view following a recent conversation with the German leader, Angela Merkel. Like many of the other candidates, Mr Hunt puts his faith in technology. He told Sky News that a technological solution was \"doable but we have to find the structures that reassure people that this is deliverable\". \"And we have to find the mechanisms to deal with the situation where we can't agree what technology is capable of,\" he added. He has also suggested the DUP could be added to the UK's negotiating team. The home secretary is another techno-optimist who believes that technology can keep the border as open as it is now, so the backstop is not needed. He has talked about \"a new digitised\" Irish border, which could be \"done in a couple of years\" and that would not involve any infrastructure on the border. Mr Javid has said he would make a \"grand gesture\" to the Irish government by paying for it even if it cost hundreds of millions of pounds. He acknowledged that for this to work, it would need goodwill on all sides. However by recently referring to Ireland as \"the tail that wags the dog\", he got his goodwill building off to a bad start. The former foreign secretary has described the backstop as a \"monstrosity\" that wipes out the UK's sovereignty and contends it is \"being used to coerce the UK into becoming a vassal state of Brussels\". He would seek to remove the backstop entirely from the withdrawal agreement. Mr Johnson has suggested he would only discuss border arrangements in the context of the second phase of Brexit negotiations, which will focus on a trade deal. He told the Sunday Times that is \"logically\" where the border should be discussed \"and where it should have been all along\". The former leader of the House of Commons is proposing what she calls a \"managed exit\", rather than a renegotiation of the backstop. Her three-point plan proposes a basic trade deal, which would again feature technical and technological solutions to reduce border friction. She has also proposed a UK-EU summit in Belfast in September where EU leaders \"will be invited to agree which measures we will all accept, to ensure a properly managed exit\". The former work and pensions secretary has said the backstop should never have been agreed to. Like Andrea Leadsom, Ms McVey does not believe that the EU will renegotiate the backstop. She said the UK should therefore be prepared to leave without a deal and step up preparations for that eventuality. Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has said he wants a \"a targeted forensic change to the backstop\". However, his idea is really to remove the backstop entirely and replace it with the \"Malthouse Compromise\" (see above). Mr Raab has also talked about the need for goodwill to make the technical solutions of the Malthouse Compromise work. However, he has a strained relationship with the Irish government having accused the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) of leaking a damaging story about him to the Daily Telegraph. That has been consistently and robustly denied by the Irish government. The international development secretary's energetic campaign has taken him to the Irish border - he recorded his thoughts as he crossed between Lifford and Strabane. He is the only candidate who is proposing to try to get the current deal, backstop included, through Parliament. He urged the other candidates to \"stop pretending that you are going to be able to negotiate some alternative deal with Europe. \"There is literally no evidence at all that Europe will give us a different deal,\" he said. He added that it was a pretence that a technological solution would be agreed by Brussels \"over the next few months\". Back in April, when EU leaders decided the UK could delay Brexit until the end of October they were clear that they were not going to renegotiate. The conclusion of their summit stated: \"The European Council reiterates that there can be no opening of the withdrawal agreement.\" That has been reiterated in recent days by the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier. He said that the current withdrawal agreement is \"the only one possible.\" Ireland's Europe Minister Helen McEntee summed up her government's position in a tweet. \"The withdrawal agreement will not change. The backstop cannot change. \"Much of what was in the withdrawal agreement was asked for by UK. They were not bystanders in the two years it took to negotiate. \"Bit of realism needed.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 7619, "answer_start": 6868, "text": "Back in April, when EU leaders decided the UK could delay Brexit until the end of October they were clear that they were not going to renegotiate. The conclusion of their summit stated: \"The European Council reiterates that there can be no opening of the withdrawal agreement.\" That has been reiterated in recent days by the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier. He said that the current withdrawal agreement is \"the only one possible.\" Ireland's Europe Minister Helen McEntee summed up her government's position in a tweet. \"The withdrawal agreement will not change. The backstop cannot change. \"Much of what was in the withdrawal agreement was asked for by UK. They were not bystanders in the two years it took to negotiate. \"Bit of realism needed.\"" } ], "id": "310_0", "question": "What are the EU saying about all this?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A Canadian sex-toy maker has been accused of tracking data on the intimate habits of thousands of its customers. The Ottawa-based company, Standard Innovation, has agreed a collective payout up to a total of C$4m (PS2.4m) for users in the US, where the lawsuit was filed. But where does that leave other sex-toy users? Are there new forms of protection that people should now consider? In Standard Innovation's case, an app was at the root of the problem. The We-Connect app connected to its We-Vibe vibrator, and the data collected was sent back to the company, including details on temperatures, settings and usage. A class-action lawsuit was filed in September 2016 by customers who alleged the company violated their privacy rights. This week, the company agreed its payout for US customers who bought the product before 26 September last year. Under the deal, those who used the We-Connect app will be paid up to C$10,000 each. Customers who bought the toy, but did not activate the accompanying app, will receive up to US$199 each. The settlement only applies to customers in the US, and Standard Innovation says it has since enhanced its privacy notice and app security. According to Ann Summers, a British retail chain that specialises in sex toys, the market is becoming increasingly hi-tech. \"Our company has been around since the early 1970s,\" said spokeswoman Kyrsty Hazell-Page. \"Back then, products didn't even vibrate. Then they moved from battery-powered to USB-charged, then came apps and now virtual reality is the next big thing.\" The We-Connect app allowed users to control the device's intensity via their mobile phone. It also enabled a user to allow another user to activate the product from afar via Bluetooth technology. Standard Innovation said the data it collected was for market-research purposes, but some users felt violated, as the information is particularly personal. The lawsuit also voiced concerns that the information could be linked to the email address they provided to the company. The company has since said there has been no breach of our customers' personal information or data. It says it has also changed its privacy practices, and says \"data is used in aggregate and anonymous form that does not personally identify any individual\". At Ann Summers, Ms Hazell-Page said the industry was learning from the case: \"We have to be really mindful as it is really important that we protect customers' safety and data in everything we do.\" The retain chain, which sells We-Vibe products, said, \"We are satisfied with the security changes undertaken by them in September\". Two hackers at Def Con, a US hacking convention, gave a talk at the August 2016 event called The Internet of Vibrating Things, in which they demonstrated how data is sent from the We-Vibe device to Standard Innovation. The pair, who go by the names of Goldfisk and Follower, also showed how third parties could intercept the data, or even take control of the vibrator and commit what they called \"potentially sexual assault\". \"Cybersecurity issues are now in all area of life,\" said cybersecurity specialist Jessica Barker, who runs website Cyber.uk. More and more products are being invented with internet compatibility, from light switches to fridges, creating what has called \"the internet of things\". \"In general, the more connect we are the more this opens us up to vulnerabilities, which all sorts of people could take advantage of,\" said Ms Barker. In the US, parents have even been warned about the possibility of baby monitors being hacked. New EU data-protection laws are expected to have an effect, as, from May 2018, companies could face huge fines if they misuse personal data or fail be transparent about its usage. The law is designed to protect EU citizens but companies based outside the union will also have to comply if they are serving EU consumers. Earlier this month, the Wikileaks website published allegations that the CIA had developed ways to listen in on smartphones and smart-TV microphones. However, Ms Barker says intelligence agencies \"do not have the resource or the will\" to be monitoring the average person's sex life. \"What people need to be more concerned about is cybercrime,\" she said. \"If a product can take video footage, this could be used to extort you. We have seen this already in what we call sextortion cases.\" This is when a person consents to sending someone sexual images but the recipient turns out to be a fraudster, or possibly part of a criminal gang, who then threatens to release the footage unless they receive a payoff. Clicking on a suspect file sent via email can also lead to malware infecting a computer, and could allow someone to hack into the machine's camera. This is not a new crime. One of the most famous cases came in 2013, when Jared James Abrahams, a 20-year-old computer-science student from California, hacked and threatened two dozen women, including a winner of the Miss Teen USA beauty pageant. He was later sentenced to 18 months in prison. Ms Barker recommends covering the camera lens on your laptop, either by using a sticker, a piece of tape or a widget sold for this purpose. Even Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is thought to take this precautionary measure. Kellyanne Conway, an advisor to US President Trump, was mocked earlier in the week for comments suggesting that microwaves could be used as cameras to spy on people. \"I'm not Inspector Gadget,\" she later told US news network CNN. \"I don't believe people are using their microwave to spy on the Trump campaign. However, I am not in the job of having evidence.\" Technology website Wired looked into the matter and concluded: \"Microwave ovens are not an effective spy tool.\" Wired referred specifically to the idea of microwaves as cameras. It said the microwave would have to have an outward-facing webcam built into its design before it could be taken over by outside forces. There are no known microwaves with webcams on the market. However, the idea has been mooted on online forum Reddit, where a user once asked if one could be created so that you could check on your dinner from a device in another room.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2609, "answer_start": 1178, "text": "According to Ann Summers, a British retail chain that specialises in sex toys, the market is becoming increasingly hi-tech. \"Our company has been around since the early 1970s,\" said spokeswoman Kyrsty Hazell-Page. \"Back then, products didn't even vibrate. Then they moved from battery-powered to USB-charged, then came apps and now virtual reality is the next big thing.\" The We-Connect app allowed users to control the device's intensity via their mobile phone. It also enabled a user to allow another user to activate the product from afar via Bluetooth technology. Standard Innovation said the data it collected was for market-research purposes, but some users felt violated, as the information is particularly personal. The lawsuit also voiced concerns that the information could be linked to the email address they provided to the company. The company has since said there has been no breach of our customers' personal information or data. It says it has also changed its privacy practices, and says \"data is used in aggregate and anonymous form that does not personally identify any individual\". At Ann Summers, Ms Hazell-Page said the industry was learning from the case: \"We have to be really mindful as it is really important that we protect customers' safety and data in everything we do.\" The retain chain, which sells We-Vibe products, said, \"We are satisfied with the security changes undertaken by them in September\"." } ], "id": "311_0", "question": "Why would you need an app to use a sex toy?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3879, "answer_start": 3036, "text": "\"Cybersecurity issues are now in all area of life,\" said cybersecurity specialist Jessica Barker, who runs website Cyber.uk. More and more products are being invented with internet compatibility, from light switches to fridges, creating what has called \"the internet of things\". \"In general, the more connect we are the more this opens us up to vulnerabilities, which all sorts of people could take advantage of,\" said Ms Barker. In the US, parents have even been warned about the possibility of baby monitors being hacked. New EU data-protection laws are expected to have an effect, as, from May 2018, companies could face huge fines if they misuse personal data or fail be transparent about its usage. The law is designed to protect EU citizens but companies based outside the union will also have to comply if they are serving EU consumers." } ], "id": "311_1", "question": "How risky are sex apps?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "President Hassan Rouhani of Iran has used a speech to the UN General Assembly to hit back at Donald Trump over the US president's criticisms of his country and its 2015 nuclear deal. In his debut speech to the UN on Tuesday, President Trump included Iran among a \"small group of rogue regimes\". He described the nuclear deal as an \"embarrassment\" to the United States. Mr Rouhani responded by referring to a \"rogue newcomer to international politics\". He denied his country would be the first to violate the agreement but said Iran would \"respond decisively and resolutely to its violation by any party\". It would be a \"great pity\", he added, if the agreement were to be destroyed by Mr Trump. Mr Trump has long condemned the nuclear deal concluded under Barack Obama, his predecessor in the White House. The White House said last month Iran was complying with the deal, but Mr Trump has said the country is violating its spirit. On Tuesday, he also accused Iran's government of being bent on \"death and destruction\". Iran, he said, was a \"corrupt dictatorship\" and an \"economically depleted rogue state\" that exported violence. Addressing the assembly at UN headquarters in New York, Mr Rouhani deplored \"ignorant, absurd and hateful rhetoric\" which was \"unfit to be heard at the United Nations\". In 2015, Iran reached its landmark nuclear deal with the P5+1 group of world powers - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany. Crippling economic sanctions on Iran were lifted after the International Atomic Energy Agency certified Iran had restricted sensitive nuclear activities. Iran says it has the right to nuclear energy and insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only. The White House said at the time the deal would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Speaking on Wednesday, the US envoy to the UN, Nikki Haley, said President Trump's remarks were \"not a clear signal that he plans to withdraw\". \"What it is, is a clear signal that he's not happy with the deal,\" she told CBS News in an interview. There are two uranium enrichment facilities in Iran - Natanz and Fordo - where uranium hexafluoride gas is fed into centrifuges to separate out the most fissile isotope, U-235. Low-enriched uranium, which has a 3%-4% concentration of U-235, can be used to produce fuel for nuclear power plants, but it can also be enriched to the 90% needed to produce nuclear weapons. In July 2015, Iran had almost 20,000 centrifuges. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it will be limited to installing no more than 5,060 of the oldest and least efficient centrifuges at Natanz for 10 years. Iran's uranium stockpile will also be reduced by 98% to 300kg (660lbs) for 15 years. It must also keep its level of enrichment at 3.67%.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1297, "answer_start": 694, "text": "Mr Trump has long condemned the nuclear deal concluded under Barack Obama, his predecessor in the White House. The White House said last month Iran was complying with the deal, but Mr Trump has said the country is violating its spirit. On Tuesday, he also accused Iran's government of being bent on \"death and destruction\". Iran, he said, was a \"corrupt dictatorship\" and an \"economically depleted rogue state\" that exported violence. Addressing the assembly at UN headquarters in New York, Mr Rouhani deplored \"ignorant, absurd and hateful rhetoric\" which was \"unfit to be heard at the United Nations\"." } ], "id": "312_0", "question": "Why such heat?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2770, "answer_start": 2039, "text": "There are two uranium enrichment facilities in Iran - Natanz and Fordo - where uranium hexafluoride gas is fed into centrifuges to separate out the most fissile isotope, U-235. Low-enriched uranium, which has a 3%-4% concentration of U-235, can be used to produce fuel for nuclear power plants, but it can also be enriched to the 90% needed to produce nuclear weapons. In July 2015, Iran had almost 20,000 centrifuges. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it will be limited to installing no more than 5,060 of the oldest and least efficient centrifuges at Natanz for 10 years. Iran's uranium stockpile will also be reduced by 98% to 300kg (660lbs) for 15 years. It must also keep its level of enrichment at 3.67%." } ], "id": "312_1", "question": "How is Iran curbing its nuclear programme?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Russia's president has accused opponents of his US counterpart Donald Trump of harming the US by \"inventing stories\" about contacts with Russia. At his annual news conference, Vladimir Putin said contacts between the Trump team and Russian officials before last year's election were normal. He said the US opposition was not treating those who elected Mr Trump with respect. The Trump campaign is being investigated for collusion with Russia. US intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow tried to sway the presidential election in favour of Mr Trump, but Mr Putin denies the allegations. \"It's all invented by those in opposition to Trump to make his work seem illegitimate,\" Mr Putin said, when asked about the investigation. He added that Mr Trump was responsible for some \"quite serious achievements\" but had not been in a position to improve relations with Russia. He expressed hope that this would happen, adding that globally \"there are many things we can do more effectively\". Also mentioned by Mr Putin: - North Korea was cited as one possible area of co-operation with the US, but he said some past actions by Washington had provoked North Korea into violating agreements, and all sides needed to calm down. North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons technology has led to heavy US-led sanctions against the regime - He warned that there was a risk of slaughter of pro-Russian separatists in war-torn eastern Ukraine by Ukrainian nationalists, but again denied there were any Russian troops in the region - He said that Russia and Syria could not alone cope with the refugee crisis resulting from Syria's civil war, but that it needed to be resolved Earlier Mr Putin addressed the presidential elections, due to be held next year. He has already said he will stand for a fourth term, but announced that he would stand as an independent candidate rather than from the ruling United Russia party. Asked why he had not faced any effective opponent for the presidency, he said the opposition had to come up with specific proposals to improve people's lives and had so far not done so. \"It's not up to me to nurture competitors,\" he said. \"But... I've been thinking that our political environment must be competitive just like the economic environment. \"I hope this will happen, and the sooner the better.\" But he said if his opponents won in the presidential election next March, it would destabilise Russia. \"Do you want attempted coups d'etat?\" he asked, in response to a question about the opposition. Mr Putin did not mention opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is banned from standing in the elections because of a criminal conviction. The Council of Europe has condemned the conviction as \"arbitrary and unfair\". In response to Mr Putin, Mr Navalny tweeted (in Russian) a link to his recently published election programme, with the words: \"You're really trying very hard not to notice this.\" Another opposition presidential candidate was noticed by the president, however. Kseniya Sobchak, a celebrity and political talk show host, has announced she will be running against Mr Putin as a \"referendum on trust\" so that people can vote against him. She came to the news conference as a journalist for the opposition Dozhd TV and asked Mr Putin about the repression of the opposition, including Mr Navalny, and whether the authorities were afraid of competitors. He responded by warning of rabble-rousing politicians destabilising the country, and he cited Ukraine as a country where instability was rife. \"I'm sure that the overwhelming majority of Russians don't want this,\" he said, adding that he was not afraid of anyone. Mr Putin is known for his marathon performances at his news conferences, where he frequently uses hard-hitting, colourful language. The record for a Putin news conference was set in 2008, at four hours 40 minutes. This year's, which went on for nearly four hours, has also set a record, with 1,640 journalists said to be accredited for the event. Analysis: BBC's Steve Rosenberg, Moscow There was an element of farce to the president's end-of-year media extravaganza. Reporters shouted from their seats and waved signs to attract his attention and ask him a question. One man who asked Mr Putin about fish admitted half way through his question that he wasn't a reporter at all, but the head of a fish processing factory who had lied to get in. At one point, Mr Putin pointed to a sign he thought read Bye Bye Putin. Instead it read Grandfather Putin in the Tatar language. Russia isn't likely to be saying bye bye to its president any time soon. Mr Putin will run for re-election next March and is expected to win. The system of power he has built in Russia - often referred to as \"managed democracy\" - has managed to remove all serious rivals There will be other challengers, among them the liberal TV personality Kseniya Sobchak, who was at the conference. In the increasingly farcical world of Russian politics, Ms Sobchak is widely viewed as a spoiler candidate, hired by the Kremlin to boost the legitimacy of the election and to split the opposition vote. Vladimir Putin: From spy to president - Born 7 October 1952 in Leningrad (now St Petersburg) - Studies law and joins KGB after university - Serves as a spy in communist East Germany - some ex-KGB comrades later get top state posts in Putin era - 1990s - top aide to St Petersburg mayor Anatoly Sobchak, who had previously taught him law - Enters Boris Yeltsin's Kremlin in 1997, made chief of Federal Security Service (the FSB - main successor of the KGB), then prime minister - New Year's Eve, 1999 - Yeltsin quits and names him acting president - Easily wins presidential election in March 2000 - Wins a second term in 2004 - Is barred from running for a third successive term by the Russian constitution, but instead becomes prime minister - Wins a third presidential term in 2012 Putin still in fashion 15 years on Vladimir Putin's formative German years", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1908, "answer_start": 1664, "text": "Earlier Mr Putin addressed the presidential elections, due to be held next year. He has already said he will stand for a fourth term, but announced that he would stand as an independent candidate rather than from the ruling United Russia party." } ], "id": "313_0", "question": "What about the election?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2909, "answer_start": 1909, "text": "Asked why he had not faced any effective opponent for the presidency, he said the opposition had to come up with specific proposals to improve people's lives and had so far not done so. \"It's not up to me to nurture competitors,\" he said. \"But... I've been thinking that our political environment must be competitive just like the economic environment. \"I hope this will happen, and the sooner the better.\" But he said if his opponents won in the presidential election next March, it would destabilise Russia. \"Do you want attempted coups d'etat?\" he asked, in response to a question about the opposition. Mr Putin did not mention opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is banned from standing in the elections because of a criminal conviction. The Council of Europe has condemned the conviction as \"arbitrary and unfair\". In response to Mr Putin, Mr Navalny tweeted (in Russian) a link to his recently published election programme, with the words: \"You're really trying very hard not to notice this.\"" } ], "id": "313_1", "question": "What does he think about the opposition?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "More than 750 people have been killed and more than 900 injured in a stampede during the annual Hajj near the holy city of Mecca. Saudi Arabia has launched an investigation into how the tragedy happened, but here is what we know so far. Saudi civil defence officials say that the crush happened at about 09:00 local time (06:00 GMT) on Thursday at the intersection of streets 204 and 223 in Mina, a large valley about three miles east of Mecca. Pilgrims had been walking from a tented area towards a large structure overlooking the Jamarat pillars where the symbolic stoning of the devil is carried out. A spokesman for the Saudi interior ministry, Maj Gen Mansour al-Turki, said initial reports indicated that two crowds coming from opposite directions converged at the intersection of streets 204 and 223 and people started to push and to shove. What is not yet clear is how that could have happened. Some unconfirmed accounts say a nearby street or path had been closed, forcing those heading to the ritual site to use the same route as those leaving. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has vowed that if mistakes were made, those who made them would be held accountable. But Saudi Health Minister Khaled al-Falih appeared to lay at least some of the blame on the pilgrims themselves, suggesting some had \"moved without following instructions by the relevant authorities\". Iran has called on the Saudi government to accept responsibility and apologise for the disaster. Witnesses said temperatures were very hot at the time, which may have contributed to the panic. The street where the crush happened is said to be about 12m (36ft) wide with tall gates on both sides, behind which are the tents of Hajj tour groups. The Saudi authorities have not yet provided a breakdown of the nationalities of the 769 pilgrims they say were killed in the stampede, but several countries have announced the deaths of their citizens. Iran appears to have lost the largest number of pilgrims. Deaths and missing persons reported by nationality: - Iran: 464 dead - Egypt: 75 dead, 94 missing - Nigeria: 64 dead, 244 missing - Indonesia: 57 dead, 78 missing - Mali: 60 dead - India: 45 dead - Pakistan: 40 dead, more than 60 missing - Niger: 22 dead - Cameroon: at least 20 dead - Ivory Coast: 14 dead, 77 missing - Chad: 11 dead - Algeria: 11 dead - Somalia: 8 dead (media reports) - Senegal: 10 dead - Morocco: 10 dead, 29 missing - Libya: 4 dead, 16 missing - Tanzania: 4 dead - Kenya: 3 dead - Tunisia: 2 dead - Burkina Faso: 1 dead - Burundi: 1 dead - Netherlands: 1 dead - Other nationalities (numbers not yet known): Benin Saudi Arabia has also sought to clarify confusion about how many people died. Officials from various countries said they had seen identification photographs for some 1,100 corpses but the Saudis say the photo collection included everyone who died at the Hajj - not just the stampede victims. Saudi authorities have spent billions of dollars on improving transport and other infrastructure to try to prevent deadly incidents at the Hajj. Could tragedy have been prevented? The crush happened away from the five-storey Jamarat Bridge which was completed in 2007 at great expense and was intended to improve safety. About 5,000 security cameras are in place around Mecca and Medina and Saudi authorities deployed about 100,000 security personnel for this year's event. Faced with growing numbers for the annual Hajj, Saudi Arabia has also been working for four years on an enlargement at the Grand Mosque. However, it was there earlier this month that a crane toppled over during a storm, killing more than 100 people.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 603, "answer_start": 237, "text": "Saudi civil defence officials say that the crush happened at about 09:00 local time (06:00 GMT) on Thursday at the intersection of streets 204 and 223 in Mina, a large valley about three miles east of Mecca. Pilgrims had been walking from a tented area towards a large structure overlooking the Jamarat pillars where the symbolic stoning of the devil is carried out." } ], "id": "314_0", "question": "When and where did it happen?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1731, "answer_start": 604, "text": "A spokesman for the Saudi interior ministry, Maj Gen Mansour al-Turki, said initial reports indicated that two crowds coming from opposite directions converged at the intersection of streets 204 and 223 and people started to push and to shove. What is not yet clear is how that could have happened. Some unconfirmed accounts say a nearby street or path had been closed, forcing those heading to the ritual site to use the same route as those leaving. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has vowed that if mistakes were made, those who made them would be held accountable. But Saudi Health Minister Khaled al-Falih appeared to lay at least some of the blame on the pilgrims themselves, suggesting some had \"moved without following instructions by the relevant authorities\". Iran has called on the Saudi government to accept responsibility and apologise for the disaster. Witnesses said temperatures were very hot at the time, which may have contributed to the panic. The street where the crush happened is said to be about 12m (36ft) wide with tall gates on both sides, behind which are the tents of Hajj tour groups." } ], "id": "314_1", "question": "What caused the crush?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2918, "answer_start": 1732, "text": "The Saudi authorities have not yet provided a breakdown of the nationalities of the 769 pilgrims they say were killed in the stampede, but several countries have announced the deaths of their citizens. Iran appears to have lost the largest number of pilgrims. Deaths and missing persons reported by nationality: - Iran: 464 dead - Egypt: 75 dead, 94 missing - Nigeria: 64 dead, 244 missing - Indonesia: 57 dead, 78 missing - Mali: 60 dead - India: 45 dead - Pakistan: 40 dead, more than 60 missing - Niger: 22 dead - Cameroon: at least 20 dead - Ivory Coast: 14 dead, 77 missing - Chad: 11 dead - Algeria: 11 dead - Somalia: 8 dead (media reports) - Senegal: 10 dead - Morocco: 10 dead, 29 missing - Libya: 4 dead, 16 missing - Tanzania: 4 dead - Kenya: 3 dead - Tunisia: 2 dead - Burkina Faso: 1 dead - Burundi: 1 dead - Netherlands: 1 dead - Other nationalities (numbers not yet known): Benin Saudi Arabia has also sought to clarify confusion about how many people died. Officials from various countries said they had seen identification photographs for some 1,100 corpses but the Saudis say the photo collection included everyone who died at the Hajj - not just the stampede victims." } ], "id": "314_2", "question": "Where were the victims from?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3642, "answer_start": 2919, "text": "Saudi authorities have spent billions of dollars on improving transport and other infrastructure to try to prevent deadly incidents at the Hajj. Could tragedy have been prevented? The crush happened away from the five-storey Jamarat Bridge which was completed in 2007 at great expense and was intended to improve safety. About 5,000 security cameras are in place around Mecca and Medina and Saudi authorities deployed about 100,000 security personnel for this year's event. Faced with growing numbers for the annual Hajj, Saudi Arabia has also been working for four years on an enlargement at the Grand Mosque. However, it was there earlier this month that a crane toppled over during a storm, killing more than 100 people." } ], "id": "314_3", "question": "What safety procedures are in place for the Hajj?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "International leaders at the G7 summit have agreed to provide logistical and financial support to help fight fires in the Amazon rainforest. French President Emmanuel Macron said G7 countries would release $22m (PS18m). However, President Jair Bolsonaro said Mr Macron's plan of an \"alliance\" to \"save\" the Amazon treated Brazil \"as if we were a colony or no man's land\". Tens of thousands of fires are burning in Brazil, mostly in the Amazon, according to the country's space research agency. The funding pledge was announced as the leaders of the G7 - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US - continue to meet in Biarritz, France. Mr Macron said the funds would be made available \"immediately\" - primarily to pay for more fire-fighting planes - and that France would also \"offer concrete support with military in the region within the next few hours\". However, Mr Bolsonaro - who has been engaged in a public row with Mr Macron in recent weeks - accused the French leader of launching \"unreasonable and gratuitous attacks against the Amazon region\", and \"hiding his intentions behind the idea of an 'alliance' of G7 countries\". He wrote on Twitter that Brazil's sovereignty should be respected - and said he had discussed with Colombia's president the need for \"a joint plan\" from the countries that actually made up the Amazon region. Despite Mr Bolsonaro's comments, his environment minister, Ricardo Salles, told reporters that the funding was welcome, Reuters news agency reports. President Macron last week described the fires as an \"international crisis\" and pushed for them to be prioritised at the G7 summit which his country is hosting. G7 leaders also intend to discuss plans to reforest the Amazon, at the United Nations general assembly meeting in September. The severity of the fires, and the response by Brazil's government, has prompted a global outcry and protests. According to Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), more than 75,000 fires have been recorded in Brazil so far in 2019, most of them in the Amazon region. This is the highest number of fires in the same period since 2010, though some way off the record of 133,000 in 2005. Critics have accused Brazil's President, Jair Bolsonaro, of \"green lighting\" the Amazon's destruction through anti-environmental rhetoric and a lack of action on deforestation violations. On Friday, facing mounting pressure from abroad, President Bolsonaro authorised the military to help tackle the blazes. The Defence Ministry has said that 44,000 troops are available to help in the effort and officials said on Sunday that military intervention has been authorised in seven states. Warplanes have also been drafted in to dump water on the areas affected. The president tweeted on Sunday that he had also accepted an offer of support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Bolsonaro has previously been critical of the response of foreign governments and accused them of interfering in Brazil's national sovereignty. On Saturday, EU Council president Donald Tusk admitted it was hard to imagine the bloc ratifying the long-awaited EU-Mercosur agreement - a landmark trade deal with South American nations - while Brazil was still failing to curb the blazes. As criticism mounted again last week, Finland's finance minister went as far as calling for the EU to consider banning Brazilian beef imports altogether. Wildfires often occur in the dry season in Brazil, but satellite data published by Inpe has shown an increase of 85% this year. Environmental activists have drawn links between President Bolsonaro's attitudes towards the environment and the recent surge in the number of fires in the famous rainforest. President Bolsonaro has been accused of emboldening miners and loggers who deliberately start fires to illegally deforest land. Earlier this month he accused Inpe of trying to undermine his government with data revealing sharp increases in deforestation levels. BBC analysis has also found that the record number of fires being recorded also coincide with a sharp drop off in fines being handed out for environmental violations. Neighbouring Bolivia is also struggling to contain fires burning in its forests. On Sunday President Evo Morales suspended his re-election campaign and said he was prepared to accept international help to tackle blazes in his country's Chiquitania region. As the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming. It spans a number of countries, but the majority of it falls within Brazil. It is known as the \"lungs of the world\" for its role in absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. The rainforest is also home to about three million species of plants and animals and one million indigenous people. Political leaders, celebrities and environmentalists are among those who have called for action to protect the Amazon. Thousands of protesters have also taken to the streets across the world calling on governments to intervene. On Sunday, Pope Francis also joined the call to protect the rainforest. \"We are all worried about the vast fires that have developed in the Amazon. Let us pray so that with the commitment of all, they can be put out soon. That lung of forests is vital for our planet,\" he told thousands of people in St Peter's Square. This article initially stated there was a record number of fires in Brazil this year. After more satellite data was made accessible, it has been updated to reflect the fact the fires are instead the worst since 2010.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3424, "answer_start": 2379, "text": "On Friday, facing mounting pressure from abroad, President Bolsonaro authorised the military to help tackle the blazes. The Defence Ministry has said that 44,000 troops are available to help in the effort and officials said on Sunday that military intervention has been authorised in seven states. Warplanes have also been drafted in to dump water on the areas affected. The president tweeted on Sunday that he had also accepted an offer of support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Bolsonaro has previously been critical of the response of foreign governments and accused them of interfering in Brazil's national sovereignty. On Saturday, EU Council president Donald Tusk admitted it was hard to imagine the bloc ratifying the long-awaited EU-Mercosur agreement - a landmark trade deal with South American nations - while Brazil was still failing to curb the blazes. As criticism mounted again last week, Finland's finance minister went as far as calling for the EU to consider banning Brazilian beef imports altogether." } ], "id": "315_0", "question": "What is Brazil doing?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4412, "answer_start": 3425, "text": "Wildfires often occur in the dry season in Brazil, but satellite data published by Inpe has shown an increase of 85% this year. Environmental activists have drawn links between President Bolsonaro's attitudes towards the environment and the recent surge in the number of fires in the famous rainforest. President Bolsonaro has been accused of emboldening miners and loggers who deliberately start fires to illegally deforest land. Earlier this month he accused Inpe of trying to undermine his government with data revealing sharp increases in deforestation levels. BBC analysis has also found that the record number of fires being recorded also coincide with a sharp drop off in fines being handed out for environmental violations. Neighbouring Bolivia is also struggling to contain fires burning in its forests. On Sunday President Evo Morales suspended his re-election campaign and said he was prepared to accept international help to tackle blazes in his country's Chiquitania region." } ], "id": "315_1", "question": "How bad are the fires?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5373, "answer_start": 4413, "text": "As the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming. It spans a number of countries, but the majority of it falls within Brazil. It is known as the \"lungs of the world\" for its role in absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. The rainforest is also home to about three million species of plants and animals and one million indigenous people. Political leaders, celebrities and environmentalists are among those who have called for action to protect the Amazon. Thousands of protesters have also taken to the streets across the world calling on governments to intervene. On Sunday, Pope Francis also joined the call to protect the rainforest. \"We are all worried about the vast fires that have developed in the Amazon. Let us pray so that with the commitment of all, they can be put out soon. That lung of forests is vital for our planet,\" he told thousands of people in St Peter's Square." } ], "id": "315_2", "question": "Why is the Amazon important?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Investigators have found the flight data recorders from an Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed on Sunday. The devices recovered at the crash site were the Boeing 737 Max 8's cockpit voice recorder and digital flight data recorder. The plane was en route from Addis Ababa to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, when it crashed six minutes after take-off, killing all 157 people on board. Several airlines have grounded the Boeing model following the disaster. The months-old aircraft came down near the town of Bishoftu, 60km (37 miles) south-east of the capital at 08:44 local time (05:44 GMT). There were people of more than 30 nationalities on the flight, including Kenyans, Ethiopians, Canadians, and Britons. The cause of the disaster is not yet clear. But the pilot had reported difficulties and asked to return to Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Airlines said. \"At this stage, we can't rule out anything,\" CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said. \"We can't also attribute the cause to anything because we'll have to comply with the international regulation to wait for the investigation.\" Visibility was said to be good but air traffic monitor Flightradar24 reported that the plane's \"vertical speed was unstable after take-off\". The pilot was named as Senior Capt Yared Getachew who Ethiopian Airlines said had a \"commendable performance\" with more than 8,000 hours in the air. Several witnesses who worked in the farmland below the plane's flight path told the Reuters news agency they heard loud rattling noises coming from the aircraft and saw billows of smoke and debris in its wake as it made a low turn over the fields. \"When it was hovering, fire was following its tail, then it tried to lift its nose,\" said one witness, Gadisa Benti. \"When it passed over our house, the nose pointed down and the tail raised up. It went straight to the ground with its nose, it then exploded.\" The 737 Max 8 aircraft has only been in commercial use since 2017. The plane that crashed was among six of 30 that Ethiopian Airlines had ordered as part of its expansion. It underwent a \"rigorous first check maintenance\" on 4 February, the airline said. Boeing said it was \"deeply saddened\" by the crash and was sending a team to provide technical assistance. It was the second crash in five months involving a 737 Max 8, and comparisons are being drawn with a Lion Air accident in Indonesia last October that killed 189 people. Following the Lion Air crash, investigators said the pilots had appeared to struggle with an automated system designed to keep the plane from stalling, a new feature of the jet. The anti-stall system repeatedly forced the plane's nose down, despite efforts by pilots to correct this, preliminary findings suggested. The Lion Air plane was also new and the accident happened soon after take-off. \"It's highly suspicious,\" Mary Schiavo, former Inspector General of the US Transportation Department, told CNN. \"Here we have a brand-new aircraft that's gone down twice in a year. That rings alarm bells in the aviation industry, because that just doesn't happen.\" After last October's crash, Boeing sent an emergency notice to airlines warning them of a problem with the anti-stall system. Boeing is expected to release a software patch to the system to deal with the issue, Reuters reports. It is not yet clear whether the anti-stall system was the cause of Sunday's crash. Aviation experts say other technical issues or human error cannot be discounted. There were 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, nine Ethiopians and nine Britons (two of whom were dual nationals travelling on non-British passports) on the flight. There were also eight Italians, eight Chinese, eight Americans, seven French citizens, six Egyptians, five Germans, four Indians and four people from Slovakia. At least 21 passengers were affiliated with the UN and were travelling to a session of its Environment Assembly in Nairobi. \"It is one of the biggest catastrophes we have had in years,\" Michael Moller, director-general of the UN Office in Geneva, told the session on Monday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his condolences for the dead. \"Our colleagues were women and men, junior professionals and seasoned officials, hailing from all corners of the globe and with a wide array of expertise,\" he said. \"They all had one thing in common: a spirit to serve the people of the world and to make it a better place for us all.\" David Beasley, the executive director of the World Food Programme, said seven members of the agency's staff had died in the crash, including Irish and Italian nationals. The investigation will be led by Ethiopian authorities in co-ordination with teams of experts from Boeing and the US National Transportation Safety Board. Ethiopian Airlines said it had grounded all of its 737 Max 8s \"until further notice\" as \"an extra safety precaution\". The airline's first flight to Kenya since the crash touched down at 10:25 local time on Monday, and a different model of plane was used. Meanwhile: - China's aviation regulator has also ordered local airlines to halt the flights of 737 Max 8s. More than 90 are in use by Chinese carriers including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines - Indonesia grounded all 737 Max 8s, and Cayman Airways also grounded its two Boeings of the same type - A spokeswoman for FlyDubai, which operates a number of 737 Max 8s, told Reuters that the company continued to have confidence in the aircraft - Several North American airlines have said they are monitoring the investigation. Southwest Airlines flies 31 737 Max 8s, while American Airlines and Air Canada each have 24 in their fleet Shares in Boeing fell by 12.9% in the wake of the crash.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1867, "answer_start": 708, "text": "The cause of the disaster is not yet clear. But the pilot had reported difficulties and asked to return to Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Airlines said. \"At this stage, we can't rule out anything,\" CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said. \"We can't also attribute the cause to anything because we'll have to comply with the international regulation to wait for the investigation.\" Visibility was said to be good but air traffic monitor Flightradar24 reported that the plane's \"vertical speed was unstable after take-off\". The pilot was named as Senior Capt Yared Getachew who Ethiopian Airlines said had a \"commendable performance\" with more than 8,000 hours in the air. Several witnesses who worked in the farmland below the plane's flight path told the Reuters news agency they heard loud rattling noises coming from the aircraft and saw billows of smoke and debris in its wake as it made a low turn over the fields. \"When it was hovering, fire was following its tail, then it tried to lift its nose,\" said one witness, Gadisa Benti. \"When it passed over our house, the nose pointed down and the tail raised up. It went straight to the ground with its nose, it then exploded.\"" } ], "id": "316_0", "question": "Do we know how it happened?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3449, "answer_start": 1868, "text": "The 737 Max 8 aircraft has only been in commercial use since 2017. The plane that crashed was among six of 30 that Ethiopian Airlines had ordered as part of its expansion. It underwent a \"rigorous first check maintenance\" on 4 February, the airline said. Boeing said it was \"deeply saddened\" by the crash and was sending a team to provide technical assistance. It was the second crash in five months involving a 737 Max 8, and comparisons are being drawn with a Lion Air accident in Indonesia last October that killed 189 people. Following the Lion Air crash, investigators said the pilots had appeared to struggle with an automated system designed to keep the plane from stalling, a new feature of the jet. The anti-stall system repeatedly forced the plane's nose down, despite efforts by pilots to correct this, preliminary findings suggested. The Lion Air plane was also new and the accident happened soon after take-off. \"It's highly suspicious,\" Mary Schiavo, former Inspector General of the US Transportation Department, told CNN. \"Here we have a brand-new aircraft that's gone down twice in a year. That rings alarm bells in the aviation industry, because that just doesn't happen.\" After last October's crash, Boeing sent an emergency notice to airlines warning them of a problem with the anti-stall system. Boeing is expected to release a software patch to the system to deal with the issue, Reuters reports. It is not yet clear whether the anti-stall system was the cause of Sunday's crash. Aviation experts say other technical issues or human error cannot be discounted." } ], "id": "316_1", "question": "What do we know about the plane?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4572, "answer_start": 3450, "text": "There were 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, nine Ethiopians and nine Britons (two of whom were dual nationals travelling on non-British passports) on the flight. There were also eight Italians, eight Chinese, eight Americans, seven French citizens, six Egyptians, five Germans, four Indians and four people from Slovakia. At least 21 passengers were affiliated with the UN and were travelling to a session of its Environment Assembly in Nairobi. \"It is one of the biggest catastrophes we have had in years,\" Michael Moller, director-general of the UN Office in Geneva, told the session on Monday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his condolences for the dead. \"Our colleagues were women and men, junior professionals and seasoned officials, hailing from all corners of the globe and with a wide array of expertise,\" he said. \"They all had one thing in common: a spirit to serve the people of the world and to make it a better place for us all.\" David Beasley, the executive director of the World Food Programme, said seven members of the agency's staff had died in the crash, including Irish and Italian nationals." } ], "id": "316_2", "question": "Who were the victims?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5700, "answer_start": 4573, "text": "The investigation will be led by Ethiopian authorities in co-ordination with teams of experts from Boeing and the US National Transportation Safety Board. Ethiopian Airlines said it had grounded all of its 737 Max 8s \"until further notice\" as \"an extra safety precaution\". The airline's first flight to Kenya since the crash touched down at 10:25 local time on Monday, and a different model of plane was used. Meanwhile: - China's aviation regulator has also ordered local airlines to halt the flights of 737 Max 8s. More than 90 are in use by Chinese carriers including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines - Indonesia grounded all 737 Max 8s, and Cayman Airways also grounded its two Boeings of the same type - A spokeswoman for FlyDubai, which operates a number of 737 Max 8s, told Reuters that the company continued to have confidence in the aircraft - Several North American airlines have said they are monitoring the investigation. Southwest Airlines flies 31 737 Max 8s, while American Airlines and Air Canada each have 24 in their fleet Shares in Boeing fell by 12.9% in the wake of the crash." } ], "id": "316_3", "question": "What happens next?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The UK, France and Germany have denounced writer Jamal Khashoggi's killing, demanding urgent clarification from Saudi Arabia over his death. A joint statement said the explanation that Mr Khashoggi died after a \"fist fight\" in the consulate in Istanbul needed \"to be backed by facts to be considered credible\". President Donald Trump earlier said he was \"not satisfied\" with the account. And Turkey's president on Sunday vowed to reveal the truth about the death. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would make a statement on the matter in parliament on Tuesday. \"We are looking for justice here and this will be revealed in all its naked truth,\" he told a rally in Istanbul. Mr Khashoggi entered the consulate on 2 October to sort out divorce papers. Saudi Arabia initially said he had left shortly afterwards but has now admitted he died inside the building. The UK, France and Germany expressed shock at the death, saying: \"Nothing can justify this killing and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms.\" They said they noted the Saudi explanation, but added: \"There remains an urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened... beyond the hypotheses that have been raised so far in the Saudi investigation, which need to be backed by facts to be considered credible.\" The nations said they would not make a judgement until further explanation had been detailed. They said: \"We therefore ask for the investigation to be carried out thoroughly until responsibilities are clearly established and that there is proper accountability and due process for any crimes committed.\" On Saturday, Mr Trump said: \"I'm not satisfied until we find the answer.\" But the US president said that, although sanctions were a possibility, halting an arms deal would \"hurt us more than it would hurt them\". US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin repeated that on Sunday, saying talk of sanctions was \"premature\". Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said the Saudi \"explanations offered to date lack consistency and credibility\" while Australian PM Scott Morrison said: \"This cannot stand. This will not do.\" Amnesty International has called the Saudi explanation a whitewash of \"an appalling assassination\". The Washington Post, which published articles by Mr Khashoggi, said the Saudi government had \"shamefully and repeatedly offered one lie after another\". Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir spoke to Fox News on Sunday. He suggested individuals had attempted to cover up the killing to his government and that it did not know the details. \"The individuals who did this did this outside the scope of their authority. There obviously was a tremendous mistake made, and what compounded the mistake was the attempt to try to cover up,\" Mr Jubeir said. He added: \"We want to make sure that those who are responsible are punished.\" Mr Jubeir also said: \"We don't know where the body is.\" So far Saudi Arabia says it has arrested 18 people, sacked two aides of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and set up a body, under his leadership, to reform the intelligence agency. Yes, from a number of regional neighbours. On Sunday, Kuwait was the latest ally to praise King Salman for his handling of the case, saying it showed \"the kingdom's keenness and commitment to establish the truth and its respect for legal principles to bring to account those behind this regretful event\". Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have been among those reflecting similar praise. Saudi media on Sunday echoed this. The al-Riyadh newspaper reported a \"wide welcome\" of the government's \"justice and firmness\". Turkey on Saturday said it would release all the details and that it would not allow a cover up. Mr Erdogan's planned statement will be eagerly anticipated. Although Turkey has so far stopped short of officially blaming Saudi Arabia for the killing, investigators have said they have audio and video evidence which shows Mr Khashoggi, was killed by a team of Saudi agents inside the consulate. Police have searched the nearby Belgrad forest in Istanbul where they believe the body may have been taken and one official was hopeful its fate would be known \"before long\". Both the consulate and the residence of the Saudi consul have been searched too. Reuters reported on Sunday it had spoken to a Saudi official who said Mr Khashoggi had died in a chokehold after resisting attempts to return him to Saudi Arabia. His body was then rolled in a rug and given to a local \"co-operator\" to dispose of. A Saudi operative then reportedly donned Mr Khashoggi's clothes and left the consulate. The official said Saudi statements had changed because of \"false information reported internally at the time\".", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1579, "answer_start": 854, "text": "The UK, France and Germany expressed shock at the death, saying: \"Nothing can justify this killing and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms.\" They said they noted the Saudi explanation, but added: \"There remains an urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened... beyond the hypotheses that have been raised so far in the Saudi investigation, which need to be backed by facts to be considered credible.\" The nations said they would not make a judgement until further explanation had been detailed. They said: \"We therefore ask for the investigation to be carried out thoroughly until responsibilities are clearly established and that there is proper accountability and due process for any crimes committed.\"" } ], "id": "317_0", "question": "What is in the joint statement?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2350, "answer_start": 1580, "text": "On Saturday, Mr Trump said: \"I'm not satisfied until we find the answer.\" But the US president said that, although sanctions were a possibility, halting an arms deal would \"hurt us more than it would hurt them\". US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin repeated that on Sunday, saying talk of sanctions was \"premature\". Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said the Saudi \"explanations offered to date lack consistency and credibility\" while Australian PM Scott Morrison said: \"This cannot stand. This will not do.\" Amnesty International has called the Saudi explanation a whitewash of \"an appalling assassination\". The Washington Post, which published articles by Mr Khashoggi, said the Saudi government had \"shamefully and repeatedly offered one lie after another\"." } ], "id": "317_1", "question": "What have other nations and groups said?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3069, "answer_start": 2351, "text": "Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir spoke to Fox News on Sunday. He suggested individuals had attempted to cover up the killing to his government and that it did not know the details. \"The individuals who did this did this outside the scope of their authority. There obviously was a tremendous mistake made, and what compounded the mistake was the attempt to try to cover up,\" Mr Jubeir said. He added: \"We want to make sure that those who are responsible are punished.\" Mr Jubeir also said: \"We don't know where the body is.\" So far Saudi Arabia says it has arrested 18 people, sacked two aides of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and set up a body, under his leadership, to reform the intelligence agency." } ], "id": "317_2", "question": "What's the latest from the Saudis?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3596, "answer_start": 3070, "text": "Yes, from a number of regional neighbours. On Sunday, Kuwait was the latest ally to praise King Salman for his handling of the case, saying it showed \"the kingdom's keenness and commitment to establish the truth and its respect for legal principles to bring to account those behind this regretful event\". Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have been among those reflecting similar praise. Saudi media on Sunday echoed this. The al-Riyadh newspaper reported a \"wide welcome\" of the government's \"justice and firmness\"." } ], "id": "317_3", "question": "Do the Saudis have support?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4692, "answer_start": 3597, "text": "Turkey on Saturday said it would release all the details and that it would not allow a cover up. Mr Erdogan's planned statement will be eagerly anticipated. Although Turkey has so far stopped short of officially blaming Saudi Arabia for the killing, investigators have said they have audio and video evidence which shows Mr Khashoggi, was killed by a team of Saudi agents inside the consulate. Police have searched the nearby Belgrad forest in Istanbul where they believe the body may have been taken and one official was hopeful its fate would be known \"before long\". Both the consulate and the residence of the Saudi consul have been searched too. Reuters reported on Sunday it had spoken to a Saudi official who said Mr Khashoggi had died in a chokehold after resisting attempts to return him to Saudi Arabia. His body was then rolled in a rug and given to a local \"co-operator\" to dispose of. A Saudi operative then reportedly donned Mr Khashoggi's clothes and left the consulate. The official said Saudi statements had changed because of \"false information reported internally at the time\"." } ], "id": "317_4", "question": "Where is the investigation now?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Key findings from the US intelligence report analysing Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election. \"We assess with high confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election, the consistent goals of which were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary [Hillary] Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency.\" \"We also assess Putin and the Russian government aspired to help President-elect Trump's election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavourably to him. All three agencies agree with this judgment. CIA and FBI have high confidence in this judgment; NSA [National Security Agency] has moderate confidence.\" \"Putin publicly indicated a preference for President-elect Trump's stated policy to work with Russia, and pro-Kremlin figures spoke highly about what they saw as his Russia-friendly positions on Syria and Ukraine. Putin publicly contrasted the President-elect's approach to Russia with Secretary Clinton's \"aggressive rhetoric. \"Moscow also saw the election of President-elect Trump as a way to achieve an international counter-terrorism coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant [ISIL/IS/ISIS]. \"Putin has had many positive experiences working with Western political leaders whose business interests made them more disposed to deal with Russia, such as former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.\" \"When it appeared to Moscow that Secretary Clinton was likely to win the election, the Russian influence campaign began to focus more on undermining her future presidency.\" \"Putin most likely wanted to discredit Secretary Clinton because he has publicly blamed her since 2011 for inciting mass protests against his regime in late 2011 and early 2012, and because he holds a grudge for comments he almost certainly saw as disparaging him.\" \"Russian intelligence obtained and maintained access to elements of multiple US state or local electoral boards. \"DHS [Department of Homeland Security] assesses that the types of systems we observed Russian actors targeting or compromising are not involved in vote tallying.\" \"We assess that influence campaigns are approved at the highest levels of the Russian government - particularly those that would be politically sensitive.\" \"The General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate [GRU - military intelligence] probably began cyber operations aimed at the US election by March 2016. We assess that the GRU operations resulted in the compromise of the personal email accounts of Democratic Party officials and political figures. By May, the GRU had exfiltrated large volumes of data from the DNC. \"We assess with high confidence that the GRU used the Guccifer 2.0 persona, DCLeaks.com, and WikiLeaks to release US victim data obtained in cyber operations publicly and in exclusives to media outlets.\" \"Russia collected on some Republican-affiliated targets but did not conduct a comparable disclosure campaign.\" \"Russia's effort to influence the 2016 US presidential election represented a significant escalation in directness, level of activity, and scope of effort compared to previous operations aimed at US elections. \"We assess Moscow will apply lessons learned from its campaign aimed at the US presidential election to future influence efforts in the United States and worldwide, including against US allies and their election processes. \"We assess the Russian intelligence services would have seen their election influence campaign as at least a qualified success because of their perceived ability to impact public discussion.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1558, "answer_start": 791, "text": "\"Putin publicly indicated a preference for President-elect Trump's stated policy to work with Russia, and pro-Kremlin figures spoke highly about what they saw as his Russia-friendly positions on Syria and Ukraine. Putin publicly contrasted the President-elect's approach to Russia with Secretary Clinton's \"aggressive rhetoric. \"Moscow also saw the election of President-elect Trump as a way to achieve an international counter-terrorism coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant [ISIL/IS/ISIS]. \"Putin has had many positive experiences working with Western political leaders whose business interests made them more disposed to deal with Russia, such as former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.\"" } ], "id": "318_0", "question": "Why did Russia like Trump?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1997, "answer_start": 1732, "text": "\"Putin most likely wanted to discredit Secretary Clinton because he has publicly blamed her since 2011 for inciting mass protests against his regime in late 2011 and early 2012, and because he holds a grudge for comments he almost certainly saw as disparaging him.\"" } ], "id": "318_1", "question": "Why did Putin not like Clinton?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "What would you do if your region was burning? Pack up your possessions and head for safety? Stay and help put the fires out? Or head into the bush with a packet of matches and start another fire? Amazingly, in the Australian bushfire season, some people do the latter. So the obvious question is - why? Two of the most recent studies say there are between 52,000 and 54,000 bushfires in Australia every year. Dr Paul Read, co-director of Australia's National Centre for Research in Bushfire and Arson, puts the figure higher, at \"62,000 and increasing\". Of those, 13% are started deliberately, and 37% are suspicious. That means 31,000 Australian bushfires are either arson, or suspected arson, every year. That figure does not include recklessness or accidents. So a bushfire caused by a barbecue, or a spark from a chainsaw, would be classed as \"accidental\". In short, up to 85 bushfires begin every day because someone leaves their house and decides to start one. Half of bushfires are started by people under the age of 21, Dr Read tells the BBC. That group includes children \"playing\" with fire, who then lose control, and those with developmental disorders. It also includes the \"truly malicious\" who are \"developing towards full-blown psychopathy\". But perhaps more interesting is the older group. \"It used to be thought that 28-year-olds with a psycho-sexual fascination with fire were the main protagonists,\" says Dr Read. \"But when you have a look at statistics across the world, the 28-year-olds are least likely to be setting fires. Instead there are two groups - the younger group, and those above the age of 30.\" It is this group, he says, who are more likely to start them on hot days - that is, when there are already bushfires raging. \"The general mayhem of fighting bushfires, the evacuation of people, enables them to be furtive [attempt to avoid detection]. They know they're not likely to be identified. It's like planting a tree in a forest.\" On Wednesday, police in New South Wales said they were investigating at least seven \"suspicious\" fires, and on Thursday a 16-year-old boy was charged with arson in Queensland. \"Unfortunately we know there are some broken individuals out there who will maliciously light fires,\" said NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller. But what does \"broken\" mean? A review of decades of bushfire studies by Matthew Willis found revenge - against an employer or ex-partner - was a \"primary\" motive. One man told ABC that he started a bushfire after finding out his girlfriend was sleeping with someone else. \"I'm not a person to let my anger out by punching or anything like that,\" he said. At the same time, arsonists are often \"odd\", marginalised, and angry at society - \"weird Pete down the road\", as Dr Read puts it. That begins to explain why things get worse when there are already bushfires. People who are angry - and irrational - are happy to make things worse for people already suffering. There is also a \"small proportion\" of arsonists, Dr Read says, who simply like fire (the term pyromaniac is no longer used). \"They will be genuinely excited and fascinated by fire, and they're the ones likely to light on the hotter days.\" Which brings us to Brendan Sokaluk. In February 2009 there were bushfires across the state of Victoria, eventually killing 173 people. At least ten of those deaths, in the town of Churchill, were down to Sokaluk. When the fire raged, Sokaluk \"sat on his roof and watched them with great glee\", says Dr Read. Sokaluk perfectly fit the profile of the older bushfire arsonist - he was 39, bullied at school, and struggled to read and write. But he didn't just watch - at one point, he took his dog and went to help a man dampen fires around his house. \"The hero who saves the day,\" as Dr Read puts it. It wasn't the first time the fire starter became a firefighter. Years earlier, Sokaluk was a volunteer with his local brigade, before he was dismissed. There were suspicions, even then, that he was starting fires deliberately - in order to put them out. In 2012, he was given a 17-year sentence for the Churchill fire. It does happen. In 2008, a study of newspapers dating back to the 1800s found at least 1,213 cases of firefighters being arrested for arson, the vast majority from the US. In 2008 alone, 104 firefighters were arrested. But Dr Read says it's rare, and shouldn't be used to demonise the fire service. \"It is dramatic because it's like man bites dog,\" he says. \"The problem is the community turn round and think, because of the behaviour of one individual, it might apply to all firefighters - which is absolutely not the case.\" The arsonists, instead, are far more likely to be found on the fringes of society. As the Willis review puts it: \"Fire is unique in its ability to put power in the hands of an otherwise disempowered person.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 966, "answer_start": 303, "text": "Two of the most recent studies say there are between 52,000 and 54,000 bushfires in Australia every year. Dr Paul Read, co-director of Australia's National Centre for Research in Bushfire and Arson, puts the figure higher, at \"62,000 and increasing\". Of those, 13% are started deliberately, and 37% are suspicious. That means 31,000 Australian bushfires are either arson, or suspected arson, every year. That figure does not include recklessness or accidents. So a bushfire caused by a barbecue, or a spark from a chainsaw, would be classed as \"accidental\". In short, up to 85 bushfires begin every day because someone leaves their house and decides to start one." } ], "id": "319_0", "question": "How many fires are started deliberately?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1964, "answer_start": 967, "text": "Half of bushfires are started by people under the age of 21, Dr Read tells the BBC. That group includes children \"playing\" with fire, who then lose control, and those with developmental disorders. It also includes the \"truly malicious\" who are \"developing towards full-blown psychopathy\". But perhaps more interesting is the older group. \"It used to be thought that 28-year-olds with a psycho-sexual fascination with fire were the main protagonists,\" says Dr Read. \"But when you have a look at statistics across the world, the 28-year-olds are least likely to be setting fires. Instead there are two groups - the younger group, and those above the age of 30.\" It is this group, he says, who are more likely to start them on hot days - that is, when there are already bushfires raging. \"The general mayhem of fighting bushfires, the evacuation of people, enables them to be furtive [attempt to avoid detection]. They know they're not likely to be identified. It's like planting a tree in a forest.\"" } ], "id": "319_1", "question": "Who does that?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3223, "answer_start": 1965, "text": "On Wednesday, police in New South Wales said they were investigating at least seven \"suspicious\" fires, and on Thursday a 16-year-old boy was charged with arson in Queensland. \"Unfortunately we know there are some broken individuals out there who will maliciously light fires,\" said NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller. But what does \"broken\" mean? A review of decades of bushfire studies by Matthew Willis found revenge - against an employer or ex-partner - was a \"primary\" motive. One man told ABC that he started a bushfire after finding out his girlfriend was sleeping with someone else. \"I'm not a person to let my anger out by punching or anything like that,\" he said. At the same time, arsonists are often \"odd\", marginalised, and angry at society - \"weird Pete down the road\", as Dr Read puts it. That begins to explain why things get worse when there are already bushfires. People who are angry - and irrational - are happy to make things worse for people already suffering. There is also a \"small proportion\" of arsonists, Dr Read says, who simply like fire (the term pyromaniac is no longer used). \"They will be genuinely excited and fascinated by fire, and they're the ones likely to light on the hotter days.\" Which brings us to Brendan Sokaluk." } ], "id": "319_2", "question": "Why do they start them?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4839, "answer_start": 4106, "text": "It does happen. In 2008, a study of newspapers dating back to the 1800s found at least 1,213 cases of firefighters being arrested for arson, the vast majority from the US. In 2008 alone, 104 firefighters were arrested. But Dr Read says it's rare, and shouldn't be used to demonise the fire service. \"It is dramatic because it's like man bites dog,\" he says. \"The problem is the community turn round and think, because of the behaviour of one individual, it might apply to all firefighters - which is absolutely not the case.\" The arsonists, instead, are far more likely to be found on the fringes of society. As the Willis review puts it: \"Fire is unique in its ability to put power in the hands of an otherwise disempowered person.\"" } ], "id": "319_3", "question": "So are firefighter-arsonists common?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "On day three of public hearings in the impeachment inquiry, the witnesses included top aides who listened in on President Trump's call with Ukraine's leader. What did we learn? One was a decorated Iraq War veteran who was born in Ukraine and came to the US as a child, Lt Col Alexander Vindman. The other was US Vice-President Mike Pence's top adviser on Russia, Jennifer Williams. With the TV cameras rolling on Capitol Hill, they repeated concerns they had aired behind closed doors about the July phone call between the two leaders. But much of Tuesday's hearing was spent talking about a person who was probably not even in the room - the whistleblower. Here are my takeaways. Did Alexander Vindman talk to the whistleblower about Trump's 25 July phone call with Ukraine's president? That certainly seems to be what Republican Devin Nunes believes. After a few questions about Hunter Biden and Ukraine, Nunes started asking the two witnesses about whether they spoke to the press about the now famous Trump phone call. He started with Jennifer Williams, who said she did not, but that was just a feint. The real fireworks came when Vindman spoke of the two people he talked to. The first was George Kent, the senior State Department Ukraine expert who had himself testified before the committee last week. The other was... an intelligence community official. For those who haven't been following closely, it has been widely reported that the whistleblower - the individual whose complaint set off the chain reaction that has led to these impeachment hearings - was a member of the intelligence community. When Democrat Adam Schiff cut in, saying \"these proceedings will not be used to out the whistleblower\", the audience let out an audible \"oooh\". But Vindman has testified that he doesn't know who the whistleblower is, Nunes responded, so how could he out that person? Things got tense. When Nunes referred to Vindman as \"Mr\", the Army officer curtly corrected him that it he should be addressed as \"Lieutenant Colonel Vindman\". Despite being pressed, Vindman and his lawyer dug in. He would not name names. Democrats have asserted that the impeachment investigation has become much bigger than the whistleblower, whose original complaint has been largely corroborated and whose identity is protected under federal law. Republicans - from the president on down - return time and time again to the whistleblower's identity, however, and what motivations he may have had to file his complaint. They may believe that if they undercut that person's credibility, the rest of the allegations will be treated with greater scepticism. In his Wednesday morning testimony, Vindman spoke of a 10 July White House meeting with Ukrainian officials where Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, twice brought up announcing investigations in exchange for a White House visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The first time, he says, National Security Advisor John Bolton abruptly cut the meeting short. Vindman testified that after a brief photo session, Sondland once again spoke of investigations of the Bidens, Ukrainian energy company Burisma and alleged Ukrainian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. Other Democratic questioning attempted to place Donald Trump's 25 July phone call with Zelensky, to which Vindman also was a first-hand witness, within the context of Sondland's Ukrainian efforts. Vindman testified that it seemed like Zelensky was \"prepped\" for Trump's ask for a Biden investigation. They suggested that the 10 July Sondland activity was exactly that kind of prepping. If what Vindman said was important, how he said it in the public hearings also mattered. Behind closed doors, veteran ambassadors Bill Taylor and Marie Yovanovitch were reportedly smooth while Vindman was halting and nervous. Those observations have been confirmed by their public testimony. When Vindman delivered his opening statement, a few yards from where I was seated, his hands trembled slightly. He occasionally stumbled over his words. Republicans could paint that as weakness or uncertainty, but it might also be seen by Americans as giving his testimony a touch of humanity - particularly when paired with the emotional closing words to Vindman's opening statement. Vindman offered reassurance to his father, who brought his children to the US from the Soviet Union 40 years ago, that he was sitting in the US Capitol and would be \"fine for telling the truth\". Toward the end of Vindman's appearance, he was asked by a Democratic congressman to read that line again - and then added why he's not afraid of testifying today. \"Because this is America,\" he said. \"This is the country I have served and defended... and here, right matters.\" A smattering of applause broke out from supporters in the hearing-room audience. But Vindman's testimony will only add to the contentious debate among Democrats and Republicans over who is right and exactly what the truth is. Later on Tuesday, the lawmakers heard from former National Security Council official Tim Morrison and US ex-special to Ukraine Kurt Volker. They had been listed as two men Republicans wanted to talk to during the public impeachment hearings. It turns out they hurt Donald Trump's defence as much as they helped it. Morrison did say there was nothing illegal or concerning about Donald Trump's 25 July phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and no ill motive for moving the rough transcript of that call to a more secure government server. He also, however, corroborated reports that US Ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland pressured Ukraine to open investigations that could prove politically helpful to Donald Trump - and that Sondland was in regular contact with the president. Volker said he recalled past instances where the US had held up aid to a foreign nation and saw no evidence of bribery in this case, but he also turned out to be a character witness for Joe Biden. Not only did he assert that there was nothing untoward about the former vice-president's dealings with Ukraine, but he expressed dismay to learn that when Trump administration officials were calling for investigations into Ukrainian energy company Burisma, they were really looking to damage the Democratic presidential hopeful. That, and his acknowledgement that military aid may have been held up to increase the pressure on Ukraine, represented a change from Volker's closed-door testimony - given as one of the investigation's first witnesses. Democrats may suspect that Volker's new assertion is convenient naivete or intentional obliviousness to avoid culpability, but it means his testimony still was of relatively little use for Republicans. Now the stage is set for Wednesday's appearance by Sondland - a man whose name came up throughout the day on Tuesday. The ambassador has already had to revise earlier sworn testimony to reflect memories he said were refreshed by other witnesses. He'll be further pressed by both Democrats and Republicans in what could be the most unpredictable appearance of any of the witnesses so far. Republican Congressman Mark Meadows of North Carolina, one of the president's most ardent defenders, calls Sondland a \"wild card\". Tomorrow we may have a better idea which side has a winning hand. - SIMPLE GUIDE: A basic take on what's going on - GO DEEPER: Here's a 100, 300 and 800-word summary of the story - WHAT'S IMPEACHMENT? A political process to remove a president - VIEW FROM TRUMP COUNTRY: Hear from residents of a Pennsylvania town - ON THE DOORSTEP: A Democrat sells impeachment to voters - FACT-CHECK: Is the whistleblower linked to Democrats? - CONTEXT: Why Ukraine is important to the US For Americans watching the impeachment hearings, it often seemed as though the Democrats and Republicans weren't just talking across each other, they're not even existing in the same political universe. That divergence of realities was on stark display from the start of Tuesday's proceedings, as Democrat Adam Schiff and Republican Devin Nunes gave their opening remarks. As he had in the previous two days of hearings, Schiff used his time to lay out what he views as the case against Donald Trump. He described the president's alleged \"scheme\" to pressure the Ukrainian government to open investigations of Democrats that could be politically beneficial to him. He noted witness testimony of instances of this Ukrainian pressure. He cited Saturday's closed door deposition by US Ukraine-based diplomat David Holmes, who said he overheard a call during which Trump asked US Ambassador to EU Gordon Sondland about the \"investigations\". Sondland, Holmes said, would later observe that the president didn't care about Ukraine beyond how the investigations could help him personally. Nunes, in his five-minute statement, declined to offer a line-by-line defence of the president. Instead, he went on the attack. He said media coverage of last week's impeachment hearings were biased in favour of the Democrats. He called out CNN, the Guardian, Slate, the Daily Beast, New York magazine and others by name. He said their coverage of Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election was frequently wrong, and the Ukraine story was simply a continuation of a campaign to oust the president. Democrats, in these hearings, are trying to set out a series of facts that they say point to presidential abuse of power and could constitute an impeachable offence. The Republican strategy, at least at this point, is to encourage Americans that they can't trust the facts - or the mainstream media outlets that are reporting them.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 7311, "answer_start": 4984, "text": "Later on Tuesday, the lawmakers heard from former National Security Council official Tim Morrison and US ex-special to Ukraine Kurt Volker. They had been listed as two men Republicans wanted to talk to during the public impeachment hearings. It turns out they hurt Donald Trump's defence as much as they helped it. Morrison did say there was nothing illegal or concerning about Donald Trump's 25 July phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and no ill motive for moving the rough transcript of that call to a more secure government server. He also, however, corroborated reports that US Ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland pressured Ukraine to open investigations that could prove politically helpful to Donald Trump - and that Sondland was in regular contact with the president. Volker said he recalled past instances where the US had held up aid to a foreign nation and saw no evidence of bribery in this case, but he also turned out to be a character witness for Joe Biden. Not only did he assert that there was nothing untoward about the former vice-president's dealings with Ukraine, but he expressed dismay to learn that when Trump administration officials were calling for investigations into Ukrainian energy company Burisma, they were really looking to damage the Democratic presidential hopeful. That, and his acknowledgement that military aid may have been held up to increase the pressure on Ukraine, represented a change from Volker's closed-door testimony - given as one of the investigation's first witnesses. Democrats may suspect that Volker's new assertion is convenient naivete or intentional obliviousness to avoid culpability, but it means his testimony still was of relatively little use for Republicans. Now the stage is set for Wednesday's appearance by Sondland - a man whose name came up throughout the day on Tuesday. The ambassador has already had to revise earlier sworn testimony to reflect memories he said were refreshed by other witnesses. He'll be further pressed by both Democrats and Republicans in what could be the most unpredictable appearance of any of the witnesses so far. Republican Congressman Mark Meadows of North Carolina, one of the president's most ardent defenders, calls Sondland a \"wild card\". Tomorrow we may have a better idea which side has a winning hand." } ], "id": "320_0", "question": "Did Republican witnesses help Democrats more?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "US President Donald Trump has lifted restrictions on the deployment of anti-personnel landmines by American forces. The decision reverses a 2014 Obama administration ban on the use of such weapons, which applied everywhere in the world except for in the defence of South Korea. The Trump administration said Mr Obama's policy could put US troops \"at a severe disadvantage\". Thousands of people are injured and killed by landmines every year. US forces will now be free to use the weapons across the world \"in exceptional circumstances\", the White House said. The US is not a signatory to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which restricts the development or use of anti-personnel land mines. The Obama-era ban applied to the US military everywhere but on the Korean Peninsula. That exception was made under pressure from military planners, to protect US troops based across the de-militarized zone from the North Korean military. Mr Obama also ordered the destruction of landmine stockpiles not made to defend South Korea. But the Trump administration has now scrapped that policy, stating that the president was \"rebuilding\" the US military. \"The Department of Defense has determined that restrictions imposed on American forces by the Obama administration's policy could place them at a severe disadvantage during a conflict against our adversaries,\" a White House statement said, adding: \"The president is unwilling to accept this risk to our troops.\" Mr Trump has given the all-clear for the use of \"non-persistent\" landmines that can be switched off remotely rather than remaining buried beneath the ground. US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said landmines were vital to its military. \"Landmines are an important tool that our forces need to have available to them in order to ensure mission success and in order to reduce risk to forces,\" he told a press conference. \"That said, in everything we do we also want to make sure that these instruments, in this case landmines, also take into account both the safety of employment and the safety to civilians and others after a conflict.\" Rachel Stohl, an arms control expert at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington, called the decision \"inexplicable\". \"I have no idea if it's posturing or a reality that the US is claiming back the right to use landmines,\" she told the BBC. \"It's inexplicable given all we know about these deadly weapons and the amount of money the United States has spent demining around the world,\" she added. Ms Stohl said the decision put lives at risk and was another example of the Trump administration \"defining its own rules and ignoring global standards of behaviour\". While the Obama administration refused to join the global ban on anti-personnel landmines, it broadly sympathised with the aims of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. Senior military commanders believed the effect of these weapons - denying an area to enemy advance - could be replicated by other weapons less dangerous to civilians once a conflict was over. Now landmines will be more widely available to US commanders, the argument being that their absence leaves them at a disadvantage in relation to likely adversaries - perhaps a reference to the fact that neither Russia or China have banned or placed any restrictions on such weapons. The use of antipersonnel landmines by US forces will only be in exceptional circumstances, says the Pentagon, and only \"non-persistent types\" - ie. versions that disarm themselves after a period, will be used. But campaigners will see this as striking at the international norm outlawing these weapons, and will argue that for all the technical wizardry many mines may still fail, remaining live and risking injury to innocent civilians. The use of anti-personnel landmines has been banned by 164 countries, and yet they're still being used in conflicts around the world. There are an estimated 110 million anti-personnel mines still in the ground with more being laid every year. In 2017, more than 7,000 casualties were caused by mines and other explosive remnants of war, including nearly 2,800 deaths, according to the Landmine Monitor. More than 120,000 people were killed or injured by landmines between 1999-2017, according to the same group. Nearly half the victims are children, with 84% being boys. Civilians make up 87% of casualties. The true number is almost certainly higher due to cases going unreported.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1603, "answer_start": 683, "text": "The Obama-era ban applied to the US military everywhere but on the Korean Peninsula. That exception was made under pressure from military planners, to protect US troops based across the de-militarized zone from the North Korean military. Mr Obama also ordered the destruction of landmine stockpiles not made to defend South Korea. But the Trump administration has now scrapped that policy, stating that the president was \"rebuilding\" the US military. \"The Department of Defense has determined that restrictions imposed on American forces by the Obama administration's policy could place them at a severe disadvantage during a conflict against our adversaries,\" a White House statement said, adding: \"The president is unwilling to accept this risk to our troops.\" Mr Trump has given the all-clear for the use of \"non-persistent\" landmines that can be switched off remotely rather than remaining buried beneath the ground." } ], "id": "321_0", "question": "What has changed?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3713, "answer_start": 2644, "text": "While the Obama administration refused to join the global ban on anti-personnel landmines, it broadly sympathised with the aims of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. Senior military commanders believed the effect of these weapons - denying an area to enemy advance - could be replicated by other weapons less dangerous to civilians once a conflict was over. Now landmines will be more widely available to US commanders, the argument being that their absence leaves them at a disadvantage in relation to likely adversaries - perhaps a reference to the fact that neither Russia or China have banned or placed any restrictions on such weapons. The use of antipersonnel landmines by US forces will only be in exceptional circumstances, says the Pentagon, and only \"non-persistent types\" - ie. versions that disarm themselves after a period, will be used. But campaigners will see this as striking at the international norm outlawing these weapons, and will argue that for all the technical wizardry many mines may still fail, remaining live and risking injury to innocent civilians." } ], "id": "321_1", "question": "A risk to civilians despite technical wizardry?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The Met Police has requested about 200 extra officers from neighbouring forces to help deal with the Extinction Rebellion protests in central London. Oxford Circus was reopened to traffic on Saturday afternoon after officers cleared demonstrators. Protesters continue to occupy Waterloo Bridge and Parliament Square. The Met said 750 people have been arrested and 28 have been charged. Commissioner Cressida Dick said it had caused \"miserable disruption\". \"Every day we have had over 1,000 officers - and now over 1,500 officers - working to police these protests,\" she said. \"It's had an impact not just on the police but also on the public.\" At about 17:30 BST, police were able to clear protesters from the centre of Oxford Circus, allowing for traffic to flow through normally. Dozens of officers also carried out arrests on Waterloo Bridge and slowly removed campaigners who had attached themselves to a truck acting as a stage. Ms Dick said the force was still liaising with others and encouraging them to go to Marble Arch to carry out a \"lawful protest\". \"If you don't want to go to Marble Arch, then go home,\" she said. \"I've been walking about there today and I can assure you many people are very fed up.\" It is understood the Met made a request to the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) \"late on Thursday\" for help with extra officers from neighbouring regions in the east and south-east of England. Essex Police, Kent Police, Hampshire Constabulary and Sussex Police confirmed they had sent officers to London under national mutual aid protocols. A spokesman for the National Police Chief's Council said \"forces routinely share officers through mutual aid\" in order to deal with large-scale events. He added: \"It is used to ensure an appropriate police presence exists where there is increased demand for it. \"NPoCC works with forces to determine their requirements should the need arise.\" The Met also quelled rumours that its cells are full. A spokesman said: \"One thing that is unusual about this demonstration is the willingness of those participating to be arrested and also their lack of resistance to the arrests. \"Our custody suites are not full and we are continuing to arrest those who are breaking the law.\" He said contingency plans were in place should they become full. In London, there are 41 custody suites - 34 of which are owned by the Met, six by British Transport Police and one in Bishopsgate by City of London Police. Officers on Waterloo Bridge have formed cordons while activists continue to play music and passers-by gather to watch. Members of the public watching have been asked to move on. Earlier, one demonstrator said to the group: \"Holding the space is important and being arrested is not undignified. \"We are here for an important reason, so we should be prepared to be removed for that. Being arrested is a statement.\" On Good Friday, police removed a pink boat that had been parked in the middle of Oxford Circus since Monday. Earlier that day, actress Dame Emma Thompson addressed demonstrators from the top of the ship. Extinction Rebellion said nearly 50,000 people had signed up to join the group since the protests started. Since the group was set up last year, members have shut bridges, poured buckets of fake blood outside Downing Street, blockaded the BBC and stripped semi-naked in Parliament. It has three core demands: for the government to \"tell the truth about climate change\"; to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2025; and to create a citizens' assembly to oversee progress. Controversially, the group is trying to get as many people arrested as possible. But critics say they cause unnecessary disruption and waste police time when forces are already overstretched.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3740, "answer_start": 3186, "text": "Since the group was set up last year, members have shut bridges, poured buckets of fake blood outside Downing Street, blockaded the BBC and stripped semi-naked in Parliament. It has three core demands: for the government to \"tell the truth about climate change\"; to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2025; and to create a citizens' assembly to oversee progress. Controversially, the group is trying to get as many people arrested as possible. But critics say they cause unnecessary disruption and waste police time when forces are already overstretched." } ], "id": "322_0", "question": "What is Extinction Rebellion?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A TV licence email scam has led to more than 5,000 complaints over the past three months. Cyber crime monitor Action Fraud said fake TV licence emails regarding payment issues had been sent out to try to collect bank details. The number of reports has increased in each of the past three months, with 1,983 complaints in December alone. Action Fraud told the BBC the scam was \"particularly nasty as it looks so convincing\". The emails use headlines such as \"correct your licensing information\" and \"your TV licence expires today\" in an attempt to convince people to click on the link in the email. Action Fraud said it received 5,247 complaints about such emails between 1 October and the end of December. By comparison, there were only 1,614 complaints in the preceding nine months of the year, with the majority of those coming in September. While the emails themselves might vary slightly in their wording, all of the links direct through to the same website. The fake TV Licensing website asks victims to provide their payment details, including their account number, sort code, and card verification value (CVV) code on the back of their card. The website may also ask for a victim's name, date of birth, address, phone number, email and possibly even their mother's maiden name. Action Fraud said it was working to \"stop fraudsters in their tracks\". Leesa Hellings-Lamb, from Bolton, told the BBC she received an \"incredibly realistic\" email from what she thought was TV Licensing claiming her licence was due to expire in two days. She followed the link in the email and began entering her bank details but became \"suspicious\" when she was asked for \"too much information\". \"Eventually I realised it was a scam,\" said Ms Hellings-Lamb, who managed to avoid confirming her details to the fraudsters. She added: \"I have learnt my lesson and told everyone I know to spread the word and remind everyone to be more cautious.\" A TV Licensing spokeswoman said: \"TV Licensing will never email customers, unprompted, to ask for bank details, personal information or tell you that you may be entitled to a refund.\" There are a number of ways to check whether or not an email you have received might be from fraudsters. Action Fraud says should check: The sender's email address - does it look like one TV Licensing would use? The subject line - anything such as \"action required\" or \"security alert\" should be treated with suspicion Spelling and grammar - grammatical errors suggest it is likely to be a scam The style - scammers often take real emails and amend them, so be wary of emails that seem too familiar or casual The link - does it go through to the official TV Licensing website? If you think you have received an email from fraudsters, you should report it to Action Fraud.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2782, "answer_start": 2112, "text": "There are a number of ways to check whether or not an email you have received might be from fraudsters. Action Fraud says should check: The sender's email address - does it look like one TV Licensing would use? The subject line - anything such as \"action required\" or \"security alert\" should be treated with suspicion Spelling and grammar - grammatical errors suggest it is likely to be a scam The style - scammers often take real emails and amend them, so be wary of emails that seem too familiar or casual The link - does it go through to the official TV Licensing website? If you think you have received an email from fraudsters, you should report it to Action Fraud." } ], "id": "323_0", "question": "Is the TV licence email I have received a scam?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Some anti-establishment protests happening in Iranian cities have turned violent, video footage shows. They began three days ago - initially in protest at falling living standards - and are the biggest show of dissent since huge pro-reform rallies in 2009. Demonstrators have ignored a warning by Iran's interior minister to avoid \"illegal gatherings\". Two demonstrators are reported dead in Dorud after sustaining gunshot wounds in a video posted on social media. Videos filmed elsewhere in the country show protesters setting fire to police vehicles and there are reports of attacks on government buildings. The current protests began in Mashhad on Thursday over living standards and rising food prices, and by Friday had spread to several major cities. The Iranian authorities are blaming anti-revolutionaries and agents of foreign powers for the outbreak. Overall, the numbers said to be taking part in demonstrations range from hundreds in some places to thousands in others - but demonstrations do not appear to be taking place on a massive scale. Slogans have been chanted against both Mr Rouhani and Mr Khamenei, and clerical rule in general. Demonstrators were reportedly heard on Friday yelling slogans like \"The people are begging, the clerics act like God\". There is also anger at Iran's interventions abroad. In Mashhad, some chanted \"not Gaza, not Lebanon, my life for Iran\", a reference to what protesters say is the administration's focus on foreign rather than domestic issues. Much of the information about what is occurring is emerging on social media, making it difficult to confirm anything. In the town of Abhar in northern Iran, demonstrators have set fire to large banners bearing the picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile in Arak in central Iran, protesters have reportedly set fire to the local headquarters of the pro-government Basij militia. In the capital Tehran, large numbers of protesters gathered at Azadi square, BBC Persian reports. A senior Revolutionary Guards' figure in Tehran said the situation in the city was under control. Demonstrators would be met with \"the nation's iron fist\" if they continued, Brigadier-General Esmail Kowsari told student news agency ISNA. In Mashhad, in the north-east, protesters burned police motorcycles in a confrontation caught on video. There are also numerous reports of people losing internet access on their mobile phones. In Kermanshah, western Iran, a demonstrator called Makan told BBC Persian that protesters were beaten up \"but we couldn't tell if it was the police or the Basij militia\". \"I'm not protesting against President Rouhani - and yes he needs to improve the economy - but it's the system that is rotten,\" he said. \"It's the Islamic Republic and its institutions that need reform.\" Earlier, protesters at Tehran University called for Ayatollah Khamenei to step down and there were clashes with police. Thousands of pro-government demonstrators turned out earlier on Saturday for big rallies across the country, organised in advance to mark the eighth anniversary of the suppression of the 2009 street protests. By BBC Persian correspondent Kasra Naji Although small, the anti-government protests on Saturday took on a much greater importance than the government-sponsored rallies. It's not every day that there are thousands of people voicing opposition to the government. As night fell, reports were still coming of protests in at least nine cities. There have been clashes with the police in some places. The common factor in all of them has been protesters' demand for an end to clerical rule in Iran. Widespread discontent is not limited to complaints about rising prices or widespread unemployment. It has been an eye-opening three days for the government, which has been careful not to provoke the protesters too much. The CEO of popular mobile messaging app Telegram said an Iranian account had been suspended for calling for attacks on police, after a complaint by Iran's communications minister. In the US, President Donald Trump tweeted: \"Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching!\" Iran's foreign ministry called earlier comments from Mr Trump and other US officials \"opportunistic and deceitful\". First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri has suggested that government opponents within Iran were behind the initial protests, state broadcaster IRIB reports. He said: \"Some incidents in the country these days are on the pretext of economic problems, but it seems there is something else behind them. They think by doing this they harm the government, but it will be others who ride the wave.\" Iran is a key provider of military support to the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. It is also accused of providing arms to Houthi rebels fighting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, which it denies, and is an ally of Lebanon's powerful Shia movement Hezbollah. The US State Department has urged all nations \"to publicly support the Iranian people and their demands for basic rights and an end to corruption\".", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1494, "answer_start": 610, "text": "The current protests began in Mashhad on Thursday over living standards and rising food prices, and by Friday had spread to several major cities. The Iranian authorities are blaming anti-revolutionaries and agents of foreign powers for the outbreak. Overall, the numbers said to be taking part in demonstrations range from hundreds in some places to thousands in others - but demonstrations do not appear to be taking place on a massive scale. Slogans have been chanted against both Mr Rouhani and Mr Khamenei, and clerical rule in general. Demonstrators were reportedly heard on Friday yelling slogans like \"The people are begging, the clerics act like God\". There is also anger at Iran's interventions abroad. In Mashhad, some chanted \"not Gaza, not Lebanon, my life for Iran\", a reference to what protesters say is the administration's focus on foreign rather than domestic issues." } ], "id": "324_0", "question": "What started the protests?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3131, "answer_start": 1495, "text": "Much of the information about what is occurring is emerging on social media, making it difficult to confirm anything. In the town of Abhar in northern Iran, demonstrators have set fire to large banners bearing the picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile in Arak in central Iran, protesters have reportedly set fire to the local headquarters of the pro-government Basij militia. In the capital Tehran, large numbers of protesters gathered at Azadi square, BBC Persian reports. A senior Revolutionary Guards' figure in Tehran said the situation in the city was under control. Demonstrators would be met with \"the nation's iron fist\" if they continued, Brigadier-General Esmail Kowsari told student news agency ISNA. In Mashhad, in the north-east, protesters burned police motorcycles in a confrontation caught on video. There are also numerous reports of people losing internet access on their mobile phones. In Kermanshah, western Iran, a demonstrator called Makan told BBC Persian that protesters were beaten up \"but we couldn't tell if it was the police or the Basij militia\". \"I'm not protesting against President Rouhani - and yes he needs to improve the economy - but it's the system that is rotten,\" he said. \"It's the Islamic Republic and its institutions that need reform.\" Earlier, protesters at Tehran University called for Ayatollah Khamenei to step down and there were clashes with police. Thousands of pro-government demonstrators turned out earlier on Saturday for big rallies across the country, organised in advance to mark the eighth anniversary of the suppression of the 2009 street protests." } ], "id": "324_1", "question": "What's happening now?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5119, "answer_start": 3846, "text": "The CEO of popular mobile messaging app Telegram said an Iranian account had been suspended for calling for attacks on police, after a complaint by Iran's communications minister. In the US, President Donald Trump tweeted: \"Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching!\" Iran's foreign ministry called earlier comments from Mr Trump and other US officials \"opportunistic and deceitful\". First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri has suggested that government opponents within Iran were behind the initial protests, state broadcaster IRIB reports. He said: \"Some incidents in the country these days are on the pretext of economic problems, but it seems there is something else behind them. They think by doing this they harm the government, but it will be others who ride the wave.\" Iran is a key provider of military support to the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. It is also accused of providing arms to Houthi rebels fighting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, which it denies, and is an ally of Lebanon's powerful Shia movement Hezbollah. The US State Department has urged all nations \"to publicly support the Iranian people and their demands for basic rights and an end to corruption\"." } ], "id": "324_2", "question": "What has the reaction been?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are waking up in the US, unable to work because of a government shutdown. The US Senate has failed to reach a temporary budget deal to keep it open. Some employees will not be paid until the stalemate is resolved. A vote will take place at noon in Washington (17:00 GMT) on whether to re-open government. Immigration remains one of the main sticking points between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats have refused to back a temporary budget deal until their concerns on immigration reform are dealt with. Essential federal services are still running across the country, but non-essential workers are not required to report to work. At midnight on Friday, lawmakers failed to agree on a spending bill. The bill was not a plan for funding for the whole of 2018, but would have kept things running until the middle of next month. Efforts to reach a compromise ahead of the working week failed in a rare Senate session late on Sunday. A vote to end the shutdown was postponed until midday on Monday, meaning many federal government offices will not open as the shutdown enters its third day. Under Senate rules, the bill needs 60 votes in the 100-member chamber. There are 50 Republican senators who are present and able to vote in the upper chamber on Monday, but at least 10 Democrats are needed to pass a budget. Republican Senator John McCain is away from Washington to receive cancer treatment. Democrats want President Trump to negotiate over immigration as part of a budget deal, but Republicans say no agreement is possible while federal government services are closed. Republicans want funding for border security - including a proposed border wall with Mexico - and immigration reforms, as well as increased military spending. On Saturday, Mr Trump said the \"nuclear option\" of a simple majority vote was necessary to end the impasse. It means no pay for those federal employees who are \"furloughed\" - on unpaid leave - even though their workplaces are not open. The last government shutdown was in 2013, and lasted for 16 days. It cost the government $2bn in lost productivity and led to \"significant negative effects on the economy\", the OMB said at the time. After the 2013 shutdown, Congress passed a bill ensuring employees who were on unpaid leave received pay cheques for the time they missed. However, receiving pay is not guaranteed this time as Congress would have to approve it again. The shutdown began on the first anniversary of President Trump's inauguration. His trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, has also been called into question. Most staff in the departments of housing, environment, education and commerce will be staying at home on Monday. Half of workers in the treasury, health, defence and transportation departments will also not be going to work. But essential services that protect \"life or human property\" will continue, including national security, postal services, air traffic control, some medical services, disaster assistance, prisons, taxation and electricity generation. And the Trump administration said it planned to keep national parks open - their closure in the 2013 shutdown provoked an angry public reaction. However, many rangers and staffers will not go into work. The Statue of Liberty was closed on Sunday but the governor of New York said he will use state funds to keep the historic landmark open from Monday. However, Independence Hall which is home to the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, will be closed along with other national landmarks. The defence department issued guidance saying that all military active duty personnel will continue to work without pay. Other closures include: - US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will discontinue routine establishment inspections and other food safety activities during the shutdown - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will cease operations of disease prevention programs but will continue to respond to seasonal influenza outbreaks This is the first time a government shutdown has happened while one party, the Republicans, controls both Congress and the White House. Friday's vote fell 50-49, far short of the 60 needed to advance the bill. This is due to a number of key disagreements. Democrats have demanded protection from deportation of more than 700,000 undocumented immigrants who entered the US as children. \"I hope it is just a matter of hours or days. But we need to have a substantive answer, and the only person who can lead us to that is President Trump. This is his shutdown,\" Democratic Senator Dick Durbin told the CBS network on Saturday. But Vice-President Mike Pence reiterated his party's stance in a speech to US troops in the Middle East on Sunday. \"We're not going to reopen negotiations on illegal immigration until they reopen the government and give you, our soldiers and your families, the benefits and wages you've earned,\" he said.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1882, "answer_start": 674, "text": "At midnight on Friday, lawmakers failed to agree on a spending bill. The bill was not a plan for funding for the whole of 2018, but would have kept things running until the middle of next month. Efforts to reach a compromise ahead of the working week failed in a rare Senate session late on Sunday. A vote to end the shutdown was postponed until midday on Monday, meaning many federal government offices will not open as the shutdown enters its third day. Under Senate rules, the bill needs 60 votes in the 100-member chamber. There are 50 Republican senators who are present and able to vote in the upper chamber on Monday, but at least 10 Democrats are needed to pass a budget. Republican Senator John McCain is away from Washington to receive cancer treatment. Democrats want President Trump to negotiate over immigration as part of a budget deal, but Republicans say no agreement is possible while federal government services are closed. Republicans want funding for border security - including a proposed border wall with Mexico - and immigration reforms, as well as increased military spending. On Saturday, Mr Trump said the \"nuclear option\" of a simple majority vote was necessary to end the impasse." } ], "id": "325_0", "question": "Why has the government shut down?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2618, "answer_start": 1883, "text": "It means no pay for those federal employees who are \"furloughed\" - on unpaid leave - even though their workplaces are not open. The last government shutdown was in 2013, and lasted for 16 days. It cost the government $2bn in lost productivity and led to \"significant negative effects on the economy\", the OMB said at the time. After the 2013 shutdown, Congress passed a bill ensuring employees who were on unpaid leave received pay cheques for the time they missed. However, receiving pay is not guaranteed this time as Congress would have to approve it again. The shutdown began on the first anniversary of President Trump's inauguration. His trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, has also been called into question." } ], "id": "325_1", "question": "What does a shutdown mean?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4942, "answer_start": 4013, "text": "This is the first time a government shutdown has happened while one party, the Republicans, controls both Congress and the White House. Friday's vote fell 50-49, far short of the 60 needed to advance the bill. This is due to a number of key disagreements. Democrats have demanded protection from deportation of more than 700,000 undocumented immigrants who entered the US as children. \"I hope it is just a matter of hours or days. But we need to have a substantive answer, and the only person who can lead us to that is President Trump. This is his shutdown,\" Democratic Senator Dick Durbin told the CBS network on Saturday. But Vice-President Mike Pence reiterated his party's stance in a speech to US troops in the Middle East on Sunday. \"We're not going to reopen negotiations on illegal immigration until they reopen the government and give you, our soldiers and your families, the benefits and wages you've earned,\" he said." } ], "id": "325_2", "question": "Why can the two sides not agree?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "In between the frontrunners during the Democratic debate on Tuesday stood Tom Steyer. You might have spotted him: he was the candidate caught in the middle as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren clashed off-mic at the end. It was the most intriguing moment of the debate, but if you looked closer, you might have been intrigued even further. On Mr Steyer's left hand was a symbol, crudely drawn in pen: one large cross with a smaller cross in each quadrant. It was not the first time the billionaire hedge-fund manager has been seen with it in public - he's drawn it every day for at least two years - but this debate introduced the symbol to a new audience once again. A symbol with five crosses like this is known as a Jerusalem Cross, and it was employed as the symbol of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from the 13th Century. The kingdom was established by crusading European Christians who invaded and conquered Muslim lands. There is not one agreed meaning to the five crosses - various theories suggest they could represent Christ and the four gospels, five wounds suffered by Christ on the cross, or the four points of the compass. The original symbol is likely to pre-date even the Kingdom of Jerusalem and was used in feudal states in what is now the country of Georgia, which since 2004 has used the five crosses on its national flag. In an interview with BuzzFeed last year, before he announced he would run for president, Mr Steyer was asked about the significance of the cross on his hand. \"It means to tell the truth no matter what the cost is,\" he said. \"For a while now, I have drawn it on my hand every day to remind myself to always tell the truth. I later discovered that it has traditionally been known as a Jerusalem cross.\" He appears to have started drawing the symbol in the winter of 2017, and in May 2018, he told Politico it was a reminder to always tell the truth, even if you are put on the cross for it. He also said it was the international sign of humility, although this is not established as a thing. Mr Steyer - a long-term Democratic donor - is Christian, and this month told a podcast that he was 30 when he found God. But he has not drawn a link between his faith and the symbol on his hand. Instead, his drive to \"tell the truth\" is tied to a political group he launched in October 2017, named Need to Impeach, that focused on removing President Donald Trump from office. It's a message the 62-year-old has repeated since entering the race for the presidency last July. He has also condemned corporate interests that affect government policy, and vowed to declare a state of climate emergency on day one of his presidency, were he to be elected. In recent years, images and terms associated with the Crusades in the Middle East have been appropriated by white supremacists. When a white supremacist shot dead 50 people in mosques in Christchurch in New Zealand in March last year, his so-called manifesto was reported to include references to the Crusades. Banners depicting the Jerusalem Cross, along with the term \"Deus vult\" (God wills it) that was associated with the Crusaders, were deployed by the far-right during a violent rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. As yet, however, the Jerusalem Cross has not been listed as a hate symbol by the influential Anti-Defamation League. Last week, the US president's son, Donald Trump Jr, defended posting a photo of himself holding a rifle (known as a \"Crusader\") that featured a Jerusalem Cross - as well as an image of Hillary Clinton in jail. The photo - posted days after the US assassinated Iranian general Qasem Soleimani - was consistent with a tradition among gun owners of \"depicting various historical warriors\", Mr Trump Jr's spokesman told the Washington Post. The company that produced the rifle said it was \"objectively silly\" to suggest the cross was a hate symbol. \"As with all symbols, context is everything,\" said Dan Jones, a historian and author of Crusaders: The Epic History of the Wars for the Holy Lands. Jones himself has a tattoo of the Jerusalem Cross on his wrist. He received it a few years ago in Jerusalem, copying a technique used by pilgrims hundreds of years ago. \"In the context of a Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem, this would have been a symbol of peaceful worship,\" Jones said. \"But in the context of Donald Trump Jr with a Jerusalem Cross on the side of an AR-15 rifle, the context is very clearly one of violence - anti-Muslim violence - and of a civilisational clash going back to the Middle Ages.\" The fact the cross has different meanings, like the swastika before it, means any presidential candidate should be more cautious about using it, Jones said, as appropriation of such symbols could play into the hands of those who consider the US to be aggressors. \"[Tom Steyer] clearly has his own reasons for scribbling it on his hand,\" Jones said. \"But he has to be aware of the other context. Were he to be elected president, then Isis propaganda would be calling him the Crusader-in-chief.\" Such a development is unlikely, however. As the Democrats enter primary season, the polls put Mr Steyer far down the list of favourites for the Democratic nomination.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1338, "answer_start": 670, "text": "A symbol with five crosses like this is known as a Jerusalem Cross, and it was employed as the symbol of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from the 13th Century. The kingdom was established by crusading European Christians who invaded and conquered Muslim lands. There is not one agreed meaning to the five crosses - various theories suggest they could represent Christ and the four gospels, five wounds suffered by Christ on the cross, or the four points of the compass. The original symbol is likely to pre-date even the Kingdom of Jerusalem and was used in feudal states in what is now the country of Georgia, which since 2004 has used the five crosses on its national flag." } ], "id": "326_0", "question": "What is the symbol?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2678, "answer_start": 1339, "text": "In an interview with BuzzFeed last year, before he announced he would run for president, Mr Steyer was asked about the significance of the cross on his hand. \"It means to tell the truth no matter what the cost is,\" he said. \"For a while now, I have drawn it on my hand every day to remind myself to always tell the truth. I later discovered that it has traditionally been known as a Jerusalem cross.\" He appears to have started drawing the symbol in the winter of 2017, and in May 2018, he told Politico it was a reminder to always tell the truth, even if you are put on the cross for it. He also said it was the international sign of humility, although this is not established as a thing. Mr Steyer - a long-term Democratic donor - is Christian, and this month told a podcast that he was 30 when he found God. But he has not drawn a link between his faith and the symbol on his hand. Instead, his drive to \"tell the truth\" is tied to a political group he launched in October 2017, named Need to Impeach, that focused on removing President Donald Trump from office. It's a message the 62-year-old has repeated since entering the race for the presidency last July. He has also condemned corporate interests that affect government policy, and vowed to declare a state of climate emergency on day one of his presidency, were he to be elected." } ], "id": "326_1", "question": "Why does Tom Steyer use it?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5192, "answer_start": 2679, "text": "In recent years, images and terms associated with the Crusades in the Middle East have been appropriated by white supremacists. When a white supremacist shot dead 50 people in mosques in Christchurch in New Zealand in March last year, his so-called manifesto was reported to include references to the Crusades. Banners depicting the Jerusalem Cross, along with the term \"Deus vult\" (God wills it) that was associated with the Crusaders, were deployed by the far-right during a violent rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. As yet, however, the Jerusalem Cross has not been listed as a hate symbol by the influential Anti-Defamation League. Last week, the US president's son, Donald Trump Jr, defended posting a photo of himself holding a rifle (known as a \"Crusader\") that featured a Jerusalem Cross - as well as an image of Hillary Clinton in jail. The photo - posted days after the US assassinated Iranian general Qasem Soleimani - was consistent with a tradition among gun owners of \"depicting various historical warriors\", Mr Trump Jr's spokesman told the Washington Post. The company that produced the rifle said it was \"objectively silly\" to suggest the cross was a hate symbol. \"As with all symbols, context is everything,\" said Dan Jones, a historian and author of Crusaders: The Epic History of the Wars for the Holy Lands. Jones himself has a tattoo of the Jerusalem Cross on his wrist. He received it a few years ago in Jerusalem, copying a technique used by pilgrims hundreds of years ago. \"In the context of a Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem, this would have been a symbol of peaceful worship,\" Jones said. \"But in the context of Donald Trump Jr with a Jerusalem Cross on the side of an AR-15 rifle, the context is very clearly one of violence - anti-Muslim violence - and of a civilisational clash going back to the Middle Ages.\" The fact the cross has different meanings, like the swastika before it, means any presidential candidate should be more cautious about using it, Jones said, as appropriation of such symbols could play into the hands of those who consider the US to be aggressors. \"[Tom Steyer] clearly has his own reasons for scribbling it on his hand,\" Jones said. \"But he has to be aware of the other context. Were he to be elected president, then Isis propaganda would be calling him the Crusader-in-chief.\" Such a development is unlikely, however. As the Democrats enter primary season, the polls put Mr Steyer far down the list of favourites for the Democratic nomination." } ], "id": "326_2", "question": "Who else uses it?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Are you someone in middle age who keeps putting off that planned health kick for another day? If so, a couple of new studies may give you a sense of urgency. One paper found that elevated blood pressure in middle age increases the risk of dementia, while another says being frail at this time raises your chances of an early death. So how bad is a lack of fitness in mid-life and is it condemning you to bad health in the future? A study published in the European Heart Journal found those who were aged 50 with a systolic blood pressure of 130mmHg or above were nearly one-and-a-half times more likely to develop dementia than those with ideal blood pressure. It's noteworthy that this is below the level of blood pressure considered to be high in the UK (140mmHg). Researchers suggested a possible explanation for the link was that raised blood pressure could cause damage from \"silent\" or mini-strokes which can easily go un-noticed. It's worth pointing out that the study of 8,639 people shows a link between elevated blood pressure at 50 and dementia but cannot prove cause and effect. Researchers found no such association for people who were aged 60 or 70. And any increase in risk needs to be seen in the context of your overall likelihood of getting dementia at some point in your life. It is estimated that the risk of getting Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, is one in 10 for men and one in five for women from the age of 45. Nevertheless, Alzheimer's Research UK said it added to the evidence of a link between high blood pressure and dementia. Frailty is known to be a health risk to people in later life because, among other things, it increases the likelihood of falls. But a new paper, which examined data from 493,737 people involved in the UK Biobank study, found that being frail earlier in life also appeared to be a predictor of ill health and early death. The study, published in the Lancet Public Health journal, defined frailty as anyone who had at least three of the following health problems: - Weight loss - Exhaustion - Weak grip strength - Low physical activity - Slow walking pace After accounting for other factors (including socio-economic status, a number of long-term conditions, smoking, alcohol and BMI), researchers found men between the ages of 37 and 45 were over two-and-a-half times more likely to die than non-frail people of the same age. The figures were similar in all the other age groups (45-55, 55-65, and 65-73). Similar associations were found in women who were judged to be frail and were 45 or older. Frail people were also far more likely to have conditions such as multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome. Lead author of the study, Prof Frances Mair, from the University of Glasgow, said the findings suggested there was a need to both identify and treat frailty much earlier in life. Dr Peter Hanlon, a co-author on the frailty study, said the good news is that frailty might be reversible in people, particularly if it is identified early. The key for those who are unfit in middle age is making healthy changes \"as soon as possible\", says Ilaria Bellantuono, professor of musculoskeletal ageing at the University of Sheffield. \"The key is a healthy diet and exercise. It's the only thing we know that works,\" she says. Losing weight, stopping smoking, cutting back on alcohol, exercising regularly and eating less salt are just some of the things you can do to lower your blood pressure. And similar advice applies to reducing your risk of dementia and helping to keep your brain healthy as you age, says Dr Laura Phipps from Alzheimer's Research UK. But the million pound question is how do you get people to change their habits? Prof Bellantuono said that for some, health warnings won't be enough. Instead, finding an \"internal motive that speaks to them\" will be key to getting some people to exercise and be healthier. \"That could be picking up the grandchildren or going to watch the football,\" she adds. Follow Alex on Twitter", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1570, "answer_start": 430, "text": "A study published in the European Heart Journal found those who were aged 50 with a systolic blood pressure of 130mmHg or above were nearly one-and-a-half times more likely to develop dementia than those with ideal blood pressure. It's noteworthy that this is below the level of blood pressure considered to be high in the UK (140mmHg). Researchers suggested a possible explanation for the link was that raised blood pressure could cause damage from \"silent\" or mini-strokes which can easily go un-noticed. It's worth pointing out that the study of 8,639 people shows a link between elevated blood pressure at 50 and dementia but cannot prove cause and effect. Researchers found no such association for people who were aged 60 or 70. And any increase in risk needs to be seen in the context of your overall likelihood of getting dementia at some point in your life. It is estimated that the risk of getting Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, is one in 10 for men and one in five for women from the age of 45. Nevertheless, Alzheimer's Research UK said it added to the evidence of a link between high blood pressure and dementia." } ], "id": "327_0", "question": "What's the dementia risk?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2860, "answer_start": 1571, "text": "Frailty is known to be a health risk to people in later life because, among other things, it increases the likelihood of falls. But a new paper, which examined data from 493,737 people involved in the UK Biobank study, found that being frail earlier in life also appeared to be a predictor of ill health and early death. The study, published in the Lancet Public Health journal, defined frailty as anyone who had at least three of the following health problems: - Weight loss - Exhaustion - Weak grip strength - Low physical activity - Slow walking pace After accounting for other factors (including socio-economic status, a number of long-term conditions, smoking, alcohol and BMI), researchers found men between the ages of 37 and 45 were over two-and-a-half times more likely to die than non-frail people of the same age. The figures were similar in all the other age groups (45-55, 55-65, and 65-73). Similar associations were found in women who were judged to be frail and were 45 or older. Frail people were also far more likely to have conditions such as multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome. Lead author of the study, Prof Frances Mair, from the University of Glasgow, said the findings suggested there was a need to both identify and treat frailty much earlier in life." } ], "id": "327_1", "question": "What about frailty?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The Michael Flynn controversy went from zero to resignation in the blink of an eye. On Friday night, Donald Trump was asked about his national security advisor's pre-inauguration contact with a Russian ambassador and said he'd \"look into\" it. \"I don't know about that,\" he said. \"I haven't seen it.\" On Monday, senior Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway assured reporters that Mr Flynn had the president's \"full confidence\". Hours later, Flynn was gone and Conway was left explaining how the situation had become \"unsustainable\". Although this may be the end of Mr Flynn's tenure in the White House, it's just the beginning of the story. There are a number of questions that aren't going away just because Mr Flynn has. According to the Washington Post, acting Attorney General Sally Yates had informed Trump White House counsel Donald McGahn shortly after inauguration day that surveillance of Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak revealed he and Mr Flynn had discussed US sanctions imposed by the Obama administration during their 30 December phone call. This ran directly counter not only to Mr Flynn's public denials, but those of other Trump administration officials, including press secretary Sean Spicer and Vice-President Mike Pence. So, if the Trump White House knew that Mr Flynn had lied - or, as he put it in his resignation letter, had \"inadvertently briefed the vice-president-elect and others with incomplete information\" - why did it take weeks, and multiple embarrassing media reports, for the national security adviser to be shown the door? During his press conference on Tuesday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Mr Trump had been informed that Mr Flynn had discussed sanctions with Mr Kislyak on 26 January and had instructed the White House counsel's office to investigate whether any laws had been violated. The conclusion was that that it was legal. Over the course of the ensuing weeks, however, Mr Trump's trust in Mr Flynn \"eroded\" to the point where he could no longer be effective as national security advisor. It was then that he was sacked. Those were weeks during which Mr Flynn was putting Iran \"on notice\", conferring tableside at Mar-a-Lago as the president and Japanese Prime Minsiter Shinzo Abe dealt with a North Korean missile launch and sitting front and centre in the East Room of the White House during Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mr Trump's joint press conference on Monday. Democrats in Congress smell blood in the water and are already calling for a sweeping investigation into the circumstances behind Mr Flynn's resignation. \"The American people deserve to know the full extent of Russia's financial, personal and political grip on President Trump and what that means for our national security,\" House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a press release. Although Democrats would prefer a new congressional special committee be created to investigate the matter, that seems unlikely at this point. There are already planned investigations into the larger question of whether Russia interfered with the 2016 US presidential election, to be conducted by the House and Senate intelligence committees. \"I think we should look into it exhaustively,\" said Senate intelligence committee member Roy Blunt of Missouri, \"so that at the end of this process, nobody wonders whether there was a stone left unturned and shouldn't reach conclusions before you have the information that you need to have to make those conclusions.\" The House investigation will look into Russian intelligence activities and \"links between Russian and individuals associated with political campaigns\", according to a letter signed by the Republican chair and ranking Democrat on the committee. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, two senators on the armed services committee, are also launching their own inquiry. \"General Flynn's resignation also raises further questions about the Trump administration's intentions toward Vladimir Putin's Russia, including statements by the president suggesting moral equivalence between the US and Russia,\" Mr McCain said in a press release. Other Republicans in Congress seem less interested in the matter. Jason Chaffetz, the chair of the House Oversight Committee who made recent headlines with his pledge to continue investigating Democrat Hillary Clinton's email server, has so far declined from launching an inquiry into Mr Flynn's resignation. \"It's taking care of itself,\" he said. Of perhaps greater concern for the White House is the status of a reported FBI investigation into Trump campaign ties to the Russian government. According to the Post, FBI Director James Comey was reluctant to inform the Trump White House about evidence contradicting Mr Flynn's accounts because \"it could complicate the bureau's ongoing investigation\". Although the BBC has reported that there is a multi-agency probe into Russia and the 2016 election, there's never been an on-the-record confirmation of this by government officials. Could the inquiry include a look at whether Mr Flynn violated the Logan Act, a 1799 federal law that prohibits \"unauthorised citizens\" from negotiating with foreign governments? Given that the law has never been used in an actual prosecution, that seems unlikely. The more the FBI asks questions, however, the greater the temptation for Trump administration officials to mislead or misstate in order to avoid further political fallout from the matter. That could open the door for obstruction of justice charges. It wouldn't be the first time a cover-up of a political scandal turned into a criminal case. Or the second. Or the third. As this story unfolds, Mr Flynn and the rest of the Trump team may want to look back and see whether this whole mess was preventable. Forget, for now, the puzzler that Mr Flynn, who once served as director of the Defence Intelligence Agency, was seemingly unaware or unconcerned that phone conversations by the Russian ambassador to the US might be under government surveillance. Could he have just come out and admitted that he did, in fact, talk with Mr Kislyak about sanctions as part of a wide-ranging discussion of US policy priorities under soon-to-be-President Trump? Perhaps. There certainly would have been political fallout. Democrats would have cried bloody murder, given their sensitivity to the outcome of the Clinton-Trump campaign. They would have accused Mr Flynn of undermining Mr Obama's efforts to punish Russia for its alleged meddling and, in all likelihood, questioned whether the move constituted a violation of the Logan Act. In addition, there would have been further calls for a full investigation into Mr Trump's relations with Russia's Vladimir Putin and allegations of pre-election communications between the Republican's senior campaign officials and the Russian government. What seemingly undid Mr Flynn, however, was that Mr Pence and other Republicans had framed their defence of the general based on his insistence that sanctions definitely were not discussed. Mr Flynn embarrassed the vice-president, who wields enormous influence in the administration. A united White House may have been able to ride out this storm. As soon as it fractured, Mr Flynn was finished. Mr Flynn was one of the Mr Trump's most trusted advisers on national security, since the early days of the presidential campaign, and he will be difficult to replace. The president has alienated much of the conservative foreign policy establishment and appears unwilling, at least so far, to consider enlisting the aid of experienced hands who actively worked against him during the campaign. Following Mr Flynn's resignation, the White House announced that Keith Kellogg, who was serving as chief of staff of the National Security Council, would take over as acting national security advisor. Since retiring as a general from the Army in 2003, Mr Kellogg had worked for a variety of defence contractors and advised Mr Trump on foreign policy matters during the presidential campaign. Although Mr Kellogg will have the advantage of incumbency while the formal search is conducted, another high-profile name has already been floated for the job - former CIA Director David Petraeus. Once considered a rising star in the Republican Party after his success organising the 2007 US military troop \"surge\" in Iraq, he was forced to resign from the CIA in disgrace and charged with sharing top secret documents with a civilian reporter with whom he was having an extra-marital affair. He eventually pleaded guilty to mishandling classified information That, it seems, has not been a career-killing event, however - even though Mr Petraeus would have to get approval from his parole officer before taking a job in Washington. Robert Harward, a former deputy commander of US Central Command, is reportedly also under consideration. Whomever Mr Trump selects for national security adviser will be thrust into a key role in the administration's foreign policy team under less than ideal circumstances. The job requires the ability to co-ordinate multiple intelligence and security agencies with competing interests and priorities. The NSA has to be a diplomat and a facilitator, making sure the president is kept abreast of all relevant national security developments and his policy directives are effectively implemented. It's not a job for the faint of heart even in the best of times. In late January Ms Yates, an Obama administration holdover who was serving as acting attorney general, advised the Trump administration of problems surrounding Mr Flynn's role as national security adviser. On 30 January Ms Yates announced that she would not enforce Mr Trump's executive order barring entry to the US for individuals from seven predominantly Muslim nations, warning that she considered the action of questionable legality. She was fired by Mr Trump later that day. Now the president's immigration order has been indefinitely suspended by multiple courts, which have said it may violate constitutional rights. And Mr Flynn is gone. We already know the answer to this particular question, actually. Ms Yates probably feels pretty vindicated.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2435, "answer_start": 715, "text": "According to the Washington Post, acting Attorney General Sally Yates had informed Trump White House counsel Donald McGahn shortly after inauguration day that surveillance of Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak revealed he and Mr Flynn had discussed US sanctions imposed by the Obama administration during their 30 December phone call. This ran directly counter not only to Mr Flynn's public denials, but those of other Trump administration officials, including press secretary Sean Spicer and Vice-President Mike Pence. So, if the Trump White House knew that Mr Flynn had lied - or, as he put it in his resignation letter, had \"inadvertently briefed the vice-president-elect and others with incomplete information\" - why did it take weeks, and multiple embarrassing media reports, for the national security adviser to be shown the door? During his press conference on Tuesday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Mr Trump had been informed that Mr Flynn had discussed sanctions with Mr Kislyak on 26 January and had instructed the White House counsel's office to investigate whether any laws had been violated. The conclusion was that that it was legal. Over the course of the ensuing weeks, however, Mr Trump's trust in Mr Flynn \"eroded\" to the point where he could no longer be effective as national security advisor. It was then that he was sacked. Those were weeks during which Mr Flynn was putting Iran \"on notice\", conferring tableside at Mar-a-Lago as the president and Japanese Prime Minsiter Shinzo Abe dealt with a North Korean missile launch and sitting front and centre in the East Room of the White House during Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mr Trump's joint press conference on Monday." } ], "id": "328_0", "question": "Why did Donald Trump wait to sack Flynn?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5625, "answer_start": 2436, "text": "Democrats in Congress smell blood in the water and are already calling for a sweeping investigation into the circumstances behind Mr Flynn's resignation. \"The American people deserve to know the full extent of Russia's financial, personal and political grip on President Trump and what that means for our national security,\" House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a press release. Although Democrats would prefer a new congressional special committee be created to investigate the matter, that seems unlikely at this point. There are already planned investigations into the larger question of whether Russia interfered with the 2016 US presidential election, to be conducted by the House and Senate intelligence committees. \"I think we should look into it exhaustively,\" said Senate intelligence committee member Roy Blunt of Missouri, \"so that at the end of this process, nobody wonders whether there was a stone left unturned and shouldn't reach conclusions before you have the information that you need to have to make those conclusions.\" The House investigation will look into Russian intelligence activities and \"links between Russian and individuals associated with political campaigns\", according to a letter signed by the Republican chair and ranking Democrat on the committee. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, two senators on the armed services committee, are also launching their own inquiry. \"General Flynn's resignation also raises further questions about the Trump administration's intentions toward Vladimir Putin's Russia, including statements by the president suggesting moral equivalence between the US and Russia,\" Mr McCain said in a press release. Other Republicans in Congress seem less interested in the matter. Jason Chaffetz, the chair of the House Oversight Committee who made recent headlines with his pledge to continue investigating Democrat Hillary Clinton's email server, has so far declined from launching an inquiry into Mr Flynn's resignation. \"It's taking care of itself,\" he said. Of perhaps greater concern for the White House is the status of a reported FBI investigation into Trump campaign ties to the Russian government. According to the Post, FBI Director James Comey was reluctant to inform the Trump White House about evidence contradicting Mr Flynn's accounts because \"it could complicate the bureau's ongoing investigation\". Although the BBC has reported that there is a multi-agency probe into Russia and the 2016 election, there's never been an on-the-record confirmation of this by government officials. Could the inquiry include a look at whether Mr Flynn violated the Logan Act, a 1799 federal law that prohibits \"unauthorised citizens\" from negotiating with foreign governments? Given that the law has never been used in an actual prosecution, that seems unlikely. The more the FBI asks questions, however, the greater the temptation for Trump administration officials to mislead or misstate in order to avoid further political fallout from the matter. That could open the door for obstruction of justice charges. It wouldn't be the first time a cover-up of a political scandal turned into a criminal case. Or the second. Or the third." } ], "id": "328_1", "question": "Will there be an investigation?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 7226, "answer_start": 5626, "text": "As this story unfolds, Mr Flynn and the rest of the Trump team may want to look back and see whether this whole mess was preventable. Forget, for now, the puzzler that Mr Flynn, who once served as director of the Defence Intelligence Agency, was seemingly unaware or unconcerned that phone conversations by the Russian ambassador to the US might be under government surveillance. Could he have just come out and admitted that he did, in fact, talk with Mr Kislyak about sanctions as part of a wide-ranging discussion of US policy priorities under soon-to-be-President Trump? Perhaps. There certainly would have been political fallout. Democrats would have cried bloody murder, given their sensitivity to the outcome of the Clinton-Trump campaign. They would have accused Mr Flynn of undermining Mr Obama's efforts to punish Russia for its alleged meddling and, in all likelihood, questioned whether the move constituted a violation of the Logan Act. In addition, there would have been further calls for a full investigation into Mr Trump's relations with Russia's Vladimir Putin and allegations of pre-election communications between the Republican's senior campaign officials and the Russian government. What seemingly undid Mr Flynn, however, was that Mr Pence and other Republicans had framed their defence of the general based on his insistence that sanctions definitely were not discussed. Mr Flynn embarrassed the vice-president, who wields enormous influence in the administration. A united White House may have been able to ride out this storm. As soon as it fractured, Mr Flynn was finished." } ], "id": "328_2", "question": "Could this have been avoided?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 9403, "answer_start": 7227, "text": "Mr Flynn was one of the Mr Trump's most trusted advisers on national security, since the early days of the presidential campaign, and he will be difficult to replace. The president has alienated much of the conservative foreign policy establishment and appears unwilling, at least so far, to consider enlisting the aid of experienced hands who actively worked against him during the campaign. Following Mr Flynn's resignation, the White House announced that Keith Kellogg, who was serving as chief of staff of the National Security Council, would take over as acting national security advisor. Since retiring as a general from the Army in 2003, Mr Kellogg had worked for a variety of defence contractors and advised Mr Trump on foreign policy matters during the presidential campaign. Although Mr Kellogg will have the advantage of incumbency while the formal search is conducted, another high-profile name has already been floated for the job - former CIA Director David Petraeus. Once considered a rising star in the Republican Party after his success organising the 2007 US military troop \"surge\" in Iraq, he was forced to resign from the CIA in disgrace and charged with sharing top secret documents with a civilian reporter with whom he was having an extra-marital affair. He eventually pleaded guilty to mishandling classified information That, it seems, has not been a career-killing event, however - even though Mr Petraeus would have to get approval from his parole officer before taking a job in Washington. Robert Harward, a former deputy commander of US Central Command, is reportedly also under consideration. Whomever Mr Trump selects for national security adviser will be thrust into a key role in the administration's foreign policy team under less than ideal circumstances. The job requires the ability to co-ordinate multiple intelligence and security agencies with competing interests and priorities. The NSA has to be a diplomat and a facilitator, making sure the president is kept abreast of all relevant national security developments and his policy directives are effectively implemented. It's not a job for the faint of heart even in the best of times." } ], "id": "328_3", "question": "Who will be the next national security adviser?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 10159, "answer_start": 9404, "text": "In late January Ms Yates, an Obama administration holdover who was serving as acting attorney general, advised the Trump administration of problems surrounding Mr Flynn's role as national security adviser. On 30 January Ms Yates announced that she would not enforce Mr Trump's executive order barring entry to the US for individuals from seven predominantly Muslim nations, warning that she considered the action of questionable legality. She was fired by Mr Trump later that day. Now the president's immigration order has been indefinitely suspended by multiple courts, which have said it may violate constitutional rights. And Mr Flynn is gone. We already know the answer to this particular question, actually. Ms Yates probably feels pretty vindicated." } ], "id": "328_4", "question": "How does Sally Yates feel right now?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The jihadist group Islamic State (IS) has for the first time confirmed the death of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and named his successor. An IS outlet announced on the messaging service Telegram that Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurashi was the group's new leader and \"caliph\". US special forces tracked down Baghdadi in north-west Syria at the weekend and attacked his compound. The IS leader fled into a tunnel and killed himself with a suicide vest. The Iraqi had a $25m (PS19m) bounty on his head and had been pursued by the US and its allies since the rise of IS five years ago. IS also confirmed on Thursday the death of spokesman Abu al-Hasan al-Muhajir - who was killed in a joint operation in northern Syria by US and Syrian Kurdish forces hours after the one targeting Baghdadi. The Saudi national had been considered a potential successor. The new IS spokesman, Abu Hamza al-Qurashi, also called on Muslims to swear allegiance to Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi. Hashemi's name is not known to security forces, and is believed to be a nom de guerre. IS did not provide many details about the new leader or release a photo, but it did describe him as a \"prominent figure in jihad\". The statement also claimed Hashemi was a veteran jihadist fighter who had fought against the US in the past. With the name \"al-Qurashi\", the group also made clear that he claims to be descended from the Prophet Muhammad's Quraysh tribe - something generally held by pre-modern Sunni scholars as being a key qualification for becoming a caliph. Before the announcement, BBC jihadist media specialist Mina al-Lami said: \"If IS chooses to appoint someone who is not a Qurashi, then perhaps it is an implicit acknowledgement that the 'caliphate' is no more.\" IS declared the creation of a \"caliphate\" - a state governed in accordance with Sharia, or Islamic law - after seizing control of huge swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014 and imposing its brutal rule on millions of civilians. It proclaimed Baghdadi as \"Caliph Ibrahim\" and demanded allegiance from Muslims worldwide. Despite the demise of its physical caliphate in March, IS remains a battle-hardened and well-disciplined force whose enduring defeat is not assured. The group still has between 14,000 and 18,000 \"members\" in Iraq and Syria, including up to 3,000 foreigners, according to a recent US report. In his statement, IS's new spokesman said the group's Shura Council met soon after Baghdadi's death was confirmed and pledged allegiance to Hashemi. The day before IS released the name of its new leader, the US military made public more information about the killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during a raid in Syria's Idlib province early on Sunday. In grainy footage, helicopters were seen firing at gunmen on the ground as they flew towards a compound where Baghdadi was hiding. On landing, US special forces commandos blew holes in the walls of the compound and called on Baghdadi to surrender, the military said. But he fled into a tunnel and detonated a suicide vest, killing himself and two children he had taken with him. \"You can deduce what kind of person it is based on that activity,\" said the head of US Central Command, Gen Kenneth McKenzie. After the raid, the compound was destroyed in an air strike. Gen McKenzie said the destroyed buildings were left looking like \"a parking lot with large potholes\". He added that he could not confirm President Donald Trump's graphic description of Baghdadi whimpering and crying as he died.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1739, "answer_start": 967, "text": "Hashemi's name is not known to security forces, and is believed to be a nom de guerre. IS did not provide many details about the new leader or release a photo, but it did describe him as a \"prominent figure in jihad\". The statement also claimed Hashemi was a veteran jihadist fighter who had fought against the US in the past. With the name \"al-Qurashi\", the group also made clear that he claims to be descended from the Prophet Muhammad's Quraysh tribe - something generally held by pre-modern Sunni scholars as being a key qualification for becoming a caliph. Before the announcement, BBC jihadist media specialist Mina al-Lami said: \"If IS chooses to appoint someone who is not a Qurashi, then perhaps it is an implicit acknowledgement that the 'caliphate' is no more.\"" } ], "id": "329_0", "question": "Who is Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurashi?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2494, "answer_start": 1740, "text": "IS declared the creation of a \"caliphate\" - a state governed in accordance with Sharia, or Islamic law - after seizing control of huge swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014 and imposing its brutal rule on millions of civilians. It proclaimed Baghdadi as \"Caliph Ibrahim\" and demanded allegiance from Muslims worldwide. Despite the demise of its physical caliphate in March, IS remains a battle-hardened and well-disciplined force whose enduring defeat is not assured. The group still has between 14,000 and 18,000 \"members\" in Iraq and Syria, including up to 3,000 foreigners, according to a recent US report. In his statement, IS's new spokesman said the group's Shura Council met soon after Baghdadi's death was confirmed and pledged allegiance to Hashemi." } ], "id": "329_1", "question": "What is the context?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3487, "answer_start": 2495, "text": "The day before IS released the name of its new leader, the US military made public more information about the killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during a raid in Syria's Idlib province early on Sunday. In grainy footage, helicopters were seen firing at gunmen on the ground as they flew towards a compound where Baghdadi was hiding. On landing, US special forces commandos blew holes in the walls of the compound and called on Baghdadi to surrender, the military said. But he fled into a tunnel and detonated a suicide vest, killing himself and two children he had taken with him. \"You can deduce what kind of person it is based on that activity,\" said the head of US Central Command, Gen Kenneth McKenzie. After the raid, the compound was destroyed in an air strike. Gen McKenzie said the destroyed buildings were left looking like \"a parking lot with large potholes\". He added that he could not confirm President Donald Trump's graphic description of Baghdadi whimpering and crying as he died." } ], "id": "329_2", "question": "What happened to Baghdadi?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A generation ago many UK city centres were dreary and dilapidated places, with a reputation for crime. Now, they are among the most desirable areas of the country to live. What's changed? Take a walk through the centre of cities like Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham and you will see smart new high-rise apartments, office blocks and the ever-present cranes building still more. At street level are cafes, bars, restaurants and gyms serving their often young and affluent customers - the people who increasingly define these areas. Only 30 years ago inner city populations that had grown rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries had dwindled - the residents leaving cramped, urban housing for more spacious suburbs and new towns. The reversal that has taken place - especially in the north of England and the Midlands - demonstrates a dramatic urban renaissance and a shift in how people want to live. Since the start of the 21st Century the population of many town and city centres has doubled in size, while the population of the UK has increased by 10%. (Full list at bottom of story). There is no way of saying exactly where a city centre starts or stops. So, to allow a comparison between towns and cities with 135,000 or more people, the Centre for Cities mapped them from the middle of their shopping and business areas as follows: - A two-mile radius from the centre of London - A 0.8-mile radius from the centre of cities with 550,000 to four million residents - A 0.6-mile radius from the centre of towns and cities of 135,000 to 550,000 Using this measure, Liverpool has the fastest growing city centre - with the population increasing by 181% (9,100 to 25,600 people) between 2002 and 2015, according to analysis of figures from the Office for National Statistics. Other major cities are close behind, with the population of Birmingham city centre growing 163% (9,800 to 25,800 people), Leeds increasing by 150% (12,900 to 32,300 people), Manchester 149% (14,300 to 35,600 people) and Bradford 146% (1,300 to 3,200 people). In terms of sheer numbers, the fastest growing city centre was London, which grew from 268,700 to 327,200. However, this amounted to a relatively low 22% increase. There was also rapid growth outside England. Cardiff city centre's population increased by 88% (6,700 to 12,600) between 2002 and 2015. And although detailed figures for the same period are not available for Scotland and Northern Ireland, census data suggests that Glasgow's city centre grew by 44% (19,700 to 28,300), Edinburgh's by 25% (10,100 to 12,600) and Belfast's by 31% (3,500 to 4,600) between 2001 and 2011. The growth in city centre living is down to young people - older generations have not returned from the suburbs in significant numbers. Some are students, whose numbers grew with the expansion of university education. For example, the student population in Sheffield city centre grew by more than 300% between 2001 and 2011, according to census data. By 2011 there were 18,500 students, accounting for about half the population. Similarly, Liverpool's city centre student population grew by 208% (6,300 more people), and Leeds 151% (7,700 more people). But the popularity of big city centres among young, single professionals is the main factor. The number of 20 to 29-year-olds in the centre of large cities (those with 550,000 people or more) tripled in the first decade of the 21st Century, to a point where they made up half of the population. There is no reason to think that this trend has eased since the census. Only one in five city-centre residents was married or in a civil partnership, while three-quarters were renting flats and apartments. More than a third had a degree, compared with 27% in the suburbs and outskirts of cities. A big pull for young professionals has been the growing number of high-skilled, high-paying office jobs available. In big cities, more than half of the people living in the centre work in high-skilled professional occupations, reflecting the growing importance of sectors like financial and legal services to the UK economy. Manchester, for example, had an 84% increase in city centre jobs between 1998 and 2015, while Bristol and Leeds enjoyed increases of 42% and 34% respectively. More like this: All of these jobs have created a market for gyms, restaurants, bars and shops. This in turn has made city centre living even more appealing - with closeness to amenities outweighing downsides like smaller living spaces, noise and pollution. Then there's the opportunity to avoid the possibility of a long commute - 32% of city centre residents walk to work. To some extent, governments have supported these trends, with the urban development corporations of the 1980s sparking the regeneration of city centre sites such as the Albert Dock in Liverpool and the Castlefield area of Manchester under the Conservatives. The face of many cities continued to change in the early 2000s, as Labour invested significantly in urban regeneration programmes. But some towns and cities have not grown at the same rate - often because they have struggled to attract high-skilled jobs and students. Blackpool, for example, has a relatively small number of students in its centre and suffered a 13% decline in jobs between 2002 and 2015. Elsewhere the price of land can also limit the rate of growth, as seen in London. This has been a factor in Cambridge, where the historic city centre also limited the number of new homes built. As such, it has seen the biggest fall in the UK, with the number of residents down 8% (6,000 to 5,500 people) between 2002 and 2015. For the most successful city centres, increased demand from both residents and businesses raises important questions about the future Until now, places like Birmingham and Manchester have had lots of land to develop, as they recovered from their post-industrial decline. But over the next 10 years the challenge will be meeting demand for housing without squeezing the commercial heart of the city centres. If they are to continue attracting high-paying jobs, city centres might have to prioritise businesses. Some new housing might have to be further out - in the suburbs or even on green belt land. Another solution might be to increase the density of UK city centres, which are more scarcely populated than in many other European countries. However, given the controversy around the 30-storey St Michael's development in Manchester, or protests about tall buildings blocking views of St Paul's Cathedral in London, this may be difficult. Another challenge is gentrification - and concerns that some people lose out because of changes taking place around their homes. Addressing this will mean improving education and skill levels among everyone who lives there. It will also mean making more affordable housing available, to take account of different incomes. Of course, city centres also have an important social and psychological significance beyond their economic role. A bustling, vibrant city centre is often a source of civic pride. A struggling city centre can become a symbol of broader social problems and decline. This is why people care so much about the future of their city centres and want to see them thrive. About this piece This analysis piece was commissioned by the BBC from an expert working for an outside organisation. Andrew Carter is chief executive and Paul Swinney is head of research and policy at the Centre for Cities, which describes itself as working to understand how and why economic growth and change takes place in the UK's cities. Edited by Duncan Walker", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 7250, "answer_start": 5624, "text": "For the most successful city centres, increased demand from both residents and businesses raises important questions about the future Until now, places like Birmingham and Manchester have had lots of land to develop, as they recovered from their post-industrial decline. But over the next 10 years the challenge will be meeting demand for housing without squeezing the commercial heart of the city centres. If they are to continue attracting high-paying jobs, city centres might have to prioritise businesses. Some new housing might have to be further out - in the suburbs or even on green belt land. Another solution might be to increase the density of UK city centres, which are more scarcely populated than in many other European countries. However, given the controversy around the 30-storey St Michael's development in Manchester, or protests about tall buildings blocking views of St Paul's Cathedral in London, this may be difficult. Another challenge is gentrification - and concerns that some people lose out because of changes taking place around their homes. Addressing this will mean improving education and skill levels among everyone who lives there. It will also mean making more affordable housing available, to take account of different incomes. Of course, city centres also have an important social and psychological significance beyond their economic role. A bustling, vibrant city centre is often a source of civic pride. A struggling city centre can become a symbol of broader social problems and decline. This is why people care so much about the future of their city centres and want to see them thrive." } ], "id": "330_0", "question": "How much space is left?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "British actress Olivia Colman has been honoured at the Golden Globes for her portrayal of Queen Anne in The Favourite - but who was the subject of the acclaimed film? Despite what the film says, Queen Anne did not have a menagerie of 17 bunnies. And no - there is no evidence that she was in a same-sex relationship. However, the film does shed light on a British monarch often overlooked by history. Queen Anne's relatively short reign (1702-1714) is often seen as a blip in history. That's a mistake, says Sebastian Edwards, a Historic Royal Palaces curator who is part of the team overseeing a new exhibition of costumes from The Favourite at Kensington Palace. \"She cleared up the mess left by the men and doesn't get much thanks or credit for it,\" he says (Anne's father, James II and VII of Scotland, was king for three years before being deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688). \"If you're looking for strong female leaders you couldn't find a better one in a time of crisis.\" Anne became queen following the death of William III (and II in Scotland), also known as William of Orange, who succeeded Anne's father as king. Her reign saw the unification of Scotland and England, Britain taking possession of Gibraltar, and the development of the two-party system. Despite at least 17 pregnancies, none of her children survived into adulthood, which led to the end of the House of Stuart, the Act of Settlement of 1701, and the peaceful transition of power to the House of Hanover. She was succeeded by the German Protestant prince George, Elector of Hanover (George I). Hannah Greig, the historical adviser for the film, says the film accurately \"captures the essence of the politics of the time\" with Whigs and Tories competing for power. \"It reveals to us the tensions that were evident over whether or not England should continue its place in the European war,\" says Dr Greig, who works at the University of York. In the film, Queen Anne has two female lovers: Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, and Abigail Masham, Baroness Masham. Mr Edwards says that - despite rumours of Anne being gay - there is no firm evidence. Dr Greig is less certain. She believes it is not as far-fetched as some might presume. In the film the queen has 17 pet bunnies, which Dr Greig says, represent Anne's 17 miscarriages, stillbirths and dead children. For Dr Greig, the bunnies are an emotional representation of this - and a clever way of conveying her personal history. The queen also suffered from ill-health through her life which is often depicted as gout. However, Mr Edwards says that it's more complex - today she would be thought of as disabled, he says. Blame her former friend and confidante Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough, says Dr Greig. According to the film's adviser, she \"went out of her way to try and spin history and sully the past\". Why? We don't really know - but politics was probably a contributing factor. Dr Greig says it was the the Duchess of Marlborough's ambition to make the court (the royal household and advisers) a political place - but Queen Anne wanted a more balanced court where all parties were represented. In one interview, Colman said she sympathised with Queen Anne. \"There's so much sadness in her background, she must have been terribly lonely,\" she said. Colman said she found it harder to play current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in Netflix series The Crown, because \"everyone knows what she looks like, everyone knows what she sounds like\". But she said she was \"proud\" of the 18th Century Monarch she is bringing to life for 21st Century audiences. \"She must have had extraordinary strength,\" she said. \"I think she wanted to be seen as a good queen but she just didn't have the confidence to do it. I never saw her as pathetic. I'm quite proud of her.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1925, "answer_start": 401, "text": "Queen Anne's relatively short reign (1702-1714) is often seen as a blip in history. That's a mistake, says Sebastian Edwards, a Historic Royal Palaces curator who is part of the team overseeing a new exhibition of costumes from The Favourite at Kensington Palace. \"She cleared up the mess left by the men and doesn't get much thanks or credit for it,\" he says (Anne's father, James II and VII of Scotland, was king for three years before being deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688). \"If you're looking for strong female leaders you couldn't find a better one in a time of crisis.\" Anne became queen following the death of William III (and II in Scotland), also known as William of Orange, who succeeded Anne's father as king. Her reign saw the unification of Scotland and England, Britain taking possession of Gibraltar, and the development of the two-party system. Despite at least 17 pregnancies, none of her children survived into adulthood, which led to the end of the House of Stuart, the Act of Settlement of 1701, and the peaceful transition of power to the House of Hanover. She was succeeded by the German Protestant prince George, Elector of Hanover (George I). Hannah Greig, the historical adviser for the film, says the film accurately \"captures the essence of the politics of the time\" with Whigs and Tories competing for power. \"It reveals to us the tensions that were evident over whether or not England should continue its place in the European war,\" says Dr Greig, who works at the University of York." } ], "id": "331_0", "question": "Why was she important?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2223, "answer_start": 1926, "text": "In the film, Queen Anne has two female lovers: Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, and Abigail Masham, Baroness Masham. Mr Edwards says that - despite rumours of Anne being gay - there is no firm evidence. Dr Greig is less certain. She believes it is not as far-fetched as some might presume." } ], "id": "331_1", "question": "Was she gay?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2663, "answer_start": 2224, "text": "In the film the queen has 17 pet bunnies, which Dr Greig says, represent Anne's 17 miscarriages, stillbirths and dead children. For Dr Greig, the bunnies are an emotional representation of this - and a clever way of conveying her personal history. The queen also suffered from ill-health through her life which is often depicted as gout. However, Mr Edwards says that it's more complex - today she would be thought of as disabled, he says." } ], "id": "331_2", "question": "What about the bunnies?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3158, "answer_start": 2664, "text": "Blame her former friend and confidante Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough, says Dr Greig. According to the film's adviser, she \"went out of her way to try and spin history and sully the past\". Why? We don't really know - but politics was probably a contributing factor. Dr Greig says it was the the Duchess of Marlborough's ambition to make the court (the royal household and advisers) a political place - but Queen Anne wanted a more balanced court where all parties were represented." } ], "id": "331_3", "question": "Why isn't she better known?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3815, "answer_start": 3159, "text": "In one interview, Colman said she sympathised with Queen Anne. \"There's so much sadness in her background, she must have been terribly lonely,\" she said. Colman said she found it harder to play current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in Netflix series The Crown, because \"everyone knows what she looks like, everyone knows what she sounds like\". But she said she was \"proud\" of the 18th Century Monarch she is bringing to life for 21st Century audiences. \"She must have had extraordinary strength,\" she said. \"I think she wanted to be seen as a good queen but she just didn't have the confidence to do it. I never saw her as pathetic. I'm quite proud of her.\"" } ], "id": "331_4", "question": "And what does Olivia Colman think of her?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "At least 52 Palestinians have been killed and 2,400 wounded by Israeli troops, Palestinian officials say, on the deadliest day of violence since the 2014 Gaza war. Palestinians have been protesting for weeks but deaths soared on the day the US opened its embassy in Jerusalem. Palestinians see this as clear US backing for Israeli rule over the whole city, whose eastern part they claim. But US President Donald Trump hailed the move in a video message. He told the dedication ceremony that it had been a \"long time coming\", adding: \"Israel is a sovereign nation with the right to determine its own capital but for many years we failed to acknowledge the obvious.\" The US, he added, remained \"committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement\". There have been six weeks of protests at the Gaza border, dubbed the \"Great March of Return\" and led by Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas. Hamas had always said it would step up the protests before Tuesday, when Palestinians hold their annual commemoration of what they call the Nakba or Catastrophe. Hundreds of thousands fled their homes or were displaced following the foundation of the Israeli state on 14 May 1948. On Monday, the Israeli military said 40,000 Palestinians had taken part in \"violent riots\" at 13 locations along the Gaza Strip security fence. Palestinians hurled stones and incendiary devices while the Israeli military used snipers, as black smoke poured from burning tyres. The health ministry, run by Hamas, said children were among those killed. The Israeli military said it had killed three people trying to plant explosives near the security fence in Rafah. Aircraft and tanks had also targeted military positions belonging to Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip, it said. Israel says the protests are aimed at breaching the border and attacking Israeli communities nearby. There were also violent clashes between Israeli police and protesters who raised Palestinian flags outside the new embassy. Several protesters were detained. Feras Kilani, BBC Arabic, at the protests in Gaza Tuesday is expected to be a very big demonstration because it is a day known by the Palestinians as the \"Catastrophe\" that followed the creation of the state of Israel. Palestinians will go to bury the dozens of people killed on Monday and then they will come again to demonstrate. You can imagine the situation with all this anger, thousands of Palestinians will come here and will try to cross the fence to return to what they see as their land - what they do not see as Israel but as Palestine. It is expected to be bigger than Monday and more bloody. Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas condemned what he called Israeli \"massacres against our people\", and declared three days of mourning. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said: \"Every nation has the right to defend its borders. Hamas clearly says its intentions are to destroy Israel and sends thousands to break through the border for that end.\" A number of Western nations including the UK called for restraint. - EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said: \"We expect all to act with utmost restraint to avoid further loss of life\" - Germany said Israel had the right to defend itself but should do so proportionately - One of the strongest statements came from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, who condemned the \"shocking killing of dozens, injury of hundreds by Israeli live fire\" A small interim embassy will start operating from Monday inside the existing US consulate building in Jerusalem. A larger site will be found later when the rest of the embassy moves from Tel Aviv. The opening ceremony was brought forward to coincide with the state of Israel's 70th anniversary. Mr Trump's daughter, Ivanka, and her husband Jared Kushner, who are both senior White House advisers, joined US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan for the ceremony. After Ivanka Trump had unveiled the seal of the embassy, Mr Kushner said in his address: \"When President Trump makes a promise he keeps it... We have shown the world that the US can be trusted. We stand with our friends and allies.\" Mr Kushner also referred to Mr Trump's withdrawal from the \"dangerous, flawed and one-sided Iran deal\", drawing applause from the guests. Mr Netanyahu said: \"What a glorious day. Remember this moment. This is history. President Trump, by recognising history, you have made history. All of us are deeply grateful.\" Mahmoud Abbas condemned the embassy as a \"settlement in East Jerusalem\", saying that the US was \"no longer a mediator in the Middle East\". Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said it was \"shameful to see countries participating with the US and Israel in celebrating the former's embassy move to occupied Jerusalem in a clear and grave violation of international law\". The status of Jerusalem goes to the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem is not recognised internationally and, according to the 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, the final status of Jerusalem is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks. Israel has occupied East Jerusalem since the 1967 Middle East war. It effectively annexed the sector, though this was not recognised by any countries until Mr Trump's declaration in December 2017. Since 1967, Israel has built a dozen settlements, home to about 200,000 Jews, in East Jerusalem. These are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. Various countries once had embassies based in Jerusalem but many moved after Israel passed a law in 1980 formally making Jerusalem its capital.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1997, "answer_start": 747, "text": "There have been six weeks of protests at the Gaza border, dubbed the \"Great March of Return\" and led by Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas. Hamas had always said it would step up the protests before Tuesday, when Palestinians hold their annual commemoration of what they call the Nakba or Catastrophe. Hundreds of thousands fled their homes or were displaced following the foundation of the Israeli state on 14 May 1948. On Monday, the Israeli military said 40,000 Palestinians had taken part in \"violent riots\" at 13 locations along the Gaza Strip security fence. Palestinians hurled stones and incendiary devices while the Israeli military used snipers, as black smoke poured from burning tyres. The health ministry, run by Hamas, said children were among those killed. The Israeli military said it had killed three people trying to plant explosives near the security fence in Rafah. Aircraft and tanks had also targeted military positions belonging to Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip, it said. Israel says the protests are aimed at breaching the border and attacking Israeli communities nearby. There were also violent clashes between Israeli police and protesters who raised Palestinian flags outside the new embassy. Several protesters were detained." } ], "id": "332_0", "question": "What happened at the border?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3425, "answer_start": 2603, "text": "Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas condemned what he called Israeli \"massacres against our people\", and declared three days of mourning. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said: \"Every nation has the right to defend its borders. Hamas clearly says its intentions are to destroy Israel and sends thousands to break through the border for that end.\" A number of Western nations including the UK called for restraint. - EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said: \"We expect all to act with utmost restraint to avoid further loss of life\" - Germany said Israel had the right to defend itself but should do so proportionately - One of the strongest statements came from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, who condemned the \"shocking killing of dozens, injury of hundreds by Israeli live fire\"" } ], "id": "332_1", "question": "What has the reaction been?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4842, "answer_start": 3426, "text": "A small interim embassy will start operating from Monday inside the existing US consulate building in Jerusalem. A larger site will be found later when the rest of the embassy moves from Tel Aviv. The opening ceremony was brought forward to coincide with the state of Israel's 70th anniversary. Mr Trump's daughter, Ivanka, and her husband Jared Kushner, who are both senior White House advisers, joined US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan for the ceremony. After Ivanka Trump had unveiled the seal of the embassy, Mr Kushner said in his address: \"When President Trump makes a promise he keeps it... We have shown the world that the US can be trusted. We stand with our friends and allies.\" Mr Kushner also referred to Mr Trump's withdrawal from the \"dangerous, flawed and one-sided Iran deal\", drawing applause from the guests. Mr Netanyahu said: \"What a glorious day. Remember this moment. This is history. President Trump, by recognising history, you have made history. All of us are deeply grateful.\" Mahmoud Abbas condemned the embassy as a \"settlement in East Jerusalem\", saying that the US was \"no longer a mediator in the Middle East\". Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said it was \"shameful to see countries participating with the US and Israel in celebrating the former's embassy move to occupied Jerusalem in a clear and grave violation of international law\"." } ], "id": "332_2", "question": "What has the US opened and who attended?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "At least 31 people have been killed and 65 wounded in a suspected suicide bomb attack near a shrine in the Afghan capital Kabul, officials say. Initial reports suggest the bomber attacked a crowd of hundreds of people who had gathered to celebrate the start of Nowruz, the New Year festival. Many in the crowd were minority Shia. Reports say the number killed may rise. The Islamic State (IS) group claimed the bombing. Sectarian attacks on Shias have increased in recent years. Many have been attributed to IS. An interior ministry spokesman told the BBC a suicide attacker approached the Sakhi shrine on foot and detonated his explosives when identified by police. The blast occurred outside Ali Abad hospital, close to Kabul University in the west of the city, he said. Eyewitnesses told BBC Afghan that many young people who were dancing, singing and celebrating were among the casualties. The shrine has been attacked before. At least 14 people were killed in October 2016 as Shia Muslims prepared for a religious day of mourning during the festival of Ashura. A bombing in 2011 killed at least 59. One of the city's largest shrines, Sakhi is revered by many Afghan communities but especially by the Shia minority. It is a focus of New Year prayers in Kabul every year. Shia Muslims make up about 15% of Afghanistan's population, and many of them come from the Hazara ethnic group. Scores of people were killed in a wave of Taliban and IS attacks on Kabul in January, underlining the city's fragile security. One attack, claimed by the Taliban, was the deadliest for months. An ambulance packed with explosives killed more than 100 people in the Chicken Street shopping area. Both the Taliban and IS seem to be focusing their energies on carrying out attacks in Kabul, correspondents say. US and Afghan officials say this is in response to air strikes and other security operations which have pushed the militants back in some areas. But it's also possible the militants see attacks on the capital as a more effective way of undermining confidence in the government than trying to capture and retain territory in rural areas. The Taliban control large swathes of Afghanistan - and IS militants hold sway in a much smaller number of districts. However, both groups have demonstrated their ability to hit targets across the country. They have often come into conflict with each other, too.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2392, "answer_start": 2131, "text": "The Taliban control large swathes of Afghanistan - and IS militants hold sway in a much smaller number of districts. However, both groups have demonstrated their ability to hit targets across the country. They have often come into conflict with each other, too." } ], "id": "333_0", "question": "How strong are the militants?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A British man linked to 11 coronavirus cases has spoken for the first time, saying he has \"fully recovered\" from the illness. Steve Walsh, who remains quarantined in hospital, says his thoughts are with others who have contracted the virus. He said his family have been asked to isolate themselves \"as a precaution\". Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that the spread of the coronavirus would worsen before it improved. \"Dealing with this disease is a marathon, not a sprint,\" he told MPs in the Commons. \"We will do everything that is effective to tackle this virus and keep people safe.\" Mr Walsh, from Hove, who works for a firm providing gas analysis equipment, caught the virus in Singapore and is thought to have infected 11 others at a French ski resort. Five of the cases linked to Mr Walsh are in England, five are in France and one is in Majorca, Spain. Two of the people who contracted coronavirus at the chalet where Steve Walsh stayed are Bob Saynor and his wife, Catriona Greenwood. She worked as a locum GP at the County Oak medical centre in Brighton, which was temporarily closed on Monday. Eight people have tested positive for the virus in the UK so far. One of those infected is an A&E worker at Worthing Hospital in West Sussex, the Department of Health said on Tuesday. All services at the hospital continue to operate as normal, a spokeswoman for the department said. Public Health England is contacting the very small number of patients who were seen by the A&E worker, who had followed advice to self-isolate. There have now been more than 40,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide, which has been declared a global health emergency. The death toll in China stands at 1,016. On Monday, the government issued new powers in England to keep people in quarantine to stop the virus spreading. Under the Department of Health measures people will not be free to leave quarantine, and can be forcibly sent into isolation if they pose a threat. Mr Hancock said these powers were \"proportionate\" and will \"help us slow down transmission of the virus\". The health secretary also announced that \"a capital facility\" was being launched immediately \"to support any urgent works the NHS needs for the coronavirus response, such as the creation of further isolation areas and other necessary facilities\". Speaking on a visit to Birmingham, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the public had \"every reason to be confident and calm\" about the threat of the virus, adding: \"We have got a fantastic NHS\". Meanwhile, the government has asked medical suppliers to carry out a risk assessment on the impact of coronavirus and travel restrictions introduced by the Chinese government. Companies have also been asked to retain existing stockpiles of medical supplies, which had been compiled as a contingency measure ahead of Breixt, the Department of Health said. The department said there were no current medicine shortages in the UK linked to the outbreak and the measures were precautionary. Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, described the economic impact of the virus in the UK as \"containable\". In other developments: - As of Tuesday afternoon, a total of 1,358 people have been tested for coronavirus, of which eight were confirmed positive - Among those quarantined on the Wirral is nine-year-old Jasmine Siddle from Northumberland, who had to spend her birthday in hospital - Patcham Nursing Home in Brighton confirmed on Tuesday that it has \"closed to all visitors\" as a precaution after one of the infected GPs visited a patient there - Another branch of the County Oak medical centre in Brighton - located less than two miles away in Deneway - was also closed on Tuesday, along with the Haven Practice in Brighton - All three surgeries are expected to reopen on Wednesday after deep cleaning - The World Health Organization said it now has a name for the new coronavirus - Covid-19 Mr Walsh contracted the coronavirus at a work conference in Singapore, before travelling to a French ski resort for a holiday on his way back to the UK. In a statement from quarantine in Guy's Hospital in London, Mr Walsh, a cub scout leader, thanked the NHS for their care. He said he contacted his GP, NHS 111 and Public Health England, on learning he had been exposed to a confirmed case of coronavirus. He added: \"I was advised to attend an isolated room at hospital, despite showing no symptoms, and subsequently self-isolated at home as instructed. \"When the diagnosis was confirmed I was sent to an isolation unit in hospital, where I remain, and, as a precaution, my family was also asked to isolate themselves.\" He thanked friends, family and colleagues for their support, adding: \"I ask the media to respect our privacy.\" The main signs of infection are fever (high temperature) and a cough as well as shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Frequent hand washing with soap or gel, avoiding close contact with people who are ill and not touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, can help cut the risk of infection. Catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, binning it and washing your hands can minimise the risk of spreading disease. Anyone experiencing symptoms, even if mild, after travelling from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau, is advised to stay indoors and call the NHS 111 phone service. In a statement, Servomex, Mr Walsh's employer, said it continues to \"provide support\" to him and his family. It added that it had enforced travel restrictions and self-isolation for employees who attended the Singapore conference or who have shown symptoms of the virus. Last month, two other people - who are related - were confirmed as having coronavirus after being taken ill at a hotel in York. It was later revealed that one is a student at the University of York. Have you been affected by any of the issues raised here? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: - WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 - Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay - Send pictures/video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk - Please read our terms of use and privacy policy", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5408, "answer_start": 4745, "text": "The main signs of infection are fever (high temperature) and a cough as well as shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Frequent hand washing with soap or gel, avoiding close contact with people who are ill and not touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, can help cut the risk of infection. Catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, binning it and washing your hands can minimise the risk of spreading disease. Anyone experiencing symptoms, even if mild, after travelling from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau, is advised to stay indoors and call the NHS 111 phone service." } ], "id": "334_0", "question": "What are the symptoms of coronavirus and what can help stop its spread?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "If you're looking for an aerospace executive or military high-up this week, try Farnborough, a small town in Hampshire, some 20 miles west of London. At the nearby airfield is the biggest event in the aerospace-defence calendar, the biennial Farnborough International Airshow. It is a must-do for decision-makers in the industry, no matter how much they may tell you in private that it's a chore. \"To have to be there might well be a pain in the butt, but the more important point is that not to be there can be both costly and potentially embarrassing,\" says analyst Howard Wheeldon, who is about to attend his 23rd Farnborough. - About 110,000 trade visitors - More than 100,000 public visitors - 1,500 exhibitors on show - 70 aircraft make up the static display - 23 aircraft taking part in flying displays - $72bn worth of orders announced at the last show in 2012 It is where Boeing and Airbus, and their airline customers, announce with great fanfare multi-billion-dollar aircraft orders. And it is where official defence delegations, preferring a rather lower profile, come to observe the latest military hardware. Farnborough is also a place where hundreds of small sub-contractors showcase cutting-edge technology or their latest widgets. The event has a critical mass of customers, decision-makers and the world's media, says Ben Jensen, chief technology officer at Surrey NanoSystems. The firm, a small Surrey University spin-off, is using Farnborough to unveil a special coating used on sensors, cameras or telescopes. The material protects against distortions from light and radiation, enhancing visibility on the battlefield or in deep space. \"Our potential customers are quite specialised and spread around the world, but at Farnborough they will all be in one place at the same time,\" Mr Jensen says. At the top end of the corporate food chain is Lockheed Martin, the titan of the defence-aerospace-security industry. The US company is due to display its new all-singing, all-dancing F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, which will be used on the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers. But an engine fire in the US grounded the entire F-35 fleet earlier this month, so there is a question mark over when, or if, the $60m-plus jet will make an appearance. Yet, even if the F-35 is a no-show, Lockheed will still be displaying its missile defence shields, cyber-security and communications technologies, and air traffic management systems. With some 90 government delegations due to visit the show, it was important for Lockheed to be out in force, according to the company's UK chief executive, Stephen Ball. \"Farnborough gives us a great opportunity to showcase our business to an international audience,\" he told the BBC. - Lots of ultra-smart military types wearing dark glasses - Sopwith Camel, Wright Flyer and Bleriot XI. For those who like nostalgia - Rain. There's always rain - F-35 Lightning super-fighter. Will it fly? Huge embarrassment if it doesn't - The Textron Scorpion. A budget fighter jet yet to find a customer - Drones. They've gone mainstream For decades, Lockheed relied on defence spending in the US and Europe. But with budgets being cut, the firm is looking for more commercial opportunities as it diversifies into new areas. That's why Lockheed, along with several major US contractors, has taken more space at Farnborough than in previous years. The competition to win the hearts and minds of potential customers is as intense as it has ever been. \"We are taking advantage of our participation to highlight the strength of our portfolio and ability to respond to the new reality,\" Mr Ball says. And the US contingent will be supported by a big turn-out of top brass from the Pentagon and the US Defense Department. Having largely ignored last year's Paris Airshow due to US budget cuts, there is a long list of senior officials making the journey to Farnborough. It is a surprise, perhaps, that Farnborough retains this pulling power. Years ago, the event was a showcase for the UK's once mighty domestic aerospace and defence industries to advertise their wares to the world. But the industry's centre of gravity is moving eastwards as booming commercial airlines in the Gulf and Asia drive demand for aircraft. Defence contractors, too, are looking to these regions for new business to offset military budget cuts in their domestic markets. That is why rival, and much-respected, international airshows have sprung up in Dubai and Singapore. And yet they still all come to Farnborough. Qatar Airways is planning to show off three of its airliners at the show, including its brand new A350. Qatar was a launch customer of the all-new Airbus aircraft. Meanhwile, both Boeing and Airbus will be out in force, as usual. The Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault's Rafale, and the Saab Gripen NG jets will be hoping to woo customers. Interested in drones, military or civil? There will be plenty to see. There is also talk that the UK and France will use the show to announce further co-operation on drone development. Russian companies, despite reports of executives facing visa problems because of Ukraine tensions, are planning a series of announcements and press conferences to promote deals and developments. Perhaps the only major absence will be a significant Chinese presence, possibly due to the slow progress of its ambitions to create a domestic aircraft industry to break the Boeing-Airbus duopoly. There have been complaints that the show is starting to look tired, set against some of the competition. But Shaun Ormrod, chief executive of the organisers, Farnborough International Limited (FIL), insists that the figures speak for themselves. Some 68% of the exhibitors are from overseas, against more more than 50% two years ago. In addition to companies exhibiting, almost 20 countries have taken their own stands, including some, such as Norway and Malaysia, for the first time. \"We've earned the right to call ourselves a truly international show,\" Mr Ormrod says. There are also more UK small and medium-sized firms at the show, helped by a new government subsidy that contributes to the exhibition costs. With support for UK manufacturing moving up the political agenda, the government is keener than ever to help. It's worth remembering that the airshow is a money-making enterprise. FIL is a wholly owned subsidiary of ADS Group Limited, the trade body for the UK aerospace and defence sector. The company must keep the trade and the public coming back for more. So there has been investment in new exhibition space and long-term deals have been agreed - including with the UK's GKN - to ensure companies return in the future. It can cost several million pounds for a global aerospace contractor or airline to put on a big show at Farnborough, so FIL's customers want a big bang for their buck. \"As long as you can command the most senior players and military delegations then you will attract people and companies to Farnborough,\" says Mr Ormrod.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2729, "answer_start": 1817, "text": "At the top end of the corporate food chain is Lockheed Martin, the titan of the defence-aerospace-security industry. The US company is due to display its new all-singing, all-dancing F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, which will be used on the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers. But an engine fire in the US grounded the entire F-35 fleet earlier this month, so there is a question mark over when, or if, the $60m-plus jet will make an appearance. Yet, even if the F-35 is a no-show, Lockheed will still be displaying its missile defence shields, cyber-security and communications technologies, and air traffic management systems. With some 90 government delegations due to visit the show, it was important for Lockheed to be out in force, according to the company's UK chief executive, Stephen Ball. \"Farnborough gives us a great opportunity to showcase our business to an international audience,\" he told the BBC." } ], "id": "335_0", "question": "No-show?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A Brazilian judge has revealed the names of dozens of politicians to be investigated over alleged involvement in a huge bribery scandal. Judge Edson Fachin unveiled his extensive list on Tuesday, after much speculation in the country's media. It includes almost a third of President Michel Temer's cabinet and Rio de Janeiro's mayor during the Olympics. The names were given by corrupt former officials from Brazil-based construction giant Odebrecht. The firm has admitted paying $1bn (PS800m) in bribes. Brazil corruption probe: A glossary The list has been long awaited, and was delayed when the former judge attached to case died in a plane crash in January. Judge Fachin's list names a total of eight ministers, including Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes and the president's chief of staff, plus scores of other members of Congress. Its release is part of a major probe known as Operation Car Wash, which was launched three years ago amid escalating public discontent over political corruption. The investigation centres on companies that were offered deals with state oil company Petrobras in exchange for bribes, which were funnelled into politicians' pockets and political-party slush funds. Odebrecht, Latin America's largest construction conglomerate, is one of those companies, and 77 of its executives have entered into plea deals, agreeing to provide information in exchange for more lenient sentences. The names on Judge Fachin's list have come to light as part of that plea bargain. The executives say they paid so many bribes that they set up a special department to manage the money. Although the list spans all major parties, the revelations strike a particular blow to President Temer, who came to power after the previous president was impeached for illegally manipulating government accounts. With Brazilian politics in complete disarray for the past years amid various corruption scandals, the big question has been who will win next year's presidential elections. Tuesday's list of politicians who may be subject to new investigations in the Petrobras probe is a huge blow to the forces that were aligning for next year's campaign. The Brazilian Social Democratic Party - the main opposition party while Brazil was governed by the Workers' Party from 2002 to 2016 - is now tainted before the electorate, with its leading figures having to answer questions about how their previous campaigns were financed. The Workers' Party remains implicated, as does President Michel Temer's Brazilian Democratic Movement Party. With virtually all high-profile mainstream politicians under fire, the release of the list may benefit people who portray themselves as \"outsiders\" in politics, such as Sao Paulo's mayor Joao Doria or environmentalist Marina Silva. Mr Temer's chief of staff, Eliseu Padilha, is among those named on the list. Mr Padilha has said he will defend himself in court. President Temer's office has not commented on Judge Fachin's list, but he has vowed to suspend ministers who are charged as a result of the investigations. The list also names a number of potential presidential candidates for elections in 2018, including opposition leader Aecio Neves and former foreign minister Jose Serra. Reuters news agency said the list was so extensive it resembled a \"Who's Who of Brazilian politics\". Operation Car Wash began in March 2014 as a federal police investigation into money laundering. It initially centred on a currency exchange business at a petrol station in Brasilia. The Posto da Torre station never had a mechanical car wash, just a few hoses, but the word play was considered apt and the media latched on to it as the investigations began to widen. The team of prosecutors, which is based not in Brasilia, Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, but the southern city of Curitiba, ended up uncovering corruption at the country's top echelons, including at Petrobras, and Odebrecht, and among the highest level of politicians. The scandal provoked huge street protests nationwide. Supreme court judge Edson Fachin was appointed, in February, to take charge of cases resulting from Operation Car Wash. He took over from Judge Teori Zavascki, who died the previous month when his plane crashed into the sea. Mr Fachin was chosen at random from a shortlist of five supreme court judges. In Brazil, a supreme court judge is the only person with jurisdiction to try an active politician. Brazil has been bracing itself for the repercussions of these investigations. In the short term, allegations against nearly a third of President Temer's cabinet pose a threat to his efforts to pass austerity reforms, which he says are needed to lift the economy out of recession. His chief of staff, who is now formerly linked to the scandal, has been seen as vital to negotiations to pass pension reforms. The 2018 elections may also now end up with a different line-up than anticipated, after potential candidates find themselves under official investigation. Allegations of illegal financing of political campaigns have been another offshoot of Operation Car Wash. Brazil's top electoral court is also investigating the 2014 presidential campaign, which led to Dilma Rousseff being elected with Mr Temer as her running mate. Ms Rouseff was ousted in August 2016 for breaking fiscal laws and Mr Temer took her place. If the tribunal decides that illegal funds were used to fund their campaign that bought them into power, the original election result could be annulled and President Temer could be forced from office.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4009, "answer_start": 3324, "text": "Operation Car Wash began in March 2014 as a federal police investigation into money laundering. It initially centred on a currency exchange business at a petrol station in Brasilia. The Posto da Torre station never had a mechanical car wash, just a few hoses, but the word play was considered apt and the media latched on to it as the investigations began to widen. The team of prosecutors, which is based not in Brasilia, Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, but the southern city of Curitiba, ended up uncovering corruption at the country's top echelons, including at Petrobras, and Odebrecht, and among the highest level of politicians. The scandal provoked huge street protests nationwide." } ], "id": "336_0", "question": "What is Operation Car Wash?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5531, "answer_start": 4412, "text": "Brazil has been bracing itself for the repercussions of these investigations. In the short term, allegations against nearly a third of President Temer's cabinet pose a threat to his efforts to pass austerity reforms, which he says are needed to lift the economy out of recession. His chief of staff, who is now formerly linked to the scandal, has been seen as vital to negotiations to pass pension reforms. The 2018 elections may also now end up with a different line-up than anticipated, after potential candidates find themselves under official investigation. Allegations of illegal financing of political campaigns have been another offshoot of Operation Car Wash. Brazil's top electoral court is also investigating the 2014 presidential campaign, which led to Dilma Rousseff being elected with Mr Temer as her running mate. Ms Rouseff was ousted in August 2016 for breaking fiscal laws and Mr Temer took her place. If the tribunal decides that illegal funds were used to fund their campaign that bought them into power, the original election result could be annulled and President Temer could be forced from office." } ], "id": "336_1", "question": "What happens next?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald has described the Irish general election as \"something of a revolution in the ballot box\". Counting is continuing and the first results have come in, with Sinn Fein winning the most first preference votes. With all first preferences counted, it has 24.5% compared to 22.2% for Fianna Fail and 20.9% for Fine Gael. No one party will win enough seats for an outright majority. Before the election, both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail ruled out forming a government with Sinn Fein, citing its tax policies and IRA past as deterrents. On Sunday evening taoiseach (Irish PM) and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar said it would be \"challenging\" to form a government. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin did not rule out working with Sinn Fein, but said \"significant incompatibilities\" still existed. Polling in the election closed at 22:00 local time on Saturday. Ballot boxes from across the 39 constituencies were opened at 09:00 on Sunday. Many counts have finished for the night and will resume at 10:00 on Monday, but some are continuing. Sinn Fein ran 42 candidates across the 39 multi-seat constituencies, about half that of both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, which will have a knock-on effect on the number of seats it can secure in the 160-seat Dail (Irish parliament) where 80 seats are needed for a majority. Once the final number of seats for each party is known, leaders will try to form a coalition government in order to avoid another general election. Before the election both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail said they would not enter coalition with Sinn Fein. Arriving at the RDS count centre in Dublin on Sunday afternoon, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said she was exploring options to see if it would be possible to form a government without either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail. Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar said his party has consistently ruled out forming a coalition with Sinn Fein \"in large part because of their policies in relation to crime, tax and the way the economy and society should be run and also our deep concerns about their democratic structures. \"We don't believe a coalition between Sinn Fein and Fine Gael is a viable option,\" he said. He said a \"forced marriage would not result in a good government.\" Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin did not rule out working with Sinn Fein, but said \"significant incompatibilities\" still existed. He said reports suggested that his party \"would be the largest\". He added that he was a \"democrat\" and respected the vote of the people. Following the last election in 2016 Sinn Fein had 23 seats in the Dail (Irish parliament). There are 160 seats up for election this time around, and Sinn Fein is set to dramatically increase how many it holds after it won the most first preference votes. Ms McDonald said this election was about \"change\". She topped the poll in her four-seat Dublin Central constituency. \"The frustration people have felt for a long time with the two-party system, whereby Fine Gael and Fianna Fail handed the baton of power between each other - that's now over,\" she said. \"We now have a very substantial mandate.\" She said she was exploring options to see to see if it was possible to form a government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. By Chris Page, BBC News Ireland Correspondent Sunday evening is seeing a cascade of results from across the country. Many early victories have gone to Sinn Fein - with no part of the country looking untouched by the party's surge. While the general picture is becoming clear - the final numbers will be determined by the process of numerical preferences trickling down through the various stages of the counts. Sinn Fein surpluses will be very much in play here - as the party was only running one candidate in many constituencies, the destination of the transfers from the successful runners is set to have an impact on what other parties take the seats. The latest seat projection by University College Dublin, for RTE, puts Fianna Fail as the largest party on 45 seats - with Sinn Fein on 37 and Fine Gael on 36. Plenty of counting is still to come. Fine Gael has been in government since 2011, firstly with the Labour Party and then with independents and with a confidence and supply deal with Fianna Fail. It looks set to lose seats for the second election in a row, but that does not necessarily rule it out of forming another government. Its share of first precence votes dropped from 25.5% at the last election to 20.9%. Party leader Leo Varadkar reiterated that he did not want to enter into government with Sinn Fein and said Ms McDonald had not been in contact with him. The taoiseach said he was \"not really\" disappointed that he did not top the poll in his own constituency. He did get an increase in his votes compared to the last election. He added it was now clear there was now a \"three-party system\". Fianna Fail has been in government for more years than anyone else since Ireland became independent, but it has not been the ruling party since 2011. Earlier on Sunday Micheal Martin said reports suggested his party \"would be the largest\" but that it was early days. He said there was a lot of \"volatility\", adding people who could not get elected in the local elections had been successful in this one. He said the most important thing when forming a government was \"compatibility in the programme for government\" and that formation of a government was going to be very difficult. Mr Martin added he was a \"democrat\" and respected the will of the people. Despite previously saying he would not govern with Sinn Fein he has now not ruled that out. The Green Party is also set to increase the number of seats it holds. Green leader Eamon Ryan, who was elected on the first count for Dublin Bay South, said his party would play its part in talks to form a government. Ruth Coppinger from the left wing alliance Solidarity-People Before Profit lost her seat. Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin said it had not been a good day for his party as it had been squeezed by Sinn Fein. The party's former leader Joan Burton lost her seat in Dublin West. She was first elected to the Dail in 1992. The Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy said it was \"historic,\" saying there had been a \"seismic shift\". She said she knew there was a wind in the Sinn Fein sail. The Green Party secured 7.1% of first preference votes, followed by Labour (4.4%), Social Democrats (2.9%), Solidarity-People Before Profit (2.6%). Aontu (1.9%) independents (12.2%) and others (1.3%) accounted for the rest. An exit poll - commissioned jointly by Irish national broadcasters RTE and TG4, as well as The Irish Times and University College Dublin suggested a move toward Sinn Fein among younger voters, with the party receiving the largest number of first preference votes among 18-24 years olds (31.8%). The majority of voters over the age of 65 appear to have given their first preference to Fine Gael or Fianna Fail. Ireland's elections are carried out under the proportional representation (PR) voting system, using the single transferable vote (STV). Voters wrote \"1\" opposite their first choice candidate, \"2\" opposite their second choice, \"3\" opposite their third choice and so on. This means that the picture presented when the first preference votes are counted does not completely reflect the final outcome. Newly elected TDs will gather on 20 February . The ceann comhairle, or speaker, is automatically re-elected. In most situations, the speaker does not vote, so a government will need 80 TDs to hold a majority.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2524, "answer_start": 1338, "text": "Once the final number of seats for each party is known, leaders will try to form a coalition government in order to avoid another general election. Before the election both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail said they would not enter coalition with Sinn Fein. Arriving at the RDS count centre in Dublin on Sunday afternoon, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said she was exploring options to see if it would be possible to form a government without either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail. Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar said his party has consistently ruled out forming a coalition with Sinn Fein \"in large part because of their policies in relation to crime, tax and the way the economy and society should be run and also our deep concerns about their democratic structures. \"We don't believe a coalition between Sinn Fein and Fine Gael is a viable option,\" he said. He said a \"forced marriage would not result in a good government.\" Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin did not rule out working with Sinn Fein, but said \"significant incompatibilities\" still existed. He said reports suggested that his party \"would be the largest\". He added that he was a \"democrat\" and respected the vote of the people." } ], "id": "337_0", "question": "What kind of government could be formed?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3248, "answer_start": 2525, "text": "Following the last election in 2016 Sinn Fein had 23 seats in the Dail (Irish parliament). There are 160 seats up for election this time around, and Sinn Fein is set to dramatically increase how many it holds after it won the most first preference votes. Ms McDonald said this election was about \"change\". She topped the poll in her four-seat Dublin Central constituency. \"The frustration people have felt for a long time with the two-party system, whereby Fine Gael and Fianna Fail handed the baton of power between each other - that's now over,\" she said. \"We now have a very substantial mandate.\" She said she was exploring options to see to see if it was possible to form a government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail." } ], "id": "337_1", "question": "What could Sinn Fein's surge mean for the overall result?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4867, "answer_start": 4102, "text": "Fine Gael has been in government since 2011, firstly with the Labour Party and then with independents and with a confidence and supply deal with Fianna Fail. It looks set to lose seats for the second election in a row, but that does not necessarily rule it out of forming another government. Its share of first precence votes dropped from 25.5% at the last election to 20.9%. Party leader Leo Varadkar reiterated that he did not want to enter into government with Sinn Fein and said Ms McDonald had not been in contact with him. The taoiseach said he was \"not really\" disappointed that he did not top the poll in his own constituency. He did get an increase in his votes compared to the last election. He added it was now clear there was now a \"three-party system\"." } ], "id": "337_2", "question": "How is Fine Gael performing?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5615, "answer_start": 4868, "text": "Fianna Fail has been in government for more years than anyone else since Ireland became independent, but it has not been the ruling party since 2011. Earlier on Sunday Micheal Martin said reports suggested his party \"would be the largest\" but that it was early days. He said there was a lot of \"volatility\", adding people who could not get elected in the local elections had been successful in this one. He said the most important thing when forming a government was \"compatibility in the programme for government\" and that formation of a government was going to be very difficult. Mr Martin added he was a \"democrat\" and respected the will of the people. Despite previously saying he would not govern with Sinn Fein he has now not ruled that out." } ], "id": "337_3", "question": "Will Fianna Fail return to government?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 6958, "answer_start": 5616, "text": "The Green Party is also set to increase the number of seats it holds. Green leader Eamon Ryan, who was elected on the first count for Dublin Bay South, said his party would play its part in talks to form a government. Ruth Coppinger from the left wing alliance Solidarity-People Before Profit lost her seat. Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin said it had not been a good day for his party as it had been squeezed by Sinn Fein. The party's former leader Joan Burton lost her seat in Dublin West. She was first elected to the Dail in 1992. The Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy said it was \"historic,\" saying there had been a \"seismic shift\". She said she knew there was a wind in the Sinn Fein sail. The Green Party secured 7.1% of first preference votes, followed by Labour (4.4%), Social Democrats (2.9%), Solidarity-People Before Profit (2.6%). Aontu (1.9%) independents (12.2%) and others (1.3%) accounted for the rest. An exit poll - commissioned jointly by Irish national broadcasters RTE and TG4, as well as The Irish Times and University College Dublin suggested a move toward Sinn Fein among younger voters, with the party receiving the largest number of first preference votes among 18-24 years olds (31.8%). The majority of voters over the age of 65 appear to have given their first preference to Fine Gael or Fianna Fail." } ], "id": "337_4", "question": "What about the smaller parties?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 7356, "answer_start": 6959, "text": "Ireland's elections are carried out under the proportional representation (PR) voting system, using the single transferable vote (STV). Voters wrote \"1\" opposite their first choice candidate, \"2\" opposite their second choice, \"3\" opposite their third choice and so on. This means that the picture presented when the first preference votes are counted does not completely reflect the final outcome." } ], "id": "337_5", "question": "What voting system does the Republic of Ireland use?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 7565, "answer_start": 7357, "text": "Newly elected TDs will gather on 20 February . The ceann comhairle, or speaker, is automatically re-elected. In most situations, the speaker does not vote, so a government will need 80 TDs to hold a majority." } ], "id": "337_6", "question": "What happens next?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Eight people have died after a man drove a truck into pedestrians on a cycle path in Manhattan. The attack was the deadliest in New York since nearly 3,000 people were killed on 11 September 2001. A rented white pick-up truck struck cyclists and pedestrians in lower Manhattan, killing eight and injuring at least 12. It happened at about 15:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on 31 October, on West St-Houston St path. Computer science student Babatunde Ogunniyi, 29, saw the attack unfold. \"We were sitting outside of college, and I saw this truck coming, revving and swerving,\" he told the BBC. \"He was going maybe 60 or 70 mph, in an area where the speed limit is 40 - it's a very congested area with lots of people. \"It hit the two people, I saw it hit them. Then he continued to drive down the walkway and bike lane. It hit a school bus and veered left. \"People started running towards the truck to see what was happening, and then the gunshots went off and everyone ran in the opposite direction.\" The truck driver emerged holding a pellet gun and a paintball gun. Eyewitnesses said the suspect shouted \"Allahu Akbar\" (\"God is greatest\") as he left the truck. He was then shot in the abdomen by a police officer, named as 28-year-old Ryan Nash, who was at an unrelated call near the scene when he and two colleagues were alerted to the incident. The suspect later underwent surgery for bullet wounds, and remains in custody. Police and the city's governor and mayor have praised Officer Nash's heroism in approaching the suspect. Police named the attacker as 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov, who entered the US from Uzbekistan in 2010 after winning residency in an annual visa lottery. Mr Saipov has been charged by US prosecutors with causing the deaths of at least eight people and providing material support and resources to the Islamic State (IS) group. He has not sought bail and will remain in custody. Prosecutors say he spoke freely to them, waiving his right to avoid self-incrimination while in custody. According to the New York Times, Mr Saipov arrived in the country with a poor command of English and sought work as a truck and Uber taxi driver, living in Tampa, Florida and Paterson, New Jersey. \"He was a very good person when I knew him,\" Kobiljon Matkarov, an Uzbek national in Florida, told the New York Times. \"He liked the US. He seemed very lucky and all the time he was happy and talking like everything is OK.\" Mr Saipov married another Uzbek immigrant and has three children. He is said to have been unlucky in finding employment and in the last three years, he grew a beard and developed a violent temper. His imam Abdul, who did not want his last name used, told the New York Times that Mr Saipov \"did not learn religion properly\". \"I used to tell him: 'Hey, you are too much emotional. Read books more. Learn your religion first,'\" Abdul said. New York Governor Cuomo said Mr Saipov was radicalised in the US. It is now known that he left notes in his vehicle alluding to the Islamic State, written in Arabic. Multiple knives were also found inside of the hire vehicle. Car-share service Uber said Mr Saipov had been working for them, and had passed its background checks. The company said it was \"horrified by this senseless act of violence\". Police confirmed Mr Saipov had not been investigated in the past, but is believed to have previously come to federal authorities' attention as a result of investigation of others. Police records show he was arrested in Missouri last year over a traffic fine. Mr Saipov appeared in court in a wheelchair on Tuesday and prosecutors say he spoke freely to them. According to federal court papers, he said: - He planned the attack for a year and carried out a trial run with a rental truck last month - He intentionally chose Halloween because he believed there would be more people in the streets - He originally planned to target the Brooklyn Bridge as well - He wanted to display Islamic State (IS) flags on the truck, but decided not to draw attention to himself - He was inspired by 90 graphic and violent propaganda videos found on his phone - in particular, one in which IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi asks what Muslims are doing to avenge deaths in Iraq Mr Saipov was charged with one count of providing material support and resources to IS and another count of violence and destruction of motor vehicles. New York Police's Deputy Commissioner John Miller said the suspect appeared \"to have followed almost exactly to a 'T'\" IS instructions on how to carry out such an attack. The FBI says they have located a second Uzbek man, 32-year-old Mukhammadzoir Kadirov, who was wanted for questioning in connection with the attack. There are reports he is Mr Saipov's cousin. Eight people are known to have died in total - two in hospital and six at the scene itself. The deaths of five Argentines were confirmed by the country's foreign ministry. They were part of a group of ten friends in New York to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their graduation from a polytechnic college in the central city of Rosario. The men - all reportedly aged 48 or 49 - were named as Ariel Erlij, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damian Pagnucco, Hernan Diego Mendoza and Hernan Ferrucci. Another of the friends, Martin Ludovico Marro, is being treated in hospital but the extent of his injuries is not known. Erlij, a steel firm owner, helped pay for the friends' trip, La Nacion newspaper reported (in Spanish). He was not able to fly out with his friends, and travelled to New York a day later by private plane, the Rosario newspaper La Capital reported. In a photograph widely used by Argentine media outlets, eight of the men were seen together at the airport in Rosario, arms over each others' shoulders, wearing T-shirts saying Libre (Free). La Capital said that early in their trip, they had travelled to Boston to spend time with Marro, who lives in the city. They then travelled down to New York and decided to cycle along the path near the World Trade Center. Three days of mourning have been declared in Rosario, Clarin newspaper reported. President Mauricio Macri expressed his \"deep condolences\" for the victims' families on Twitter. Ann-Laure Decadt, a 31-year-old from northern Belgium was also among those killed, her town's mayor said. The mother-of-two was visiting New York with her mother and two sisters. \"It's terrible to think that someone enjoying their holidays may die as a result of such an act,\" Francesco Vanderjeugd, the mayor of Staden in West Flanders, said. Decadt and her husband have two sons, who are reportedly just three years old and three months old. The two other victims, both American, were Darren Drake, 32, and Nicholas Cleves, 23. Mr Drake, a project manager at Moody's Investors Service at the World Trade Center a few streets from the attack, was \"the most innocent, delicate kid in the world\", his father was quoted as saying. The other victim, Nicholas Cleves, was a native of Boston living in New York. His friend Bahij Chancey told ABC News he was a \"really, really kind, not heartless, intelligent and curious person\". In total 12 other people were injured. Four of those hurt were in the school bus - including two adults and two children. Four of the injured were critical but have now stabilised. Five more are said to be serious and three have been released. Authorities said injuries included a bilateral amputation and serious back and neck trauma.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1527, "answer_start": 197, "text": "A rented white pick-up truck struck cyclists and pedestrians in lower Manhattan, killing eight and injuring at least 12. It happened at about 15:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on 31 October, on West St-Houston St path. Computer science student Babatunde Ogunniyi, 29, saw the attack unfold. \"We were sitting outside of college, and I saw this truck coming, revving and swerving,\" he told the BBC. \"He was going maybe 60 or 70 mph, in an area where the speed limit is 40 - it's a very congested area with lots of people. \"It hit the two people, I saw it hit them. Then he continued to drive down the walkway and bike lane. It hit a school bus and veered left. \"People started running towards the truck to see what was happening, and then the gunshots went off and everyone ran in the opposite direction.\" The truck driver emerged holding a pellet gun and a paintball gun. Eyewitnesses said the suspect shouted \"Allahu Akbar\" (\"God is greatest\") as he left the truck. He was then shot in the abdomen by a police officer, named as 28-year-old Ryan Nash, who was at an unrelated call near the scene when he and two colleagues were alerted to the incident. The suspect later underwent surgery for bullet wounds, and remains in custody. Police and the city's governor and mayor have praised Officer Nash's heroism in approaching the suspect." } ], "id": "338_0", "question": "What happened?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3525, "answer_start": 1528, "text": "Police named the attacker as 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov, who entered the US from Uzbekistan in 2010 after winning residency in an annual visa lottery. Mr Saipov has been charged by US prosecutors with causing the deaths of at least eight people and providing material support and resources to the Islamic State (IS) group. He has not sought bail and will remain in custody. Prosecutors say he spoke freely to them, waiving his right to avoid self-incrimination while in custody. According to the New York Times, Mr Saipov arrived in the country with a poor command of English and sought work as a truck and Uber taxi driver, living in Tampa, Florida and Paterson, New Jersey. \"He was a very good person when I knew him,\" Kobiljon Matkarov, an Uzbek national in Florida, told the New York Times. \"He liked the US. He seemed very lucky and all the time he was happy and talking like everything is OK.\" Mr Saipov married another Uzbek immigrant and has three children. He is said to have been unlucky in finding employment and in the last three years, he grew a beard and developed a violent temper. His imam Abdul, who did not want his last name used, told the New York Times that Mr Saipov \"did not learn religion properly\". \"I used to tell him: 'Hey, you are too much emotional. Read books more. Learn your religion first,'\" Abdul said. New York Governor Cuomo said Mr Saipov was radicalised in the US. It is now known that he left notes in his vehicle alluding to the Islamic State, written in Arabic. Multiple knives were also found inside of the hire vehicle. Car-share service Uber said Mr Saipov had been working for them, and had passed its background checks. The company said it was \"horrified by this senseless act of violence\". Police confirmed Mr Saipov had not been investigated in the past, but is believed to have previously come to federal authorities' attention as a result of investigation of others. Police records show he was arrested in Missouri last year over a traffic fine." } ], "id": "338_1", "question": "Who is suspect Sayfullo Saipov?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4739, "answer_start": 3526, "text": "Mr Saipov appeared in court in a wheelchair on Tuesday and prosecutors say he spoke freely to them. According to federal court papers, he said: - He planned the attack for a year and carried out a trial run with a rental truck last month - He intentionally chose Halloween because he believed there would be more people in the streets - He originally planned to target the Brooklyn Bridge as well - He wanted to display Islamic State (IS) flags on the truck, but decided not to draw attention to himself - He was inspired by 90 graphic and violent propaganda videos found on his phone - in particular, one in which IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi asks what Muslims are doing to avenge deaths in Iraq Mr Saipov was charged with one count of providing material support and resources to IS and another count of violence and destruction of motor vehicles. New York Police's Deputy Commissioner John Miller said the suspect appeared \"to have followed almost exactly to a 'T'\" IS instructions on how to carry out such an attack. The FBI says they have located a second Uzbek man, 32-year-old Mukhammadzoir Kadirov, who was wanted for questioning in connection with the attack. There are reports he is Mr Saipov's cousin." } ], "id": "338_2", "question": "What did the suspect say?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 7458, "answer_start": 4740, "text": "Eight people are known to have died in total - two in hospital and six at the scene itself. The deaths of five Argentines were confirmed by the country's foreign ministry. They were part of a group of ten friends in New York to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their graduation from a polytechnic college in the central city of Rosario. The men - all reportedly aged 48 or 49 - were named as Ariel Erlij, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damian Pagnucco, Hernan Diego Mendoza and Hernan Ferrucci. Another of the friends, Martin Ludovico Marro, is being treated in hospital but the extent of his injuries is not known. Erlij, a steel firm owner, helped pay for the friends' trip, La Nacion newspaper reported (in Spanish). He was not able to fly out with his friends, and travelled to New York a day later by private plane, the Rosario newspaper La Capital reported. In a photograph widely used by Argentine media outlets, eight of the men were seen together at the airport in Rosario, arms over each others' shoulders, wearing T-shirts saying Libre (Free). La Capital said that early in their trip, they had travelled to Boston to spend time with Marro, who lives in the city. They then travelled down to New York and decided to cycle along the path near the World Trade Center. Three days of mourning have been declared in Rosario, Clarin newspaper reported. President Mauricio Macri expressed his \"deep condolences\" for the victims' families on Twitter. Ann-Laure Decadt, a 31-year-old from northern Belgium was also among those killed, her town's mayor said. The mother-of-two was visiting New York with her mother and two sisters. \"It's terrible to think that someone enjoying their holidays may die as a result of such an act,\" Francesco Vanderjeugd, the mayor of Staden in West Flanders, said. Decadt and her husband have two sons, who are reportedly just three years old and three months old. The two other victims, both American, were Darren Drake, 32, and Nicholas Cleves, 23. Mr Drake, a project manager at Moody's Investors Service at the World Trade Center a few streets from the attack, was \"the most innocent, delicate kid in the world\", his father was quoted as saying. The other victim, Nicholas Cleves, was a native of Boston living in New York. His friend Bahij Chancey told ABC News he was a \"really, really kind, not heartless, intelligent and curious person\". In total 12 other people were injured. Four of those hurt were in the school bus - including two adults and two children. Four of the injured were critical but have now stabilised. Five more are said to be serious and three have been released. Authorities said injuries included a bilateral amputation and serious back and neck trauma." } ], "id": "338_3", "question": "Who were the victims?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Whether it's the inflated entry price of a club or the double fare in the taxi home, New Year's Eve can be an expensive night. And it turns out the drinks are getting pricier too - particularly the gin and tonic. Data released to BBC News shows the price of the average bottle of gin has risen by about a quarter in the past five years, with the accompanying tonic water also rising. According to prices held by MySupermarket, spirits including whisky, rum and vodka are all more expensive than they were five years ago, but it is gin that has risen the most. A 700ml bottle of gin costs an average of PS23.06, compared with PS18.91 five years ago. Its most common mixer, tonic water, is also up 18% over the same period. Experts say the growth in the popularity of gin, which has seen a rise in the number of distilleries and brands on the market, is driving the growth in price. However, they say people are also drinking less but \"drinking better\" and are prepared to go for quality over quantity. Despite its popularity and reports of queues outside supermarkets earlier in the year, prosecco is slightly cheaper on average than in 2016, and only a little more expensive than it was in 2012. The Spanish sparkling wine cava is one of few drinks to have got a little cheaper as well in the past year, while champagne has risen 10%. A total of 96 new distilleries opened in the UK in 2015 and 2016, according to HMRC, taking the total to 273, more than double 2012's 128. Instead of this increased supply sending the price of gin downwards, the opposite has happened. The rise in the price of gin is down to a combination of people's changing tastes and \"better marketing\", according to one distiller. James Chase of the Herefordshire-based Chase Distillery said people were becoming more \"discerning\". \"Over the last few years we've seen people drinking less, but drinking better,\" he says. \"You can see people taking more of an interest in what they eat and drink, to the extent that we have seen a huge increase in distillery tours.\" Prices of botanicals - key ingredients in gin - have risen due to currency and exchange rates as well as growth in demand, he adds. \"However, for most the cost of production is still what it was five years ago,\" Mr Chase says. \"There's just more marketing nous which means some are putting the price up.\" Distillers are also bringing new and different varieties on to the market. These more expensive gins, which can cost about PS35 a bottle, push up the price of the \"average\" bottle on the supermarket shelves. Botanicals are the berries, fruits, seeds, herbs and roots that give gin its flavour. Juniper berries are the most common. Coriander is another key ingredient as is the angelica root. Then there are gins flavoured with cucumber, pink grapefruit and sloe berries. \"There are a lot of artisanal gins around the PS35 mark,\" says Vhari Russell of the Food Marketing Expert. \"There are different flavours, from cucumber to rhubarb, which people are trying out in cocktail bars. \"Things have moved on a long way from the basic gin with tonic, ice and a slice.\" Matt Sharp, who runs The Gin Vault in Birmingham, agrees. The bar opened in mid-2016 with 28 different types of gin. Now it stocks 220 varieties. \"My biggest seller is rhubarb gin with ginger ale,\" he says. \"Gin's never gone out of fashion, but it has become very popular more recently. \"People are trying peppery gins, with a bit of spice. We'll add a slice of orange, a little bit of honey and some chilli flakes. It's fantastic.\" Customer Colin Reeder, enjoying an after-work drink with colleagues, says: \"When I started drinking gin it was the martini with the olive. Very James Bond. \"It was either that or you'd have it with orange or pineapple, which was disgusting. It's come back into fashion but I've no idea why. It's like LPs and vinyl, they're all coming back again.\" His colleague Nivedita Bandit, on secondment with the team from Mumbai, adds: \"I don't know why it became so popular.\" Damian Danieluk has a theory. He believes gin offers more opportunities to experiment with flavours than many other spirits. \"It's very versatile\", says the the 37-year-old, who works in manufacturing automation sales. \"You can infuse it with so many different flavours.\" The Wine and Spirits Trade Association says there is \"no sign\" of the British public tiring of new gins. Bar manager Matt adds: \"It won't slow down for a good few years yet. \"If anything it is just going to get bigger and bigger.\" Price data from MySupermarket included averages for Tesco, Sainsbury's Morrisons, Asda and Waitrose.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2551, "answer_start": 1335, "text": "A total of 96 new distilleries opened in the UK in 2015 and 2016, according to HMRC, taking the total to 273, more than double 2012's 128. Instead of this increased supply sending the price of gin downwards, the opposite has happened. The rise in the price of gin is down to a combination of people's changing tastes and \"better marketing\", according to one distiller. James Chase of the Herefordshire-based Chase Distillery said people were becoming more \"discerning\". \"Over the last few years we've seen people drinking less, but drinking better,\" he says. \"You can see people taking more of an interest in what they eat and drink, to the extent that we have seen a huge increase in distillery tours.\" Prices of botanicals - key ingredients in gin - have risen due to currency and exchange rates as well as growth in demand, he adds. \"However, for most the cost of production is still what it was five years ago,\" Mr Chase says. \"There's just more marketing nous which means some are putting the price up.\" Distillers are also bringing new and different varieties on to the market. These more expensive gins, which can cost about PS35 a bottle, push up the price of the \"average\" bottle on the supermarket shelves." } ], "id": "339_0", "question": "Why is gin getting more expensive?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4610, "answer_start": 2552, "text": "Botanicals are the berries, fruits, seeds, herbs and roots that give gin its flavour. Juniper berries are the most common. Coriander is another key ingredient as is the angelica root. Then there are gins flavoured with cucumber, pink grapefruit and sloe berries. \"There are a lot of artisanal gins around the PS35 mark,\" says Vhari Russell of the Food Marketing Expert. \"There are different flavours, from cucumber to rhubarb, which people are trying out in cocktail bars. \"Things have moved on a long way from the basic gin with tonic, ice and a slice.\" Matt Sharp, who runs The Gin Vault in Birmingham, agrees. The bar opened in mid-2016 with 28 different types of gin. Now it stocks 220 varieties. \"My biggest seller is rhubarb gin with ginger ale,\" he says. \"Gin's never gone out of fashion, but it has become very popular more recently. \"People are trying peppery gins, with a bit of spice. We'll add a slice of orange, a little bit of honey and some chilli flakes. It's fantastic.\" Customer Colin Reeder, enjoying an after-work drink with colleagues, says: \"When I started drinking gin it was the martini with the olive. Very James Bond. \"It was either that or you'd have it with orange or pineapple, which was disgusting. It's come back into fashion but I've no idea why. It's like LPs and vinyl, they're all coming back again.\" His colleague Nivedita Bandit, on secondment with the team from Mumbai, adds: \"I don't know why it became so popular.\" Damian Danieluk has a theory. He believes gin offers more opportunities to experiment with flavours than many other spirits. \"It's very versatile\", says the the 37-year-old, who works in manufacturing automation sales. \"You can infuse it with so many different flavours.\" The Wine and Spirits Trade Association says there is \"no sign\" of the British public tiring of new gins. Bar manager Matt adds: \"It won't slow down for a good few years yet. \"If anything it is just going to get bigger and bigger.\" Price data from MySupermarket included averages for Tesco, Sainsbury's Morrisons, Asda and Waitrose." } ], "id": "339_1", "question": "What are botanicals?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The humble Melton Mowbray pork pie is at the centre of an unlikely political dispute about British exports. Boris Johnson had said pork pies are exported to Thailand and Iceland, but cannot be to the US due to red tape. However the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association said the pies were not even exported to Thailand and Iceland. Downing Street insisted pies were exported, citing producer Walker & Son - but the company said this was not correct. Walker & Son told the BBC it had previously exported a \"tiny amount\" of pork pies to Singapore, but had not done so for \"at least two years\" and is now \"entirely focused on the UK market\". When asked if the company had ever exported to any other countries, the spokeswoman said she was unsure. The topic of pork pies arose on Sunday at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, when Mr Johnson was discussing a possible post-Brexit free trade deal with the US. Mr Johnson spoke about trying to \"prise open the American market\" by removing restrictions on UK exports. Offering an example of an American trade restriction, Mr Johnson said: \"Melton Mowbray pork pies, which are sold in Thailand and in Iceland, are currently unable to enter the US market because of, I don't know, some sort of food and drug administration restriction.\" Matthew O'Callaghan - who chairs the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, which represents the pies' makers - told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that, as far as he knew, the claim was wrong. Asked if Mr Johnson was right, Mr O'Callaghan replied: \"Not really. With all of these things there is a little bit of give and take. We don't actually export to Thailand or Iceland.\" When pressed again, Mr O'Callaghan said: \"Not that I know of I'm afraid. \"It is certainly available in Iceland the shop.\" Mr O'Callaghan said there was a possibility that pies could be exported frozen to the US or Australia and cooked in the country. Speaking about trading with the US, Mr O'Callaghan said: \"A Melton Mowbray pork pie is a delicate fresh meat product so the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), like most other countries in the world, are very aware of meat products and you have to go through all the regulations to get them over there. \"Because of the short shelf life it is not really viable economically.\" In response to Mr O'Callaghan, No 10 said the PM was correct when he said that Melton Mowbray pork pies are exported to Thailand and Iceland. His remarks, it added, were based on a briefing note from the Department for International Trade, which said the company Walker & Sons exports small shipments to Iceland, Thailand, Singapore and the Caribbean. It said the information came from a document produced by Walker & Son. However, when contacted by the BBC, Walker & Son - which says it makes and bakes 80% of all of the UK's Melton Mowbray pork pies - said it no longer exports pork pies. \"We are entirely focused on the UK market,\" a spokeswoman said. The company said it used to export a \"tiny amount\" to Singapore - but had not done so \"for some time\". A spokeswoman said none had been exported for \"at least two years\". She said those that were exported had to be sent out frozen and then baked on arrival. In 2015, an executive at the firm said it sends small shipments abroad. The BBC also spoke to the British owner of one independent retailer in Singapore, who said they previously stocked pork pies, but that their distributor \"unfortunately doesn't do them now, due purely to demand rather than restrictions\". Melton Mowbray pork pies are distinctive as they are made from uncured pork, to ensure the inside is grey in colour. The Melton Mowbray pork pie has special protected geographical status under EU rules, similar to Stilton cheese or Champagne. It means only producers making pork pies using the traditional recipe and in the vicinity of Melton Mowbray can use the town's name. After Mr Johnson's pork pie remarks, Rutland and Melton MP Sir Alan Duncan posted a series of tweets expressing support for the opportunity to export the famous food to the US. During the Tory leadership contest earlier this year, Mr Johnson waved an Isle of Man kipper at the final hustings and claimed EU regulations require kipper suppliers to keep their products cool with ice pillows when they are delivered. However, the EU rule covers fresh fish and not smoked products, such as kippers, and it is for national governments to set any rules.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1274, "answer_start": 742, "text": "The topic of pork pies arose on Sunday at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, when Mr Johnson was discussing a possible post-Brexit free trade deal with the US. Mr Johnson spoke about trying to \"prise open the American market\" by removing restrictions on UK exports. Offering an example of an American trade restriction, Mr Johnson said: \"Melton Mowbray pork pies, which are sold in Thailand and in Iceland, are currently unable to enter the US market because of, I don't know, some sort of food and drug administration restriction.\"" } ], "id": "340_0", "question": "What did the PM say and why did he say it?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2274, "answer_start": 1275, "text": "Matthew O'Callaghan - who chairs the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, which represents the pies' makers - told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that, as far as he knew, the claim was wrong. Asked if Mr Johnson was right, Mr O'Callaghan replied: \"Not really. With all of these things there is a little bit of give and take. We don't actually export to Thailand or Iceland.\" When pressed again, Mr O'Callaghan said: \"Not that I know of I'm afraid. \"It is certainly available in Iceland the shop.\" Mr O'Callaghan said there was a possibility that pies could be exported frozen to the US or Australia and cooked in the country. Speaking about trading with the US, Mr O'Callaghan said: \"A Melton Mowbray pork pie is a delicate fresh meat product so the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), like most other countries in the world, are very aware of meat products and you have to go through all the regulations to get them over there. \"Because of the short shelf life it is not really viable economically.\"" } ], "id": "340_1", "question": "What was the response?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3496, "answer_start": 2698, "text": "However, when contacted by the BBC, Walker & Son - which says it makes and bakes 80% of all of the UK's Melton Mowbray pork pies - said it no longer exports pork pies. \"We are entirely focused on the UK market,\" a spokeswoman said. The company said it used to export a \"tiny amount\" to Singapore - but had not done so \"for some time\". A spokeswoman said none had been exported for \"at least two years\". She said those that were exported had to be sent out frozen and then baked on arrival. In 2015, an executive at the firm said it sends small shipments abroad. The BBC also spoke to the British owner of one independent retailer in Singapore, who said they previously stocked pork pies, but that their distributor \"unfortunately doesn't do them now, due purely to demand rather than restrictions\"." } ], "id": "340_2", "question": "What does Walker & Son say?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4420, "answer_start": 3497, "text": "Melton Mowbray pork pies are distinctive as they are made from uncured pork, to ensure the inside is grey in colour. The Melton Mowbray pork pie has special protected geographical status under EU rules, similar to Stilton cheese or Champagne. It means only producers making pork pies using the traditional recipe and in the vicinity of Melton Mowbray can use the town's name. After Mr Johnson's pork pie remarks, Rutland and Melton MP Sir Alan Duncan posted a series of tweets expressing support for the opportunity to export the famous food to the US. During the Tory leadership contest earlier this year, Mr Johnson waved an Isle of Man kipper at the final hustings and claimed EU regulations require kipper suppliers to keep their products cool with ice pillows when they are delivered. However, the EU rule covers fresh fish and not smoked products, such as kippers, and it is for national governments to set any rules." } ], "id": "340_3", "question": "What makes a Melton Mowbray pork pie special?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Over the past few months, bricks of cocaine with a street value of millions have been washing up in eastern coastal provinces in the Philippines. In the latest incident, seven suspected cocaine bricks were found floating near a beach in Quezon province on Sunday. And in May, 39 bricks with an estimated value of more than $4m (PS3m) were found by fishermen. Police have said it's possible the drugs were bound for Australia, where there's strong demand for cocaine. But as yet there's no definitive answer as to why these tightly bound drug packets are appearing along the coast. On Sunday, a family having a picnic by the sea in Mauban municipality in Quezon spotted seven objects floating near the shore. They collected them and after realising what they might be, fish vendor Ruel Perez immediately called the police. Quezon Police director Police Col Ramil Montilla told the Manila Bulletin the packages contained a white substance, were wrapped with tape and bore an energy drink logo. The contents is still being tested, but Col Montilla said if it were found to be cocaine it would have a street value of about 35m pesos ($682,000; PS540,00). That's small compared to a string of finds in February, when over the span of a one week, cocaine bricks estimated at 472m pesos were found along the shores of four provinces - Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Camarines Norte and Quezon. The move prompted police in the Caraga region where Surigao del Norte is located, to offer residents a sack of rice in exchange for every brick of cocaine handed in. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, one kilogram of rice costs around $0.68 (PS0.54). Then in May, fishermen found 39 blocks of cocaine when they were out fishing in the waters off Sorsogon province. \"There are several reasons why,\" said Sanho Tree, a fellow at the Drug Policy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, a US-based think tank. \"Sometimes speed boats will toss cargo overboard if they are being chased to destroy evidence and currents could have brought it to the Philippines.\" According to Mr Tree, the bricks could also have been part of a shipment lost by smugglers mid-handover. \"Sometimes they'll submerge drug packages underwater with a net and anchor for pickup, but packages can sometimes break free.\" But the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency believes the \"floating cocaine\" was used by drug syndicates as a diversion tactic. \"While all government forces are focused on operations to retrieve the floating cocaine, we believe drug syndicates may take the opportunity to smuggle shabu,\" PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino had said in a statement in February. Shabu is the Filipino term used to describe crystal meth - one of the most common drugs in the Philippines. It has been the focus of President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal \"war on drugs\" in the Philippines, under which thousands of drug users and suspected dealers have been killed by both police and vigilantes. Mr Aquino said cocaine was \"not a drug of choice here in the Philippines. [The smugglers] were willing to sacrifice cocaine to smuggle shabu,\" said The head of the Philippine National Police, Oscar Albayalde, however, has said it's unlikely that a dealer would use such an expensive tactic. According to the state's Philippine News Agency (PNA), he said it was more likely that the cocaine bricks had been dumped - which would sit with Mr Tree's theories. In September last year, 500kg of cocaine with a street value of up to $300m was recovered by police in the Solomon Islands. It's possible that the latest finds were part of a haul destined for Australia, but were dumped into the sea as the dealers evaded police pursuit. \"They may have dumped the drugs because they were being pursued by the Papua New Guinea navy,\" Mr Albayalde told news site CNN Philippines. \"The probability is that they were supposed to be delivered to Australia because the market is good there for cocaine,\" PNA reported him as saying. Additional reporting by the BBC's Yvette Tan.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3425, "answer_start": 1772, "text": "\"There are several reasons why,\" said Sanho Tree, a fellow at the Drug Policy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, a US-based think tank. \"Sometimes speed boats will toss cargo overboard if they are being chased to destroy evidence and currents could have brought it to the Philippines.\" According to Mr Tree, the bricks could also have been part of a shipment lost by smugglers mid-handover. \"Sometimes they'll submerge drug packages underwater with a net and anchor for pickup, but packages can sometimes break free.\" But the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency believes the \"floating cocaine\" was used by drug syndicates as a diversion tactic. \"While all government forces are focused on operations to retrieve the floating cocaine, we believe drug syndicates may take the opportunity to smuggle shabu,\" PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino had said in a statement in February. Shabu is the Filipino term used to describe crystal meth - one of the most common drugs in the Philippines. It has been the focus of President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal \"war on drugs\" in the Philippines, under which thousands of drug users and suspected dealers have been killed by both police and vigilantes. Mr Aquino said cocaine was \"not a drug of choice here in the Philippines. [The smugglers] were willing to sacrifice cocaine to smuggle shabu,\" said The head of the Philippine National Police, Oscar Albayalde, however, has said it's unlikely that a dealer would use such an expensive tactic. According to the state's Philippine News Agency (PNA), he said it was more likely that the cocaine bricks had been dumped - which would sit with Mr Tree's theories." } ], "id": "341_0", "question": "Why is this happening?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4030, "answer_start": 3426, "text": "In September last year, 500kg of cocaine with a street value of up to $300m was recovered by police in the Solomon Islands. It's possible that the latest finds were part of a haul destined for Australia, but were dumped into the sea as the dealers evaded police pursuit. \"They may have dumped the drugs because they were being pursued by the Papua New Guinea navy,\" Mr Albayalde told news site CNN Philippines. \"The probability is that they were supposed to be delivered to Australia because the market is good there for cocaine,\" PNA reported him as saying. Additional reporting by the BBC's Yvette Tan." } ], "id": "341_1", "question": "Australia connection?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The US is currently undergoing the process to appoint a replacement to Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced his retirement earlier this year. So why is this a big deal? Given the immense impact the US Supreme Court has on US political life, nominees always face tough questions from the Senate during any confirmation hearing. President Donald Trump's nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, is no exception. So how might his pick change the nation's high court? The highest court in the US is often the final word on highly contentious laws, disputes between states and the federal government, and final appeals to stay executions. It hears fewer than 100 cases a year and the key announcements are made in June. Each of the nine justices serve a lifetime appointment after being nominated by the president and approved by the Senate. Cases are usually brought to the court after they are appealed from a series of lower courts, although in time-sensitive cases, lawyers can petition for a hearing. The court's opinions can also create precedents, directing other judges to follow their interpretation in similar cases. In recent years, the court has expanded gay marriage to all 50 states, allowed for President Donald Trump's travel ban to be put in place and delayed a US plan to cut carbon emissions while appeals went forward. Occasionally, the Supreme Court will revisit an issue in a new case and change their own precedent, a move anti-abortion activists hope will come to pass with a new conservative justice. The court makes many of its big decisions in June. This year it ruled on contentious issues such as the Trump travel ban, trade union fees and gerrymandering. Despite being appointed by Ronald Reagan, Justice Kennedy sided with both the conservative and liberal justices on major cases. He was a moderate on social issues, notably backing gay marriage. If a more conservative judge replaces him, as is likely, anti-abortion advocates could push to get that issue under consideration by the top US court. While a majority of Supreme Court cases do not break on ideological lines, there are conservative and liberal wings. Key cases have been decided on 5-4 votes. With Justice Kennedy's departure, the court is arguably divided four-four. Confirming a conservative justice would ultimately return the court to a narrow conservative majority. US research suggests that the influence of the Supreme Court abroad has diminished over the past two decades, as court systems elsewhere in the world develop and US influence in general wanes. Fewer courts internationally cite US Supreme Court opinions, increasingly citing the European Court of Human Rights and other national supreme courts. In 2016 a Supreme Court decision on emissions from coal-fired power plants on US soil threatened the Paris Climate Agreement, but enough other countries ratified the treaty for it to come into force. Donald Trump's controversial travel ban, which affects Middle East countries designated as terror-prone, was cemented this week by the Supreme Court, with the outcome affecting millions internationally. And back in 2000, the Supreme Court decided the outcome of the presidential election between George W Bush and Al Gore - a decision which more recent history shows still has a significant impact around the world. The court could in theory be asked to rule on legal challenges to international trade agreements, such as the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership, although TPP was revoked by Mr Trump using an executive order.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1521, "answer_start": 465, "text": "The highest court in the US is often the final word on highly contentious laws, disputes between states and the federal government, and final appeals to stay executions. It hears fewer than 100 cases a year and the key announcements are made in June. Each of the nine justices serve a lifetime appointment after being nominated by the president and approved by the Senate. Cases are usually brought to the court after they are appealed from a series of lower courts, although in time-sensitive cases, lawyers can petition for a hearing. The court's opinions can also create precedents, directing other judges to follow their interpretation in similar cases. In recent years, the court has expanded gay marriage to all 50 states, allowed for President Donald Trump's travel ban to be put in place and delayed a US plan to cut carbon emissions while appeals went forward. Occasionally, the Supreme Court will revisit an issue in a new case and change their own precedent, a move anti-abortion activists hope will come to pass with a new conservative justice." } ], "id": "342_0", "question": "What does the Supreme Court do?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2362, "answer_start": 2026, "text": "While a majority of Supreme Court cases do not break on ideological lines, there are conservative and liberal wings. Key cases have been decided on 5-4 votes. With Justice Kennedy's departure, the court is arguably divided four-four. Confirming a conservative justice would ultimately return the court to a narrow conservative majority." } ], "id": "342_1", "question": "What's the current state of the court?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3536, "answer_start": 2363, "text": "US research suggests that the influence of the Supreme Court abroad has diminished over the past two decades, as court systems elsewhere in the world develop and US influence in general wanes. Fewer courts internationally cite US Supreme Court opinions, increasingly citing the European Court of Human Rights and other national supreme courts. In 2016 a Supreme Court decision on emissions from coal-fired power plants on US soil threatened the Paris Climate Agreement, but enough other countries ratified the treaty for it to come into force. Donald Trump's controversial travel ban, which affects Middle East countries designated as terror-prone, was cemented this week by the Supreme Court, with the outcome affecting millions internationally. And back in 2000, the Supreme Court decided the outcome of the presidential election between George W Bush and Al Gore - a decision which more recent history shows still has a significant impact around the world. The court could in theory be asked to rule on legal challenges to international trade agreements, such as the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership, although TPP was revoked by Mr Trump using an executive order." } ], "id": "342_2", "question": "Does the court matter globally?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Prince Laurent of Belgium has had his monthly allowance docked for a year, after a vote by the country's federal parliament. The sanction was imposed after the prince attended a Chinese embassy reception last year without government permission, in full naval uniform. Lawmakers voted for a 15% cut to his EUR307,000 (PS270,000; $378,000) annual allowance. The move was suggested by Belgium's Prime Minister, Charles Michel. Mr Michel had previously warned the prince to seek foreign ministry permission before conducting any diplomatic activity. Despite that, the royal went to the embassy event and tweeted a photo of himself there. Prince Laurent, who is the younger brother of King Philippe, wrote a lengthy emotional letter to parliament before the vote on his endowment, arguing that, as a royal, he is unable to work for a living. He described the vote as \"the trial of my life\" and said it would \"likely cause me serious prejudice\" if MPs went against him. \"This allowance, the reduction of which is being discussed as a result of political or media currents, is the price of a life - the price of my life, which is largely behind me now,\" he wrote. The prince, 54, said the royal family had obstructed his attempts to be financially independent. \"I even had to get permission to marry, and even today I pay the price for choosing a woman I love, without title or fortune,\" he wrote in the three-page self-defence. Lawmakers ultimately rejected his claim that no citizen of their country had been so exploited, voting to cut his stipend by 93 to 23 votes. The move is effectively a EUR46,000 fine. However, some MPs argued that since princes are not obliged to seek an endowment, it should instead be viewed as a deduction from a donation. Prince Laurent is no stranger to controversy and is sometimes termed the prince maudit - the \"cursed prince\" - in Belgium. He has racked up several speeding fines, and his unofficial appearance at the Chinese event - held for the 90th anniversary of the Chinese army - was not the first of its kind. He had previously been criticised for attending meetings in Libya when the late Muammar Gaddafi was still in power, and making an unsanctioned 2011 trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a former Belgian colony. Despite this, he is also seen as a likeable figure, if something of an oddball, AFP news agency notes. The animal lover recently confessed that he wished he could \"converse with an octopus or a fly\".", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2461, "answer_start": 1747, "text": "Prince Laurent is no stranger to controversy and is sometimes termed the prince maudit - the \"cursed prince\" - in Belgium. He has racked up several speeding fines, and his unofficial appearance at the Chinese event - held for the 90th anniversary of the Chinese army - was not the first of its kind. He had previously been criticised for attending meetings in Libya when the late Muammar Gaddafi was still in power, and making an unsanctioned 2011 trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a former Belgian colony. Despite this, he is also seen as a likeable figure, if something of an oddball, AFP news agency notes. The animal lover recently confessed that he wished he could \"converse with an octopus or a fly\"." } ], "id": "343_0", "question": "Who is the prince?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The lawyer for an 81-year-old woman who survived a gun attack at the Jewish Museum in Brussels has been burgled and left a threatening fake rifle, he says. Vincent Lurquin's laptop and files were stolen from his Brussels office, and in their place he found a baseball bat and replica Kalashnikov. The \"targeted\" burglary comes weeks into the ongoing trial of the suspected gunman, Frenchman Mehdi Nemmouche. Four people were killed in the anti-Semitic attack on the museum in 2014. Mr Nemmouche denies charges of terrorist murder, and faces a life sentence if convicted. He allegedly fought in a jihadist group in Syria's war before returning to Europe and carrying out the museum slaughter. One of the files stolen from Mr Lurquin relates to the trial. The lawyer said he would not be intimidated by Wednesday's incident. \"We will continue to help [jurors] judge without hatred, without fear,\" he told Belgian media. \"Those who want to frighten us will not succeed.\" Prosecutors have opened an investigation for \"burglary and threats using symbols\". On 24 May 2014, a lone gunman entered the lobby of the Jewish Museum in Brussels. He opened fire on those inside and fled within a couple of minutes. Prosecutors say Mr Nemmouche carried out the attack using a Kalashnikov rifle and a handgun. Two Israeli tourists, a French volunteer and a Belgian receptionist were killed. He was arrested six days later in Marseille, in southern France, as he got off a bus. He was carrying two guns believed to have been used in the attack. Mr Lurquin's client, 81-year-old Chilean artist Clara Billeke Villalobos, has told the court she has remained \"in a state of numbness\" since the ordeal almost five years ago. Another Frenchman, Nacer Bendrer, is also on trial, accused of providing the weapons used in the shooting. Mr Nemmouche is of Franco-Algerian origin and from the northern French city of Roubaix, near the border with Belgium. He was previously known to French authorities, having served five years in prison for robbery. He is said to have met Mr Bendrer while in prison. Both have been described as \"radicalised\" prisoners. Mr Nemmouche travelled to Syria in 2013 for one year, during which time it is alleged he fought for a jihadist group in the country's civil war. Investigators say that while there, he met Najim Laachraoui, who was a suicide bomber in the Brussels airport attack of March 2016, which killed 32 people. Four French people held hostage in Syria allege that they were guarded by both Laachraoui and Mr Nemmouche during their captivity. Links have also been drawn between Laachraoui's group and the one which carried out the Paris bombings of November 2015. Mr Nemmouche was extradited to Belgium to face charges connected to the museum shooting, but may also face trial in France over the allegations he was involved in the French prisoner's captivity.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1809, "answer_start": 1051, "text": "On 24 May 2014, a lone gunman entered the lobby of the Jewish Museum in Brussels. He opened fire on those inside and fled within a couple of minutes. Prosecutors say Mr Nemmouche carried out the attack using a Kalashnikov rifle and a handgun. Two Israeli tourists, a French volunteer and a Belgian receptionist were killed. He was arrested six days later in Marseille, in southern France, as he got off a bus. He was carrying two guns believed to have been used in the attack. Mr Lurquin's client, 81-year-old Chilean artist Clara Billeke Villalobos, has told the court she has remained \"in a state of numbness\" since the ordeal almost five years ago. Another Frenchman, Nacer Bendrer, is also on trial, accused of providing the weapons used in the shooting." } ], "id": "344_0", "question": "What is the trial about?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2875, "answer_start": 1810, "text": "Mr Nemmouche is of Franco-Algerian origin and from the northern French city of Roubaix, near the border with Belgium. He was previously known to French authorities, having served five years in prison for robbery. He is said to have met Mr Bendrer while in prison. Both have been described as \"radicalised\" prisoners. Mr Nemmouche travelled to Syria in 2013 for one year, during which time it is alleged he fought for a jihadist group in the country's civil war. Investigators say that while there, he met Najim Laachraoui, who was a suicide bomber in the Brussels airport attack of March 2016, which killed 32 people. Four French people held hostage in Syria allege that they were guarded by both Laachraoui and Mr Nemmouche during their captivity. Links have also been drawn between Laachraoui's group and the one which carried out the Paris bombings of November 2015. Mr Nemmouche was extradited to Belgium to face charges connected to the museum shooting, but may also face trial in France over the allegations he was involved in the French prisoner's captivity." } ], "id": "344_1", "question": "Who is Mehdi Nemmouche?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "It may not be as prestigious as champagne, but Ivory Coast wants to get a protected status for attieke, the national food. The BBC's Enoh N'Dri asks whether it will work. Attieke (pronounced atchekay) is a traditional couscous made from ground cassava roots eaten by many Ivorians of all ages for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It originated from the coastal areas of Ivory Coast centuries ago. But it has travelled far beyond the country's borders to become one of the best known foods across French-speaking Africa and the diaspora in Europe and North America. It is cooked in several different ways. The most popular is \"attieke poisson grillee\" - prepared with fried fish and sliced tomato, onion and green pepper. There's also \"attieke sauce tomate\" - a tomato sauce cooked with fresh or dry fish. A third is \"attieke huile rouge\". In this case the couscous is mixed with palm oil, which turns its almond colour to orange, accompanied with a hot pepper soup. It can also be eaten with grilled chicken or smoked fish. Attieke is traditionally made by women in villages across the country and in the outskirts of Ivorian main cities, especially in southern and central Ivory Coast. The cassava root is peeled, grated and mixed with a previously fermented cassava. The pulp is then pressed to remove the starch and later processed manually and dried and then steamed. It is then sold in local markets, in both individual portions and larger bags. One of the main reasons the Ivorian government gave is that many people outside Ivory Coast - in Africa and even south-east Asia - claim to be making and selling attieke. They use the Ivorian unique style name and brand to sell their product while \"they are using only a part of the process\", government spokesman Bruno Kone said. The announcement follows a severe shortage of attieke in Ivory Coast's markets this year, leading President Alassane Ouattara to blame \"cartels\" and ask police to investigate and dismantle them. Trade unions and consumer organisations applauded Mr Ouattara and his decision received unanimous support in a country often divided by politics and with raw memories of two decades of crisis and the 2010-2011 post-election war. A sign that attieke is one of few things that still unites Ivory Coast's 20 million people from 62 ethnic backgrounds. The Ivorian government is asking the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization to protect attieke. But Aripo does not have a compliance policing unit so it is not clear how it would be enforced on the continent, let alone elsewhere. Given that markets in Ivory Coast and elsewhere in West Africa are full of pirated music and DVDs, it is hard to see anyone going round to inspect bags of attieke and confiscate any that are not certified. Read more: African food: The next gastronomic trend?", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 560, "answer_start": 171, "text": "Attieke (pronounced atchekay) is a traditional couscous made from ground cassava roots eaten by many Ivorians of all ages for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It originated from the coastal areas of Ivory Coast centuries ago. But it has travelled far beyond the country's borders to become one of the best known foods across French-speaking Africa and the diaspora in Europe and North America." } ], "id": "345_0", "question": "What is attieke?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1019, "answer_start": 561, "text": "It is cooked in several different ways. The most popular is \"attieke poisson grillee\" - prepared with fried fish and sliced tomato, onion and green pepper. There's also \"attieke sauce tomate\" - a tomato sauce cooked with fresh or dry fish. A third is \"attieke huile rouge\". In this case the couscous is mixed with palm oil, which turns its almond colour to orange, accompanied with a hot pepper soup. It can also be eaten with grilled chicken or smoked fish." } ], "id": "345_1", "question": "How do you cook it?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1446, "answer_start": 1020, "text": "Attieke is traditionally made by women in villages across the country and in the outskirts of Ivorian main cities, especially in southern and central Ivory Coast. The cassava root is peeled, grated and mixed with a previously fermented cassava. The pulp is then pressed to remove the starch and later processed manually and dried and then steamed. It is then sold in local markets, in both individual portions and larger bags." } ], "id": "345_2", "question": "How do you prepare it?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2320, "answer_start": 1447, "text": "One of the main reasons the Ivorian government gave is that many people outside Ivory Coast - in Africa and even south-east Asia - claim to be making and selling attieke. They use the Ivorian unique style name and brand to sell their product while \"they are using only a part of the process\", government spokesman Bruno Kone said. The announcement follows a severe shortage of attieke in Ivory Coast's markets this year, leading President Alassane Ouattara to blame \"cartels\" and ask police to investigate and dismantle them. Trade unions and consumer organisations applauded Mr Ouattara and his decision received unanimous support in a country often divided by politics and with raw memories of two decades of crisis and the 2010-2011 post-election war. A sign that attieke is one of few things that still unites Ivory Coast's 20 million people from 62 ethnic backgrounds." } ], "id": "345_3", "question": "Why does the government want to protect it?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2822, "answer_start": 2321, "text": "The Ivorian government is asking the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization to protect attieke. But Aripo does not have a compliance policing unit so it is not clear how it would be enforced on the continent, let alone elsewhere. Given that markets in Ivory Coast and elsewhere in West Africa are full of pirated music and DVDs, it is hard to see anyone going round to inspect bags of attieke and confiscate any that are not certified. Read more: African food: The next gastronomic trend?" } ], "id": "345_4", "question": "What difference will it make?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "An unlikely debate has broken out because of Snoop Dogg and ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne over what's worse - cannabis or alcohol? It's after the rapper posted a photo of himself and the former England midfielder on Instagram - comparing how they've aged after 27 years of using the two different drugs. Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Gazza - who has spent years battling alcoholism - said: \"For him to attack someone like myself, with the trouble I've put myself through, for him to do that is really bang out of order, I was upset at the time. \"Normally I'd probably drink but now I try to look at the funny side of it. But there wasn't much of a funny side to that.\" He also challenged Snoop to a charity boxing match, adding: \"Cannabis vs booze - bring it on.\" It's thought Snoop posted the photo to try to show that alcohol is worse for you than cannabis. They both can affect the body and mind differently depending on the person. But is one worse than the other? Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK and research shows 10% of regular cannabis users become addicted to it, according to the NHS. Nikki Thorne from Addaction, a service helping young people who've misused drugs and alcohol, believes the \"mental impact\" of cannabis is the most dangerous part. \"We increasingly encounter young people, who've started using cannabis to self-medicate when they are unable to regulate their emotions, that go on to develop mental health issues.\" Daily use of cannabis - especially the stronger kinds - is \"strongly linked to the risk of developing psychosis\", according to a study by King's College London. Nikki mentions high-strength skunk as being \"risky\" because that strain can lead to paranoia and psychotic episodes. She says one of the big issues for young people is an impact on \"motivation and memory\" which has knock-on effects with their education. The NHS says people who smoke cannabis regularly are more likely to have bronchitis (where the lining of your lungs gets irritated and inflamed). It says cannabis smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals - but it's not clear whether this raises your risk of cancer. And if you mix it with tobacco to smoke it, you risk getting tobacco-related lung diseases, such as lung cancer and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD). It's recommended that men and women shouldn't drink more than 14 units of alcohol in a week - about seven pints of beer or seven large glasses of wine. One unit is around half a pint of beer, a single shot of a spirit or a small (125ml) glass of wine. Nikki says \"binge drinking often leads young people to take risks they wouldn't normally\" and can lead to \"regrets about behaviour or exploitation - both criminal and sexual\". She says alcohol can have an impact on your mental health too. \"The mental impact can be increased aggression, anxiety, and has been linked to an increase in depression and suicide.\" The NHS says if you drink too much over a long period of time you can develop problems including heart disease, stroke, liver disease, liver cancer, bowel cancer, mouth cancer, breast cancer and pancreatitis. Just looking at the numbers, there were 9,214 alcohol-related deaths in 2016 while 24 deaths were linked to cannabis in the same year, according to the Office for National Statistics Dr Sadie Boniface, an addiction researcher at King's College London, says both cannabis and alcohol are \"harmful\" and it's \"impossible\" to say which is worse. She says: \"The two have different effects, there are individual differences, and it would depend how often and how much you use.\" But she argues that alcohol \"is a greater problem for society\" because it's \"costing the NHS PS3.5 billion every year\". \"Roughly 80% of adults in England report drinking alcohol in the past year, compared with only about 7% who report using cannabis,\" she says. \"Snoop Dogg's meme brings attention to a topical issue, but we shouldn't forget that cannabis-use disorders and alcohol dependence are both really serious.\" If you've been affected by issues in this article, help and support is available by clicking here. Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2308, "answer_start": 972, "text": "Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK and research shows 10% of regular cannabis users become addicted to it, according to the NHS. Nikki Thorne from Addaction, a service helping young people who've misused drugs and alcohol, believes the \"mental impact\" of cannabis is the most dangerous part. \"We increasingly encounter young people, who've started using cannabis to self-medicate when they are unable to regulate their emotions, that go on to develop mental health issues.\" Daily use of cannabis - especially the stronger kinds - is \"strongly linked to the risk of developing psychosis\", according to a study by King's College London. Nikki mentions high-strength skunk as being \"risky\" because that strain can lead to paranoia and psychotic episodes. She says one of the big issues for young people is an impact on \"motivation and memory\" which has knock-on effects with their education. The NHS says people who smoke cannabis regularly are more likely to have bronchitis (where the lining of your lungs gets irritated and inflamed). It says cannabis smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals - but it's not clear whether this raises your risk of cancer. And if you mix it with tobacco to smoke it, you risk getting tobacco-related lung diseases, such as lung cancer and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD)." } ], "id": "346_0", "question": "How does cannabis affect you?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3128, "answer_start": 2309, "text": "It's recommended that men and women shouldn't drink more than 14 units of alcohol in a week - about seven pints of beer or seven large glasses of wine. One unit is around half a pint of beer, a single shot of a spirit or a small (125ml) glass of wine. Nikki says \"binge drinking often leads young people to take risks they wouldn't normally\" and can lead to \"regrets about behaviour or exploitation - both criminal and sexual\". She says alcohol can have an impact on your mental health too. \"The mental impact can be increased aggression, anxiety, and has been linked to an increase in depression and suicide.\" The NHS says if you drink too much over a long period of time you can develop problems including heart disease, stroke, liver disease, liver cancer, bowel cancer, mouth cancer, breast cancer and pancreatitis." } ], "id": "346_1", "question": "How can alcohol affect you?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4119, "answer_start": 3129, "text": "Just looking at the numbers, there were 9,214 alcohol-related deaths in 2016 while 24 deaths were linked to cannabis in the same year, according to the Office for National Statistics Dr Sadie Boniface, an addiction researcher at King's College London, says both cannabis and alcohol are \"harmful\" and it's \"impossible\" to say which is worse. She says: \"The two have different effects, there are individual differences, and it would depend how often and how much you use.\" But she argues that alcohol \"is a greater problem for society\" because it's \"costing the NHS PS3.5 billion every year\". \"Roughly 80% of adults in England report drinking alcohol in the past year, compared with only about 7% who report using cannabis,\" she says. \"Snoop Dogg's meme brings attention to a topical issue, but we shouldn't forget that cannabis-use disorders and alcohol dependence are both really serious.\" If you've been affected by issues in this article, help and support is available by clicking here." } ], "id": "346_2", "question": "So which is worse?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "US President Donald Trump's claim that he was \"totally exonerated\" by special counsel Robert Mueller was rejected by Mr Mueller in a hearing on Wednesday. Mr Mueller said he had not exonerated Mr Trump of obstruction of justice. The former FBI director spent two years probing alleged collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia, but did not establish collusion in a crime. He concluded that Russia had interfered in the election with the intention of benefitting Mr Trump's campaign. Mr Trump frequently criticised the special counsel investigation during its investigation, branding it a \"witch hunt\". Responding to Mr Mueller's testimony on Wednesday, he said: \"This was a great day for me.\" In all, 35 people and three companies were charged by the special counsel on matters relating both directly and indirectly to alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. No members of the Trump family were charged. Mr Mueller and his team concluded that they were unable to charge the president with a crime, but could not exonerate him either. Across two Congressional hearings, Mr Mueller repeatedly declined to stray outside of confines of his 448-page report, generally giving clipped answers or referring committee members back to the text of his findings. He appeared at times to struggle with the proceedings, amid convoluted and detailed questioning from House committee members about various parts of his team's 448-page report. The questions focused largely on Mr Mueller's investigation of President Trump and his decision to say he could not exonerate the president of obstruction of justice, but Mr Mueller repeatedly stressed the importance of concerns over ongoing Russian interference in US democracy. \"Over the course of my career I have seen a number of challenges to our democracy. The Russian government's effort to interfere in our election is among the most serious,\" he said. He added: \"Much more needs to be done in order to protect against this intrusion, by the Russians but others as well.\" Mr Trump called it a \"great day for the Republican party\" while the White House called Mr Mueller's testimony an \"epic embarrassment for the Democrats\". Meanwhile House Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi shied away from advocating for Mr Trump's impeachment after Mr Mueller's testimony. However Democrats said they would go to court to to enforce a subpoena of former White House counsel Don McGahn and seek access to grand jury material in the Mueller report. Robert Mueller has been presented, at various times and by various parties, as a hero or villain; an avenging angel who would expose corruption or part of a corrupt establishment himself. In six hours of testimony on Wednesday, the former special counsel - for two years the silent sphynx of Washington - finally spoke at length, but he revealed he had little of the superhuman powers that had been attributed to him. In his sometimes stumbling testimony, he stuck by the text of his voluminous report - leaving the American political landscape much the way it was before he entered the committee room on Wednesday morning. Democrats hoping Mr Mueller would offer the kind of sweeping testimony that prompts calls for presidential impeachment were surely disappointed. Republicans hoping for vindication, including the president himself, did not receive it. Instead, the partisan muddle remained. Investigations in Congress will continue to plod along. Those on the left will continue to decry what they see as the president's obvious crimes and ethical shortcomings. Republicans will continue to insist the president is being smeared by false accusations. In the end the American public will be the final arbiter. In this case, that judgement will be passed at the ballot box, 15 months from now. - Read more: Did we learn anything new? The Democrat House judiciary committee chairman Jerold Nadler opened questioning on Wednesday by asking Mr Mueller whether Donald Trump had been accurate to claim he was \"exonerated\" by the special counsel report, to which Mr Muller replied with an emphatic \"No\". Mr Mueller also reiterated that the special counsel team had found evidence that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 US election with the aim intention of benefiting then-candidate Trump. Neither the rejection of Mr Trump's claim to have been exonerated nor the confirmation of Russian efforts to benefit Mr Trump were new revelations, but the power of having Mr Mueller state them categorically under oath represented early successes for the Democratic committee members. As the questioning went on, Mr Mueller appeared uncomfortable at finding himself in the middle of a political battle between Democrats and Republicans - a situation he had made clear he wanted to avoid. Republican members attacked the former special counsel's decision to neither accuse nor exonerate the president of obstruction of justice. Congressman John Ratcliffe said the decision held the president to a different legal standard than the established presumption of innocence. Mr Ratcliffe said he agreed that the president should not be above the law, \"but he damn sure shouldn't be below the law, which is where volume two of this report puts him\". Mr Mueller began to reply that the investigation into the president was a \"unique situation\" but was cut off by Mr Ratcliffe. The special counsel report outlines that there is a unique set of circumstances at play, because guidelines issued by the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) state that a sitting president cannot be indicted. Democratic members of the committee focused on the detail of some of 10 occasions that the special counsel identified as cases in which the president may have obstructed justice. In particular they focused on the president's alleged attempt to have Mr Mueller fired. President Trump's then-White House counsel Don McGahn gave extensive evidence to the special counsel investigation, telling Mr Mueller's team under oath that the president had asked him to fire the special counsel, but backed off after he refused. In May, the New York Times reported that White House officials then asked Mr McGahn at least twice to state publicly that he had never believed the president obstructed justice. Democratic members repeatedly attempted to draw Mr Mueller into a discussion about impeachment, which his report appears to refer to as \"a process other than the criminal justice system to formally accuse a sitting President of wrongdoing.\" But Mr Mueller seemed highly reluctant to confirm that the passage referred to impeachment, or to say whether or not his report was recommending the process. Mr Mueller said that the special counsel's office repeatedly requested an interview with the president but was refused, eventually securing some written answers from the president. Pressed on why he did not issue a subpoena to Mr Trump, Mr Mueller said it was because of the length of time it would have taken to go through the courts to force the president to appear. In the second hearing of the day - in which the questioning was taken up by the House intelligence committee - Mr Mueller was asked what he thought of the president's praise of Wikileaks, which leaked emailed from the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 campaign. \"Problematic is an understatement in terms of what it displays in terms of giving some hope, or, I don't know, some boost to what is, and should be, illegal activity,\" Mr Mueller said.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2028, "answer_start": 1056, "text": "Across two Congressional hearings, Mr Mueller repeatedly declined to stray outside of confines of his 448-page report, generally giving clipped answers or referring committee members back to the text of his findings. He appeared at times to struggle with the proceedings, amid convoluted and detailed questioning from House committee members about various parts of his team's 448-page report. The questions focused largely on Mr Mueller's investigation of President Trump and his decision to say he could not exonerate the president of obstruction of justice, but Mr Mueller repeatedly stressed the importance of concerns over ongoing Russian interference in US democracy. \"Over the course of my career I have seen a number of challenges to our democracy. The Russian government's effort to interfere in our election is among the most serious,\" he said. He added: \"Much more needs to be done in order to protect against this intrusion, by the Russians but others as well.\"" } ], "id": "347_0", "question": "What did Mr Mueller say?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2487, "answer_start": 2029, "text": "Mr Trump called it a \"great day for the Republican party\" while the White House called Mr Mueller's testimony an \"epic embarrassment for the Democrats\". Meanwhile House Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi shied away from advocating for Mr Trump's impeachment after Mr Mueller's testimony. However Democrats said they would go to court to to enforce a subpoena of former White House counsel Don McGahn and seek access to grand jury material in the Mueller report." } ], "id": "347_1", "question": "What reaction has there been?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5582, "answer_start": 3826, "text": "The Democrat House judiciary committee chairman Jerold Nadler opened questioning on Wednesday by asking Mr Mueller whether Donald Trump had been accurate to claim he was \"exonerated\" by the special counsel report, to which Mr Muller replied with an emphatic \"No\". Mr Mueller also reiterated that the special counsel team had found evidence that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 US election with the aim intention of benefiting then-candidate Trump. Neither the rejection of Mr Trump's claim to have been exonerated nor the confirmation of Russian efforts to benefit Mr Trump were new revelations, but the power of having Mr Mueller state them categorically under oath represented early successes for the Democratic committee members. As the questioning went on, Mr Mueller appeared uncomfortable at finding himself in the middle of a political battle between Democrats and Republicans - a situation he had made clear he wanted to avoid. Republican members attacked the former special counsel's decision to neither accuse nor exonerate the president of obstruction of justice. Congressman John Ratcliffe said the decision held the president to a different legal standard than the established presumption of innocence. Mr Ratcliffe said he agreed that the president should not be above the law, \"but he damn sure shouldn't be below the law, which is where volume two of this report puts him\". Mr Mueller began to reply that the investigation into the president was a \"unique situation\" but was cut off by Mr Ratcliffe. The special counsel report outlines that there is a unique set of circumstances at play, because guidelines issued by the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) state that a sitting president cannot be indicted." } ], "id": "347_2", "question": "How did Mr Mueller's testimony unfold?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A former employee of the UK's Hong Kong consulate has told the BBC that he was tortured in China and accused of inciting political unrest in the city. Simon Cheng, a Hong Kong citizen who worked for the UK government for almost two years, was detained for 15 days on a trip to mainland China in August. \"I was shackled, blindfolded and hooded,\" the 29-year-old tells me. UK government sources say they believe his claims - of being beaten and forced to sign confessions - are credible. Following our interview, the British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab summoned the Chinese ambassador. \"We are outraged by the disgraceful mistreatment that Mr Cheng faced when he was in detention in mainland China... and we've made clear that we expect the Chinese authorities to review and hold to account those responsible,\" Mr Raab told the BBC. But on Wednesday a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told the BBC they \"absolutely cannot accept the UK government's interference in this case\" - and would in return summon the UK ambassador to \"express their opposition and anger\". \"We hope the UK will be prudent and stop interfering in Hong Kong and in China's domestic affairs because it will, eventually, only harm the UK's own interests,\" the spokesperson added. Mr Cheng's raises questions for both the Chinese and the UK governments. The claims he makes - including that he saw other Hongkongers in Chinese custody - are likely to fuel protesters' fears that their city's freedoms are being eroded under Chinese rule. \"They said they work for the secret service and that there are no human rights,\" he tells me. \"Then they started the torture.\" As a trade and investment officer at the UK consulate, Simon Cheng's particular brief was to drum up interest in investing in Scotland among the Chinese business community. It required him to travel frequently to mainland China. But in June, with Hong Kong engulfed in mass demonstrations, Mr Cheng volunteered for an additional role. \"The British Consulate instructed staff to collect information about the status of the protests,\" he says. As a supporter of the pro-democracy movement he found it easy to blend in and, with the consent of the consulate, he signed up to some of the social media groups through which the protesters co-ordinated their actions. Paid overtime for the information he gathered, he began reporting back what he saw to his colleagues. His task, both Mr Cheng and UK government sources insist, was not to direct events in any way but to purely observe - the kind of civil society monitoring work many embassies do. But China had already begun to accuse the UK of meddling in Hong Kong, with British politicians becoming increasing vocal in their support for the protesters. On 8 August, with emails still on his phone linking him to that work observing the protests, he was sent by the consulate to a business conference in the Chinese city of Shenzhen. He didn't know it, but his life was about to change forever. Although China has ruled Hong Kong for more than 20 years, the border between the city and the mainland still looks and feels like an international boundary. The \"one country two systems\" principle - that the protesters say they are fighting to preserve - is meant to ensure that Hong Kong retains control over most of its affairs, including its borders. But Simon Cheng was about to discover for himself the blurred edges of that legal and political framework. Since the opening of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen high-speed rail link last year, a new border post has been placed inside West Kowloon station, in the heart of Hong Kong. It is deeply controversial: Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement views the presence of the Chinese police, manning the Chinese side, as an unwelcome extension of Chinese authority. It was here they stopped Simon Cheng, returning from his business trip. He was put on a train, transported back to Shenzhen and handed over, he says, to three plainclothes officers from China's National Security Police. Raising his arms above his head Mr Cheng shows me how he was hung up from the chain linking the handcuffs on his wrists. The questions focused on his involvement in the protests with the aim, he says, of forcing him to confess to fomenting unrest on behalf of the British state. \"They wanted to know what role the UK had in the Hong Kong protests - they asked what support, money and equipment we were giving to the protesters.\" He says he was made to hold stress positions - squatting against a wall for example - for hours on end, and beaten if he moved. \"They would beat the bony parts, like my ankles... or any vulnerable part.\" He claims he was subjected to sleep deprivation, with his interrogators forcing him to sing the Chinese national anthem to keep himself awake. And, he believes, he was not the only Hongkonger undergoing such treatment. \"I saw a bunch of Hong Kong people getting arrested and interrogated. I heard someone speak in Cantonese saying: 'Raise your hands up - you raised the flags in the protest didn't you?'\" - Summary of the protests in 100 or 500 words - Timeline of major events so far - How is Hong Kong run and what is the Basic Law? - A visual guide to how one peaceful protest turned violent From a large pile of more than 1,000 photographs of Hong Kong protesters, he says, he was told to jot down the names and political affiliations of anyone he recognised. \"The secret police clearly stated that batches after batches of Hong Kong protesters had been caught, delivered and detained in mainland China.\" Strapped to a chair and held by his hair, he says they tried to force him to open his mobile phone using the facial recognition function. Once they'd gained access, they printed off the emails detailing the information he'd passed to the UK consulate about the protests. \"I told them I want to make it 100% clear, the UK didn't assign resources or help with the protests,\" he tells me. But it was no use. Eventually, they made him record two video confessions, he says, one for the \"betrayal of the motherland\" and another for \"soliciting prostitution\". The detention of a local employee of a foreign embassy or consulate is a relatively rare event. The last high-profile case involving the UK was the arrest in 2009 of a number of Iranian employees at the British embassy in Tehran. They were accused of playing a significant role in that year's violent demonstrations - an accusation that finds echoes in Simon Cheng's account. As in his own case, locally-employed staff usually have no diplomatic protection, potentially making them soft targets for intelligence gathering. But Mr Cheng may have been targeted for other reasons. He tells me he had a mainland Chinese friend who'd been arrested for taking part in the Hong Kong protests and was now on bail there. During his business trip to Shenzhen, without the knowledge of the UK consulate, Mr Cheng had met the relatives of this friend to collect money for his living expenses. Any mainlander known to have joined the pro-democracy demonstrations would be at risk of being placed under Chinese surveillance. Although collecting money for a friend in legal difficulty is unlikely to constitute a crime, even in China, it could well have placed Mr Cheng under suspicion too. I ask him what he thinks is the most likely reason for his detention - his position at the UK consulate, or his friendship with this mainland Chinese protester? \"Until now I have no idea,\" he replies. \"But I think both factors could be part of the reason.\" Alongside our interview, Mr Cheng has published his own detailed account of what happened to him. In it, he says that on the 11th day of his detention his treatment suddenly improved, a date that he says coincides with the first international media reports about his disappearance. UK government sources say that, behind the scenes, intense diplomatic activity was already under way to try to secure his release. Of China's only public version of events - the allegation that he was placed in 15 days administrative detention for soliciting prostitution - Mr Cheng is dismissive. \"It was a tactic for secretly and arbitrarily incarcerating me for an even longer period, without interference from third parties.\" In China, administrative detention is a penalty that can be imposed by the police, acting with no judicial oversight. And, he suggests, the circumstances of his arrest appear unusual. Allegations of soliciting prostitution are normally dealt with in China as a routine matter by the local police. They are far less likely to be the concern of the Chinese border authorities in West Kowloon station. Mr Cheng's written statement also mentions that, before his arrest, he stopped in Shenzhen for a massage. I ask him directly if he paid for sex. \"I don't want to focus on the question of whether I solicited a prostitute, because that's exactly what they want,\" he replies. \"So, I just want to state clearly that I did nothing regrettable to the people I cherish and love.\" Whatever the reasons behind the decision to release him, he says it came with a warning. \"They stated that if I receive media interviews and speak out [about] anything other than 'soliciting prostitution' publicly, I will be taken back to mainland China from Hong Kong.\" The UK's Hong Kong consulate has since reviewed, and tightened up, its guidelines for local staff travelling on work trips to the Chinese mainland. Simon Cheng has told the BBC that he believes it is too dangerous for him to return to Hong Kong. Initially, he was so concerned about his safety, he refused to allow the UK government to issue a statement condemning the way he'd been treated. He was also given little choice but to resign because the UK government now sees him as a security risk following his long interrogation at the hands of the Chinese secret police. But UK sources say he has been provided with support, including a two-year working visa for the UK. \"Our hearts are with Simon Cheng and his family,\" Dominic Raab, the British Foreign Secretary, told the BBC. \"From the outset my overriding concern has been to make sure that he's taken care of properly and he gets the support that he needs.\" But Mr Cheng's written statement suggests he does not see the protection he's being offered as adequate and, he says, he's now seeking asylum anywhere he can feel safe. While he faces an uncertain future, the political and diplomatic ramifications of his extraordinary testimony are likely to be significant. The claims he makes will feed into the already frayed relations between the UK and China over the subject of Hong Kong. China will face questions about the use of torture in its headlong search for proof of foreign interference. The British government will face questions about whether it could have done more to protect Mr Cheng as well as its treatment of him since. As for Hong Kong's protesters - who began their fight against an extradition bill that would have allowed suspects to be sent to China - Simon Cheng's story will confirm one thing above all else: that there is indeed much to fear from a justice system so at odds with their own.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2981, "answer_start": 1640, "text": "As a trade and investment officer at the UK consulate, Simon Cheng's particular brief was to drum up interest in investing in Scotland among the Chinese business community. It required him to travel frequently to mainland China. But in June, with Hong Kong engulfed in mass demonstrations, Mr Cheng volunteered for an additional role. \"The British Consulate instructed staff to collect information about the status of the protests,\" he says. As a supporter of the pro-democracy movement he found it easy to blend in and, with the consent of the consulate, he signed up to some of the social media groups through which the protesters co-ordinated their actions. Paid overtime for the information he gathered, he began reporting back what he saw to his colleagues. His task, both Mr Cheng and UK government sources insist, was not to direct events in any way but to purely observe - the kind of civil society monitoring work many embassies do. But China had already begun to accuse the UK of meddling in Hong Kong, with British politicians becoming increasing vocal in their support for the protesters. On 8 August, with emails still on his phone linking him to that work observing the protests, he was sent by the consulate to a business conference in the Chinese city of Shenzhen. He didn't know it, but his life was about to change forever." } ], "id": "348_0", "question": "Who is Simon Cheng?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4008, "answer_start": 2982, "text": "Although China has ruled Hong Kong for more than 20 years, the border between the city and the mainland still looks and feels like an international boundary. The \"one country two systems\" principle - that the protesters say they are fighting to preserve - is meant to ensure that Hong Kong retains control over most of its affairs, including its borders. But Simon Cheng was about to discover for himself the blurred edges of that legal and political framework. Since the opening of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen high-speed rail link last year, a new border post has been placed inside West Kowloon station, in the heart of Hong Kong. It is deeply controversial: Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement views the presence of the Chinese police, manning the Chinese side, as an unwelcome extension of Chinese authority. It was here they stopped Simon Cheng, returning from his business trip. He was put on a train, transported back to Shenzhen and handed over, he says, to three plainclothes officers from China's National Security Police." } ], "id": "348_1", "question": "How did he disappear?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5046, "answer_start": 4009, "text": "Raising his arms above his head Mr Cheng shows me how he was hung up from the chain linking the handcuffs on his wrists. The questions focused on his involvement in the protests with the aim, he says, of forcing him to confess to fomenting unrest on behalf of the British state. \"They wanted to know what role the UK had in the Hong Kong protests - they asked what support, money and equipment we were giving to the protesters.\" He says he was made to hold stress positions - squatting against a wall for example - for hours on end, and beaten if he moved. \"They would beat the bony parts, like my ankles... or any vulnerable part.\" He claims he was subjected to sleep deprivation, with his interrogators forcing him to sing the Chinese national anthem to keep himself awake. And, he believes, he was not the only Hongkonger undergoing such treatment. \"I saw a bunch of Hong Kong people getting arrested and interrogated. I heard someone speak in Cantonese saying: 'Raise your hands up - you raised the flags in the protest didn't you?'\"" } ], "id": "348_2", "question": "How does he describe his ordeal?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 7537, "answer_start": 6105, "text": "The detention of a local employee of a foreign embassy or consulate is a relatively rare event. The last high-profile case involving the UK was the arrest in 2009 of a number of Iranian employees at the British embassy in Tehran. They were accused of playing a significant role in that year's violent demonstrations - an accusation that finds echoes in Simon Cheng's account. As in his own case, locally-employed staff usually have no diplomatic protection, potentially making them soft targets for intelligence gathering. But Mr Cheng may have been targeted for other reasons. He tells me he had a mainland Chinese friend who'd been arrested for taking part in the Hong Kong protests and was now on bail there. During his business trip to Shenzhen, without the knowledge of the UK consulate, Mr Cheng had met the relatives of this friend to collect money for his living expenses. Any mainlander known to have joined the pro-democracy demonstrations would be at risk of being placed under Chinese surveillance. Although collecting money for a friend in legal difficulty is unlikely to constitute a crime, even in China, it could well have placed Mr Cheng under suspicion too. I ask him what he thinks is the most likely reason for his detention - his position at the UK consulate, or his friendship with this mainland Chinese protester? \"Until now I have no idea,\" he replies. \"But I think both factors could be part of the reason.\"" } ], "id": "348_3", "question": "Why was he detained?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 9440, "answer_start": 7538, "text": "Alongside our interview, Mr Cheng has published his own detailed account of what happened to him. In it, he says that on the 11th day of his detention his treatment suddenly improved, a date that he says coincides with the first international media reports about his disappearance. UK government sources say that, behind the scenes, intense diplomatic activity was already under way to try to secure his release. Of China's only public version of events - the allegation that he was placed in 15 days administrative detention for soliciting prostitution - Mr Cheng is dismissive. \"It was a tactic for secretly and arbitrarily incarcerating me for an even longer period, without interference from third parties.\" In China, administrative detention is a penalty that can be imposed by the police, acting with no judicial oversight. And, he suggests, the circumstances of his arrest appear unusual. Allegations of soliciting prostitution are normally dealt with in China as a routine matter by the local police. They are far less likely to be the concern of the Chinese border authorities in West Kowloon station. Mr Cheng's written statement also mentions that, before his arrest, he stopped in Shenzhen for a massage. I ask him directly if he paid for sex. \"I don't want to focus on the question of whether I solicited a prostitute, because that's exactly what they want,\" he replies. \"So, I just want to state clearly that I did nothing regrettable to the people I cherish and love.\" Whatever the reasons behind the decision to release him, he says it came with a warning. \"They stated that if I receive media interviews and speak out [about] anything other than 'soliciting prostitution' publicly, I will be taken back to mainland China from Hong Kong.\" The UK's Hong Kong consulate has since reviewed, and tightened up, its guidelines for local staff travelling on work trips to the Chinese mainland." } ], "id": "348_4", "question": "Why was he released?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 9684, "answer_start": 9441, "text": "Simon Cheng has told the BBC that he believes it is too dangerous for him to return to Hong Kong. Initially, he was so concerned about his safety, he refused to allow the UK government to issue a statement condemning the way he'd been treated." } ], "id": "348_5", "question": "What will Simon Cheng do now?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The US has warned Venezuela that any threats against American diplomats or opposition leader Juan Guaido will be met with \"a significant response\". National Security Adviser John Bolton said any such \"intimidation\" would be \"a grave assault on the rule of law\". His warning comes days after the US and more than 20 other countries recognised Mr Guaido as interim president. Meanwhile, Mr Guaido has called for anti-government protests on Wednesday and Saturday. Mr Guaido, the elected leader of the opposition-held National Assembly, declared himself the interim president on 23 January. The political crisis in Venezuela now appears to be reaching boiling point amid growing efforts by the opposition to unseat President Nicolas Maduro. He was sworn in for a second term earlier this month after an election marred by an opposition boycott and allegations of vote-rigging, triggering large protests. On Sunday, Venezuela's top military representative to the US, Col Jose Luis Silva, defected from Mr Maduro's government, saying he recognised Mr Guaido as president instead. Later, Mr Bolton took to Twitter to reiterate Washington's position, warning others against any form of \"violence and intimidation\". Also on Twitter, Mr Guaido called for a \"peaceful\" two-hour strike on Wednesday and a \"big national and international rally\" on Saturday. On Saturday, several European countries including Spain, Germany, France and the UK said they would recognise Mr Guaido as president if elections were not called within eight days. But Mr Maduro has rejected this, saying the ultimatum must be withdrawn. \"Venezuela is not tied to Europe. This is complete insolence,\" he told CNN Turk on Sunday. Mr Maduro added that he was ready to \"engage in comprehensive dialogue\" with those who opposed his presidency. He said he had sent Donald Trump \"many messages\", but he thought the US president \"despises us\". He later appeared at a military exercise in Venezuela's central state of Carabobo, where he called for \"union, discipline and cohesion\" to overcome what he described as an \"attempted coup d'etat\" by Mr Guaido. Mr Maduro broke off relations with the US last Thursday over the country's support for Mr Guaido, and ordered US envoys to depart Venezuela within 72 hours. However on Saturday evening, as the deadline was due to expire, Venezuela's foreign ministry said it would withdraw the expulsion order, and instead allow 30 days for the two sides to set up \"interest offices\" in each others' countries. Interest offices are used when countries do not have formal diplomatic relations, but want to have a basic level of contact to represent their interests. Washington has previously said it does not recognise Mr Maduro's authority to order its diplomats out. Meanwhile, Mr Guaido told the Washington Post that he was in talks with \"sympathetic military\" officials in Venezuela with the aim of building support for his presidency. Venezuela's army has stood by Mr Maduro throughout previous upheaval, encouraged by regular wage increases and other incentives. In July, some 16,900 soldiers were promoted as a reward for their \"loyalty\". Despite that, reports suggest the lower ranks are increasingly dissatisfied with the government, which they blame for food and medicine shortages, as well as frequent power and water cuts. Russia, China, Mexico and Turkey have publicly backed Mr Maduro. At a UN Security Council meeting on Saturday, Russia accused Washington of plotting a coup. However, more than a dozen Latin American countries and Canada have backed Mr Guaido as president. In Europe, Greece's left-wing governing party has backed Mr Maduro. Venezuela is in economic crisis - hyperinflation and shortages of basic essentials have hit its population hard and caused millions to flee. Mr Maduro has faced internal opposition and ongoing international criticism for his human rights record and handling of the economy. He was re-elected to a second term last year - but the elections were controversial, with many opposition candidates barred from running or jailed. Supreme Court judge Christian Zerpa fled to the US in January, telling journalists the election \"was not free and competitive\".", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3325, "answer_start": 1346, "text": "On Saturday, several European countries including Spain, Germany, France and the UK said they would recognise Mr Guaido as president if elections were not called within eight days. But Mr Maduro has rejected this, saying the ultimatum must be withdrawn. \"Venezuela is not tied to Europe. This is complete insolence,\" he told CNN Turk on Sunday. Mr Maduro added that he was ready to \"engage in comprehensive dialogue\" with those who opposed his presidency. He said he had sent Donald Trump \"many messages\", but he thought the US president \"despises us\". He later appeared at a military exercise in Venezuela's central state of Carabobo, where he called for \"union, discipline and cohesion\" to overcome what he described as an \"attempted coup d'etat\" by Mr Guaido. Mr Maduro broke off relations with the US last Thursday over the country's support for Mr Guaido, and ordered US envoys to depart Venezuela within 72 hours. However on Saturday evening, as the deadline was due to expire, Venezuela's foreign ministry said it would withdraw the expulsion order, and instead allow 30 days for the two sides to set up \"interest offices\" in each others' countries. Interest offices are used when countries do not have formal diplomatic relations, but want to have a basic level of contact to represent their interests. Washington has previously said it does not recognise Mr Maduro's authority to order its diplomats out. Meanwhile, Mr Guaido told the Washington Post that he was in talks with \"sympathetic military\" officials in Venezuela with the aim of building support for his presidency. Venezuela's army has stood by Mr Maduro throughout previous upheaval, encouraged by regular wage increases and other incentives. In July, some 16,900 soldiers were promoted as a reward for their \"loyalty\". Despite that, reports suggest the lower ranks are increasingly dissatisfied with the government, which they blame for food and medicine shortages, as well as frequent power and water cuts." } ], "id": "349_0", "question": "What happens now?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3649, "answer_start": 3326, "text": "Russia, China, Mexico and Turkey have publicly backed Mr Maduro. At a UN Security Council meeting on Saturday, Russia accused Washington of plotting a coup. However, more than a dozen Latin American countries and Canada have backed Mr Guaido as president. In Europe, Greece's left-wing governing party has backed Mr Maduro." } ], "id": "349_1", "question": "Who supports Maduro?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4199, "answer_start": 3650, "text": "Venezuela is in economic crisis - hyperinflation and shortages of basic essentials have hit its population hard and caused millions to flee. Mr Maduro has faced internal opposition and ongoing international criticism for his human rights record and handling of the economy. He was re-elected to a second term last year - but the elections were controversial, with many opposition candidates barred from running or jailed. Supreme Court judge Christian Zerpa fled to the US in January, telling journalists the election \"was not free and competitive\"." } ], "id": "349_2", "question": "Why is Maduro so unpopular?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "India's government has decided to sell a controlling stake in the loss-making national carrier, Air India. It is putting 76% of the business up for sale in what would be India's most high profile asset sale in decades. Air India has relied on taxpayer-funded bailouts to stay operational - and the new buyer would take on about $5bn (PS3.6bn) of debt. If privatisation goes ahead, it will be a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claims to be a reformist leader. But it is not a done deal. Such plans have been abandoned before, and unions have threatened wide-ranging protests if ministers push ahead this time. Once the country's only airline, Air India has lost market share to new entrants and suffered from a reputation for poor service and cancelled flights. It has not turned a profit since 2007 - but with India seeing passenger growth of around 20% per year and analysts saying the Indian market is vastly underserved - it could still be a tempting prospect for would-be buyers. According to documents released by the government, Air India will be put up for sale as four different entities. - 76% of the main airline business - made up of Air India, its low-cost arm Air India Express and subsidiary AISATS - Alliance Air - the carrier's regional arm - Air India Air Transport Services - Air India Engineering Services Ltd Bidders are allowed to make separate offers for the four divisions - or for a combination of them. International routes are the most lucrative part of the Air India business, with slots at major international airports including London Heathrow and New York JFK. IndiGo, India's biggest airline, has said that it would like to carve out Air India's international passenger airline operations - to add to the seven international destinations it already flies to. But that is not an option currently on the table - and Indigo said it would also \"evaluate\" the option of taking on all of the airline business and see if it was \"economically feasible for us to go down that path\". \"At the end of the day, this exercise is not about becoming bigger for the sake of being bigger - it is all about profitable growth,\" co-founder Rahul Bhatia said. But he was clear IndiGo was not looking at buying all of Air India's businesses and subsidiaries. \"In our view, that would be a herculean task which would at best be a very challenging proposition and at worst an impossible task, unless an organisation is willing to fund large losses for a very long time,\" Mr Bhatia said. Another potential buyer is Vistara - the joint venture airline run between India's Tata Group and Singapore Airlines. Earlier this month, Singapore Airlines general manager David Lim told the BBC that it was \"open\" to an Air India bid. \"We haven't closed the doors and when that happens we will look at it\", he said Indian rules state that majority ownership of any national airline needs to be with an Indian national. So while international carriers can make a bid - the biggest stake they can hold is 49%. Jet Airways, another Indian carrier, is also likely to take a serious look at an offer - perhaps in partnership with an international carrier. Media reports suggest Air France and Delta may be interested. The government has waived some of the criteria for existing Indian airline operators to make bids - relating to net worth and recent profitability - so long as they bid as part of a consortium. Qatar Airways was another international airline linked with buying a stake in Air India, but it has since denied any interest. The eventual buyer of Air India may eventually have to list the airline on the stock exchange - which would be a clear incentive to make it profitable within a fixed time frame. It is likely that at this point, the government would then sell its remaining 24% in the business. The buyer will be taking on about $5bn of debt. However, this is only about half of what the airline owes. So in effect the buyer is getting a smaller proportion of the debt than it might expect for a 76% stake - which might make things more appealing. Would-be bidders have until 14 May to make initial proposals. Shortlisted bidders will be informed by 28 May.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1436, "answer_start": 993, "text": "According to documents released by the government, Air India will be put up for sale as four different entities. - 76% of the main airline business - made up of Air India, its low-cost arm Air India Express and subsidiary AISATS - Alliance Air - the carrier's regional arm - Air India Air Transport Services - Air India Engineering Services Ltd Bidders are allowed to make separate offers for the four divisions - or for a combination of them." } ], "id": "350_0", "question": "What's up for sale?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3537, "answer_start": 1437, "text": "International routes are the most lucrative part of the Air India business, with slots at major international airports including London Heathrow and New York JFK. IndiGo, India's biggest airline, has said that it would like to carve out Air India's international passenger airline operations - to add to the seven international destinations it already flies to. But that is not an option currently on the table - and Indigo said it would also \"evaluate\" the option of taking on all of the airline business and see if it was \"economically feasible for us to go down that path\". \"At the end of the day, this exercise is not about becoming bigger for the sake of being bigger - it is all about profitable growth,\" co-founder Rahul Bhatia said. But he was clear IndiGo was not looking at buying all of Air India's businesses and subsidiaries. \"In our view, that would be a herculean task which would at best be a very challenging proposition and at worst an impossible task, unless an organisation is willing to fund large losses for a very long time,\" Mr Bhatia said. Another potential buyer is Vistara - the joint venture airline run between India's Tata Group and Singapore Airlines. Earlier this month, Singapore Airlines general manager David Lim told the BBC that it was \"open\" to an Air India bid. \"We haven't closed the doors and when that happens we will look at it\", he said Indian rules state that majority ownership of any national airline needs to be with an Indian national. So while international carriers can make a bid - the biggest stake they can hold is 49%. Jet Airways, another Indian carrier, is also likely to take a serious look at an offer - perhaps in partnership with an international carrier. Media reports suggest Air France and Delta may be interested. The government has waived some of the criteria for existing Indian airline operators to make bids - relating to net worth and recent profitability - so long as they bid as part of a consortium. Qatar Airways was another international airline linked with buying a stake in Air India, but it has since denied any interest." } ], "id": "350_1", "question": "Who'll buy it?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4068, "answer_start": 3538, "text": "The eventual buyer of Air India may eventually have to list the airline on the stock exchange - which would be a clear incentive to make it profitable within a fixed time frame. It is likely that at this point, the government would then sell its remaining 24% in the business. The buyer will be taking on about $5bn of debt. However, this is only about half of what the airline owes. So in effect the buyer is getting a smaller proportion of the debt than it might expect for a 76% stake - which might make things more appealing." } ], "id": "350_2", "question": "Any caveats?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4178, "answer_start": 4069, "text": "Would-be bidders have until 14 May to make initial proposals. Shortlisted bidders will be informed by 28 May." } ], "id": "350_3", "question": "What's the time line?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A court in Egypt has given human rights activist Amal Fathy a two-year-suspended sentence and a fine for \"spreading fake news\". She has been in detention since May after posting a video criticising the government over the extent of sexual harassment in the country. Amnesty International said this was \"an outrageous case of injustice\". Egypt has recently passed a law that tightens controls over the internet - a move condemned by rights activists. The legislation on \"cybercrime\" means websites can be blocked in Egypt if deemed to constitute a threat to national security or the economy. It also allows any social media accounts with more than 5,000 followers to be placed under supervision. Egypt's authorities say the measures are needed to tackle instability and terrorism. Correspondents say that with street protests in Egypt all but banned, the internet has been one of the last forums left for Egyptians to express dissent. In addition to the suspended sentence, the court on Saturday also fined her 10,000 Egyptian pounds (PS430; $560). She would appeal against the verdict, her lawyer was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. Last May, Amal Fathy posted a 12-minute video on Facebook in which she described how she had been sexually harassed while visiting her bank. She also criticised the government for not doing enough to protect women. She was arrested two days later, and charged with attempting to harm the Egyptian state and possessing indecent material. Reacting to Saturday's verdict, Amnesty International said in a statement: \"Amal Fathy is now facing a disgraceful sentence simply for her courage to speak out against sexual harassment. \"She is not a criminal and should not be punished for her bravery.\" Human Rights Watch has recently said that Egyptian authorities were increasingly using counterterrorism and state-of-emergency laws and courts to unjustly prosecute journalists, activists, and critics for peaceful criticism. Egypt's authorities have not commented so far on the ruling.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2019, "answer_start": 934, "text": "In addition to the suspended sentence, the court on Saturday also fined her 10,000 Egyptian pounds (PS430; $560). She would appeal against the verdict, her lawyer was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. Last May, Amal Fathy posted a 12-minute video on Facebook in which she described how she had been sexually harassed while visiting her bank. She also criticised the government for not doing enough to protect women. She was arrested two days later, and charged with attempting to harm the Egyptian state and possessing indecent material. Reacting to Saturday's verdict, Amnesty International said in a statement: \"Amal Fathy is now facing a disgraceful sentence simply for her courage to speak out against sexual harassment. \"She is not a criminal and should not be punished for her bravery.\" Human Rights Watch has recently said that Egyptian authorities were increasingly using counterterrorism and state-of-emergency laws and courts to unjustly prosecute journalists, activists, and critics for peaceful criticism. Egypt's authorities have not commented so far on the ruling." } ], "id": "351_0", "question": "What about Amal Fathy's case?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Queens Park Rangers football club have said they are aware of historical child abuse allegations made against former employee Chris Gieler. The west London Championship club said it \"takes these allegations very seriously\" and would \"co-operate fully in any forthcoming investigation\". Mr Gieler died in 2002, shortly after leaving the club. He was employed by QPR for about 30 years, working in youth development and as chief scout. Mr Gieler arrived at Loftus Road in 1971 as a schoolboy scout and in 1979 he became youth development manager, responsible for the entire youth programme. Child sex abuse claims: The story so far The club's announcement came as the Football Association announced that the internal review into child sexual abuse allegations in football would be led by Clive Sheldon QC. A total of 450 people have alleged they are victims and 55 amateur and professional football clubs are linked to allegations of abuse going back several decades. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has become the latest force to confirm it is investigating claims, so there are now 21 police forces looking into reports. A dedicated sexual abuse helpline has been set up by the NSPCC, supported by the FA. In a statement, QPR said: \"Any form of abuse has no place in football or society. \"QPR has robust recruitment procedures and safeguarding policies in place to ensure the protection and welfare of both children and vulnerable adults, and we employ a full-time designated safeguarding manager who works across all areas of the club.\" The club said it had had someone responsible for safeguarding in place since 2011, in line with FA, Premier League and Football League guidelines. Earlier, former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp told the BBC that \"rumours\" that ex-Southampton coach Bob Higgins may have abused young players in the 1980s had been \"rife\" for years. He said that, because of this, he was \"amazed\" that Mr Higgins, who is facing fresh allegations of historical sexual abuse, had continued to be involved in football. Former Southampton youth player and ex-professional footballer Billy Seymour told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme that he had been abused by Mr Higgins from the age of 12 to 14. He said that because of this he had \"self-medicated\" with drink and drugs, and said he had been to prison three times for \"anger issues\". \"My life has been chaos really, over the last 20 years,\" he said. \"I'm just hoping now I can start opening up and start living.\" Mr Seymour told the BBC that the abuse \"started with grooming and preferential treatment, coming round and picking me up, taking me to scouting missions, gifts, tracksuits, aftershave\". He said he would stay at Mr Higgins' house, where he said the former coach would walk into his bedroom late at night, or would invite him into his bedroom in the morning, and touch his \"groin area\". Mr Higgins has previously denied all allegations and was acquitted of sexual abuse charges in 1992. The BBC has been unable to contact him for comment. Meanwhile, the FA has published the full terms of reference of its review, which covers what was known and what actions were taken by the FA from the 1970s. The FA said the precise number of players, alleged abusers and clubs it would investigate was as yet unknown. Separately, a lawyer representing a new body supporting victims said \"calls and emails are coming in all the time\" from players claiming to have been forced to sign non-disclosure agreements with clubs in return for compensation. He told the BBC such clauses would seem \"entirely inappropriate\" for an issue such as the abuse of children, but said that the victims coming forward had named \"several\" clubs as using them. The claims come after Chelsea FC apologised to former player Gary Johnson for the abuse he suffered as a trainee in the 1970s, having waived the confidentiality clause in a PS50,000 agreement they made with him last year. In April 1989, Bob Higgins was dismissed by Southampton FC, where he worked as a youth coach, after several allegations were made against him. He had set up The Bob Higgins Soccer Academy, but on 27 April 1989 the Football League sent a letter to all football clubs warning that it was \"opposed to the activities\" of the group. In May 1995, Mr Higgins joined Peterborough United as a youth coach. He left in April 1996 by mutual consent. After spending some time working in Malta he was appointed manager of the non-league side Bashley FC, until he was sacked in 2001. After Bashley he briefly worked at Winchester City where he operated in an \"advisory role\" for the senior team. He later landed a coaching role with Fleet Town FC on an \"informal, unpaid basis\", but has since left. Fleet Town said his role did not involve working with children.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4795, "answer_start": 3948, "text": "In April 1989, Bob Higgins was dismissed by Southampton FC, where he worked as a youth coach, after several allegations were made against him. He had set up The Bob Higgins Soccer Academy, but on 27 April 1989 the Football League sent a letter to all football clubs warning that it was \"opposed to the activities\" of the group. In May 1995, Mr Higgins joined Peterborough United as a youth coach. He left in April 1996 by mutual consent. After spending some time working in Malta he was appointed manager of the non-league side Bashley FC, until he was sacked in 2001. After Bashley he briefly worked at Winchester City where he operated in an \"advisory role\" for the senior team. He later landed a coaching role with Fleet Town FC on an \"informal, unpaid basis\", but has since left. Fleet Town said his role did not involve working with children." } ], "id": "352_0", "question": "Who is Bob Higgins?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The US space agency's New Horizons probe has made contact with Earth to confirm its successful flyby of the icy world known as Ultima Thule. The encounter occurred some 6.5bn km (4bn miles) away, making it the most distant ever exploration of an object in our Solar System. New Horizons acquired gigabytes of photos and other observations during the pass. It will now send these home over the coming months. The radio message from the robotic craft was picked up by one of Nasa's big antennas, in Madrid, Spain. It had taken fully six hours and eight minutes to traverse the great expanse of space between Ultima and Earth. Controllers at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland greeted the reception of the signal with cheers and applause. \"We have a healthy spacecraft,\" announced Mission Operations Manager Alice Bowman. \"We've just accomplished the most distant flyby.\" This first radio message contained only engineering information on the status of the spacecraft, but it included confirmation that New Horizons executed its autonomous flyby observations as instructed and that the probe's onboard memory was full. A later downlink on Tuesday will see some choice images returned to give scientists and the public a taster of what New Horizons saw through its cameras. If there is one note of caution it is that the timing and orientation of the spacecraft had to be spot on if the probe was not to shoot pictures of empty space! As a result, there will continue to be some anxiety until the data can be examined. \"The highest resolution images taken at closest approach required perfect pointing, almost,\" said Project Scientist Hal Weaver. \"We think, based on everything we've seen so far, that was achieved.\" Ultima is in what's termed the Kuiper belt - the band of frozen material that orbits the Sun more than 2 billion km further out than the eighth of the classical planets, Neptune; and 1.5 billion km beyond even the dwarf planet Pluto which New Horizons visited in 2015. It's estimated there are hundreds of thousands of Kuiper members like Ultima, and their frigid state almost certainly holds clues to the formation conditions of the Solar System 4.6 billion years ago. The vast separation between New Horizons and Earth, coupled with the probe's small, 15-watt transmitter, mean data rates are glacial, however. They top out at 1 kilobit per second. To retrieve all of the imagery stored on the probe is therefore expected to take until September 2020. The first of the very highest resolution pictures should come down to Earth in February. But this wouldn't delay the science, said Principal Investigator Alan Stern. \"The [lower resolution] images that come down this week will already reveal the basic geology and structure of Ultima for us, and we're going to start writing our first scientific paper next week,\" he told reporters. Even just the final picture released from the approach phase to the flyby contained tantalising information. Ultima appears in it as just a blob, but immediately it has allowed researchers to refine their estimate of the object's size - about 35km by 15km. Several factors make Ultima Thule, and the domain in which it moves, so interesting to scientists. One is that the Sun is so dim in this region that temperatures are down near 30-40 degrees above absolute zero. As a result, chemical reactions have essentially stalled. This means Ultima is in such a deep freeze that it is probably perfectly preserved in the state in which it formed. Another factor is that Ultima is small (about 30km across), and this means it doesn't have the type of \"geological engine\" that in larger objects will rework their composition. And a third factor is just the nature of the environment. It's very sedate in the Kuiper belt. Unlike in the inner Solar System, there are probably very few collisions between objects. The Kuiper belt hasn't been stirred up. Alan Stern said: \"Everything that we're going to learn about Ultima - from its composition to its geology, to how it was originally assembled, whether it has satellites and an atmosphere, and that kind of thing - is going to teach us about the original formation conditions in the Solar System that all the other objects we've gone out and orbited, flown by and landed on can't tell us because they're either large and evolve, or they are warm. Ultima is unique.\" First, the scientists must work on the Ultima data, but they will also ask Nasa to fund a further extension to the mission. The hope is that the course of the spacecraft can be altered slightly to visit at least one more Kuiper belt object sometime in the next decade. New Horizons should have just enough fuel reserves to be able to do this. Critically, it should also have sufficient electrical reserves to keep operating its instruments into the 2030s. The longevity of New Horizon's plutonium battery may even allow it to record its exit from the Solar System. The two 1970s Voyager missions have both now left the heliosphere - the bubble of gas blown off our Sun (one definition of the Solar System's domain). Voyager 2 only recently did it, in November. And in case you were wondering, New Horizons will never match the Voyagers in terms of distance travelled from Earth. Although New Horizons was the fastest spacecraft ever launched in 2006, it continues to lose ground to the older missions. The reason: the Voyagers got a gravitational speed boost when they passed the outer planets. Voyager-1 is now moving at almost 17km/s; New Horizons is moving at 14km/s. The BBC's Sky At Night programme will broadcast a special episode on the flyby on Sunday 13 January on BBC Four at 22:30 GMT. Presenter Chris Lintott will review the event and discuss some of the new science to emerge from the encounter with the New Horizons team. Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4390, "answer_start": 3140, "text": "Several factors make Ultima Thule, and the domain in which it moves, so interesting to scientists. One is that the Sun is so dim in this region that temperatures are down near 30-40 degrees above absolute zero. As a result, chemical reactions have essentially stalled. This means Ultima is in such a deep freeze that it is probably perfectly preserved in the state in which it formed. Another factor is that Ultima is small (about 30km across), and this means it doesn't have the type of \"geological engine\" that in larger objects will rework their composition. And a third factor is just the nature of the environment. It's very sedate in the Kuiper belt. Unlike in the inner Solar System, there are probably very few collisions between objects. The Kuiper belt hasn't been stirred up. Alan Stern said: \"Everything that we're going to learn about Ultima - from its composition to its geology, to how it was originally assembled, whether it has satellites and an atmosphere, and that kind of thing - is going to teach us about the original formation conditions in the Solar System that all the other objects we've gone out and orbited, flown by and landed on can't tell us because they're either large and evolve, or they are warm. Ultima is unique.\"" } ], "id": "353_0", "question": "What's so special about the Kuiper belt?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5561, "answer_start": 4391, "text": "First, the scientists must work on the Ultima data, but they will also ask Nasa to fund a further extension to the mission. The hope is that the course of the spacecraft can be altered slightly to visit at least one more Kuiper belt object sometime in the next decade. New Horizons should have just enough fuel reserves to be able to do this. Critically, it should also have sufficient electrical reserves to keep operating its instruments into the 2030s. The longevity of New Horizon's plutonium battery may even allow it to record its exit from the Solar System. The two 1970s Voyager missions have both now left the heliosphere - the bubble of gas blown off our Sun (one definition of the Solar System's domain). Voyager 2 only recently did it, in November. And in case you were wondering, New Horizons will never match the Voyagers in terms of distance travelled from Earth. Although New Horizons was the fastest spacecraft ever launched in 2006, it continues to lose ground to the older missions. The reason: the Voyagers got a gravitational speed boost when they passed the outer planets. Voyager-1 is now moving at almost 17km/s; New Horizons is moving at 14km/s." } ], "id": "353_1", "question": "What does New Horizons do next?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A UN report has said top military figures in Myanmar must be investigated for genocide in Rakhine state and crimes against humanity in other areas. The report, based on hundreds of interviews, is the strongest condemnation from the UN so far of violence against Rohingya Muslims. It says the army's tactics are \"grossly disproportionate to actual security threats\". Myanmar rejected the report. At least 700,000 Rohingya fled violence in the country in the past 12 months. The report names six senior military figures it believes should go on trial and sharply criticises Myanmar's de facto leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, for failing to intervene to stop attacks. It calls for the case to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The government has consistently said its operations targeted militant or insurgent threats but the report says the crimes documented are \"shocking for the level of denial, normalcy and impunity that is attached to them\". \"Military necessity would never justify killing indiscriminately, gang raping women, assaulting children, and burning entire villages,\" the report says. The UN mission did not have access to Myanmar for its report but says it relied on such sources as eyewitness interviews, satellite imagery, photographs and videos. Jonathan Head, BBC South East Asia correspondent Genocide is the most serious charge that can be made against a government and is rarely proposed by UN investigators. That this report finds sufficient evidence to warrant investigation and prosecution of the senior commanders in the Myanmar armed forces is a searing indictment which will be impossible for members of the international community to ignore. However taking Myanmar to the ICC, as recommended by the report, is difficult. It is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the court, so a referral to the ICC would need the backing of the permanent five Security Council members - and China is unlikely to agree. The report suggests, instead, the establishment of a special independent body by the UN, as happened with Syria, to conduct an investigation in support of war crimes and genocide prosecutions. The government of Myanmar has until now rejected numerous investigations alleging massive atrocities by its military. This one will be much harder to dismiss. The UN's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar was set up in March 2017 to investigate widespread allegations of human rights abuses in Myanmar, particularly in Rakhine state. It began its work before the military started a large-scale operation in Rakhine in August of last year, after deadly attacks by Rohingya militants. The situation was a \"catastrophe looming for decades\", the report argues, and the result of \"severe, systemic and institutionalised oppression from birth to death\". Crimes documented in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine include murder, imprisonment, torture, rape, sexual slavery, persecution and enslavement that \"undoubtedly amount to the gravest crimes under international law\". In Rakhine state, the report also found elements of extermination and deportation \"similar in nature, gravity and scope to those that have allowed genocide intent to be established in other contexts\". The UN mission names army officials who, it says, bear the greatest responsibility. They include Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing and his deputy. The military is described as being virtually above the law. Under the constitution, civilian authorities have little control over the military but the document says that \"through their acts and omissions, the civilian authorities have contributed to the commission of atrocity crimes\". Aung Sang Suu Kyi, the report finds, \"has not used her de facto position as Head of Government, nor her moral authority, to stem or prevent the unfolding events in Rakhine\". The report says that some abuses were also committed by armed ethnic groups in Kachin and Shan state, and by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) in Rakhine. The mission said it would release a more detailed report on 18 September. Myanmar's Permanent Representative to the UN, U Hau Do Suan, told BBC Burmese: \"As we did not accept the idea of a fact-finding mission from the beginning, we reject their report. \"The human rights abuses are one-sided accusations against us. This is designed at putting pressure on us by the international organisations. Their report is based on one-sided information from the people who fled to Bangladesh and the opposition groups.\" The Rohingya are one of many ethnic minorities in Myanmar and make up the largest percentage of the country's Muslims. The government, however, sees them as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh and denies them citizenship. The military launched its latest crackdown after militants from Arsa attacked police posts in August 2017, killing several policemen. According to the medical charity MSF, at least 6,700 Rohingya, including at least 730 children under the age of five, were killed in the first month after the violence broke out. The army exonerated itself in an investigation in 2017. Rights groups like Amnesty International have long called for top officials to be tried for crimes against humanity over the Rohingya crisis. The UK Foreign Office said the \"appalling\" violations against the Rohingya must be punished. \"There cannot and must not be impunity for such acts,\" said Minister of State for Asia Mark Field. EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters: \"We have made clear very consistently those responsible for alleged serious and systemic human rights violations must be held to account.\" Facebook has removed 18 Facebook accounts, one Instagram account and 52 Facebook pages linked to the Myanmar military, as part of its work to \"prevent the spread of hate and misinformation\" on its networks.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3260, "answer_start": 2342, "text": "The UN's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar was set up in March 2017 to investigate widespread allegations of human rights abuses in Myanmar, particularly in Rakhine state. It began its work before the military started a large-scale operation in Rakhine in August of last year, after deadly attacks by Rohingya militants. The situation was a \"catastrophe looming for decades\", the report argues, and the result of \"severe, systemic and institutionalised oppression from birth to death\". Crimes documented in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine include murder, imprisonment, torture, rape, sexual slavery, persecution and enslavement that \"undoubtedly amount to the gravest crimes under international law\". In Rakhine state, the report also found elements of extermination and deportation \"similar in nature, gravity and scope to those that have allowed genocide intent to be established in other contexts\"." } ], "id": "354_0", "question": "What crimes does the UN allege?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5286, "answer_start": 4542, "text": "The Rohingya are one of many ethnic minorities in Myanmar and make up the largest percentage of the country's Muslims. The government, however, sees them as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh and denies them citizenship. The military launched its latest crackdown after militants from Arsa attacked police posts in August 2017, killing several policemen. According to the medical charity MSF, at least 6,700 Rohingya, including at least 730 children under the age of five, were killed in the first month after the violence broke out. The army exonerated itself in an investigation in 2017. Rights groups like Amnesty International have long called for top officials to be tried for crimes against humanity over the Rohingya crisis." } ], "id": "354_1", "question": "How did the situation reach crisis point?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5871, "answer_start": 5287, "text": "The UK Foreign Office said the \"appalling\" violations against the Rohingya must be punished. \"There cannot and must not be impunity for such acts,\" said Minister of State for Asia Mark Field. EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters: \"We have made clear very consistently those responsible for alleged serious and systemic human rights violations must be held to account.\" Facebook has removed 18 Facebook accounts, one Instagram account and 52 Facebook pages linked to the Myanmar military, as part of its work to \"prevent the spread of hate and misinformation\" on its networks." } ], "id": "354_2", "question": "How is the world responding to the report?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A Tea Party-backed challenger has ousted a 35-year veteran of the US Senate in a Republican primary in his home state of Indiana. Richard Lugar, 80, who has held his seat since 1976, was defeated by a margin of more than 20 points by state treasurer Richard Mourdock. Correspondents say Mr Lugar's loss could increase Senate partisanship. The upset is viewed as a sign that the anti-Washington, small government Tea Party movement is alive and well. Mr Lugar, a six-term senator, had previously come under fire for not keeping his primary residence in Indiana. Long-serving Utah Republican Orrin Hatch faces a similar threat in June. In a statement on the Indiana senator's \"retirement\", President Barack Obama said he \"deeply appreciated\" Mr Lugar's three decades of service and praised him as someone \"who was often willing to reach across the aisle and get things done\". Mr Lugar said in his concession speech: \"We are experiencing deep political divisions in our society right now, and these divisions have stalemated progress in critical areas. \"But these divisions are not insurmountable and I believe that people of good will, regardless of party, can work together for the benefit of our country.\" Mr Lugar added that he would spend his remaining time in office working to pass an effective farm bill and focus on national security initiatives. Later, in a \n 1,500-word statement distributed to reporters\n, Mr Lugar warned against reflexive partisanship from his opponent and in Congress. \"If Mr Mourdock is elected, I want him to be a good senator,\" Mr Lugar wrote. \"But that will require him to revise his stated goal of bringing more partisanship to Washington. \"He and I share many positions, but his embrace of an unrelenting partisan mindset is irreconcilable with my philosophy of governance and my experience of what brings results for Hoosiers in the Senate.\" Mr Mourdock began his victory speech with a round of applause for Mr Lugar, saying the long-serving senator was not his enemy but simply his opponent. Mr Mourdock said his victory on Tuesday sent two messages: that Republicans in Indiana \"want to see the Republicans inside the United States Senate taking a more conservative track\", and that conservatives around America could achieve the \"impossible\". Mr Mourdock goes on to face Democrat Joe Donnolly, currently serving as a representative in Congress, in November's election. Indiana was one of three states, along with West Virginia and North Carolina, holding state and presidential primaries on Tuesday. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney won all three primary contests, bringing him about 100 delegates closer to the 1,144 he needs to secure the nomination. In North Carolina, primary elections were overshadowed by a vote on whether a same-sex marriage ban should be added to the state's constitution. During the competitive race, Mr Mourdock's backers had sought to portray the sitting senator as increasingly liberal, highlighting what they said were links to President Obama. The top-ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr Lugar was known for his work on nuclear arms reduction in the 1990s.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3177, "answer_start": 634, "text": "In a statement on the Indiana senator's \"retirement\", President Barack Obama said he \"deeply appreciated\" Mr Lugar's three decades of service and praised him as someone \"who was often willing to reach across the aisle and get things done\". Mr Lugar said in his concession speech: \"We are experiencing deep political divisions in our society right now, and these divisions have stalemated progress in critical areas. \"But these divisions are not insurmountable and I believe that people of good will, regardless of party, can work together for the benefit of our country.\" Mr Lugar added that he would spend his remaining time in office working to pass an effective farm bill and focus on national security initiatives. Later, in a \n 1,500-word statement distributed to reporters\n, Mr Lugar warned against reflexive partisanship from his opponent and in Congress. \"If Mr Mourdock is elected, I want him to be a good senator,\" Mr Lugar wrote. \"But that will require him to revise his stated goal of bringing more partisanship to Washington. \"He and I share many positions, but his embrace of an unrelenting partisan mindset is irreconcilable with my philosophy of governance and my experience of what brings results for Hoosiers in the Senate.\" Mr Mourdock began his victory speech with a round of applause for Mr Lugar, saying the long-serving senator was not his enemy but simply his opponent. Mr Mourdock said his victory on Tuesday sent two messages: that Republicans in Indiana \"want to see the Republicans inside the United States Senate taking a more conservative track\", and that conservatives around America could achieve the \"impossible\". Mr Mourdock goes on to face Democrat Joe Donnolly, currently serving as a representative in Congress, in November's election. Indiana was one of three states, along with West Virginia and North Carolina, holding state and presidential primaries on Tuesday. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney won all three primary contests, bringing him about 100 delegates closer to the 1,144 he needs to secure the nomination. In North Carolina, primary elections were overshadowed by a vote on whether a same-sex marriage ban should be added to the state's constitution. During the competitive race, Mr Mourdock's backers had sought to portray the sitting senator as increasingly liberal, highlighting what they said were links to President Obama. The top-ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr Lugar was known for his work on nuclear arms reduction in the 1990s." } ], "id": "355_0", "question": "Insurmountable differences?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Ask Google or Siri: \"What is Taiwan?\" \"A state\", they will answer, \"in East Asia\". But earlier in September, it would have been a \"province in the People's Republic of China\". For questions of fact, many search engines, digital assistants and phones all point to one place: Wikipedia. And Wikipedia had suddenly changed. The edit was reversed, but soon made again. And again. It became an editorial tug of war that - as far as the encyclopedia was concerned - caused the state of Taiwan to constantly blink in and out of existence over the course of a single day. \"This year is a very crazy year,\" sighed Jamie Lin, a board member of Wikimedia Taiwan. \"A lot of Taiwanese Wikipedians have been attacked.\" Wikipedia is a movement as much as a website. Anyone can write or edit entries on Wikipedia, and in almost every country on Earth, communities of \"Wikipedians\" exist to protect and contribute to it. The largest collection of human knowledge ever amassed, available to everyone online for free, it is arguably the greatest achievement of the digital age. But in the eyes of Lin and her colleagues, it is now under attack. The edit war over Taiwan was only one of a number that had broken out across Wikipedia's vast, multi-lingual expanse of entries. The Hong Kong protests page had seen 65 changes in the space of a day - largely over questions of language. Were they protesters? Or rioters? The English entry for the Senkaku islands said they were \"islands in East Asia\", but earlier this year the Mandarin equivalent had been changed to add \"China's inherent territory\". The 1989 Tiananmen Square protests were changed in Mandarin to describe them as \"the June 4th incident\" to \"quell the counter-revolutionary riots\". On the English version, the Dalai Lama is a Tibetan refugee. In Mandarin, he is a Chinese exile. Angry differences of opinion happen all the time on Wikipedia. But to Ms Lin, this was different. \"It's control by the [Chinese] Government\" she continued. \"That's very terrible.\" BBC Click's investigation has found almost 1,600 tendentious edits across 22 politically sensitive articles. We cannot verify who made each of these edits, why, or whether they reflect a more widespread practice. However, there are indications that they are not all necessarily organic, nor random. Both an official and academics from within China have begun to call for both their government and citizens to systematically correct what they argue are serious anti-Chinese biases endemic across Wikipedia. One paper is called Opportunities And Challenges Of China's Foreign Communication in the Wikipedia, and was published in the Journal of Social Sciences this year. In it, the academics Li-hao Gan and Bin-Ting Weng argue that \"due to the influence by foreign media, Wikipedia entries have a large number of prejudiced words against the Chinese government\". They continue: \"We must develop a targeted external communication strategy, which includes not only rebuilding a set of external communication discourse systems, but also cultivating influential editors on the wiki platform.\" They end with a call to action. \"China urgently needs to encourage and train Chinese netizens to become Wikipedia platform opinion leaders and administrators... [who] can adhere to socialist values and form some core editorial teams.\" Another is written by Jie Ding, an official from the China International Publishing Group, an organisation controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. It argues that \"there is a lack of systematic ordering and maintenance of contents about China's major political discourse on Wikipedia\". It too urges the importance to \"reflect our voices and opinions in the entry, so as to objectively and truly reflect the influence of Chinese path and Chinese thoughts on other countries and history\". \"'Telling China's story' is a concept that has gained huge traction over the past couple of years,\" Lokman Tsui, an assistant professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told BBC Click. \"They think that a lot of the perceptions people have of China abroad are really misunderstandings.\" To Tsui, an important shift is now happening as China mobilises its system of domestic online control to now extend beyond its borders to confront the perceived misconceptions that exist there. Wikipedia has confronted the problem of vandalism since its beginning. You can see all the edits that are made, vandalism can be rolled back in a second, pages can be locked, and the site is patrolled by a combination of bots and editors. People have tried to manipulate Wikipedia from the very beginning, and others have worked to stop them for just as long. However, much of the activity that Lin described isn't quite vandalism. Some - such as Taiwan's sovereignty - is about asserting one disputed claim above others. Others, subtler still, are about the pruning of language, especially in Mandarin, to make a political point. Should the Hong Kong protests be considered \"against\" China? Should you call a community \"Taiwanese people of Han descent\", or \"a subgroup of Han Chinese, native to Taiwan\"? It is over this kind of linguistic territory that many of the fiercest battles rage. The attacks are often not to Wikipedia's content, but rather its community of Wikipedians. \"Some have told us that their personal information has been sprayed [released], because they have different thoughts,\" Lin said. There have also been death threats directed at Taiwanese Wikipedians. One, on the related public Wikimedia Telegram Channel, read \"the policemen will enjoy your mother's forensic report\". And elections to administrator positions on Wikipedia, who hold greater powers, have similarly become starkly divided down geopolitical lines. Attributing online activity to states is often impossible, and there is also no direct, proven link between any of these edits and the Chinese government. \"It's absolutely conceivable,\" Tsui continued, \"that people from the diaspora, patriotic Chinese, are editing these Wikipedia entries. \"But to say that is to ignore the larger structural coordinated strategy the government has to manipulate these platforms.\" Whilst unattributed, the edits do happen against the backdrop where a number of states, including China, have intensified attempts to systematically manipulate online platforms. They have done so on Twitter and Facebook, and researchers around the world have warned of state-backed online propaganda targeting a range of others. Compared with almost any other online platform, Wikipedia makes for a tempting, even obvious, target. \"I'm absolutely not surprised,\" said Heather Ford, a senior lecturer in digital cultures at the University of New South Wales, whose research has focused on the political editing of Wikipedia. I'm surprised it's taken this long actually... It is a prioritised source of facts and knowledge about the world.\" Of course, every state cares about its reputation. \"China is the second largest economy in the world and is doing what any other country in this status would seek,\" said Shirley Ze Yu, a visiting senior fellow at the LSE. \"Today China does owe the world a China story told by itself and from a Chinese perspective. I think it's not only Chinese privilege, it's really a responsibility\". Taiwan is itself locked in a messaging war with China, with its own geopolitical points to make and many of the misconceptions may be genuine ones, at least in the eyes of the people who edit them. So does this amount to telling China's story, or online propaganda? At least on Wikipedia, the answer depends on where you fall on two very different ideas about what the internet is for. There is the philosophy of open knowledge, open source, volunteer-led communities. But it may now be confronted by another force: the growing online power of states whose geopolitical struggles to define the truth now extend onto places like Wikipedia that have grown too large, too important, for them to ignore. * The Chinese Embassy was approached for a comment but we did not receive a reply.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 8064, "answer_start": 5191, "text": "The attacks are often not to Wikipedia's content, but rather its community of Wikipedians. \"Some have told us that their personal information has been sprayed [released], because they have different thoughts,\" Lin said. There have also been death threats directed at Taiwanese Wikipedians. One, on the related public Wikimedia Telegram Channel, read \"the policemen will enjoy your mother's forensic report\". And elections to administrator positions on Wikipedia, who hold greater powers, have similarly become starkly divided down geopolitical lines. Attributing online activity to states is often impossible, and there is also no direct, proven link between any of these edits and the Chinese government. \"It's absolutely conceivable,\" Tsui continued, \"that people from the diaspora, patriotic Chinese, are editing these Wikipedia entries. \"But to say that is to ignore the larger structural coordinated strategy the government has to manipulate these platforms.\" Whilst unattributed, the edits do happen against the backdrop where a number of states, including China, have intensified attempts to systematically manipulate online platforms. They have done so on Twitter and Facebook, and researchers around the world have warned of state-backed online propaganda targeting a range of others. Compared with almost any other online platform, Wikipedia makes for a tempting, even obvious, target. \"I'm absolutely not surprised,\" said Heather Ford, a senior lecturer in digital cultures at the University of New South Wales, whose research has focused on the political editing of Wikipedia. I'm surprised it's taken this long actually... It is a prioritised source of facts and knowledge about the world.\" Of course, every state cares about its reputation. \"China is the second largest economy in the world and is doing what any other country in this status would seek,\" said Shirley Ze Yu, a visiting senior fellow at the LSE. \"Today China does owe the world a China story told by itself and from a Chinese perspective. I think it's not only Chinese privilege, it's really a responsibility\". Taiwan is itself locked in a messaging war with China, with its own geopolitical points to make and many of the misconceptions may be genuine ones, at least in the eyes of the people who edit them. So does this amount to telling China's story, or online propaganda? At least on Wikipedia, the answer depends on where you fall on two very different ideas about what the internet is for. There is the philosophy of open knowledge, open source, volunteer-led communities. But it may now be confronted by another force: the growing online power of states whose geopolitical struggles to define the truth now extend onto places like Wikipedia that have grown too large, too important, for them to ignore. * The Chinese Embassy was approached for a comment but we did not receive a reply." } ], "id": "356_0", "question": "Coordinated strategy?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "They're cute, they're cuddly and they've just been brought back from the brink of extinction. We're talking about the giant panda, a global icon that's just been taken off the endangered list, largely due to Chinese conservation efforts. But how exactly did they do it? China has been trying for years to increase the population of the giant panda. The bears, China's national icon, were once widespread throughout southern and eastern China but, due to expanding human populations and development, are now limited to areas that still contain bamboo forests. The success is due to Chinese efforts to recreate and repopulate bamboo forests. Bamboo makes up some 99% of their diet, without which they are likely to starve. Pandas must eat 12kg (26 lbs) to 38kg worth of bamboo each day to maintain their energy needs. There are now an estimated total of 2,060 pandas, of which 1,864 are adults - a number which has seen their status changed from \"endangered\" to \"vulnerable\", on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List. \"It's all about restoring the habitats,\" Craig Hilton-Taylor, Head of the IUCN Red List, told the BBC. \"Just by restoring the panda's habitat, that's given them back their space and made food available to them.\" A loss of habitats was what caused the number of pandas to drop to just over 1,200 in the 1980s, according to Mr Hilton-Taylor. \"You need to get the bamboo back and slowly the numbers will start to creep back,\" he said. Ginette Hemley, senior vice-president for wildlife conservation at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) agreed. \"The Chinese have done a great job in investing in panda habitats, expanding and setting up new reserves,\" said Ms Hemley. \"They are a wonderful example of what can happen when a government is committed to conservation.\" Yet this success could be short-lived. Climate change is predicted to wipe out more than one-third of the panda's bamboo habitat in the next 80 years. \"With the change in climate, it's going to get too hot for the bamboo to grow,\" Mr Hilton-Taylor explained. \"Giant pandas are very dependent on bamboo for food and with a loss in bamboo, it's not looking very promising for them.\" Many zoos and Chinese facilities have placed their bets on breeding giant pandas in captivity, sometimes using artificial insemination methods. Baby giant panda twins were on Sunday born in an Atlanta zoo - their mother had been artificially inseminated. \"Having captive animals is like an insurance policy,\" said Mr Hilton-Taylor. \"But you don't want to keep them in captivity forever.\" The eventual goal of most captive-breeding programmes is to let the animals back into the wild eventually. \"There have been a couple of attempts to introduce pandas into the wild, but they haven't been successful,\" said Ms Hemley. \"We're not out of the woods yet.\" In 2007, the first captive-born giant panda ever released into the wild, Xiang Xiang, died after being beaten up by wild panda males. The Tibetan antelope is another animal that has also been delisted on the IUCN's red list, yet more focus has been placed on the panda, which has come to be seen as an icon for animal protection efforts. But what is it about the panda that's got us all cooing in unison? \"Their black and white markings and big black eye patches make them very charismatic. There's nothing like them in the world,\" Ms Hemley explained. \"A happy coincidence of their natural adaptations result in what humans perceive as cute, and a cute and cuddly face is a whole lot easier to love,\" said Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, Chief Life Sciences Officer and Deputy CEO of the Wildlife Reserves Singapore. \"In the words of Baba Dioum, in the end we will only conserve what we love.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2972, "answer_start": 2186, "text": "Many zoos and Chinese facilities have placed their bets on breeding giant pandas in captivity, sometimes using artificial insemination methods. Baby giant panda twins were on Sunday born in an Atlanta zoo - their mother had been artificially inseminated. \"Having captive animals is like an insurance policy,\" said Mr Hilton-Taylor. \"But you don't want to keep them in captivity forever.\" The eventual goal of most captive-breeding programmes is to let the animals back into the wild eventually. \"There have been a couple of attempts to introduce pandas into the wild, but they haven't been successful,\" said Ms Hemley. \"We're not out of the woods yet.\" In 2007, the first captive-born giant panda ever released into the wild, Xiang Xiang, died after being beaten up by wild panda males." } ], "id": "357_0", "question": "So is captive breeding the answer?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3720, "answer_start": 2973, "text": "The Tibetan antelope is another animal that has also been delisted on the IUCN's red list, yet more focus has been placed on the panda, which has come to be seen as an icon for animal protection efforts. But what is it about the panda that's got us all cooing in unison? \"Their black and white markings and big black eye patches make them very charismatic. There's nothing like them in the world,\" Ms Hemley explained. \"A happy coincidence of their natural adaptations result in what humans perceive as cute, and a cute and cuddly face is a whole lot easier to love,\" said Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, Chief Life Sciences Officer and Deputy CEO of the Wildlife Reserves Singapore. \"In the words of Baba Dioum, in the end we will only conserve what we love.\"" } ], "id": "357_1", "question": "But why has the panda got everyone so obsessed?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The United States announced sanctions this week that are intended to produce the most damage possible to the government of President Nicolas Maduro: the oil sector and its state company, PDVSA. Up until now White House executive orders were only targeting government officials and certain sectors of the economy. Now new sanctions will finally hurt the one sector that is responsible for more than 90% of the government's revenues. Many outstanding contracts are still expected to be honoured in the coming days, but new deals with PDVSA are being subjected to restrictions. From April sanctions are expected to kick in. A new phase in the Venezuela crisis started last month when Washington recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido - who is the leader of the National Assembly - as the rightful head of state. Venezuela's Congress, which has been stripped of most of its powers by the government, says Mr Maduro is a \"usurper\". Washington has embarked on an open campaign with Mr Guaido to oust Mr Maduro. The White House is trying to do a difficult thing: to make oil revenues directly reach ordinary Venezuelans and bypass the government of Mr Maduro, which owns most of the oil industry through PDVSA. Sanctions are meant to oust Mr Maduro and lead to new elections in Venezuela. US National Security Adviser John Bolton says the US wants oil revenue to reach Mr Guaido, giving his National Assembly some economic power to combat Mr Maduro. One of the ways of doing so is through PDVSA-owned refineries based in Texas, through a subsidiary called Citgo. Mr Bolton has already met Citgo executives and there is an effort to change its management with executives appointed by Mr Guaido's National Assembly. In effect the opposition is trying to set up a parallel government to Mr Maduro's with its own cabinet. Mr Bolton said the sanctions would block $7bn (PS5.4bn) in PDVSA's assets and more than $11bn in lost export proceeds over the next year. At this stage, with Venezuela's oil output on a downward spiral and the country facing severe shortages, sanctions have the power to be \"calamitous for Venezuelan finances\", says Helima Croft from RBS Capital Markets. But some analysts believe Mr Maduro still has a few options. \"The oil that Venezuela currently exports to the US will be diverted to other countries and sold at lower prices. For countries like China and India, the news was akin to Black Monday. They will be able to pick up these oil volumes at great discounts,\" writes Venezuelan-born analyst Paola Rodriguez-Masiu, from Rystad Energy. She adds that the impact of sanctions will be substantially lower than the ones predicted by Washington. Venezuela exports to the US about 450,000 barrels of oil per day, a little under half of its total output. This is the amount of new oil that will flood the markets. Venezuela's market share in the US will be up for grabs, favouring Saudi, Mexican and Iraqi oil companies. Mrs Rodriguez-Masiu says that so far, oil markets have largely shrugged off this new oversupply as investors have been pricing in Venezuela's crisis for a long time. China and Turkey are some of the government's main allies but Russia is today seen as the key player. Moscow has repeatedly provided financial lifelines to Caracas at times when the country was about to face serious defaults. But it hasn't acted purely out of friendship alone. Russia's oil company Rosneft (which itself has been subject to US sanctions since 2014 because of the Ukraine crisis) already has a 49% stake in Citgo. It also has some collateral on Citgo, which means it could seize control of the refineries in Texas were Venezuela's government to run into trouble. Washington has its own grievances with Russia and it is not happy about the prospects of Rosneft gaining a foothold in refineries in Texas. It is unclear whether the US can successfully redivert resources from Mr Maduro to Mr Guaido. Idriss Jazairy, a special UN rapporteur who reports to the Human Rights Council, says the people of Venezuela are the ones who will ultimately bear the brunt of sanctions. \"Sanctions which can lead to starvation and medical shortages are not the answer to the crisis in Venezuela,\" he said. \"Precipitating an economic and humanitarian crisis is not a foundation for the peaceful settlement of disputes.\" Mr Bolton said on Friday that the US would send humanitarian aid, medicine, surgical supplies and nutritional supplements for the people of Venezuela. But it is unclear whether it can successfully circumvent the Maduro government. These sanctions could last for quite a while, and they depend largely on a political solution to the stand-off between the opposition and Mr Maduro. In the past, the US had been hesitant about imposing sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry because it knows this has the potential to seriously affect living standards of ordinary people, which are already low. Now Washington is in uncharted territory, because it still has to work out in detail how to make oil revenues and humanitarian aid reach Mr Guaido and the National Assembly. The end goal is to force Mr Maduro out of power either through a negotiated solution or by giving incentives for a military coup. With Mr Guaido leading the charge with protests in Venezuela and a wide range of international support - which includes the European Union and regional players like Brazil, Argentina and Colombia - Washington hopes it won't be long before it achieves its goals. But these sanctions could be a dangerous gamble. In the past, US action in Venezuela helped Mr Maduro - and President Hugo Chavez before him - to rally Venezuelans behind a common enemy, giving them a temporary boost in popularity. That could be the case now. Also, the worsening of living standards now would be directly blamed by Mr Maduro on the US. Furthermore, these actions serve the argument that Mr Maduro has been making: that Mr Guaido is a mere puppet of the Americans.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1812, "answer_start": 1007, "text": "The White House is trying to do a difficult thing: to make oil revenues directly reach ordinary Venezuelans and bypass the government of Mr Maduro, which owns most of the oil industry through PDVSA. Sanctions are meant to oust Mr Maduro and lead to new elections in Venezuela. US National Security Adviser John Bolton says the US wants oil revenue to reach Mr Guaido, giving his National Assembly some economic power to combat Mr Maduro. One of the ways of doing so is through PDVSA-owned refineries based in Texas, through a subsidiary called Citgo. Mr Bolton has already met Citgo executives and there is an effort to change its management with executives appointed by Mr Guaido's National Assembly. In effect the opposition is trying to set up a parallel government to Mr Maduro's with its own cabinet." } ], "id": "358_0", "question": "What is Washington trying to do?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3100, "answer_start": 1813, "text": "Mr Bolton said the sanctions would block $7bn (PS5.4bn) in PDVSA's assets and more than $11bn in lost export proceeds over the next year. At this stage, with Venezuela's oil output on a downward spiral and the country facing severe shortages, sanctions have the power to be \"calamitous for Venezuelan finances\", says Helima Croft from RBS Capital Markets. But some analysts believe Mr Maduro still has a few options. \"The oil that Venezuela currently exports to the US will be diverted to other countries and sold at lower prices. For countries like China and India, the news was akin to Black Monday. They will be able to pick up these oil volumes at great discounts,\" writes Venezuelan-born analyst Paola Rodriguez-Masiu, from Rystad Energy. She adds that the impact of sanctions will be substantially lower than the ones predicted by Washington. Venezuela exports to the US about 450,000 barrels of oil per day, a little under half of its total output. This is the amount of new oil that will flood the markets. Venezuela's market share in the US will be up for grabs, favouring Saudi, Mexican and Iraqi oil companies. Mrs Rodriguez-Masiu says that so far, oil markets have largely shrugged off this new oversupply as investors have been pricing in Venezuela's crisis for a long time." } ], "id": "358_1", "question": "Will these sanctions hurt Maduro?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3819, "answer_start": 3101, "text": "China and Turkey are some of the government's main allies but Russia is today seen as the key player. Moscow has repeatedly provided financial lifelines to Caracas at times when the country was about to face serious defaults. But it hasn't acted purely out of friendship alone. Russia's oil company Rosneft (which itself has been subject to US sanctions since 2014 because of the Ukraine crisis) already has a 49% stake in Citgo. It also has some collateral on Citgo, which means it could seize control of the refineries in Texas were Venezuela's government to run into trouble. Washington has its own grievances with Russia and it is not happy about the prospects of Rosneft gaining a foothold in refineries in Texas." } ], "id": "358_2", "question": "Who is supporting Maduro?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4548, "answer_start": 3820, "text": "It is unclear whether the US can successfully redivert resources from Mr Maduro to Mr Guaido. Idriss Jazairy, a special UN rapporteur who reports to the Human Rights Council, says the people of Venezuela are the ones who will ultimately bear the brunt of sanctions. \"Sanctions which can lead to starvation and medical shortages are not the answer to the crisis in Venezuela,\" he said. \"Precipitating an economic and humanitarian crisis is not a foundation for the peaceful settlement of disputes.\" Mr Bolton said on Friday that the US would send humanitarian aid, medicine, surgical supplies and nutritional supplements for the people of Venezuela. But it is unclear whether it can successfully circumvent the Maduro government." } ], "id": "358_3", "question": "Will these sanctions hurt Venezuelans?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5955, "answer_start": 4549, "text": "These sanctions could last for quite a while, and they depend largely on a political solution to the stand-off between the opposition and Mr Maduro. In the past, the US had been hesitant about imposing sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry because it knows this has the potential to seriously affect living standards of ordinary people, which are already low. Now Washington is in uncharted territory, because it still has to work out in detail how to make oil revenues and humanitarian aid reach Mr Guaido and the National Assembly. The end goal is to force Mr Maduro out of power either through a negotiated solution or by giving incentives for a military coup. With Mr Guaido leading the charge with protests in Venezuela and a wide range of international support - which includes the European Union and regional players like Brazil, Argentina and Colombia - Washington hopes it won't be long before it achieves its goals. But these sanctions could be a dangerous gamble. In the past, US action in Venezuela helped Mr Maduro - and President Hugo Chavez before him - to rally Venezuelans behind a common enemy, giving them a temporary boost in popularity. That could be the case now. Also, the worsening of living standards now would be directly blamed by Mr Maduro on the US. Furthermore, these actions serve the argument that Mr Maduro has been making: that Mr Guaido is a mere puppet of the Americans." } ], "id": "358_4", "question": "How long will these sanctions last?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "An Austrian mountain farmer whose cows trampled a German tourist to death has been ordered to pay the woman's family EUR490,000 (PS425,550) in damages. Austria's Chamber of Agriculture voiced alarm, saying the hefty fine could prompt farmers to close many footpaths, rather than install expensive fencing. The farmer in Pinnistal, a Tyrolean valley, is appealing against it. Austrian fines for cow stampedes are usually about EUR30,000 maximum. The woman was walking a dog on a lead. Austrian media report that the cows charged apparently defensively, as they had calves with them. The dog's lead was clipped to the woman's belt. But the Innsbruck court concluded that the woman was not to blame for the deadly stampede in July 2014. The court ruled that the farmer's warning signs about cows grazing were insufficient. There should have been fences at the place where the German tourist died, the judges said. But the Chamber of Agriculture warned the verdict, if upheld, \"will have a huge impact on tourism and farming above all in the Alpine regions\" - especially, it said, as farmers in the region had annual incomes of EUR20,000 or less, on average. \"Footpaths across meadows and pastures would have to be fenced off, and made inaccessible to walkers,\" the statement explained. \"An obligation to put up fences would be economically unreasonable for farmers and would, in many places, mean the end of pastoral farming.\" The statement also called it \"an extremely tragic incident\". - Cattle, especially young stock, are inquisitive and will often follow walkers. But it is cows, who feel naturally very protective of their calves, that can be more than inquisitive - Do not panic if you are followed, walk calmly and quickly away from the herd - If you are walking with your family dog on a footpath and find that there are cattle on the path, avoid going straight through them - Take a wide detour and walk calmly around the animals with your dog on a lead - Do not walk between a cow and her calf - If the cattle move towards you and you feel threatened by them, release your dog from the lead and move quickly, but calmly, to safety Source: National Farmers' Union", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1484, "answer_start": 734, "text": "The court ruled that the farmer's warning signs about cows grazing were insufficient. There should have been fences at the place where the German tourist died, the judges said. But the Chamber of Agriculture warned the verdict, if upheld, \"will have a huge impact on tourism and farming above all in the Alpine regions\" - especially, it said, as farmers in the region had annual incomes of EUR20,000 or less, on average. \"Footpaths across meadows and pastures would have to be fenced off, and made inaccessible to walkers,\" the statement explained. \"An obligation to put up fences would be economically unreasonable for farmers and would, in many places, mean the end of pastoral farming.\" The statement also called it \"an extremely tragic incident\"." } ], "id": "359_0", "question": "Will footpaths be closed?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A second Royal Navy warship has arrived in the Gulf to protect British ships amid heightened tensions in the region. HMS Duncan has joined frigate HMS Montrose to escort vessels sailing under the British flag through the Strait of Hormuz. HMS Montrose has so far accompanied 35 vessels through the strait, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK continued to push for a diplomatic resolution to the situation. He said: \"Freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is vital not just to the UK, but also our international partners and allies. \"Merchant ships must be free to travel lawfully and trade safely, anywhere in the world.\" Mr Wallace added the Royal Navy will continue to provide a safeguard for UK vessels \"until this is the reality\". HMS Duncan is a Type 45 Destroyer which the Royal Navy describes as \"among the most advanced warships ever built\". Earlier this month, British Royal Marines helped seize Iranian tanker Grace 1 near Gibraltar which was suspected of breaking EU sanctions, infuriating Iran. In response, Tehran threatened to capture a British oil tanker. On 19 July, British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero was seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guard in the key shipping route. A second British-linked tanker, the MV Mesdar, was also boarded by armed guards but was released. Tehran said the Stena Impero was \"violating international maritime rules\". HMS Montrose was alerted but it was too far away to stop the seizure. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said the tanker was captured after it collided with a fishing boat and failed to respond to calls from the smaller craft. But the then foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was seized in Omani waters in \"clear contravention of international law\" and then forced to sail into Iran. The tanker's Swedish owners, Stena Bulk, said it had been complying with regulations and had been in international waters. Stena Bulk said the 23 crew members, who are Indian, Russian, Latvian and Filipino, are in good health and have met with officials from their respective countries. The then foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt called the seizure of the Stena Impero \"state piracy\". But he insisted: \"Our priority continues to be to find a way to de-escalate the situation.\" Speaking to the BBC, former Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith described the UK-flagged ship's capture as a \"major failure\" by the UK. The then defence minister Tobias Ellwood told Sky News \"it is impossible simply to escort each individual vessel\". Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif said in a tweet the UK \"must cease being an accessory to #EconomicTerrorism of the US\". He said Iran guarantees the security of the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and insisted its action were to \"uphold international maritime rules\". Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has indicated the Stena Imepero could be released if the UK returns the Grace 1. In a statement on his website he said: \"We are not going to continue tensions with some European countries and if they are committed to international frameworks and abandon some actions, including what they did in Gibraltar, they will receive a proper response from Iran\".", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2092, "answer_start": 907, "text": "Earlier this month, British Royal Marines helped seize Iranian tanker Grace 1 near Gibraltar which was suspected of breaking EU sanctions, infuriating Iran. In response, Tehran threatened to capture a British oil tanker. On 19 July, British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero was seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guard in the key shipping route. A second British-linked tanker, the MV Mesdar, was also boarded by armed guards but was released. Tehran said the Stena Impero was \"violating international maritime rules\". HMS Montrose was alerted but it was too far away to stop the seizure. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said the tanker was captured after it collided with a fishing boat and failed to respond to calls from the smaller craft. But the then foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was seized in Omani waters in \"clear contravention of international law\" and then forced to sail into Iran. The tanker's Swedish owners, Stena Bulk, said it had been complying with regulations and had been in international waters. Stena Bulk said the 23 crew members, who are Indian, Russian, Latvian and Filipino, are in good health and have met with officials from their respective countries." } ], "id": "360_0", "question": "Why have tensions escalated?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2528, "answer_start": 2093, "text": "The then foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt called the seizure of the Stena Impero \"state piracy\". But he insisted: \"Our priority continues to be to find a way to de-escalate the situation.\" Speaking to the BBC, former Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith described the UK-flagged ship's capture as a \"major failure\" by the UK. The then defence minister Tobias Ellwood told Sky News \"it is impossible simply to escort each individual vessel\"." } ], "id": "360_1", "question": "How has the UK reacted?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3185, "answer_start": 2529, "text": "Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif said in a tweet the UK \"must cease being an accessory to #EconomicTerrorism of the US\". He said Iran guarantees the security of the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and insisted its action were to \"uphold international maritime rules\". Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has indicated the Stena Imepero could be released if the UK returns the Grace 1. In a statement on his website he said: \"We are not going to continue tensions with some European countries and if they are committed to international frameworks and abandon some actions, including what they did in Gibraltar, they will receive a proper response from Iran\"." } ], "id": "360_2", "question": "What has Iran said?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A passenger aircraft with 337 people on board was forced to divert in February after the pilot spilled coffee on the controls panel, UK investigators say. The Airbus A330-243 from Frankfurt, Germany, to Cancun, Mexico, had to land in Shannon, Ireland, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) reports. This was because the pilots' audio control panels (ACP) started melting and there was smoke in the cockpit. The pilots had to use oxygen masks. There were no injuries. The AAIB does not identify which company operated the flight during the accident on 6 February 2019. However, the Flight Safety Foundation independent non-profit organisation says it was a Condor Airlines flight. The plane was operated by Thomas Cook Airlines. The AAIB says the main pilot was monitoring the co-pilot over the Atlantic Ocean when coffee was served. The drinks were given in cups without lids, which the AAIB says was normal for the company operating the flight. The main pilot put the coffee on his tray table - but the cup was later knocked over. Most of the liquid fell onto the commander's lap and a small amount spilled on the main ACP1. The ACP1 and later the co-pilot's ACP2 soon became hot enough to start melting one of its buttons. This resulted in the control panels failing, and communication difficulties. The decision was taken to divert to Shannon, and the plane landed safely. The AAIB says that the operator has since changed their procedure to ensure that cup lids are provided for flights on all routes, and cabin crews are reminded of the requirements to use them.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1575, "answer_start": 736, "text": "The AAIB says the main pilot was monitoring the co-pilot over the Atlantic Ocean when coffee was served. The drinks were given in cups without lids, which the AAIB says was normal for the company operating the flight. The main pilot put the coffee on his tray table - but the cup was later knocked over. Most of the liquid fell onto the commander's lap and a small amount spilled on the main ACP1. The ACP1 and later the co-pilot's ACP2 soon became hot enough to start melting one of its buttons. This resulted in the control panels failing, and communication difficulties. The decision was taken to divert to Shannon, and the plane landed safely. The AAIB says that the operator has since changed their procedure to ensure that cup lids are provided for flights on all routes, and cabin crews are reminded of the requirements to use them." } ], "id": "361_0", "question": "What are the details of the cockpit accident?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Researchers have found evidence of an existing body of liquid water on Mars. What they believe to be a lake sits under the planet's south polar ice cap, and is about 20km (12 miles) across. Previous research found possible signs of intermittent liquid water flowing on the martian surface, but this is the first sign of a persistent body of water on the planet in the present day. Lake beds like those explored by Nasa's Curiosity rover show water was present on the surface of Mars in the past. However, the planet's climate has since cooled due to its thin atmosphere, leaving most of its water locked up in ice. The result is exciting because scientists have long searched for signs of present-day liquid water on Mars, but these have come up empty or yielded ambiguous findings. It will also interest those studying the possibilities for life beyond Earth - though it does not yet raise the stakes in the search for biology. Read more about Mars exploration The discovery was made using Marsis, a radar instrument on board the European Space Agency's (Esa) Mars Express orbiter. \"It's probably not a very large lake,\" said Prof Roberto Orosei from the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics, who led the study. Marsis wasn't able to determine how thick the layer of water might be, but the research team estimate that it is a minimum of one metre. \"This really qualifies this as a body of water. A lake, not some kind of meltwater filling some space between rock and ice, as happens in certain glaciers on Earth,\" Prof Orosei added. Radar instruments like Marsis examine the surface and immediate subsurface of the planet by sending out a signal and examining what is bounced back. The continuous white line at the top of the radar results above marks the beginning of the South Polar Layered Deposit; a filo pastry-like accumulation of water ice and dust. Beneath this, researchers spotted something unusual 1.5km under the ice. \"In light blue you can see where the reflections from the bottom are stronger than surface reflection. This is something that is to us the tell tale sign of the presence of water,\" says Prof Orosei. Nothing definitive. Yet. Dr Manish Patel from the Open University explained: \"We have long since known that the surface of Mars is inhospitable to life as we know it, so the search for life on Mars is now in the subsurface. \"This is where we get sufficient protection from harmful radiation, and the pressure and temperature rise to more favourable levels. Most importantly, this allows liquid water, essential for life.\" This principle of following the water is key to astrobiology - the study of potential life beyond Earth. So while the findings suggest water is present, they don't confirm anything further. \"We are not closer to actually detecting life,\" Dr Patel told BBC News, \"but what this finding does is give us the location of where to look on Mars. It is like a treasure map - except in this case, there will be lots of 'X's marking the spots.\" The water's temperature and chemistry could also pose a problem for any potential martian organisms. In order to remain liquid in such cold conditions (the research team estimate between -10 and -30 Celsius where it meets the ice above), the water likely has a great many salts dissolved in it. \"It's plausible that the water may be an extremely cold, concentrated brine, which would be pretty challenging for life,\" explained Dr Claire Cousins, an astrobiologist from the University of St Andrews, UK. While its existence provides a tantalising prospect for those interested in the possibility of past or present life on Mars, the lake's characteristics must first be verified by further research. \"What needs to be done now,\" explained Dr Matt Balme from the Open University, \"is for the measurements to be repeated elsewhere to look for similar signals, and, if possible, for all other explanation to be examined and - hopefully - ruled out. \"Maybe this could even be the trigger for an ambitious new Mars mission to drill into this buried water-pocket - like has been done for sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica on Earth,\" he added. Scientists have previously claimed to find bacterial life in the buried depths of Antarctica's Lake Vostok, but drilling on Mars would make for an ambitious project indeed. \"Getting there and acquiring the final evidence that this is indeed a lake will not be an easy task,\" said Prof Orosei. \"It will require flying a robot there which is capable of drilling through 1.5km of ice. This will certainly require some technological developments that at the moment are not available.\" The findings were reported in Science. Follow Mary on Twitter.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2137, "answer_start": 1542, "text": "Radar instruments like Marsis examine the surface and immediate subsurface of the planet by sending out a signal and examining what is bounced back. The continuous white line at the top of the radar results above marks the beginning of the South Polar Layered Deposit; a filo pastry-like accumulation of water ice and dust. Beneath this, researchers spotted something unusual 1.5km under the ice. \"In light blue you can see where the reflections from the bottom are stronger than surface reflection. This is something that is to us the tell tale sign of the presence of water,\" says Prof Orosei." } ], "id": "362_0", "question": "How was it found?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3498, "answer_start": 2138, "text": "Nothing definitive. Yet. Dr Manish Patel from the Open University explained: \"We have long since known that the surface of Mars is inhospitable to life as we know it, so the search for life on Mars is now in the subsurface. \"This is where we get sufficient protection from harmful radiation, and the pressure and temperature rise to more favourable levels. Most importantly, this allows liquid water, essential for life.\" This principle of following the water is key to astrobiology - the study of potential life beyond Earth. So while the findings suggest water is present, they don't confirm anything further. \"We are not closer to actually detecting life,\" Dr Patel told BBC News, \"but what this finding does is give us the location of where to look on Mars. It is like a treasure map - except in this case, there will be lots of 'X's marking the spots.\" The water's temperature and chemistry could also pose a problem for any potential martian organisms. In order to remain liquid in such cold conditions (the research team estimate between -10 and -30 Celsius where it meets the ice above), the water likely has a great many salts dissolved in it. \"It's plausible that the water may be an extremely cold, concentrated brine, which would be pretty challenging for life,\" explained Dr Claire Cousins, an astrobiologist from the University of St Andrews, UK." } ], "id": "362_1", "question": "What does this mean for life?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4673, "answer_start": 3499, "text": "While its existence provides a tantalising prospect for those interested in the possibility of past or present life on Mars, the lake's characteristics must first be verified by further research. \"What needs to be done now,\" explained Dr Matt Balme from the Open University, \"is for the measurements to be repeated elsewhere to look for similar signals, and, if possible, for all other explanation to be examined and - hopefully - ruled out. \"Maybe this could even be the trigger for an ambitious new Mars mission to drill into this buried water-pocket - like has been done for sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica on Earth,\" he added. Scientists have previously claimed to find bacterial life in the buried depths of Antarctica's Lake Vostok, but drilling on Mars would make for an ambitious project indeed. \"Getting there and acquiring the final evidence that this is indeed a lake will not be an easy task,\" said Prof Orosei. \"It will require flying a robot there which is capable of drilling through 1.5km of ice. This will certainly require some technological developments that at the moment are not available.\" The findings were reported in Science. Follow Mary on Twitter." } ], "id": "362_2", "question": "What next?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Monday sees the release of China's GDP figures, and they'll be even more closely watched than usual. Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, blamed cautious Chinese consumers in part for his company's failure to sell as many iPhones as he hoped, sending share prices down around the globe. Car sales in the country, meanwhile, have dropped for the first time in two decades. On the back of such evidence, investors and policymakers are becoming increasingly jittery about the state of such a crucial engine of world growth. Measuring an economy's output is never easy but China's data comes with a bigger health warning than most. Rather than 6.5%, independent economists say the GDP figure may actually be closer to 5% - or even lower. Xiang Songzuo, a finance professor and former chief economist of China Agriculture Bank, has claimed that 2018 growth may have been as low as 1.7%. His online video has since been censored by authorities. The unreliability of the official figures is one reason why other indicators such as Apple's sales have the power to send shockwaves around global stock markets. It may be hard to confirm the scale of the slowdown in China but it's clear that growth has shifted down a gear. It's recently been revealed that activity in factories and workshops stalled for the first time in two years in November. The month after, exports dropped 4.4% compared to a year previously. Chinese households are clearly feeling the squeeze: retail sales are growing their slowest rate in 15 years. In part, possibly. After establishing itself as the world's workshop over the last forty years, China's found itself losing its competitive edge to the likes of the Philippines and Vietnam, where labour is even cheaper. The government decided to switch focus away from exports to growing domestic demand. However, concerns then arose about the size of China's debt pile - and the risk of bad loans. Between them, the country's households, government and corporations have debts totalling almost three times the size of GDP. A tightening of credit appears to have weighed on spending and investment. And then there's the trade war with the US. While there was an initial flurry of orders brought forward to evade tariffs, those latest export figures suggest those measures are now hurting Chinese producers. While the government has introduced measures to support the economy, most economists expect China's growth to slow further. In terms of our exports, China's is the UK's 6th largest trading partner. We sold them over PS22bn worth of our goods in 2017 - with cars, medicines and oil-based products forming the major part. Politicians' have pinned their hopes on a closer trading relationship with China in the post-Brexit era. But demand might not be quite as strong as they're anticipating . Then there's the billions of pounds Chinese companies and entrepreneurs invest in the UK every year - PS20bn in 2017 alone. Thames Water, Pizza Express and West Bromwich Albion FC are among the many which enjoy Chinese backing. That kind of investment is notoriously volatile. And let's not forget the concerns about bad loans. There's a good reason why the Bank of England's Governor Mark Carney cites China as one of the biggest risks to global financial stability. Several large banks, not least HSBC and Standard Chartered have significant exposure to that market. Since 1980, growth (if the official figures are to be believed) has averaged over 10% per year, meaning the size of the economy has surged 42-fold over that time. China's time in the sun, its superhuman growth spurt, may be over. By 2030, economists say growth will have settled down to about a third of its current figure. But even that would be enough to ensure it overtakes the US to take pole position as the world's largest economy.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1502, "answer_start": 508, "text": "Measuring an economy's output is never easy but China's data comes with a bigger health warning than most. Rather than 6.5%, independent economists say the GDP figure may actually be closer to 5% - or even lower. Xiang Songzuo, a finance professor and former chief economist of China Agriculture Bank, has claimed that 2018 growth may have been as low as 1.7%. His online video has since been censored by authorities. The unreliability of the official figures is one reason why other indicators such as Apple's sales have the power to send shockwaves around global stock markets. It may be hard to confirm the scale of the slowdown in China but it's clear that growth has shifted down a gear. It's recently been revealed that activity in factories and workshops stalled for the first time in two years in November. The month after, exports dropped 4.4% compared to a year previously. Chinese households are clearly feeling the squeeze: retail sales are growing their slowest rate in 15 years." } ], "id": "363_0", "question": "How concerned should they be?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2433, "answer_start": 1503, "text": "In part, possibly. After establishing itself as the world's workshop over the last forty years, China's found itself losing its competitive edge to the likes of the Philippines and Vietnam, where labour is even cheaper. The government decided to switch focus away from exports to growing domestic demand. However, concerns then arose about the size of China's debt pile - and the risk of bad loans. Between them, the country's households, government and corporations have debts totalling almost three times the size of GDP. A tightening of credit appears to have weighed on spending and investment. And then there's the trade war with the US. While there was an initial flurry of orders brought forward to evade tariffs, those latest export figures suggest those measures are now hurting Chinese producers. While the government has introduced measures to support the economy, most economists expect China's growth to slow further." } ], "id": "363_1", "question": "Is the slowdown intentional?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3369, "answer_start": 2434, "text": "In terms of our exports, China's is the UK's 6th largest trading partner. We sold them over PS22bn worth of our goods in 2017 - with cars, medicines and oil-based products forming the major part. Politicians' have pinned their hopes on a closer trading relationship with China in the post-Brexit era. But demand might not be quite as strong as they're anticipating . Then there's the billions of pounds Chinese companies and entrepreneurs invest in the UK every year - PS20bn in 2017 alone. Thames Water, Pizza Express and West Bromwich Albion FC are among the many which enjoy Chinese backing. That kind of investment is notoriously volatile. And let's not forget the concerns about bad loans. There's a good reason why the Bank of England's Governor Mark Carney cites China as one of the biggest risks to global financial stability. Several large banks, not least HSBC and Standard Chartered have significant exposure to that market." } ], "id": "363_2", "question": "How much does this matter to the UK?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The UK left the European Union at 23:00 GMT on 31 January, but that is not the end of the Brexit story. That's because the UK has now entered an 11-month period, known as the transition, that keeps the UK bound to the EU's rules. So what is the transition and why is it necessary? The transition (sometimes called the implementation period) is due to last until 31 December 2020. During this period, the UK will remain in both the EU customs union and single market. That means, until the transition ends, most things will stay the same. This includes: - Travelling to and from the EU (including the rules around driving licences and pet passports) - Freedom of movement (the right to live and work in the EU and vice versa) - UK-EU trade, which will continue without any extra charges or checks being introduced Now transition has begun the UK will automatically lose its membership of the EU's political institutions, including the European Parliament and European Commission. So, while the UK will no longer have any voting rights, it will need to follow EU rules. The European Court of Justice will also continue to have the final say over any legal disputes. The transition also means the UK will continue to contribute to the EU's budget. The idea behind the transition period is to give some breathing space to allow new UK-EU negotiations to take place. These talks will determine what the future relationship will eventually look like. Both sides have already outlined their broad aims, in a 27-page document known as the political declaration. Top of the to-do list will be a UK-EU free trade deal. This will be essential if the UK wants to be able to continue to trade with the EU with no tariffs, quotas or other barriers after the transition. Tariffs are a type of tax, usually paid on imported goods. If goods are subject to quotas, it means there are limits on how many can be traded over a given period. Both sides will also need to decide how far the UK is allowed to move away from existing EU regulations (known as level playing field rules). However, a free trade deal will not eliminate all checks between the UK and EU. So businesses will need to prepare. In 2018, total UK trade (goods and services) was valued at PS1.3 trillion, of which the EU made up 49%. As well as negotiating a UK-EU trade deal, the transition will also allow the UK to hold formal trade talks with other countries - such as the US and Australia. If completed and ready in time, these deals could also take effect at the end of the transition. The pro-Brexit camp has long argued that allowing the UK freedom to set its own trade policy will benefit the economy - although critics say it's more important to remain close to the EU. Aside from trade, many other aspects of the future UK-EU relationship will need to be decided. For example: - Law enforcement, data sharing and security - Aviation standards and safety - Access to fishing waters - Supplies of electricity and gas - Licensing and regulation of medicines The UK will also need to design and implement many new systems, such as how it will handle immigration once freedom of movement comes to an end. At the end of the transition phase, there will be three possible Brexit outcomes: A UK-EU trade deal comes into force If a UK-EU trade deal is ready by the end of the year, the UK could begin the new trading relationship as soon as the transition ends. While there is no guarantee a deal can be struck in time, the government is optimistic. The European Commission, on the other hand, has warned that the timetable will be extremely challenging. If a trade deal is reached but questions remain in other areas - like the future of security co-operation - then the trade deal would go ahead. However, contingency plans would have to be used for other parts of the relationship. The UK exits transition with no EU trade deal Under this scenario, UK and EU negotiators fail to agree and implement a trade deal by 1 January 2021 and no transition extension is agreed. That would leave the UK trading on WTO (World Trade Organization) terms with the EU. This means that most UK goods would be subject to tariffs until a free trade deal was ready to be brought in. If other aspects of the future relationship aren't ready, they too would have to proceed on no-deal terms. The transition period is extended while negotiations continue If a trade deal is in sight but not finalised, Prime Minister Boris Johnson could decide to extend the transition period (as long as the EU also agreed to it). Under the terms of the withdrawal agreement, the transition period is allowed to be extended by 12 or 24 months. If a trade deal were to be struck sooner, the transition period could be ended earlier. The withdrawal agreement says the two sides need to agree to extend the transition by 1 July 2020 - just five months after the UK's departure. However, this scenario seems unlikely as legislation passed by Parliament rules out an extension to the transition period, and Mr Johnson has also said he will not sanction one. Either way, now that Brexit has happened, many more months of negotiation lie ahead.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1244, "answer_start": 281, "text": "The transition (sometimes called the implementation period) is due to last until 31 December 2020. During this period, the UK will remain in both the EU customs union and single market. That means, until the transition ends, most things will stay the same. This includes: - Travelling to and from the EU (including the rules around driving licences and pet passports) - Freedom of movement (the right to live and work in the EU and vice versa) - UK-EU trade, which will continue without any extra charges or checks being introduced Now transition has begun the UK will automatically lose its membership of the EU's political institutions, including the European Parliament and European Commission. So, while the UK will no longer have any voting rights, it will need to follow EU rules. The European Court of Justice will also continue to have the final say over any legal disputes. The transition also means the UK will continue to contribute to the EU's budget." } ], "id": "364_0", "question": "What is the transition period?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1553, "answer_start": 1245, "text": "The idea behind the transition period is to give some breathing space to allow new UK-EU negotiations to take place. These talks will determine what the future relationship will eventually look like. Both sides have already outlined their broad aims, in a 27-page document known as the political declaration." } ], "id": "364_1", "question": "Why is a transition necessary?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3158, "answer_start": 1554, "text": "Top of the to-do list will be a UK-EU free trade deal. This will be essential if the UK wants to be able to continue to trade with the EU with no tariffs, quotas or other barriers after the transition. Tariffs are a type of tax, usually paid on imported goods. If goods are subject to quotas, it means there are limits on how many can be traded over a given period. Both sides will also need to decide how far the UK is allowed to move away from existing EU regulations (known as level playing field rules). However, a free trade deal will not eliminate all checks between the UK and EU. So businesses will need to prepare. In 2018, total UK trade (goods and services) was valued at PS1.3 trillion, of which the EU made up 49%. As well as negotiating a UK-EU trade deal, the transition will also allow the UK to hold formal trade talks with other countries - such as the US and Australia. If completed and ready in time, these deals could also take effect at the end of the transition. The pro-Brexit camp has long argued that allowing the UK freedom to set its own trade policy will benefit the economy - although critics say it's more important to remain close to the EU. Aside from trade, many other aspects of the future UK-EU relationship will need to be decided. For example: - Law enforcement, data sharing and security - Aviation standards and safety - Access to fishing waters - Supplies of electricity and gas - Licensing and regulation of medicines The UK will also need to design and implement many new systems, such as how it will handle immigration once freedom of movement comes to an end." } ], "id": "364_2", "question": "What needs to be done during the transition?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5152, "answer_start": 3159, "text": "At the end of the transition phase, there will be three possible Brexit outcomes: A UK-EU trade deal comes into force If a UK-EU trade deal is ready by the end of the year, the UK could begin the new trading relationship as soon as the transition ends. While there is no guarantee a deal can be struck in time, the government is optimistic. The European Commission, on the other hand, has warned that the timetable will be extremely challenging. If a trade deal is reached but questions remain in other areas - like the future of security co-operation - then the trade deal would go ahead. However, contingency plans would have to be used for other parts of the relationship. The UK exits transition with no EU trade deal Under this scenario, UK and EU negotiators fail to agree and implement a trade deal by 1 January 2021 and no transition extension is agreed. That would leave the UK trading on WTO (World Trade Organization) terms with the EU. This means that most UK goods would be subject to tariffs until a free trade deal was ready to be brought in. If other aspects of the future relationship aren't ready, they too would have to proceed on no-deal terms. The transition period is extended while negotiations continue If a trade deal is in sight but not finalised, Prime Minister Boris Johnson could decide to extend the transition period (as long as the EU also agreed to it). Under the terms of the withdrawal agreement, the transition period is allowed to be extended by 12 or 24 months. If a trade deal were to be struck sooner, the transition period could be ended earlier. The withdrawal agreement says the two sides need to agree to extend the transition by 1 July 2020 - just five months after the UK's departure. However, this scenario seems unlikely as legislation passed by Parliament rules out an extension to the transition period, and Mr Johnson has also said he will not sanction one. Either way, now that Brexit has happened, many more months of negotiation lie ahead." } ], "id": "364_3", "question": "What could Brexit look like after the transition?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "This week across America, millions of children will be getting ready to go back to school and returning home that evening with their first work assignment - an essay with the title: \"What I did on my summer holidays.\" Now imagine for a second you're Donald Trump, and you've just been given that piece of homework. I think the first thing you're going to do is ask for a few extra sheets of paper because, what a summer. From distant, foggy memory, I also seem to remember that the one other instruction you got from the teacher was to make it descriptive, and not too much of a list. Well, sorry about that, Miss. This is what Donald and his pals in the White House got up to: And this is the quiet season. This is the still, millpond of August when nothing happens; when days are long and news bulletins are slim, when surfing dogs and the battle of the bake-offs should dominate the news cycle. Barack Obama's former chief of staff, and now the Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, tweeted at one point that he was going to nominate the White House for a Tony award for most drama. Not best drama. Just most. There is no shortage of pundits and political professionals in Washington who will tell you things can't continue like this, and that there is no way that Donald Trump can last a full four years in office. There is a degree of wishful thinking in that for some people. For others it is a genuine, cold-eyed assessment. I am unconvinced. For a start the drama, the chaos and noise are what this president thrives on. If he hated the drama, he wouldn't stoke and provoke as much as he does. Where it does matter is in his relationships with the lawmakers on Capitol Hill, with the business leaders across the country, with the money men on Wall Street, with the military high command who seem to have bristled at the way their commander-in-chief is behaving and with his fellow leaders around the world. Just consider for a minute his threat to allow a government shutdown if he doesn't get funding for the border wall with Mexico. The president says it's making good on a campaign pledge: the lawmakers, still under their breath, say: \"Yeah, and the other part of the pledge was that Mexico was going to pay.\" He has publicly lambasted the Republican Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell. On any number of occasions. How does that help him to get an infrastructure bill passed? How does that help to get tax reform through? And then there's the Trump base. Has support for Donald Trump fractured? Yes, a bit. Do the polls that chart approval ratings for him make alarming reading? Yep, the numbers disapproving seem to be rising, and the approving seem to be dwindling. But his base is still 100% with him. Cheering, whooping and lapping it up. He is their man, fighting the system and draining the swamp and taking on the establishment. Just look at the crowds in Phoenix, Arizona, last week. You see, I think there is a perfectly plausible scenario where by a squeak and a cigarette-paper width of margin he gets his legislative agenda through. In which case in 2020 he could go to the American people and say: \"Look, I delivered on what I promised.\" There is perhaps a more likely set of circumstances where he is blocked and thwarted - and fails on all the big legislative tests - no repeal and replacement of Obamacare, no significant change to the tax code, no wall with Mexico, no change to America's crumbling infrastructure. But that doesn't mean it's over for Trump. He then goes to the country and says: \"The system is rigged. Draining the swamp is going to take even longer than I ever thought. Parts of the Republican leadership need to be swept away. The fight goes on. We'll Make America Great Again.\" And that brings us to Donald Trump's ego - and maybe a choice that this White House must confront as it takes stock of this chaotic summer. Does Donald Trump want to go down in history as a heroic failure, or the winner who turned things around with his relentless energy and deal-making nous? If it's the latter then he needs to start nurturing all those people he has alienated, and in record fast time. And if it's the former, then carry on with the rallies that pump up the base and leave many others feeling queasy.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2902, "answer_start": 2433, "text": "And then there's the Trump base. Has support for Donald Trump fractured? Yes, a bit. Do the polls that chart approval ratings for him make alarming reading? Yep, the numbers disapproving seem to be rising, and the approving seem to be dwindling. But his base is still 100% with him. Cheering, whooping and lapping it up. He is their man, fighting the system and draining the swamp and taking on the establishment. Just look at the crowds in Phoenix, Arizona, last week." } ], "id": "365_0", "question": "What about his supporters?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4246, "answer_start": 2903, "text": "You see, I think there is a perfectly plausible scenario where by a squeak and a cigarette-paper width of margin he gets his legislative agenda through. In which case in 2020 he could go to the American people and say: \"Look, I delivered on what I promised.\" There is perhaps a more likely set of circumstances where he is blocked and thwarted - and fails on all the big legislative tests - no repeal and replacement of Obamacare, no significant change to the tax code, no wall with Mexico, no change to America's crumbling infrastructure. But that doesn't mean it's over for Trump. He then goes to the country and says: \"The system is rigged. Draining the swamp is going to take even longer than I ever thought. Parts of the Republican leadership need to be swept away. The fight goes on. We'll Make America Great Again.\" And that brings us to Donald Trump's ego - and maybe a choice that this White House must confront as it takes stock of this chaotic summer. Does Donald Trump want to go down in history as a heroic failure, or the winner who turned things around with his relentless energy and deal-making nous? If it's the latter then he needs to start nurturing all those people he has alienated, and in record fast time. And if it's the former, then carry on with the rallies that pump up the base and leave many others feeling queasy." } ], "id": "365_1", "question": "Future success?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "China's largest dump is already full - 25 years ahead of schedule. The Jiangcungou landfill in Shaanxi Province, which is the size of around 100 football fields, was designed to take 2,500 tonnes of rubbish per day. But instead it received 10,000 tonnes of waste per day - the most of any landfill site in China. China is one of the world's biggest polluters, and has been struggling for years with the rubbish its 1.4 billion citizens generate. The Jiangcungou landfill in Xi'an city was built in 1994 and was designed to last until 2044. The landfill serves over 8 million citizens. It spans an area of almost 700,000 square metres, with a depth of 150 metres and a storage capacity of more than 34 million cubic metres. Until recently, Xi'an was one of the few cities in China that solely relied on landfill to dispose of household waste - leading to capacity being reached early. Earlier this month, a new incineration plant was opened, and at least four more are expected to open by 2020. Together, they are expected to be able to process 12,750 tonnes of rubbish per day. The move is part of a national plan to reduce the number of landfills, and instead use other waste disposal methods like incineration. The landfill site in Xi'an will eventually become an \"ecological park\". In 2017, China collected 215 million tonnes of urban household waste, according to the country's statistical yearbook. That's up from 152 million ten years earlier. The country had 654 landfill sites and 286 incineration plants. It is not clear what China's recycling rate is, as no figures have been released. China plans to recycle 35% of waste in major cities by the end of 2020, according to one government report. This July, sorting and recycling rubbish was made mandatory in Shanghai - leading to \"a sense of panic\" among some residents. In 2015, there was a landslide at a rubbish dump in the southern city of Shenzhen, killing 73 people. The dump was designed to hold four million cubic metres worth of rubbish, with a maximum height of 95 metres. When it collapsed, it was holding 5.8m cubic metres of material with waste heaps up to 160m high. Not anymore. It used to, until the end of 2017 when it decided to ban the import of 24 different grades of rubbish. In 2017 alone, China took in seven million tonnes of plastic rubbish from Europe, Japan and the US - and 27 million tonnes of waste paper. Other countries, including Malaysia, Turkey, the Philippines and Indonesia, have picked up some of the slack. But they struggled to deal with the amount of waste coming in - often times resulting in massive, out-of-control landfills in their own countries. Some of these countries have now banned the import of certain types of rubbish and are even sending it back. Additional reporting by Ellen Jin", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1284, "answer_start": 446, "text": "The Jiangcungou landfill in Xi'an city was built in 1994 and was designed to last until 2044. The landfill serves over 8 million citizens. It spans an area of almost 700,000 square metres, with a depth of 150 metres and a storage capacity of more than 34 million cubic metres. Until recently, Xi'an was one of the few cities in China that solely relied on landfill to dispose of household waste - leading to capacity being reached early. Earlier this month, a new incineration plant was opened, and at least four more are expected to open by 2020. Together, they are expected to be able to process 12,750 tonnes of rubbish per day. The move is part of a national plan to reduce the number of landfills, and instead use other waste disposal methods like incineration. The landfill site in Xi'an will eventually become an \"ecological park\"." } ], "id": "366_0", "question": "How big is the landfill site?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2139, "answer_start": 1285, "text": "In 2017, China collected 215 million tonnes of urban household waste, according to the country's statistical yearbook. That's up from 152 million ten years earlier. The country had 654 landfill sites and 286 incineration plants. It is not clear what China's recycling rate is, as no figures have been released. China plans to recycle 35% of waste in major cities by the end of 2020, according to one government report. This July, sorting and recycling rubbish was made mandatory in Shanghai - leading to \"a sense of panic\" among some residents. In 2015, there was a landslide at a rubbish dump in the southern city of Shenzhen, killing 73 people. The dump was designed to hold four million cubic metres worth of rubbish, with a maximum height of 95 metres. When it collapsed, it was holding 5.8m cubic metres of material with waste heaps up to 160m high." } ], "id": "366_1", "question": "How much waste does China produce?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "European Union leaders are holding talks in Brussels amid pressure to commit to making the 28-member bloc climate neutral by 2050. Several Eastern European countries want financial and other guarantees before they agree to the EU cutting to zero its net amount of greenhouse emissions. But Ursula von der Leyen, the new head of the EU's executive, has placed the aim at the heart of a new \"Green Deal\". Billions of euros would be added to the EU budget to move from fossil fuels. The \"Just Transition Mechanism\" would include funding from the European Investment Bank and would support states such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, which are among the EU member states most reliant on coal. Arriving for the summit, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said he would seek assurances that Prague could continue to pursue nuclear power. Hungary's Viktor Orban was adamant that \"poor people and poor countries\" should not bear the financial cost of fighting climate change. President Emmanuel Macron of France, which relies on nuclear power for almost three-quarters of its electricity needs, said it was obvious that nuclear power would have to stay, as long as the right mechanism was found. Austria's chancellor agreed. Ahead of the summit, Greenpeace activists used an old fire engine to climb the European Council building, before unfurling a banner reading \"climate emergency\" and setting off flares. The protesters complained the EU was doing too little, too late. The new president of the European Council, Charles Michel, said ahead of the summit that he wanted EU leaders to pledge that the bloc would become climate neutral by 2050. Climate neutrality, he said, would be \"a strong signal for the future of Europe\" showing the need to \"massively\" invest in innovation as officials and experts meet in Madrid for the UN climate summit. Finland's new Prime Minister Sanna Marin said new generations expected the EU to act - and it had to act faster. The European Green Deal was described by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as Europe's \"man on the Moon\" moment. It includes: - A EUR100bn (PS84bn; $110bn) Just Transition Mechanism to help countries still heavily dependent on fossil fuels and \"carbon-intensive processes\" to move to renewable energy sources - Proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50% of 1990 levels or even lower by 2030 - instead of the current target of 40% - A law that would set the EU \"on to an irreversible path to climate neutrality\" by 2050 - A plan to promote a more circular economy - a system designed to eliminate waste - that would address more sustainable products as well as a \"farm to fork\" strategy to improve the sustainability of food production and distribution Although the new Commission's proposals are ambitious, they have to be signed off by EU leaders if they are to get anywhere. An official said on the eve of the summit that there might or might not be a deal in Brussels. The test was whether EU leaders were prepared to make a commitment before negotiations on the 2021-27 EU budget came to an end. Climate neutrality involves balancing emissions by removing warming gases from the atmosphere. Warming emissions created by cars and power plants are counteracted by removing greenhouse gases from the air by planting new forests or through carbon capture technologies that bury CO2 underground. One of the big problems EU leaders will have is finding the money from a budget that is already set to shrink if the UK leaves the bloc next year. There was no UK prime minister at Thursday's summit because of the general election. Polish officials have already welcomed the planned mechanism for compensating countries whose economies are still reliant on the coal industry. Coal currently produces 80% of Poland's power. However, they say the cost of transition for Poland in particular will be huge, and it is not just one budget that would need to carry the cost but budgets all the way through to 2050. A sign of the scepticism came from Ryszard Legutko, an MEP from Poland's ruling Law and Justice party, who told the European Parliament on Wednesday that the strategy was confused and prompted more questions than it answered. \"Have you any idea of the social cost as well as the personal tragedies it will generate?\" he asked the Commission president. It is not just Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic that have reservations. Romanian MEP Dan Nica warned that if his country was to meet its 2030 target, it would cost 40% of its economic output, with a price of almost EUR8bn a year. Families living near mining areas would be particularly affected, he said.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3086, "answer_start": 1961, "text": "The European Green Deal was described by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as Europe's \"man on the Moon\" moment. It includes: - A EUR100bn (PS84bn; $110bn) Just Transition Mechanism to help countries still heavily dependent on fossil fuels and \"carbon-intensive processes\" to move to renewable energy sources - Proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50% of 1990 levels or even lower by 2030 - instead of the current target of 40% - A law that would set the EU \"on to an irreversible path to climate neutrality\" by 2050 - A plan to promote a more circular economy - a system designed to eliminate waste - that would address more sustainable products as well as a \"farm to fork\" strategy to improve the sustainability of food production and distribution Although the new Commission's proposals are ambitious, they have to be signed off by EU leaders if they are to get anywhere. An official said on the eve of the summit that there might or might not be a deal in Brussels. The test was whether EU leaders were prepared to make a commitment before negotiations on the 2021-27 EU budget came to an end." } ], "id": "367_0", "question": "What is the plan?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3381, "answer_start": 3087, "text": "Climate neutrality involves balancing emissions by removing warming gases from the atmosphere. Warming emissions created by cars and power plants are counteracted by removing greenhouse gases from the air by planting new forests or through carbon capture technologies that bury CO2 underground." } ], "id": "367_1", "question": "What is climate neutrality?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4652, "answer_start": 3382, "text": "One of the big problems EU leaders will have is finding the money from a budget that is already set to shrink if the UK leaves the bloc next year. There was no UK prime minister at Thursday's summit because of the general election. Polish officials have already welcomed the planned mechanism for compensating countries whose economies are still reliant on the coal industry. Coal currently produces 80% of Poland's power. However, they say the cost of transition for Poland in particular will be huge, and it is not just one budget that would need to carry the cost but budgets all the way through to 2050. A sign of the scepticism came from Ryszard Legutko, an MEP from Poland's ruling Law and Justice party, who told the European Parliament on Wednesday that the strategy was confused and prompted more questions than it answered. \"Have you any idea of the social cost as well as the personal tragedies it will generate?\" he asked the Commission president. It is not just Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic that have reservations. Romanian MEP Dan Nica warned that if his country was to meet its 2030 target, it would cost 40% of its economic output, with a price of almost EUR8bn a year. Families living near mining areas would be particularly affected, he said." } ], "id": "367_2", "question": "What are the objections to the deal?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Two former DUP special advisers (Spads) have disputed events at a meeting in which it was claimed one told the other that cost controls would not be introduced to the RHI scheme. Timothy Cairns alleged the DUP's most senior official, Timothy Johnston, made the comment. Mr Johnston said he did not give the instruction at the June 2015 meeting. Mr Cairns was Jonathan Bell's Spad at the enterprise department when applications to the scheme spiralled. He is giving two days of evidence to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) inquiry, which was set up to investigate what went wrong with the flawed energy scheme. The inquiry heard the meeting was held on 26 June 2015, to \"clear the air\" between Mr Cairns and Mr Bell, after the pair had a major row in London. After that item was addressed, Mr Cairns said the issue of RHI was raised. Mr Johnston, who is now the DUP's chief executive, has a completely contrasting account of the meeting. He claims it was also attended by the then First Minister, Peter Robinson, something Mr Cairns has rejected. By summer 2015, officials in the Enterprise Department were aware of the major problems with the scheme, but cost controls were not implemented until November 2015. The delay allowed hundreds of extra boilers into the lucrative scheme, and added a huge potential burden to the public purse until the subsidy payments were heavily cut. Mr Cairns told the inquiry he believed that during the June meeting, Mr Johnston said tariff controls were not to be introduced. He also said he was told to work with Andrew Crawford, who had been Arlene Foster's Spad when she was enterprise minister and had an understanding of RHI, to look at an alternative. He added however, that it was only his recollection of events and he was \"not going to the sword on it\". Junior counsel to the inquiry, Donal Lunny, read from Mr Johnston's witness statement, which has not yet been published. He said Mr Johnston claimed RHI had not come up at the meeting: \"I did not instruct or suggest at any point to Mr Cairns that tariff controls would not be introduced, the details of which I was unfamiliar with at this time.\" Earlier in Tuesday's hearing, Mr Cairns admitted he was prepared to go along with the party's narrative about RHI when details of the flawed scheme emerged in December 2016. Last week, Jonathan Bell claimed he had been the victim of a \"smear campaign\" by the DUP when he spoke out about problems with RHI. Mr Cairns told the inquiry that politics was a \"grubby world\". He said he was prepared to go along with the party's version of events, but denied that his involvement amounted to Mr Bell's claims of a \"smear campaign\". The inquiry heard Mr Cairns sent a text message to another DUP special adviser (Spad), Richard Bullick, in December 2016, saying he believed Jonathan Bell \"needs to be exposed\" for his behaviour as a minister\", but \"I can't expose my part without putting the boot into PR\" (Peter Robinson). Mr Cairns provided witness statements to the RHI inquiry claiming he raised allegations of bullying from Jonathan Bell with Peter Robinson when he was first minister, but that Mr Robinson did nothing about it, and \"protected\" Mr Bell. Mr Cairns said he was prepared to give a statement to his party setting out his allegations against Mr Bell for use in the media. But he also believed that former party leader Peter Robinson was at fault for failing to deal with allegations against Mr Bell which had been brought to him. Mr Cairns said he wanted to be critical of Mr Robinson in his account, but he understood the party might not want that to happen. He said he was prepared to \"take the party line\" if that was what was required. Inquiry chair Sir Patrick Coghlin said Mr Cairns was prepared to modify his account to protect Peter Robinson and that it \"seems a rather unpleasant way to run a party\". Mr Cairns replied that that was a question for the DUP to answer, and that he went with the party's line at the time as he \"just wanted to be out of the public eye\". \"That's politics I'm afraid, it's a grubby world,\" added Mr Cairns. Sir Patrick replied that was something of \"an understatement\". Also on Tuesday, Mr Cairns said Timothy Johnston was \"very much top of the tree\" in the DUP and that there was a hierarchy of advisers in the party. He told the inquiry there was not one DUP elected representative, special adviser or employee who did not recognise Mr Johnston's power. The senior official served as special adviser to three first ministers and became the DUP's chief executive last year. Mr Cairns said Mr Johnston operated well beyond the responsibilities of an adviser and his influence was \"seen from the party top to bottom\". Among his jobs were dealing with staff absences and performance reviews and chairing weekly party meetings. Mr Johnston and the DUP leader, Arlene Foster, have both said in their evidence to the inquiry that there was not a \"hierarchy\" of special advisers. But Mrs Foster has acknowledged that the first minister's special advisers were given more weight. In his witness statements to the inquiry, Mr Cairns said that a day before Arlene Foster told the BBC that Timothy Johnston had no role in delaying RHI cost controls, she was told he had been involved. In December 2016, Arlene Foster was asked by Stephen Nolan whether Mr Johnston had any role in delaying subsidy cuts. She said he had not - but Mr Cairns claimed he told her of Mr Johnston's role the day before. He set out Mr Johnston's role in a conference call to which Mrs Foster and Mr Johnston and another DUP special adviser (Spad) Richard Bullick were all parties. In his witness statement, he said he mentioned that Mr Johnston had told him to liaise with Mrs Foster's then Spad Andrew Crawford to develop a party position on the introduction of cost controls. \"Mr Johnston clearly became uncomfortable and the conversation was quickly brought to an end,\" Mr Cairns said. \"Mr Bullick also informed me that Mr Johnston was uncomfortable with my discussion because up until that point he was adamant that he had played no role in RHI. \"However, my revelation had undermined his position.\" Mr Cairns said he did not believe that Arlene Foster \"in either her Nolan interview or in her (assembly) statement, fully expressed the view I had stated to her in the speaker phone call that Mr Johnston had given, at least initial, direction in this matter\". He also said he had conversations with Dr Crawford about the scheme as requested by Timothy Johnston, due to Dr Crawford's knowledge about RHI. Mr Cairns said he spoke to Dr Crawford several times about the date for applying cost controls to the scheme and the overspend on the budget - and that Arlene Foster had also been present with the pair during a meeting about the scheme in June 2015. Mrs Foster is likely to be asked to explain her role in both the meeting and the conference call when she returns to give evidence in the coming weeks. The evidence also includes a text message Mr Cairns sent to another former DUP special adviser, Richard Bullick, in December 2016, about difficulties with Mr Bell. The message alleged on one occasion that Mr Bell \"got so drunk me and his PS (private secretary) carried him to hotel in NYC\". Mr Cairns told the inquiry the text related to a trip he went on with Mr Bell and other departmental officials to New York, where on one evening the former minister became intoxicated and \"fell asleep in the pub\". Timothy Cairns became Jonathan Bell's adviser at the Enterprise Department in May 2015. In Mr Bell's evidence to the inquiry, he admitted he had not chosen Mr Cairns to advise him, but signed a pre-written letter from the DUP confirming the selection. It has emerged that the pair had a difficult working relationship throughout their time together at Stormont. Mr Cairns previously worked as an aide to Peter Robinson when he was first minister, but left his role as a DUP adviser after the assembly election in May 2016. He is now the Community Transport Association's director of policy and public affairs for Northern Ireland. He said a waitress said if Mr Bell did not wake up, they would have to leave. Mr Cairns then said Mr Bell woke up, ordered another drink but then fell asleep again and the group was asked to leave. \"Mr Bell was unsteady and had to be helped back to the hotel while he sang the Deep Blue Something hit single \"Breakfast at Tiffany's\" at full volume,\" Mr Cairns claimed. Mr Cairns said Mr Bell's temper was \"well-known\" in the party, and claimed he had spoken to two other party colleagues, Emma Little Pengelly and Michelle McIlveen, about allegations of bullying by Mr Bell. Mr Bell \"cornered Ms McIlveen at the party conference and had berated her for some time until she broke down in tears\", he also claimed. On Tuesday, Mr Cairns said no special adviser in the DUP had wanted to work with Mr Bell. He said he \"did not wish to be Jonathan Bell's Spad\" and that he felt the decision \"defied logic\", as he believed it was better for Dr Andrew Crawford - who had been the adviser in that department for a few years - to remain there. But Dr Crawford went with Arlene Foster when she moved from DETI to Stormont's finance department. Mr Cairns said he could not have raised any objection to the appointment. The former DUP Spad will give evidence to the RHI inquiry again on Wednesday.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 8102, "answer_start": 7472, "text": "Timothy Cairns became Jonathan Bell's adviser at the Enterprise Department in May 2015. In Mr Bell's evidence to the inquiry, he admitted he had not chosen Mr Cairns to advise him, but signed a pre-written letter from the DUP confirming the selection. It has emerged that the pair had a difficult working relationship throughout their time together at Stormont. Mr Cairns previously worked as an aide to Peter Robinson when he was first minister, but left his role as a DUP adviser after the assembly election in May 2016. He is now the Community Transport Association's director of policy and public affairs for Northern Ireland." } ], "id": "368_0", "question": "Who is Timothy Cairns?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The Oscars, the Golden Globes, Cannes Film Festival. Until 2017 they were Tinsel Town's glitziest back-slapping forums. Now they're its favourite protest events. Of course it's down to #MeToo, the campaign against sexual harassment and abuse that swept through Hollywood last autumn and has since been Googled in every country on Earth. In its current form, the movement began with film executive Harvey Weinstein - or rather, with the dozens of women who accuse him of sexual harassment, abuse or rape. The New York Times printed the first allegations on 5 October, and the mogul was fired from his own company inside a week. Pandora's box was open. Harvey Weinstein denies engaging in non-consensual sex. On 15 October, actress Alyssa Milano suggested on Twitter that anyone who had been \"sexually harassed or assaulted\" should reply to her Tweet with \"Me Too\", to demonstrate the scale of the problem. Half a million people responded in the first 24 hours. A barrage of allegations has since emerged against high-profile men in entertainment, the media, politics, and tech. Many deny any wrongdoing. The repercussions are still in flux, but Hollywood's power dynamics have undoubtedly shifted. That's less obviously true in the world beyond, and begs the question: What's different for the millions of ordinary people who shared their own #MeToo stories? Are the currents of the movement visible in their lives too? How far has the rallying cry been converted into real-world change? One initiative has made solid progress (and spent solid millions) in a bid to make things better on the ground: the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund. More than 300 actresses, writers and directors launched the project on 1 January, raising $21m (PS15m) in just a month to fund legal assistance for people who suffer harassment, abuse or assault at work. The National Women's Law Center (NWLC) in Washington DC is fielding the considerable admin, matching applicants with lawyers who can offer them free advice. \"We have received more than 2,700 requests for assistance from every state in the United States, and there are more than 500 attorneys in the network who are ready to take on Time's Up cases,\" Sharyn Tejani, director of the fund at the NWLC, told the BBC. \"The fund prioritises cases involving low-wage workers, women in non-traditional jobs, people of colour, LGBTQ people, and people facing legal retaliation because they dared to speak out about sexual harassment,\" said Ms Tejani. Tina Tchen, who jointly leads the fund's legal aid efforts, said the beneficiaries include \"construction workers, prison guards [and] police officers,\" adding: \"There are men who have come forward too. There are some men who have experienced sexual harassment, and then there are some men who are calling, for example, on behalf of their wives or loved ones.\" That's unlikely to raise surprise in some quarters. Sian Brooke of the Oxford Internet Institute, who studies gender and sexism online, says the fact that men are often victims of sexual violence was one of the most powerful takeaways from #MeToo. \"One group can be given attention and be taken seriously with regards to allegations of rape, without it taking any of the severity or weight away from another part of it,\" she notes. From October to December 2017, calls to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network - a US crisis hotline - rose by 23% compared with the same period in 2016. Some abuse survivors have cited #MeToo as a stressful influence, saying it resurfaced the pain of their abuse. Others have reported feeling less alone, saying it encouraged them to address past trauma by talking to loved ones, counsellors, or people with similar experiences. \"It's brought the idea of sexual harassment and assault into the public consciousness,\" Ms Brooke says. \"Even if the discussion around the movement is criticism, you are still bringing about an awareness that this happens.\" 1in6 is a Los Angeles-based non-profit group that supports male sex abuse survivors. The group's development and communications director Meredith Alling told the BBC that #MeToo had a rapid, measurable impact on the number of men reaching out to them when the hashtag first went viral. \"We saw a 110% increase in web traffic and a 103% increase in the use of our online helpline service between September and October 2017, and the trend has continued,\" she said. In the US, employers are considering how best to create a positive workplace culture in the wake of #MeToo. Ted Bunch is a co-founder of A Call To Men, a social activism group that promotes healthy, respectful ways of \"being a man\", and says the group has noticed an increase in enquiries. \"Most notably, we have seen an increase in corporations seeking to understand why sexual harassment in the workplace is so pervasive,\" he says. Mr Bunch believes problems can arise because the workplace is a microcosm of society, in which men and boys are sometimes taught to view women as objects, and of less value than men. \"Most men are not abusive,\" he says, \"but nearly all men have laughed at a sexist joke or objectified a woman in some way. Once you connect the dots and show men how the jokes they see as harmless actually validate and fuel more harmful behaviour, they are quick to change.\" Has the push to ditch bad work cultures spread beyond the US? One British human resources consultant said she had been surprised by the lack of #MeToo-inspired queries. \"We haven't seen any spikes in the volume of training requests, or the volume of training we're recommending. I don't think it's had a significant impact,\" said Elaine Howell, HR manager at PlusHR. \"We have clients in professional services, manufacturing clients, financial, marketing... It appears to be quite specific to that industry [entertainment].\" Speak to Equity, the 43,000-strong British actors' union, and it's clear they've had a different experience. The union won't give exact figures, but says it's witnessed a \"significant increase in enquiries and case work since #MeToo\". Vice president Maureen Beattie will take on Equity's presidency this summer, and she's keen to get the message out: toxic behaviour will not go unpunished. Or as she puts it, \"If you do something to one of our members which is wrong, unacceptable, we're going to come after you. And we will come after you big-time.\" \"These people haven't gone away,\" she says. \"They are under a stone. They are lurking, just waiting for the time they think nobody's looking any more. \"One of the things we're doing is asking people who have been in the business for a long time, people who are stars, people who have clout, to keep an eye out. Not that they have to be trained up in how to help somebody who's been sexually harassed, but [they] can say - with impunity and no danger of never being worked with again - 'Excuse me? You can't behave like that with people'.\" The #MeToo most of us know is still a new-ish creation. But it had a life before the viral hashtag. In 2006, black activist Tarana Burke founded the movement as an initiative to unite survivors of sexual violence. Since it morphed from a low-key project into a global byword, she has embraced #MeToo's A-List flag-bearers - but her focus is on lasting change at all levels of society. One of her most telling remarks came the week before she walked the red carpet at the 2017 Oscars: \"If we keep on 'making statements' and not really doing the work, we are going to be in trouble.\" Sarah J Jackson, a professor of communication studies at Northeastern University, believes context is the key to anchoring Me Too. \"I wouldn't call hashtag 'Me Too' a movement at all,\" she says. \"I would call it a campaign that is part of a larger movement. So I would call women's rights the movement, and feminism the movement. And I would say #MeToo is one indication of the sort of conversations that need to happen. \"The next step is, OK so now we know the problem - how do we as a global community expand this conversation?\" Through its \"Me Too Rising\" project, Google has charted how awareness spread around the world. While data shows the term has been searched for in every corner of the planet, its resonance has inevitably been greater in some countries than others. The freedom of a nation's press and social media can certainly have impact on that - and it's too soon to tell how the movement will shape countries where it's gained traction more slowly - Japan and South Korea, for example. Karuna Nundy, a prominent lawyer in India's Supreme Court, shared her view on #MeToo's relevance to India, where outrage over sex crimes has sparked waves of public protests in recent years. \"The #MeToo conversations in India are limited to a swathe of English-speaking, internet-enabled people. It's quite a lot in absolute numbers, but small for India. It's added, though, to the huge conversations that were already happening. The idea that due process is failing women, and civil disobedience can be legitimate.\" Ms Nundy, who helped draft India's tougher anti-rape law in 2013, says victims are now more likely to be believed. \"I had a rape case yesterday against a leading Bollywood producer. My client is a very young woman; we told the court that she was raped over a period of six months on pain of bodily harm. Regardless of what the court decides, I think the way we were heard by the chief justice of the Supreme Court and the two judges is very different from the way we would have been heard, say, 15 years ago. \"There's an interplay between public consciousness, and the law and due process. And that's exactly what I think is happening.\" Perhaps, then, #MeToo is not an endgame - but a clarion call to something bigger. A reminder for people to seek change in their communities, and push to make damaging systems better - especially for those who lack the power to fight alone. There is information and support available for anyone affected by sexual abuse: Some organisations in the UK Rape Crisis Network Europe has contact information listed by country In the US, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE - or get help online ... and 1in6 offers free 24/7 support for male abuse survivors Illustrations by Katie Horwich", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3270, "answer_start": 1487, "text": "One initiative has made solid progress (and spent solid millions) in a bid to make things better on the ground: the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund. More than 300 actresses, writers and directors launched the project on 1 January, raising $21m (PS15m) in just a month to fund legal assistance for people who suffer harassment, abuse or assault at work. The National Women's Law Center (NWLC) in Washington DC is fielding the considerable admin, matching applicants with lawyers who can offer them free advice. \"We have received more than 2,700 requests for assistance from every state in the United States, and there are more than 500 attorneys in the network who are ready to take on Time's Up cases,\" Sharyn Tejani, director of the fund at the NWLC, told the BBC. \"The fund prioritises cases involving low-wage workers, women in non-traditional jobs, people of colour, LGBTQ people, and people facing legal retaliation because they dared to speak out about sexual harassment,\" said Ms Tejani. Tina Tchen, who jointly leads the fund's legal aid efforts, said the beneficiaries include \"construction workers, prison guards [and] police officers,\" adding: \"There are men who have come forward too. There are some men who have experienced sexual harassment, and then there are some men who are calling, for example, on behalf of their wives or loved ones.\" That's unlikely to raise surprise in some quarters. Sian Brooke of the Oxford Internet Institute, who studies gender and sexism online, says the fact that men are often victims of sexual violence was one of the most powerful takeaways from #MeToo. \"One group can be given attention and be taken seriously with regards to allegations of rape, without it taking any of the severity or weight away from another part of it,\" she notes." } ], "id": "369_0", "question": "Testing 'Time's Up': Who's been helped by those Hollywood millions?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4390, "answer_start": 3271, "text": "From October to December 2017, calls to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network - a US crisis hotline - rose by 23% compared with the same period in 2016. Some abuse survivors have cited #MeToo as a stressful influence, saying it resurfaced the pain of their abuse. Others have reported feeling less alone, saying it encouraged them to address past trauma by talking to loved ones, counsellors, or people with similar experiences. \"It's brought the idea of sexual harassment and assault into the public consciousness,\" Ms Brooke says. \"Even if the discussion around the movement is criticism, you are still bringing about an awareness that this happens.\" 1in6 is a Los Angeles-based non-profit group that supports male sex abuse survivors. The group's development and communications director Meredith Alling told the BBC that #MeToo had a rapid, measurable impact on the number of men reaching out to them when the hashtag first went viral. \"We saw a 110% increase in web traffic and a 103% increase in the use of our online helpline service between September and October 2017, and the trend has continued,\" she said." } ], "id": "369_1", "question": "Has #MeToo helped abuse survivors seek support?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 6897, "answer_start": 4391, "text": "In the US, employers are considering how best to create a positive workplace culture in the wake of #MeToo. Ted Bunch is a co-founder of A Call To Men, a social activism group that promotes healthy, respectful ways of \"being a man\", and says the group has noticed an increase in enquiries. \"Most notably, we have seen an increase in corporations seeking to understand why sexual harassment in the workplace is so pervasive,\" he says. Mr Bunch believes problems can arise because the workplace is a microcosm of society, in which men and boys are sometimes taught to view women as objects, and of less value than men. \"Most men are not abusive,\" he says, \"but nearly all men have laughed at a sexist joke or objectified a woman in some way. Once you connect the dots and show men how the jokes they see as harmless actually validate and fuel more harmful behaviour, they are quick to change.\" Has the push to ditch bad work cultures spread beyond the US? One British human resources consultant said she had been surprised by the lack of #MeToo-inspired queries. \"We haven't seen any spikes in the volume of training requests, or the volume of training we're recommending. I don't think it's had a significant impact,\" said Elaine Howell, HR manager at PlusHR. \"We have clients in professional services, manufacturing clients, financial, marketing... It appears to be quite specific to that industry [entertainment].\" Speak to Equity, the 43,000-strong British actors' union, and it's clear they've had a different experience. The union won't give exact figures, but says it's witnessed a \"significant increase in enquiries and case work since #MeToo\". Vice president Maureen Beattie will take on Equity's presidency this summer, and she's keen to get the message out: toxic behaviour will not go unpunished. Or as she puts it, \"If you do something to one of our members which is wrong, unacceptable, we're going to come after you. And we will come after you big-time.\" \"These people haven't gone away,\" she says. \"They are under a stone. They are lurking, just waiting for the time they think nobody's looking any more. \"One of the things we're doing is asking people who have been in the business for a long time, people who are stars, people who have clout, to keep an eye out. Not that they have to be trained up in how to help somebody who's been sexually harassed, but [they] can say - with impunity and no danger of never being worked with again - 'Excuse me? You can't behave like that with people'.\"" } ], "id": "369_2", "question": "What's being done to create better workplaces?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The UK's departure from the EU could re-ignite conflict in Northern Ireland, according to new research. North-south relations, the peace process, border controls, racism and socio-economic rights will all be negatively impacted by Brexit, say legal experts. The claim comes after former first minister David Trimble said there was no serious threat of post-Brexit violence in NI. He said the issue had been \"sorted\" by the Belfast Agreement. The research was compiled by BrexitLawNI - a partnership from Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and human rights experts from the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) - which has released six documents exploring the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland. Director of CAJ Brian Gormally said of the findings: \"There is a real danger Brexit could re-ignite conflict here. \"As the leaving process lurches ever nearer to a 'hard' or 'no-deal Brexit' there is a risk of nationalists becoming more and more disillusioned at the disregarding of the will of the majority here, while unionists coalesce in defence of Brexit and the border,\" he added. \"The last thing we need is a new bone of contention between our people.\" The data was compiled over the course of 18 months through a series of interviews, consultations and town-hall style events. Some of those interviews were held with dissident republicans - members of paramilitary groups who remain armed, active and dangerous in society with the aim of reunifying Ireland. \"Brexit was manna from heaven from our perspective,\" one leader of dissident political group Saoradh told researchers. When questioned about the future of the Irish border, he said: \"The harder the better.\" The Irish border runs for 310 miles between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and about 35,000 people cross it every day. In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement saw the removal of security checkpoints from crossing points and helped make it an all but invisible divide - something which was relatively easy to achieve due to the UK and the Republic of Ireland's shared EU membership. However, since the Brexit referendum in 2016, the Irish question has remained a serious point of contention. According to BrexitLawNI's report, there is a \"widespread consensus\" from dissident republicans that it would be a \"mobilising agent not only for violence and protest but also illegal smuggling activities\". The report says there has been a \"remarkable shift in the prominence\" of national conversation regarding the reunification of Ireland in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It adds that unionists appear \"reluctant\" to accept that a united Ireland \"is part of the political conversation in ways that it has not been before since the partition of Ireland in 1921\". The former DUP leader Peter Robinson recently said people should prepare for the possibility of Irish unity in the event of a border poll. Professor Rory O'Connell, Director of the Transitional Justice Institute at Ulster University, focused on this aspect of research by BrexitLawNI. \"The 1998 Agreement found nuanced solutions to difficult issues of sovereignty, identity and the border, embedding these in a rights-respecting framework,\" he said. \"Brexit risks unpicking these carefully, painfully-worked out solutions. These reports identify recommendations that, going forward, maintain the centrality of rights and equality.\" Devolved government collapsed in Northern Ireland in January 2017 following a bitter row between the DUP and Sinn Fein. The study also states that Brexit was a contributing factor in the collapse of the power-sharing executive, and \"remains a formidable obstacle to it being re-established\".", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1485, "answer_start": 442, "text": "The research was compiled by BrexitLawNI - a partnership from Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and human rights experts from the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) - which has released six documents exploring the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland. Director of CAJ Brian Gormally said of the findings: \"There is a real danger Brexit could re-ignite conflict here. \"As the leaving process lurches ever nearer to a 'hard' or 'no-deal Brexit' there is a risk of nationalists becoming more and more disillusioned at the disregarding of the will of the majority here, while unionists coalesce in defence of Brexit and the border,\" he added. \"The last thing we need is a new bone of contention between our people.\" The data was compiled over the course of 18 months through a series of interviews, consultations and town-hall style events. Some of those interviews were held with dissident republicans - members of paramilitary groups who remain armed, active and dangerous in society with the aim of reunifying Ireland." } ], "id": "370_0", "question": "Manna from heaven?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A 29-year-old computer scientist has earned plaudits worldwide for helping develop the algorithm that created the first-ever image of a black hole. Katie Bouman led development of a computer program that made the breakthrough image possible. The remarkable photo, showing a halo of dust and gas 500 million trillion km from Earth, was released on Wednesday. For Dr Bouman, its creation was the realisation of an endeavour previously thought impossible. Excitedly bracing herself for the groundbreaking moment, Dr Bouman was pictured loading the image on her laptop. \"Watching in disbelief as the first image I ever made of a black hole was in the process of being reconstructed,\" she wrote in the caption to the Facebook post. She started making the algorithm three years ago while she was a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). There, she led the project, assisted by a team from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the MIT Haystack Observatory. The black hole image, captured by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) - a network of eight linked telescopes - was rendered by Dr Bouman's algorithm. \"When we saw it for the first time, we were all in disbelief. It was quite spectacular,\" she told BBC Radio 5 live. \"We got really lucky with the weather... We got lucky in so many ways.\" In the hours after the photo's momentous release, Dr Bouman became an international sensation, with her name trending on Twitter. Dr Bouman was also hailed by MIT and the Smithsonian on social media. \"3 years ago MIT grad student Katie Bouman led the creation of a new algorithm to produce the first-ever image of a black hole,\" MIT's Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab wrote. \"Today, that image was released.\" But Dr Bouman, now an assistant professor of computing and mathematical sciences at the California Institute of Technology, insisted the team that helped her deserves equal credit. The effort to capture the image, using telescopes in locations ranging from Antarctica to Chile, involved a team of more than 200 scientists. \"No one of us could've done it alone,\" she told CNN. \"It came together because of lots of different people from many different backgrounds.\" - The black hole, which is \"unseeable\" to the naked eye, measures 40 billion km across, or three million times the size of the Earth - It was scanned over a period of 10 days in the Messier 87 galaxy - It is \"larger than the size of our entire Solar System\", Prof Heino Falcke, of Radboud University in the Netherlands, who proposed the experiment, told the BBC Put simply, Dr Bouman and others developed a series of algorithms that converted telescopic data into the historic photo shared by the world's media. In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is a process or set of rules used to solve problems. No single telescope is powerful enough to capture the black hole, so a network of eight was set up to so do using a technique called interferometry. The data they captured was stored on hundreds of hard drives that were flown to central processing centres in Boston, US, and Bonn, Germany. Dr Bouman's method of processing this raw data was said to be instrumental in the creation of the striking image. She spearheaded a testing process whereby multiple algorithms with \"different assumptions built into them\" attempted to recover a photo from the data. The results of the algorithms were then analysed by four separate teams to build confidence in the veracity of their findings. \"We're a melting pot of astronomers, physicists, mathematicians and engineers, and that's what it took to achieve something once thought impossible,\" Dr Bouman says. How to See a Black Hole: The Universe's Greatest Mystery can be seen in the UK on BBC iPlayer.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3838, "answer_start": 2643, "text": "Put simply, Dr Bouman and others developed a series of algorithms that converted telescopic data into the historic photo shared by the world's media. In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is a process or set of rules used to solve problems. No single telescope is powerful enough to capture the black hole, so a network of eight was set up to so do using a technique called interferometry. The data they captured was stored on hundreds of hard drives that were flown to central processing centres in Boston, US, and Bonn, Germany. Dr Bouman's method of processing this raw data was said to be instrumental in the creation of the striking image. She spearheaded a testing process whereby multiple algorithms with \"different assumptions built into them\" attempted to recover a photo from the data. The results of the algorithms were then analysed by four separate teams to build confidence in the veracity of their findings. \"We're a melting pot of astronomers, physicists, mathematicians and engineers, and that's what it took to achieve something once thought impossible,\" Dr Bouman says. How to See a Black Hole: The Universe's Greatest Mystery can be seen in the UK on BBC iPlayer." } ], "id": "371_0", "question": "How did her algorithm create the image?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Russia's parliament has voted to ban soldiers from using smartphones while on duty, after their social media use raised issues of national security. The bill forbids military personnel from using a phone with the ability to take pictures, record videos and access the internet. Soldiers also cannot write about the military or talk to journalists. More than 400 of 450 lawmakers in Russia's lower house of parliament, the Duma, backed the law on Tuesday. Phones with basic calling and messaging facilities could still be used, but tablets and laptops would also subject to the new ban. Soldiers' social media data has allowed open-source journalism sites like Bellingcat to expose secret military activity by Russian forces, sometimes in real time. The bill must now be considered by the upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, before being signed into law by President Vladimir Putin. Russian officials said the move was necessary to protect military information from foreign intelligence services. In recent years, social media posts by servicemen have revealed Russia's military presence in eastern Ukraine and Syria, sometimes contradicting the government's official claim of not having troops there. Since 2017, Russian soldiers have been warned against sharing any information online, including selfies. Russia is not the first country to take steps to introduce stricter digital practices for military personnel following security issues. US military security concerns were raised when a fitness tracking firm showed the exercise routes of military personnel in bases around the world - including in Syria and Afghanistan during conflict time. US soldiers are still allowed to use social media, but must follow guidelines.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1740, "answer_start": 897, "text": "Russian officials said the move was necessary to protect military information from foreign intelligence services. In recent years, social media posts by servicemen have revealed Russia's military presence in eastern Ukraine and Syria, sometimes contradicting the government's official claim of not having troops there. Since 2017, Russian soldiers have been warned against sharing any information online, including selfies. Russia is not the first country to take steps to introduce stricter digital practices for military personnel following security issues. US military security concerns were raised when a fitness tracking firm showed the exercise routes of military personnel in bases around the world - including in Syria and Afghanistan during conflict time. US soldiers are still allowed to use social media, but must follow guidelines." } ], "id": "372_0", "question": "Why is there a ban?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Many eyebrows were raised when it emerged US Vice-President Mike Pence would not dine alone with a woman who was not his wife. How old fashioned, the internet cried. Only, now it seems he is not alone. A surprise poll for the New York Times has discovered more than half of women agree with him - as well as 45% of men. And as for a drink? Forget about it. Just 29% of women think that would be appropriate in a one-on-one situation. However, the poll - conducted by Morning Consult, surveying almost 5,300 people - found the numbers shift considerably according to your politics: the more liberal your views, the more likely you were to mix with a member of the opposite sex, one on one. Just 62% of Republicans found it acceptable, compared to 71% of Democrats. Similar divides can also be seen according to religion - the more devout you are, the less appropriate you view it - and to education: 24% of male respondents of who did not reach college think it is inappropriate to have a one-on-one working meeting with a woman, compared with 18% who got a bachelor's degree or higher. Michael, US: Simply ask yourself: would you want your partner to go out for dinner alone with someone else? Most likely the answer is no. Hence, then why should you? It's simply being wise and not naive. Sandra, US: Not entirely sure why people don't understand that you can have a platonic, working or otherwise relationship with a member of the opposite sex without sexual overtones. To my way of thinking it demeans woman in terms of woman thinking men are only interested in their bodies... If you can't trust your partner or yourself out of sight the problem is you. Stephen, Australia: I totally agree with Mike Pence. He's protecting his marriage and his reputation. It is not sexist, it is wise. In an era where people look to the Kardashians for their moral standards Mike Pence's policy, in this area at least, is commendable. Emily, US: These archaic views are just another example of why we shouldn't have been surprised at a Trump/Pence victory last November. Mario, South Africa: Men who are not sure about their self-control should indeed dine and drink alone. Perhaps dinner and a drink with their mothers should be permitted, but I am not so sure about sisters and daughters after reading some comments uttered by Donald Trump. Vince, UK: Really? How very Victorian of them. Are they scared they might end up doing something they shouldn't. I can't believe in the 21st century some people think this is an issue. Sarah, US: I'm a 52-year-old, white, college educated, atheist, left-wing, married woman ... and there's no way I would have a one-on-one meal/drink with a man who was not my husband. Not even a Starbucks. M.H., Canada: I would definitely lunch or have dinner alone with a man whom I knew and trusted and with whom I had a lot in common. I am also a year away from being 90 and find it hard to believe that there is anything wrong with this.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2960, "answer_start": 1087, "text": "Michael, US: Simply ask yourself: would you want your partner to go out for dinner alone with someone else? Most likely the answer is no. Hence, then why should you? It's simply being wise and not naive. Sandra, US: Not entirely sure why people don't understand that you can have a platonic, working or otherwise relationship with a member of the opposite sex without sexual overtones. To my way of thinking it demeans woman in terms of woman thinking men are only interested in their bodies... If you can't trust your partner or yourself out of sight the problem is you. Stephen, Australia: I totally agree with Mike Pence. He's protecting his marriage and his reputation. It is not sexist, it is wise. In an era where people look to the Kardashians for their moral standards Mike Pence's policy, in this area at least, is commendable. Emily, US: These archaic views are just another example of why we shouldn't have been surprised at a Trump/Pence victory last November. Mario, South Africa: Men who are not sure about their self-control should indeed dine and drink alone. Perhaps dinner and a drink with their mothers should be permitted, but I am not so sure about sisters and daughters after reading some comments uttered by Donald Trump. Vince, UK: Really? How very Victorian of them. Are they scared they might end up doing something they shouldn't. I can't believe in the 21st century some people think this is an issue. Sarah, US: I'm a 52-year-old, white, college educated, atheist, left-wing, married woman ... and there's no way I would have a one-on-one meal/drink with a man who was not my husband. Not even a Starbucks. M.H., Canada: I would definitely lunch or have dinner alone with a man whom I knew and trusted and with whom I had a lot in common. I am also a year away from being 90 and find it hard to believe that there is anything wrong with this." } ], "id": "373_0", "question": "So - do BBC readers agree?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A flight to bring about 200 British nationals back to the UK from coronavirus-hit Wuhan is unable to take off as planned on Thursday. It is understood relevant permissions from Chinese officials have not yet come through. Downing Street said it was \"working with Chinese authorities so the flight can take off as soon as possible\". The virus has caused at least 170 deaths, spreading to every Chinese region and at least 15 other countries. The flight from Wuhan, the city where the virus first emerged, had been expected to arrive on Thursday morning. BBC health editor Hugh Pym said when the passengers do return, they are due to land at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and be transported to former NHS staff accommodation in the north west of England. They will be put in \"supported isolation\" for 14 days with \"all necessary medical attention\", a Downing Street spokesman said. A small team of military medics is flying out to Wuhan to accompany passengers on the repatriation flight, the Ministry of Defence said. In a separate development, British Airways said it had extended its cancellation of services to mainland China until 29 February, following Foreign Office guidance against \"all but essential travel\" to the country. Britons waiting for the UK government's repatriation flight said they had been told it had been put back \"provisionally\" to Friday. Several UK citizens said they faced a stark choice as family members with Chinese citizenship were not being permitted to travel by local authorities. Matt Raw lives in Wuhan with his mother, who has Alzheimer's disease, and his wife, who helps care for her. He told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme that his wife had been prevented from flying so the whole family was staying. He said they were also concerned about the risks of flying, having seen reports that three Japanese people on evacuation flights were found to have the virus. Adam Bridgeman said he would stay in Wuhan if his wife and one-month-old son were not allowed to fly with him. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that remaining in Wuhan with a newborn was \"a tough situation\" as they were \"not willing to take the risk\" of bringing him to hospital for routine treatment such as vaccinations. Jeff Siddle, from Northumberland, told the BBC his family faced a \"terrible dilemma\" after he and his nine-year-old daughter were told they could fly back - but not his Chinese wife, who has a permanent residency visa for the UK. As it stands, Mr Siddle's wife is not travelling back to the UK with him. \"I think there's still negotiations to get that changed, but the official line is still that she can't fly,\" he said. Chinese health authorities said there were 7,711 confirmed coronavirus cases in the country as of Wednesday night. The Foreign Office said a number of other countries' flights had also been unable to take off as planned. Hundreds of foreign nationals are being evacuated from Wuhan, with Japan, the US and the EU among those repatriating their citizens. Some 200 Japanese nationals have been flown from Wuhan and have landed at Tokyo's Haneda airport. Roughly 200 Americans - including workers from the local US consulate - have also left Wuhan on an evacuation flight. However, a number of UK citizens in China said local authorities had prevented members of their families from leaving because they held Chinese passports. Another UK citizen due to be flown out of Wuhan said she was told to leave behind her three-year-old son because he has a Chinese passport. Natalie Francis, originally from York, said: \"I literally had no words when I got the call.\" The Foreign Office said its priority was to keep British nationals and their families together. The World Health Organization (WHO) will decide later whether the virus constitutes a global health emergency. It is a basic question, but the answer is elusive. It is far too simplistic to take the 170 deaths and the 7,711 cases and come up with a death rate of 2%. We are in the middle of the outbreak and thousands of those patients are still being treated. We don't know if they will live or die, so they can't be used in these calculations. We also don't know how many mild and undetected cases are out there. Also, the deadliness of the new virus is only one component of its threat. Flu kills hundreds of thousands of people each year, not because it is super-deadly, but because it is able to infect so many people. Professor Sian Griffiths said the \"shared response across the world\" to the new coronavirus was more effective than during the 2003 SARS outbreak, which she examined in an official inquiry. She told BBC Breakfast that world governments were \"taking everything very seriously in an attempt to contain the virus\", deploying greater resources and offering clear public health messages. - Your questions: You asked, we answered - The story explained: How worried should we be? - Wuhan profiled: The city now in lockdown - In detail: Follow all our coverage here Have you been affected by any of the issues raised? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: - WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 - Send pictures/video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk - Or Upload your pictures/video here - Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay - Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4437, "answer_start": 3825, "text": "It is a basic question, but the answer is elusive. It is far too simplistic to take the 170 deaths and the 7,711 cases and come up with a death rate of 2%. We are in the middle of the outbreak and thousands of those patients are still being treated. We don't know if they will live or die, so they can't be used in these calculations. We also don't know how many mild and undetected cases are out there. Also, the deadliness of the new virus is only one component of its threat. Flu kills hundreds of thousands of people each year, not because it is super-deadly, but because it is able to infect so many people." } ], "id": "374_0", "question": "How deadly is coronavirus?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The US state department has ordered the departure of \"non-emergency employees\" from Iraq, amid rising tensions between the US and Iraq's neighbour Iran. Staff at the embassy in Baghdad and the consulate in Irbil must leave as soon as possible on commercial transport. Meanwhile, the German and Dutch armies have suspended training Iraqi soldiers. The US military said on Tuesday that the threat level in the Middle East had been raised in response to intelligence about Iran-backed forces in the region. It contradicted a British general who had said there was \"no increased threat\". Chris Ghika, deputy commander of the global coalition against the Islamic State group, had told reporters that measures in place to protect US forces and their allies from Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria were \"completely satisfactory\". President Donald Trump, meanwhile, took to Twitter to dismiss rumours of White House infighting over his \"strong policy in the Middle East\", adding: \"I am sure that Iran will want to talk soon.\" A state department spokesman said: \"Ensuring the safety of US government personnel and citizens is our highest priority and we are confident in the Iraqi security services' [ability] to protect us. \"But this threat is serious and we want to reduce the risk of harm.\" The US military's Central Command also talked of \"identified credible threats available to intelligence from US and allies\" when it publicly disputed Gen Ghika's comments in a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday. The UK Ministry of Defence stressed that Gen Ghika's \"sole focus\" was the enduring defeat of IS, and that he had made clear there were a range of threats to forces in the region that required very robust protection measures. Germany's defence ministry said on Wednesday that the German army had suspended its training programmes in Iraq. A spokesman said the ministry had received indications of potential attacks supported by Iran, but that there was no specific threat to the 160 German troops involved in the training operation. The Dutch defence ministry said Dutch soldiers had also suspended their training mission due to an unspecified threat, local media reported. Analysis by John Simpson, BBC World Affairs editor It's pretty much unheard-of for the US military to criticise a senior British general serving alongside them. Perhaps intentionally, Gen Ghika said what most British government ministers feel: that there is currently no threat to American or Saudi shipping from Iran or its surrogates. The worry is in London that President Trump and his national security adviser John Bolton are making a deliberate effort to work up a new war fever about Iran. The obvious comparison is with 16 years ago, when President George W. Bush's administration launched its invasion of Iraq. But Iran is a hugely different and far more powerful opponent than Saddam Hussein's Iraq. And even there, although Iraq put up little serious resistance to a conventional attack, the war there quickly turned into a guerrilla campaign. During that, the US came close to being defeated outright. Not yet. But Reuters news agency cited Iraqi security sources as saying that during a visit to Iraq earlier this month US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Iraqi commanders that intelligence showed Iran-backed paramilitary fighters were positioning rockets near bases housing US troops. \"The message from the Americans was clear. They wanted guarantees that Iraq would stop those groups threatening US interests,\" one of the sources was quoted as saying. \"They said if the US were attacked on Iraqi soil, it would take action to defend itself without co-ordinating with Baghdad.\" Iraq's Prime Minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, said on Tuesday that its security forces had not observed \"movements that constitute a threat to any side\". Paramilitary groups trained, armed and advised by Iran have played an important role in the battle against IS in Iraq. They were formally incorporated into the Iraqi security forces last year, but continue to operate semi-independently. Spokesmen for two of the groups told Reuters that the talk of threats to US forces was \"psychological warfare\" by Washington. It was also reported on Tuesday that US investigators believed Iran or groups it supported had used explosives to damage four tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. Large holes were found in the hulls of the tankers, but no evidence has been released showing a link to Iran. Saudi Arabia meanwhile said that drone attacks on two oil pumping stations by Yemen's Houthi rebel movement, which is supported by Iran, had forced it to temporarily shut the main East-West Pipeline. However speaking to the BBC, one of the rebel leaders Mohammed Ali al-Houthi denied they were acting on Iran's behalf, but were instead defending themselves against the Saudi-led collation. Earlier this month, the US sent an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Gulf. There were repeated warnings from Washington justifying the military build-up, based on what Mr Pompeo described as an \"escalation\" in activities by Iran. It came after the US ended exemptions from sanctions for importers of Iranian oil. President Trump reinstated the sanctions last year after abandoning a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers. Iran has vowed to overcome the measures, but its economy is sliding towards a deep recession and the value of its currency has plummeted.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2167, "answer_start": 1022, "text": "A state department spokesman said: \"Ensuring the safety of US government personnel and citizens is our highest priority and we are confident in the Iraqi security services' [ability] to protect us. \"But this threat is serious and we want to reduce the risk of harm.\" The US military's Central Command also talked of \"identified credible threats available to intelligence from US and allies\" when it publicly disputed Gen Ghika's comments in a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday. The UK Ministry of Defence stressed that Gen Ghika's \"sole focus\" was the enduring defeat of IS, and that he had made clear there were a range of threats to forces in the region that required very robust protection measures. Germany's defence ministry said on Wednesday that the German army had suspended its training programmes in Iraq. A spokesman said the ministry had received indications of potential attacks supported by Iran, but that there was no specific threat to the 160 German troops involved in the training operation. The Dutch defence ministry said Dutch soldiers had also suspended their training mission due to an unspecified threat, local media reported." } ], "id": "375_0", "question": "Why is the US evacuating staff?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4175, "answer_start": 3082, "text": "Not yet. But Reuters news agency cited Iraqi security sources as saying that during a visit to Iraq earlier this month US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Iraqi commanders that intelligence showed Iran-backed paramilitary fighters were positioning rockets near bases housing US troops. \"The message from the Americans was clear. They wanted guarantees that Iraq would stop those groups threatening US interests,\" one of the sources was quoted as saying. \"They said if the US were attacked on Iraqi soil, it would take action to defend itself without co-ordinating with Baghdad.\" Iraq's Prime Minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, said on Tuesday that its security forces had not observed \"movements that constitute a threat to any side\". Paramilitary groups trained, armed and advised by Iran have played an important role in the battle against IS in Iraq. They were formally incorporated into the Iraqi security forces last year, but continue to operate semi-independently. Spokesmen for two of the groups told Reuters that the talk of threats to US forces was \"psychological warfare\" by Washington." } ], "id": "375_1", "question": "Do we know anything about the alleged threat?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5447, "answer_start": 4176, "text": "It was also reported on Tuesday that US investigators believed Iran or groups it supported had used explosives to damage four tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. Large holes were found in the hulls of the tankers, but no evidence has been released showing a link to Iran. Saudi Arabia meanwhile said that drone attacks on two oil pumping stations by Yemen's Houthi rebel movement, which is supported by Iran, had forced it to temporarily shut the main East-West Pipeline. However speaking to the BBC, one of the rebel leaders Mohammed Ali al-Houthi denied they were acting on Iran's behalf, but were instead defending themselves against the Saudi-led collation. Earlier this month, the US sent an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Gulf. There were repeated warnings from Washington justifying the military build-up, based on what Mr Pompeo described as an \"escalation\" in activities by Iran. It came after the US ended exemptions from sanctions for importers of Iranian oil. President Trump reinstated the sanctions last year after abandoning a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers. Iran has vowed to overcome the measures, but its economy is sliding towards a deep recession and the value of its currency has plummeted." } ], "id": "375_2", "question": "Why have US-Iran tensions escalated?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Donald Trump is not the first president to be called unhinged. But many of his predecessors are thought to have endured mental health conditions ranging from social anxiety to bipolar disorder and even psychopathy. In the summer of 1776, the American Revolutionary War was going so badly for the rebels that George Washington apparently attempted suicide by redcoat. As his militiamen fled in panic at Kip's Bay, Manhattan, the 44-year-old supreme commander lapsed into a catatonic state, according to biographer Ron Chernow. Washington just sat on horseback staring into space as dozens of British soldiers charged at him across a cornfield. The future first US president's aides grabbed the reins of his mount and with some difficulty managed to spirit him to safety. One of his generals, Nathanael Greene, later said the Virginian was \"so vexed at the infamous conduct of his troops that he sought death rather than life\". Washington's suspected emotional breakdown illustrates how even the greatest of crisis leaders can snap under pressure. Fast forward nearly two-and-a-half centuries, and the mental state of his political descendant is under somewhat less forgiving examination. Presidential psychiatry has been all the rage ever since Donald Trump entered the White House. There's even a publishing subgenre devoted to putting the 45th president on the shrink's couch. Such titles include The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President, Rocket Man: Nuclear Madness and the Mind of Donald Trump, A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissism in the Era of Donald Trump, and Twilight of American Sanity: A Psychiatrist Analyzes the Age of Trump. Mr Trump - who maintains he is \"a very stable genius\" - is by no means the first US leader to find himself written off as a lunatic. John Adams, the second president, was described by arch-rival Jefferson as \"sometimes absolutely mad\". The Philadelphia Aurora, a mouthpiece of Jefferson's party, assailed Adams as \"a man divested of his senses\". Theodore Roosevelt, the contemporary Journal of Abnormal Psychology theorised, would \"go down in history as one of the most illustrious psychological examples of the distortion of conscious mental processes\". While Roosevelt campaigned in 1912 to return to the presidency, prominent US historian Henry Adams said: \"His mind has gone to pieces... his neurosis may end in a nervous collapse, or acute mania.\" After Woodrow Wilson had a stroke, his critics claimed the White House had become an insane asylum, pointing out the bars installed on some first-floor windows of the executive mansion. But as John Milton Cooper recounts in his Wilson biography, those bars had in fact been fitted during Teddy Roosevelt's presidency to keep his young sons from breaking windows with their baseballs. And yet, according to a psychiatric analysis of the first 37 commanders-in-chief, Adams, Roosevelt and Wilson did have actual mental health issues. The 2006 study estimated that 49% of presidents suffered from a malady of the mind at some stage in their life (a figure said by the researchers to be in line with national rates). Twenty-seven per cent of them were found to have been affected while in office. One in four of them met the diagnostic criteria for depression, including Woodrow Wilson and James Madison, said the team from Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina. They also concluded that Teddy Roosevelt and John Adams had bipolar disorder, while Thomas Jefferson and Ulysses Grant struggled with social anxiety. Professor Jonathan Davidson, who led the study, said: \"The pressures of such a job can trigger issues in someone that have been latent. \"Being president is extremely stressful and nobody has unlimited capacity to take it forever and ever.\" Woodrow Wilson suffered his stroke in 1919 during a doomed fight to get the Treaty of Versailles passed. It left him incapacitated and stricken by depression and paranoia until the end of his presidency in 1921. First Lady Edith Wilson practically ran the White House, leaving opponents fulminating about \"government by petticoat\". By the time Wilson left office, one reporter said, he was a timid and \"shattered remnant of the man\" he had once been. Two other presidencies are thought to have been destroyed outright by clinical depression. According to Prof Davidson, a major depressive disorder rendered both Calvin Coolidge and Franklin Pierce ineffectual as leaders after their sons died. Pierce suffered a horrific tragedy just before his 1853 inauguration. The 14th president, his wife, Jane, and their son, Benjamin, were on a train when it derailed near Andover, Massachusetts. The carriage was tossed down an embankment and Benny was nearly decapitated. He died instantly. The 11-year-old had been the only surviving of three sons born to the Pierces. The Democratic president wrote to Jefferson Davis, his secretary of war: \"How I shall be able to summon my manhood and gather up my energies for all the duties before me, it is hard for me to see.\" Prof Davidson says Pierce's inner torment led him to abdicate any real executive role as the nation drifted towards civil war. He was the only president ever elected in his own right to suffer the indignity of being dumped by his party at the next election. Pierce's sorrow, together with the stress of presiding over a country about to tear itself apart, is thought to have exacerbated his longstanding abuse of alcohol. He died from ailments related to liver failure, according to biographer Michael F Holt. Coolidge took office as an upbeat, hardworking and energetic leader. But in the summer of 1924 his 16-year-old son, Calvin Jr, went to play on the White House tennis court, wearing trainers without socks. The boy got a blister on his toe, which became infected, and he died of blood poisoning. According to Amity Shales' biography, Coolidge blamed himself for the teenager's death. He ordered gravestones for himself, his wife and surviving son, John, as well as Calvin Jr. \"Whenever I look out of the window,\" the president would say, \"I always see my boy playing tennis on that court there.\" His behaviour became increasingly erratic. He would explode with rage at guests, aides and family. During one White House dinner, he became fixated on a portrait of President John Quincy Adams, remarking that his head looked too shiny. Coolidge ordered a servant to rub a rag in the fireplace ashes, climb a step ladder and dab it on the painting to darken Adams' head. (John Quincy Adams also suffered from depression and used to mope around the White House, playing billiards and irritating his British-born wife, according to a biography by Harlow Giles Unger.) Coolidge all but withdrew from political life. Most concerning was his ignorance about economic alarm bells a year before the 1929 Wall Street Crash. As legislation was considered to rein in rampant stock speculation, he told reporters: \"I don't know what it is or what its provisions are or what the discussion has been.\" In his autobiography, the 30th president wrote: \"When he [my son] went, the power and glory of the presidency went with him. \"I do not know why such a price was exacted for occupying the White House.\" Other presidents were able to bounce back from the personal Gethsemane of bereavement. Theodore Roosevelt battled severe depression early in his political career after the death of his young wife and mother on Valentine's Day, 1884. He rode off for a couple of years to the Badlands of Dakota territory, where he built a ranch, hunted buffalo, arrested thieves and knocked out a gunslinger in a saloon. \"Black care rarely sits behind a rider whose pace is fast enough,\" he said. Abraham Lincoln was prone throughout his life to melancholy, according to biographer David Herbert Donald. In 1841 in Springfield, Illinois, while serving as a state legislator, Abe broke off his engagement to Mary Todd (they eventually wed) and plunged into deep depression. A friend put him on suicide watch, removing razors and knives from his room. It was rumoured in the state capital that he had gone crazy. Given his morose disposition, aides must have feared how he would cope during the American Civil War with the death of his 11-year-old son, Willie, probably from typhoid fever, at the White House in February 1862. Later that year, after another humiliating defeat, this time at the Second Battle of Bull Run, Lincoln told his cabinet he felt almost ready to hang himself, according to Donald's book. But despite his grief, the 16th president managed to hold himself together and the union, too. It was only after Willie's death that Lincoln finally fired his vacillating military commander, George McLellan. He replaced him with a depressive, shy, probable alcoholic who was squeamish at the sight of blood: Ulysses Grant would lead the Union Army to victory. Despite the enduring stigma of mental illness, some experts believe it may help certain leaders - up to a point. A 2012 study by psychologists from Emory University in Georgia found several presidents exhibited psychopathic traits, including Bill Clinton. The two determined to be most psychopathic were Lyndon Baines Johnson and Andrew Jackson, Mr Trump's hero. Psychopathic attributes were identified by the Emory team as superficial charm, egocentricity, dishonesty, callousness, risk-taking, poor impulse control and fearlessness. The research covered every president except the current one and Barack Obama. Professor Scott Lilienfeld, who led the study, says: \"I suspect that in the long run these traits are going to catch up with people. \"So yes, they might allow people to rise to positions of leadership. \"I'm less confident they're going to result in better overall leadership, especially in the long term.\" LBJ, for example, had an ego the size of his home state of Texas. He brazenly stole his 1948 Senate election, then even more shamelessly joked about it, according to Robert Caro's multi-volume biography. Johnson thought nothing of casually putting his hand up another woman's skirt while his wife, Lady Bird, was sitting right next to him. He liked to humiliate underlings by summoning them to take dictation while he urinated in a washbasin or defecated in a toilet. However, LBJ may have caused his own political Alamo with widely suspected lies to the American people about a fake naval skirmish in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1964. Johnson used the incident to dramatically escalate the US war in Vietnam. But amid the hecatomb of the Tet Offensive four years later, LBJ announced he would not run for a second term. Andrew Jackson - who signed the ethnic-cleansing Indian Removal Act - is remembered today more for his cruelty than for the enviable accomplishment of being the only president ever to fully pay off the national debt. And Bill Clinton's reputation, of course, was left in tatters by his sexual impulsivity. Some presidents have handled the strains of the Oval Office less well than others. Even as vice-president, Richard Nixon was taking prescription drugs for anxiety and depression, along with sleeping pills washed down by alcohol. John A Farrell's biography details how the unstable Watergate leader drank excessively throughout his turbulent tenure. White House tapes record him slurring his words amid the tinkle of ice cubes. Henry Kissinger, his top diplomat, once said Nixon couldn't take a call from the British prime minister during a Middle East crisis because he was \"loaded\". His psychotherapist, Dr Arnold Hutschnecker, was the only mental health professional ever known to have treated a president at the White House. He said Nixon had \"a good portion of neurotic symptoms\". Prof Davidson's armchair diagnosis is no. He cites debate among psychiatrists internationally as to whether narcissism - a trait so often attributed to the current president - is even a bona fide personality disorder. But Nassir Ghaemi - author of A First-Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links Between Leadership and Mental Illness - believes President Trump has \"classic manic symptoms\". The professor of psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston says: \"He doesn't sleep much at all. He has a very high physical energy level. \"He's very impulsive with spending, sexually impulsive, he can't concentrate. \"His traits were most beneficial for him during the presidential campaign, where he was extremely creative. \"He was able to pick up on things that normal, mentally healthy, stable persons, like Hillary Clinton, for instance, did not.\" The Trump presidency, we are so often told, has shattered historic norms. But the strange and troubled lives of previous commanders-in-chief seem to raise the question, what is normal? Follow @judesheerin .", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 12802, "answer_start": 11741, "text": "Prof Davidson's armchair diagnosis is no. He cites debate among psychiatrists internationally as to whether narcissism - a trait so often attributed to the current president - is even a bona fide personality disorder. But Nassir Ghaemi - author of A First-Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links Between Leadership and Mental Illness - believes President Trump has \"classic manic symptoms\". The professor of psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston says: \"He doesn't sleep much at all. He has a very high physical energy level. \"He's very impulsive with spending, sexually impulsive, he can't concentrate. \"His traits were most beneficial for him during the presidential campaign, where he was extremely creative. \"He was able to pick up on things that normal, mentally healthy, stable persons, like Hillary Clinton, for instance, did not.\" The Trump presidency, we are so often told, has shattered historic norms. But the strange and troubled lives of previous commanders-in-chief seem to raise the question, what is normal? Follow @judesheerin ." } ], "id": "376_0", "question": "And so, is Donald Trump mentally ill?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "An information campaign urging the public to \"get ready for Brexit\" has been launched by the government. The campaign began on Sunday with the launch of a website, gov.uk/brexit. Billboards and social media adverts will appear in the coming days and TV adverts will air later this month. Michael Gove, who is in charge of no-deal plans, said the adverts encourage \"shared responsibility\" for preparing to leave the EU on 31 October. It has been reported that the campaign could cost as much as PS100m as ministers seek to inform people what they might need to do, if anything, ahead of the deadline. Meanwhile, it has emerged the EU is considering classifying no deal as a \"major disaster\", like an earthquake, in order to free up funds for countries affected. Benedict Pringle, author of the politicaladvertising.co.uk blog, said that, if true, the PS100m budget would be roughly double what the National Lottery spends on advertising each year. \"So if you think about how often you see a lottery advert and double it, that's how much we could be seeing the campaign over the next two months,\" he told the BBC. \"At football grounds, in advert breaks for Coronation Street and The Great British Bake Off, this is where you'll get the biggest reach with the public.\" An image showing one of the campaign's billboards was issued by the Cabinet Office ahead of their rollout this week. Leaflets, online seminars, and information stands at events will also be used. British citizens who are intending to travel to Europe and businesses which export to the EU are among the specific groups targeted by the campaign. The campaign encourages people and businesses to visit the government website to answer questions and receive advice on preparing for Brexit. According to the campaign, some sections of society \"do not need to take any action\" to prepare for Brexit. People on that list are British citizens who both live and work in the UK, do not run a business and do not plan to travel abroad \"after 31 October 2019\". #GetReadyForBrexit was the fourth highest UK trend on Twitter on Monday morning. While some users welcomed the government's drive, the majority of tweets mocked either the campaign or Brexit itself. Announcing the launch, Mr Gove said ensuring the UK left the EU in an orderly manner was \"not only a matter of national importance, but a shared responsibility\". Mr Gove was earlier criticised by a retail trade association for claiming there would be no shortages of fresh food in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The British Retail Consortium said Mr Gove's assertion on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that \"there will be no shortages of fresh food\" was \"categorically untrue\". The government has said it \"cannot fully protect\" the rights of UK nationals living in the EU, and that some Brits must apply to be a resident in the country they live in, if they want to stay there. Jane Golding, a lawyer based in Berlin who co-chairs an organisation called British in Europe, said a no-deal Brexit would lead to \"27 separate contingency plans\" in each of the remaining EU member states. This could mean a lack of co-ordination on healthcare and social security policies - while the uncertainty around being allowed to stay in their homes was causing \"a lot of anxiety\" for expats. She told Radio 4's Today programme that the key principle in the citizens' rights negotiations was \"reciprocity\" - meaning the way EU citizens are treated in the UK will affect UK citizens in the EU. Travel will remain visa free but working in more than one EU country will become complicated, she added. \"We are a very mobile population,\" she said. \"We rely on free movement for our work, for our livelihoods.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1752, "answer_start": 1266, "text": "An image showing one of the campaign's billboards was issued by the Cabinet Office ahead of their rollout this week. Leaflets, online seminars, and information stands at events will also be used. British citizens who are intending to travel to Europe and businesses which export to the EU are among the specific groups targeted by the campaign. The campaign encourages people and businesses to visit the government website to answer questions and receive advice on preparing for Brexit." } ], "id": "377_0", "question": "What does the campaign involve?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2015, "answer_start": 1753, "text": "According to the campaign, some sections of society \"do not need to take any action\" to prepare for Brexit. People on that list are British citizens who both live and work in the UK, do not run a business and do not plan to travel abroad \"after 31 October 2019\"." } ], "id": "377_1", "question": "Who is 'ready' for Brexit?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2214, "answer_start": 2016, "text": "#GetReadyForBrexit was the fourth highest UK trend on Twitter on Monday morning. While some users welcomed the government's drive, the majority of tweets mocked either the campaign or Brexit itself." } ], "id": "377_2", "question": "What has the reaction been?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2687, "answer_start": 2215, "text": "Announcing the launch, Mr Gove said ensuring the UK left the EU in an orderly manner was \"not only a matter of national importance, but a shared responsibility\". Mr Gove was earlier criticised by a retail trade association for claiming there would be no shortages of fresh food in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The British Retail Consortium said Mr Gove's assertion on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that \"there will be no shortages of fresh food\" was \"categorically untrue\"." } ], "id": "377_3", "question": "What has the government said?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3699, "answer_start": 2688, "text": "The government has said it \"cannot fully protect\" the rights of UK nationals living in the EU, and that some Brits must apply to be a resident in the country they live in, if they want to stay there. Jane Golding, a lawyer based in Berlin who co-chairs an organisation called British in Europe, said a no-deal Brexit would lead to \"27 separate contingency plans\" in each of the remaining EU member states. This could mean a lack of co-ordination on healthcare and social security policies - while the uncertainty around being allowed to stay in their homes was causing \"a lot of anxiety\" for expats. She told Radio 4's Today programme that the key principle in the citizens' rights negotiations was \"reciprocity\" - meaning the way EU citizens are treated in the UK will affect UK citizens in the EU. Travel will remain visa free but working in more than one EU country will become complicated, she added. \"We are a very mobile population,\" she said. \"We rely on free movement for our work, for our livelihoods.\"" } ], "id": "377_4", "question": "What do Brits living in the EU need to do?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The leaders of two anti-establishment parties have each claimed they have the right to govern Italy, after voters in Europe's fourth-largest economy did not return a majority to any single party. The Eurosceptic, populist Five Star Movement was the biggest single party with a third of the vote. But the right-wing populist League said it had been endorsed to run the country as part of a centre-right alliance. Forming a government could take weeks of negotiation and coalition-building. Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has resigned as leader of the governing centre-left Democratic Party, which performed poorly, taking less than 20% of the vote. He said the party would not join a coalition with \"anti-system forces\" and would go into opposition instead. An alliance between the far-right League and ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party is set to win the most seats in the lower house of parliament, but the League has emerged as the senior partner. It won 17.4% of the vote compared with Forza Italia's 14%. Matteo Salvini, the 44-year-old leader of the League, said at a press conference that he intended to speak to other parties to gain a parliamentary majority. Five Star leader Luigi Di Maio, 31, announced that his party was also open to coalition talks with other parties - this despite the party having stated the contrary in the run-up to the vote. The gains for populists represent a political earthquake that will send shockwaves to the EU in Brussels, BBC Europe editor Katya Adler says. A coalition between Five Star and the League would be a \"nightmare result\" for the EU, our correspondent adds. However, Mr Salvini has ruled out such an alliance. He said he was not interested in a \"minestrone\" coalition, referring to the Italian soup of mixed vegetables. Results showed that the League conquered broad swathes of Italy's north, while Five Star saw its strongest show of support in the south. The centre-left coalition, dominated by the Democratic Party, was punished in traditional strongholds including Emilia-Romagna, the northern region home to the city of Bologna. Voter turnout was estimated at 73% on Monday morning, according to interior ministry figures. Though no party will be able to rule alone based on latest results, the surge of support for populist parties has been compared with Brexit and the election of Donald Trump in the US. The right-wing alliance, which also includes the far-right Brothers of Italy, is tipped to get 248-268 seats - below the 316 needed for a majority. But Five Star will emerge as the largest single party in Italy's lower house, with 216-236 seats. The party was founded in 2009 by comedian Beppe Grillo, who denounced cronyism in Italian politics. It has captured new voters in the poorer regions of southern Italy, feeding off anger over institutional corruption, economic hardship and immigration. Italian voters appear to have abandoned Mr Renzi's Democratic Party because of dissatisfaction over these issues, and the centre-left coalition is projected to come a distant third, with an estimated 107-127 seats. Immigration and the economy have been two of the key issues for voters during the election. More than 600,000 migrants have travelled from Libya to reach Italy since 2013, which has upset many Italians. The state of the economy was also at the centre of the debates. In 2016, some 18 million people were at risk of poverty, and unemployment is currently at 11%. Results from the vote for Italy's Senate, the upper house of parliament, also favoured populists and parties of the right. Five Star performed better than anticipated and was forecast to take the most seats - around 102-122 - but miss out on a majority. The right-wing coalition is predicted to get 118-150 seats in the upper house, and the Democratic Party 42-54. By James Reynolds BBC News, Milan We still don't know who the winner will be. But in this opening act, Five Star has gained a certain advantage. Its message clearly resonated with young people searching for jobs, and with voters in the poorer south of the country. The movement made a big point of running alone in this election. By contrast, other major parties teamed up into electoral alliances. But the feature which gave the party its strength - its independence - may now become its weakness. In order to form a government, Five Star must find coalition partners. Its inexperience in working with others may be a disadvantage in the practical business of coalition-building. So, which way will Five Star seek to turn? There is some speculation that the movement may seek a coalition with the League. Both parties have criticised Italy's relationship with the European Union, although neither campaigns to leave the bloc. A potential alliance between the two would be viewed with some degree of worry in Brussels. The vote comes as a blow to Silvio Berlusconi, 81, whose party led the right-wing coalition. But now Matteo Salvini has laid claim to that role. He has promised to deport hundreds of thousands of migrants and spoken of the \"danger\" of Islam. \"My first words: THANK YOU,\" tweeted Mr Salvini as projections rolled in. In any case Mr Berlusconi cannot hold public office himself until next year because of a tax fraud conviction. The leader of the League is a proud Eurosceptic, who has praised Brexit and voiced opposition to the euro in the past. \"It's a fantastic victory which fills us with pride,\" said Mr Salvini on Monday as results came in. He claimed Italian voters had \"made a step forward to be free from the cages and ties that are bringing back hunger and insecurity in Europe\". In the same speech, Mr Salvini repeated his stance that the euro is bad for Italy. \"It's a wrong currency and a wrong choice,\" he said. La Stampa (centre-left): Di Maio wins, Italy is ungovernable La Repubblica (centre-left): Italy belongs to the Five Star Movement and the League; the Democratic Party is knocked out, Renzi on his way out Libero (centre-right): A chaotic government of amateurs - anger and confusion at the polls: From bad to worse Il fatto quotidiano (populist): The Five Star Movement soars, Renzi crashes, Salvini wipes out Berlusconi: Everything changes Italian town at centre of bitter race debate Will fake claims affect poll? Silvio Berlusconi: Italy's perpetual powerbroker", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3831, "answer_start": 2208, "text": "Though no party will be able to rule alone based on latest results, the surge of support for populist parties has been compared with Brexit and the election of Donald Trump in the US. The right-wing alliance, which also includes the far-right Brothers of Italy, is tipped to get 248-268 seats - below the 316 needed for a majority. But Five Star will emerge as the largest single party in Italy's lower house, with 216-236 seats. The party was founded in 2009 by comedian Beppe Grillo, who denounced cronyism in Italian politics. It has captured new voters in the poorer regions of southern Italy, feeding off anger over institutional corruption, economic hardship and immigration. Italian voters appear to have abandoned Mr Renzi's Democratic Party because of dissatisfaction over these issues, and the centre-left coalition is projected to come a distant third, with an estimated 107-127 seats. Immigration and the economy have been two of the key issues for voters during the election. More than 600,000 migrants have travelled from Libya to reach Italy since 2013, which has upset many Italians. The state of the economy was also at the centre of the debates. In 2016, some 18 million people were at risk of poverty, and unemployment is currently at 11%. Results from the vote for Italy's Senate, the upper house of parliament, also favoured populists and parties of the right. Five Star performed better than anticipated and was forecast to take the most seats - around 102-122 - but miss out on a majority. The right-wing coalition is predicted to get 118-150 seats in the upper house, and the Democratic Party 42-54." } ], "id": "378_0", "question": "What does the result mean?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4850, "answer_start": 3832, "text": "By James Reynolds BBC News, Milan We still don't know who the winner will be. But in this opening act, Five Star has gained a certain advantage. Its message clearly resonated with young people searching for jobs, and with voters in the poorer south of the country. The movement made a big point of running alone in this election. By contrast, other major parties teamed up into electoral alliances. But the feature which gave the party its strength - its independence - may now become its weakness. In order to form a government, Five Star must find coalition partners. Its inexperience in working with others may be a disadvantage in the practical business of coalition-building. So, which way will Five Star seek to turn? There is some speculation that the movement may seek a coalition with the League. Both parties have criticised Italy's relationship with the European Union, although neither campaigns to leave the bloc. A potential alliance between the two would be viewed with some degree of worry in Brussels." } ], "id": "378_1", "question": "Advantage Five Star - but what happens next?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5775, "answer_start": 5278, "text": "The leader of the League is a proud Eurosceptic, who has praised Brexit and voiced opposition to the euro in the past. \"It's a fantastic victory which fills us with pride,\" said Mr Salvini on Monday as results came in. He claimed Italian voters had \"made a step forward to be free from the cages and ties that are bringing back hunger and insecurity in Europe\". In the same speech, Mr Salvini repeated his stance that the euro is bad for Italy. \"It's a wrong currency and a wrong choice,\" he said." } ], "id": "378_2", "question": "Who is Matteo Salvini?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "International pressure is growing for the Russian government to release nearly 100 juvenile whales which have been kept in small pens in the far east for seven months. French marine scientist Jean-Michel Cousteau and other experts are meeting government officials in Moscow. They plan to visit the so-called \"whale jail\" near Nakhodka on Saturday. There are 11 killer whales (orcas) and 87 belugas in pens at Srednyaya Bay. A criminal investigation is under way. While they were in captivity last year, three belugas and one orca disappeared. Greenpeace Russia believes they died, as many of the whales are known to be in poor health. The environmental group raised the alarm about the whales last October, and four Russian companies linked to the \"whale jail\" have been accused of violating fishing regulations and cruel treatment of animals. The whales were caught last year in the Sea of Okhotsk. Greenpeace says the orcas and many of the belugas were probably destined to be sold to marine parks in China, where such tourist attractions are booming. Individual orcas, often caught illegally, can fetch millions of dollars. Belugas are sold for tens of thousands of dollars. Celebrities are also campaigning to rescue them. Hollywood star and Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio has urged his social media followers to sign a petition - and so far 1.43m have done so. Pamela Anderson, the former model and Baywatch TV star, wrote to President Vladimir Putin, urging action to release the whales. She is active in the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Mr Putin is well known for his interest in wildlife conservation and is now involved in the row over the \"whale jail\", along with federal prosecutors and the FSB state security service. Jean-Michel Cousteau is the first son of the late Jacques Cousteau, an explorer whose popular TV documentaries helped focus public opinion on threatened ocean species. On Tuesday Greenpeace staged a demonstration in central Moscow to draw attention to the whales' plight. The US-based Animal Welfare Institute and other marine mammal experts have sent a letter to Mr Putin, saying urgent action is needed to keep the whales healthy. They say the pens should be expanded and the water heated prior to releasing the whales to rejoin their birth populations. There is great concern because some are showing signs of hypothermia. Aerial photos show big sheets of ice in and around the overcrowded pens. In the wild, whales swim tens of kilometres every day - and that keeps them warm. But in small pens they get cold. In January, Greenpeace Russia reported that some of the whales were showing skin lesions and flipper deterioration. Some of those injuries may have been caused by bumping into the sea ice. Read more on related topics: Russian law allows the capture of whales for scientific or educational purposes. But the suspicion is that these whales were destined to go to Chinese marine parks in illegal, multi-million-dollar sales, for public entertainment. In July Russia announced an investigation into the illegal sale of seven orcas to China. UK-based Whale and Dolphin Conservation reports that 15 orcas caught in Russian waters are now at Chinese marine parks . Several countries have banned the live capture of whales, as well as imports and exports, among them the US, Canada and Australia. Commercial whaling is highly restricted under the International Whaling Commission's 1986 moratorium. But in December Japan announced that it would resume commercial whale-hunting. The IWC reports that in 2017 Norway caught 432 minke whales in the North Atlantic and Iceland caught 17 minkes off its shores .", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2302, "answer_start": 1178, "text": "Celebrities are also campaigning to rescue them. Hollywood star and Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio has urged his social media followers to sign a petition - and so far 1.43m have done so. Pamela Anderson, the former model and Baywatch TV star, wrote to President Vladimir Putin, urging action to release the whales. She is active in the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Mr Putin is well known for his interest in wildlife conservation and is now involved in the row over the \"whale jail\", along with federal prosecutors and the FSB state security service. Jean-Michel Cousteau is the first son of the late Jacques Cousteau, an explorer whose popular TV documentaries helped focus public opinion on threatened ocean species. On Tuesday Greenpeace staged a demonstration in central Moscow to draw attention to the whales' plight. The US-based Animal Welfare Institute and other marine mammal experts have sent a letter to Mr Putin, saying urgent action is needed to keep the whales healthy. They say the pens should be expanded and the water heated prior to releasing the whales to rejoin their birth populations." } ], "id": "379_0", "question": "Who else is trying to save the whales?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2778, "answer_start": 2303, "text": "There is great concern because some are showing signs of hypothermia. Aerial photos show big sheets of ice in and around the overcrowded pens. In the wild, whales swim tens of kilometres every day - and that keeps them warm. But in small pens they get cold. In January, Greenpeace Russia reported that some of the whales were showing skin lesions and flipper deterioration. Some of those injuries may have been caused by bumping into the sea ice. Read more on related topics:" } ], "id": "379_1", "question": "What condition are the whales in?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A former SS guard has gone on trial in Germany accused of complicity in mass murder at a Nazi death camp during World War Two. Identified as Johann Rehbogen, the 94-year-old served in the Stutthof camp in what is now northern Poland from June 1942 to September 1944. He denies knowing anything about atrocities committed there. Because he was not yet aged 21, he is being tried in a juvenile court in Munster, western Germany. The former guard, who uses a wheelchair, faces a sentence of 15 years if convicted but is unlikely to serve any time in prison because of his advanced age. His court appearances will be limited to two hours at a time for the same reason, Dortmund prosecutor Andreas Brendel told AFP news agency. The defendant, along with another former SS guard, is suspected of involvement in the murder of hundreds of people at the camp. According to a court press release, the crimes include the use of Zyklon B poison gas to kill: - More than 100 Polish prisoners on 21-22 June 1944 - At least 77 wounded Soviet prisoners-of-war during the summer of 1944 - An unknown number of Jewish prisoners said to be \"probably several hundred\", between August and the end of 1944, some of whom were killed in railway carriages The indictment lists other atrocities including the shooting of \"several hundred\" Jews deemed unfit for work between June 1944 and April 1945, and the killing of 140 people, including Jewish women and children, between 1942 and the end of 1944 with poison injections to the heart. Other prisoners were deliberately left to freeze to death in the winter of 1943-44. The defendant is \"accused in his capacity as a guard of participating in the killing operations\", said Mr Brendel. It has still to be determined whether the other former SS guard is fit to stand trial. Located near the city of Danzig (now Gdansk), it was originally an internment camp before being officially designated a concentration camp in 1942. From June 1944, prisoners were murdered in a gas chamber. More than 65,000 people died in Stutthof before it was liberated by the Soviet Army on 9 May 1945. Johann Rehbogen was captured by the US Army after the war but returned to civilian life, working as a landscape architect for the North Rhine-Westphalia state authorities. Questioned by police last year, he denied knowing about atrocities in the camp. Although he was not named by the court in Munster, his name has been published by the Wiesenthal Center, which investigates Nazi war crimes. \"If one looks at how many evil doings and crimes were perpetuated, one can understand why elderly people too have to face prosecution,\" said Mr Brendel. \"Germany owes it to the families and victims to prosecute these Nazi crimes even today. That is a legal and moral question.\" Relatives of those murdered at Stutthof are attending the trial. Among them is one of the plaintiffs, Ben Cohen, whose grandmother Judy Meisel is a survivor of the camp. He told the BBC it was good for her to see Germany pursue the case. \"Her being able to witness even some of this process, even from afar, is a sense of closure,\" he said. \"To have Germany listening to her is very powerful for her. \"I speak to her all the time and I can see a new perspective that this gives her on things, so that could maybe be considered a form of closure. But closure is a difficult word in this context.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1797, "answer_start": 723, "text": "The defendant, along with another former SS guard, is suspected of involvement in the murder of hundreds of people at the camp. According to a court press release, the crimes include the use of Zyklon B poison gas to kill: - More than 100 Polish prisoners on 21-22 June 1944 - At least 77 wounded Soviet prisoners-of-war during the summer of 1944 - An unknown number of Jewish prisoners said to be \"probably several hundred\", between August and the end of 1944, some of whom were killed in railway carriages The indictment lists other atrocities including the shooting of \"several hundred\" Jews deemed unfit for work between June 1944 and April 1945, and the killing of 140 people, including Jewish women and children, between 1942 and the end of 1944 with poison injections to the heart. Other prisoners were deliberately left to freeze to death in the winter of 1943-44. The defendant is \"accused in his capacity as a guard of participating in the killing operations\", said Mr Brendel. It has still to be determined whether the other former SS guard is fit to stand trial." } ], "id": "380_0", "question": "What are the accusations?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2102, "answer_start": 1798, "text": "Located near the city of Danzig (now Gdansk), it was originally an internment camp before being officially designated a concentration camp in 1942. From June 1944, prisoners were murdered in a gas chamber. More than 65,000 people died in Stutthof before it was liberated by the Soviet Army on 9 May 1945." } ], "id": "380_1", "question": "What was Stutthof?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2773, "answer_start": 2103, "text": "Johann Rehbogen was captured by the US Army after the war but returned to civilian life, working as a landscape architect for the North Rhine-Westphalia state authorities. Questioned by police last year, he denied knowing about atrocities in the camp. Although he was not named by the court in Munster, his name has been published by the Wiesenthal Center, which investigates Nazi war crimes. \"If one looks at how many evil doings and crimes were perpetuated, one can understand why elderly people too have to face prosecution,\" said Mr Brendel. \"Germany owes it to the families and victims to prosecute these Nazi crimes even today. That is a legal and moral question.\"" } ], "id": "380_2", "question": "Who is the defendant?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3369, "answer_start": 2774, "text": "Relatives of those murdered at Stutthof are attending the trial. Among them is one of the plaintiffs, Ben Cohen, whose grandmother Judy Meisel is a survivor of the camp. He told the BBC it was good for her to see Germany pursue the case. \"Her being able to witness even some of this process, even from afar, is a sense of closure,\" he said. \"To have Germany listening to her is very powerful for her. \"I speak to her all the time and I can see a new perspective that this gives her on things, so that could maybe be considered a form of closure. But closure is a difficult word in this context.\"" } ], "id": "380_3", "question": "How do survivors regard the trial?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "US President Donald Trump says he is open to meeting Iran's President Hassan Rouhani under the right circumstances. It comes after Iran's foreign minister made a brief and unannounced visit to the G7 summit in France on Sunday. Relations between Iran and the US have deteriorated since Washington withdrew last year from a 2015 deal to limit Iran's nuclear activities. However, on Monday, Mr Trump said he had \"good feelings\" about the prospect of a new nuclear deal with Iran. \"Iran is not the same country it was two and a half years ago when I came into office,\" he told reporters at a joint G7 press conference with French leader Emmanuel Macron. \"I really believe that Iran can be a great nation... but they can't have nuclear weapons,\" he said, adding that they had to be \"good players\" before he would agree to a meeting. Earlier on Monday, Mr Rouhani said he was ready to meet anyone if he felt it would benefit Iran. \"If I am sure that attending a session or having a meeting with someone will help develop my country and resolve the people's problems, I will not hesitate to do so,\" he said. Mr Trump's remarks came at the close of the G7 summit - where leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US - met in Biarritz. Other issues they discussed included world trade, fires in the Amazon, and developments in Ukraine, Libya and Hong Kong. Tensions with Iran have been heightened since the US unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, and re-imposed sanctions. Other parties to the agreement - the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China - have sought to salvage the nuclear deal. On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he had had \"constructive\" talks with his French counterpart, and Mr Macron, on the sidelines of the G7 talks in Biarritz. Mr Macron, who has taken an active role to try to save the accord, said he had informed Mr Trump of his plan to invite Mr Zarif, after discussions with Iranian officials on possible solutions. He said he believed the \"conditions for a meeting\" between Mr Trump and Mr Rouhani \"in the next few weeks\" had been established. \"Nothing is set yet and things are still fragile, but technical discussions have started with some real progress,\" he said, adding that he had told Mr Rouhani that \"if he accepts a meeting with President Trump, I am convinced an agreement can be found\". The 2015 agreement involved Iran limiting its nuclear activities for between 10 and 15 years, in return for sanctions relief. The deal restricted Iran's enrichment of uranium and required it to allow international inspections. The accord also stipulated that Iran should redesign a heavy-water reactor being built so that it could not produce any weapons-grade plutonium. The US withdrew from the deal in May 2018, and issued a list of 12 \"requirements\" for a new nuclear deal and the lifting of US sanctions. These included Iran curbing its ballistic missile programme, and ending its involvement in regional conflicts. Iran has described the requirements as unacceptable. At Monday's press conference, Mr Trump said that for any new deal, he was \"looking for no nuclear weapons, no ballistic missiles and a longer period of time\". It is not clear whether Iran would accept any new conditions - Iran's state-run Press TV, quoting unnamed sources, said that Iran had rejected talks about its missile programme, as \"non-negotiable\". Meanwhile, Mr Macron said that \"we need to be sure Iran will never get nuclear weapons\", but he recognised the Iranians would also want \"economic compensation of some form\" to convince them to agree to additional security demands. Mr Trump also appeared to be open to this, as he said talks were already under way for other countries to potentially provide Iran with credit, secured by oil, to keep its economy afloat. The US would not be paying, but there was the possibility of \"a letter of credit... from numerous countries\", he said.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2380, "answer_start": 1374, "text": "Tensions with Iran have been heightened since the US unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, and re-imposed sanctions. Other parties to the agreement - the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China - have sought to salvage the nuclear deal. On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he had had \"constructive\" talks with his French counterpart, and Mr Macron, on the sidelines of the G7 talks in Biarritz. Mr Macron, who has taken an active role to try to save the accord, said he had informed Mr Trump of his plan to invite Mr Zarif, after discussions with Iranian officials on possible solutions. He said he believed the \"conditions for a meeting\" between Mr Trump and Mr Rouhani \"in the next few weeks\" had been established. \"Nothing is set yet and things are still fragile, but technical discussions have started with some real progress,\" he said, adding that he had told Mr Rouhani that \"if he accepts a meeting with President Trump, I am convinced an agreement can be found\"." } ], "id": "381_0", "question": "How did we get here?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3950, "answer_start": 2381, "text": "The 2015 agreement involved Iran limiting its nuclear activities for between 10 and 15 years, in return for sanctions relief. The deal restricted Iran's enrichment of uranium and required it to allow international inspections. The accord also stipulated that Iran should redesign a heavy-water reactor being built so that it could not produce any weapons-grade plutonium. The US withdrew from the deal in May 2018, and issued a list of 12 \"requirements\" for a new nuclear deal and the lifting of US sanctions. These included Iran curbing its ballistic missile programme, and ending its involvement in regional conflicts. Iran has described the requirements as unacceptable. At Monday's press conference, Mr Trump said that for any new deal, he was \"looking for no nuclear weapons, no ballistic missiles and a longer period of time\". It is not clear whether Iran would accept any new conditions - Iran's state-run Press TV, quoting unnamed sources, said that Iran had rejected talks about its missile programme, as \"non-negotiable\". Meanwhile, Mr Macron said that \"we need to be sure Iran will never get nuclear weapons\", but he recognised the Iranians would also want \"economic compensation of some form\" to convince them to agree to additional security demands. Mr Trump also appeared to be open to this, as he said talks were already under way for other countries to potentially provide Iran with credit, secured by oil, to keep its economy afloat. The US would not be paying, but there was the possibility of \"a letter of credit... from numerous countries\", he said." } ], "id": "381_1", "question": "What would a new deal actually look like?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "An expected announcement by President Donald Trump that the US will become the first country to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital has been dubbed a \"kiss of death\" for the Middle East peace process by the Palestinians. But an Israeli minister urged other countries to follow the US lead. Mr Trump, expected to confirm the decision later on Wednesday, described the announcement as \"long overdue\". \"Many presidents have said they want to do something and they didn't do it.\" Latest updates The president's remarks came ahead of his planned speech in Washington. Mr Trump will also start the process of moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The two decisions - which would fulfil a campaign promise and appeal to Mr Trump's right-wing base - risk a heated reaction from US allies in the Muslim world and, potentially, protests and unrest. They also make it difficult for the US to be seen as a neutral mediator in the Middle East peace process. Pope Francis called for the status quo in Jerusalem to be respected, in line with United Nations resolutions. Israel occupied East Jerusalem, previously occupied by Jordan, in the 1967 Middle East war and regards the entire city as its indivisible capital. The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, and according to 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, its final status is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks. Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem has never been recognised internationally, and until now all countries have maintained their embassies in Tel Aviv. The issue goes to the heart of Israel's conflict with the Palestinians, who are backed by the Arab and Islamic worlds. The city is home to key religious sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity, especially in East Jerusalem. Since 1967, Israel has built a dozen settlements, home to about 200,000 Jews, in East Jerusalem. These are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. If the US recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital, it will put it out of step with the rest of the international community and reinforce Israel's position that settlements in the east are valid Israeli communities. Trump administration officials said recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital was an acknowledgment of \"historical and current reality\" by the US government. However, specific boundaries of the city would remain subject to a final status agreement, the officials said. The status of holy sites would not be affected. Mr Trump would also direct the state department to begin the process of moving the US embassy to Jerusalem - but this could take several years as it still has to be designed and built, and security concerns would need to be addressed. The US officials added that the president would still sign a regular waiver blocking the embassy's move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem until the new building was completed. Successive presidents have signed waivers on the grounds of national security for the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, which mandates moving the embassy. The Palestinians' representative to the UK, Manuel Hassassian, told the BBC that the changes to US policy on Jerusalem amounted to a \"kiss of death\" for the two-state solution in peace efforts and were like a \"declaration of war\". Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett described it as a \"big step towards regional peace\" and said other countries should move their embassies too. Theresa May said she would speak to Mr Trump about the US move. The UK's position on Jerusalem had not changed, the prime minister told Parliament. The city's status should be the subject of negotiation and it should be the shared capital of Israel and a Palestinian state, she added. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the step would \"play into the hands of terror groups\". The BBC's Barbara Plett-Usher, in Washington, says Mr Trump is expected to try and calm international alarm by stating that the US is prepared to support a two-state solution, if both Israelis and Palestinians agree to it. But that is not the categorical endorsement of a two-state solution that the Palestinians are looking for, our correspondent adds. - Saudi Arabia, an ally of the US, called the new policy \"a flagrant provocation to Muslims\" - Hamas leader Ismail Haniya said recognition crossed \"all red lines\" - China warned against escalating tensions in the Middle East - Jordan's King Abdullah said the decision would \"undermine efforts to resume the peace process\" - Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi urged Mr Trump \"not to complicate the situation in the region\" - Turkey called for a summit of Muslim countries in December to discuss the developments - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said \"Muslims must stand united against this major plot\" Analysis by Yolande Knell, BBC News, Jerusalem Israeli leaders will see Mr Trump's announcements as correcting an historic injustice. It has long been a source of frustration that the US, Israel's closest ally, does not have its embassy in Jerusalem or formally recognise Israeli sovereignty over the city - which is the seat of its government and has 3,000 years of Jewish history. But Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas - like other Arab leaders - is warning Mr Trump's moves will jeopardise efforts to broker peace talks and achieve what he has called the \"ultimate deal\". The Palestinians want occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and in the past even small changes - particularly at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as Temple Mount - have led to violence. Already the Islamist group Hamas has warned that the US could trigger a new Palestinian uprising.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2203, "answer_start": 1576, "text": "The issue goes to the heart of Israel's conflict with the Palestinians, who are backed by the Arab and Islamic worlds. The city is home to key religious sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity, especially in East Jerusalem. Since 1967, Israel has built a dozen settlements, home to about 200,000 Jews, in East Jerusalem. These are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. If the US recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital, it will put it out of step with the rest of the international community and reinforce Israel's position that settlements in the east are valid Israeli communities." } ], "id": "382_0", "question": "What is so contentious about Jerusalem's status?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3073, "answer_start": 2204, "text": "Trump administration officials said recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital was an acknowledgment of \"historical and current reality\" by the US government. However, specific boundaries of the city would remain subject to a final status agreement, the officials said. The status of holy sites would not be affected. Mr Trump would also direct the state department to begin the process of moving the US embassy to Jerusalem - but this could take several years as it still has to be designed and built, and security concerns would need to be addressed. The US officials added that the president would still sign a regular waiver blocking the embassy's move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem until the new building was completed. Successive presidents have signed waivers on the grounds of national security for the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, which mandates moving the embassy." } ], "id": "382_1", "question": "What is the US proposing?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4196, "answer_start": 3074, "text": "The Palestinians' representative to the UK, Manuel Hassassian, told the BBC that the changes to US policy on Jerusalem amounted to a \"kiss of death\" for the two-state solution in peace efforts and were like a \"declaration of war\". Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett described it as a \"big step towards regional peace\" and said other countries should move their embassies too. Theresa May said she would speak to Mr Trump about the US move. The UK's position on Jerusalem had not changed, the prime minister told Parliament. The city's status should be the subject of negotiation and it should be the shared capital of Israel and a Palestinian state, she added. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the step would \"play into the hands of terror groups\". The BBC's Barbara Plett-Usher, in Washington, says Mr Trump is expected to try and calm international alarm by stating that the US is prepared to support a two-state solution, if both Israelis and Palestinians agree to it. But that is not the categorical endorsement of a two-state solution that the Palestinians are looking for, our correspondent adds." } ], "id": "382_2", "question": "How have Israel and the Palestinians reacted?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "South Africa's Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the sacking of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan as \"totally unacceptable\". His late night dismissal on Thursday led to a 5% plunge in the value of the currency, the rand. Mr Gordhan was seen as a bulwark against corruption in an administration that is facing growing criticism. He was one of several victims as President Jacob Zuma conducted a major overhaul of his cabinet. Mr Zuma said the midnight reshuffle was about a \"radical socio-economic transformation\". Mr Ramaphosa told public broadcaster SABC that he would not resign in response to the sacking but continue to \"serve the people\". Pravin Gordhan was seen by many as a safe pair of hands when it came to managing the economy. He was keen to keep a tight rein on spending and resisted calls from the president to increase government expenditure. This was Mr Gordhan's second stint as finance minister after first serving from 2009 to 2014. He was reappointed in 2015 to replace little-known David van Rooyen. Mr Van Rooyen's selection was controversial and he was in place for less than a week. It is unclear why Mr Gordhan was sacked but local media are pointing to an alleged intelligence report which accuses him of working with foreigners to undermine Mr Zuma's administration. In a spirited farewell press conference at the treasury's office in Pretoria, Mr Gordhan defended his economic record, and dismissed speculation that he had recently held meetings in London aimed at undermining the president. Referral to his dismissal and that of his deputy Mcebisi Jonas he said: \"Our souls are not for sale.\" Mr Gordhan and Mr Zuma did not see eye to eye on government spending, the BBC's Milton Nkosi reports, and that led to a rift between them. Ultimately, though, this is being seen as a political issue with the president rewarding loyalists. Earlier this week, the president recalled his finance minister from planned events in the UK. Last October, Mr Gordhan was charged with fraud, but the charges were later dropped. He has described the allegations as politically motivated. Comments by the Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa that Mr Gordhan's sacking was \"totally unacceptable\" captures the overwhelming sentiment of some top leaders in the ruling African National Congress (ANC). ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu said Mr Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas had integrity and were incorruptible. The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, has said the cabinet sackings \"constitute an assault on the poor of South Africa\". ANC Youth League leader Collen Maine has however praised the cabinet changes calling the new Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba \"experienced and intelligent\". The rand is experiencing a setback just when it had started to recover from the political uncertainty and international volatility that plagued it in the past year. The bond markets, this is where government debt is sold and the values are directly linked to the prospects of the economy have also reacted negatively. For foreign investors that is a boon, but for South African taxpayers subsidising the state it does not represent value for money. Ultimately ordinary people will feel the pressure of these political moves, a weaker currency means the cost of basic imports such as fuel and some foods will go up. A country whose reputation is dented, may ultimately lose face with international ratings agencies and finally be downgraded to \"junk status\" when the economic assessments are done again in June. Apart from the nine ministers who have been affected by the changes Mr Zuma also appointed 10 deputy ministers. Sfiso Buthelezi will become Deputy Finance Minister, replacing Mcebisi Jonas. \"I have directed the new ministers and deputy ministers to work tirelessly with their colleagues... to ensure that the promise of a better life for the poor and the working class becomes a reality,\" President Zuma's said in a statement.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1116, "answer_start": 655, "text": "Pravin Gordhan was seen by many as a safe pair of hands when it came to managing the economy. He was keen to keep a tight rein on spending and resisted calls from the president to increase government expenditure. This was Mr Gordhan's second stint as finance minister after first serving from 2009 to 2014. He was reappointed in 2015 to replace little-known David van Rooyen. Mr Van Rooyen's selection was controversial and he was in place for less than a week." } ], "id": "383_0", "question": "Why has this caused such a fuss?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2108, "answer_start": 1117, "text": "It is unclear why Mr Gordhan was sacked but local media are pointing to an alleged intelligence report which accuses him of working with foreigners to undermine Mr Zuma's administration. In a spirited farewell press conference at the treasury's office in Pretoria, Mr Gordhan defended his economic record, and dismissed speculation that he had recently held meetings in London aimed at undermining the president. Referral to his dismissal and that of his deputy Mcebisi Jonas he said: \"Our souls are not for sale.\" Mr Gordhan and Mr Zuma did not see eye to eye on government spending, the BBC's Milton Nkosi reports, and that led to a rift between them. Ultimately, though, this is being seen as a political issue with the president rewarding loyalists. Earlier this week, the president recalled his finance minister from planned events in the UK. Last October, Mr Gordhan was charged with fraud, but the charges were later dropped. He has described the allegations as politically motivated." } ], "id": "383_1", "question": "Why was he sacked?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2718, "answer_start": 2109, "text": "Comments by the Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa that Mr Gordhan's sacking was \"totally unacceptable\" captures the overwhelming sentiment of some top leaders in the ruling African National Congress (ANC). ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu said Mr Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas had integrity and were incorruptible. The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, has said the cabinet sackings \"constitute an assault on the poor of South Africa\". ANC Youth League leader Collen Maine has however praised the cabinet changes calling the new Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba \"experienced and intelligent\"." } ], "id": "383_2", "question": "What is being said about the sacking?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3956, "answer_start": 3530, "text": "Apart from the nine ministers who have been affected by the changes Mr Zuma also appointed 10 deputy ministers. Sfiso Buthelezi will become Deputy Finance Minister, replacing Mcebisi Jonas. \"I have directed the new ministers and deputy ministers to work tirelessly with their colleagues... to ensure that the promise of a better life for the poor and the working class becomes a reality,\" President Zuma's said in a statement." } ], "id": "383_3", "question": "What other changes have been made?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The number of Venezuelans entering Brazil is rising, officials say, despite Saturday's attacks on makeshift migrant border camps. A Brazilian army spokesman said about 900 Venezuelans were expected in the state of Roraima on Monday, a steep rise in the daily average. The numbers of people trying to flee Venezuela's economic collapse are stoking regional tensions. There is fresh uncertainty following the issuing of new banknotes. Banks and shops are due to reopen on Tuesday after a public holiday on Monday, when the left-wing government lopped five zeros off the bolivar and anchored it to a new virtual currency called the petro. The government says the move is needed to tackle runaway inflation, but critics say it could lead to even more chaos. Opposition groups have called for strikes and protests on Tuesday. Extra security forces have been sent to the border with Venezuela following violence near the town of Pacaraima on Saturday. The Roraima state government has asked the Supreme Court to temporarily halt the entry of migrants from Venezuela, saying social services were being overwhelmed. However, Brazilian Security Minister Sergio Etchegoyen said closing the border was \"unthinkable, because it is illegal\". He said the presence of military police at the border had improved the situation. \"There's tension, but there's no conflict,\" he added. Many of those crossing into Brazil say they are hungry and don't have access to medical services in Venezuela. The army said that on Sunday about 800 Venezuelan migrants arrived in Roraima, about 300 more than the average number crossing every day for almost a year. In Pacaraima on Saturday, several migrant encampments were attacked by angry residents following reports that a local restaurant owner had been badly beaten by Venezuelans. Hundreds of migrants fled back across the border and gangs of men burned their camps and their belongings. Reports on Monday said many had since crossed back into Brazil. There has been growing animosity towards the numbers of Venezuelans entering Roraima in recent months. By Julia Carneiro, BBC News, Pacaraima There is no visible sign of Saturday's violence in Pacaraima. The city is quiet, the streets are clean. Firefighters have washed away the ashes from where Venezuelans had been living, their tents and belongings burned by protesters. Many Venezuelans have left - but more keep coming. On Monday, residents organised a \"peace motorcade\" to try to dispel the idea of intolerance. They said Venezuelans were welcome, but violence was not. But as soon as I started speaking to Venezuelans about what had happened, Brazilians jumped in to say they were lying. The row exposes the underlying tension that has been building up in Pacaraima. Other countries in the region including Colombia, Ecuador and Peru say they are struggling to deal with the influx of Venezuelan migrants. Hundreds of thousands have made the journey into Colombia and Ecuador and many are heading further south for Peru or Chile. On Saturday, Ecuador introduced new entry restrictions that left hundreds of migrants stranded on the Colombian side of the border. Amid the confusion, some desperate Venezuelans defied the new rules and entered via unguarded crossings but correspondents say they now face fines for having accessed the country illegally. Over the past three years about 3,000 Venezuelans have entered Colombia every day and the country has granted temporary residence to more than 800,000. Peru says that last week alone, 20,000 Venezuelans entered the country. The International Monetary Fund had predicted that inflation in Venezuela could reach one million per cent this year. According to a recent study by the opposition-controlled National Assembly, prices have been doubling every 26 days on average. From Monday, new banknotes denominated in \"sovereign bolivars\" are legal tender. But as it was declared a public holiday, attention is now focused on how shops and banks react when the drastic measures come into effect on Tuesday. The move is effectively a redenomination. President Nicolas Maduro cut five zeros off the old currency - the \"strong bolivar\" - and gave it its new name. Eight new banknotes and two new coins are being put into circulation. The new notes will have a value of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 sovereign bolivars. Most old bolivar notes will continue to circulate \"for a time\", Venezuelan Central Bank President Calixto Ortega announced. Only the lowest current notes, worth less than 1,000 strong bolivars, will be phased out straight away. The government hopes that its new economic plan will not only curb the country's hyperinflation but also put an end to the \"economic war\" which it says has been waged against it by \"imperialist forces\". It says the introduction of the new currency is accompanied by key measures which will help Venezuela's battered economy recover. Among them are: - Raising the minimum wage to 34 times its previous level from 1 September - Anchoring the sovereign bolivar to the petro, a virtual currency the government says is linked to Venezuela's oil reserves - Raising VAT by 4% to 16% President Maduro tweeted [in Spanish] that his government would \"dismantle neoliberal capitalism's perverse war to install a virtuous, balanced, sustainable, healthy and productive economic system\". But economists have been warning that the new measures do not address the root causes of inflation in Venezuela and that the printing of new notes could exacerbate inflation rather than curb it. They say the rise in the minimum wage will only drive inflation up faster. Some analysts estimate that the benefits of the new currency could be wiped out by hyperinflation \"within months\".", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2078, "answer_start": 821, "text": "Extra security forces have been sent to the border with Venezuela following violence near the town of Pacaraima on Saturday. The Roraima state government has asked the Supreme Court to temporarily halt the entry of migrants from Venezuela, saying social services were being overwhelmed. However, Brazilian Security Minister Sergio Etchegoyen said closing the border was \"unthinkable, because it is illegal\". He said the presence of military police at the border had improved the situation. \"There's tension, but there's no conflict,\" he added. Many of those crossing into Brazil say they are hungry and don't have access to medical services in Venezuela. The army said that on Sunday about 800 Venezuelan migrants arrived in Roraima, about 300 more than the average number crossing every day for almost a year. In Pacaraima on Saturday, several migrant encampments were attacked by angry residents following reports that a local restaurant owner had been badly beaten by Venezuelans. Hundreds of migrants fled back across the border and gangs of men burned their camps and their belongings. Reports on Monday said many had since crossed back into Brazil. There has been growing animosity towards the numbers of Venezuelans entering Roraima in recent months." } ], "id": "384_0", "question": "What is happening in Brazil?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3559, "answer_start": 2751, "text": "Other countries in the region including Colombia, Ecuador and Peru say they are struggling to deal with the influx of Venezuelan migrants. Hundreds of thousands have made the journey into Colombia and Ecuador and many are heading further south for Peru or Chile. On Saturday, Ecuador introduced new entry restrictions that left hundreds of migrants stranded on the Colombian side of the border. Amid the confusion, some desperate Venezuelans defied the new rules and entered via unguarded crossings but correspondents say they now face fines for having accessed the country illegally. Over the past three years about 3,000 Venezuelans have entered Colombia every day and the country has granted temporary residence to more than 800,000. Peru says that last week alone, 20,000 Venezuelans entered the country." } ], "id": "384_1", "question": "Where else are Venezuelans heading?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4579, "answer_start": 3560, "text": "The International Monetary Fund had predicted that inflation in Venezuela could reach one million per cent this year. According to a recent study by the opposition-controlled National Assembly, prices have been doubling every 26 days on average. From Monday, new banknotes denominated in \"sovereign bolivars\" are legal tender. But as it was declared a public holiday, attention is now focused on how shops and banks react when the drastic measures come into effect on Tuesday. The move is effectively a redenomination. President Nicolas Maduro cut five zeros off the old currency - the \"strong bolivar\" - and gave it its new name. Eight new banknotes and two new coins are being put into circulation. The new notes will have a value of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 sovereign bolivars. Most old bolivar notes will continue to circulate \"for a time\", Venezuelan Central Bank President Calixto Ortega announced. Only the lowest current notes, worth less than 1,000 strong bolivars, will be phased out straight away." } ], "id": "384_2", "question": "What's happening with the currency?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5739, "answer_start": 4580, "text": "The government hopes that its new economic plan will not only curb the country's hyperinflation but also put an end to the \"economic war\" which it says has been waged against it by \"imperialist forces\". It says the introduction of the new currency is accompanied by key measures which will help Venezuela's battered economy recover. Among them are: - Raising the minimum wage to 34 times its previous level from 1 September - Anchoring the sovereign bolivar to the petro, a virtual currency the government says is linked to Venezuela's oil reserves - Raising VAT by 4% to 16% President Maduro tweeted [in Spanish] that his government would \"dismantle neoliberal capitalism's perverse war to install a virtuous, balanced, sustainable, healthy and productive economic system\". But economists have been warning that the new measures do not address the root causes of inflation in Venezuela and that the printing of new notes could exacerbate inflation rather than curb it. They say the rise in the minimum wage will only drive inflation up faster. Some analysts estimate that the benefits of the new currency could be wiped out by hyperinflation \"within months\"." } ], "id": "384_3", "question": "Will the new currency stop inflation?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The quokka is renowned as a popular photo subject for tourists in Western Australia. But a recent warning posted by Instagram on a popular hashtag has raised discussion about whether such photos could cause harm. The cheerful-looking marsupial, chiefly found on Rottnest Island near Perth, regularly features in selfies with sightseers. Famous examples include tennis player Roger Federer and actress Margot Robbie, both of whom have shared photos with their millions of followers. Last month, the state's government even talked up \"quokka selfies\" as part of a renewed push for domestic and overseas tourists. But now visitors to #quokkaselfie on Instagram - a hub for almost 22,000 pictures - are warned that some images \"may be associated\" with animal abuse. Instagram has not explained its concerns about #quokkaselfie specifically, but in December it announced plans to post such warnings on certain hashtags \"associated with harmful behaviour to animals or the environment\". The move followed research by National Geographic magazine and the animal welfare organisation World Animal Protection about animal exploitation in the Amazon rainforest. So should the warning be applied to quokka photos? The BBC asked local officials, animal experts and tourists for their views. Quokkas have no predators on Rottnest Island, where signs warn people that touching and feeding the species is prohibited. Offenders can face criminal charges and up to A$10,000 (PS5,500, $7,500) in fines for interfering with wildlife. In 2015, two French backpackers were fined for deliberately setting a quokka on fire. Other cruelty includes instances where the cat-sized animals have been kicked. But there are no specific rules about taking photographs. Indeed, the Rottnest Island Authority has asked Instagram to remove its warning. \"The Instagram block notice is unhelpful in that it does not serve to educate or inform the public about our conservation efforts or direct people to how they might develop a better understanding of this native species,\" a spokesman told the BBC. \"The RIA takes seriously its responsibility to protect the quokka population on the island.\" State Tourism Minister Paul Papalia told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation last month: \"You can't get a quokka selfie anywhere in the world other than in Western Australia and that means we can leverage off that to attract people.\" Wildlife researcher Dr Catherine Herbert said feeding quokkas certainly caused harm, but it remained unclear whether taking selfies with them was also detrimental. \"Sometimes, animals can be quite approachable and behaviourally may not look like they're affected, but we don't necessarily know what their underlying stress response is,\" said Dr Herbert, from the University of Sydney, It was up to visitors to act responsibly, according to experts. \"If a quokka is comfortable, not showing any signs of distress and approaching the person, then taking a photograph is probably fine,\" said mammal expert Dr Christine Cooper, from Curtin University. \"What we don't want to see is people harassing them and chasing them for a picture.\" Dr Cooper described promoting them for tourism as \"a bit of a doubled-edged sword\". \"There can be a really positive spin-off in terms of raising awareness and allowing people to see them up close,\" she said. \"But if you promote these things, you also have to ensure they are managed in the right way.\" The BBC saw some tourists feeding quokkas on Rottnest Island, but others heeded warnings not to touch the animals or leave food. One visitor from Perth, Sharna, said she thought the selfie warning was \"overkill\". \"There are worse things on the internet than that [quokka selfies]. And there are worse things happening to quokkas than that,\" she said, referring to abuse such as kicking. A tourist from Adelaide, Sam, said she had not seen anyone bothering the animals. \"If any quokka walks away [from someone taking a selfie], they let them go,\" she said. \"I know I'm not out to harm or chase them.\" Instagram did not respond to a request for comment. Reporting by the BBC's Frances Mao and Anna Jones", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3431, "answer_start": 2397, "text": "Wildlife researcher Dr Catherine Herbert said feeding quokkas certainly caused harm, but it remained unclear whether taking selfies with them was also detrimental. \"Sometimes, animals can be quite approachable and behaviourally may not look like they're affected, but we don't necessarily know what their underlying stress response is,\" said Dr Herbert, from the University of Sydney, It was up to visitors to act responsibly, according to experts. \"If a quokka is comfortable, not showing any signs of distress and approaching the person, then taking a photograph is probably fine,\" said mammal expert Dr Christine Cooper, from Curtin University. \"What we don't want to see is people harassing them and chasing them for a picture.\" Dr Cooper described promoting them for tourism as \"a bit of a doubled-edged sword\". \"There can be a really positive spin-off in terms of raising awareness and allowing people to see them up close,\" she said. \"But if you promote these things, you also have to ensure they are managed in the right way.\"" } ], "id": "385_0", "question": "What do experts say?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Thirty years ago a ferry left dock in Belgium. Within minutes the ship was in trouble and in just 90 seconds it capsized, killing 193 people. Here is the story of the Herald of Free Enterprise - told by those whose lives were forever affected by the disaster. Gillian Lashbrooke was one of the first people to know something was wrong. She was 16 years old. Her mother, stepfather and uncle died in the accident while she and her three stepbrothers survived. \"I was outside on the deck when it started, I was looking over the rail into the water,\" she said. \"The water was getting further away, at first I thought I was imagining it. \"The ship just tilted over and I was flung backwards and was knocked unconscious for a little while and - when I came round - I was lying on the seats. But they were in the wrong place because the ship had gone on its side - so the floor was now like a wall. \"I tried to climb up the seating like a ladder but I couldn't. All I wanted to do was get back inside to my mum.\" Eventually she jumped into the sea. \"I was wearing long boots and a denim coat, they were so heavy they were dragging me down. I struggled to take off my boots and coat while I was still trying to swim. \"I thought I'd try to swim back to land. But it was so cold and the waves were so ferocious. I swam back to the boat and managed to hook my skirt on to a thing sticking out from the boat because the waves were dragging me down, and I needed to stay up. \"There was a woman near me, and she was holding a little girl above the water. \"Helicopters were overhead, but they couldn't see us. So I flung myself back into the sea and there was a fishing boat. The woman kept screaming 'don't leave me to die' and I shouted back I would tell rescuers where she was. \"I don't know what happened to the woman or the little girl. I tried to find out and I put out an appeal. I'm fairly sure they both died.\" \"People in a fishing boat rescued me. Then I was taken to land and an ambulance took me to hospital. \"That night I became an adult. I washed my clothes out in the sink and put them on a radiator to dry. I prayed for my mum, hoping I was praying for her and not speaking to her.\" The following day Ms Lashbrooke and her stepbrothers were told their parents were dead. They were taken to a makeshift mortuary in a gym. \"I saw my dad as soon as I walked in. I saw children dead and laid out. They were children I'd seen alive the evening before. It didn't seem real they were dead. \"Then my brother found my mum. I couldn't believe I was looking at my mum. I loved her so much and she was dead in front of me. \"She wasn't just my mum, she was my best friend. The night before, she'd given me some money just before I went on deck and said 'get something to eat love, and I'll see you in a minute'. \"That minute never came. That was the last time I saw her.\" Crew member Henry Graham was working in a kiosk in the drivers' lounge of the stricken ship. \"It all happened in the blink of an eye. I knew the ship wasn't coming back from the roll. Things slid off the tables, water came through the windows. The lights went out. There was so much noise - screaming and crashing, the world went upside down.\" He managed to clamber on to the side of the ship and helped a young girl to reach a tugboat. He says his first instinct was to return to the Herald but the tug he was on had already left for shore. He couldn't go back. \"My wife was actually told I was missing presumed dead. But she then saw me on the television news, getting off a bus. \"Afterwards I went on the sick. I wasn't physically injured, it was all mental. My bosses told me I had to go back to work. I lasted two days. \"Then for nine years I didn't go anywhere near the sea. It was a mixture of fear and the memories of everyone we'd lost. But I eventually went back. I worked on the ferries again, and now I'm with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.\" The Herald of Free Enterprise was a roll-on roll-off ferry operating between Dover and Zeebrugge. That afternoon the vessel was at about 40% capacity, mostly carrying passengers from the UK. It set off without the bow doors being closed and became unstable. Vehicles rolled from port to starboard and back. The ship capsized on to its port side on a sandbank, all its lights out, in just 90 seconds. There was not enough time to send an SOS signal, nor to lower the lifeboats or deploy life jackets. In the formal inquiry that followed, blame was placed on assistant boatswain Mark Stanley for not closing the bow doors. First officer Leslie Sabel was also blamed for not making sure they were closed while the captain David Lewry was criticised for leaving port without checking the doors had been shut. Mr Stanley, who died last year, had fallen asleep in his cabin, only to wake when he was flung from his bunk as the ship listed. He always admitted his part in the tragedy and expressed great remorse. The official inquiry found he had acted with courage helping people when disaster struck. The ship's owner Townsend Thoresen was criticised for its \"staggering complacency\". New rules were brought into force, such as installing emergency lighting, CCTV to monitor critical areas of the ferry, and windows that could be broken using a hammer. One young couple who died were Alison and Francis Gaillard. They had been married for less than two years. Alison's mother, Margaret De Rohan, was in Australia when the Herald tipped over - she had not known her daughter and son-in-law were on board until her husband mentioned they had gone on a day trip to Belgium. The De Rohans flew home, and Mrs De Rohan said she was convinced she would find her daughter alive in hospital. \"I had the strongest feeling in the world I'd find Alison, and that she'd be so badly injured she wouldn't be able to tell people who she was,\" she said. \"It's an awful thing for a mother to hope, that her daughter would be so badly hurt. \"We went to Belgium, to the hospital. We were told there were 16 unidentified bodies but Ali and Francis weren't among them. My husband insisted on going to the morgue to see for himself. He came back, kissed me on the cheek, and said 'Ali's there. Francis isn't'. \"And all our hopes were dashed. I was right, we'd found her in a hospital. I didn't realise it would be in the morgue. Francis was still on the Herald of Free Enterprise until it was refloated. It took about three and a half weeks before we got his body back. They're buried together in Windsor cemetery. \"You know, they were a young, idealistic couple. If they'd found something they really, really believed in, I could just imagine they'd sacrifice their lives for it. But not this.\" Bill McCrea was chaplain to the Merchant Navy and National Sea Training College and officiated at four of the funerals. \"I was on duty that evening. Several crew members of the Herald were at the college. Gradually, news came through that a British ferry was in trouble. When the men realised it was their ship they became deeply anxious.\" He travelled to Dover as soon as he could and spent two weeks in the Seafarers' Centre providing practical and emotional support. He said the disaster tested his ministry to the limit. \"It was an incredible shock to my system and I was very anxious. I have dealt with individual loss of life with seafarers' families over the years, but so many people lost their lives that night. I wanted to do the right things. Who can train you for that? You depend upon the grace of God. \"I knew some of the men who died very well, including a young fellow who was 17. It was his first posting as a seafarer. He'd only just finished his college course. \"I conducted his funeral service, comforting his family as I, too, struggled to come to terms with the devastating loss. As much as I ministered to his family, they ministered to me too.\" Some of the families had to wait a long time for the recovery of their loved ones' bodies. \"One woman had to wait six weeks before they found her husband's body. I gave her all the support I could during that time. \"I also supported passengers who had survived. I met a woman on one of my hospital visits, she lost her husband that night. She told me the only reason she survived was that a truck driver helped keep her awake by pinching her. \"There were a lot of heroic acts that went on that night.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5258, "answer_start": 3911, "text": "The Herald of Free Enterprise was a roll-on roll-off ferry operating between Dover and Zeebrugge. That afternoon the vessel was at about 40% capacity, mostly carrying passengers from the UK. It set off without the bow doors being closed and became unstable. Vehicles rolled from port to starboard and back. The ship capsized on to its port side on a sandbank, all its lights out, in just 90 seconds. There was not enough time to send an SOS signal, nor to lower the lifeboats or deploy life jackets. In the formal inquiry that followed, blame was placed on assistant boatswain Mark Stanley for not closing the bow doors. First officer Leslie Sabel was also blamed for not making sure they were closed while the captain David Lewry was criticised for leaving port without checking the doors had been shut. Mr Stanley, who died last year, had fallen asleep in his cabin, only to wake when he was flung from his bunk as the ship listed. He always admitted his part in the tragedy and expressed great remorse. The official inquiry found he had acted with courage helping people when disaster struck. The ship's owner Townsend Thoresen was criticised for its \"staggering complacency\". New rules were brought into force, such as installing emergency lighting, CCTV to monitor critical areas of the ferry, and windows that could be broken using a hammer." } ], "id": "386_0", "question": "Why did the ship sink?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Millions of Spanish mobile phone users are being tracked this week as part of the government's census, in a move that critics fear is a step closer towards spying on the population. Statistics agency INE insists the eight-day project is anonymous and aimed at getting a better idea of where Spaniards go during the day and night. The three biggest mobile companies are taking part in the scheme. They say that by handing over the data they are not breaking any laws. The statistics agency wants to track the movement of Spaniards over eight days, first to their places of work or study from 18-21 November and later on days off and holidays. The second part of the experiment will be done on Sunday 24 November, Christmas Day and two days next summer. The three companies - Movistar, Vodafone and Orange - cover 78.7% of Spain's mobile phone users and are to be paid a total of EUR500,000 (PS430,000; $550,000) for taking part in the study. The country will be divided up into 3,200 cells with more than 5,000 residents, and the operators will work out how many phones are within each cell at various times of day. They will analyse phones between midnight and 06:00 to find out where people live and then later between 09:00 and 18:00. \"We will know for example how many mobiles there are at 17:00 on a particular street in any city of more than 15,000 people, but no more than that,\" INE told the El Confidencial website. Once all the data is analysed, the agency hopes to have a clearer idea of when and where Spaniards travel and then use the information to improve transport and public services. INE wants to use the details in the next census in 2021. The mobile operators insist there is no way users can be identified as no personal data is being transferred. On social media especially, Spaniards have raised privacy concerns. One technology lawyer, David Maeztu, said phone operators were not supposed to use data from customers for statistical purposes. Some users suggested turning their phones off or switching to airplane mode while the study was taking place. Others pointed out that many Orange and Vodafone users could set their preferences or email their provider to prevent their data being passed on to third parties. Spanish consumers' organisation OCU warned ahead of the experiment that using a mobile phone's location was itself personal data, and that keeping the details of the phone numbers anonymous was insufficient. It said the data had to be grouped together in \"aggregate form\" to ensure the study was lawful. Cybersecurity expert Jose Rosell said he was baffled that people were concerned that the data was out there but was not being used. Others were surprised at the outcry, when no-one batted an eyelid at using a variety of apps such as Google Maps, Facebook and Amazon as part of their daily lives. \"These days any mobile has between 10 to 20 movement trackers. As well as geolocation, there are cameras and microphones. People don't think what that means,\" Mr Rosell told El Mundo newspaper. Several governments have raised concerns that mobile communications could be used to spy or disrupt telecoms in the future. The US and some other countries have cited security concerns to block the use of equipment made by Chinese mobile phone maker Huawei in next-generation 5G mobile networks.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1767, "answer_start": 467, "text": "The statistics agency wants to track the movement of Spaniards over eight days, first to their places of work or study from 18-21 November and later on days off and holidays. The second part of the experiment will be done on Sunday 24 November, Christmas Day and two days next summer. The three companies - Movistar, Vodafone and Orange - cover 78.7% of Spain's mobile phone users and are to be paid a total of EUR500,000 (PS430,000; $550,000) for taking part in the study. The country will be divided up into 3,200 cells with more than 5,000 residents, and the operators will work out how many phones are within each cell at various times of day. They will analyse phones between midnight and 06:00 to find out where people live and then later between 09:00 and 18:00. \"We will know for example how many mobiles there are at 17:00 on a particular street in any city of more than 15,000 people, but no more than that,\" INE told the El Confidencial website. Once all the data is analysed, the agency hopes to have a clearer idea of when and where Spaniards travel and then use the information to improve transport and public services. INE wants to use the details in the next census in 2021. The mobile operators insist there is no way users can be identified as no personal data is being transferred." } ], "id": "387_0", "question": "What is the idea of tracking mobiles?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3327, "answer_start": 1768, "text": "On social media especially, Spaniards have raised privacy concerns. One technology lawyer, David Maeztu, said phone operators were not supposed to use data from customers for statistical purposes. Some users suggested turning their phones off or switching to airplane mode while the study was taking place. Others pointed out that many Orange and Vodafone users could set their preferences or email their provider to prevent their data being passed on to third parties. Spanish consumers' organisation OCU warned ahead of the experiment that using a mobile phone's location was itself personal data, and that keeping the details of the phone numbers anonymous was insufficient. It said the data had to be grouped together in \"aggregate form\" to ensure the study was lawful. Cybersecurity expert Jose Rosell said he was baffled that people were concerned that the data was out there but was not being used. Others were surprised at the outcry, when no-one batted an eyelid at using a variety of apps such as Google Maps, Facebook and Amazon as part of their daily lives. \"These days any mobile has between 10 to 20 movement trackers. As well as geolocation, there are cameras and microphones. People don't think what that means,\" Mr Rosell told El Mundo newspaper. Several governments have raised concerns that mobile communications could be used to spy or disrupt telecoms in the future. The US and some other countries have cited security concerns to block the use of equipment made by Chinese mobile phone maker Huawei in next-generation 5G mobile networks." } ], "id": "387_1", "question": "What do critics say?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "It's not unusual for the technology industry to be accused of playing fast and loose with user privacy, collecting data on a vast scale and needing to be reined in by new laws. What is startling is when that accusation comes from the leader of the world's most valuable technology company. On Tech Tent this week we ask just what Tim Cook's diatribe says about the debate on data. - Stream or download the latest Tech Tent podcast It is rare for Apple's chief executive to speak in public about anything other than the virtues of its latest products. But at the International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners in Brussels this week, he painted a dystopian picture of his industry. He described what he called a data industrial complex, with our data scooped up, traded and used to shape what we saw online. \"Our own information, from the everyday to the deeply personal, is being weaponised against us with military efficiency,\" he told his audience of regulators. \"We shouldn't sugarcoat the consequences. This is surveillance. And these stockpiles of personal data serve only to enrich the companies that collect them.\" He praised Europe's tough new privacy law the GDPR and called for the United States to bring in something similar. Now given how much irritation and hostility towards GDPR there was from American tech companies in the run-up to its implementation, this feels like a remarkable turnaround. Even more remarkably, the message about the merits of regulation was backed by Mark Zuckerberg. In a video message to the same conference, he said Facebook shared the values behind GDPR. Mind you, he insisted that users were aware of the trade-off between a free service and advertisements, and what that involved in terms of their data. \"People consistently tell us that they want a free service and that if they going to see ads to get it, then they want those ads to be relevant,\" he said. Others made the point that it is easy for Tim Cook to take a sanctimonious line on privacy, when Apple's business model depends on selling expensive hardware rather than collecting vast amounts of data to use in targeting advertising. Alex Stamos, who's just stepped down as Facebook's Chief Technology Officer, was quick to point out that Apple doesn't give much privacy to Chinese iPhone users who are barred from installing a VPN to get round censorship. He said on Twitter that the media had given Tim Cook an easy ride. While Facebook and Apple may bicker about their different business models, both seem to have recognised that new GDPR-style regulation is inevitable. The irony is that there is one place where they don't seem so keen on that idea - the White House. The Trump administration's Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross warned in May that GDPR could harm transatlantic trade. Since then, there have been some vague discussions of a new US privacy law, but in a more diluted form than its European equivalent. In his Brussels speech, Tim Cook warned that there would be opposition to the kind of strict regulation he favours: \"Some oppose any form of privacy legislation. Others will endorse reform in public, and then resist and undermine it behind closed doors.\" But Apple's boss says technology will not achieve its true potential unless it has the full faith and confidence of the people who use it. Prepare for a long battle over just how much regulation is needed to win back that trust. Also in this week's programme: - In a week when Uber unveiled a plan to persuade its London drivers to switch to electric vehicles, we look at how cities will need a lot more charging infrastructure if the electric revolution is to happen. - And we find out about the use and abuse of WhatsApp in Brazil's election campaign.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3756, "answer_start": 1927, "text": "Others made the point that it is easy for Tim Cook to take a sanctimonious line on privacy, when Apple's business model depends on selling expensive hardware rather than collecting vast amounts of data to use in targeting advertising. Alex Stamos, who's just stepped down as Facebook's Chief Technology Officer, was quick to point out that Apple doesn't give much privacy to Chinese iPhone users who are barred from installing a VPN to get round censorship. He said on Twitter that the media had given Tim Cook an easy ride. While Facebook and Apple may bicker about their different business models, both seem to have recognised that new GDPR-style regulation is inevitable. The irony is that there is one place where they don't seem so keen on that idea - the White House. The Trump administration's Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross warned in May that GDPR could harm transatlantic trade. Since then, there have been some vague discussions of a new US privacy law, but in a more diluted form than its European equivalent. In his Brussels speech, Tim Cook warned that there would be opposition to the kind of strict regulation he favours: \"Some oppose any form of privacy legislation. Others will endorse reform in public, and then resist and undermine it behind closed doors.\" But Apple's boss says technology will not achieve its true potential unless it has the full faith and confidence of the people who use it. Prepare for a long battle over just how much regulation is needed to win back that trust. Also in this week's programme: - In a week when Uber unveiled a plan to persuade its London drivers to switch to electric vehicles, we look at how cities will need a lot more charging infrastructure if the electric revolution is to happen. - And we find out about the use and abuse of WhatsApp in Brazil's election campaign." } ], "id": "388_0", "question": "China contradiction?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Every Lunar New Year, children are typically given red envelopes containing \"lucky money\", meant to represent good wishes for the year ahead. Beginning this year on 16 February, the holiday is celebrated by hundreds of millions of people around the world. But this week, the case of a woman suing her parents for pocketing 58,000 Chinese yuan ($9,200, PS6,600) of what she received, has got people asking who owns the money in a red envelope - the children or their parents? It is referred to by many names - in Mandarin it's called \"hongbao\" and in Cantonese it is \"lai see\" - but what it is essentially is an envelope filled with cash. It is generally given out to children or younger unmarried relatives during Chinese New Year by those who are already married as tokens of good fortune and blessing for the year ahead. Typically, only married folks give out red envelopes, though unmarried people can also do so if they are feeling particularly generous. The amount of money in a red envelope can vary from as little as $2 to hundreds of dollars. Earlier this week, a university student from China's south-western Yunnan province won a case against her parents, who she claims \"embezzled\" her red packet money, Chinese media reported. She said they had kept some 58,000 yuan worth of red envelopes that were given to her over the years. The woman, identified only as Juan, said she resorted to legal action after her divorced parents refused to pay her university tuition fees. The court ruled in her favour and her parents were ordered to pay her 1,500 yuan every month until she graduated from university. People are divided. Some say that parents should be allowed to keep the money as compensation for what they give out to other children and the general cost of raising a child. \"My parents would keep our money to balance out what they had to give to others,\" Angeline Ang-Pang, who lives in Singapore, told the BBC. \"My sister and I were okay with that because they always took time to explain that money isn't easy to earn.\" Another Singaporean shared a similar experience. \"My parents told us that it was their way of covering the 'cost' of giving out hongbaos,\" said Pengli. \"It still makes sense to me, cause the significance of it is not the money but more the act of giving.\" Ashley Chan, a 27-year-old based in Hong Kong, told the BBC she also thought it was the parents who should keep the money. \"They paid for my education, gave me an allowance and basically paid for everything when I was young.\" But not everyone agrees, saying the money belongs to its intended recipients - the children. \"The money was intended to be for you, so it's yours,\" said a user of Chinese micro-blogging website Weibo. \"I'm 24 this year and I've kept the money from all my red envelopes. My parents have not gained even one cent,\" another user said. \"My parents deposited my money into a bank account for me and I got it back later on,\" said Justin Ng, a 28-year-old based in Singapore. One parent the BBC spoke to agreed, saying that they believed the child had a right to their \"lucky money\". \"For my kids, I keep the money and I'll give it back to them in future,\" said Rose Lim. \"I think the child should be entitled to the money. Without the child, there wouldn't be the money to begin with.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1050, "answer_start": 475, "text": "It is referred to by many names - in Mandarin it's called \"hongbao\" and in Cantonese it is \"lai see\" - but what it is essentially is an envelope filled with cash. It is generally given out to children or younger unmarried relatives during Chinese New Year by those who are already married as tokens of good fortune and blessing for the year ahead. Typically, only married folks give out red envelopes, though unmarried people can also do so if they are feeling particularly generous. The amount of money in a red envelope can vary from as little as $2 to hundreds of dollars." } ], "id": "389_0", "question": "What is a red envelope?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1611, "answer_start": 1051, "text": "Earlier this week, a university student from China's south-western Yunnan province won a case against her parents, who she claims \"embezzled\" her red packet money, Chinese media reported. She said they had kept some 58,000 yuan worth of red envelopes that were given to her over the years. The woman, identified only as Juan, said she resorted to legal action after her divorced parents refused to pay her university tuition fees. The court ruled in her favour and her parents were ordered to pay her 1,500 yuan every month until she graduated from university." } ], "id": "389_1", "question": "What happened in this incident?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3298, "answer_start": 1612, "text": "People are divided. Some say that parents should be allowed to keep the money as compensation for what they give out to other children and the general cost of raising a child. \"My parents would keep our money to balance out what they had to give to others,\" Angeline Ang-Pang, who lives in Singapore, told the BBC. \"My sister and I were okay with that because they always took time to explain that money isn't easy to earn.\" Another Singaporean shared a similar experience. \"My parents told us that it was their way of covering the 'cost' of giving out hongbaos,\" said Pengli. \"It still makes sense to me, cause the significance of it is not the money but more the act of giving.\" Ashley Chan, a 27-year-old based in Hong Kong, told the BBC she also thought it was the parents who should keep the money. \"They paid for my education, gave me an allowance and basically paid for everything when I was young.\" But not everyone agrees, saying the money belongs to its intended recipients - the children. \"The money was intended to be for you, so it's yours,\" said a user of Chinese micro-blogging website Weibo. \"I'm 24 this year and I've kept the money from all my red envelopes. My parents have not gained even one cent,\" another user said. \"My parents deposited my money into a bank account for me and I got it back later on,\" said Justin Ng, a 28-year-old based in Singapore. One parent the BBC spoke to agreed, saying that they believed the child had a right to their \"lucky money\". \"For my kids, I keep the money and I'll give it back to them in future,\" said Rose Lim. \"I think the child should be entitled to the money. Without the child, there wouldn't be the money to begin with.\"" } ], "id": "389_2", "question": "So who should get to keep red envelope money?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "Heavy seasonal rains are a regular feature of life in Nigeria and towns close to the country's main rivers are particularly vulnerable. This year floods have killed almost 200 people with many thousands displaced. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) say these figures are likely to rise as the full impact becomes clear. A state of emergency has been declared in four of the worst-hit states: - Niger - Kogi - Anambra - Delta President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged $8.2m (PS6.2m) for relief efforts. The NEMA has activated five local operation centres to coordinate emergency responses. Flooding regularly wreaks havoc in Nigeria: - In 2017, floods affected 250,000 people in the eastern-central region - In 2016, 92,000 were displaced and 38 died - In 2015, more than 100,000 were displaced, with 53 deaths - In 2012, devastating flooding forced two million Nigerians from their homes and 363 died, according to authorities \"Floods have become a perennial challenge with increasing intensity each year, leaving colossal losses and trauma,\" the Nigerian Meteorological Agency says. So why does Nigeria keep flooding, and is it getting worse? Nigeria hosts two of West Africa's great rivers: - the Niger which enters the country from the north-west - the Benue, which flows into Nigeria from its eastern neighbour Cameroon These two immense waterways meet in central Nigeria and then flow south as a single river on to the Atlantic Ocean. Much, though by no means all, of Nigeria's flooding occurs along these two rivers as their banks overflow in the rainy season. In 2012, hundreds of thousands of acres of land were flooded in Nigeria when the Benue and Niger over-spilled. That year, the Niger River reached a record-high level of 12.84m (42ft). In 2018, levels reached 11.06m, with fears that the heavy rain, expected to continue through October this year, could lead it to approach similar heights. There has also been extensive damage to farmlands, according ACAPS, a humanitarian data-analysis organisation, which is the mainstay of most livelihoods in the affected regions. Flooding is also caused by: - the tidal movements of coastal waters, such as in the Delta region of the south-east - saturated drainage systems, such as in the country's largest city, Lagos, in the south-west Heavy rainfall has certainly increased the likelihood of rivers overflowing and flash floods. And there's evidence to suggest increasing rainfall over time. Data from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency from 1981-2017, analysing 13 affected locations, reveals a rising trend in annual rainfall, which it says is likely to be a significant factor responsible for floods. But it's not just rain falling in Nigeria itself. Heavy precipitation upstream on the Benue and Niger rivers - in Cameroon, Mali and the country of Niger - contributes large volumes of water to Nigeria's river system, according to Zahrah Musa at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education. Another factor in Nigeria's flood problem is dams. Nigeria's three main electricity-generating dams, at Kainji and Jebba on the Niger river and the Shiroro dam on the Kaduna River, \"have become bloated\" by the heavy rains and excess water has had to be released downstream over the past month, says Hussaini Ibrahim, of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA). The uncompleted Zungeru dam, in Niger state, which is part-funded by the Chinese government, is also believed to be affecting areas once free from flooding. On the Benue River, the main concern is the Lagdo Dam, in neighbouring Cameroon, which has previously caused the river to swell by releasing water. In 2012, water flowing in from the Lagdo dam was blamed for 30 deaths in Nigeria. The Cameroonian authorities have yet to allow water to pour out from Lagdo during the current rainy season - but there are concerns in Nigeria that this might happen. Nigeria's population is expanding rapidly, currently estimated at 186 million, and the lack of proper town planning can make flooding worse in urban areas. \"Town planning in Nigeria is very weak,\" says Aliyu Salisu Barau, of Bayero University. \"These areas are affected by a lack of drainage networks.\" The city of Lokoja, for example, at the meeting-point of Benue and Niger rivers, is particularly prone to flooding. \"If you go to Lokoja, you see massive developments along the Niger River,\" says Mr Barau. These developments are almost always unregulated, with people building on floodplains, reducing the surface areas for water to travel, and without constructing drainage systems. Because of the unregulated nature of town planning, there's also limited information on how much land has been built on and therefore little assessment of the impact. In the city of Makurdi, for example, on the Benue river, Mr Barau says, \"one can see all forms of informal activities\" along the river bank. New land developments along the Niger River has more than doubled in Nassarwa and Kogi States, according to estimates. The dumping of waste in the streets can also prevent the steady flow of water and put pressure on the few urban drainage systems. It's also common, after the floods, for people to come back and start rebuilding in the same vulnerable areas. Hussaini Ibrahim, of the NSEMA, also points the finger at deforestation, which he says is happening across Nigeria. It's a resource that people use for fuel or to sell - but trees play an important role in storing rain-waters. If the impact of flooding is to be reduced in the future, the consequences of rapid urbanisation and poor urban planning need to be addressed. And greater co-operation with Nigeria's neighbours in the control of river levels will need to be achieved in order to avoid dangerous surges in water levels during the periods of heavy rain. The wider issue of the increasing rainfall levels identified by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency is one that some in Nigeria have attributed to climate change. Read more from Reality Check Send us your questions Follow us on Twitter", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2962, "answer_start": 2303, "text": "Heavy rainfall has certainly increased the likelihood of rivers overflowing and flash floods. And there's evidence to suggest increasing rainfall over time. Data from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency from 1981-2017, analysing 13 affected locations, reveals a rising trend in annual rainfall, which it says is likely to be a significant factor responsible for floods. But it's not just rain falling in Nigeria itself. Heavy precipitation upstream on the Benue and Niger rivers - in Cameroon, Mali and the country of Niger - contributes large volumes of water to Nigeria's river system, according to Zahrah Musa at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education." } ], "id": "390_0", "question": "Are Nigeria's rains causing the floods?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The effect of constant stress on a deep-lying region of the brain explains the increased risk of heart attack, a study in The Lancet suggests. In a study of 300 people, those with higher activity in the amygdala were more likely to develop cardiovascular disease - and sooner than others. Stress could be as important a risk factor as smoking and high blood pressure, the US researchers said. Heart experts said at-risk patients should be helped to manage stress. Emotional stress has long been linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects the heart and blood vessels - but the way this happens has not been properly understood. This study, led by a team from Harvard Medical School, points to heightened activity in the amygdala - an area of the brain that processes emotions such as fear and anger - as helping to explain the link. The researchers suggest that the amygdala signals to the bone marrow to produce extra white blood cells, which in turn act on the arteries causing them to become inflamed. This can then cause heart attacks, angina and strokes. As a result, when stressed, this part of the brain appears to be a good predictor of cardiovascular events. But they also said more research was needed to confirm this chain of events. The Lancet research looked at two different studies. The first scanned the brain, bone marrow, spleen and arteries of 293 patients, who were tracked for nearly four years to see if they developed CVD. In this time, 22 patients did, and they were the ones with higher activity in the amygdala. The second very small study, of 13 patients, looked at the relationship between stress levels and inflammation in the body. It found that those who reported the highest levels of stress had the highest levels of amygdala activity and more evidence of inflammation in their blood and arteries. Dr Ahmed Tawakol, lead author and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said: \"Our results provide a unique insight into how stress may lead to cardiovascular disease. \"This raises the possibility that reducing stress could produce benefits that extend beyond an improved sense of psychological wellbeing. It's the part of the brain that prepares you for fight or flight, becoming activated by strong emotional reactions. The amygdalae (because there are two of them - one on each side of the brain) are almond-shaped groups of cells located deep within the medial temporal lobes of the brain. In humans and animals, the amygdala is linked to responses to both fear and pleasure. The term amygdala - which means almond in Latin - was first used in 1819. Dr Tawakol added: \"Eventually, chronic stress could be treated as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is routinely screened for and effectively managed like other major cardiovascular disease risk factors.\" Commenting on the research, Dr Ilze Bot, from Leiden University in the Netherlands, said more and more people were experiencing stress on a daily basis. \"Heavy workloads, job insecurity or living in poverty are circumstances that can result in chronically increased stress, which in turn can lead to chronic psychological disorders such as depression.\" Emily Reeve, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke from stress normally focused on controlling lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol and overeating - but this should change. \"Exploring the brain's management of stress and discovering why it increases the risk of heart disease will allow us to develop new ways of managing chronic psychological stress. \"This could lead to ensuring that patients who are at risk are routinely screened and that their stress is managed effectively.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2638, "answer_start": 2191, "text": "It's the part of the brain that prepares you for fight or flight, becoming activated by strong emotional reactions. The amygdalae (because there are two of them - one on each side of the brain) are almond-shaped groups of cells located deep within the medial temporal lobes of the brain. In humans and animals, the amygdala is linked to responses to both fear and pleasure. The term amygdala - which means almond in Latin - was first used in 1819." } ], "id": "391_0", "question": "What does the amygdala do?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "A sex video has ended French ruling party candidate Benjamin Griveaux's hopes of becoming mayor of Paris. The ex-spokesman for President Emmanuel Macron's government, who was already trailing in the race, was apparently targeted by a Russian protest artist accusing him of hypocrisy. \"No-one should be subjected to such abuse,\" said Mr Griveaux, 42. The video, showing a man in a compromising position, quickly spread on social media late on Thursday. Petr Pavlensky, who sought asylum from Russia in 2017, said he had posted the video online. Opponents from across the political spectrum voiced their outrage. Incumbent Mayor Anne Hidalgo appealed for respect for people's private lives, while far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon condemned the attack as \"odious\". Far-right leader Marine Le Pen suggested that for the sake of democracy Mr Griveaux should perhaps not have resigned. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe expressed his support for his former colleague and Interior Minister Christophe Castaner went further, warning that publishing videos without the author's consent was an offence punishable by a significant fine and up to two years in jail. The video appeared on a little known website that featured a profile of Mr Griveaux's political ambitions and his \"fanatical faith in family values\". It then alleged that Mr Griveaux had exchanged intimate mobile phone messages with a young woman and sent her a personal video. A link to the site was shared by an MP who was forced to resign from Mr Macron's LREM (Republic on the Move) party in late 2018. Mr Griveaux told the BFMTV news channel that for the past year he and his family had been subjected to \"defamatory remarks, lies, rumours, anonymous attacks... and even death threats\". \"This torrent of mud has affected me and above all hurt the people I love.\" Mr Griveaux's lawyer said he would press charges over the publication of the video, which he said violated the right to a private life. Mr Pavlensky, who says he posted the video online, first gained notoriety by nailing his scrotum to Moscow's Red Square in 2013. He fled Russia and sought asylum in France when he was accused by the authorities of a sexual assault that he denied. He served seven months in jail for setting the front door of the FSB intelligence agency on fire in Moscow. He later caused minor damage to a Banque de France branch by setting that alight. He told French news channel LCI that Mr Griveaux was only the first politician that he would target: he had only just begun, he claimed. Politicians had to be honest and he said he would carry on fighting the \"propaganda and puritanism of politicians\". French media have traditionally avoided prying into the private lives of people in public life and a number of figures referred distastefully to the \"Americanisation\" of politics. \"I don't like people mixing up political life with people's privacy,\" said MP Alexis Corbiere. Lawyer Marie-Anne Soubre told a French talk show she was sick to her stomach that France had got to this point. \"To what new low have we fallen in public life that anyone is prepared to publish this kind of thing to bring down politicians?\" Mr Griveaux was not favourite to win the mayoral race in March, but he has been a very close ally of the president and his political demise is inevitably an embarrassment for the president, the BBC's Hugh Schofield reports from Paris. He was trailing in third place, his campaign hampered by a dissident Macronite candidate called Cedric Villani. Mr Villani described the \"outrageous attack\" on Mr Griveaux and his family as a serious threat to French democracy. Ms Hidalgo, the current Socialist mayor, is leading in the polls, ahead of Republicans candidate Rachida Dati. Mr Macron came to power in 2017 and his new LREM party secured a majority in the National Assembly. However, the party has seen a spate of defections in recent months and now has only 299 MPs in the National Assembly, down from 314 three years ago. LREM is expected to have poor local election results next month, but its majority in parliament is safe because of its alliance with the MoDem party.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3163, "answer_start": 1958, "text": "Mr Pavlensky, who says he posted the video online, first gained notoriety by nailing his scrotum to Moscow's Red Square in 2013. He fled Russia and sought asylum in France when he was accused by the authorities of a sexual assault that he denied. He served seven months in jail for setting the front door of the FSB intelligence agency on fire in Moscow. He later caused minor damage to a Banque de France branch by setting that alight. He told French news channel LCI that Mr Griveaux was only the first politician that he would target: he had only just begun, he claimed. Politicians had to be honest and he said he would carry on fighting the \"propaganda and puritanism of politicians\". French media have traditionally avoided prying into the private lives of people in public life and a number of figures referred distastefully to the \"Americanisation\" of politics. \"I don't like people mixing up political life with people's privacy,\" said MP Alexis Corbiere. Lawyer Marie-Anne Soubre told a French talk show she was sick to her stomach that France had got to this point. \"To what new low have we fallen in public life that anyone is prepared to publish this kind of thing to bring down politicians?\"" } ], "id": "392_0", "question": "Who is Petr Pavlensky?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4136, "answer_start": 3164, "text": "Mr Griveaux was not favourite to win the mayoral race in March, but he has been a very close ally of the president and his political demise is inevitably an embarrassment for the president, the BBC's Hugh Schofield reports from Paris. He was trailing in third place, his campaign hampered by a dissident Macronite candidate called Cedric Villani. Mr Villani described the \"outrageous attack\" on Mr Griveaux and his family as a serious threat to French democracy. Ms Hidalgo, the current Socialist mayor, is leading in the polls, ahead of Republicans candidate Rachida Dati. Mr Macron came to power in 2017 and his new LREM party secured a majority in the National Assembly. However, the party has seen a spate of defections in recent months and now has only 299 MPs in the National Assembly, down from 314 three years ago. LREM is expected to have poor local election results next month, but its majority in parliament is safe because of its alliance with the MoDem party." } ], "id": "392_1", "question": "Is this bad news for Macron?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The deadly attack at a Pittsburgh synagogue will \"not break us\", religious leaders said, after the shooting of 11 people. Rabbi Jonathan Perlman, who helped hide people during Saturday's shooting, said: \"What happened yesterday will not break us. It will not ruin us.\" The rabbi, along with other congregation leaders, spoke at an interfaith memorial service on Sunday. Suspected gunman Robert Bowers is now in the custody of US marshals. During his first court appearance on Monday, Bowers waived his detention hearing and has requested a public defender, US media reported. A hearing has been scheduled for 1 November. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced during a news conference that President Donald Trump and the First Lady will travel to Pennsylvania on Tuesday. Scott Brady, US Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, says he is seeking the death penalty against the suspect. The final decision will depend on US Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Rabbi Jeffrey Myers told journalists on Monday that the FBI is still gathering evidence inside the synagogue and that it could be at least another week before members were allowed back inside. \"There are hundreds of bullet holes in our sanctuary,\" he said. \"I looked at this [building] and said: 'My God, this is a giant mausoleum.'\" Survivors of what is believed to be the worst anti-Semitic attack in US history recalled taking refuge and hiding in storage rooms to avoid the roaming attacker. One congregation leader said their training in active-shooter situations had helped save lives, and that Rabbi Perlman helped lead worshippers to storage rooms where they could hide. The 11 victims were named on Sunday and included a husband and wife, and a woman aged 97. Another six people were injured, including four policemen. Mayor Bill Peduto said that this was the \"darkest day of Pittsburgh's history\". When the suspect was detained after a shootout, he reportedly told Swat officers he wanted \"all Jews to die\". Robert Bowers, 46, now faces 29 criminal charges. He was discharged from hospital on Monday morning, local time, after being treated for multiple gunshot wounds. Social media site Gab, which has been criticised for serving as an outlet for the far-right, has now gone offline after it was revealed the suspect had been an active member. Analysis by Jane O'Brien, BBC News Robert Bowers arrived shackled to a wheel chair wearing a blue shirt. His hands were untied to enable him to sign his name. It's OK, I can scribble, he said. The hearing lasted only a few minutes to set a date for Thursday when the prosecution will bring evidence. He was slightly hunched and looked down when addressed by the judge who asked if he wanted to hear the complaint against him. His lawyers declined and Bowers was remanded into the custody of the sheriff with no bail. Bowers faces federal murder and assault charges which could carry the death penalty. He was shot and injured during an exchange of fire with police as he tried to leave the Tree of Life Synagogue where its alleged he killed 11 worshippers in America's worst hate crime against Jews. Three congregations were reportedly meeting at the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill district of Pittsburgh on Saturday morning. Members of the New Light congregation were meeting in a basement area, Carl Solomon, 81, a congregation member who turned back from the synagogue but had spoken to survivors, told the New York Times. Richard Gottfried, 65, and Daniel Stein, 71, were in the kitchen and both were shot dead. Congregation co-president Stephen Cohen told the paper there was \"no place to hide\" there. He said Rabbi Perlman had shepherded two other people into a storage room, although one, Melvin Wax, 88, chose to later open the door and was shot dead. Mr Cohen said \"everyone froze but Rabbi Perlman\". He told the Associated Press news agency that leaders had taken part in active-shooter drills \"and I think that's what ultimately saved the people who were saved\". They were named on Sunday as Joyce Fienberg, 75; Rose Mallinger, 97; Jerry Rabinowitz, 66; Cecil Rosenthal, 59, and his brother David, 54; married couple Bernice Simon, 84, and Sylvan Simon, 86; and Irving Younger, 69. Tributes have been pouring in from those who knew the victims. Myron Snider described his friend Melvin Wax as a \"sweet, sweet guy\" and unfailingly generous. Ben Schmitt, a patient of Jerry Rabinowitz, said the family medical practitioner was \"kind and funny... [he] completely personified the term 'bedside manner'\". Cecil and David Rosenthal were described as \"kind, good people with a strong faith and respect for everyone around\". One injured officer was released from hospital on Saturday, another was due to be released on Sunday, with the other two needing more treatment. He was armed with three Glock handguns and an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. He owned them legally, a law enforcement officer told the Associated Press. Officers arrived after receiving calls about an active shooter at 09:54 local time (13:54 GMT) on Saturday and encountered the suspect as he was trying to leave. The gunman fired at them and ran upstairs. As Swat officers searched for victims, the gunman opened fire on them and injured two. The suspect was detained after being wounded in an exchange of fire with officers. Officials said the gunman had made statements regarding genocide as well as a desire to kill Jewish people. There are few details about Robert Bowers but there is a trail of anti-Semitic comments on social media. His neighbour, Chris Hall, told AP: \"The most terrifying thing is just how normal he seemed.\" Officials said there was nothing to indicate he had any accomplices. FBI special agent Robert Jones told a press conference that Mr Bowers did not appear to be known to authorities prior to the attack. More on Robert Bowers The 29 charges were announced in a statement issued by the US Attorney's Office of the Western District of Pennsylvania: - Eleven counts of obstruction of exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death and 11 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence. These can carry the death penalty - Four counts of obstruction of exercise of religious beliefs resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer - Three counts of use and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence He described the gunman as a \"maniac\" and suggested the US should \"stiffen up our laws of the death penalty\". \"These people should pay the ultimate price. This has to stop,\" he said. Mr Trump has ordered US flags at government buildings to be flown at half-mast until 31 October. He said the shooting had \"little to do\" with US gun laws. \"If they had protection inside, maybe it could have been a different situation.\" But Mayor Peduto, a Democrat, said: \"I think the approach that we need to be looking at is how we take the guns, which is the common denominator of every mass shooting in America, out of the hands of those that are looking to express hatred through murder.\" Ahead of Mr Trump's proposed visit, progressive activists have called on the president to change his language towards minorities and immigrants. In an open letter, Jewish organisation Bend the Arc has said the president will not be welcome in Pittsburgh until he denounces white nationalism, ends his anti-immigrant rhetoric and commits to \"compassionate\" policies. The letter has over 25,000 signatures as of Monday morning. Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, however, told reporters that he refused to let politics enter the conversation because \"hate does not know political party, religion, colour, persuasion or anything\". \"We do need to have strong leadership from all of our elected leaders, not any one person - all of them, from all political parties,\" he added. \"When you speak language of hate as a leader, you give permission to all peoples to say it's ok to speak that language, to treat people that way. My answer is no, it's not.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4020, "answer_start": 3134, "text": "Three congregations were reportedly meeting at the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill district of Pittsburgh on Saturday morning. Members of the New Light congregation were meeting in a basement area, Carl Solomon, 81, a congregation member who turned back from the synagogue but had spoken to survivors, told the New York Times. Richard Gottfried, 65, and Daniel Stein, 71, were in the kitchen and both were shot dead. Congregation co-president Stephen Cohen told the paper there was \"no place to hide\" there. He said Rabbi Perlman had shepherded two other people into a storage room, although one, Melvin Wax, 88, chose to later open the door and was shot dead. Mr Cohen said \"everyone froze but Rabbi Perlman\". He told the Associated Press news agency that leaders had taken part in active-shooter drills \"and I think that's what ultimately saved the people who were saved\"." } ], "id": "393_0", "question": "What have the survivors said?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4819, "answer_start": 4021, "text": "They were named on Sunday as Joyce Fienberg, 75; Rose Mallinger, 97; Jerry Rabinowitz, 66; Cecil Rosenthal, 59, and his brother David, 54; married couple Bernice Simon, 84, and Sylvan Simon, 86; and Irving Younger, 69. Tributes have been pouring in from those who knew the victims. Myron Snider described his friend Melvin Wax as a \"sweet, sweet guy\" and unfailingly generous. Ben Schmitt, a patient of Jerry Rabinowitz, said the family medical practitioner was \"kind and funny... [he] completely personified the term 'bedside manner'\". Cecil and David Rosenthal were described as \"kind, good people with a strong faith and respect for everyone around\". One injured officer was released from hospital on Saturday, another was due to be released on Sunday, with the other two needing more treatment." } ], "id": "393_1", "question": "Who were the other victims?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5452, "answer_start": 4820, "text": "He was armed with three Glock handguns and an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. He owned them legally, a law enforcement officer told the Associated Press. Officers arrived after receiving calls about an active shooter at 09:54 local time (13:54 GMT) on Saturday and encountered the suspect as he was trying to leave. The gunman fired at them and ran upstairs. As Swat officers searched for victims, the gunman opened fire on them and injured two. The suspect was detained after being wounded in an exchange of fire with officers. Officials said the gunman had made statements regarding genocide as well as a desire to kill Jewish people." } ], "id": "393_2", "question": "How was the gunman apprehended?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 8044, "answer_start": 6423, "text": "He described the gunman as a \"maniac\" and suggested the US should \"stiffen up our laws of the death penalty\". \"These people should pay the ultimate price. This has to stop,\" he said. Mr Trump has ordered US flags at government buildings to be flown at half-mast until 31 October. He said the shooting had \"little to do\" with US gun laws. \"If they had protection inside, maybe it could have been a different situation.\" But Mayor Peduto, a Democrat, said: \"I think the approach that we need to be looking at is how we take the guns, which is the common denominator of every mass shooting in America, out of the hands of those that are looking to express hatred through murder.\" Ahead of Mr Trump's proposed visit, progressive activists have called on the president to change his language towards minorities and immigrants. In an open letter, Jewish organisation Bend the Arc has said the president will not be welcome in Pittsburgh until he denounces white nationalism, ends his anti-immigrant rhetoric and commits to \"compassionate\" policies. The letter has over 25,000 signatures as of Monday morning. Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, however, told reporters that he refused to let politics enter the conversation because \"hate does not know political party, religion, colour, persuasion or anything\". \"We do need to have strong leadership from all of our elected leaders, not any one person - all of them, from all political parties,\" he added. \"When you speak language of hate as a leader, you give permission to all peoples to say it's ok to speak that language, to treat people that way. My answer is no, it's not.\"" } ], "id": "393_3", "question": "What has been President Trump's reaction?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The amount of salt in our diet could be involved in driving our own immune systems to rebel against us, leading to diseases such as multiple sclerosis, early laboratory findings suggest. Several teams of scientists have simultaneously published data in the journal Nature suggesting a link. Salt may activate a part of the immune system that can target the body. Experts said the findings were very interesting and plausible, but were not a cure for people with MS. The body's defence against infection can go horrible awry, turning on the body and leading to autoimmune diseases including Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Genetics is thought to increase the risk of such diseases, but the world around us also has a major impact. One of the leading theories behind multiple sclerosis is a viral infection, but smoking and a lack of vitamin D may make the condition more likely. Now researchers believe they have the first evidence that the amount of salt in our diet may also be contributing. Teams of researchers at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard were investigating a part of the immune system that has been implicated in autoimmune diseases. They wanted to know how T-helper 17 cells were produced. A sophisticated analysis of the complicated chemistry needed to form a T-helper 17 cell - which involved carefully monitoring cells and reverse engineering the changes - identified a critical gene. But the gene had been seen before. \"Its day job is to increase salt uptake in the gut,\" said Dr Vijay Kuchroo from Brigham and Women's Hospital. \"When we put extra salt in the culture dish it was one of those 'Aha' moments, the cells were becoming T-helper 17 cells.\" Mice fed a high-salt diet were more likely to develop a disease similar to MS in experiments. Meanwhile, researchers at Yale University were also investigating salt and looking at human cells. David Hafler, professor of immunobiology at Yale, told BBC news online: \"In mouse models of MS, those fed high-salt diets had significantly worse disease. \"We were all really quite surprised to see how changes in dietary salt could have such a profound effect.\" There is caution about over-interpreting what is very early research. Studies are now taking place in people with high blood pressure, also caused by high salt intake, to see if there is a link between salt and autoimmune diseases in people. Dr Aviv Regev, from the Broad Institute, said: \"All we can do is bring the current state of knowledge to the public, we have absolutely no recommendations, there's always a gap between scientific discovery and translation to the clinic.\" Prof Hafler added that a low salt-diet was, however, unlikely to cause harm. Commenting on the findings, Prof Alastair Compston, from the University of Cambridge, told the BBC the findings were plausible, unexpected and very interesting. \"Like all good science it is introducing a brand new idea that nobody had thought of.\" He said that salt may have a similar effect to other factors such as smoking and sunlight, which alter the odds of getting the disease. However he cautioned: \"There is no prospect of a low salt diet curing MS. If you already have the disease and go on a low salt diet the horse has already bolted.\" Dr Susan Kohlhaas, head of biomedical research at the MS Society, said: \"This is a really interesting study and it's positive to see new avenues of MS research being explored in this way. \"It's still too early, however, to draw firm conclusions on what these findings mean for people with MS, but we look forward to seeing the results of further research. \"In the meantime, we recommend that people follow government advice on maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, which includes guidelines on salt intake.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3808, "answer_start": 2197, "text": "There is caution about over-interpreting what is very early research. Studies are now taking place in people with high blood pressure, also caused by high salt intake, to see if there is a link between salt and autoimmune diseases in people. Dr Aviv Regev, from the Broad Institute, said: \"All we can do is bring the current state of knowledge to the public, we have absolutely no recommendations, there's always a gap between scientific discovery and translation to the clinic.\" Prof Hafler added that a low salt-diet was, however, unlikely to cause harm. Commenting on the findings, Prof Alastair Compston, from the University of Cambridge, told the BBC the findings were plausible, unexpected and very interesting. \"Like all good science it is introducing a brand new idea that nobody had thought of.\" He said that salt may have a similar effect to other factors such as smoking and sunlight, which alter the odds of getting the disease. However he cautioned: \"There is no prospect of a low salt diet curing MS. If you already have the disease and go on a low salt diet the horse has already bolted.\" Dr Susan Kohlhaas, head of biomedical research at the MS Society, said: \"This is a really interesting study and it's positive to see new avenues of MS research being explored in this way. \"It's still too early, however, to draw firm conclusions on what these findings mean for people with MS, but we look forward to seeing the results of further research. \"In the meantime, we recommend that people follow government advice on maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, which includes guidelines on salt intake.\"" } ], "id": "394_0", "question": "Advice?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The son of Gulnara Karimova, once tipped to be Uzbekistan's leader, has called for his jailed mother to have her day in court. Ms Karimova, the daughter of former president Islam Karimov, had been missing until last week when authorities confirmed her detention. She has been ordered imprisoned for five years on corruption charges. Now her son, Islam Karimov Junior, is calling for her legal right to fight the charges in public. \"Give my mother a right to defend herself,\" he told the BBC. \"Let her say her version... they're so scared of my mother, not only her voice, her opinion, [but also] the information she has.\" He said his mother had been told she only remained alive because of computer files she removed from the country before her disappearance. \"If she comes out for 10 minutes and talks, the downfall of so many people in the government will be guaranteed - and that's what they're scared of,\" he said. Ms Karimova, 45, was expected to succeed her father as Uzbekistan's leader until she fell out with her family in 2014. Before then, she held great power and influence in the country, effectively acting as the international face of the nation. She was once the ambassador to Spain, and held her own business interests - including a fashion label and jewellery collection. She also maintained a high profile through her pop music career, where she went by the stage name \"Googoosha\". However, she found herself at the centre of a number of corruption scandals and investigations. Then, in 2014, pictures emerged of her apparently being detained by security forces amid a deep family feud. She was not seen in public for years, and when her father, who had been leader of Uzbekistan since the country's formation, died in September 2016, she did not attend the funeral. In late 2016, rumours began to circulate that she had died in custody or been assassinated. Those proved to be ill-founded with last week's confirmation that she had been detained since 2015 on corruption charges. Now, the country's prosecutor has confirmed two corruption cases against her, concerning assets of around $1bn (PS760m) in 12 countries, including the UK, Russia, Malta and United Arab Emirates. She was found guilty in one case, for which a five-year \"restriction of liberty order\" was imposed. The other case is ongoing. But her whereabouts remain unknown. Her son, Islam Karimov Junior, previously told the BBC he believed she was under house arrest in a two- or three-room annex to one of her properties. Now he says she is entitled to the same legal procedure as anyone else. \"If the president is not a coward, if he has any ounce of responsibility before the truth, before the people of this country, why can't he allow my mother access to her lawyers, to her doctors - that's all we're asking.\" \"We're asking to use the legal system that our country is based on, we're not asking for some extraordinary right.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2917, "answer_start": 920, "text": "Ms Karimova, 45, was expected to succeed her father as Uzbekistan's leader until she fell out with her family in 2014. Before then, she held great power and influence in the country, effectively acting as the international face of the nation. She was once the ambassador to Spain, and held her own business interests - including a fashion label and jewellery collection. She also maintained a high profile through her pop music career, where she went by the stage name \"Googoosha\". However, she found herself at the centre of a number of corruption scandals and investigations. Then, in 2014, pictures emerged of her apparently being detained by security forces amid a deep family feud. She was not seen in public for years, and when her father, who had been leader of Uzbekistan since the country's formation, died in September 2016, she did not attend the funeral. In late 2016, rumours began to circulate that she had died in custody or been assassinated. Those proved to be ill-founded with last week's confirmation that she had been detained since 2015 on corruption charges. Now, the country's prosecutor has confirmed two corruption cases against her, concerning assets of around $1bn (PS760m) in 12 countries, including the UK, Russia, Malta and United Arab Emirates. She was found guilty in one case, for which a five-year \"restriction of liberty order\" was imposed. The other case is ongoing. But her whereabouts remain unknown. Her son, Islam Karimov Junior, previously told the BBC he believed she was under house arrest in a two- or three-room annex to one of her properties. Now he says she is entitled to the same legal procedure as anyone else. \"If the president is not a coward, if he has any ounce of responsibility before the truth, before the people of this country, why can't he allow my mother access to her lawyers, to her doctors - that's all we're asking.\" \"We're asking to use the legal system that our country is based on, we're not asking for some extraordinary right.\"" } ], "id": "395_0", "question": "Who is Gulnara Karimova?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The Peshmerga, whose name translates as \"those who face death\", are the Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq. In recent weeks, they have been fighting Islamist militants of the Islamic State - formerly known as Isis - who seized large swathes of territory in the north. Now thought to number around 190,000, the Peshmerga have their roots in groups of loosely organised tribal border guards in the late 1800s, but were formally organised as the national fighting force of the Kurdish people after the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the wake of World War One. As the Kurdish nationalist movement grew, so too did the identity of the Peshmerga as a key part of Kurdish culture - evolving from tribal defenders to nationalist fighters for an independent Kurdish state. The modern-day Peshmerga are mostly veterans from the fighting against Iraqi government forces, and from infighting between Kurdish factions. After World War One the region of Kurdistan, previously a strategic buffer area between the Ottoman and Persian empires, began to see itself as one of several nation states newly created in the region, carved out from the remains of the Ottoman Empire - Iraq, Syria and Turkey. The regional disarray left a power vacuum, and Kurds began vying for an independent state of their own. By the 1970s, Kurds had become divided between two factions controlling the north and south of Iraqi Kurdistan. However, they both soon came into conflict against the Iraqi state - rival Kurdish tribes united and the movement for independence was strengthened. By the time of the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s the Peshmerga had developed into an effective guerrilla fighting force. Many Kurdish fighters were defectors from Saddam Hussein's Iraqi army, and when the Peshmerga united across tribes to claim territory in Iraqi Kurdistan, Saddam Hussein decided to act. Some Kurdish fighters had previously fought alongside Saddam Hussein's forces in the war against Iran, but many Peshmerga then allied with Iranian troops in order to bring more areas in Iraqi Kurdistan under their control. Saddam Hussein then began a campaign of collective punishment known as the \"Anfal\" against the Kurds, for fighting with Iranian forces and for seeking more territory. The most notorious event in the Anfal campaign was the 1988 Halabja chemical weapons attack, in southern Kurdistan. An estimated 5,000 people, mostly women and children, were killed when Iraqi jets dropped poison gas on the town. Thousands of inhabitants choked on a mixture of mustard gas and nerve agents. As a result, the Peshmerga were forced to cease operations as more than a million Kurds were displaced, and hundreds of thousands killed throughout the Anfal campaign. Throughout the 1990s and in the aftermath of the Anfal campaign, despite huge losses the Peshmerga continued to battle Iraqi forces against the backdrop of the First Gulf War and Operation Desert Storm. However, internal tensions continued to build and turned to war between the two rival Kurdish factions, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) led by Massoud Barzani, son of the Kurdish nationalist leader Mustafa Barzani and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) led by Jalal Talabani, who would eventually become Iraqi president. During this period, female fighters were also incorporated into the Peshmerga to bolster the forces' numbers in the fight against Saddam Hussein. After reconciliation between the two opposing Kurdish factions was sealed by the 1998 Washington Agreement, the US Special Forces deployed CIA agents to Kurdistan, the start of a relationship of co-operation between the Peshmerga and the US, both pitted against Saddam Hussein's Iraqi government. The role of the Peshmerga was key in the eventual toppling of Saddam Hussein. After his Baathist government was dismantled, US forces continued to work with the Peshmerga, training fighters and holding joint operations throughout the area. When the PUK's Jalal Talabani was elected as the sixth president of Iraq, and the KDP's Massoud Barzani was elected president of Iraqi Kurdistan, Kurdish hopes for self-determination continued to grow.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1285, "answer_start": 762, "text": "The modern-day Peshmerga are mostly veterans from the fighting against Iraqi government forces, and from infighting between Kurdish factions. After World War One the region of Kurdistan, previously a strategic buffer area between the Ottoman and Persian empires, began to see itself as one of several nation states newly created in the region, carved out from the remains of the Ottoman Empire - Iraq, Syria and Turkey. The regional disarray left a power vacuum, and Kurds began vying for an independent state of their own." } ], "id": "396_0", "question": "When did the Peshmerga force begin?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The UN has condemned an air strike that closed the only functioning airport in Libya's capital, Tripoli, on Monday. Flights at Mitiga International Airport were suspended and passengers were evacuated. No casualties were reported. The UN blamed the air strike on forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar, a commander from the east who is trying to seize the capital. A spokesman for Gen Haftar's forces said civilian planes had not been targeted, Reuters news agency reports. Gen Haftar, who leads the Libyan National Army (LNA), declared an offensive to take control of Tripoli from Libya's UN-backed government last week. Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj has accused him of attempting to carry out a coup. At least 2,800 people have so far fled fighting around Tripoli, the UN says. The UN also warns that those who remain risk being cut off from vital services because of the clashes. Libya has been torn by violence, political instability and power struggles since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011. International powers have started evacuating personnel from the country in recent days as the situation has deteriorated. The UN's Libya envoy, Ghassan Salame, said Monday's air strike violated humanitarian law which prohibited attacks against civilian infrastructure. Mr Salame said the bombing marked an \"escalation of violence on the ground\". LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari was quoted by Reuters as saying \"only a MiG [aircraft] parked at Mitiga airport\" had been targeted. The airport is also the base for a powerful militia, loosely under the control of the government's ministry of interior, says the BBC's North Africa correspondent, Rana Jawad. An older, inactive airport, Tripoli International, has also been a focal point for clashes recent days. The Libyan health ministry said at least 25 people had been killed and 80 wounded so far, including civilians and government fighters. Gen Haftar's forces said they had lost at least 19 fighters. The UN appealed for a two-hour truce on Sunday to allow for the evacuations of casualties and civilians, but fighting continued. Libya has been a hotbed of unrest since Gaddafi was overthrown eight years ago. The Government of National Accord (GNA) was created from peace talks in 2015, but has struggled to take control despite UN backing. Gen Haftar is allied to a rival government in the eastern city of Tobruk which has refused to cede power to Tripoli. The general helped Gaddafi seize power in 1969 before falling out with him and going into exile in the US. He then returned when the uprising against Gaddafi began and became a rebel commander. His LNA troops have continued to make advances, seizing the south of Libya and its oil fields earlier this year. UN-backed talks between the rival governments had been scheduled for 14-16 April to discuss a roadmap for new elections, but it is now unclear if these will still take place. Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj said he had offered concessions to Gen Haftar to avoid bloodshed, only to be \"stabbed in the back\". Much of the international community, including the US, have called for a ceasefire to hostilities. \"This unilateral military campaign against Tripoli is endangering civilians and undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans,\" US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday. The US military is among those to withdraw its supporting forces based in the country, blaming the \"complex and unpredictable\" situation and \"increased unrest\" on the ground. The UN is also due to pull out non-essential staff. Residents of Tripoli have reportedly begun stocking up on food and fuel. The BBC Arab affairs editor Sebastian Usher says some residents fear a long operation such as that which Gen Haftar mounted to take the eastern city of Benghazi from Islamist fighters in 2017. Analysis by Rana Jawad, BBC North Africa correspondent, in Tunis The rogue general's defiance suggests that, despite international condemnation of his recent moves, he believes he can only secure a place in Libya's future political makeup through military means. Diplomats are worried because the manner and timing of the attack mean he is unlikely to back down unless he is defeated. Few thought he would go ahead and launch this operation - which he has long threatened to do - because they believed ongoing talks that saw him go from Paris to Palermo and the UAE for more than a year would buy time until a new political settlement was reached through negotiations and an eventual electoral process. Today, Western nations have few cards to play to de-escalate the violence and once again find themselves in a position where they may need to start from scratch.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2108, "answer_start": 1151, "text": "The UN's Libya envoy, Ghassan Salame, said Monday's air strike violated humanitarian law which prohibited attacks against civilian infrastructure. Mr Salame said the bombing marked an \"escalation of violence on the ground\". LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari was quoted by Reuters as saying \"only a MiG [aircraft] parked at Mitiga airport\" had been targeted. The airport is also the base for a powerful militia, loosely under the control of the government's ministry of interior, says the BBC's North Africa correspondent, Rana Jawad. An older, inactive airport, Tripoli International, has also been a focal point for clashes recent days. The Libyan health ministry said at least 25 people had been killed and 80 wounded so far, including civilians and government fighters. Gen Haftar's forces said they had lost at least 19 fighters. The UN appealed for a two-hour truce on Sunday to allow for the evacuations of casualties and civilians, but fighting continued." } ], "id": "397_0", "question": "What is the latest on the clashes?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3050, "answer_start": 2109, "text": "Libya has been a hotbed of unrest since Gaddafi was overthrown eight years ago. The Government of National Accord (GNA) was created from peace talks in 2015, but has struggled to take control despite UN backing. Gen Haftar is allied to a rival government in the eastern city of Tobruk which has refused to cede power to Tripoli. The general helped Gaddafi seize power in 1969 before falling out with him and going into exile in the US. He then returned when the uprising against Gaddafi began and became a rebel commander. His LNA troops have continued to make advances, seizing the south of Libya and its oil fields earlier this year. UN-backed talks between the rival governments had been scheduled for 14-16 April to discuss a roadmap for new elections, but it is now unclear if these will still take place. Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj said he had offered concessions to Gen Haftar to avoid bloodshed, only to be \"stabbed in the back\"." } ], "id": "397_1", "question": "Why is there fighting in Libya?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 4697, "answer_start": 3833, "text": "Analysis by Rana Jawad, BBC North Africa correspondent, in Tunis The rogue general's defiance suggests that, despite international condemnation of his recent moves, he believes he can only secure a place in Libya's future political makeup through military means. Diplomats are worried because the manner and timing of the attack mean he is unlikely to back down unless he is defeated. Few thought he would go ahead and launch this operation - which he has long threatened to do - because they believed ongoing talks that saw him go from Paris to Palermo and the UAE for more than a year would buy time until a new political settlement was reached through negotiations and an eventual electoral process. Today, Western nations have few cards to play to de-escalate the violence and once again find themselves in a position where they may need to start from scratch." } ], "id": "397_2", "question": "Back to square one?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "If you imagine the summit of Mount Everest, you might picture a quiet, snowy peak far from civilisation. But a striking photo, taken by mountaineer Nirmal Purja, shows how the reality can be a lot more crowded. Mr Purja's photo has attracted attention around the world - amid the tragic news that seven climbers died on Everest in the past week. The picture gives a glimpse into the tough conditions facing climbers at the highest peak in the world. Yes - according to guides, this happens quite often during the climbing season. \"It's normally that crowded,\" says Mingma Sherpa, chairman of Seven Summits Treks, adding that climbers sometimes queue between 20 minutes, and 1.5 hours, in order to reach the summit. It often depends on how long the window for suitable climbing weather is - because mountaineers need to avoid fierce jet streams that would hinder them. \"If there's one week [of safe weather], then the summit isn't crowded. But sometimes, when there's only a window of two or three days, it gets very crowded\" as all the climbers try to reach the summit at the same time, Mingma Sherpa tells the BBC. It's not the first time crowds at Everest have made headlines either. In 2012, another photo, taken by German climber Ralf Dujmovits, went viral, as it showed what he called a \"conga line\" of mountaineers at Everest. Mr Dujmovits, who reached the Everest Summit in 1992, and ascended 8,000m (26,200 ft) up the mountain on six other occasions, says that long queues at the summit can be hazardous. \"When people have to wait in queues, they risk running short of oxygen - and may not have enough oxygen left on their way down.\" During his 1992 climb, he ran out of oxygen during his descent, and felt as though \"someone was hitting me with a wooden sledgehammer\", he says. \"I felt I almost couldn't make any progress - I was pretty lucky I could recover enough and eventually make my way down safely.\" \"When you have winds of stronger than 15km/h (9mph), you just can't make it without oxygen... you're losing so much body warmth.\" To make matters worse - sometimes, oxygen cylinders left out for designated climbers get stolen. \"Stealing oxygen at such altitude is no less than killing somebody,\" Maya Sherpa, who reached the summit three times, told BBC Nepali. \"The government needs to co-ordinate with the Sherpas to enforce rules.\" Experts say crowds at Everest have also increased in recent years because expeditions have become more popular. Andrea Ursina Zimmerman, an expedition guide who reached Everest's peak in 2016, says that many \"traffic jams\" are caused by unprepared climbers who \"do not have the physical condition\" for the journey. This risks not only their lives, but the lives of the Sherpas taking them up the mountain. Ms Zimmerman's husband, mountain guide Norbu Sherpa, recalls having an argument at 8,600m with a climber who was exhausted but insisted he wanted to continue to the summit. \"We had a big argument, and I had to tell him he was risking the life of two Sherpas as well as his own, before he would come down. He couldn't even walk properly - we had to slide him down with ropes - so by the time we reached base camp he was really grateful.\" Norbu Sherpa has reached the summit seven times. He says it is much more crowded from the Nepali side - the Tibet side is easier, but the Chinese government issues fewer permits, and the climb is less interesting. At the last ridge from the southern, Nepali side, there is only one fixed rope. When it's crowded, \"there can be two lines of people - one going up, and one going down the summit,\" he says, adding: \"Everyone is hanging onto this one rope\". He adds that the most dangerous part is often the descent. A lot of people push themselves to the summit, but, once they reach it, \"lose their motivation and energy on the way down\", especially when they realise it's a long, crowded journey. Mr Dujmovits says that, despite being exhausted, he felt \"a total release\" when he got to the top. However, descending safely - even if you haven't reached the summit - is much more important, he says. \"I lost so many friends who died during the descent over the years - many accidents happen during the descent because people are just not concentrating enough anymore - especially in the case of Everest where there are big crowds going up and down.\" \"The real summit is actually back at base camp - when you're back, you can really feel the enjoyment of everything you've done.\" Many expedition guides stress that reaching the top is immensely rewarding - but being physically prepared, and choosing the right time to ascend, go a long way towards reducing the risk. Practising climbing mountains at 7,000m or 8,000m is essential so people know \"how their bodies react to those altitudes\", says Norbu Sherpa. He also encourages his teams to start the ascent \"very early\" in the day, so they can descend before other climbers start coming up. Ms Zimmerman ascended Everest from the Tibet side, but deliberately chose to wait an extra day before ascending the summit so it would be less crowded. She was aware that there was a risk the weather window would close and her expedition would end without her reaching the top - but says it was worth it because she and her husband ended up \"alone on the summit\". \"I cannot even describe how it feels to be with your husband, alone at the top of the world... We arrived at 03:45, waited, and saw the sunrise.\"", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 1332, "answer_start": 450, "text": "Yes - according to guides, this happens quite often during the climbing season. \"It's normally that crowded,\" says Mingma Sherpa, chairman of Seven Summits Treks, adding that climbers sometimes queue between 20 minutes, and 1.5 hours, in order to reach the summit. It often depends on how long the window for suitable climbing weather is - because mountaineers need to avoid fierce jet streams that would hinder them. \"If there's one week [of safe weather], then the summit isn't crowded. But sometimes, when there's only a window of two or three days, it gets very crowded\" as all the climbers try to reach the summit at the same time, Mingma Sherpa tells the BBC. It's not the first time crowds at Everest have made headlines either. In 2012, another photo, taken by German climber Ralf Dujmovits, went viral, as it showed what he called a \"conga line\" of mountaineers at Everest." } ], "id": "398_0", "question": "Is it normal to see such long queues near the summit?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 2350, "answer_start": 1333, "text": "Mr Dujmovits, who reached the Everest Summit in 1992, and ascended 8,000m (26,200 ft) up the mountain on six other occasions, says that long queues at the summit can be hazardous. \"When people have to wait in queues, they risk running short of oxygen - and may not have enough oxygen left on their way down.\" During his 1992 climb, he ran out of oxygen during his descent, and felt as though \"someone was hitting me with a wooden sledgehammer\", he says. \"I felt I almost couldn't make any progress - I was pretty lucky I could recover enough and eventually make my way down safely.\" \"When you have winds of stronger than 15km/h (9mph), you just can't make it without oxygen... you're losing so much body warmth.\" To make matters worse - sometimes, oxygen cylinders left out for designated climbers get stolen. \"Stealing oxygen at such altitude is no less than killing somebody,\" Maya Sherpa, who reached the summit three times, told BBC Nepali. \"The government needs to co-ordinate with the Sherpas to enforce rules.\"" } ], "id": "398_1", "question": "Is overcrowding dangerous?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3193, "answer_start": 2351, "text": "Experts say crowds at Everest have also increased in recent years because expeditions have become more popular. Andrea Ursina Zimmerman, an expedition guide who reached Everest's peak in 2016, says that many \"traffic jams\" are caused by unprepared climbers who \"do not have the physical condition\" for the journey. This risks not only their lives, but the lives of the Sherpas taking them up the mountain. Ms Zimmerman's husband, mountain guide Norbu Sherpa, recalls having an argument at 8,600m with a climber who was exhausted but insisted he wanted to continue to the summit. \"We had a big argument, and I had to tell him he was risking the life of two Sherpas as well as his own, before he would come down. He couldn't even walk properly - we had to slide him down with ropes - so by the time we reached base camp he was really grateful.\"" } ], "id": "398_2", "question": "Why are there 'traffic jams'?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 3889, "answer_start": 3194, "text": "Norbu Sherpa has reached the summit seven times. He says it is much more crowded from the Nepali side - the Tibet side is easier, but the Chinese government issues fewer permits, and the climb is less interesting. At the last ridge from the southern, Nepali side, there is only one fixed rope. When it's crowded, \"there can be two lines of people - one going up, and one going down the summit,\" he says, adding: \"Everyone is hanging onto this one rope\". He adds that the most dangerous part is often the descent. A lot of people push themselves to the summit, but, once they reach it, \"lose their motivation and energy on the way down\", especially when they realise it's a long, crowded journey." } ], "id": "398_3", "question": "What's it like reaching a crowded summit?" }, { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 5443, "answer_start": 3890, "text": "Mr Dujmovits says that, despite being exhausted, he felt \"a total release\" when he got to the top. However, descending safely - even if you haven't reached the summit - is much more important, he says. \"I lost so many friends who died during the descent over the years - many accidents happen during the descent because people are just not concentrating enough anymore - especially in the case of Everest where there are big crowds going up and down.\" \"The real summit is actually back at base camp - when you're back, you can really feel the enjoyment of everything you've done.\" Many expedition guides stress that reaching the top is immensely rewarding - but being physically prepared, and choosing the right time to ascend, go a long way towards reducing the risk. Practising climbing mountains at 7,000m or 8,000m is essential so people know \"how their bodies react to those altitudes\", says Norbu Sherpa. He also encourages his teams to start the ascent \"very early\" in the day, so they can descend before other climbers start coming up. Ms Zimmerman ascended Everest from the Tibet side, but deliberately chose to wait an extra day before ascending the summit so it would be less crowded. She was aware that there was a risk the weather window would close and her expedition would end without her reaching the top - but says it was worth it because she and her husband ended up \"alone on the summit\". \"I cannot even describe how it feels to be with your husband, alone at the top of the world... We arrived at 03:45, waited, and saw the sunrise.\"" } ], "id": "398_4", "question": "Is it worth reaching the summit?" } ] } ]

[ { "context": "The Liberal Democrats have launched their 2019 election manifesto, with the slogan Stop Brexit Build A Brighter Future. It sets out the polices the party aims to introduce should it win the election. The full document runs to 96 pages and contains pledges on a variety of subjects, with Brexit and the NHS to the fore. But what are the promises that will grab the public's attention, and, potentially win over voters on polling day, 12 December? Article 50 would be revoked and Brexit cancelled. The words \"STOP BREXIT\" appear in large capital letters on the front of the manifesto. Uniquely among UK-wide parties, the Liberal Democrats are promising to revoke Article 50 immediately - and stop Britain leaving the EU without another referendum. The pledge stands out from Labour, who would offer another vote, and the Conservatives, who are promising to leave the EU in January. The Liberal Democrats believe the clarity of this approach won them votes during the European elections - and can be a vote-winner again. It also underpins their plans to increase public spending - the Liberal Democrats say staying in the EU would deliver a PS50bn \"Remain bonus\" to the economy - money that could be spent on public services. This policy would apply to the whole of the UK. Raise PS7bn a year over five years - a total of PS35bn - to spend on the NHS and social care. The one penny in the pound extra on income tax will be ring-fenced for the NHS and social care. But this is a vague concept and simply means the party has promised PS7bn a year more for health and social care and identified how the revenue might be raised. It will be hard to track precisely how the money is spent. Longer term, the party wants to move to a dedicated health and care tax. which is called \"hypothecation\", to reassure voters their money is for key public services. The big problem is that in an economic downturn the tax receipts might fall, and, if so, would the government feel obliged to cut health and care spending? If the Treasury was obliged to top up funding from the central pot, the benefits of hypothecation would be lost. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all run their own health services, but they will also benefit from any extra funding. All children aged two to four will qualify for 35 hours a week, 48 weeks a year. This is an eye-catching and potentially eye-wateringly expensive election promise. According to the independent economists at the Institute of Fiscal Studies, it would represent an extra PS13bn a year, which is four-and-a-half times higher than the current level of spending. This is an expensive offer that could attract criticism as a big giveaway to some better-off parents, while not helping the poorest children who might benefit most. Currently all three to four-year-olds with both parents working can access 30 hours free childcare, unless either parent earns more than PS100,000 a year. Childcare is a devolved issue. Achieve this target by 2030 to reduce carbon emissions. Even by the standards of an election busy this target is ambitious. We are already on a path of rapid decarbonisation - with 40% of our electricity produced by wind, solar and biomass in the third quarter of this year. And recent government projections suggest that contribution is set to rise to just under 50% over the next decade. So the Liberal Democrats' plan for 80% would mean the extremely rapid construction of many more solar farms and wind turbines on land and out at sea. Only the Green Party envisages a faster transition. These targets would apply to the whole of the UK. Those who take the most international flights face a tax rise, while costs would come down for people who take one or two international return flights a year. The statistics suggest a frequent flyer levy is justified. More than half of those surveyed by the Department for Transport in 2014 said they had not taken any flights in the previous 12 months. The Lib Dems' policy becomes less radical when you consider people only taking one or two return flights a year would pay less tax. The UK already has one of the highest rates of Airport Passenger Duty in the world. Unsurprisingly airline bosses are against a rise. Ultimately they could pass any additional cost on to passengers. Then it comes down to whether their customers are prepared to pay more. With aviation's impact on the climate in sharp focus, some type of tax reform feels inevitable. This policy would apply to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Air taxes are devolved to Scotland. Spend PS10.6bn more a year on schools and hire thousand of new teachers by the end of the next Parliament. The promise of another 20,000 teachers in England's schools and falling class sizes may be deceptively hard to deliver. Schools in England decide how to spend their own budgets. Many of the posts that have disappeared have been support staff such as counsellors or librarians. Head teachers may restore these posts first. There is so much pressure to get results that teachers' jobs are often the last to go, although some are quietly not replaced. There are 453,400 teachers already in England but there is also a population bulge hitting secondary schools, which is due to continue until 2025. So while primary class sizes might shrink, secondary classes could grow. Education is fully devolved to each part of the UK. - CONFUSED? Our simple election guide - POLICY GUIDE: Who should I vote for? - POLLS: How are the parties doing? - A TO Z: Our tool to explain election words - BREXIT: Where do the parties stand? Help to break the grip of the criminal gangs by introducing a legal, regulated market for cannabis. Legalising the recreational use of cannabis for adults is one of the most radical of the Lib Dems' proposals, having first appeared in its 2017 manifesto. The Lib Dems believe it would help \"break the grip\" of the criminal gangs that profit from the lucrative trade in illegal drugs. And it's a powerful argument. But evidence suggests legalisation would not end the cannabis black market for under-18s, nor for those wanting more potent strains. There is also concern it could encourage greater use of the drug and act as a gateway to more harmful substances - which is why most of the other political parties will not make the same, bold commitment. This policy would apply to the whole of the UK. The freeze would apply to all peak-time and season tickets for the next Parliament. Too many commuters in too many parts of Britain have suffered an unreliable service for too long. So a fare freeze for all peak-time and season tickets seems...fair! The Liberal Democrats say the taxpayer would foot the bill. They reckon it will cost PS1.6bn over five years. For context, operating and maintaining the UK's rail infrastructure costs about PS6bn a year. When you consider inflation, the policy in effect makes rail travel cheaper. The more intractable issue is how to make it better. The Liberal Democrats are committed to completing the HS2 high-speed railway, which would create extra capacity. They say they would also spend PS15bn on enhancements to the existing rail infrastructure over five years. That's above recent rates of spending. Rail fare regulations are devolved. Pay boost the higher minimum wage for people working on zero-hours contracts. Some form of pay bonus for insecure work has been suggested before. Matthew Taylor, who led a review into UK working practices, has suggested a 15% minimum wage boost, echoing a similar policy in Australia, whereby a 25% pay premium is added to casual work. Jonathan Cribb, senior research economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, says the proposal is interesting for two reasons: It could reduce the number of firms who want to hire people on zero-hours contracts and it could mean people in regular employment might seek out a zero-hours contract because they like the flexibility. He says: \"So essentially, there could be fewer opportunities for these contracts and more people searching for them.\" This policy would apply to most workers across the UK. In the next 10 years, 10,000 more unaccompanied refugee children will also be allowed into the UK. Since 2015, about 16,000 refugees have found sanctuary under the Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme, which was set up for those affected by the conflict in Syria. In June, the government announced that in 2020 it would replace the programme with a global resettlement project for 5,000 refugees each year. The Lib Dems' proposal, therefore, would double the number taken in by the UK, with an extra 1,000 unaccompanied children allowed to settle each year. The practical difficulties associated with the idea include finding enough local authorities prepared to house the refugees and ensuring that they're not exploited once they're in the UK. This policy would apply to the whole of the UK. Brexit bonus funds new teachers, flying taxes fight climate change. The Liberal Democrats are positioning themselves as the most fiscally virtuous of the major parties, with the toughest rule on borrowing. That means they've raised taxes, and are going to be the only party promising a basic rate tax rise. Many of the tax rises are specifically earmarked for spending commitments. Known as hypothecation, this is very much out of fashion at the Treasury which prefers everything to go into a central pot. The manifesto says the air passenger duty rise will go to the fight against climate change, business taxes will pay for an increase in free childcare and an extension of free school meals. The problem is that if any of these sources of funding falls short individually, will they really defund the spending promises associated with it? Bring the supply of new houses into line with demand. A total of 300,000 new homes a year is the current official target for England, but governments have consistently struggled to meet it - England gained only 220,000 last year. This is due in part, to the whims of builders and planning factors. More striking are tweaks to the tax system. These include permission for local authorities to levy up to six times the typical council tax fee on homes left empty for more than six months a year, and basing stamp duty on a property's energy rating. For tenants, there are plans to help with up-front deposit costs through a Help to Rent loan for all first-time renters under 30. Housing is devolved so this policy would apply to England only. - To find out more read our simple guide to the Liberal Democrats Here's a concise guide to where the parties stand on key issues like Brexit, education and the NHS.", "qas": [ { "answers": [ { "answer_end": 10630, "answer_start": 10531, "text": "Here's a concise guide to where the parties stand on key issues like Brexit, education and the NHS." } ], "id": "399_0", "question": "What are the parties promising you?" } ] } ]