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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It 's been nine years since Kim and Curtis Christiansen were married . Since then they 've had their ups and downs , but they 've remained close . But when Curtis began snoring about three years ago , Kim began sleeping on the couch . After his snoring drove his wife , Kim , to sleep on the couch , Curtis Christiansen saw a sleep specialist . `` His snoring was so loud . At first I would just elbow him to wake him up , '' she said , `` But then I became concerned . He would just -LRB- she gasps for breath -RRB- . It would take his breath away . '' At first Curtis Christiansen figured he was tired , a little run down from his job . He thought the snoring was just a symptom of his exhaustion . But when he started nodding off while waiting at a traffic light , he knew something was wrong . `` I became more aware of this choking and waking-up feeling , '' he said . Kim Christiansen finally persuaded her husband to go to a sleep specialist . The diagnosis : obstructive sleep apnea . According to the National Sleep Foundation , more than 18 million American adults have sleep apnea , and many of them do n't know it . Some people think their snoring is just a side effect of a busy lifestyle . Watch more on the difference between sleep apnea and snoring '' In some cases , that 's true . But the foundation says it 's trying to get more people to realize how important it is to know the difference between occasional snoring and apnea . Studies have shown that sleep apnea has some serious side effects . A disorder in which breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep , apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open , despite efforts to breathe . That can cause broken sleep patterns and low blood oxygen levels . Doctors say these side effects can lead to hypertension , heart disease , and mood and memory problems . In a recent study at the University of Maryland Medical Center , researchers found that sleep apnea can cause a rise in depression and that sleep-related breathing disorders can also worsen nightmares and post-traumatic stress disorder . And because sufferers are usually sleepy during the day , apnea can increase the risk of automobile crashes . There 's no question it can be life-threatening , doctors say . So how do you know whether your snoring is something more serious ? When snoring starts to affect your daily habits , you should see a doctor , said Dr. Thomas LoRusso , director of the Northern Virginia Sleep Diagnostic Centers . `` A bed partner may notice that the patient stops breathing and snores loudly , '' LoRusso said . `` And the daytime symptoms are sleepiness , poor concentration , problems waking up in the morning . '' LoRusso says a good way to check your sleep habits is to note your levels of fatigue during the day and jot down other symptoms you might be having . And if you have a bed partner , ask whether he or she has noticed any `` choking or gasping while you snore , '' he said . `` The person you sleep with , many times , knows your snoring better than you . '' Specific lifestyle changes can help you avoid sleep apnea , the sleep foundation said . LoRusso agrees . `` Cut out the alcohol , '' he said . `` It can make the upper airway muscles to relax . '' And watch your weight . Losing pounds can `` cure '' sleep apnea , especially for overweight people , LoRusso said . If you smoke , try to quit , he said . Smoking creates swelling in the upper airway , making apnea worse . These seemingly small changes can have dramatic results . `` In some cases , changing these factors can eliminate sleep apnea from some patients , '' LoRusso said . For Curtis Christiansen , it was n't that easy . Not only was he thin and a non-smoker , he suffered from high blood pressure and high cholesterol and , because of a previous health issue , had only one kidney . He needed help immediately . His doctor recommended a device called a CPAP , or continuous positive airway pressure device . It 's a mask or nose piece that blows air into the airway to keep it open while a patient sleeps . Although surgery is an option for those who have problems even with the CPAP , Christiansen was n't one of them . Since his diagnosis , Christiansen has gotten his blood pressure under control . When he started wearing the CPAP , he confesses , he 'd leave it behind when he went out of town . `` But I found I was n't getting a good night 's sleep , so now I take the CPAP along , '' he said with a smile , `` and I have a restful vacation with my wife . '' | In sleep apnea , breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted . More than 18 million U.S. adults have sleep apnea ; many do n't know it . Potential side effects : hypertension , heart disease and mood , memory problems . Cutting out alcohol , losing weight , quitting smoking can help . | [[1535, 1545], [1555, 1575], [1535, 1548], [1580, 1615], [1057, 1110], [1117, 1146], [1801, 1905], [1809, 1905], [3216, 3237], [3307, 3330], [3331, 3350]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court says he has evidence to prove Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is guilty of genocide , even though he is not charged with the crime . Omar al-Bashir remains president and has traveled to several countries since warrant was issued . Luis Moreno-Ocampo spoke to CNN on Wednesday , two days after he appealed to the court to add genocide to the existing arrest warrant for al-Bashir . The court issued the warrant in March on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity relating to his five-year campaign of violence in western Sudan 's Darfur region . `` The evidence shows it is genocide , '' Moreno-Ocampo said . The warrant was the first one ever issued for a sitting head of state by the world 's only permanent war crimes tribunal , based at The Hague in the Netherlands . It includes five counts of crimes against humanity , including murder , extermination , forcible transfer , torture and rape . It also includes two charges of war crimes for intentionally directing attacks against civilians and for pillaging . Al-Bashir remains president and has traveled to several countries since the warrant was issued , even though any country that is party to the ICC has an obligation to hand him over to The Hague , the court says . The United Nations estimates that 300,000 people have been killed in the conflict in Darfur , and 2.5 million have been forced to flee their homes . Sudan denies the death toll is that high . The violence in Darfur erupted in 2003 after rebels began an uprising against the Sudanese government . To counter the rebels , Sudanese authorities armed and cooperated with Arab militias that went from village to village in Darfur , killing , torturing and raping residents there , according to the United Nations , Western governments and human rights organizations . The militias targeted civilian members of tribes from which the rebels drew strength . In his appeal to the court Monday , Moreno-Ocampo complained that the judges ' standard for adding the genocide charge to the warrant is too high . The judges want him to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that al-Bashir committed genocide , but that level of proof is not required for a warrant , which only requires a reasonable inference of guilt , he said . `` They are requesting a level of evidence that is the level of evidence required at the trial stage , not at the beginning of the process , '' Moreno-Ocampo said . Part of the reason that prosecutors can not provide more evidence at this stage is because al-Bashir is attacking witnesses who are willing to provide information to prosecutors , Moreno-Ocampo said . Presenting more evidence could endanger the victims , he said . `` It 's a legal issue , '' he said . `` The judgment by itself is very important , but in addition I can not accept this wrong legal standard . '' The judges believe the crimes that Moreno-Ocampo classifies as genocide instead fall under the category of crimes against humanity , he said . Even if Moreno-Ocampo were successful in adding genocide to the warrant , he would still face a difficult task in proving the charges at trial , said Mark Ellis , the executive director of the International Bar Association . `` Genocide is a much more complicated legal position to meet -LRB- than war crimes and crimes against humanity -RRB- because you have to show in proving genocide that there was an intent to destroy , in whole or in part , a group based on -- in this case -- ethnicity or race , '' Ellis told CNN . `` Obviously the prosecutor believes he would be able to prove this intent and so he wants the opportunity to prove that in trial . '' But if Moreno-Ocampo loses the appeal , Ellis said , it would not minimize the seriousness of the case . `` The charges that have been -LRB- alleged -RRB- on war crimes and crimes against humanity are still very serious charges and they are egregious acts , '' he said . A ruling on the appeal is likely within six months , Moreno-Ocampo told CNN . | Luis Moreno-Ocampo calls for genocide to be added to al-Bashir 's charges . Sudan leader already charged with war crimes , crimes against humanity . Relates to five-year campaign of violence in western Sudan 's Darfur region . U.N. estimates 300,000 people have been killed in the conflict . | [[371, 458], [459, 549], [986, 988], [994, 1102], [3811, 3824], [3830, 3901], [541, 632], [1316, 1464], [1345, 1407]] |
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The first official indication that a family service for Michael Jackson will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery came from a Los Angeles police official Sunday . A memorial poster for Michael Jackson is displayed outside Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday . Forest Lawn officials were working with the Jackson family on their plans , which were part of `` a package '' of events Tuesday , said Jim McDonnell , assistant chief of staff of the Los Angeles Police Department . His comments , however , did not answer questions about where or when Jackson would be buried . While there are five Forest Lawn cemeteries in the Los Angeles area , a long line of media trucks and crews have been parked at the gate of the Hollywood Hills facility for several days in anticipation of Jackson 's possible interment there . The family of the singer , who died June 25 , has given no public statement on the planning . However , brother Jermaine Jackson told CNN on Thursday that a private service would be held Tuesday morning . A public memorial for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles is set to start at 10 a.m. PT Tuesday . McDonnell said police do not expect a Jackson motorcade to take place on Tuesday . An official with AEG Live , the concert promoter handling the public memorial plans , said there would be no funeral processional . About 1.6 million fans registered for a chance at fewer than 9,000 pairs of tickets to the memorial service , organizers said . Registration ended at 6 p.m. Saturday . The 8,750 registrants picked in a random drawing were to receive an e-mail Sunday after 11 a.m. PT , AEG Live said . Tickets will be handed to the winning registrants Monday outside the Staples Center , said Tim Leiweke , president of AEG Live . Ticketholders will also have wristbands to match their tickets , a precaution against people `` trying to take advantage '' of the system , he said . | L.A. police : Cemetery officials working with singer 's family for private service . When , where Michael Jackson will be buried are still not publicly known . One of Jackson 's brothers has said private service will be held Tuesday . Public memorial to be held at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday . | [[74, 152], [519, 531], [544, 614], [962, 1062], [1063, 1177], [1063, 1137], [1145, 1177]] |
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Michael Jackson 's dermatologist did not rule out that he may be the biological father of Jackson 's children , and Dr. Arnold Klein denied that he ever gave Jackson dangerous drugs . When asked if he were the father of Jackson 's oldest children , Klein said `` not to the best of my knowledge . '' Klein , in an interview Wednesday on ABC 's `` Good Morning America , '' denied that he was on the list of doctors being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department . When he saw that someone gave Jackson a dangerous drug , he was the one `` who limited everything , who stopped everything , '' Klein said . Jackson danced around Klein 's Beverly Hills office just three days before his death and was `` not in terrible pain , '' Klein said . Debbie Rowe , who was briefly married to Jackson and gave birth to his two oldest children , worked for 23 years in Klein 's office , he said . The doctor refused to say whether he thought Rowe should get custody of them instead of Jackson 's mother , Katherine Jackson . Photos : Stars come out for memorial '' `` I ca n't make those answers , because ` should have ' and ` will ' are two different things , '' he said . Klein was scheduled to talk to CNN 's Larry King about Michael Jackson on Wednesday night . Klein 's response when Diane Sawyer asked whether he was the biological father of Jackson 's children left open the possibility that he was . Watch why Paris Jackson 's comments were a surprise '' `` Not to the best of my knowledge , '' Klein said . `` All I can tell you is , best of my knowledge , I am not the father of these children . But I am telling you , if push comes to shove , I ca n't say anything about . '' Klein said he `` ca n't answer it in any other way , because , you know what , I do n't want to feed any of this insanity that is going around . '' Katherine Jackson was given temporary guardianship of the children by a judge several days after her son 's death . Rowe was considering whether she will seek custody or visitation of the two born to her , her lawyer said last week . The Los Angeles County coroner is waiting for toxicology test results -- not due for at least another week -- before determining what killed Jackson last month . The death certificate listed the cause of death as `` deferred . '' Watch the latest details in the Jackson probe '' Sources said Tuesday that when Jackson collapsed , his arms were riddled with marks , and their veins had collapsed , both characteristics found in intravenous drug users . The revelations add to the growing speculation that prescription drugs played a part in Jackson 's death . Klein said that when Jackson came to his office the week of his death , there were no indications anything was wrong : no `` problems of slurred speech , shorten movement or anything . '' Watch Klein deny he is the father of Michael Jackson 's children '' `` I saw nothing at that point that would make me worry whatsoever , '' he said . `` But I was always concerned about him , because I was always worried about other doctors . '' He said `` the problem with Michael '' was that because he was rich , `` no matter what he wanted , someone would give it to him . '' Klein said he once convinced Jackson not to take Dilaudid , a drug he said was `` 10 times stronger than morphine . '' `` I said , ` You ca n't take that . It 's poison . Throw that in the trash , ' '' he said . `` And I got him to throw it in the toilet . But I ca n't be there every minute . '' Klein said that LAPD investigators have not contacted him and that he is `` not one of the doctors '' being questioned about Jackson 's drug use . `` I have given him medication , yes , '' he said . `` He could take all the medication I have given him in a year , and nothing would happen to him . '' Klein said he has `` sedated him in the past , '' when he `` put him through very painful procedures . `` There was nothing wrong with the manner I treated Michael , because what I had to do is restructure for an individual who had lupus , who had terrible acne scarring his face , '' he said . | Dr. Arnold Klein says singer seemed in good shape . Is Klein father of two oldest Jackson children ? `` Not to the best of my knowledge '' Klein will appear on `` Larry King Live '' on Wednesday night . | [[228, 290], [293, 340], [1330, 1408], [1560, 1604], [2857, 2921], [1215, 1306], [1215, 1220], [1235, 1306]] |
JAKARTA , Indonesia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held a commanding lead in national elections Wednesday , according to the latest exit polls . A woman votes at a polling station in Indonesia . An average of six exit polls showed the incumbent holding about 60 percent of the vote compared to 27 percent for former President Megawati Sukarnoputri and 12 percent for Yudhoyono 's vice president , Yusuf Kalla . Official results are expected no sooner than next week . Indonesia has 175 million registered voters spread over 17,000 islands . It was the country 's second direct election since the authoritarian regime of dictator Suharto fell in 1998 , in the wake of the Asian financial crisis . Analysts and polls , ahead of the vote , predicted Yudhoyono -- riding high on the country 's economic strength -- would win a second term . Watch as incumbent expected to win election '' In 2004 , Yudhoyono defeated then-incumbent Megawati in a runoff election . Watch more on the election '' Yudhoyono `` has positive global image ; relations with the American government have been the best in all the time that I have been here , the last 30 years , '' said James Castle , who analyzes Indonesia 's politics and economy . `` He 's very popular in the foreign community and , to be honest , if he 's not re-elected , the markets will react negatively for a month or so . '' Yudhoyono 's Democratic Party was the only single party to get enough votes in April 's legislative elections to nominate a candidate on its own . Kalla 's Golkar Party came in second and Megawati 's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle , or PDI-P , placed third . Kalla and Megawati had to form coalitions with other parties to run for president . Kalla had hoped voters would give him some of the credit for Indonesia 's economic successes which occurred under his term as vice president . Kalla and Megawati had to form coalitions with other parties to run for president . See a photo slideshow of Indonesians talking about who they will vote for '' Yudhoyono is known as `` Mr. Clean '' because of his anti-corruption efforts . He has gained popularity for his handling of the 2004 tsunami recovery and the country 's battle against terrorism . Indonesia has had impressive economic growth over the past five years , though how much direct credit Yudhoyono can take for that is questionable . And despite Indonesia posting an average of 5.9 percent annual growth during his presidency , little of that has trickled down to the country 's poor . Yudhoyono 's opponents say he is too liberal , is too skewed toward the west , and does n't pay enough attention to the 40 million Indonesians living below the poverty line . Still , the country is exhibiting surprising resilience in the face of the global economic downturn . Growth topped 6 percent last year , and Indonesia was the fastest-growing economy in southeast Asia in the first quarter of this year . `` All off a sudden , everybody is contracting except for Indonesia , '' Castle said . `` We 've had more visiting regional heads and so on in the last six months than we had in the last six years . '' | NEW : Polls close ; Official results expected no sooner than next week . Three familiar faces competed : current president , his deputy and an ex-president . Analysts and polls have Yudhoyono -LRB- known as SBY -RRB- tipped to win a second term . SBY is riding high on the country 's economic strength . | [[445, 501], [730, 748], [771, 790], [833, 870], [871, 917], [781, 790], [794, 841], [2258, 2327]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- After huffing and puffing up 354 steps to the newly reopened Lady Liberty crown , Aaron Weisinger figured it was time to pop the question to his girlfriend , Erica Breder . Aaron Weisinger proposes to Erica Breder on July Fourth inside the crown of the Statue of Liberty . `` The Fourth of July has always been a favorite holiday , so that was part of it , '' Weisinger said . The couple flew to New York from San Francisco , California , after managing to be among the first 240 people to snag the tickets to the Statue of Liberty crown for its reopening after September 11 , 2001 . Weisinger got down on one knee inside the narrow , 8-foot-long deck inside the Statue of Liberty 's crown , asked Breder to be his wife and offered her a sizeable diamond ring . `` I believe I was silent for several minutes . I was so excited , '' Breder said . Then she said `` yes . '' Both said their families came to the United States via Ellis Island . `` My great-grandparents immigrated -LSB- from Russia and Hungary -RSB- , '' Weisinger said . His fiance 's relatives arrived from Hungary . `` The thoughts behind the statue and freedom and liberty allowed our parents and great-grandparents before us to have the wonderful lives that we do , '' Weisinger added . Breder said she was thrilled to make the long climb up a steep spiral staircase to stand inside Lady Liberty 's crown . `` It was fantastic , much smaller than we had anticipated . The view 's fantastic , '' the newly engaged Breder said . New safety measures include double handrails , glass stairwell partitions and careful crowd control , according to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar . Now , only three groups of 10 visitors per hour are guided up to the crown by a National Park Service ranger . That means only about 87,000 will be able to visit each year . In the past , it took visitors at least an hour and a half to climb from the base to the crown . Now , it takes only about 15 to 20 minutes . A new engineering study showed that there had to be changes to make it easier to exit the crowded staircase . Crown tickets can now be reserved online up to a year in advance , but the statue will close again in two years for additional renovations . | Aaron Weisinger proposed to Erica Breder on July 4 inside the Statue of Liberty . Couple among first people to see statue 's crown since reopening after 9/11 . `` I believe I was silent for several minutes . I was so excited , '' Breder said . New safety measures include double handrails , stairwell partitions , crowd control . | [[201, 256], [612, 621], [720, 747], [793, 837], [838, 854], [1524, 1623], [1571, 1623], [1626, 1671]] |
BOSTON , Massachusetts -LRB- CNN/In Session -RRB- -- She earned $ 1 million a year as a high-powered financial executive , yet she told a jury she woke up hungry in a cold house because her husband controlled everything . Sandra Boss testifies about the 12 years she spent with a man she thought was one of the Rockefellers . She said it took years to leave the man who told her he was a member of the moneyed Rockefeller clan because she did n't know the online passwords to their bank accounts . Being the breadwinner offered her no status in her marriage , Sandra Lynn Boss , 42 , testified Tuesday at her former husband 's kidnapping trial . `` You mistakenly confuse money and power . Money and power are not the same thing in a relationship , '' she explained under cross-examination by her former husband 's defense attorney , Jeffrey Denner , who at times seemed stunned by her answers . The lawyer asked Boss why she did n't assert herself given that she was a `` dynamic , intelligent woman '' who financially supported the family . She responded , `` I did assert myself but the abuse was pretty rough . There was a lot of anger and yelling . '' Watch how she felt powerless to leave '' She said she believed the fanciful stories her husband wove around his image as Clark Rockefeller and never saw any sign of mental illness . Denner asked how a successful businesswoman who was educated at Stanford and Harvard universities could fall for an impostor who called himself Clark Rockefeller . `` There 's a big difference between intellectual intelligence and emotional intelligence , '' Boss explained . `` I 'm not saying I made a very good choice of a husband . It 's obvious I had a pretty big blind spot . '' Rockefeller , whose real name is Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter , is accused of kidnapping their daughter , Reigh , for six days in July and taking the child to Baltimore , Maryland , where he 'd bought a townhouse near the harbor . His trial began last week in Boston , Massachusetts . In her second day on the stand , Boss described the decline of a 12-year marriage that began with a whirlwind summer romance before her second year at Harvard business school . By the time her marriage ended , she said , `` My personal life was scary . '' She repeatedly referred to her 48-year-old ex-husband as `` the defendant . '' Defense attorney Denner referred to his client as `` Clark '' during questioning . Boss , who now lives in London , England , with Reigh , 8 , publicly told her story for the first time on the witness stand . She has been excoriated in the media . One New York writer called her a `` ding-bat doormat '' who married a `` Crockefeller . '' It 's more complicated than that , Boss explained under cross-examination . `` He told compelling stories . It seems stupid in hindsight , and it really was , but that is how it was . ... I lived with a person who told me a set of internally consistent things . '' And so , she never questioned why he never seemed to make any money , possess a driver 's license , or bring any family around . She had no doubt he had a billion-dollar art collection , even if she was annoyed he would refuse to sell off a piece or two when money got tight . She was questioned at length about one particularly bizarre story he told . He said a fall down some stairs left him mute as a child -- until he saw a dog and spontaneously uttered `` woofness '' at age 10 . She did acknowledge on the stand that she considered `` woofness '' to be a `` stupid word . '' And , she said she did n't question him when he told her that asking people to pay him for work he did was beneath the dignity of a Rockefeller . She initiated divorce proceedings after hiring a private investigator in 2006 , who determined that her husband definitely was not who he said he was . He agreed to part , surrendering custody of their daughter for $ 800,000 , two cars , her engagement ring and a dress he had given her . On July 27 , during an agreed-upon custodial visit , he allegedly abducted Reigh . `` I was completely traumatized , '' Boss said . `` I was hysterical . '' Denner questioned Boss at length about his client 's mental state during their marriage . She said he told her in 1999 that he thought he was having a nervous breakdown folowing the Asian market collapse . They moved from New York as a result . But , despite the defense attorney 's prodding , Boss would not characterize her former husband as delusional . `` The defendant was often very unpleasant -- lack of empathy , anger , control issues , absolutely . I 'm not a psychologist , but he was hard to live with ... I saw behavior that made me think that he was n't at all well , yes , '' she testified . Again , Denner suggested that her situation did not make sense , pointing out , `` You are a consultant with one of the most prestigious companies . '' Boss replied : `` I come from a place where you do n't even jaywalk . It never occurred to me that I was living with someone who was lying to me . '' She added , `` He was lying to a lot of people . '' She was followed to the stand by FBI experts and another former wife . The defense case could begin Wednesday . | Ex-wife says she had trouble leaving Rockefeller impostor . Sandra Boss says he was controlling , abusive . She says she did n't consider him mentally ill . Impostor is accused of kidnapping his daughter in July . | [[326, 365], [186, 221], [4479, 4580], [4416, 4478], [1724, 1735], [1772, 1828], [3965, 3975], [3978, 4015], [4018, 4047]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The White House unveiled a strategy to combat rising drug crimes along the border Friday , vowing to curb the flow of narcotics and weapons that has been endangering more and more U.S. communities . Pedestrians cross the U.S.-Mexico border at the San Ysidro gate in San Diego , California . `` The National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy we introduce today provides an effective way forward that will crack down on cartels and make our country safer , '' Attorney General Eric Holder vowed in Albuquerque , New Mexico . Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the plan `` calls for tougher inspections , more enforcement personnel and close coordination with our partners in Mexico as we work across federal , state and local governments . ... Together , we will continue to reduce the flow of illegal drugs across the Southwest border and ensure that those who ignore our laws are prosecuted . '' The plan did not appear to contain any surprises . It focuses largely on increased intelligence , cooperation among law enforcement agencies and enhanced technology . A summary released by the White House also promises `` targeted financial sanctions to disable drug trafficking organizations . '' Rising drug violence in the United States is one of the administration 's top domestic concerns . Among the worst-hit cities in recent years is Phoenix , Arizona , where there 's been an average of more than one reported kidnapping every day since 2007 , virtually all linked to the drug trade . Home invasions have spiked as well . As drug cartels have extended their reach in the United States , the violence has also been on the rise on the other side of the border . More than 40 people , including two police officers , have been killed in shootings in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez since last weekend , authorities there said . Gil Kerlikowske , President Obama 's director of national drug control policy , will oversee the policy announced Friday . `` This new plan , combined with the dedicated efforts of the government of Mexico , creates a unique opportunity to make real headway on the drug threat , '' Kerlikowske said . `` At the same time , we are renewing our commitment to reduce the demand for drugs in the United States , which will support this effort . The National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy will improve the safety of communities on the border and throughout our nation . '' CNN 's Terry Frieden contributed to this report . | Plan involves increased intelligence and enhanced technology . It aims to slow the flow of cash and illegal firearms into Mexico . Rising drug violence is among White House 's top domestic concerns . | [[990, 1105], [990, 992], [1009, 1105], [0, 15], [110, 158], [1237, 1278], [1237, 1334]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A longtime employee and vault manager for a jewelry company in Long Island City , New York , stole millions of dollars worth of gold and gold jewelry from her employer over a six-year span , the Queens district attorney has alleged . Teresa Tambunting , 50 , of Scarsdale , New York , is accused of stealing as much as $ 12 million from Jacmel Jewelry , Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement Wednesday . At an arraignment Wednesday , she did not enter a plea to charges of first-degree grand larceny and first-degree criminal possession of stolen property , the district attorney 's office said . She was released on $ 100,000 bail and will return to court May 19 , the office said . Her attorney , David Kirby , did not return phone calls seeking comment . Tambunting , who worked for Jacmel for 28 years , has returned about $ 7 million worth of gold , but $ 4 million remains missing , according to Brown . `` The defendant is accused of establishing a virtual mining operation in Long Island City which siphoned off millions of dollars ' worth of the precious metal from her employer , '' Brown said . Police say Tambunting -- whose job responsibilities involved monitoring the vault in which fine gold , finished products and raw materials were stored -- confessed that for several months last year , she hid gold in makeshift slits in her purse . An inventory in January revealed that as much as $ 12 million in merchandise was missing , Brown said in the written statement . After an investigation , Tambunting arrived at the jewelry company 's offices wheeling a suitcase containing about 66 pounds of gold , an estimated $ 868,000 , the district attorney 's office said . In February , about 450 pounds of gold was taken from her residence , the office said . Tambunting became vault manager in 1991 , the office said . The dates of the alleged thefts were not immediately clear . The value of the gold returned fluctuates because of the rise and fall of gold prices . However , the charges are based on what Jacmel claims it lost : $ 3 to $ 12 million , according to the Queens district attorney . Jewelry manufacturer owners often find themselves in precarious circumstances when protecting their companies from thievery , said Benjamin Mark , who owned a jewelry manufacturing company in New York for 20 years . `` Unless you have metal detectors where every single employee removes their shoes and belts , you ca n't be certain , '' said Mark , who now operates a one-man business . `` Stealing jewelry is relatively simple . '' Jacmel Jewelry is one of the country 's largest manufacturers and distributors of popular price jewelry , according to its Web site . It employs more than 1,000 people worldwide , according to its president , Jack Rahmey . Rahmey said he is cooperating with authorities . Tambunting faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted . | Vault manager worked for Jacmel Jewelry for 28 years . Authorities say she confessed to hiding gold in her purse . District attorney says she 's returned about $ 7 million in gold . She could get 25 years in prison if convicted . | [[807, 817], [824, 854], [1246, 1293], [1309, 1401], [219, 261], [807, 817], [855, 901], [2863, 2904]] |
MIAMI , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Miami Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks was arrested early Sunday after police said he struck an officer with a slow-moving Freightliner truck , according to a police report . Miami Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks was arrested early Sunday , according to police . Starks , 25 , faces a charge of aggravated battery , according to the report . The arrest took place about 12:20 a.m. in Miami 's South Beach area . Officers said they saw the Freightliner truck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on South Beach 's Ocean Drive with some 13 people inside , including a woman sitting on the lap of Starks , who was driving . The truck 's seating capacity is four occupants , the police report said . It was not clear from the police report whether the Freightliner -- normally part of a tractor-trailer -- was connected to a trailer . In the report , the officer recalled pursuing the truck on foot for about a half-block and pounding on the rear driver 's - side window , but it kept moving . The officer caught up to the truck again , and it stopped after the officer pounded on the window again , the report said . `` I slowly approached the side door and just as I reached it the vehicle accelerated and started moving forward and slightly to the left , '' the unidentified officer writes in the report . `` The vehicle 's path caused the driver 's side of the vehicle to strike me in the chest pushing me back and pinning me against a vehicle stopped in traffic in the northbound lane . '' Meanwhile , a second officer was pounding on the passenger 's - side window , the report said . The truck stopped , and Starks was arrested . A police check showed that the truck 's license plate was not assigned to that vehicle , the report said , and Starks faces a charge for that as well . Starks was released from jail later Sunday , according to a records check . The Miami Herald newspaper reported earlier he was jailed on $ 10,000 bond . Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene told CNN the club was `` only recently made aware of the situation . Since we are in the process of gathering information we have no comment . '' Starks is in his sixth NFL season and his second with the Dolphins . | Miami Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks was arrested early Sunday morning . Police say Starks struck an officer with a slow-moving Freightliner truck . Miami Herald newspaper reports he was jailed on $ 10,000 bond . Starks is in his sixth NFL season and his second with the Dolphins . | [[213, 280], [0, 5], [8, 31], [64, 212], [1894, 1970], [1930, 1970], [2150, 2218]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday held their first face-to-face meeting since each took power , confronting a range of potentially divisive issues . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Obama visit at the White House on Monday . At a pivotal moment in the Middle East peace process , the two leaders met at the White House to discuss , among other things , the endorsement of a two-state Palestinian solution and relations with Iran . The issue of Iran 's nuclear ambitions became an increasingly urgent one in recent months . Netanyahu wants a time limit for negotiations relating to such ambitions , with the threat of military action if no resolution is reached . Obama is seen as unlikely to provide a timetable . Both Israel and the United States believe Iran is seeking nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear energy program ; Tehran denies the accusation . Israeli leaders have pointed to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 's calls for the end of Israel as a Jewish state and argue that quick action is needed . At an Oval Office news conference , Obama again refused to commit to an `` artificial deadline '' for Iranian negotiations . But he also warned that he would not allow such talks to be used as an excuse for delay while Iran develops a nuclear arsenal . Obama said he expects to accelerate such talks after the June Iranian elections . `` I firmly believe it is in Iran 's interest not to develop nuclear weapons , because it would trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East and be profoundly destabilizing in all sorts of ways , '' Obama said . It `` is important ... to be mindful of the fact that we 're not going to have talks forever . We 're not going to create a situation in which the talks become an excuse for inaction while Iran proceeds with developing ... and deploying a nuclear weapon . '' He said the United States is not `` foreclosing a range of steps , including much stronger international sanctions , in assuring that Iran understands that we are serious . '' Netanyahu emphasized that although `` the common goal is peace ... the common threat we face are terrorist threats and organizations that seek to undermine -LSB- that -RSB- peace and threaten both our peoples . '' The prime minister called Iran the biggest threat to peace in the region . `` If Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons , it could give a nuclear umbrella to terrorists , or worse , could actually give -LSB- them -RSB- nuclear weapons . And that would put us all in great peril , '' he said . The divide between the two leaders -- Obama is considered to have a more conciliatory approach to the Arab world than Netanyahu -- was dramatically illustrated shortly before their meeting by Israel 's decision to begin construction at the West Bank outpost of Maskiyot . A number of families evacuated from Gaza are now being resettled in Maskiyot ; several are living in temporary housing . A government spokesman said the construction 's start date and the timing of Netanyahu 's trip are a coincidence . Obama wants such outposts dismantled , along with an immediate freeze on settlement expansion . Netanyahu wants to allow natural growth in Jewish settlements in the West Bank -- for example , allowing children who grow up in a settlement to build a home alongside that of their parents . Obama also supports the idea of a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel . Netanyahu has not endorsed the idea , arguing that Israel needs security guarantees and a clear Palestinian partner for peace talks . `` I want to make it clear that we do n't want to govern the Palestinians . ... -LSB- If -RSB- Israel 's security conditions are met and there 's recognition of Israel 's legitimacy -- its permanent legitimacy -- then I think we can envision an arrangement where Palestinians and Israelis live side by side in dignity , security and in peace , '' Netanyahu said . Pressed on the question of a two-state solution , the prime minister said he thinks `` the terminology will take care of itself if we have the substantive understanding . '' Netanyahu and his Cabinet were sworn in March 31 . A day later , Israel 's new hard-line foreign minister , Avigdor Lieberman , distanced himself from the Annapolis process , the 2007 relaunch of peace talks adopted by his predecessor , Tzipi Livni . The PLO issued a statement after the meeting criticizing Netanyahu for failing to more explicitly endorse a two-state solution . Netanyahu `` missed yet another opportunity to show himself to be a genuine partner for peace , '' chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said . `` Calling for negotiations without a clearly defined end-goal offers only the promise of more process , not progress . '' Erakat praised Obama for supporting a freeze on Israeli settlement activity . Despite their differences , Obama and Netanyahu agree on numerous key issues , such as U.S. military and financial support for Israel . Obama highlighted his stance during his presidential campaign . Obama also supports funding for Palestinian entities not controlled by Hamas , which controls Gaza and which the United States labels a terrorist organization . Before making his trip to Washington , Netanyahu met with leaders of Jordan and Egypt , viewed as potential partners in the effort to bring peace to the region . Obama will host Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on May 26 and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on May 28 . He is also scheduled to deliver a long-awaited speech on relations between the United States and the Muslim world in Cairo , Egypt , on June 4 . Some Palestinian leaders have expressed hope that Netanyahu , under pressure from the new U.S. administration , may soon choose to accept the principle of a two-state solution . `` If , in fact , Mr. Netanyahu were to make an unequivocal statement about acceptance of this as a solution concept , then he should immediately be asked to begin , immediately , to implement Israel 's other obligations under the road map , '' said Salam Fayyad , the Palestinian prime minister . The road map , put together by the Mideast Quartet -- composed of the European Union , Russia , the United Nations and the United States -- calls on Israel to stop settlement building and Palestinians to stop terrorism . The plan was introduced in 2003 but immediately stalled . Monday 's meeting between Obama and Netanyahu was largely expected to be a chance for the two sides to discuss their positions rather than iron out differences . Aides on both sides stressed that each leader views the other as a friend in peace efforts . CNN 's Paula Hancocks contributed to this report . | President Obama , Israeli prime minister meet for first time as national leaders . Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu discuss approach to Mideast peace . Leaders also touched on Iran 's nuclear ambitions . Israeli settlements illustrate divide between the two . | [[0, 150], [0, 52], [153, 205], [2602, 2636], [2700, 2729], [2733, 2812]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Generations of standup comedians never saw this coming . John Heffron is one of an increasing number of comedians joining Twitter . To succeed in the industry these days , you do n't just need to be good on stage and screen . You also have to nail the art of sending out mini-messages to Twitter `` followers . '' But if your humor is based on storytelling , persona and , you know , the way you say stuff , how can you get hilarious in 140 characters or less ? For the pros , it 's a challenge and an opportunity . CNN 's Josh Levs spoke with two successful standup comics who are diving into the Twitterverse . John Heffron is a winner of `` Last Comic Standing . '' Craig Shoemaker won the award for funniest comedy routine on XM Satellite Radio . Watch Heffron and Shoemaker mix it up '' And we want to hear from you . Send the funniest tweets you 've ever seen to Levs via Twitter -LRB- @joshlevscnn -RRB- or post them on Facebook . The following is an edited version of the interview . Craig Shoemaker : I 'm on the information super-cul-de-sac . I mean , I 'm not so great at this ; I 'm learning . And I have no friends . I had more friends at my house yesterday for dinner than I have on Twitter . And -LRB- Heffron -RRB- is the king . CNN : How did you build up your fan base , John ? How did you build up this number of followers on Twitter ? John Heffron : I try to be funny ; I try to be entertaining ; I try to do stuff that hopefully gets re-twitted . Is that the word ? Sure . CNN : All right , let 's take a look at some of your popular tweets here . You have a section called the original last tweets . And you have one here : `` Guy who always gets killed on Star Trek . Last tweet : ` Got my uniform . The rest of the landing party wearing a different color . Weird ! ' '' And then my favorite one : `` Married man 's last tweet : ` About to go into the champagne room , wish me luck . ' '' Heffron : Those are the things that end up , people start passing around and then that 's what gets people to go , `` Who is this guy ? '' CNN : And Craig , is this what you 're chasing ? The same idea , those one-liners that get tossed out ? Shoemaker : Yeah , I 'm a storyteller , so it 's not so great for me . I 'm still working on this under-140 characters thing . CNN : I did pull out one of yours that I liked too . You wrote , `` Up late in my Pittsburgh hotel , just read a USA today article about how Twitter is no good for intimacy . No worries . I 'm alone . '' Shoemaker : I do n't know if anybody 's laughing at the jokes . I tweeted that last night . We 'll see how that goes . CNN : Is that part of what 's hard about Twitter ? When you 're doing this , you do n't have that kind of instant feedback . You know , if you 're doing standup somewhere , you 've got the laughter . How do you know ? It 's like doing this in an echo chamber . Shoemaker : It 's the replies . To me , I judge by the replies . Heffron : I 've had zero replies . So apparently , I got to work on my tweeting . The whole thing is , when you write , though , it 's different . It does n't have the nuance or things like that . Like I put something about my ex-wife that I got divorced and `` tonight 's show is a benefit show and all proceeds go to my ex-wife . '' And people are writing back , `` Oh , I feel so sorry for you , '' and I go , `` No , it 's a joke . '' Shoemaker : Yeah . Criss Angel was on my flight , so I tweeted `` Criss Angel is on our flight . We will not have to use fuel . He will use his superpowers to get us home . '' And the replies were , I spelled Criss Angel 's name wrong . It 's like , come on , people ! How am I supposed ? You know , that 's not the point ! CNN : The previous generations never had this problem . No one 's never , until really the last few years , no one 's ever dealt with the opportunities and the challenges that you guys have . Is Twitter the new standup ? Shoemaker : You know , as a comedian , it 's funny now it seems like you have to be funny and be this crazy Internet marketer . How can I let somebody know that I 'm coming into whatever city , and Twitter and Facebook and all those things are the best way to do it . Heffron : I hate to see , though , that we 're on stage at the Punchline in Atlanta actually tweeting the crowd from the stage . I 'm doing my act with my thumbs on my BlackBerry . Hold on for a second ; I have a new joke I 'd like to try on you . Turn on your texts . Want to follow John and Craig ? Heffron is @johnheffron ; Shoemaker is @thelovemaster . | A number of comedians joining Twitter , sending out jokes . John Heffron : I try to be funny and entertaining . Heffron , Craig Shoemaker note that nuances are lost in translation . | [[76, 150], [99, 150]] |
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- If a kewpie doll sang in a band and had two kids , she 'd be Gwen Stefani . Gwen Stefani was ready to get back with No Doubt after two solo albums and an active home life . The pop star and style icon turns 40 this fall , but she still uses words like `` you know '' and `` like '' at least five times a minute . That 's part of Stefani 's charm , and her carefree teenybopper mentality is one of the many reasons fans are excited about her first tour with No Doubt in half a decade . It 's been 14 years since the quartet busted out of Orange County , California , with its signature sound of sunny , ska-influenced pop . In 2004 , No Doubt went on hiatus as Stefani launched the first of two successful solo albums . In the meantime , drummer Adrian Young and guitarist Tom Dumont worked on side projects and watched their families grow . Stefani and her husband -- former Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale -- welcomed two sons , while bassist Tony Kanal is the only member to remain single and child-free . No Doubt is currently in the midst of a 53-date North American tour , for which they 've dusted off such classic hits as `` Just a Girl , '' `` Spiderwebs '' and `` Bathwater . '' Each member now travels in their own individual tour bus -- a must for an entourage that includes kids , toys and nannies . Watch No Doubt in concert , at rest '' CNN : You 'd hear rumors every once in a while that you guys were breaking up , or had broken up . Were those annoying , or did you kind of roll your eyes and say , `` That 's part of the game ? '' Adrian Young : I think we expected it . And there might even be some people that will think that we broke up , and that this is a reunion tour -- and it 's just not the truth . We went 17 straight years without stopping , and we started having families , and we were burnt and we needed to do our own thing for a while . CNN : What was it like to get all four of you together in a room again ? Tom Dumont : It 's kind of like an old glove . It just fits . Young : Like an O.J. glove ? Dumont : No , no , no . I know it 's a weird analogy , but in the sense of -- you know , it fits . Tony Kanal : You know when somebody says `` glove '' now , you immediately think of O.J. Young : `` If it fits , you must acquit . '' That 's our band motto now . Dumont : We 're not going to quit . We 're just great old friends . It 's almost like we 're brothers and sister , and it 's great to be having fun together again . Young : I feel more like we 're married . CNN : I hear it 's a little bit different this time . Instead of sharing a tour bus , you 'll each have your own individual buses . Kanal : This will be our first time on separate buses , only out of necessity . Everyone 's bringing their family . CNN : Are you just trying to get away from the kids , is that what you 're saying , Tony ?! Kanal : No , no , no ! I would love to be on the bus with them . Gwen Stefani : Tony 's going to be making kids on his bus . Kanal : Yeah , maybe my girlfriend and I will be in the process of starting our family . Stefani , Young and CNN -LRB- in unison -RRB- : Really ?! Kanal -LRB- ignoring everybody 's reaction -RRB- : But by default , I 'm putting a studio on my bus . Because I do n't have a crib on my bus -- they have cribs on their buses -- I 'm putting a studio on my bus so we can keep writing if the inspiration comes , and we feel like doing it . Stefani : We 're just putting the studio out there so we can pretend we might go out there and write songs , but we 're really just going to have fun . ... We like writing songs , as well -LSB- but -RSB- I have to tell you , it 's a very tortured process . There is nothing more rewarding when you know you 've written a hit , and you know this magic happened . CNN : Did you guys really go to group therapy ? Kanal : No . ... We had some self-imposed therapy sessions where we were trying to write music , and we were sitting in the room together , and a lot of stuff came out , and you know , it was kind of an emotional venting . We got rid of a lot of stuff . It was good . Stefani : We spent a lot of time together in the last 12 months . Right when I came off tour -LRB- from her second solo album , `` The Sweet Escape '' -RRB- , we started to write , and I was pregnant -LRB- with her second son , Zuma -RRB- , and we did a lot of eating , a lot of chatting -- and then we had this magic 15 minutes from 4:45 to 5 o'clock where music would actually come out for a minute . One day , I was like , `` Argh ! I 'm in this room still ! Let 's go on tour ! '' And everyone was like , `` OK ! '' It was very spontaneous , and it 's all kind of geared towards getting out there ... and getting inspired , and hopefully coming out of the other side and making an album . CNN : Gwen , when you were off doing the two solo albums , did you feel guilty at all ? Because I know you all were trying to get back together for a couple of years . Stefani : I 'm one of those people that I have to follow the inspiration when it strikes . ... These guys are just very supportive . We 've been together forever -- forever , forever -- since we were kids , and this is just the one time in our lives we 've had a break from each other . Everybody did their own thing . And I think all of us doing our own thing makes us even more grateful for each other , and kind of definitely not taking each other for granted -- not that we ever did before . ... But it 's even more intense right now . CNN : Things have changed since the last time No Doubt was on the road , and there a lot of people who do n't have that disposable income to spend on tickets for concerts . Young : One of the things we did for this tour for some of the venues is we have $ 10 lawn tickets for people that maybe want to come to the show , but they 're strapped -- and we 've never done that before as No Doubt , and it feels really good to do that . CNN : I was calling this a reunion . Was that bad ? Stefani : We do n't really care . We 're just so happy that people want to come out and see the show , whatever they want to call it . We 're just happy that people still are even talking about it . ... Even if you did n't really like our songs , or you had this kind of idea about us , come see us live , and we 'll slap you around . You might have some fun , you know . | No Doubt is back together -- but do n't call it a reunion . Band had taken break while having families , Gwen Stefani making solo records . Stefani plans to have fun ; tour is a way of getting recharged . | [[120, 216], [120, 132], [143, 216], [667, 674], [677, 762], [3557, 3595]] |
KABUL , Afghanistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- International troops in Afghanistan endured another deadly attack Tuesday , a day after 10 NATO-led troops were killed in that country . The body of a U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan arrives in the United States on Monday . A U.S. coalition service member `` died as a result of injuries '' on Tuesday afternoon in a roadside bombing attack on a convoy in western Afghanistan , the U.S. military said . This follows 10 NATO-led deaths on Monday , the highest single-day total in Afghanistan in nearly a year , according to NATO and U.S.-led coalition numbers . Seven Americans , two Canadians and one Briton died in four separate incidents Monday . On August 18 , 2008 , 10 French soldiers were killed when about 100 insurgents attacked a patrol in Kabul Province , and a British soldier was killed in southern Afghanistan when insurgents attacked a patrol with a roadside bomb . A month before that , 10 American troops were killed in two separate incidents on July 13 , 2008 . The latest deaths came as U.S. troops cranked up their fight against the Taliban , a push that includes a major Marine-led offensive against the militants in the southern province of Helmand . Roadside bombs Monday killed four Americans in the northern province of Kunduz and two in southern Afghanistan , NATO 's International Security Assistance Force said . A seventh American died in an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan , ISAF confirmed . Two Canadian air crew members and a British soldier were killed when a helicopter crashed during takeoff in Zabul province , the Canadian and British defense ministries said . | U.S. soldier killed in roadside bombing on a convoy in western Afghanistan . Follows deaths of 7 Americans , 2 Canadians , 1 Briton in separate incidents . Latest deaths come as U.S. forces ratchet up fight against Taliban . | [[266, 417], [603, 690], [808, 921], [922, 941], [944, 1020], [1214, 1324], [1382, 1451], [1471, 1593], [1021, 1081], [1047, 1101]] |
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The memorial service for singer Michael Jackson cost the city of Los Angeles $ 1.4 million , the mayor 's office said Wednesday . A donation page on the City of Los Angeles ' Web site has crashed several times since its launch yesterday . Costs included putting extra police on the streets , trash pickup , sanitation , traffic control and more for the Tuesday event , spokeswoman Sarah Hamilton said . Three thousand police officers -- almost one-third of the Los Angeles police force -- were on hand to ensure the Jackson events proceeded smoothly , Los Angeles Assistant Police Chief Jim McDonnell , said Tuesday . The city , which is $ 530 million in debt , set up a Web page asking Jackson fans to donate money to help with the expenses . On Tuesday morning , hundreds of donors contributed more than $ 17,000 through the Web site . But then , the high volume of traffic caused it to crash frequently and for long periods of time , the mayor 's office said . The city , therefore , was unable to collect contributions for several hours on Tuesday . The site also crashed for 12 hours , beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday -- and again , periodically throughout Wednesday morning , the office said . Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich does not want taxpayers to pay a penny for the service , his spokesman said Wednesday . `` The city attorney does not want something like this happening again , the city paying -LSB- the initial costs -RSB- for a private event , '' spokesman John Franklin said . `` That 's especially in a cash-strapped city , where people have been furloughed or even lost jobs . '' During the Los Angeles Lakers championship parade this year , nearly 2,000 police were called in , at a cost of $ 2 million . The Lakers and private donors reimbursed the city for most of the expenses . Michael Roth , spokesman for AEG , which owns Staples Center and put on the event , could not be reached for comment . | Costs included extra police , sanitation , traffic control for Tuesday 's memorial service . 3,000 police officers -- about one-third of the force -- were on hand for the event . City set up Web page asking Jackson fans to donate money to help with expenses . Site raised $ 17,000 before crashing on Tuesday due to high volume . | [[283, 410], [447, 477], [533, 545], [447, 477], [546, 574], [174, 282], [662, 672], [706, 743], [713, 787], [788, 806], [809, 881]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Massachusetts sued the U.S. government on Wednesday , challenging the constitutionality of a federal law that defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman . The state of Massachusetts says the Defense of Marriage Act denies same-sex couples essential rights . `` We 're taking this action today because , first , we believe that -LSB- the Defense of Marriage Act -RSB- directly interferes with Massachusetts ' long-standing sovereign authority to define and regulate the marital status of its residents , '' Attorney General Martha Coakley said Wednesday afternoon . `` Massachusetts has a single category of married persons , and we view all married persons equally and identically , '' she said . `` DOMA divides that category into two distinct and unequal classes of marriage . '' The lawsuit argues that the act , which became law in 1996 , denies same-sex couples essential rights and protections , including federal income tax credits , employment and retirement benefits , health insurance coverage and Social Security payments . `` In enacting DOMA , Congress overstepped its authority , undermined states ' efforts to recognize marriages between same-sex couples , and codified an animus towards gay and lesbian people , '' the state wrote in the lawsuit , which was filed Wednesday in federal court . Massachusetts , the first state to legalize gay marriage , said that about 16,000 same-sex couples have been married there since 2004 , when it began issuing marriage licenses . Since that time , the lawsuit said , `` the security and stability of families has been strengthened in important ways throughout the state . '' The state is challenging Section 3 of the law , which defines marriage as `` a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife '' and a spouse as `` a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife . '' Before the act , the lawsuit argues , defining marital status was the prerogative of the states . The law `` eviscerated more than 200 years of federal government deference to the states with respect to defining marriage , '' it said . The lawsuit also argues that the law forces Massachusetts to treat same-sex married couples differently from heterosexual married couples , particularly through determining who qualifies for the state 's Medicaid program , known as MassHealth , and whether a same-sex spouse of a veteran can be buried in a veteran cemetery . `` But for DOMA , married individuals in same-sex relationships in the commonwealth would receive the same status , obligations , responsibilities , rights , and protections as married individuals in different-sex relationships under local , state , and federal laws , '' the lawsuit said . The defendants named in the lawsuit include the Department of Health and Human Services , Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius , the Department of Veterans Affairs , Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and the United States itself . Charles Miller , a spokesman for the Department of Justice , said the department will review the case but noted that President Obama supports the legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act . In March , Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders -- the same Boston-based group that successfully argued in 2003 for same-sex marriage rights in Massachusetts -- also sued the federal government over Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act . Besides Massachusetts , three other states recognize same-sex marriages : Connecticut , Maine , and Iowa . Vermont and New Hampshire will join their company when same-sex marriages become legal later this year and early next year . | Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of Defense of Marriage Act . Measure defines marriage as between man and woman . Attorney General : Law means state ca n't define and regulate marriage . Suit says law denies same-sex married couples essential rights , protections . | [[0, 15], [73, 123], [110, 123], [129, 181], [1697, 1704], [1713, 1779], [182, 257], [214, 284], [809, 1061], [833, 842], [870, 1061]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- As Michael Jackson fans and the media pour into Los Angeles , California , for what could be the most widely watched memorial of all time , an obvious question remains : Where will he be laid to rest ? Bette Davis is among the notables buried at the Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn park . Although the Jackson family has n't made an official statement , all signs seem to point toward Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries , the organization that has buried a vast number of Hollywood 's notables . On Monday , sources told CNN that Jackson 's relatives will hold a private gathering at the Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles Tuesday morning ahead of a massive public service . The gathering is scheduled for 8 a.m. -LRB- 11 a.m. ET -RRB- -- two hours before a memorial service at the Staples Center arena downtown . Cemetery officials have not commented on the matter . Sunday , Jim McDonnell , assistant chief of staff of the Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday , said Forest Lawn officials were working with the Jackson family on their plans , which were part of `` a package '' of events Tuesday . His comments , however , did not answer questions about where or when Jackson would be buried . There is speculation that the burial will be at Forest Lawn 's Glendale location , but the media have been swarming around the Hollywood Hills memorial park , located right off the freeway behind Disney Studios . Tito Jackson 's ex-wife , Delores `` Dee Dee '' Jackson , is believed to be buried there . Forest Lawn Memorial is the first stop tourists make in search of the crypts of Hollywood greats . Numerous books and Web sites such as findagrave.com and seeing-stars . com claim to have insider knowledge about celebrity grave locations on the properties , but Forest Lawn is unrelentingly secretive about who , exactly , is entombed in its parks . `` We hold the privacy of our client families in very high regard , '' said Bill Martin , spokesman for the Glendale location , which is considered the `` mother lode '' for celebrity grave hunters . `` There are certain areas and property types that have limited access . '' The tombs of Sammy Davis Jr. , Humphrey Bogart and Jean Harlow are in locked areas not accessible to the general public , according to findagrave.com . With that kind of commitment to privacy , it 's understandable why Jackson , known for being reclusive , might be buried there . Avid grave hunter Lisa Burks , who frequents both the Glendale and Hollywood Hills parks , said she would n't be surprised if Jackson were to be buried at either location . Burks was first drawn to Forest Lawn Glendale because of its artwork and statuary , but once she found out that celebrities were `` buried with the regular people , '' she said , she began to grave hunt . `` We leave flowers and take pictures , '' Burks said of her time at famous graves . `` It 's the way of remembering someone who made a difference , who cheered me up when I was a kid or entertained me . With Michael Jackson ... if he ends up at a cemetery , I 'll definitely go and take flowers . They feel like a member of the family , so you treat them like a member of the family . '' Even if you ca n't find a way to see your favorite celebrity 's crypt , Los Angeles residents said that just stepping foot in the park is an experience in itself . `` I know for some people cemeteries can be intimidating or just where you go to mourn . But at Forest Lawn , it is n't sad ; it 's really a beautiful place , '' said Beth Zeigler , an Echo Park , California , professional who frequents the park 's museum . But if you call any of the Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuaries a cemetery , you would be remiss . There are certainly graves behind the Glendale park 's majestic wrought-iron gates , but that 's where the similarities end . Amid its 300 acres , the park has three churches , replicas of all of Michelangelo 's works and a copy of Leonardo da Vinci 's `` The Last Supper '' in stained glass . Instead of above-ground tombstones , the park uses flat , engraved markers for grave sites , so from afar all you can see are grassy hills . The memorial park draws over a million visitors each year , including 70,000 who come to get married . Built in 1906 as a traditional cemetery , Forest Lawn was revamped by Dr. Hubert Eaton in 1917 . Like Jackson , Eaton was `` an icon -LSB- of his -RSB- time , '' said Laura Kath , author of `` 100 Years in the Life of Forest Lawn . '' '' -LSB- Eaton -RSB- is the man who first envisioned the memorial park concept , that cemeteries should not be filled with tombstones but should celebrate the life of those entombed there and celebrate the living , '' Kath said , `` and people loved the whole concept . Eaton was a visionary . '' Burks agrees whole-heartedly with Eaton 's vision . `` Cemeteries are for the living , '' Burks said about her visits to celebrity tombs . `` We 're remembering them . It sounds crazy , but I dare anyone to do it , and I 'd bet it would make them feel good . '' | Will Jackson be buried among other stars at a Forest Lawn location ? The not-for-profit group 's strict regulations about privacy would match Jackson 's life . Sammy Davis Jr. and Humphrey Bogart buried there , among other stars . | [[242, 303], [1222, 1302], [242, 303], [2152, 2214], [2274, 2303]] |
MOSCOW , Russia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Any attempt to pardon Mikhail Khodorkovsky -- once Russia 's richest man , now its most famous inmate -- must follow standard procedure , including an admission of guilt , the nation 's president said Sunday . Mikhail Khodorkovsky , once Russia 's richest man , is imprisoned in a work camp 4,000 miles from Moscow . `` Concerning the possibility of a pardon for someone , Khodorkovsky or anyone else , the procedure has to be carried out in accordance with our country 's rules , '' President Dmitry Medvedev said in a transcript on his Web site . `` In other words , a person must appeal to the president , plead guilty to having committed a crime and seek the appropriate resolution . '' The president dismissed talks of a pardon , saying , `` at this point , there is nothing to discuss . '' Khodorkovsky once headed the Yukos oil company , once Russia 's largest oil producer . He is serving a nine-year sentence for fraud and tax evasion . Medvedev described corruption as a `` very serious Russian disease '' and emphasized the need to fight it . `` To this end , we have enacted a number of measures , including new legislation on corruption and special arrangements relating to government officials , their disclosures , declarations of income and so on , '' he said . `` We are determined to continue this work , because we believe it is extremely important . '' The former oil magnate is incarcerated in a work camp near the town of Krasnokamensk , 4,000 miles -LRB- 6,500 kilometers -RRB- from his native Moscow . He has been imprisoned since his arrest in 2003 . Khodorkovsky had expressed a desire to run for office at the time and funded opposition political parties . He said the trial was part of a Kremlin campaign to destroy him and take the company he built from privatization deals of the 1990s . The Kremlin denied any role in his downfall . Yukos , which has since been crushed by a $ 27.5 billion back-tax bill , has been the object of a lengthy campaign by prosecutors and tax authorities . The court also ordered Khodorkovsky and his partner to pay about $ 600 million in back taxes . | There will be no favoritism for Mikhail Khodorkovsky , Russian leader says . Former head of Yukos oil company serving nine years for fraud , tax evasion . President says talks of a pardon are premature . | [[207, 244], [831, 877], [918, 980], [207, 244], [726, 767]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It started with sinus congestion for Shawna Coronado . Then the splitting migraines came . Coronado soon discovered the furry causes : Harrington and Kalamazoo . Shawna Coronado endures headaches and congestion to keep her 30-pound pug , Harrington . Her 30-pound pug and orange tabby scattered dead skin flakes around the house , triggering Coronado 's allergic reactions . Her two daughters are also allergic , but their reactions are less severe . Like the 10 million American pet owners with allergies , the Coronados faced a dilemma : Can human and dog co-exist in the same house ? `` We love them , '' said Coronado about her family 's pets . `` They 're adorable . They 're really our babies . They 're part of the family . We could never live without them . '' Allergies can cause itchy eyes , hives , sneezing , congestion or even asthma . To keep animals around , allergic pet owners get shots , pop antihistamines , squeeze eyedrops , squirt nasal spray , use inhalers or just deal with it . Others try to find a dog that wo n't trigger the symptoms . President-elect Barack Obama 's family has said his family is seeking a `` hypoallergenic dog , '' because of his eldest daughter , Malia 's , allergies . Unfortunately , there 's no such thing . The belief that certain breeds are hypoallergenic is `` a complete misconception , '' said Dr. Robert Wood , chief of pediatric allergy and immunology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine . `` You ca n't predict by type or breed , or length of hair . '' Pet allergies are not caused by dog hair , the American Academy of Allergy , Asthma and Immunology noted in a recent statement . `` The allergen is produced in saliva , urine , dander -- it 's not just hair , '' said Dr. Wanda Phipatanakul , an allergist at Children 's Hospital in Boston , Massachusetts . `` Even with a hairless dog , there are still allergens . '' For their next pet , the Coronados are considering a poodle . Although poodles , bichon frises and Malteses are often touted as hypoallergenic dogs , these breeds all produce allergens . There has n't been sufficient research to determine whether certain breeds are more allergy-friendly , said Dr. Clifford Bassett , an assistant clinical professor of medicine at The Long Island College Hospital in New York . `` There is not a lot of research in this area , '' he said . `` There are differences between breeds , but we do n't have research to definitively say . They all produce allergens . '' The key factors are the animal 's size and the volume of hair . The fur can collect pollens , mold spore and allergens and bring them indoors , triggering reactions . Even so , reactions vary widely , because everyone 's body is different , doctors say . Before committing to a pet , make an arrangement to bring the animal to the home for a trial period to see how the person with allergies fares . `` It 's always going to be trial and error , '' Wood said . `` Someone might be allergic to one breed , but the main dog allergen that people are allergic to is present in all dogs . '' It is also possible for someone to develop dog allergies months or years after bringing the animal home . If symptoms arise , doctors recommend getting tested to be certain that the allergy is coming from the animal . Allergic reactions could come from other irritants , such as pollen or dust . A person 's allergies can also inexplicably change over time . In the same way that some people outgrow food allergies , there is a rare possibility that pet owners could outgrow their allergies to animals , experts said . Pills and medications are available to treat the symptoms , but the best remedy , said Philatanakul , is to not have pets . `` There 's nothing that can be done except for avoidance , '' she said . `` There 's no cure . You 're exposing yourself to high levels of allergens in your home . We generally recommend they should not have a pet . It 's not recommended . '' For many families , having a loving , furry companion outweighs the runny noses , wheezing and water eyes . Coronado , who is also allergic to mold , dust and yeast , suspects it 's not just the dog and cat causing her headaches . After cutting out beer , bread and cheese from her diet , she says she does n't get as many allergic reactions . But she ca n't pick up the cat without getting congested . Sometimes Harrington and Kalamazoo trot into the house bringing all sorts of allergens with them and trigger her allergic reactions . Despite the discomforts , the Coronados are n't getting rid of their animals . `` Our lives are so enriched because we have dogs and cats , '' she said . `` You can live in a positive way and live well with the pets or you can suffer every day and think it 's miserable . It 's really how you look at it . The reason we live with pets is because we live life in a positive way and we work it out . '' Her two daughters have cat allergies , but they do n't have asthma or breathing difficulties , so Kalamazoo is staying put in their Warrenville , Illinois , home . `` Pets are healing for we humans , '' Coronado said . `` They are for my children . We adore them as part of the family . On a mental health level , children gain something from pets . Children gain a lot from being in nature and being outside . Dogs and cats as pets are part of that experience . '' Pets do provide therapeutic value , said Bassett . `` Pets make people feel good , '' he said . `` Pets reduce anxiety , blood pressure . Pets are here to stay . '' | 10 million American pet owners have allergies . Allergies caused by protein in animal dander , saliva or urine , not by hair . Belief that certain breeds are hypoallergenic is `` a complete misconception '' Medications available to treat symptoms , but best remedy is not to have pets . | [[1542, 1582], [1671, 1748], [2060, 2072], [2077, 2096], [1278, 1358], [3614, 3671], [3678, 3693], [3696, 3737], [3903, 3954], [3926, 3954]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A South Florida teenager accused of killing and mutilating 19 cats excitedly described to police how he dissected cats in class , and where to find cats for experimentation , according to police . Tyler Weinman laughed when police told him they had information he was the cat killer , an arrest document said . When Miami-Dade police told Tyler Hayes Weinman someone was killing cats in the neighborhood , the 18-year-old reacted by laughing , according to a newly released arrest affidavit made public Monday . Most of the cats were found in their owners ' yards . `` One appeared to be posed with a slit down the middle of its stomach , '' the affidavit states . On Monday , Weinman pleaded not guilty to more than 40 criminal counts , including multiple charges of felony animal cruelty and burglary . He is out of jail on $ 249,500 bond and under house arrest wearing an electronic monitor , but is being held for 48 hours for a psychiatric evaluation . The teen 's attorney David Macey said there was a `` lynch mob '' after his innocent client and accused Judge Mindy Glazer of `` prejudging '' Weinman . `` He did not kill the cats , '' Macey told reporters outside the courtroom . `` The individual who committed this crime is still running around out there . '' The arrest affidavit , which a judge gave prosecutors until Monday to make public , reads like a grisly horror movie and indicates Weinman was knowledgeable of and fascinated with dissection of cats . During questioning , according to the affidavit , a detective told the teenager that police were informed he was involved in the cat slayings . Weinman replied he heard about the cats and that he told his mother . He told police that a school he had been expelled from was the only school in Miami-Dade that taught how to dissect using cats , according to the affidavit . The teenager went on to offer several other bizarre and unsubstantiated trivia , including saying that Mexico is the only source for cats used for dissection and describing their size . Weinman `` became excited and animated '' as he told the detective about cat dissection research he had discovered on the Internet , the affidavit states . `` Weinman was asked to expound on what he meant and he repeated , with noted excitement , ` It just makes a certain sound , a tearing sound , '' says the affidavit . The detective asked Weinman what tools might be used to commit animal cruelty , and teenager replied , `` I do n't know , but I 'm sure they are very well hidden . '' How did he think the cats were being captured ? The teen answered , `` They have to be either tranquilized or poisoned . '' Weinman came to the attention of authorities in late April , the affidavit states , as cats began to go missing in a suburban Dade County neighborhood called Whispering Pines just outside Miami , Florida . Police had a few times seen Weinman walking and skateboarding in the middle of the night in the area , at least once wearing black clothing and carrying a dark backpack . Detectives stopped the teenager and told him about the dead cats . Weinman responded by laughing , according to the arrest affidavit . He was not held at that time . In May , the teenager was pulled over for a traffic violation and police found a `` cutting instrument '' on the ground beside his car . According to the affidavit , as an officer questioned the teen , he noticed what appeared to be a cat scratch on his arm . `` I got them from a stray cat that I feed at my mom 's house , '' Weinman said . The teen `` was eager to show '' the scratches and took off his shirt so that photographs could be taken , according to the questioning detective 's account , which is detailed in the affidavit . The teenager 's divorced parents lived in separate neighborhoods , according to police . His mother resides in Cutler Bay . His father lives in Palmetto Bay , further north of Miami . According to the arrest affidavit , shortly after the teenager talked to police about dissecting cats , he went to live with his father who restricted his son 's access to a car . The killings shifted north as eight dead cats turned up in Palmetto Bay , police said . At that point , police provided the teen 's profile to the Miami-Dade Police Department 's Psychological Services Section . Staff doctors met and discussed the case . They determined that the cat killer was likely male and suffered from some kind of conduct disorder . If the killer was an adult , they concluded , that person would be classified as a sociopath . In late May , police then got a court order to place a tracking device on the Honda Civic driven by Weinman . The affidavit states the car was tracked to the latest feline victim which had been skinned along the abdomen from the pelvic area to the hind legs . The pelt and genitalia were missing . The cat killings became headline news across the country . Around that time , Weinman joined a Facebook page called `` Catch-The-Cat-Killer . '' The teenager is charged with 19 counts of felony animal cruelty , 19 counts of improperly disposing of an animal body and four counts of burglary . He 's pleaded not guilty to all of the charges . Kimberly Segal contributed to this report . | Police : Tyler Weinman described research he did on finding cats to dissect . Affidavit : 18-year-old laughed when police asked him about being the cat killer . Weinman is charged with 19 counts of animal cruelty and is on house arrest . | [[0, 15], [159, 191], [2049, 2145], [3928, 3961], [3964, 4029], [216, 301], [330, 377], [425, 460], [330, 377], [425, 440], [463, 499], [1834, 1862], [3107, 3136], [3139, 3148], [5003, 5150]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The singer Gil Scott Heron once declared that `` the revolution will not be televised . '' Em Hall , the `` D.C. Goodwill Fashionista , '' transformed Goodwill 's image with a witty blog . It is , however , going online . Social activism is being transformed by the Web . Some of the most creative forms of protest and philanthropy are taking place online . Activists are conducting demonstrations on YouTube , holding virtual fundraisers and using social network sites like Facebook to change the world -- one mouse-click at a time . These cyber-pioneers include a nonprofit group that uses animated 3-D characters to protest the global shortage of drinking water ; a Web company that allows ordinary people to create their own personalized charity ; and a Goodwill blogger who reshaped the thrift store 's image so thoroughly she was invited to New York Fashion Week . Ted Hart , co-author of `` People to People Fundraising : Social Networking and Web 2.0 for Charities , '' says the Web has already become a crucial source for nonprofit fundraising . Americans donated $ 550 million online in 2001 , but that number grew to $ 10.4 billion in 2007 , he says . `` It 's a new world for a lot of nonprofit organizations , '' Hart says . `` No longer is it good enough to say give us some money . The rules have changed . '' Yet some people warn that this new world offers people an excuse to engage in `` drive-by activism , '' superficial forms of cyber-activism that require little commitment . `` The Internet makes it very easy for people to jump in and out of social activism , '' says Matthew Hale , assistant professor at Seton Hall University 's Center for Public Service . `` If all the activism is online , it is easier to quit than going to meetings every week . '' Real change : online or in-person ? Yet the Web makes it easier for a nonprofit group to reach more people than a meeting ever could , one nonprofit group says . WaterPartners International is a U.S.-based nonprofit group that created a global campaign to create safe drinking water . Another company may have flown a spokesperson to an impoverished village and hired a film crew to promote their campaign . But WaterPartners says it saved money and time by putting its campaign online -- through animated , virtual characters built from actual people , says Nicole Wickenhauser , a company spokesperson . Daily Web traffic doubled to WaterPartners ' Web site during the campaign and the campaign attracted support from around the globe , Wickenhauser says . `` Real change is most often accomplished by committed individuals working together for a cause they feel passionately about , '' Wickenhauser says . `` Whether they work together virtually or in person is less important . '' Web-based activism not only enlarges the reach of social activists , it empowers ordinary people , its advocates say . In another time , a person had to find a charity to give their time and money to . Now they can create their own charity through Web sites like `` YourCause.com . '' YourCause.com has been described as a MySpace for do-gooders . The new site allows a person to do everything a charity traditionally does -- raise money and awareness and recruit support -- all from a Web page designed especially for their needs . Matthew Combs , the site 's co-founder , says his site designs Web pages and vets charities for people who do n't have the time or expertise to do it themselves . `` It 's for people like the 73-year-old woman from New Jersey who created her own page to help out with a rare genetic defect she 's suffering from , '' Combs says . `` There 's not a lot of 73-year-olds on MySpace . How do we make it easy as possible for them , but credible ? '' Social network sites like MySpace are also throwing their support behind Web activists . MySpace has an `` Impact '' page that connects users with political and charitable causes . YouTube recently launched a `` Nonprofits and Activism '' channel . ` The reaction was priceless ' One of the most audacious forms of Web-based activism comes courtesy of Em Hall , also known by her blog name , the DC Goodwill Fashionista . When Goodwill of Greater Washington wanted to expand its customer base , its leaders devised a campaign to reach out to a younger , hipper crowd . The campaign 's centerpiece was Hall . In her witty blog , She dispensed fashion advice , conducted an online virtual fashion show and sold Goodwill clothing on eBay -LRB- she once sold an $ 11.98 suit for $ 175 on eBay . -RRB- . Hall 's blog averages 1,500 readers a week and has attracted readers from at least 100 countries , says Brendan Hurley , a Goodwill spokesman . Hall 's blog became so popular she was invited in September to Fashion Week , a high-octane fashion show that features the world 's most popular designers . Hall still recalls how Fashion Week officials acted when she told them what clothing label -- Goodwill -- she represented . `` The reaction was priceless , '' she says . `` A look of confusion came across people 's faces as they desperately tried to figure out why Goodwill was at Fashion Week . '' Despite the possibilities created by the Web , calling people to action still depends on people putting their bodies -- not just their mouse-clicks -- on the line , says Hale , the Seton Hall professor . `` All of the stuff you can do online ultimately has to show up in the real world , '' Hale says . `` I do n't see the Internet as a substitute -LSB- for social activism -RSB- but as a complement to it . '' Paul Loeb , author of `` The Soul of a Citizen , '' a book that examines the psychology of social activism , also says online activism can be powerful but limited . He tells a story from his book to make his point . He says a friend took her kids to a protest against nuclear testing in front of the White House during the early 1960s . But she became dejected because only a few people joined her demonstration and then it rained . Years later , the same woman attended a major march against nuclear testing . Benjamin Spock , the best-selling author and pediatrician who opposed the Vietnam War , was a featured speaker . He told marchers that he was inspired to join the march after seeing a small group of women huddled with their kids in the rain while marching in front of the White House years earlier . `` I thought that if those women were out there , '' Spock said , `` their cause must be really important . '' `` He 's seeing these ragged women in the rain and it touches his heart and he ends up getting changed by that , '' Loeb says . `` That story could n't exist in the virtual world . '' | The Web unleashes new wave of cyber-activism . Activists changing the world one mouse-click at a time . The Web `` changes the rules '' for nonprofit groups , expert says . | [[377, 386], [462, 553]] |
L'AQUILA , Italy -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Leaders of both industrialized powers and emerging economies have agreed to work together on setting a goal to limit global warming to levels recommended by scientists , U.S. President Barack Obama said at the G-8 summit . G-8 leaders wait for an aide to remove toe markers as they pose for a family photo in L'Aquila , Italy , on July 8 . The G-8 countries -- comprising the United States , Britain , France , Germany , Italy , Japan , Canada and Russia -- agreed to a target of reducing their carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050 to try to prevent the Earth 's atmosphere from warming by more than 2 degrees Celsius -LRB- 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit -RRB- , Obama said . Thursday 's meeting with emerging economies including China also secured a commitment from the developing countries to work for limiting global warming to the 2 degree Celsius threshold , Obama said . `` Developing countries among us will promptly undertake actions whose projected effects on emissions represent a meaningful deviation from business as usual in the midterm , in the context of sustainable development , supported by financing , technology , and capacity-building , '' said the declaration from Thursday 's Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate . The declaration stopped short of setting targets for the developing nations . Obama said the emerging economies agreed to work toward setting specific targets . Watch report from CNN 's Ed Henry '' He called the commitment of the emerging economies `` an important stride forward '' in minimizing climate change , but acknowledged that the issue he called one of the most challenging of our times would be difficult to confront . Environment groups gave the announcement a cautious welcome . Joanne Green , head of policy at Cafod , told the Press Association : `` Agreeing that average global temperatures should not rise by more than two degrees is forward movement but it is woefully inadequate compared to what was needed . '' And Oxfam spokesman Antonio Hill said : `` Today 17 countries , responsible for more than 80 percent of the world 's emissions , agreed for the first time that it 'd be nice to take the road which stops the planet heating up by more than 2 degrees . `` While G-8 countries continue to speed in the opposite direction , towards a cooked planet and climate catastrophe , poor people want to know whether rich coutries will now actually turn around before it 's too late . '' The vast majority of climate change scientists warn that warming above the 2 degree Celsius threshold would mean potentially catastrophic impacts on Earth . U.N.-led negotiations on a new global climate change treaty are aiming to conclude with an agreement among 192 nations in Copenhagen , Denmark , in December . Obama said the G-8 targets and work with developing countries are intended to support the international climate change treaty that will succeed the Kyoto Protocol in 2012 . In the United States , Congress is debating a new energy policy that could codify the G-8 target for emissions reductions in law . A House bill that recently passed has the same target of an 80 percent reduction by 2050 , but Senate passage of a measure remains uncertain . Watch as leaders tour quake zone '' Republican opponents contend the United States would put itself at a competitive disadvantage by setting firm targets when China and other emerging economies would be free to pollute without limits . Some Democratic senators also fear harmful effects on fossil fuel industries in their states . The Major Economies Forum led by Obama included the G-8 countries along with Brazil , China , India , Mexico , Australia , South Africa and others . The Forum nations account for 80 percent of the world 's greenhouse gas emissions . Its declaration Thursday outlined a range of actions including funding mechanisms for both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping nations and ecosystems adapt to global warming , along with more money to pursue alternative energy sources . The declaration said the world 's emissions should peak as soon as possible and then start going down . It acknowledged that industrial powers have emitted most of the pollution causing climate change and therefore have a greater responsibility in responding . Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced the creation of an institute to study and advance so-called clean coal technology intended to reduce the harmful pollution from coal-fired energy . In addition , the declaration recognized `` that the timeframe for peaking will be longer in developing countries , bearing in mind that social and economic development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities in developing countries and that low-carbon development is indispensable to sustainable development . '' Watch what 's on agenda at G-8 summit '' Todd Stern , Obama 's special envoy for climate change , noted that China and other emerging economies had never previously acknowledged the 2-degree Celsius threshold or committed to reducing emissions from current levels . He called those steps `` significant , '' but conceded they fell short of binding commitments to meet specific reductions goals . However , Stern said the 2-degree threshold was the `` underpinning '' of the global goal for an overall 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 , including the 80 percent cuts targeted by the G-8 countries . Obama acknowledged the United States has previously failed to meet its responsibilities regarding climate change , and he pledged a renewed commitment and leadership . In his remarks , Rudd made a point of welcoming the new leadership role by Obama and the United States . Obama will meet Friday with Pope Benedict XVI , who launched a verbal assault on global capitalism ahead of the G-8 meeting , lambasting `` grave deviations and failures '' and calling for a `` profoundly new way of understanding business enterprise . '' The pope challenged bankers to turn away from the practices blamed for bringing about the global economic crisis and instead use their power to help the world create wealth and economic development . `` Above all , the intention to do good must not be considered incompatible with the effective capacity to produce goods , '' Benedict said Wednesday . After his meeting with the pope , the first U.S. African-American president will make his first trip as chief executive to Africa , traveling to Accra , Ghana . Obama 's father was a native of Kenya . CNN 's Paula Newton in L'Aquila , Italy , contributed to this report . | U.S. President Barack Obama : Leaders will work together on climate change . At Italy summit , leaders pledge to slash greenhouse gas emissions . Leaders pledge aim to achieve a 50 percent reduction in global emissions by 2050 . Meeting takes place in heart of quake zone where about 300 people died . | [[376, 393], [494, 586], [5270, 5453]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara , a key architect of the U.S. war in Vietnam under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson , has died at age 93 , according to his family . Robert McNamara took a lead role in managing the U.S. military commitment in Vietnam . McNamara was a member of Kennedy 's inner circle during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 , when the United States and the Soviet Union stood on the brink of nuclear war . But he became a public lightning rod for his management of the war in Vietnam , overseeing the U.S. military commitment there as it grew from fewer than 1,000 advisers to more than half a million troops . Though the increasingly unpopular conflict was sometimes dubbed `` McNamara 's War , '' he later said both administrations were `` terribly wrong '' to have pursued military action beyond 1963 . `` External military force can not reconstruct a failed state , and Vietnam , during much of that period , was a failed state politically , '' he told CNN in a 1996 interview for the `` Cold War '' documentary series . `` We did n't recognize it as such . '' A native of San Francisco , McNamara studied economics at the University of California and earned a master 's degree in business from Harvard . He was a staff officer in the Army Air Corps during World War II , when he studied the results of American bombing raids on Germany and Japan in search of ways to improve their accuracy and efficiency . After the war , he joined the Ford Motor Company and became its president in November 1960 -- the first person to lead the company from outside its founding family . A month later , the newly elected Kennedy asked him to become secretary of defense , making him one of the `` whiz kids '' who joined the young president 's administration . In October 1962 , after the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba , McNamara was one of Kennedy 's top advisers in the standoff that followed . The United States imposed a naval `` quarantine '' on Cuba , a Soviet ally , and prepared for possible airstrikes or an invasion . The Soviets withdrew the missiles in exchange for a U.S. guarantee not to invade Cuba , a step that allowed Soviet premier Nikita Kruschev to present the pullback as a success to his own people . In the 2003 documentary `` The Fog of War , '' McNamara told filmmaker Errol Morris that the experience taught American policymakers to `` put ourselves inside their skin and look at us through their eyes . '' But he added , `` In the end , we lucked out . It was luck that prevented nuclear war . '' McNamara is credited with using the management techniques he mastered as a corporate executive to streamline the Pentagon , computerizing and smoothing out much of the U.S. military 's vast purchasing and personnel system . And in Vietnam , he attempted to use those techniques to measure the progress of the war . Metrics such as use of `` body counts '' and scientific solutions such as using the herbicide Agent Orange to defoliate jungles in which communist guerrillas hid became trademarks of the conflict . McNamara made several trips to South Vietnam to study the situation firsthand . He , Johnson and other U.S. officials portrayed the war as a necessary battle in the Cold War , a proxy struggle to prevent communism from taking control of all of Southeast Asia . But while they saw the conflict as another front in the standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union , which backed communist North Vietnam , McNamara acknowledged later that they underestimated Vietnamese nationalism and opposition to the U.S.-backed government in Saigon . `` The conflict within South Vietnam itself had all of the characteristics of a civil war , and we did n't look upon it as largely a civil war , and we were n't measuring our progress as one would have in what was largely a civil war , '' he told CNN . Casualties mounted , as did domestic opposition to the war . In 1965 , a Quaker anti-war protester , Norman Morrison , set himself on fire outside McNamara 's office window . In 1967 , tens of thousands of demonstrators marched on the Pentagon , which was ringed with troops . By November 1967 , McNamara told Johnson that there was `` no reasonable way '' to end the war quickly , and that the United States needed to reduce its forces in Vietnam and turn the fighting over to the American-backed government in Saigon . By the end of that month , Johnson announced he was replacing McNamara at the Pentagon and moving him to the World Bank . But by March 1968 , Johnson had reached virtually the same conclusion as McNamara . He issued a call for peace talks and announced he would not seek re-election . After leaving the Pentagon in early 1968 , McNamara spent 12 years leading the World Bank . He said little publicly about Vietnam until the publication of a 1995 memoir , `` In Retrospect . '' `` You do n't know what I know about how inflammatory my words can appear , '' he told Morris . `` A lot of people misunderstand the war , misunderstand me . A lot of people think I 'm a son of a bitch . '' | Robert McNamara was key architect of war in Vietnam under two presidents . McNamara became lightning rod for his management of that war . He was member of President Kennedy 's inner circle during Cuban Missile Crisis . | [[211, 297], [473, 546], [298, 386]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Three attacks were made on Royal Dutch Shell oil facilities in Nigeria on Sunday , according to a company spokesman who said details were not immediately available . Investigating the attacks will be difficult because they happened in remote areas , Royal Dutch Shell says . The attacks were against pipelines in the eastern part of the Niger Delta in Nigeria , said the spokesman , Rainer Winzenried . `` Shell is investigating the impact on facilities , the environment and the production capabilities , '' he said . The attacks happened in remote areas , making investigations difficult , he said , adding that the company would not send in investigators until it was certain the area was secure . It was not known whether there were any casualties , he said . The pipelines are part of a Shell joint venture that provides oil to several companies , Winzenried said . Shell runs the venture , and Nigeria is the operator . Winzenried refused to speculate on who was behind the attacks , but Nigeria 's main militant group -- the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta , or MEND -- said it had attacked an offshore facility earlier Sunday and that `` the structure is ... engulfed in fire . '' Winzenried had no information about that claim . MEND , which demands a fairer distribution of Nigeria 's oil wealth , claimed Friday that it destroyed a pipeline owned and operated by the Italian gas company Agip , but Agip has not confirmed that report . Earlier in the week , MEND claimed to have destroyed Royal Dutch Shell 's main trunk line in Bayelsa state and a Chevron oil station in the delta region . Shell confirmed an attack on that pipeline and said it had shut it down to avoid an environmental impact . Chevron , which halted its onshore operations in the region last month , said it was investigating . Last month , the militant group declared an `` all-out war '' on the government after what it said was a deadly bombing raid on civilians . It is not the first declaration of war by MEND , which demands that more of Nigeria 's oil wealth be invested in the region instead of enriching those whom the militants consider corrupt politicians . The militant group declared war against the government in September for what it said were unprovoked attacks . At that time , MEND destroyed several oil facilities , forcing Nigeria to cut its oil exports by as many as 1 million barrels of oil per day , or 40 percent . | Royal Dutch Shell : Pipelines attacked in eastern part of Nigeria 's Niger Delta . Few details available ; company says remote area will make investigation hard . Company wo n't speculate on who was behind attacks . Militant group MEND claimed it attacked an offshore facility earlier Sunday . | [[0, 15], [19, 99], [294, 378], [1482, 1501], [1504, 1636], [1637, 1679], [115, 134], [139, 184], [185, 266], [945, 1006], [1013, 1043], [1113, 1221]] |
ALSIP , Illinois -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Four people face felony charges after authorities discovered that hundreds of graves were dug up and allegedly resold at a historic African-American cemetery near Chicago , Illinois , authorities said Thursday . Dozens of graves at Burr Oak Cemetery were desecrated by workers as part of a financial scheme , authorities say . Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said the four would resell the plots in Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip , excavate the graves , dump the remains and pocket the cash . `` This was not done in a very , very delicate way , folks , '' he told reporters at a news conference Thursday . `` They would excavate a grave and would proceed to dump the remains wherever they found a place to do it in the back of the cemetery . This was not moving graves ; this was not replacing graves ; this was dumping of them . '' In some cases , graves were stacked on top of each other , they `` literally pounded the other one down , '' Dart said . In all about 300 graves may have been dug up in the cemetery , he said . Authorities identified those charged as Carolyn Towns , an office manager for the cemetery ; and Keith Nicks , Terrance Nicks and Maurice Daley , all gravediggers . Each has been charged with dismembering a human body , a felony charge for which sentences range from 6 to 30 years , Anita Alvarez , Cook County state 's attorney , said at the news conference . Steven Watkins , an attorney for Towns , said his client is innocent . `` Somebody is apparently making false accusations against my client , '' he said . `` She 's maintaining her innocence . '' The Cook County state attorney 's office said the other three charged were being represented by the public defender 's office , and a message left at that office was not immediately returned . Bail was set at $ 250,000 for Towns and $ 200,000 for the other three , Alvarez said . None had posted bail by late afternoon Thursday , the sheriff 's department said . Watch officials announce the charges '' It was not immediately known if the four had legal counsel . Authorities began investigating the cemetery -- where , among others , lynching victim Emmett Till , blues legend Dinah Washington and some Negro League baseball players are buried -- about six weeks ago after receiving a call from its owners who had concerns about possible `` financial irregularities '' regarding the business , Dart told CNN earlier this week . `` This crime , it 's a whole new dimension , '' Alvarez said . Authorities also suspect that Towns pretended to set up a memorial fund for Till and pocketed the funds , Dart said . Watch sheriff discuss gruesome revelation '' He told CNN that groundskeepers , who have not been implicated in the scheme , have said that the grave of Till -- whose 1955 lynching at age 14 helped spark the civil rights movement -- has not been disturbed . The Rev. Jesse Jackson , who was also at the news conference , noted the high-profile names of some of those buried in the cemetery , but said , `` everybody here is special , and every family has special needs and special hurt , special grief . '' Most of the excavations occurred in back lots , where the plots were older and not frequently visited , Dart said earlier this week . However , other plots may have been disturbed , as well . The cemetery 's current owners , who could not be reached by CNN for comment , have operated it for more than five years but are not believed to be involved in the alleged scam , Dart said . He said the workers may have doctored records to cover their tracks and noted that the cemetery holds all the records of who is buried and where . `` There 's virtually no regulations whatsoever -LRB- for cemeteries -RRB- , '' Dart said . `` Most all of the documents and everything are housed here . '' Investigators are trying to determine the scope of the alleged scheme and plan to use thermal-imaging devices to further examine other graves to see if they have been tampered with , Dart said . The FBI , forensic scientists and local funeral directors have been called in to help in the investigation , he said . `` I do n't even know what to tell you about the heartbreaking stories that I 've been hearing from people , crying hysterically that they 're going through the burial for the second time today , '' he said . `` And they 're looking for answers and we 're sitting there telling them , ` This is going to be very difficult , '' he said . `` We 're trying to bring closure , but it 's going to take a long time to do that . '' CNN 's Katherine Wojtecki and Taylor Gandossy contributed to this report . | NEW : Cemetery office manager , three gravediggers charged . NEW : Rev. Jesse Jackson says there should be `` special place in hell '' for suspects . NEW : About 300 graves may have been dug up , sheriff says . Emmett Till , other prominent African-Americans buried at cemetery . | [[36, 206], [984, 1044], [1047, 1056]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A birthday `` cake '' made of ice , beets , apples and pears ? It might not sound appetizing , but it was a special treat Thursday for Tai Shan , the Smithsonian National Zoo 's giant panda . Giant panda Tai Shan digs into his special birthday cake of ice , beets , apples and pears . A huge group of fans watched as the popular panda celebrated his fourth birthday with the three-tier cake . They cheered him on as he inched closer to the treat , and one woman yelled `` Atta boy Tai Shan ! '' when he finally started eating the apple pieces on the cake 's lowest tier . She cheered the panda on for eating his `` cake '' the same way a mom might cheer on her son at a soccer game or dad might cheer his daughter playing basketball . Zoo curator Lisa Stevens said people react that way because of how pandas resemble children . `` They share many features of infants and toddlers . They have high foreheads , big eye spots , and they can sit up straight and grip and eat their food , '' Stevens said . Pandas are also known to give hope to the downtrodden , according to one loyal Tai Shan fan who called herself `` Sandy . '' During her battle against a medical condition that caused her to be unable to walk , she said that frequent visits to the zoo to see Tai Shan gave her the strength she needed to persevere through the pain . `` I could barely stand an hour to see him , now I could stand all day to watch him . I pushed myself for him ... he 's done so much for me and for people all over the world , '' she said . Tai Shan was born at the zoo and has had his entire life documented on a Web cam for the whole world to see . Fans may have little time left to enjoy Tai Shan , as the zoo 's contract with the China Wildlife Conservation Association to keep him is set to expire later this year . The zoo is negotiating with the conservation association to keep Tai Shan a few months longer . | Tai Shan was born at the Smithsonian National Zoo . Birthday boy gets a special cake made of ice , beets , apples and pears . Zoo curator says pandas are popular because they resemble young children . Though born in U.S. , Tai Shan due to be sent to China later this year . | [[1555, 1583], [44, 92], [222, 314], [765, 858], [795, 858]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- They may live on separate continents , in different countries with differing cultures , but the same message is being echoed by the world 's poor , according to a new report by aid agency Oxfam . Farmers in Uganda have little choice but to attempt to cultivate crops on arid land . The report , `` Suffering the Science , '' tells the stories of people who are discovering to their detriment that long-held truths about seasons and rainfall no longer apply . `` I travel a lot and people are always saying to me , ` the seasons have changed , ' `` Oxfam chief executive Barbara Stocking told CNN . `` I think there 's a real sense of uncertainty . People have lost confidence . They have a very close relationship with the Earth , nature and climate and suddenly they 're finding that it does n't work anymore . '' People such as Florence Madamu from western Uganda . `` The sun is prolonged until the end of September , '' she told Oxfam . `` And whenever it rains it rains so heavily it destroys all our crops in the fields . You can plant a whole acre or two and come out with nothing . '' July is a particularly harsh month in large swathes of Africa . It 's the peak hunger season and this year people are expected to be more vulnerable than usual following record high food prices in 2008 . Laborers are planting precious seeds in fields of dirt with no guarantee they 'll produce a harvest , while the conditions they 're working under are becoming more extreme . `` For me the big worry is that many of them do n't know why it 's happening so they ca n't actually help themselves prepare for the changes , '' Stocking told CNN . `` We need to work with them to help them become more resilient -- whether it 's cyclones and weather-related disasters or whether it 's a long-term change . They need to be prepared for very different sorts of seasons now . '' And for unfamiliar diseases . Higher temperatures are encouraging the migration of malaria and other vector-borne diseases into new areas where , in some cases , health authorities are ill-equipped to cope . Oxfam found Iha at her daughter 's bedside in a hospital in Indonesia . Twelve-year-old Laila was the second of her children to contract dengue fever at their home on the island of Java . `` They said that this is a new type of dengue fever , '' Iha told Oxfam . `` She has already had 30 bags of infusion water . After nine days her condition is still not stable . '' It is the stories of people such as Iha who are living with the consequences of climate change that Oxfam hopes will prompt action from leaders of developed nations who are meeting in L'Aquila , Italy this week . `` Ideally what we 'd like is the G8 countries to come out very clearly as to what their targets are for carbon emissions reductions by 2020 and the amounts of money needed , '' Stocking said . `` It 's unlikely they 'll be as precise about that , '' she conceded , adding , `` but we really need some good strong wording in the G8 communiqué about the recognition that for a deal to be done -LSB- in Copenhagen -RSB- , money will be needed for the poorest countries . '' Talks in Copenhagen in December are being billed as an unmissable opportunity for developed and developing nations to agree a global plan to combat climate change . Stocking commended a proposal by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to establish a $ 100 billion annual fund to help developing nations contend with climate change , but said closer to $ 150 billion was needed . Oxfam points out that 's about the same amount the U.S. government spent on bailing out insurance company AIG . While scientists warn that a cut of 40 percent in carbon emissions by 2020 is vital to avoid severe repercussions , developed nations have yet to commit to anything close . `` We need America to come forward much more positively , '' Stocking said . `` It 's really got to stand up to the bar clearly if there 's going to be any deal . '' `` We 're really pressing as well for the EU to come out much more clearly about what it will do it as a whole . `` There is n't even a Council of Minister 's meeting until October and that 's going to be far too late . There needs to be some serious meetings including heads of state very quickly now to get an agreement to put something very direct on the table , '' she said . | Oxfam report tells the stories of people affected by climate change . Report ` Suffering the Science ' catalogs challenges of world 's poor . Stocking : `` People are always saying to me , ` the seasons have changed ' '' Oxfam wants greater action on climate change from developed nations . | [[111, 127], [167, 214], [341, 371], [481, 517], [525, 530], [511, 530], [533, 559], [564, 588], [2556, 2625]] |
SEOUL , South Korea -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Donating to charity itself is a relatively new phenomenon in a society that traditionally values family units . President Lee Myung-Bak is criticized by opposition parties who say he supports policies that favor the rich . So the announcement that South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak will be donating $ 26 million , the bulk of his wealth , to charity , is considered highly unusual . The president 's office said the money will be used to set up a new youth scholarship program . `` My fortune , which I accumulated through hard work during my life , is very precious to me , '' said Lee in a statement . `` I have long thought that it would be good if my wealth was spent for society in a valuable way . '' Lee , who came to office last February , promised to donate his personal wealth to society in late 2007 when he was accused of amassing his fortune through illegal means . He was since been cleared of all charges . But he is now facing criticism from opposition parties who say he supports policies that favor the rich . Lee is a former CEO of Hyundai Construction and the Seoul mayor . But he emphasizes his impoverished beginnings , as a poor young man who had to earn his college tuition cleaning streets . `` Looking back , I realize that all of those who helped me were poor , '' said Lee in the statement . `` I know that the best way for me to pay back such kindness is to give back to society what I earned . '' Analysts say this move will hopefully encourage many others to follow . | President Lee Myung-Bak to donate $ 26 million , the bulk of his wealth , to charity . President 's office says money will be used to set up youth scholarship program . Lee promised to donate wealth in 2007 when accused of illegally amassing fortune . He was since been cleared of all charges . | [[287, 353], [356, 391], [394, 424], [749, 752], [790, 912], [425, 520], [449, 520], [749, 752], [790, 912], [921, 963]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Police in Allendale , South Carolina , are investigating whether a funeral home fit a 6-foot , 5-inch man into his coffin by severing his legs . The wife of James Hines reportedly said the funeral home told her that her husband 's coffin was long enough . A former Cave Funeral Services employee has alleged since James Hines ' death from skin cancer in 2004 that Hines was too tall for his coffin and that the funeral home took extreme measures to make him fit , Allendale County Coroner Hayzen Black told CNN . Officials exhumed Hines ' body Tuesday , Black said , and a fair amount of `` undesirable evidence '' was found , although he could not comment further . The coroner 's office handed the case over to law enforcement officials for a criminal investigation , he said . Allendale Police Detective Donnie Hutto told CNN affiliate WJBF-TV that he could not comment on the condition of the body . A Cave Funeral Services employee had no comment when asked about the matter . But Ruth Hines , widow of the dead man , told WJBF that the allegations and exhumation of Hines ' body are difficult for her . `` I 'm just going through quite a bit , '' she said . `` It 's like starting all over again , and it 's left me with hurt and numbness . '' `` According to the measurements on the casket , and the funeral director , we asked him , ` Was this suitable for his length ? ' and he said , ` Yes that will be perfect , ' '' Ruth Hines said . Hines told WJBF that her family has used Cave Funeral Services for a number of years , and she is n't sure what the family will do in the future if the allegations are true . | At 6 ' 5 '' , former employee says James Hines was too tall for coffin after death in 2004 . Employee told authorities that funeral home took extreme measures to make him fit . Officials exhume body Tuesday , find `` undesirable evidence , '' county coroner says . Cave Funeral Services employee would not comment . | [[275, 377], [383, 416], [426, 480], [532, 570], [590, 643], [923, 1000], [923, 955], [971, 1000]] |
BUENOS AIRES , Argentina -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Argentina 's economy is in a perpetual state of uncertainty . As a result , Argentines have learned to live with what they 've got -- and make things last . Lukas Desimone of Baumm cuts out a new bag from an old billboard advertisement . This resilience and resourcefulness has resulted in a wonderfully creative culture , where innovation and ingenuity are ever-present . In the wake of the country 's 2001-2002 economic crash , many Argentines could n't afford to travel abroad to forge new business relationships and absorb foreign ideas , so they did what they 've always done -- they looked within for inspiration . In particular , Argentine fashion and designs have come to the forefront in recent years and gained worldwide accolades . These days , whenever I walk down the streets of Buenos Aires , especially in the trendy bohemian neighborhoods of Palermo and San Telmo , I see scores of boutique shops selling cool furnishings and hip clothing . Watch Brian Byrnes ' report from Argentina '' These are the places that always seem to attract the most attention from tourists ; I do n't think they expect to find such cutting-edge goods here , and are pleasantly surprised when they do . I 've lived in Argentina since 2001 , and witnessed the country struggle through the bad times and enjoy the subsequent recovery ; in some sectors of society you could even call it a renaissance . So it comes as no surprise to me that Argentine designers are now meshing technology and fashion in totally new , and in many cases , eco-friendly ways . Living a `` green '' lifestyle is a relatively new concept in Argentina , and the country is definitely behind in regards to education and implementation of environmentally-friendly policies , but that has started to change in recent years , and as they are prone to do , many Argentines have embraced the idea with their typical gusto . I wanted to find out more about some of these new designers , so I visited two businesses in Buenos Aires that are creating items that are both innovative and unique , especially for this region of the world . We 'll be featuring these two companies on CNN International 's special weeklong programming called `` Going Green '' this week . The first place I went is Indarra DTX , housed in an enormous warehouse that also serves as a storage area for a supermarket . When I knocked on the non-descript gray metal door and passed through a loading dock area , I was thinking that I may have come to the wrong place . But cameraman Eduardo Aragona and I were soon greeted by a cheerful receptionist , Agustina , who led us into the spacious workspace and then to a corner area reserved for fashion fittings and meetings . There we met Julieta Gayoso , the 37-year-old owner of Indarra DTX . She told me that Indarra is a Basque word that means `` energy '' and she named the company such because her objective is to mesh technology and fashion in a way that advances the functionality of clothing . `` We are with our clothes 24 hours a day , so I think they need to provide us with other services , and these new benefits have to do with technology , '' says Gayoso . Indarra makes sleek jackets from eco-friendly textiles , like bamboo fibers and Lyocell . One of their most intriguing products is the FV Module Jacket , which comes with a small solar panel attached to the back . The panel absorbs sunlight and in turn can power your Ipod or charge your cell phone . I tried one on , and it was comfortable , practical -- and stylish . Although I must say , I would be a bit concerned about garnering glances on the street because of the solar square . It 's not that noticeable , though , and it 's worth the funny looks to save a little energy . Every bit counts , right ? Next , we headed across town to the workshop and studio of Baumm , a self-proclaimed `` Recycle and Design Company '' housed on the second floor of a refurbished old home in the Villa Crespo neighborhood of Buenos Aires . Lukas Desimone , 29 , and Rodrigo Chapero , 27 , are the co-owners of the company , and when I first met them I thought they could easily be members of a skateboarding team . Baumm -- which means `` tree '' in German -LRB- they added an extra `` m '' so `` it would look cooler , '' according to Chapero -RRB- -- creates hip messenger bags and wallets from the vinyl that is used in billboards . When they first started , they would literally rip down the material from old street advertisements ; now they have hired some people to bring the material to them . It 's a fantastic idea , because as Chapero told me , the material is not recyclable and is toxic if burned , so essentially , once an advertising campaign is over , the vinyl is rolled up , stored away , and never used again . The Baumm guys saw the potential in this , and now make colorful , 100 percent original bags that retail for around $ 30 each . Every bag is hand-made , and literally one-of-a-kind . `` We are giving new life to something we take out of the trash , '' says Chapero . | CNN 's Brian Byrnes reports from Argentina on trend for eco-friendly fashion . Economic crash inspired a new creativity that 's all about recycling , reusing . Indarra DTX is creating hi-tech clothing , installing solar panels in jackets . Baumm uses vinyl from discarded billboard advertisements to make bags . | [[282, 364], [3328, 3348], [3357, 3387], [201, 281], [4380, 4394], [4400, 4423]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A 4-year-old Ohio girl who vanished more than three weeks ago was found alive and in good condition , halfway across the country in Southern California , authorities said . Haylee Donathan was found with her mother and her mother 's boyfriend , fugitive sex offender Robbi Potter . Haylee Donathan , her mother , Candace Watson , and Robbi Potter were discovered after hiding for the past week at The Morning Star Ranch , a retreat in Valley Center , near San Diego , said Peter Elliott , United States Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio . Potter is a registered sex offender , officials said . He was being sought by the U.S. Marshal 's Service . Late Tuesday , Haylee was in the custody of a children 's protective services agency in the San Diego County area , Elliott said . She was doing well but may have chicken pox , he added . `` We understand she is healthy and happy and I believe , waiting to come back to her grandmother here , '' he said . Watch authorities announce their find '' The journey west took them more than 2,000 miles from Mansfield , the north-Central Ohio city where the girl and her mother live . `` I am very happy that my granddaughter 's coming home , '' said Mary Watson , Haylee 's grandmother . `` And I just want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart . '' Watson , 24 , and Potter , 27 , were arrested without incident and held by the San Diego County Sheriff 's Department . When asked their reaction , Elliott said , `` I believe a little shocked that we were able to find them . '' Potter and Watson were still using the same vehicle , a 1980s blue Chevrolet pickup truck they drove from Ohio , Elliott said . Watson 's hair was a bit darker and Potter also changed his appearance slightly . Authorities had feared Haylee was endangered . Potter , a sex offender , had escaped a halfway house on May 28 , the day the girl and her mother fell out of sight . Countless tips came in while they were missing but one in particular led to the breakthrough on Tuesday , Elliott said without elaborating . But a tip from members of the ranch could have led to the raid and arrest , a ranch member told CNN . Kevin Carlin , a member of the ranch in the neighborhood of Valley Center , told CNN in a telephone interview that ranch members became suspicious when a former ranch guest saw billboards urging help in finding Haylee and the two adults . Elliott also praised intense national news coverage from programs such as HLN 's `` Nancy Grace '' and `` Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell , '' as well as local media and Clear Channel , which put up missing child billboards across the country . When she is returned to Ohio , Haylee will be placed in the custody of her grandmother , Elliott said . The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force had offered a $ 10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of 27-year-old Potter . Potter was wanted on a state warrant for parole violation and a federal warrant for probation violation . He is a convicted tier three sex offender , according to the U.S. Marshals Service , a unit of the Justice Department . While on the run , Potter and Watson were reportedly seen on surveillance video on May 31 at a Wal-Mart Store in Marion , Ohio , 40 miles from Mansfield . Haylee was not on that video . Adding to concerns , Watson 's roommate , Samantha Covert , said last week in an interview on `` Nancy Grace '' that she saw the little girl in bed with her mother and Potter the morning they disappeared . Covert said Watson carried a basket of clothing , pillows and blankets . Watson will likely face state charges , including harboring a fugitive , according to Elliott . In addition to other charges , he said Potter may be prosecuted under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act , a federal sex offender registration and self-reporting law that carries a multiyear felony sentence if violated . On its Web site , the Morning Star Ranch describes itself as `` a community of growers of organic , pesticide-free avocados , grapefruit , persimmons , nuts and other produce . '' Elliot said he believed it is a rehabilitation facility and also called it a Christian retreat . | Ohio girl found alive near San Diego , California , authorities say . Tip led authorities to raid communal farm . Haylee Donathan was with mother , boyfriend who 's a fugitive sex offender . Haylee , mother were last seen May 28 . | [[2077, 2146], [192, 261], [19, 41], [46, 80], [1880, 1931]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- John Daly dazzled the galleries at the Italian Open with his garish clothing but stayed in contention for the title after a second successive 69 in Turin . Daly rolls a putt during his second round of 69 at the Italian Open . Sporting a lime green top with a pair of psychedelic trousers , Daly was looking to improve on his tie for 31st in the Spanish Open . The two-time major champion is playing on the European Tour after being handed a six-month ban in the United States after a series of lurid headlines . But clearly showing the benefits of losing 20kg after having a gastric band fitted , Daly has shown glimpses of his best form . `` Yesterday could have been really low , but today could have been really high , '' he told the official European Tour Web site www.europeantour.com . `` I did n't hit it that great and one-putted the first five greens . '' Daly was partnering home hope and 2007 champion Francesco Molinari and while struggled early on , the Italian packed an eagle and two birdies into his first four holes to go joint leader . But he then slipped back to five-under as he matched Daly with a 69 . Daniel Vancsik of Argentina was setting the pace on the second day after carding a six-under 65 for a halfway total of nine-under 133 . Daly , who had not played for four months before teeing up in Spain , will look to continue his improved form in lucrative upcoming events . It was confirmed on Friday that he is to extend his stay by playing in the European Open at the London Club from May 28-31 . It will be a first appearance in the tournament by the `` Wild Thing '' who is promoting a new range of clothing to match his more slimline figure . | John Daly cards second straight 69 in Turin to be handily-placed in Italian Open . 43-year-old American is playing a series of events on the European Tour . `` Wild Thing '' has also made his mark with his colorful golf clothing . | [[0, 15], [100, 174], [175, 244], [19, 95]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The way professional golf is played may have changed for good after the U.S. PGA Tour decided to go along with a new rule that amounts to a rollback of golf technology , a move that world number one Tiger Woods has endorsed . Tiger Woods supports a rule change that will make it harder to play out of the rough . The rule , implemented by the U.S. Golf Association -LRB- USGA -RRB- and Royal and Ancient Golf Club -LRB- RA -RRB- , means that from the start of 2010 the U-shaped grooves on wedges will be banned in favor of V-shaped grooves , with the intention of rewarding accurate driving over distance hitting . Research by the USGA has shown that U-shaped grooves allow top players to generate much more spin when playing the ball out of the rough , making the ball come to a quick stop on the green . The USGA and RA felt this meant that landing in the rough was no longer enough of a penalty for shots that strayed from the fairway . In recent years pro golfers have begun to drive for distance rather than accuracy , knowing they can spin their way out of the rough if they miss their target -- a style of play known as `` bomb and gouge . '' Despite pressure from some players and golf equipment manufacturers , the U.S. PGA Tour has decided to go along with the rule change , meaning U.S. PGA Tour competitions , including the U.S. Open , will feature the club restriction from next year . Amateur competitions will not ditch the U-shaped grooves until 2014 and the new rule will not apply to recreational players until 2024 . Gareth Taylor , Product Manager at leading golf club manufacturer Callaway , told CNN he believes the change will reward more skilful players . `` At the moment players are getting a lot of spin on the ball so I think it will make people play better , '' he said . `` They 'll have to get their technique finely tuned and not rely on the club . '' He says club makers have been given ample notice to prepare for the switch . `` I do n't think the change is a regression , it just means research and development will have to come up with better ideas to help the players out . '' Taylor explained that as a golfer strikes the ball the grooves on the club face catch the coating on the ball 's surface , producing back spin . He said that the rule change applies to five irons and up and requires the grooves on the club face to be more spaced out , which will make it harder for the grooves to catch the ball . Tiger Woods has supported the changes , saying : `` I think it 's great . We 've had plenty of time to make our adjustments . All the companies have been testing and getting ready for this . '' To compensate for the loss of spin from the rough , tour players may use softer balls , which spin more but do not travel as far . That could favor players who already use the softer ball -- including Tiger Woods . | The PGA Tour has agreed to a rule that will ban U-groove clubs for tour players . The rule should reward accuracy by making it harder to play from the rough . Golf club designers are researching new technologies to replace the u-groove . | [[1256, 1318], [262, 348], [274, 296], [302, 348]] |
MEXICO CITY , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Arrest warrants have been issued for another nine people associated with a fire at a day-care center in northwestern Mexico in June that killed 48 children , the state-run Notimex news agency said Saturday . Two girls lay flowers during a funeral of one of the 48 children who died in the day-care fire . The warrants are for the owners and legal representatives of the ABC day-care center in the city of Hermosillo in Sonora state , which burned down June 5 , Notimex said . Officials have determined that the fire started at an air-conditioning unit at a government-owned warehouse in the same building as the day-care center . Fourteen children remain hospitalized , Notimex reported earlier . The latest arrest warrants are the third group to be issued since the fire . On Wednesday , the Mexican federal attorney general 's office ordered the arrest of nine public officials from the Mexican Institute of Social Security , which owned the day-care center , as well as private individuals connected to the facility . Two weeks earlier , Mexican officials announced they had ordered the arrests of 14 people who worked at the warehouse . Parents of the dead children and others have held demonstrations in Hermosillo and Mexico City to protest what they see as foot-dragging by authorities in punishing the responsible parties . | Arrest warrants issued for nine people in connection with Mexico day-care fire . Forty-eight children died in fire ; 14 remain hospitalized . Fire started in air-conditioning unit in building , officials say . | [[14, 30], [40, 96], [77, 171], [814, 826], [829, 965], [167, 171], [177, 195], [297, 312], [317, 344], [670, 707], [516, 669], [547, 669]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Massachusetts sued the U.S. government on Wednesday , challenging the constitutionality of a federal law that defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman . The state of Massachusetts says the Defense of Marriage Act denies same-sex couples essential rights . `` We 're taking this action today because , first , we believe that -LSB- the Defense of Marriage Act -RSB- directly interferes with Massachusetts ' long-standing sovereign authority to define and regulate the marital status of its residents , '' Attorney General Martha Coakley said Wednesday afternoon . `` Massachusetts has a single category of married persons , and we view all married persons equally and identically , '' she said . `` DOMA divides that category into two distinct and unequal classes of marriage . '' The lawsuit argues that the act , which became law in 1996 , denies same-sex couples essential rights and protections , including federal income tax credits , employment and retirement benefits , health insurance coverage and Social Security payments . `` In enacting DOMA , Congress overstepped its authority , undermined states ' efforts to recognize marriages between same-sex couples , and codified an animus towards gay and lesbian people , '' the state wrote in the lawsuit , which was filed Wednesday in federal court . Massachusetts , the first state to legalize gay marriage , said that about 16,000 same-sex couples have been married there since 2004 , when it began issuing marriage licenses . Since that time , the lawsuit said , `` the security and stability of families has been strengthened in important ways throughout the state . '' The state is challenging Section 3 of the law , which defines marriage as `` a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife '' and a spouse as `` a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife . '' Before the act , the lawsuit argues , defining marital status was the prerogative of the states . The law `` eviscerated more than 200 years of federal government deference to the states with respect to defining marriage , '' it said . The lawsuit also argues that the law forces Massachusetts to treat same-sex married couples differently from heterosexual married couples , particularly through determining who qualifies for the state 's Medicaid program , known as MassHealth , and whether a same-sex spouse of a veteran can be buried in a veteran cemetery . `` But for DOMA , married individuals in same-sex relationships in the commonwealth would receive the same status , obligations , responsibilities , rights , and protections as married individuals in different-sex relationships under local , state , and federal laws , '' the lawsuit said . The defendants named in the lawsuit include the Department of Health and Human Services , Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius , the Department of Veterans Affairs , Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and the United States itself . Charles Miller , a spokesman for the Department of Justice , said the department will review the case but noted that President Obama supports the legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act . In March , Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders -- the same Boston-based group that successfully argued in 2003 for same-sex marriage rights in Massachusetts -- also sued the federal government over Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act . Besides Massachusetts , three other states recognize same-sex marriages : Connecticut , Maine , and Iowa . Vermont and New Hampshire will join their company when same-sex marriages become legal later this year and early next year . | Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of Defense of Marriage Act . Measure defines marriage as between man and woman . Attorney General : Law means state ca n't define and regulate marriage . Suit says law denies same-sex married couples essential rights , protections . | [[0, 15], [73, 123], [110, 123], [129, 181], [1697, 1704], [1713, 1779], [182, 257], [214, 284], [809, 1061], [833, 842], [870, 1061]] |
BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Iraqi government says it has banned all organized visits to Saddam Hussein 's grave amid concern over support for the late dictator 's former party . An Iraqi poet , left , gives a recital while children carry pictures of Saddam Hussein over his grave . A Cabinet statement on Monday said it had directed authorities in Salaheddin province and the Education Ministry to `` take all necessary measures '' to prevent such outings . The former dictator , along with his two sons and other relatives , is buried in his hometown of al-Ouja near Tikrit in Salaheddin north of Baghdad . And , Hussein supporters and schoolchildren have made visits there on the late dictator 's birthday and hanging date . There have been videos on sites such as YouTube of people at the site . One video shows schoolchildren at the grave in December ; they carried banners at Hussein 's grave that said `` We wo n't forget you father '' and they read pro-Hussein poetry . The government move was made after a recent visit by schoolchildren to the grave , but no reason was given for the decision . However , the move reflects the concern of Iraq 's government over the presence of the Baath Party in Iraq , Saddam Hussein 's political movement . The party and its symbols have been banned in Iraq . On Saturday , government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told reporters that while there can be government reconciliation with individual Baathists who have not committed crimes such as killing Iraqis , there can never be national reconciliation with the party itself . Salaheddin Gov. Mutasher Hussein Alaiwi , said he had not received any official directives yet , but said he would implement Cabinet orders when he receives them . The governor said that would apply to organized group visits , but they would not stop individual ones . A resident of al-Ouja told CNN the government had no right to stop visitors from going to their former president 's tomb . `` Even if they put police and army outside the door , they will not stop us from visiting our president , our leader and our father , '' said Mohammed al - Nasiri . Hussein was executed in 2006 after an Iraqi court sentenced him to death for crimes against humanity . | Iraqi government bans all organized visits to Saddam Hussein 's grave . Former dictator buried in his hometown of al-Ouja near Tikrit , north of Baghdad . Government move was made after a recent visit by schoolchildren to the grave . Move reflects concern of Iraq 's government over presence of the Baath Party . | [[0, 7], [10, 30], [34, 187], [468, 533], [536, 617], [618, 621], [624, 736], [987, 1067], [0, 7], [10, 30], [34, 187], [1123, 1260]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova 's life has been a classic rags-to-riches fairytale , taking her from poverty in provincial Russia to a cosmopolitan life of wealth and aristocracy . Supermodel Natalia Vodianova was discovered in Moscow in a classic rags-to-riches tale . Her intelligence , poise and charm -LRB- as well as stunning features and long limbs -RRB- , have propelled her from anonymity to being one of the most recognizable and respected models in the fashion industry . Her success has earned her the nickname Supernova . Not content to grace the covers of glossy magazines and the catwalks of the world 's glamorous fashion capitals , Vodianova has also carved a role as a philanthropist . In 2005 she founded the Naked Heart Foundation , a charity that builds playgrounds for children across Russia . `` Giving back just feels so great and I always try to open each play park with myself being present for the children because it makes it more special for them . I go to very remote parts of Russia that are far from Moscow and it gives these children an extra message of love , '' she told CNN . Vodianova was born on February 28 1982 in Nizhni Novgorod , the fourth largest city in Russia . She lived in a poor district of the city with her mother and two sisters , one of whom has cerebral palsy . Watch Natalia Vodianova take CNN on a tour of Moscow '' The young Vodianova was regularly taken to the opera and the ballet by her grandparents . They offered some respite from the troubles at home and taught her the importance of manners . When Vodianova was 11 she began to help out on the family 's fruit stall , and at the age of 15 she had moved into her own apartment with her best friend . `` It was a lot of survival and a lot of struggling but overall we were a good team , '' Vodianova told CNN . `` We worked really hard , all of us , and stood up for each other . My mum was amazing -- she lived for us . I appreciate what she has done for me and the way she raised me '' In 1999 a Parisian model scout held an open casting in Nizhni Novgorod . Vodianova impressed him and he sent her to Paris to sign with Viva Models on the condition that she learn English within three months . Luckily for her she took his advice . A year later Vodianova would find herself settled in Paris and sitting at a dinner party in the Pompidou Center restaurant . It was there she met artistic , English aristocratic playboy the Honorable Justin Portman , third son of the late Viscount Edward Henry Berkeley Portman . See Natalia Vodianova 's life in front of the camera . '' The Portman family is one of the wealthiest in Britain , owning over 100 acres of prime land in central London and 3000 acres in Herefordshire , as well as expansive properties in Antigua and Australia . The pair fell in love and after a quick civil wedding Vodianova gave birth to their first child , Lucas , in December 2001 , when she was still only 19 . Vodianova lost a huge amount of weight after the birth and just a few weeks later at the castings for Paris Fashion Week she was the clear favorite among the designers . She opened and closed the prestigious Yves Saint Laurent show , as well as 40 other runway bookings and landed a Gucci perfume campaign , shot by iconic fashion photographer Mario Testino . On September 1 2002 Vodianova and Portman were married again , this time in a ceremony at St Vladimir 's Cathedral in St Petersburg , followed by a lavish reception for 110 guests at the Palace of Catherine the Great . Over the next few years two more children followed . Her daughter Neva was born in March 2006 and another son , Viktor , was born in September 2007 . Vodianova still found time to walk the runway for the world 's great fashion houses , including Chanel , Givenchy , Versace , Balenciaga , Prada , Ralph Lauren , Christian Lacroix , Dolce & Gabbana , Gucci and her good friend Diane Von Furstenberg . She `` officially '' retired from the catwalk after Valentino 's emotional final show , during the Spring/Summer 2008 season . Afterwards , Vodianova took Valentino for a well-deserved holiday to her much-loved city of Moscow . `` Moscow is the heart of my country so it gathers the best of what I love about my country - and I can find it all here in this place . I love the people , I love what I find here , I love being here and it 's sad that I do n't actually live here . It would be my dream '' Vodianova told CNN . Following a brief return to the catwalk for Diane Von Furstenberg and Balenciaga at the end of 2008 the supermodel is now fronting campaigns for Calvin Klein and David Yurman jewelry . At the age of 27 Natalia Vodianova has achieved more than most people could ever dream of . She 's got age on her side , as well as beauty , fame and fortune , and yet she remains admirably grounded . `` The most important things to me are my children , my family and my husband . It 's really about people in general -- I really love people and I try to never say no if someone needs my help . '' | Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova grew up in a poor neighborhood . Her charity , the `` Naked Heart Foundation , '' builds playgrounds in Russia . She is married to English aristocrat Justin Portman and has three children . Vodianova now fronts campaigns for Calvin Klein and David Yurman jewelry . | [[1249, 1321], [794, 803], [809, 856], [4486, 4670], [4486, 4580], [4586, 4600], [4604, 4670]] |
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The family of Michael Jackson has been told by state officials that it may be possible to bury the singer at Neverland Ranch -- if the county gives the green light . Santa Barbara County says it has n't yet been contacted about burying Michael Jackson at Neverland . Officials with Santa Barbara County , the site of the ranch , said Thursday that they have not yet been approached , and it was not clear whether the family had decided to pursue that option . A lawyer from the Jackson family contacted state officials recently about possibly burying Jackson at the ranch that was his home for almost two decades , said Amanda Fulkerson of California 's State and Consumer Services Agency . To bury someone on private land in California is a two-step process . First , a certificate of authority is needed from the state Cemetery and Funeral Bureau -- easily obtainable by filling out a two-page application and paying $ 400 . Next , the family needs approval from the county . No one from the Jackson camp has contacted county authorities yet , said county spokesman William Boyer . `` We have had no formal application either from the Jackson family or from the property owner , '' said Boyer , the communications director for the county . `` At that point , we would review the application and make a determination . '' Boyer said Santa Barbara county has never been approached about burial on private land . California has had burials outside cemeteries , most notably that of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan at his presidential library in Ventura County 's Simi Valley . Jackson 's brother Jermaine said he 'd like to see the singer buried at the ranch . But their father , Joe Jackson , said he opposes the site . The rest of the family has expressed no preference about Jackson 's final resting place . Michael Jackson died June 25 of a cardiac arrest . The exact cause of death is pending toxicology results . Jackson purchased the Neverland Ranch -- named for the fictional world in J.M. Barrie 's `` Peter Pan '' -- in 1987 and filled it with animals and amusement rides . Billionaire Tom Barrack Jr. gained control of the ranch through his company last year as part of a process to alleviate the singer 's debts , believed to be in the millions . Soon after Jackson 's death , Barrack said the property 's future would be discussed at a later time . | State officials say Santa Barbara County has to approve burial on private property . Jackson family also must fill out a two-page application and pay $ 400 . Neverland Ranch was Jackson 's home for almost two decades . Brother Jermaine wants to see him buried at ranch ; father Joe opposes idea . | [[0, 11], [14, 40], [58, 168], [735, 780], [971, 975], [978, 1021], [914, 970], [606, 615], [621, 656], [1624, 1642], [1652, 1685], [1657, 1707], [1712, 1724], [1741, 1767]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An Egyptian court on Thursday confirmed the death sentences of a business tycoon and a former police officer convicted of killing rising Lebanese pop star Suzanne Tamim . Hisham Talaat Moustafa , a real estate mogul , has been found guilty of Suzanne Tamim 's murder . In a case that has captivated Egypt and the region because of the fame of the victim and one of the defendants , a judge sentenced to death real estate mogul Hisham Talaat Moustafa and former officer Muhsen el Sukkari last month . Tamim 's body was found stabbed , with her throat slit , in her apartment in the United Arab Emirates in July 2008 . The court 's latest decision came after a review of the sentence by Egypt 's grand mufti , the country 's highest religious official . Because the two men were sentenced under Islamic law , it is widely expected they will be hanged . The court usually seeks to get the Mufti 's `` advice only on any death sentence , according to the law , '' a legal source in Cairo told CNN . `` However , the Mufti 's advice to the court is not binding at all , '' added the source , who asked not to be named . `` Even if the Mufti was against the death sentence , that will not have any effect on the judge 's decision , who will have the final say , '' the source said . Since his 2003 appointment as grand mufti , Sheikh Ali Gomaa has received about 480 cases from the court that included death sentences . He supported the judge 's decision in 478 and opposed twice , but the rule was implemented according to the court conviction . Moustafa 's lawyer previously told reporters that he would appeal the conviction , saying there was `` a 1 million percent guarantee '' the sentence would be overturned . Prosecutors alleged Moustafa , a parliament member for the ruling National Democratic Party , paid el Sukkari $ 2 million to kill Tamim . During the trial , Moustafa 's lawyer told CNN his client loved the singer but could not take Tamim as a second wife because his family objected . Polygamy is legal in Egypt , and it 's not unusual for men such as Moustafa , a married father of three , to take on additional wives . Prosecutors have said Tamim 's death was a `` means of taking revenge '' but have not elaborated . Moustafa and el Sukkari claim the prosecution 's evidence could have been fabricated or tampered with by UAE authorities and should not be used against them . Although Tamim was killed in the UAE , the Egyptian judiciary tried the case in Cairo because the accused were arrested in Egypt . After Moustafa 's arrest in September , Egyptian authorities indicted him , stripped him of his parliamentary immunity and jailed him pending trial . He also resigned as chairman of Talaat Moustafa Group -- a conglomerate with construction and real estate arms that was founded by his father , Talaat Moustafa . Moustafa 's brother , Tarek Talaat Moustafa , now chairs the company . CNN.com Arabic 's Mahmoud Gharib contributed to this story . | Egyptian mogul and ex-police officer guilty of Lebanese singer Tamim 's murder . Her body was found in apartment in United Arab Emirates . Prosecutors alleged Moustafa paid ex-officer el Sukkari $ 2M to kill Tamim . Moustafa , el Sukkari say prosecution 's evidence could have been made up . | [[0, 15], [49, 189], [190, 212], [229, 287], [519, 532], [543, 550], [553, 573], [576, 620], [1731, 1759], [1825, 1868], [2275, 2371]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Profits at celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay 's British restaurants plunged by nearly 90 percent in the last 12 months . Gordon Ramsay has become as successful on television as he has been off-screen . Run by the Scottish-born chef and his father-in-law Chris Hutcheson , Gordon Ramsay Holdings reported a drop in annual turnover from # 41.6 million -LRB- $ 68 million -RRB- to # 35 million -LRB- $ 57 million -RRB- in the year to August 2008 , Britain 's Press Association reported Friday . Pre-tax profits plummeted by over # 3 million -LRB- $ 4.9 million -RRB- to # 383,325 -LRB- $ 627,000 -RRB- , while net debt in the group , which includes London restaurants such as Claridges , Maze and the flagship Royal Hospital Road , soared to almost # 9.5 million -LRB- $ 15.5 million -RRB- . With spiraling debts and crippling tax bills , the star of TV shows such as `` Ramsay 's Kitchen Nightmares '' and `` Hell 's Kitchen '' was forced to pump huge amounts of his own money into the business , even selling his prized Ferrari to raise funds , The Guardian newspaper said . Ramsay has attributed his business problems to over-ambitious expansion plans , in addition to the closure of two of his 11 London eateries . The Michelin-starred chef opened ten restaurants between 2007 and 2008 , while The Savoy Grill was forced to close as the Savoy hotel was refurbished , and the lease at the Connaught expired . The 42-year old was also forced to review his company 's international operations , closing restaurants in Paris , Los Angeles and Prague , The Times newspaper reported . `` Ambition overtook me . We thought we could do anything , that we could n't fail , '' PA quoted Ramsay as saying recently . A full review of the group 's operations was instigated in December as part of a refinancing deal with the Royal Bank of Scotland and to help the business get through the troubled economic times . `` 2008 brought its own challenges , not just for our group , but for the industry as a whole and the broader economy , '' Hutcheson told PA. . `` Whilst the restructuring has benefited the group , the significant contribution and commitment of all 750 staff to the business has been integral to moving us to a position of strength . '' Ramsay has endured a difficult time recently . Last month he was criticized by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd after reportedly comparing television star Tracy Grimshaw to a pig during a live cooking show in Melbourne . His trademark colorful language also came under fire last year by another Australian lawmaker . However Ramsay told the country 's Channel Nine Network , which broadcasts Kitchen Nightmares and Hell 's Kitchen , that the shows emphasize the `` pressures of working in a restaurant kitchen . '' | Turnover by Gordon Ramsay Holdings drops from $ 68M to $ 57M . Pre-tax profits plummet by over $ 4.9 M to $ 627,000 . Over-ambitious expansion plans , restaurant closures blamed . Ramsay currently owns nine restaurants in London . | [[523, 594], [1105, 1182], [650, 659], [668, 757]] |
ACCRA , Ghana -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama reached out to Africa on Saturday with a wide-ranging address praising the continent 's steady achievements , but he called its persistent violent conflicts `` a millstone around Africa 's neck . '' President Obama speaks before Ghana 's Parliament on Saturday . `` Despite the progress that has been made -- and there has been considerable progress in parts of Africa -- we also know that much of that promise has yet to be fulfilled , '' Obama said in a speech to the parliament of Ghana , a western African nation seen as a model of democracy and growth for the rest of the continent . Ghana was the first sub-Saharan nation to gain independence , in 1957 , and Obama continually cited the nation during his speech for its stability , political strides and painstaking economic progress . Its stability stands in contrast to other hot spots on the continent , such as Zimbabwe , where the society is in economic and political turmoil ; Sudan , where fighting rages in the Darfur region ; and Somalia , where a shaky transitional government is now battling an Islamic insurgency . Ghana , with a population of 24 million , was once a major slave trading center . Obama visited the Cape Coast Castle , a British outpost where slaves were held until shipped overseas , along with his daughters . Watch Obama 's remark after touring Cape Coast Castle '' `` I think it was particularly important for Malia and Sasha , who are being raised in a very blessed way , that history can take some cruel turns , '' he said . `` And hopefully , one of the things that was imparted to them during this trip is their sense of obligation to fight oppression and cruelty wherever it appears . '' Obama , whose father was Kenyan , compared the history to that of the Holocaust , Nazi Germany 's efforts to exterminate the Jews of Europe during World War II . `` It 's one of those things that you do n't forget about , '' he told CNN in an interview scheduled to air Monday on `` Anderson Cooper 360 . '' `` I think it 's important that the way we think about it , the way it 's taught , is not one in which there 's simply a victim and a victimizer , and that 's the end of the story , '' he said . `` I think the way it has to be thought about , the reason it 's relevant , is whether it 's what 's happening in Darfur or what 's happening in the Congo or what 's happening in too many places around the world , the capacity for cruelty still exists . '' Watch how Ghana is celebrating the Obamas ' visit '' But he told lawmakers that Ghana now shows `` a face of Africa that is too often overlooked by a world that sees only tragedy or the need for charity . '' While the nation-building the country exemplifies may lack `` drama of the 20th century 's liberation struggles , '' he said `` it will ultimately be more significant . '' As he has in past remarks , including his Cairo address last month about U.S.-Muslim relations , Obama stressed the superiority of governments that `` respect the will of their own people , '' saying they foster more prosperity and stability than governments that do n't . Watch Obama deliver speech to Ghanaian lawmakers '' `` No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top , or the head of the Port Authority is corrupt , '' he said . `` No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery . That is not democracy , that is tyranny , even if occasionally you sprinkle an election in there . '' Even Kenya , his father 's homeland , continues to struggle with tribalism and corruption , he said . That eastern African nation `` had a per-capita economy larger than South Korea 's when I was born '' and now , he says , it has been `` badly outpaced . '' But he said Kenya has restored stability after the violence that followed the disputed 2007 election . South Africa has had high voter turnout in recent elections , and Zimbabwe 's Election Support Network has defended the right to vote . Watch report on Ghanaians ' reaction to Obama 's remarks '' `` Make no mistake : history is on the side of these brave Africans , and not with those who use coups or change constitutions to stay in power . Africa does n't need strongmen , it needs strong institutions , '' he said . He said his administration will work `` to support those who act responsibly and to isolate those who do n't , and that is exactly what America will do . '' As for the economy and opportunity , he said African nations need to stop focusing on one particular commodity , such as oil or cocoa , and `` promote multiple export industries , develop a skilled work force , and create space for small and medium-sized businesses that create jobs . '' He cited `` our $ 3.5 billion food security initiative '' and said `` new methods and technologies for farmers -- not simply sending American producers or goods to Africa '' is what is needed . See where Ghana is located '' Obama also made reference to climate and energy challenges , saying the developed world should work with Africa to confront such problems . He said Africa has much potential to exploit its wind and solar power and geothermal energy and biofuels . As for disease , Obama said strides are being made in dealing with HIV/AIDS and malaria , but `` too many still die from diseases that should n't kill them . '' He also indicated that there need to be ways to keep African doctors and nurses from going overseas and creating gaps in primary care . `` When children are being killed because of a mosquito bite , and mothers are dying in childbirth , then we know that more progress must be made . '' He said his administration has committed $ 63 billion to fight disease , praising the `` strong efforts '' of his predecessor , George W. Bush . Watch Ed Henry 's report Obama 's emotional visit to Africa '' Obama welcomed efforts by the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States to help resolve conflict . He said the United States `` will stand behind efforts to hold war criminals accountable '' and that the Pentagon 's Africa Command will fight `` common challenges to advance the security of America , Africa and the world . '' Watch Obama 's remarks as his visit to Ghana concludes '' `` We all have many identities -- of tribe and ethnicity ; of religion and nationality . But defining oneself in opposition to someone who belongs to a different tribe , or who worships a different prophet , has no place in the 21st century , '' he said . `` Africa 's diversity should be a source of strength , not a cause for division . We are all God 's children , '' he said . | Obama tells Ghana 's lawmakers Africa needs `` opportunity for more people '' `` Africa 's diversity should be a source of strength , not a cause for division '' Pledges U.S. will help fight HIV/AIDS , tropical diseases , childhood illnesses . | [[248, 311], [486, 538], [3143, 3191], [6577, 6659]] |
-LRB- AOL Autos -RRB- -- Automotive expert Tom Torbjornsen answers a question about how to diagnose an exhaust problem and what to do about it . Dear Tom , Smoke is coming out of the tailpipe of my 2002 Chrysler Sebring with 90,000 miles . Is this a big problem ? I have to put a quart of oil a week in the engine . What should I do ? -- Sally , New York . Sally , Generally , engines burn oil due to a few reasons : bad valve seals , worn valve guides , pressurized crankcase -LRB- oil pan -RRB- due to a clogged PCV valve or breather system , and blow-by from worn piston rings . Bad valve seals : The valves are located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber . Oil is pumped at 40 to 80 PSI -LRB- pounds/square inch -RRB- of pressure into the top of the head , lubricating the valve-train . The valves have seals to stop the flow of oil down into the engine when the valve is open . If the seals fail then oil is allowed to flow down into the combustion chamber and is burned . Worn valve guides : A small cylindrical chamber called a valve guide does just what its name says ... it guides the valves . These guides wear out over time causing eccentricity -LRB- slop -RRB- . The excess gap that forms allows oil to flow down the valve stem into the combustion chamber to be burned . Normally the valve seal stops this flow . However , in this case the gap is too great for the seal to work . AOL Autos : Should you use synthetic motor oil ? Pressurized crankcase due to clogged PCV or breather system : Your car 's engine is a giant air pump , consequently it must breathe . The PCV -LRB- Positive Crankcase Ventilation -RRB- system allows the engine to exhaust the excess pressure buildup -LRB- which is a natural phenomenon of the internal combustion engine -RRB- . Carbon is a by-product of an engine and can build up in the PCV system , clogging the breathing passages . This in turn pressurizes the oil pan and pushes oil up into the fuel delivery system where it is fed into the engine and burned . AOL Autos : Do I need to replace my air filter ? Blow-by from worn piston rings : The pistons in your car 's engine have seals around them in the form of rings . These rings have two functions : -LRB- 1 -RRB- they seal the combustion chamber so that the power developed from the firing of the cylinder is not lost . -LRB- 2 -RRB- They provide vital lubrication to the cylinder walls . When the rings wear out , the pressure from combustion reverses down into the oil pan , pressurizing it , and forcing oil into the valve covers . From there it goes through the breather system , back into the fuel delivery system , and into the engine to be burned . I have to put a quart of oil a week in the engine . Is this a big problem ? It 's hard to say without performing some diagnostics on the engine . A quart of oil a week is excessive . It could be due to a plugged PCV or excessive internal engine wear . Take the car into the shop for engine diagnostics . My guess is that the tech will perform a compression test along with a cylinder leak down test after he/she determines if the PCV system is open . During these tests the tech tries to determine if there is loss of engine compression , blow-by , or excessive oil consumption due to ring wear . If excessive ring wear is discovered then further engine teardown will be necessary to determine if the engine needs to be rebuilt or replaced . AOL Autos : How often should you change your oil . What is the difference between blue and white smoke ? The engine can emit different colors of smoke : . Blue smoke : Blue typically means that engine oil is being burned in the combustion chamber . In rare cases , when a vehicle is equipped with a transmission that uses a device called a vacuum modulator valve -LRB- to soften shifts between gears according to engine vacuum -RRB- the diaphragm can break inside the valve and cause transmission fluid to be sucked into the engine via the vacuum line feeding the valve and burn . AOL Autos : Fluid leaks : unsafe and expensive . White smoke : White can mean one of two things . -LRB- 1 -RRB- Water condensation from a blown and leaking head gasket : This gasket is the seal between the cylinder head and engine block . Water runs through channels called water jackets that line the cylinder walls and thus carry away heat . When the head gasket blows , the seal between the cylinder head and engine block breaks and water is allowed to enter the combustion chamber . This water is emitted from the engine in the form of water vapor or steam and it is white in color . -LRB- 2 -RRB- Excessive gas : Fuel delivery systems sometimes falter and dump excessive amounts of raw fuel into the intake plenum . When this happens , the amount of fuel is too much for the engine to process . Hence , it exits the engine and tailpipe in the form of pure white fuel vapor . It stinks like raw gas and can be dangerous if it ignites in the hot muffler and catalytic converter . I have witnessed exhaust systems literally blown off the vehicle from the explosion that ensued from ignition of a gas-filled catalytic converter . This condition must be fixed immediately to prevent internal engine damage or worse yet , a serious fire . Can I add oil or coolant and keep driving the vehicle until I can afford to fix it ? Yes . However , be advised that such maladies never get better by themselves ; and they always get worse with time . There is a real possibility that you will get caught on the road driving at highway speeds -LRB- thinking you added enough oil , transmission fluid or engine coolant -RRB- and the oil runs out , causing a catastrophic failure . In general , when it comes to a need for auto repair , conditions never improve on their own . You must maintain your vehicle if you want to get the maximum life out of it and , in the long run , spend the least amount of money . AOL Autos : How to avoid common car problems . | An oil-thirsty engine and smoke coming from car 's tailpipe are signs of trouble . Bad valve seals or worn guides , clogged PCV valve , worn piston rings among causes . White smoke : Water condensation from blown head gasket , too much gas . Blue smoke : Engine oil is being burned in the combustion chamber . | [[156, 239], [4802, 4873], [357, 384], [435, 517], [455, 542], [582, 597], [600, 603], [1117, 1188], [2854, 2922], [2873, 2886], [3271, 3324], [4338, 4364], [4367, 4480], [1254, 1296], [3581, 3661]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A multiagency search is under way for the killers of two U.S. citizens in northern Mexico , according to Chihuahua state officials . A girl stands at the coffin of Mormon church leader Benjamin LeBaron in Chihuahua State . Benjamin LeBaron , 32 , and his brother-in-law , Luis Widmar , in his mid-30s , were beaten and shot to death after armed men stormed into their home in Galeana on Tuesday morning . The killers have yet to be identified , but the case seems to be connected to local drug lords , said Arturo Sandoval , a spokesman for the Chihuahua state attorney general 's office . Sandoval said a note was found on LeBaron 's body , but he could not confirm the contents . Local media reported that the note indicated the slayings were in retribution for the capture of 25 drug suspects in a nearby town . LeBaron 's younger brother , Eric , was kidnapped in May and returned unharmed after a week . The incident prompted LeBaron to become a nationally recognized anti-crime activist who moved the local community to take a stand . `` There are no leaders here , or we are all leaders , '' LeBaron 's brother , Julian LeBaron , told CNN television affiliate KINT in El Paso , Texas . `` If they kill my brother another three will take his place , and if they kill us , another hundred will take their place . We are not giving up . No way . '' The LeBaron brothers belonged to the `` Community of LeBaron '' in the Municipality of Galeana , a township founded by ex-communicated Mormons . | Benjamin LeBaron and his brother-in-law are shot dead in their home . The killers have yet to be identified , but the case seems tied to local drug lords . Local media : Slayings retribution for capture of drug suspects in town nearby . LeBaron was a nationally recognized anti-crime activist . | [[242, 288], [291, 302], [338, 423], [424, 435], [445, 461], [468, 518], [701, 833], [727, 833], [928, 1011], [950, 1059]] |
LOS ANGELES -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pop singer Britney Spears must submit to random drug tests , a judge has ordered after finding she engaged in `` habitual , frequent , and continuous use of controlled substances and alcohol . '' Kevin Federline and Britney Spears are in the middle of a bitter custody battle over their two sons . The ruling by Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon provided no details and did not name any specific drugs , stating only that the findings were `` based on the evidence presented . '' Spears must also spend eight hours a week working with a parenting coach who will observe her interactions with her children , according to the ruling released Tuesday . Efforts to contact the singer 's lawyers , Marci Levine and Mel Goldman , were unsuccessful late Tuesday . The ruling comes during Spears ' custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline . The documents underscore the bitter nature of the fight over their two sons , Sean Preston and Jayden . The two have split custody equally , but Federline is asking for the arrangements to be shifted to 70-30 in his favor . After a closed hearing Monday , Gordon ordered Spears , 25 , to undergo random drug tests twice a week . He told both parents to avoid alcohol or `` other non-prescription controlled substances '' 12 hours before taking custody of the children . He also barred the exes from making `` derogatory remarks about the other party and the other party 's family or significant other '' during the case , ordered them to go through `` joint co-parenting counseling '' and barred them from using corporal punishment on the boys . Spears and Federline were married for two years before their divorce was finalized in July . Federline 's attorney , Mark Vincent Kaplan , told reporters on Monday he did n't see the custody battle being resolved before scheduled hearings in November and December . Tuesday 's order comes amid a career freefall for Spears , who has a new album due in stores November 13 . Critics said her September 9 `` comeback '' performance on the MTV Video Music Awards was lackluster and said she appeared overweight in her sequined , two-piece costume . Her former divorce lawyer , Laura Wasser , resigned as her legal representative in the past few days after defending her outside the courthouse on Friday , telling reporters the singer `` just wants to be a mom . '' And Spears ' management company , the Firm , has quit after representing the singer for a little more than a month . `` It saddens us to confirm media reports that we have terminated our professional relationship with Britney Spears , '' the company announced Monday . `` We believe Britney is enormously talented and has made a terrific record , but current circumstances have prevented us from properly doing our job . We wish Britney the best . '' E-mail to a friend . | Britney Spears must submit to random drug tests twice a week , judge orders . Spears is in bitter custody battle with ex-husband , Kevin Federline . Pop singer has a new album due out in November . Spears , Federline were married for two years ; divorce was finalized in July . | [[31, 89], [1101, 1130], [1133, 1159], [1162, 1205], [227, 328], [795, 858], [1939, 1945], [1952, 1995], [1623, 1715], [1671, 1715]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A national poll of people who watched the vice presidential debate Thursday night suggests that Democratic Sen. Joe Biden won , but also says Republican Gov. Sarah Palin exceeded expectations . Poll respondents give Sen. Joe Biden the edge over Gov. Sarah Palin in ability to express views . The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. said 51 percent of those polled thought Biden did the best job , while 36 percent thought Palin did the best job . But respondents said the folksy Palin was more likable , scoring 54 percent to Biden 's 36 percent . Seventy percent said Biden was more of a typical politician . Both candidates exceeded expectations -- 84 percent of the people polled said Palin did a better job than they expected , while 64 percent said Biden also exceeded expectations . How Palin would perform had been a major issue for the Alaska governor , who had some well-publicized fumbles during interviews with CBS ' Katie Couric leading up to the debate . Respondents thought Biden was better at expressing his views , giving him 52 percent to Palin 's 36 percent.iReport.com : Tell us who you think did best . On the question of the candidates ' qualifications to assume the presidency , 87 percent of those polled said Biden is qualified and 42 percent said Palin is qualified . The candidates sparred over which team would be the better agent of change , and Biden came out on top of that debate , with 53 percent of those polled giving the nod to the Delaware senator while 42 percent said Palin was more likely to bring change . Respondents overwhelmingly said moderator Gwen Ifill was fair during the vice presidential debate , repudiating critics who said that Ifill , of PBS , would be biased because she is writing a book that includes Biden 's running mate , Sen. Barack Obama . Ninety-five percent of those polled said Ifill was fair . The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points . Obama was selected as a winner over Republican Sen. John McCain in a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll on the September 26 presidential debate . | 51 percent say Democratic Sen. Joe Biden wins vice presidential debate . Republican Gov. Sarah Palin exceeds expectations , 84 percent say . Palin beats Biden on likability , 54-36 . 87 percent say Biden is qualified for job , 42 percent say Palin is . | [[0, 15], [101, 182], [311, 387], [978, 989], [1041, 1097], [156, 212], [661, 739], [461, 557], [213, 291], [1133, 1183], [1211, 1276], [1266, 1302]] |
-LRB- Sunset -RRB- -- Come home from your next trip relaxed and smarter . Where to learn Spanish , whitewater rafting , astrophysics and more . Sedona Spirit Yoga & Hiking offers four-day retreats among the red rocks . Sedona , Arizona . Find your path in Arizona . In Sedona , the path to enlightenment involves hiking boots and yoga mats . Sedona Spirit Yoga & Hiking offers four-day retreats where you 'll take guided hikes through red rock wilderness to vortex sites , places where the Earth 's energy is supposedly strongest . You 'll also learn meditation , experience a Native American sweat lodge and maybe even nail that eagle pose . Abbreviated three - to six-hour yoga hikes are also offered . Play hooky : In between downward dogs and trail switchbacks , check out uptown Sedona 's restaurants , which include vegan and raw choices , or browse art galleries . Info : September-June ; from $ 995 , including lodging and breakfast ; yoga hikes from $ 90 ; 888/282 -9901 . -- Nora Burba Trulsson . Oaxaca , Mexico . Mix up moles south of the border . Learn to tell your chiles from your chapulines -LRB- toasted grasshoppers -RRB- at Seasons of My Heart , a cooking school in the Oaxacan countryside of southern Mexico that kicks off with some serious market research . Guided by Mexican food maven Susana Trilling , sample and buy local delicacies , then head back to the chopping blocks and stoves of Trilling 's spacious blue-tiled kitchen to create complex moles and picante bisques . Play hooky : While you 're in Oaxaca , ascend the ruins of the ancient city of Monte Albán for spectacular vistas of Oaxaca Valley . Info : Year-round ; $ 75 for full-day class , including transportation from Oaxaca City . - Edie Jarolim . Ensenada , Mexico . Speak Spanish in Baja . Get beyond your Mexican-restaurant-level Spanish without going back to school by spending a week at the Baja California Language College in Ensenada , Mexico , where there are no exams or grades . Thursday afternoons are set aside for excursions to a winery or a local taqueria to learn the difference between salsa verde and pico de gallo -- en español , of course . Play hooky : Afternoons and evenings , you 're free to surf , explore the area 's burgeoning wine region or practice your language skills at the harbor 's fish market as you search for the perfect tacos de pescado . Info : Year-round ; $ 279 for weeklong classes in which you log 30 hours ; 877/444 -2252 . - David Lansing . Near Steamboat Springs , Colorado . Blaze some trails in Colorado . Connect with your inner cowboy at the Vista Verde Ranch , a cluster of cabins and a main lodge on the flanks of the Continental Divide 45 minutes north of Steamboat Springs . With 80 horses , daily clinics and morning and afternoon rides , greenhorns and seasoned equestrians can develop their skills in the arena and on trails threading through the aspen forests . Plus , resident horse-whisperer Orval Bedell is on hand to teach rodeo tricks such as how to rope a calf . Play hooky : Soak in 105 degree mineral waters at the Strawberry Park Hot Springs -LRB- $ 10 ; 7 miles north of Steamboat Springs ; 970/879 -0342 -RRB- . Info : June-September ; from $ 3,200 per week , including meals , lodging and activities ; 970/879 -3858 . -- Jad Davenport . Salmon River , California . Master whitewater paddling . Get command of whitewater paddling basics at Otter Bar Lodge Kayak School , a wilderness hideaway on Northern California 's Salmon River , about 112 miles northeast of Eureka . You 'll start by practicing stroke technique , wet exits and rolling in the lodge 's flat-water pond before graduating to day trips on the warm class I-II water of the Salmon and Klamath Rivers . Do n't sweat it if you ca n't master a roll on the first day : Otter Bar 's instructors shadow your every paddle stroke , and if you go over , they 're more than happy to right your boat -LRB- in kayak-speak , the `` hand of God '' -RRB- . Play hooky : The wood-fired sauna and on-call massage therapist can work out your paddling kinks . Info : April-September ; $ 2,190 per week , including meals , lodging and gear ; 530/462 -4772 . -- Katie Arnold . Kauai , Hawaii . Rock out in Hawaii . Dig beneath the surface with geologist Chuck Blay of TEOK Investigations on hikes all over Kauai , including a kid-friendly amble along the southeast coast to wild Maha'ulepu Beach . Play hooky : See a reverential torch-lighting ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort -LRB- 808/742 -1234 -RRB- . Info : Year-round ; from $ 100 -LRB- $ 75 ages 5-12 -RRB- , including lunch ; 888/233 -8365 . -- Harriot Manley . Nootka Island , British Columbia . Surf off an island . What better place to learn to surf than at a lodge set in a coastal rain forest with views of bears , eagles and whales ? On Nootka Island , off British Columbia 's Vancouver Island , Tatchu Surf Adventures offers instructors , beginner-friendly waves and water temps that hit the 60s . Crowds ? No way . The island has only six residents . Play hooky : Sip scotch in the sauna . Info : May-October ; $ 2,218 U.S. per week , including meals , lodging and gear ; 250/934 -6600 . -- Steve Hawk . Denali National Park , Alaska . Unravel celestial mysteries . To understand what makes the Northern Lights so spectacular , take a crash course in astrophysics at Camp Denali , an 18-cabin retreat inside Alaska 's Denali National Park and Preserve . During three - and four-night programs , Neal Brown , space expert and director of the Alaska Space Grant Program , will explain the magnetic forces that create the aurora borealis and other atmospheric phenomena . By day , you can grill Brown with questions you might have ; at night , he 'll call your cabin if he spots the elusive lights above . Play hooky : Spend your mornings moose - and caribou-watching with 20,320-foot Mt. McKinley as a backdrop , visible on clear days from just about everywhere on Camp Denali 's 67-acre plot . Info : Book now for September 2009 ; from $ 1,425 , including meals and lodging ; 907/683 -2290 . -- Matt Villano . Yosemite National Park , California . Take in terroir at the Ahwahnee . Roll out of bed at the Ahwahnee , drink in the Half Dome view , then sip some California wines at Vintners ' Holidays . Winemakers host daily seminars , and a closing gala is held in the hotel 's dining room . Play hooky : Hike to Mirror Lake and walk in snow-dusted valley meadows . Info : Annually in November and December ; from $ 1,008 , including two-night stay ; 801/559 -4884 . -- Sara Schneider . Bishop , California . Snap to it in the Sierra . Paint alpine meadows with pixels in the eastern Sierra Nevada during Mountain Light 's three-day photographic workshop in Bishop , California . Both amateurs and pros learn to turn landscapes into works of art using a variety of techniques , including lens selection and filters . Days begin well before dawn during field trips to secret meadows and iconic locations such as Mono Lake , followed by lectures and critiques back at the gallery . Play hooky : Time is tight , but for a pick-me-up you can always sneak next door and order an espresso forte and pecan-topped coffee cake at Black Sheep Espresso Bar . Info : Classic Workshop : September 25-28 , October 2-5 and 9-12 ; from $ 1,395 , including meals and lodging ; 760/873 -7700 . -- J.D. Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com . Copyright 2004-2009 Sunset magazine . All rights reserved . | Seasons of My Heart offers Mexican cooking lessons in Oaxaca . Take a crash course in astrophysics at Camp Denali in Alaska . Get command of whitewater paddling basics at Otter Bar Lodge Kayak School . | [[1060, 1162], [1154, 1162], [1167, 1227], [5242, 5354], [3353, 3387], [3368, 3394]] |
NEW DELHI , India -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A portion of a partially built bridge for New Delhi 's metro rail network collapsed Sunday , killing five people and injuring 15 , authorities said . A crane clears away wreckage from a collapsed carriageway on Sunday in New Delhi , India . The crash occurred when a metal beam supporting pillars gave way , Delhi Metro Rail Corp. spokesman Anuj Dayal told CNN . Concrete slabs came crashing down , burying workers beneath , officials said . The dead included one site engineer , said Mohammad Akhlaque , police sub-inspector . The man in charge of building the Metro system offered to quit the project Sunday . `` I take full moral responsibility for this accident . And having taken this moral responsibility , I have decided to resign as the managing director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation , '' Elattuvalapil Sreedharan told a news conference . Sreedharan , 77 , however , noted that Sunday 's crash would set the metro project back by three months . New Delhi launched its metro system six years ago , a project that cut through India 's bureaucratic red-tape that usually holds back big infrastructure programs . Construction on new lines has been proceeding at a frenzied pace as the city gets ready to host the Commonwealth Games in 2010 . Hailed as a relief in India 's traffic-congested capital , the metro has a tarnished safety record . Part of a another bridge being built to extend the rail system collapsed last October , pinning a bus underneath and killing its driver . | Five killed , 15 injured when partially built bridge collapses in New Delhi . Bridge was being built for city 's metro rail network . Collapse occurred when a metal beam supporting pillars gave way , official says . | [[0, 33], [130, 165], [50, 110], [1395, 1449], [278, 342]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The 1992 Hollywood movie `` Lorenzo 's Oil , '' depicts the true story of Lorenzo , a five-year-old boy who suffered from adrenoleukodystrophy -LRB- ALD -RRB- , a rare and incurable disease that slowly destroys the entire nervous system . Michaela Damin and her son , Nick , who suffers from an extremely rare disease that affects the heart . The movie showed how Lorenzo 's grave physical and mental decline was finally stopped when his tireless parents found a treatment based on a mixture of oils , despite skepticism from doctors . The film illustrated perfectly the struggle faced by patients suffering from any of 6,000 known rare conditions worldwide , generally known as orphan diseases . Michaela Damin , founder of the Barth Syndrome Trust , whose son , Nick , suffers from this crippling syndrome that affects the heart and immune system and only has 130 known sufferers worldwide , told CNN : `` It can take years to get the correct diagnosis and even then there may be no expert who knows what to do next . '' The fact remains that rare diseases are still mostly overlooked by pharmaceutical companies because of the small patient population and lack of financial incentives . Drug companies tend to focus on the more lucrative `` blockbuster drugs '' for common diseases , at the expense of cures for rare conditions . The term `` orphan drug '' was originally coined because the pharmaceutical industry took little or no interest in discovery , development and marketing of drugs for rare diseases . According to the European Organization for Rare Diseases , rare diseases affect between three and five percent of the population in developed countries . In the European Union , a disease is considered rare if it affects fewer than five in 10,000 people , while in the United States the disease must affect fewer than 200,000 people . Many countries , such as the United States , Japan and the United Kingdom , have therefore attempted to encourage pharmaceutical companies to invest in orphan diseases by giving them tax incentives , fee reductions and extensions of patent rights . The United States was the first country to develop an orphan drug law in 1983 , followed by Japan and Australia . In 1997 , the Australian Orphan Drugs policy was set up to help manufacturers overcome the high cost of marketing drugs which have not proved to be commercially viable . Since 1998 , the EU has also devoted time and resources to rare diseases and passing laws that have led to more research and development in the field . But even when treatments are developed , they generally remain extremely expensive . See where to get help for rare diseases '' Genzyme , one of the pharmaceutical companies that focuses primarily on rare diseases , has long charged more than $ 300,000 a year for patients on Cerezyme , a drug used to treat Gaucher disease , an extremely rare condition that causes bone deterioration , among other symptoms . Do you know someone who has a rare disease ? Tell us in the Sound off below or send us an iReport . Only about 5,000 people around the world are taking Cerezyme . Genzyme says that justifies the high price . See images of children living with rare diseases '' `` The cost of developing therapies for very rare diseases is not substantially lower than those for common diseases and can take years , '' Steve Bates of Genzyme told CNN . In their 2005 book on orphan drugs , Daniel Hagn and Oliver Schoffski wrote that on average , only one of 5,000 to 10,000 substances tested gets as far as market authorization and that it takes eight to 12 years and $ 895 million -LRB- $ 1.2 billion -RRB- to develop and market a new drug . Bates said Genzyme needs to recoup those high costs and that profits are the motive for further research : `` Our profits are then re-directed into research for new drugs . '' Genzyme 's global revenue in 2008 was $ 4.6 billion , Bates told CNN . A spokeswoman for French drug firm Hoffmann-La Roche told CNN : `` There is a Roche Working Group on orphan diseases , but not a separate department . '' She declined to say how much the company 's resources were allocated for research into the diseases . While Pfizer spokesman Oliver Stohlmann told CNN in a written statement : `` Pfizer is one of the leading companies in terms of approved orphan drugs in Europe . It currently has four marketed medicines out of 50 on the EU orphan drugs register . `` Pfizer also has a new cancer therapy that was originally developed for a very rare tumor type but is now being tested in more common forms of cancer , '' he added . Campaigners for rare disease causes say the prohibitively high costs of orphan drugs is a major concern for sufferers , who are often forced to pay for their own treatments . Peter Saltonstall , president of the National Organization for Rare Disorders -LRB- NORD -RRB- , which represents nearly 30 million Americans who have rare diseases , told CNN : `` The biggest issue for us moving forward is that people are able to afford to pay for treatment . '' -LSB- In the U.S. -RSB- most rare disease therapies are expensive and patients are being forced to pay for things out of pocket because of lifetime caps on insurance . '' In the United Kingdom , the National Health Service -LRB- NHS -RRB- subsidizes many of the drugs for rare diseases , but not in all cases . The drugs need to pass certain stringent rules , such as fairness of asking price and effectiveness of the drug . Dr. Ed Jessop of the UK 's NHS said he believes these drugs should only be subsidized if they `` are dramatically effective , work in virtually every patient and if we believe we are paying a fair price . '' Some patients therefore still end up footing the bill for drugs that have been deemed too expensive or not effective enough . Alastair Kent , President of the UK 's Genetic Interest Group -LRB- GIG -RRB- told CNN that is why the price of treatment should reflect the input gone into developing the product . But , he said , `` there are currently no mechanisms to see if the price of some treatments is fair '' Kent would therefore like to see more publicly funded research . He also believes pharmaceutical companies should share the knowledge they do n't use : `` There is a lot of knowledge in the private sector that just gets filed away and we need to find ways to get that knowledge out . '' In the meantime , however , Kent is campaigning for the UK to sign a European Union resolution to be passed on June 8 and 9 that calls for member states to create national plans on rare diseases . He hopes a national plan will ease some of the burden that is currently carried by patients . It would lead to better communication between the various bodies that deal with rare diseases and enhance care , Kent said . But for the moment , Michaela Damin of Barth Trust explained , patients still need to take matters in their own hands : . `` Proper communication is really lacking and some of our conditions are so rare , that in the end , we have to become the expert on our own conditions . '' | More than 6,000 known rare diseases worldwide . 30 million Europeans have a rare disease at some point in their lives . Small number of patients per disease means pharmaceuticals pay little notice . EU resolution to be passed in June calls for national plans on rare diseases . | [[625, 683], [656, 693], [696, 732], [1059, 1225], [1081, 1225], [6474, 6564], [6534, 6535], [6541, 6608]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- American radio talk-show host Michael Savage said he wants an apology from Britain 's home secretary and his name removed from a list of people banned from entering the United Kingdom . American radio talk-show host Michael Savage calls the British government 's description of him `` demented . '' `` I 've heard from British attorneys who are salivating to set the record straight and win quite a large settlement should she not remove my name from the list , '' Savage said in an interview broadcast Thursday on CNN 's `` American Morning . '' Savage was referring to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith , whose office recently excluded 22 people from entering the country because the government feels they have been `` stirring up hatred . '' The British government has cited Savage -- who is on the list under his real name , Michael Alan Weiner -- for `` seeking to provoke others to serious criminal acts and fostering hatred which might lead to inter-community violence . '' Savage has made controversial statements against homosexuality , illegal immigrants from Mexico and Islam . He said that `` borders , language and culture is the real message of ` The Savage Nation , ' '' his radio talk show . `` I 'm a patriotic American , and if that 's a crime in England , God help us all , '' he said . Watch as Savage says he wants to clear his name '' Savage 's daily radio show does not air in Britain but is broadcast nationwide in the United States . Savage rejected the British government 's description of him , calling it `` a demented attitude . '' `` She lumped me in with known murderers and terrorists , people who have been in prison for killing people , '' Savage said of Smith . `` I 've been on the air for 15 years , three hours a day , five days a week . I have never , ever promoted violence . There has never been one violent incident attached to my show . '' Smith has said she is determined to keep those who `` spread extremism , hatred and violent messages '' out of the country . `` Coming to the UK is a privilege , and I refuse to extend that privilege to individuals who abuse our standards and values to undermine our way of life , '' Smith said . `` Therefore , I do not hesitate to name and shame those who foster extremist views , as I want them to know that they are not welcome here . '' The Home Office has named 16 people on the list , saying it was not in the public interest to disclose the names of the other six . Included on the list are : . | Radio talk-show host Michael Savage wants British home secretary to apologize . Savage , 20-plus others banned from entering Britain for `` stirring up hatred '' `` I 'm a patriotic American , and if that 's a crime in England , God help us all , '' he says . Savage known for controversial remarks on homosexuality , illegal immigrants , Islam . | [[0, 24], [28, 141], [165, 213], [660, 763], [878, 952], [1920, 1923], [1938, 2029], [1233, 1258], [1315, 1327], [1003, 1110]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two Italians , a Dane , a German , a Frenchman and a Brit walk into a space station ... or will , in 2013 , if all goes according to European Space Agency plans . Europe 's six new astronauts hope to join their American counterparts on the Internation Space Station . The six new astronauts named Wednesday were chosen from more than 8,400 candidates , and are the first new ESA astronauts since 1992 , the space agency said in a statement . They include two military test pilots , one fighter pilot and one commercial pilot , plus an engineer and a physicist . `` This is a very important day for human spaceflight in Europe , '' said Simonetta Di Pippo , Director of Human Spaceflight at ESA . `` These young men and women are the next generation of European space explorers . They have a fantastic career ahead , which will put them right on top of one of the ultimate challenges of our time : going back to the Moon and beyond as part of the global exploration effort . '' Humans have not walked on the moon since 1972 , just over three years after the first manned mission to Earth 's nearest neighbor . The six will begin space training in Germany , with an eye to being ready for future missions to the International Space Station and beyond in four years . They are : Samantha Cristoforetti of Italy , a fighter pilot with degrees in engineering and aeronautical sciences ; Alexander Gerst , a German researcher with degrees in physics and earth science ; Andreas Mogensen , a Danish engineer with the private space firm HE Space Operations ; Luca Parmitano of Italy , an Air Force pilot with a degree in aeronautical sciences ; Timothy Peake , an English test pilot with the British military ; and Frenchman Thomas Pesquet , an Air France pilot who previously worked as an engineer at the French space agency . | 2 Italians , a Dane , a German , a Frenchman and Briton make astronaut list . Six new astronauts named Wednesday chosen from 8,400 candidates . Group will undergo four years of training in Germany . | [[287, 369], [287, 325], [376, 419], [1128, 1172]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The father of a New Year 's Day baby pleaded guilty Thursday to killing the infant by violently shaking him . Camryn Jakeb Wilson was the first baby born in 2008 in Summit County , Ohio , arriving at 12:33 a.m. January 1 . Craig Wilson 's guilty plea in Akron , Ohio , to murder and child endangering charges ended a yearlong saga surrounding the death of Camryn Jakeb Wilson , the first baby born in Summit County , Ohio , in 2008 . `` This type of crime is always difficult to understand , but today I do hope that Camryn 's mother has some closure and that today is one step toward healing , '' Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh said . Camryn 's mother , Crystal Wilson , had left the 10-week-old infant in his father 's care on March 12 , 2008 , while she attended a meeting . When she returned to their Cuyahoga Falls home she found Camryn in a baby swing , listless and breathing abnormally while her husband of 10 months sat on a couch . Doctors at Akron Children 's Hospital quickly determined that Camryn had suffered traumatic brain injuries and bleeding in his eyes that could only have been caused by violent shaking . Learn about shaken baby syndrome '' Camryn died in his mother 's arms , surrounded by other family members , on March 25 , 2008 , shortly after being removed from life support . Craig Wilson , 29 , confessed to police that he was frustrated after an argument with his wife over his ex-girlfriend and a child he had with her . He shook and squeezed Camryn before laying him in the swing but had n't intended to hurt the infant , he told police . The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome estimates that as many as 1,400 babies annually are injured or killed by shaking . Despite the confession , the case dragged on for a year after an autopsy showed Camryn had suffered broken ribs prior to the fatal shaking . The finding raised the possibility that another person had previously abused Camryn and perhaps contributed to his death , said Jonathan T. Sinn , Craig Wilson 's defense attorney . See photos of the family '' Craig Wilson 's trial was scheduled to begin Monday . Sinn had hoped to negotiate a plea deal with prosecutors that would send Craig Wilson to prison for a flat 20-year term , but in the end , prosecutors would n't budge . `` From the moment my client was arrested , he took responsibility for his actions and for the killing of his child , '' Sinn said . `` From a human perspective , that 's very admirable . From a defense perspective , it makes it difficult to mount a defense when somebody acknowledges completely their guilt . '' Judge Lynne Callahan sentenced Wilson to 15 years to life . He is unlikely to be paroled in less than 20 years , Sinn said . | Ohio man pleads guilty to murder , endangering children . Craig Wilson confessed to shaking baby after argument with wife . Autopsy suggested 10-week-old infant had been abused before . | [[242, 394], [71, 128], [1338, 1350], [1358, 1467], [1873, 2017]] |
BOSTON , Massachusetts -LRB- CNN/In Session -RRB- -- The former wife of a man accused of kidnapping their daughter told a jury Monday about the unraveling of her 12-year marriage to a man she thought was a member of the moneyed Rockefeller family . Sandra Boss testifies about the 12 years she spent with a man she thought was one of the Rockefellers . Financial consultant Sandra Lynn Boss , 42 , was stone-faced and repeatedly referred to her former husband as `` the defendant '' as she took the witness stand Monday at his kidnapping trial . She now lives in London , England , with the girl , Reigh , who just turned 8 . Her former husband , German-born Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter , 48 , is accused of kidnapping their daughter in July , and taking the child to Baltimore , Maryland , where he 'd bought a townhouse near the harbor . His trial began last week in Boston , Massachusetts . Gerhartsreiter is charged with the kidnapping of a minor by a relative , assault and battery , assault with a dangerous weapon and furnishing a false name to a law enforcement officer . His defense attorneys told jurors they will present evidence that Gerhartsreiter was mentally ill . As she began the narrative of their whirlwind romance and 12-year marriage , Boss described how she was charmed by a handsome stranger she knew as Clark Rockefeller , who was host of a party based on the mystery game Clue . Boss testified that she came to the party dressed as the character `` Miss Scarlet '' and fell for him immediately during the summer of 1993 , when she was a student at Harvard 's business school . `` I thought he was very attractive , '' she testified . `` He was very well dressed , very fit . I thought he was very polite and could talk about anything , and also very charming . '' She told jurors that the man she married in 1995 told her he grew up in a townhouse on Manhattan 's prestigious Sutton Place , that he had suffered amnesia and could n't speak after falling down a flight of stairs as a child , and that his parents had been killed in an accident when he was in college . He also said he attended Yale University under an early admissions program when he was 14 and helped foreign governments renegotiate their debt . She believed it , she said , because `` he was one of the most intelligent people '' she 'd met . Boss said he proposed to her during the spring of 1994 , during a trip to Maine . They were married in a Quaker ceremony on Nantucket soon after she graduated from business school . Only eight people attended -- and not a single Rockefeller . Her new husband explained that he 'd had a falling out with his family . The newlyweds set up housekeeping in New York . During the early days of their marriage , she said , her husband was very supportive , but his demeanor soon changed . He became possessive and controlling , she said . Later , he `` began to show temper , '' she said . `` He wanted to walk me to and from work every day . He began to be less supportive of my seeing my friends , '' she said . His criticism of her friends left her confused and in tears , she said . By early 1996 , she said , `` It became a very stressful relationship from my point of view . '' The couple moved to Nantucket , then to Woodstock , Vermont , then back to Nantucket before buying a house in Cornish , New Hampshire . The marriage did not improve . By the summer of 2000 , Boss said she was considering a separation . She spent more time in New York away from her husband , but he wooed her back . In September , Boss learned she was pregnant and vowed to work at the marriage for the sake of their child . Their daughter , Reigh , was born in May 2001 . After hiring two nannies , Gerhartsreiter said he could do a better job and became the primary caretaker . In September 2004 , Boss transferred to her company 's Boston office to cut her commute time so she could spend more time with Reigh . The marriage ultimately fell apart and the couple separated in January 2007 . Boss had always been the sole income earner and said she began to doubt that her husband was really a Rockefeller . She said she hired a private investigator who came up with little information about `` Clark Rockefeller . '' Shortly after that revelation , Gerhartsreiter agreed to give Boss full custody of Reigh . He received $ 800,000 , two cars and her engagement ring . Boss and Reigh moved to London in late December 2007 . Gerhartsreiter did not respond to e-mails or calls from his daughter , Boss said , and never initiated contact with her during the first six months after she and her mother moved to London . On July 27 , 2008 -- during the first of three annual supervised visits in Boston -- Gerhartsreiter allegedly abducted his daughter , nicknamed `` Snooks . '' Boss described reuniting with the child at the FBI field office in Baltimore after Gerhartsreiter 's arrest a week later . She said Reigh had lost weight and `` seemed younger . '' Boss returns to the stand on Tuesday , when she will undergo cross-examination . | Ex-wife testifies at kidnapping trial of Rockefeller impostor . Sandra Boss says she was romanced by handsome stranger . Later , she says , he became controlling and short-tempered . Impostor is accused of kidnapping his daughter in July . | [[486, 545], [1182, 1256], [1259, 1316], [2822, 2858], [2822, 2824], [2847, 2858], [2861, 2864], [2872, 2877], [2880, 2906], [626, 644], [691, 743], [896, 1081], [4632, 4649], [4653, 4703], [4717, 4763]] |
-LRB- CNET -RRB- -- Craigslist 's managers have complied with the wishes of most of the state attorneys general who demanded they rid the site of prostitution ads . Craigslist says it has removed prostitution ads , but some issues remain . The Web 's dominate classifieds publication replaced its controversial `` erotic '' section with a new `` adult '' category . And where Craigslist once relied on readers to flag dodgy advertisements , the company 's employees now review every ad submitted to the adult area before they appear online . Yet , the site has been unable to block every solicitation for sex . Catherine , a self-described sex worker from San Francisco , confirmed for CNET that she successfully posted an ad for her services to the adult section late last week . She wished to remain anonymous , so neither the ad 's photo nor text can be included in this story . Regardless , it is n't hard to find questionable ads in Craigslist 's new adult section . The most noticeable difference between Craigslist 's erotic and adult categories is the photos . In the adult section , the photos are less provocative . Less skin is showing . When it comes to the text , however , the two sections are very similar . Both are packed with ads for massage services . Ads in both areas include descriptions of the masseuse 's breast size -LRB- `` I 'm a natural C cup '' -RRB- and they are often photographed dressed in their underwear . Even if most of these services are legitimate , and only a few are veiled offers of sex in the new adult area , plenty of others make little if any pretense about what they offer . These ads typically include words such as `` busty , '' or `` fantasy girl '' in their descriptions . Often , they feature photos of a woman or man dressed provocatively in their underwear or bathing suit . Some include hourly rates . Clearly , Craigslist faces a significant challenge as it tries to purge prostitution from its Web pages . While it can ban nude photos and overt offers of sex , how can anyone expect the site to outlaw ads featuring photos of bikini-clad women offering phone numbers ? One can find racier images in department store ads . The Internet has made it easier for merchants of all kinds to conduct commerce and reach wider audiences . Should anyone be surprised that the sex trade has benefited from this as well . If Craigslist were to disappear tomorrow , does anyone really expect that would curb prostitution ? A review of some competing online classifieds shows that while Craigslist has been a popular destination for sex workers , it is by no means the only one . For example , Backpages.com is an online classified publication and Craigslist competitor . The content it produces can also be found on the Web sites of some entertainment and alternative publications in major metropolitan areas , such as New York 's Village Voice or San Francisco 's SFWeekly . Craigslist is G-rated compared with the photos found in Backpages ' adult section . Ads included nude photos while others showed people engaged in sexual intercourse . A common ad would show a bare chested woman asking men to call her at a phone number . In the area of Backpages that services Charleston , S.C. , one ad found on Tuesday by CNET featured a photo of a bare-chested woman apparently engaged in masturbation . It must be noted that there was nothing as graphic on Craigslist . This is relevant because Henry McMaster , South Carolina 's attorney general , last week threatened Craigslist with a criminal investigation . McMaster has n't made any similar threats -- at least none that has been publicized -- against Backpages . Managers at Backpages did not respond to an interview request . In November , Craigslist and 40 state attorneys general , including McMaster , signed an agreement that called for the site to add more safeguards . The classifieds publication followed through and one of the new changes was a new requirement that anyone posting to the erotic section must provide a credit card . All the parties hoped that criminals would be unwilling to provide identification and this would be deterrent . `` Many of the classified and communication services on the Craigslist site provide the public with a valuable service , '' McMaster wrote to Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster on May 5 . `` However , it appears that the management ... has knowingly allowed the site to be used for illegal and unlawful activity after warnings from law enforcement officials and after an agreement with forty state attorneys general . '' Since then , Craigslist did away with the erotic section and agreed to review every ad before it appeared , but McMaster was dissatisfied . He posted a note on his site that said the `` Craigslist South Carolina site continues to display advertisements for prostitution and graphic pornographic material . This content was not removed as we requested . We have no alternative but to move forward with criminal investigation and potential prosecution . '' This is at best an empty threat , says Matt Zimmerman , a senior staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation . The Communication Decency Act protects Web sites like Craigslist from being held criminally liable for the actions of its users , Zimmerman said , who added that Craigslist has no legal obligation to even review ads before they go online . Had Zimmerman had his way , Craigslist would have never agreed to do the monitoring . Craig Newmark , Craigslist 's founder , had earlier gone on national TV and said that Craigslist would not do away with the erotic section . The company 's reversal may have led McMaster to believe he could shame Craigslist managers into doing more than what the law required . `` It made life more difficult for Craigslist I think , '' Zimmerman said . `` But I was much more disappointed with -LRB- McMaster -RRB- than Craigslist , '' Zimmerman said . `` His threats were bogus to begin with and he was wrong to threaten -LRB- Craigslist 's managers -RRB- with jail when the law is very clearly on their side . '' © 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. . All rights reserved . CNET , CNET.com and the CNET logo are registered trademarks of CBS Interactive Inc. . Used by permission . | Craigslist has banned sex ads , but some still remain , author says . A San Francisco sex worker says she still sells sex through the site . On Tuesday , an ad on the site shows bare-chested woman . Source : law protects Craigslist from being held liable for users ' actions . | [[165, 212], [542, 545], [548, 610], [3105, 3130], [3110, 3173], [3233, 3264], [3174, 3198], [3233, 3239], [3265, 3305], [5142, 5269]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tamil Tiger rebels acknowledged the death of their leader Sunday , nearly a week after the Sri Lankan government said it had recovered the body of Velupillai Prabhakaran and declared victory in the country 's 25-year civil war with the rebels . In this picture taken 27 November 2003 , Velupillai Prabhakaran stands next to an LTTE flag . Prabhakaran `` attained martyrdom fighting the military oppression of the Sri Lankan state '' on May 17 , according to Tamilnet.com , a rebel Web site , citing the group 's international affairs spokesman . On Tuesday , President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared victory against the Tamil Tigers . `` We are celebrating the defeat of terrorism , '' he said in a nationally televised speech before parliament . `` We have won and restored democracy in the country . '' The president declared a national holiday for the following day to celebrate the war 's end and begin a new phase in the country 's history . Watch the victory parade '' A short time after the presidential address , the military announced that it had recovered the body of Prabhakaran , leader and founder of the Tamil Tigers . The rebels initially denied the death of their leader , claiming on Tamilnet.com that Prabhakaran was `` alive and safe . '' The defense ministry said the bodies of Prabhakaran and 18 other senior rebel leaders were among corpses found in mop-up operations , after government troops routed the Tigers -- formally known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam . The leaders included Prabhakaran 's eldest son , Charles Anthony , as well as Pottu Amman , the Tigers ' intelligence leader , according to the ministry . Watch the U.N. chief discuss the humanitarian crisis '' Prabhakaran founded the Tamil Tigers , who have been declared a terrorist organization by 32 countries . It initiated the use of women in suicide attacks and , according to the FBI , invented the explosive suicide belt . Prabhakaran is accused of masterminding the killing of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 in the Tamil-dominated Indian state of Tami Nadu . Sri Lankan authorities allege that Prabhakaran was avenging Gandhi 's decision to send Indian peacekeepers to Sri Lanka . Two years later , a Tigers suicide bomber , allegedly acting on Prabhakaran 's orders , detonated explosives that killed Sri Lanka 's then-president , Ranasinghe Premadasa , during a rally . The rebels have fought for an independent state for minority Tamils in Sri Lanka since July 1983 . An estimated 70,000 to 80,000 people have died during the quarter century of fighting . | Tamil Tiger rebels acknowledge the death of their leader Velupillai Prabhakaran . Sri Lankan government had said it recovered his body ; rebels initially denied claim . Sri Lankan government declares victory over Tamil Tiger rebels . An estimated 70,000 to 80,000 people have died during the quarter century of fighting . | [[0, 15], [19, 76], [106, 263], [990, 1033], [1036, 1147], [1148, 1201], [106, 263], [565, 575], [578, 649], [2509, 2545], [2509, 2596]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The pilot who made a treacherous crash-landing on New York 's Hudson River look like a routine maneuver got a hero 's welcome Saturday in his California hometown . Chesley B. Sullenberger was honored Saturday with a celebration in his hometown of Danville , California . Chesley B. `` Sully '' Sullenberger put his US Airways jetliner down on the Hudson minutes after both engines failed , then walked the length of the drifting Airbus A320 twice to make certain that all 155 people on board got off safely . He was greeted by several thousand cheering people gathered around the town square in Danville , California , for a celebration in his honor . Mayor Newell Arnerich presented Sullenberger with a ceremonial key to the city , an upscale suburb near San Francisco . Sullenberger , who has avoided public comment since the January 15 incident , made very brief remarks . He thanked the crowd for an `` incredible outpouring of support . '' `` Circumstance determined that it was this experienced crew that was scheduled to fly on that particular flight on that particular day , '' Sullenberger said . `` But I know I can speak for the entire crew when I tell you we were simply doing the jobs we were trained to do . Thank you . '' Watch Sullenberger address the crowd '' Sullenberger 's wife , Lorrie , fought back tears as she spoke of her husband . `` I have always known him to be an exemplary pilot . I knew what the outcome would be that day , because I knew my husband , '' she said . `` Mostly for me , he 's the man that makes my cup of tea every morning . '' Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board continue to piece together details from the double engine failure that hit the plane after it took off from New York 's LaGuardia Airport for Charlotte , North Carolina . The jet 's left engine , which apparently tore away from the plane on landing impact , was raised from the bottom of the Hudson on Friday . Sullenberger reported to air controllers that his plane had hit birds shortly before both engines shut down . On Saturday , the NTSB said a preliminary examination of the left engine found evidence of `` soft body impact damage , '' the same kind of damage reported on the right engine . An NTSB spokesman said that there was no evidence of organic material such as a dead bird in the left engine but that was not surprising because the engine had been under water for a week . Although the NTSB has not officially confirmed reports of a bird strike , the agency 's findings and statements have not done anything to discount the bird-strike reports . Both engines will be shipped to the manufacturer in Ohio , where NTSB investigators will tear them down completely for examination . | NEW : Left engine shows evidence of `` soft body impact damage , '' NTSB says . Thousands greet US Airways pilot in Danville , California . `` We were simply doing the jobs we were trained to do , '' he says . Investigators continue to piece together what happened . | [[1824, 1846], [1855, 1908], [2074, 2085], [2088, 2146], [2102, 2191], [528, 578], [546, 622], [1139, 1216], [1187, 1235], [1208, 1240], [1593, 1718]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- No one , especially not one of Mexico 's top law enforcement officials , denies that killings by drug cartels have reached record levels . Mexican police carry a body after a clash with gangs that left 21 dead in the state of Chihuahua on February 10 . But Monte Alejandro Rubido Garcia , executive secretary for the National System for Public Safety , has an explanation . `` Mexico all of a sudden stopped being a drug-transit country and became a drug-consuming country , '' Rubido told CNN on Thursday . That means gangs that once shipped drugs into the United States are now fighting each other to sell the drugs at home , he said . Their fights center on territory -- who gets to sell what and where . `` The only way to settle their differences is through violence , '' Rubido said . `` They 're fighting block by block in a very violent way . '' The result is a brutal onslaught that resulted in about 5,400 deaths last year , more than double the 2,477 tallied in 2007 . Many analysts say Mexico is on track to set a record again this year . Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich called the situation in Mexico a `` civil war '' on a national TV program a few weeks ago . Larry Birns , director of the Washington-based Council on Hemispheric Affairs , terms it `` a sickening vertigo into chaos and plunder . '' The violence also is a result of the Mexican government 's stepped-up fight against the drug cartels . President Felipe Calderon 's administration has spent more money and confiscated more drugs than any previous one , Rubido said . `` Every time the state strikes a blow against them , their reaction is more violence , '' Rubido said of the drug cartels . A United Nations report released this week notes that the `` government of Mexico faces violent opposition by drug cartels to its attempts to fight organized crime and drug trafficking , '' adding that `` drug cartels have responded with unprecedented violence . '' Much of this violence , Rubido said , is carried out in `` high-impact '' fashion , aiming to get attention and demoralize the cartels ' enemies . For example , decapitations have become common . But decapitation often is not the cause of death . `` They 're first killed with a shot , then decapitated for maximum visual impact , '' the law enforcement official said . `` They 're trying to make the state go into reverse . '' That will not happen , Rubido vowed . `` The only way to fight this is like we 're doing in Mexico . '' He listed three fronts in the conflict : a frontal assault on the gangs ; prevention campaigns against drug use ; and a common strategy and tactics among Mexico 1,660 police agencies . It 's a tough battle , he admits , especially since the use of cocaine in Mexico has doubled in the past four years . Cocaine traffickers , Rubido said , have been looking for new markets and have targeted Europe and Mexico . Watch how the violence is affecting the United States '' The U.N. report released this week notes that `` despite concrete measures adopted by the government , drug abuse remains high in Mexico , especially among school-age children and young people . '' The war on drugs in Mexico is made even more difficult by rampant corruption , the report says . `` There is so much money involved in the drug trade , there is so much fear involved in the drug trade , that no institution can survive unaffected , '' said Birns . Says Peter Hakim , president of the Inter-American Dialogue , a Washington-based policy center : `` This has really revealed just how corrupt Mexican officeholders are , how many people in key positions in the anti-drug war have been taking money from narcotraffickers . '' In one recent instance , Noe Ramirez Mandujano , who was the nation 's top anti-drug official from 2006 until August 2008 , was arrested on charges that he accepted $ 450,000 a month in bribes from drug traffickers while in office . There have been other similar arrests of high-ranking officials for taking bribes from drug traffickers . `` There 's no way the public treasury can pay what the drug traffickers are paying , '' Hakim said . Rubido acknowledges the situation . `` It is a problem , and it is assumed as fact , '' he said Thursday . But he also sees the arrest of high-ranking officials as proof that anti-corruption efforts are working . Drug lords have two ways to battle anti-crime efforts , he said : bribes and intimidation . That intimidation can often take brutal forms . Last weekend , for example , a police official in Tabasco state who had arrested a trafficker a week earlier was killed . So were his mother , his wife , his children and nieces and nephews . His brother , also a state police officer , was wounded , as were two others . In all , 12 people were shot dead in three homes . Six of them were children . A few days earlier , a retired army general was abducted , tortured and shot 11 times , less than 24 hours after becoming Cancun 's top anti-drug official . He , his aide and a driver were all found dead in a truck by the side of a road . Cancun 's police chief was arrested a few days later in connection with the slayings . Still , Rubido and others say , most of the deaths involve just drug traffickers , not ordinary citizens . `` Ninety percent of the people who died last year in organized crime were involved in crime , '' Rubido said . `` The problem is among criminal gangs . '' Rubido sees the Mexican government prevailing . `` I have a firm conviction that it 's a battle we will win , '' he said . Others are much less certain . `` The occasional anti-drug battle is being won , but the war is being lost , '' said Birns of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs public policy institute . `` And there 's no prospect the war is going to be won . '' That pessimism that the current strategy is working has led to calls for a new approach . Last week , the former presidents of Mexico , Colombia and Brazil called for the decriminalization of marijuana for personal use and a change in strategy on the war on drugs . Ex-presidents Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico , Cesar Gaviria of Colombia and Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil made their announcement at a meeting in Brazil of the Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy . `` The problem is that current policies are based on prejudices and fears and not on results , '' Gaviria said at a news conference in which the 17-member commission 's recommendations were presented . Robert Pastor , a Latin America national security adviser for President Carter in the late 1970s , calls the problem in Mexico `` even worse than Chicago during the Prohibition era . '' He said a solution similar to what ended that violence is needed now . `` What worked in the U.S. was not Eliot Ness , '' he said , referring to the federal agent famous for fighting gangsters in 1920s and '30s . `` It was the repeal of Prohibition . '' Rubido is diplomatic , saying decriminalizing drugs is a `` terribly sensible '' approach that has received much thought . But he 's not buying it . `` This has become a world of globalization , '' he said . `` Globalization has many virtues , but some errors . I ca n't conceive that one part of the world would decriminalize drugs because it would become a paradise for drug use . It might bring down violence , but there would be social damage . '' | Official says drugs being used more inside Mexico , leading to turf wars . Rubido : `` They 're fighting block by block in a very violent way '' Violence also result of government 's stepped-up fight against cartels , official says . Official says decriminalizing drugs may lessen violence but increase social damage . | [[595, 644], [793, 809], [813, 845], [1663, 1699], [5374, 5390], [1342, 1354], [1360, 1444], [7309, 7337], [7344, 7374]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Brooke Shields is upset with a tabloid reporter over an incident involving the actress ' elderly mother . Brooke Shields moved her mother to a different residence after last week 's incident , Shields ' lawyer says . Shields accused a reporter and photographer from the National Enquirer of taking her 75-year-old mother -- Teri Shields , who suffers from dementia -- out of a New Jersey nursing home last week , People magazine reported . It was `` reprehensible and disgusting , '' Shields told People . The reporter , `` looking for a tabloid story , '' signed her mother out of a senior living facility in Old Tappan , New Jersey , by falsely claiming to be her friend , Shields said . Watch why Shields is upset '' The National Enquirer said the reporter has known Teri Shields for a decade . `` Teri asked the reporter to take her out to lunch and run some errands , '' the tabloid said . `` The freelance reporter then got permission from the facility to do so . ... At no point did the facility , which had given its permission for the outing , contend that there had been any wrongdoing . '' Old Tappan police told People they are investigating . Brooke Shields ' lawyer , Gerald Lefcourt , said the actress has not filed charges , but was exploring her options . Shields moved her mother to another facility , Lefcourt said . CNN 's Marc Balinsky contributed to this report . | Reporter takes Brooke Shields ' mom out of nursing home , People magazine reports . Reporter , with National Enquirer , claims to have known Teri Shields for years . Teri Shields , 75 , asked reporter to take her to lunch , National Enquirer says . Police in New Jersey community investigating , People reports . | [[432, 458], [739, 816], [761, 816], [820, 889], [432, 458], [1120, 1174]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- French Open champion Roger Federer dramatically withdrew from the Halle Open tournament on Tuesday saying he was `` overwhelmed and exhausted '' after his Paris triumph . Roger Federer quits the Halle Open saying he is `` overwhelmed and exhausted '' after his Paris triumph . Federer beat Swede Robin Soderling in Sunday 's Roland Garros final to complete his Grand Slam haul and equal the record 14 ` major ' wins by Pete Sampras . He traditionally uses the German follow-up event as his warm-up for Wimbledon which starts on June 22 . `` I sincerely apologise to the tournament organisers , my competitors , and my fans in Germany , '' Swiss world number two Federer said in a statement on his Web site . `` I only hope they will understand that I still feel emotionally overwhelmed and exhausted by the incredible events of the past few days . `` It is hard for me to admit , but I simply can not imagine giving my best effort in another tournament right away and I do n't want to risk injury if I am not 100 percent prepared . `` I need to rest and recuperate , but I look forward to returning to Halle in 2010 to go for my sixth title . '' Serb Novak Djokovic , who scored a straight sets win over Italy 's Simone Bolelli 7-5 6-2 in 84 minutes earlier in the day , has now been promoted to top seed . `` For my first game here , I was pretty happy , '' said Djokovic , who faces France 's Florent Serra in the second round . Djokovic is using the grass-court tournament to prepare for the next Grand Slam tournament -- and he hopes injury worry Rafael Nadal will be at Wimbledon to defend his crown . Nadal withdrew from the Queen 's tournament this week with a knee injury and the Spaniard says he will travel to London next week before making a final decision . `` I hope he makes it , it would be a shame for the tournament if the defending champion and world number one does n't play through injury , '' said Djokovic . Earlier , third-seeded Fernando Verdasco suffered a first round exit when he was beaten by Germany 's Philipp Petzschner 3-6 7-6 6-4 . Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt tipped Federer to set a new Grand Slam record at Wimbledon after easing into the second round at Queen 's . Australian Hewitt took just 44 minutes to sink Argentine Eduardo Schwank 6-1 6-0 and then turned his thoughts to Federer whose triumph in Paris saw him draw level with Pete Sampras on 14 Grand Slam wins . `` It was an amazing achievement , '' said Hewitt . `` His record speaks for itself . From what I saw of the match , he played his best tennis in the final . `` There was a lot of pressure and expectation on him . He came out and played one of his best matches . I think coming to Wimbledon is probably his favorite tournament of the year , so he 's going to be feeling pretty confident . '' He added : `` Roger 's going to be the one to beat . But Andy Murray has got a good chance , no doubt about that , both here and Wimbledon . He 's number three in the world at the moment and plays extremely well on this surface . '' Britain 's Murray , who is the top seed in the singles , and Hewitt won their opening doubles 3-6 6-3 12-10 on a match tie-break after dropping the first set to U.S. duo Rajeev Ram and Andy Roddick . Second-seeded Roddick began his challenge for a record fifth Queen 's title with a comfortable 6-1 6-4 second round victory over Kristof Vliegen . | French Open champion Roger Federer dramatically withdraws from Halle Open . Swiss world No. 2 is `` overwhelmed and exhausted '' after his triumph in Paris . Federer traditionally uses German follow-up event as warm-up for Wimbledon . | [[0, 15], [54, 117], [190, 224], [190, 295], [0, 15], [118, 189], [190, 295], [232, 295], [730, 866], [453, 530]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Brazilian authorities detained the wife of former world boxing champion Arturo Gatti as a suspect in his killing , according to local reports . Arturo Gatti pictured during the final fight of his career , a knockout defeat by Alfonso Gomez in 2007 . Gatti was found dead Saturday in a hotel in Brazil , where he was taking a vacation with his wife , Amanda Carina Barbosa Rodrigues , and their young child . The 37-year-old Canadian , who was born in Italy and made his name as a fighter based in New Jersey , was staying in the northeast seaside resort of Porto de Galihnas . Rodrigues , 23 , was being held in a police station in the city of Recife in connection with the killing , a police official in Porto de Galihnas told CNN . Police official Osmar Silva Santiago confirmed local reports that Gatti 's body was found Saturday morning in his hotel room with strangulation marks . `` This crime is being investigated by our homicide experts and we hope to have more answers tomorrow , '' Santiago said . Police recovered a blood-stained purse strap from the scene , according to media reports . Rodrigues became a suspect because of inconsistencies during her interrogation , local reports quoted homicide task force chief Josedith Ferreira as saying . Gatti made his name in a series of three fights against `` Irish '' Micky Ward , losing the first but triumphing in the other two . He held the IBF super-featherweight and WBC light-welterweight titles , and he also won the WBC junior welterweight belt but lost it to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2005 . Gatti retired in 2007 after suffering a knockout defeat by Alfonso Gomez in his comeback , ending with a record of 40 wins and nine losses . He grew up in Montreal , Quebec , after leaving Italy at an early age , and returned to the city following his retirement . According to Gatti 's official Web site , the Italian-born pugilist won `` Fight of the Year '' for three consecutive years . CNN 's Helena de Moura contributed to this report . | NEW : Wife , Amanda Carina Barbosa Rodrigues , detained at Recife police station . NEW : Rodrigues ' answers to interrogation reportedly had inconsistencies . NEW : Gatti 's body was found Saturday in hotel room with strangulation marks . The former world boxing champion was vacationing with his 23-year-old wife . | [[19, 131], [596, 605], [613, 700], [1119, 1197], [269, 319], [753, 904], [814, 904], [313, 319], [328, 418]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Police arrested 26 demonstrators at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday during a protest of federal AIDS policy , a Capitol police spokeswoman said . A man is placed in a van Thursday after being arrested on suspicion of unlawfully demonstrating in the Capitol . Police arrested the protesters on suspicion of unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct at the Capitol rotunda , spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said . The protesting group , Health Global Access Project , said in a statement that 27 people were arrested . The 10 a.m. demonstration by dozens of AIDS activists for increased funding of AIDS programs coincides with this week 's congressional talks over the financing of a health care reform plan . Members of Health Global Access Project entered the busy rotunda and chained themselves together with plastic chains , Schneider said . They lay on the ground holding up signs while some amused bystanders watched as police tried to persuade the protesters to disperse . Police took those who refused into custody . Group members knew they risked arrest , the group said in its statement , but they wanted to grab the attention of lawmakers and President Obama , who they accused of creating a `` flawed budget proposal '' that did not include critical HIV/AIDS funding . `` HIV is not in recession , '' Omolola Adele-Oso of DC Fights Back said in the statement . `` So why are we bailing out the bankers with $ 9 trillion , but breaking promises to fund life-saving AIDS programs in the U.S. and around the world at a fraction of that cost ? '' The group wants increased HIV/AIDS funding in the health care plan and requested that the government `` fully fund '' global AIDS programs and housing programs for low-income AIDS sufferers , they said . They argue that the administration 's budget proposal `` essentially flatlines global AIDS funding . '' HIV/AIDS funding increased for 2010 under a Department of Health and Human Services budget . Obama applauded former President Bush in December for his funding of global AIDS programs and said he planned to continue the work for AIDS relief in Africa . About 33 million people worldwide have HIV , according to the World Health Organization . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 1.1 million people living in the United States are infected with HIV/AIDS . More than 13 percent of those newly diagnosed in 2006 transmitted the disease through injection drug use , the CDC reported . Health Global Access Project also wants Congress to lift the federal ban on funding syringe exchange so clean needles are available to users , Jose De Marco said in the statement . De Marco , who has HIV , is a member of the AIDS activist organizations ACT UP Philadelphia and Proyecto Sol Filadelphia . | Police : Demonstrators chained themselves together , lay on ground in rotunda . Protesters : Federal government needs to spend more on AIDS programs . Group also wants Congress to lift the federal ban on funding syringe exchange . | [[738, 777], [807, 854], [874, 896], [547, 639], [1583, 1649], [2503, 2531], [2537, 2603]] |
During CNN 's `` Going Green : Green Light for Business '' coverage , we 've asked businesses to tell us how they balance the imperative for profit with environmental concerns . Jonathan Breeze , the CEO of Jet Republic , tells CNN how he 's working to create a carbon neutral airline . LONDON , England -- The aviation industry is often perceived as one of the bad guys in the climate change debate . As a mode of transport , flying is regarded as being particularly polluting because of the amount of fuel used at high altitude . And , it is estimated to be responsible for around 3.5 percent of global greenhouse emissions . Jet Republic CEO Jonathan Breeze says it would be a mistake to let green initiatives in the airline industry fall by the wayside . The sector 's reputation was damaged further when it was excluded from the targets outlined in the Kyoto agreement , which was interpreted by some as an example of its disregard for the climate change issue . This is unfair because the industry has taken great strides to reduce its environmental impact . For example , over the last 30 years , it has achieved a 60 percent improvement in fuel efficiency . There is a great deal of research being undertaken by manufacturers into more efficient technologies and alternative fuels , while the Single European Sky initiative aims to improve flight planning across Europe to rationalize the amount of time an aircraft is in the sky . Practically everything we do in our everyday lives has a carbon cost attached to it , but aviation is an element that we believe has come in for an undue level of criticism , when in fact it is arguably working harder than most industries to address the issue of climate change . The reaction to this criticism from governments has been taxation . But making a special case of aviation fails to address the wider issues . Aviation fuel is carbon taxed , but why is this tax not applied on other types of fuel such as electricity and gas ? The additional revenue that would be generated could be ploughed back into green energy schemes and help deliver heightened efficiencies that our industry is already investigating . Punitive taxation , which is driving up the cost of air travel , will ultimately end up being absorbed by the operator or by passengers . This , coupled with the current economic downturn , represents a significant threat to progress in the aviation industry as it could lead to a stifling of innovation and development . Meeting the challenge of climate change costs money -- modernizing fleets with more efficient aircraft comes at a price . As an industry which has been hit hard by the downturn , some of these initiatives could fall by the wayside . To allow this to happen would be a grave mistake . We identified climate change as one area where we wanted to set the standard in the industry , and as a new entrant to the market we have been able to build a commitment to carbon neutrality into the heart of our business operations . It was a consideration in our choice of the Learjet 60 XR as the model of aircraft in our 110 strong fleet . The 60 XR is the most fuel-efficient midsize aircraft in the world , something it achieves by being built with light and strong modern materials , and flying higher and faster than other aircraft . It 's a perfect example of a win-win solution . We burn less fuel ; our customers enjoy lower pricing . Aircraft positioning is another important consideration that has an impact on the amount of fuel consumed ; our fleet is based all across Europe , to reflect where our clients are . The positions of our aircraft are carefully planned and managed so that the number of `` over flights '' -- that is legs where the aircraft is empty -- are kept to an absolute minimum . We wanted to be 100 percent carbon neutral from launch so we partnered with ClimateCare , one of Europe 's most experienced providers of carbon offsets , where each project is rigorously audited and monitored for quality . By comparison , under the European emissions trading scheme , which does n't take effect until 2012 , commercial airlines will only have to offset 15 percent of the carbon emissions they create . With the impact of aviation on climate change being widely reported , people are more conscious than ever about their carbon footprint when using air travel . While the overwhelming majority have not changed the amount they travel because of it , it is certainly becoming a more important consideration and people are asking more questions before traveling . We have found that our attitude towards mitigating the effect our business has on the environment has actually become a business benefit . Our competitive pricing structure includes a carbon offset charge , which is passed on , in its entirety , to ClimateCare . By acknowledging our responsibilities in the area of climate control and putting tangible measures in place , we have received considerable positive feedback from clients and business partners . We believe that Jet Republic is at the forefront of modern European business . If every company in Europe could run 100 percent carbon neutral , as Jet Republic does , the world would be a better place . | Jet Republic has teamed up with ClimateCare to become carbon neutral . Airline chose fleet of Learjet 60 XR partly because of its fuel efficiency . Aviation industry is responsible for 3.5 percent of global carbon emissions . Breeze : Airline industry unfairly criticized for failing to address climate change . | [[3002, 3110], [538, 540], [554, 627], [296, 328], [332, 401], [1558, 1612]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- T-shirts and other official merchandise from what were billed as Michael Jackson 's last concerts are up for sale , the shows ' promoter told fans by e-mail Thursday . Official merchandise from Michael Jackson 's `` This Is It '' tour is for sale , according to the shows ' promoter . The e-mail , which went to people with tickets to London tour dates that were to start in July , reaffirmed an earlier announcement that ticketholders will receive a full refund or , if they chose , a commemorative ticket for the tour . The concert merchandise includes Jackson belt buckles , socks , hats , wallets , music and a myriad of T-shirts . `` Early in June , Michael Jackson approved a line of official merchandise for you , his fans , '' said the e-mail from concert promoter AEG Live . `` As we mourn the loss of one of the greatest talents the world has ever seen , we are only beginning to feel the impact that Michael left upon us all . A variety of official merchandise commemorates this incredible talent and preserves the legacy that is Michael Jackson . '' Fifty sold-out Jackson concerts were scheduled for the O2 Arena in London , starting July 13 . The shows were billed as the final concerts of his career and were called `` This Is It . '' Jackson was expected to earn $ 50 million from the London shows . The singer died with debts estimated at $ 500 million , and his estate will take years to unravel legally . On Wednesday , Paul McCartney refuted media accounts about the fate of the Beatles song catalog , which Jackson co-owned . `` Some time ago , the media came up with the idea that Michael Jackson was going to leave his share in the Beatles songs to me in his will , which was completely made up and something I did n't believe for a second , '' a statement on McCartney 's Web site said . `` Now the report is that I am devastated to find that he did n't leave the songs to me . This is completely untrue . I had not thought for one minute that the original report was true and , therefore , the report that I 'm devastated is also totally false , so do n't believe everything you read folks ! '' | Fans were told by e-mail Thursday that `` This Is It '' tour merchandise was for sale . Jackson himself approved a line of official merchandise in early June . Paul McCartney refuted media accounts about the fate of the Beatles song catalog . | [[135, 186], [187, 265], [187, 265], [187, 234], [268, 303], [674, 737], [957, 1026], [957, 990], [1031, 1077], [1443, 1455], [1458, 1538]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A South Florida teenager accused of killing and mutilating 19 cats excitedly described to police how he dissected cats in class , and where to find cats for experimentation , according to police . Tyler Weinman laughed when police told him they had information he was the cat killer , an arrest document said . When Miami-Dade police told Tyler Hayes Weinman someone was killing cats in the neighborhood , the 18-year-old reacted by laughing , according to a newly released arrest affidavit made public Monday . Most of the cats were found in their owners ' yards . `` One appeared to be posed with a slit down the middle of its stomach , '' the affidavit states . On Monday , Weinman pleaded not guilty to more than 40 criminal counts , including multiple charges of felony animal cruelty and burglary . He is out of jail on $ 249,500 bond and under house arrest wearing an electronic monitor , but is being held for 48 hours for a psychiatric evaluation . The teen 's attorney David Macey said there was a `` lynch mob '' after his innocent client and accused Judge Mindy Glazer of `` prejudging '' Weinman . `` He did not kill the cats , '' Macey told reporters outside the courtroom . `` The individual who committed this crime is still running around out there . '' The arrest affidavit , which a judge gave prosecutors until Monday to make public , reads like a grisly horror movie and indicates Weinman was knowledgeable of and fascinated with dissection of cats . During questioning , according to the affidavit , a detective told the teenager that police were informed he was involved in the cat slayings . Weinman replied he heard about the cats and that he told his mother . He told police that a school he had been expelled from was the only school in Miami-Dade that taught how to dissect using cats , according to the affidavit . The teenager went on to offer several other bizarre and unsubstantiated trivia , including saying that Mexico is the only source for cats used for dissection and describing their size . Weinman `` became excited and animated '' as he told the detective about cat dissection research he had discovered on the Internet , the affidavit states . `` Weinman was asked to expound on what he meant and he repeated , with noted excitement , ` It just makes a certain sound , a tearing sound , '' says the affidavit . The detective asked Weinman what tools might be used to commit animal cruelty , and teenager replied , `` I do n't know , but I 'm sure they are very well hidden . '' How did he think the cats were being captured ? The teen answered , `` They have to be either tranquilized or poisoned . '' Weinman came to the attention of authorities in late April , the affidavit states , as cats began to go missing in a suburban Dade County neighborhood called Whispering Pines just outside Miami , Florida . Police had a few times seen Weinman walking and skateboarding in the middle of the night in the area , at least once wearing black clothing and carrying a dark backpack . Detectives stopped the teenager and told him about the dead cats . Weinman responded by laughing , according to the arrest affidavit . He was not held at that time . In May , the teenager was pulled over for a traffic violation and police found a `` cutting instrument '' on the ground beside his car . According to the affidavit , as an officer questioned the teen , he noticed what appeared to be a cat scratch on his arm . `` I got them from a stray cat that I feed at my mom 's house , '' Weinman said . The teen `` was eager to show '' the scratches and took off his shirt so that photographs could be taken , according to the questioning detective 's account , which is detailed in the affidavit . The teenager 's divorced parents lived in separate neighborhoods , according to police . His mother resides in Cutler Bay . His father lives in Palmetto Bay , further north of Miami . According to the arrest affidavit , shortly after the teenager talked to police about dissecting cats , he went to live with his father who restricted his son 's access to a car . The killings shifted north as eight dead cats turned up in Palmetto Bay , police said . At that point , police provided the teen 's profile to the Miami-Dade Police Department 's Psychological Services Section . Staff doctors met and discussed the case . They determined that the cat killer was likely male and suffered from some kind of conduct disorder . If the killer was an adult , they concluded , that person would be classified as a sociopath . In late May , police then got a court order to place a tracking device on the Honda Civic driven by Weinman . The affidavit states the car was tracked to the latest feline victim which had been skinned along the abdomen from the pelvic area to the hind legs . The pelt and genitalia were missing . The cat killings became headline news across the country . Around that time , Weinman joined a Facebook page called `` Catch-The-Cat-Killer . '' The teenager is charged with 19 counts of felony animal cruelty , 19 counts of improperly disposing of an animal body and four counts of burglary . He 's pleaded not guilty to all of the charges . Kimberly Segal contributed to this report . | Police : Tyler Weinman described research he did on finding cats to dissect . Affidavit : 18-year-old laughed when police asked him about being the cat killer . Weinman is charged with 19 counts of animal cruelty and is on house arrest . | [[0, 15], [159, 191], [2049, 2145], [3928, 3961], [3964, 4029], [216, 301], [330, 377], [425, 460], [330, 377], [425, 440], [463, 499], [1834, 1862], [3107, 3136], [3139, 3148], [5003, 5150]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A suburban Philadelphia swim club has invited children from a largely minority day-care center to come back after a June reversal that fueled allegations of racism against the club , a spokeswoman said Sunday . Some kids from the Creative Steps Day Care center say club members made racial remarks . The development came during a hastily called Sunday afternoon meeting of the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley , Pennsylvania . Club members voted overwhelmingly to try to work things out with the day-care center , which accused some swim club members of making racist comments to black and Hispanic children contracted to use the pool , said Bernice Duesler , the club director 's wife . Duesler said the club canceled its contract with the Creative Steps day-care because of safety , crowding and noise concerns , not racism . `` As long as we can work out safety issues , we 'd like to have them back , '' she told CNN . She said the club has been subpoenaed by the state Human Rights Commission , which has begun a fact-finding investigation , `` and the legal advice was to try to get together with these camps , '' Duesler added . Alethea Wright , Creative Steps ' director , said , `` They should have done that before . '' Wright has repeatedly lambasted the club for its tepid response to the charges and said the children in her care were `` emotionally damaged '' by the incident . `` These children are scarred . How can I take those children back there ? '' she said . However , Wright 's lawyer , Carolyn Nicholas , said the center will give the Valley Club 's offer `` due consideration '' once it is received and looks forward to sitting down with the parties . `` The children are our primary concern , '' Nicholas told CNN . Swimming privileges for about 65 children from Creative Steps were revoked after their first visit June 29 . Some children said white members of the club made racist comments to the children , asking why `` black children were there '' and raising concerns that `` they might steal from us . '' Days later , the day-care center 's $ 1,950 check was returned , Wright said . Club director John Duesler told CNN that he had underestimated the amount of children who would participate , and the club was unable to supervise that many kids . He called his club `` very diverse , '' and said it had offered to let day camps in the Philadelphia area use his facility after budget cuts forced some pools in the area to close . Wright has rejected the camp 's contention that the swim club 's pool was overcrowded . The club had accepted a 10-to-1 ratio of children to adults and was considering adding up to three lifeguards , according to e-mails obtained by CNN . But John Duesler said last week that the Valley Club also canceled contracts with two other day-care centers because of safety and overcrowding issues . The Pennsylvania Human Rights Commission launched an investigation last week after allegations of racism at the Valley Club . The commission said that as part of any investigation , the two sides eventually could be asked to sit down face-to-face with its investigators . `` We always encourage opposing parties to communicate with one another if they feel they can resolve these issues amicably , '' Commission Chairman Stephen Glassman said . Bernice Duesler said she was n't yet sure how the club will `` reach out '' to Creative Steps and the other two camps . And Wright said she still has concerns about the issue . `` Are the members who made those comments still there ? '' she asked . | Suburban Philadelphia club invites kids at largely minority day care to come back . Lawyer for Creative Steps says the day care will give offer `` due consideration '' Some club members accused of making racist comments to black , Hispanic kids . Valley Club said it had revoked pool privileges out of crowding , safety concerns . | [[0, 15], [43, 113], [79, 148], [2299, 2301], [2343, 2421], [1510, 1526], [1548, 1622], [133, 148], [154, 199], [230, 318], [284, 318], [511, 530], [539, 626], [1870, 1951], [2873, 2998], [707, 846], [720, 846], [2481, 2568], [2529, 2568], [2724, 2872]] |
WINNER , South Dakota -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Neal Wanless , a down-on-his luck cowboy before winning a $ 232 million Powerball jackpot last month , was always known for his big heart even when he barely had a dime to his name . Neal Wanless , winner of the $ 232 million lottery in South Dakota , shown here in a high school yearbook . Now , with his good fortune , neighbors and former teachers worry that he might be easily separated from his new-found money , although he does n't seem to be around to give any of it away . `` I just hope he does n't get inundated , '' his former English teacher Deana Brodkorb told CNN . `` He 's just such a nice guy and I hope he does n't get suckered . '' Flip through the yearbook at Todd County High School and the portrait emerges of the `` good kid '' that teachers and classmates remember . Wanless ran cross-country , played in the band and graduated second in his class -- the 2004 Salutatorian . Diane Linster , his math teacher , remembers Wanless coming early to school and staying late to pump up his grades . `` Just a very humble , kind and considerate kid , '' Linster said . Watch friends and neighbors describe the lucky cowboy '' Chris Leneaugh , once an assistant cross-county coach , remembers a dedication to running that propelled Wanless from the middle of the pack to near the front of the team by his senior year . `` Neal never gave up trying , '' Leneaugh said . `` That 's what I liked about him , his dedication . '' The yearbook also tells the tale of a hat-wearing rancher who was one of a few white students in a school filled with Native Americans -- Lakota Sioux from the Rosebud Indian Reservation . `` Oh man , he was always cowboyed up , '' said former classmate Mike Prue . `` We are all Natives around here and there he was with his Wrangler shirt and jeans . He really stuck out . '' Prue and his buddy Steve Plank said Wanless would help them with their homework , despite the differences . The story of the Wanless family is the story of a family doing muscle-aching work just to scratch out a living . It 's the story of a family that needed a break . Wanless and his parents had recently moved into a camper on their ranch , after losing their home to foreclosure , according to neighbor Erv Figert . A sign with chipped off green lettering sits in the grass at the entrance to the Wanless property . `` There was a sign out there that said ` the ranch that God built , ' '' said Joe Prue , father of Mike Prue . `` And for a while there you thought , where was God when everything was coming apart . And now , maybe God helped them . '' Neighbors say they have not seen anyone come or go from the Wanless Ranch after Neal briefly emerged at a press conference last week to accept a giant-sized check from the May 27 drawing . For now , the gate to the Wanless ranch is held tight by a new lock , linking a rusted-brown chain . Rumors travel through the green fields of South Dakota faster than the Internet . Talk is cheap with millions of dollars to loosen the tongues . Many believe the Wanless family is going to buy a place up north , maybe by Pierre , but the cowboy with the big heart is n't talking . `` That grin you saw on his face on television -LRB- when Wanless accepted the check -RRB- is always there , '' said Linster . `` He always looked like he was probably up to something . '' Now he has the money to do something about it . | Neal Wanless from South Dakota won $ 232 million in lottery . Former teacher : `` He 's just such a nice guy and I hope he does n't get suckered '' Neighbors , teachers call winner `` dedicated , '' `` humble , kind and considerate '' | [[9, 27], [82, 141], [625, 651], [656, 689], [1127, 1183]] |
-LRB- The Frisky -RRB- -- Recently , I discovered that one of my best friends had ditched me after I logged onto Facebook and found her profile had disappeared from my page . When you break up with a best friend online , things can get murky . We 'd been having problems that had culminated in a huge argument the day before , but I figured we 'd get through it . I figured wrong . Still , being given the heave-ho by way of a social networking site ? My first reaction was to laugh . I mean , we 're adults . Unfriending me seemed tantamount to toilet-papering my locker or scribbling my phone number on the boy 's locker room wall . We had been close for well over a decade . We supported each other through parental deaths , and together we 'd bitched and moaned about men for untold hours . I loved her amazing daughter -- buying that little girl Christmas presents was the highlight of my holidays . Suddenly , that was all gone . Suddenly , I was n't laughing . I was crying . We know what to do when boyfriends dump us : sob . We eat everything in the house or take to our beds and refuse all sustenance . Usually , there 's yelling -- at least at my house . The Frisky : How NOT to help heal a broken heart . We purge them from our lives . We delete all their emails and erase their number from every electronic device we own . But when you break up with a girlfriend , things are murkier . For one thing , people do n't feel sorry for you the way they do when a romantic relationship bites the dust . You ca n't blame them ; it 's not like you were in love or planning a future with your friend . -LRB- Even though you assumed she 'd be part of it . -RRB- So , getting wound up about the loss seems somehow , I do n't know , less legit . Is it ? It hurts as much as any other heartbreak . Victoria Clark made a short film on the subject : `` Ruminations on You and Me . '' I asked her about the process of grieving a dead friendship . `` As a woman , I expect men to come and go because of the nature of love , '' she explained . `` But your girls are supposed to be on your side , no matter what ... That 's what I wanted to believe for a long time , but now I know that that 's not always reality . '' The Frisky : What are your rules for friendship on Facebook ? A friend of mine was saddened when her BFF excised my friend from her life after landing a boyfriend . `` She hated being single , so if there was a man anywhere in the vicinity , you 'd be kicked to the curb , '' my pal explained wistfully . Even forewarned with this knowledge , it stung when she was dismissed from her friend 's life . The Frisky : Five ways to unfriend a friend . Unlike my breakup , there was no dramatic defriending . This woman utilized the passive-aggressive method of choice : the slow fade . `` I remember buying her a birthday gift , but somehow she just never had the time to come collect it . '' The Frisky : Ten songs about friendship . Like any other kind of relationship , friendships end . It 's not like I 've never dumped a pal . I 've gotten back together with a few . Because I miss her and love her , I gave making up a shot with this one . A few weeks after I was banished from her Facebook page , I emailed her an apologetic note . I never heard back . TM & © 2009 TMV , Inc. | All Rights Reserved . | Author gets ditched on Facebook by good friend and does n't know what to do . People do n't feel as sorry for you with a friend breakup . You ca n't blame your friend -- it 's not like you were in love . Like any other kind of relationship , friendships end but you have to go on . | [[0, 5], [37, 174], [2275, 2377], [1510, 1531], [1534, 1605], [2981, 2998]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- She 's been a comedian , talk-show host and feared red carpet fashion critic . Now you can add winner of `` The Celebrity Apprentice '' to Joan Rivers ' lengthy resume . Donald Trump and Joan Rivers attend `` The Celebrity Apprentice '' season finale Sunday in New York . After weeks of competition , the 75-year-old dynamo beat out 15 other contestants , including Dennis Rodman , Tom Green and Brian McKnight , to take the top spot in this season 's edition of the reality show hosted by Donald Trump . Rivers went up against poker champion Annie Duke in Sunday night 's finale in which both women were charged with planning a VIP party and silent auction for the last and deciding task . `` They 're both tough , they 're both smart and they both hate each other , '' Trump observed at the beginning of the show . The apparent tension between Rivers and Duke continued in the final boardroom , part of which played out in front of a live audience , with both finalists bickering and interrupting each other repeatedly as Trump looked on . In the end , Duke raised far more money at her event , but Rivers was able to attract more celebrities and provide a better overall experience for the guests at her party , and Trump declared her the winner of the competition . `` Your level of energy has been amazing , '' he told Rivers . The victory means $ 250,000 for Rivers ' charity : God 's Love We Deliver . If the series thrives on conflict , it got plenty of mileage out of Rivers . She blew up at country singer Clint Black , referred to another contestant as a `` stupid blonde '' and smashed a champagne glass out of frustration at one point . But Rivers seemed to be especially infuriated by Duke , calling her a `` despicable human being '' -- the tamest of the insults she hurled in Duke 's direction over the course of the series . Rivers even walked out in a huff after her daughter , and fellow contestant , Melissa was fired from the show . The exit , complete with bleeped obscenities , was turned into a cliffhanger of sorts when it seemed like Rivers might not come back , but she returned to the show for the next task . You might think a show that 's best known for the phrase `` You 're fired '' might not do so well in a bad economy when thousands of people have heard similar words for real at their workplaces , but the series averaged more than 8 million viewers a week , according to Entertainment Weekly . EW : Did the right one win ? Revived formula . `` The Apprentice '' made a splash when it debuted in 2004 , making a reality television star out of Trump and contestants such as Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth . For several seasons , the series took ambitious young mogul wannabes , divided them into teams and had them compete in tasks that ranged from selling lemonade to creating advertising campaigns for major corporations . The contestants vied for the chance to run one of Trump 's companies for a year , and Trump fired someone from the losing team each week until he selected an apprentice . Over the years , ratings for the show gradually declined , but the formula was revived in early 2008 with the first season of `` The Celebrity Apprentice . '' The tasks , pressure-cooker atmosphere and boardroom bickering stayed the same , but the competition now featured contestants with varying degrees of fame and focused on raising money for charity . The first `` Celebrity Apprentice '' top spot went to Piers Morgan , the prickly judge on `` Britain 's Got Talent '' who made news this spring when he invited singing sensation Susan Boyle to dinner after her memorable performance on the show . Morgan also made several appearances on this season 's `` Apprentice , '' sitting in as Trump 's `` eyes and ears '' during one episode and interviewing the final four candidates in another . Morgan 's aggressive questioning seemed to annoy the celebrities , especially Jesse James , who glared icily at Morgan when he kept asking him why he did not turn to his wife , Sandra Bullock , for help in raising money during the various tasks . Perhaps Bullock might be tempted to try competing on the show herself . NBC announced last month it is bringing back `` The Celebrity Apprentice '' for another installment in the spring of 2010 , Entertainment Weekly reported . | Joan Rivers wins this season 's `` Celebrity Apprentice '' Rivers goes up against poker champion Annie Duke in finale . Duke raises more money at her event , but Rivers is able to attract more celebrities . The victory means $ 250,000 for Rivers ' charity . | [[291, 317], [320, 429], [432, 493], [524, 598], [1061, 1071], [1074, 1113], [1120, 1231], [1352, 1400]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama will deliver a speech June 4 in Egypt on America 's relationship with the Muslim world , White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs announced Friday . President Obama will travel to Egypt next month to address U.S. relations with the Muslim world . Egypt is `` a country that in many ways represents the heart of the Arab world , '' Gibbs said . He deflected several questions at his daily briefing about whether Egypt is a wise choice , given President Hosni Mubarak 's resistance to making his government more democratic . Obama originally promised to deliver the speech during his first 100 days , but senior administration officials say the date slipped in part because of security and logistical issues . The officials stressed , however , that the Secret Service still has deep security concerns , given the continued tumult in the Mideast . Obama chose Turkey , a more secular state , as the site of his first presidential speech to a Muslim majority nation , on April 6 . He told the Turkish legislature in Ankara that the `` United States is not and will never be at war with Islam . '' Obama will follow his visit to Egypt with a trip to the remains of the Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany on June 5 . He is then scheduled to take part in ceremonies commemorating the 65th anniversary of the World War II Allied landings in Normandy , France . CNN Chief White House Correspondent Ed Henry contributed to this report . | President Obama travels to Egypt , Germany , France in June . He gave historic speech to Turkish parliament in April . Spokesman : Egypt `` in many ways represents the heart of the Arab world '' | [[195, 292], [305, 314], [323, 371]] |
TALLAHASSEE , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Florida Gov. Charlie Crist announced Tuesday he would not run for re-election next year and instead will seek the seat being vacated by retiring GOP Sen. Mel Martinez . Gov. Charlie Crist appeared alongside Sen. John McCain , left , during the 2008 presidential campaign . Crist , who unsuccessfully ran for the Senate in 1998 , was immediately endorsed by the Senate Republican campaign arm , which hopes to avoid a bruising primary fight . Former state House Speaker Marco Rubio declared his intention last week to seek the GOP Senate nomination . `` Our country is facing the most profound public policy questions in our lifetime -- questions relating to the economy , taxes , healthcare , the environment and national security , '' Crist said in a statement released by his campaign . `` The answers to these questions will have a lasting impact on the country we love and the nation we will leave to our children and grandchildren . '' He added in the statement : `` Here in Florida , we 've shown that when we put people first and work together , much can be accomplished , and I intend to bring that same approach to Washington . That is why , after thoughtful consideration with my wife Carole , I have decided to run for the U.S. Senate . '' A Quinnipiac Poll released last month showed Crist with a commanding 54 percent to 8 percent lead over Rubio in the Republican primary . But the poll also found that more people overall , and Republicans specifically , would rather see Crist run for re-election as governor than seek the Senate seat . Should Crist backers persuade Rubio to abandon his bid , it would help national Republicans focus money and resources on other races in 2010 . The GOP needs to win back seats they lost in 2008 to help weaken the Democratic hold on the Senate . Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter 's decision to change his political affiliation from Republican to Democrat and the increasing likelihood that Democrat Al Franken will eventually be named the next senator from Minnesota means that President Obama will have enough Democratic votes -- in theory -- for a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate . Last week , the Senate GOP was dealt a setback when former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge , a popular Republican , decided not to challenge Specter . But news that Crist would enter a Senate race was welcomed by Texas Sen. John Cornyn , who is chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee . `` While I believe Marco Rubio has a very bright future within the Republican Party , Charlie Crist is the best candidate in 2010 to ensure that we maintain the checks and balances that Floridians deserve in the United States Senate , '' Cornyn said in a statement . `` Governor Crist is a dedicated public servant and a dynamic leader , and the National Republican Senatorial Committee will provide our full support to ensure that he is elected the next United States Senator from Florida . '' Rubio used a short blast on Twitter to chastise the NRSC for siding with Crist in the primary . `` Disappointed GOP senate comm endorses Crist on day 1 , '' Rubio wrote . `` Remember that reform must always come from the outside . Status quo wo n't change itself . '' GOP Rep. Vern Buchanan , who had been considering a Senate bid , instead said he would run for another term in the House and endorsed Crist . Anticipating his entry into the Senate race , the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee last month aired its first television ad of the 2010 elections -- a small buy in the Tallahassee TV market -- that accused Crist of running away from the state 's economic problems . Florida Democrats echoed that line of criticism Tuesday shortly after Crist declared his candidacy . `` By running for U.S. Senate , Charlie Crist has cut and run on the Sunshine State , once again taking the easy way out , avoiding responsibility and leaving the hard work of facing Florida 's problems to the next governor , '' Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman said . `` At a time when Florida needs real leadership , unfortunately Charlie Crist is running from the mess he created , which is why Floridians are going to send Crist into retirement come Election Day . '' Still , Crist remains very popular in the state that he has led since he was elected governor in 2006 . His approval rating is at 66 percent , according to the Quinnipiac Poll . While it had been speculated for weeks that Crist would run for the Senate , the governor told reporters Tuesday that he made his final decision this past weekend to run for Martinez 's seat . With conservatives and centrists battling for control of the Republican Party , the upcoming primary contest in Florida will be closely watched nationally . Crist is considered a centrist , while Rubio is trying to appeal to conservatives in the party . When asked to talk about his primary with Rubio and the future direction of the Republican Party , Crist instead spoke about bipartisanship . `` Well , I think what 's important to bear in mind is that we do things a little bit differently here in Florida , and that 's another reason that I run for the United States Senate , '' Crist told reporters at a news conference . `` We work together to solve problems and do what 's right for the people of our state . The people are the boss . And I think regardless of party , we have to work together to get things done . And that 's what I 'd like to take to Washington , D.C. '' Rep. Kendrick Meek , North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns and state Sen. Dan Gelber are all seeking the Democratic Senate nomination . CNN 's Kevin Bohn and Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report . | Gov. Crist says the country is `` facing the most profound public policy questions '' Crist , a popular governor in Florida , ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 1998 . Crist was immediately endorsed by the Senate Republican campaign arm . Former state House Speaker Marco Rubio declared his intention to run last week . | [[591, 673], [314, 319], [326, 367], [314, 319], [370, 385], [395, 432], [314, 319], [386, 432], [2821, 2974], [3101, 3129], [483, 590], [4502, 4617]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former world number one , Pete Sampras , has described recently crowned French Open champion Roger Federer as the best player in history . Roger Federer after equalling Pete Sampras 's record of winning 14 men 's singles titles . The 37-year-old American , nicknamed ` Pistol Pete ' for his bullet-like serves , won a record 14 grand slam men 's singles titles over a 15-year career , though never captured the trophy at Roland Garros . In beating Sweden 's Robin Soderling 6-1 , 7-6 , 6-4 to take the French title on Sunday , Federer equaled Sampras 's record and became only the sixth man in history to win each of the four majors . Debate : Is Federer the greatest player ever ? The feat marks the 27-year-old Swiss out as the finest player to ever grace the game according to Sampras : `` What he 's done over the past five years has never , ever been done -- and probably will never , ever happen again . `` Regardless if he won there or not , he goes down as the greatest ever . This just confirms it , '' Sampras told the Guardian newspaper . `` I 'm obviously happy for Roger . If there 's anyone that deserves it , it 's Roger . He 's come so close -LRB- previously -RRB- , '' Sampras said of the new champion and world number two , who lost the last three consecutive French Open finals to Spain 's Rafael Nadal . Federer spoke exclusively to CNN after his win and said he was relieved to have bounced back after relinquishing the world number one slot and the Australian and Wimbledon titles to Nadal in 2008 . `` It 's been a fantastic day - to get the elusive French title in the end was unbelievable . I always believed I was good enough to get it - but holding the trophy , after all I 've been through was just unbelievable . I 'm so proud right now you ca n't believe it . `` For me there was never a question whether I was going to retire . I worked extremely hard in the off season . Losing semifinals and finals all of a sudden was n't good enough for people anymore . But this victory is timely because I 've proved many people wrong . '' The historic nature of the victory was also not lost on Federer : `` The records mean a lot to me especially after the last few years when I realized that I was -LRB- up there -RRB- with the greatest players of all time . Of course I like to break records - because I look up to people like Sampras , Agassi , Connors and McEnrore , it 's so great to be up there with those players . '' However , in an ominous warning to his rivals , the champion already said he had eyes on his next conquest : `` I still feel like I have much more left in me - I 'm only 27 years-old and I 'd like to play for many more years to come and I hope I reach many more titles . '' Federer 's vanquished opponent in the final , Soderling also praised his conquerer : `` For me he is the best ever and I should know as I 've player him many times , '' the world-ranked number 12 told CNN . Next up for Federer is the third grand slam of 2009 , Wimbledon , where he will aim to go one better than Bjorn Borg by winning the tournament six times when the event starts on June 22 . Federer 's historic weekend win was recognized by the International Olympic Committee -LRB- IOC -RRB- president Jacques Rogge who also tagged the Swiss simply the best that tennis has seen . `` Today I wrote to Roger Federer to congratulate him on this unique success because I consider him to be the best player of all time , '' Rogge told a media briefing in Brussels on Monday . The IOC supremo revealed that in the letter he had expressed the hope that Federer would take part in the 2012 Olympic Games in London . Federer added an Olympic gold to his collection of tennis accolades by winning the men 's doubles with compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka in Beijing last year . | Former world number one Pete Sampras says Federer is the ` greatest ' Both men share the record for winning 14 men 's singles titles . Federer says he feels there are `` more titles to come '' The Swiss eyes a new record of six tournament wins at Wimbledon . | [[266, 290], [348, 418], [2595, 2644], [2720, 2753], [3070, 3075], [3081, 3151]] |
DECATUR , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- One falling tree saved John Kiefer from another . Windstorms in Atlanta , Georgia , uprooted several trees , including this one that fell through John Kiefer 's home . Kiefer was sitting on his sofa Monday morning while a brief but intense windstorm blew through the Atlanta , Georgia , area , including Decatur . He heard a tree crash in his backyard and got up to investigate . That tree knocked down a chain-link fence , and Kiefer was getting worried about several other large backyard trees that were swaying in the wind . `` And as I 'm watching those move and sway , this crashed down , '' he said . `` This '' was a 50-foot red oak in the front yard that fell onto his living room , splitting his house in half and coming to rest a few inches above where he had been sitting on the couch . `` Yeah , it 's a mess , '' he said as he surveyed the tangle of broken wood beams , plaster , bricks and gray insulation . Curiously , Kiefer 's electricity was still on , and cable TV was still playing less then 10 feet away from the massive tree trunk in his living room . An ancient upright piano and various collectibles on it were unharmed . Kiefer had been away over the weekend , visiting a son in Cincinnati , Ohio , and his three dogs were still at the kennel where he boarded them . They 'll be staying there a bit longer . Three years of drought in Georgia have weakened trees ' root systems , and recent heavy rains loosened the soil around them , said Kiefer , who works at a plastics recycling company in nearby Stone Mountain . The windstorm brought down hundreds of trees in the area , including one that crushed a car , killing the person inside , and one that fell on a nursing home , where no one was hurt , CNN affiliate WGCL reported . Service was disrupted on Atlanta 's MARTA rail transit system , according to WGCL . Power and traffic signals were out in many areas . Watch CNN report about dangerous storms '' Despite having a tree lying across his living room , Kiefer seemed remarkably calm , but that was a new development . `` Couple of hours ago my knees where shaking pretty good , '' he admitted . But , he said , God was looking out for him . `` Actually , he saved my life , '' Kiefer said . `` When I came outside to investigate that noise , that was my warning to get up off that couch . And then , not to go back in the house when it got real windy , but to stand right there where that tree stopped . There are no coincidences . '' | Brief but intense windstorm blows through Atlanta , Georgia . Winds brought down hundreds of trees , including one that killed person inside car . Another tree fell on a nursing home ; no one was hurt . | [[87, 108], [121, 164], [205, 286], [257, 350], [87, 108], [121, 164], [1579, 1635], [1579, 1592], [1638, 1651], [1657, 1670], [1579, 1582], [1648, 1651], [1673, 1698], [1705, 1708], [1714, 1736], [1722, 1736], [1745, 1760], [1763, 1776]] |
-LRB- NEW YORK -RRB- -- Lionel Richie turns 60 this month and he ca n't believe it either . Singer Lionel Richie says his latest album is some of his best work . In fact , the singer -- who in the '80s found international fame with hits like `` Hello '' and `` All Night Long '' -- is upbeat . Life for him these days could n't be sweeter , he said . Richie recently released the album `` Just Go '' on which he worked with several acclaimed producers and writers , including Stargate , Tricky Stewart & The Dream and Akon . The multi-Grammy winner and former lead singer of The Commodores said he thinks the album could be his best since 1986 's hit , `` Dancing on the Ceiling . '' `` That 's a very heavy statement , '' he said . `` I love when I get nervous . When I really get nervous -- and I 'm nervous about this record -- it means that it 's beyond what I thought it was going to be . '' Having just completed a European tour , Richie said a North American jaunt is on the drawing board in the next year . `` We are going to tour ... in fine fashion , '' he said . `` We 're going to give them everything they ever wanted . '' Richie spoke to CNN about avoiding rap , keeping up with the club scene and what gives him chills . CNN : You 've always been very diligent about updating your sound . So how do you describe Lionel Richie 's sound in 2009 ? Lionel Richie : It 's all in production . You have to first of all feel it . I have to feel it . If I do n't feel it , then forget the song . I 'm a storyteller , not so much a singer , but a storyteller . So when it comes down to production , we just updated the production . But Akon and Ne-Yo and all these guys ... what do we all have in common ? Melody . As long as they do n't rap and ask me to rap we have show business . CNN : Have you ever rapped before ? Richie : I rapped a couple of times . And it was clear to me , it was told to me from some of the greatest rappers in the world , `` Do n't even think about it . '' Flavor Flav ... years ago I went to him and I said `` You know I 'm thinking about doing some rap on my album . What do you think ? '' And he said `` Are you out of your mind ? '' He said , `` The only reason I 'm rapping is because I ca n't sing . '' And that 's the clear channel of where I need to be going . CNN : Right . Just do what you 're good at . Richie : Do what I do and do n't get away from it . CNN : How much time do you spend doing research in nightclubs ? Richie : Now try to explain that to your girlfriend or to your wife ! Where are you tonight ? I 'm doing research ! As much time as I can . You have to be in it to see what people are moving to and what turns them on . It 's all in beats and rhythms and in lyric content . You can send somebody down to do some study for you . But the bottom line is there 's nothing like going in yourself in the middle of a club in London , or in the middle of a club in Australia or a club in the middle of Germany somewhere . Just sit over in the corner and watch what people dance to . By the time I leave France , England , Germany , Italy , America , I can go home and write the most incredible album in the world because I know what the world beat is . I know where everything 's going . CNN : You turn 60 very soon . Richie : I can not believe the number , but yes I do . Watch Richie say `` hello '' to getting older '' CNN : How do you feel about that ? Richie : You know , I do n't feel anything except better than anything before . My life is better now than it has ever been ever . So maybe all night long may not be all night long , but it 's pretty darn good . CNN : How long are you going to keep churning out records ? Richie : I like doing this . I do n't like fishing , so this was my hobby when I started . This is how I got into the business when I started because it was a place to go to get away from everything . So I still love doing it . CNN : Looking at all your past hits , what song gives you the most chills to perform ? Richie : Wow . That 's so tough . -LSB- It 's -RSB- between `` Hello '' and `` Still . '' What happens is I look at people in the audience and I kind of know where they are . I know that there 's so much depth in their thoughts . Those songs touch the core of whatever it is their lives were about . If there was ever a song about love , or in `` Still , '' something you lost , you could see it in their faces that they 're trying to remember every detail of the experience or the person they were with . | Lionel Richie , who shot to mega-stardom in the 1980s , has a new album . The Grammy award-winning singer is turning 60 years old . He worked with several heavy hitters in the industry on the new project . He says music started out as a hobby for him and he continues to enjoy it . | [[351, 399], [24, 57], [3739, 3773], [3887, 3910]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It was the annual revving of the engines Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial as thousands of motorcyclists converged on Washington to honor those who have served the country . Members of Rolling Thunder ride into Washington on Sunday . Riders from Rolling Thunder , a group created to bring attention to soldiers listed as POW or MIA , rolled into the nation 's capital , greeting crowds of supporters who lined the streets . `` It 's a great tribute to people that have sacrificed everything , including their life , '' said rider Mick Smith . He and fellow Vietnam veteran Juan Cruz rode their motorcycles from Pennsylvania . `` It 's a brotherhood that we have , veterans of the foreign wars , '' Cruz said . `` The camaraderie is so perfect that we do n't need anything else . We forget about our problems . '' Lyn Seidler was among the spectators who lined the motorcycle route in the hot and humid weather to greet the bikers as they passed over the Arlington Memorial Bridge into Washington . `` The servicemen made a sacrifice , '' Seidler said . For her , cheering on Rolling Thunder was a way to help celebrate troops , `` and to say thank you , '' she said . After completing their rides , the bikers gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial . `` I 'm here today to honor our veterans , our fallen veterans , to help the living by supporting the dead , '' Cruz said . The Defense Department says there are more than 88,000 soldiers still listed as missing in action from World War II , the Korean War and the Vietnam War combined . - CNN 's Lauren Pratapas contributed to this report . | Rolling Thunder created to bring attention to soldiers listed as POW or MIA . `` It 's a brotherhood that we have , veterans of the foreign wars , '' rider says . Defense Department : More than 88,000 soldiers listed as missing in action . | [[291, 337], [329, 358], [654, 719], [329, 358], [1405, 1474], [1448, 1557]] |
MARDAN , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A family of 18 Pakistani men , women and children trudges down a dirt road toward a refugee camp . These children are among the thousands of refugees this week at the Jalozai camp in western Pakistan . Adolescent girls carry infants on their hips , while the men lug bundles of belongings on their backs . `` Come , stay close to me , '' said one woman wrapped in brightly colored robes , speaking to three children trailing behind her . `` This one is empty , '' a white-bearded Pakistani police officer tells the family , pointing toward a tent . The women and children scramble under the canvas flap , as Salar Khan explains what led his family to flee to Mardan . `` Mortars destroyed three houses in my village , '' he said . `` It was dangerous . A piece of shrapnel almost pierced my child 's leg . '' Khan said his family left their home Wednesday morning in Sultanwas , a town in Buner district . Now , they are living in Mardan 's rapidly growing tent city of more than 1,400 other displaced Pakistanis . Five days ago , it was an empty field . Watch as CNN 's Ivan Watson tours a refugee camp '' Khan 's family has joined tens of thousands of other Pakistanis fleeing south to escape the escalating conflict between the military and Taliban militants in northwestern Pakistan . Meanwhile , columns of Pakistani troops in military trucks head in the opposite direction , hauling field guns north toward the conflict zone . Pakistani families have fled the area any way they can : on foot , by hitching rides on the back of trucks and by stowing their belongings on the roofs of cars . As fighting has spread from the districts of Buner and Lower Dir to the Taliban stronghold in the Swat Valley , camps for displaced people are cropping up across northwest Pakistan . The United Nations said the new exodus is exacerbating an already existing humanitarian crisis . Since August , the U.N. has registered more than 500,000 Pakistanis forced to flee their homes by fighting in other northwestern parts of the country . `` Last year ... 4 million people worldwide lost their homes , out of which you have half a million displaced in Pakistan , '' said Manuel Bessler , a top U.N. official in Islamabad . Bessler spoke on a rooftop , overlooking the sprawling Jalozai refugee camp in western Pakistan . Until recently , the camp housed refugees from neighboring Afghanistan . The Afghans are now gone , replaced by more then 49,000 Pakistanis . Administrators are preparing space for 35,000 others . With help from U.N. agencies , the Pakistani government and other aid organizations , residents get access to medical care , children 's schools and training programs to teach them how to rebuild their damaged homes if and when they get to return . Tensions have been building in the Jalozai camp . Two months ago , Pakistani police shot and killed one demonstrator after residents protested , blocking roads , throwing stones and demanding compensation for homes damaged by the fighting . This week , a crowd of several hundred agitated men gathered at the entrance , angry about a delay of several days in the monthly distribution of food aid . Some accused camp administrators of corruption , allegations that aid workers have denied . `` The wheat we 've been given is substandard , and people are getting sick instead of being fed , '' said one man named Gulzada . `` Our houses have been destroyed , '' said another man called Anwar . `` There 's no tea , no sugar , no wheat , no lentils . All that we have are the clothes we are wearing . '' A fresh wave of displaced Pakistanis will only aggravate tensions , said Bessler , the U.N. official . `` This is a factor that is destabilizing not only in the camp but in the country as a whole , '' he warned . Only a fraction of the hundreds of thousands of displaced Pakistanis are ending up in camps . Many more have settled with host families or have resorted to paying rent in other cities . The influx of ethnic Pashtuns from northwest Pakistan upset the delicate demographic balance last month in the port city of Karachi . That led to ethnic clashes between Pashtuns and the resident Muhajir community , resulting in the deaths of more than 30 people . Many more Pakistanis are unable to leave the conflict area , according to Sebastian Brack , a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Islamabad . `` There is a serious humanitarian crisis under way , '' Brack said . `` There is serious fighting going on . There will be massive displacement . Because of the curfew , -LSB- many -RSB- have not been able to leave yet . '' In this moment of crisis , some homeless Pakistanis are turning to a higher power . `` Whenever it is God 's will , we will go back to our homes , '' says Mohammed Munir , an elderly man who fled with his family from the Buner district to the new camp in Mardan three days ago . `` And we pray to Allah that he will protect us . It 's up to Allah . We ca n't do anything . '' The man kneeled and prayed in the grass outside the entrance of a tent that his family now calls home . | Tens of thousands flee south to escape conflict between military and Taliban . Refugee camps for the displaced are cropping up across northwest Pakistan . Latest exodus is exacerbating humanitarian crisis , U.N. says . Tensions have been building in Jalozai camp in western Pakistan . | [[1144, 1207], [1222, 1325], [1191, 1325], [1744, 1814], [1815, 1911], [1839, 1911], [4424, 4475], [2792, 2841]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hundreds of Michael Jackson fans gathered in London on Monday to pay tribute to the tragic pop star on the night when he was supposed to be opening his 50-night residency in the city . Fans scrawl messages to the star on a wall outside the London venue where he would have been playing . The O2 arena in southeast London , where Jackson 's `` This is It '' shows were due to be staged , had been the site of an unofficial shrine to the performer since his death last month . On Monday fans laid flowers and memorabilia , wrote messages to the star on a wall and sang Jackson songs . At 7 p.m. -LRB- 2 p.m. ET -RRB- many of the crowd joined hands and sang the Jackson-penned `` We Are the World , '' and chanted `` Michael ! King of Pop . '' Many present had bought tickets for the opening night but had decided to come anyway . `` I 'm here to pay tribute to the king , '' said Morganna Bramah , a 29-year-old Web site artist , who had just returned from Los Angeles where she had hoped to attend last week 's memorial for Jackson . `` It 's one of the most devastating heartbreaking things that has ever happened in my life . I just felt it was my duty to pay my respects who has given so much magic and light and beauty to my life . '' Martin Russo , 28 , and Enrico Ardito , 34 , had travelled from Italy for the tribute . `` I grew up with his music and he is my only idol , '' said Russo . `` He had a special bond with his fans . Michael cared truly . '' Sophie Bradley , who had flown in from the Middle East , said she had come to say thank you to Jackson . `` I had to come here . He was a father figure and a role model , '' said the 25-year-old . `` It 's a chance for fans to talk and share stories and just remember how much he means to us . '' Gemma White and Terry Shaw said they were still `` in denial '' about Jackson 's death . `` I feel like I 've lost a brother , a lover and a friend , '' said White . `` People say he was only a pop star but to us he was n't . He was in our hearts . He was a person and the fans got to see that . '' `` We came down here for Michael , '' added Shaw . `` It was the last thing we could do for him . It had to be done . '' Jessica Prater from New York had tickets for Monday 's show and had decided she would still come to London even before details of the evening 's tribute were announced on Facebook . `` I did n't know so many people across the world were inspired by him , '' the 28-year-old said . `` I 've met fans from Finland , Germany , France , the Congo . It 's like a family reunion where you meet your long lost relatives . I 'm really feeling the love and I know Michael 's spirit is definitely here . '' Large whiteboards were erected at the O2 to allow fans to leave messages . After the vigil they 'll be moved to opposite the box office so fans can continue to pay their respects . It 's been less than one week since celebrities and die-hard Jackson fans packed the Staples Center in Los Angeles for an emotional farewell to the King of Pop . Questions still surround the circumstances of his sudden death less than three weeks before the scheduled start of his London shows . Investigators are still awaiting toxicology reports from the coroner 's to determine the exact cause of death . The decision by fans to stage their own farewell to Michael Jackson at the O2 follows the absence of an official plan to commemorate the singer 's life in London . Concert promoters AEG Worldwide are still unable to confirm reports that a tribute concert will be held at the O2 Arena , potentially on August 29 , the date of what would have been Jackson 's 51st birthday . `` There have been lots of talks going on about lots of things but nothing that I can confirm , '' Jones said . The first official Michael Jackson memorabilia is being offered by Bravado , the global merchandising division of Universal Music Group , and AEG Live which holds merchandising rights associated with the O2 concerts . Products said to have been personally approved by Jackson before the concert tour are available for pre-order on the Bandstore Web site . Late last week clothing had been shipped to retailer HMV . Play and Amazon were said to have received their consignments over the weekend . Items are being pushed out to try to beat bootleggers who are already producing Jackson mementos to cash in on demand from fans . So far only clothing is available , but the range is expected to expand to accessories over the coming weeks . `` There is a high level of demand . It 's apparent that fans really want the official merchandise , '' a spokesman for Universal Music told CNN . The race to generate income following Jackson 's death , from offering commemorative tickets in lieu of refunds to his concerts to the sale of T-shirts and CDs , has rankled some of his fans . Louise Costello refused a refund for her ticket to the London shows in favor of a commemorative ticket , but says the emphasis should be on the man , rather than the money . `` It 's not all about money now . It 's about a man whose life has gone . And he touched a lot of people as well , including myself , '' Costello told CNN . `` He was trying to save the world , and heal the world , things like that . He was a good man and I think they 're taking advantage of the fact that he has a lot of people who love him . '' Costello is not intending to go to O2 vigil tonight . Instead , she 'll make her own pilgrimage to the O2 Arena on July 28 , the date she was to see Jackson in concert . `` It 's my way of paying my tribute . I 'll go there and I 'll listen to his music . It 's just my way of remembering him , '' she said . | Jackson fans converge on London 's O2 Arena Monday for memorial . Fan Gemma White : `` I feel like I 've lost a brother , a lover and a friend '' Fan vigil timed to coincide with scheduled start date of Jackson 's `` This Is It '' concerts . Fans from U.S. , Middle East and Europe were at Monday 's tribute . | [[0, 6], [9, 32], [69, 148], [3300, 3417], [1886, 1918], [365, 398]] |
Editor 's note : Below is an excerpt from Larry King 's autobiography , `` My Remarkable Journey , '' published by Weinstein Books and available at bookstores nationwide . Larry King anchors `` Larry King Live at 9 p.m. ET on CNN . Larry King recalls a much-needed win at the track during one of the lowest points of his life . I was thirty-seven years old . -LRB- In 1971 -RRB- . I had no job . I had a couple hundred thousand dollars in debts . And a four-year-old daughter . I 'd take Chaia to our secret park on our visiting days . That 's when the pain cut the deepest -- looking at my daughter and knowing I had no way to support her . Things got bleaker and bleaker . I became a recluse . By late May , I was down to forty-two dollars . My rent was paid only until the end of the month . I locked myself in my apartment wondering how bad things could possibly get . Pretty soon I would n't even be able to afford cigarettes . I remembered a night when I was a young man in New York , alone , cold , and without cigarettes or the money to buy them -- I had smashed open a vending machine to get a pack . A friend called up and told me to start living like a human being again . He invited me to the track . I had nothing better to do , and I figured it would be good therapy to get out and have lunch with a friend and watch the horses come down the stretch . I 'll never forget that day . I put on a Pierre Cardin jeans outfit that had no pockets and drove to Calder Race Course . I can still see the horses warming up before the third race . There was a horse called Lady Forli -- a filly running against males . Normally , female horses do n't beat males . We 're talking cheap horses . I scanned the board and saw that she was 70-1 . But my eyes really opened when I looked at the racing form . Racetrack people talk to each other . So I turned to the guy next to me and said , `` You know , this horse , three races back , won in more or less the same company . Why is she 70-1 ? '' `` Well , '' the guy said , `` there 's a couple of new horses here . '' `` Yeah , but she should be , like , 20-1 . Not 70 -- 1 . '' Screw it . I bet ten dollars on the horse to win . But I kept looking at the horse . The more I looked at this horse , the more I liked it . So I bet exactas . I bet Lady Forli on top of every other horse and below every other horse . Now I had what 's called a wheel . Larry King 's life in pictures '' I kept looking at the horse . Wait a minute , I told myself , I 've got four dollars left . I have a pack of cigarettes . I 've got ta give the valet two bucks . That still leaves me with money to bet a trifecta . My birthday is November 19 . Lady Forli was number 11 . So I bet 11 to win , 1 to place , and 9 to show . Now I had bets in for 11 on top , 11 on bottom , and 11 to win . And I had a trifecta -- 11-1-9 . When the race began , I had two dollars left to my name -- and that was for the valet . They broke out of the gate . The 1 broke on top , the 9 ran second , and the 11 came out third . The 11 passed the 9 , passed the 1 , and they ran in a straight line all around the track . There was no question about it . The 11 won by five lengths . The 1 was three lengths ahead of the 9 . I had every winning ticket . I had it to win . I had the exacta . I had the trifecta . I collected nearly eight thousand dollars . Eight thousand dollars ! It had to be one of the happiest moments of my life -- certainly the most exciting . But I had no pockets . So I stuffed all the money in my jacket . It was bundled up . I did n't know what to do with it . I ran out of the track . The valet attendant came over and said , `` You leaving so early ? '' `` Yeah . '' `` Bad day , Mr. King ? '' I tipped him fifty dollars . The guy nearly fainted . I had to go somewhere , to stop and make sure it was real . I drove to a vacant lot , which is now called Dolphin Stadium . I parked among the weeds and opened up my jacket . All the money spilled out . I counted out about seventy-nine hundred dollars . I paid my child support for the next year . I paid my rent for a year . I bought twenty cartons of cigarettes and stacked them up in my apartment , and I filled the refrigerator . Up to that point , that may have been the happiest moment of my life . Now , today , if I go to the track and win $ 8,000 , it 's very nice , but it wo n't affect my life one iota . It 's nice to win . But when you really need it ... | At age 37 , Larry King had $ 42 to his name , no job and a daughter to support . He became reclusive but decided it would be `` good therapy '' to go out with a friend . They went to the track , and Larry bet on a female horse whom the odds were against . Larry won a much-needed $ 8,000 that day . | [[675, 695], [1246, 1330], [1589, 1620], [232, 327]] |
DETROIT , Michigan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It 's a stimulus plan on sneakers . The NCAA men 's Final Four at Detroit 's Ford Field could generate $ 30 million to $ 50 million from visitors . The NCAA men 's basketball Final Four could n't come at a better time for the city of Detroit -- the hard-hit capital of the U.S. auto industry at the center of the state of Michigan 's economic woes . The 12-percent unemployment rate here is the highest in the nation , and with the Big Three automakers all needing multibillion-dollar government bailouts in an attempt to stay afloat , the future is n't much brighter , some say . `` We need some help , '' said Detroit resident Mark Franklin , who took his 5-year-old son to Friday 's Hershey 's College All-Star Game at Ford Field . `` There are too many people out of work already . Even if you have a job , you know someone who does n't . '' Enter the Final Four and a quartet of powerhouse college basketball teams -- all seeking NCAA brass . Connecticut , Michigan State , North Carolina and Villanova have won a combined nine NCAA championships and reached 31 Final Fours . But more important to the city are the visitors -- and the wallets -- that college basketball 's marquee weekend will bring to Detroit . City leaders expect 100,000 fans to visit -- staying in hotel rooms , renting cars and spending an anticipated $ 30 million to $ 50 million . The participation of Michigan State adds icing on the cake . The school 's campus sits just 90 miles away , in East Lansing , giving the Spartans a home-floor advantage as they give locals some added pride on a special weekend . MSU helped things along mightily by advancing to the finals Saturday , defeating Connecticut 82-73 . In the national championship game , the Spartans will play North Carolina , 83-69 victors over Villanova later Saturday . More than half the Michigan State players are from in-state and many have felt the impact of the region 's economic woes . `` I have family that are unemployed right now , '' said sophomore guard Durrell Summers , who starred at Detroit 's Redford Covenant High School . '' -LSB- For the Final Four -RSB- to bring that kind of money in , hopefully it can help open up jobs for my family and for other families because some people got laid off for no reason . '' Watch Elaine Quijano 's report on a GM dealer 's perspective . Detroit 's first Final Four is the latest in a series of big sporting events for the city . The Pistons have hosted a pair of NBA Finals in suburban Auburn Hills , while the NHL 's Red Wings have won two Stanley Cups at downtown Joe Louis Arena . Baseball 's Tigers have played in a World Series and its home , Comerica Park , hosted an MLB All-Star game . This weekend 's host venue , Ford Field , was the site of Super Bowl XL and Oakland Hills Country Club was home to the 2004 Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship last August in nearby Bloomfield Hills . This is the first year of a new stadium configuration for the Final Four , requiring host domes to use all permanent seating to meet a 70,000-seat minimum . `` You see people driving up just to take a picture of the Final Four sign on -LRB- Ford Field -RRB- . It 's something to be proud of , '' Franklin said . `` Now we need city leaders to take advantage of it . '' | NEW : Michigan State , North Carolina to vie for national title . Men 's Final Four could n't come at a better time for hard-hit capital of the auto industry . Detroit 's jobless rate is highest in nation , and auto industry bailouts bode ill for future . The participation of nearby Michigan State in the event adds icing on the cake . | [[1728, 1761], [1764, 1801], [186, 279], [388, 454], [1398, 1458]] |
JERUSALEM -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It was supposed to be a pleasant surprise , but turned into the shock of a lifetime . A woman scours a garbage heap in Tel Aviv for her mother 's missing mattress . A woman in Tel Aviv , Israel , gave her elderly mother a new mattress as a surprise gift , throwing out the old tattered bed her mother had slept on for decades . The gesture ended up bankrupting Annat 's mother , who had stuffed her savings of nearly $ 1 million inside her old bed for decades , Annat told Israel Army Radio . A massive search is under way at the city dump , where security has been beefed up to keep out treasure-seekers who have heard Annat 's story in Israeli media . Annat , who did not want to reveal the rest of her name , told Israel Army Radio that she woke up early Sunday to get a good deal on a new mattress as a surprise for her mother . Sound off : Which bizarre places have you hidden money ? She fell asleep that night , exhausted after lugging up the new mattress and hauling down the old one to be taken out with the trash . When her mother realized the next day what her daughter had done , she told her that she had been using the mattress to stash away her life savings and had nearly $ 1 million padding the inside of the worn-out mattress . Watch more on the mattress search '' Annat ran downstairs , but it was too late . The garbage truck had already taken away the money-stuffed mattress . Annat alerted the two major dump sites in the Israeli city in an effort to locate the bed , but so far she has had no luck . Yitchak Burba , one of the dump site managers , told Army Radio that he and his men are working relentlessly to try to help Annat find the million-dollar mattress among the tons of garbage at the landfill . The publicity has triggered a wave of people also trying to find the mattress and its contents for themselves . Burba has increased security around the dump to keep them out . Annat told Army Radio that when her mother realized her queen-sized bank had been tossed , she told her to '' ` leave it . ' '' '' ` The heart is crying but you know we could have been in a car accident or had a terminal disease , ' '' Annat said her mother told her . Annat is also taking the situation in stride . `` It 's a very , very sad story but I 've been through worse , '' she told Army Radio . `` It 's a matter of proportions in life ... people need to know how to accept the good and the bad in life . '' | Israeli woman loses $ 1M as daughter dumps mattress containing life savings . Security increased at city dump in Tel Aviv as search under way for mattress . Publicity has triggered wave of people trying to find mattress and its contents . | [[378, 407], [412, 488], [115, 193], [522, 568], [555, 563], [571, 682], [1871, 1934], [1759, 1803], [1787, 1803], [1809, 1870]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A former Army captain who was dismissed under a federal law dealing with gays and lesbians in the military lost his appeal Monday at the U.S. Supreme Court . The U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene in the challenge to the `` do n't ask/don ' t tell '' law . James Pietrangelo and 11 other veterans had sued the government over the `` do n't ask / do n't tell '' law passed in 1993 . Pietrangelo was the only one who appealed to the high court , but the justices without comment refused to intervene . The provision forbids those in the military from openly acknowledging or revealing their homosexuality , and prevents the government from asking individual soldiers and sailors about their sexual orientation . The Obama administration had asked the high court not to take the case , and White House officials had said they would not object to homosexuals being kicked out of the armed services . During the presidential campaign last year , President Obama said he supported throwing out the federal law but has taken no specific action on the controversy . The Justice Department said in a high court filing the law was `` rationally related to the government 's legitimate interest in military discipline and cohesion . '' A federal appeals court in Boston , Massachusetts , had ruled against Pietrangelo , essentially ending his legal efforts . But a San Francisco , California-based federal appeals court ruled partially in favor of Maj. Margaret Witt , allowing her lawsuit against the Pentagon to move ahead . Those judges said the Air Force must prove the dismissal of the flight nurse would ensure troop readiness and cohesion . Justices say state judge should have recused himself . In a separate ruling , the high court on Monday found a state judge acted improperly when he refused to remove himself from a 2006 civil appeal despite having received financial support during his campaign from the CEO of the key defendant . Chief Justice Brent Benjamin of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals cast the deciding vote in favor of that company . In a 5-4 ruling , the justices found that a perceived conflict of interest should have led to the judge 's recusal . `` On these extreme facts the probability of actual bias rises to an unconstitutional level , '' Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote . The issue has become a touchstone of a growing political debate over whether judicial election races -- which have become more expensive and contentious in recent years -- erode public confidence in the legal system . The West Virginia case has attracted nationwide attention and was the basis for author John Grisham 's 2008 best-seller , `` The Appeal . '' The case now goes back to the state courts , where Benjamin likely will have to pull out of a rehearing . The U.S. Supreme Court issued a narrow ruling on the specific facts of the West Virginia dispute , but the implications are likely to be felt nationwide . Thirty-nine states elect some or all of their judges . The facts of the case read like a legal thriller . Businessman Don Blankenship , chairman of A.T. Massey Coal Co. , spent $ 3 million supporting Benjamin 's 2004 run for the judicial seat -- accounting for 60 percent of the money spent in support of his campaign . Massey was involved in a decade-old business dispute with Hugh Caperton , owner of rival Harman Mining . Caperton accused Massey of unlawfully interfering with his business relations . A jury agreed , and in 2002 awarded Harman Mining $ 50 million in compensatory and punitive damages . Massey waited four years to appeal . It was during those four years that Benjamin won his state high court seat . In April 2006 , Benjamin declined to recuse himself from Massey 's appeal , which had reached his five-member court . West Virginia , like most state and federal courts , leaves to an individual judge 's discretion the decision to stay out of a case because of a potential conflict of interest . | Ex-Army Capt. James Pietrangelo sued over `` do n't ask/don ' t tell '' law . Pietrangelo had appealed case to U.S. Supreme Court . Justices without comment refuse to intervene . Obama administration had asked the high court not to take the case . | [[188, 258], [483, 534], [745, 815]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Roger Federer takes on Robin Soderling , who knocked out tournament favorite Rafael Nadal in a fourth-round stunner , in the men 's final of the French Open on Sunday . Roger Federer screams in joy after beating Juan Martin del Potro to reach the French Open final . A victory in Roland Garros would give Federer 14 Grand Slams , tying his career wins to American Pete Sampras . The second-seed Federer lagged at first , but beat Argentine Juan Martin del Potro on Friday to make the final . Soderling advanced over Chilean Fernando Gonzalez . Federer , 27 , has a 9-0 record over the 24-year-old Swede going into the final . The Swiss star has suffered emotional defeats recently . At England 's Wimbledon last year , he lost to Rafael Nadal after a five-year reign . The game , which ran about seven hours with a few rain breaks , was the longest-ever Wimbledon men 's final . Nadal also beat Federer in the Australian Open earlier this year . Soderling stunned the top-seed Nadal by handing him a loss in the fourth round of the French Open . The 23rd-seed Soderling was a rank outsider against the world number one who had never lost a match on the clay at Roland Garros and was a short-priced favorite to win a record fifth straight title . In women 's tennis , number one Dinara Safina was beaten Saturday in straight sets by fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final of the French Open at Roland Garros . Safina , who has reached the top of the world rankings despite not having a major title to her name , looked completely out-of-sorts against her compatriot , who secured a comfortable 6-4 , 6-2 victory in just over an hour . The defeat was a crushing blow to Safina , 23 , who has long had to contend with the accusations that she is not a worthy world number one -- and this third grand slam final defeat will do nothing to silence the doubters . It was the second straight year she has lost in the final here , after going down in straight sets to Ana Ivanovic of Serbia last year . It was also her second successive grand slam final defeat , having lost to Serena Williams in the Australian Open in Melbourne earlier this year . | A French Open win would give Federer 14 Grand Slams . That would tie his career wins to American Pete Sampras . Federer has a 9-0 record over the Swede going into the final . Soderling topples favorite Rafael Nadal in a fourth-round stunner . | [[286, 346], [286, 312], [349, 397], [563, 570], [578, 644], [42, 57], [64, 134], [965, 1001]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tamil Tiger rebels acknowledged the death of their leader Sunday , nearly a week after the Sri Lankan government said it had recovered the body of Velupillai Prabhakaran and declared victory in the country 's 25-year civil war with the rebels . In this picture taken 27 November 2003 , Velupillai Prabhakaran stands next to an LTTE flag . Prabhakaran `` attained martyrdom fighting the military oppression of the Sri Lankan state '' on May 17 , according to Tamilnet.com , a rebel Web site , citing the group 's international affairs spokesman . On Tuesday , President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared victory against the Tamil Tigers . `` We are celebrating the defeat of terrorism , '' he said in a nationally televised speech before parliament . `` We have won and restored democracy in the country . '' The president declared a national holiday for the following day to celebrate the war 's end and begin a new phase in the country 's history . Watch the victory parade '' A short time after the presidential address , the military announced that it had recovered the body of Prabhakaran , leader and founder of the Tamil Tigers . The rebels initially denied the death of their leader , claiming on Tamilnet.com that Prabhakaran was `` alive and safe . '' The defense ministry said the bodies of Prabhakaran and 18 other senior rebel leaders were among corpses found in mop-up operations , after government troops routed the Tigers -- formally known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam . The leaders included Prabhakaran 's eldest son , Charles Anthony , as well as Pottu Amman , the Tigers ' intelligence leader , according to the ministry . Watch the U.N. chief discuss the humanitarian crisis '' Prabhakaran founded the Tamil Tigers , who have been declared a terrorist organization by 32 countries . It initiated the use of women in suicide attacks and , according to the FBI , invented the explosive suicide belt . Prabhakaran is accused of masterminding the killing of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 in the Tamil-dominated Indian state of Tami Nadu . Sri Lankan authorities allege that Prabhakaran was avenging Gandhi 's decision to send Indian peacekeepers to Sri Lanka . Two years later , a Tigers suicide bomber , allegedly acting on Prabhakaran 's orders , detonated explosives that killed Sri Lanka 's then-president , Ranasinghe Premadasa , during a rally . The rebels have fought for an independent state for minority Tamils in Sri Lanka since July 1983 . An estimated 70,000 to 80,000 people have died during the quarter century of fighting . | Tamil Tiger rebels acknowledge the death of their leader Velupillai Prabhakaran . Sri Lankan government had said it recovered his body ; rebels initially denied claim . Sri Lankan government declares victory over Tamil Tiger rebels . An estimated 70,000 to 80,000 people have died during the quarter century of fighting . | [[0, 15], [19, 76], [106, 263], [990, 1033], [1036, 1147], [1148, 1201], [106, 263], [565, 575], [578, 649], [2509, 2545], [2509, 2596]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Spurred by the continuing political unrest in Iran , more than two dozen Iranian expatriate superstars are uniting to spread a musical message of non-violent resistance . Neda Agha-Soltan was gunned down on a Tehran street on June 20 . The entertainers , poets , thinkers and actors are harmonizing on the song `` United for Neda , '' a call to action against human rights violations by the Iranian government against Iranians protesting the disputed outcome of recent presidential elections . The song was inspired by the plight of Neda Agha-Soltan , the 26-year old Iranian woman who was fatally shot on the streets of Tehran on June 20 . The ordeal was recorded on cell phone video and received international attention when it hit the Internet . `` When I saw links to Neda being shot , it was so disturbing to me , '' said Iranian-British recording artist Mams Taylor , who wrote and produced the song . `` It hurt me , angered me and touched me at the same time , to think that these people are so courageous to go and seek their freedom , '' said Taylor . While her death became a rallying point for justice , her name , `` Neda , '' in Farsi means `` the call/calling '' or `` voice '' -- a voice many people say can not be muted . `` The saga is still going on in Iran , and all we can do is carry on and echo their voice , '' said Shoreh Aghdashloo , the Oscar-nominated actress from `` House of Sand and Fog '' who sang in the production . The video , much like the post-election protests , was a spontaneous response . From the studio to the street rallies in Los Angeles , California , the entire music video was filmed using a cell phone . `` With the big media ban and restrictions over there , we thought to commemorate and pay homage to what the protesters are doing over there , '' said Taylor . `` So we thought it would be appropriate to develop the video in the same kind of light . '' Watch the video and hear the song '' The song was recorded in both English and Farsi to reach Western and Iranian audiences . The English version of the video has drawn thousands of viewers since its YouTube release last week . The Farsi version of the song will be released Thursday . Iranian actress Shila Vosough played a key role in bringing the artists together . `` These artists all came together despite their varying political views , '' she said . `` They united , hand-in-hand , to send the kids in Iran a message of their love and support . '' The political upheaval of the late 1970s forced many Iranian musicians , artists , actors and entertainers like Vosough into exile . Many of them left unwillingly , not knowing when or if they would ever return to Iran . `` I came to New York for a performance 32 years ago and have never been back to Iran since , '' said Iranian vocalist Sattar , who also sang in the video . Sattar , who has millions of fans around the world , wants the Iranian people to know their voices are being heard . `` As an artist , I see this as my responsibility -- to support Iranians with my songs and music , '' said Sattar , a one-time favorite of the Pahlavi royal family in Iran . In 1979 , at the dawn of the Islamic Republic under much popular Western music was outlawed as `` un-Islamic . '' For years , Iranians have been forced to make music underground , buying or swapping on the black market or downloading from the Internet . `` Music is a very powerful tool . It can move people and mobilize them around a cause , and this can be very threatening for leaders who want to silence the voices of their people , '' said Iranian singer Dariush . Dariush has been singing about love , peace , freedom and justice for the Iranian people since before he left 30 years ago . `` I encourage other musicians to come join the cause against human rights violations in Iran and other places around the world , '' said Dariush . Female singers were also banned after the revolution . For decades female vocalists like Googoosh , one of the most celebrated pop divas in Iran , were silenced and forbidden to perform or record in Iran . In 2000 , Googoosh left Iran . Shortly afterward , she made a comeback on the international stage , performing in front of sold-out crowds at venues around the world . Her latest release , `` Man Hamoon Iranam , '' or `` I Am the Same Iran , '' is also dedicated to the young Iranians who died in the unrest . Scores of musicians have tuned into the cause , showing support both in performance and on the Internet . Just last week in Barcelona , Spain , the band U2 dedicated the song `` Sunday Bloody Sunday '' to the Iranian people and performed under a green-lit banner as Farsi lyrics scrolled up the screen . The opposition in Iran has adopted green as its unifying color . Other Iran-related videos that went viral on YouTube are the remake of `` Stand By Me '' by Iranian singer Andy and American rockers Bon Jovi ; Joan Baez 's `` We Shall Overcome '' tribute ; and Wyclef Jean 's performance of `` Equal Rights and Justice . '' `` I hope the Iranians realize that here in the West there are people supporting and backing their movement to seek freedom , and we would like to motivate them to keep going , '' said Mams Taylor . `` The world has lost many Nedas , most of them the world will never know , '' said Dariush . `` There are many Nedas out there whose voices ca n't be heard , there are Nedas in prisons that are being tortured , there are Nedas screaming in the streets -- walking the fine line between life and death everyday . But she has become the symbol for all of them . '' | Mams Taylor , other artists join together to produce `` United for Neda '' Song is one of support for the Iranian people in wake of crackdown . `` House of Sand and Fog '' actress was another participant . Other Iran-related videos have gone viral on YouTube . | [[0, 15], [72, 189], [4778, 4788], [4789, 4830], [4778, 4803], [4809, 4830]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A massive fire engulfed the four-story offices of a major film company in central London on Friday , sending clouds of white smoke over the city skyline , the London fire department said . Streets in London were cordoned off while firefighters tackled the blaze . Two firefighters were taken to the hospital with minor injuries as a result of the blaze in the Future Films building on Dean Street in the city 's Soho district , London ambulance services said . The London Fire Brigade dispatched 12 engines and 55 firefighters to battle the fire , which began before 2 p.m. -LRB- 9 a.m. ET -RRB- . As a result , an adjacent street -- the W1 -- has been closed to traffic and pedestrians . When reached by CNN , Future Films founder and managing director Stephen Margolis had no comment about the fire . Future Films has been involved in the production of more than 120 films since Margolis created the company in 2000 , including `` Bend it like Beckham '' -LRB- 2002 -RRB- , `` The Importance of Being Earnest '' -LRB- 2002 -RRB- , and `` Transsiberian '' -LRB- 2008 -RRB- . CNN 's Per Nyberg and Laura Perez Maestro contributed to this report . | Streets sealed off around London blaze . Smoke seen billowing over British capital . Soho a popular nightlife district . | [[225, 299], [648, 666], [674, 724], [9, 32], [137, 188]] |
BAYAMON , Puerto Rico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama took their campaigns to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico on Saturday in an effort to woo voters before the June 1 primary . There are 55 Democratic delegates up for grabs , though voters can not take part in the general election in November . Obama campaigned early Saturday at the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamon , where he praised the nation 's veterans before Memorial Day . `` It 's fitting to be here today , not just because Memorial Day is around the corner but because Puerto Ricans are such an important part of the United States military . On this island and in Puerto Rican neighborhoods across America , you can go into almost any home and find a veteran living there or a photograph of a loved one in uniform hanging on the wall , '' he said . Obama also took aim at Republican Sen. John McCain over his opposition to an update of the GI Bill . The legislation passed the Senate on Thursday afternoon by a 75-22 vote and passed the House this month by a similar margin . It proposes to essentially provide a full scholarship to in-state public universities for members of the military who have served for at least three years . `` I do n't understand why John McCain would side with George Bush and oppose our plan to make college more affordable for our veterans . ... Putting a college degree within reach for our veterans is n't being too generous ; it 's the least we can do for our heroes , '' Obama said . Shortly after Obama 's remarks , the McCain campaign hit back . `` Barack Obama talks about helping veterans , but when the choice came between delivering for our military men and women and playing partisan politics , he decided politics was more important , '' McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said Saturday . Later Saturday , Obama marched along a street in San Juan , shaking hands with supporters as he walked in front of a banner that said `` Puerto Rico Con Obama . '' This event was referred to as a `` caminata , '' a traditional parade for a candidate . Obama remarked to the crowd , `` I will never forget the support and the friendship that I 've seen here in Puerto Rico . ... I am absolutely confident that if that we keep on working hard , there 's no reason why we ca n't win here in Puerto Rico , and if we win Puerto Rico , we will win the nomination . '' Clinton hosted a `` Solutions for Puerto Rico 's Families '' town hall meeting in Aguadilla on Saturday . The former first lady may not have understood the language during her first campaign stop in Puerto Rico , but she certainly understood the politics . Before a crowd of a few hundred Puerto Ricans in a muggy high school gym , Clinton pledged to make it a `` personal priority '' to resolve the statehood issue before the end of her first term . She also vowed to clean up the former Navy testing ranges on Vieques , fund the famous Arecibo radio telescope , use federal dollars to put more cops on the streets and extend tax breaks to Puerto Rican companies . Clinton made each of those promises in English , abandoning a translator early on , despite the growing din among distracted audience members who could n't understand the full content of her stump speech . Still , enthusiastic supporters hoisted signs like `` Puertorriquenos con Hillary '' and `` Hillary Presidenta '' while chants of `` Hillary ! Hillary ! '' filled the room . Despite in the language barrier , Clinton seemed to be on familiar ground . She recalled a visit she made to the island in 1998 on behalf of her husband to inspect damage from Hurricane Georges . She also reminded the audience that she represents more than one million Puerto Ricans in New York ; this week in Florida , she jokingly referred to herself as `` the senator from Puerto Rico . '' Clinton has done well among Hispanic voters in this year 's primaries , and she is expected to have similar success in Puerto Rico . On Thursday , Clinton sent daughter Chelsea to campaign in Puerto Rico , a sign that she is refusing to give up the race despite the delegate math in favor of her rival . According to CNN 's latest estimate , Obama leads Clinton in total delegates , 1,969 to 1,779 . However , Obama does not have enough delegates to secure the nomination outright . He has 1,962 delegates , including superdelegates , short of the 2,026 needed to secure the nomination , according to CNN estimates . Obama was in Florida on Friday courting the Cuban vote , a bloc that has tended to vote Republican in past elections . With a 70 percent turnout rate , Cuban-Americans have been a powerful force in Florida and thus , because of Florida 's role as a swing state , national politics . He told Florida 's Cuban-American community Friday that his Cuba policy would be based on liberty and freedom for the island nation 's people . Watch more of Obama 's comments '' `` My policy toward Cuba will be guided by one word : ` libertad , ' '' he said , using the Spanish word for liberty at an event celebrating Cuban Independence Day in Miami , Florida . CNN 's Ed Hornick , Chris Welch , Peter Hamby and Suzanne Malveaux contributed to this report . | NEW : Clinton vows to resolve statehood issue at town hall meeting in Aguadilla . Puerto Rico holds Democratic primary June 1 ; 55 delegates at stake . Obama praises military veterans at the University of Puerto Rico . Obama holds march in Bayamon . | [[205, 251], [392, 399], [408, 463]] |
STANFORD , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Students and professors at Stanford University are protesting Donald Rumsfeld 's appointment to a campus think tank , saying the former defense secretary does not uphold the `` ethical values '' of the school . Donald Rumsfeld has been appointed to the Hoover Institution , a think tank at Stanford University . Shortly after Rumsfeld 's appointment was announced in September , professor Pamela Lee began an online petition from faculty members opposed to bringing him to the Hoover Institution . Since then , the petition has gained more than 3,500 signatures , including nearly 300 faculty members from such diverse disciplines as law , computer science , electrical engineering and drama . `` We view the appointment as fundamentally incompatible with the ethical values of truthfulness , tolerance , disinterested inquiry , respect for national and international laws , and care for the opinions , property and lives of others to which Stanford is inalienably committed , '' the petition reads . `` As word of the letter got out , my inbox was flooded with messages from professors , students , staff and alumni asking to sign on , '' said Lee , a professor of art history . The petition 's signers include hundreds of Stanford students in addition to the faculty . `` He 's a war criminal , '' said Sam Dubal , one petitioner , who also created a Facebook group called `` Rumsfeld -- You Are Not Welcome at Stanford ! '' `` He 's not worthy as an established member of Stanford , '' Dubal said . Despite the protests , school officials say that it is well within the Hoover Institution 's right to appoint Rumsfeld . `` There are lots of temporary appointments made around the university , '' said Jeff Wachtel , special assistant to Stanford president John Hennessy . `` Departments have the right to invite people to campus in a variety of capacities . '' Rumsfeld 's one-year appointment as Distinguished Visiting Fellow places him on a task force on terrorism and ideology . He will be joined by current Hoover Fellow George Schultz , secretary of state under Ronald Reagan . Despite being housed in a tower on the center of campus , Hoover has only loose affiliation with the university . Meanwhile , supporters of Rumsfeld 's appointment say that his presence on campus will help foster academic dialogue and fuel positive political discourse . The outcry against Rumsfeld follows last April 's attempt by President Bush to visit campus . Bush planned to meet with Fellows at the Hoover Institution but was blocked by protesters . His meeting was later moved to Schultz 's nearby house . `` Many of us believe that Donald Rumsfeld , in his role as secretary of defense , has behaved in ways that are dishonorable , disgraceful and always disingenuous , '' said Dr. Philip Zimbardo , professor emeritus of psychology . `` Rumsfeld authorized a list of interrogation methods that violated the Geneva Convention and the Convention against Torture used on detainees at Guantanamo Bay ... and Iraq 's Abu Ghraib Prison , '' said Zimbardo , whose most recent book , `` The Lucifer Effect , '' finds that given the right `` situational '' influences , anyone can be made to participate in violent and depraved acts . Lee said her position does not discourage debate or public exchange of ideas . `` Let me stress that the petition objects to Rumsfeld 's appointment as Distinguished Visiting Fellow , an appointment we find without merit , '' Lee said . `` In fact , there is nothing in the language of the petition that says Mr. Rumsfeld is forbidden to air his views at Stanford or is not welcome for a public lecture or open forum . '' But not everyone disagrees with the appointment . `` Personally I disagree with his politics , '' said Brett Hammon , a political science major . `` But at the same time , I 'm not sure I think it would be prudent for the university to refuse hiring him just because most students disagree with his politics . I know I would hate it if I went to school in Texas and the university refused to hire a prominent liberal politician just because most of the student body was conservative . '' E-mail to a friend . | Stanford : Well within the Hoover Institution 's right to appoint Rumsfeld . Rumsfeld will spend a year as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow . Opposition : Online petition has been signed by more than 3,500 . | [[252, 312], [1566, 1641], [1610, 1632], [1642, 1663], [1905, 2025], [539, 549], [552, 734]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pregnant women in Peru are dying at scandalous rates , according to the author of an Amnesty International report into maternal mortality in the South American country . The report , `` Fatal Flaws : Barriers to Maternal Health in Peru '' found that hundreds of poor , rural and indigenous pregnant women are dying because they are being denied the same health services as other women in the country . It also concluded that the government 's response to tackling the problem was inadequate . Peruvian government figures state 185 in every 100,000 women die in childbirth , but the United Nations says the number is much higher , 240 per 100,000 , which makes it one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the Americas . In wealthy developed nations , only nine women die for every 100,000 births . The five main causes of pregnancy-related deaths in Peru are hemorrhage , pre-eclampsia , infection , complications following abortion and obstructed birth , according to Peru 's Ministry of Health figures . Amnesty 's Peru researcher Nuria Garcia said , in a written statement : `` The rates of maternal mortality in Peru are scandalous . The fact that so many women are dying from preventable causes is a human rights violation . `` The Peruvian state is simply ignoring its obligation to provide adequate maternal health care to all women , regardless of who they are and where they live . '' Garcia added : `` Health services for pregnant women in Peru are like a lottery : If you are poor and indigenous , the chances are you will always lose . '' The report said pregnant women in Peru die because they lack access to emergency obstetric care , to information on maternal health , and to health staff members who can speak Indigenous languages such as Quechua -- a native Andean language spoken by some 5 million people in Peru . According to the report , 27 percent of deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes occurred during pregnancy ; 26 percent occurred during the birth itself ; and 46 percent during the first six weeks after giving birth . A 2007 Census of Indigenous People showed that 60 percent did not have access to a health facility , said Amnesty International . The Amnesty International report notes that the Peruvian government has instituted policies aimed at reducing the rates of maternal mortality , such as increasing maternal waiting houses -- rooms where pregnant women who live far from health centers can stay . Other measures include more training for health staff members on the vertical birth method common among indigenous women and teaching the Quiche language to health professionals , Amnesty International said . But the human rights group said Peruvian women and health professionals have complained that the measures are not being implemented effectively . For example , the rights group said , even though the number of waiting houses has increased more than threefold in the past eight years , only half of them are in rural areas . The agency also contends that training for health professionals on the vertical birth method is not sufficiently widespread . According to Peru 's Human Rights ombudsperson , more than 45 percent of health staff last year said they had not received appropriate training , Amnesty International said . `` Official initiatives to reduce maternal mortality are good news , '' Garcia said . `` However , lack of clear responsibilities for implementing them and the absence of effective resourcing and monitoring puts any initiative in great jeopardy . '' Though Peru 's rate of maternal deaths is high , it pales in comparison to sub-Saharan Africa , which has about 900 deaths for each 100,000 births , the United Nations says . For Africa as a whole , the number is 820 . The highest rates were in Sierra Leone , with 2,000 , and Afghanistan , with 1,900 . Latin America and the Caribbean average 130 deaths per 100,000 births , the United Nations says , with the lowest rates in Chile , Costa Rica and Cuba . Worldwide , there were an average of 400 deaths for each 100,000 births in the year 2000 , the United Nations says . The lowest rates were in Iceland , with zero , and Austria , with four per 100,000 births . The United States had 11 deaths per 100,000 births in 2005 , the United Nations says . CNN 's Stephanie Busari contributed to this report . | Amnesty 's Peru researcher : Maternal rates in Peru for poor are `` scandalous '' Researcher : Services like `` lottery , '' for poor and `` chances are you will always lose '' Maternal mortality rate one of the highest in the Americas . Report : Peru has made positive changes , but more help needed in rural areas . | [[1050, 1094], [1097, 1181], [3583, 3622], [1438, 1450], [1453, 1550], [1553, 1591], [666, 681], [690, 763], [3583, 3622]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has defended the UK 's involvement in the war in Afghanistan following the British Army 's bloodiest day of the near eight-year conflict . Soldiers from the Welsh Guards carry the coffin of Maj Sean Birchall , killed on patrol in Afghanistan in June . Addressing lawmakers on Monday , Brown said the security of Afghanistan was crucial to preventing terrorist attacks elsewhere in the world . `` In 2009 the case for our continued involvement is the same : to prevent terrorist attacks in Britain and across the world by dealing with the terrorist threat at its source -- that crucible of terror on the border and mountain areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan , '' Brown told the House of Commons . `` I am confident that we are right to be in Afghanistan , that we have the strongest plan and the resources to do the job . '' Brown also rejected suggestions that British troops , who are fighting alongside other coalition and Afghan forces in Helmand province , are dying unnecessarily because they do not have enough helicopters -- leaving them vunerable to ambush because they have to travel by road . See a map of Helmand province '' `` It 's a sad fact that helicopters would not have saved the lives of the individuals last week , '' he said , citing Lt. Col. Nick Richardson , a British military spokesman in Afghanistan . `` British armed forces are better equipped today than at any time ... in the past 40 years . In the last two years we have increased helicopter numbers by 60 percent and ... capacity by 84 percent . '' But opposition leader David Cameron argued that helicopter capacity in Afghanistan has not risen as fast as troop levels . `` Is n't the real point this , that the number of troops has doubled since 2006 , so proportionally there has n't really been in increase in helicopter capacity at all ? '' the leader of the Conservative Party demanded . The former chief of the defense staff , Charles Guthrie , `` has said more helicopters would save lives , '' Cameron said . The United Kingdom has been shocked by the deaths of 15 troops in 10 days , including eight in a 24-hour period . Watch profiles of six British soldiers killled in Afghanistan on the same day '' The eight dead are the largest number of British troops killed in a single day since the Falklands war between the UK and Argentina in 1982 . Watch a gallery of Britain mourning its fallen in Afghanistan '' `` If we can not move our forces by air , they are more vulnerable on the ground , '' Conservative defense spokesman Liam Fox said Monday , asking if the Labour government had made a mistake by cutting the helicopter budget in 2004 . Defense Secretary Bob Ainsworth dismissed the criticism . British forces are `` taking on the Taliban in one of their heartland areas , '' he told lawmakers . `` That kind of `` hand-to-hand fighting ... can not be conducted from inside a highly armored vehicle and it can not be conducted from a helicopter . '' Ainsworth said more helicopters were on the way , but that many operations `` can not be conducted from helicopters . '' On Monday the Stop the War Coalition , which has campaigned against British involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq , urged Brown to withdraw all British troops from Afghanistan , calling the conflict `` an unwinnable and unjustified war . '' `` We urge the British government to end now this futile war which , if continued , will only mean more wasted lives of British soldiers , countless deaths of Afghan civilians and further devastation of a country that has suffered from decades of war and occupation , '' the group said in a statement . | Gordon Brown : Afghanistan campaign crucial to preventing terror attacks . Brown rejects charge UK troops killed because of lack of helicopters . UK shocked by deaths of 15 troops in 10 days including 8 in one day . UK forces have joined with U.S. , Afghan troops in offensive in Helmand . | [[324, 354], [357, 464], [896, 901], [907, 1030], [933, 947], [1033, 1100], [2072, 2145], [2072, 2090], [2148, 2163], [2186, 2263], [2308, 2408], [896, 901], [907, 1030]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Millions of people around the world have taken part in ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the Scouting movement . Scouts renewed their promise to build a tolerant and peaceful society . Dawn celebrations involving 28 million young people took place across the globe , from Ecuador to Bhutan . In southern England , 40,000 young people from around the globe gathered to take part in the largest ever 12-day world Scout Jamboree . The island where the movement was born , Brownsea Island off the coast of England , has been the focus of celebrations , with 300 scouts from more than 160 countries attending a commemorative camp . It was on that site that Scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell held an experimental camp for 20 boys , following his experiences in the Army during the Boer War . The movement requests its members , boys and girls from the age of six , to uphold values such as trustworthiness , loyalty and to `` do their best '' . Scouts from countries including the UK , Lebanon , Nepal , Rwanda , Serbia , Libya and Argentina , displayed their flags on the island , before taking part in a sunrise ceremony . In Romania , scouts formed a human chain around the Parliament building in the capital Bucharest to express how young people will play a role in the country 's future . In Namibia , Africa , around 1,000 scouts cooked breakfast over a camp fire , and groups from Malawi camped at the top of Mulanje mountain . The Taj Mahal in India , the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Sydney Opera House in Australia also witnessed sunrise ceremonies . The small gathering at Brownsea Island led the rest of the globe in renewing their Scouting promise to build a tolerant and peaceful society . A speech written by Baden-Powell during the first scout camp was also read out to the group . It includes a call for peace , comradeship and cooperation over rivalry between `` classes , creeds and countries which have done so much in the past to produce wars and unrest '' . Alistair , 16 , from Manchester , at the Brownsea Island ceremony , said : `` It has made me think how one man has changed the world . `` It is one world , one promise . We are all here as peace ambassadors . We are the next generation . We are the ones bringing peace forward into the world , '' he told the Press Association . Ana Mejia , 14 , from Honduras , added : `` It does n't matter what our nationality , our religion , our color , we are a family and we have to support each other . Baden-Powell 's book `` Scouting for Boys '' is the fourth biggest selling book in the world after the Bible , the Koran and Mao 's Little Red Book . E-mail to a friend . | At least 28 million scouts across the world took part in sunrise ceremonies . Scouts renewed their promise to build a tolerant and peaceful society . Started by Robert Baden-Powell it upholds values such as trust and loyalty . | [[214, 293], [971, 1067], [1070, 1105], [1108, 1150], [142, 213], [157, 213], [1665, 1730], [818, 888], [891, 941]] |
MEXICO CITY , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Coordinated attacks in at least eight Mexican cities killed three federal police officers and two soldiers Saturday in what officials are calling an unprecedented onslaught by drug gangs . Attacks occurred after arrest of Arnoldo Rueda Medina , a high-ranking member of La Familia Michoacana . Another 18 federal officers were wounded , the state-run Notimex news agency reported , citing federal police official Rodolfo Cruz Lopez . The attacks were in retribution for the capture early Saturday of Arnoldo Rueda Medina , a high-ranking member of the drug cartel known as La Familia Michoacana -LRB- The Michoacan Family -RRB- , Notimex reported . Rueda is considered second in command to the group 's two top leaders , Nazario `` El Chayo '' Moreno González and José '' El Chango '' de Jesús Méndez Vargas , acting as a `` right arm '' to Moreno , the secretary of public security said Saturday in a statement . Among other allegations , he was arrested for his role in designing the hierarchy of the organization , the production of synthetic drugs and movement of marijuana and cocaine to the United States , said Mexico 's secretary of public security . Rueda was arrested along with a 17-year-old male who worked for him . Following his arrest Saturday morning in Morelia , Michoacan , men armed with high-powered rifles and grenades attacked the police station where he was being held , the Secretary of Public Security said . After failing to win his freedom , members of the group launched attacks in the cities of Morelia , Zitacuaro , Zamora , Lazaro Cardenas , Apatzingan , La Piedad and Huetamo in Michoacan state , Notimex news said , citing federal police . The three officers were killed in Zitacuaro , police official Eduardo Moran told CNN en Español , while six police officers were reported wounded in Morelia . Two soldiers were killed in Zamora , shot by men in a passing car as they walked to their headquarters . The Secretary of Public Security told the newspaper Cambio de Michoacan that 25 spent shells from an R-15 rifle and 17 from an AK-47 were found at the scene . Michoacan is in west-central Mexico , on the Pacific coast . Another rifle and grenade attack took place near Acapulco in Guerrero state , which borders Michoacan , but no one was injured . Saturday 's attacks came just days after a drug gang in Tijuana declared they were at war with police , threatening to kill five officers every week until Police Chief Julian Leyzaola resigns . The threat was made in a note found on the windshield of a slain officer 's car , news reports said . At least three Tijuana officers have been killed since Monday , reports said . Leyzaola , a former army colonel , replaced a police chief removed from office in December after receiving numerous threats . `` Leyzaola has become the poster boy for honest police work , which has put the drug gangs on notice , '' Vicente Calderon , a reporter for the Tijuana Press news agency , told CNN affiliate KUSI . `` They believe he is serious , that he means business and is trying to re-establish the rule of law that has been affecting the city and whole state for many years since organized crime established themselves in Baja -LSB- California -RSB- . '' Tijuana , the westernmost city in Mexico , is across the border from San Diego , California . Sixteen police officers have died there in 2009 , and officers are now patrolling the city in groups of six , KUSI reported . CNN 's Emanuella Grinberg and Monica Trevino contributed to this report . | NEW : Gang targets police station where Arnoldo Rueda Medina was being held . Attacks were reprisals for capture of member of La Familia gang . Series of coordinated attacks in at least eight cities kills 3 federal officers , 2 soldiers . Officials call the coordinated attacks an unprecedented onslaught by drug gangs . | [[1269, 1317], [1320, 1431], [229, 282], [474, 560], [0, 228], [1872, 1906], [2622, 2683], [2686, 2700], [0, 228], [164, 228]] |
HUNTINGDON VALLEY , Pennsylvania -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The president of The Valley Swim Club on Friday strongly denied charges of racism after his club canceled the swimming privileges of a nearby day care center whose children are predominantly African-American . John Duesler said he underestimated the number of swimmers who would come to swim at the club . `` It was never our intention to offend anyone , '' said John Duesler . `` This thing has been blown out of proportion . '' Duesler said his club -- which he called `` very diverse '' -- invited camps in the Philadelphia area to use his facility because of the number of pools in the region closed due to budget cuts this summer . He said he underestimated the amount of children who would participate , and the club 's capacity to take on the groups was not up to the task . `` It was a safety issue , '' he said . The Creative Steps Day Care children -- who are in kindergarten through seventh grade -- went to The Valley Swim Club in Huntingdon Valley on June 29 after the center 's director , Alethea Wright , had contracted to use the club once a week . During their first visit , some children said they heard club members asking why African-American children were there . One youngster told a Philadelphia television station a woman there said she feared the children `` might do something '' to her child . Watch Wright react to comments allegedly aimed at the children '' Days later , the day care center 's $ 1,950 check was returned without explanation , Wright said . She was dismissive of Duesler 's comments Friday . `` He knows what happened at the pool that day , '' Wright told CNN in a telephone interview . `` I was embarrassed and humiliated . '' She called it an `` unfortunate situation , '' adding , `` I know what happened ; the members know what happened and a higher power knows what happened . '' Watch the club president say racism is not at play '' After news reports of the incident , the office of Sen. Arlen Specter -LRB- D-Pennsylvania -RRB- said Specter sent a letter to the club president asking him to reinstate the contract with Creative Steps , saying , `` I think that you would agree that there is no place for racism in America today . '' Duesler said he appreciates the senator 's concern , but the club 's board has yet to make a decision of how it will proceed . `` If we 're going to revise our policies here , we need to make it so for all the camps , '' he said . `` I just do n't think we 're prepared for that . '' Duesler earlier in the week told two Philadelphia television stations the children had changed `` the complexion '' and `` atmosphere '' of the club , a comment that protesters outside the facility Thursday said showed that racism was involved . Bernice Duesler , John Duesler 's wife , called the negative response her husband has faced since the incident `` unbearable . '' `` He 's not one of the good guys -- he 's one of the great guys , '' she said , holding back tears . `` He does n't deserve this . '' She added , `` If there really was a racial issue that happened , my husband and I would be the first one -LSB- s -RSB- picketing . '' Jim Flynn , who said he was one of the club members who made a complaint against the children , told CNN this week it was not racially motivated . `` There were a lot of children in the pool and not enough lifeguards , '' he said . `` As general members we were not told that they were coming . If we knew , we could decide to not come when the pool was crowded or come anyway . We could have had an option . '' He also said invitations to two other day care centers , neither of which contained minority children , had previously been withdrawn . Girard College , a private Philadelphia boarding school , told CNN on Thursday it would offer Creative Steps Day Care use of its facilities this summer . | Swim club president John Duesler : `` It was never our intention to offend anyone '' `` He knows what happened at the pool that day , '' day care director counters . Duesler : Club is `` very diverse , '' and had reached out because area pools had closed . Duesler says club 's board has yet to decide whether to reinstate center 's contract . | [[361, 404], [407, 429], [1589, 1635], [482, 541], [2295, 2364]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The investigation of the E. coli outbreak linked to Nestle Toll House cookie dough is nearly over , according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration . The cause of the contamination has not been identified . Nestle recalled all its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products made at a Danville , Virginia , plant . David Acheson , the FDA 's associate commissioner for foods , says the samples of cookie dough his agency has tested do not contain the E. coli strain that sickened 74 people in 32 states . On June 19 , Nestle recalled all its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products made at a Danville , Virginia , plant . Thirty-four people have been hospitalized ; no deaths have been reported . The CDC reports that the majority of the patients were teenage girls who reported eating the cookie dough raw . Last month , the FDA found E. coli in a production sample of Toll House cookie dough , but after testing , investigators found that the strain in the sample did not match the outbreak strain . `` We are still in speculation mode , '' Acheson said , but the E. coli `` most likely came from raw ingredients '' such as flour . The E.coli strain that caused the outbreak , 0157 : H7 , is typically found in fecal contamination from animals such as cows , sheep or goats . Acheson points out that it 's not unusual for those animals to be carrying more than one strain of the bacteria . But he believes that the root cause of the contamination may never be known . `` We have to conclude we 're unlikely to have a definitive determination , '' he said . Most people with E. coli 0157 : H7 experience diarrhea and abdominal cramps within eight days of infection . The FDA notified Nestle USA on Thursday that its investigation at the Danville plant was over . Nestle says FDA inspectors were at the plant for more than a week and found no E. coli on equipment . More than 1,000 tests have been conducted at the facility after the outbreak . `` We 've dismantled the production line and done extensive testing on all equipment and not found any E. coli , '' Nestle USA spokeswoman Laurie MacDonald said . MacDonald announced that Nestle is easing back into production at the plant . The company has purchased new lots of eggs , flour and margarine and says it is thoroughly testing the new products and all raw ingredients . Consumers will have to wait to see cookie dough back in grocery stores . `` You 're not going to see anything on the shelves for quite some time , '' MacDonald said . But when it does appear , the company will mark the cookie dough with a new label that clearly designates it as a new batch . It will also continue to carry a reminder to not eat the dough raw . | FDA says Toll House samples do n't contain particular strain of E. coli . Nestle recalled all dough made at Virginia plant after outbreak . 74 people in 32 states were sickened ; there were no deaths . Plant resuming test production of cookie dough . | [[0, 15], [119, 171], [339, 352], [434, 489], [930, 943], [946, 1031], [229, 298], [249, 338], [529, 539], [542, 611], [471, 489], [495, 528], [694, 726]] |
BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iraq awarded a lucrative oil contract to BP and China National Petroleum Corp. , government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Wednesday , while rejecting other companies ' offers for other oil fields . BP and China National Petroleum Corporation have won a lucrative oil contract in Iraq . The joint BP-CNPC bid was for the al-Rumeila oil field , one of the largest in the world . The energy companies are expected to increase production at the oil field by 50 percent , to 285,000 barrels a day , for a service charge of $ 2 for each additional barrel produced , al-Dabbagh said in a statement . The Iraqi government rejected bids for five other oil fields and a natural gas field because the bidders did not agree to the service charge set by the Ministry of Oil , he said . The Ministry of Oil rejected the idea that the failure to award more than one contract made the much-anticipated auction a flop . Iraq did not say how much the BP-CNPC bid was worth . It runs for 20 years . Oil Minister Hussein Shahrastani chaired the government-sponsored auction for the oil and natural gas field contracts Tuesday , after a day 's delay due to a sandstorm . Much of the auction was broadcast live on state television , which Ministry of Oil spokesman Assem Jihad told CNN was a sign of the transparency of the process . He said the government was satisfied with the auction , even though only one contract was awarded , because the contract was for Iraq 's largest oil field . Iraq plans to open bidding this year on 10 more oil fields and one natural gas field , all of which are undeveloped , Jihad said . The companies whose bids were rejected Tuesday have been given time to review their offers , he said . Iraq has some of the largest oil reserves in the world , with an estimated 115 billion barrels -- tying Iran for second place , behind Saudi Arabia 's 264 billion barrels , according to estimates from the Energy Information Administration in the United States . CNN 's Jomana Karadsheh in Baghdad contributed to this report . | Iraq awards lucrative oil contract to BP , China National Petroleum Corporation . The joint BP-CNPC bid was for the giant al-Rumeila oil field . Energy companies expected to increase production at the field by 50 percent . | [[34, 112], [232, 319], [320, 374], [34, 112], [232, 319], [320, 374], [411, 498]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Newly released documents from Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor 's service on the board of a Puerto Rican civil rights organization show the group opposed Robert Bork 's nomination to the high court more than two decades ago . Judge Sonia Sotomayor is set to face Supreme Court confirmation hearings . Sotomayor , a judge on the New York-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit , was nominated by President Obama in May to fill the vacancy of retiring Justice David Souter . Her confirmation hearings are set to begin July 13 . She served as a board member of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund from 1980-92 , leaving when she became a federal judge . During her years on the PRLDEF board , the group opposed President Reagan 's 1987 nomination of the conservative Bork -- then a federal appeals judge -- `` because of the threat he poses to the civil rights of the Latino community , '' according to the documents . The group 's attorneys prepared press releases and `` worked on numerous efforts to build coalitions against the nominee , '' according to the documents . Bork was ultimately rejected by the Senate . The Fund also met in 1987 with staff at the New York Daily News to address what it called `` negative images of Puerto Ricans presented by the News ' staff , '' including well-known columnist Jimmy Breslin . Republicans are challenging Sotomayor 's record on affirmative action , and the newly released documents on her work at the Fund will likely be a centerpiece of debate at the upcoming confirmation hearings . The 350 pages of documents released Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee show the Fund filed hundreds of discrimination lawsuits over the years on behalf of Hispanics . The documents do not reveal whether Sotomayor was directly involved in them . She was a private attorney at the time , and was volunteering for the group . However , they reflect the Fund 's strong push to establish a precedent of cases that would establish legal authority to uphold workplace quotas for minorities . One case dealt with promotions in the New York City Police Department . A May 1992 memo on `` litigation highlights '' noted , `` We obtained quota promotions for Latinos and African Americans to the rank of sergeant . '' A PRLDEF class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of minority applicants claimed advancement exams were `` discriminatory and not job related . '' The city settled , agreeing to promotions that reflected the percentage of Hispanic test-takers . Backpay and retroactive seniority were also provided . `` As a result , '' said the memo , `` almost 100 Hispanics were promoted , over twice the number that would have been promoted without the settlement . '' Fast forward 17 years to a case Sotomayor heard as an appeals judge . She and her colleagues rejected a lawsuit by white firefighters in New Haven , Connecticut , after the city threw out the results of promotional exams because too few minorities qualified for advancement . In the case , one Hispanic and 19 white firefighters who scored high on the exams and would have gained captain and lieutenant positions claimed `` reverse '' discrimination . Last week , the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the so-called `` New Haven 20 , '' concluding `` the city rejected the test results solely because the higher scoring candidates were white . '' Justice Anthony Kennedy , writing for the majority said , `` No individual should face workplace discrimination based on race . '' The high court said municipalities would now have to establish `` a strong basis of evidence '' that promotion tests were unfairly designed or administered before nullifying them , and not simply because too many minorities did poorly . Sotomayor 's views in the case have been criticized by some conservatives , saying it shows she supports racial preferences for Hispanic and other minorities . The high court dissent , however , criticized the ruling for reinterpreting what Congress intended . `` Congress endeavored to promote equal opportunity in fact , and not simply in form , '' wrote Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg . `` The damage today 's decision does to that objective is untold . '' Supporters also contend the PRLDEF documents add nothing to the nomination debate . `` Documents that Judge Sotomayor did not write , or approve -- many of them more than two decades old -- are irrelevant to her nomination , '' according to a White House statement . `` The Senate should judge her on her own record -- especially her judicial record -- not on briefs that other lawyers wrote 20 years ago . '' Opponents , however , claim Sotomayor 's prior work for PRLDEF , and her off-the-bench comments reveal doubts about her fairness and impartiality as a judge . In addition , some Republicans on the committee expressed concern the material was released only 12 days before the hearings begin . `` This has all the hallmarks of a deliberate delay and an attempt to frustrate a thorough review of this important information , '' said Stephen Boyd , a spokesman for Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama , ranking Republican on the committee . `` If these dilatory tactics continue , it will be increasingly more difficult for the hearing to go forward on July 13 . '' Sotomayor supporters point out a similar `` document dump '' by the Bush White House in the days before Chief Justice John Roberts testified before the Senate in September 2005 . And the Bush administration also refused to turn over material from Justice Samuel Alito 's prior service in the Reagan and Bush Justice Departments in the 1980s , arguing his subsequent judicial record was sufficient to determine his qualifications to sit on the high court . | Sotomayor once served on the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund . Group opposed the 1987 nomination of Robert Bork to the high court . Supporters : PRLDEF documents add nothing to the nomination debate . Republicans are challenging Sotomayor 's record on affirmative action . | [[30, 165], [570, 664], [4638, 4647], [4660, 4700], [0, 26], [166, 260], [709, 745], [748, 826], [4228, 4238], [4244, 4311], [1382, 1451], [3771, 3844]] |
MEXICO CITY , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Mexican officials said they have identified two suspects in this week 's slayings of two Americans in northern Mexico . Mourners carry the coffin of Benjamin LeBaron , 32 , on Thursday in the Mexican state of Chihuahua . A security camera at a toll booth near the municipality of Galeana captured images of the suspects , Chihuahua state Attorney General Patricia Gonzalez Rodriguez said Thursday , the state-run Notimex news agency reported . Gonzalez declined to name the suspects , other than to say they belong to a crime organization known as `` La Linea '' -LRB- The Line -RRB- . The toll booth cameras show four trucks or sport utility vehicles in which 12 suspects were riding , she said . No arrests had been reported by Friday . Benjamin LeBaron , 32 , and his brother-in-law , Luis Widmar , who was in his mid-30s , were beaten and shot to death after armed men stormed into their home Tuesday morning in Galeana . Arturo Sandoval , a spokesman for the Chihuahua attorney general 's office , said earlier this week that a note was found on LeBaron 's body but he could not confirm the contents . Local media reported the note indicated the slayings were in retribution for the capture of 25 drug suspects in a nearby town . LeBaron 's younger brother , Eric , was kidnapped in May and returned unharmed a week later . The kidnapping prompted LeBaron to become a nationally recognized anti-crime activist who moved the local community to take a stand . `` There are no leaders here , or we are all leaders , '' LeBaron 's brother Julian LeBaron told CNN affiliate KINT-TV in El Paso , Texas , this week . `` If they kill my brother , another three will take his place . And if they kill us , another hundred will take their place . We are not giving up . No way . '' The LeBaron brothers belonged to the `` Community of LeBaron '' in the municipality of Galeana , a township founded by ex-communicated Mormons . CNN 's Mayra Cuevas-Nazario contributed to this report . | Gunmen killed Benjamin LeBaron and brother-in-law this week in northern Mexico . Security camera at toll booth captured images of two suspects , news agency says . No arrests have been reported in the Americans ' slayings . Note reportedly found that says killings were retribution for drug arrests . | [[40, 159], [779, 825], [828, 839], [883, 965], [261, 359], [439, 483], [738, 778], [966, 981], [1043, 1106], [1147, 1274], [1168, 1274]] |
Editor 's note : Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a member of the San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board , a nationally syndicated columnist and a regular contributor to CNN.com . Read his column here . Ruben Navarrette Jr. says President Felipe Calderon 's war on drugs remains a noble battle for the soul of Mexico . SAN DIEGO , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It has nothing to do with Michael Jackson or Sarah Palin , but there 's a big story brewing south of the border to which Americans should pay close attention . Like a monster that refuses to die , Mexico 's once-disgraced Institutional Revolutionary Party , or PRI , made a convincing comeback in last weekend 's midterm elections . The PRI recaptured its majority in the 500-member Chamber of Deputies and won five of six governorships up for grabs . The rival National Action Party , or PAN , which had controlled the legislative branch since 2000 , suffered heavy losses . German Martinez , president of the PAN , resigned this week after taking responsibility for the electoral failures . Political observers on both sides of the border are calling the elections results a no-confidence vote in the Mexican economy and a significant rebuke to President Felipe Calderon 's admirable but all-consuming war against the drug cartels . Calderon -- who is in the PAN -- is halfway through a six-year term , so he was n't on the ballot . The presidency is next on the ballot in 2012 , and observers think that the fact that the PRI aced its midterms sets the party up nicely to accomplish something that seemed unthinkable just a few years ago : retake the top job that it held for much of the 20th century -- 71 years , to be precise -- through corruption and intimidation . In 2000 , the PAN 's Vicente Fox broke that streak and reintroduced democracy in Mexico . Calderon squeaked out a narrow victory against a third-party candidate in 2006 . The Harvard-educated lawyer and economist immediately and bravely took the fight to drug lords across the country , unleashing the military in a conflict that has so far killed more than 10,000 Mexicans with no end in sight . And there are now serious issues -- as spelled out this week in The Washington Post -- involving allegations of torture , forced disappearances and other abuse by the Mexican military as it seeks to retaliate for the killing of soldiers and other terrorist acts committed by the drug cartels . The Obama administration , which has pledged to support Calderon 's drug war , would no doubt like to put an end to this alleged behavior before paying out the remainder of the $ 1.4 billion in aid to Mexico that Congress approved in the Merida Initiative . The trouble is that President Obama has been reluctant to make human rights demands of an adversary such as Iran , which could make it hard to lean on a friend such as Mexico . And as Mexican human rights activists point out , the U.S. government is in a difficult position to preach against torture given that it is accused of using it in Iraq , Afghanistan and at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba . Still , Calderon 's war remains a noble battle for the soul of Mexico . And there 's evidence that the drug cartels are feeling the pinch . Unable to move their product to customers in Canada and the United States , the cartels are growing desperate . The Calderon government is seizing so much of the product and arresting or killing so many drug traffickers , that profits are slipping . The drug lords are forced to import more guns from the United States at higher prices and channel more drug shipments to Mexican customers , who pay lower prices than the cartels could charge Americans if the drugs were making their way north . This is bad news for the traffickers . But it 's great news for the Mexican people , even if they do n't know it . Judging from reports in the Mexican press , many Mexicans -- while supportive of the drug war -- think it ultimately will fail , and they 're tired of the violence . Many fault Calderon for , in a popular metaphor , `` stirring the hornet 's nest . '' Meanwhile , although the PRI did n't explicitly campaign on a platform of being anti-drug war , the implied message was that returning the party to power could return tranquillity and security to Mexico . Good luck with that , amigos . Guess what ? The hornets are n't going back in the nest . Calderon should get to the bottom of allegations of military abuse and punish any offenders . But he should also press ahead . And , if the PRI tries to get in the way by , say , limiting the resources to fight the drug war , then Calderon should paint the party as trying to appease the cartels at the expense of Mexico . The PRI was so preoccupied with gaining power as it did in the past that it forgot that what leadership is really about is taking responsibility for the future . Here 's its chance . | Mexican leader Felipe Calderon may face defeat in 2012 after PRI makes comeback . Some Mexicans fault Calderon for stirring up violence with war on drugs . Calderon should address problems and press ahead , Ruben Navarrette Jr. says . Evidence points to drug traffickers feeling the pinch , Navarrette says . | [[195, 262], [4459, 4487], [3137, 3149], [3159, 3204]] |
Editor 's Note : This is the second in a five-part series exploring Judge Sonia Sotomayor 's background and life with those who know her , and revealing the experiences that might shape her views as a Supreme Court justice if confirmed . Sonia Sotomayor , here at her 8th-grade graduation , had to finish homework and chores before she could go out . BRONX , New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The teenage Sonia Sotomayor was easy to spot in the halls of her New York high school . Her uniform was often askew -- a once-crisp shirt protruding out and over her skirt 's waistband as she carried a pile of books . `` She was focused so much on learning that she did n't notice , '' Mary Procidano , a classmate at Cardinal Spellman High School , recalled recently . Sotomayor , now nominated for the Supreme Court by President Obama , seemed to hit her stride at Spellman , a rigorous Catholic institution and educational oasis in a crime-stricken neighborhood of the Bronx . The schoolgirl first appeared shy and reserved , friends remember . But they soon got to know her as a hard-nosed , strong-willed girl , happy to debate friends , family or teachers . `` When she opened her mouth and she spoke , she really felt whatever it was , '' said Jeanette Valdespino-Torres , a childhood friend . `` And she was n't just talking out of the top of her head -- it was something that she read , she studied , she looked , she knew . She would get into conversations at that age that I could n't even touch . '' Watch friends remember Sotomayor as a teenager '' In the lunchroom Sotomayor would `` hold court , '' various friends from her school years told CNN , sharing opinions on policies and social problems . She even led discussions around her home , an apartment in the sprawling 28-building Bronxdale Housing project that was so rife with drugs and crime that police often locked it down on Saturday nights , Sotomayor said in one speech . If she is confirmed by the full Senate Sotomayor , now 55 , would be the first Latina Supreme Court justice . President Obama has spoken of her `` inspiring life 's journey . '' Sotomayor 's 1972 graduating class knew they were a generation facing `` change , '' said Jeri Faulkner , who was a freshman when Sotomayor was a senior . It was a time when the Vietnam War and social and economic strife were in the news daily . `` There was a lot of change and turmoil , and they were very involved in it -- very , very involved in social issues ; very , very ready to change the world , '' Faulkner , now Cardinal Spellman 's Dean of Students , said of Sotomayor 's class . `` And Sonia , she was at the forefront of those discussions . '' A fixture on the debate team and in student government , Sotomayor was even a part of change inside Cardinal Spellman -- helping to write a unified constitution when male and female classes merged in 1971 . Outside school , Sotomayor spent some vacations working at the United Bargains store in the Bronx , though she has admitted she was too young for a job . She also worked.with her mother at Prospect Hospital . See photos of Sotomayor throughout her life '' Hard work was a fixture of the Sotomayor household . Juan Sotomayor , Sonia 's father , died when she was 9 , leaving her mother , Celina , to fend for Sonia and her younger brother , also named Juan . Celina Sotomayor started at the hospital as a telephone operator and later became a registered nurse . She worked long hours to earn enough to send her children to better schools like Cardinal Spellman , which now boasts of its graduate with a banner on its pale brick facade . And she used spare money to buy the neighborhood 's only encyclopedia . Sonia 's mother was clear in what she expected from her daughter , said Valdespino-Torres . When she got home from work and stepped into the brick building , she always asked Sonia if she had done her homework , food shopping or laundry . `` Only then , Sonia would be allowed to go out , '' Valdespino-Torres said . Watch Valdespino-Torres take a walk around the girls ' old haunts '' `` Going out '' sometimes meant reading for grade-schooler Sonia Sotomayor . She turned to books for solace after her father died -- a loss that came a year after she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes . She has needed daily insulin injections ever since . But sorrow and challenges were not something she shared , Valdespino-Torres said : `` That must have been very difficult at her age to deal with , and it was something that just never really came up . She took care of it and she dealt with it . '' Sotomayor swapped Nancy Drew mysteries with her friends and loved talking about them , Valdespino-Torres said . Later she would become engrossed in `` Perry Mason '' and the workings of courts . Watch Juan Sotomayor say how his sister forced him to watch ` Mason ' '' In the summer , Sotomayor and Valdespino-Torres would sit on the stone steps of Blessed Sacrament -- Sotomayor 's Catholic grade school . Their parents kept watch from two-story duplex houses and through the black , steel bars of public housing apartment windows as the girls listened for hours to the latest vinyl records -- The Four Tops , The Rascals , The Beatles and Frankie Valli . Sotomayor even coaxed some girlfriends to play baseball -- almost in the shadow of Yankee Stadium . -LRB- Many years later , Sotomayor would make a famous ruling that effectively ended the Major League Baseball strike . -RRB- . Sotomayor also spent time with her cousins , who lived in now-dilapidated apartments marred by broken windows . Entertainment might have been their grandmother calling bingo as they marked their cards with chickpeas . It was with her cousins that Sotomayor embraced her Puerto Rican roots , she has said . The neighborhood still boasts a heavy Latino population -- with many Puerto Rican flags in windows . Sotomayor says the sights and sounds of the neighborhood have stayed with her : salsa beats and laughter from Saturday movies featuring Mexican comedian Cantinflas . The Bronx streets around Southern Boulevard were the center of young Sotomayor 's world , but her curiosity was sparked by the No. 5 train creaking along tracks visible from her grandmother 's window . At first she just made faces at riders , she has said , but then she began to wonder where the people were going . Sotomayor 's childhood friends say now that they knew even then that she would someday be one of those people going places . See how Sotomayor is similar to the Supreme Court justices '' `` Especially because of her pure intelligence , her work ethic , her seriousness and focus , '' Procidano said . `` You kind of visualize a certain trajectory for people , and you say with Sonia , ` Well , I 'm not surprised . Is n't that where she was going ? ' '' Faulkner , her high school classmate , added : `` I saw her as leader , for sure ... They were teenage attributes at the time , but they were there . All of those little things that make her able to do this job , or be able to handle this pressure , it was there . It was in her from the beginning . '' | Sonia Sotomayor grew up in crime-ridden Bronx neighborhood . Senators holding confirmation hearings on Supreme Court nomination . Sotomayor 's dad died when she was 9 ; mother instilled in her the value of education . High school classmate said she saw Sotomayor `` as a leader , for sure '' | [[924, 929], [930, 966], [3188, 3202], [3223, 3242], [4187, 4202], [4206, 4229], [6806, 6814], [6817, 6832], [6845, 6850], [6853, 6931]] |
NEW DELHI , India -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A mob killed a Hindu man in the Indian state of Orissa Thursday as another group attacked a church in another part of the state 's troubled Kandhamal district , authorities said Friday . Christian activists stage a peace march in Mumbai , India earlier this month . Krishan Kumar , Kandhamal 's top administrative official , told CNN the Hindu man was hacked to death at Raikia . Orissa state , which is dominated by tribal people , borders the Bay of Bengal in east-central India , and Kandhamal is located in the center of the state , which has been racked by Hindu-Christian violence . Praveen Kumar , Kandhamal 's superintendent of police , said an investigation is under way in both incidents , and did not say whether any suspects were being sought . Twenty-three civilians , excluding police , have died in the Hindu-Christian violence in Kandhamal this month , according to the administrator . `` Arrests are continuing , '' Praveen Kumar said when asked how many people have been held so far in connection with the violence . The latest attacks occurred on a day when India 's federal government called upon the state administration to take `` effective , focused and firm measures '' to control the conflicts . On Thursday , federal Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta asked the Orissa government to ensure effective deployment of paramilitaries in the state . -- CNN 's Harmeet Shah Singh contributed to this report . | Orissa state in east-central India has been racked by Hindu-Christian violence . 23 civilians have died in the state 's troubled Kandhamal district this month . Latest attacks follow calls for state to take firm measures to control conflict . | [[559, 625], [794, 816], [819, 835], [794, 816], [829, 903], [794, 816], [906, 938], [1114, 1230], [1214, 1257]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Somalia 's transitional government has the right to request military help from its neighbors against armed militants , the African Union said Monday , but Kenya was quick to reject the idea of sending troops and suggested the AU should spearhead such a move . Islamist insurgents patrol part of Mogadishu during clashes with government forces . Somali parliament speaker Sheikh Adan Madowe on Saturday called on Djibouti , Ethiopia , Kenya and Yemen to send in their military forces to help government troops stop hardline Islamist militants from taking over . `` Militants are wrestling the power from the government and so we call for military help from neighboring countries , '' the speaker said at a news conference in Mogadishu . `` Please send your military to help in 24 hours ' time . '' But Alfred Mutua , spokesman for the Kenyan government , told CNN that `` Kenya does n't engage in military support to our neighbors . '' He said that any such support would be under the umbrella of the African Union . However , he did say that `` different types of support can be given , not just military , and Kenya 's options are open . '' He said that the government should announce by Wednesday how it will move forward . Jean Ping , chairman of the African Union Commission , said in a communique issued Sunday that the transitional government , as Somalia 's legitimate government , `` has the right to seek support from AU Member States and the larger international community . '' Ping also said that the AU would `` continue to do its utmost to assist the Somali people and its authorities in their lasting quest for peace and reconciliation . '' Somalia 's call for help came hours after a third top politician was killed in ongoing fighting in the capital . Mohamed Hussein Adow , a powerful member of parliament who was leading the fight against the Islamists , was slain Friday in the north of the city . His death came two days after Islamists killed Internal Security Minister Omar Hashi Adan in a suicide attack in central Somalia . The nation 's former ambassador to Ethiopia , Abdikarin Farah Laqanyo , was also killed , along with at least 11 others , government officials said . Madowe said a Pakistani militant who is a high-ranking official in al Qaeda is leading the fighting in Somalia against the government . He warned that militants will spread fighting into the rest of the region if they topple the government in Somalia . Mohammed Amiin Adow contributed to this report for CNN . | Somali parliament speaker asks Djibouti , Ethiopia , Kenya , Yemen to send troops . Country is battling hardline Islamist militants . Kenya says African Union must lead such an effort . AU says it will help Somalia . | [[364, 501], [469, 579], [174, 179], [231, 278], [954, 1034], [962, 1034], [954, 1034], [1507, 1511], [1517, 1670]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Scotland 's Susan Boyle gives new meaning to the term `` overnight sensation . '' The `` Britain 's Got Talent '' contestant was expected to be something of a joke when she first sauntered on stage , but she absolutely wowed the audience , the judges -- and then the world via the Internet -- with her stunning rendition of `` I Dreamed a Dream . '' Along with Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan , Amanda Holden is a judge on `` Britain 's Got Talent . '' But like others who stumble upon sudden fame , she found the pressure and scrutiny to be overwhelming . `` Talent '' judge Amanda Holden and Dr. Drew Pinsky of VH1 's `` Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew '' joined CNN 's Larry King Tuesday night to discuss Boyle 's hospitalization for stress and the toll the spotlight and media criticism might have taken on her mental health . They also discussed whether Boyle will develop the emotional stamina for a high-pressure singing career . The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity : . Larry King : What do we know right now ? Amanda Holden : Basically , we 've spoken to Susan 's brother . He , in fact , spoke on -LSB- CBS ' `` The Early Show '' -RSB- this morning to say that his sister was very keen to come home as soon as she possibly could and that she was resting up in a clinic in London and that she was very much looking forward to coming out and seeing what was available to her when she felt better . King : Is the show , Amanda , paying for the hospital bills and are they taking care of her ? Holden : I have no idea if they 're paying the hospital bills . I would imagine that they are . We 're a very loyal show . We love Susan very much . In fact , all the contestants that appear on our show are extraordinarily well looked after . King : Your fellow judge , Piers Morgan , has said that there was talk of taking her off the show because of all the pressures on her . Were you involved ? Were there any discussions like that ? Holden : I was n't involved in any discussions like that . And I think Piers has a slightly closer relationship with her . ... The only thing I 'm worried about with Susan Boyle is that she seems to have a crush on Piers Morgan . ... I think that Piers kind of reassured her during the final that she was doing well and that she must n't pay any kind of attention to the press and all the other stuff that was going . King : Despite all the tumult , there 's no disputing that Susan sang her heart out during the finale of the competition . I know the dance troupe -LSB- Diversity -RSB- was terrific . But , frankly , why did n't she win ? Holden : Honestly , I ca n't criticize the decision because it was the British public that voted in the end . I have no real idea , to be honest . I wonder whether it could be that Diversity was utterly fantastic on the show that night . They decimated the show . They really , really were amazing . And I just wonder whether maybe younger people voted and were quicker on the texts than the kind of people that were voting for Susan . But as I keep saying , if Susan is a loser , then surely she is the biggest and best loser that we have in the world . And coming second is no bad thing . Watch Amanda Holden discuss Susan Boyle '' King : She came in , though , -LSB- as -RSB- a small-town amateur singer , -LSB- with -RSB- learning disabilities due to suffering oxygen deprivation at birth . Some say the program exploited her and her vulnerabilities . Do you agree ? Holden : I could n't disagree more . You know , she 's a grown woman who applied to come on a talent show . She enjoyed every second of every moment that I met her or saw her behind the scenes . She was very excited . She was very proud to be taking part in the show . I think the downturn in press in our country -LSB- Britain -RSB- , I think , maybe stressed her out a little bit . And I think she was just quite upset about all the exaggerated stories and the kind of falsehoods that were being written about her . I think that everybody gets upset about bad press when you 're in this business . And she 's somebody that 's gone from anonymity to -LSB- an -RSB- absolute worldwide phenomenon . King : Yes . Holden : So how is she expected to handle that ? Nobody can handle that with the best will in the world . I 've been in the business 15 years , and I 'm still not media savvy . -LSB- Dr. Drew Pinsky joins the show -RSB- . King : What do you make of this Susan Boyle thing ? Pinsky : The problem here is that here 's a woman that 's suddenly under the scrutiny of the spotlight who maybe has some developmental issues , who is under tremendous stress and -LSB- now -RSB- is in a psychiatric hospital . The question is , did the show harm her ? King : Did it ? Pinsky : It 's hard to say . This is the first time these kind of experiences have really been undertaken by people . People that come out of nowhere all of a sudden are international superstars . King : Should we be , Amanda , concerned about that ? Holden : First of all , I just want to say that Susan 's brother said on British television this morning that , yes , Susan has experienced learning difficulties . But in actual fact , when she was at school , she did as well as any of her other siblings . But throughout her childhood , always before an exam or anything else , she always got quite anxious . -LSB- Before the show -RSB- , she was feeling nervous . But she went out there and she nailed it . You know , she did the best performance that we 've seen . And let 's not forget , this is actually only the second or third time we 've heard her sing . ... She is in a place where celebrities go when they are burnt out . Now , I am obviously not a doctor . I have no factual information to give to you . I can only say to you her brother ... has said she wants to come home within a matter of days , rather than weeks . Pinsky : That 's excellent . King : Would you guess , Dr. Drew , that she still has a career in front of her ? Would n't you bet she does ? Pinsky : Oh , I bet she does , absolutely . And she will learn to become accustomed to this kind of stress , I am sure . But let 's make sure she has the care she needs . And let 's be sure that ... everybody that goes on shows like this has access to things that help them deal with the stress of these kinds of environments . | Amanda Holden : Boyle is `` a grown woman who applied to come on a talent show '' Holden believes negative press coverage stressed out the overnight sensation . Though Boyle was exceedingly nervous before finale , Holden says she `` nailed it '' Dr. Drew Pinsky : Contestants on high-pressure shows should get help with stress . | [[3528, 3536], [3539, 3559], [3539, 3598], [763, 845], [3827, 3834], [3837, 3874]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two of the biggest stars in the NBA will be team-mates next season after a blockbuster trade which sees Shaquille O'Neal move from the Phoenix Suns to the Cleveland Cavaliers -- the home of league MVP LeBron James . Shaquille O'Neal is hoping his arrival will put a smile on the faces of Cleveland fans . The 37-year-old O'Neal is one of the all-time greats of basketball , winning four NBA championships , three straight with the Los Angeles Lakers and the other with Miami Heat . James is widely recognized as the sport 's current superstar , but the 24-year-old has been left frustrated by Cleveland 's failure to win the title . He stormed off the court after their loss to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals , not even shaking hands with 2008 Olympic teammate Dwight Howard . The trade , which sees Phoenix get center Ben Wallace and guard Sasha Pavlovic , has been talked about since February but finalized on Thursday night . `` I was elated about the trade because I get to play with one of the greatest players to ever play the game in LeBron James , '' O'Neal was quoted on the NBA 's official Web site www.nba.com . O'Neal averaged 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds in 75 games for the Suns last season and believes he still has much to offer the NBA . `` My numbers are not good enough to retire . Three more years left , '' O'Neal wrote on his Twitter blog . His career averages are 24.7 points , 11.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots , with his peak seasons coming as he led the Lakers to three straight titles from 2000-02 . The Lakers traded him to Miami where he spent three seasons , helping them to the NBA Championship three years ago . He has played in Phoenix for the past two years , restricted by injuries in his first season . The Cavs , powered by James , won 66 regular season games and their first eight in the playoffs before coming unstuck against the Magic . They will be hoping that O'Neal will be the final piece in the jigsaw to land the first American sports championship for Cleveland in 45 years . | Shaquille O'Neal is traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Cleveland Cavaliers . 7 foot one inch O'Neal has been named in the NBA 's All Star team 15 times . O'Neal , 37 , will now pair up with 2009 NBA MVP LeBron James at Cleveland . | [[92, 111], [118, 173], [324, 346], [393, 423]] |
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