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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Do not go backstage at Cirque Du Soleil . It will only hurt your self-esteem . Anthony Gatto says he 's been in training since he was 3 years old and performing since he was 8 . In the performers ' tent for the touring show `` Kooza , '' there are the chiseled men catapulting their partners onto each other 's shoulders from a giant see-saw and the woman doing contortions on children 's - sized blocks . You can only take so much of this before your ego needs normal . Normal might be that man in the corner , wearing a T-shirt , shorts and sneakers throwing balls in the air . How hard can that be ? Your self-worth will be quickly dashed again when the man picks up a soccer ball , bounces it on his head and jumps rope at the same time . Moments later , he 's juggling six or seven orange rings -LRB- they move so fast , it looks like a blur -RRB- and then does a pirouette -- while all the rings are in the air -- and then catches them on his arm . Watch the juggler in action '' You could say Anthony Gatto went into the family business . But his stepfather was n't a farmer or a doctor . He was a juggler . `` By the time I was 8 , I was entered into a juggling competition , and incidentally , that was the same competition that Patrick Dempsey , the actor , was in , '' Gatto said . `` He used to be a juggler . We competed against each other . I took first , he took second . Now he 's a big actor and here I am , juggling . '' Gatto is being modest . In fact , he did n't audition for `` Kooza . '' The show went looking for him . `` I have right now 11 juggling world records , '' he said . `` Some of them I 've held since I was 16 years old and they have yet to be beaten . '' Imagine a wearable disco ball . That 's not too different from the form-fitting outfit Gatto wears onstage . Backstage , it 's a long-sleeve T-shirt , gym shorts and sneakers . But there 's nothing casual about his daily routine . He typically works out and practices six to seven hours a day to prepare for his 10 minutes in the spotlight . In fact , he is practicing until moments before he runs on stage . `` Juggling is something that is so delicate , you have to have a really good feel , you can lose that in minutes , '' he said . `` There are so many variables that can affect you . If it 's a humid day , it 's a very difficult task to get through the number that I do . The wind , if there 's any air current in there and you 're expecting to catch a ring and it blows an inch , you miss it . '' But he rarely misses -- at least not in his act . This performer , who relies on coordination and concentration 350 shows a year , admits his most embarrassing moment has nothing to do with balls , clubs or rings . It 's acting that trips him up . `` I have fallen as the delivery-man character in the show . In fact , I have done this a few times , '' he said . `` I like to think it 's because I put my heart and soul into the characters I 'm portraying . '' Surrounded by all this talent and precision , there is some comfort in knowing one of the best -- maybe the best juggler in the world -- is also a klutz . | Cirque Du Soleil 's `` Kooza '' went looking for juggler with 11 world records . Anthony Gatto beat actor Patrick Dempsey in juggling competition . Gatto practices six to seven hours to prepare for 10 minutes on stage . Says humidity and wind can affect his routine . | [[1530, 1561], [1565, 1607], [1942, 1944], [1969, 2003], [1998, 2052]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In the wake of a highly publicized chimpanzee attack , the U.S. House made its first official move to ban humans from owning primates as pets . Travis , seen here as a younger chimp , was fatally shot by police after attacking a woman , authorities say . The House overwhelmingly voted in favor of passing the Captive Primate Safety Act on Tuesday , which prohibits people from buying or transporting primates across state lines to keep as pets . This legislation amended the Lacey Act , which had only applied to wildlife and fish . The Humane Society of the United States applauded the bill , which passed by a vote of 323 to 95 . `` There is no reason for any private citizen to keep a primate as a pet , and this trade is driven by unscrupulous dealers who sell primates across state lines for thousands of dollars , '' said Wayne Pacelle , president and CEO of the HSUS . Last week , Charla Nash , 55 , was left with severe trauma to her face , scalp and hands after her neighbor 's pet chimpanzee , Travis , mauled her in Stamford , Connecticut . Police shot Travis to halt the attack , and he later died of gunshot wounds . Nash was brought to the famed Cleveland Clinic , where the nation 's first face transplant was performed . Doctors there are contemplating whether to offer her a similar procedure . The bill was introduced by U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer , D-Oregon , and Mark Kirk , R-Illinois , who said it would protect animals and humans from similar attacks . `` As the tragic attack in Connecticut shows us , The Captive Primate Safety Act is necessary , common-sense legislation for the welfare of humans and animals , '' Blumenauer said . `` Make no mistake , this bill will protect communities and ensure the humane treatment of these animals . '' `` It is inhumane to cage primates in private homes . Besides the animal cruelty concerns , the interstate movement of pet primates creates serious public health and safety risks . The Captive Primate Safety Act takes important steps to address these concerns , '' Kirk said . As cute as they can be , primates can inflict serious injuries and spread life-threatening disease , according to the Humane Society . The average pet owner can not provide for their basic social and physical needs in captivity , says the organization , which estimates 15,000 monkeys and other primates are living as either pets or in private zoos . `` As infants , they are fascinating , '' said Beth Preiss , who directs the organization 's Exotic Pet Campaign . `` But they grow up and become dangerous to manage . '' The bill moves now to the Senate , where Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California and Republican Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana will lead the effort to pass the legislation . CNN 's Lauren Kornreich contributed to this report . | Bill prohibits purchase , transportation of primates across state lines . Trade driven by `` unscrupulous dealers '' who sell primates , Humane Society says . Primates can inflict serious injuries , spread disease , group says . Bill comes 8 days after woman left in serious condition after chimpanzee mauling . | [[370, 377], [386, 458], [738, 786], [766, 786], [791, 848], [2101, 2109], [2177, 2210], [2101, 2174], [907, 916], [919, 930], [933, 1032]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- David Beckham was upstaged on the day his AC Milan future was finally resolved as teammate Filippo Inzaghi fired a hat-trick in the 3-0 success over Atalanta at the San Siro on Sunday . David Beckham congratulates hat-trick hero Filippo Inzaghi as the San Siro enjoys a double celebration . Milan confirmed in a brief statement a deal had been reached with Los Angeles Galaxy over England international Beckham . `` AC Milan announces that the player David Beckham will remain at the club until June 30 , 2009 , '' it read . The 33-year-old midfielder will then return to the United States to play for the Galaxy between July and October . `` I 'm grateful to both clubs for allowing this dream to come true , '' Beckham said in a statement posted on www.gazzetta.it . What do think of Beckham 's move to play in the U.S. and Italy ? `` It will enable me to play for Milan and the Galaxy in the same season , with the possibility of been able to keep up my commitments with Major League Soccer and the development of soccer in the United States , something which I 'm very passionate about . '' The deal follows weeks of negotiations between the two clubs during which Milan baulked at the size of the transfer fee Galaxy were demanding -- thought to be around # 12million . Galaxy 's chief executive , Tim Lieweke , admits the deal is one which suits both clubs . `` I 'm sorry that it had to go for so long , for him and for us and particularly for the fans , '' he told the Los Angeles Times . `` This is a good solution . It allows him to finish the season with Milan . We will see him in July . '' Coach Carlo Ancelotti admits Beckham has exceeded all expectations during his first two months as an AC Milan player . `` Beckham has done more than we could have possibly expected from him , '' Ancelotti told PA Sport . `` He has settled in very well with the squad and given a huge contribution up to now . `` He is very professional and we are all very , very happy that he is staying . '' He added : `` The aim was to keep him until June 30 and we have done that . He is very happy with the solution that has been found and we will make the most of having him now and then we will see . '' Sunday 's victory gave Milan a five-point gap over fourth-placed Fiorentina , who lost 2-0 at home to Palermo . Ancelotti said Inzaghi had helped lift the club out of a crisis after their UEFA Cup exit . `` He gave us a real helping hand . It was a tough match and for most of the first half Atalanta caused us problems , '' he said . `` Then Pippo 's ability to find the right place to be in allowed us to end the match well . We were in a crisis and now I hope that this result has put an end to the crisis . '' Only the top three in Serie A will go straight into next season 's Champions League group stages with the fourth place finisher having to negotiate two qualifying rounds . With his contract uncertainty behind him , Beckham seemed to have a new lease of life and he was even given a free role behind forwards Inzaghi and Pato by Ancelotti . The former England captain dictated the play and helped open the way for Milan to take a seventh-minute lead when Marek Jankulovski firied across goal for the unmarked Inzaghi to score . Milan had to wait until the 71st minute for Inzaghi 's second . He beat the offside trap to latch onto Pato 's chip and take the ball around Consigli before slotting home . Moment 's later Inzaghi was once again in the right place at the right time to tap in Gianluca Zambrotta 's pass from close range . After that Ancelotti took both Inzaghi and Beckham off to give the fans the chance to show their appreciation for both players . There was no change to the top three in Serie A as Inter Milan and Juventus both won on Saturday , 2-0 at Genoa and 1-0 at Torino respectively . Serie A top scorer Marco Di Vaio also scored a hat-trick as Bologna thrashed Sampdoria 3-0 . | Filippo Inzaghi fires hat-trick in Milan 's 3-0 win over Atalanta at the San Siro . Double celebration for fans as David Beckham 's Milan future is also resolved . Beckham will stay at San Siro for rest of season and the rejoin L.A. Galaxy . | [[57, 76], [81, 137], [101, 204], [57, 76], [81, 137], [347, 431], [432, 530], [544, 570], [576, 658], [1555, 1592]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The entire population of Taloga , Oklahoma , was evacuated Thursday because of a raging fire that has burned tens of thousands of acres , officials said Friday . Wildfire threatens a house in Edmond , Oklahoma , on Friday . All of the residents , about 400 , left the Dewey County town , but have been allowed back in , said Bill Challis with the fire department in Clinton , Oklahoma , south of Taloga . Clinton is among dozens of fire departments helping battle the blaze . Wildfires have been burning in northwest and central Oklahoma since Thursday , according to the state Department of Emergency Management . A large wildfire also came within inches of homes north of Edmond late Friday morning and was still burning during the noon hour , CNN affiliate KOCO reported . Oklahoma Department of Public Safey officials also report that one to two city blocks of Weleetka , in Okfuskee County , were on fire , according to KOCO . The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved the state 's request for federal assistance for fighting the wildfire in Dewey County , where Taloga is located . The original call about the Taloga fire came in Thursday at about 12:30 p.m. -LRB- 1:30 p.m. ET -RRB- , Challis said . Officials do n't know how the fire started . Brett Russell , also with the Clinton Fire Department , said about 60,000 acres have burned . There are no reports of anyone injured . As of about 11 a.m. Friday -LRB- 12 p.m. ET -RRB- , the Taloga fire was about 50 to 60 percent contained . About 80 fire departments helping battle the blaze , Russell told CNN . An Oklahoma Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter was helping with aerial fire suppression , according to the state . | All residents of Taloga , Oklahoma , were evacuated because of fire . Entire population of about 400 people allowed back in . Wildfires have been burning in northwest and central Oklahoma since Thursday . Wildfire also burning near towns of Edmond , Waleeka . | [[0, 15], [64, 111], [243, 263], [278, 304], [243, 263], [311, 336], [98, 154], [95, 111], [117, 154], [495, 571], [634, 650], [724, 762], [181, 242], [634, 650], [656, 719], [634, 650], [724, 762]] |
MOSCOW , Russia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Gas will resume flowing `` in the next few days , '' Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told reporters following summit talks in Moscow aimed at resolving the ongoing dispute between Ukraine and Russia which has left many parts of Europe without natural gas . Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was in Moscow Saturday for talks with Russian leaders . Medvedev said the summit talks , which also involved Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and her Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin , had raised a number of `` interesting ideas , '' including loans and extensions of credit aimed at resolving the crisis . But he reiterated that no agreement had been reached . Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said the meeting highlighted Russian efforts to enlist major European gas companies as a part of an international consortium that would subsidize Ukrainian payments to ensure gas deliveries from Russia . `` Preliminary willingness -LRB- to join the consortium -RRB- has been stated by Eni , which was the first to do so , then by Ruhrgas , Wingas , Gaz de France , OMV , and Gasterra , '' Kupriyanov told Russian news agency Interfax . On Friday , Putin said Ukraine required about $ 730 million of `` technical gas '' to resume export deliveries from Russia . It has now been 11 days since much of Europe was cut off from crucial supplies of Russian natural gas because of the dispute between Russia and Ukraine , which is in charge of pipelines carrying gas to the continent . The taps remain shut despite a deal signed in Brussels earlier this week . The European Union has tried to pressure Russia and Ukraine into sorting out the matter , calling into question their reliability as energy suppliers . Russia has said the dispute is not bilateral . Tymoshenko said ahead of the trip that her top priority was to resume Russian natural gas transit to Europe in order to protect Ukraine 's reputation as a transit country and prevent the empty pipelines from suffering damage as a result of being idle . Watch how a simple price dispute led to the crisis '' `` The government takes full responsibility for resolving the crisis in relations with Russia , which was not initiated by us , '' Tymoshenko said in a statement on the government 's Web site . The prime minister said she would press for direct relations between Russian energy giant Gazprom and Ukraine 's state-run gas company Naftogaz and `` mutually beneficial prices '' for gas and transit . It was prices and cost that caused the problems in the first place . Russia cut off Ukraine 's domestic gas supply at the start of the year , claiming nonpayment of debt , and the two sides failed to agree on the terms for a new contract . Six days later , in a move each side blamed on the other , Russian gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine were turned off as well . Watch how Slovakia has been affected by the gas row '' `` There is the need to compromise in order to preserve friendly relations between Ukraine and Russia , and to uphold the reputation of both countries in Europe , '' Tymoshenko said . `` I am sure that such compromise will be brokered . '' CNN 's Matthew Chance contributed to this report . | Russian President Medvedev says gas flow to Europe will resume in days . Medvedev hosted summit talks Saturday aimed at resolving dispute with Ukraine . Ukrainian PM Yulia Tymoshenko also attended talks . Shutdown has left many European countries without natural gas . | [[32, 82], [163, 235], [615, 653], [294, 391], [392, 575], [209, 235], [242, 271], [1336, 1457]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The White House has provided the use of a government airplane to a key Democratic senator in order to ensure the availability of what may prove to be the deciding 60th vote in favor of the $ 787 billion economic stimulus package . Sen. Sherrod Brown , D-Ohio , could represent the decisive 60th vote on the $ 787 billion economic stimulus package . Sen. Sherrod Brown , D-Ohio , has returned to his home state to attend a wake for his 88-year-old mother , who died February 2 from complications from leukemia . At the end of the wake , Brown will be flown from Mansfield , Ohio , to Andrews Air Force Base . After he casts his vote , he will return to Ohio for his mother 's funeral early Saturday . The plane is being provided by the White House , Brown 's office said , because the vote is considered `` official business , '' and there are no commercial flights available that would allow him to cast the vote and return to Ohio for his mother 's funeral Saturday morning . A White House official refused to provide a cost estimate for the military plane , but acknowledged `` it will be a higher cost than if he were flying commercial . '' The official said it is a `` small government plane . '' `` Taking immediate action to save or create 3.5 million jobs and get America 's economy moving again is a top priority for Ohio and the nation , '' said the White House official . `` Given that no commercial flights were available that would allow Sen. Brown to make the vote and to attend services memorializing his mother , the administration provided government transportation to ensure that he could do so . '' While the final Senate vote on the stimulus plan began at 5:30 p.m. ET , senators are expected to be allowed to vote until after 10:30 p.m. , giving Brown enough time to return to the Capitol . CNN 's Ed Henry and Ted Barrett contributed to this report . | White House provides plane to Democratic senator so he can vote on stimulus bill . Sen. Sherrod Brown , D-Ohio , may represent the decisive 60th vote on measure . Brown will vote between wake and funeral in Ohio for his mother , who died at age 88 . White House official says loaner is a `` small government plane '' | [[0, 26], [30, 128], [1558, 1643], [129, 260], [261, 279], [284, 378], [379, 397], [402, 483], [461, 483], [490, 540], [638, 729], [0, 26], [30, 128], [1174, 1227], [1192, 1227], [1377, 1411]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Entertainer Ed McMahon has been hospitalized for more than three weeks with pneumonia and other medical problems , his spokesman said Friday . 85-year-old Ed McMahon is in serious condition , according to his spokesman . Doctors say McMahon is in serious condition , said the spokesman , Howard Bragman . `` Ed 's a big , strong , hearty guy and his family and I are hopeful and optimistic about his prognosis , '' he said . McMahon is 85 . He will turn 86 on March 6 . Bragman and McMahon 's family are `` praying and hoping for the best and are appreciative of everyone 's thoughts and prayers , '' Bragman said . He declined to say where McMahon is hospitalized . McMahon gained fame as Johnny Carson 's sidekick on `` The Tonight Show . '' CNN 's Rachel Wells contributed to this story . | Ed McMahon has been in the hospital for almost a month . He is in serious condition , says spokesman . McMahon best known as Johnny Carson 's longtime `` Tonight '' show sidekick . | [[0, 15], [19, 131], [660, 685], [134, 161], [162, 208], [162, 184], [211, 239], [240, 283], [686, 759]] |
DUBAI , United Arab Emirates -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The United Arab Emirates has refused to grant a visa to a female Israeli tennis player , preventing her from competing in the Sony Ericsson World Tennis Association Tour in Dubai , the WTA said in a statement Sunday . The UAE has refused to grant a visa allowing Shahar Peer to compete in Dubai . Shahar Peer would have been the first Israeli athlete to participate in a professional sporting event in the UAE , CNN Sports correspondent Pedro Pinto said . The UAE has no diplomatic ties with Israel . Peer told CNN on Sunday evening she was `` very , very disappointed '' to be denied access to the tournament . `` Any player that qualifies should attend , and I was prevented , '' she said from Israel . `` I 'm glad the WTA support me . A red line was crossed for every athlete in the world -- politics should be kept separate from sports . '' The governing body of women 's tennis said it was `` deeply disappointed '' that Peer was being denied entry to the country hosting the tournament , but it did not cancel the competition , which began Sunday . The move runs counter to WTA policy , which says no player should be barred from competing in a tournament for which she has qualified . Dubai could lose its membership in the WTA tour next year over the ban on Peer , according to WTA rules . That would mean professional players could compete only in exhibition matches in Dubai , the results of which would not count in pro rankings . Government officials in Dubai have not responded to CNN 's request to comment over their refusal to allow Peer to compete in the event . `` Ms. Peer has earned the right to play in the tournament , and it is regrettable that the UAE is denying her this right , '' said Larry Scott , chairman and chief executive of the tour . Watch Scott express disappointment '' `` Following various consultations , the tour has decided to allow the tournament to continue to be played this week , pending further review by the tour 's board of directors . '' The patron of the Dubai Tennis Championships is Dubai 's ruler , Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Makhtoum . Two million dollars in prize money is on the line . Al-Makhtoum told CNN in 2004 that Dubai would accept Israeli students to a school dedicated to students from the Middle East who are talented at sports . In 2003 , Dubai hosted World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings , which Israeli government officials attended . The Israeli flag -- among other member states ' flags -- is still part of a globe monument in Dubai . Peer , 21 , is ranked 48th in the world among female tennis players . She was allowed to compete at the Doha tournament in Qatar last year , where she received a warm welcome , according to Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz . Qatar , another Gulf Arab state , froze diplomatic ties with Israel after Israel 's military offensive in Gaza last month . Peer downplayed the political undertones of her participation in last year 's Doha tournament , telling Haaretz that she did n't come to Qatar `` to help the politics of course . '' But she added that if her playing in the tournament `` can help for peace or anything , I 'd be really happy . '' Scott said the tour will `` review appropriate remedies for Ms. Peer '' as well as `` appropriate future actions with regard to the future of the Dubai tournament . '' Peer was advised Saturday by tournament and WTA officials of the denial of her visa while she was participating in a tournament in Pattaya , Thailand , according to a WTA statement . The Dubai Tennis Championships runs through February 28 . | NEW : Shahar Peer , female Israeli tennis player , says she 's `` very , very disappointed '' United Arab Emirates refuses to grant a visa to Peer . Peer needed the visa to play in the Dubai Tennis Championships . World Tennis Association unhappy , says move runs counter to its policy . | [[8, 44], [48, 134], [266, 344], [1716, 1749], [295, 344], [894, 1040], [1104, 1139], [3475, 3478], [3537, 3567]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. Air Force is grounding more than 100 planes used to support ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan because of fatigue cracks in the wings , Air Force officials said Friday . Aircraft like this A-10 Warthog provide close support to ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan . The officials said 127 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs , including some used in the United States , will be grounded until they are each inspected for the cracks . `` The inspections are a necessary step in addressing the risk associated with A-10 wing cracking , specifically with thin-skin wings . This risk is of great concern to the Air Force and is representative of a systemic problem for our aging Air Force fleet , '' the Air Force said . The A-10 Thunderbolt II , nicknamed the `` Warthog '' because of its unique un-aerodynamic look , is one of the Air Force 's older aircraft , having first been delivered to the service in 1975 . The average age of the A-10 fleet is now 28 years , but the entire Air Force fleet has an average age of 25 years , according to Air Force statistics . The Air Force has more than 400 A-10s in its fleet . The cracks in the older A-10 A-models and A-10 C-models were discovered at Hill Air Force Base in Utah during routine maintenance . No A-10 has had an accident because of the cracks just discovered , according to Air Force officials . The inspection of the 127 planes will give priority to the planes in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of battle , officials said . The plane was designed as a tank killer , with a front-mounted Gatling gun that fires 30-mm armor-piercing ammunition capable of destroying a tank . The planes are now primarily used in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect ground troops in close combat situations , flying low and slow and with the ability to target individuals hidden on mountainsides or rooftops . Last year , the Air Force grounded hundreds of F-15 fighter jets after one fell apart during a training mission . The culprit was a fatigued longeron , a part that holds the fuselage together . Numerous F-15s flying in Iraq and Afghanistan also were grounded until they were inspected , forcing the service to fly other aircraft in their place . The Navy was also asked to help cover the F-15 missions during the weeks they were grounded . | 127 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs will be grounded because of fatigue cracks in wings . A-10s first delivered to Air Force in 1975 ; average age is 28 years . None of the cracks has been attributed to accidents . Planes used in Iraq , Afghanistan to protect ground troops in close combat situations . | [[0, 20], [30, 82], [72, 155], [309, 369], [745, 768], [887, 939], [940, 989], [1277, 1326], [212, 308], [266, 308], [1661, 1671], [1676, 1813]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The pilot of a tanker that crashed into the San Francisco Bay Bridge in 2007 , causing a major oil spill , was under the influence of multiple prescription medications that impaired his judgment , federal officials said in a report Wednesday . The November 2007 crash left a gash in the tanker 's side and led to an oil spill that killed more than 2,000 birds . The National Transportation Safety Board said the pilot of the Hong Kong-registered Cosco Busan , was `` medically unfit '' on November 7 , 2007 . That , and a master pilot 's poor oversight of his performance , were major factors in the crash that dumped 53,000 gallons of oil into the bay , the NTSB said . `` How a man who was taking a half-dozen impairing prescription medications got to stand on the bridge of a 68,000-ton ship and give directions to guide the vessel through a foggy bay and under a busy highway bridge is very troubling , '' said acting NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker . The pilot , John Cota , was charged with criminal negligence in federal court last year . He faces two misdemeanor charges that could result in up to 18 months in prison and $ 115,000 in fines . The 901-foot ship left Oakland , California , en route to South Korea when Cota gave orders that steered the ship directly toward a support tower on the bridge . While the ship avoided a direct hit , it hit a support system at the tower 's base , cutting a 212-foot gash in the ship 's side , the NTSB said . The board ruled that Cota and Chinese master pilot Mao Cai Sun never thoroughly discussed a plan before they took off on a foggy night when visibility was less than a quarter-mile . The oil spill killed about 2,500 birds of 50 different species , according to the report . The crash caused more than $ 70 million in environmental cleanup costs , $ 2 million in damage to the ship and $ 1.5 million in damage to the bridge . The report also blamed the ship 's operator , Fleet Management Ltd. , for not properly training crew members and the U.S. Coast Guard for not providing adequate medical oversight of the pilot . It said the Coast Guard should have revoked the pilot 's license , the pilot should have given a meaningful pre-departure briefing about plans for the voyage and the master pilot should have taken a more active role in ensuring the ship 's safety . `` There was a lack of competence in so many areas that this accident seemed almost inevitable , '' Rosenker said . | Pilot of tanker that struck San Francisco Bay Bridge `` medically unfit , '' NTSB says . Man was taking `` a half-dozen impairing prescription medications , '' report says . Crash in 2007 caused oil spill that killed about 2,500 birds , NTSB says . Supervisor 's poor oversight also cited as factor in NTSB report . | [[32, 40], [46, 95], [381, 476], [381, 421], [479, 518], [674, 689], [1462, 1477], [0, 15], [126, 186], [153, 186], [192, 213], [697, 702], [707, 765], [718, 873], [0, 15], [98, 123], [263, 286], [325, 344], [332, 344], [350, 380], [674, 689], [1462, 1477], [1660, 1722], [1660, 1673], [1725, 1750], [528, 590], [593, 624]] |
BOSTON , Massachusetts -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A huge mural greets visitors to the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Boston . It 's a memorial to the building 's namesake , who died unexpectedly in 1993 . Hundreds of tiles are used to create the `` magic '' mural at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Boston . A young Reggie Lewis , wearing his No. 35 Boston Celtics jersey , dominates the middle of the 11-foot-by-14-foot artwork . At the bottom left is a picture of him and his wife . To his right , the face of legendary Celtic Larry Bird . But as young men in sweats and sneakers make their way into the gym , something strange happens . The mural comes alive . The photo of a beaming Lewis in formal attire transforms into Lewis the basketball player , streaking down the court . Larry Bird 's picture morphs into that of another famous player , Robert Parrish . With each step , the mural transforms , representing the many scenes in one man 's life . Artist Rufus B. Seder calls these `` movies for a wall '' Lifetiles . The Massachusetts artist invented the Lifetiles medium and is the only artist in the world using it . He has more than 30 Lifetiles installations around the globe . Watch a magic mural in action '' At the Taiwan Aquarium , dolphins swim on the wall alongside awestruck children . Bucking broncos line the halls of the the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth , Texas . Dancers spin and twirl along with passengers on luxury cruise ships in the south of France . And Seder calls the the South San Francisco , California , BART station his `` own personal gallery , '' with more than 16 installations . Lifetiles do n't use electricity , moving parts or tricky lighting -- just an elaborate and painstaking process done out of Seder 's Eye Think Inc. studio near Boston . `` What I 'm after is trying to create an experience which totally takes you by surprise , '' he said . Scanimation on the shelf . If the technology you see in Lifetiles looks familiar , you might have caught something similar at a local bookstore . The popular children 's books `` Gallop ! '' and `` Swing ! '' were also written and illustrated by Seder . With a technique he calls scanimation , pictures in the books come alive as you flip the page . It 's a kids ' favorite that quite a few parents enjoy , too , based on sales numbers . `` Swing ! '' and `` Gallop ! '' are currently on The New York Times bestseller list . Seder originally used scanimation in greeting cards he sold at trade shows around the country . Then Workman Publishing came calling , asking Seder to develop a book based on the eye-catching technique . That 's when Seder caught lightning in a bottle . After several decades as a somewhat unknown artist , he found himself flying to China to teach the scanimation technique to book makers . Just a few years later , there are over 2 million copies of `` Gallop ! '' in print in more than 13 languages . Still awed by their popularity , Seder said , `` I would 've been satisfied if a limited edition sold well . It totally blew my mind what happened . '' Although his books ' success have gained Seder some newfound publicity , the Lifetiles are truly his life 's work . The relatively unknown and seemingly modern form of art is n't new at all . Seder 's been working on Lifetiles for more than 20 years , inspired by toys from the 1850s called zoetropes and an active imagination as a youngster . `` I started making movies when I was 12 years old , '' he said , `` so I was always into motion pictures and especially into optical tricks and techniques that trick the eye . '' How does it work ? As a viewer , you do n't have to learn how to see a Lifetile . It 's intuitive , and one immediately understands the concept . As you walk past the mural , it begins to move along with you . But the question that immediately comes to mind -- and the one Seder gets the most -- is , `` How does it work ? '' `` The short answer is , it 's magic , '' Seder said . `` The longer answer is , it 's like a flipbook . I 've taken all the pages from a flipbook and scrambled them all together , and I 've put them up on the wall and made them animate . '' The lengthy process also requires attention to detail . Much like an animator , he creates a series of drawings on his computer . He then strips down each image into what becomes an indistinguishable picture made up of a series of vertical lines . This squiggly-lined image becomes the equivalent of a photo negative . The negative gets sandblasted onto a hand-cast glass tile made in Seder 's studio . The heavy , 8-inch-square glass tiles get painted , scraped , fired in a kiln and finally added piece by piece to a Lifetiles mural . Hundreds of these tiles work in harmony to create a huge moving image when displayed on a wall . Seder patented the painstaking technique but thinks most other artists would n't have his patience , even if they had his know-how . `` It 's not that I 've been playing my cards close to my vest , '' he said . `` It 's just very difficult to do . '' A Lifetiles installation , from conception to completion , can take up to a year to complete . It 's a labor of love he shares with others who walk by his `` magic '' walls . `` I love to watch people react to the work . They do n't expect a wall to move , '' he said . `` They 'll be walking down the hallway in a museum and walking outdoors through a zoo ... and suddenly they realize , ` Those dolphins are starting to move next to me ! How is that possible ? ' '' | Lifetiles are murals , created without electricity or moving parts , that appear to move . Rufus Seder is the inventor of Lifetiles and the only artist in the world using them . His eye-catching Lifetiles installations can take over a year to make . Seder also is the author of two bestselling books using similar technology . | [[1662, 1694], [1043, 1097], [1043, 1067], [1102, 1133], [5093, 5187]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The former Halliburton subsidiary KBR has been charged with bribing Nigerian government officials with `` tens of millions of dollars '' to obtain `` billions of dollars in contracts , '' according to court documents filed late Friday in Houston , Texas . KBR was spun off from its former parent corporation Halliburton in 2007 . Justice Department lawyers filed an `` information , '' which is generally associated with an expected plea agreement . The Justice Department had no comment on the filing , but officials familiar with the case said they expected KBR representatives to appear Wednesday in federal court in Houston . The 22-page court document outlines a complex joint venture involving KBR and the Nigeria government-owned National Petroleum Corporation charged with developing the country 's oil and gas industry . The contracts involved the design and construction of a natural gas plant . The government documents say the joint venture included payments to international consultants to bribe Nigerian officials . The alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act come after the conviction of Albert Stanley , KBR 's former chief executive officer , who pleaded guilty to bribery last fall . `` We are not providing comment at this time , '' said company spokeswoman Heather Browne in an e-mail . She referred CNN to a filing in October that cited a consortium that included KBR called TSKJ . It said , `` information has been uncovered suggesting that , commencing at least 10 years ago , members of TSKJ planned payments to Nigerian officials . We have reason to believe , based on the ongoing investigations , that payments may have been made by agents of TSKJ to Nigerian officials . `` The government has recently confirmed that it has evidence of such payments . The government has also recently advised Halliburton and KBR that it has evidence of payments to Nigerian officials by another agent in connection with a separate KBR-managed offshore project in Nigeria and possibly evidence of payments in connection with other projects in Nigeria . '' The company said that in June 2004 it terminated its relationship with Stanley , and noted his guilty plea . `` By the plea , Mr. Stanley admitted that he participated in a scheme to bribe Nigerian government officials and that payments were made by agents of TSKJ to Nigerian officials in connection with the construction and expansion by TSKJ of the complex at Bonny Island , '' it said . KBR , which was spun off from its former parent corporation Halliburton in 2007 , has been under fire for its business practices in providing logistical support to the U.S. war effort in Iraq . The Nigerian charges are separate from KBR 's contracts in Iraq and Kuwait . CNN Justice Producer Terry Frieden contributed to this story . | Feds : KBR bribed Nigerian government for `` billions of dollars in contracts '' 22-page document outlines venture to pay international consultants . KBR 's chief executive officer was convicted of bribery last fall . | [[0, 26], [53, 134], [156, 212], [936, 1059], [965, 1059], [1173, 1203], [1210, 1247]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Boeing is asking pilots who fly its 737 jets to pay careful attention to flight instruments after Dutch investigators said a faulty altimeter contributed to the recent crash of a 737 in the Netherlands . Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 broke into three pieces near Schiphol Airport on February 25 . The 737 is the most widely flown jet in commercial aviation . More than 6,000 have been sold , according to Boeing . `` Boeing reminds all operators to make sure flight crews pay close attention to all primary flight controls during critical stages of a flight , '' Boeing spokesman Jim Proulx told CNN on Thursday . On February 25 , Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 from Istanbul to Amsterdam dropped from the sky on approach to the landing strip at Schiphol Airport , breaking into three pieces in a muddy field . Nine people died and 80 people were hurt in the accident . In a memo to pilots , Boeing says there was a malfunction in one of the plane 's two altimeters , which measure the altitude above the terrain where the plane is going to land . The left altimeter was giving `` erroneous '' information , indicating that the plane was below 7 or 8 feet from ground level when it was actually about 2,000 feet in the air , the memo said . That caused the automatic throttles to slow the plane down . `` Boeing recommends operators inform flight crews of the above investigation details and the -LRB- Dutch Safety Board -RRB- interim report when it is released . In addition , crews should be reminded to carefully monitor primary flight instruments , '' the memo said . The plane was on automatic pilot when it crashed , said Pieter van Vollenhoven , head of the Dutch Safety Board . The weather was misty at the time of the crash , possibly keeping the pilots from noticing their altitude , Van Vollenhoven said . Automatic pilot should not be used for landings if altimeters are malfunctioning , he said . Dutch investigators said there had been faulty meter readings on two other flights of the same jet , but the pilots were able to land . In the Amsterdam crash , the pilots did not recognize the altimeter problem until it was too late , Van Vollenhoven said . The Boeing memo notes that `` the autothrottle , which uses the left radio altimeter data , transitioned to landing flare mode and retarded the throttles to the idle stop . The throttles remained at the idle stop for approximately 100 seconds during which time the airspeed decreased to approximately 40 knots below the selected approach speed . '' Proulx said he did not know what that speed was for that particular 737 model . The warning issued by Boeing was for many other models of 737 jets , not just the 737-800 involved in the Amsterdam crash . | Boeing urges 737 pilots to pay careful attention to flight instruments . Dutch investigators said a faulty altimeter contributed to Netherlands crash . Erroneous altitude data caused automatic throttles to slow the plane down . The Turkish Airlines jet broke into three pieces on impact , killing nine people . | [[19, 63], [36, 42], [47, 143], [432, 575], [1494, 1566], [36, 42], [47, 143], [117, 222], [117, 222], [1257, 1317], [1269, 1310], [223, 314], [649, 704], [781, 826], [827, 843]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The great paddlewheel turned the Ohio River water to a froth as the Delta Queen steamboat , a floating National Historic Landmark , departed Cincinnati , Ohio , on its final scheduled voyage this week . The Delta Queen is the last running steam-driven , paddlewheeled overnight passenger boat . The boat is a throwback to the 1800s and the era of Mark Twain , when thousands of steam-driven paddlewheelers plied the Mississippi River system . The Delta Queen is the last of those operating as overnight passenger boats on U.S. waterways , giving riders a 19th-century experience on cruises complete with the carnival-like sounds of the steam-whistle calliope . But it will dock permanently if Congress does n't grant a safety exemption . It left Cincinnati on Tuesday on a 10-day cruise down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Memphis , Tennessee , where it will unload what could be its final passengers . `` There are so few really authentic things left . Everything is a re-creation or a tied up old dusty museum , '' said Vicki Webster , leader of the grassroots Save the Delta Queen Campaign . `` The Delta Queen is a breathing part of history and we have to keep as many of those as we can . '' The frequent riders and steamboat aficionados are being punished , Webster insists . Sherrin Kraus , 66 , admires the Delta Queen as it passes by her home in Hanover , Indiana , each year . `` I 've been in love with this boat since I was 5 years old , '' Kraus told CNN affiliate WLWT-TV when the ship arrived in Cincinnati . iReport.com : Share your photos , videos and memories of the Delta Queen . Kraus and her husband Ken boarded the Delta Queen 's possible final voyage to celebrate their 45th anniversary . They told WLWT they decided to celebrate the occasion early out of concern the ship would not get another exemption . `` This was our 45th anniversary trip because we do n't know what the future 's going to bring , but we 're worried , '' Kraus said . `` If she does n't survive this last onslaught , it 's the end of an era . '' The Delta Queen will go out of service if Congress does not grant the ship another exemption from a 1960s federal law , the Safety at Seas Act , which bans boats made largely out of wood because of fire hazards . The current exemption , which expires at the end of October , has been given to the ship nine times over 40 years . See the Delta Queen 's life in photos '' Supporters of the boat , which has roamed the nation 's waterways since 1927 and helped the Navy ferry survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor to San Francisco hospitals in 1941 , are hopeful the ship will not play its famed calliope for the last time . iReport.com : Watch the ship depart as a calliope concert plays . The grassroots campaign is gaining traction and the support of high ranking politicians . House Minority Leader John Boehner , R-Ohio , said in a statement he would work with Rep. Steve Chabot , R-Ohio , to try to get an exemption granted if the House returns for a lame duck session to address economic issues following the election . Supporters , including several mayors , agree with Webster that granting an exemption to the Delta Queen would be a way to help stimulate the economy without it costing taxpayers a dime . Lee Powell , director of the Mississippi Delta Grassroots Caucus said the boat provides economic opportunities . By docking and unloading nearly 200 passengers up to a dozen times a year , the Delta Queen helps to pump money into small cities along the heartland 's rivers that are not normally tourist destinations . Helena , Arkansas , which Mark Twain wrote in Life on the Mississippi `` occupies one of the prettiest situations on the river , '' could suffer if the boat ceases operation . `` There are places in Helena that are essentially at virtually the levels of a third world country , '' Powell said . `` They were impoverished before and now with the economic suffering , to choke off one of the good things they have is ridiculous . '' The fight ahead is not uncharted territory for the Delta Queen , which fought down to the wire in 1970 to be given the exemption . Rep. James Oberstar , a Minnesota Democrat who heads up the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee , has refused to support the exemption , claiming the boat , with a steel hull but largely wooden superstructure , is a fire hazard . Webster , who says she is `` seething with anger '' about the complaint , said the ship is outfitted with state-of-the-art fire safety equipment and a full fire crew on board . `` The heat detectors are so sensitive in the rooms if you take a shower and forget to close your bathroom door , the heat detectors go off , '' Webster said . `` It 's ridiculous . You literally could not have a fire on the boat because it would be put out in seconds . '' Webster says the fight with Oberstar amounts to a labor dispute and that Oberstar is bowing to the Seafarers International Union which represented the boat 's employees before it was bought by Majestic America Line . Oberstar and the union have both denied those accusations , but Webster insists simple politics are getting in the way of saving a national treasure . `` They 're holding her hostage , '' Webster said . `` That 's like punishing a child because his parents are bickering or tearing down the Statute of Liberty because of a dispute between the owners of the land and the snack shop . '' | Delta Queen paddlewheeler has been in service since 1927 . Boat is last steam-powered paddlewheeler providing overnight passenger cruises . Vessel needs new exemption from 1960s federal law . Safety of Seas Act bars largely wooden ships from overnight cruises . | [[2449, 2459], [2466, 2511], [222, 313], [222, 237], [273, 313], [2199, 2207], [2216, 2277]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A motorcycle gang carried out a bold smash-and-grab raid on a jewelry store in the center of London -- right in front of a CNN camera . One of the raiders can be seen clutching stolen watches as the gang makes its getaway . CNN reporter Sasha Herriman and cameraman Peter Kavanagh were filming in Oxford Street , London 's busiest retail area , when the raiders took a sledgehammer to the store 's windows in broad daylight . Kavanagh kept the camera rolling as the thieves helped themselves to handfuls of luxury watches before roaring off on their motorcycles , leaving a crowd of stunned shoppers in their wake . `` They always tell you to expect the unexpected when working in news , and this certainly was unexpected , '' said Kavanagh , an Australian cameraman with 19 years ' experience . Images from the daring heist '' `` As we were filming we heard a couple of motorbikes revving their engines loudly and saw a crowd forming . We could n't tell what was happening at first . `` We saw the men yelling at the crowd and gesturing for them to stay back . Then they ran out of the store , climbed on their bikes and sped off . '' Kavanagh says the daring heist nearly came unstuck at the last minute when the riders were forced to swerve to avoid a truck pulling into the road -- a moment he caught on film , along with a tantalizing glimpse of their booty . Watch raiders zoom away on motorcycles '' `` As they went past , I zoomed in to get a clear shot . I noticed one of the passengers on the bikes was carrying a fistful of watches . '' London 's Metropolitan Police would not reveal the value of the items taken from the store , but said they were trying to establish if it was linked to other smash and grabs . No one has been arrested in connection with the raid , they said , and witnesses were being sought . Says Kavanagh , after the four raiders had fled , punching the air with victory signs , so did many of the passers-by who saw it happen . `` Afterwards we went over to the store and saw the glass from smashed cabinets and the sledgehammer lying on the ground . Most witnesses cleared off , but a few who had taken photos came forward . '' | Raiders take sledgehammer to store 's windows as CNN camera rolls . Motorcycle gang helped themselves to watches before making getaway . Police say no arrests have been made yet . | [[386, 461], [2013, 2015], [2043, 2099], [172, 259], [172, 190], [203, 259], [462, 572], [558, 597], [1500, 1580], [1760, 1812]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A new sleeper virus that could allow hackers to steal financial and personal information has now spread to more than eight million computers in what industry analysts say is one of the most serious infections they have ever seen . Experts say a single infected laptop could expose an entire network to the worm . The Downadup or Conficker worm exploits a bug in Microsoft Windows to infect mainly corporate networks , where -- although it has yet to cause any harm -- it potentially exposes infected PCs to hijack . Mikko Hypponen , chief research officer at anti-virus firm F-Secure , says while the purpose of the worm is unclear , its unique `` phone home '' design , linking back to its point of origin , means it can receive further orders to wreak havoc . He said his company had reverse-engineered its program , which they suspected of originating in Ukraine , and is using the call-back mechanism to monitor an exponential infection rate , despite Microsoft 's issuing of a patch to fix the bug . `` On Tuesday there were 2.5 million , on Wednesday 3.5 million and today -LSB- Friday -RSB- , eight million , '' he told CNN . `` It 's getting worse , not better . '' Hypponen explained to CNN the dangers that Downadup poses , who is most at risk and what can be done to stop its spread . How serious is it ? It is the most serious large scale worm outbreak we have seen in recent years because of how widespread it is , but it is not very serious in terms of what it does . So far it does n't try to steal personal information or credit card details . Who is affected ? We have large infections in Europe , the United States and in Asia . It is a Windows worm and almost all the cases are corporate networks . There are very few reports of independent home computers affected . What does it do ? It is a complicated worm most likely engineered by a group of people who have spent time making it very complicated to analyze and remove . The real reason why they have created it is hard to say right now , but we do know how it replicates . How does it spread ? The worm does not spread over email or the Web . However if an infected laptop is connected to your corporate network , it will immediately scan the network looking for machines to infect . These will be machines that have not installed a patch from Microsoft known as MS08-067 . The worm will also scan company networks trying to guess your password , trying hundreds and hundreds of common words . If it gets in , even if you are not at your machine , it will infect and begin spreading to other servers . A third method of spreading is via USB data sticks . How can I prevent it infecting my machine ? The best way is to get the patch and install it company-wide . The second way is password security . Use long , difficult passwords -- particularly for administrators who can not afford to be locked out of the machines they will have to fix . What can I do if it has already infected ? Machines can be disinfected . The problem is for companies with thousands of infected machines , which can become re-infected from just one computer even as they are being cleared . | A new sleeper virus has now spread to more than eight million computers . Industry analysts say is one of the most serious infections they have ever seen . The worm exploits a bug in Microsoft 's ubiquitous Windows software . Virus could allow its creators to hijack entire networks . | [[9, 32], [125, 132], [140, 176], [9, 32], [129, 202], [9, 32], [129, 202], [180, 209], [185, 244], [217, 259], [217, 249], [255, 266], [349, 451]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Scientists in Colombia have unearthed the remains of a true prehistoric monster believed to be the biggest snake ever to have lived on Earth . An artist 's impression of what Titanoboa cerrejonensis would have looked like . Named Titanoboa cerrejonensis , the snake would have weighed 1,140 kilograms -LRB- 2,500 pounds -RRB- and measured 13 meters -LRB- 42.7 feet -RRB- nose to tail tip -- dwarfing the largest modern pythons and anacondas which can grow to 6 meters -LRB- 19.5 feet -RRB- . Scientists believe it slithered around the planet between 58 and 60 million years ago . Geologist David Polly , who identified the position of the fossil vertebrae which made a size estimate possible , said in a statement Wednesday : `` At its greatest width , the snake would have come up to about your hips . The size is pretty amazing . `` But our team went a step further and asked , how warm would the Earth have to be to support a body of this size ? '' Titanoboa 's fossilized remains were discovered at a coal mine in the tropical Cerrejon region of northern Colombia by an international team of scientists . `` Truly enormous snakes really spark people 's imagination , but reality has exceeded the fantasies of Hollywood , '' paleontologist Jonathan Bloch , who co-led the expedition , told reporters . `` The snake that tried to eat Jennifer Lopez in the movie ` Anaconda ' was not as big as the one we found . '' Based on the snake 's size , the team was able to calculate that the mean annual temperature in equatorial South America 60 million years ago would have been about 91 degrees Fahrenheit , about 10 degrees warmer than today , Bloch said . `` Tropical ecosystems of South America were surprisingly different 60 million years ago , '' said Bloch . `` It was a rainforest , like today , but it was even hotter and the cold-blooded reptiles were all substantially larger . `` The result was , among other things , the largest snakes the world has ever seen ... and hopefully ever will . '' According to Nature.com , snakes are poikilotherms -LRB- cold-blooded -RRB- that , unlike humans , need heat from their environment to power their metabolism . Therefore research suggests that at the time the region would have had to be no less than 86 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit for the snake to have survived . Most large snakes today live in the tropical regions of South America and south-east Asia , where the high temperatures allow them to grow to impressive sizes . Meanwhile , Carlos Jaramillo -- who was also part of the expedition -- said the tropical rainforest at Cerrejon appeared to have thrived at these temperatures . `` This data challenges the view that tropical vegetation lives near its climatic optimum , and it has profound implications in understanding the effect of current global warming on tropical plants , '' he said . | Snake weighed 1,140 kgs -LRB- 2,500 pounds -RRB- , measured 13 meters -LRB- 42.7 feet -RRB- . Scientists believe it lived between 58 and 60 million years ago . Size offers clues about world 's temperature at this time . Discovered by scientists in tropical northern region of Colombia . | [[275, 338], [275, 284], [349, 394], [511, 598], [530, 598], [971, 1089]] |
MEXICO CITY , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Mexican authorities arrested Vicente Carrillo Leyva , a leader of the Carrillo Fuentes drug cartel , officials announced Thursday . Vicente Carrillo Leyva is escorted by police at a news conference in Mexico City on Thursday . Carrillo Leyva was arrested as he exercised in a park in a residential area of Mexico City , where he had been living under the alias Alejandro Peralta Alvarez , officials said . The federal attorney general 's office told reporters he was tracked through his wife , who did not change her name . Carrillo Leyva `` is considered one of the heirs to the criminal organization known as the Juarez Cartel , after the death of his father , Amado Carrillo Fuentes , '' said Assistant Prosecutor Maricela Morales . His father died in July 1997 while undergoing plastic surgery to alter his appearance in an effort to avoid capture . Amado Carrillo was known as `` El Senor de los Cielos , '' the `` Lord of the Skies , '' because of the fleet of jetliners he used to transport cocaine from Colombia to Mexico . Carrillo Leyva , 32 , was presented at the news conference , surrounded by black-clad , hooded law-enforcement officials . He wore dark-frame glasses and a white jogging suit with double black stripes on the sleeves . His dark hair was long and shaggy . Last month , federal officials offered a reward of up to $ 2.16 million -LRB- 30 million pesos -RRB- for information leading to his arrest . The same reward has been offered for his uncle , cartel leader Vicente Carrillo Fuentes , also known as `` El Viceroy '' and `` El General , '' who remains at-large . Rewards of $ 2 million apiece have been offered for 22 other leading cartel suspects . Wednesday 's arrest was the fourth detention of a top drug cartel leader in recent weeks . Last week , officials announced the arrest of Hector Huerta Rios , also known as `` La Burra '' or `` El Junior , '' a top lieutenant of the Beltran Leyva cartel . He was arrested in the city of San Pedro Garza Garcia in Nuevo Leon state , along Mexico 's border with the United States . The previous week , Mexican authorities announced the arrest of Sigifredo Najera Talamantes , a drug-trafficking suspect accused of attacking a U.S. consulate and killing Mexican soldiers . Talamantes , also known as `` El Canicon , '' also is suspected in attacks on a television station in Monterrey in Nuevo Leon , the state-run Notimex agency said . That same week , the Mexican military also arrested the son of a top drug cartel lieutenant . Authorities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border blame drug cartels for a surge in violence in the region . Despite the violence , Mexican officials say the country is generally safe and that tourist areas such as Cancun and Acapulco are heavily patrolled . Watch Leyva get escorted by law enforcement officials '' Officials from Acapulco city hall , the Guerrero state government and the Mexico attorney general went so far as to sign a statement in early March assuring students wanting to go there on spring break that efforts had been taken to ensure their safety . In a speech in mid-March , Mexican President Felipe Calderon said 93 percent of the 6,500 deaths attributed to organized crime in 2008 occurred among the criminals . Most of the rest were law enforcement authorities , officials have said . Few civilians are killed , the president said . In that same speech , Calderon ridiculed those who say Mexico is unsafe . `` It is absolutely false , absurd , that anyone indicate that Mexico does not have control over one single part of its national territory , '' he said . `` I challenge anyone who says that to tell me what part of the country they want to go to and I will take that person there . '' Analysts point out that most of the violence is occurring along the U.S. border , particularly in Ciudad Juarez , Chihuahua and Tijuana . Drug cartel violence is also found on Mexico 's western coast . `` The situation in Ciudad Juarez is of special concern , '' the U.S. State Department said in a February 20 travel alert . `` Mexican authorities report that more than 1,800 people have been killed in the city since January 2008 . Additionally , this city of 1.6 million people experienced more than 17,000 car thefts and 1,650 carjackings in 2008 . '' The State Department advisory tells U.S. citizens how best to remain safe . `` While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year -LRB- including thousands who cross the land border every day for study , tourism or business -RRB- , violence in the country has increased recently . It is imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico , how best to avoid dangerous situations , and whom to contact if one becomes a crime victim . Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours , and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur , can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable . '' CNN 's Mario Gonzalez contributed to this story . | Vicente Carrillo Leyva , 32 , arrested in Mexico City , officials say . He was living under fake name ; was found through his wife , who used her own name . This is the fourth arrest of major drug cartel suspect in recent weeks . Authorities in U.S. and Mexico blame drug cartels for surge in violence near border . | [[40, 91], [429, 445], [3339, 3360], [346, 352], [360, 426], [446, 531], [1721, 1811]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Bulgaria is a Turkish toilet , France is always on strike , Romania is a vampire theme-park and the UK ... Well the UK does n't exist . The piece `` Entropa '' shows Romania as a giant Dracula-inspired theme park . That 's the view of the European Union according to a controversial art installation by Czech artist David Cerny , commissioned by his government to mark its six-month presidency of the pan-continental body . The work , `` Entropa , '' frames various representations of each member state as components of a giant multimedia model kit . But the piece , scheduled to have its official unveiling Thursday at the EU headquarters in Brussels , has sparked controversy . Look at images of European nations '' Bulgaria 's foreign ministry has summoned the Czech ambassador in Sofia to lodge a protest about the piece , according to the Czech News Agency . What do you think about images ? And Betina Joteva , spokesperson of the Bulgarian permanent representation to the EU , said in comments reported by EUObserver.com : `` It -LSB- the work -RSB- is preposterous , a disgrace . It is a humiliation for the Bulgarian nation and an offence to -LSB- our -RSB- national dignity . '' Bulgaria is not the only nation to suffer an unflattering depiction . Germany is criss-crossed by a series of autobahns in what some critics say is a close approximation of a swastika ; Spain is a giant construction site in a dig at its building boom ; and Luxembourg is a gold covered nugget sporting a `` For Sale '' sign . The Netherlands is depicted as a submerged land with only minarets peeking through the waves in an apparent reference to its religious tensions . Poland recreates the WWII flag-raising at Iwo Jima , only with the U.S. Marines and the Stars and Stripes replaced with Catholic clergy brandishing the multi-colored gay pride flag . The UK is absent from the work -- possibly because of its on-off relationship with the rest of the continent . The Czech government said in a statement on its presidency Web site Tuesday that the original brief was for the work to be created by 27 artists representing all EU Member States -- and that it was `` unpleasantly surprised '' to learn that this was not the case . `` David Cerny bears full responsibility for not fulfilling his assignment and promise , '' said Alexandr Vondra , Deputy Prime Minister . `` In this situation we are now considering further steps . The government said it will issue a further statement Thursday . The comments were in contrast to a statement issued by Vondra Monday , when he said that `` sculpture , and art more generally , can speak where words fail . I am confident in Europe 's open mind and capacity to appreciate such a project . '' Cerny is no stranger to controversy . In 1991 he was arrested after painting pink a Soviet tank that served as a Prague war memorial . His Web site shows other examples of his work , including previous kit-style installations entitled `` Jesus Christ '' and `` Dead Raped Woman '' ; and a life-size bronze fountain that depicts two men standing opposite each other , urinating . Cerny , and his main collaborators Kristof Kintera and Tomas Pospiszyl apologized to Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and other government ministers Tuesday , according to a statement on the artist 's Web site , for '' not having informed them about what is true and for having misled them . The statement adds that Cerny and his colleagues initially wanted to use 27 European artists for `` Entropa '' , but fell short due to lack of time and money . Instead , they say , they decided to create fictional artists , some of whom have even been given their own Web sites . Cerny says he knew the truth would eventually come out but adds : `` We believe that the environment of Brussels is capable of ironic self-reflection , we believe in the sense of humor of European nations and their representatives . '' Try telling that to Bulgaria . | Czech Republic assumed six-month presidency of European Union this month . Czech artists has apologized for artwork that has sparked diplomatic protests . `` Entropa '' is due to be officially unveiled at EU HQ in Brussels Thursday . Bulgarian EU representative : A humiliation for the Bulgarian nation . | [[574, 670], [673, 698], [574, 670], [673, 698], [1107, 1204]] |
LITTLE ROCK , Arkansas -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Carlotta Walls LaNier points out the only two African-Americans in her senior class as she flips through her high school yearbook . She pauses when she sees the picture on a page dedicated to `` Integration . '' Carlotta Walls LaNier and eight other members of the Little Rock Nine are invited to Obama 's inauguration . It 's been nearly five decades since LaNier graduated from Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas . `` It shows how the 101st were on the grounds of the school , '' says LaNier . In 1957 , soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division , an elite Army unit , escorted LaNier and eight other African-American students into the all-white public high school . The students , who became known as the Little Rock Nine , were taunted and threatened by an angry mob . `` We knew we could not participate in extracurricular activities , '' recalls LaNier . `` There was one who could have been in the band , one who could have been on track . I was the one who played basketball ... I could n't do that . '' Back then , LaNier thought once the doors of equality were open it would n't be long before an African-American became president . `` I had hoped to see something like that in the next 10 or 15 years when I was in high school but that did n't happen , '' says LaNier . What has happened is a new generation of students walks the halls at Central High . Even though the exterior looks the same as it did during integration -- the interior would be almost unrecognizable to LaNier and the other Little Rock Nine . Student : I ca n't believe it happened here , but I 'm glad it did '' Today , the sea of mostly white faces has disappeared . The hallways are now filled with a more racially diverse student body . Students take a class to learn about the school 's history and many say it 's given them a greater appreciation for racial tolerance . `` Now it 's definitely hard to imagine -- you walk into the halls and you see people of all different races are in the hallway . And in addition , the majority of our school is African-American now , '' points out Afshar Sanati , student body president . `` It is hard for me to walk inside the school every day and see how this place could have been such a hostile environment for nine African-American students . '' LaNier is still humble when she reflects on her experience . `` We all knew that we were giving up something for a bigger cause and -LSB- we were -RSB- happy that we did it , '' says LaNier . `` Because it has been 51 years , I think they were baby steps now . But they were big steps then . '' The steps taken by the Little Rock Nine were so big , in fact , they received personal invitations to attend President-elect Barack Obama 's inauguration . `` I think the Little Rock Nine set the foundation , '' says student Sarah Karney . `` I do n't think -LSB- Obama 's election -RSB- could have happened without them . '' Today , many students at Central High see themselves as the beneficiaries of an Obama presidency . `` Him being president means there actually is a chance for anyone to do what they want to do if they work hard enough , '' says Helena Liu , who says she does n't see race when she looks at Obama . `` It does n't depend on your race -- it depends on who you are , the quality of your character , '' says DeIvory Howard . '' -LSB- We 've -RSB- got to get past just the color of our skins being newsworthy . It 's really about all the things we knew we could do for this country and now we have the opportunity to show it and it 's going to come through his leadership , '' says LaNier . `` And , we 're looking forward to that . '' Senior Chris Bell could n't agree more . `` This election proves that this America is just not the old America . It shows that America is ready for something different , '' says Bell . `` I just think ... that 's amazing . '' | Carlotta Walls LaNier , eight others integrated Little Rock Central High School . In 1957 school was all-white ; today it 's predominantly African-American . `` Little Rock Nine set the foundation '' student says of Obama presidency . LaNier hopes Americans will focus on a person 's ability ; not their race . | [[254, 362], [547, 554], [557, 598], [622, 719], [2056, 2106], [2781, 2828]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Kaka underlined his commitment to AC Milan with two goals in a 4-1 Serie A win at Bologna on Sunday when on-loan David Beckham claimed his first goal in Italian football . Kaka scored twice for AC Milan days after rejecting a world record transfer to Manchester City . Brazilian star Kaka , playing his first match since the collapse of a proposed world record transfer to Premier League Manchester City , converted from the penalty spot after 17 minutes and added a spectacular second two minutes before half-time . Kaka 's double took the limelight away from former England captain Beckham who made his mark on the hour as Milan kept up the pressure on top two , city rivals Inter and Turin-based Juventus . Beckham moved to Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy earlier this month and found the target as coach Carlo Ancelotti marked 400 games in charge of the club . The former Mancherster United star is clearly enjoying his stay in Italy and there have been suggestions he could extend his stay . `` I ca n't say what will happen , '' PA Sport quoted him as saying on Sunday . `` Even if my contract says that I 'll be here until March . We 'll have to see . `` At the moment I 'm enjoying this experience . I 'm at one of the biggest clubs in the world . And having won gives us confidence to continue . '' He added : `` It 's great to score my first goal -- I will keep this jersey . It 's special to play for Milan and also to score , but what 's most important is that we won . '' Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was delighted with Beckham 's performance , but insists the club can do nothing to keep him at the San Siro . However , he claims the 33-year-old holds his future in his own hands . `` If he said ` we 'll see ' it means he 's thinking about staying , '' Ancelotti told Sky Italia . `` However , our hands are tied as he has a clear contract . '' Bologna took the lead through a Marco Di Vaio penalty after nine minutes and Clarence Seedorf equalised after Kaka 's effort had been spilled by goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli . AS Roma closed to within three points of fourth , the final Champions League qualifying position , with a stunning 3-0 win at Napoli . Centre-backs Philippe Mexes -LRB- 18 -RRB- and Juan -LRB- 32 -RRB- gave Roma a two-goal lead at the interval and Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic added the third four minutes into the second half . Roma are now only three points behind Genoa who were surprisingly held to a 1-1 home draw by Catania who led through a 67th-minute goal from Jorge Martinez . Diego Milito replied six minutes later . Roma have won eight of their last 10 Serie A matches following an awful start to the season where they won only two and lost six of their first 10 games . Fabio Simplicio scored twice as Palermo defeated Udinese 3-2 while strugglers Lecce and Torino shared six goals . | Brazil star Kaka scores twice as AC Milan romp to 4-1 Serie A win at Bologna . Goals come at end of week that saw him reject world record move to Man City . David Beckham hits first goal of loan spell as Milan step up their title chase . | [[19, 81], [191, 287], [288, 307], [478, 535], [191, 287], [191, 195], [227, 287], [288, 307], [310, 422], [124, 190], [580, 610], [615, 649]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Liverpool want to avoid playing on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster and UEFA president Michel Platini says he will `` do his utmost '' to make it a reality . Liverpool fans had to be treated on the pitch as the tragedy unfolded at Hillsborough in 1989 . The anniversary falls on April 15 , one of two dates set aside for the second leg of this season 's Champions League quarterfinal ties , the other being the previous day . European governing body UEFA issued a statement from Platini , rejecting reports that they had snubbed the appeal by Liverpool . `` We are aware of the huge significance of the April 15 date for both Liverpool FC and their fans , and that is why we will do our utmost to make sure that the club does not have to play its UEFA Champions League second leg quarterfinal match on that day , '' Platini said . `` This being the 20th anniversary of that tragic disaster in 1989 makes it even more relevant and we will take this into account . '' Ninety six people died when Liverpool supporters were crushed at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough on April 15 , 1989 , before the start of their team 's FA Cup semifinal against Nottingham Forest . A cousin of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was among the dead , and the England midfielder has urged UEFA to be sympathetic to the club . Gerrard told Press Association at the weekend : `` We 're still waiting to see whether UEFA will make us play on the day . That would be far from ideal given all the emotion that always surrounds the club on that day . '' Liverpool have never played a game on the anniversary of the tragedy . The Champions League quarterfinal draw takes place on Friday with four English clubs in the draw and no seedings in place . Liverpool reached the quarterfinals with a superb 4-0 home win over Real Madrid last week and followed it up with a 4-1 thumping of Manchester United to revive their Premier League title hopes . | Liverpool anxious to avoid playing on 20th anniversary of Hillsborough tragedy . April 15 is one of the two dates nominated for Champions League quarterfinals . UEFA president Michel Platini personally intervenes to ensure date stays free . | [[19, 122], [719, 722], [730, 846], [1567, 1637], [326, 424], [19, 122], [108, 173], [462, 522], [719, 722], [730, 846]] |
BEIJING , China -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- China surpassed the United States in 2008 as the world 's top user of the Internet , according to a government-backed research group . Nearly 91 percent of China 's Internet users are surfing the Web with a broadband connection . The number of Web surfers in the country grew by nearly 42 percent to 298 million , according to the China Internet Network Information Center 's January report . And there 's plenty of room for growth , as only about 1 in every 4 Chinese has Internet access . The rapid growth in China 's Internet use can be tied to its swift economic gains and the government 's push for the construction of telephone and broadband lines in the country 's vast rural areas , the report says . The Chinese government wants phone and broadband access in each village by 2010 . Nearly 91 percent of China 's Internet users are surfing the Web with a broadband connection -- an increase of 100 million from 2007 . Mobile phone Internet users totaled 118 million by the end of 2008 . While China 's Internet usage has been growing in leaps in bounds , the government limits the Web sites its citizens can visit . Learn more about China 's Internet censorship '' Earlier this month , China released a blacklist of 19 major online portals and Web sites , including Google and Baidu , that it claims provide and spread pornographic or obscene content . The move came as several Chinese government agencies , including the Ministry of Public Security , launched a month-long campaign to clean up the Web , according to the state-run Xinhua news service . China has come under criticism for restricting Web access to ordinary citizens as well as on local and foreign media covering last year 's summer Olympics in Beijing . The U.S. State Department noted in a 2008 report that China had increased its efforts to `` control and censor the Internet , and the government had tightened restrictions on freedom of speech and the domestic press '' and bloggers . In an interview with CNN 's Fareed Zakaria in September 2008 , Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said , `` the freedom of Internet in China is recognized by many , even from the West . '' `` Nonetheless , to uphold state security , China , like many countries in the world , has also imposed some proper restrictions . That is for the safety , that is for the overall safety of the country and for the freedom of the majority of the people . '' CNN 's Yuli Yang contributed to this report . | China was top user of the Internet in 2008 , says government-backed research group . The number of Web surfers in the country grew by nearly 42 percent to 298 million . Growth tied to economic gains , new telephone , broadband lines in rural areas . Chinese government wants phone and broadband access in each village by 2010 . | [[35, 117], [10, 31], [120, 169], [265, 346], [526, 723], [526, 723], [744, 825]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- At least 23 people died Saturday when a protest rally turned violent outside Madagascar 's Presidential Palace , a fire official at the main hospital said . People duck to avoid gunfire Saturday in Antananarivo , the capital of Madagascar . The official said 83 people were injured during the demonstration in the capital city of Antananarivo , according to journalist Dregoire Pourtier , who passed the information to CNN . The International Committee of the Red Cross helped at least 18 injured people , press officer Mbola Ramamanana said . Brittany Martin , an American who is a Harvard Fellow and lives near the palace , said she could hear the crowd cheering amid intermittent gunshots and noises that may have been tear gas canisters . iReport.com : Are you there ? `` From the window I can see military cars and ambulances driving by , '' Martin said . `` Nothing is up in smoke . We know there have been people killed from French and Malagasy news reports . `` We can see the back of the president 's palace . This morning was totally peaceful . We knew that Andry -LSB- Rajoelina -RSB- was unveiling his new government at the May 13th Plaza , which was peaceful , '' she said , citing a friend who was there . Madagascar 's government is in flux . President Marc Ravalomanana fired Rajoelina as mayor of Antananarivo and put someone else in the job , but Rajoelina is still technically mayor and claims to head a transitional national government . Martin said she heard gunshots starting about 2 p.m. , after the protesters marched from the plaza to the palace . She said it was unclear where the shots were coming from . Some media reports blamed foreign mercenaries for the shootings ; others said army guards were responsible or that the army was firing at the mercenaries to protect the crowd . Violence in Madagascar began January 26 , when protesters stormed state-run television and radio stations in Antananarivo . Hours earlier , the government had shut down a radio station owned by Rajoelina and , weeks before , had similarly shut down Rajoelina 's television station after it aired an interview with ex-President Didier Ratsiraka . Ravalomanana took power in 2001 after ousting Ratsiraka in a tense , hotly contested election . Ratsiraka fled to France afterward . Loyalists blame Ratsiraka 's family members for inciting the recent trouble . There is also anger in Madagascar -- where the World Bank says the average person earns about $ 320 a year -- over reports that Ravalomanana recently bought a $ 60 million airplane . Last Saturday , Rajoelina took to the streets , declaring himself the nation 's leader after a week of violence and looting that killed at least 80 people and wounded more than 300 . Rajoelina urged supporters to demand the resignation of Ravalomanana and said he planned to take charge until a transition government can be established in the island nation off Africa 's southeastern coast . Map '' `` What we 've been pushing for is dialogue the whole time , '' said Rodney Ford , a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy . He said he received reports that palace guards used tear gas and shot into the air to try to disperse the crowd . `` I do n't think anyone wanted violence . '' According to the U.S. State Department , Madagascar has about 20 million people with ethnic origins in Africa and Asia . It was administered by the British Empire during much of the 19th century until it came under the control of France , from which it gained independence in 1960 . | Gunfire heard near presidential palace , site of anti-government rally . President and fired mayor of capital city are locked in a power struggle . Rally started peacefully , American in capital says . | [[1277, 1345]] |
DENDERMONDE , Belgium -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Authorities have charged a 20-year-old man with murder and attempted murder in a stabbing rampage at a Belgian nursery school that left two children and a staff member dead and a dozen others wounded . A family pays tribute Friday evening outside the nursery school in Dendermonde , Belgium . The regional prosecutor 's office identified the man , who has been in custody since Friday , as Kim D. , and would not release his last name . They said he lives alone in Sinaai , a city about 20 kilometers -LRB- 12 miles -RRB- outside of Dendermonde . He has no police record and is unemployed , the office said . Authorities allege the man , whose face was painted white with black rings around his eyes , entered the Fabeltjesland -LRB- Fable Land -RRB- nursery school midmorning Friday and began stabbing those inside . He entered the building through a side door , typically only used by parents who are late in arriving to pick up their children from the school , authorities said . Once inside , he went through several rooms in the center . The dead included the head of the nursery , a woman in her 60s who was well known in the town , residents said . The other victims were young ; the nursery cared for children up to the age of three . Watch report on attack '' Authorities caught up with him about an hour-and-a-half later after the attack ended , the ministry said . At the time of his arrest , he had on him a knife , an ax and a fake pistol . He was wearing a bullet-proof vest , authorities said . Two other knives were found at the nursery school , but it has not been confirmed whether they were used in the attack . Kim D. has said nothing to authorities regarding the attack , the prosecutor 's office said . Authorities have searched his home , but they did not release any information from the search . Watch description of what happened '' The suspect , who is being held in jail , is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning . The judge has assigned three doctors to monitor him , authorities said . Earlier , authorities said he was not registered with any psychiatric institution . Dendermonde , about 16 miles northwest of Brussels , is a tight-knit community of about 40,000 people , residents said . Fabeltjesland lies off a park and is not easy to find from the road . On Saturday , the nursery stood quiet and boarded up , with tributes of flowers , cuddly toys and cards left outside . | Two children , one adult killed in attack at Belgian nursery school Friday . Tributes including cards , cuddly toys , flowers left outside boarded-up nursery . NEW : Authorities : Suspect was also carrying an ax , bulletproof vest , fake pistol . Attack happened in town of Dendermonde , about 16 miles northwest of Brussels . | [[14, 37], [100, 166], [142, 166], [172, 232], [243, 321], [2340, 2351], [2354, 2365], [2382, 2392], [2422, 2458], [1495, 1529]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An American professor doing research in London stumbled across a series of previously unknown letters written by , to , and about Benjamin Franklin , a stunning find that sheds new light on early U.S. history . The letters cover Benjamin Franklin 's success in dealing with a British general . The collection of 47 letters are hand-written copies made 250 years ago , when Franklin lived in London . That they were filed under the copyist 's name , not Franklin 's , may explain why they were overlooked by historians until now , said a curator at the British Library , where the letters are held . The find is reported in the April issue of the William & Mary Quarterly , a journal of early American history and culture . The letters are important in large part because they offer a `` wealth of new details '' that affect modern understanding of Franklin , writes Alan Houston , the political science professor who discovered the letters in the spring of 2007 . They also raise the question of how many other documents remain waiting to be found on Franklin and his life . Houston , a professor at the University of California at San Diego , discovered the letters on the last day of his last research trip to London , just before the library 's closing time . `` The first item was a letter from Benjamin Franklin to the secretary of the governor of Maryland , and I looked at it and I started to read , and I thought , ` This does n't look familiar , ' '' Houston told CNN . `` I 've read everything Franklin ever wrote . '' Houston said he quickly began to realize he had uncovered something previously unknown to historians . `` I swear , I just about shot through the ceiling I was so excited , '' he said . `` It 's like finding a treasure chest . '' Houston had been working at the time on a book on Franklin , `` Benjamin Franklin and the Politics of Improvement , '' published last year . The letters cover Franklin 's success in dealing with British Gen. Edward Braddock , who had been sent to Pennsylvania in 1755 to defeat the French at Fort Duquesne , in modern-day Pittsburgh . The march to retake the fort was part of the French and British battle for control of the western lands in the colonies , part of a larger struggle for control of North America , Houston said . The problem was that Braddock was given no horses or wagons when he arrived in America -- no means of transport for him and his 2,000 redcoats . Braddock started to blame his hosts , so Franklin -- the Pennsylvania assembly 's leading politician -- stepped in to help . Franklin went all over Pennsylvania trying to persuade farmers to lend their horses and wagons to Braddock and his men . It was n't easy , because the farmers were tough negotiators who were also anxious and suspicious of the effort . Eventually , Franklin managed to get the farmers to agree , and within weeks , Braddock and his men were on the march . Braddock suffered a devastating defeat before he even reached the fort , however , when a much smaller contingent of French and Indian soldiers surprised the British . They killed Braddock and about 1,000 of his men . Despite the defeat , Franklin 's success -- in what became known as `` the wagon affair '' -- highlighted his skill as a colonial leader , Houston said . When Franklin was sent to London in 1757 as a representative of the assembly , he brought with him a collection of letters detailing that success . It was proof of his political value to Great Britain and that the assembly 's loyalties had been on the right side . This collection of letters , which Franklin referred to in his autobiography as his `` quire book , '' was never found , however -- until now . Houston said he believes the documents he read at the British Library are copies of that collection . They were made by Thomas Birch , an industrious and obsessive transcriber of historical documents who copied anything he could get his hands on . `` There was a vogue . It was very common for letters to be copied , '' said Matthew Shaw , curator of the U.S. collections at the British Library . `` Birch was very well known for being a copyist . '' Birch and Franklin were friends in London , both members of the Royal Society , and Houston said he believes the copies were made sometime between 1757 and 1758 . `` Birch undoubtedly found Franklin 's quire book captivating , and he appears to have copied anything that remotely interested him , '' Houston writes in the journal . Also , Braddock 's campaign and defeat were widely discussed in London , and `` Birch may have wanted to capture a crucial moment in the life of the -LRB- Royal -RRB- society 's most famous American member . '' Birch 's transcripts were filed in the British Library as `` Copies of Letters relating to the March of General Braddock . '' They form part of the massive Birch Collection containing the hundreds of volumes of his copies that Birch bequeathed to the library on his death , said Shaw . They were n't properly catalogued until the early 1970s , Shaw said , which is largely why they have n't been used by scholars . `` It 's the first time they 've really been shared with a wider audience , '' Shaw told CNN . `` We 're very pleased . '' | Collection of letters by , to , and about Benjamin Franklin found in London . Letters were copied by hand and had been filed under copyist 's name . Letters concern war between British and French for control of North America . Franklin was sent to London in 1757 to represent Pennsylvania 's assembly . | [[9, 32], [83, 137], [111, 174], [330, 401], [436, 482], [3321, 3397], [3400, 3443]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Human rights groups in Bangladesh and abroad are calling for an investigation after 16 borders guards accused of participating in a bloody revolt in February died in custody in recent days . A Bangladesh Rifles soldier is shown wearing a white cloth signifying surrender in late February . The Bangladesh military acknowledged the deaths of the Bangladesh Rifles paramilitary troops , or jawans -- but insisted they were the result of illness and suicide . `` Given the history of abuses by security forces in Bangladesh , there is no reason to take at face value the claim that these detainees have committed suicide , '' said Brad Adams , Asia director or the New York-based Human Rights Watch , in a statement . The 16 were among 1,100 jawans rounded up after a 35-hour mutiny that began on February 25 in the Rifles headquarters in the capital city , Dhaka . The jawans rebelled against their commanding officers , taking dozens of them hostage . When the standoff ended , more than 70 people were found dead -- the majority of them army officers . Initially , Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised the jawans amnesty if they laid down their arms . But once the scope of the massacre came to light , Hasina withdrew her offer -- saying the government will not show mercy to those who killed , looted or committed arson . The jawans were issued an ultimatum to turn themselves in , while the government created a committee to probe into the mutiny . The result of the government inquiry is yet to be made public , after several delays . On Thursday , the Rifles leadership issued a statement that said 16 detainees have died in custody since March 9 : four from suicide , six from heart attacks and six from other diseases . `` We believe that perhaps they have failed to cope with the mental pressure associated with the guilt of committing the brutal attacks , `` the statement said . It then added : `` Suicide is seen as a sin in religious terms and is also socially undesirable . '' In response , the legal aid group , Ain o Salish Kendro -LRB- Law and Adjudication Center -RRB- , and the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers ' Association were among several organizations calling for an investigation . During a hearing Wednesday , one of the suspects told a Dhaka court he had been administered electric shocks during a seven-day detention . Family members of other detainees have made similar allegations . Some of the suspects who died in custody had wounds on their bodies consisted with torture , Human Rights Watch said . Bangladeshi authorities have said the wounds may have been inflicted when the suspects tried to escape from the Rifles headquarters after the rebellion . `` The explanations given by representatives of the security forces are simply not credible , '' Adams said . `` Torture is a regular ` investigative technique ' in Bangladesh and killing of detains in government custody is an endemic problem . '' The country 's elite anti-crime unit , Rapid Action Battalion -LRB- RAB -RRB- , have often been accused of ` extra-judicial ' killings . The battalion is involved in the interrogation of many of the Rifles suspects . Since its inception in 2004 , more than 550 alleged criminals died soon after they were captured by RAB forces . In each case , the battalion claimed the arrested men died from stray bullets as their units were engaged in gun battles with the suspects ' comrades . The 65,000-strong Bangladesh Rifles is responsible primarily for guarding the country 's borders , but it also takes part in operations such as monitoring polls . It is distinct from the army , but their commanders are career army officers . The troops staged their rebellion on the second day of BDR Week , when officers and troops from various BDR outposts along the border were in the capital for celebrations . Discontent had been bubbling for years in the ranks of the BDR , who complained their army superiors dismissed their appeals for more pay , subsidized food and their requests to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations -- which pay far more than what they make at home . Bangladesh and its South Asian neighbors are the largest troop contributors to U.N. peacekeeping operations . During the stand-off , dozens of officers were killed . Some bodies were dumped in mass graves . Others were tossed in sewers that emptied into a river , where they floated for miles before being retrieved . | Rights groups in Bangladesh , abroad call for probe into string of soldiers ' deaths . 16 border guards accused of participating in revolt have died in recent days . Military statement suggests deaths came from guilt-induced stress . More than 1,000 soldiers were rounded up from late-February revolt . | [[0, 15], [64, 120], [2187, 2239], [103, 176], [177, 209], [1571, 1582], [1585, 1758], [1759, 1894], [734, 772], [752, 798]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- North Korea has begun reprocessing fuel rods , its Foreign Ministry said Saturday , according to state-run media . A satellite view of the nuclear facility at Yongbyon . `` The reprocessing of spent fuel rods from the pilot atomic power plant began as declared in the Foreign Ministry statement dated April 14 , '' a ministry spokesman said . `` This will contribute to bolstering the nuclear deterrence for self-defense in every way to cope with the increasing military threats from the hostile forces . '' North Korea , angered by the United Nations Security Council 's unanimous condemnation of a rocket launch , has threatened to walk away from the six-party talks aimed at disarming the country of nuclear weapons . It has said it will restore its disabled nuclear reactor . The six-party talks -- involving China , Japan , North Korea , Russia , South Korea and the United States -- have been aimed at persuading North Korea to scrap its nuclear program . Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , during an unannounced visit to Baghdad , Iraq , said the United States and its partners are working to resume the discussions . A U.N. panel Friday targeted three North Korean companies to have their assets frozen in response to Pyongyang 's April 5 rocket launch . The companies that made the list were Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation -LRB- KOMID -RRB- , Korea Ryonbong General Corporation and Tanchon Commercial Bank . U.N. member nations that have dealings with those companies must now freeze their assets . A presidential statement from the Security Council on April 13 authorized the sanctions panel to update a 2006 resolution barring North Korea from launching ballistic missiles after Pyongyang launched what it said was a communications satellite after weeks of warnings from the West not to do so . North Korea declared the launch successful , but U.S. officials said the missile 's payload fell into the Pacific Ocean shortly after the launch . Japan , the United States and the United Kingdom had sought a new resolution imposing new sanctions on North Korea , but China and Russia -- permanent members of the Security Council with veto privileges -- blocked the way . | NEW : U.S. , partners working to resume talks , Clinton says . North Korea begins reprocessing nuclear fuel rods , state media reports . Process will bolster country 's nuclear deterrence , foreign ministry says . Pyongyang angered by U.N. condemnation of rocket launch . | [[981, 1015], [1018, 1056], [1059, 1063], [1066, 1105], [1071, 1088], [1093, 1145], [1071, 1105], [1118, 1145], [19, 63], [66, 86], [103, 133], [66, 100], [362, 452], [527, 538], [541, 632]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Greg Cannom . Remember that name . The late Heath Ledger is expected to win best supporting actor for playing the Joker in `` The Dark Knight . '' It 's not a household name , for sure . But this two-time Academy Award winner -LRB- for `` Bram Stoker 's Dracula '' and `` Mrs. Doubtfire '' -RRB- is the red-hot favorite to win the Oscar in the best makeup category , for his work taking Brad Pitt from decrepitude to infancy in `` The Curious Case of Benjamin Button . '' His colleagues in the visual effects department are likely to join him , along with the art direction team and possibly costume designer Jacqueline West , taking `` Button 's '' tally to four awards . But my hunch is that this will prove the outer limit of the Academy 's love for David Fincher 's epic . Not a good return on 13 nominations . Watch which films , stars are up for top honors '' On the other hand , I predict that `` Slumdog Millionaire '' will reap the rewards , with as many as seven Oscars from 10 nominations , including best picture and best director for Danny Boyle . -LRB- A full sweep is impossible , as composer A.R. Rahman has been nominated against himself in the best song category . `` Slumdog '' will also probably miss out for sound editing and sound mixing , two categories that favor big-budget films . -RRB- Watch how `` Slumdog '' is getting mixed reviews in India '' If I 'm right , it will be a fairy-tale ending for what is in many respects a fairy tale of a movie , albeit a fairy tale punctuated with sometimes distressingly grim episodes of violence and poverty . Still , upsets do happen . Four years ago , all the pundits -LRB- including this one -RRB- had `` Brokeback Mountain '' pegged for best picture . Instead , a left-field movie that had been kicking around for months surged from behind and `` Crash '' - ed the party . EW 's Dave Karger makes his predictions . It could happen again , but this year `` Slumdog '' is -- or at least began as -- the left-field movie . The surprise came when American audiences embraced the energy and passion -LRB- the underdog spirit , if you will -RRB- of Boyle 's film . After all , this was a film that Warner Bros. almost consigned straight to DVD until Fox Searchlight stepped up and obtained U.S. theatrical rights . North American box office receipts will probably reach the $ 100 million mark soon , making the $ 15 million film easily the most profitable of the best picture contenders . -LRB- `` Benjamin Button '' has grossed more , but with a budget estimated at $ 150 million , it cost 10 times as much to make . -RRB- Vote for your favorite nominees in major categories '' Best actor . The `` Slumdog '' wave wo n't affect the acting categories , not because the Academy struggles to recognize Indian excellence but because the lead roles in the film are split between three generations of young actors . Similar considerations will weigh against Brad Pitt 's chances for best actor , despite his outstanding performance as `` Benjamin Button 's '' lead . No one seems entirely clear where Pitt leaves off and the makeup , the CGI and the four other actors credited with playing the part take over . The pundits have decided that this category is a straight choice between Sean Penn -LRB- `` Milk '' -RRB- and Mickey Rourke -LRB- `` The Wrestler '' -RRB- , and although I would n't rule out Frank Langella for his strangely sympathetic portrait of the disgraced president in `` Frost/Nixon , '' I have to agree that Penn and Rourke are both compelling choices , and either would be a worthy winner . Given the soft love the Academy has shown `` The Wrestler '' -LRB- two nominations -RRB- compared with `` Milk '' -LRB- eight , including best picture -RRB- , Penn is the smart choice . But my heart goes with Rourke . Penn transforms himself to play Harvey Milk , but Rourke does something more difficult ; he reveals himself . Watch how Rourke made a comeback to get Oscar nomination '' Best actress . This category , like best actor , seems to come down to a choice between two : Meryl Streep -LRB- who overpowers the ethical uncertainties of `` Doubt '' -RRB- and Kate Winslet -LRB- who contrives to make a mass murderer sexy and sympathetic in `` The Reader '' -RRB- . These are two ostentatious , technically demanding performances of the kind that Oscar voters appreciate ; Melissa Leo 's understated naturalism in the little-seen `` Frozen River '' would stand at the opposite end of the spectrum , well out of the limelight . It 's astonishing that Streep -- by common consent our finest actress -- has n't won an Academy Award since `` Sophie 's Choice '' -LRB- 1982 -RRB- , a losing streak that runs through 10 nominations -LRB- and counting -RRB- . But at least she already has a couple of Oscars on her mantel , which is more than you can say for Kate Winslet , hoping it will be sixth-time lucky on Sunday . In this critic 's opinion , she 's been nominated for the wrong performance and the wrong film -LRB- `` Revolutionary Road '' would have been my choice -RRB- , but I 've had more arguments about `` The Reader '' than any of the other contenders this year , and I suspect that there is enough support out there for a Winslet win . iReport.com : iReporter sees Streep winning . Supporting actress . I think we 'll see Penelope Cruz triumph for her fabulously funny bilingual artist in Woody Allen 's `` Vicky Cristina Barcelona . '' She 's already won a BAFTA and an honor from the National Board of Review . But the Academy likes surprises in this category , and a first-time such as Taraji P. Henson could take it . iReport.com : Who do you think will win ? Supporting actor . The idea that Heath Ledger wo n't win for `` The Dark Knight '' is so unthinkable , I can only imagine mass walk-outs at the ceremony and riots breaking out across the country if it does n't come to pass . | CNN.com 's Tom Charity predicts `` Slumdog Millionaire '' is going all the way . Charity believes Mickey Rourke will edge past Sean Penn for best actor . Heath Ledger not winning ? `` Unthinkable , '' says Charity . | [[5687, 5768]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A potentially deadly new strain of the swine flu virus cropped up in more places in the United States and Mexico on Saturday , in what the World Health Organization called `` a public health emergency of international concern . '' Women wearing masks wait at a health clinic Saturday in Mexico City . The most recent reports Saturday afternoon were of two confirmed cases of the virus in Kansas -- bringing the number of confirmed U.S. cases to 11 . Those joined nine confirmed cases in Texas and California and an apparent outbreak at a private school in New York City , where officials say eight children likely have the virus . By Saturday night , health officials in Mexico said 81 deaths there were `` likely linked '' to the swine flu . Dr. Jose A. Cordova Villalobos , Mexico 's Secretary of Health , said viral testing has confirmed 20 cases of swine flu across the country . President Felipe Calderon on Saturday issued an executive decree detailing emergency powers of the Ministry of Health , according to the president 's office . The order gives the ministry with the authority to isolate sick patients , inspect travelers ' luggage and their vehicles and conduct house inspections , the statement said . The government also has the authority to prevent public gatherings , shut down public venues and regulate air , sea and overland travel . The WHO 's Gregory Hartl said the strain of the virus seen in Mexico is worrisome because it has mutated from older strains . `` Any time that there is a virus which changes ... it means perhaps the immunities the human body has built up to dealing with influenza might not be adjusted well enough to dealing with this new virus , '' Hartl told CNN . In Mexico , otherwise young and healthy people have been hit by the virus -- `` one of the pieces of the puzzle that is worrying us , '' he said . Mexico City has closed all of its schools and universities because of the virus , and the country 's National Health Council said all Saturday 's soccer games would be played without public audiences . Watch an alarmed Mexico City react with face masks , cancellations '' WHO has sent experts to Mexico at the request of the country 's government , Chan said . All of the U.S. patients have recovered or are expected to . Two of the border cases were in Texas , near San Antonio , and seven of the cases were in southern California , the CDC said . Watch for more on the U.S. cases '' More than 1,300 people with flu-like symptoms have been admitted to hospitals in Mexico , and officials are trying to determine how many of those patients have swine flu , the country 's health minister , Cordova said . U.S. health officials said Friday that some cases of the virus matched samples of the deadly Mexican virus . On Saturday , New York 's Bureau of Communicable Diseases said preliminary tests from a Queens school suggest that eight out of the nine children tested probably have the swine flu virus . Dr. Don Weiss said up to 200 students at the school reported feeling ill . He said the samples will be sent to the CDC in Atlanta , Georgia , to determine the subtype of the strain . The results could be known as early as Sunday . `` What 's concerning about this is , first , that it 's likely swine flu ; second is that at this time it is spreading from person to person , '' said New York City health Commissioner Thomas Frieden . Watch news conference with NYC health department spokesman '' When the flu spreads person to person , instead of from animals to humans , it can continue to mutate , making it a tougher strain that is harder to treat or fight off . Watch author John Barry discuss potential for a pandemic '' The infected people in Kansas are a man who had recently traveled to Mexico and his wife , officials said . Neither of them was hospitalized , said Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips , director of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment . The United States had not issued any travel warnings or quarantines by Saturday evening . The Canadian Public Health Agency had issued a travel health notice , saying , `` The Public Health Agency of Canada is tracking clusters of severe respiratory illness with deaths in Mexico . '' Watch CBC report on Canadian microbiologists ' concerns '' Symptoms of swine flu include fever , lethargy , lack of appetite , coughing , runny nose , sore throat , nausea , vomiting and diarrhea , the CDC said . Besser advised people with flu-like symptoms to stay home from work or school and to see a doctor . CNN 's Mayra Cuevas , Ann Curley , Caleb Hellerman , Elaine Quijano and Susan Candiotti contributed to this report . | NEW : 81 deaths in Mexico `` likely linked '' to swine flu . NEW : Mexican Health Ministry given emergency powers . Two cases confirmed in Kansas ; more suspected in New York . Mutated form concerns World Health Organization . | [[650, 667], [670, 761], [903, 1061], [948, 1020], [320, 413], [1405, 1428], [1444, 1500]] |
ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The photograph is a jarring image that shows Nazi Party members , shovels in hand , digging up graves of American soldiers held as slaves by Nazi Germany during World War II . Members of the Nazi Party are forced to dig up mass graves of U.S. soldiers while American GIs look on . While the men dig up the site , U.S. soldiers investigating war crimes stand over them . Two crosses with helmets placed atop them -- the sign of a fallen soldier -- are visible . Two Germans are knee deep in mud . Another , with a handlebar mustache , has the look of a defeated man . The bodies of 22 American soldiers were found in at least seven graves , according to the photographer . On the back of the photo is written , `` Nazi Party members digging up American bodies at Berga . '' Berga an der Elster was a slave labor camp where 350 U.S. soldiers were beaten , starved , and forced to work in tunnels for the German government . The soldiers were singled out for `` looking like Jews '' or `` sounding like Jews , '' or dubbed as undesirables , according to survivors . More than 100 soldiers perished at the camp or on a forced death march . It was on this day six decades ago , April 23 , 1945 , when most of the slave labor camp soldiers were liberated by advancing U.S. troops . The emaciated soldiers , many weighing just 80 pounds , had been forced by Nazi commanders to march more than 150 miles before their rescue . Watch survivor break down in tears over liberation '' The new photograph was likely taken in May or June 1945 when U.S. war crimes investigators combed Berga . It was donated earlier this month to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum by Jim Martin and his family , whose father , Elmore `` Bud '' Martin , is believed to have snapped the picture as part of the war crimes investigation team . The photo and dozens of others sat for years in Jim Martin 's closet . Some of the photos , including graphic images of American corpses , were placed on record at the National Archives years ago . See shocking photos of the slave camp '' But the image of Nazi Party members digging up graves does n't appear to be part of that collection . Martin said he was proud to hand over the photos . `` People have to see these . This is something that 's history and it belongs with something that 's historical to tell that story . It does n't belong in my closet . '' `` To be honest , I 'm kind of sorry I have n't done it sooner . We did n't realize what it was . '' Elmore Martin , who won a Silver Star for his valor in capturing images during the war , was 28 when he shot the photographs . Before the war , he worked as a photographer for the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press . Martin 's son said his dad , who died several years ago , struggled to keep a job when he returned home . `` I now see where it all started , '' he said . What Elmore Martin and the war crimes soldiers seen in the photo could n't have known that day was how the case would evolve . The two Berga commanders -- Erwin Metz and his superior , Hauptmann Ludwig Merz -- were tried for war crimes and initially sentenced to die by hanging . But the U.S. government commuted their death sentences in 1948 , and both men were eventually released in the 1950s . One other Berga commander , Lt. Willy Hack , was executed , but not by the United States . He died by hanging , justice carried out by the Soviets . Jim Martin said his father would have been upset at the freeing of the Berga commanders after the atrocities he documented . `` He knew it happened and to see that these people were released would be pretty devastating . '' Efraim Zuroff , who has spent nearly 30 years hunting Nazis responsible for the Holocaust , said the U.S. government commuted the sentences and freed hundreds of war criminals like those at Berga after the war , as the Cold War began to intensify . `` They were more concerned about keeping out Communists than admitting victims of the Nazis , '' he said . `` The realities out there were very conducive of letting these people off the hook . '' How should Americans feel six decades later that the government freed the Nazi commanders responsible for atrocities against U.S. soldiers ? `` We 're supposed to feel very pissed off about that , to be perfectly honest , and that feeling is very justified , '' Zuroff said . The German government has since made reparations to the soldiers held at Berga . Zuroff said now it 's time for the U.S. government to do `` the right thing . '' `` To apologize , '' he said . The Army said it is trying to figure out the best way to honor the Berga soldiers . There are about 20 known survivors still living . `` The U.S. Army honors the service and sacrifice of all veterans who have fought our nation 's wars . The Army is working to identify the most dignified and personal way to honor the soldiers held at the Nazi slave camp , known as Berga , '' Army spokesman Lt. Col. Willie Harris said in a written statement . The Army refused to answer further questions about the Berga case . Listen in as an elderly man learns about his brother 's death at the camp '' Survivors have long wanted to know why the sentences of the commanders were commuted . In a letter dated June 11 , 1948 , to an attorney whose nephew died at Berga , the U.S. War Department said the sentences of Metz and Merz were commuted because they were `` underlings . '' The letter goes on to say that Metz `` though guilty of a generally cruel course of conduct toward prisoners was not directly responsible for the death of any prisoners , except one who was killed during the course of an attempt to escape . '' That soldier was Morton Goldstein . Survivors say Goldstein tried to escape but was captured . They say Metz stood him against a wall , walked up to him and shot him , execution-style , through the head . As his body lay on the ground , guards riddled him with bullets , according to survivors . The soldiers who survived were not called to testify at the war crimes trial against Metz and Merz , instead prosecutors relied on about a dozen soldiers ' statements gathered through the course of the investigation . At the trial , Metz blamed any deaths at the camp on U.S. medics . `` They bore the sole responsibility for the medical care , '' Metz told the court , according to the book `` Given Up for Dead , '' by Flint Whitlock , citing trial transcripts . `` I ask you : Who must bear the responsibility ? The answer is obvious : The U.S. medics . '' Those comments do n't sit well with Berga survivors . `` He was terrible , absolutely terrible . He lied , '' said Tony Acevedo , a U.S. medic who catalogued the deaths in a diary at the camp . `` Everybody hated his guts . '' `` Even the German guards were scared of him . '' Flip through Acevedo 's diary from the slave camp '' Berga survivors say they await any recognition from the Army that may come , especially after all these years . Morton Brooks , 83 , said he constantly thinks about the day he was liberated . He was rail thin and had walked by political prisoners shot in the head during the forced death march . In the final hours before his rescue , his attitude was , `` Let them kill us , '' he said . `` I think all the time that I 'm a survivor of this and I 'm still around , '' said Brooks . `` To me , it just amazes me . I do n't know how I got through . '' Jim Martin said he 's still trying to process his father 's role as a forgotten American war hero , armed not with a gun , but a camera . `` The worst part is I 'm just finding it out , '' he said . | New photo surfaces of Nazi slave labor camp where U.S. soldiers held during WWII . Photo donated to U.S. Holocaust museum by family of U.S. war crimes photographer . `` People have to see these . This is something that 's history , '' Jim Martin says . Today marks the anniversary of the liberation of the soldiers held at the camp . | [[142, 212], [2044, 2081], [1615, 1686], [2241, 2267], [2268, 2301], [2306, 2350], [2322, 2371]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sri Lankan officials rejected a proposed cease-fire from the Tamil Tiger rebels Sunday , warning instead that government troops intended to continue a new offensive until the group surrenders , a senior government official said . Tamil demonstrators call for a cease-fire in Sri Lanka during a rally Saturday in Paris , France . `` The government is firm that -LRB- the rebels -RRB- lay down their arms and surrender . We do not recognize this so-called offer , '' said Lakshman Hulugalle , director of Sri Lanka 's Media Center for National Security . The proposed cease-fire came six days after the Sri Lankan army launched a new offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam -LRB- LTTE -RRB- in the country 's northern area . Government troops made significant advances into rebel-held territory on Friday and Saturday , according to Sri Lankan Army sources . A government-imposed deadline for the Tigers to surrender passed last Tuesday . Tens of thousands of displaced civilians currently remain wedged in a dwindling swath of territory controlled by the Tigers along the country 's northeastern coast . Government troops say they have rescued 39,000 civilians trapped in the area , but a U.N. refugee agency said Friday that a wave of `` fresh displacement '' has now exceeded 100,000 individuals . `` In the face of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and in response to the calls made by the U.N. , EU , the governments of the USA , India and others , the -LRB- LTTE -RRB- has announced an unilateral cease-fire . All of LTTE 's offensive military operations will cease with immediate effect , '' the rebel leaders said in a written statement issued earlier Sunday . `` We welcome the attempts by the U.N. and its agencies to assist the civilian population and are ready to engage and cooperate with them to address the humanitarian needs of the population . ... We are in full agreement that the humanitarian crisis can only be overcome by declaration of an immediate cease-fire . '' The Tiger leadership asked the international community to `` pressure the Sri Lankan government to reciprocate '' on the cease-fire offer . The Tigers have been fighting for an independent state in Sri Lanka 's northeast since 1983 . As many as 70,000 people have been killed since the civil war began , and the group has been declared a terrorist organization by 32 countries , including the United States and the European Union . | Government says it will continue offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels . Rebels control a dwindling swath of north Sri Lanka . U.N. agency says 100,000 refugees have fled fighting . | [[129, 210], [1059, 1135], [1219, 1331]] |
BANGKOK , Thailand -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- After 17 hours , Kerri Gannon and her husband were still stranded in an airport in Bangkok , Thailand , Wednesday , trying to find a way home to the United States after the facility was occupied by crowds of protesters and closed . Anti-government protesters gather in front of Bangkok 's Suvarnabhumi airport early Wednesday . The newly married husband and wife , in Thailand for their honeymoon , were struggling to find a way home to California after explosions at two Bangkok airports wounded four people and both airports were shut down . The day before , thousands of anti-government protesters stormed the airports to protest the return of Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from an economic summit in Peru . `` The upper level outside is really crowded with protesters and for the most part they 're kind of quiet and polite , '' Gannon said from the airport . `` They 're roaming the airport , they 're cheering and clapping and walking around , but it 's clearly their domain . '' Watch protesters clash '' It was not clear which of the two occupied airports she was speaking from , but tourists were stranded in both . The People 's Alliance for Democracy , which is leading the protests , said it will not end its occupation of the airports until the prime minister resigns . They accuse his government of being a front for ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra . Ongoing protests caused authorities to cancel all incoming and outgoing flights at the main hub , Suvarnabhumi International Airport , which handles 60,000 incoming passengers daily , an assistant to airport director Serirat Prasutanond told CNN . Pro- and anti-government protesters also exchanged gunfire Tuesday , a Thai police official said . Protesters with golf clubs and long wooden sticks clashed with airport taxi drivers , with each side throwing objects at the other . Watch what 's causing the protests '' Protesters blockaded people trying to get to one of the airports . They directed travelers to exit onto the access roads . See more photos '' `` I 'm trying to get out of this place , but I 'm stuck , '' iReporter Arjan Sing , who was on a two-week vacation to India and stopped in Bangkok to visit a friend 's family . `` When we took the exit there were lots of tourists standing around wondering what they were going to do . '' Gannon said the situation started off fairly relaxed , but tensions were escalating . `` As more and more tourists leave -LSB- the airport -RSB- , the fact that we do n't have any information and there 's no one to give us information , now we feel stranded here and we do n't know where to go , '' Gannon said . `` It seems a little bit more hostile than it was earlier . '' Gannon said she 's heard nothing from airport personnel and her quest for answers is hurt even more by the fact that many people in the airport speak no English . `` I do n't know what happened to my flight , '' one woman waiting in an airport told CNN . `` They wo n't talk to us and I 'm angry and sad because I have two small children and they 're sick so we want to go home . '' The airlines have also been mum on the situation , Gannon said , making it difficult for them to decide whether to wait it out at the airport or try to find a hotel . `` We 've had absolutely no contact from our air carrier , '' Gannon said . `` But that seems to be universal across the board . '' One traveler said the wait was frustrating . `` They 've started coming through and telling us that we possibly might be out of here in the morning , '' he told CNN . `` But either way , there 's no problem . We just sit here and relax and enjoy the ride . '' Gannon said she and her new spouse just hope to get home sometime in the near future . `` We 've been gone for 17 days and -LSB- the honeymoon -RSB- was good -- until now , '' she said . `` We are just trying to go home , get back to work and Thanksgiving . '' | Airports closed after blasts , and thousands of protesters taking over . Kerri Gannon , husband , on honeymoon in Thailand , stuck for 17 hours . Protesters swarmed the airports , said they wo n't leave until prime minister resigns . Continuing protests ; travelers have no information about what 's going on . | [[201, 269], [551, 581], [582, 596], [599, 756], [1427, 1522], [38, 52], [55, 94], [104, 128], [55, 83], [89, 128], [201, 269], [270, 365], [582, 596], [599, 756], [1084, 1131], [1171, 1207], [1242, 1318], [1427, 1522]] |
-LRB- Budget Travel -RRB- -- In the lodging world , green has gone mainstream . Once chided for being wasteful , the big hotel chains are now constantly trying to one-up each other with smart eco-design upgrades and stringent water and energy conservation policies . Hyatt has begun recycling its own aluminum , plastics and paper in countries where such programs do n't exist . Consider this fact : In a recent survey , 68 percent of U.S. hotels said they had energy-efficient lights , and two thirds had implemented towel - and linen-reuse programs , up from just over half five years ago . The number of properties trying to become LEED -LRB- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design -RRB- certified , the most recognized standard for building sustainability , is also on the rise : Applications to the U.S. Green Building Council for the award spiked by 550 percent between 2006 and 2008 . More than 500 hotels could soon earn the label ; until four years ago , only one had the designation . Although all the major players are making strides toward better green policies , some are doing more than others . Here 's what the leaders have achieved in four earth-changing categories : . ENERGY CONSERVATION . Replacing inefficient lighting , one energy-draining bulb at a time . Accor : More than 8,600 Motel 6 locations in at least a dozen states have been retrofitted with occupancy sensors that cause the thermostat to readjust when guests go out . InterContinental : A trial program has been rolled out at 650 hotels that aims to cut energy consumption by as much as 25 percent . If successful , it could be expanded to all of the chain 's 4,000 properties , including Holiday Inns . Marriott : Over the past decade , 450,000 incandescent bulbs have been replaced with compact fluorescent ones , and more than 250 hotels -LRB- including some Residence Inns -RRB- have earned an Energy Star efficiency label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . Starwood : The new Element brand 's goal is for every hotel to be LEED certified . Its first property , which opened last year in Lexington , Massachusetts , is fully loaded with Energy Star appliances , LED lighting , and top-notch ventilation systems . All together , that saves enough energy annually to power 236 homes . WATER CONSERVATION . Tightening up on all the drips and drops in hotel bathrooms . Hilton : The company 's aim : to reduce water use at all of its brands , such as Hilton , DoubleTree , and Embassy Suites , by 10 percent by 2014 . Its nearly 90 European properties have taken the lead , installing water-saving toilets , showerheads , and faucets over the past three years . Home-turf hotels are next . Hyatt : Nearly all North American properties have `` low-flow '' showerheads -LRB- which use a maximum of 2.5 gallons of water per minute -RRB- and toilets -LRB- 1.6 gallons of water per flush -RRB- . The improvements helped reduce the chain 's overall water consumption by 3 percent in 2007 . Marriott : Over the past 10 years , the company has added some 400,000 low-flow showerheads and toilets to all of its locations worldwide . Marriott also buys 1 million towels annually that do n't require prewashing , conserving 6 million gallons of water each year . Starwood : All new Element hotels will have low-flow water fixtures in rooms and water-efficient landscaping ; its Lexington star has led the way , saving up to 1 million gallons of water per year . GREEN DESIGN . Thinking about the environment from the foundation up . Accor : The Motel 6 brand broke ground last year on an ultra-green building near Dallas , with laminate flooring made from recycled wood chips and a solar-powered water-heating system . Best Western : Opening this year in Golden , Colorado , the chain 's first LEED-certified hotel will run partially on solar power and have a porous asphalt parking lot to reduce storm-water runoff . Hilton : The company 's green gem is in Vancouver , Washington : a LEED-approved hotel with low-emission paint on the walls and special drains that funnel rainwater into wells for future use . Hyatt : Seattle 's Hyatt at Olive 8 , which opened in January , has an 8,000-square-foot rooftop garden , water-efficient dual-flush toilets , outlets in the parking lot for electric cars , and lighting controlled by room key cards . Marriott : In 2005 , the Marriott in College Park , Maryland , was the first chain hotel in the U.S. to become LEED certified . Among the earth-friendly frills : kitchen composting , in-room recycling bins , water pitchers instead of plastic bottles , and an organic restaurant . Starwood : All eight Element locations being built across the country this year have carpets and cushions made from recycled materials , art mounted on frames constructed from old tires , and priority parking for guests with hybrids . RECYCLING . Allowing not a single can , bottle , or plastic key card to go to waste . Hyatt : Starting this year , the company will only use key cards and shampoo and lotion containers made from recycled plastics . Hyatt has also begun recycling its own aluminum , plastics , and paper in countries such as Russia and Chile where such programs do n't exist . Intercontinental : As part of a pilot program started two years ago , about 140 Candlewood Suites properties donated old furniture and linens to local families following renovations -- helping to cut back on landfill . It hopes to replicate the initiative nationwide . Marriott : Each year , the chain buys 47 million pens and 24 million key cards made from recycled plastics ; it has also eliminated Styrofoam and plastic utensils at all of its locations . Coming soon : bed pillows made from the polyester fibers of recycled plastic bottles . Wyndham : Debuting later this year at Super 8 motels across the country : new staff uniforms fashioned entirely from recycled plastic bottles . Get the best travel deals and tips emailed to you and enter to win a free trip - CLICK HERE ! Copyright © 2009 Newsweek Budget Travel , Inc. , all rights reserved . Note : This story was accurate when it was published . Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip . | Survey : 68 percent of U.S. hotels said they had energy-efficient lights . InterContinental aims to cut energy consumption by as much as 25 percent . Nearly all North American Hyatt properties have `` low-flow '' showerheads and toilets . | [[379, 484], [1517, 1527], [1533, 1590], [2702, 2776], [3022, 3115]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- While all eyes seem to be on `` Slumdog Millionaire '' for the Oscars , one very courageous little girl will be focused on another India-based film at the ceremony . Pinki , like millions in developing countries , had to live with her deformity and suffer the social consequences . It 's called `` Smile Pinki , '' and it 's up for an Oscar , too -- nominated for best short documentary , which it won on Sunday . The little girl watching it from inside the Oscar ceremony has traveled all the way to Los Angeles , California , from her small Indian village with her dad -- and it has been an incredible journey for Pinki Sonkar . `` Smile Pinki '' tells the story of her transformation from a sad outcast to a vibrant 8-year-old with plenty of spunk . Pinki was born with a cleft lip , and her impoverished family did not have the money for corrective surgery . Like millions of other children born with the lip deformity in developing countries , Pinki simply had to live with it and suffer the social consequences . Her father Rajendra Sonkar says : `` She used to go to school and the kids would not befriend her . She would say , ' I do n't want to go to school . ' '' Watch how Pinki was transformed by the operation '' `` Pinki was a depressed , sad , lonely , shy , young little girl , growing up on the periphery of the society in a little village , '' said Satish Kalra , director of Smile Train 's South Asian region , after meeting with Pinki . The little girl 's own family was ashamed of her , Kalra says . But all of that has changed . Pinki is now a real pistol , full of energy and confidence , and she has a fantastic smile too -- thanks to the Smile Train charity . Smile Train teaches doctors in their own countries to operate on cleft lips , a deformity afflicting up to four million children across the world . iReport : Share your Oscar predictions . Pinki just happened to be one of the chosen candidates for surgery and was also chosen to be the subject of the documentary . The film chronicles her transformation , following her from her village to the hospital and home again . `` She has absolutely and totally changed , '' said Pinki 's surgeon , Dr. Subodh Kumar . The film 's director is Megan Mylan . She has won several awards but not an Oscar -- until now . For Pinki and her dad , being able to see the film 's director win an Oscar would be a thrill . But they know they already have the greatest prize : Pinki 's new smile . `` I am so happy that my daughter 's lips have been repaired , '' her dad Rajendra said with a smile , expressing hope that the movie will inspire people to help children whose families ca n't afford the surgery . | NEW : `` Smile Pinki '' wins best short documentary Oscar . Pinki Sonkar was born with cleft lip ; her family in India could n't afford surgery . Smile Train charity provided operation ; 4 million children worldwide have cleft lips . Pinki , once an outcast because of the deformity , will attend the Oscar ceremony . | [[383, 405], [417, 432], [772, 803], [810, 881], [1782, 1851]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The alleged pirate apprehended by the U.S. Navy after the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama is en route to New York , according to defense officials . The USS Bainbridge tows the lifeboat in which Capt. Robert Phillips was held for days . He was handed over to federal authorities by the U.S. military in Djibouti , the officials said . The suspected pirate , known in official documents as `` Pirate Defendant , '' was brought to Djibouti aboard the USNS Walter S. Diehl , a refueling ship that was with the warship USS Bainbridge at the scene of the failed hijacking that turned into a hostage ordeal 350 miles off the Somalian coast . Three pirates who were holding the Maersk Alabama 's captain in the ship 's lifeboat were killed by Navy SEALs . The survivor had surrendered and was aboard the Bainbridge when the captain , Richard Phillips , was rescued , officials said . From the Bainbridge , he was transferred to the USS Boxer for medical treatment . He was wounded when crew members of the Maersk Alabama took him hostage in the early hours of the pirate attack on the cargo ship , according to the military . See an interactive map of 2009 pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa '' The crew members had hoped to exchange him for their captain , but the pirates did not release Phillips when the crew returned their captive . `` I 'm mad because , you know , I could have been dead right now , '' Ken Quinn , the Maersk Alabama 's navigation officer , told CNN Radio Monday . `` But at the same time he 's just a little skinny guy , you know , from Somalia where they 're all starving and stuff . '' Quinn said he was n't angry at the single alleged pirate , noting piracy in the region is fueled by the desire to survive hardship and poverty . He said the suspect told him he wanted to go the United States , and asked whether Quinn could help him get there . `` I said , ` Yeah , you 're probably going to go anyway -- I do n't think you 're going to need my help , ' '' Quinn said . `` If he goes to jail here , it will be a whole lot better than living in Somalia . '' CNN Radio 's Steve Kastenbaum in New York contributed to this report . | Alleged pirate known in official documents as `` Pirate Defendant '' Alleged pirate brought to Djibouti aboard the USNS Walter S. Diehl , a refueling ship . Handed over to federal authorities by the U.S. military in Djibouti , officials said . Diehl was with the warship USS Bainbridge at the scene of a failed hijacking . | [[365, 385], [388, 438], [439, 499], [267, 341], [890, 906], [502, 518], [524, 586]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A lawsuit alleging that civilian American interrogators subjected Iraqis to torture and severe mistreatment at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad can move forward , a federal judge ruled Thursday . Detainees leave Baghdad Central Prison -- also known as Abu Ghraib -- in 2006 . U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Bruce Lee rejected claims by defense contractor CACI that the company was immune from accountability over claims of physical abuse , war crimes and civil conspiracy . Reports of torture and humiliation by soldiers and civilian contractors against Iraqi detainees created a political , diplomatic and public relations nightmare for the Bush administration in the months and years after the 2003 Iraq invasion . Four Iraqi detainees have sued in U.S. federal courts , alleging contract interrogators assigned to the Baghdad Central Prison -- known as Abu Ghraib -- subjected them to beatings and mental abuse , then destroyed documents and video evidence and later misled officials about what was happening inside the facility . Eleven U.S. soldiers who also worked at the prison were court-martialed under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for prisoner abuse , and several implicated company workers in similar crimes . No contractors have yet faced criminal charges in the wake of the scandal , however . Arlington , Virginia-based CACI said it was merely providing contracting services the government required , and that sensitive political and policy questions could not be brought up in any civilian trial . The judge disagreed . `` While it is true that the events at Abu Ghraib pose an embarrassment to this country , it is the misconduct alleged and not the litigation surrounding that misconduct that creates the embarrassment , '' Lee wrote . `` This court finds that the only potential for embarrassment would be if the court declined to hear these claims on political questions grounds . Consequently , the court holds that plaintiffs ' claims pose no political question and are therefore justiciable . '' The four Abu Ghraib detainees , led by Suhail Najim Abdullah Al Shimari , were released between 2004 and 2008 , and were never charged with a crime , said their attorneys . They were represented in their civil suit by the Center for Constitutional Rights and other individual lawyers . Other Iraqi civilian lawsuits are pending . `` Private military contractors like CACI can not act with impunity , '' said the center 's Katherine Gallagher . `` They must act within the bounds of law and must be held accountable for their participation in the atrocities at Abu Ghraib and the other facilities in Iraq . We believe their actions and the acts of torture of their employees clearly violated the Geneva Conventions , the Army Field Manual and the laws of the United States . '' The case is Al Shimari v. CACI Premier Technology Inc. , 1:08 cv827 . There is no word on when the case might go to trial ; it could also be settled out of court . | Judge rejects immunity claims from defense contractor CACI . In lawsuit , four Iraqi detainees accuse interrogators of physical , mental abuse . Interrogators also accused of destroying evidence , misleading officials . Contractors not facing criminal charges stemming from scandal . | [[316, 515], [30, 200], [759, 812], [759, 779], [815, 885], [898, 908], [912, 955], [1006, 1075], [1271, 1294], [1301, 1344], [1271, 1285], [1291, 1344]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It arrived in Rich Stevens ' mailbox a few weeks ago : the notice that Citibank had `` rate-jacked '' the Visa cards belonging to him and his wife . Some credit card holders have seen their interest rates go up dramatically , a practice called `` rate-jacking . '' `` In my case , from 9.5 percent to 16.99 , '' the 54-year-old nurse from the Long Island hamlet of Merrick , New York , told CNN . And his wife 's rate zoomed from 7.95 percent to 16.99 percent , he said . Stevens said he did not know why the rates had soared ; his credit rating is great . But , like thousands of other credit card customers around the nation , he has been notified his rate is skyrocketing . `` It almost borders on loan-sharking , from my perspective , '' he said . In the blogosphere , writers are livid at the instant rate hikes -- called `` rate-jacking . '' Citigroup seems to be the target of most bloggers ' venom -- partly because Citigroup issues so many credit cards and partly because Citi began sending the notices at about the same time it was getting a $ 20 billion , taxpayer-financed government bailout . No one at Citigroup would talk on camera to CNN about the matter . Instead , the company issued a written statement , which said : `` To continue funding in this difficult credit and funding environment , Citi is repricing a group of customers . '' Citi told CNN that anyone unhappy with the new rates can opt out and continue paying the lower interest , but they must close their account when their card expires . It 's all in the fine print . Rep. Carolyn Maloney , D-New York , said she is sick of the fine print . She agreed that credit card companies get away with whatever they want , as long at they put their desires into the fine print . `` They have this provision that says they can raise the rate -- any time , any reason , '' she said . In September , Maloney got the House to pass by an overwhelming margin of 200 votes the `` credit card holders ' bill of rights , '' which would have stopped rate-jacking and the imposition of other fees by banks . But the bill has languished in the Senate since September . `` There 's a lot of pushback from the financial industry , '' she said . Watch how card companies are trying to woo customers '' Critics say that pushback is linked to donations from the banking industry to the politicians responsible for regulating credit cards . The chairman of the Senate Banking Committee is Christopher Dodd . His staff said the Connecticut Democrat has his own credit card bill containing tough language to stop things like rate-jacking and shortening of billing cycles -- two issues that anger consumers . But even Dodd 's own bill has failed to gain traction -- it has sat since July . Dodd himself received more than $ 4 million from the financial sector during the last campaign , according to campaign records . His office did not respond to CNN 's questions about that . It did say that he has tried repeatedly to protect consumers , but added , `` legislation has been met with stiff opposition by the credit card industry . '' On Thursday , the Federal Reserve is expected to vote on its own new rules regarding credit cards , rules in the works for four years that could clamp down on rate-jacking . Whatever is passed , Maloney said , probably would not take effect until 2010 . | One man 's rate went from 9.5 % to 16.99 % : `` It almost borders on loan-sharking '' Citigroup , recipient of bailout funds , seems to be the target of most bloggers ' ire . U.S. House passes `` bill of rights '' for customers , but legislation stalls in Senate . Citi says anyone unhappy with rate can opt out and close account when card expires . | [[669, 695], [699, 701], [709, 733], [867, 924], [2090, 2149], [1374, 1477], [1484, 1539]] |
NEW DELHI -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- India 's Tata Motors Monday announced it would begin delivery of the Nano , billed as the world 's `` cheapest car '' , in July . Tata Motors expects to begin delivery of the Nano , billed as the world 's cheapest car , in July . The four-door Nano is currently being built in `` limited numbers '' at a company plant in the north Indian hill state of Uttrakhand . Tata Motors , however , aims to make 350,000 Nanos a year from 2010 at another unit elsewhere in the country , a company statement said . `` It is to the credit of the team at Tata Motors that a car once thought impossible by the world is now a reality . I hope it will provide safe , affordable , four-wheel transportation to families who till now have not been able to own a car . We are delighted in presenting the Tata Nano to India and the world , '' company chief Ratan Tata told a news conference in Mumbai to announce the `` commercial launch '' of the $ 2,000 car . Watch more on the Nano '' Tata Motors said the Nano would initially be available through bookings or reservations filed on a request form priced around $ 6 , or Rs 300 . Tata will accept the bookings from April 9 to April 25 . Within 60 days of the closure of bookings , Tata Motors will process and announce the allotment of 100,000 cars in the first phase of deliveries , through a computerized random selection procedure , it added . `` Deliveries will commence from July 2009 , '' said the company statement . | Tata Motors to begin delivery of the Nano in July . Tata aims to make 350,000 Nanos a year from 2010 . Car is billed as the world 's cheapest , costing $ 2,000 . | [[0, 15], [29, 102], [159, 208], [1406, 1448], [394, 405], [418, 502], [94, 102], [105, 146], [200, 208], [211, 246], [847, 968]] |
LANCASTER , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The sound of pounding hooves thunders in the high desert air . A cloud of dust marks the trail of a herd of wild horses as they race across the arid plain . This is Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue , a shelter for wild mustangs and unwanted horses near Lancaster , California . Jill Starr , president of Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue , vows to do right by the horses : `` I will take care of them . '' Lifesavers President Jill Starr says she and other shelter operators are witnessing an equine crisis . `` People have lost their homes , their jobs , their hope , '' she said . `` And they are giving up their animals . '' `` We 've had horses come onto the property in a horse trailer , unannounced , and just offloaded and -LSB- owners -RSB- ask us , beg us , if we could take these skinny horses , '' she said . Starr says she has taken in so many unwanted horses in the past year that her resources are stretched to the breaking point . Watch rescue center that cares for horses '' `` All of a sudden it 's like somebody flipped a switch and people started bringing back the horses they adopted from us , '' she said . `` There are no hard numbers on this , '' said Michael Markarian of the Humane Society of the United States . `` The states do n't seem to be keeping numbers . The economy has been hard on everybody , and animals are no exception . '' Shannon Bonfanti is a case in point . A freelance fashion industry worker , Bonfanti says that jobs have dried up , and so has her income . `` When I was working I was able to take care of all the expenses , '' she said . But she has since decided to sell three of the six horses in her stable -- to save her family as much as $ 800 a month . `` How do you sell your kids ? '' a tearful Bonfanti asked . So far , Bonfanti has found no buyers . Not even for Hunni , a horse that has won trophies and ribbons in national riding competitions . `` I 'm willing to take almost any offer , '' Bonfanti said . `` I know my trainer would say I 'm crazy . ` You ca n't give that horse away . She is valuable . ' '' Bonfanti even considered the county animal shelter as a possible solution . `` I had contacted a few people , '' she said . `` And the factor that there is the possibility that a horse could be put down made me look further . '' Last year , the Los Angeles County shelter took in 188 abandoned or abused horses -- up 600 percent from the previous year . Veterinarian David Byerly says the numbers are even worse this year . `` It has not leveled off in any way , '' Byerly said . `` It just keeps going up . '' Byerly says that for the first time , the county has had to euthanize abandoned horses because its facilities are full . Horses considered likely adoption candidates are spared . Even so , the Los Angeles County animal shelter is killing abandoned horses at a rate of three or four a week . That is not a fate that James Gulledge wants for his horse , Rico . Gulledge says he first met Rico at the Lifesavers shelter . `` I was volunteering over there and just fell in love with him , '' he said . But now the economy is forcing some hard choices . `` I 'm very conflicted about it , '' Gulledge said . `` It 's just a decision about paying for him or having some money to help some important people make it through all this . '' Gulledge chose to return Rico to Lifesavers . For Starr , the horse is one more mouth to feed , and she intends to . `` I 'm hoping that this is the worst of this , that we are going to climb out of this pretty soon , '' she said . In the meantime , she said , `` I will take care of them and wo n't let anything bad happen to them . ... They 're basically family members . '' | Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue , a shelter for unwanted horses , stretched to the limit . Hard times have forced owners to return horses they adopted , shelter president says . Los Angeles County animal shelter killing some abandoned horses as owners leave . | [[853, 978], [922, 978], [2673, 2733], [2802, 2903]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama reached out to citizens of the world Tuesday , saying in an op-ed piece that ran in 31 newspapers around the globe that there is an urgent need for worldwide economic cooperation . President Obama will discuss the economic downturn with other world leaders next week at the Group of 20 meeting . Obama 's move comes ahead of next week 's Group of 20 meeting in London , England , in which leaders of the world 's richest nations will discuss the global economic downturn . `` My message is clear , '' Obama wrote . `` The United States is ready to lead , and we call upon our partners to join us with a sense of urgency and common purpose . Much good work has been done , but much more remains . '' The president is scheduled to hold his second prime-time news conference at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday . In the op-ed , Obama spoke about the upcoming G-20 meeting , saying that world leaders have to work together . Watch as the White House press secretary outlines Obama 's economic strategy '' `` We are living through a time of global economic challenges that can not be met by half measures or the isolated efforts of any nation , '' Obama said . `` Now , the leaders of the Group of 20 have a responsibility to take bold , comprehensive and coordinated action that not only jump-starts recovery , but also launches a new era of economic engagement to prevent a crisis like this from ever happening again . '' The president also pointed out that although the United States is separated by two oceans from most of the rest of the world , a global economy renders those geographic distinctions moot . `` Once and for all , we have learned that the success of the American economy is inextricably linked to the global economy , '' Obama said . `` There is no line between action that restores growth within our borders and action that supports it beyond . '' Next week 's G-20 summit will be Obama 's first meeting as president with many of the world 's leaders . He will meet many of the Western Hemisphere 's leaders at the Fifth Summit of the Americas next month in Trinidad and Tobago . | President Obama urges nations to work together ahead of Group of 20 meeting . Obama 's op-ed piece runs in 31 newspapers worldwide . President set to hold prime-time news conference Tuesday night . Obama : U.S. economy 's success is `` inextricably linked to the global economy '' | [[342, 413], [605, 686], [841, 853], [856, 886], [909, 951], [841, 853], [856, 861], [902, 951], [0, 26], [93, 117], [103, 117], [123, 160], [745, 840], [745, 758], [772, 840], [1659, 1762]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- John McCain tried to make Barack Obama 's celebrity status a campaign issue last summer , but there 's no debate about the president-elect 's ability to draw famous and talented Americans to his inauguration . Bruce Springsteen campaigns for Barack Obama in Cleveland , Ohio , on November 2 , 2008 . Dozens of major celebrities will perform on several nationally televised shows , as well as 10 inaugural balls the evening after Obama is sworn in as the 44th U.S. president . The celebration will open Sunday evening on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with a free concert so star-studded it 's hard to choose a headliner . Beyonce , Bono and Bruce Springsteen are on the list . Other musical performers include Mary J. Blige , Garth Brooks , Sheryl Crow , Renee Fleming , Josh Groban , Herbie Hancock , Heather Headley , John Legend , Jennifer Nettles , John Mellencamp , Usher Raymond IV , Shakira , James Taylor , will.i.am , and Stevie Wonder . In addition , Jamie Foxx , Martin Luther King III , Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington will take the stage to deliver historical readings . More performers will likely be named . Executive Producer George Stevens Jr. said the intention is `` to root the event in history , celebrating the moments when our nation has united to face great challenges and prevail . '' See how inaugurations have changed over the years '' Don Mischer , who directed the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympics and ` recent Super Bowl half-time shows , is directing this event . `` We will have the statue of Abraham Lincoln looking down on our stage and a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people lining the mall -- a tableau any director would relish , '' Mischer said . Admission will be free , but security will be tight . Check out an interactive map of Washington . Five gates leading into the area , including one around the Reflecting Pool at the base of the Lincoln Memorial , open at 8 a.m. ET Sunday . Performances start at 2:30 p.m. HBO paid for exclusive rights to televise Sunday 's show , but its feed will be free to all cable and satellite viewers from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET . It can not be seen through local broadcast television stations . The Disney Channel will carry Monday night 's big event -- `` Kids ' Inaugural : We Are The Future '' -- from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET . Those who do n't have cable will be able to hear it live on Radio Disney or watch it online later at Disney.com . Musical performers will include the Jonas Brothers , Miley Cyrus , Demi Lovato and Bow Wow . Singer-actress Keke Palmer -- star of Nickelodeon 's `` True Jackson , VP '' -- is one of the hosts for the show , which will be staged in Washington 's Verizon Center . Palmer , 15 , hopes to meet Obama 's daughters Sasha , 7 , and Malia , 10 , backstage Monday night . Palmer said she moved from Chicago to Los Angeles when she was about the same age as Malia is now , and Obama 's election is `` very special for my family and me , being from Chicago and all . '' `` I also feel like I know what Sasha and Malia are experiencing in terms of leaving Chicago at an early age , having to attend a brand new school , a new house , just new everything , '' Palmer said . `` It 's not easy , but as long as you have great parents , which we all three have , then it turns out OK . '' There should be plenty of celebrity sightings at the swearing-in ceremony at noon ET Tuesday or in the parade starting at 2:30 p.m. Viewers will have no trouble finding a television broadcast of those events . Palmer said she will likely view the inaugural parade from a viewing stand at the Pennsylvania Avenue headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women . `` Hey , either way I 'm so happy to be a part of it no matter how small , '' she said . `` This is historic ! '' While inaugural ball tickets are tough to get , one of the 10 balls Tuesday evening will be shown live on ABC television from 8 to 10 p.m. ET . `` The Neighborhood Ball : An Inauguration Celebration '' is billed by planners as `` the premier event of the inauguration evening . '' Beyonce , Mary J. Blige , Mariah Carey , Faith Hill , Jay-Z , Alicia Keys , Shakira , Stevie Wonder and others yet to be announced will perform live at the ball . The Neighborhood Ball will take place in a hall at the Washington Convention Center , the venue for four other balls . Take a quiz about first ladies ' inaugural gowns '' A Youth Ball -- aimed at partygoers ages 18 to 35 -- will take place at the Hilton Washington . Ball planners have not released the entertainment line-up for this ball , but said whoever is there wo n't stop playing until 2:30 a.m. For those who somehow miss all of this -- or want more -- the Presidential Inaugural Committee is selling a CD-DVD with 18 music tracks from many of the inauguration performers . Eight key Obama speeches from the past two years also are included . | Celebrations open Sunday evening with a free star-studded concert televised by HBO . Kids ' inaugural show Monday will feature Jonas Brothers , Miley Cyrus . One of the 10 inaugural balls Tuesday evening will be shown live on ABC . Beyonce , Mariah Carey , Stevie Wonder will perform at the ball . | [[495, 572], [2453, 2545], [3807, 3835], [3855, 3950], [4088, 4198], [4203, 4250]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- British broadcaster Channel 4 has been criticized for creating a new television show which looks at how children as young as eight would cope without their parents for two weeks . Channel 4 said the program was made with the parents ' full consent . Boys And Girls Alone -- which will be aired in the UK on Tuesday evening -- has been compared to adult reality show Big Brother . The show allows 10 boys and 10 girls between the age of eight and 11 to create their own mini-societies , organizing everything from what they eat to how they should entertain themselves . Ultimately the children are shown on camera squabbling over sleeping and cooking arrangements and , as they split into factions , some of them feel `` picked on , '' the show 's publicity says . This has led to a stream of criticism from British lawmakers and children 's charities , who have labeled Channel 4 's `` experiment '' a disgrace that `` served no purpose other than to cynically boost ratings , '' according to Britain 's Daily Mirror newspaper . Camila Batmanghelidjh , of the charity Kids Company , was quoted by The Daily Mirror as saying : `` Any situation that leaves a group of young people without the mediating presence of a responsible adult is cruel and abusive . '' Do you agree ? Share your views . Labour MP Denis MacShane told the newspaper that `` children should be protected and not exploited for commercial gain . '' However , Channel 4 defended the show and said it features `` the kind of tussling you 'd get in any playground -- but no physical violence . '' It added that one boy pointed a knife and fork during the series but emphasized that no one was in any danger , Britain 's Press Association reported . `` This is not a project for commercial gain . It is done with the parents ' full consent , '' a Channel 4 spokesperson was quoted by PA as saying . `` They were watching and there were mentors and a clinical psychologist who made sure there were no problems . '' | Boys And Girls Alone has been compared to adult reality show Big Brother . Children between 8 and 11 live without their parents for two weeks . Program shows children squabbling and arguing with each other . British lawmaker says children must not be exploited for commercial gain . | [[286, 306], [359, 396], [286, 306], [380, 415], [9, 32], [86, 215], [605, 698], [1329, 1449], [1378, 1389], [1414, 1449]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Watch out ! Lock up your loved ones ! Another bloated , over-produced , high-concept monstrosity has escaped from the labs at Dreamworks Animation , and it 's out to devour your kids . Susan , aka `` Ginormica , '' has to save the world in `` Monsters vs. Aliens . '' But do n't be too alarmed . `` Monsters vs. Aliens '' is relatively harmless -- a toothless satire with a knee-jerk feminist theme and a sorry excuse for a plot . That sounds harsh , I know . Who does n't want to see a 50-foot woman careening through San Francisco on skates that turn out to be automobiles -- the ultimate demolition roller derby ? But think about that , just for a second . Roller skates work because they have fixed wheels . Try it with motorcars and you wo n't get very far . Is that too picky ? Perhaps , but you would n't find Pixar playing so fast and loose with the laws of physics , and that kind of inattention to detail is typical of the lackadaisical storytelling here and in other Dreamworks animated features . -LRB- The talent pool for this one includes the directors of `` Shrek 2 '' and `` Shark Tale '' and the writers of `` Kung Fu Panda '' and `` The Rocker , '' incidentally . -RRB- High concepts , top-notch voice talent and scattershot pop cultural references are no compensation for a coherent script . The XXXL lady in question -- dubbed `` Ginormica '' by her U.S. military guards -- starts out plain and petite Susan Murphy -LRB- voiced by Reese Witherspoon -RRB- , until a meteorite hits her just minutes before she 's supposed to tie the knot with unctuous chauvinist Derek -LRB- Paul Rudd -RRB- . Her rapid growth spurt saves her from that particular fate worse than death , even if at first glance her new roommates do n't look like much of an improvement . There 's Dr. Cockroach -LRB- Hugh Laurie -RRB- , a mad scientist who semi-advertently mutated with a bug ; B.O.B. -LRB- Seth Rogen -RRB- an amorphous blue jelly-like blob who gets on just fine without a brain ; Missing Link -LRB- Will Arnett -RRB- , a gung-ho amphibian who 's all mouth ; and a giant dust mite called Insectosaurus who is n't voiced by anyone because he does n't have anything to say . Sci-fi fans will have fun counting off the references to myriad classics -- `` Close Encounters of the Third Kind , '' `` Invaders from Mars , '' `` The Fly , '' `` The Creature from the Black Lagoon , '' `` The Blob , '' `` Mothra '' and `` Attack of the 50-Foot Woman , '' for starters -- and noting a few clever bits and pieces -LRB- Kiefer Sutherland , as General W.R. Monger , riffs on George C. Scott in `` Dr. Strangelove '' -RRB- . The trouble is , once the introductions are over , the filmmakers can only launch their desperately limp plot : The White House turns to these monstrous superheroes to save the planet from evil Gallaxhar -LRB- Rainn Wilson -RRB- , a squidlike creature with four eyes and twice as many legs , and a one-eyed tin robot to do his dirty work for him . Ginormica gets a kick-butt finale , and is a much stronger character -- in any number of ways -- than the movie 's president . -LRB- In a genuinely witty casting touch he 's voiced by Stephen Colbert . -RRB- . That may be good politics or at least a sound marketing decision from the studio 's perspective -- it 's been awhile since a family animated feature produced a genuinely strong female character -LRB- unless you count `` Coraline , '' which was way too scary for my family -RRB- -- but Susan 's self-esteem is an awfully long time coming . iReport.com : What do you think of ` Monsters vs. Aliens ' ? -LRB- Bizarrely -- and maybe it 's just my imagination -- Gallaxhar bears a passing resemblance to President Obama . I wonder ... would that make Susan/Ginormica a surrogate for Sarah Palin or Hillary Clinton ? -RRB- . Visually , too , `` Monsters vs Aliens '' is undistinguished , although its shortcomings may be disguised if you seek out the 3-D version . Funny how 3-D movies tend to produce two-dimensional characters , with `` Coraline '' again the exception to the rule . Jocular and unpretentiously trashy , `` Monsters vs. Aliens '' should be a lot of fun -- and it is , in places . But the truth is it 's as hung up on itself as Susan 's preening fiance . Hand on heart , I had a better time at `` Space Chimps . '' `` Monsters vs. Aliens '' runs 94 minutes and is rated PG . For Entertainment Weekly 's take , click here . | `` Monsters vs. Aliens '' about Earth-born `` monsters '' taking on megalomaniacal alien . Film 's main character is almost 50-foot woman voiced by Reese Witherspoon . `` Monsters '' has great talent but no script to speak of , says Tom Charity . | [[1434, 1493]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- More than 170 people around the globe , including at least 61 in the United States , have been arrested in a major operation targeting international child pornographers , officials said Friday . Attorney General Michael Mukasey and European Union representatives announced the sting 's results Friday . Operation Joint Hammer has rescued 11 girls in the United States , ages 3 to 13 , who were sexually abused by child pornography producers , U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey and representatives of the European Union said at the Justice Department . Dozens more were located in Europe , including several young female victims in Ukraine . Authorities found connections between producers , distributors and customers in nearly 30 countries as a single investigation grew to a global inquiry into the dark corners of brutality and child abuse . The investigation , code-named Operation Koala in Europe , was developed when investigators determined that a pornographic video found in Australia had been produced in Belgium . `` This joint EU-U.S. coordinated effort began with the discovery in Europe of a father who was sexually abusing his young daughters and producing images of that abuse , '' Mukasey said . Further investigation showed a number of online child porn rings . Some included dangerous offenders who not only traded child pornography but also sexually abused children , the officials said . Agents are still attempting to locate child victims whose images have appeared in photos and videos , and more arrests are expected as the FBI , Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Postal Inspection Service continue the investigation . A Postal Service official said ringleaders primarily targeted prepubescent female victims to satisfy their customers but noted that other groups produce photos and videos of boys and girls of all ages -- or even infants . `` For this subset , that 's what turns them on , '' the official said . | U.S. , European officials join for child pornographer sting . 11 girls ages 3 to 13 rescued in the United States , dozens more found in Europe . Arrests turn up people who traded child porn , sexually abused children , officials say . Inquiry began with pornographic video found in Australia that came from Belgium . | [[1058, 1145], [333, 397], [586, 620], [586, 592], [623, 674], [410, 414], [419, 470], [1313, 1418], [879, 1057], [957, 1057]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- London 's subway system was engulfed by thousands of revelers Saturday night , marking the introduction of an alcohol ban on the mass transit network . Revelers hit London 's subway system Saturday night to mark the introduction of an alcohol ban . Eyewitnesses have described how some drunken partygoers , often dressed in fancy dress , fought , damaged subway trains and vomited . Authorities were forced to close six stations on the network , including major transportation hubs at Liverpool Street , Baker Street and Euston . A spokesman for British Transport Police , which patrols the network , said that police had been told of a large `` large amount '' of disorder and `` multiple instances of trains being damaged '' , causing them to be pulled from service , the UK 's Press Association reported , adding : `` This was an unfortunate end to what should have been a fun event . '' There were reports of at least 17 arrests . Much of the disorder concentrated on the Circle Line , which encircles the center of the city . Many reports say that the night had begun good-naturedly . Web programmer , David Mudkips , 25 , from east London , told PA that the event was `` Like rush hour but fun . There were people 's sweaty armpits in my face but I did n't care because I was drinking . '' Student Frankie Abbott , 21 , also from east London , said earlier in the evening : `` It might be fun to do the whole night but I think it 's going to get a bit messy . There are guys drinking from funnels already . '' Sailor Peter Moore , 35 , from Brighton on the southern English coast , told the agency his night was `` Drunken , I just downed a can of beer in 10 seconds . It 's sweaty on there but I 'm going round and round until I vomit . '' As the evening progressed the situation deteriorated . Photographer Desmond Fitzgerald , 48 , from south London , told PA that by 11pm at Gloucester Road subway station he was afraid someone might slip onto the tracks due to the amount of spilt alcohol on the platform . `` At first the atmosphere was happy but anarchic , defiant , '' he said , with people wearing hats and having a good time . As the journey progressed , more heavily drunk people joined the train , he added . `` Then a fight broke out between about five people , but because we were so tightly packed in it soon spread throughout the carriage and I had to struggle to escape to the next one , '' he told PA. . `` The atmosphere had really changed by this point . People were ripping off adverts and maps and being sick all over the place . `` When it pulled in to Embankment people fell out and carried on fighting on the platform . Thankfully police were there , and they handled it very well . '' Many of those gathered had learnt of the party on social networking Web sites , through groups with names such as `` Circle Line Party - Last day of drinking on the tube '' , which had 850-plus members listed by Saturday lunchtime , and `` Party/Flashmob on the Underground '' , with 1,300-plus names listed . The anti-drinking strategy was introduced by newly elected London mayor Boris Johnson . He said before the party occurred : `` I 'm determined to improve the safety and security of public transport in London and create a better environment for the millions of Londoners who rely on it . The ban has the full support of the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police . `` I firmly believe that banning the drinking of alcohol on London 's public transport will create a better traveling environment for all Londoners and that if we drive out antisocial behavior and so called minor crime then we will be able to get a firm grip on more serious crime . '' But Bob Crow , General Secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union of which many subway staff are members , countered that the ban put workers at greater risk of of attack , reported PA , saying it was `` half-baked . '' | Revelers mark alcohol ban on London subway system , cause chaos . Police say at least 17 arrests , subways stations shut as thousands gather . Many had learnt of the event through social networking Web sites . London mayor says he introduced alcohol ban for better traveling environment . | [[9, 32], [115, 187], [188, 284], [188, 196], [240, 284], [0, 6], [9, 32], [36, 112], [188, 284], [419, 565], [419, 430], [443, 565], [927, 970], [2753, 2830], [9, 32], [115, 187]] |
-LRB- OPRAH.com -RRB- -- One of the original Kings of Comedy , Steve Harvey is the host of one of the most popular radio shows in the country , `` The Steve Harvey Morning Show . '' His first book , `` Act Like a Lady , Think Like a Man , '' is shooting to the top of the best-seller lists , and Oprah Winfrey says she loves everything it has to say ! Harvey says this book has a special meaning for him . `` This is the first project that I did n't do for money , '' he says . `` Other than my foundation -- mentoring programs -- everything I do is for money . I tell jokes for a check ; I 'm on TV for a check . ... But this -LSB- book -RSB- right here I did purely to empower women . '' In his book , Harvey says the way a man introduces you gives good insight into the status of your relationship . If a man introduces you as a friend or says your name with no title at all , Harvey says you have nothing . `` We 're very protective . We mark our territory . If a man loves you ... he 's willing to profess it . He 'll give you a title after a while . You 're going to be his lady , his woman , his fiancée , his wife , his baby 's mama , something , '' he says . `` If he 's introducing you after six months , ` This is ... Oprah , ' you should be standing there going , ` This is going nowhere . ' '' Oprah.com : Read an excerpt from this best-selling book ! Man with a plan . Another thing women need to understand , according to Harvey , is that every man has a plan . `` Men do n't come up to you to just talk . We come up to you with a plan , '' he says . `` We 're looking across the room at you , and we do n't care about your hopes and dreams . We do n't care about what your future holds . We saw something we wanted . '' When a man approaches a woman , Harvey says , he already knows what we wants from her , but he does n't know what it will cost . `` How much time do you want from me ? What your standards ? What are your requirements ? Because we 'll rise to the occasion no matter how high you set the bar if we want to , '' he says . `` The problem is , women have stopped setting the bar high . '' Oprah.com : What 's your love type ? The cookie . Though a woman might want many things from a man , Harvey says men only need three things : support , loyalty and sex . Or as Harvey calls it , `` the cookie . '' `` We 've got to have your support . Whatever adventure we 're out on , whatever pursuit in life , we need your support . Then we need your loyalty . That 's your love . We 've got to know that you belong to us , '' he says . `` And we 've got to have a cookie . Everybody likes cookies . That 's the thing about a cookie . I like oatmeal raisin ... but if you 've got vanilla cream , I 'll eat that too . '' Kickin ' it . In his book , Harvey tells the story of his father-in-law 's first introduction to one of Harvey 's daughter 's boyfriends . '' -LSB- My 26-year-old daughter -RSB- was dating this guy who was about 30 . He had been over to the house about four , five times . And my father-in-law was visiting from Memphis , '' Harvey says . `` He 's in the kitchen and he 's eating and -LSB- my daughter 's -RSB- boyfriend is in there , and -LSB- my father-in-law -RSB- goes : ` So , son , sit down . Tell me , what 's your plan for my granddaughter ? ' '' After plenty of hemming and hawing , Harvey says the boyfriend finally said that the two were just `` kickin ' it . '' Harvey was pretty confident his daughter did n't have the same interpretation of the relationship , he says . `` I said : ` Cool . Let 's bring my daughter in there . Let 's inform her that she 's just being kicked ... let 's see if that 's what she wants to do , '' he says . `` They broke up the next day . '' Gone fishin ' Harvey says men are like fishermen -- but women are actually the ones looking for a good catch . You wo n't be able to find one , though , until you up your standards . `` You 've got sports fishermen , and you 've got guys out there fishing to eat . You 've got guys that are fishing to keep the fish , and you 've got guys that are fishing to catch them , unhook them and throw them back , '' Harvey says . `` You 've got to determine along the way which one of the fish you 're going to be . '' Without ironclad standards , Harvey says you 'll always end up back in the dating pool . `` You 've got to quit lowering your standards , '' he says . `` Set your requirements up front so when a guy hooks you , he has to know this is business . '' And do n't let the man set the pace of the relationship -- Harvey says it 's always the woman who has total control . `` With all that power , why do you suddenly relinquish this power just because you want a guy to accept you ? That 's stupid , '' he says . `` Say : ` Look , if you want to be with me , this is what you got to do . This is what it takes to get to me . ' '' When should you sleep with your new boyfriend ? As an auto plant worker , Harvey says he had to wait 90 days to receive benefits -- and says the same probation period should apply to dating . `` In 90 days they checked me out . They determined if I was easy to work with , if I got along well with others , if I showed up when I said I was going to show up , if I was worthy . '' Women , Harvey says , hold the greatest benefit of all -- the cookie -- so there 's no reason to give it away until you know your man deserves it . `` Slow down , ladies , '' Harvey says . `` Look , you can not run us off . '' So what if you do n't want to wait 90 days ? Harvey says if you change the probation period , you do so at your own risk . `` You all keep changing the rules . And men are aware of the fact that you are changing the rules . We 're aware of the fact that you act desperate . We 're aware of the fact that you think there 's a good shortage of good men out there , '' he says . `` We play on all of that . ... We created the term ` gold digger ' so you wo n't ask us for nothing . We created the term ` nagging ' so you can quit badgering us . These are terms that we created so you can require less of us . '' Mr. fix-it . Harvey says four little words can strike fear and dread into any man : We need to talk . `` You just drove a nail in his forehead , '' Harvey says . Men are fixers , not talkers , Harvey says , so it 's better to get to the point . `` When you say , ` We need to talk , ' we put up the barriers , '' he says . `` I tell ladies , just sit down and strike up a conversation . '' Oprah.com : How to talk to a brick wall . Turn off the text . Social networking Web sites and text messages can be a great way to keep in touch with friends , but Harvey says it 's not the best way to date . `` You have nothing if you 're texting a guy in a relationship , '' he says . `` We can text six women a minute . We can text it and push ` reply all . ' I mean , since we 're lying , we might as well lie to everybody . '' If you want the relationship to be more , take it face-to-face . `` Women talk about -LSB- how -RSB- chivalry 's dead . Chivalry 's not dead -- it 's just not required anymore , '' he says . `` You 've got to get a guy in your face . Look in his eyes . ... God has given you all this incredible thing called intuition . You 've got to use that . '' Safety first . You know you 've got a keeper when your man wants to make sure you 're always safe , Harvey says . Every man wants to protect his woman , and Harvey says this instinct kicks in when his wife , Marjorie , scuba dives . `` I ca n't go home without her . We 've got seven kids between us , '' Harvey says . `` They need their mother . I 'm not a good mother at all . '' Although Marjorie is a certified diver , Harvey is n't a swimmer . `` I have a security guy who can swim , '' he says . `` So -LSB- he puts -RSB- on the snorkeling gear and when she goes down , I tell him , ` You swim over and just keep an eye on my wife . ' '' Harvey also has instructions for everyone else on the boat . `` I told all the dive masters on the boat : ` If she does not come out of that water in 30 minutes , everybody in the water . Everybody . We 're doing a dive search right here , ' '' he says . `` I do n't care if nobody -LSB- else -RSB- on the boat goes home . She goes home . '' Oprah.com : How to read his body language . From The Oprah Winfrey Show . Subscribe to O , The Oprah Magazine for up to 75 % off the newsstand price . That 's like getting 18 issues FREE . Subscribe now ! TM & © 2009 Harpo Productions , Inc. . All Rights Reserved . | Comedian Steve Harvey says women set the bar too low when dating . Harvey : Workers wait 90 days for benefits ; women should date 90 days before sex . Texting is not dating , says Harvey , just easier way for men to tell more lies . Men use terms like `` gold digger '' and `` nagging '' as weapons against women . | [[4938, 4944], [5000, 5055], [4950, 4992], [6633, 6677]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama takes his first stab Wednesday night at the role of fundraiser in chief . President Obama raised lots of money as he campaigned , but how will he do now that the election is over ? The president is the main attraction at two events in the nation 's capital for the Democratic National Committee , making for the first fundraising test for Obama since he took over the presidency two months ago . As a candidate for the White House , Obama , who was then a senator from Illinois , had little trouble raising money : He broke all fundraising records , raking in nearly $ 750 million during his two-year campaign for the presidency . The money raised at Wednesday night 's two events -- at the National Women in the Arts Museum and the Warner Theater , where singer Tony Bennett is scheduled to perform -- will come in handy as the Democratic National Committee struggles to keep pace with its Republican counterpart . Democrats won back the White House and increased their majorities in Congress in November 's elections , but when it comes to campaign cash , the national party is not having the same kind of success . The DNC raised about $ 3.3 million last month , while the Republican National Committee raked in more than $ 5 million . Thanks to a larger transfer of campaign cash left over from Obama 's presidential run , the DNC was able to report $ 5.4 million in total contributions last month , slightly edging out the RNC . But when it comes to cash on hand -- the amount of money the parties have in the bank -- the DNC 's $ 8.5 million trails the RNC 's $ 24 million . DNC Chairman Tim Kaine on Tuesday dismissed the committee 's disappointing February cash haul , saying that his fundraising efforts were handicapped by a Virginia law that prohibits officials from raising money during the state 's legislative session . `` Fundraising stories do n't interest me that much , '' Kaine said , according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch . `` I was unable to raise any money in February , by law . '' Kaine , who is DNC chairman while finishing out his term as Virginia 's governor , wrapped up work with the state 's General Assembly on February 28 . `` That is the reason that the numbers are n't going to be what they 're going to be in future months , '' said Kaine , who became DNC chairman in late January . Kaine said that observers should `` stay tuned '' now that he 's free to solicit donations . `` Historically , the Republican Party has almost always out-raised the Democratic Party , regardless of who sat in the Oval Office . It was n't until the 2004 cycle that the DNC was able to barely out-raise the RNC . So the fact that Democrats have n't brought in as much this year as the GOP is n't necessarily a huge surprise , '' said Robert Yoon , the CNN Political Unit 's research director . The president 's appearances at the fundraisers come on the same day he spent some political capital , for the first time since taking over the White House , in an effort to get another Democrat elected . Obama e-mailed New York Democrats endorsing Scott Murphy , the venture capitalist who is running in the special election to fill the seat in New York 's 20th Congressional District that was vacated by Kirsten Gillibrand when she was appointed to the U.S. Senate in January . Murphy 's Republican opponent in next Tuesday 's election is is New York assemblyman Jim Tedisco . Though the Democratic and Republican campaign committees in the House of Representatives have pumped resources into the race , the president had so far kept his distance . In fact , the president has largely avoided overtly political events since his inauguration two months ago . Last week , that began to change : He sent a video to millions of his supporters through the e-mail distribution list of Organizing for America , the remnant of his presidential campaign that is now under the umbrella of the DNC . With Democrats hoping to defend two governorships this November , the party hopes that the president will be able to bring in the big bucks . `` Controlling the White House is still a big plus when it comes to fundraising . In the last midterms , President Bush raised at least $ 170 million on behalf of Republican candidates and party committees , even while his personal approval ratings were relatively low , '' Yoon said . `` So there 's no doubt that President Obama can give the party a huge fundraising boost if he hits the campaign trail and stumps for other Democrats . '' | Obama broke fundraising records during general election . He is appearing at two fundraising events for the DNC on Wednesday night . DNC trails RNC when it comes to cash on hand . DNC Chairman Tim Kaine says `` stay tuned , '' now that he can raise funds . | [[120, 173], [561, 593], [227, 340], [2859, 2927], [871, 961], [1071, 1101], [1104, 1163], [2367, 2459], [2383, 2416], [2401, 2420]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Yes , it 's a limited sample . Yes , it 's more likely for people who are disgruntled to comment than people who are pleased . Bruce Springsteen expressed strong reservations about a possible Ticketmaster-Live Nation merger . But still : CNN.com users who responded to our iReport and blog queries about the possible Ticketmaster-Live Nation merger were really , really unhappy . `` Put ` going to a rock concert ' on your list of ` Things you used to do , but ca n't anymore , ' along with watching free television , seeing a double-feature with a cartoon , and riding a train cross country , '' wrote Carlos Sandoval . `` Ahh , the beginning of yet another monopoly . I hope the feds nix this one , '' added RJ . `` Ticketmaster is already nearly a monopoly in the ticket game . Live Nation is built on greed . Might be a marriage made in heaven for them , but it 's a marriage made in hell for the concert-going public , '' wrote Allison . Many who commented were compelled to share their horror stories , of which there were many . `` I was recently at a concert where I sat at the top of the stadium -- read : the WORST seats , '' wrote Kim Levering . `` And I was surrounded by people who had bought their tickets through a Ticketmaster pre-sale . So lem me get this straight ... Ticketmaster rewards its customers and loyal fans by providing them with the worst seats in the house -LRB- even when selecting ` best available ' -RRB- during a pre-sale ? '' `` I hoped Live Nation would provide competition for Ticketmaster and the outlandish surcharges and service fees , '' wrote avettbrosfan . `` Unfortunately , when I went to buy a '30 dollar ' lawn ticket to see the Avett Brothers and Dave Matthews Band , the Live Nation surcharges bumped the ticket up to 52 dollars ! So much for that hope . '' Read more comments on the Marquee blog . Other people wrote of being forced to pay $ 100 surcharges , of being sent to other ticket sites -LRB- including Ticketmaster 's own premium site , TicketsNow -RRB- and of all the other costs to go to a concert , such as parking , refreshments and merchandise . iReport : Your reaction to the possible merger . `` Here in L.A. , the -LSB- Bruce Springsteen -RSB- TicketsNow tickets were available immediately when the tickets when on sale . Those seats were never available to the public to begin with . ` Reputable brokers ' means ` really just us using a different name , ' '' wrote Mauricio Heilbron Jr. , M.D. Still , Ticketmaster had its defenders . The company 's Web site is clean and simple , and it beats the old days of camping out at stores , wrote Steve . `` I remember all too well those days of standing in line for hours at Dillards to get to their Ticketmaster outlet , and still getting lousy tickets , '' he said . `` I 'll be glad for the day when all tickets are available from one single outlet online . '' Lost in all this is the impact on musicians , who seldom have a choice regarding ticket sellers at large venues . Pearl Jam had its protest in the '90s ; Bruce Springsteen sounded off on the sales snafu for his 2009 tour . But in general , if you want to see -- or play -- a concert , there are n't many options . `` I could have gone on for hours about this . The fact is , I would love to change my purchasing plans , but how can I ? If I want to see a show , what option do I have ? '' said musician , and music fan , Brian Riback on iReport . iReport.com : Read more of Riback 's comments . `` Sure , I can purchase off of Stubhub or Craigslist ... but I do n't want to pay even more than I 'm already being ripped off . The other end is even if I 'm purchasing second hand ... the original purchaser still supported -LSB- Ticketmaster/Live Nation -RSB- ... so I 'm damned if I do and I 'm damned if I do n't , '' Riback said . | Ticketmaster and Live Nation are reportedly in merger talks . CNN.com users have few nice things to say about either company . `` Marriage made in hell for concert-going public , '' said one user . | [[882, 940]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Environmental activist Erin Brockovich was in Kingston , Tennessee , on Thursday to speak with residents affected by a massive spill of coal sludge from a nearby coal-fired plant . Properties near ground zero of the December 22 Tennessee spill are covered in sludge . Brockovich said many people in the community told her they do n't feel they 've been told the truth about the December 22 spill that occurred after a retention wall was breached at the Kingston Fossil Plant . She quoted citizens as saying they do n't get satisfactory answers or they get inconsistent answers when they call the the plant 's owner , Tennessee Valley Authority . `` They do n't have the answers and they 're very , very concerned , '' Brockovich said . `` So we 're here to address all of that and begin to put the pieces of the puzzle together . '' Brockovich , who said she was invited to the community by residents , planned to meet with them Thursday night . A public meeting is scheduled for Friday night . She hopes people will come to the meetings and air their concerns . She said she will tour the site on the ground and from the air . Brockovich gained fame after the 2000 release of the movie bearing her name . It told the story of how she , as a file clerk at a law firm , established that a toxic chemical from the Pacific Gas and Electric Company 's compressor station leaked into the groundwater of a nearby town , compromising the health of hundreds , according to a biography posted on Brockovich 's Web site . In 1996 , the company paid the largest toxic tort settlement in U.S. history -- $ 333 million -- to more than 600 Hinkley residents , the Web site said . About 1.1 billion gallons of sludge , or ash mixed with water , spilled onto 300 acres from the plant located 40 miles west of Knoxville , Tennessee . That is enough sludge to fill 1,660 Olympic-size swimming pools . Fly ash is a byproduct of burning coal . Brockovich said residents have sent her photos showing fly ash up to 2 feet deep in places . She said citizens are worried about contact with the fly ash , including its impact on the water supply . Last week , authorities said drinking water in the area was potable , although samples of ash near the site showed `` elevated levels '' of arsenic . Leslie Sims , the Environmental Protection Agency on-scene coordinator , said the Tennessee Valley Authority is addressing the issue . `` I do n't think TVA can move fast enough to possibly satisfy these people , '' said Brockovich , noting that she has n't spoken with anyone from the TVA . TVA , the nation 's largest public utility , promised to do whatever it takes to clean the spill in central Tennessee . Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen promised state government will keep a close watch on TVA 's cleanup . | Environmental activist says people affected by coal sludge spill feel misled . Brockovich plans to meet with residents Thursday and Friday to discuss concerns . Residents show her pictures of fly ash piled up two feet high . `` I do n't think TVA can move fast enough to possibly satisfy these people , '' she said . | [[114, 199], [303, 414], [496, 595], [0, 5], [100, 123], [852, 862], [922, 964], [965, 1013], [1943, 2035], [1959, 2005], [2430, 2502]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The crew of a commuter plane that crashed outside Buffalo , New York , in February may have responded improperly to signs the plane was stalling , according to details of the investigation released Wednesday . Only a few pieces of the Continental Connection Dash 8 turboprop were recognizable after the crash . The crew of Continental Connection Flight 3407 pulled back on the plane 's control column when it received a stall warning , pulling the plane upward , an update released by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed . That would have aggravated the situation rather than improving it , according to a veteran pilot contacted by CNN . But investigators are far from determining the exact cause of the crash , the NTSB said . And Colgan Air , the plane 's operator , urged the public not to jump to conclusions . The Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 crashed into a house about six miles from Buffalo-Niagara International Airport the night of February 12 . All 49 people on the plane and one man who was in the house were killed . The pilot and first officer discussed `` significant '' ice buildup on the aircraft 's windshield and wings before the crash , the cockpit voice recorder revealed . But in an update on the investigation , the NTSB said there is no indication that aircraft 's systems failed , or that ice had a significant impact on the plane . The NTSB said a stall warning device known as a `` stick shaker '' appears to have behaved properly , activating when the plane 's speed dropped to 130 knots -LRB- 150 mph -RRB- . At that point , however , `` there was a 25-pound pull force on the control column , '' pulling the plane upward , and data suggests there was a `` likely separation of the airflow over the wing '' -- meaning the plane had stalled . `` The circumstances of the crash have raised several issues that go well beyond the widely discussed matter of airframe icing , '' the NTSB 's acting chairman , Mark Rosenker , said in a statement on the findings . In general , when a stick shaker activates , pilots are taught to apply full power and maintain the plane 's altitude or lower the nose , a captain for a major airline told CNN . `` What you do n't want to do is aggravate the situation , '' said the pilot , who would not be named because he had not sought approval from his airline . `` By pulling it up without adding power , you 're aggravating the situation . '' The safety board said it intends to investigate `` stall recovery training '' among other issues at a three-day public hearing it will offer on the crash in mid-May . Doug Moss , a United Air Lines pilot and aerospace consultant , said that appears to be what the NTSB `` is really looking at . '' `` It 's easy to build a lot of experience in airline flying without ever getting close to the edges of the envelope , '' he said . In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon , Colgan Air said the NTSB data does not pinpoint a cause , and its crews `` are prepared to handle emergency situations they might face . '' `` We stand by our FAA-certified crew training programs which meet or exceed the regulatory requirements for all major airlines and include training on emergency situations , '' the Virginia-based carrier said . Colgan Air said it is `` cooperating thoroughly '' with the investigation . `` The only absolute fact is that we do not know the cause of this accident , '' it said . Information released Wednesday appears to count out one possibility that was the subject of speculation after the crash : a stall induced by ice on the aircraft 's tail . Pilots say those stalls are particularly insidious because pilots can not see the tail wings and because the recovery procedure is the opposite of a main-wing stall -- tail-wing stalls generally are overcome by raising the plane 's nose . The NTSB said that toxicology tests of the flight crew were negative for alcohol or illicit substances . The captain tested positive for diltiazem , a prescription blood pressure medication the Federal Aviation Administration had permitted him to use . At the board 's hearing in May , the NTSB will look into a number of topics , including the effect of ice on the aircraft 's performance , cold weather operations , the crew 's experience and sleep issues . The board also will investigate `` sterile cockpit rules , '' or requirements that crews discuss only aircraft issues during critical phases of flight , such as take-offs and landings . CNN 's Allan Chernoff contributed to this report . | NEW : Plane 's operator : Cause still not known ; public should n't jump to conclusions . NTSB : Crew pulled back on control column after stall warning . A pilot tells CNN that move would have aggravated the situation . All 49 aboard , plus 1 in house , were killed in February crash near Buffalo , New York . | [[687, 754], [773, 787], [814, 859], [2872, 2913], [2916, 2971], [3344, 3419], [341, 463], [567, 632], [567, 571], [635, 663], [648, 682], [2403, 2438], [42, 58], [64, 87], [1025, 1032], [1037, 1053], [994, 1032], [1054, 1067]] |
FARGO , North Dakota -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- More than 1,000 volunteers rushed to fill sandbags early Wednesday as many in North Dakota tried to protect themselves from a historic floods that are expected to swamp the area . A Fargo resident surveys the sandbags outside his home , located about 15 feet from the Red River , on Tuesday . Even at 3:30 a.m. , hundreds of volunteers packed into individual sandbagging centers , an organizer said . `` There have been so many volunteers that we had to turn people away , '' said Ryan McEwan , a supervisor at one volunteer coordinating center . `` It is very busy . They are filling sandbags as fast as they can . '' Fargo city officials estimated that as many as 10,000 volunteers have come forward since Sunday to aid in a sandbagging effort that 's taken over North Dakota State University 's central arena , the Fargodome , and to help build levees along the now closely watched Red River . See map of affected area '' That river posed the greatest risk of about eight rivers in the state that were at flood levels , emergency officials said . The fear is that the Red River could overtake all previous records . As of Wednesday morning , the Red River ran at about 33 feet -- 15 feet above flood stage . A record level of 41.1 feet was set in 1897 . The record level of the river set in the April 1897 flood could be surpassed Friday , Cecily Fong of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services said Tuesday . More than 1,000 people were evacuated from an area near the city of Bismarck on Tuesday night as the Missouri River flooded , Rick Robinson of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services said Wednesday . Recent rain and blizzard conditions have swollen the rivers . Gov. John Hoeven received word late Tuesday that North Dakota had received a presidential disaster declaration . `` We 've had a severe winter and are experiencing significant flooding across the state , so we are grateful to receive this federal assistance as we continue the flood fight and recovery effort , '' Hoeven said . Under the declaration , the federal government will cover 75 percent of the costs . `` We 're concerned about the rise of the river and how fast it 's coming up , so our concern is that we 're going to hit 41 feet , '' Fargo Deputy Mayor Tim Mahoney said Tuesday , adding that the way the levees are currently set up , they would protect against overflow only up to 38 feet . Officials are guessing the Red River , which runs through the eastern parts of North and South Dakota , and western Minnesota , could crest in Fargo -- North Dakota 's largest city , with about 99,200 residents -- anytime Friday or Saturday and that the water may linger at its crest height . The city has canceled all trials scheduled in Fargo Municipal Court through April 2 because of the expected flooding , to allow all police officers to be available for possible emergencies , according to the city 's Web site . As of late Tuesday , Fargo residents and out-of-town volunteers had filled more than 1 million sandbags out of the needed 2 million . Mahoney said he hoped that , with the 24-hour sandbagging effort at the Fargodome , that goal will be met by Thursday . iReport.com : Are you there ? Share photos , video . Another factor threatening efforts is the possibility of freezing temperatures , because sandbags freeze together and then are n't individually stackable . Despite the stress , volunteers have been working around the clock . `` You got old people , young people -- all helping out , '' Mahoney said . `` It 's heartwarming to see how many people are here . '' CNN 's Robyn Sidersky contributed to this story . | City of Fargo prepares for what could be the worst flooding it 's ever had . Up to 10,000 volunteers have come forward since Sunday to aid in sandbagging . Swollen Red River running 14 feet above flood stage Tuesday night . Residents have had much less time to prepare than major 1997 flood . | [[159, 181], [187, 219], [659, 908]] |
ATHENS , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A University of Georgia professor apparently shot and killed his wife and two other people at a community theater group 's reunion Saturday , then dropped the couple 's two children off at a neighbor 's and fled . An alert on the UGA Web site says professor George Zinkhan is a suspect in an off-campus shooting . Athens-Clarke County police said they have local , regional and national alerts out for George Zinkhan , 57 , an endowed marketing professor at the school 's Terry College of Business . `` It appeared he and his wife were having problems , '' police Capt. Clarence Holeman said . Holeman identified the dead as Marie Bruce , 47 , Zinkhan 's wife and a prominent Athens attorney ; Tom Tanner , 40 ; and Ben Teague , 63 . Friends identified Bruce as the president of the board of the Town and Gown Players , the theater group holding a reunion picnic on the theater 's deck when the shooting took place . Tanner and Teague were identified as set designers for the theater . Two other people were wounded by ricocheting bullets , Holeman said , but did not identify them . At least 20 people were in attendance at the event , he said . Zinkhan was not at the theater event initially , Holeman said , but when he arrived , he got into `` a disagreement '' with his wife . He left the scene -- police believe to his car , where his children were waiting -- and returned with two handguns . `` It only took a few minutes , '' Holeman said . Police found eight shell casings , he said . After the shootings , Zinkhan left the scene with his two children -- ages 8 and 10 -- still in the vehicle , police said . He drove to a neighbor 's home in nearby Bogart , Georgia , where he lived , and left the children there . The neighbor , Bob Covington , told CNN that Zinkhan arrived at his home shortly after noon with the two children . `` He rang the doorbell -- asked me if I could keep his kids for about an hour , '' Covington said . `` I said sure , and he said there 'd been some type of emergency , and he took off . '' Zinkhan seemed hurried and agitated but that seemed consistent with an emergency , Covington said . He did n't question Zinkhan about the emergency , Covington said , adding that it was n't unusual for someone in his family to watch the children . An hour or so later , he said , police arrived and took the children . Covington described Zinkhan as `` a very quiet guy , but family-oriented . '' `` He was great around his kids , '' he said . `` Never saw a bit of a problem between he his wife or his kids . '' Covington said he was `` completely shocked , did n't believe it '' when he heard the news , and said he knew Marie Bruce much better than her husband . `` She was much more talkative , very vivacious , '' he said . Police Maj. Mike Shockley told CNN that officers were searching Zinkhan 's home Saturday and that a wide search for the suspect was in progress . `` It 's still a hunt , '' he said . '' ... Now it 's just a matter of trying to locate him . '' Holeman said Zinkhan has relatives in Texas and owns a home in Amsterdam , The Netherlands . He was last seen driving a red , 2005 Jeep Liberty , Holeman said . The news reverberated across Athens . `` The University community is shocked and saddened at this tragic event , '' University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams , said in a written statement . `` Our first thoughts are for safety of the university community and for prompt apprehension of the person responsible . Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those who have been affected . '' Another university professor , Steve Elliott-Gower , told CNN that Zinkhan had been at the school for at least 10 years and was `` a distinguished professor with a national reputation . '' `` He was quirky and aloof , but absolutely nothing that I saw would lead me to this conclusion , '' said the professor . Elliott-Gower said he did n't know Zinkhan well , but knew him through Zinkhan 's wife who , like Elliott-Gower , was associated with the theater . `` There are generations of people in the Athens community that have been involved in the theater , '' he said . `` It 's really difficult to imagine how an organization which is this close-knit recovers from something like this . '' Town and Gown Players ' Web site said its present production , `` Sherlock Holmes : The Final Adventure , '' is canceled . CNN 's Divina Mims contributed to this report . | NEW : Marie Bruce , 47 , wife of the suspect , was one of the victims , police say . NEW : Other victims identified as Tom Tanner , 40 , and Ben Teague , 63 . NEW : Suspect apparently dropped children off at a neighbor 's house before fleeing . NEW : Local , state and national alerts are out for George Zinkhan , 57 . | [[630, 727], [9, 32], [178, 226], [1530, 1549], [1552, 1596], [1654, 1701], [1761, 1773], [1792, 1876], [350, 457]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When 3-year-old Rowan Isaacson darted away from his father and dived into a herd of grazing horses , it easily could have been the end of the small autistic boy . He was babbling under the hooves of a boss mare . Rupert Isaacson says he noticed immediate improvement in his son 's language skills when he started riding . `` I thought he was going to get trampled , '' recalled Rupert Isaacson , Rowan 's father . But the horse , Betsy , dipped her head and chewed with her mouth in submission . Isaacson , who had trained horses for a living , had never seen it happen so spontaneously . Rowan had seemingly made a connection . The Austin , Texas , family had been struggling with Rowan . His wild tantrums were nearly driving Isaacson and his wife , Kristin Neff , to divorce . All the while , little Rowan was becoming unreachable . `` He would just stare off into space , '' Isaacson said . `` I was worried it was going to get progressively worse and that eventually , he might float away from us entirely . Luckily , right about that time is when he met Betsy . '' Isaacson began riding Betsy , a neighbor 's horse , with Rowan . He says he noticed immediate improvement in his son 's language skills . Watch Rowan and Betsy '' `` He would start to answer . He would start to talk . We would do song games up there on the saddle . I would take books up there in the saddle , '' Isaacson said . Autism specialists say that horse riding can be effective in gaining access to autistic children . Experts make a distinction between the kind of recreational therapeutic riding Isaacson was using with Rowan and hippotherapy , which is a medical treatment that uses horses and is supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist . `` People perceive it 's the interaction with the horse that 's making the change . However , the movement of the horse is extremely powerful , and it 's that movement that 's having neurological impact on the autistic child , '' said Ruth Dismuke-Blakely , a speech-language pathologist and hippotherapy clinical specialist in Edgewood , New Mexico . According to preliminary analysis of an ongoing study by Dismuke-Blakely , hippotherapy has been shown to increase verbal communication skills in some autistic children in as little as 18 to 25 minutes of riding once a week for eight weeks . `` We see their arousal and affect change . They become more responsive to cues . If they are at a point where they are using verbal cues , you get more words , '' Dismuke-Blakely said . `` It 's almost like it opens them up . It gives us access . '' She cautions that a horse 's movements can be powerful . For some autistic children , riding too long can overstimulate their nervous system , leading to more erratic behavior . On Betsy , Rowan was at ease . After about three weeks , Isaacson says , Rowan 's improved behavior was translating into the home and outside world as well . But not consistently . In late 2004 , Isaacson , a human rights activist , brought a delegation of African bushmen from Botswana to the United Nations . Among the men were traditional healers , who offered to work with Rowan . Isaacson says he was skeptical , but he had experience with the bushmen and allowed the healers to lay their hands on his son . `` I was kind of flabbergasted at Rowan 's response . For about four days while they were with him , he started to lose some of his symptoms . He started to point , which was a milestone he had n't achieved , '' Isaacson said . When the tribal healers left , Rowan regressed . Isaacson says he could n't help but wonder what would happen if he were to give Rowan a longer exposure to the two things that he seemed to have responded well to : horses and shamans . `` I know it sounds completely crazy , '' he said . `` I just had a gut feeling . '' Isaacson took his wife and son to Mongolia . `` It 's the oldest horse culture on the planet . Everyone still gets around on a horse there -- so a nomadic culture . The word ` shaman ' comes from there , '' Isaacson said , explaining his decision . `` I just thought , ` Well , what if we went there and rode across the steppe and visited traditional healers ? You know , what might happen for Rowan ? Might there be some positive outcomes ? ' '' Trekking across the Mongolian prairie on horseback , Isaacson says , Rowan 's behavior was changed dramatically . `` Rowan was not cured of autism out there , '' Isaacson stressed . `` The word ` cure ' is not in my vocabulary for this . Rowan came back without three key dysfunctions that he had . He went out to Mongolia incontinent and still suffering from these neurological firestorms -- so tantruming all the time and cut off from his peers , unable to make friends -- and he came back with those three dysfunctions having gone . '' Isaacson credits Rowan 's improvement to horses and time in nature -- and to shamanic healing , which he says he simply ca n't explain rationally . Isaacson has written a book , `` The Horse Boy , '' about Rowan 's autism . Rowan , now 7 , rides Betsy by himself . His parents never abandoned more orthodox treatments for his autism , and Rowan 's applied behavioral analysis therapist has him studying math and English at the third-grade level -- a full year ahead of some of his peers . `` He 's just becoming a very functional autistic person , '' Isaacson said . As far as the Isaacson family 's journey took them , it is the same hard slog facing millions of families gripped by autism . `` A lot of the parents go to the ends of the Earth in their own living rooms every day , '' Isaacson said . `` I mean , we had more stressful car rides to the grocery store than any of the stresses and challenges of the trip to Mongolia . '' You do n't have to get on a horse -- or plane to Siberia -- for relief . For autism families , Isaacson encourages parents to simply follow their instincts and listen to what their child shows them . `` In our case , it was horses in Mongolia and these shamans , '' Isaacson said . `` It could just as easily have been bicycles and , you know , steam trains . And if it had been , we 'd have done a steam train journey . We 'd have done whatever Rowan seemed to be showing us he wanted to do , because that was where he was intrinsically motivated . '' | Family travels across Mongolia so autistic son can ride horses , meet shaman . Experts say riding horses can be effective in gaining access to autistic children . Rowan Isaacson 's language and temper improved with horse/shaman therapy . His parents never abandoned more orthodox treatments for Rowan 's autism . | [[3838, 3882], [4285, 4335], [1419, 1517], [1442, 1517], [253, 340], [3694, 3696], [3704, 3752], [4824, 4890], [5089, 5156]] |
BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Suicide bombers killed 60 people near a holy Shiite shrine in Baghdad on Friday and a car bomber left seven people dead in Diyala , according to security and medical officials . A little girl whose parents are missing in the Baghdad bombings Friday rests in a hospital . Along with the 60 dead , many of whom were Iranian pilgrims , at least 125 others were wounded when two female suicide bombers struck on roads leading to the Imam Musa al-Kadhim shrine , one of the holiest in Shiite Islam , the Interior Ministry said . The Iranians who were killed and wounded were on a pilgrimage to holy sites in Iraq , an Interior Ministry official said . The bombers hit the Kadhimiya neighborhood of Baghdad , where the shrine is located , on the Muslim day of prayer . Iraqi State TV reported that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has ordered an investigation . The top U.S. commander in Iraq , Gen. Raymond Odierno , told CNN 's `` American Morning '' on Friday he believes Iraqis wo n't be `` intimidated by the attack '' and `` they will not let this stand in their way of moving forward . '' Watch the scene at the hospital as victims of the shrine attacks arrive '' Later on Friday , a suicide car bomber detonated explosives in Diyala province , killing at least seven people and wounding 29 others . The bomber attacked a car dealership in Jawlawla , a town that has been the center of a territorial dispute between the central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government . Fridays attacks follow the deadliest day in Iraq this year , in which 87 people were killed in attacks , after months of plummeting violence . Many of the dead on Thursday were also Shiite pilgrims from Iran . Friday 's bombings were the third attack on Kadhimiya this month . Reaction was swift in predominantly Shiite Iran . The media reported that Reza Moussavi , spokesman of Iran 's Cultural Heritage , Handicrafts and Tourism Organization , announced a ban on Iranians crossing into Iraq via the Khosrawi border for pilgrimage until further notice . Javad Jahangirzadh , a member of Iran 's parliament , was quoted as saying the aim of the attackers `` was to show that the Iraq government was not successful and not performing well . `` There must be a plot behind all of this aimed at damaging the growing relationship between Iran and Iraq . '' Iranian President Mahmoud Ahamedinejad earlier issued condolences for the Iranian pilgrims killed on Thursday . `` The report on martyrdom and injury of a group of dear compatriots , who were on their way to holy sites -LSB- in Iraq -RSB- , has caused deep sorrow , '' he said . `` The incident once again showed that the results and gift of occupation and terrorism for regional nations are insecurity and innocent people 's bloodshed , '' he said . Odierno said `` this spike in suicide attacks that we 've seen over the last couple of days , frankly , is another tragic event caused by al Qaeda and their links . They are killing many innocent people . They are killing pilgrims going to pray . They 're killing women and children . They 're killing homeless . '' The violence erupted as the Obama administration plans to withdraw American troops from Iraq . The U.S.-Iraqi security agreement negotiated last year set a June 30 deadline for combat troops to be pulled out of urban areas . The Iraqi government could request that combat forces remain in some cities and the agreement could be amended . The agreement calls for the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011 . Odierno was asked what effect the violence will have on that deadline and whether the volatile city of Mosul -- where al Qaeda in Iraq has had a potent presence -- would be included in the combat withdrawals . `` The one area I 'm still not sure about is Mosul , '' Odierno said.Most of the 87 people who died Thursday were killed in a bombing in Diyala province , in which 55 died , and an attack in Baghdad that killed 28 . Many of the dead in the Diyala attack were also Shiite pilgrims from Iran . In the Baghdad attack , a female suicide bomber struck as national police were helping distribute Red Crescent aid to displaced families in the Karrada district . CNN 's Yousif Bassil , Jomanah Karadsheh and Cal Perry contributed to this report . | NEW : 60 dead in Baghdad shrine attack , car bomber kills seven in Diyala . Many dead , wounded in attack near Baghdad shrine were Iranians on pilgrimage . Many of the 87 killed on Thursday were also Shiite pilgrims from Iran . Iran condemns attacks ; Iranian pilgrims banned from crossing into Iraq . | [[0, 7], [10, 30], [34, 113], [118, 163], [1196, 1211], [1214, 1274], [1196, 1211], [1214, 1234], [1277, 1331], [330, 337], [367, 489], [558, 641], [1196, 1211], [1214, 1234], [1277, 1331], [1654, 1720], [2435, 2476], [2529, 2545], [2552, 2583], [2477, 2545], [2598, 2628], [3985, 4060], [1581, 1613], [1616, 1653], [1654, 1720], [2435, 2476], [3846, 3859], [3869, 3921], [3985, 4060], [1838, 2066], [1862, 1875], [1958, 2028]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- FBI Director Robert Mueller pointed Monday to recent terror attacks in Mumbai , India , and Somalia to highlight the FBI 's concern that small groups or individuals could carry out such attacks on U.S. soil . FBI Director Robert Mueller says he worries the Mumbai attack could be replicated in the United States . In a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations , Mueller worried that the dramatic terror attack on hotels and other facilities in Mumbai potentially could be replicated in the United States . `` This type of attack reminds us that terrorists with large agendas and little money can use rudimentary weapons to maximize their impact . And it again raises the question of whether a similar attack could happen in Seattle or San Diego , Miami , or Manhattan , '' Mueller said . He said he is increasingly concerned with `` pockets of people around the world that identify with al Qaeda and its ideology '' but who have little or no actual contact with al Qaeda . Mueller cited the first-ever suicide bombing by a naturalized U.S. citizen last October . A Somali native who had settled in Minnesota traveled back to Somalia and blew up himself and 29 others . The idea that Shirwa Ahmed , 27 , was radicalized in the United States raised red flags throughout the FBI . `` One pattern in particular concerns us , '' Mueller said . `` The prospect of young men , indoctrinated and radicalized within their own communities and induced to travel to Somalia to take up arms -- and to kill themselves and perhaps many others -- is a perversion of the immigrant story . And it raises the question of whether these young men will one day come home and , if so , what they might undertake here . '' Authorities have said as many as 20 young Somali men reported missing in Minnesota may have returned to Somalia to take up arms . | FBI director : Mumbai attack showed terrorists with little money can have large impact . FBI worries `` whether a similar attack could happen in '' the U.S. , Mueller says . Suicide bombing involving naturalized U.S. citizen in Somalia also alarms Mueller . | [[0, 20], [30, 129], [239, 343], [130, 238], [239, 343], [272, 343], [344, 391], [394, 537], [1053, 1079]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Skier Paul Wampach , a 49-year-old manager from Chicago , Illinois , hardly matches the stereotype of a hostel dweller : an under-30 backpacker from outside the United States who ca n't afford fancy lodging . Travelers looking to meet new people might consider staying at hostels , say experts . For the fifth time in two years , Wampach plans to head to the Fireside Inn in Breckenridge , Colorado , where he 's booked a dorm-style room for less than $ 40 a night during his ski vacation . `` If I 'm traveling by myself , there 's no reason to splurge , '' said Wampach , who is single and described himself as neither rich nor poor . `` That $ 40 or $ 50 -LSB- I save on lodging -RSB- goes to food , beer and ski-lift tickets . '' And amenities such as Internet access and a hot tub at the hostel add creature comforts to the trip . Wampach 's travel habits are consistent with a growing number of travelers called `` flashpackers . '' They are usually over 30 , in mid-to-late career and can afford higher-end hotels but instead choose budget options -- albeit better-furnished and well-kept ones -- because it fits their lifestyle , said Mark Vidalin , Marketing Director for Hostelling International USA , a nonprofit network of hostels . Flashpackers also tend to stay connected by traveling with gadgets and seeking accommodations with free Wi-Fi , Vidalin said . The term `` flashpacker '' likely originated in Australia , and combines the term `` flash '' -- meaning `` stylish '' -- with `` backpacker , '' according to Vidalin . Flashpackers and regular backpackers are booking hostels at U.S. vacation destinations in full force this year . Attendance at hostels has been consistently rebounding from lows following the September 11 , 2001 . This year 's turbulent economy appears to be fueling demand for hostel space . Heading into ski season , Loree Weisman , the owner of the Crested Butte International Lodge and Hostel in Crested Butte , Colorado , said her hostel bookings are trending ahead of the town 's other lodging options -- and up about 25 percent from her bookings by the same time last year . Amid the unsteady economy , she said , people `` do n't want to give up a vacation , but they might need to adapt a vacation . '' Instead of canceling pricey vacations due to economic fears , many travelers are rejecting accommodations with private bedrooms and bathrooms . They 're going for hostels with their dorm-style bunk beds , community bathrooms , and , most importantly for many hostel dwellers , shared living spaces . `` There 's a sense of community , and there 's a social aspect to it that 's pretty significant , '' said Jim Williams , editor of `` The Hostel Handbook '' and a former hostel owner . `` That is the heart of hostelling . You do n't go to a hotel and lock the door . '' Wampach agreed , saying that hostels offer `` a tremendous way to meet people from different cultures and talk to people you would n't normally talk to . '' But the communal atmosphere of hostels leaves many travelers skeptical , particularly Americans , Williams said . `` Americans have privacy issues . If you suggested to most people they were going to share a room with five other people , most of them would n't want to do it , '' he said . What if a roommate snores or what if he smells or does n't stop talking ? -- these are legitimate questions for travelers considering the hostel option , said Williams . Frequent hostel dweller Mandy Creighton , 30 , said she enjoys the overall hostel experience , but it 's a `` huge challenge '' to `` walk through the room and to my room without having to talk to 20 people . '' Creighton and her partner , Ryan Mlynarczyk , 32 , who are documentary filmmakers from Sebastopol , California , are bicycling around the United States for a year and stopping in ecologically sustainable communities along the way . Their choice to stay in hostels is rooted in a desire to maintain a green lifestyle by sharing resources as well as saving money . Mlynarczyk experienced the other side of the privacy issue when he stepped out of a shower in a San Francisco , California , hostel to discover he had a female audience . `` I ... did n't have my towel on -- and some girl walks in and was like , ` Woo ! ' I 'm totally open to that sort of thing , but I think she was a little bit new to it , and she kind of was giggling . But obviously the immediate reaction was , ` Oh my God ! ' '' Mlynarczyk said . In contrast to Americans who treasure their personal space , the communal environment is more ingrained in European culture , experts said . It 's possible to trace that cultural divide to post-World War II , said Williams , when Europe underwent its financial recovery in the 1950s and its culture was more communal . On the other hand , the U.S. economy was booming , and there was no need for Americans to share resources . `` At the same time -LSB- Europeans -RSB- were creating hostels , American teenagers were focused on getting their own cars , '' Williams said . Nevertheless , Hostelling International reported its hostels in many destination cities saw notable increases in October versus the same time last year : New York overnight guests increased by 9.8 percent , Washington by 9.7 percent and San Diego , California , by 22.1 percent , according to Hostelling International . Despite the rise in many hostel bookings , Williams said hostelling still is n't part of mainstream American culture . `` We do hostelling about as well as we do soccer . We do it , but it 's a limited market , and we do it a certain way . Otherwise , most Americans are n't very comfortable -LSB- with -RSB- it , '' Williams said . Wampach said he believes this represents Americans ' `` relatively conservative views and lifestyles . '' But people are respectful of each other 's space , he said , and they rarely spend time together in the dorm room aside from sleeping anyway . `` You just do your best ; everybody understands you are who are , '' Wampach said . `` Sometimes you get a guy who snores but ... that 's part of the deal . '' | `` Flashpackers '' are professionals older than 30 who prefer hostels to hotels . Hostels in New York , Washington and San Diego , California , report increased guests . Sense of community is the `` heart of hostelling , '' expert says . Many Americans uncomfortable with hostels ' lack of privacy . | [[5076, 5086], [5125, 5212], [2758, 2794], [5633, 5689]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A female graduate student at Virginia Tech was killed Wednesday night when a man she knew attacked her with a knife and decapitated her , a school spokesman said . Virginia Tech police Chief Wendell Flinchum talks about the first slaying on campus since the 2007 shootings . Virginia Tech spokesman Mark Owczarski said Thursday that Xin Yang 's killing was the first on the campus since April 16 , 2007 , when a shooter killed 32 people before turning a gun on himself . Yang , 22 , from Beijing , China , was killed at the Au Bon Pain restaurant in the Graduate Life Center at around 7 p.m. , school spokesman Larry Hincker said in a written statement . Campus police took Haiyang Zhu , 25 , into custody at the scene . The Ningbo , China , native has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bail at a local jail , Hincker said . Zhu did not say anything to the arresting officers , said campus police Chief Wendell Flinchum . `` There was blood on him , '' Flinchum said . The young woman and the suspect `` were not seen arguing , or anything of that nature , '' he added , citing witness statements . Authorities said the two students knew each other . `` Based on emergency contact records maintained by the university , it is known that Zhu and Yang knew each other , '' Hincker said . No other details were provided . The young woman arrived at the university two weeks ago to begin studies in accounting , he said in the statement . Zhu is a graduate student pursuing a doctorate in agricultural and applied economics . He began studies at Virginia Tech in fall 2008 , Hincker said . `` Our hearts go out to the victim and her family , '' President Charles W. Steger said in a letter to the campus community . `` An act of violence like this one brings back memories of the April 16 tragedy and I have no doubt that many of us feel especially distraught . '' Authorities say on April 16 , 2007 , Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 students and professors before killing himself . | Killing was first on campus since gunman killed 32 on April 16 , 2007 . Victim Xin Yang , a graduate student from Beijing , knew accused killer , police say . Haiyang Zhu , 25 , taken into custody ; he is charged with first-degree murder . Attack took place at restaurant in Graduate Life Center . | [[183, 293], [294, 421], [429, 489], [1947, 2019], [1148, 1199], [1165, 1199], [1269, 1314], [1484, 1570], [1491, 1570], [674, 709], [712, 739], [740, 809]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The mother of a woman who gave birth on Monday to octuplets said her daughter already has six children at home and was undergoing fertility treatment . Dr. Karen Maples is part of the large team of doctors and nurses that helped deliver the octuplets . The Los Angeles Times reported on Thursday that Angela Suleman said her daughter had the embryos implanted last year , resulting in the eight births . `` They all happened to take , '' Suleman told the Times . `` I looked at those babies . They are so tiny and so beautiful . '' The woman declined to have the number of embryos reduced when she discovered she was carrying multiples , the Times reported . The six older siblings range from ages 7 to 2 , according to the newspaper . Suleman said she was concerned about her daughter 's homecoming because her husband , a contract worker , is due to return to Iraq . In the meantime , the mother , who remains unidentified , appealed for privacy while she recovers from giving birth , medical officials said Thursday . In her written statement delivered by Dr. Karen Maples of the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center in California , the woman who delivered eight babies in five minutes said she would soon make public the details of her `` miraculous experience . '' `` We understand that you are all curious about the arrival of the octuplets , and we appreciate your respect for our family 's privacy , '' she said . `` The babies continue to grow strong every day and make good progress . My family and I are ecstatic about all of their arrivals . '' `` Needless to say , the eighth was a surprise to us all , but a blessing as well , '' she added . The six boys and two girls -- ranging in weight from 1 pound , 8 ounces to 3 pounds , 4 ounces -- are doing well following their Caesarean-section delivery at the Bellflower hospital , doctors said . They were born nine weeks premature . Dr. Mandhir Gupta , a neonatalist , said all but one of the octuplets are now breathing on their own . That baby might be taken off breathing equipment Friday . Caring for eight premature babies is a challenge . Duties are being shared by a large team of hospital nurses and doctors for the time being . Two nurses have been assigned to each child , and all the babies are receiving fluids , proteins and vitamins intravenously , Gupta said . `` We feed them . ... We change diapers . ... When they cry , we console them , '' Gupta said . `` When the mom comes and touches the babies , you can definitely see their expression on their faces and body . They are very happy . '' The babies , who are being referred to by letters of the alphabet , will remain in the hospital for at least seven more weeks . Baby H made headlines for its surprise appearance during the delivery , which took months of preparation by a team of doctors , nurses and respiratory therapists . Watch a report on babies ' progress '' The mother will not be able to hold her babies for another week , Gupta said . They are still fragile , developing intestines , he said . Doctors initially thought the mother was pregnant with seven fetuses . She was hospitalized seven weeks ago and ordered to bed rest . During the seven weeks , a team of 46 physicians , nurses and other staff members prepared for the births . When they started the delivery Monday , they were in for a surprise . `` After the seventh baby was born , we were taking a sigh of relief , '' Maples said . `` It was a surprise of our life when we in fact discovered there was an eighth baby , '' she said . `` We never had an assignment for baby H nurse or baby H doctor . We just had to go on the fly and figure out what to do . '' `` Baby G nurse stepped up . We handed off the baby to baby G nurse . She then delivered that last baby to the neonatologist of the baby F. '' `` It was all wonderful because of the teamwork and the training we did before , '' Maples said . | Grandmother of the eight babies : ` They are so tiny and so beautiful ' The father , a contract worker , is due to return to Iraq , mother-in-law says . Mother of babies appeals for privacy while she recovers from giving birth . Large medical team monitoring babies ; each infant has two devoted nurses . | [[512, 547], [2081, 2114], [827, 838], [861, 887], [888, 903], [906, 916], [946, 1003], [2224, 2267]] |
-LRB- The Frisky -RRB- -- I 've never really been a fan of the `` Men are from Mars , Women are from Venus '' school of relationship thought , but I 'll admit that sometimes I feel as though the men I 've dated have spoken a different language . Like when a great date is followed by the deafening silence of the phone . Or when the big relationship talk results in a boyfriend-shaped hole in my wall . Those are the times I want nothing more than a dictionary that translates every deer-in-headlights look , ambiguous voicemail , and cryptic text message . That 's where Jeff Mac 's `` Manslations : Decoding the Secret Language of Men '' comes in . The good . Actions speak louder than words . Sure , not a novel idea , but this `` duh '' lesson is one that can take years to learn . If it looks , walks , and quacks like a duck , then it 's a duck . Mac 's Golden Rule ? Whenever there is any conflict between what a man says and what he does , always , always ignore what he says . There is no such thing as a man dumping you because he is afraid of getting hurt , is frightened that his feelings are too strong , or because he finds you intimidating . Mac says to think of the simplest solution -- is it that this man sensed you were the perfect woman for him , who touched him so much in deep , important places that he could n't handle ? Or was he just not feeling it ? It 's OK to call him first -- and if you get blown off , it 's not because you called first . This is my favorite piece of advice from Mac , who says the mistaken conclusion women come to when they call first post-date and get blown off is that the call made them look clingy and spooked the guy . `` This is not how it went , '' says Mac . `` If you called him and he blew you off , it went like this : . 1 . You had a great date , and he did not . 2 . He planned to blow you off . 3 . You called him , and nothing changed . '' The bad . All men are obsessed with cars , the remote , sports , and video games . Yawn . For the record , my man keeps his video game playtime short , hands remote control power over to me , and does n't care for sports or cars . Is my guy an exception to the rule , or is it possible that all men are different and do not necessarily share those interests as a gender ? I 'm guessing it 's the latter . The ugly . Men are like dogs . Is this statement required filler for all dating books , right after the part about women being shopping-obsessed nags ? According to Mac , men are like dogs because , among other things , they have short attention spans and pay a lot of attention to their own crotches and the crotches of others . I 'm willing to bet short attention span is n't an inherently male trait , and I can personally testify that neither is an interest in crotches . So is Jeff Mac 's `` Manslations '' the be-all and end-all of man manuals ? Not exactly . But when your girlfriends refuse to help you decode , for the eighth time , what he meant when he said , `` I 'll call you later , '' Jeff Mac 's sometimes trite , always funny advice comes in handy . TM & © 2009 TMV , Inc. | All Rights Reserved . | Woman rates Jeff Mac 's `` Manslations : Decoding the Secret Language of Men '' If there 's conflict between what man says or does , always ignore what he says . Her favorite : OK for women to call guy first , and if dumped , it 's not because of call . | [[874, 970], [957, 985], [1377, 1382], [1386, 1403], [1434, 1470], [1512, 1515], [1522, 1616]] |
-LRB- Entertainment Weekly -RRB- -- Over the last decade , Steven Soderbergh has taken the `` one for them , one for me '' concept of film-director politics to an almost comically programmatic extreme . Benicio Del Toro plays Ernesto `` Che '' Guevara in Steven Soderbergh 's biopic . Basically , he makes big-budget crowd-pleasers like the `` Ocean 's '' films , stuffed with movie stars and candied gimcrack fun , and between them he makes whatever oddball labor-of-love doodle -LRB- the enticing `` Bubble , '' the dreadful `` Solaris '' -RRB- enters his head . What 's disorienting about `` Che , '' his two-part , four-hour-and-17-minute , studiously eccentric drama about the revolutionary life and times of Ernesto `` Che '' Guevara , is that it 's almost a knowing brainteaser on Soderbergh 's part to force you to figure out which category the film belongs to . Che cost a reported $ 65 million to make , it 's full of exacting panoramas of strategy and combat set in the mountainous jungles of Cuba and Bolivia , and its hero is a figure who -- 41 years after his violent death -- remains so loved , hated , and mythologized that he fits into an epic drama timed for awards season as perfectly as Gandhi or Ray Charles ever did . Following a one-week Oscar-qualifying run , `` Che '' is now rolling out to major American cities , where it is likely to draw generations of filmgoers who 've either worn Che on their T-shirts or have the honest curiosity to wonder : Who was this man before he became a Warhol-worthy icon of radical chic ? In `` Che , '' Soderbergh stokes that curiosity , feeds it , and frustrates it , all at the same time . He 's made a film that embraces the romance of revolution only to shake it off , leaving very little in its place . The first half of `` Che '' is a genuine achievement . It picks up Guevara -LRB- Benicio Del Toro -RRB- in 1955 , when he was a clean-cut Argentine physician who dreamed of uniting Latin America through armed struggle . At a dinner party in Mexico City , he meets Fidel Castro -- played , with perfect domineering gesticulations , by Demian Bichir -- and the movie follows these two into the Cuban countryside , where they assemble the nuts and bolts of a revolution . Soderbergh exhibits a tinkerer 's fascination with how it all worked , embedding each scene with a docu-nugget of information . We see Che taming his asthmatic coughing fits or reading books between battles , and learn how a battalion of rebels could defeat a platoon three times its size -LRB- with surprise , daring , and Molotov cocktails -RRB- . Che is by turns scholar , guidance counselor , drill sergeant , and comandante , and Del Toro makes him a warrior-saint who learns , against his will , to cultivate a gruff bruiser facade . He yearns to be a `` true revolutionary , the highest level of humanity , '' and it 's no insult to the film to say that Soderbergh and Del Toro succeed in portraying Che as a kind of T-shirt in three dimensions , a Guerrilla for All Seasons . But that 's when things get strange , if not monumentally perverse . At the end of Part I -- the victory of the Cuban rebels -- my appetite was whetted to learn even more about Che , in particular how his humane ideals were tested , and compromised , by the Castro regime as it edged toward dictatorship . Instead , Part II leaps forward to 1966-67 , when Che led the revolutionary war in Bolivia , and here 's the thing : It turns out to be the same damn movie . Only in this dispirited rerun , the revolution does n't take . The rebels , all squabbling ego , can barely summon the will to sacrifice and die , and the peasants have little belief that this ragtag crew is bringing a better world . Even with the U.S. poking its nose into the region , the Soviet Union wo n't back an insurrection . Soderbergh has built `` Che '' conceptually , as two giant panels of war , and his message is about the doomed destiny of Marxism . Che , like Marx , believed that the rise of the proletariat was inevitable -- the unstoppable tide of history -- but as the movie reveals , he was wrong . Che did n't ride a wave of history ; instead , it crashed down on him . By remaining the same , he becomes , in Part II , a distant and deluded figure whose dream evaporates around him . As political theater , `` Che '' moves from faith to impotence , which is certainly a valid reading of Communism in the 20th century . Yet as drama , that makes the second half of the film borderline deadly . Che does n't grow richer , deeper , or reveal any contradictions ; he just gets more abstract -- a symbol of idealism too pure for this world . Che is twice as long as it needs to be , but it is also only half the movie it should have been . EW Grades : Part I : B + , Part II : C . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . Copyright 2009 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. . All rights reserved . | `` Che '' has a brilliant first half , but second half is repetitious , says EW . Steven Soderbergh 's four-hour film is trying to make a point , but loses steam . However , Benicio Del Toro is terrific as famed Marxist revolutionary . | [[1768, 1822], [203, 284]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tough economic times are taking a toll across the spectrum of business and individual activity -- and the country 's institutions of higher learning are no exception . Andy Warhol is one of the artists in Brandeis University 's acclaimed Rose Art Museum . Brandeis University , in Waltham , Massachusetts , will be taking an extraordinary step to preserve its educational mission -- the school 's board of trustees voted Monday to close its acclaimed Rose Art Museum . The university will sell every one of the approximately 6,000 items in the museum , opened in 1961 . `` These are extraordinary times , we can not control or fix the nation 's economic problems , '' university president Jehuda Reinharz said . `` We can only do what we have been entrusted to do -- act responsibly with the best interests of our students and their futures foremost in mind . '' University spokesman Dennis Nealon said that the move to sell off the museum 's exhibits was `` a very hard and painful decision '' but a necessary one for the school 's survival . He said the decision , which calls for the museum to close in the summer , will not affect the university 's `` commitment to the arts and the teaching of the arts . '' The facility will become a fine arts teaching center with an exhibition gallery and studio space , he said . The museum 's collection includes iconic paintings by such luminaries of American art as Andy Warhol , James Rosenquist , Robert Rauschenberg , Jasper Johns , Alex Katz and Roy Lichtenstein . Nealon said most of the museum 's acquisitions are paintings and sculptures . The school has not undertaken a recent appraisal of the works , Nealon said , adding that the process may take as much as two years to complete . Brandeis , founded in 1948 , is the only non-sectarian , Jewish-sponsored university in the country . | Brandeis trustees vote to close Rose Art Museum , sell collection . University spokesman says `` painful decision '' necessary for school 's survival . Collection includes iconic paintings by Warhol , Johns and Lichtenstein . Brandeis is the only nonsectarian , Jewish-sponsored university in nation . | [[402, 487], [882, 1062], [927, 1062], [187, 274], [1341, 1532], [1757, 1765], [1786, 1858]] |
MOSCOW , Russia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Russian-led bloc of post-Soviet nations has agreed to establish a rapid-reaction military force to combat terrorists and respond to regional emergencies , Russian media reported Wednesday . Russian navy soldiers stand guard during a military ceremony . The decision came a day after reports that Kyrgyzstan is planning to close a strategically important U.S. military base that Washington uses to transport troops and supplies into Afghanistan . On Wednesday , the Collective Security Treaty Organization -- made up of Russia , Armenia , Belarus , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Uzbekistan and Tajikistan -- decided on the rapid-reaction force at a Kremlin summit , the Russian news agency RIA-Novosti reported . The group 's security council `` spent a long time discussing the central issue of forming collective reaction forces and , generally , of rapid reaction to possible threats , '' said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev , according to Russian news agency Interfax . `` Everyone agreed that the formation of joint forces is necessary , '' he said . Officials told Russian media that all the members had signed the agreement , though Uzbekistan submitted a special provision . Uzbekistan does n't mind contributing military units to the rapid-reaction force `` but does not consider it necessary for the moment '' to attach emergency responders , drug-control forces and other special services , organization spokesman Vitaly Strugovets told Interfax . Russian media reported that the force will be used to fight military aggressors , conduct anti-terror operations , battle regional drug trafficking and respond to natural disasters . The force will be based in Russia under a single command , with member nations contributing military units . On Tuesday , Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced at a Moscow news conference that `` all due procedures '' were being initiated to close Manas Air Base , RIA-Novosti reported . The announcement was made after news reports of a multimillion-dollar aid package from Russia to Kyrgyzstan . Gen. David Petraeus , who oversees U.S. operations in the Middle East and Central Asia , including Afghanistan , was in Kyrgyzstan last month , partly to lobby the government to allow the United States to keep using the base . He said he and Kyrgyz leaders did not discuss `` at all '' the possible closure of the base and said local officials told him there was `` no foundation '' for news reports about the issue . The United States is planning to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan to halt a resurgence of the Taliban . Petraeus described Manas as having `` an important role in the deployment of these forces '' and in refueling aircraft . The relationship between the United States and Kyrgyzstan was damaged when a Kyrgyz citizen was killed by a U.S. airman in December 2006 . The airman was transferred out of Kyrgyzstan , and the dead man 's family was offered compensation . Petraeus said in January that the investigation was being reopened . As he announced the base closure Tuesday , Bakiyev said he was not satisfied with the inquiry into the accident and his government 's `` inability to provide security to its citizens '' was proving a serious concern . Medvedev also weighed in on the issue Wednesday , saying the base closure should n't hamper anti-terrorism operations , according to Interfax . `` It would be great if their numbers meant there were fewer terrorists , but such action depends on other things as well , '' he said . | Seven nations agree to form rapid-reaction force . Russian media say force will fight terrorism , respond to disasters . It will be based in Russia under a single command . Report comes after Kyrgyzstan says it will close U.S. base . | [[0, 6], [9, 31], [62, 189], [0, 6], [9, 31], [62, 189], [1494, 1676], [1517, 1676], [1494, 1501], [1646, 1676], [1677, 1733], [290, 409], [333, 343], [356, 425]] |
ISLAMABAD , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pakistan has arrested a suspected al Qaeda militant who intelligence officials say is tied to the London subway bombings in 2005 , authorities there said Thursday . The double-decker bus damaged by a bomb in central London on July 7 , 2005 . Zabih al-Taifi was arrested in a village near Peshawar on Wednesday as part of ongoing security operations in the area , police and intelligence officials told CNN . Six others , both Afghans and Pakistanis , were also arrested . The Metropolitan Police Service in London , also known as Scotland Yard , issued a statement refusing to comment on the arrest . `` Speculation around this reported arrest with alleged links to an ongoing terrorist trial is unhelpful and may be prejudicial to current criminal proceedings , '' it said . The London blasts killed 52 people and wounded at least 900 others when bombs went off on three subway trains and a bus on July 7 , 2005 . Security analysts say the village where al-Taifi was arrested in the North West Frontier Province has been the site of recent clashes between Pakistani security forces and militants . CNN 's Zein Basravi contributed to this report . | Officials say arrested al Qaeda militant has ties to 2005 London subway bombings . 52 killed , 900 wounded from bombs on 3 subway trains and a bus on July 7 , 2005 . Zabih al-Taifi arrested in village near Peshawar in ongoing security operations . | [[62, 91], [109, 168], [205, 281], [816, 850], [816, 833], [855, 954], [37, 91], [282, 349], [977, 1052]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Fragile finances are likely to rule out buying a boat for many this summer but that should n't mean the end of all water-based pastimes . Underwater scooter : The Seabob Cayago will move you like a fish with its 7hp motor . MainSail presents you with some of the coolest toys for slightly more affordable fun on the water . Seabob Cayago scooter : Do you want to become a human fish this summer ? This water and diving scooter is purported to be the fastest of its kind , with a 7hp electric motor . Hydradome BOB : If you want to take the motorized diving experience to a new level , the Breathing Observation Bubble -LRB- BOB -RRB- , is the ideal machine . This submersible can cruise underwater at two knots while the rider sits in comfort . Hovpod : For high-speed fun on and off the water , the Hovpod hovercraft should be your gadget of choice . The Hovpod will take you across any flat surface at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour -LRB- 72 kilometers per hour -RRB- . Powerski Jetboard : This machine is a cross between a surfboard and a jet-ski . Capable of up to 35 knots , the Powerski Jetboard lets you surf without the surf . Walk-on-water ball : For cheaper and more simple fun on the water , the Nuclear Globe Walk-on-water ball is perfect . The heavy-duty PVC ball can keep you fit and you can even stay dry if you want to . Iceberg Wall : If you 're entertaining plenty of people , the Iceberg Wall looks like a great time . Coming in either the 2.5 meter or a massive 4.9 meter size , the Iceberg offers safe climbing , sliding and jumping for everyone . See our photo gallery '' of this summer 's top six toys for fun in the water , thanks to SuperYachtWorld . For more sailing news and more about the super-yacht industry , visit CNN 's MainSail homepage here . Subscribe to SuperYachtWorld . COPYRIGHT © 2009 IPC MEDIA LTD. . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED . | MainSail profiles six top water-toys for cheaper fun in the water this summer . The Seabob scooter can propel a person through the water like a fish . The Iceberg wall is the ultimate water toy for the whole family . | [[260, 359], [1608, 1684], [174, 192], [195, 259]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Slavery may seem like a quaint notion in a 21st century world , but that distinction is lost on up to 40,000 Brazilians who find themselves toiling for no real wages and ca n't leave the distant work camps where they live . A Brazilian government official takes notes as he talks with workers about to be freed . Brazilian government officials and human rights activists call it slave labor , a condition they are aggressively trying to eradicate . A special government task force established in 1995 says it freed 4,634 workers last year in 133 raids on large farms and businesses that rely on workers driven to take these jobs by hunger and the empty promises of labor recruiters . `` Slavery is the tail end of a lot of abuse of poor people and workers in Brazil , '' said Peter Hakim , president of the Inter-American Dialogue , a Washington-based policy center . `` Bad treatment reaches over to abusive treatment to treatment that becomes virtual slavery . '' In Brazil , it often works this way : A recruiter known as a `` gato , '' or cat , plumbs the slums and other poor areas of the vast country and gets people to agree to jobs in distant places . Once separated from home and family , workers are vulnerable to all sorts of abuses , such as being told they owe money for transportation , food , housing and other services . `` This is known as debt bondage , which also fits official definitions of slavery , '' says Anti-slavery International , a lobbying group based in Great Britain . `` A person is in debt bondage when their labor is demanded as the means of repayment for a loan or an advance . Once in debt they lose all control over their conditions of work and what , if anything they are paid ... often making it impossible to repay and trapping them in a cycle of debt . '' The United Nations International Labour Organization estimated there were between 25,000 and 40,000 Brazilians working under such conditions in 2003 , the latest year for which it offered figures . Leonardo Sakamoto , the director of the human rights group Reporter Brasil , says he 's certain there are still more than 25,000 slave laborers in Brazil . According to Anti-slavery International , the greatest number of slave laborers is employed in ranching -LRB- 43 percent -RRB- . That 's followed by deforestation -LRB- 28 percent -RRB- , agriculture -LRB- 24 percent -RRB- , logging -LRB- 4 percent -RRB- and charcoal -LRB- 1 percent -RRB- . Though those figures are from 2003 , Sakamoto says they still apply , with cattle ranches and sugar cane plantations among the top employers . Anti-slavery International estimates there are 12.3 million people working under such conditions worldwide . `` Forced labor exists in Sudan , Nepal , India , Mauritania as well as many wealthier countries -LRB- including the UK -RRB- , where vulnerable people are trafficked into forced labor or sexual slavery , '' the group says . `` A similar situation to the use of forced labor on estates in Brazil can be found in the Chaco region of both Paraguay and Bolivia . '' But what may set Brazil apart are the government 's attempts to wipe out the practice . One of Brazil 's chief tools is a `` Special Mobile Inspection Group '' that consists of labor inspectors , federal police and attorneys from the federal labor prosecution branch . The group often raids workplaces , looking for abuses and laborers held against their will . In 2007 , the task force freed 5,999 workers , a record number . In 2003 , the agency freed 5,223 laborers . Since the group 's inception in 1995 , it has freed 33,000 people . Labor Minister Carlos Lupi vowed in a recent interview with the state-run Brazilian news agency that efforts will be stepped up this year . `` The Brazilian government is to be commended for rescuing more than 4,500 people from the nightmare of slavery during the past year , '' Aidan McQuade , director of Anti-Slavery International , said in a statement to CNN . `` Their commitment to step up their efforts in 2009 is even more heartening . The vocal and effective leadership we are seeing from Brazil is rare . Even India , like Brazil a democracy and a G20 member , seems content to remain the country with the most slaves in the world . '' Poverty fuels slave labor , experts say . But everyone agrees it 's going to take more than police efforts to seriously dent the practice . `` Slave labor is not a disease , '' Sakamoto said . `` It 's like a fever . Fever is a symptom that something is wrong . '' That something is widespread poverty . Although the poverty rate dropped recently to its lowest levels in 25 years , nearly one of every four Brazilians still lives in poverty , according to a 2006 survey by the Getulio Vargas Foundation 's Center for Social Policy Studies . The Web-based Index Mundi , which says it obtains its figures from the CIA World Factbook , estimates the poverty rate could be as high as one of every three Brazilians . With a population approaching 200 million people , that means at least 49 million Brazilians live under squalid economic conditions . `` We have poverty . We have greed . And we have impunity , '' Sakamoto said . `` We have to fight these three pieces at the same time . We have been fighting against impunity and we have been fighting against greed , but we are just starting to fight against poverty . '' The situation is made worse because of Brazil 's vastness -- about the size of the United States . `` Brazil is a big , huge country and there are lots of poor people , '' said Hakim of the Inter-American Dialogue . `` The farther you get away from the populated , industrialized areas , you 'll find large populations of people who do whatever they can to make a living . '' And slave labor seems to be spreading . `` We are discovering new occurrences of slave labor in regions where we had n't registered slave labor in Brazil , '' the Rev. Xavier Plassat of the Catholic Pastoral Land Commission told the independent Radioagencia NP . Opposition to laws . By most accounts , the administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva , who took office in 2003 , has done much to reduce poverty and fight slave labor . But Brazil 's agricultural , mining and manufacturing sectors are large and well-developed . And they are politically powerful . `` We have a very , very strong agribusiness sector , '' Sakamoto said . `` It is very , very difficult to get other measures to fight against slave labor . '' For example , he said , a proposed law for the government to confiscate land on which slave labor is used has languished in congress for years . `` There 's a group of very strong congressmen fighting against it , '' said Sakamoto , who is also a member Brazil 's National Commission for the Eradication of Slave Labor . There are those who object to use of the word `` slavery '' or the phrase `` slave labor , '' saying it mischaracterizes the situation . `` The word has very heavy connotations regarding 19th century slavery , '' said Latin America scholar Robert Pastor , a former National Security adviser to President Jimmy Carter and now a professor of international relations at American University in Washington . `` Modern-day practices are quite distinct from what we normally thought of as slavery . '' But Pastor agrees that no matter what you call it , what is happening in Brazil and elsewhere is `` a phenomenon that is based on a simple intent to exploit individuals . '' Paulo Sotero , director of the Brazil Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars , also believes that calling the practice slavery overstates the case . `` To use the word ` slave labor ' sometimes does not describe what it is , '' Sotero said from Washington . `` It 's more unfair , abusive labor conditions . '' He points out that Brazil 's sugar cane industry employs 900,000 people but only 4,000 Brazilians were freed last year for being held as slave laborers . Many businesses , he said , are being smeared by the bad actions of a few . `` One case of slave labor is one too many , '' Sotero said . `` But at the same time , some of their considerations are valid . Claims of abuse tend to be exaggerated and more general than they are . '' | More than 12 million people worldwide estimated to be working under forced labor . Between 25,000-40 ,000 Brazilians may be slave laborers , U.N. estimates . Brazil task force has worked to eradicate slave labor . Poverty seen by experts as primary factor leading to slave labor . | [[2606, 2714], [2653, 2702], [1817, 1927], [412, 467], [6706, 6812]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A major humanitarian crisis is unfolding in northern Sri Lanka with 250,000 unprotected civilians trapped in the crossfire between government troops and rebel forces , the Red Cross says . A civilian , injured during fighting in rebel territory , lies on a bed at a hospital in Vavuniya on January 16 , 2009 . The International Committee of the Red Cross -LRB- ICRC -RRB- has appealed to both sides to facilitate the movement of civilians out of the combat zone which has seen intensified fighting . `` People are being caught in the crossfire , hospitals and ambulances have been hit by shelling and several aid workers have been injured while evacuating the wounded , '' Jacques de Maio , ICRC head of operations for South Asia in Geneva said in a statement on the ICRC Web site . '' The violence is preventing the ICRC from operating in the region . In the capital , Colombo , Indian foreign affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee huddled Wednesday with Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapaksa on the potential humanitarian crisis . `` The Sri Lankan government has reassured that they would respect the safe zones and minimize the effects of conflict on Tamil civilians , '' Mukherjee said . His discussions with Rajapaksa also envisioned a post-civil war Sri Lanka . `` We will work together with the government of Sri Lanka to enable all Sri Lankans , and particularly the Tamil community who have borne the brunt of the effects of the conflict , to lead normal lives as soon as possible , '' Mukherjee said . But for now , the ICRC says hundreds of patients are in need of emergency treatment and evacuation to Vavuniya Hospital in the government-controlled area and has urged that humanitarian assistance be unhampered in the Vanni region . `` When the dust settles , we may see countless victims and a terrible humanitarian situation , unless civilians are protected and international humanitarian law is respected in all circumstances , '' Maio said . `` It 's high time to take decisive action and stop further bloodshed because time is running out . '' Meanwhile , U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has also called for the safety of civilians as humanitarian groups try to provide aid to people trapped in the region . `` The secretary-general is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of civilians caught in intensified fighting in the Vanni region of Sri Lanka , '' a spokesman for Ban said in a statement Monday . Ban called on the government and the separatist Tamil Tigers to respect `` no-fire zones '' and civilians areas , including schools , hospitals and humanitarian posts . He also asked both sides to allow civilians trapped in the fighting to move to `` safe areas . '' Sri Lankan soldiers seized a key rebel stronghold in a surprise attack Sunday , even as humanitarian agencies feared for the safety of civilians . Watch a report on the recent fighting '' `` It 's an incredibly serious situation , '' James Elder , a U.N. spokesman , said Monday . `` We have a very large number of people , including tens of thousands of children , trapped in a fast-shrinking conflict zone . '' Troops crossed a lagoon and entered the town of Mullaittivu before encountering heavy resistance from Tamil fighters , according to the government-run news agency . `` Our troops fought their way through a 40 km -LRB- 25 mile -RRB- thick jungle track , '' Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said in a televised address Sunday . `` This is the long-awaited victory and I am happy to say that our heroic forces today captured the Mullaittivu town after 12 years , '' the Sri Lanka Army chief said . There has been no confirmation from the rebels that the strategic garrison has been overtaken . The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam -LRB- LTTE -RRB- -- commonly known as the Tamil Tigers -- have fought for an independent homeland for the country 's ethnic Tamil minority since 1983 . The civil war has left more than 70,000 people dead . The rebels gained control over Mullaittivu in 1996 and established a military garrison there , according to the government . In recent days , the military has said it has made significant progress in its campaign to recapture rebel strongholds . Earlier this month , troops regained control of the northern town of Elephant Pass , the point at which mainland Sri Lanka links to the northern Jaffna peninsula . It had been in rebel hands for more than nine years . The recapture enabled the government to use a highway linking the mainland to the peninsula to move troops and supplies . Previously , it was done by air and sea . `` The area that the LTTE has dominated has shrank phenomenally , '' Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India , C.R Jayasinghe , told CNN . `` They lost ... about 90 percent of what they had . '' | NEW : ICRC says hundreds of patients need emergency treatment and evacuation . NEW : Intensified conflict is preventing the ICRC from operating in the region . NEW : Indian foreign affairs minister meets with Sri Lankan President over the crisis . U.N. asks both sides to allow 250,000 trapped civilians to move to `` safe areas '' | [[1534, 1541], [1544, 1683], [462, 480], [487, 518], [805, 871], [832, 871], [2326, 2399], [87, 184], [329, 480], [2623, 2625], [2631, 2690], [2657, 2717]] |
ISLAMABAD , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Conflict raged Wednesday in volatile northwestern Pakistan , with nine militants killed in a gun battle , the Taliban 's abduction and release of about 30 police officers , and strikes on stranded NATO trucks . Pakistani policemen at a check point in Khyber Agency near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border , February 12 , 2008 . It 's the latest fighting between Pakistani security forces and the Taliban militants in the northwestern region near Afghanistan . The country 's central government has little control in the area , and U.S. intelligence officials say the area is a haven for militants . Nine militants were killed when police and local residents foiled an attempted kidnapping of the mayor in a village on the outskirts of Peshawar , police told CNN . Taliban fighters attempted to abduct Fahim Ur Rehman , but police and residents resisted and a gun battle ensued . Along with the slain militants , two police and two civilians were wounded and some of the militants fled . The village , Bazid Khel , is located between Peshawar and the Khyber Agency in the tribal areas . In the Swat Valley , militants abducted around 30 police Tuesday night but eventually released them on Wednesday . Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan confirmed to CNN that the personnel had been released after returning to the path of Islam and promising not to return to their jobs . Police told CNN that the security personnel had been forced to agree to the Taliban 's terms and confirmed the release . There are conflicting details about the incident , in which Taliban forces attacked the Shamozai check post in the Barikot area of Swat Valley on Tuesday night and captured the people after a nightlong firefight . Khan said the personnel surrendered after Taliban forces mined the area , preventing access . He said their ammunition was seized when supply vehicles coming to assist government forces were stopped by Taliban mines . Pakistan police said the security personnel did n't surrender ; they were caught after they used up their ammunition . Police and military sources said the personnel were police , but Khan said paramilitary officers as well as police were among the group . Locals said government forces came under attack Tuesday evening and ran out of ammunition before surrendering . This comes as the Pakistani military beefed up its operations this week in the Swat Valley . In the latest in a series of recent attacks meant to choke off supplies into Afghanistan for the United States and its allies , a rocket strike destroyed at least nine vehicles near the town Landi Kotal in the Khyber Agency -- one of seven semiautonomous tribal agencies along the Afghan border , a Khyber official told CNN . The trucks were returning from Afghanistan but were stranded in the town because , a day earlier , suspected militants had destroyed a bridge connecting Landi Kotal to Jamrod , another part of the Khyber Agency . The bridge 's destruction had forced authorities to halt traffic . Because Afghanistan is landlocked , many of the supplies for NATO-led troops fighting Islamic militants there have to be trucked from Pakistan . In recent months , militants aligned with the Taliban and al Qaeda have carried out several attacks to disrupt supplies , Pakistani officials said . | NEW : Nine militants die as police , residents foil attempted kidnapping of mayor . NEW : Swat Valley : Militants release about 30 police who were abducted Tuesday . Attack destroyed nine vehicles near the town Landi Kotal in the Khyber Agency . Series of recent attacks have tried to choke supplies into Afghanistan for the U.S. | [[106, 143], [636, 780], [1123, 1141], [1144, 1153], [1198, 1237], [2418, 2453], [2546, 2641], [2418, 2543], [3169, 3185], [3188, 3288]] |
MIAMI , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Federal prosecutors on Wednesday filed murder charges against two men suspected in the deaths of a charter boat crew , authorities said . The Joe Cool charter boat was found abandoned last month in the Florida Straits . Kirby Archer , 34 , and Guillermo Zarabozo , 19 , are scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon . The men are being held without bail on suspicion of killing the four-member crew of the Joe Cool fishing boat last month . `` Four individuals were killed in this case , '' Alex Acosta , U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida , told reporters Wednesday in announcing the charges . `` Four families have been torn apart . '' Watch what led to the charges '' Archer and Zarabozo paid $ 4,000 in cash for a one-way trip to the Bahamas on the pleasure boat . The U.S. Coast Guard found the abandoned vessel about 160 miles south of the island of Bimini on September 23 . It was unmanned , and its contents were in disarray . Zarabozo and Archer were found a few hours later on a life raft 10 miles from the boat . Missing are the boat 's captain , Jake Branam ; his wife , Kelly ; and crew members Scott Gamble and Samuel Kairy . Zarabozo reportedly told a Coast Guard agent that three armed Cuban men hijacked the boat as it headed toward Bimini . Zarabozo , a licensed security guard , said the hijackers shot the crew members and forced him to throw their bodies overboard . But , according to court documents filed in the case , Zarabozo and Archer gave inconsistent stories during interviews with authorities regarding what occurred . Statements given by the pair were not consistent with physical evidence , according to an affidavit supporting the murder charges . Zarabozo , for instance , told federal authorities he did not own a gun , but an investigation showed he had bought a lock box for a gun he kept at his home . That lock box contained various documents , including a receipt for a February 2007 purchase of a Glock 9 mm magazine and four boxes of bullets . `` Little of the defendants ' story rings true , '' Acosta said . At a bond hearing last week , the Coast Guard agent said two bullet casings and suspected blood were discovered inside the Joe Cool 's cabin . A third bullet casing was found outside the cabin , he said . All three casings were 9 mm . A fourth 9 mm casing was found on the boat later by family members , who turned it over to the FBI , a relative said . `` Now you have four casings and four people -LSB- presumed -RSB- dead , '' said Jeffrey Branam , the uncle of the boat 's captain . Archer is charged with unlawful flight on an Arkansas warrant , accused of stealing more than $ 90,000 in cash from a Wal-Mart where he once worked . Last week , a judge said he believes circumstantial evidence shows four homicides took place . `` Your theory is -LSB- Archer and Zarabozo -RSB- killed the four ? '' the judge asked the assistant U.S. attorney at the bond hearing . `` Yes , your honor , '' the prosecutor replied . The Coast Guard spent five days searching for the crew before giving up . Acosta said it is unlikely their bodies will ever be found . Jake Branam and his wife leave behind two small children , he said . `` It 's difficult , '' Jeffrey Branam said last week . `` Some relatives still think the four are alive and are still searching for them . '' He said the name of the boat has been removed from the stern , and the name will be retired from the charter fishing business . The boat probably will be retired , too . Referring to Archer and Zarabozo , Branam said : `` I 'd like to use them as shark bait . '' E-mail to a friend . | Two defendants to make initial appearances in federal court Thursday . Four-person crew of the Joe Cool are missing and presumed dead . Men who hired boat reportedly say hijackers killed crew but let them go . | [[255, 297], [305, 358], [359, 468], [2497, 2534], [97, 151], [482, 526], [1316, 1324], [1355, 1444]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- From songs to poems to sayings on the side of coffee cups , everyone tries to define love in words . Liz Kelly donated her kidney to her fiance after he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure . But often , it 's the extraordinary actions we take in the name of love that really define it . Liz Kelly 's fiance , Matt House , needed a kidney after he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure . In order to get him to the top of the donor list , Kelly signed up to donate hers . At first , she never dreamed she would actually be a match , but it turned out she was . The Springfield , Massachusetts , couple -LRB- he 's 31 , she 's 29 -RRB- spoke with CNN 's Nicole Lapin about whether Kelly thought fate played a hand in finding him a donor match . The following is an edited transcript of the interview : . Nicole Lapin : Liz , I did n't know about the donor process , until we started talking to you guys . The donor process works whereby a friend or a family member can donate a kidney to get Matt higher on the list , so you decided that you were going to do that . Why did you decide to do that ? Watch Nicole Lapin 's interview with Liz Kelly and Matt House '' Liz Kelly : It was pretty much a no-brainer , I think . His sister was actually going to donate at first . But she did n't work out for health reasons . It 's obviously better to have , you know , a family member donate a kidney , too . But since that was n't going to work out , his stepfather stepped in because they were the same blood type . And that ended up not working out either . He had some heart issues and some other health issues . So , I said , you know what , I 'll just donate to the list . And that 's what I was intending on doing . And then I found out that we were actually a match , and it was amazing . Lapin : It was amazing , I 'm sure , to get that phone call , because you did it just so that you could get higher on the list . A lot of people on our Web site are fascinated by your story , guys . -LSB- A viewer -RSB- has a question for you right now , Liz : Have you ever had any surgeries before this one ? If not , how did your prepare yourself for this ? Kelly : No . This was my first surgery , so that definitely made me very nervous . That was the definitely scariest part for me , just not knowing what to expect . But , Matt has been through several surgeries before . So I know I had him in my corner . And I looked up a lot online . I found out a lot of great information online . So that 's definitely how I prepared . Lapin : And -LSB- another viewer -RSB- has a question in for Matt , actually : Were you scared that perhaps your body might reject Liz 's kidney or were you always confident that the surgery would be a success ? Matt House : I think I was pretty confident with her being the same blood type or us matching is pretty phenomenal , so I did n't expect it to reject it anyway . Maybe after the surgery if I would have a little pain down there or something like that , I would get a little nervous and think that it was going to reject , that there 's something wrong . But that would just pass . It was me just being a little overanxious , I guess , but not really , no . I was pretty confident everything would go well overall . We 're both pretty healthy for the most part . And being the same blood type was just you know really great , so it worked out good . So , I was n't really worried at all . Lapin : Fate , some may say ? House : Yeah , yeah , definitely . Lapin : Yours is a lot bigger . You 're a little girl , but you happen to have a kidney that is perfect for Matt . Do you think it was meant to be ? Kelly : I do . I definitely do . People tell me that all the time . When they told us that we were a match , I was very surprised at first , but then I thought about it a little more . Of course we were a match . How could we not be a match ? | Liz Kelly offered to donate kidney to move her ill fiance higher on donor list . Matt House had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure . House 's family members were unable to donate because of health reasons . After recuperation is over , the Massachusetts couple plans to marry by summer . | [[120, 217], [314, 333], [349, 419], [420, 422], [429, 468], [163, 217], [314, 333], [349, 419]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Indian owners of car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover -LRB- JLR -RRB- have agreed to pump `` tens of millions '' of dollars into the luxury car brand to prevent a cash flow crisis , it was reported Monday . Jaguar Land Rover was bought by the Indian company Tata earlier this year for $ 2.3 billion . The moves comes as the British government ponders a public-funded bailout of the West Midlands-based automaker , the Financial Times newspaper said . Tata , which bought JLR earlier this year , warned its support for the UK subsidiary did not negate the argument that the British government should provide bridging loans and credit guarantees to help the company and the car sector as a whole through the current financial difficulties , the FT said . Last week , the ailing `` big three '' automakers in the U.S. were given a boost when the Bush administration agreed a $ 13.4 billion loan package . Now British Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has come under pressure to come up with a similar package for UK manufacturers . JLR employs 15,000 workers in Britain and is seen as a vital contributor to the West Midlands regional economy in particular . However , the business secretary at the weekend reiterated that the state had to be a `` lender of last resort , '' only after Tata has looked to its own resources , the FT reported . Any state support would be conditional on the due diligence on the Indian parent company being conducted by the government 's City advisers , according to officials . A spokesman for Lord Mandelson 's Department for Business , Enterprise and Regulatory Reform told the British Press Association : `` The Government does n't have an open cheque-book to bail out ailing companies , but we are doing all we can to help businesses overcome the current challenges . `` Jaguar Land Rover have owners who are well resourced and have the first responsibility to sustain the companies they own . '' According to the FT , accountancy firm KPMG and investment bank NM Rothschild have been called in to advise the UK government on the Indian group 's complex finances and to assess demands from the car sector . | Tata bought the British-based luxury car maker earlier this year . UK government also pondering a public-funded bailout of the company . JLR employs around 15,000 workers in Britain . | [[245, 338], [489, 493], [502, 530], [339, 388], [358, 449], [1067, 1104]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Britain 's Serious Fraud Office and London police are investigating an alleged $ 81 million -LRB- # 56 million -RRB- fraud on the corporate banking department of Allied Irish Banks -LRB- AIB -RRB- . Allied Irish Banks has allegedly been the subject of a $ 81 million fraud . The SFO said it had searched a business and two residential addresses in London and believed AIB was not the only financial institution deceived by the suspects . It said that between 2003 and 2007 AIB , Ireland 's largest bank by market value , loaned money for the purchase of UK investment properties to companies controlled by an individual who was now the main suspect . The SFO said the main suspect operated with the assistance of others . However , in 2008 AIB identified problems with one element of its security interests over the investment properties . `` Following an internal review it became apparent that the guarantees of certain lease payments on these properties by an investment grade counterparty -LRB- a blue chip property company -RRB- were fraudulent , '' the SFO said . AIB referred the matter to the authorities and also took control of and sold the relevant properties , which resulted in a write down of the outstanding loan balances by # 56m , the SFO said . The office said the alleged fraud involved the borrowing companies creating `` overriding '' leases . `` These leases were generally for longer periods and at higher rents than the existing occupational tenants ' leases . `` The apparent existence of these additional leases increased the values of the properties , with lease payments being a direct obligation of the investment grade counterparty , '' the SFO said . AIB is considering legal action over the $ 81 million loss . | British authorities probing alleged $ 81 million fraud involving Irish bank . They say more firms are likely to have been deceived by scam . It involved manipulation of leases on properties in the UK . | [[0, 6], [9, 32], [68, 234], [235, 310]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- What on Earth would drive a man to swim in Arctic waters wearing nothing but Speedos , goggles and a cap ? Lewis Pugh braves the icy water off the arctic archipelogo of Svalbard . For Lewis Pugh , it was a love of the environment and a passionate desire to save the Arctic from global warming . His 1 km swim -LRB- 0.62 of a mile -RRB- in 2007 made him the first person to complete a long-distance swim at the North Pole -- the purpose , to highlight the fact that it was possible to swim for a kilometer in a place that should be solid ice . Pugh , now aged 39 , is a former maritime lawyer who abandoned his practice six years ago to become a full-time environmentalist and adventurer . Since then he has become the first person to complete long-distance swims in all five of the world 's oceans and has become the world 's leading cold water swimmer . Born in England and brought up in South Africa , Pugh sees himself in the mould of pioneering British adventurers like Sir Edmund Hillary , fearlessly braving waters no one else would dare swim . But rather than just aiming for a place in the history books , his motivation is to publicize the environmental damage he has witnessed on his swims . In 2006 , to raise awareness about global warming and that year 's drought in England , Pugh swam the entire length of the River Thames -- all except the first 26 miles , which had already dried up . He took a break from the 200-mile journey to call in at No. 10 Downing Street , where he discussed climate change with Tony Blair . The next year , Pugh became the first person to swim the 87 mile-width of the Maldives . The 10-day swim was Pugh 's way of raising awareness of how climate change is threatening to submerge low-lying islands . But he is best known for his North Pole adventure . His Arctic swim lasted 19 minutes in temperatures of around minus 2 degrees Celsius . Were any normal person to fall into waters that cold they would be in serious trouble . Pugh 's long-time coach Professor Tim Noakes told CNN , `` People usually drown very quickly on exposure to cold water because they start to hyperventilate and when you hyperventilate you ca n't coordinate . They inhale water and they ca n't coordinate their swimming . Most people ca n't even go 20 meters if they are exposed to ice-cold water . '' But Pugh has developed a unique mechanism for overcoming freezing conditions . He is apparently able to increase his body temperature by will power alone . In a process that Noakes has dubbed `` anticipatory thermogenesis '' , Pugh can raise his body temperature to a feverish 38.4 C , some 1.5 degrees above normal body temperature . Noakes first noted this extraordinary ability during a training session . Before entering the water , Pugh cast his mind back to a traumatic parachuting accident he witnessed when he was a soldier in the British army , reliving the event in detail . Noakes recorded an increase in Pugh 's body temperature and over the next fortnight , as Pugh was exposed to more cold-water swims , he was able to increase his temperature even further , peaking at 38.4 C . These days , before Pugh braves sub-zero waters he listens to U.S.rapper Eminem , gets himself into an aggressive state of mind and drives up his internal temperature . Once he hits the water , it 's all about mental strength . Noakes told CNN `` The moment you dive into cold water your temperature drops and the brain sends a message to get out of the water . The first thing Pugh has to do is control that response . What happens is that I become his brain , so he says ` fine , as long as Dr Noakes allows me to swim , it 's safe and I must just ignore what my brain is telling me . ' '' Achieving that level of willpower does n't come easily . While Pugh does an hour of cold-water swimming a day , he devotes four hours a day to mind training . His technique is to visualize his swim from beginning to end . `` I can taste salt water in my mouth . I can hear the sounds of the engines , of Tim Noakes screaming at me . I can feel ice burning my skin , I can smell the sea air . I absolutely live that moment . I have swum the North Pole hundreds of times in my mind , '' he told CNN . If the Arctic swim was intended to highlight shrinking polar ice caps , Pugh acknowledges that there 's still plenty of work to do on that front and he now speaks on environmental issues all over the world . In 2008 Pugh founded the Polar Defense Project with the aim of protecting the Arctic and of encouraging world leaders to take action to stop climate change . As well the risk of polar melting , Pugh sees an Arctic treaty as essential to prevent the exploitation of the North Pole for oil and gas . As Pugh put it after completing his Arctic swim , `` I 'm relieved that it 's over . Now the real work begins . '' | Lewis Pugh was the first man to complete a long-distance swim in the Arctic . `` Most people ca n't go 20 meters in ice-cold water , '' says his coach . Pugh is able to increase his body temperature using will power alone . His extreme swims are intended to publicize the effects of global warming . | [[314, 456], [2260, 2296], [2419, 2495], [2419, 2421], [2453, 2456], [2474, 2495], [2496, 2508], [2565, 2623], [1133, 1188], [1133, 1147], [1151, 1220], [1221, 1228], [1231, 1270], [1642, 1763]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Passengers on the US Airways flight that crash-landed into the Hudson River Thursday afternoon praised the actions and courage of the pilot , a safety consultant with 40 years of experience in the aviation industry . Chesley B. `` Sully '' Sullenberger , a former Air Force fighter pilot , has been with US Airways since 1980 . Sources tell CNN that Chesley B. `` Sully '' Sullenberger was piloting US Airways flight 1549 from New York 's LaGuardia airport to Charlotte , North Carolina , when at least one of the plane 's engines failed . Passenger Jeff Kolodjay offered `` kudos '' to Sullenberger for a landing that minimized damage to the aircraft and its 155 passengers and crew . `` All of a sudden the captain came on and he told us to brace ourselves and probably brace ourselves pretty hard . But he did an amazing job -- kudos to him on that landing , '' said Kolodjay , who was sitting in seat 22A . Sullenberger 's wife told CNN that she was stunned to hear the news from her husband after it was all over . `` I had n't been watching the news . I 've heard Sully say to people , ` It 's rare for an airline pilot to have an incident in their career , ' '' said Lori Sullenberger of Danville , California . `` When he called me he said , ` There 's been an accident . ' At first I thought it was something minor , but then he told me the circumstances and my body started shaking and I rushed to get our daughters out of school . '' US Airways said all 155 passengers and crew are alive and safely off the plane . The crash-landing has also earned the former fighter pilot and private safety consultant accolades from state and government officials . New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg commended the pilot for not leaving the plane without checking to make sure every passenger had been evacuated . `` It would appear that the pilot did a masterful job of landing the plane in the river and then making sure that everybody got out , '' Bloomberg said at a press conference Thursday . `` I had a long conversation with the pilot . He walked the plane twice after everybody else was off and tried to verify that there was nobody else on board -- and assures us there was not . '' Sullenberger apparently was forced to make an emergency landing after geese were sucked into one or both of the jet 's engines . An eyewitness working on the west side of Manhattan said the belly of the plane touched the water first . An official who heard tape recordings of the radio traffic from Flight 1549 reported the pilot was extraordinarily calm during the event . `` There was no panic , no hysterics , '' the official said . `` It was professional , it was calm , it was methodical . It was everything you hoped it could be . '' The pilot and air traffic controller discussed options , including landing at Teterboro airport in New Jersey , the official said . Then there was a `` period of time where there was no communications back , and I 'm assuming he was concentrating on more important things . '' Sullenberger 's background in aviation appeared to have prepared him for such a situation . He has been a pilot with US Airways since 1980 , following seven years in the U.S. Air Force . His resume -- posted on the Web site for his safety consulting firm , Safety Reliability Methods , Inc. -- lists piloting procedures , technical safety strategies , emergency management and operations improvement , as areas of industry expertise . He served as an instructor and Air Line Pilots Association safety chairman , accident investigator and national technical committee member , according to a biography on the site . He participated in several USAF and National Transportation Safety Board accident investigations , and worked with NASA scientists on a paper on error and aviation , his site says . For the passengers on flight 1549 , Sullenberger 's skill and expertise were apparent . iReport.com : Did you see the crash-landing ? Send images . `` I 've flown in a lot of planes and that was a phenomenal landing , '' said passenger Fred Berretta said . Berretta was sitting in seat 16A right over one of the engines when it failed and the pilot turned the plane to align it with the Hudson River . He described silence in the plane as the passengers waited to hear from the crew . A few moments later , the direction to brace for landing came . `` It was an amazing piece of airmanship , '' said Peter Goelz , a former NTSB managing director . | NEW : Chesley B. `` Sully '' Sullenberger has been a pilot with US Airways since 1980 . NEW : Former Air Force fighter pilot has worked with NASA as safety consultant NYC mayor says pilot checked plane twice for passengers before leaving `` I 've flown in a lot of planes and that was a phenomenal landing , '' passenger said . | [[236, 271], [301, 346], [3116, 3162], [1682, 1806], [2059, 2169], [3975, 4002]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When the stirring speeches , heavyweight debates and fevered campaigning of the U.S. elections are long forgotten , a handful of far less noble incidents are likely to be our enduring memories of the 2008 White House race . `` Hey America , I 'm Paris Hilton and I 'm a celebrity too . '' While the candidates would like us to view their bids for the top job as an honorable battle of wits , policies , values and big issues , the sad truth is that it 's more likely to boil down to a list of gaffes , embarrassments and sideshows . Both Democratic and Republican PR machines have been working hard to keep their campaigns on-script , but with a cast list of John McCain , Barack Obama , Joe Biden , Sarah Palin and the Clintons , they had their work cut out . Alaskan `` hockey mom '' Palin 's late arrival undoubtedly stirred things up , adding a dash of vigor as the race lumbered into its final straight , but even before she began stealing the show , there was no shortage of scrapbook moments . Sound off : Which do you think are the most memorable moments from the 2008 election ? In no particular order , here is a selection of some of the best : . 1 . Crying game : Back in January 's New Hampshire primaries , Hillary Clinton welled up with emotion , almost crying into her coffee cup during a chat with voters . This unexpected exposure of her human side was credited with winning back some women supporters . Read more . 2 . McCain bombs : John McCain displayed rather off-key singing and diplomacy skills when asked if there was a plan to attack Iran back in April 2007 . Changing the words to the classic Beach Boys ' song `` Barbara Ann , '' the Arizona senator responded : `` Bomb bomb bomb , bomb bomb Iran . '' Read more . 3 . Pastor disaster : Proving once again that religion and politics do n't mix , Barack Obama was forced to distance himself from his former pastor and mentor Jeremiah Wright , after a series of pulpit fulminations in which he made racially-charged criticisms of Hillary Clinton and said of the 9/11 terror attacks : `` American 's chickens are coming home to roost . '' Read more . 4 . Ramblin ' man : Garrulous `` gaffe machine '' Joe Biden got the last word in a primary debate about his tendency to speak his mind and not shut up . Asked if he could hold his tongue enough to `` reassure your voters in this country that you have the discipline you would need on the world stage , '' Biden replied succinctly : `` Yes . '' Read more . 5 . The pig issue : Obama may have been hoping to generate oinks of outrage when he commented in September that McCain 's policies were like `` lipstick on a pig , '' after the Arizona senator named Sarah Palin as running mate . The Democratic candidate refused to apologize for what Republicans said was a misogynistic response to Palin 's own claim to be a pitbull in lipstick . You could n't make it up . Read more . 6 . Miss-firing : Hillary Clinton had her campaign guns blazing in March when she described the drama of a visit to Bosnia 12 years earlier . `` I remember landing under sniper fire , '' she said . Clinton was later forced to admit `` misspeaking '' after video footage of the event showed her strolling leisurely from the aircraft . Read more . 7 . Ordinary Joe : First there was Joe Biden , then there was Palin 's mythical beer swiller Joe Sixpack and finally there was Joe the Plumber -- just a regular guy worried about his business going down the drain . Despite not actually being a licensed plumber , and not even being called Joe , he has been seized on by McCain as an everyman hero . This endorsement sprung more leaks when Joe failed to appear on cue to a recent McCain event . Read more . 8 . Bad business : Neither presidential candidate makes claim to being psychic , but McCain might have done better consulting his tea leaves rather than the advisors who led him to say `` the fundamentals of our economy are strong '' on the eve of America 's worst financial crisis since the Great Depression . Read more . 9 . Palintology : Her political skills aside , moose-shooting Sarah Palin has been an unfortunately prolific headline generator for the Republican campaign , whether eyeing Russia from her Alaskan home , shopping for suits , stumbling over questions from Katie Couric or introducing her pregnant teenage daughter . Read more . 10 . Barack = Britney : Celebrity endorsements are one thing , but McCain 's campaign ad comparing his rival to pop star Britney Spears and heiress Paris Hilton was seen by at least one person as taking things a little too far . A swimsuit-clad Hilton responded by launching her own campaign for the presidency : `` Hey America , I 'm Paris Hilton and I 'm a celebrity too . Only I 'm not from the olden days and I 'm not promising change like that other guy . I 'm just hot ! '' Read more . | Most memorable election moments likely to include gaffes and embarrassments . Biden , Obama , McCain and Clinton all hit headlines for wrong reasons . Palin generated many headlines for wrong reasons in last weeks of campaign . | [[19, 45], [135, 242], [446, 551], [1032, 1106], [4091, 4199]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- By many eyewitness accounts , when US Airways flight 1549 crashed into the Hudson River , it looked like a completely normal landing -- except it was in the water . iReporters captured the plane 's crash-landing and rescue operations . `` It looked like a perfectly smooth landing , nothing out of the ordinary , '' said Lou Romansky , who was stuck in traffic and saw the plane go down . `` No unusual noises , no flames , no nothing . It was very graceful ; -LSB- I -RSB- saw the nose go up . '' Josefina Echevarria happened to be standing near the window of her Manhattan office , and reports seeing a similar scene . `` I saw an airplane landing in the middle of the water , but very calm , '' she said . `` It was n't a nose dive , '' added Joe Harrington , who also saw the crash out his window . `` It looked like it was a landing . '' The plane , which carried more than 150 passengers and was bound for Charlotte , North Carolina , went down Thursday afternoon shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport . Officials say everyone on board apparently got off the plane alive . Some passengers were being treated for hypothermia and other minor injuries . And according to many iReporters , who described the situation to CNN as it unfolded , the rescue operation looked as smooth as the landing -- but , of course , just as scary . They say ferries arrived first on the scene , followed quickly by emergency boats and helicopters . `` Immediately there were ferries on the scene , '' said Harrington . `` Almost instantaneous . I watch these ferries all day -- they do n't normally go this fast . '' Police boats and helicopters arrived shortly after , he said . Julie Pukelis also saw the ferries arrive . `` It seemed very quick . ... Ferry boats out there within minutes , '' she said . `` I think it was a great team effort . '' iReport.com : `` We watched the plane drifting slowly down the water '' '' -LSB- The rescue -RSB- looked pretty well-organized from what I could see , '' said Jim Davidson , who lives two blocks from the Hudson River . `` It was n't chaos -- a lot of times when things like this happen , people are running around or yelling . '' iReport.com : A panorama of the rescue . Daniel Leal described the scene as the rescue operation continued into the evening . `` I 'm seeing flashing lights on the water from the many rescue vehicles -- tug boats , ferries , helicopters . ... There seems to be even more emergency crews in the water and hovering above than an hour ago , '' he said . iReport.com : Watching the rescue . iReporters said the plane began to sink shortly after landing until workers used ropes to secure it . `` A few minutes -LSB- after the crash -RSB- it started sinking in the water , '' said Echevarria . `` Five minutes later the airplane was completely sunk . You can only see the tail of the plane . '' Lisa Speransky , who also watched the situation from her office window , says workers appeared to tether the plane to boats to prevent it sinking . Watch how iReporters helped cover the story '' `` They must have gotten a rope around the plane at some point , because they were turning it around and dragging it towards New Jersey , '' she wrote in an email . After passengers were evacuated , workers eventually tethered the plane to a pier on the Hudson River . iReport.com : `` You could see people standing on the wing '' The crash brought up memories of the September 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks for several iReporters as they saw the crash and its aftermath . Officials emphasize the crash had absolutely no terrorist connection and say it was likely a bird strike . `` I really thought it was a terrorist attack , '' said Romansky . He lives in New Jersey but was in Manhattan when the plane went down , and said his first thought after seeing the plane go down was to get back home , thinking that the state 's border might be closed in case of terrorism . iReport.com : `` I saw the plane coming down '' Matt Moore , who says he saw about 40 boats surrounding the plane in the water , had similar unnerving thoughts . `` What 's peculiar is I look to my left and there 's where the World Trade Center used to be and I look to my right and there 's a plane in the water , '' he said . iReport.com : Saw the rescue out the window . Harrington was also shaken up by the situation . `` It was surreal to see that happen , '' he said . `` I fly pretty much every week for work . '' | Eyewitnesses say the water landing looked like a regular plane landing . Rescue operation `` looked pretty well-organized , '' says iReporter Jim Davidson . iReporter Joe Harrington : Ferries and rescue boats arrived `` almost instantaneously '' iReport.com : Did you see the crash landing , or were you on the plane ? | [[49, 71], [109, 151], [258, 299], [643, 695], [825, 858], [1936, 2012], [2015, 2035], [1363, 1406], [1463, 1509]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Nadya Suleman , the single mother of newborn octuplets , is using the Internet to help support her family of 14 children . She 's started a Web site seeking donations . Nadya Suleman , a single mother of 14 children , has set up a Web site asking for donations . The Web site features pictures of a rainbow , child 's blocks and all eight of Suleman 's newborns . Also prominently displayed on the Web site is a prompt for visitors to make a donation , noting that the `` proud mother of 14 '' accepts Visa , MasterCard , American Express , Discover and PayPal . Suleman , 33 , had the octuplets through fertility treatments , despite already having six young children and no clear source of income . In recent television interviews , Suleman has rejected suggestions that she might not be able to care adequately for all 14 of her children . `` I 'm providing myself to my children , '' Nadya Suleman told NBC in her first interview . `` I 'm loving them unconditionally , accepting them unconditionally , everything I do . I 'll stop my life for them and be present with them and hold them and be with them . And how many parents do that ? '' Watch report on who is paying the bills for the octuplets '' Suleman said she plans to go back to college to pursue a degree in counseling , NBC reported . She also said all 14 children have the same biological father , a sperm donor whom she described as a friend . Joann Killeen , a spokeswoman for Suleman , has told CNN that she is being deluged with media offers , but disputed any suggestions that Suleman may have had a monetary incentive for having so many children . Killeen , told CNN 's `` Larry King Live '' that Suleman `` has no plans on being a welfare mom and really wants to look at every opportunity that she can to make sure she can provide financially for the 14 children she 's responsible for now . '' Suleman 's publicist did say that Suleman gets $ 490 every month in food stamps . | Nadya Suleman has created Web site to solicit donations to help support 14 kids . Suleman , a mother of six , recently had octuplets . Suleman has rejected notions that she would not be able to care for children . | [[0, 15], [64, 141], [142, 187], [157, 187], [188, 201], [226, 281], [582, 589], [654, 719], [720, 751], [754, 861]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The surgeon who operated Wednesday on cyclist Lance Armstrong after he fractured his collarbone declared the procedure a success , but one that will require two to three months of healing . Lance Armstrong 's doctor says he used a plate and 12 inch-long screws to stabilize the fractured bone . `` Surgery was tough , but went well , '' said Dr. Douglas Elenz , an orthopedic surgeon in Austin , Texas , who performed the three-hour procedure two days after Armstrong fractured his collarbone into four pieces during a race in Spain . The multiple breaks `` made treatment more challenging , but we 're confident that the treatment performed today is going to be successful , '' he said . Elenz said he used a 4 - to 5-inch plate that he attached with 12 inch-long screws to stabilize the fractured bone . Armstrong , 37 , was to be released later in the day . On a scale of one to 10 rating the difficulty of the operation , Elenz said he would pin it down at eight . Elenz was noncommittal regarding when Armstrong can return to racing . Watch more about the crash '' `` We are just taking it day by day , week by week , month by month . Every fracture is unique . Each time I go to treat one , something is different . '' During the next week , Armstrong `` will need to take it easy '' to ensure the wound does not become infected , the doctor said . After his wound has healed , Armstrong will begin using an exercise bike to train his lower body , `` but we wo n't let him do a whole lot with his upper extremities , '' Elenz said . `` After several weeks , we can take his training to the street , but we will need to take that day by day and week by week . '' Over the longer term , Elenz will be looking for evidence that Armstrong is laying down new bone , that the plate is stable , that the athlete 's arm is strong and that his motion is fluid , he said . `` His pain will give us insight on how well he is healing , '' the sports specialist said . `` It will take eight to 12 weeks to heal completely . But we are going to have to push the envelope a bit to have him train before he is completely healed . '' Armstrong was riding for Team Astana when he crashed about 10 miles -LRB- 16 kilometers -RRB- from the end of the first stage of the five-day Vuelta Ciclista a Castilla y Leon race . Watch how Armstrong ` tweets ' about his crash '' He has never before broken a collarbone in his 17 years as a professional . The crash took down several riders , but only Armstrong was hurt . As they came within a few miles of the finish , Armstrong said , racers started picking up speed and jockeying for position . `` It happens quick when it happens , '' he said . `` It could have been worse . '' Armstrong announced last year that he was returning to competitive biking and would use the Spanish race as a warm-up for the Tour de France , which he won seven times before announcing his retirement in 2005 . He also had planned to race May 9-31 in the Giro d'Italia , one of Europe 's most prestigious and grueling stage races . This would have been the second comeback of his career . His first came in 1998 , two years after he was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain . Doctors gave him a less than 50 percent chance of survival . CNN 's Danielle Dellorto contributed to this story . | Multiple breaks in collarbone `` made treatment more challenging , '' doctor says . After wound heals , Armstrong will use exercise bike to train lower body . Doctor noncommittal on when Armstrong can return to racing . Armstrong fractures collarbone in crash at race that was to mark second comeback . | [[554, 608], [1374, 1470], [988, 1058], [998, 1058], [19, 30], [35, 114], [477, 553], [3060, 3116]] |
BROOKLYN CENTER , Minnesota -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Thousands of Liberians living in the United States face deportation March 31 when a federal immigration status created for humanitarian purposes expires . Corvah Akoiwala is worried about what will happen to his children , born in the U.S. , when he is sent to Liberia . In the 1990s , a bloody civil war raged through the West African nation , killing 250,000 people and displacing more than a million , according to a U.N. report . The United States extended `` temporary protection status '' to all Liberians who could get to America , and 14,000 of them took advantage of that humanitarian offer . Temporary protection status is an immigration status somewhere between political asylum and refugee status . Administered by the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services , it is extended to nationals of countries facing civil unrest or natural disaster . For years , the temporary protection status for Liberians was extended as the situation there worsened under dictator Charles Taylor . But Taylor was ousted in 2003 and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected Liberia 's first female president in 2006 . In 2007 , citing the progress in Liberia , President George W. Bush signed an order of `` delayed enforced departure '' for Liberians who had been under temporary protection status , giving them 18 months to return to Liberia . Watch more on the uncertainty of Liberians living in U.S. '' Corvah Akoiwala , a Liberian national who was fresh out of college when civil war broke out , remembers how it used to be there . `` They dragged us from our homes , they were shooting all around us . They said they were going to have us killed , '' he said . `` On Tupero Road they had a killing field . Like every day they took someone to this field and they would just shoot them in front of everybody . It was just terrible , '' he said . He came to the United States in 1992 and settled in Rhode Island . A civil engineer by education , Akoiwala married and had three children , all of whom are American citizens . For the past 17 years he 's worked , paid his taxes and contributed to his community . He and his wife were granted temporary protection status but now both face deportation . On March 31 they will go from being legal residents to illegal aliens . `` My fear is , who am I going to leave my kids with ? '' he said . `` Who am I going to leave them with ? I want to stay here and see them grow up to be responsible citizens and then I can go back . '' The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services said approximately 3,600 Liberian nationals are facing delayed enforced departure , but Liberian community leaders think the number may be twice that because , they said , many Liberians went underground and did not reregister with immigration services , knowing the delayed enforced departure status meant leaving the country . Brooklyn Center , Minnesota , about an hour north of Minneapolis , has a thriving Liberian community . Many now worry about losing their jobs , homes and businesses . Seyondi Roberts , a hairdresser , said 65 percent of her customers are Liberians facing delayed enforced departure . `` We 're praying that they do n't send them back . But if they do , it will have a serious effect on the business . I do mainly African hair , so it 's going to have a real big , big impact on the business , '' she said . Aba Hamilton Dolo also lives in the Brooklyn Center area and is slated for departure . She said she has nightmares and panic attacks at the prospect of being separated from her two young American-born children . `` Please consider what would happen to our families if we were sent home , '' she begs . Dolo : ' I have nightmares ' '' `` Many of these Liberians have become important parts of the communities where they live in the United States , '' said Sen. Jack Reed , D-Rhode Island . There is a large Liberian community in his home state . `` They have children who are citizens of the U.S. , '' he noted . `` How do you leave children behind who are eligible to stay ? They 've worked very hard , they 've played by the rules , and they 've paid their taxes . They 're here legally . I think that should be considered at least to let them stay . '' Reed has been one of the driving forces for extension of the temporary protection status in previous years and is pushing hard again this year for another extension . In addition , he wants a change in the rule that prohibits those on the temporary protection status classification from applying for citizenship . `` They should have the right to become American citizens , '' he said . `` They should be part of immigration reform . We should n't pick and choose different immigrant groups . '' Critics say Liberians should go back to Liberia when their status runs out . `` It is time for people to go back and rebuild their country , '' said Dan Stein , president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform . Stein underlines the temporary in `` temporary protected status . '' He said for Liberians to stay when their country is at peace would be an abuse of U.S. hospitality . `` It makes a mockery of the concept of short-term temporary humanitarian protection . '' Department of Homeland Security deputy spokesman Sean Smith said its Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is `` consulting with the White House and the State Department to determine the most appropriate course of action '' in regard to the Liberians . CNN 's Jeanne Meserve contributed to this report . | 14,000 Liberians took advantage of U.S. temporary status during civil war . Liberians have to return home when status exemption expires March 31 . Corvah Akoiwala : `` My fear is , who am I going to leave my kids with ? '' Sen. Jack Reed pushing for extension to allow Liberians to stay . | [[590, 648], [0, 15], [98, 201], [4812, 4876], [202, 267], [2359, 2372], [2375, 2406], [2359, 2369], [2379, 2413], [2382, 2416], [2430, 2465], [4304, 4308], [4415, 4470]] |
BANGKOK , Thailand -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie has asked Thailand to permit greater freedom for thousands of refugees stuck in camps after fleeing neighboring Myanmar , according to a U.N. statement released Friday . Angellina Jolie and Brad Pitt visited refugees in northern Thailand on Wednesday . Jolie and actor Brad Pitt traveled to a refugee camp in northern Thailand on Wednesday in effort to draw international attention to what the U.N. has called `` restricted '' movement of roughly 111,000 refugees housed in nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border , the statement said . Jolie has spent several years as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees . She said her passion for helping refugees , whom she calls `` the most vulnerable people in the world , '' was sparked in 2001 during visits to Cambodia . '' The U.N. estimates more than 5,000 people have fled to northern Thailand 's Mae Hong Son province between 2006 and 2007 . A recent CNN investigation found evidence of the Thai army towing an apparent boatload of 190 Rohingya refugees -- a Muslim minority group from Myanmar -- out to sea , prompting Thai authorities to launch an investigation . CNN 's Dan Rivers and Kocha Olarn contributed to this report . | Angelina Jolie calls on Thai leaders to grant more freedom to refugees . Thousands of refugees are stuck in camps after fleeing Myanmar . Jolie is currently goodwill ambassador for U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees . | [[0, 7], [10, 145], [137, 194], [514, 589], [613, 713]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- European Union peacekeepers in Bosnia on Tuesday raided homes belonging to family members of Ratko Mladic , the highest-ranking figure still at large from the Balkan conflict in the mid 1990s , Serbian media reported . Portuguese peacekeepers stand guard outside a home raided on Tuesday . The force raided houses belonging to Mladic 's sister , Milica Avram , and sister-in-law , Radinka Mladic , in East Sarajevo , an area of the city inside the Bosnian Serb-controlled Republika Srpska , a seperate political entity to the Muslim-Croat-controlled Bosnia-Croat Federation . The raids were a part of a broader operation targeting locations and people who are believed to be helping Mladic evade trial , the reports said . Serbian authorities recently put up `` wanted '' posters for Mladic at police stations across Serbia , reminding people of the 1 million euro -LRB- $ 1.3 million -RRB- reward for any information leading to Mladic 's capture . Mladic , who commanded the Bosnian Serb military during the 1992-95 war in Bosnia-Herzegovina , has been the Balkans ' most wanted since former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic was arrested in Belgrade last July . The 66-year-old is wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia -LRB- ICTY -RRB- for allegedly overseeing the killings of almost 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys in the town of Srebrenica in July 1995 . Mladic is charged with genocide , crimes against humanity , and violations of the laws of war . He has been on the run for 13 years , ever since the ICTY issued the indictments against him . The ICTY has accused Serbia of knowing Mladic 's whereabouts and letting him slip through their hands . Serbia 's status as a candidate for European Union membership also remains conditional on Mladic being handed over to the ICTY . Serbian leaders have denied protecting Mladic . | EU troops in Bosnia raid homes belonging to family members of Ratko Mladic . Former Bosnian Serb general is highest ranking accused war criminal at large . Mladic accused of orchestrating Srebrenica massacre in 1995 . Raids part of operation targeting those believed to be helping Mladic evade trial . | [[60, 124], [282, 308], [309, 433], [1255, 1287], [1294, 1416], [595, 670], [620, 720]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- From four leaf clovers to a severed rabbit 's foot , when it comes to lucky mascots reason and taste often go out of the window . David Beckham 's teammates give his bottom a squeeze after scoring his first goal for AC Milan in their 4-1 defeat of Bologna . No more so than at AC Milan where one charm is being held responsible for the team 's recent upturn in fortunes on the pitch : David Beckham 's bottom . Since Beckham 's arrival at the San Siro , the England midfielder has started every game and scored his first goal in last weekend 's demolition of Bologna . But as he walked away after celebrating the goal , Clarence Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo both stroked his left bum cheek . This was apparently because they believe Beckham 's posterior has as much to do with Milan 's revival as his sweet right foot . `` Italy is a superstitious country , people touch things for luck , '' an AC Milan spokesperson told UK newspaper `` The Sun . '' `` Now the players are doing the same thing with Becks ' bottom . He is seen as lucky . '' Have your say : what are the strangest footballing superstitions that you have seen ? One English newspaper has even taken to calling him `` Goldenbuns '' , a play on `` Goldenballs '' , the pet name his wife Victoria uses and for which he is still good naturedly mocked when it emerged in the press . Football has a long history of superstitions . Below are some of the strangest rituals : . Kissing Fabien Barthez 's head Barthez 's big shiny pate became something of a totem for the French during the 1998 World Cup . The ritual was always the same . Veteran defender Laurent Blanc would approach his eccentric goalkeeper before planting a kiss on the top of his head . The team insisted that Blanc maintained the tradition as Les Bleus reached the finals . The French ended up beating Brazil 3-0 . Goalmouth : Beckham `` dreams '' of Milan move . Beanie the Horse watches the action With his blond hair , steely grimace and piercing stare , Stuart Pearce was known on the pitch for his hard tackling , no-nonsense ways . Off it he 's , well , a bit of a softy . Whilst in charge of Manchester City the former England defender started bringing a rather bizarre charm , placing it near the dug out so it could observe the action : Beanie , a cuddly woolen horse . It did n't do him much good . He was fired later that season . Blessing from a juju man `` Juju '' men used to be a regular fixture at African football matches . These self-appointed holy men would bless or curse teams for money . Even government ministers were seduced by them . When the Ivory Coast won the African Cup of Nations in 1992 , the government claimed it was because the sports minister paid a `` juju '' man to bless the team . But he angered them by refusing to pay up . The result ? A hex that saw the team endure a miserable ten year losing streak . Tired of defeat , the government begged the juju men for forgiveness , coughing up the $ 2000 . Ivory Coast promptly qualified for the 2006 World Cup . Invoking the power of the Virgin Mary Take a look at Newcastle United 's goalkeeper Shay Given before a match . If you look carefully you 'll notice him dropping a bottle into the back of the goal . No , not a bottle full of Gatorade but rather a small vial of Holy Water from Lourdes , France . It was there that it is claimed the Virgin Mary appeared in 1858 . It has since become a place of pilgrimage for the sick , drawn to the allegedly healing waters . `` I carry it in my kit bag and it goes everywhere with me , '' Given said back in 2002 . At the time of writing , Given is still injury free . If all else fails , urinate ... When Barry Fry , then Birmingham City 's boss , watched his team lose another game , enough was enough . For years the club had suffered from dismal form at their St Andrews ground in Birmingham , England , and had not won anything of note for decades . The reason , fans and club officials feared , was a gypsy curse spat out at the club 's owners when they evicted a band of travelers to make way for their new stadium . Managers had tried and failed to lift the curse -- one even placed crucifixes in the floodlights , but it was Barry Fry who had the most ingenious method . He urinated in each corner of the ground . Birmingham City have n't won anything of note since . Employing an Ecuadorian warlock Tzamarenda Naychapi played a pivotal role in Ecuador 's 2006 World Cup campaign . The UK 's Guardian newspaper described how Naychapi - a warlock who was described as a `` witch doctor-cum-shaman-cum-priest-type-fella '' - traveled to Germany before the World Cup to cast spells on all 12 stadiums , not to mention the pitch and the goals , in a bid to turn the gods in Ecuador 's favor . The South American minnows went on to shock both Costa Rica and Poland , qualifying for the second round for the first time in their history before losing to England 1-0 . But then again England had their own magical good luck charm to call upon . David Beckham scored the only goal . | David Beckham 's bottom becomes AC Milan 's lucky charm . Teammates pinch the England player 's posterior during match . AC Milan have yet to lose since Beckham signed on loan from LA Galaxy . CNN looks at other odd footballing superstitions . | [[166, 293]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Be bold ! Think big ! Barack Obama wants to do just that . An $ 800 billion economic stimulus plan . Three million jobs . Health care reform . A restructured automobile industry . Obama 's popularity with voters will win him influence with political opponents . Obama won the biggest Democratic majority for president in 44 years . His party made big gains in Congress . Democrats now have a majority of nearly 60 percent in both the House and Senate . President Obama 's got a mandate . And a majority . What 's to stop him ? Just this : the U.S. system of government . It is set up to make it difficult to get things done . The Constitution was written 222 years ago by men who did n't trust government . They had just waged a revolution against a king . To the founders of the American republic , strong government meant despotism . So they set up a system with an elaborate separation of powers . The idea was to ensure weak government . The dirty little secret of American government is that it was designed not to work very well . As president after president has discovered , there are innumerable ways opponents can stop measures from getting passed , even if the president 's party holds a majority in Congress . The Senate has its own rule that 's not in the Constitution requiring a super-majority of 60 Senate votes to control the agenda . A minority of 41 senators can `` filibuster '' a measure and prevent it from coming up for a vote . How many votes will Republicans have in the Senate ? 41 or 42 , depending on the outcome in Minnesota where ballots are still being counted . Presidents often have problems holding their own party together . That 's because members of Congress are elected by local constituencies and they are expected to represent local interests . American politicians are independent political entrepreneurs . They are not foot-soldiers of a party . When Bill Clinton first became president , he had a solid Democratic majority in Congress . But he could not get his health care reform plan passed . After an intense advertising campaign by opponents , many Americans were worried that the Clintons were planning a government takeover of the health care system . The Clinton plan failed , and within two years , Democrats lost their majority in Congress . One-party control did n't work any better for George W. Bush . Bush had trouble getting what he wanted -- notably , immigration reform -- from a Republican Congress . Republicans lost their majority in Congress in 2006 . But here 's another dirty little secret of American government : it often does work . Very well in fact . Under the right conditions , barriers fall away and things get done , sometimes with amazing speed and efficiency . What are the right conditions ? An overwhelming sense of public urgency . That sense of urgency certainly existed after 9/11 , when Congress quickly passed the Patriot Act . Getting anything big done in American government requires a sense of crisis . That 's why politicians in the U.S. are always declaring crises -- a drug crisis , an education crisis , an environmental crisis . Or they 're trying to rally the country to fight a war on something -- a war on poverty , a war on crime . If the public urgency is not authentic , however , opponents wo n't have much trouble stopping things from happening . Obama certainly takes office at a time of crisis , just as Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt did . Like them , he has the opportunity to transform American government . Members of Congress who try to block President Obama 's program may find themselves in political trouble . Because there is yet another dirty little secret of American government : the United States is the most populist democracy in the world . Here , the people rule . When the people want something , they will get it , whether it 's the death penalty or gun rights or lower taxes . Why does n't the United States have a metric system or dollar coins like other countries ? Because the people wo n't use them . Obama 's popularity is soaring right now . When a president is popular , he has clout . Everyone wants to be on his side , even members of the opposition party . They 're in business for themselves , and supporting a popular president is good for business . Standing in his way could drive them out of business . American government is not an efficient , well-oiled machine . It was never designed to be . It has to be lubricated by public pressure . If the people are shouting `` Do something ! '' -- as they are right now -- then something will happen . Even if it means a lot more spending and a lot more government . The people reserve one key right : they will let the government know , rather quickly , whether or not it 's working . | Three secrets behind the way U.S. government works . It was designed to ensure weak government . In times of crisis usual barriers fall away . If voters want something done , it will get done somehow . | [[920, 960], [920, 928], [933, 960], [2640, 2666], [2669, 2698], [3812, 3861]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Canada geese got into both engines of US Airways Flight 1549 and forced the plane to ditch into the Hudson River last month , the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday . Surveillance video shows passengers of US Airways Flight 1549 hurrying onto the plane 's wings . The flight crew of the Airbus A320 put the plane down gently on the river , which separates New York from New Jersey , after the bird ingestion caused both engines to lose power on January 15 . All 155 people aboard survived . Adult Canada geese weigh between 5.8 and 10.7 pounds , although birds from resident populations rather than migratory populations can be heavier . The plane 's CFM56-5B / P turbofan engines were certified in 1996 as being able to withstand bird ingestion of 4 pounds . The NTSB said last week that both engines contained the remains of birds , confirming the pilots ' report that the engines shut down after colliding with birds less than two minutes after taking off from from New York 's LaGuardia Airport . Material from both engines was sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington for identification of the bird species . Investigators have not yet determined how many birds hit the jet 's engines . The plane 's flight data recorder `` revealed no anomalies or malfunctions in either engine up to the point where the captain reported a bird strike , after which there was an uncommanded loss of thrust in both engines , '' the NTSB said last week . | Investigators have yet to determine how many birds hit the plane 's engines . Canada geese caused engines to lose power , NTSB says . Bird ingestion forced US Airways Flight 1549 to land in Hudson River last month . All 155 passengers and crew members on board survived the landing . | [[1169, 1195], [1207, 1246], [1169, 1182], [1192, 1246], [156, 212], [435, 503], [835, 847], [881, 1046], [0, 26], [95, 153], [504, 536]] |
ISLAMABAD , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan announced a 10-day cease-fire on Sunday in Pakistan 's Swat Valley , a volatile region in North West Frontier Province that is largely controlled by the Taliban . The Taliban says it has agreed a 10-day cease-fire with Pakistani forces in the Swat Valley . The Taliban are holding talks with the North West Frontier Province 's government in the town of Timagera in the province 's Lower Dir district , he said . Taliban leader Sufi Mohammad is heading negotiations for the militants . There was no immediate confirmation of the cease-fire from the Pakistani government . Swat Valley was once Pakistan 's biggest tourist destination until it was overrun by militants led by radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah . The valley boasted the country 's only ski resort and was once a draw for trout-fishing enthusiasts . It is believed to be the deepest advance by militants into Pakistan 's settled areas -- meaning areas outside its tribal region along the border with Afghanistan . The negotiations are the latest attempt by Pakistan 's civilian government -- which took power last year -- to achieve peace through diplomacy in areas where Taliban and al Qaeda leaders are believed to have free rein . Swat has been overrun by forces loyal to Maulana Fazlullah 's banned hardline Islamic group , Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat Mohammadi -LRB- TNSM -RRB- which has allied itself with Taliban fighters . TNSM was once led by Sufi Mohammed , Fazlullah 's father-in-law who is leading the latest negotiations . Sufi Mohammed was released from jail last year by Pakistani authorities after he agreed to cooperate with the government . He had been jailed in 2002 after recruiting thousands of fighters to battle U.S. forces in Afghanistan . Fazlullah took over TNSM during Sufi Mohammed 's jail stint and vowed to continue his fight to impose fundamentalist Islamic law in the region . Last May , Pakistan 's government announced it reached a peace deal with militants in Swat Valley . Analysts as well as critics within the establishment have described those talks as a failure that gave the Taliban time to regroup and gain more ground . The Taliban have recently targeted local politicians , including the head of the Awami National Party -- which represents the region -- who was forced to flee to Islamabad . Pakistan is under enormous pressure to control the militants within its borders , blamed for launching attacks in neighboring Afghanistan where U.S. and NATO forces are fighting militants . Pakistan 's military operation in the region is unpopular among Pakistanis , but efforts to deal diplomatically with militants have not worked in the past . Pakistan 's previous military ruler , Gen. Pervez Musharraf , reached a cease-fire deal with militants in South Waziristan in 2006 which was widely blamed for giving al Qaeda and Taliban a stronger foothold in the region . CNN 's Zein Basravi contributed to this report . | Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan announces a 10-day cease-fire in Swat Valley . Taliban are holding talks with the North West Frontier Province 's government . No immediate confirmation of the cease-fire from the Pakistani government . | [[0, 9], [12, 136], [233, 326], [250, 326], [327, 470], [556, 641]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Most of the Supreme Court justices piled up a lot frequent flyer miles in 2007 , jetting to such exotic locales as Austria , India and Hawaii , according to financial disclosure reports released Friday . The U.S. Supreme Court justices at a shoot for their 2006 `` class photo . '' And they generally have a good bit of spending money for their travels , based on reported investment income . The records , which were released Friday by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts , confirm what has been known for some time : that most of the justices are relatively well-off financially . The eight associate justices make $ 208,100 in annual wages plus income from a variety of resources . Federal judges are not required to publicly release exact income figures , just a general range . The wealthiest justice may be David Souter , with a wise investment he made years ago in a Vermont bank paying off handsomely . His assets in Chittenden Corp. are valued from $ 5 million to $ 25 million . Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's asset totals are boosted by the fact that her husband , Martin , is a respected private tax attorney in Washington . Justices Stephen Breyer , John Paul Stevens and Antonin Scalia are also millionaires . Justice Samuel Alito , the newest member of the high court , also reported income ranging from $ 700,000 to $ 2 million . In the area of reported gifts , Alito cited about $ 500 in `` Italian food and wine '' given to him by a friend , about whom the justice helpfully noted it `` is not likely that he will appear before this court . '' The latest financial records continue to show Justices Anthony Kennedy and Clarence Thomas reporting assets under $ 1 million , not including homes and judicial salaries . Thomas received a one-time boost to his income when his best-selling memoir was released in October . He received the remaining half of a reported million-dollar book advance and traveled extensively on a book promotion and signing tour . Scalia also received an advance for his book on how to be a better appellate lawyer . The amount was relatively paltry compared to his colleague 's : $ 33,000 . The annual records show that Breyer , Ginsburg , Kennedy and Scalia were the busiest travelers . Each made multiple visits overseas to teach , give speeches or attend judicial seminars . Airfare , lodging and meals were generally paid for by the organizations that invited the justices , but under federal law , they must report it . Europe was a favorite destination for several justices . Breyer reported 21 out-of-town trips for which he was reimbursed , including to Paris , France ; Rome , Italy ; New Delhi , India ; and Palm Springs , California . Ginsburg went overseas to France , Belgium , Ireland and Canada and made at least nine other domestic trips . In the same week in July , Kennedy and Chief Justice Roberts were in France and Austria , respectively . But the Most Traveled Award goes to Scalia , who made 33 expense-paid trips , including eight overseas , and visited at least 17 states . Only Souter and Stevens reported no trips for which they were reimbursed by sponsoring groups . Souter also reported no outside teaching gigs , trustee or board memberships , or any gifts received . The 68-year-old bachelor generally spends his extended time away from the high court at his isolated farm in rural New Hampshire . Chief Justice John Roberts may have the most diverse investment portfolio . He recorded 63 investments and trusts , including stock in Time Warner -LRB- parent company of CNN -RRB- , Citicorp , Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard . The estimated value is from about $ 2.4 million to more than $ 6 million . Before becoming a federal judge , Roberts was a high-paid Washington lawyer . His judicial salary is $ 217,400 . Roberts , 53 , continued to sell off small amounts of common stock , including in Cisco and Citigroup . When he took over as chief justice in 2005 , he was forced to sell stock in several companies . A bill passed two years ago in Congress allows federal judges to defer paying capital gains taxes on securities they sell to avoid conflicts of interest . High-level executive branch employees had enjoyed that privilege for years . The issue of judges holding such diverse investment portfolios has resulted in several conflicts of interest , prompting calls for reform . The high court last month refused to accept an appeal from a group of South Africans seeking to sue U.S. and foreign firms for allegedly helping keep the white-led apartheid government of their country in power for decades . Four members of the high court were forced to remove themselves from consideration of the cases . No reason was given for their recusal , but financial disclosure reports showed that Roberts , along with Breyer and Alito , owns stock in several of the companies being sued . Kennedy 's son Gregory is a top manager in one , investment bank Credit Suisse . Under federal rules , at least six justices must hear a case that is accepted for review . With four of the nine recused , the high court had no choice but to uphold the lower court ruling , tossing out the lawsuit . Some reform advocates say that judges should be allowed to own only mutual funds instead of individual stocks . Mutual funds involve a range of investments whose identities are disclosed to the fund 's shareholders several times each year . Federal law allows judges to own mutual funds without having to recuse themselves from a particular appeal . | Reports show David Souter may be the wealthiest member of Supreme Court . Samuel Alito , the busiest traveler , made 33 expense-paid trips in 2007 . Chief Justice John Roberts recorded 63 investments and trusts . | [[822, 864], [2978, 2984], [2991, 3044], [3486, 3635]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Scabby the Rat may not have a word to say , but the large rodent-shaped balloon helped a labor union earn a free-speech victory Thursday before New Jersey 's highest court . Big Sky Balloons , based in Chicago , Illinois , rents out `` union rats '' like Scabby and other inflatables . The seven justices ruled unanimously that the local union had a right to display its 10-foot-tall , black , rat-shaped balloon at a rally held outside a fitness center . At issue was whether a township could enforce a ban on inflatable or portable signs and banners on public property . Lawrence Township police had levied a $ 100 fine against an official from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers because of Scabby . The court concluded that while townships have a right to maintain an `` aesthetic environment '' and ensure public safety , its restrictions on expressive displays `` do not justify a content-based restriction of non-commercial speech . '' `` There is no evidence to suggest that a rat balloon is significantly more harmful to aesthetics or safety than a similar item being displayed as an advertisement or commercial logo , '' wrote Justice John Wallace Jr. . The balloon and others like it , nicknamed Scabby by the Chicago-based company that made them , have been used by labor unions as street theater since 1990 to protest anti-union activities . IBEW members were marching on the sidewalk outside Gold 's Gym in Lawrence Township in April 2005 in response to a dispute with a contractor working at the business . A police officer had ordered the balloon deflated , but returned an hour later to find it blown back up . The labor official in charge admitted he ordered the rat reinflated , and he was given a summons . Lower state courts had ruled the township 's ordinance was content-neutral and did not suppress the union 's ability to spread its message , since members still could chant and distribute handbills to the public . About 200 Scabby balloons are used by labor unions nationwide , according to Big Sky Balloons . They come in three colors , each showing pink eyes , front claws extended , and two big front incisors . | Court : Towns have right to enforce aesthetics , but not curb speech . Scabby the Rat balloon displayed at union rallies in New Jersey . Township banned display of inflatables , including 10-foot rat balloon . | [[738, 974], [769, 859]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The worst snowstorm to hit Britain in 18 years forced the cancellation of more than 650 flights at London 's Heathrow airport Monday and shut down the city 's bus network , partially paralyzing the British capital . A group of men push a giant snowball across Kensington Gardens , west London Monday . Heathrow , one of the busiest transport hubs in the world , closed both its runways for more than two hours Monday morning and operated with just one for the rest of the morning , according to BAA , the company which runs it . London City airport is also closed , while the British capital 's other two airports , Stansted and Gatwick , were operating with severe delays , BAA said . British Airways canceled all flights out of Heathrow until 5 p.m. except for Edinburgh and Lisbon routes . Send your iReport videos , stories . One of the city 's largest cab companies was in such high demand it stopped taking cash and credit card bookings , serving only customers with accounts , it said . Dial-a-Cab , which has a fleet of over 2,500 vehicles , served mainly blue-chip companies trying to get employees into work , said Keith Cain a Control Room manager for the company . Customers waited up to an hour and a half for a cab early in the morning , he said . See gallery of UK under snow '' Jochen Jaeger , 36 , found himself stranded at Heathrow , unable to fly home to Zurich or to get back into the apartment he rented in London . `` I will stay here at the airport , '' he told CNN . `` There is no other option . I may have to spend the night here . '' American businessman Ken Plunkett , 60 , from St. Paul , Minnesota , was trying to fly out from Heathrow Airport but found himself caught in the weather chaos . `` I know England does not have the infrastructure to remove snow like we do in Minnesota , '' he said . Watch passenger stranded by snow '' Jenny Leslie , a shop worker at Heathrow 's Terminal 2 , said it was so quiet at the airport `` you can hear a pin drop . '' Southampton Airport , southwest of London , was also closed for several hours Monday morning , but re-opened by 1200 GMT . But many people in the city were delighted by the unusual weather . `` Londoners of all ages are childishly happy to be making snowmen and having snowball fights . Bankers of all ages are throwing snowballs in the middle of the residential streets , '' Monica Majumdar told CNN in an iReport . She lived in New York before moving to London four years ago , and was surprised by how little snow it took to bring the British capital to a standstill . `` I have seen snow like this . But somehow , it 's more beautiful here . It 's partly due to the fact that even Londoners are amazed by the snow -- so there is a general air of surrealism , '' she said via e-mail . '' I do feel like I 'm in a Christmas snowglobe , with all the iconic London monuments blanketed by the powdered snow . '' London 's famous red buses were pulled off the roads on Sunday night as the snow got deeper . It was the first time `` in living memory '' that all city bus service had been suspended , including when London was being bombed during World War II , a spokesman for the city 's transit agency , Transport for London , said . `` Bus services were suspended throughout London last night on the grounds of passenger safety due to the unsafe road conditions resulting in a large number of traffic incidents across London , '' the agency said in a statement Monday morning . Watch London grind to a halt '' About six million people ride London buses each day , said the spokesman , who asked not to be named . Some bus service had been restored by lunchtime on Monday . London Mayor Boris Johnson suspended the # 8 -LRB- $ 11.30 -RRB- daily congestion charge drivers normally pay to enter central London , the city transport authority said . Some bus service had been restored by lunchtime on Monday . The city 's subway system was also experiencing severe delays , leaving normally bustling central London something of a ghost town . On a regular weekday , London 's transit system handles more than three million passenger journeys . The Federation of Small Businesses estimated that at least one in five workers nationwide -- about 6.4 million employees -- failed to make it into work Monday morning . But the figure was estimated to be far higher -- around two in five -- in London and southeast England , which is home to around a fifth of all British businesses . Monday 's disruptions are likely to cost businesses # 1.2 billion -LRB- $ 1.7 billion -RRB- , FSB spokesman Stephen Alambritis told CNN . Britain 's national weather service , the Met Office , issued severe weather warnings for all of England and much of Scotland and Wales for both Monday and Tuesday . It reported 20cm of snow in Balham , south London , and 15cm at Canary Wharf in east London . The last time such widespread snowfall affected Britain was in February 1991 , the Met Office said . Watch iReport on snowy Stonehenge . The snow meant a break from school for the region 's children as classes gave way to snowball fights . In the southern English seaside resort of Brighton there was a carnival atmosphere as dozens of people who were unable to get to work threw snowballs and built snowmen on the beach . Mother-of-three Fiona Robbins , 45 , added : `` Everyone is very excited to be able to show their children proper snow for the first time . '' Tuesday 's forecast is expected to bring some relief , with the snow expected to stop and temperatures to rise above freezing . Two climbers were found dead Monday morning on Snowdon , the highest mountain in Wales , after being reported missing Sunday night , North Wales Police said . It was not clear if their deaths were related to the storm . CNN Business Assignment Editor Alysen Miller , Laura Perez Maestro , Simon Hooper and Olivia Feld in London contributed to this report . | UK business spokesman : Disruptions would likely cost $ 1.7 billion . Meteorologists said snow is worst in southeastern England in 18 years . Major international airports including Heathrow , Gatwick badly affected . UK weather service issues severe weather warnings for Monday , Tuesday . | [[4497, 4588], [36, 82], [4895, 4971], [4974, 4995], [608, 649], [665, 672], [675, 708], [4635, 4670], [4690, 4800]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It was the best of times in 2004 , when attorney Dave Dineen graduated from Boston University School of Law and landed a job at a top Massachusetts corporate firm , Foley Hoag LLP . Attorney Dave Dineen at his new job at Greater Boston Legal Services . By 2007 , the National Association for Law Placement was reporting the most promising year in two decades . Nearly 92 percent of graduating attorneys were employed , and the median starting salary at private practices had increased by $ 13,000 -- to a total of $ 108,500 a year . But times have changed . In the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression , the legal industry is taking an unprecedented beating from the sputtering economy and housing meltdown . Dineen , 37 , lost his job as layoffs and salary freezes have spiked at law firms across the country during the past three months . See the law firm layoffs for the past year '' Rather than just hand out a severance package with the pink slip , Foley Hoag gave Dineen an option . He could work for Greater Boston Legal Services , a legal aid group serving people living in poverty . The firm agreed to pay Dineen about a quarter of his former salary for a year . Dineen , who needed to support his wife and a newborn daughter , accepted . `` This gave me a chance to do something different with my legal career , and help out people who generally do n't have access to public service , '' said Dineen , who now works on foreclosure cases helping victims of predatory lending . Foley Hoag is among many megafirms across the country using the economic slump as an ideal time to lend a hand to cash-strapped public interest and legal aid firms . The massive corporate layoffs and program cuts could redirect thousands of young graduates and experienced attorneys from corporate firms into the public sector , legal experts say . Once insulated , law firms are shedding young and mid-career associates at extraordinary rates . This is especially true at large corporate firms that overestimated their growth and extended too many offers to associates last fall . White & Case LLP , a leading global firm with headquartes in New York , made a second round of cuts last week . In addition to about 70 associates laid off in November , the firm last week let go of another 400 people , including 200 attorneys . Other well-known firms such as Heller Ehrman LLP and Thelen Reid & Priest LLP on the West Coast have gone bankrupt in recent months . At least 2,149 attorneys have been laid off in 2009 , bringing the total to 3,045 since January of last year , according to Lawshucks.com , an industry Web site tracking the slump . Hundreds more associates set to start jobs this fall are bracing themselves for rescinded offers and deferred start dates . Some students are finding their summers wide open as law firms like Luce Forward , based in California , have canceled internship programs . Amid all this dark news , there might be a silver lining . It could transform the legal profession . `` There is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity coming out of a difficult situation , '' said Esther Lardent , president of the Pro Bono Institute in Washington , who began discussions this month with at least 15 corporate firms nationwide about placing unemployed attorneys in public interest firms . The project will get under way in a few months , she said . Other firms have already encouraged attorneys to go into the public sector . Just last week , one of the largest firms in the country -- Morgan , Lewis & Bockius LLP , based in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania -- announced it will pay deferred associates graduating in 2009 a $ 5,000 monthly stipend for one year if they secure a job in the public interest field . International law giants Latham & Watkins LLP and Orrick , Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP offered incoming associates who defer employement until October 2010 a $ 75,000 compensation package . While working in public service is n't mandatory for Latham & Watkins associates , the firm said there was a `` sincere hope '' the deferred associates would `` use the intervening period to pursue a community service or other public advocacy projects of their choosing . '' Such deferral plans can save the companies about $ 100,000 per associate , and law experts expect the list of firms enacting deferral programs to grow geometrically as the economy worsens . `` Firms are doing this to be flexible and regulate their labor force because there just is n't as much work anymore , '' said James G. Leipold , executive director of the National Association for Law Placement . Corporate giants are also scrambling to find work for mid-level attorneys in the public sector . Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP , a major New York-based law firm , introduced a yearlong public service fellowship program this year that would pay current attorneys $ 60,000 a year to work in areas such as social service , community development or academia . The company hopes the program will alleviate `` significant budgetary constraints . '' `` You are n't just throwing somebody out there , '' said American Bar Association President Tommy Wells , who requested funding in President Obama 's stimulus package to help pay attorneys to work in the public sector . -LRB- The proposal was rejected . -RRB- . `` You 're meeting a real need in these tough times where you have more of a legal need and fewer resources , '' Wells said . Encouraging laid-off and deferred attorneys to go into public service is filling a desperate need at public interest firms . Public interest and legal aid firms serving the underprivileged have long been under-funded and overwhelmed with cases even in a good economy . Tightened state budgets and a decline in donations have further stretched resources for the public interest firms , forcing them to make staff cuts at a time when demand for their services is greater than ever before . At Greater Boston Legal Services , the public interest firm where Dineen arrived in January , the effects of a sick economy are apparent . Robert Sable , the public interest firm 's executive director , has already reduced staff . The agency , which handles 15,000 matters a year , expects to make more staff reductions in the coming months because of a $ 2 million funding shortfall . `` We 're burning through our reserves right now , so it 's nice to have extra help , '' said Sable , who is talking to another local corporate firm this week about taking in subsidized attorneys . Some attorneys and law students worry that paying corporate attorneys to work in public interest firms may displace those who actually wanted to work in the public sector in the first place . Jocelyn E. Getgen , who works with students at Cornell Law School , said strained legal aid organizations and nonprofits will want to take in the `` free '' labor . Nevertheless , there is little doubt that the economic free-fall is changing the ways current attorneys -- and a new generation of young attorneys -- view the field . Traditionally , law students have equated best jobs with highest-paying jobs , career counselors say . Students saddled with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt find themselves pressured to work at large firms that will pay enough to cover the bills , said Tricia McGrath , a director at Lateral Link Group LLC , a job placement agency for lawyers . Many times , going into the public sector is n't even an option , she said . `` Everyone has to rethink all the old models that we believed in , the model where you go to school and then a big firm , '' said McGrath , who graduated from Fordham University School of Law in 1998 , a time when law jobs were abundant . iReport.com : Cutting back with brown-bag lunches ? Show us on video . Even students at top law schools are finding that their offers have been rescinded . At Harvard Law School , Mark Weber , assistant dean for career services , said he has been working with a handful of students whose job offers have been deferred . `` It can be a tremendous opportunity for the student to take that year and try something entirely different , '' Weber said . `` Hopefully within a year , the economic picture will do better . '' After not receiving a corporate firm job offer in the downtrodden industry , Scott Greenwood , set to graduate this spring from the University of Southern California 's Gould School of Law , will instead work for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development . `` I can see what it 's like to work for a regulatory agency , and that 's a different expertise that attorneys do n't always get to have , '' said Greenwood , who will begin working in Washington in August . `` I 've been thinking about it as a blessing in disguise . '' | At least 2,149 attorneys have been laid off in 2009 , according to Lawshucks.com . Private firms are trying to place unemployed attorneys in public interest firms . One firm will pay deferred associates $ 60,000 a year to work in the public sector . Harvard Law School assistant dean : Tough times can be `` tremendous opportunity '' | [[2479, 2530], [2590, 2616], [3174, 3184], [3191, 3325], [4825, 4842], [4848, 4891], [3027, 3107], [8034, 8087]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A dispatcher who took a 911 call regarding a domestic argument at a Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania-area home knew that there were weapons in the home but did not notify responding officers , three of whom were fatally shot , an official said Tuesday . Eric Kelly , from left , Paul Sciullo III and Stephen Mayhle were shot to death responding to a 911 call . The officers died Saturday in a gunbattle as they were responding to the call , authorities have said . `` It was pure human error and a terrible thing that occurred , '' Bob Full , chief of emergency services for Allegheny County , told CNN affiliate WTAE . `` In this particular case , our call-taker did not follow through with the appropriate training that she had received and -LSB- make -RSB- the appropriate notation that there were weapons in the house . '' The bodies of the Pittsburgh police officers -- Stephen Mayhle , Paul Sciullo III and Eric Kelly -- are scheduled to lie in repose at Pittsburgh 's city-county building Wednesday before a public memorial is held Thursday . Richard Poplawski , 22 , is in custody in connection with the shootings . He was hospitalized over the weekend after being shot in the leg during the gunbattle and standoff with police that lasted four hours . Police have not disclosed where he is being held . They said he would be charged with three counts of homicide , aggravated assault and other charges . Poplawski 's mother , Margaret , called 911 about 7 a.m. Saturday to report that her son was `` giving her a hard time , '' according to a criminal complaint filed in the case . She told police she awoke to discover that `` the dog had urinated on the floor '' and awakened her son `` to confront him about it , '' and the two argued . Margaret Poplawski told her son that she was calling police to remove him from the home , the complaint said . During that call , according to WTAE , the dispatcher asked Margaret Poplawski , `` does he have any weapons or anything ? '' referring to her son . The woman replied , `` Yes . '' She paused and then said , `` they 're all legal . '' `` OK , but he 's not threatening you with anything ? '' the dispatcher asked . WTAE reported that Margaret Poplawski did not answer directly but said , `` look , I 'm just waking up from a sleep , and I want him gone . '' Full pointed out that the call was a `` casual conversation '' and that although `` there 's no excuse for it whatsoever ... gathering from the casual nature of the call , the call-taker took an inference that -LSB- the caller -RSB- was not threatened and that guns or weapons were not involved . And it never was relayed to the police officers . '' Authorities said the responding officers , Mayhle and Sciullo , were shot as they arrived at the home . Kelly was shot later as he arrived to help them . Police believe that Poplawski , wearing a bulletproof vest , fired more than 100 rounds at officers with an AK-47 , another rifle and a pistol , authorities said Saturday . The dispatcher has been placed on paid administrative leave , Full said . `` You can only imagine how fragile this individual is . This young lady came to work that day ... she had no intentions on ever letting this go . '' The woman is being assisted through the county 's employee assistance program , he said . Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said in a statement that , although he has commended the county 911 center many times , Saturday 's events `` revealed a flaw in the 911 system . '' `` We now know that the 911 dispatcher was made aware that guns were present ... and that this information was not communicated to the officers , '' Ravenstahl said , according to WTAE . `` Before responding to the call , the officers should have had the benefit of knowing that the actor owned firearms . We will never know if Saturday 's events would have gone differently had the officers known . '' Ravenstahl said he has asked the center 's management to develop a plan of action `` to address flaws in the system and to ensure that this type of incident never happens again , '' WTAE reported . | Eric Kelly , Stephen Mayhle and Paul Sciullo III were shot to death Saturday . 911 dispatcher failed to tell officers about guns in Pittsburgh home . Official says dispatcher may have believed guns were n't involved in dispute . Dispatcher is on paid administrative leave . | [[219, 236], [266, 270], [291, 372], [373, 450], [839, 1017], [2679, 2740], [2696, 2719], [2733, 2782], [100, 213], [0, 15], [168, 204], [2626, 2675], [3502, 3645], [239, 265], [2501, 2625], [3006, 3065]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A 27-year-old woman from eastern China has died of bird flu , Chinese authorities said , making her the second person to die this year from the deadly virus . Human-to-human transmission of avian flu is rare , but in some cases , the virus has passed from poultry to humans . The woman fell ill on January 5 in Shandong province on the country 's east coast and died on Saturday , the Ministry of Health said in a statement . Two tests on the woman were positive for H5N1 avian influenza , said the ministry , which did not say how she might have contracted the virus . On Saturday , the World Health Organization said a 2-year-old girl in northern China had tested positive for bird flu -- now the country 's third confirmed case of the virus this month . The girl fell ill on January 7 in central Hunan province and was taken to her home province of Shanxi in northern China , the state-run news agency Xinhua said . The report did not say how she became infected . On January 5 , a 19-year-old Beijing woman died of bird flu after handling poultry , officials said . Xinhua said the woman bought nine ducks at a market in Beijing 's neighboring Hebei province and cleaned their organs before falling ill . Since the end of 2003 , the H5N1 virus has infected numerous species of birds in more than 60 countries in Asia , Europe and Africa . It has not been found in birds in North or South America or the Caribbean , according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations . Human-to-human transmission of avian flu is rare , but in some cases the virus has passed from poultry to humans . It has killed more than 200 people since 2003 . China reported its first human-to-human infection case in 2005 . So far , 30 cases have been confirmed . Twenty of them have been fatal , according to Xinhua . On Friday , China announced it was setting up a nationwide network to test for the virus . | NEW : The woman became ill on January 5 and died on Saturday . NEW : Two tests on the woman are positive for H5N1 avian influenza , officials say . A 2-year-old girl in northern China is in critical condition with bird flu . China reported its first human infection in 2005 ; 30 cases confirmed so far . | [[295, 347], [295, 304], [381, 397], [987, 999], [1002, 1069], [445, 506], [445, 467], [509, 588], [589, 600], [603, 706], [1676, 1740], [1741, 1747], [1750, 1780]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two former presidents reflected on their greatest regrets in office Monday , each looking back to issues that continue to plague the nation years later . Former presidents and political rivals Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush now share philanthropic efforts . Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton appeared together at a question-and-answer forum before the National Automobile Dealers Association in New Orleans , Louisiana . Asked his biggest regret after leaving office , Bush said he now wonders whether he should have tried to get Saddam Hussein to leave office at the end of the first Gulf War in 1991 . He told the gathering , `` I 've thought a lot about it , but at the end of Desert Storm , the question was should we have kind of kept going on that road to death and all this slaughter until Saddam Hussein showed up and laid his sword on the table , surrendered . And the common wisdom was he would n't do that . '' But he said a conversation with an FBI agent who interrogated Saddam after he was captured has made him reconsider . Bush recalled their talk , `` I said , ` What if we just say he has to come to surrender , would he have done it ? ' And this guy said , ` I 'm absolutely convinced he would have . ' My experts tell me he would n't have . '' Bush said , `` We ended it the way we said we would '' as a military success , but noted a cleaner ending `` would have been perfect . '' He added , `` If we had tried to get Saddam Hussein to come and literally surrender and put his sword on the table , I think it might have been avoided some of the problems that we did have in the future from him . '' On a day that President Barack Obama dispatched George Mitchell to the Middle East as the latest U.S. envoy , Clinton discussed the failure to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians . `` My No. 1 regret is that I was not able to persuade Yasser Arafat to accept the peace plan I offered at the end of my presidency that the Israelis accepted . `` If he had done that ... we had had seven years of progress toward peace . We had one year in 1998 , the only year in the history of Israel where not a single soul was killed in a terrorist act . The Palestinians had more control over West Bank then than they do today , '' Clinton said . `` And if he had taken that deal , we would have a Palestinian state and we would have had , I think now , normal peaceful relations with Israel and all of its Arab neighbors . '' Clinton said a deal would have helped the U.S. handle other issues in the region , saying , `` We 'd be much better positioned to deal with the problem of Iran , and we would have taken away about half the arguments of terrorists around the world by giving the Palestinians their state and creating a cooperative , positive interdependence in the Middle East , not a negative one . And so , I think that would have done more good to save more lives and help more people , and I wish I had been able to do that . '' Clinton also said he regretted not doing more to `` stop the Rwandan genocide , '' and succeeding on a new health care plan . He said `` presidents should share freely ... the mistakes they made '' with historians , because it teaches lessons . He said he shared problems during the lunch with Obama and the four living presidents , saying , `` You want each new president to make new mistakes , not the same ones . '' Clinton added , `` all of us know if you make enough decisions , you 're going to make a few of them are n't right . '' | Middle East leaves George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton with some regrets . Bush wonders whether he should have pressed harder for Saddam 's surrender . Clinton looks back at Palestinian-Israeli peace process with some remorse . Presidents should share their mistakes as a learning tool , Clinton says . | [[509, 643], [1660, 1668], [1770, 1852], [3125, 3183]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- She survived a bloodbath at a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park , Illinois , by playing dead . The only survivor , she gave police a detailed description of the gunman . The Illinois State police worked closely with the survivor to come up with a composite of the gunman . Police are n't identifying their witness to protect her safety . Five other women lost their lives at Lane Bryant on February 2 , 2008 . The gunman is still at large . The crime began to unfold shortly after 10 a.m. when a man posing as a delivery man walked into the store . He chatted briefly with two customers and two employees . Then , police said , he pulled out a gun and announced a holdup . He forced the four women into the back room , police said . He bound them with duct tape and placed them face down on the floor . Two more women who later entered the store also were taken to the back room , tied and placed next to the others . Watch an update on the case '' Store manager Rhoda McFarland managed to call 911 from her cell phone at 10:44 a.m. , just before she was shot to death . She got to her phone while the gunman was distracted , even though she was bound by the duct tape . On the call , posted on the Tinley Park police Web site , a man can be heard saying , `` I 'm losing it . '' The six women were shot execution style . Five of them were dead by the time police arrived , a few minutes after McFarland 's call . A sixth woman survived . She , too , had been shot and left for dead , but tricked the killer by pretending to be dead . The killer was not wearing a mask or disguise , so she was able to describe him in detail . She told police he was a 6 foot African-American male , average weight , medium to dark skin tone , with braided hair and cornrows , husky build , and between 25 and 35 years old . His hair was pulled back , but one braid hung along his right cheek with light-green beads at the end of it , she told police . Police have released a composite sketch based on the witness ' description . Besides store manager McFarland , the other women slain were Jennifer Bishop , Connie Woolfolk , Carrie Hudek Chiuso and Sarah Szafranski . The investigation remains open and active , and all theories are still being investigated , police say . The investigation has included a thorough vetting of the victims ' backgrounds to determine whether any of them had any enemies . `` None of the victimology so far has led to any suspects yet , '' said Commander Pat McCain of the Tinley Park Police Department . Police are n't ruling out any theories , including robbery . The gunman took a few hundred dollars , police said . `` Certainly , the surviving witness did n't seem to recognize the killer , but maybe one of the dead victims knew him . We do n't know , '' McCain said . The weapon used was a .40 - caliber Glock . Bullet casings were left at the scene and the killer took the weapon with him . More than a year later , forensics from the crime scene are still being processed , police said . Investigators wo n't comment on whether the gunman left any fingerprints , hair or other trace evidence . Police say they have received more than 5,000 tips and feel this case will be solved . But at this point , they have not named a person of interest or a suspect . Investigators are asking for the public 's help . There is a $ 100,000 reward for the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the Lane Bryant shootings . Have information ? Please call the Tinley Park Police tip line at -LRB-708-RRB- 444-5394 or go to the tip line on the department 's Web site . | Police release detailed composite of Lane Bryant shooting suspect . Store manager called 911 before being shot to death . On call , man can be heard saying , `` I 'm losing it '' $ 100,000 reward offered . Information ? Call tip line at -LRB-708-RRB- 444-5394 . | [[1963, 2039], [976, 1059], [1067, 1097], [1198, 1209], [1254, 1281], [1198, 1209], [1256, 1261], [1275, 1281], [1285, 1303], [3358, 3469], [3470, 3488], [3489, 3557]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- CIA vs. DNI -- the clash of the titans . Dennis Blair , left , was picked to be director of national intelligence and Leon Panetta to head the CIA . In the old world , the CIA director ruled . He not only ran the spy agency , but he wore a second hat as director of Central Intelligence . The DCI was ostensibly responsible for coordinating the activities of all 16 agencies and departments which make up the intelligence community . Then came along the DNI -LRB- Director of National Intelligence -RRB- in 2005 -- a product of intelligence reform following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq . Those intelligence failures were proof that you needed one person to focus exclusively on guiding the community . Running the CIA in itself was a full-time job . The DNI would oversee the entire intelligence community while the CIA director concentrated on running the spy agency . But there 's a problem with this setup . Although the DNI was given more input into budgets and personnel than the DCI had , the DNI 's powers are limited and somewhat vague . The intelligence chief has a say in lots of things , but there 's no real muscle behind his decisions . It 's not like the defense secretary , who has absolute authority over all department components . Outgoing CIA Director Mike Hayden recently told reporters there is natural tension between the CIA and DNI , but it 's `` not a bad structure . '' He did suggest , however , that the DNI 's office was getting a bit bloated . `` Americans being Americans , they 're going to fill up their day trying to doing something impactful , '' he said , `` which means between the two of us there 's going to be a trench line ... out there . '' And how did departing DNI Mike McConnell respond to Hayden 's quip ? `` Anytime you have organizations that have similar interests , you 're going to have disputes , '' he said . `` And particularly if the two leaders are n't working together and having a partnership and so on , the warfare at the trench level gets to be pretty much a raging battle . '' McConnell said he had a good professional relationship with Hayden , so they made it work . But he added , `` we do n't have a department of intelligence . If this were the Department of Defense , there would n't be any question , but it is n't . '' CIA nominee Leon Panetta got into the middle of the dispute during his confirmation hearing . Sen. Carl Levin , D-Michigan , wanted to know Panetta 's understanding of the relationship between the CIA and the DNI . Would he be under the supervision of the DNI ? Initially , Panetta said he reported to the DNI and performed the tasks assigned to him by the DNI , but then he added : `` we are an operational arm , just like the -LSB- National Security Agency -RSB- , just like the -LSB- National Reconnaissance Office -RSB- , and I believe the role of the DNI is to coordinate all our activities ... '' Well , the NSA and the NRO are part of the Defense Department and report directly to the Defense Secretary , not the DNI . The CIA is the only intelligence agency that is not part of another department . A bit baffled by Panetta 's response , Sen. Tom Coburn , R-Oklahoma , asked him point blank , `` Is the DNI your boss or not ? '' Panetta 's answer , `` The DNI is my boss . '' It makes you wonder how Panetta and the other new guy -- DNI Dennis Blair -- will play in the sand box . | DNI oversees entire intelligence community ; CIA director concentrates on spy agency . Director of national intelligence role arose partly from reforms after 9/11 . Ex-DNI and ex-CIA director both cite tensions between the organizations . Panetta was pressed on who 's in charge at his confirmation hearing . | [[839, 958], [901, 958], [1338, 1444], [2378, 2471]] |
NEW DELHI -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Suraj Suroj uses his motorcycle for all of his family 's transportation needs . In his case , that means transporting himself , his wife and his two sons to and from work and school . Typically , all four of them squeeze onto the motorbike together on the crowded streets of Delhi , India . Suraj Suroj and his two sons weave through the streets of Delhi on his motorcycle . `` We need more space , '' Suroj says with one of his sons sitting in front of him and the other clinging to his back . `` We can only travel about 20 kilometers or 25 kilometers , after that we get tired traveling on the scooter . '' Never mind the fact that it 's a very dangerous way to travel . The traffic is chaotic , constant , and congested and neither of Suroj 's sons have helmets . Millions of people travel this way in India because helmet laws are not enforced and a two wheeler is the best they can afford . Not any more . Monday , Tata Motors finally released what has become known as the `` world 's cheapest car . '' With the basic model going for about $ 2,000 , the Tata Nano is being touted as an alternative to motorbikes and scooters . In dramatic fashion , three versions of the Nano were driven onto a dark stage with headlights flashing and invited guests clapping in Mumbai , India . Tata Motors says the Nano will be available for purchase on April 9 but wo n't be delivered to customers until July . Watch as Nano is unveiled '' The vehicle has received international attention since it was first revealed in January 2008 at an Auto Expo in Delhi . Tata promised it at an incredibly low price . As the economy began to falter last year and the cost of materials started to rise , analysts began to doubt whether Tata could pull it off . Chairman of Tata group , Ratan Tata , answered those critics at the launch . `` We made a promise and we 've kept the promise . We hope this day we will usher in a new form of transport , '' Tata said . But the launch of the Nano is months behind schedule . The company ran into trouble when a land dispute sparked angry protests over the building of the Nano plant in the communist stronghold state of West Bengal . Farmers said the land belonged to them . In the end , Ratan Tata decided to stop operations and move to another state which caused a delay and cost Tata Motors millions . But the Nano has finally arrived . Industry experts say the base model is really basic but looks modern , is surprisingly spacious and handles well . `` I think it will live up to what has been promised but it will not live up to what some people may imagine , '' auto analyst Murad Baig said . `` If some people may imagine that this is going to be a golden chariot , no it wo n't . But it will be an economical , safe , practical , economical to buy , economical to run and a very cute little car , I must say . '' At only three meters long , the Nano fits four adults relatively comfortably . Critics point out that the cheapest version of the vehicle comes without air conditioning , airbags or power windows and it only has one side-view mirror . The Nano 's speeds top out at 105 kilometers -LRB- 65 miles -RRB- per hour . Tata says the Nano , which meets Indian environmental standards , has the lowest emissions among cars in its class . But environmentalists are not cheering its arrival . They are worried the Nano will simply add to the number of vehicles already choking the roads . `` We are not saying no to Nano . We are saying no to all cars , '' said Amanita Roychowdry , a representative of India 's Center for Science and Environment . `` What is happening right now is that already when car numbers are exploding in Indian cities what cheap motorization is going to do is going to give that extra push . And that is what worries us . Anything that increases the number of cars on our roads is a bad news . '' No one knows , however , if the Nano will increase numbers or simply replace other cars in its class . For now , the Nano sounds like a fantastic alternative for those families in India who are trying to navigate crowded streets while crammed together on a motorcycle . `` We will definitely be able travel farther with a Nano , '' motorcycle driver Suraj Suroj said . `` Why not ? We will be able travel comfortably . There will also be more safety . '' | Tata Motors to begin delivery of the Nano in July . Industry experts say motor is surprisingly good , environmentalists disagree . Car is billed as the world 's cheapest , costing $ 2,000 . | [[1319, 1431], [1314, 1325], [1386, 1431], [3307, 3355], [941, 947], [950, 1034], [1043, 1082], [1581, 1626]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A former mayor of a city in southeast Wisconsin pleaded innocent Tuesday to charges of child pornography , solicitation of a minor and related counts , a prosecutor said . Gary Becker , former mayor of Racine , Wisconsin , is charged with soliciting someone he believed was a girl . Former Racine Mayor Gary Becker , who was arraigned Tuesday , could face a sentence of up to 164 years if convicted on all counts , District Attorney Michael Nieskes told CNN . He was still in office when he was arrested last month at a shopping mall in Brookfield , Wisconsin . He allegedly tried to meet with a person he thought was a 14-year-old girl after chatting with that person online , said Bill Kosh , a spokesman for the Wisconsin attorney general 's office . An officer posed online as the underage girl , according to authorities . Becker 's attorney did not immediately return calls for comment . Authorities first launched an investigation after Becker brought his personal computer into the mayor 's office for repair . The computer technician hired by his office discovered six pornographic images of girls `` possibly under the age of 18 years , '' according to Wisconsin criminal complaint . The technician reported his findings to local law enforcement officers , and they turned the case over to the state 's child Internet crimes task force . Members of the task force swapped out the computer 's hard drive so they could investigate without alerting Becker , Nieskes said . Their search uncovered further pornographic images of underage girls and more than 1,800 online chats containing `` sexually explicit comments , '' some of them directed at underage girls , the complaint says . Authorities then set up an online profile for the fictitious 14-year-old girl -- using the name `` Hopeyoulikeme14 '' -- and engaged the mayor in a chat that lasted more than two hours , the complaint says . During the chat , the former mayor agreed to meet the girl at a shopping mall , the document says . Becker , who resigned from office after his arrest , faces six criminal counts : child enticement , possession of child pornography , exposing a child to harmful materials , attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child , use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and misconduct in public office , according to a January statement from the Wisconsin Department of Justice . | NEW : A former mayor of Racine , Wisconsin , arraigned Tuesday . NEW : District attorney : Gary Becker could face 164 years in prison if convicted . Becker is charged with sex crimes , including possession of child porn . Prosecutors say he used online chat to solicit what he thought was underage girl . | [[302, 333], [340, 361], [302, 333], [364, 404], [302, 333], [364, 404], [171, 190], [191, 202], [230, 288], [191, 202], [253, 301], [613, 621], [633, 694], [1655, 1686]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The FBI has hit a dead end in its search for a missing 3-year-old Arkansas boy and is asking the public for help . The FBI is hoping the public can help find 3-year-old Dominick Wesley Arceneaux . Dominick Wesley Arceneaux was last seen by an aunt Tuesday afternoon in the front yard of a mobile home in Chidester , in south-central Arkansas , authorities said . In a missing-person alert , the FBI described Dominick as 3 feet tall , weighing 38 pounds , with brown hair and eyes . Kimberly Brunell , a special agent with the FBI in Little Rock , said authorities have made `` an exhaustive search '' of White Oak Lake , close to where the boy was last seen . National Guardsmen have also done a grid search covering a one-mile radius around the home , she said , and are currently expanding it to a two-mile radius . Investigators also have looked at registered sex offenders in the area , Brunell said . They have also found Dominick 's father , who lives in Baton Rouge , Louisiana . `` We have not ruled anyone out at this point , '' she said . The investigation has included looking at patrons of a bar next to the mobile home where Dominick has lived with his mother since December , she said . `` There is not the normal traffic of just neighbors . '' Brunell said investigators have run down every lead and are looking for new ones , including `` suspicious vehicles , suspicious persons ... anyone who might have a nugget that might lead us on our way to finding out what happened to him . '' Anyone with more information is asked to call an FBI hot line , 1-800-CALL-FBI -LRB- 1-800-225-5324 -RRB- . | Dominick Arceneaux last seen by an aunt Tuesday in Chidester , Arkansas . FBI says it has made an `` exhaustive search '' of nearby White Oak Lake . Investigators looking at sex offenders in area and have found boy 's father . Special agent : `` We have not ruled anyone out at this point '' | [[227, 261], [267, 285], [227, 252], [262, 285], [667, 674], [679, 690], [513, 529], [578, 649], [849, 862], [868, 919], [937, 976], [1018, 1063]] |
SAN FRANCISCO , California -LRB- CNET -RRB- -- The fact that you now can explore the ocean through Google Earth is n't going to make Google much money directly . But the move is nonetheless smart . The new Google Earth 5.0 software allows users to explore the ocean depths from their computers . Google generated early-stage goodwill from being the best answer to the online search problem . But the company is large and getting larger , especially as it shows a better ability to withstand the recession than rivals , and that goodwill wo n't last forever . Google Earth , though , gives the company a new way to bring its brand to the world , notably with students for whom the software will help supplant atlases and encyclopedias . And in the long run , as Google Earth and Maps -- either as standalone software or used through a browser -- will likely become a widely used virtual window on the real world . Google will control the technology and commercialization of that portal . Will the visibility of the ocean depths on Google Earth make money directly ? Not likely . But it adds incrementally to the overall utility of the software , which in the long run keeps it relevant . `` The near-term opportunity is in local search , '' for example people looking for restaurants or hotels , said John Hanke , director of Google Earth and Maps , in an interview . Google has begun experimenting with advertisements on Google Maps and Google Earth , added Peter Birch , product manager of Google Earth , at the launch event . Since people often need to discover information about a place before going there , Google Earth and Maps could prove a lucrative endeavor . It may take years to get there , and it 'll cost Google dearly in server hardware and network bandwidth , but Google has shown patience in subsidizing long-term projects . Though Hanke would n't reveal the expense of Google 's geographic services , some of the economics are in the company 's favor . Just as Google 's search engine takes advantage of innumerable information that others put on the Internet , Google Earth is a platform that houses information supplied by outsiders that Google does n't have to pay . It 's the Internet 's user-generated content story , but this time it 's data that can be overlaid on a map of the Earth . And in the case of the ocean work , there are prestigious users generating high-quality content . Many ocean researchers gathered at the Google Earth 5.0 launch , and several showed there 's pent-up demand for a way to conveniently display their data somewhere . And it 's not just to share sea surface temperature data with fellow Ph.D. s , but also to try to educate the public . Ken Peterson , communications director for the Monterey Bay Aquarium , was excited about his layer in Google Earth that shows the location of various types of fish -- along with ratings for people about whether they should eat those varieties or substitute others . Barbara Block of Stanford University and Patrick Halpin of Duke University were eager to show the tracks of shark travels recorded by radio transmission to satellites . Ross Swick of the University of Colorado-Boulder showed a Google Earth animation of the gradually shrinking Arctic ice cap over the last 29 years . And Philip Renaud of the Living Oceans Foundation has supplied underwater video of the Red Sea as part of the foundation 's mission to chronicle the state of coral reefs . Hanke envisions much broader information , though , including consumer-oriented material such as the best dive spots and kite-surfing areas . Ultimately , he wants `` every single location '' on Earth , land or sea , to have information . `` We 're trying to encourage our users to annotate all the places in the world . Part of what we 're doing is seeding that ecosystem of spatial information , '' Hanke said . `` That creates an opportunity for Google to provide location services on phones , mobile devices , in cars in the future , to guide people to the best places . Being a valued guide , the go-to source of information about the best places to go -- that will be a powerful and valuable thing for Google . '' Think of it as a second Internet in a way , only instead of using abstract names to locate information , you can use actual locations to locate information . Some refer to the idea as the `` geographic Web . '' The clearest illustration of the indirect benefits Google Earth can bring is the fact that the company could persuade former Vice President Al Gore , whose climate change documentary won him an Oscar and a Nobel Peace Prize , to bear the Google Earth standard . In effect , he provided an eco-halo that can offset the more down-to-earth capitalistic realities of Google 's operation . Google seems to share the altruistic , educational motivations of many researchers . But it 's also got business in mind with Google Earth . `` We try to create products people love to use , '' Birch said . `` We create value , then think of appropriate ways of monetization . '' © 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. . All rights reserved . CNET , CNET.com and the CNET logo are registered trademarks of CBS Interactive Inc. . Used by permission . | Imaging the ocean depths via the new Google Earth 5.0 is a smart move for Google . It adds to the overall utility of the software , which in the long run keeps it relevant . Ocean researchers attended Google 's launch and are eager to display their data . Eventually , Google wants to provide data on `` every single location '' on Earth . | [[61, 64], [69, 111], [198, 295], [1082, 1142], [1130, 1142], [1167, 1186], [2407, 2469], [2957, 3070], [3588, 3598], [3601, 3684]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The controversial pitch at the new Wembley stadium is to be dug up immediately . Wembley 's pitch has come in for plenty of criticism since the stadium weas reopened in 2007 . Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger branded the surface ' a disaster ' after the FA Cup semifinal defeat by Chelsea last Saturday , while Sir Alex Ferguson called it ` dead ' in the aftermath of Manchester United 's penalty shoot-out defeat to Everton 24 hours later . In the wake of such criticism , stadium officials decided to launch a thorough review of the pitch and have concluded the rye grass surface should be replaced with immediate effect . The new pitch will be a different composition to the current one , which it is hoped will be better suited to the stadium design . Although the FA had confirmed there would be a new ` sand-soil ' pitch installed , it was not anticipated the work would be done until after next month 's FA Cup final . There have been problems with the new stadium 's pitch since it first opened just over two years ago . Due to the number of non-footballing events , including pop concerts , which are required at Wembley to make the rebuilding project viable , it was felt the rye-grass option was more likely to withstand the extra punishment . However , it has proved not to be the case , with Wenger claiming the surface is worse than at any of the 20 Premier League grounds . `` When you build a new stadium , the first priority is that the pitch is good , '' said Wenger on Tuesday . `` If that 's not right the whole stadium is bad . `` Before everybody wanted to play at Wembley because the pitch was so special . Now , nobody wants to play at Wembley . '' Although the FA acknowledge they will still need to change the pitch at regular intervals , the organisation is optimistic the work should at least allow Wembley to restore its previous reputation for a surface of the highest standard . A statement read : `` Wembley Stadium is a multi-purpose venue and needs to be able to offer both a quality playing surface and a quality calendar of events . `` The pitch has always been and will continue to be at the heart of the stadium and of the business . '' | The controversial pitch at the new Wembley stadium to be dug up immediately . Pitch has received widespread criticism since the stadium reopened in 2007 . The number of non-footballing events at the stadium has taken toll on surface . | [[0, 15], [70, 99], [100, 175], [100, 175], [159, 194], [942, 1011]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In his final public address from the White House , a reflective President Bush on Thursday recalled the ups and downs of his eight-year tenure and said he was willing to make the tough decisions . President Bush touts what he considers his foreign policy achievements Thursday at the State Department . `` I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right . You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made . But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions . '' Bush , who as president has become known for adamantly sticking to positions even when they 've come under criticism , acknowledged setbacks and said he would have done some things differently . `` Like all who have held this office before me , I have experienced setbacks , '' Bush said . `` There are things I would do differently if given the chance . Yet I have always acted with the best interests of our country in mind . Watch Bush 's final address '' Bush also said he is `` filled with gratitude , '' and characterized Obama 's inauguration as a `` moment of hope and pride for our whole nation . '' Bush predicted a bright future . `` We have faced danger and trial and there is more ahead , '' Bush said . `` But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals , this great nation will never tire , never falter and never fail . '' Recalling the defining moment of his presidency , Bush said the September 11 , 2001 , attacks forever altered the way he approached his job . `` As the years passed , most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11 , '' Bush said . `` But I never did . '' iReport.com : Share your thoughts on Bush 's farewell . `` Every morning , I received a briefing on the threats to our nation . And I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe , '' he said . He cited the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and changes in the military and intelligence communities as part of the reason the United States has not seen another significant terrorist attack since 2001 . `` There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions , '' he said , an allusion that could refer to constitutional challenges to the administration-backed U.S. Patriot Act , controversy over the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo , Cuba , and the decision to invade Iraq before Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda had been vanquished in Afghanistan . View iconic moments in Bush 's presidency '' `` But there can be little debate about the results -- America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil . '' He warned that America 's `` enemies are patient , and determined to strike again '' and urged against isolationism and protectionism in the face of economic and other challenges from abroad . Watch Bush 's exit interview with King '' As he exits the world stage , Bush 's approval rating , battered by a tanking economy and an unpopular , lingering war in Iraq , hovers just above all-time lows . A USA Today/Gallup poll released Wednesday indicates that , even with a 5-point `` lame duck bounce '' from last month , only 34 percent of Americans approve of the job he 's doing as president . View key moments in Bush 's presidency '' The roughly 13-minute address was delivered in front of about 40 people `` with stories to tell '' invited by the White House . Bush mentioned several -- from the principal who opened a New Orleans , Louisiana , charter school in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to a Marine sergeant decorated for charging into an ambush to rescue three of his comrades . The presidential farewell address is a tradition dating to George Washington 's departure from office in 1797 . Presidents Eisenhower , Reagan , Carter and Clinton -- among others -- all delivered farewell speeches . | Bush says he has always acted with country 's `` best interests '' in mind . `` There are things I would do differently if given the chance , '' Bush says . President Bush delivers speech before invited audience in White House East Room . Tradition of farewell presidential address dates to George Washington . | [[892, 909], [916, 964], [892, 964], [624, 628], [682, 731], [812, 826], [827, 891], [840, 869], [1239, 1253], [1636, 1650], [3626, 3737], [3663, 3737]] |
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