TDT4 2003 Evaluation Topics

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Plane hijacking
WHO:  Gunman, 23 passengers, 4 crew
WHERE:  Bogota, Colombia
WHEN:  January 30, 2001

The crew and some passengers aboard a commandeered airplane in Colombia overpowered their hijacker Tuesday night as the aircraft sat at a Bogota airport. The hijacker, believed to be armed with a 9 mm pistol, took the small Satena Airlines passenger airplane Tuesday afternoon at an airport in San Vicente del Caguan, a small city in the country's demilitarized zone in the southeastern part of the country. Local airport officials said a gunman pushed his way on board and held a gun to the pilot's head and forced him to take off. The hijacking occurred a day before Colombian President Andres Pastrana is to decide whether to continue peace talks between government and rebel negotiators.
On topic:  The description of the hijacking scene itself, the background of the hijacker, his motive and intention, consequences including the prosecution of the hijacker

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Nobel Peace Prize
WHO:  Norwegian Nobel Committee, Kim Dae Jung
WHERE:  Oslo, Norway
WHEN:  December 10, 2000

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2000 to Kim Dae Jung for his work for democracy and human rights in South Korea and in East Asia in general, and for peace and reconciliation with North Korea in particular. Kim Dae Jung, has worked since 1971 for peaceful coexistence between the two Koreas, and for their eventual unification. It is clear that his strong commitment to reconciliation with North Korea, and the results that have been achieved - especially in the past year - added a new and important dimension to Kim Dae Jung's candidacy.
On topic: The selection process, speculations leading up to the announcement of Kim as the laureate, his background and achievements for his candidacy and laureateship, public reaction after the announcement.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 12: Celebrity/Human Interest News

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Arab finance meeting
WHO:  Finance ministers of the Arab League of Nations
WHERE:  Cairo, Egypt
WHEN:  November 24, 2000

The meeting of the finance ministers of the Arab League nations on November 24, 2000, ended with a decision to donate $653 million to a fund supporting the Intifada (al Aqsa Fund). The Islamic Bank for Development was given the mandate to manage the fund. The al Aqsa Fund finances development projects in Palestinian lands, such as housing, education, health care, and projects that emphasize the Arab identity of Jerusalem, among many others.
On topic:  The objective and the outcome of the meeting, media coverage and public reaction

Rule of Interpretation Rule 11: Political and Diplomatic Meetings

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Innocent child shot in cross-fire
WHO:  Mohamed al-Dura, Jamal al-Dura, Israeli soldiers, Palestinian snipers
WHERE:  Gaza, Palestine
WHEN:  September 30, 2000

On September 30, 2000, at about 2:30 p.m. local time, Mohamed al-Dura, a ten year old Palestinian boy, was shot by Israeli soldiers in Gaza. Mohammed al-Dura (or Durrah) and his father Jamal were on their way home in Gaza when, at the remote Netzarim junction, they were caught in a firefight between Palestinian snipers and the Israel Defense Force (IDF). Mohammed and his father took shelter behind a concrete barrel. The child died there, cradled in his father's arms, after both father and son frantically pleaded for help.
On topic:  The causes of the firefight and its consequences that resulted in the murder, reaction to the murder by either side and by the international community at large, and any retaliatory attacks or effort at resolution after the murder

Rule of Interpretation Rule 6: Acts of Violence or War

Seminal Event

WHAT:  UN sanctions strengthened against Afghan government
WHO:  United Nations Security Council, Taliban
WHERE:  New York
WHEN:  January 19, 2001

Following requests from the U.S. and Moscow, the U.N. strengthened sanctions against the Afghan government. The sanctions are meant to pressure the Afghan government into handing over the Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, whose presence in Afghanistan is approved by the Taliban. The sanctions include banning senior officials from traveling abroad except for humanitarian, religious or peace-related purposes, and closing down most of the Taliban's overseas offices. The sanctions also include an arms embargo.
On topic: The circumstances that led to the decision on the sanctions, the content of the sanctions themselves, the intention of the sanctions, reaction, criticisms if any, on the decision by the international community.
Note: The sanctions were announced in December of 2000, but went into effect on January 19, 2001. The topic could thus include the 30-day period the Taliban was given to comply with the sanctions, before they went into effect.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 13: Miscellaneous

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Presentation of the award for "Greatest Woman of the Century"
WHO:  Valentina Tereshkova, International Women of the Year Association
WHERE:  London, England
WHEN:  October 12, 2000

Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova was honored as the "greatest woman of the century" on October 12, 2000. She received the award from the International Women of the Year Association in London. Tereshkova was the first woman in space. She was aboard the Vostok 6 on June 16, 1963, and made 48 orbits around the earth, a three-day trip. In the years following her flight, she made many public appearances in the Soviet Union and overseas.
On topic:  Tereshkova's achievements that earned her the honor, her background, public reaction.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 12: Celebrity/Human Interest News

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Parliamentary elections
WHO:  Egyptian officials and populus
WHERE:  Egypt
WHEN:  October 2000

Parliamentary elections took place across Egypt in October 2000, amid some unrest and arrests of Muslim Brotherhood candidates. This was the first time that Egypt held legislative elections in stages, under the supervision of judges. Some 21 million voters were eligible to cast ballots and chose from among more than 4,200 registered candidates.
On topic:  The entire election process over multiple stages, their outcome, a new monitoring system adopted for this election, the clash between the government and opposition groups.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 1: Elections

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Rift Valley Fever outbreak
WHO:  World Health Organization, Saudi Arabians
WHERE:  Saudi Arabia (Jizan Province)
WHEN:  November 2000

In November 2000 the first outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outside of the African continent was reported in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian government started spraying vast areas of the country with pesticides in an effort to control the mosquitoes that spread the disease; honey bees were inadvertently killed in the process.
On topic:  The investigation on the causes of the outbreak, consequences of the outbreak including damage and loss, control measures taken, recent history of RVF leading up to the outbreak.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 13: Miscellaneous

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Restored diplomatic relations
WHO:  Egypt, Iraq, Amr Moussa, Hosni Mubarak, Mohammad Said al-Sahaf, Saddam Hussein
WHERE:  Cairo, Egypt
WHEN:  November 2000

Egypt and Iraq have re-established diplomatic relations which were severed after the 1991 Gulf War. On Sunday morning Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak received Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Said al-Sahaf, who arrived for a two-day visit and conveyed a message from Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to Mubarak on the situation in the Middle East, as well as issues of mutual interest. The announcement was made by Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa who said in a statement that "the brotherly relations" between the two countries are growing, adding that the Egyptian attache d'affaires in Baghdad is acting at an ambassadorial level.
On topic:  Recent history of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Iraq leading up to the current reconciliation, terms of the upgrade in relations, the remaining conflict.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 11: Political and Diplomatic Meetings

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Islamic conference summit meeting
WHO:  Islamic Conference members
WHERE:  Doha, Qatar
WHEN:  November 13, 2000

Leaders from all Arab and Muslim countries met in Doha at the ninth Islamic Summit meeting. The meeting concluded with a statement on the ongoing intifada in Palestine. It condemned Israeli heavy handedness in dealing with the civilian population. It also called for an end to settlement building, for Israel to abide by agreements signed during the peace process, and it called on the international community to recognize the state of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.
On topic:  The process of the meeting itself, its objective, significance and outcome including the contents of the statement issued, media coverage and public reaction, a direct outcome of the meeting including legislation or policies adopted.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 11: Political and Diplomatic Meetings

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Prison riots in Turkey
WHO:  Turkish inmates and prison guards
WHERE:  Turkey
WHEN:  October 2000

In October 2000, prisons all over Turkey saw riots and hunger strikes as prisoners demanded reform in prisons and the release of political prisoners. Turkey's inmates pledged to continue their 52-day old hunger strike until the government renounces plans to move them from dormitory-style open wards to single cells.
On topic:  The reasons for the strike, modes of the strike, consequences including loss, damage or deaths, the negotiation process, a direct outcome including any resolution or agreement reached, public reaction.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 6: Acts of Violence or War

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Presidential election
WHO:  Laurent Gbagbo, Alassane Ouattara, Ivory Coast voters
WHERE:  Ivory Coast
WHEN:  October 25, 2000

On October 25, Laurent Gbagbo, head of the Ivorian Popular Front, declared himself president, as early polls showed him in the lead. Alassane Ouattara called the election unfair, but then conceded, though tens of thousands of his supporters took to the streets.
On topic:  A recent history of power struggle that led to the current election. Disputes concerning the election including violence by the opposition groups.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 6: Acts of Violence or War

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Death of Sri Lankan Prime Minister
WHO:  Sirimavo Bandaranaike
WHERE:  Gampaha, Sri Lanka
WHEN:  October 10, 2000

Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world's first female prime minister, died of a heart attack Tuesday, October 10, 2000, after voting in parliamentary elections. Bandaranaike had retired at the age of 84 last month to let her daughter, President Chandrika Kumaratunga, appoint a hard-liner in the fight against Tamil separatists ahead of the elections.
On topic: The cause of her death, any funeral or memorial service held, public reaction, her political career retrospective.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 12: Celebrity/Human Interest News

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Tunisia announces decision to sever relations with Israel
WHO:  Tunisia at the Arab Summit
WHERE:  Cairo, Egypt
WHEN: October 22, 2000

Following the emergency Arab summit in Cairo on Sunday, Israel blasted Tunisia's decision to sever relations with it according to a Foreign Ministry statement. The decision came just before a final statement from the Arab leaders' summit in Cairo. Israel said it was "surprised" at the decision. The ministry said it appeared that Tunisia had "elected to renounce its potential role as a bridge for conciliation between Israel and its neighbors, therefore harming the critical effort to promote regional peace." Tunisian state radio announced earlier that the severance in relations would take place immediately.
On topic: Events that led up to Tunisia's decision. Reaction from Israel and international community at large, expected impact of the decision.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 11: Political and Diplomatic Meetings

Seminal Event

WHAT:  US sanctions lifted against Yugoslavia
WHO:  Bill Clinton and administration, Yugoslavia
WHERE:  Washington, DC.
WHEN:  October 2000-January 2001

One of President Clinton's last actions before leaving office has been to lift the economic and trade sanctions against Yugoslavia. The lifting of the sanctions, which covered commercial trade and access to international lending institutions, is the latest step in the rehabilitation of Yugoslavia under its new President Vojislav Kostunica.
On topic:  Details of the sanctions lifted, costs incurred by Yugoslavia from the sanctions, expected benefits from the lifting of the sanctions, the remaining sanctions and their impact, history of sanctions leading up to this decision, public reaction.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 13: Miscellaneous

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Spanish Car Bombing
WHO:  Jose Francisco Querol, Armando Medina Sanchez, Jesus Escudero Garcia
WHERE:  Madrid, Spain
WHEN: October 30, 2000

A Supreme Court judge, his bodyguard and driver were killed Monday when a suspected Basque separatist car bomb rocked a busy residential area during the morning rush hour, officials said. About 30 people were injured. Although no group claimed responsibility, politicians and police immediately blamed the Basque separatist group ETA, which has frequently used car bombs as part of its 32-year-old campaign for Basque independence in an area straddling northern Spain and southwest France.
On topic:  Investigation on the motive and intention of the bombing, casualties, damage and loss incurred, history of Basque violence leading up to this particular bombing, public reaction, actions taken in reponse to the bombing.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 6: Acts of Violence or War

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Israel's Trade Office closed in Doha, Qatar
WHO:  Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Aziz, Farouk al-Shara, Amr Moussa, Youssef Bin Alawi, Muhammad in Issa
WHERE:  Qatar
WHEN:  November 2000

Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Aziz informed the Qatari government that he would not attend the upcoming summit of the 56-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) based in Jeddah. This is the first Saudi boycott of an OIC summit in the organization's 31-year history. The decision to boycott was made in protest of the continued contact that Qatar has maintained with Israel despite a resolution made at a recent Arab summit in Cairo whereby all contact between member nations and Israel was to be cut as a show of solidarity with the Palestinians who have been involved in a deteriorating conflict with Israel. Qatar and Israel have maintained trade offices in each other's capitals, but technically have no diplomatic relations. Qatar yielded to the pressure of its Arab neighbors and closed Israel's trade office in Doha.
On topic:  Explanation behind Saudi's boycott decision, reaction of other member nations and the international community to the cutting of Qatari-Israeli relations, details of the meeting leading up to to the walkout, details on the pressure put on Qatar to submit, Israel's reactions, official statements made by Qatar regarding the event.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 11: Political and Diplomatic Meetings

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Emergency Arab League summit meeting
WHO:  President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and other Arab nation leaders
WHERE:  Cairo, Egypt
WHEN: October 21-22, 2000

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt inaugurated a 2-day emergency pan-Arab summit to discuss the escalation of violence between the Palestinians and the Israelis. The more extreme measures insisted upon by countries such as Libya and Iraq were tempered by the moderates Egypt and Morocco. The culmination of the summit's contentious discussion was a consensus on a final communique condemning Israeli aggression and a demand for an immediate stop to all violence. The summit concluded with a declaration that questioned the wisdom of continued ties with Israel though it did not insist upon an end to those ties.
On topic:  Reasons for the calling of the emergency summit, any preparation for the summit, the summit itself and reactions to the resulting declaration by the public, Israel's reactions in particular, consequences of the summit, and member-nations' reactions

Rule of Interpretation Rule 11: Political and Diplomatic Meetings

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Presidential election
WHO:  Ion Ilyescu, Cornelius Todor
WHERE:  Romania
WHEN:  December 12, 2000

Ion Ilyescu won the Presidential elections in Romania on December 12, 2000. He is seen as a neo-communist by his opponents, but he insists that he has a "strong attachment to a market economy."
On topic:  The entire process from the campaign, nominations, the election it self through the inauguration and formation of new government.
Note: Articles discussing Ilyescu's campaign platform, expectation and prediction on his government, accusations made by his contender should be all considered on topic.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 1: Elections

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Explosions outside Catholic and Protestant churches
WHO:  President Abdurrahman Whahid
WHERE:  Indonesia
WHEN:  December 24, 2000

Explosions occurred outside Catholic and Protestant churches in seven cities across Indonesia on Christmas Eve 2000, injuring 100 and killing 15.  In response to the attacks, tens of thousands of Indonesian troops were mobilized and deployed in Jakarta and Sumatra. The blasts were condemned by President Abdurrahman Wahid of Indonesia, who said forces trying to oust him were fomenting violence among Indonesia's Muslim majority and Christian minority. Two people were arrested in the Javanese city of Bandung after a device they were preparing exploded prematurely, but the police say they have few concrete leads.
On topic: Reaction from the president in Jakarta as well as foreign reactions. Perpetrators and their motives. Procedures taken by the govt to ensure safety from further violence.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 6: Acts of Violence or War

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Presidential election
WHO:  John Kufuor
WHERE:  Accra, Ghana
WHEN:  December 28, 2000

On January 7, 2001 John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor of the opposition New Patriot Party (NPP) was sworn in as president of Ghana. This is the first peaceful transfer of power from one democratically elected president to another since Ghana became an independent country in 1957. Kufuor has said that he will work with the private sector to bring about economic growth and create wealth in Ghana, but his platform is mostly based on promises and hope rather than concrete plans. With the country in an economic slump, some voters said that although they still like Rawlings, the former leader for 19 years, they are ready for a change and therefore did not vote for his National Democratic Congress (NDC) party or his chosen successor.
On topic: On-topic stories would include election day coverage, analysis of voting statistics, and commentary on international as well as domestic reaction. Articles dealing with the aspects of President Kufour's platform that propelled him to victory are also acceptable.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 1: Elections

Seminal Event

WHAT:  The election of Jean-Bertrand Aristide
WHO:  Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the Provisional Electoral Council, Haiti's 4 million voters, former Justice Minister Gerard Courgue, and the European Union.
WHERE:  Haiti
WHEN:  The election was held on November 25, 2000. The controversy continues even today.

Jean-Bertrand Aristide took 92 percent of almost three million votes in the November 26, 2000 national election. Fraught with irregularities and accusations of voter fraud, the elections were boycotted by the opposition groups.
On topic:The campaign leading up to the elections, the violence that led up to the election, the boycott by the opposition groups, the election results, and the international reaction to the election.
Note:Haiti held parliamentary elections in May 2000, which were also exceedingly controversial. Articles that mention the parliamentary elections, or consequences of the parliamentary elections like the suspension of foreign aid, without mentioning the November presidential elections are NOT on topic.

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Senate election
WHO:  Mel Carnahan, Jean Carnahan, John Ashcroft, Missouri voters
WHERE:  Missouri, USA
WHEN:  November 8, 2000

At the end of a heated campaign for Missouri's Senate seat, Democratic governor Mel Carnahan was killed in a plane crash south of St. Louis just weeks before the election. Carnahan's name remained on the election ballot, and voters elected him (as opposed to incumbent Republican Senator John Ashcroft) in the expectation that his wife, Jean Carnahan, would be installed in his stead. Mel Carnahan won the election and Jean Carnahan became Senator of Missouri.
On topic:  the entire process from campagin and nomination of the candidate leading up his death through his wife's installment of the role.
Note: articles discussing Jean Carnahan's political performance after the election is not considered on topic.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 1: Elections

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Laurent Kabila shot dead
WHO:  Laurent Kabila, bodyguard, dismissed army generals
WHERE:  Kabila's presidential palace in Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe
WHEN:  January 16, 2001

On Tuesday January 16, 2001 Congolese president Laurent Kabila was killed in what was initially thought to be a coup attempt. He was reportedly shot by a bodyguard, in the presence of several army generals whom he had previously dismissed, however, his death was not confirmed to the public until days later. The shooting occurred during an intense half-hour long gun battle outside of the Kabila's presidential palace, which lies on the outskirts of Kinshasha, the nation's capital. The coup was a plot orchestrated by high-ranking officials within the Kabila administration, who had become disillusioned by the war against Ugandan and Rwandan-backed rebels in the east of the country, mismanagement, and the lack of political savvy that characterized Kabila's three-year reign.
On topic:Stories about the killing itself and the immediate accession of Laurent's son, Joseph, to the presidency on the 26th of January. Additionally, stories that question whether Kabila had actually been killed, speculate on the Kabila's movements after the assassination attempt, and conclude that the body was finally shipped to Zimbabwe are all on topic.
Notes: Stories about the war are not on topic unless they make some reference to the killing.

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Alberto Fujimori Resigns as President of Peru
WHO:  Alberto Fujimori
WHERE:  Peru and Japan
WHEN:  November 20, 2000

President Alberto Fujimori resigned on Monday November 20, after a tumultuous 10-year reign, plunging Peruvians into uncertainty over who will replace the man who brought to bay leftist guerrillas and economic chaos but ran roughshod over their democracy. Embroiled in a corruption scandal, President Fujimori announced from Tokyo that he would leave office. The scandal was touched off by a videotape which was obtained by the opposition and released in mid-September. It showed Fujimori's former security chief, Vladimiro Montesinos, engaging in vote-buying. Montesinos, head of the National Intelligence Service (SIN), is shown apparently handing $15,000 to opposition congressman Luis Alberto Kouri to switch sides and thereby give the government a majority in parliament.
On topic: Articles about the resignation or the exile to Japan are on topic. Articles about the scandal that led up to the resignation or the general socio-politcal climate of Peru are not on topic unless they make some sort of reference to the resignation or the exile.

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Airplane Crash
WHO:  159 passengers and 20 crew members
WHERE:  Chiang Kai Shek International Airport, Taiwan
WHEN:  October 31, 2000

Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ006 crashed at Chiang Kai Shek International Airport on October 31st, 2000 at 11:18 pm Taiwan local time. It was carrying 159 passengers and 20 crew members. The Boeing 747 slammed into construction equipment while taking off, bursting into flames and killing 83 people. Singapore Airlines offered $400,000 compensation to the families of each of the crash victims.
On topic:  The scene of the crash itself, deaths, injuries and damage, reactions from the survivors, the witnesses, the airlines and the airport, investigation on the cause of the crash including conflicting conjectures through its final conclusion, claims of responsibility and compensation made.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 5: Accidents

Seminal Event

WHAT: Swearing in of 10th Philippine President
WHO: Gloria Arroyo, Joseph Estrada, 50,000 Protestors
WHERE: Manila, Philippines
WHEN: January 20, 2001

Topic Explication

Amid cheering crowds Gloria Arroyo was sworn in as the 10th President of the Philippines. She took office after her predecessor Joseph Estrada was ousted amid accusations of corruption and economic plunder. Arroyo was the Vice-President for Estrada and leader of the movement to have him removed from office. She took the oath without receiving formal notification of Estrada's resignation, but she was assured that her succession was legal. Fifty-thousand protesters arrived on Saturday morning to call for Estrada's removal after he ignored a dawn deadline given by the opposition to resign. Their protest turned to celebration though, when Arroyo was sworn in.
On Topic: the transfer of power, the reason for the removal of Estrada leading to Arroyo accepting the presidency, reactions from other countries, cabinet appointments.

Off Topic:Articles dealing solely with Estrada's scandal are not on topic unless they mention in some significant way how Arroyo was involved with trying to make him resign.

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Popocatepetl Volcano Erupts
WHO:  Volcanologists and approx. 300,000 Mexicans living in the danger zone of Popocatepetl
WHERE:  outside Mexico City
WHEN:  December 18, 2000

Popocatepetl, Mexico's magnificent and mystical 17,945-foot peak, has been called the world's most dangerous volcano. Nearly 30 million people live within view of it, most of them in Mexico City, 40 miles west, and Puebla, 30 miles east. There are more than 300,000 people living in the danger zone directly under the volcano. On December 18th, 2000 Popocatepetl came violently to life in what scientists have said was its biggest explosion in 1,000 years. The volcano outside Mexico City spewed molten rock thousands of meters into the air, forcing the authorities to evacuate some 40,000 people from surrounding villages. It has been reported explosions could be seen above the crater, setting clouds of smoke alight in a bright orange glow. The volcano had been rumbling and spurting clouds of smoke for a week, and scientists had been warning of a dangerous build-up of pressure inside its crater. Fortunately, scientists were able to predict within hours of the event that Popocatepetl was about to blow, and officials evacuated more than half of the people in the valleys below.
On topic: stories about the eruption of the volcano, the aftermath of the eruption, and the preparations for the eruption (scientists predictions and the evacuation of people in the danger zone).

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Boeing 727 hijacked
WHO:  Barbara Bodine, US Ambassador to Yemen, 90 other people aboard the 727, and the hijacker, Mohammed Yehia Ali Sattar
WHERE:  Yemen and Djibouti
WHEN:  January 23, 2001

Barbara Bodine, the US Ambassador to Yemen, narrowly averted a tragedy when her Yemen Airways flight was hijacked by Mohammed Yehia Ali Sattar, a supporter of Saddam Hussein. During the hijacking, the pilot of the commercial flight realized that the hijacker, who was in the cockpit, didn't speak English, so he instructed the crew to open the emergency doors and evacuate 91 passengers as soon as they landed in Djibouti. The passengers moved quickly to the exits and jumped one by one onto the emergency chutes. The hijacker was later subdued by members of the crew. Because of the hijacking, Bodine missed an appointment with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh at which the deadly terrorist attack on the USS Cole and increased security cooperation were expected to have been discussed.
On topic:Stories about the hijacking, the aftermath, the preparations for the hijacking, basically, any story that makes reference to the hijacking. Also, stories about the flight itself should be considered on topic.

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Fire in Bangladeshi Garment Factory
WHO:  Rescue workers and approximately 900 factory workers
WHERE:  Narsinghdi district in Bangladesh
WHEN:  November 25, 2000

Dozens of workers, mostly women, were killed in a fire at a towel factory located 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Dhaka (the capital) in the eastern Narsinghdi district in Bangladesh late on Saturday November 25, 2000, according to local police. Hundreds more suffered injuries. Rescue workers arriving at the scene found the gates to the factory locked with some 900 workers trapped inside. The fire was caused by an electrical short-circuit.
On topic:Stories about the fire and the aftermath such as commissions to investigate the cause of the fire and the deaths.

Seminal Event

WHAT:  A week of talks were held to iron out the issues surrounding China's WTO accession.
WHO:  Long Yongtu, China's top WTO negotiator; Charlene Barshefsky, the Clinton-era US trade representative; Robert Zoellick, Bush's replacement for Barshefsky; Rita Hayes, the US permanent representative to the WTO; and various EU trade officials.
WHERE:  Geneva, Switzerland
WHEN:  January 10-17, 2001

Various international and Chinese trade officials held a week of high-level talks in January to continue the 15-year old negotiations involving China and the WTO. Held in Geneva, Switzerland, the talks failed to achieve any breakthroughs, but officials close to the dealmaking were quoted as saying all sides were close to agreement.
On topic:Articles discussing any preparation for the Geneva meetings, the meetings themselves, and reactions to the meetings are all on topic. Also on topic are any pieces analyzing political or economic issues, like the change in the US administration, as they affect the Geneva negotiators.
Note:China's joining the WTO has been the subject of talk for 15 years, so annotators must use care in deciding which stories that mention the WTO are on topic. Stories must refer to this week of meetings in Geneva in order to be considered on topic.

Seminal Event

WHAT:  The annual trade forum bringing together nations of East Asia, the Americas, Russia, and Australasia
WHO:  Leaders and trade ministers from over 21 nations
WHERE:  Bandar Seri Bagawan, Brunei
WHEN:  November 12-15, 2000

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, formed in 1989 to address trade and economic issues in the region, met in November. The forum consisted of briefings, talks, meetings, and other summitry events involving the leaders of over 21 nations.
On topic: Articles that mention preparations for the conference, discuss the conference itself, and reactions to the conference are on topic. Articles that speculate about the participants, discuss the participants, and mention the participants' acts as they relate to the conference proceedings are also on topic.

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Chinese Vice President visits Iran
WHO:  Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao, The Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, First Vice President Hassan Habibi, and other senior officials.
WHERE:  Iran
WHEN:  January 5-10, 2001

Vice President Hu Jintao of China paid a five-day official visit to Iran. Holding talks with various Iranian leaders, the vice president was invited to Iran in an effort to expand bilateral relations with discussions in transportation, energy, and telecommunications.
On topic:Articles discussing preparations for the visit to Iran, the visit itself, and reactions to the visit.
Notes: Hu Jintao is on a five-nation tour but none of the visits to the other four nations are on topic. In other words, the visit to Iran must be mentioned for the story to be considered on topic.

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Fire in Mexican night club
WHO:  Alejandro Iglesias and brother, Dolores Padierna, club patrons, security guards
WHERE:  Club Lobohombo, Mexico City, Mexico
WHEN:  October 20, 2000 at 5:00 am

A popular disco was brought down by a blazing fire at around 5:00 am on October 20th. Twenty were killed while forty others were injured. The club owner, Alejandro Iglesias, was arrested for homicidal negligence and safety code violations. The cause of the fire is apparently believed to be a short-circuit in the sound system, although witnesses say that they heard loud explosions before the fire broke out. The building had violated almost all fire safety codes; there were no emergency exits and the building's gas and electrical connections were not in compliance with safety regulations.
On topic: causes of the fire, what went on during the fire, any legal action taken as a result of the fire, number of deaths or injuries.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 5: Accidents

Seminal Event

WHAT:  President Clinton Establishes relations with Vietnam
WHO:  President Clinton, President Tran Duc Luong, and various high-level members of Vietnam's government.
WHERE:  Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City)
WHEN:  November 16-19, 2000

President Clinton made history during his final days in office when on November 16, he began a four day trip to Vietnam, which makes him the first President ever to visit a unified Vietnam. Clinton's agenda during his visit included adressing three topics: missing American soldiers from the Vietnam War, human rights issues, and economic globalization.

In accordance with his agenda Clinton received a full report on the 2,029 American soldiers still listed as missing from the Vietnam War (which lasted from 1964-1975). He raised the issue of human rights in an address to an audience of University students explaining that it was America's experience that the right to religious worship and to political dissent was no threat to stability. Clinton extolled the virtues of globalization during a speech in Ho Chi Minh City before his departure: "Today we have a shared interest in your well-being and prosperity... Trade lifts wages, raises living standards, and opens opportunities."

On topic:Articles about the preparations for the trip, what occurred during the trip, and reactions to the trip. In general, only those articles that make some reference to the seminal event are on topic.

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Summit to improve bilateral relations
WHO:  Indonesia and Australia
WHERE:  Indonesia
WHEN:  December 8-9, 2000

Indonesia/Australia relations appear to be in better shape this morning after the staging of a long awaited ministerial summit between the two countries. It's not that major initiatives are being brokered nor new alliances forged, but the meeting does at least represent a thaw in the Arctic conditions that have enveloped Jakarta and Canberra over the past year. But even as the two sides move to improve ties, there is another crisis looming which threatens to bring with it a new set of tensions. The calls for independence in the resource-rich province of Irian Jaya (also known as West Papua) are gaining support among non-government and church groups in Australia. And as evidence mounts that the Indonesian armed forces is about to launch another crack-down in Irian Jaya, the federal government could well find itself locked in yet another compromising position with its volatile neighbor.
On topic: reasons for the meeting, the actual meeting, outcomes (including any legislation which came as a direct result), and reactions of other countries.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 11: Political and Diplomatic Meetings

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Extreme heat
WHO:  Australians, Aboriginies, tourists
WHERE:  Australia
WHEN:  January 2000

Parts of eastern Australia are in the grip of a severe heat wave that has sent temperatures soaring to almost 50 degrees Celsius. The heat has caused cooling systems in many carriages to break down, leaving passengers sitting on slow trains on plastic seats in 40 degree heat. It is even hotter in the Australian outback. In the remote town of Cobar in New South Wales, the mercury rose to an unprecedented 47 degrees Celsius - more than 116 degrees Fahrenheit. As the heat rises, police in Sydney have launched a new campaign aimed at cutting the number of children left in cars by their parents on boiling hot days. Meteorologists say the heat-wave is caused by high pressure systems south of Australia that are bringing hot air from desert areas across the more populated southern and eastern coasts.
On topic: causes of heatwave, any attempts to predict its arrival, victims, problems resulting from excess heat, any help or advice the governmentt is giving to try and improve the situation

Rule of Interpretation Rule 4: Natural Disasters

Seminal Event

WHAT:  World finance meeting
WHO:  G20 nations
WHERE:  Montreal, Canada
WHEN:  October 24-26, 2000

Finance ministers and central bankers of the G20 group have called for strong economic and financial policies during the meeting in Montreal. The meeting was aimed at discussing how to spread the benefits of globalization beyond the world's richest nations. The meeting was held in the wake of rising oil prices which has put pressure on the global economy. Canada hosts the group and has been pressing for the implementation of ambitious plans for global reform.
On topic: the meeting itself, what was (or was purposely not) discussed, any protests directly relating to the meeting.
Note: the background on the G20 meetings in general will not be considered on topic.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 11: Political and Diplomatic Meetings

Seminal Event

WHAT:  Passenger airplane flights through no-fly zone
WHO:  civilian passengers, including officials and journalists
WHERE:  Outside Baghdad, Iraq
WHEN:  November 6, 2000

Iraq sent domestic passenger flights carrying 154 people into skies patrolled by US and British warplanes Sunday, the first challenge of its kind to the no-fly zones that Iraq considers infringements on its sovereignty.
On topic: the flights themselves, why Iraq decided to resume commercial flights between Basra and Mosul, what the US and Britain are doing as a result of the flights.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 6: Acts of Violence or War

Seminal Event

WHAT:  UN re-admits Yugoslavia
WHO:  UN Security Council, Yugoslav representatives
WHERE:  UN Building, NY, US
WHEN:  October 31, 2000

The UN Security Council has unanimously endorsed Yugoslavia's application to re-join the United Nations. In a sign of how eager the international community is to welcome the new Yugoslav government into its ranks, the latest application from Belgrade was processed at top speed. And with no country raising any objection, the Seg formal notification of Estrada's resignation, but she was assured that her succession was legal. Fifty-thocurity Council endorsed the application without a formal vote.
On topic: Yugoslavia's application for re-admittance, the approval of the Security Council, and consequences for Yugoslavia directly resulting from their re-admittance to the UN.

Rule of Interpretation Rule 13: Miscellaneous