Number: 936 f831cae6-bfa4-11e1-9ce8-ff26651238d0 https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/nora-ephron-prolific-author-and-screenwriter-dies-at-age-71/2012/06/26/gJQAMOtN5V_story.html I'm looking for information on the passing of author and screenwriter Nora Ephron. Please provide information as to when author and screenwriter Nora Ephron died and of what causes. Biographical details of her life and career are all relevant. Reactions to her passing by friends and the media are relevant as well. _{Find details of Nora Ephron's life and accomplishments. What are Nora Ephron's most well-known works? Did Nora Ephron know that Mark Felt was "Deep Throat" of Watergate fame?} Number: 937 6JRFMUBST4I6VFY3IO7MH74YMA /world/asia_pacific/china-identifies-new-strain-of-coronavirus-as-source-of-pneumonia-outbreak/2020/01/09/f2625650-329f-11ea-971b-43bec3ff9860_story.html What is the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)? China recently discovered a new coronavirus strain that is similar to MERS. Tell me about the symptoms of MERS, the incubation period for infection, and the lethality rate. Information on vaccines and treatments is relevant. Official sources of information on MERS also is relevant. Information on the origins of MERS is not relevant nor are the specific locations of previous outbreaks. Editorials are not relevant. _{What are the symptoms of MERS? What is the lethality rate of MERS? What is the Incubation period of infection? What vaccines and treatments are available for MERS? Where to go for official information on MERS?} Number: 938 6JSCAXNY5NHP3CSAQG37BA4VPQ /world/2020/12/29/coronavirus-2020-the-big-one-who-pandemics/ Find information about COVID-19 variants and how they differ from the main outbreak. COVID-19 variants appear to transmit faster and are fueling outbreaks from the U.K. to South Africa. The U.K. variant of the COVID-19 virus, which contains 17 mutations, appears to be a more highly transmissible form of the virus and is showing up in at least 19 countries around the world. The South Africa variant is being seen in 4 other countries. Both variants seem to be more contagious but there is no evidence that they cause more severe illness. _{How did the U.K. detect the COVID-19 variant that emerged there? How does the COVID-19 virus work? What are the different health ramifications of the COVID-19 variants?} Number: 939 b5e6cc2e4f014b0ceb1ef7821380b84d https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2017/06/26/europe-has-an-irish-problem/ How Brexit will impact Ireland facts and fiction I am planning to travel to Ireland and want to understand the impact of Brexit on Ireland, including the impact on currency exchange and imports and exports. I am also interested in Irish perceptions of Brexit and supposed impacts, whether they are real or not. What is transpiring in Ireland due to Brexit? I'm not interested in the politics of Britain in the sense of how they got to Brexit. _{Give background on the relationship of Britain with Ireland and Northern Ireland. What commerce-related changes will Ireland experience due to Brexit? Describe the political parties in Ireland and their views towards Brexit. Find information about public Irish opinion regarding Brexit. Find information about travel restrictions from Ireland due to Brexit. Identify negative impacts on Ireland due to Brexit?} Number: 940 9dc979a4-0fe6-11e7-9b0d-d27c98455440 https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/vitamin-e-supplements-do-not-seem-to-help-stave-off-dementia/2017/03/24/9dc979a4-0fe6-11e7-9b0d-d27c98455440_story.html What can I do as a woman to lessen my chances of getting dementia? A friend is an identical twin. Her sister is already showing signs of dementia at 65. Now her twin is concerned she too will experience early onslaught of the disease. I would like to know more about the disease focused on females. Are there things we can do to lessen our chances of getting the disease? Is the disease always identified by genetic testing? _{What is Alzheimer's disease, and how is it different from dementia? Find information about genetic testing for dementia. Are there recommended dietary supplements to promote brain health? Find information on research on females with dementia. How is dementia diagnosed? What medicines are used to alleviate the affects of dementia?} Number: 941 65e8ab99e1dbc782e33a8ade56ade4fb https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/going-out-guide/wp/2016/10/12/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-michelin-guide-before-its-released-in-washington/feed/ Are there any 3-star Michelin restaurants in the DC region? The first ever Michelin guide for the Washington, DC area came out in 2016. Name the restaurants in the DC region that have won 3 stars since then. Identify their chefs/owners and their cuisines. Only Michelin ratings are pertinent; Bib Gourmand ratings are not. _{What restaurants in the Washington DC region have won 3 Michelin stars? When did they earn a third star? What year were they first rated? Who are the chef/owners? In what cuisine does each restaurant specialize?} Number: 942 1729f47243dcb469407960825313d583 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/08/22/u-s-warning-zika-could-spread-to-gulf-states-persist-for-one-to-two-years/ What happen to the Zika virus, is it still a threat in the US? When Zika virus started it was all over the news. What happened? Is there now a vaccine? Should we be worried about Zika virus coming back? I would like to know where the US is in terms of controlling the Zika virus, and what is the threat today. The effects of Zika such as causing deformities in children are not relevant. I'm more interested in what research is being done and is there still a threat in the US. Can my dogs contract Zika? _{Find information about zika research in the US. Find information about mosquito transmitted diseases. How many cases of Zika have been diagnosed in the United States? What are the symptoms related to the Zika virus? Can domestic animals contract Zika?} Number: 943 XXTZDLMLK5G3DEAPLISVB7K6OI /business/2019/08/18/seven-basic-questions-about-quantum-technology-answered/ Discuss the commercial status of quantum computing in the US. The US has made significant investments in quantum computing. Describe the commercial aspects of this technology in the US to include what companies are involved and where the research and development is taking place. Commercial use of quantum computing technology also is of interest. Quantum computing efforts outside the US are not relevant. US government funding and legislation is not relevant nor is any information related to US national security. _{What companies are developing quantum computers? Where are the quantum computing research centers? Do any quantum computers exist today? When will quantum computing be commercially viable? How will quantum computing technology be used commercially?} Number: 944 99e3852a-bd9b-11e6-ac85-094a21c44abc https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/politics-is-divisive-beer-is-not-is-home-brewing-the-key-to-harmony-on-the-hill/2016/12/11/99e3852a-bd9b-11e6-ac85-094a21c44abc_story.html Find information on homebrewing beer and its increasing popularity. Homebrewing beer has been legal in the United States since the 1970's. It's popularity increases each year. Some brewers have been using locally grown ingredients and have increased their output so much that they have turned their former hobby into profitable businesses. The Capitol region is a thriving area for homebrewers and microbrewers. Find information on the growth of homebrewing. _{Find information on the Craft Beer Festival returning to DC. Find stories about people turning their beer hobby into a beer business. Is the number of small breweries growing or shrinking? Find information about how some microbreweries use locally grown ingredients.} Number: 945 E5243DU2SYI6RNK6KABDADXQAQ /opinions/at-interior-were-ready-to-bring-the-endangered-species-act-up-to-date/2018/08/09/2775cd8e-9a96-11e8-b55e-5002300ef004_story.html What animals have been added to the endangered species list? The Trump administration proposed an update to the Endangered Species Act. Did this proposal occur, and were there any known negative impacts from the new guidelines? What is being done to hold countries accountable when they endanger wildlife? I would like to know more about the impact of changing the Endangered Species Act. I'm not interested in the politics, just the impact. I also would like to know more about any international organizations that address endangered species. _{What animals are on the US endangered species list? Find information about the Endangered Species Act. Find information on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Find information about The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). What is the definition of an endangered species?} Number: 946 ee60de44-815c-11e5-9afb-0c971f713d0c https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/home-of-savopoulos-murders-in-upper-northwest-washington-for-sale/2015/11/02/ee60de44-815c-11e5-9afb-0c971f713d0c_story.html The site of a murder in northwest DC is for sale. The upper northwest DC mansion where three members of the Savopoulos family and their housekeeper Figueroa were murdered in October 2015 is for sale. Describe the size of the mansion, its condition, the sale price, the listing agent, and the buyer. Also of interest is whether the buyer moved into the house as is or completely refurbished the residence. Sale of comparable homes on Woodland Drive NW are pertinent. Details of the murder and subsequent trial are not relevant. _{How many rooms are in the mansion? Has the fire damage caused during the murder been repaired? Who is the listing agent? What is the asking price of the mansion? What did the house eventually sell for? What did the buyer do with the house? At what price have other homes on Woodland Drive NW sold?} Number: 947 4b2533f0-4e64-11e4-babe-e91da079cb8a https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/webb-space-telescope-promises-astronomers-new-scientific-adventures/2014/11/17/4b2533f0-4e64-11e4-babe-e91da079cb8a_story.html How do the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes compare? The Hubble space telescope was launched in 1990 and is providing the world with dazzling images of the universe as well as creating breakthroughs in astrophysics. It is nearing the end of its usable life and is set to be replaced by the James Webb space telescope, which is bigger and will be located in a darker part of space than Hubble, enabling it to capture images of the faintest galaxies. It will also be able to observe the universe in infrared wavelengths of light, which the Hubble can't. _{Find information on the history of the Hubble and Webb space telescopes. What were the reasons for the delays in launching the James Webb space telescope? How have the Hubble and the James Webb telescopes advanced the science of astrophysics?} Number: 948 WT5NXYRE3II6XHCKBXDCILCICQ /world/asia_pacific/afghanistan-war-crimes-australia-civilians/2020/11/18/b4fadbe2-24da-11eb-9c4a-0dc6242c4814_story.html Find information about troops who have been accused of war crimes during their service in Afghanistan. Australian forces are accused of war crimes while on duty in Afghanistan. Some other countries are also investigating what their troops may have done while serving there. There have also been American contractors accused and convicted of war crimes while fighting the War on Terror. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been investigating these accusations for years, but the US government has not always been cooperative. _{Find information on whether the ICC is investigating US troops for war crimes. Find information about the incident where Australian Special Forces executed prisoners in Afghanistan. Find information about Trump pardoning convicted troops. Find information about the disturbing number of attacks on medical facilities in Afghanistan.} Number: 949 64BYPHLGYJF77ASJ4YQMNL3XGI /world/2019/06/19/five-takeaways-new-un-report-jamal-khashoggis-killing/ Compile information on Jamal Khashoggi's family On the day he was murdered, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain the necessary paperwork to marry his second wife. Of interest is information on his first wife and their children. Also relevant are details of the relationship the Saudi government has with his children. Details surrounding Khashoggi's death and subsequent investigations are not relevant. _{Identify Khashoggi's first wife by name, how old she is, and where she lives? Identify Khashoggi's children by name and age and where they live. Describe the compensation the Khashoggi children received from the Saudi government.} Number: 950 780bd1d45499e0fa3893913c48d46010 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/10/04/how-medical-marijuana-could-help-boomers-get-the-most-out-of-retirement/ Find information about the popularity of traditional painkillers, anti-anxiety medications and anti-nausea drugs in states that adopted medical marijuana laws. Studies indicate that medical marijuana is effective in treating chronic pain; PTSD; anxiety; AIDS; and spasms. Overall, most of the same studies report that there has been a decrease in a variety of drugs, especially pain-killers, in states that have adopted medical marijuana laws. Among the older population, medical marijuana is reportedly improving their quality of life, making them less dependent widely prescribed opioid painkillers and other drugs. _{How widespread is the use of opioid painkillers in the US? Is medical marijuana effective at controlling pain? In which states is it legal to obtain marijuana for medical purposes?} Number: 951 VZBZYC74BBB7POM6PAPONVIXEQ /outlook/2019/11/21/military-needs-immigrants-trump-administration-wants-keep-them-out/ Issues with US military recruitment A current issue with US military recruitment is the 2016 suspension of the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI), a recruitment program for non-permanent residents with high-demand skills from medicine to languages. Critics state that America has not kept its promise of service in exchange for US citizenship and that scrutiny of immigrants' background checks are unfairly keeping them from serving. As more women enlist, their roles in the US military are ever evolving as policies change allowing them to serve in combat roles. A loss of trade-related jobs is increasing the number of applicants for US military recruiters. _{How does the military recruit men and women differently? How often do civilian courts rule in cases involving US military recruitment? How can the US military find innovative ways to boost recruitment and retain skilled personnel?} Number: 952 f912c50e98e079234eb7bd2833b23d3b https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/02/18/the-term-that-actually-makes-climate-change-less-political/ Describe a specific geoengineering technique to manage climate change. Describe solar radiation management as a technique to reduce global warming. Other geoengineering techniques, such as carbon dioxide reduction, are not relevant. _{Identify specific solar radiation management ideas. Describe the risks of solar radiation management. Identify dollar cost of solar radiation management. Describe real-world (as opposed to laboratory) experiments with solar radiation managment.} Number: 953 1c1aa8765e93fb15b7654639b63705a6 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/09/15/china-appears-to-be-building-another-airstrip-in-the-south-china-sea/ Describe China's militarization of the South China Sea. China is seeking to legitimize its claims to disputed territory in the South China Sea by projecting military power into the area, thus threatening US sea-lines. Of interest are the specific actions China has taken to militarize the South China Sea. International reactions to Chinese actions are not relevant. _{Provide a map of the South China Sea and the disputed islands. Identify the specific islands on which China has a military presence. Identify the military equipment China has deployed. Identify military-related building projects (such as airstrips, ports). Identify specific Chinese military forces in the disputed territory.} Number: 954 RGPAAWXJJEI6TIZJON4PX6Q3MM /world/europe/nobel-peace-prize-2019-awarded-to-abiy-ahmed-ethiopian-prime-minister-who-helped-end-standoff-with-eritrea/2019/10/11/899e005a-e949-11e9-a329-7378fbfa1b63_story.html I'm looking for information pertaining to Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed's winning of the Nobel Peace Prize. Please provide details explaining what accomplishments and expectations led to Abiy Ahmed being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Background information regarding the history of the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict are relevant. Eritrean reaction to the award and information about current relations between the two countries is relevant as well. _{Find details on Abiy Ahmed's accomplishments. What was the Eritrean reaction to Ahmed's selection? Find general background on the current Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict} Number: 955 8e0e2d06-d504-11e1-b2d5-2419d227d8b0 https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/amtrak-to-propose-7-billion-overhaul-at-union-station/2012/07/24/gJQApGwi7W_story.html I am looking for information about proposals and projects to upgrade D.C.'s Union Station. Please provide information about proposed upgrades to Washington, D.C.'s Union Station. Details about planning and budgeting for any such projects are relevant. Documents with information about projects approved, begun or completed also are of interest. Information regarding problems, successes, and completions are relevant as well. _{Find information about the various projects planned to upgrade Union Station. How will revitalizing Union Station affect the area? Should Union Station be upgraded at all? Find information about the relationship between Metro and Union Station.} Number: 956 38a5aa5e650d50232c3b5ca5c04fcb39 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2014/03/03/three-ways-of-serving-the-underbanked-without-the-post-office/ What issues face the approximately 28% of Americans with limited or no access to traditional banks? Granting retail stores like Walmart, Target, and Safeway bank charters will help the 10 million underbanked Americans unable to afford the costs associated with traditional banks. Studies indicate that the unbanked depend on lower fees offered by prepaid debit cards and/or money orders to pay bills or cash checks instead of the using payday loans or cash checking services. Eliminating some government regulations and having more retail stores offer prepaid debit cards such as Walmart's successful Bluebird American Express card which does not require credit checks will help the underbanked better manage their finances. _{Is banking from your smartphone the answer? Will Walmart's new service 'Walmart to Walmart" money transfer assist the underbanked? How safe are prepaid cards?} Number: 957 e0b684ae-20d3-11e5-bf41-c23f5d3face1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/cats-may-not-be-as-much-of-a-threat-to-wildlife-as-previously-thought/2015/07/06/e0b684ae-20d3-11e5-bf41-c23f5d3face1_story.html Find information about increasing numbers of coyotes in suburban Maryland and any impacts on other species. As coyotes have moved into the area other animals such as feral cats have been driven out. This can lead to the downturn of the number of birds killed by the cats. While coyotes are natural predators, which get rid of rodents, they also have an impact by attacking people and their pets. Find information on the growing coyote population in Maryland and its impact on other species. _{Find instances of coyotes attacking people and their pets in suburban Maryland. How does the increased coyote population affect other wildlife? Are coyotes becoming more common in the area?} Number: 958 FESCIEEPY5BTLHXQUTBYV7CI54 /news/voraciously/wp/2019/02/15/how-plant-based-rebranded-vegan-eating-for-the-mainstream/ How have plant-based foods been re-branded and positioned for mainstream grocery stores? Several factors have contributed to the current plant-based trend, formerly vegan. Among them are the rise in wellness culture, scientific findings of increased cancers from eating too much red and processed meats, environmental concerns, and marketing tools used by the vegan community. Concern for the future of world's food supply and the impact of climate change are other factors which have contributed to the plant-based trend. _{What is the difference between vegan and "plant-based"? Is plant-based food just a trend, or something really different? Does creating plant-based meats rely on too much chemistry?} Number: 959 ZHGO3DURIMI6TNLQMQLO7XAIAM /entertainment/music/baltimore-symphony-orchestra-musicians-officially-locked-out/2019/06/17/c9cced8e-9143-11e9-b570-6416efdc0803_story.html Tell me about the situation pertaining to the lock out of musicians of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Musicians of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra have been officially locked out. I'm looking for details about the possible causes of the orchestra's financial troubles. What specifically led to the lock out, negotiation efforts, and state funding issues are all relevant. Actions and reactions of the musicians, donors and community also are relevant. I am also interested in any plans or actions to rescue the ailing orchestra. _{Find details about conflicts leading up to the lock out at the BSO. Describe efforts to save the BSO.} Number: 960 54d94e50740ea8ba53cef6f8a740a956 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/03/30/link-found-between-children-with-paralysis-and-polio-like-strain-of-enterovirus-d68-study-says/ Find information about a new disease that seems to be emerging with polio-like symptoms. I'm interested in the states that have children who have been diagnosed with the polio like disease (PLD). I'm not interested with any other country who has identified children with the PLD. Interested in experimental trials and research on PLD. What do we know about this disease? _{What range of age groups do polio-like diseases seem to affect? Can genetic sequencing help in finding a cure for PLD? Find general background on when PLD first appeared. What research is being done regarding PLD? Find information about the emotional drain parents experience from having a child with PLD. What medicines are being used by doctors to treat PLD?} Number: 961 6e75d461e01206683a25725e5026be4a https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2017/02/20/bao-baos-farewell-to-bring-thousands-to-the-zoo-expect-heavy-traffic/ I'm interested in details about panda cub Bao Bao's upcoming departure to China. The National Zoo's panda cub, Bao Bao, will be sent to China. I'm looking for information regarding the reasons and timing of her departure. Events planned by the Zoo to celebrate the cub's departure are relevant. Community and media reactions to her leaving are relevant as well. _{Why does Bao Bao need to return to China? How will DC bid farewell to Bao Bao? What events are planned? Find information about media coverage of Bao Bao's departure. Find information about Bao Bao's China debut.} Number: 962 6V2XL63PTRD67MY2D6OJG7AHOI /sports/2020/03/24/olympics-postponed-athlete-impact/ How did the postponement of the 2020 Olympics affect athletes? For Olympic athletes, a one-year postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics presented numerous challenges in terms of training and eligibility. During the global pandemic, athletes' training was severely limited as their training sites were closed. Given that the Olympics are every four years meant that in one year, an athlete could blossom, suffer a career-ending injury, an aging veteran could age out, and specifically for female gymnasts whose competitive life span is brief, the impact was significant. Other effects of postponing the Olympics, such as on construction or businesses, are not relevant. _{Has the delay affected male and female Olympic athletes differently? How does delaying the Olympics affect athletes outside of sports? Aging athletes going for that one last Olympic medal in the COVID delayed games.} Number: 963 TR5LRRDQEQI6THYGL7BO5AACPI /local/chesapeake-bay-blue-crabs-are-at-their-most-plentiful-in-seven-years-scientists-say/2019/05/06/9c7ab8c4-7024-11e9-9f06-5fc2ee80027a_story.html Is the blue crab population in the Chesapeake Bay healthy, and what does that say about the health of the Bay overall? The blue crab is the most visible symbol of the Chesapeake Bay. The growing population of the crab reflects the relative health of the Bay, by some experts. The oyster population is also a valuable indicator of the health, since the oysters filter and clean the water. When the crab population grows, watermen, restaurateurs and the locals enjoy an increase in the economy and availability of the popular seafood item. _{Find information about the blue crab population in the Bay. How does the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay show that it is getting healthier or in distress? What affects the price of crabs?} Number: 964 MHG3W7T42QI6TDW66SV7KIPPC4 /local/education/family-of-u-md-student-who-died-of-adenovirus-takes-step-toward-suing-school/2019/05/22/61cdbb7e-7cd4-11e9-8ede-f4abf521ef17_story.html I'm looking for information about an adenovirus outbreak at the University of Maryland and the related death of Olivia Paregol. I'm looking for information regarding the adenovirus infection and subsequent death of Olivia Paregol at the College Park campus of the University of Maryland. I'm interested in how and when the university administration became aware of a possible outbreak and what steps were taken to inform vulnerable students and their parents of the risk. Details about other students' affected by the virus are relevant. Administrative repercussions and actions and any steps taken to mitigate and prevent the spread of adenovirus also are relevant. _{Find information about the progression of Paregol's illness. When did the university administration became aware of Paregol's illness? What actions did the University administration take? Find instances where other students contracted adenovirus at UMD.} Number: 965 ZE26FRTKD4I6VMYT35CYMIWCZQ /national-security/state-department-warns-americans-not-to-travel-abroad-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/2020/03/19/c935e2c6-6a1f-11ea-b313-df458622c2cc_story.html How has foreign travel been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign travel is being severely restricted in an attempt to prevent further spread of the disease. Travel bans are in place for Americans traveling to certain foreign countries, as well as for foreigners who want to travel to the U.S. According to research, over 93% of the world's population live in countries with sudden new border restrictions. It is estimated that at least 140 countries have closed their borders to some or all foreign travelers. Information about current rules and regulations, as well as indications as to what factors influence those decisions, are relevant. _{Find information on CDC guidelines for foreign travel. Find reports of effects of COVID-19 travel restrictions on international students. Find information on the U.S.-Mexico border closure due to COVID.} Number: 966 MXT77I2SVZC2XI5NM52OHFJATE /news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2018/07/25/this-weeks-total-lunar-eclipse-is-the-longest-of-the-century/ When will there be a lunar eclipse visible from DC? I'm interested in what opportunities there are to view a lunar eclipse in the next ten years. I'm less interested in past events except for the most recent last event. Information on lunar eclipses is relevant, especially about how to best view them. _{Can a lunar eclipse change tide patterns? How often does a lunar eclipse take place? What organizations, nationally and internationally track astronomical events? What is the difference between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse?} Number: 967 45AMLVJTJZFXLOP5PWIHH453VI /news/dr-gridlock/wp/2018/06/28/maryland-challenges-the-faa-over-flight-paths-at-national-and-bwi-airports/ How has BWI air traffic and noise impacted its neighbors? The noise from the constant takeoffs and landings at BWI airport has driven some people right out of their homes. Why has the noise increased throughout neighborhoods and decreased over highways since the FAA started using the NextGen system to automate flight plans? The state of Maryland and the counties surrounding BWI are trying to balance having a popular airport and happy home and business owners. _{How have BWI air traveler numbers grown compared to other regional airports? When searching for a new home, what is the best way to take the highway and airline traffic in the area into account? How has COVID-19 has affected air traffic at all airports? What is NextGen and how has it affected noise near airports?} Number: 968 0b619ade-cc5a-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-upholds-maryland-law-says-police-may-take-dna-samples-from-arrestees/2013/06/03/0b619ade-cc5a-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html Find information regarding the legality of routinely collecting DNA of persons taken into legal custody. Law enforcement has found DNA to be a powerful tool in identifying suspects similar to using fingerprints and solving cold cases; the federal government and 28 states allow the practice of routinely collecting DNA samples from people who are arrested. However, in a 2013 ruling, a Supreme Court Justice ruled that DNA collection violates the Fourth Amendment against illegal search and seizure without a warrant. Increased awareness among law enforcement officers of the value of DNA analysis in solving current and older cases has led to law enforcement agencies submitting more DNA evidence to labs for analysis, however this has created backlog in labs across the United States. To help alleviate the backlog in some areas, the FBI is using 'Rapid DNA' machines about the size of a large desk to analyze the DNA in a swab and produce a profile of 20 specific loci on the DNA strand in less than two hours. _{The history of court cases regarding DNA collection and the Fourth Amendment. Is widespread DNA collection really useful for law enforcement? Notable cases where DNA evidence had a significant influence on the outcome.} Number: 969 2MP4ONJ32FFA7HOUKUKNOU2ASM /us-policy/2019/01/16/gop-senators-protect-trump-administrations-plan-lift-russian-sanctions/ Describe US sanctions on Oleg Deripaska US sanctions against companies owned by Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska have been lifted. What prompted imposition of the sanctions? Why were sanctions lifted? What Deripaska-owned companies were involved? What impact did the sanctions have on Deripaska? European sanctions on Deripaska are not relevant nor are European reactions to US sanctions. Deripaska's relationship with Paul Manfort and Konstantin Kilimnik are not pertinent. _{Identify reason for imposition of sanctions in 2018. Explain why sanctions were lifted on companies Deripaska owns in 2019. Explain impact of sanctions on Deripaska. Identify Deripaska-owned companies.} Number: 970 5bb60514-874c-11e6-a3ef-f35afb41797f https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/implication-of-sabotage-adds-intrigue-to-spacex-investigation/2016/09/30/5bb60514-874c-11e6-a3ef-f35afb41797f_story.html Provide information regarding the possibility of sabotage being responsible for the SpaceX Falcon 9 explosion. I am interested in information concerning the possibility that sabotage might have been responsible for the September 2016 explosion of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Details of the explosion itself and any observations are relevant. Details of the investigation into the explosion, including evidence pointing toward or away from sabotage, and any conclusions are all relevant. _{What was concluded from the investigation into the explosion? Find details of the investigation into the SpaceX Falcon 9 explosion. Find information about the event of the explosion itself. What concerns arose following the explosion?} Number: 971 LIM4ZSTOY4I6VKUAYJDQY2ZAGQ /lifestyle/home/an-onslaught-of-orders-engulfs-seed-companies-amid-coronavirus-fears/2020/03/27/5a19ccca-6ec7-11ea-aa80-c2470c6b2034_story.html Find information about how growing a vegetable garden can be a rewarding and healthy experience. There are many benefits to growing a vegetable garden for both adults and children. Gardening is excellent physical activity, from tilling the soil to composting to weeding. Children learn responsibility, cause-and-effect, and a greater appreciation of nature. Adults and children both develop a better appreciation of the process and work that goes into producing healthy food. There is nothing that tastes better or gives a better sense of satisfaction than eating vegetables just picked from your own garden! _{Who were some famous gardeners? Find information about seed companies that market to home gardeners. Find information on safe pesticides for home gardens.} Number: 972 2LOFCTNJBNHPFG42QH3PD5OINU /transportation/2019/12/17/federal-review-baltimore-washington-high-speed-maglev-project-paused/ Japan is backing it's magnetic-levitation railroad technology in the US. The Japanese government has promoted it's high-speed maglev rail technology in the US for years, in particular for a project between Baltimore and Washington. Discuss Japan's role in building this segment and why it is promoting this technology. _{What financial incentives has Japan offered? What Japanese companies and institutions are involved? Why is Japan interested in selling maglev technology? Other than the Baltimore-Washington corridor, where in the US is Japan interested in selling maglev technology?} Number: 973 6f7a6618-2943-11e3-b139-029811dbb57f https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal-workers-turn-to-prayer-and-preparedness/2013/09/29/6f7a6618-2943-11e3-b139-029811dbb57f_story.html How is The National Zoo affected during shutdowns? The National Zoo can be affected in various ways during a government shutdown. Before the COVID-19 shutdown at the zoo, there have been other shutdowns in which the animals still have to be cared for. Many of the animals are effected in various ways since they are used to more people visiting them. _{How has the Coronavirus has affected operations at the National Zoo? What effect does a National Zoo shutdown have? How the animals in the zoo stay fed and healthy during a shutdown.} Number: 974 VF3S57GLQMI6VMHD2VN5UB6WNI /science/nasa-rover-perseverance-will-prowl-ancient-lake-bed-on-mars-for-signs-of-life/2020/07/27/a9772efc-cb83-11ea-b0e3-d55bda07d66a_story.html Find information about Perserverance, the Mars rover mission. As part of a NASA mission called Mars 2020, the rover named Perseverance, which blasted off in July 2020, is set to search for ancient signs of life on the Red Planet, as well as collect soil and rock samples for return to Earth. Over the course of its 2-year mission, it will also study the planet's geography and climate to pave the way for future human exploration. The rover carries a small helicopter called Ingenuity, which will become the first rotorcraft to fly on another planet. _{What countries are exploring Mars? What were the previous U.S. Mars missions? Find the history of human exploration of Mars.} Number: 975 4b14321c-5136-11e7-be25-3a519335381c https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/treating-sleep-apnea-properly-may-ease-heart-and-blood-sugar-problems/2017/06/16/4b14321c-5136-11e7-be25-3a519335381c_story.html Find how untreated obstructive sleep apnea can adversely affect your health. Obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes people to stop breathing during the night, can increase the risk of developing gout, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, stroke, dementia or Alzheimer's disease and dangerous daytime drowsiness. How serious are these risks? Are exercise and weight loss the best way to successfully treat this condition? _{What is a CPAP machine and how can it help with sleep apnea? Is there a link between obesity and sleep apnea? What's the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?} Number: 976 c05ef754-8f41-11e5-934c-a369c80822c2 https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/marine-corps-marathon-bans-runner-who-appears-to-have-cut-corners/2015/11/20/c05ef754-8f41-11e5-934c-a369c80822c2_story.html I'm looking for information about the prevalence of marathon runners who cheat. A 61-year old runner was discovered to have cheated in the Marine Corps Marathon. I am looking for information about other cases of cheating in marathon races. Documents with information describing methods of determining cheating has occurred, reactions of accused cheaters and any consequences they received are all relevant. Information about individual cheaters discovered and the possible prevalence of marathon cheating also is of interest. _{Find people famous for cheating in a marathon. How do race officials catch cheaters? What is the aftermath of being caught cheating in a marathon?} Number: 977 f3f3b5a67ab3abedfb7c85a00d1bdf68 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/06/21/how-growing-global-trade-is-carrying-pests-all-over-the-world/ Invasive species are a growing problem in the US Non-native plant and animal species are a growing problem in the US. Discuss the problem in the mid-Atlantic states (defined here as New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, and Washington DC). Include official and commercial efforts made by the states and DC to control the problem. _{Name invasive plants. Name invasive animals. Discuss local efforts to control the problem of invasive species} Number: 978 51c00890-3bef-11e7-a058-ddbb23c75d82 https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/this-isnt-a-cicada-year-so-why-are-they-now-showing-up-across-the-mid-atlantic/2017/05/19/51c00890-3bef-11e7-a058-ddbb23c75d82_story.html Is climate change affecting the cicada cycles? Scientists are hypothesizing that longer growing seasons linked to climate change may have shortened the life cycle of many 17-year cicadas and could end up creating new cycles of timekeeping cicada broods. There are different theories on how cicadas keep time and know when to emerge from the ground. What is the normal life cycle of a cicada and why are they so noisy? _{Explain what is meant by cicada "broods". Find information on the cicada life cycle. How do cicadas make their high-pitched humming noise?} Number: 979 5HBNLRPIENGLFAU6VLOXBDVNGI /opinions/2019/02/20/want-close-americas-rural-urban-divide-digital-infrastructure-is-key/ What progress has been made on thinking of broadband Internet as infrastructure? Rural broadband is an infrastructure initiative that all Americans can agree with. Broadband internet has been around for decades for Americans in the cities and the suburbs, but not as widespread in rural areas. The ability of many to work at home in the gig economy can be greatly increased with the expansion of broadband. Many school age children have to go without proper classes without access to the internet. _{Can the gig economy be spread to rural areas with the expansion of broadband networks? Find stories about school children left out without access to internet. Can satellite communications be a way of getting internet to rural customers?} Number: 980 9d95a248-5142-11e3-9e2c-e1d01116fd98 https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/kennedy-centers-michael-kaiser-to-leave-contract-early-take-arts-institute-to-u-md/2013/11/20/9d95a248-5142-11e3-9e2c-e1d01116fd98_story.html Tell me about the early departure of Kennedy Center president Michael Kaiser. I am looking for details about Michael Kaiser's decision to leave his position as president of the Kennedy Center. Relevant information would pertain to his reasons for leaving and future plans. Information about his tenure, contributions and legacy at the center are relevant. _{Describe honors Kaiser has received for his accomplishments. Find information about controversies during Kaiser's tenure. Find details about Kaiser's life and background. Find information about Kaiser's life beyond the Kennedy Center.} Number: 981 4f995ae66a3eabeba2380fa8dd48bb03 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2017/05/02/straight-up-pork-barrel-politics-how-the-green-card-lottery-was-invented-to-help-the-irish/ Critics claim that efforts to shut down the Diversity Visa lottery aka the green card lottery designed for family unification and replace it with a 'merit-based lottery' is unfair. Under the auspices of the State Department, the Diversity Visa lottery (aka the green card lottery) was in recent years in danger of being shut down. Created as part of the Immigration Act of 1990, the visa lottery was a consequence of a 1965 immigration law aimed at dismantling the existing racist quota system that had heavily favored white Europeans for more than four decades. Congress instead created a system based almost entirely on family reunification. The visas are apportioned among six geographic regions, with a maximum of 7 percent available to persons born in any single country. Under the Trump administration, proposed immigration changes would eliminate the diversity visa program, which allocates 50,000 visas each year to countries that otherwise send few immigrants to the United States. _{Information on the history of the Diversity Visa Lottery. What are the goals of immigration reform, and how have past reforms fulfilled those goals? How does one legally immigrate to the United States, including via the diversity visa lottery?} Number: 982 db7140fd-2027-4e98-9489-d0e6334c0890 /world/the_americas/mexico-coronavirus-hospital-peak-covid-19/2020/06/01/a2513110-99e0-11ea-ad79-eef7cd734641_story.html/ How accurate was the 2020 reporting of COVID-19 in Mexico? Several factors contributed to under-reporting COVID-related cases and deaths in Mexico. One factor was that Mexico only included fatalities confirmed with a lab test. Hospitals were understaffed and often people died at home so those deaths were not counted as COVID deaths. Also, due to Mexico's informal economy where more than 50 per cent of the workforce does not have government benefits meant that this sectors' COVID cases and deaths were under-reported. Further, understaffed hospitals could not keep up with the massive amount of COVID-patients and the associated documentation. Although the US-Mexico border was closed to vehicular traffic, air travel to Mexican resorts did not require COVID tests or quarantine time. Therefore COVID cases associated with these travelers was not reported. _{How are COVID-19 deaths counted in Mexico? What are the rules for traveling to Mexico during COVID? Does Mexico's informal working economy contribute to the under-reporting of COVID-19 cases?} Number: 983 3d6bf540-8a3c-11e5-be8b-1ae2e4f50f76 https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/supreme-court-takes-up-virginia-redistricting-case/2015/11/13/3d6bf540-8a3c-11e5-be8b-1ae2e4f50f76_story.html What are the Supreme court rulings regarding redistricting? It seems like anytime a state redistricts someone sues and tries to get the redistricting voided. I'm interested in how the Supreme Court has ruled on the cases on redistricting. I'm interested in the states that have brought cases to the Supreme Court. I'm interested in the actions the state took prior to the case. Why they took a case to the Supreme Court, I not interested in what action the state took after getting the ruling from the court. _{Which states have appealed to the Supreme court for ruling on redistricting? How many cases has the Supreme court heard regarding redistricting? What is gerrymandering? What are the names of the Supreme Court Justices serving today? How does the census impact redistricting?} Number: 984 0e97704e-1121-11e5-adec-e82f8395c032 https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/mcauliffe-bags-german-grocer-lidl-bringing-hundreds-of-jobs-to-virginia/2015/06/12/0e97704e-1121-11e5-adec-e82f8395c032_story.html Lidl grocery store begins operations in US. The German discount grocery chain began operations in northern Virginia in 2015. Of interest are the grocer's plans to expand and compete with traditional grocery stores. _{How many stores does Lidl intend to open in the US? Where? How many workers will Lidl employ in US? How does size of stores compare with US models? How much less do Lidl products cost than in traditional stores? How does Lidl keep product prices lower?} Number: 985 c0ad093000a1238f37695ae01b3e1f5f https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/26/unprecedented-scientific-report-says-bees-and-other-pollinators-are-in-dire-need-of-help/ Describe how best to protect insect pollinators like bees and butterflies. There continues to be a significant loss of pollinators, like bees and butterflies, that are critical to our food supply. They need to be protected to ensure sustainability of food production systems, to avoid additional economic impact and to protect the health of the environment. Bees and butterflies are particularly threatened by neonicotinoid pesticides. People can help by planting bee and butterfly-friendly plants, like nectar-rich flowers, milkweed and dill, and not using harmful pesticides. _{Find information on monarch butterflies as pollenators. Find information about honeybees as pollenators. Are bats pollenators?} Number: 986 610e1e10-b740-11e6-a677-b608fbb3aaf6 https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/on-the-world-stage-us-students-fall-behind/2016/12/05/610e1e10-b740-11e6-a677-b608fbb3aaf6_story.html Why does the United States consistently lag in global literacy? The global "Program for International Assessment" (PISA) administered since 2000 in approximately 70 countries indicates that the United States consistently ranks in the middle of the pack. The test which measures math, reading, and science has been criticized by educators because it ignores integral parts of education. Further, critics report that PISA rankings do not correlate to a country's success. _{How is global literacy measured? How does the US educational system compare to that of other countries? What are barriers to higher literacy in the US?}