AP answers your questions on the news, from the Tiananmen uprising to Obama’s Nobel Prize

Ask AP: Tiananmen Square, Obama’s Nobel Prize

These many years later, the riveting mental image remains: A lone man stands motionless in a street near Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, his thin frame blocking a menacing column of army tanks.

Curiosity about who that man was — and whatever became of him — inspired one of the questions in this edition of “Ask AP,” a weekly Q&A column where AP journalists respond to readers’ questions about the news.

If you have your own news-related question that you’d like to see answered by an AP reporter or editor, send it to newsquestions@ap.org, with “Ask AP” in the subject line. And please include your full name and hometown so they can be published with your question.

You can also find Ask AP on AP Mobile, a multimedia news service available on Internet-enabled cell phones. Go to www.apnews.com/ to learn more.

Does President Barack Obama have to pay any income tax on his Nobel Peace Prize winnings?

Lawrence Mostrog

Hot Springs Village, Ark.

President Obama has announced that he is donating the $1.4 million he won to various charities, including groups that help students afford college, veterans’ families and survivors of Haiti’s earthquake. By donating the money to charity, Obama will not have to pay income tax on the winnings, according to tax giant H&R Block.

In general, taxpayers can avoid income taxes on awards for meritorious achievement, as long as they direct that the prize money be paid directly to a qualified charity or government unit, H&R Block says.

If Obama had kept the money, he would have to pay taxes on it.

Stephen Ohlemacher

AP Writer

Washington

Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protest and massacre. Do we know the name of the man who famously stood up against the tanks? And whatever happened to him? Is he in jail or under house arrest?

Daniel Lippman

Washington

“Tank Man,” as he is now known, stood in front of a column of tanks on June 5, 1989, on Chang’an Avenue near Tiananmen Square during pro-democracy protests that were suppressed by the government with great loss of life. As the lead tank tried to maneuver around the man, he too moved, continuing to block the tank’s progress. At one point, he climbed atop the tank and appeared to converse with its crew.

Eventually, the man, in dark pants, white shirt and carrying two bags, climbed down and was hustled away by bystanders.

The man’s name remains unknown. There is only speculation about who he is and what happened to him. There have been rumors he was executed, and also rumors that he is living in hiding in China and also that he is in Taiwan. The government has said little about him.

A photograph taken by the AP’s Jeff Widener — among a number of journalists who photographed or videoptaped the confrontation — became a symbol of Tiananmen and appeared in newspapers around the world. The photo was taken from the Beijing Hotel, about half a mile away.

Scott A. McDonald

AP News Editor, Beijing

If you’re unlucky enough to find yourself behind the wheel of a runaway Toyota, what’s the best way to stop it?

Richard Lee

Richmond, Va.

If your car suddenly accelerates, here are three ways to stop the vehicle, according to Toyota:

— Step on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes.

— Shift the transmission gear selector into neutral. Use the brakes to make a controlled stop by the side of the road.

— If you’re unable to put the vehicle in neutral, turn off the engine. This will cut off power assist to the steering wheel and brakes, but as long as the key is in the ignition, you will still be able to steer and brake. If you have an engine start/stop button, press it firmly for three seconds to turn the engine off. Do not tap it. If you have a conventional key ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position. Do not remove the key from the ignition.

Tom Krisher

AP Auto Writer

Detroit

Have questions of your own? Send them to newsquestions@ap.org.