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To: tdt-distrib@unagi.cis.upenn.edu
From: Jennifer Alabiso <alabiso@unagi.cis.upenn.edu>
Subject: TOPIC LIST 3
Date: Wed, 13 May 1998 11:53:24 -0400 (EDT)
It's a huge email, sorry for that. It's also still a little in draft
form...busier here than I expected to be. I have not yet updated the
instructions web page, but I will. Where there are gaps in the
information, I'll fill it in. I'd like to have this list in production
Monday, so please respond with comments by Friday COB. Apologies for the
formatting wierdness....
Thanks to all for the lively discussion at NIST. I look forward to getting
some great feedback.
-Jennifer
ps, if you'd rather view this in it's prettiest form, see:
http://www.ldc.upenn.edu/TDT/topics3.html
Number of topics will be 21.
38. LaSalle's Boat
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Divers have found the wreckage of LaSalle's ship the "Aimable"
WHERE: Texas
WHEN: 3/3/98
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: The related article here actually contains
the story about the seminal event. The ship sank three
centuries ago, and was part of LaSalle's fleet. It ran aground during
his search for the mouth of the Mississippi River. Authorities
expect it to have more artifacts than LaSalle's personal ship did.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #7: At a minimum, any stories about the search for the ship, treasures found on the ship,
false starts in the search should be included in this topic. The rule
allows for the inclusion of stories related to the technology used
in the search and the names of researchers or scientists involved.
Article: CNN19980303.1130.1489
39. India Elections
Seminal Event:
WHAT: India's Parliamentary Elections
WHERE: India
WHEN: First Week in March 1998
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: Again, the seminal event is identified in
this article. India held Parliamentary elections in early
March, but early indications were that there would continue to be a
Hung Parliament governing the Country.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 1: According to this rule, at least
stories about voter issues, campaigns or candidates and
election results are all on topic. If any issues arise directly from
the elections (i.e. a protest against winning candidates) those would
also be related to the topic.
Article: PRI19980303.2000.0432
0. Maryland Murder
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Alfred Tello Jr. was dismembered (murdered) in Montgomery County, MD. Samuel Sheinbein was the leading suspect.
WHERE: Montgomery County, MD
WHEN: ??
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: Sheinbein fled to Israel and fought
extradition. On March 2, he agreed to return to the U.S. for a
trial under the condition that he be allowed to serve his sentence in
an Israeli prison. This decision was supported by Israel's Justice
Ministry.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 3: The killing, the search for
Sheinbein, his arrest warrant & flight to Israel, all
negotiations between lawyers and the U.S. and Israeli courts, and his
trial and sentencing (should it happen) would be minimally
what is topic relevant.
Article: APW19980302.0134
41. Peterson cops plea
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Peterson & Grossberg's baby found murdered, parents are prime suspects
WHERE: Newark, Delaware
WHEN: Fall, 1997
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: On March 9 Peterson agreed to plead guilty
to manslaughter (and face possibly 10 years in prison)
and to testify in court against Grossberg.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #3: The baby's murder, the decision to
arrest Grossberg and Peterson, their interactions with
police and lawyers, the criminal investigation, pleas in exchange for
testimony, (in April Grossberg also cops a plea for a more lenient
sentence) and the sentencing are all topic relevant.
Article: ABC19980309.1830.0520
42. Asteroid Coming??
Seminal Event:
WHAT: A mile-wide Asteroid discovered headed toward Earth
WHERE: Outer Space!
WHEN: 3/98 (early in March)
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: Scientists released the news that in fact,
the asteroid would pass us by. It is expected in about 30
years, but it is not expected to hit us.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 7: The stories about the discovery
AND the follow up are all topic related. Any stories about
the technology used to track the asteroid, or the folks who did the
tracking would be on topic.
Article: CNN19980312.2130.0300
43. Dr. Spock Dies
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Dr. Benjamin Spock, baby expert, died of natural causes
WHERE: La Jolla, CA
WHEN: 3/16/98
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: Again, the related article discusses the
seminal event. Dr. Spock was considered by many to be a
child care guru.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # _ : This doesn't fall under a rule
as yet, but the topic would include any stories about his
illness, his legacy, the publication of the seventh edition of his
book "Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care" (which will be
commemorative publications this summer) and any obituary-type
stories.
Article: NY19980316.0359
44. Tobacco Company settlement
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Congressional Proposal for Tobacco Co. Settlement
WHERE: n/a
WHEN: Early Spring 1998
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: This article discusses R.J. Reynolds' denial
that they would pull out of the settlement proceedings.
The denial was published 4/2/98
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #3: Stories relevant to this legal proceeding include the documentation indicating that
tobacco companies were aware of the dangers of smoking, the various
iterations of the settlement before it went before the court,
stories about the companies involved in the settlement and any
ramifications of the final court decision.
Article: PRI19980402.2000.0144
45. Climbing Accident
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Czech climber falls to his death
WHERE: Timaru, New Zealand. Mount Cook
WHEN: 3/12/98 RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: The article identifies the
seminal event. A Czech mountain climber fell to his death (fell 700
meters).
They air-lifted the body to Mount Cook Village, 17 hours after the
fall. His climbing companion went into shock after watching his
friend fall, and then climbing down to his body. The name of the
victim will not be released until his family is notified.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 5: As an accident, stories about the
victim and his companion are relevant, stories about
any risk or negligence (either on the part of New Zealand officials
or the climber) and stories about the conditions for climbing that
day (contributing to his fall...) would all be on topic.
Article: APW19980312.0009
46. Great Lake??
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Senator Leahy's legislation to make Lake Champlain a Great Lake.
WHERE: Lake Champlain, Vermont/ Washington, D.C.
WHEN: Mid-March, 1998
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: Senator Patrick Leahy was instrumental in
passing legislation making Lake Champlain a Great Lake,
hoping to make Vermont eligible for state funded research
money. Shortly after the legislation passed, it was revoked, and Champlain
is not really a Great Lake. But Vermont will still get some research money.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #1?: Though not an election, the
passing of legislation works similarly in that all
campaigning or lobbying would be topic relevant, as would the vote to
pass the legislation and the implementation (or not) of the
new legislation would be on topic. In this case, all stories about
how Leahy got this legislation passed, the decision to revoke the
status, and anything in-between would be relevant.
Article: NY19980324.0329
47. Viagra
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Arrival of a new Impotency drug
WHERE: n/a
WHEN: April, 1998 is date of release
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration is close to
approving medication for men who suffer from
impotency.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 7: The research on and discovery of
the drug, like other science news, expands to topic by
including all articles about the drug development, the doctors
working on the drug, the FDA's approval process FOR THIS
PARTICULAR DRUG, and the impact this drug has on every day life for
folks. Many stories in April will talk about Viagra as the Pill
of the 90's.
Article: ABC19980319.1830.0445
48. Jonesboro shooting
Seminal Event:
WHAT: A 11 year old and a 13 year old shot 3 classmates and a teacher
WHERE: Jonesboro, AR at the school
WHEN: 3/24/98
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: This is the seminal event. The two boys
pulled a fire alarm and as students were leaving the school
they fired guns into the crowd. The boys were heavily armed with guns
they had stolen from the older one's grandfather. They were
arrested.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #3: The shooting at the school, the
arrest of the boys, the investigation, and the trial and
sentencing will all be topic relevant. So will discussions about
trying these boys as minors or not, the decision about whether or not
to try for the death penalty and the struggle around the fact that
the alleged murderers are so young.
Article: ABC19980324.1830.0103
49. Boehner/McDermott suit
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Rep. John A. Boehner filed suit against Rep. Jim McDermott
WHERE: Washington, D.C.
WHEN: 3/9/98
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: Boehner accuses McDermott of publicly
disclosing an intercepted conference call between Boehner
and Speaker Newt Gingrich and other Republican party leaders. The
conversation was accidentally recorded by a Florida couple.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #3: This rule allows that at least
stories about the taped conversation, the suit, lawyers, the
Florida couple who made the tape, and trial outcomes are topic relevant.
Article: NY19980309.0377
50. JJ the Whale
Seminal Event:
WHAT: JJ is abandoned on the California Coast
WHERE: California Coast
WHEN: January, 1997
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: Researchers are tracking JJ's path as she is
released and re-integrated into the Pacific Ocean. Her
release took place on 3/31.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 7: As science news the topic
includes at least stories about J.J.s rescue, her recovery in
captivity, the plans for her release, and the tracking of her
progress once she was released. Also, any stories about the technology
used to treat her, or the Marine Biologists involved in her case are
on topic.
Article: CNN19980403.0130.0753
51. Arrest of Thai Police Lt.
Seminal Event:
WHAT: A fight broke out at a Bangkok disco, several people were badly beaten.
WHERE: Bangkok, Thailand
WHEN: 3/27/98
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: The article is about the seminal event, the
crime, and the follow up arrest of a Thai police
Lieutenant. Witnesses identified Wanchalerm Yubamrung as the
instigator of the brawl. He surrendered to police on 4/7/98.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #3: At a minimum, articles about the
victims, the fight, the investigation, Wanchalerm's
arrest, trial and punishment are all topic relevant. There are
articles linking Wanchalerm to his father, a police captain and leader of
the Muanchon Party. These are also topic relevant as his arrest has
an impact on his father's political status (consequences of the
crime...)
Article: APW19980407.0003 52. Strike in Germany
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Tens of thousands of public employees go on strike
WHERE: All over Germany
WHEN: Started 3/2/98
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: Germany's public employees are striking as a
warning designed to put pressure on the government
for higher wages and job security. The strike coincides with public
employee contract negotiations.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #6: Although not quite ongoing
violence, this disruption to Germany's infrastructure is
comparable. The topic would expand to include at least stories about
the strikers, negotiations to get them back to work, the impact
on German citizens, any retaliatory actions.
Article: VOA19980303.2100.1124
53. California Vote
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Voters are choosing a replacement for Congressman Walter Capps
who died while in office.
WHERE: Central Coastal California
WHEN: 3/10/98
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: The wife of Congressman Capps, Lois Capps
(D) is running against Tom Bordanareau (R). The race is
being watched for two reasons. First, it is an indication of how
mid-term elections might go. Second, this election has attracted a lot
of money for independent campaigns and special interest groups.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #1: The topic includes (but isn't
limited to) stories about the campaigns, the candidates, the
special interest groups funding independent candidates, the voter
turnout, and the election results.
Article: PRI19980310.2000.0144
54. Albright to Canada
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Madeleine Albright will make an official visit to Canada.
WHERE: Canada
WHEN: 3/10/98
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: Albright went to meet with Prime Minister
Jean Chretienne and Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy. It
is the first official visit by an American Secretary of State in 10
years.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #_: No rule exists yet, but as
political activity the topic would include stories about her
meetings with Chretienne or Axworthy, her negotiations with them, her
plans for the trip and her feedback after.
Article: VOA19980310.2300.0251
55. Boeing suit
Seminal Event:
WHAT: 41 Boeing employees filed a racial discrimination suit.
WHERE: n/a
WHEN: 3/17/98
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: The employees filed a suit alleging that
Boeing practiced discriminatory hiring.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 3: The topic expands to include
stories about the instances of harassment that motivated
the suit, the employees filing, Boeing's response, the settlement or
trial and results and any immediate ramifications (if Boeing goes
under because of the financial stress those stories would also be on
topic).
Article: PRI19980317.2000.0140
56. James Earl Ray Case
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Martin Luther King's murder, Ray's arrest
WHERE: Nashville, TN
WHEN: MLK was killed April 4, 1968.
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: On Marcy 18, 1998 Ray's lawyer announced
that he will not pursue a new trial in the case. Ray is
suffering from liver disease and could not take part in a new
trial. He is in critical condition in a Nashville prison.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #3: Stories about MLK's family
requesting a new trial, stories about Ray's input from prison,
stories about Ray's death (which happens in April) are all on topic
according to this rule.
Article: VOA0318.2300.1376
57. World Figure Skating Champs
Seminal Event:
WHAT: The World Figure Skating Championships
WHERE:
WHEN: April, 1998
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: Nicole Bobek has a hip injury and decided
she could not compete. Tara Lupinski also pulled out of
competition due to a viral infection, leaving Michelle Kwan as the
only U.S. contender.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # __: No rule exists yet, but this
topic would include all stories about the championship;
stories about competitors, about the event itself, medal winners, and
any consequences of the contest (injuries DURING the event,
offers to winners for endorsements etc.)
Article:VOA19980325.2300.2972
59. April's Fools
Seminal Event:
WHAT: Britain's Financial Times believed a gag press release from Guiness beer
WHERE: London
WHEN: 3/31/98/ 4/1/98
RELATED ARTICLE SUMMARY: Guiness ran a spoof press release announcing
that the Greenwich group has named them the official
beer of the Millennium, and that they would adopt the name Guiness
for the duration of the lead up to the Millennium celebrations.
The Financial Times ran the story as if it were true.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #8: It's really a story about
finances, since Guinness DID agree to sponsor Greenwich Mean
Time. Topic includes stories about the sponsorship deal (the REAL
one) and ramifications for the Times for running a spoof. Also,
Stock Market consequences because of the joke would be topic
relevant.
Article:NYT19980401.0393
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Last updated Wed Sep 9 09:40:48 1998