Question: Who wrote the screenwriting guise "Story"?

Answer: Robert McKee

Plot has always mattered in comedy, of course, but not as much as jokes. <hl> In his influential screenwriting guide “Story,” Robert McKee argues that comedy, unlike drama, “allows the writer to halt narrative drive” with scenes that serve no purpose other than getting laughs. <hl> In television, sitcoms have traditionally relied on thin narratives stretched over seasons (Will Sam and Diane get together on “Cheers”? Will Jim and Pam on “The Office”?) that make it easy to follow the story from week to week.

Plot has always mattered in comedy, of course, but not as much as jokes. In his influential screenwriting guide “Story,” <hl> Robert McKee <hl> argues that comedy, unlike drama, “allows the writer to halt narrative drive” with scenes that serve no purpose other than getting laughs. In television, sitcoms have traditionally relied on thin narratives stretched over seasons (Will Sam and Diane get together on “Cheers”? Will Jim and Pam on “The Office”?) that make it easy to follow the story from week to week.


Question: What are the purpose of some scenes?

Plot has always mattered in comedy, of course, but not as much as jokes. In his influential screenwriting guide “Story,” Robert McKee argues that comedy, unlike drama, “allows the writer to halt narrative drive” with scenes that serve no purpose other than getting laughs. In television, sitcoms have traditionally relied on thin narratives stretched over seasons (Will Sam and Diane get together on “Cheers”? Will Jim and Pam on “The Office”?) that make it easy to follow the story from week to week.

Answer: getting laughs

Plot has always mattered in comedy, of course, but not as much as jokes. <hl> In his influential screenwriting guide “Story,” Robert McKee argues that comedy, unlike drama, “allows the writer to halt narrative drive” with scenes that serve no purpose other than getting laughs . <hl> In television, sitcoms have traditionally relied on thin narratives stretched over seasons (Will Sam and Diane get together on “Cheers”? Will Jim and Pam on “The Office”?) that make it easy to follow the story from week to week.

Plot has always mattered in comedy, of course, but not as much as jokes. In his influential screenwriting guide “Story,” Robert McKee argues that comedy, unlike drama, “allows the writer to halt narrative drive” with scenes that serve no purpose other than <hl> getting laughs <hl>. In television, sitcoms have traditionally relied on thin narratives stretched over seasons (Will Sam and Diane get together on “Cheers”? Will Jim and Pam on “The Office”?) that make it easy to follow the story from week to week.

In his influential screenwriting guide “Story,” Robert McKee argues that comedy, unlike drama, “allows the writer to halt narrative drive” with scenes that serve no purpose other than <hl> getting laughs <hl> .


Question: Why are audiences consuming shows differently?

With the rise of DVDs and streaming sources, audiences are consuming shows differently. They binge-watch and read recaps. And television conventions have loosened. HBO series like “The Comeback” and “Girls” have fleshed-out character arcs, and the fourth season of “Arrested Development,” released online all at once by Netflix, featured complex plotting with shifts of perspective that would have been hard to imagine a decade ago.

Answer: rise of DVDs and streaming sources

<hl> With the rise of DVDs and streaming sources , audiences are consuming shows differently. <hl> They binge-watch and read recaps. And television conventions have loosened. HBO series like “The Comeback” and “Girls” have fleshed-out character arcs, and the fourth season of “Arrested Development,” released online all at once by Netflix, featured complex plotting with shifts of perspective that would have been hard to imagine a decade ago.

With the <hl> rise of DVDs and streaming sources <hl>, audiences are consuming shows differently. They binge-watch and read recaps. And television conventions have loosened. HBO series like “The Comeback” and “Girls” have fleshed-out character arcs, and the fourth season of “Arrested Development,” released online all at once by Netflix, featured complex plotting with shifts of perspective that would have been hard to imagine a decade ago.

With the <hl> rise of DVDs and streaming sources <hl> , audiences are consuming shows differently.


Question: The fourth season of what show was released on Netflix?

Answer: Arrested Development

With the rise of DVDs and streaming sources, audiences are consuming shows differently. They binge-watch and read recaps. And television conventions have loosened. <hl> HBO series like “The Comeback” and “Girls” have fleshed-out character arcs, and the fourth season of “ Arrested Development ,” released online all at once by Netflix, featured complex plotting with shifts of perspective that would have been hard to imagine a decade ago. <hl>

With the rise of DVDs and streaming sources, audiences are consuming shows differently. They binge-watch and read recaps. And television conventions have loosened. HBO series like “The Comeback” and “Girls” have fleshed-out character arcs, and the fourth season of “<hl> Arrested Development <hl>,” released online all at once by Netflix, featured complex plotting with shifts of perspective that would have been hard to imagine a decade ago.

HBO series like “The Comeback” and “Girls” have fleshed-out character arcs, and the fourth season of “ <hl> Arrested Development <hl> ,” released online all at once by Netflix, featured complex plotting with shifts of perspective that would have been hard to imagine a decade ago.


Question: Streaming allows for audiences to read recap and do what else?

Answer: binge-watch

They binge-watch and read recaps.

With the rise of DVDs and streaming sources, audiences are consuming shows differently. <hl> They binge-watch and read recaps. <hl> And television conventions have loosened. HBO series like “The Comeback” and “Girls” have fleshed-out character arcs, and the fourth season of “Arrested Development,” released online all at once by Netflix, featured complex plotting with shifts of perspective that would have been hard to imagine a decade ago.

With the rise of DVDs and streaming sources, audiences are consuming shows differently. They <hl> binge-watch <hl> and read recaps. And television conventions have loosened. HBO series like “The Comeback” and “Girls” have fleshed-out character arcs, and the fourth season of “Arrested Development,” released online all at once by Netflix, featured complex plotting with shifts of perspective that would have been hard to imagine a decade ago.


Question: What has loosened?

Answer: television conventions

With the rise of DVDs and streaming sources, audiences are consuming shows differently. They binge-watch and read recaps. <hl> And television conventions have loosened. <hl> HBO series like “The Comeback” and “Girls” have fleshed-out character arcs, and the fourth season of “Arrested Development,” released online all at once by Netflix, featured complex plotting with shifts of perspective that would have been hard to imagine a decade ago.

With the rise of DVDs and streaming sources, audiences are consuming shows differently. They binge-watch and read recaps. And <hl> television conventions <hl> have loosened. HBO series like “The Comeback” and “Girls” have fleshed-out character arcs, and the fourth season of “Arrested Development,” released online all at once by Netflix, featured complex plotting with shifts of perspective that would have been hard to imagine a decade ago.


Question: Who hired the detective to find the brothers?

At its best, “Big Time” works like a parody and love letter to shows like “Breaking Bad,” whose ingenious last-second escapes were always a little absurd and ripe for ridicule. “Big Time” makes this point more overtly. By the end of the fourth episode, two brothers (along with Mr. Gooding) break into a suburban house, hold a family hostage while being trailed by a detective hired by their mother and by a team of drug traffickers with machine guns. There aren’t many jokes, but it’s a nicely staged sequence in which barreling action becomes joyfully preposterous farce.

Answer: their mother

At its best, “Big Time” works like a parody and love letter to shows like “Breaking Bad,” whose ingenious last-second escapes were always a little absurd and ripe for ridicule. “Big Time” makes this point more overtly. <hl> By the end of the fourth episode, two brothers (along with Mr. Gooding) break into a suburban house, hold a family hostage while being trailed by a detective hired by their mother and by a team of drug traffickers with machine guns. <hl> There aren’t many jokes, but it’s a nicely staged sequence in which barreling action becomes joyfully preposterous farce.

At its best, “Big Time” works like a parody and love letter to shows like “Breaking Bad,” whose ingenious last-second escapes were always a little absurd and ripe for ridicule. “Big Time” makes this point more overtly. By the end of the fourth episode, two brothers (along with Mr. Gooding) break into a suburban house, hold a family hostage while being trailed by a detective hired by <hl> their mother <hl> and by a team of drug traffickers with machine guns. There aren’t many jokes, but it’s a nicely staged sequence in which barreling action becomes joyfully preposterous farce.


Question: Who else was trailing the brothers?

Answer: a team of drug traffickers with machine guns

At its best, “Big Time” works like a parody and love letter to shows like “Breaking Bad,” whose ingenious last-second escapes were always a little absurd and ripe for ridicule. “Big Time” makes this point more overtly. <hl> By the end of the fourth episode, two brothers (along with Mr. Gooding) break into a suburban house, hold a family hostage while being trailed by a detective hired by their mother and by a team of drug traffickers with machine guns . <hl> There aren’t many jokes, but it’s a nicely staged sequence in which barreling action becomes joyfully preposterous farce.

At its best, “Big Time” works like a parody and love letter to shows like “Breaking Bad,” whose ingenious last-second escapes were always a little absurd and ripe for ridicule. “Big Time” makes this point more overtly. By the end of the fourth episode, two brothers (along with Mr. Gooding) break into a suburban house, hold a family hostage while being trailed by a detective hired by their mother and by <hl> a team of drug traffickers with machine guns <hl>. There aren’t many jokes, but it’s a nicely staged sequence in which barreling action becomes joyfully preposterous farce.

By the end of the fourth episode, two brothers (along with Mr. Gooding) break into a suburban house, hold a family hostage while being trailed by a detective hired by their mother and by <hl> a team of drug traffickers with machine guns <hl> .


Question: Last second escapes pays homage to shows like what?

Answer: Breaking Bad

<hl> At its best, “Big Time” works like a parody and love letter to shows like “ Breaking Bad ,” whose ingenious last-second escapes were always a little absurd and ripe for ridicule. <hl> “Big Time” makes this point more overtly. By the end of the fourth episode, two brothers (along with Mr. Gooding) break into a suburban house, hold a family hostage while being trailed by a detective hired by their mother and by a team of drug traffickers with machine guns. There aren’t many jokes, but it’s a nicely staged sequence in which barreling action becomes joyfully preposterous farce.

At its best, “Big Time” works like a parody and love letter to shows like “<hl> Breaking Bad <hl>,” whose ingenious last-second escapes were always a little absurd and ripe for ridicule. “Big Time” makes this point more overtly. By the end of the fourth episode, two brothers (along with Mr. Gooding) break into a suburban house, hold a family hostage while being trailed by a detective hired by their mother and by a team of drug traffickers with machine guns. There aren’t many jokes, but it’s a nicely staged sequence in which barreling action becomes joyfully preposterous farce.

At its best, “Big Time” works like a parody and love letter to shows like “ <hl> Breaking Bad <hl> ,” whose ingenious last-second escapes were always a little absurd and ripe for ridicule.


Question: The show Big Time doesn't contain many what?

Answer: jokes

At its best, “Big Time” works like a parody and love letter to shows like “Breaking Bad,” whose ingenious last-second escapes were always a little absurd and ripe for ridicule. “Big Time” makes this point more overtly. By the end of the fourth episode, two brothers (along with Mr. Gooding) break into a suburban house, hold a family hostage while being trailed by a detective hired by their mother and by a team of drug traffickers with machine guns. <hl> There aren’t many jokes , but it’s a nicely staged sequence in which barreling action becomes joyfully preposterous farce. <hl>

At its best, “Big Time” works like a parody and love letter to shows like “Breaking Bad,” whose ingenious last-second escapes were always a little absurd and ripe for ridicule. “Big Time” makes this point more overtly. By the end of the fourth episode, two brothers (along with Mr. Gooding) break into a suburban house, hold a family hostage while being trailed by a detective hired by their mother and by a team of drug traffickers with machine guns. There aren’t many <hl> jokes <hl>, but it’s a nicely staged sequence in which barreling action becomes joyfully preposterous farce.

There aren’t many <hl> jokes <hl> , but it’s a nicely staged sequence in which barreling action becomes joyfully preposterous farce.


Question: Which nuts are highly regarded in Iran?

POUZE KHOON, Iran —  The early-morning sun meagerly brightened the gloom of this sad township, a collection of empty, crumbling houses along a highway through the dusty desert landscape in southeastern Iran. Until a decade or so ago, Amin Shoul would come here every year to help his father harvest pistachios, the nuts that are as much a symbol of Iran as caviar. Now, with the last reserves of groundwater tapped out, the family’s grove and the seemingly endless fields beyond it are filled with dead trees, their bone-colored branches a deathly contrast to the turquoise sky. Mr. Shoul, 32, a journalist, said he and his family had moved away years ago, leaving the house to squatters, unemployed laborers living off meager government stipends — and even they had started to leave. “I don’t see how we can ever return to the past,” he remarked, matter-of-factly.

Answer: pistachios

POUZE KHOON, Iran — The early-morning sun meagerly brightened the gloom of this sad township, a collection of empty, crumbling houses along a highway through the dusty desert landscape in southeastern Iran. <hl> Until a decade or so ago, Amin Shoul would come here every year to help his father harvest pistachios , the nuts that are as much a symbol of Iran as caviar. <hl> Now, with the last reserves of groundwater tapped out, the family’s grove and the seemingly endless fields beyond it are filled with dead trees, their bone-colored branches a deathly contrast to the turquoise sky. Mr. Shoul, 32, a journalist, said he and his family had moved away years ago, leaving the house to squatters, unemployed laborers living off meager government stipends — and even they had started to leave. “I don’t see how we can ever return to the past,” he remarked, matter-of-factly.

POUZE KHOON, Iran — The early-morning sun meagerly brightened the gloom of this sad township, a collection of empty, crumbling houses along a highway through the dusty desert landscape in southeastern Iran. Until a decade or so ago, Amin Shoul would come here every year to help his father harvest <hl> pistachios <hl>, the nuts that are as much a symbol of Iran as caviar. Now, with the last reserves of groundwater tapped out, the family’s grove and the seemingly endless fields beyond it are filled with dead trees, their bone-colored branches a deathly contrast to the turquoise sky. Mr. Shoul, 32, a journalist, said he and his family had moved away years ago, leaving the house to squatters, unemployed laborers living off meager government stipends — and even they had started to leave. “I don’t see how we can ever return to the past,” he remarked, matter-of-factly.

Until a decade or so ago, Amin Shoul would come here every year to help his father harvest <hl> pistachios <hl> , the nuts that are as much a symbol of Iran as caviar.


Question: Who moved into abandoned houses such as Mr. Shoul's?

Answer: squatters

POUZE KHOON, Iran — The early-morning sun meagerly brightened the gloom of this sad township, a collection of empty, crumbling houses along a highway through the dusty desert landscape in southeastern Iran. Until a decade or so ago, Amin Shoul would come here every year to help his father harvest pistachios, the nuts that are as much a symbol of Iran as caviar. Now, with the last reserves of groundwater tapped out, the family’s grove and the seemingly endless fields beyond it are filled with dead trees, their bone-colored branches a deathly contrast to the turquoise sky. <hl> Mr. Shoul, 32, a journalist, said he and his family had moved away years ago, leaving the house to squatters , unemployed laborers living off meager government stipends — and even they had started to leave. <hl> “I don’t see how we can ever return to the past,” he remarked, matter-of-factly.

POUZE KHOON, Iran — The early-morning sun meagerly brightened the gloom of this sad township, a collection of empty, crumbling houses along a highway through the dusty desert landscape in southeastern Iran. Until a decade or so ago, Amin Shoul would come here every year to help his father harvest pistachios, the nuts that are as much a symbol of Iran as caviar. Now, with the last reserves of groundwater tapped out, the family’s grove and the seemingly endless fields beyond it are filled with dead trees, their bone-colored branches a deathly contrast to the turquoise sky. Mr. Shoul, 32, a journalist, said he and his family had moved away years ago, leaving the house to <hl> squatters <hl>, unemployed laborers living off meager government stipends — and even they had started to leave. “I don’t see how we can ever return to the past,” he remarked, matter-of-factly.

Mr. Shoul, 32, a journalist, said he and his family had moved away years ago, leaving the house to <hl> squatters <hl> , unemployed laborers living off meager government stipends — and even they had started to leave.


Question: What resources did squatters receive?

Answer: meager government stipends

POUZE KHOON, Iran — The early-morning sun meagerly brightened the gloom of this sad township, a collection of empty, crumbling houses along a highway through the dusty desert landscape in southeastern Iran. Until a decade or so ago, Amin Shoul would come here every year to help his father harvest pistachios, the nuts that are as much a symbol of Iran as caviar. Now, with the last reserves of groundwater tapped out, the family’s grove and the seemingly endless fields beyond it are filled with dead trees, their bone-colored branches a deathly contrast to the turquoise sky. <hl> Mr. Shoul, 32, a journalist, said he and his family had moved away years ago, leaving the house to squatters, unemployed laborers living off meager government stipends — and even they had started to leave. <hl> “I don’t see how we can ever return to the past,” he remarked, matter-of-factly.

POUZE KHOON, Iran — The early-morning sun meagerly brightened the gloom of this sad township, a collection of empty, crumbling houses along a highway through the dusty desert landscape in southeastern Iran. Until a decade or so ago, Amin Shoul would come here every year to help his father harvest pistachios, the nuts that are as much a symbol of Iran as caviar. Now, with the last reserves of groundwater tapped out, the family’s grove and the seemingly endless fields beyond it are filled with dead trees, their bone-colored branches a deathly contrast to the turquoise sky. Mr. Shoul, 32, a journalist, said he and his family had moved away years ago, leaving the house to squatters, unemployed laborers living off <hl> meager government stipends <hl> — and even they had started to leave. “I don’t see how we can ever return to the past,” he remarked, matter-of-factly.


Question: In what area of Iran is Pouze Khoon located?

Answer: southeastern

<hl> POUZE KHOON, Iran — The early-morning sun meagerly brightened the gloom of this sad township, a collection of empty, crumbling houses along a highway through the dusty desert landscape in southeastern Iran. <hl> Until a decade or so ago, Amin Shoul would come here every year to help his father harvest pistachios, the nuts that are as much a symbol of Iran as caviar. Now, with the last reserves of groundwater tapped out, the family’s grove and the seemingly endless fields beyond it are filled with dead trees, their bone-colored branches a deathly contrast to the turquoise sky. Mr. Shoul, 32, a journalist, said he and his family had moved away years ago, leaving the house to squatters, unemployed laborers living off meager government stipends — and even they had started to leave. “I don’t see how we can ever return to the past,” he remarked, matter-of-factly.

POUZE KHOON, Iran — The early-morning sun meagerly brightened the gloom of this sad township, a collection of empty, crumbling houses along a highway through the dusty desert landscape in <hl> southeastern <hl> Iran. Until a decade or so ago, Amin Shoul would come here every year to help his father harvest pistachios, the nuts that are as much a symbol of Iran as caviar. Now, with the last reserves of groundwater tapped out, the family’s grove and the seemingly endless fields beyond it are filled with dead trees, their bone-colored branches a deathly contrast to the turquoise sky. Mr. Shoul, 32, a journalist, said he and his family had moved away years ago, leaving the house to squatters, unemployed laborers living off meager government stipends — and even they had started to leave. “I don’t see how we can ever return to the past,” he remarked, matter-of-factly.


Question: How many of Iran's cities are considered some of the most polluted in the world?

Iran is in the grip of a seven-year drought that shows no sign of breaking and that, many experts believe, may be the new normal. Even a return to past rainfall levels might not be enough to head off a nationwide water crisis, since the country has already consumed 70 percent of its groundwater supplies over the past 50 years. Always arid, Iran is facing desertification as lakes and rivers dry up and once-fertile plains become barren. According to the United Nations, Iran is home to four of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, with dust and desertification among the leading causes.

Answer: four

Iran is in the grip of a seven-year drought that shows no sign of breaking and that, many experts believe, may be the new normal. Even a return to past rainfall levels might not be enough to head off a nationwide water crisis, since the country has already consumed 70 percent of its groundwater supplies over the past 50 years. Always arid, Iran is facing desertification as lakes and rivers dry up and once-fertile plains become barren. <hl> According to the United Nations, Iran is home to four of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, with dust and desertification among the leading causes. <hl>

Iran is in the grip of a seven-year drought that shows no sign of breaking and that, many experts believe, may be the new normal. Even a return to past rainfall levels might not be enough to head off a nationwide water crisis, since the country has already consumed 70 percent of its groundwater supplies over the past 50 years. Always arid, Iran is facing desertification as lakes and rivers dry up and once-fertile plains become barren. According to the United Nations, Iran is home to <hl> four <hl> of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, with dust and desertification among the leading causes.


Question: How much of Iran's groundwater reserves have been spent over the past five decades?

Answer: 70 percent

Iran is in the grip of a seven-year drought that shows no sign of breaking and that, many experts believe, may be the new normal. <hl> Even a return to past rainfall levels might not be enough to head off a nationwide water crisis, since the country has already consumed 70 percent of its groundwater supplies over the past 50 years. <hl> Always arid, Iran is facing desertification as lakes and rivers dry up and once-fertile plains become barren. According to the United Nations, Iran is home to four of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, with dust and desertification among the leading causes.

Iran is in the grip of a seven-year drought that shows no sign of breaking and that, many experts believe, may be the new normal. Even a return to past rainfall levels might not be enough to head off a nationwide water crisis, since the country has already consumed <hl> 70 percent <hl> of its groundwater supplies over the past 50 years. Always arid, Iran is facing desertification as lakes and rivers dry up and once-fertile plains become barren. According to the United Nations, Iran is home to four of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, with dust and desertification among the leading causes.


Question: Why are so many of Iran's cities polluted?

Answer: dust and desertification

Iran is in the grip of a seven-year drought that shows no sign of breaking and that, many experts believe, may be the new normal. Even a return to past rainfall levels might not be enough to head off a nationwide water crisis, since the country has already consumed 70 percent of its groundwater supplies over the past 50 years. Always arid, Iran is facing desertification as lakes and rivers dry up and once-fertile plains become barren. <hl> According to the United Nations, Iran is home to four of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, with dust and desertification among the leading causes. <hl>

Iran is in the grip of a seven-year drought that shows no sign of breaking and that, many experts believe, may be the new normal. Even a return to past rainfall levels might not be enough to head off a nationwide water crisis, since the country has already consumed 70 percent of its groundwater supplies over the past 50 years. Always arid, Iran is facing desertification as lakes and rivers dry up and once-fertile plains become barren. According to the United Nations, Iran is home to four of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, with <hl> dust and desertification <hl> among the leading causes.


Question: For how many years has Iran been facing a drought?

Answer: seven

<hl> Iran is in the grip of a seven -year drought that shows no sign of breaking and that, many experts believe, may be the new normal. <hl> Even a return to past rainfall levels might not be enough to head off a nationwide water crisis, since the country has already consumed 70 percent of its groundwater supplies over the past 50 years. Always arid, Iran is facing desertification as lakes and rivers dry up and once-fertile plains become barren. According to the United Nations, Iran is home to four of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, with dust and desertification among the leading causes.

Iran is in the grip of a <hl> seven <hl>-year drought that shows no sign of breaking and that, many experts believe, may be the new normal. Even a return to past rainfall levels might not be enough to head off a nationwide water crisis, since the country has already consumed 70 percent of its groundwater supplies over the past 50 years. Always arid, Iran is facing desertification as lakes and rivers dry up and once-fertile plains become barren. According to the United Nations, Iran is home to four of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, with dust and desertification among the leading causes.

Iran is in the grip of a <hl> seven <hl> -year drought that shows no sign of breaking and that, many experts believe, may be the new normal.


Question: What happened to the water in the Zayanderud River?

More than 15 percent of the approximately 150,000 acres of pistachio trees in the main producing area in Kerman Province have died in the last decade or so. A nationwide network of dams, often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater. In Isfahan, the once-iconic Zayanderud River is now a dusty scar the size of the Seine snaking through the city, because officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd.

Answer: officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd

More than 15 percent of the approximately 150,000 acres of pistachio trees in the main producing area in Kerman Province have died in the last decade or so. A nationwide network of dams, often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater. <hl> In Isfahan, the once-iconic Zayanderud River is now a dusty scar the size of the Seine snaking through the city, because officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd . <hl>

More than 15 percent of the approximately 150,000 acres of pistachio trees in the main producing area in Kerman Province have died in the last decade or so. A nationwide network of dams, often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater. In Isfahan, the once-iconic Zayanderud River is now a dusty scar the size of the Seine snaking through the city, because <hl> officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd <hl>.

In Isfahan, the once-iconic Zayanderud River is now a dusty scar the size of the Seine snaking through the city, because <hl> officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd <hl> .


Question: What does state television use to promote progress and water management?

Answer: A nationwide network of dams

More than 15 percent of the approximately 150,000 acres of pistachio trees in the main producing area in Kerman Province have died in the last decade or so. <hl> A nationwide network of dams , often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater. <hl> In Isfahan, the once-iconic Zayanderud River is now a dusty scar the size of the Seine snaking through the city, because officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd.

More than 15 percent of the approximately 150,000 acres of pistachio trees in the main producing area in Kerman Province have died in the last decade or so. <hl> A nationwide network of dams <hl>, often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater. In Isfahan, the once-iconic Zayanderud River is now a dusty scar the size of the Seine snaking through the city, because officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd.

<hl> A nationwide network of dams <hl> , often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater.


Question: How many pistachio trees have been lost in Kerman?

Answer: More than 15 percent

<hl> More than 15 percent of the approximately 150,000 acres of pistachio trees in the main producing area in Kerman Province have died in the last decade or so. <hl> A nationwide network of dams, often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater. In Isfahan, the once-iconic Zayanderud River is now a dusty scar the size of the Seine snaking through the city, because officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd.

<hl> More than 15 percent <hl> of the approximately 150,000 acres of pistachio trees in the main producing area in Kerman Province have died in the last decade or so. A nationwide network of dams, often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater. In Isfahan, the once-iconic Zayanderud River is now a dusty scar the size of the Seine snaking through the city, because officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd.


Question: How are dams hurting the area?

Answer: adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater

More than 15 percent of the approximately 150,000 acres of pistachio trees in the main producing area in Kerman Province have died in the last decade or so. <hl> A nationwide network of dams, often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater . <hl> In Isfahan, the once-iconic Zayanderud River is now a dusty scar the size of the Seine snaking through the city, because officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd.

More than 15 percent of the approximately 150,000 acres of pistachio trees in the main producing area in Kerman Province have died in the last decade or so. A nationwide network of dams, often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is <hl> adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater <hl>. In Isfahan, the once-iconic Zayanderud River is now a dusty scar the size of the Seine snaking through the city, because officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd.

A nationwide network of dams, often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is <hl> adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater <hl> .


Question: How many years has it taken for 15% of the pistachio trees to have died?

Answer: in the last decade or so

<hl> More than 15 percent of the approximately 150,000 acres of pistachio trees in the main producing area in Kerman Province have died in the last decade or so . <hl> A nationwide network of dams, often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater. In Isfahan, the once-iconic Zayanderud River is now a dusty scar the size of the Seine snaking through the city, because officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd.

More than 15 percent of the approximately 150,000 acres of pistachio trees in the main producing area in Kerman Province have died <hl> in the last decade or so <hl>. A nationwide network of dams, often heralded by state television as a sign of progress and water management, is adding to water shortages in many places while helping deplete groundwater. In Isfahan, the once-iconic Zayanderud River is now a dusty scar the size of the Seine snaking through the city, because officials were forced to divert its water to the desert city of Yazd.

More than 15 percent of the approximately 150,000 acres of pistachio trees in the main producing area in Kerman Province have died <hl> in the last decade or so <hl> .


Question: Which areas use more than their fair share of water?

In Tehran, officials barely managed to keep the water running this summer as reservoirs shrank to dangerously low levels. Subsidies for water and electricity encourage overconsumption in urban areas. Isa Kalantari, a former minister of agriculture, warns that more than half of Iran’s provinces could become uninhabitable within 15 years, displacing millions of people. As in drought-stricken California, agriculture accounts for about 90 percent of water consumption in Iran. And here, matters are not helped by the prevalence of crude, centuries-old irrigation methods and other wasteful practices.

Answer: urban areas

In Tehran, officials barely managed to keep the water running this summer as reservoirs shrank to dangerously low levels. <hl> Subsidies for water and electricity encourage overconsumption in urban areas . <hl> Isa Kalantari, a former minister of agriculture, warns that more than half of Iran’s provinces could become uninhabitable within 15 years, displacing millions of people. As in drought-stricken California, agriculture accounts for about 90 percent of water consumption in Iran. And here, matters are not helped by the prevalence of crude, centuries-old irrigation methods and other wasteful practices.

In Tehran, officials barely managed to keep the water running this summer as reservoirs shrank to dangerously low levels. Subsidies for water and electricity encourage overconsumption in <hl> urban areas <hl>. Isa Kalantari, a former minister of agriculture, warns that more than half of Iran’s provinces could become uninhabitable within 15 years, displacing millions of people. As in drought-stricken California, agriculture accounts for about 90 percent of water consumption in Iran. And here, matters are not helped by the prevalence of crude, centuries-old irrigation methods and other wasteful practices.

Subsidies for water and electricity encourage overconsumption in <hl> urban areas <hl> .


Question: How many years does Isa believe it will take before some of Iran's areas are uninhabitable?

Answer: within 15 years

In Tehran, officials barely managed to keep the water running this summer as reservoirs shrank to dangerously low levels. Subsidies for water and electricity encourage overconsumption in urban areas. <hl> Isa Kalantari, a former minister of agriculture, warns that more than half of Iran’s provinces could become uninhabitable within 15 years , displacing millions of people. <hl> As in drought-stricken California, agriculture accounts for about 90 percent of water consumption in Iran. And here, matters are not helped by the prevalence of crude, centuries-old irrigation methods and other wasteful practices.

In Tehran, officials barely managed to keep the water running this summer as reservoirs shrank to dangerously low levels. Subsidies for water and electricity encourage overconsumption in urban areas. Isa Kalantari, a former minister of agriculture, warns that more than half of Iran’s provinces could become uninhabitable <hl> within 15 years <hl>, displacing millions of people. As in drought-stricken California, agriculture accounts for about 90 percent of water consumption in Iran. And here, matters are not helped by the prevalence of crude, centuries-old irrigation methods and other wasteful practices.

Isa Kalantari, a former minister of agriculture, warns that more than half of Iran’s provinces could become uninhabitable <hl> within 15 years <hl> , displacing millions of people.


Question: According to Isa, how many of Iran's provinces may be unfit for habitation within 15 years?

Answer: more than half

In Tehran, officials barely managed to keep the water running this summer as reservoirs shrank to dangerously low levels. Subsidies for water and electricity encourage overconsumption in urban areas. <hl> Isa Kalantari, a former minister of agriculture, warns that more than half of Iran’s provinces could become uninhabitable within 15 years, displacing millions of people. <hl> As in drought-stricken California, agriculture accounts for about 90 percent of water consumption in Iran. And here, matters are not helped by the prevalence of crude, centuries-old irrigation methods and other wasteful practices.

In Tehran, officials barely managed to keep the water running this summer as reservoirs shrank to dangerously low levels. Subsidies for water and electricity encourage overconsumption in urban areas. Isa Kalantari, a former minister of agriculture, warns that <hl> more than half <hl> of Iran’s provinces could become uninhabitable within 15 years, displacing millions of people. As in drought-stricken California, agriculture accounts for about 90 percent of water consumption in Iran. And here, matters are not helped by the prevalence of crude, centuries-old irrigation methods and other wasteful practices.


Question: In what area of agriculture is Iran outdated?

Answer: irrigation methods

In Tehran, officials barely managed to keep the water running this summer as reservoirs shrank to dangerously low levels. Subsidies for water and electricity encourage overconsumption in urban areas. Isa Kalantari, a former minister of agriculture, warns that more than half of Iran’s provinces could become uninhabitable within 15 years, displacing millions of people. As in drought-stricken California, agriculture accounts for about 90 percent of water consumption in Iran. <hl> And here, matters are not helped by the prevalence of crude, centuries-old irrigation methods and other wasteful practices. <hl>

In Tehran, officials barely managed to keep the water running this summer as reservoirs shrank to dangerously low levels. Subsidies for water and electricity encourage overconsumption in urban areas. Isa Kalantari, a former minister of agriculture, warns that more than half of Iran’s provinces could become uninhabitable within 15 years, displacing millions of people. As in drought-stricken California, agriculture accounts for about 90 percent of water consumption in Iran. And here, matters are not helped by the prevalence of crude, centuries-old <hl> irrigation methods <hl> and other wasteful practices.


Question: Why are urban areas encouraged to use too much water?

Answer: Subsidies for water and electricity

In Tehran, officials barely managed to keep the water running this summer as reservoirs shrank to dangerously low levels. <hl> Subsidies for water and electricity encourage overconsumption in urban areas. <hl> Isa Kalantari, a former minister of agriculture, warns that more than half of Iran’s provinces could become uninhabitable within 15 years, displacing millions of people. As in drought-stricken California, agriculture accounts for about 90 percent of water consumption in Iran. And here, matters are not helped by the prevalence of crude, centuries-old irrigation methods and other wasteful practices.

In Tehran, officials barely managed to keep the water running this summer as reservoirs shrank to dangerously low levels. <hl> Subsidies for water and electricity <hl> encourage overconsumption in urban areas. Isa Kalantari, a former minister of agriculture, warns that more than half of Iran’s provinces could become uninhabitable within 15 years, displacing millions of people. As in drought-stricken California, agriculture accounts for about 90 percent of water consumption in Iran. And here, matters are not helped by the prevalence of crude, centuries-old irrigation methods and other wasteful practices.


Question: Where do farmers try and seek water first?

Where there are no longer rivers and lakes to be tapped, desperate farmers and municipalities are turning to dwindling groundwater supplies. Drillers report that they are increasingly coming up dry, even at depths of more than 600 feet. When they do find water, they say, it is often polluted with heavy metals and arsenic, released as the drill bits break through sediment. The changing landscape is all too visible in Kerman Province. In a not-so-distant past, the area was a beltway of green stretching for hundreds of square miles, using groundwater to produce grain and pistachios. Now, the sun bakes treeless plains that are increasingly giving way to deserts. During storms, the dead trees lose their branches, turning them into stumps, while the dust swirls about in ever-growing quantities.

Answer: rivers and lakes

<hl> Where there are no longer rivers and lakes to be tapped, desperate farmers and municipalities are turning to dwindling groundwater supplies. <hl> Drillers report that they are increasingly coming up dry, even at depths of more than 600 feet. When they do find water, they say, it is often polluted with heavy metals and arsenic, released as the drill bits break through sediment. The changing landscape is all too visible in Kerman Province. In a not-so-distant past, the area was a beltway of green stretching for hundreds of square miles, using groundwater to produce grain and pistachios. Now, the sun bakes treeless plains that are increasingly giving way to deserts. During storms, the dead trees lose their branches, turning them into stumps, while the dust swirls about in ever-growing quantities.

Where there are no longer <hl> rivers and lakes <hl> to be tapped, desperate farmers and municipalities are turning to dwindling groundwater supplies. Drillers report that they are increasingly coming up dry, even at depths of more than 600 feet. When they do find water, they say, it is often polluted with heavy metals and arsenic, released as the drill bits break through sediment. The changing landscape is all too visible in Kerman Province. In a not-so-distant past, the area was a beltway of green stretching for hundreds of square miles, using groundwater to produce grain and pistachios. Now, the sun bakes treeless plains that are increasingly giving way to deserts. During storms, the dead trees lose their branches, turning them into stumps, while the dust swirls about in ever-growing quantities.


Question: Where do farmers and cities search for groundwater when none is provided by the rivers and lakes?

Answer: groundwater

<hl> Where there are no longer rivers and lakes to be tapped, desperate farmers and municipalities are turning to dwindling groundwater supplies. <hl> Drillers report that they are increasingly coming up dry, even at depths of more than 600 feet. When they do find water, they say, it is often polluted with heavy metals and arsenic, released as the drill bits break through sediment. The changing landscape is all too visible in Kerman Province. In a not-so-distant past, the area was a beltway of green stretching for hundreds of square miles, using groundwater to produce grain and pistachios. Now, the sun bakes treeless plains that are increasingly giving way to deserts. During storms, the dead trees lose their branches, turning them into stumps, while the dust swirls about in ever-growing quantities.

Where there are no longer rivers and lakes to be tapped, desperate farmers and municipalities are turning to dwindling <hl> groundwater <hl> supplies. Drillers report that they are increasingly coming up dry, even at depths of more than 600 feet. When they do find water, they say, it is often polluted with heavy metals and arsenic, released as the drill bits break through sediment. The changing landscape is all too visible in Kerman Province. In a not-so-distant past, the area was a beltway of green stretching for hundreds of square miles, using groundwater to produce grain and pistachios. Now, the sun bakes treeless plains that are increasingly giving way to deserts. During storms, the dead trees lose their branches, turning them into stumps, while the dust swirls about in ever-growing quantities.


Question: How does the groundwater become polluted?

Answer: drill bits break through sediment

Where there are no longer rivers and lakes to be tapped, desperate farmers and municipalities are turning to dwindling groundwater supplies. Drillers report that they are increasingly coming up dry, even at depths of more than 600 feet. <hl> When they do find water, they say, it is often polluted with heavy metals and arsenic, released as the drill bits break through sediment . <hl> The changing landscape is all too visible in Kerman Province. In a not-so-distant past, the area was a beltway of green stretching for hundreds of square miles, using groundwater to produce grain and pistachios. Now, the sun bakes treeless plains that are increasingly giving way to deserts. During storms, the dead trees lose their branches, turning them into stumps, while the dust swirls about in ever-growing quantities.

Where there are no longer rivers and lakes to be tapped, desperate farmers and municipalities are turning to dwindling groundwater supplies. Drillers report that they are increasingly coming up dry, even at depths of more than 600 feet. When they do find water, they say, it is often polluted with heavy metals and arsenic, released as the <hl> drill bits break through sediment <hl>. The changing landscape is all too visible in Kerman Province. In a not-so-distant past, the area was a beltway of green stretching for hundreds of square miles, using groundwater to produce grain and pistachios. Now, the sun bakes treeless plains that are increasingly giving way to deserts. During storms, the dead trees lose their branches, turning them into stumps, while the dust swirls about in ever-growing quantities.

When they do find water, they say, it is often polluted with heavy metals and arsenic, released as the <hl> drill bits break through sediment <hl> .


Question: Why is groundwater unsafe to use?

Answer: polluted with heavy metals and arsenic

Where there are no longer rivers and lakes to be tapped, desperate farmers and municipalities are turning to dwindling groundwater supplies. Drillers report that they are increasingly coming up dry, even at depths of more than 600 feet. <hl> When they do find water, they say, it is often polluted with heavy metals and arsenic , released as the drill bits break through sediment. <hl> The changing landscape is all too visible in Kerman Province. In a not-so-distant past, the area was a beltway of green stretching for hundreds of square miles, using groundwater to produce grain and pistachios. Now, the sun bakes treeless plains that are increasingly giving way to deserts. During storms, the dead trees lose their branches, turning them into stumps, while the dust swirls about in ever-growing quantities.

Where there are no longer rivers and lakes to be tapped, desperate farmers and municipalities are turning to dwindling groundwater supplies. Drillers report that they are increasingly coming up dry, even at depths of more than 600 feet. When they do find water, they say, it is often <hl> polluted with heavy metals and arsenic <hl>, released as the drill bits break through sediment. The changing landscape is all too visible in Kerman Province. In a not-so-distant past, the area was a beltway of green stretching for hundreds of square miles, using groundwater to produce grain and pistachios. Now, the sun bakes treeless plains that are increasingly giving way to deserts. During storms, the dead trees lose their branches, turning them into stumps, while the dust swirls about in ever-growing quantities.

When they do find water, they say, it is often <hl> polluted with heavy metals and arsenic <hl> , released as the drill bits break through sediment.


Question: What causes dead trees to lose their branches and turn into stumps?

Answer: storms

Where there are no longer rivers and lakes to be tapped, desperate farmers and municipalities are turning to dwindling groundwater supplies. Drillers report that they are increasingly coming up dry, even at depths of more than 600 feet. When they do find water, they say, it is often polluted with heavy metals and arsenic, released as the drill bits break through sediment. The changing landscape is all too visible in Kerman Province. In a not-so-distant past, the area was a beltway of green stretching for hundreds of square miles, using groundwater to produce grain and pistachios. Now, the sun bakes treeless plains that are increasingly giving way to deserts. <hl> During storms , the dead trees lose their branches, turning them into stumps, while the dust swirls about in ever-growing quantities. <hl>

Where there are no longer rivers and lakes to be tapped, desperate farmers and municipalities are turning to dwindling groundwater supplies. Drillers report that they are increasingly coming up dry, even at depths of more than 600 feet. When they do find water, they say, it is often polluted with heavy metals and arsenic, released as the drill bits break through sediment. The changing landscape is all too visible in Kerman Province. In a not-so-distant past, the area was a beltway of green stretching for hundreds of square miles, using groundwater to produce grain and pistachios. Now, the sun bakes treeless plains that are increasingly giving way to deserts. During <hl> storms <hl>, the dead trees lose their branches, turning them into stumps, while the dust swirls about in ever-growing quantities.

During <hl> storms <hl> , the dead trees lose their branches, turning them into stumps, while the dust swirls about in ever-growing quantities.


Question: Which area gets the water first?

Just over 50 miles north, in the city of Sirjan, decisions long postponed have begun to impose themselves on local officials, forcing them to make difficult choices in allocating scarce water supplies. Wedged between two newly built neighborhoods of five-story apartment buildings, a convoy of water trucks waited in line to fill their 5,000-gallon tanks. Under a deal with the local water management company, up to 400 of these trucks a day draw water from the city’s main well and head to the Golgohar iron mine, the largest such mine in the Middle East. It employs over 7,000 people, many of them from Sirjan, and a water shortage has compounded an already difficult situation brought on by collapsing iron ore prices. “It is internationally unprecedented to carry water with tankers, but we have no other way,” Naser Taghizadeh, chief executive of the Golgohar Iron Ore Company, told the local Negarestan news outlet. “If water is not taken to the complex, projects are stopped, and many people will lose their jobs.”

Answer: Golgohar iron mine

Just over 50 miles north, in the city of Sirjan, decisions long postponed have begun to impose themselves on local officials, forcing them to make difficult choices in allocating scarce water supplies. Wedged between two newly built neighborhoods of five-story apartment buildings, a convoy of water trucks waited in line to fill their 5,000-gallon tanks. <hl> Under a deal with the local water management company, up to 400 of these trucks a day draw water from the city’s main well and head to the Golgohar iron mine , the largest such mine in the Middle East. <hl> It employs over 7,000 people, many of them from Sirjan, and a water shortage has compounded an already difficult situation brought on by collapsing iron ore prices. “It is internationally unprecedented to carry water with tankers, but we have no other way,” Naser Taghizadeh, chief executive of the Golgohar Iron Ore Company, told the local Negarestan news outlet. “If water is not taken to the complex, projects are stopped, and many people will lose their jobs.”

Just over 50 miles north, in the city of Sirjan, decisions long postponed have begun to impose themselves on local officials, forcing them to make difficult choices in allocating scarce water supplies. Wedged between two newly built neighborhoods of five-story apartment buildings, a convoy of water trucks waited in line to fill their 5,000-gallon tanks. Under a deal with the local water management company, up to 400 of these trucks a day draw water from the city’s main well and head to the <hl> Golgohar iron mine <hl>, the largest such mine in the Middle East. It employs over 7,000 people, many of them from Sirjan, and a water shortage has compounded an already difficult situation brought on by collapsing iron ore prices. “It is internationally unprecedented to carry water with tankers, but we have no other way,” Naser Taghizadeh, chief executive of the Golgohar Iron Ore Company, told the local Negarestan news outlet. “If water is not taken to the complex, projects are stopped, and many people will lose their jobs.”

Under a deal with the local water management company, up to 400 of these trucks a day draw water from the city’s main well and head to the <hl> Golgohar iron mine <hl> , the largest such mine in the Middle East.


Question: Where do water trucks source their water?

Answer: the city’s main well

Just over 50 miles north, in the city of Sirjan, decisions long postponed have begun to impose themselves on local officials, forcing them to make difficult choices in allocating scarce water supplies. Wedged between two newly built neighborhoods of five-story apartment buildings, a convoy of water trucks waited in line to fill their 5,000-gallon tanks. <hl> Under a deal with the local water management company, up to 400 of these trucks a day draw water from the city’s main well and head to the Golgohar iron mine, the largest such mine in the Middle East. <hl> It employs over 7,000 people, many of them from Sirjan, and a water shortage has compounded an already difficult situation brought on by collapsing iron ore prices. “It is internationally unprecedented to carry water with tankers, but we have no other way,” Naser Taghizadeh, chief executive of the Golgohar Iron Ore Company, told the local Negarestan news outlet. “If water is not taken to the complex, projects are stopped, and many people will lose their jobs.”

Just over 50 miles north, in the city of Sirjan, decisions long postponed have begun to impose themselves on local officials, forcing them to make difficult choices in allocating scarce water supplies. Wedged between two newly built neighborhoods of five-story apartment buildings, a convoy of water trucks waited in line to fill their 5,000-gallon tanks. Under a deal with the local water management company, up to 400 of these trucks a day draw water from <hl> the city’s main well <hl> and head to the Golgohar iron mine, the largest such mine in the Middle East. It employs over 7,000 people, many of them from Sirjan, and a water shortage has compounded an already difficult situation brought on by collapsing iron ore prices. “It is internationally unprecedented to carry water with tankers, but we have no other way,” Naser Taghizadeh, chief executive of the Golgohar Iron Ore Company, told the local Negarestan news outlet. “If water is not taken to the complex, projects are stopped, and many people will lose their jobs.”


Question: How is water carried to the iron mine?

Answer: with tankers

Just over 50 miles north, in the city of Sirjan, decisions long postponed have begun to impose themselves on local officials, forcing them to make difficult choices in allocating scarce water supplies. Wedged between two newly built neighborhoods of five-story apartment buildings, a convoy of water trucks waited in line to fill their 5,000-gallon tanks. Under a deal with the local water management company, up to 400 of these trucks a day draw water from the city’s main well and head to the Golgohar iron mine, the largest such mine in the Middle East. It employs over 7,000 people, many of them from Sirjan, and a water shortage has compounded an already difficult situation brought on by collapsing iron ore prices. <hl> “It is internationally unprecedented to carry water with tankers , but we have no other way,” Naser Taghizadeh, chief executive of the Golgohar Iron Ore Company, told the local Negarestan news outlet. <hl> “If water is not taken to the complex, projects are stopped, and many people will lose their jobs.”

Just over 50 miles north, in the city of Sirjan, decisions long postponed have begun to impose themselves on local officials, forcing them to make difficult choices in allocating scarce water supplies. Wedged between two newly built neighborhoods of five-story apartment buildings, a convoy of water trucks waited in line to fill their 5,000-gallon tanks. Under a deal with the local water management company, up to 400 of these trucks a day draw water from the city’s main well and head to the Golgohar iron mine, the largest such mine in the Middle East. It employs over 7,000 people, many of them from Sirjan, and a water shortage has compounded an already difficult situation brought on by collapsing iron ore prices. “It is internationally unprecedented to carry water <hl> with tankers <hl>, but we have no other way,” Naser Taghizadeh, chief executive of the Golgohar Iron Ore Company, told the local Negarestan news outlet. “If water is not taken to the complex, projects are stopped, and many people will lose their jobs.”

“It is internationally unprecedented to carry water <hl> with tankers <hl> , but we have no other way,” Naser Taghizadeh, chief executive of the Golgohar Iron Ore Company, told the local Negarestan news outlet.


Question: Why is water important to the iron mines?

Answer: If water is not taken to the complex, projects are stopped, and many people will lose their jobs.

Just over 50 miles north, in the city of Sirjan, decisions long postponed have begun to impose themselves on local officials, forcing them to make difficult choices in allocating scarce water supplies. Wedged between two newly built neighborhoods of five-story apartment buildings, a convoy of water trucks waited in line to fill their 5,000-gallon tanks. Under a deal with the local water management company, up to 400 of these trucks a day draw water from the city’s main well and head to the Golgohar iron mine, the largest such mine in the Middle East. It employs over 7,000 people, many of them from Sirjan, and a water shortage has compounded an already difficult situation brought on by collapsing iron ore prices. “It is internationally unprecedented to carry water with tankers, but we have no other way,” Naser Taghizadeh, chief executive of the Golgohar Iron Ore Company, told the local Negarestan news outlet. <hl> “ If water is not taken to the complex, projects are stopped, and many people will lose their jobs. ” <hl>

Just over 50 miles north, in the city of Sirjan, decisions long postponed have begun to impose themselves on local officials, forcing them to make difficult choices in allocating scarce water supplies. Wedged between two newly built neighborhoods of five-story apartment buildings, a convoy of water trucks waited in line to fill their 5,000-gallon tanks. Under a deal with the local water management company, up to 400 of these trucks a day draw water from the city’s main well and head to the Golgohar iron mine, the largest such mine in the Middle East. It employs over 7,000 people, many of them from Sirjan, and a water shortage has compounded an already difficult situation brought on by collapsing iron ore prices. “It is internationally unprecedented to carry water with tankers, but we have no other way,” Naser Taghizadeh, chief executive of the Golgohar Iron Ore Company, told the local Negarestan news outlet. “<hl> If water is not taken to the complex, projects are stopped, and many people will lose their jobs. <hl>”

“ <hl> If water is not taken to the complex, projects are stopped, and many people will lose their jobs. <hl> ”


Question: Who is unhappy about the tanker trucks?

Residents have objected and even staged a sit-in, but the tankers keep coming for the water, kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off. The drivers, often from the city, say they are scorned by their neighbors. “We need to feed our families too,” one of them, Saaed Salimizadeh, said. “When the water runs out, it will run out for all of us. We have to choose between jobs and drinking water.” Sirjan is by no means alone in its water shortages. In surrounding Kerman Province, 1,455 of 2,064 village reservoirs have dropped below levels needed to sustain the population, according to the local water management agency. The semiofficial Mehr news agency reported in July, citing local statistics, that 541 villages were dependent on tanker deliveries for their water.

Answer: Residents

<hl> Residents have objected and even staged a sit-in, but the tankers keep coming for the water, kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off. <hl> The drivers, often from the city, say they are scorned by their neighbors. “We need to feed our families too,” one of them, Saaed Salimizadeh, said. “When the water runs out, it will run out for all of us. We have to choose between jobs and drinking water.” Sirjan is by no means alone in its water shortages. In surrounding Kerman Province, 1,455 of 2,064 village reservoirs have dropped below levels needed to sustain the population, according to the local water management agency. The semiofficial Mehr news agency reported in July, citing local statistics, that 541 villages were dependent on tanker deliveries for their water.

<hl> Residents <hl> have objected and even staged a sit-in, but the tankers keep coming for the water, kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off. The drivers, often from the city, say they are scorned by their neighbors. “We need to feed our families too,” one of them, Saaed Salimizadeh, said. “When the water runs out, it will run out for all of us. We have to choose between jobs and drinking water.” Sirjan is by no means alone in its water shortages. In surrounding Kerman Province, 1,455 of 2,064 village reservoirs have dropped below levels needed to sustain the population, according to the local water management agency. The semiofficial Mehr news agency reported in July, citing local statistics, that 541 villages were dependent on tanker deliveries for their water.


Question: Who do the tanker drivers face criticism from?

Answer: their neighbors

Residents have objected and even staged a sit-in, but the tankers keep coming for the water, kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off. <hl> The drivers, often from the city, say they are scorned by their neighbors . <hl> “We need to feed our families too,” one of them, Saaed Salimizadeh, said. “When the water runs out, it will run out for all of us. We have to choose between jobs and drinking water.” Sirjan is by no means alone in its water shortages. In surrounding Kerman Province, 1,455 of 2,064 village reservoirs have dropped below levels needed to sustain the population, according to the local water management agency. The semiofficial Mehr news agency reported in July, citing local statistics, that 541 villages were dependent on tanker deliveries for their water.

Residents have objected and even staged a sit-in, but the tankers keep coming for the water, kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off. The drivers, often from the city, say they are scorned by <hl> their neighbors <hl>. “We need to feed our families too,” one of them, Saaed Salimizadeh, said. “When the water runs out, it will run out for all of us. We have to choose between jobs and drinking water.” Sirjan is by no means alone in its water shortages. In surrounding Kerman Province, 1,455 of 2,064 village reservoirs have dropped below levels needed to sustain the population, according to the local water management agency. The semiofficial Mehr news agency reported in July, citing local statistics, that 541 villages were dependent on tanker deliveries for their water.

The drivers, often from the city, say they are scorned by <hl> their neighbors <hl> .


Question: How many areas depend on the tanker deliveries for water?

Answer: 541 villages

Residents have objected and even staged a sit-in, but the tankers keep coming for the water, kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off. The drivers, often from the city, say they are scorned by their neighbors. “We need to feed our families too,” one of them, Saaed Salimizadeh, said. “When the water runs out, it will run out for all of us. We have to choose between jobs and drinking water.” Sirjan is by no means alone in its water shortages. In surrounding Kerman Province, 1,455 of 2,064 village reservoirs have dropped below levels needed to sustain the population, according to the local water management agency. <hl> The semiofficial Mehr news agency reported in July, citing local statistics, that 541 villages were dependent on tanker deliveries for their water. <hl>

Residents have objected and even staged a sit-in, but the tankers keep coming for the water, kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off. The drivers, often from the city, say they are scorned by their neighbors. “We need to feed our families too,” one of them, Saaed Salimizadeh, said. “When the water runs out, it will run out for all of us. We have to choose between jobs and drinking water.” Sirjan is by no means alone in its water shortages. In surrounding Kerman Province, 1,455 of 2,064 village reservoirs have dropped below levels needed to sustain the population, according to the local water management agency. The semiofficial Mehr news agency reported in July, citing local statistics, that <hl> 541 villages <hl> were dependent on tanker deliveries for their water.


Question: How many reservoirs within Kerman Province have fallen below critical levels?

Answer: 1,455 of 2,064

Residents have objected and even staged a sit-in, but the tankers keep coming for the water, kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off. The drivers, often from the city, say they are scorned by their neighbors. “We need to feed our families too,” one of them, Saaed Salimizadeh, said. “When the water runs out, it will run out for all of us. We have to choose between jobs and drinking water.” Sirjan is by no means alone in its water shortages. <hl> In surrounding Kerman Province, 1,455 of 2,064 village reservoirs have dropped below levels needed to sustain the population, according to the local water management agency. <hl> The semiofficial Mehr news agency reported in July, citing local statistics, that 541 villages were dependent on tanker deliveries for their water.

Residents have objected and even staged a sit-in, but the tankers keep coming for the water, kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off. The drivers, often from the city, say they are scorned by their neighbors. “We need to feed our families too,” one of them, Saaed Salimizadeh, said. “When the water runs out, it will run out for all of us. We have to choose between jobs and drinking water.” Sirjan is by no means alone in its water shortages. In surrounding Kerman Province, <hl> 1,455 of 2,064 <hl> village reservoirs have dropped below levels needed to sustain the population, according to the local water management agency. The semiofficial Mehr news agency reported in July, citing local statistics, that 541 villages were dependent on tanker deliveries for their water.


Question: In addition to water depletion, what other negative side effect to the tanker trucks produce?

Answer: kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off

<hl> Residents have objected and even staged a sit-in, but the tankers keep coming for the water, kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off . <hl> The drivers, often from the city, say they are scorned by their neighbors. “We need to feed our families too,” one of them, Saaed Salimizadeh, said. “When the water runs out, it will run out for all of us. We have to choose between jobs and drinking water.” Sirjan is by no means alone in its water shortages. In surrounding Kerman Province, 1,455 of 2,064 village reservoirs have dropped below levels needed to sustain the population, according to the local water management agency. The semiofficial Mehr news agency reported in July, citing local statistics, that 541 villages were dependent on tanker deliveries for their water.

Residents have objected and even staged a sit-in, but the tankers keep coming for the water, <hl> kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off <hl>. The drivers, often from the city, say they are scorned by their neighbors. “We need to feed our families too,” one of them, Saaed Salimizadeh, said. “When the water runs out, it will run out for all of us. We have to choose between jobs and drinking water.” Sirjan is by no means alone in its water shortages. In surrounding Kerman Province, 1,455 of 2,064 village reservoirs have dropped below levels needed to sustain the population, according to the local water management agency. The semiofficial Mehr news agency reported in July, citing local statistics, that 541 villages were dependent on tanker deliveries for their water.

Residents have objected and even staged a sit-in, but the tankers keep coming for the water, <hl> kicking up clouds of fine dust as they drive off <hl> .


Question: Why does Mr. Sharif say he pays so little for his electricity?

He blamed the government for keeping energy and water prices low, saying that he paid only $270 a month for his electricity bill, covering his huge pump and 20 employees. “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “And while we have no water, its price is also dirt cheap.” His investment has paid off, Mr. Sharif, 44, acknowledged. “I have bought myself another 15 years,” he said as he walked among freshly picked pistachio trees. That is just enough to last to his retirement. “After that,” he said, “this place, like everything else here, is done for.”

Answer: blamed the government for keeping energy and water prices low

<hl> He blamed the government for keeping energy and water prices low , saying that he paid only $270 a month for his electricity bill, covering his huge pump and 20 employees. <hl> “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “And while we have no water, its price is also dirt cheap.” His investment has paid off, Mr. Sharif, 44, acknowledged. “I have bought myself another 15 years,” he said as he walked among freshly picked pistachio trees. That is just enough to last to his retirement. “After that,” he said, “this place, like everything else here, is done for.”

He <hl> blamed the government for keeping energy and water prices low <hl>, saying that he paid only $270 a month for his electricity bill, covering his huge pump and 20 employees. “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “And while we have no water, its price is also dirt cheap.” His investment has paid off, Mr. Sharif, 44, acknowledged. “I have bought myself another 15 years,” he said as he walked among freshly picked pistachio trees. That is just enough to last to his retirement. “After that,” he said, “this place, like everything else here, is done for.”

He <hl> blamed the government for keeping energy and water prices low <hl> , saying that he paid only $270 a month for his electricity bill, covering his huge pump and 20 employees.


Question: What does Mr. Sharif use his electricity for?

Answer: covering his huge pump and 20 employees

<hl> He blamed the government for keeping energy and water prices low, saying that he paid only $270 a month for his electricity bill, covering his huge pump and 20 employees . <hl> “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “And while we have no water, its price is also dirt cheap.” His investment has paid off, Mr. Sharif, 44, acknowledged. “I have bought myself another 15 years,” he said as he walked among freshly picked pistachio trees. That is just enough to last to his retirement. “After that,” he said, “this place, like everything else here, is done for.”

He blamed the government for keeping energy and water prices low, saying that he paid only $270 a month for his electricity bill, <hl> covering his huge pump and 20 employees <hl>. “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “And while we have no water, its price is also dirt cheap.” His investment has paid off, Mr. Sharif, 44, acknowledged. “I have bought myself another 15 years,” he said as he walked among freshly picked pistachio trees. That is just enough to last to his retirement. “After that,” he said, “this place, like everything else here, is done for.”

He blamed the government for keeping energy and water prices low, saying that he paid only $270 a month for his electricity bill, <hl> covering his huge pump and 20 employees <hl> .


Question: Government subsidies have kept prices of what low?

Answer: energy and water

<hl> He blamed the government for keeping energy and water prices low, saying that he paid only $270 a month for his electricity bill, covering his huge pump and 20 employees. <hl> “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “And while we have no water, its price is also dirt cheap.” His investment has paid off, Mr. Sharif, 44, acknowledged. “I have bought myself another 15 years,” he said as he walked among freshly picked pistachio trees. That is just enough to last to his retirement. “After that,” he said, “this place, like everything else here, is done for.”

He blamed the government for keeping <hl> energy and water <hl> prices low, saying that he paid only $270 a month for his electricity bill, covering his huge pump and 20 employees. “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “And while we have no water, its price is also dirt cheap.” His investment has paid off, Mr. Sharif, 44, acknowledged. “I have bought myself another 15 years,” he said as he walked among freshly picked pistachio trees. That is just enough to last to his retirement. “After that,” he said, “this place, like everything else here, is done for.”


Question: For how long does Mr. Sharif believe the area will continue to thrive?

Answer: 15 years

He blamed the government for keeping energy and water prices low, saying that he paid only $270 a month for his electricity bill, covering his huge pump and 20 employees. “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “And while we have no water, its price is also dirt cheap.” His investment has paid off, Mr. Sharif, 44, acknowledged. <hl> “I have bought myself another 15 years ,” he said as he walked among freshly picked pistachio trees. <hl> That is just enough to last to his retirement. “After that,” he said, “this place, like everything else here, is done for.”

He blamed the government for keeping energy and water prices low, saying that he paid only $270 a month for his electricity bill, covering his huge pump and 20 employees. “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “And while we have no water, its price is also dirt cheap.” His investment has paid off, Mr. Sharif, 44, acknowledged. “I have bought myself another <hl> 15 years <hl>,” he said as he walked among freshly picked pistachio trees. That is just enough to last to his retirement. “After that,” he said, “this place, like everything else here, is done for.”

“I have bought myself another <hl> 15 years <hl> ,” he said as he walked among freshly picked pistachio trees.


Question: what judge rebuked the arguments?

Judge Walls rejected each of those arguments. He said there was no indication that the grand jury had been handled improperly, and concluded that political contributions can be considered “things of value to influence official acts.” “The Constitution does not protect an attempt to influence a public official’s acts through improper means, such as the bribery scheme that has been alleged in this case,” he wrote in his decision. Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, was indicted in April on charges that he accepted personal gifts, including private plane trips and luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, from Dr. Melgen, and lobbied in return for Dr. Melgen’s interests in Washington. A wealthy Florida eye surgeon, Dr. Melgen was a major contributor to Mr. Menendez’s political campaigns, and to a “super PAC” supporting his last re-election bid in 2012.

Answer: Judge Walls

<hl> Judge Walls rejected each of those arguments. <hl> He said there was no indication that the grand jury had been handled improperly, and concluded that political contributions can be considered “things of value to influence official acts.” “The Constitution does not protect an attempt to influence a public official’s acts through improper means, such as the bribery scheme that has been alleged in this case,” he wrote in his decision. Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, was indicted in April on charges that he accepted personal gifts, including private plane trips and luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, from Dr. Melgen, and lobbied in return for Dr. Melgen’s interests in Washington. A wealthy Florida eye surgeon, Dr. Melgen was a major contributor to Mr. Menendez’s political campaigns, and to a “super PAC” supporting his last re-election bid in 2012.

<hl> Judge Walls <hl> rejected each of those arguments. He said there was no indication that the grand jury had been handled improperly, and concluded that political contributions can be considered “things of value to influence official acts.” “The Constitution does not protect an attempt to influence a public official’s acts through improper means, such as the bribery scheme that has been alleged in this case,” he wrote in his decision. Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, was indicted in April on charges that he accepted personal gifts, including private plane trips and luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, from Dr. Melgen, and lobbied in return for Dr. Melgen’s interests in Washington. A wealthy Florida eye surgeon, Dr. Melgen was a major contributor to Mr. Menendez’s political campaigns, and to a “super PAC” supporting his last re-election bid in 2012.


Question: what did Judge Walls opinion of political donations?

Answer: contributions can be considered “things of value to influence official acts.”

Judge Walls rejected each of those arguments. <hl> He said there was no indication that the grand jury had been handled improperly, and concluded that political contributions can be considered “things of value to influence official acts.” “The Constitution does not protect an attempt to influence a public official’s acts through improper means, such as the bribery scheme that has been alleged in this case,” he wrote in his decision. <hl> Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, was indicted in April on charges that he accepted personal gifts, including private plane trips and luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, from Dr. Melgen, and lobbied in return for Dr. Melgen’s interests in Washington. A wealthy Florida eye surgeon, Dr. Melgen was a major contributor to Mr. Menendez’s political campaigns, and to a “super PAC” supporting his last re-election bid in 2012.

Judge Walls rejected each of those arguments. He said there was no indication that the grand jury had been handled improperly, and concluded that political <hl> contributions can be considered “things of value to influence official acts.” <hl> “The Constitution does not protect an attempt to influence a public official’s acts through improper means, such as the bribery scheme that has been alleged in this case,” he wrote in his decision. Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, was indicted in April on charges that he accepted personal gifts, including private plane trips and luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, from Dr. Melgen, and lobbied in return for Dr. Melgen’s interests in Washington. A wealthy Florida eye surgeon, Dr. Melgen was a major contributor to Mr. Menendez’s political campaigns, and to a “super PAC” supporting his last re-election bid in 2012.


Question: when did Mr. Menendez last run?

Answer: 2012

Judge Walls rejected each of those arguments. He said there was no indication that the grand jury had been handled improperly, and concluded that political contributions can be considered “things of value to influence official acts.” “The Constitution does not protect an attempt to influence a public official’s acts through improper means, such as the bribery scheme that has been alleged in this case,” he wrote in his decision. Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, was indicted in April on charges that he accepted personal gifts, including private plane trips and luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, from Dr. Melgen, and lobbied in return for Dr. Melgen’s interests in Washington. <hl> A wealthy Florida eye surgeon, Dr. Melgen was a major contributor to Mr. Menendez’s political campaigns, and to a “super PAC” supporting his last re-election bid in 2012 . <hl>

Judge Walls rejected each of those arguments. He said there was no indication that the grand jury had been handled improperly, and concluded that political contributions can be considered “things of value to influence official acts.” “The Constitution does not protect an attempt to influence a public official’s acts through improper means, such as the bribery scheme that has been alleged in this case,” he wrote in his decision. Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, was indicted in April on charges that he accepted personal gifts, including private plane trips and luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, from Dr. Melgen, and lobbied in return for Dr. Melgen’s interests in Washington. A wealthy Florida eye surgeon, Dr. Melgen was a major contributor to Mr. Menendez’s political campaigns, and to a “super PAC” supporting his last re-election bid in <hl> 2012 <hl>.

A wealthy Florida eye surgeon, Dr. Melgen was a major contributor to Mr. Menendez’s political campaigns, and to a “super PAC” supporting his last re-election bid in <hl> 2012 <hl> .


Question: who was a large donor to Mr. Menedez

Answer: Dr. Melgen

Judge Walls rejected each of those arguments. He said there was no indication that the grand jury had been handled improperly, and concluded that political contributions can be considered “things of value to influence official acts.” “The Constitution does not protect an attempt to influence a public official’s acts through improper means, such as the bribery scheme that has been alleged in this case,” he wrote in his decision. <hl> Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, was indicted in April on charges that he accepted personal gifts, including private plane trips and luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, from Dr. Melgen , and lobbied in return for Dr. Melgen’s interests in Washington. <hl> A wealthy Florida eye surgeon, Dr. Melgen was a major contributor to Mr. Menendez’s political campaigns, and to a “super PAC” supporting his last re-election bid in 2012.

Judge Walls rejected each of those arguments. He said there was no indication that the grand jury had been handled improperly, and concluded that political contributions can be considered “things of value to influence official acts.” “The Constitution does not protect an attempt to influence a public official’s acts through improper means, such as the bribery scheme that has been alleged in this case,” he wrote in his decision. Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, was indicted in April on charges that he accepted personal gifts, including private plane trips and luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, from <hl> Dr. Melgen <hl>, and lobbied in return for Dr. Melgen’s interests in Washington. A wealthy Florida eye surgeon, Dr. Melgen was a major contributor to Mr. Menendez’s political campaigns, and to a “super PAC” supporting his last re-election bid in 2012.

Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, was indicted in April on charges that he accepted personal gifts, including private plane trips and luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, from <hl> Dr. Melgen <hl> , and lobbied in return for Dr. Melgen’s interests in Washington.


Question: what does the constitution not shield from in this case?

Answer: an attempt to influence a public official’s acts

Judge Walls rejected each of those arguments. He said there was no indication that the grand jury had been handled improperly, and concluded that political contributions can be considered “things of value to influence official acts.” <hl> “The Constitution does not protect an attempt to influence a public official’s acts through improper means, such as the bribery scheme that has been alleged in this case,” he wrote in his decision. <hl> Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, was indicted in April on charges that he accepted personal gifts, including private plane trips and luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, from Dr. Melgen, and lobbied in return for Dr. Melgen’s interests in Washington. A wealthy Florida eye surgeon, Dr. Melgen was a major contributor to Mr. Menendez’s political campaigns, and to a “super PAC” supporting his last re-election bid in 2012.

Judge Walls rejected each of those arguments. He said there was no indication that the grand jury had been handled improperly, and concluded that political contributions can be considered “things of value to influence official acts.” “The Constitution does not protect <hl> an attempt to influence a public official’s acts <hl> through improper means, such as the bribery scheme that has been alleged in this case,” he wrote in his decision. Mr. Menendez, a Democrat, was indicted in April on charges that he accepted personal gifts, including private plane trips and luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, from Dr. Melgen, and lobbied in return for Dr. Melgen’s interests in Washington. A wealthy Florida eye surgeon, Dr. Melgen was a major contributor to Mr. Menendez’s political campaigns, and to a “super PAC” supporting his last re-election bid in 2012.


Question: who did Mr. Lowell expect to examine the motions?

“Many of the motions raise important and novel legal questions that often require review by trial and appellate courts,” Mr. Lowell said. “The government, we, and even the court in this case acknowledged that additional review would occur here no matter how the motions were decided.” A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on Monday’s decision. Mr. Menendez has vowed to stay in office while fighting the case against him in court, though he gave up his position as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being indicted.

Answer: trial and appellate courts

<hl> “Many of the motions raise important and novel legal questions that often require review by trial and appellate courts ,” Mr. Lowell said. <hl> “The government, we, and even the court in this case acknowledged that additional review would occur here no matter how the motions were decided.” A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on Monday’s decision. Mr. Menendez has vowed to stay in office while fighting the case against him in court, though he gave up his position as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being indicted.

“Many of the motions raise important and novel legal questions that often require review by <hl> trial and appellate courts <hl>,” Mr. Lowell said. “The government, we, and even the court in this case acknowledged that additional review would occur here no matter how the motions were decided.” A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on Monday’s decision. Mr. Menendez has vowed to stay in office while fighting the case against him in court, though he gave up his position as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being indicted.

“Many of the motions raise important and novel legal questions that often require review by <hl> trial and appellate courts <hl> ,” Mr. Lowell said.


Question: what did Mr. Lowell think would happen to the motions

Answer: additional review

“Many of the motions raise important and novel legal questions that often require review by trial and appellate courts,” Mr. Lowell said. <hl> “The government, we, and even the court in this case acknowledged that additional review would occur here no matter how the motions were decided.” <hl> A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on Monday’s decision. Mr. Menendez has vowed to stay in office while fighting the case against him in court, though he gave up his position as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being indicted.

“Many of the motions raise important and novel legal questions that often require review by trial and appellate courts,” Mr. Lowell said. “The government, we, and even the court in this case acknowledged that <hl> additional review <hl> would occur here no matter how the motions were decided.” A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on Monday’s decision. Mr. Menendez has vowed to stay in office while fighting the case against him in court, though he gave up his position as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being indicted.


Question: when was the decision handed down?

Answer: Monday

“Many of the motions raise important and novel legal questions that often require review by trial and appellate courts,” Mr. Lowell said. “The government, we, and even the court in this case acknowledged that additional review would occur here no matter how the motions were decided.” <hl> A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on Monday ’s decision. <hl> Mr. Menendez has vowed to stay in office while fighting the case against him in court, though he gave up his position as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being indicted.

“Many of the motions raise important and novel legal questions that often require review by trial and appellate courts,” Mr. Lowell said. “The government, we, and even the court in this case acknowledged that additional review would occur here no matter how the motions were decided.” A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on <hl> Monday <hl>’s decision. Mr. Menendez has vowed to stay in office while fighting the case against him in court, though he gave up his position as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being indicted.

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on <hl> Monday <hl> ’s decision.


Question: What did Mr. Menendez plan to do with his career during the case?

Answer: to stay in office

“Many of the motions raise important and novel legal questions that often require review by trial and appellate courts,” Mr. Lowell said. “The government, we, and even the court in this case acknowledged that additional review would occur here no matter how the motions were decided.” A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on Monday’s decision. <hl> Mr. Menendez has vowed to stay in office while fighting the case against him in court, though he gave up his position as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being indicted. <hl>

“Many of the motions raise important and novel legal questions that often require review by trial and appellate courts,” Mr. Lowell said. “The government, we, and even the court in this case acknowledged that additional review would occur here no matter how the motions were decided.” A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on Monday’s decision. Mr. Menendez has vowed <hl> to stay in office <hl> while fighting the case against him in court, though he gave up his position as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being indicted.


Question: what group was Mr. Menedez no longer a part of?

Answer: the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

“Many of the motions raise important and novel legal questions that often require review by trial and appellate courts,” Mr. Lowell said. “The government, we, and even the court in this case acknowledged that additional review would occur here no matter how the motions were decided.” A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on Monday’s decision. <hl> Mr. Menendez has vowed to stay in office while fighting the case against him in court, though he gave up his position as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being indicted. <hl>

“Many of the motions raise important and novel legal questions that often require review by trial and appellate courts,” Mr. Lowell said. “The government, we, and even the court in this case acknowledged that additional review would occur here no matter how the motions were decided.” A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on Monday’s decision. Mr. Menendez has vowed to stay in office while fighting the case against him in court, though he gave up his position as the senior Democrat on <hl> the Senate Foreign Relations Committee <hl> after being indicted.


Question: What did critics say what might be the city's most impressive new bread course?

These enablers have given the unusual, original pizzas and visually arresting appetizers at Bruno more media attention than you may expect for a fledgling East Village pizzeria whose chefs have never run a full restaurant kitchen. In the middle of September, New York magazine’s website ran an article claiming that Bruno’s $18 plate of bread and fermented mozzarella “might just be the city’s most impressive new bread course.” This was a scoop; nobody else had written about the bread. It may well be that nobody else had tasted the bread, either. It wasn’t on the menu then. An infrequent special, it wasn’t on the menu the last time I ate there, about a week ago.

Answer: Bruno’s $18 plate of bread

These enablers have given the unusual, original pizzas and visually arresting appetizers at Bruno more media attention than you may expect for a fledgling East Village pizzeria whose chefs have never run a full restaurant kitchen. <hl> In the middle of September, New York magazine’s website ran an article claiming that Bruno’s $18 plate of bread and fermented mozzarella “might just be the city’s most impressive new bread course.” <hl> This was a scoop; nobody else had written about the bread. It may well be that nobody else had tasted the bread, either. It wasn’t on the menu then. An infrequent special, it wasn’t on the menu the last time I ate there, about a week ago.

These enablers have given the unusual, original pizzas and visually arresting appetizers at Bruno more media attention than you may expect for a fledgling East Village pizzeria whose chefs have never run a full restaurant kitchen. In the middle of September, New York magazine’s website ran an article claiming that <hl> Bruno’s $18 plate of bread <hl> and fermented mozzarella “might just be the city’s most impressive new bread course.” This was a scoop; nobody else had written about the bread. It may well be that nobody else had tasted the bread, either. It wasn’t on the menu then. An infrequent special, it wasn’t on the menu the last time I ate there, about a week ago.


Question: Where is Bruno's located?

Answer: East Village

<hl> These enablers have given the unusual, original pizzas and visually arresting appetizers at Bruno more media attention than you may expect for a fledgling East Village pizzeria whose chefs have never run a full restaurant kitchen. <hl> In the middle of September, New York magazine’s website ran an article claiming that Bruno’s $18 plate of bread and fermented mozzarella “might just be the city’s most impressive new bread course.” This was a scoop; nobody else had written about the bread. It may well be that nobody else had tasted the bread, either. It wasn’t on the menu then. An infrequent special, it wasn’t on the menu the last time I ate there, about a week ago.

These enablers have given the unusual, original pizzas and visually arresting appetizers at Bruno more media attention than you may expect for a fledgling <hl> East Village <hl> pizzeria whose chefs have never run a full restaurant kitchen. In the middle of September, New York magazine’s website ran an article claiming that Bruno’s $18 plate of bread and fermented mozzarella “might just be the city’s most impressive new bread course.” This was a scoop; nobody else had written about the bread. It may well be that nobody else had tasted the bread, either. It wasn’t on the menu then. An infrequent special, it wasn’t on the menu the last time I ate there, about a week ago.