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LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- For most people life can be boiled down to a few major decisions and a list of truly memorable events . Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams hope love conquers all in `` The Time Traveler 's Wife . '' Typically , these are first words , first steps , graduations , births , weddings and -- of course -- marriage proposals . More than a few of these milestone moments take place in the new romantic drama `` The Time Traveler 's Wife . '' Of all of them , perhaps the most memorable is a scene in which Henry DeTamble -LRB- Eric Bana -RRB- asks Clare Abshire -LRB- Rachel McAdams -RRB- to be his wife . It 's a complicated request because Henry , a kind man , also has the uncanny and often unfortunate ability to be transported suddenly and unexpectedly from one time period to another , leaving Clare on her own . It 's a peculiar set of circumstances that would give most women understandable hesitation when contemplating a marriage partner . But Clare is a woman in love , an emotion that tends to trump all others . Watch how Bana and McAdams found humor in the scene '' Bana and McAdams sit down with CNN to discuss this scene , its comedic elements and what it means to both their characters . | Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana star in `` The Time Traveler 's Wife '' In a key scene , Bana asks McAdams to get married . The performers says they tried to put a little humor in situation . | [[491, 620], [521, 528], [538, 637], [1057, 1108], [1067, 1108]] |
KABUL , Afghanistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A New York Times reporter who was kidnapped last week was freed Wednesday in a pre-dawn military raid in Afghanistan that left a British commando , an Afghan journalist and several others dead . New York Times reporter Stephen Farrell was abducted Saturday while covering a NATO airstrike in Afghanistan . Stephen Farrell was rescued by NATO 's International Security Assistance Force , known as the ISAF , the British Foreign Office said . A British commando died in the operation , the country 's Ministry of Defense said without offering further details . Sultan Munad , an Afghan journalist accompanying Farrell , also was killed in the raid , British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said . Crossfire during the raid also killed a woman and a child , said Abdel Wahid Omar Khil , governor of Kunduz district , in Kunduz province , where the rescue took place . Armed gunmen kidnapped the journalists Saturday while they were covering a NATO airstrike on Taliban forces the day before that killed at least 90 people in the northern Kunduz province . Neither CNN nor the Times had reported Farrell 's kidnapping for security reasons . `` We feared that media attention would raise the temperature and increase the risk to the captives , '' the paper quoted Executive Editor Bill Keller as saying Wednesday . Farrell called the newspaper 's foreign editor before dawn and said he was `` extracted '' in a commando raid after a fierce firefight , according to a report on the Times Web site . `` There were bullets all around us . I could hear British and Afghan voices , '' Farrell , a 46-year-old dual Irish-British citizen , told the paper . Farrell and Munadi ran outside during the firefight . At the end of a wall , Munadi went forward , shouting : `` Journalist ! Journalist ! '' but dropped in a hail of bullets , Farrell said . He did n't know whether the shots came from allied or militant fire . `` I saw him go down in front of me . He did not move . He 's dead , '' Farrell told the paper . `` He was so close , he was just 2 feet in front of me when he dropped . '' Farrell 's citizenship played a role in the British decision to stage the rescue , said a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense . Watch a former British commander on the difficulty in rescuing hostages '' `` The obvious link for us is that Farrell is a British national . We want to safeguard the life of one of our citizens , '' the spokesman said , declining to discuss operational details of the rescue mission . `` We do n't comment about the actions of British Special Ops forces . '' Local Afghans provided information and helped the commandos locate where Farrell was being held , said another British official who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter . He said the judgment to proceed with such an operation `` is always a difficult one , but we think it represented the best chance to save his life . '' Brown offered condolences to the families of Munadi and the British commando . Of the commando , Brown said , `` His bravery will not be forgotten . '' The operation to rescue the hostages happened after extensive planning and consideration , Brown said . `` Those involved knew the high risks they were running . That they undertook it in such circumstances showed breathtaking heroism , '' Brown said . `` Hostage-taking is never justified , and the U.K. does not make substantive concessions , including paying ransoms . But whenever British nationals are kidnapped , we and our allies will do everything in our power to free them . '' Ten weeks earlier , another Times reporter escaped after months in Taliban captivity . David Rohde , a local reporter and a driver were kidnapped November 10 outside Kabul . The two reporters escaped on June 19 by climbing over a wall in the compound where they were held for seven months in Pakistan 's North Waziristan region . The driver did not escape , the newspaper said . The death toll in the Kunduz airstrike , which Farrell was covering when he was kidnapped , has varied , depending on the source , but local Afghan officials have said at least half of those killed were civilians . The NATO commander in the area called in the strike Friday as Afghans tried to siphon fuel from two tankers hijacked by the Taliban a day earlier . The Taliban allowed villagers to drain the tankers carrying fuel earmarked for the NATO-led force after they became stuck in the mud when the militants tried to drive them through the Kunduz River . The military thought there were no civilians near the trucks at the time of the attack , the ISAF 's Capt. Elizabeth Mathias said . Farrell , who joined The New York Times two years ago , also was briefly kidnapped in April 2004 in Falluja , Iraq . At the time , he was on assignment for The Times of London . In a separate incident Wednesday , a suicide attack killed at least two civilians and injured several others , including NATO personnel , near the main British military base in southern Afghanistan , the ISAF said . The suicide bomber detonated his explosives vest near a crowd of civilian truck drivers near the entrance of Camp Bastion in volatile Helmand province , the ISAF said . The injured civilians and ISAF personnel were treated at Camp Bastion , which is in Washir District . The casualty count is unclear as an investigation continues . CNN 's Ingrid Formanek and Chris Lawrence contributed to this report . | NEW : Local Afghans helped British locate abducted journalist , official says . New York Times reporter Stephen Farrell freed in commando raid . Afghan journalist killed in raid , British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says . British commando also killed during raid ; woman , child die in crossfire . | [[2605, 2618], [2644, 2723], [687, 729], [480, 520], [730, 755], [761, 787], [4832, 4864], [4867, 4913]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Department of Homeland Security and FBI have issued security bulletins to raise awareness regarding `` terrorist interest '' in attacking sports and entertainment venues as well as luxury hotels . The bulletins , which were sent to law enforcement Monday , said that authorities did not know of any credible or specific terrorist plots to attack U.S. stadiums , arenas or luxury hotels . However , it said that terrorist groups such as al Qaeda view crowded stadiums and arenas as potential targets . It said hotels are also attractive targets for terrorists . The Department of Homeland Security said it released the notes to assist law enforcement partners as they go about their daily duties . `` While DHS and FBI have no information regarding the timing , location or target of any planned attack , we believe it is prudent to raise the security awareness of our local law enforcement partners regarding the targets and tactics of previous terrorist activity , '' the department said . The bulletins did not mention the recent arrest of three men in connection with what the Justice Department has said was a plot to detonate bombs in the United States . The men are charged with lying to federal agents during the probe of the alleged plot . The bulletin on stadiums and arenas said that previous attacks against crowd gatherings have included improvised explosive devices and car bombs , `` tactics that are also applicable to many stadiums and arenas . ... `` Detained terrorists have also discussed the use of aircraft and chemical weapons to attack stadiums and arenas . '' It said the al Qaeda training manual lists '' ` blasting and destroying the places of amusement , immorality and sin ... and attacking vital economic centers ' as a key objective . '' The bulletins on luxury hotels said analysis of previous attacks abroad and thwarted plots showed that terrorists have used paramilitary and `` small unit '' tactics , explosives , improvised explosive devices and car bombs . It said hotel owners can protect their properties by installing fencing or walls around the buildings and populated areas ; implementing random screening of people and their possessions ; and training security staff . | Department of Homeland Security and FBI issue security bulletins . No credible or specific terrorist attack threats at this time , agencies say . Crowds at stadiums , hotels generate terrorist attention , agencies say . | [[0, 26], [66, 230], [231, 288], [291, 369], [0, 26], [66, 230], [432, 534], [535, 594], [543, 594]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Shortly after McDonald 's celebrated its 30-year presence in France , the fast-food chain is conquering one of the country 's most valued cultural institutions -- the Louvre . McDonalds ' burgers and fries will be available under the inverted glass pyramid of the Louvre . The restaurant will be serving its fast burgers in the Carrousel du Louvre , an underground shopping mall which lies under the main entrance of the museum and which still contains an ancient wall that was discovered during construction works . McDonald 's ' plans seem to have caused more media attention abroad than in France , but for some French outlets , the idea of combining fast food and ancient art is stomach churning . The Parisian Web site `` Louvre pour tous '' -LRB- Louvre for everyone -RRB- describes McDonald 's ' decision to open a restaurant in the prestigious museum as `` bad taste '' and blamed the Louvre 's directors for failing to prevent what could result in `` fragrances of fries drifting under Mona Lisa 's nose '' . A spokeswoman for the museum told CNN it was not their decision and declined to comment further on the issue . The Carrousel du Louvre mall is managed by Unibail-Rodamco , Europe 's largest property company , and not the museum itself . The mall , which is situated next to the most visited museum in the world , counts 8.3 million visitors a year and enjoyed a total gross sales of $ 75 million in 2008 . Le Parisien , a daily newspaper described the difference between McDonald 's and the Louvre by comparing Ronald McDonald , the restaurant 's clown character , to Venus de Milo , the famous ancient Greek statue of Aphrodite , which is on display at the Louvre . Should McDonald 's be in the Louvre ? Tell us what you think in the Soundoff box below . Museum lovers in France are shocked about the news , but not surprised . `` Museums have to offer services like restaurants and boutiques , it 's completely normal , '' Jean-Michel Raingeard , President of the Federation of French Friends of Museums told CNN . What worries him , however , is the choice of shops . `` Museum directors seem to care more about the number of people they attract rather than the quality of people . Should a museum be a museum or an amusement park ? '' asks Jean Michel Raingeard , who is also the European vice president for The World Federation of Friends of Museums . McDonald 's sees the opening of its new restaurant next to the home of Mona Lisa as something completely normal . `` There are already many other restaurants in the mall , so we will only be one of the many restaurants that offer visitors their products . '' says a spokeswoman for McDonald 's in France . `` There 's even a Starbucks , '' she added . Criticism , though fierce , has not been successful : the construction work will start soon and the restaurant should be open `` by the end of the year . '' In spite of its location , the menu will very likely stay the same . `` McDonald 's functions the same way in all of France , so there will probably be no special menus , '' the spokeswoman said . | McDonald 's to open restaurant in the mall of the world 's most visited museum . Decision has attracted criticisms there will be ` unpleasant smells ' in the museum . The restaurant is not only fast food joint in the shopping mall . | [[195, 291], [292, 366], [746, 882], [1274, 1284], [1291, 1347]] |
NAIROBI , Kenya -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An Al Qaeda-linked militant group waging war against Somalia 's fragile government is becoming an increasing threat to Western ally Kenya and could potentially destabilize the region with dire consequences for global security , officials and analysts warn . Al-Shabab fighters count their bullets in neighborhood of Mogadishu . Al-Shabaab , one of the strongest Islamic militias battling for control of Mogadishu , has gained ground in recent weeks , according to officials , and has started to flex its muscles beyond Somalia 's border with terror strikes , kidnappings and recruitment drives . They warn that unless the world takes action the group , which wants to impose an extreme type of Islamic sharia law , could extend its grip across parts of East Africa to gain control of a region that flanks busy shipping routes already plagued by Somali pirates . Appeals by Somalia 's government for international help to unpick its long-running civil conflict have escalated Al-Shabaad 's threats with the group behind warnings of an attack on the Kenyan capital , Nairobi . And , say experts , the group is being backed by foreign fighters -- some said to have links to Osama bin Laden 's Al Qaeda network -- a situation that draws direct comparisons with the group 's influence in pre-9 / 11 Afghanistan . `` Al-Shabaab is a threat to the whole world , '' Somali Information Minister Farhan Ali Mohamoud told CNN . `` First to Somalia , to the neighborhood , and to everywhere they have disagreed with . '' Watch more on Somalian threat '' Mohamoud , whose transitional government has largely failed in its long-term goal of reconciling Somalia 's militias , concedes Al-Shabaab is making major gains on his administration and says the global community must act to prevent their threat escalating . `` Somalia 's problems are not for Somalia alone to solve . Not only for the African Union to solve . It is a global and regional issue . We are very appreciative that the international community understands that , but they need to act now , rather than later . '' `` The issue is not Somalis taking over from other Somalis . But the issue is foreign jihadists imposing their ideas into the region . So Somalia can be a launching pad for a greater and wider jihadist issue . '' Kenyan government spokesman Alfred Mutua told CNN his country did not yet fear direct attacks from Al-Shabaab but said it was becoming increasingly alarmed about its activities and its links to foreign networks . Despite the concerns , Mutua said the problem was nothing new and while his country struggled to exert control over its porous border with Somalia , it was taking steps to limit the danger . But he warned the threat was not limited to Kenya and could have global reach . `` We do believe that Al-Shabaab poses a threat , not only to Kenya , but to all neighboring countries such as Ethiopia and Eritrea , '' he said . `` It is not just a problem that we foresee in Kenya , just because we are neighbors to them , it is a problem that we foresee that may occur to a lot of countries and also poses a threat to outside even this region , '' he added . `` Our concern is not limited to Al-Shabaab . We know that Al-Shabaab are not able to do it without foreign intervention in terms of money and weapons that they are getting from other countries . '' Ernst Jan Hogendoorn , an analyst with the International Crisis Group , told CNN that while Al-Shabaab had whipped up concerns with headline grabbing acts such as the recent kidnap of two French citizens in Mogadishu and three aid workers on the Kenyan side of the border , countries such as Kenya should pay heed . `` I think that Kenya could do a much better job . There is always the possibility that someone could sneak across the border and launch an attack against a soft target . Obviously Kenya has been the target of attacks in the past that are very , very challenging to prevent . '' But , says Hogendoorn , with an African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia proving largely ineffective , and Ethiopian military presence withdrawn in January ahead of an Al-Shabaab push , Kenyan military involvement was unlikely to offer any quick fix . `` The problem is once -LSB- Kenyan troops -RSB- are on the ground they open themselves up to guerrilla style attacks and suicide attacks that could lead to significant loss in life . '' | Experts , officials warn of growing threat from Somali militant group . Al-Shabaab is one of strongest Islamic militias battling for Mogadishu . Kenya says danger is to region and world despite threats on Nairobi . | [[0, 7], [10, 68], [118, 172], [263, 292], [363, 373], [486, 508], [1110, 1113], [1116, 1127], [2314, 2354], [2428, 2526], [383, 447], [363, 373], [376, 404], [438, 483], [897, 947], [963, 1097], [1343, 1387], [1938, 1973], [2722, 2797], [2798, 2929], [3040, 3160]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Taliban leaders are holding Saudi-brokered talks with the Afghan government to end the country 's bloody conflict -- and are severing their ties with al Qaeda , sources close to the historic discussions have told CNN . King Abdullah of Saudia Arabia hosted meetings between the Afghan government and the Taliban , a source says . The militia , which has been intensifying its attacks on the U.S.-led coalition that toppled it from power in 2001 for harboring Osama bin Laden 's terrorist network , has been involved in four days of talks hosted by Saudi Arabia 's King Abdullah , says the source . The talks -- the first of their kind aimed at resolving the lengthy conflict in Afghanistan -- mark a significant move by the Saudi leadership to take a direct role in Afghanistan , hosting delegates who have until recently been their enemies . They also mark a sidestepping of key `` war on terror '' ally Pakistan , frequently accused of not doing enough to tackle militants sheltering on its territory , which has previously been a conduit for talks between the Saudis and Afghanistan . According to the source , fugitive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar -- high on the U.S. military 's most-wanted list -- was not present , but his representatives were keen to stress the reclusive cleric is no longer allied to al Qaeda . Details of the Taliban leader 's split with al Qaeda have never been made public before , but the new claims confirm what another source with an intimate knowledge of the militia and Mullah Omar has told CNN in the past . The current round of talks , said to have been taken two years of intense behind-the-scenes negotiations to come to fruition , is anticipated to be the first step in a long process to secure a negotiated end to the conflict . But U.S. - and Europe-friendly Saudi Arabia 's involvement has been propelled by a mounting death toll among coalition troops amid a worsening violence that has also claimed many civilian casualties . A Saudi source familiar with the talks confirmed that they happened and said the Saudis take seriously their role in facilitating discussions between parties to the conflict . A second round of talks is scheduled to take place in two months , the Saudi source said . The Afghan government believes the Taliban can not be defeated militarily , and the Taliban believe that they ca n't win a war against the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan , the Saudi source said . The involvement of the Saudis is also seen as an expression of fear that Iran could take advantage of U.S. failings in Afghanistan , as it is seen to be doing in Iraq . Several Afghan sources familiar with Iranian activities in Afghanistan have said Iranian officials and diplomats who are investing in business and building education facilities are lobbying politicians in Kabul . Learn more about King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia '' The Afghan sources wish to remain anonymous due to their political roles . Coalition commanders regularly accuse Iran of arming the Taliban , and Western diplomats privately suggest that Iran is working against U.S. interests in Afghanistan , making it harder to bring peace . Saudi sources say perceived Iranian expansionism is one of Saudi Arabia 's biggest concerns . Watch CNN 's Nic Robertson report on the meeting '' The talks in Mecca took place between September 24 and 27 and involved 11 Taliban delegates , two Afghan government officials , a representative of former mujahadeen commander and U.S. foe Gulbadin Hekmatyar , and three others . King Abdullah broke fast during the Eid al-Fitr holiday with the 17-member Afghan delegation -- an act intended to show his commitment to ending the conflict . Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan , the Muslim holy month of fasting . Learn more about Ramadan '' Saudi Arabia was one of only three countries that recognized the Taliban leadership during its rule over Afghanistan in the 1990s , but that relationship was severed over Mullah Omar 's refusal to hand over bin Laden . During the talks , described as an ice breaker , all parties agreed that the only solution to Afghanistan 's conflict is through dialogue , not fighting . Further talks are expected in Saudi Arabia involving this core group and others . | King Abdullah hosted talks in city of Mecca at end of September , source says . Saudi Arabia has generally dealt with Afghanistan through Pakistan . Talks are the first aimed at bringing a negotiated settlement to the Afghan conflict . All parties agreed only solution to Afghan conflict is dialogue , not fighting . | [[255, 347], [350, 365], [568, 613], [3334, 3391], [1025, 1038], [1047, 1061], [1067, 1123], [1025, 1038], [1051, 1123], [660, 725], [634, 643], [660, 670], [677, 725], [1586, 1612], [1713, 1766], [4044, 4060], [4093, 4198]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- If you sell it , they will come . Prices are expected to grow for Michael Jackson autographs like the one he gave this young fan in 2002 . That 's the hope at least for many offering Michael Jackson related merchandise and memorabilia , including autographed items and domain names , in the wake of his surprising death . Almost 20,000 items were up for sale after his death on the popular auction site eBay , where collectors could snap up everything from the rare to the ridiculous . Among the many T-shirts , record albums , DVDs and posters , there were also magazines about Jackson , dolls and copies of newspapers announcing his death . There were Michael Jackson gloves -LRB- sparkly , of course -RRB- , masks , wigs , sunglasses and fedora hats . Anyone in the mood for some senior soda could try and win an auction for an unopened six-pack of Pepsi from the 1984 Jacksons world tour . For those seeking to establish Web sites , domain names were available including `` ILoveYouMichael.com , '' which was selling for the `` buy it now '' price of $ 5,000 . Officials at eBay said that compared with the daily average of the week prior , Thursday 's gross merchandise volume for Jackson memorabilia increased by 275 percent and sold items increased by 210 percent . New listings were up 61 percent , while the average selling price of items had increased by 31 percent . Online merchant CafePress also offered a variety of items , including mugs , `` R.I.P. Michael Jackson '' magnets and dozens of T-shirt designs , including one screened with a drawing of tennis legend Billie Jean King and the words `` not my lover . '' Some of the hottest items may turn out to be the ones bearing Jackson 's signature . On eBay , bids for what the buyer claimed was a signed Michael Jackson guitar had reached almost $ 1,300 by Friday afternoon . Jerry Ohlinger , owner of Jerry Ohlinger 's Movie Material Store in New York , predicted that although Jackson was generous in giving autographs , the price for a legitimate autograph probably will at least double from the $ 150 to $ 300 range it was prior to his death . `` He would sign autographs whenever he appeared in person , '' Ohlinger said . `` For instance , he visited our store at least three times , and he signed autographs for all of the employees . '' As a comparison , Ohlinger said , an autograph for the late actress Marilyn Monroe , who also was known to sign a great deal during her lifetime , sells for about $ 5,000 because of great demand . As of Friday , items purported to be autographed photos of Jackson were ranging in price from just over $ 5 to several thousand dollars . There is no way to predict whether there will be a sudden influx in demand for Michael Jackson memorabilia and merchandise , Ohlinger said . All of the hoopla would probably tickle the pop icon , who Ohlinger said was himself a fan of star items . Whenever Jackson would visit Ohlinger 's Manhattan store , he would shop for vintage photos of some of the legendary ladies of cinema , including his very dear friend Elizabeth Taylor , Ohlinger recalled . | NEW : Sold Jackson items on eBay increase 210 percent compared to last week . Plenty of Michael Jackson merchandise goes on sale . Online auction site ebay boasts thousands of items from T-shirts to soda . Memorabilia expert predicts Jackson autograph to at least double in price . | [[1164, 1224], [1254, 1291], [341, 421], [53, 124], [1862, 1876], [1941, 2105]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A strong earthquake jolted the southern Philippines on Thursday , the U.S. Geological Survey said . The 6.2 magnitude quake struck at 11:20 a.m. local time -LRB- 10:20 p.m. ET -RRB- . There were no immediate reports of injuries and a tsunami warning was not issued , said Jane Punongbayan of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology . `` That was enough to cause panic in some people , '' Punongbayan said . `` Some people in the mall ran out of the mall , but according to initial reports it was not strong enough to cause damage . '' The quake struck 55 kilometers -LRB- 35 miles -RRB- southeast of General Santos in the island of Mindanao or 1,095 kilometers -LRB- 680 miles -RRB- south-southeast of Manila and at a depth of 207 kilometers -LRB- 129 miles -RRB- , USGS said . The Philippines is located on the `` Ring of Fire , '' an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin that is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions . The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue a tsunami warning for the quake . | NEW : No immediate reports of injuries from the 6.2-magnitude quake . Quake struck some 1,100 km -LRB- 680 miles -RRB- south of Manila , the USGS says . Philippines is located on the quake-prone `` Ring of Fire '' Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue a tsunami warning . | [[119, 202], [203, 268], [85, 118], [800, 811], [914, 931], [937, 994], [251, 283], [995, 1077]] |
Editor 's note : Virg Bernero is the mayor of Lansing , Michigan and chairman of the Mayors and Municipalities Automotive Coalition -LRB- MMAC -RRB- . He is one of the mayors of U.S. cities appearing on `` American Morning '' this week . Mayor Virg Bernero says the American worker has been sold out by backers of free trade . -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- While America reels from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression , it is time that we take a deeper look at the root causes of our current predicament . The cold , hard truth is that the unholy alliance between Washington and Wall Street has sold out the American worker and exported our standard of living . Driven by the insatiable greed of Wall Street profiteers and accelerated by the false promise of free trade , our manufacturing base has been chased out of this country and along with it the livelihood of millions of hard-working Americans . It 's fashionable these days among the politicians , pundits and so-called experts to claim that free trade is actually good for us . They say it enables us to buy cheaper goods made with cheap foreign labor and this , in turn , raises our standard of living . With all due respect , the free traders need to ask themselves a more fundamental question : how will Americans buy those goods when they do n't even have a paycheck that covers their mortgage , much less the college tuition for their children ? Watch Mayor Bernero speak to American Morning 's John Roberts '' More than one pundit has told me I need to take a broader view . As the mayor of one of America 's countless manufacturing communities , the only view that matters is the one my citizens see every day : Record job losses , home foreclosures and , thanks to the Wall Street wizards , a credit crunch so severe that it is nearly impossible to finance a new car . This is n't a predicament faced just by Michigan or the Midwest . This is the story of America , told in thousands of desperate households from Connecticut to California . The pundits claim our manufacturing sector is a relic of the old economy . We 're told that we just ca n't compete anymore . We 're told that our future is in the service economy , that jobs in health care and finance and knowledge-based industries will recreate the prosperity our nation once knew . The truth is that our industrial heritage is an example of everything that was right with our nation 's economy . Good jobs with good benefits created the middle class in this country , and now it is being systematically dismantled under the banner of free trade and globalism . Those who continue to espouse free trade ominously warn that protectionism is the wrong path for our nation ; that challenging the holy doctrine of free trade invites a global trade war . Yet we already face rampant protectionism across the globe . Pursuing a free trade agenda in a protectionist world is tantamount to unilateral disarmament . Our trading partners routinely employ taxes , tariffs and subsidies that underwrite their exports and restrict American products from entering their home markets . They use currency manipulation to reduce the relative cost of their goods here in the USA . The fact is we 're not competing against other companies ; we 're competing against other countries . I 've toured the Hyundai plant in Asan , Korea . The Koreans are wonderful people , but their technology is n't any better and they 're not working any harder than Americans . The difference is that Hyundai does n't have to pay legacy costs . The Korean government takes care of their retirees . Hyundai does n't pay health care costs because they have national heath care . If you do n't think that 's an unfair advantage , you 're kidding yourself . Many Americans are unaware that China sold 10 million cars last year -- more than General Motors or Toyota . I can assure you the Chinese government is part and parcel of that success . They 're involved in their industry . The Korean government is involved in their industry . If we are going to have any chance to compete globally , our government must get involved in our industry and help us rebuild America 's industrial might before it is too late . There 's no question that we need this stimulus package . We need the reinvestment in America 's infrastructure and in the working people of this country . We need tax cuts delivered directly to the American worker . We need education and retraining for the `` green collar '' jobs of the future . But we need more than a short term shot in the arm . We need a long-term strategy to rebuild the American economy that provides jobs and economic security to the millions of hard-working American families who have been sold down the river by unfair trade policies . We need fair trade agreements so that the most productive workers in the world -- American workers -- can put their skills to work and compete in the global economy . We recently watched our athletes successfully compete in the Olympics against nations of the world . When the playing field is level , Americans can compete against the best from any nation . With fair trade instead of free trade , American workers can once again bring home the gold . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Virg Bernero . | Virg Bernero : Washington and Wall Street have sold out the American worker . He says we must rebuild America 's industrial might before it is too late . Bernero : Free trade in protectionist world is like unilateral disarmament . | [[238, 326], [257, 326], [512, 667], [542, 629], [2844, 2939]] |
LAS VEGAS , Nevada -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Investigators searched the Las Vegas home and office of Michael Jackson 's personal physician , Dr. Conrad Murray , on Tuesday morning , a Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman said . Investigators arrive at the Las Vegas , Nevada , home of Michael Jackson 's personal physician . Los Angeles police and DEA agents , carrying search warrants , were `` looking for a lot of things , '' said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mike Flanagan . Aerial cameras showed investigators leaving Murray 's home , three hours after they entered , carrying several containers . The searches came a day after a source with knowledge of the investigation confirmed to CNN that Murray administered a powerful drug that authorities believe killed the singer . Flanagan said that while he could not disclose details of the search warrants , because a judge had ordered them sealed , he confirmed they were looking for documents and computer records . Murray 's attorney , Ed Chernoff , issued a statement saying that officers from the DEA , Los Angeles police and `` various local agencies '' executed a search warrant at Murray 's home and office beginning about 8 a.m. -LRB- 11 a.m. ET -RRB- Tuesday . `` The search warrant authorized investigators to look for medical records relating to Michael Jackson and all of his reported aliases , '' the statement said . `` Dr. Murray was present during the search of his home and assisted the officers . '' Investigators left Murray 's home about noon , he said , taking cell phones and a computer hard drive . `` As of 2 p.m. , the search at Dr. Murray 's office continues , '' the statement said . Murray , a Texas-based cardiologist , allegedly gave Jackson the anesthetic propofol -- commonly known by the brand name Diprivan -- in the 24 hours before he died , said the source , who asked not to be named because the individual was not authorized to speak to the news media . Watch a profile of Murray '' In a statement Monday , the doctor 's attorneys said they would n't comment on `` rumors , innuendo or unnamed sources . '' In the past , they have said Murray never prescribed or administered anything that could have killed Jackson . Watch CNN 's Ted Rowlands report on drug allegation '' Last week , Texas authorities searched Murray 's Houston medical office and storage unit , looking for `` evidence of the offense of manslaughter , '' according to court documents . Among the items removed from Murray 's office were a computer ; 27 tablets of phentermine , a prescription-strength appetite suppressant ; 1 tablet of clonazepam , an anti-anxiety medication ; and some Rolodex cards . From Murray 's storage unit , authorities removed two computer hard drives ; an `` important contact list '' ; a suspension notice from Houston 's Doctor Hospital ; notices from the Internal Revenue Service ; and a laundry list of medical and hospital documents . Chernoff , a Houston lawyer hired by Murray soon after Jackson 's death , confirmed at the time that Los Angeles police detectives and federal DEA agents used a search warrant to enter Murray 's office in northeast Houston on Wednesday morning . Chernoff said members of Murray 's legal team were at the medical office during the search , which he said `` was conducted by members of the DEA , two robbery-homicide detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department and Houston Police officers . '' Police have interviewed Murray twice since Jackson 's death . A third interview was scheduled for July 24 , but was postponed after the search warrants were executed . It 's unknown when the next interview will take place . Among those who have indicated that Jackson may have been using dangerous prescription medication are nutritionist Cherilyn Lee , who said Jackson pleaded for the powerful sedative Diprivan despite being told of its harmful effects . Meanwhile , the Los Angeles County coroner 's office continues to investigate the cause of Jackson 's death on June 25 . It has been waiting on toxicology lab results , but a final autopsy report is expected as soon as this week , a coroner 's spokesman has said . CNN 's Ted Rowlands and Paul Vercammen contributed to this report . | NEW : Doctor was `` present during the search of his home , '' attorney says . Investigators search Dr. Conrad Murray 's Las Vegas home , office . Murray allegedly gave Jackson propofol in the 24 hours before death , source says . Source close to family says doctor administered drug believed to have killed singer . | [[1388, 1443], [38, 131], [974, 992], [1009, 1170], [1579, 1594], [1597, 1641], [703, 783], [1668, 1674], [1706, 1752], [703, 783]] |
GAZA CITY , Gaza -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Palestinian militants declared Sunday that they would stop attacks on Israel for a week , a statement that came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced a unilateral cease-fire in the country 's assault on Hamas in Gaza . An Israeli soldier holds up an Israeli flag after leaving Gaza on Sunday . The Palestinians demanded that Israel remove all troops from Gaza within the week , Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha said from Egypt . The agreement appears to cover all Palestinian armed factions , not only Hamas . `` We in the Palestinian resistance movements announce a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip , '' Moussa Abu Marzouk , a senior Hamas official in Syria , said on Syrian TV . `` And we demand that Israeli forces withdraw in one week and that they open all the border crossings to permit the entry of humanitarian aid and basic goods for our people in Gaza . '' There is no mutual agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians -- each side has made its own unilateral declaration of a cease-fire . Mahmoud Abbas , the president of the Palestinian Authority , called for the cease-fire to hold so aid could get into Gaza . Watch how a family in Gaza is coping with the violence '' `` We hope that it continues and that the situation calms down and that humanitarian aid delivery begins immediately to our people , '' he said at a summit in Egypt . Watch how a reporter finds Gaza in chaos '' During 22 days of fighting , more than 1,200 people have died , all but 13 of them Palestinians . Watch clean-up efforts in Gaza City '' The Palestinians and Israel continued to skirmish for several hours Sunday after Israel said it was stopping its offensive against Hamas . Palestinians fired at least 19 rockets into Israel on Sunday -- including at least two after the Palestinian cease-fire declaration , according to Israeli police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld . At least three people were lightly wounded . Israeli military aircraft retaliated , firing missiles and destroying a rocket launcher , a military spokesman said . Shortly before the rocket attacks , Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Israeli forces in northern Gaza , the military said . Troops returned fire . Separately , Palestinian medical sources said 23 bodies were pulled from rubble in Gaza . Watch doctors tend to wounded civilians '' Olmert said Sunday the Israeli offensive had achieved its goals but that the Israel Defense Forces reserved the right to respond to any Palestinian violence against Israelis . `` IDF forces are in the Gaza Strip and many other units , which are surrounding Gaza from all sides , are closely observing every corner and listening to every whisper , ready for any response that they might receive from their commanders if and when the violations continue , as they have this morning , '' he said at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting , before the announcement of the Palestinian cease-fire . Israel pulled some troops out of the Palestinian territory as it called a halt to its operation against Hamas , but others remained . Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev told CNN they would be there for a matter of days , not weeks . International leaders are in the region for talks on the crisis . Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and French President Nicolas Sarkozy hosted a summit Sunday in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh , bringing together leaders from Europe and the Middle East . Olmert told the gathering that , if the cease-fire holds , `` the government of Israel has no intention to stay in the Gaza Strip . We are interested in leaving Gaza as soon as we can . '' He said Israel would `` continue to do whatever is possible to prevent the humanitarian crisis in Gaza , '' and expressed sorrow for the deaths of innocent civilians . `` It was n't our intention to fight them or to harm them , to hurt them or to shoot at them , '' he said . German Premier Angela Merkel underscored the international community 's preferred outcome in a news conference in Egypt : `` The two-state solution is the only solution we have . '' Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will meet the leaders of the UK , France , Germany , Italy , Spain and the Czech Republic , which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union , later in Jerusalem . A top aide to Barack Obama said the president-elect would move swiftly to work on the Middle East after he is sworn in on Tuesday . `` The events around the world demand that he act quickly , and I think you 'll see him act quickly , '' David Axelrod told CNN . But he refused to promise Obama would name a Middle East special envoy `` on day one . '' Israel said it launched the offensive in Gaza to stop the firing of rockets -- primarily the short-range homemade Qassam rockets -- from the territory into southern Israel by Hamas fighters . `` We welcome any alleviation of violence , with cautious optimism and hope that these declarations of cease-fire will lead to the end of fighting , '' said Charles Clayton , national director of World Vision Jerusalem , an aid group . `` We call on all parties to stop attacks , including Hamas ' rocket strikes against Israel , and refrain from further hostilities . '' He called for `` unhindered and safe humanitarian assistance to the desperate civilian families of Gaza who have lost their homes and businesses and are struggling amid shortages of food , supplies , healthcare and fuel . '' He further called for an end `` to the 18-month blockade of the 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza , '' saying it has `` devastated the economy , halted services , and rendered the people of Gaza entirely dependent on humanitarian aid . '' CNN 's Arie Bell and Karl Penhaul contributed to this report . | NEW : Israeli prime minister says no intention to hurt civilians . Palestinians fire two rockets after cease-fire declaration . Palestinian Authority president calls for aid into Gaza . Cease-fire covers all armed Palestinian factions , CNN reports . | [[1719, 1731], [1773, 1779], [1783, 1805], [1145, 1173], [478, 558], [478, 491], [500, 539]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Cuban government , long the object of a U.S. economic blockade , is prepared to meet with the Obama administration , Cuba 's leader said . Raúl Castro says Cuba is willing `` to discuss everything -- human rights , freedom of the press , political prisoners . '' `` We 've told the North American government , in private and in public , that we are prepared , wherever they want , to discuss everything -- human rights , freedom of the press , political prisoners -- everything , everything , everything that they want to discuss , '' Cuban President Raúl Castro said Thursday at a summit of leftist Latin American leaders in Venezuela . The response came days after President Obama lifted all restrictions on the ability of American citizens to visit relatives in Cuba as well as to send them remittances . Travel restrictions for Americans of non-Cuban descent will remain in place . This week 's move represents a significant shift in a U.S. policy that had remained largely unchanged for nearly half a century . The U.S. government instituted the embargo three years after Fidel Castro came to power in 1959 . In Mexico City for meetings with Mexican President Felipe Calderon , Obama offered a carrot and a stick to Havana . `` What we 're looking for is some signal that there are going to be changes in how Cuba operates that assures that political prisoners are released , that people can speak their minds freely , that they can travel , that they can write and attend church and do the things that people throughout the hemisphere can do and take for granted , '' he said . `` And if there is some sense of movement on those fronts in Cuba , then I think we can see a further thawing of relations and further changes . '' Obama 's gesture precedes a trip this week to Trinidad and Tobago for a key meeting of hemispheric powers -- the Summit of the Americas . Watch how Obama likely will hear about Cuba at the summit '' | Cuba 's president responds after President Obama eases some travel restrictions . Island nation has long been the object of a U.S. economic blockade . Obama says U.S. is looking for signal of `` changes in how Cuba operates '' Cuba-U.S. relations likely will be an issue at the Summit of the Americas . | [[1261, 1401], [1903, 1950]] |
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Los Angeles Times ' headquarters aptly sits where the U.S. Army corralled camels during the Civil War , when Southern California was a desert with no natural resources . A new film on PBS explores how the Chandler family helped develop Los Angeles through their newspaper . Los Angeles ' development from an arid wasteland to a world metropolis and cultural capital is closely linked to the newspaper 's rise under the ownership of one family . `` It would still be a desert , '' documentary filmmaker Peter Jones said , if Gen. Harrison Gray Otis did n't arrive in the 1880s to take over the bankrupt Los Angeles Times and his son-in-law , Harry Chandler , was n't there to follow him . Jones ' documentary is a saga of four generations of the region 's most powerful family shaping Los Angeles as they pursued their own civil agendas -- and accumulated wealth . `` Inventing L.A. : The Chandlers and Their Times '' premieres Monday on PBS . Historian David Halberstam said in the documentary that the Chandlers dominated Southern California as no other family has dominated any major region of the United States . `` They did not so much foster the growth of Los Angeles as invent it , '' said Halberstam , who died in 2007 . Harrison Gray Otis , Harry Chandler , Norman Chandler and Otis Chandler succeeded each other at the helm of the Los Angeles Times over a span of 100 years . The city grew from a small desert town to the nation 's second-largest city , while the family became one of the nation 's wealthiest . The Chandler family dynasty ended when the general 's great-grandson Otis Chandler was ousted as chairman of the Times board of directors in 1985 . The family eventually sold its Times-Mirror Company to Chicago 's Tribune Company -- which is now in bankruptcy . Each man 's personality and strengths were tailored for what was demanded of their time , said Jones . `` For each era , they were up to that particular era , '' he said . `` You could n't actually rearrange them , '' said Harry Chandler 's namesake and the great-great-grandson of the general . `` You could n't have a General Otis in late 20th-century America , '' Chandler told CNN , referring to the dynasty 's founder who served as an Army general in the Philippine-American War before taking over the Los Angeles Times . `` His character was one of the period . ' I have a vision and everything I touch needs to support that vision and damn the consequences . ' '' Otis used his newspaper to scare the public about the threat of drought , drumming up support for a 230-mile aqueduct -- one of the modern engineering marvels -- to divert water from the Owens Valley to Los Angeles , Jones said . He was part of a syndicate that bought vast tracts of barren land in the San Fernando Valley with the inside knowledge the Los Angeles Aqueduct would bring water there . The scandal later inspired Roman Polanski 's award-winning film `` Chinatown . '' Otis also used the Times to influence the federal government 's decision to build the Port of Los Angeles , Jones said . `` He had the foresight to say ` We have to build a man-made harbor here in Los Angeles if we want to become a major port of trade , ' and today the Port of Los Angeles is the busiest port in the United States , '' Jones said . The general and his successor son-in-law promoted investment in and migration to the Los Angeles area with stories of sunshine and opportunity . More people moving in meant more readers for their newspaper and demand for the real estate empire they were building . Harrison Gray Otis and Harry Chandler used their newspaper to create a vision of Los Angeles as `` America 's Great White Spot '' -- free of crime and communism . They fought a decades-long battle against labor unions -- a battle that included the 1910 bombing of The Los Angeles Times headquarters . The Los Angeles film , aviation , high technology , shipping and oil industries grew from the Chandlers ' influence , Jones said . As a conservative Republican family , they helped launch Richard Nixon 's political career in post-World War II California . The story is not all about the men . Dorothy Chandler -- the strong-willed wife of Norman Chandler -- waged a relentless campaign to turn Los Angeles into a world-class cultural center , Jones said . She led a campaign to raise money to save the Hollywood Bowl and the Los Angeles Philharmonic . In doing so , she brought together the Westside Jewish community with the white Protestant establishment based in Pasadena , Harry Chandler said . Tom Johnson , who became first nonfamily publisher of the Times in 1980 , said one of Dorothy Chandler 's `` most remarkable '' contributions was the successful effort to make sure her son Otis succeeded her husband as publisher in 1960 . `` The very new approach that Otis took and his leadership of the newspaper was just astounding , '' Johnson said in an interview with CNN . Otis Chandler gave reporters editorial independence , opened news bureaus around the world and strengthened the paper 's coverage of the suburbs , Johnson said . Under Otis Chandler , it rose from being one of the worst major papers in the country to being one of the top three , Johnson said . `` It was his goal to make the Los Angeles Times one of the best newspapers , and he did it in 20 years , being the right publisher at the right time , '' Johnson said . But Otis Chandler 's transformation of the Times from a conservative newspaper into a Pulitzer Prize-winning rival to the New York Times and Washington Post angered many Chandler family members . `` Some Chandlers were members of the John Birch society ; his paper did an expose on it , '' Johnson said . Otis Chandler 's newspaper looked closely at the Los Angeles Police Department , `` which had a reputation to shoot first and ask questions , '' Johnson said . The deep family rift eventually led to the sale of the Times-Mirror Company to the Tribune Company -- and the end of the dynasty . Johnson , who left the newspaper in 1989 and later became chairman of CNN , said the paper declined in the years since because `` rather than going for people who were superb newspaper people , they went outside to pick people who , in my opinion , blew the place apart . '' Some Chandler family descendants cooperated with Jones ' efforts to explore the Chandler family 's dealings . `` He does n't whitewash , but he does n't dig into the dark side and linger too long , '' said Harry Chandler , the son of Otis Chandler . The documentary is `` on whole , a very balanced , very accomplished , incredibly well researched '' documentary , Chandler said . Jones said he avoided judging the motives of Gen. Otis and his successors . `` When these guys were going about building the city , sometimes they did things , I would n't say in an underhanded way , but in a very private way , '' Jones said . `` How do you ascribe motives to people who did things 100 years ago ? Was it for greed , avarice and duplicity ? History in general is this tangled web of good and evil . '' | `` Inventing L.A. : The Chandlers and Their Times '' premieres Monday on PBS . Historian : Chandlers not only dominated Los Angeles , they invented it . Los Angeles grew from small desert town to nation 's second-largest city . The Chandler family newspaper dynasty ended in 1985 . | [[218, 321], [1047, 1109], [322, 492], [1433, 1508], [1569, 1716]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Formula One cars are a marvel of modern engineering , so much so , that many manufactuers who compete in the sport do so in order to benefit from the technical innovations race-honed research and development creates . Car builders such as Renault , Ferrari , BMW , Toyota and McLaren have used technology -- developed to make single-seater race cars as competitive as possible -- to enhance their road-car products . And who can blame them if you consider the performance such a machine can deliver to a driver ? The average F1 car can reach 160km/h in under six seconds according to the official Formula One Web site and have top speeds in the region of 370 km/h . Going fast is one thing , stopping is another , and controlling such velocity requires carbon brakes which , in any given race , will have an operating temperature that is over 600 degrees Celsius . In general , the cars weigh around 600 kilograms in race trim , including the addition of KERS that some constructors use to increase performance . This system stores energy normally lost through braking and reuses it for speed boosts during the race . Watch out for KERS powered cars -- including the Mclarens , BMW Saubers and Renault -- using their boost as the lights go green to start this weekend 's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix . | A Formula One car can reach 160km/h in under six seconds . F1 car brakes operate at a temperature over 600 degrees Celsius . In general , the cars weigh around 600 kilograms in race trim . | [[532, 589], [532, 550], [578, 636], [772, 785], [807, 883], [897, 945]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President-elect Barack Obama spoke with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Saturday about the violence in Gaza , which has left as many as 225 people dead , two transition aides told CNN . Barack Obama 's approach to the Middle East as president will be the subject of much scrutiny . `` The president-elect appreciated the call and the information from Secretary Rice , '' one aide said , adding that Obama initiated the eight-minute phone call . `` He will continue to closely monitor these and other global events . '' Israeli airstrikes pounded targets in Hamas-ruled Gaza on Saturday and continued into the night , retaliating against Palestinian militants who have been escalating rocket attacks against southern Israel . The fighting ignited eight days after a six-month Egypt-brokered cease-fire between Hamas and Israel expired . Obama has pledged to make Middle East peace a priority from the beginning of his presidency . Arabs are calling for a more even-handed approach than the Bush administration , but Israel is expecting Obama to stay true to the pro-Israel posture he showed during the campaign . But one analyst of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cautioned against putting `` dangerously high '' expectations on the incoming administration . `` I think the tone of American politics will change : You 're going to get a serious effort on behalf of the new administration , '' said Aaron David Miller , a public policy scholar at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson International Center and a former adviser to six secretaries of state on Arab-Israeli relations . But , he told CNN , `` the fact is that unless the Israelis and Palestinians are prepared -- which they 're not right now -- to take the political decisions required to overcome the gaps and to sell an agreement to their respective constituents , there 's not much a new president , no matter how bold or charismatic he may be , is going to be able to do about that . '' CNN 's Ed Henry contributed to this report . | President-elect initiated eight-minute call with secretary of state . Obama `` will continue to closely monitor '' Middle East events , aide says . He has promised to make peace in the region a priority . | [[0, 15], [35, 106], [394, 410], [413, 470], [472, 541], [862, 955]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Actor Edward Norton already wanted to be in better shape for his 40th birthday than he was on his 30th when the idea hit -- why not join members of an African tribe famous for its runners and run the New York marathon ? `` Incredible Hulk '' star Edward Norton , second from left , has trained for a marathon with Maasai tribesmen in Kenya . Before he knew it , the star of `` The Incredible Hulk '' and `` Fight Club '' had signed on to the effort , despite never having run a marathon before . `` The idea picked up traction pretty quickly , '' said Norton , who turned 39 in August . `` Then , I was like , ` Wait a minute . What have I just done ? ' '' The run is a benefit for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust , an organization working to promote sustainable development while protecting the east African grasslands that the Maasai tribe calls home . Both the traditional tribe 's way of life and its environment have been threatened by rapid industrial development . Norton discovered , and became a supporter of , the trust about 10 years ago during his first visit to Kenya , where he met founder Luca Belpietro . `` I was impressed at the way he was really genuinely working with the community to create value out of being good stewards of the land , '' Norton said . Belpietro will be one of nearly 30 runners joining Norton on the Nov. 1 marathon . Also running will be magician David Blaine and three Maasai tribesmen . The Maasai are at the heart of Kenya 's long tradition of distance running . Norton said one of the runners , safari guide Parashi Ntanin , is so fast he could probably leave the rest of the group behind and run the race in less than 2 1/2 hours . Norton said he 's run as much as 15 miles twice during his training for the 26.2-mile marathon and that despite some leg and knee pains , he 's confident he 'll finish the endurance race . `` I 'm really enjoying it , '' he said after a workout Wednesday in New York . `` I 'm enjoying having a goal . '' A competitive rower at Yale , Norton said he 's experienced the so-called `` runner 's high '' during his training , which fans can follow on his Twitter account , @EdwardNorton . `` Running in the park , I got a taste of what people say about the New York marathon . There were people of every shape and size out there , '' he said . `` I really got a lift out of it . '' Norton 's latest film , the independently produced `` Leaves of Grass , '' is set to premiere this week at the Toronto International Film Festival and his company 's `` By The People : The Election Of Barack Obama , '' a documentary about President Obama 's historic campaign for the White House , debuts on HBO on November 3 . | Actor on marathon decision : ` What have I just done ? ' Norton 's New York run will benefit Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust . Training runs have hit 15 miles for Nov. 1 race . Maasai tribesmen , magician David Blaine also part of running group . | [[647, 670], [676, 741], [1707, 1810], [1387, 1458]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Flooding and resulting landslides killed 137 people Thursday and Friday in this nation 's northern provinces , including Baguio City , Benguet Province and Mountain Province , the Office of Civil Defense in Cordillera said Friday . A boatman transports three empty wooden coffins on the edge of Laguna Lake east of Manila on Thursday . Another 43 people were missing and 45 were injured , it said . Landslides blocked traffic along the Marchos Highway , Naguilian Road , Kennon Road and Ambuklao Road , cutting access to Baguio City , Benguet Province and Mountain Province , it said . The floods were unleased by tropical depression Parma , which had been downgraded from a typhoon . Earlier reports from Rocky Baraan , provincial administrator of Pangasinan , said flooding had inundated 32 towns and two cities , Dagupan and Urdaneta . Some 35,000 people had fled to evacuation centers , the official Philippines News Agency reported , citing the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council . The worst-hit areas included Bayambang , Alcala and Basista , the news agency reported . People clambered onto rooftops as floodwaters rose , calling and texting for help . Rescue trucks were hampered by floodwaters that reach the roofs of single-story houses , Baraan said . About 16 rubber rescue boats had been deployed . Since the rains started in central Luzon , three dams in the Pangasinan area have been releasing vast amounts of water -- up to 10 million cubic meters per hour at one dam , dam officials said . Water passing through the three dams -- the Ambuklao , the Binga and the San Roque -- is rushing into the Agno River , which has been swollen since Thursday and affects seven towns in eastern Pangasinan , dam officials said . Water released from the San Roque dam has contributed to the flooding in eastern Pangasinan , acknowledged Alex Palada , division manager for flood forecasting and warning of the National Power Corporation . Dam officials had no choice but to maintain safe water levels , he added , noting that he alerted Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino . The governor started to evacuate residents Thursday when the Agno River started to rise , Palada said . In the last several days , water has become the Philippines ' biggest enemy , as Parma , locally known as `` Pepeng , '' dumped as much as 36 inches -LRB- 91.4 centimeters -RRB- of rain in some parts of the nation of islands , compounding misery in areas already flooded by earlier storm Ketsana . Parma was forecast to have winds of no greater than 39 mph -LRB- 63 kph -RRB- by Friday . The U.S. Navy was expected to join rescue operations in Pangasinan , according to the agency . Journalist Lilibeth Frondoso and CNN 's Judy Kwon contributed to this report . | 137 people dead in provinces , including Baguio City , Benguet and Mountain . Floods were unleased by tropical depression Parma . Report : Worst-hit areas in Pangasinan province are Bayambang , Alcala and Basista . | [[0, 15], [32, 183], [0, 127], [605, 658], [1012, 1071]] |
London , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The X-ray machine was Wednesday named the most important scientific invention , in a poll marking the centenary of the Science Museum in London . Almost 50,000 people voted in the museum or online on a shortlist of ten discoveries and inventions from past centuries in science , technology and engineering . The X-ray machine , which was discovered in 1895 and revolutionized how doctors detected disease and injury , struck a chord with most voters who singled it out for having made the greatest impact on the past , present and future . It gathered one fifth of the votes -LRB- 9581 votes -RRB- followed by the discoveries of penicillin and the DNA double helix structure . Katie Maggs , associate curator of medicine at the Science Museum , told CNN that she was `` pleasantly surprised '' with the results , saying she `` wondered whether the therapeutic benefit of penicillin might just edge in front -- or perhaps the Apollo 10 capsule as visitors find space travel so inspirational as the ultimate test of technology . '' Maggs attributed the X-ray machine 's popularity to the wide impact it has on people 's everyday life , from the very first steps of a medical diagnosis to security control at airports . `` People are just fascinated with seeing inside their bodies -- even today . It has fundamentally changed the way we see and understand our world -- but particularly our bodies . `` But I also think visitors are aware of the immense and various benefits x-rays have brought -- revolutionizing medical diagnosis and therapy but also astronomy and material and chemical science -- it was x-rays that enabled us to discover the structure of DNA after all ! '' X-rays were discovered in November 1895 by German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen . The Science Museum also houses the Reynolds machine , which was built by a father and son John and Russell Reynolds , months after Röntgen announced his discovery . They were so inspired by the news that they started constructing the equipment in their own home . | The X-ray machine was voted the most significant scientific invention , in a poll by the Science Museum in London . Out of almost 50,000 votes cast , one in five people selected it as the object they believed it had the greatest impact on the past , present and future . X-rays were followed by the discoveries of penicillin and the DNA double helix structure . The public vote began on 10 June this year as part of the Science Museum 's events to mark its centenary . | [[0, 6], [9, 32], [36, 181], [474, 485], [490, 500], [505, 575], [576, 627], [601, 712], [1640, 1646], [1652, 1710], [0, 6], [9, 32], [36, 181]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The head of a shipping company recently victimized by pirates off the Somali coast told lawmakers Tuesday that U.S. cargo crews should be allowed to arm themselves in response to the rising hijacking threat . In April , pirates attacked The Liberty Sun , a U.S.-flagged cargo ship , but were unable to board . Philip Shapiro , head of Liberty Maritime Corp. , told a U.S. Senate Commerce subcommittee that the owners of U.S.-flagged `` have done all they can within the law to protect our crews . '' Unfortunately , he said , U.S. vessels are still largely at the mercy of pirates in shipping lanes around the heavily trafficked Gulf of Aden . `` In light of the recent threats to U.S. merchant mariners , we respectfully request that Congress consider clearing the obstacles that currently block ship owners from arming our vessels , '' Shapiro said . Pirates unsuccessfully attempted to board the Liberty Sun , a cargo vessel owned by Shapiro 's company , near the Somali coast on April 14 . The ship was on a humanitarian relief mission at the time , carrying 47,000 tons of food to Mombassa , Kenya . Pirate leaders later said the attempted hijacking was carried out as revenge after the U.S. Navy killed three pirates involved in a failed attack on the cargo ship Maersk Alabama . The slain pirates were holding Capt. Richard Phillips , who was in charge of the Alabama when it was boarded April 8 . `` We 've heard some suggestions that U.S.-flagged ship owners have not done enough to protect their vessels , '' Shapiro said . `` That view ... is flat wrong . Our company adopted every measure recommended by the international maritime organizations and required by the Coast Guard 's approved security plan for making the vessel a difficult piracy target -- and more . '' Merchant vessels do n't usually carry firearms , he said , but the `` Maersk Alabama incident constitutes a game changer . ... Self-proclaimed pirate leaders have now issued direct threats of violence against American merchant mariners . '' Shapiro said that U.S. crews have a right to self-defense under U.S. laws dating back to 1819 , but `` recently enacted State Department arms export regulations effectively prohibit the arming of vessels . '' He also said that ship owners are at risk of `` being second-guessed in U.S. and foreign courts for self-defensive measures that were common in 1819 . '' Shapiro urged congressional leaders to help `` bring U.S. law up to date and give us the legal framework we need to be able to protect ourselves . '' Until then , he said , U.S. naval escorts or government security teams will be required for U.S. vessels on high-risk transits . Shapiro was joined at the committee hearing by Phillips , who said the most desirable response would be the establishment of U.S. military escorts as well as military detachments . Phillips repeated an assertion he made before a separate Senate committee last week that arming vessels ' crews could provide an effective deterrent -- but only under certain limited circumstances . `` Unless the root causes of piracy are addressed -LSB- on land -RSB- , piracy will continue to expand and evolve into an even greater threat for American and foreign seamen , '' Phillips said . A Transportation Department official testifying at the hearing noted that the ships most vulnerable to attack are those built low to the water with insufficient top speeds . Ships need to be able to accelerate to `` a high rate of speed -LSB- for -RSB- aggressive maneuvering '' and should have high walls that are tough for pirates to scale , said Undersecretary of Transportation Roy Kienitz . He recommended that ship owners mandate a range of `` best practices , '' including having fire hoses to spray water over the side of a ship and extra manning for watches during dawn and dusk , when attacks are tougher to detect . Shapiro said that the crew of the Liberty Sun was able to fend off the pirate attack in part by rigging fire hoses to cover the stern of the vessel and `` create a virtual flood wall of water coming off the ship . '' Sen. Frank Lautenberg , D-New Jersey , applauded the efforts of the crews on both the Alabama and the Liberty Sun . `` These bandits have to be stopped , '' he said at the opening of the hearing . `` Violence and lawlessness will not be tolerated whether on land , in the sky or at sea . We have a duty to protect the ships that proudly fly America 's flag . '' | Liberty Maritime Corp. chief speaks before U.S. Senate Commerce subcommittee . He says U.S. vessels are at mercy of pirates around the busy Gulf of Aden . Pirates tried , failed to board one of his company 's cargo ships , the Liberty Sun . Richard Phillips , the hijacked Maersk Alabama captain , joined him at the hearing . | [[546, 553], [556, 673], [239, 247], [250, 257], [317, 339], [883, 940], [943, 985], [1353, 1369], [1376, 1434], [2693, 2748]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Layoffs for sea lions ? Furloughs for frogs ? Is there no job security , anywhere ? State budget cuts mean New York 's 76 zoos , botanical gardens and aquariums will lose $ 9.1 million in funding . The recession may be coming to a zoo near you . State budget cuts mean many zoos , aquariums and botanical gardens will lose crucial state funding for their exhibits . New York 's 76 zoos , aquariums and botanical gardens will lose $ 9.1 million in state funds next year . `` We 're faced with this very difficult problem of firing the animals , as it were , '' said Steve Sanderson , the CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society , which manages the Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium . They will lose $ 3 million to budget cuts . The Bronx Zoo has made a short video posted on its Web site www.bronxzoo.com / to draw attention to the cuts . In the video , the zoo director fires a porcupine and a frog . `` I am sure you have heard that Gov. -LSB- David -RSB- Paterson 's proposed budget will mean severe cuts here at the Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium , '' the zoo director says . `` Next year , all 76 zoos , botanical gardens and aquariums in the state will lose all of their state funding . There is no easy way to say this : Even though you bring record numbers of people to New York and help the economy , we are going to have to let you go . '' Firing a porcupine and a frog may be a cute way to get publicity for their budget woes , but it 's a serious matter and zoo officials say the recession will certainly affect the animals . Zoo officials say some collections with `` short life cycles '' will not be replaced when they die , and other animals could be sent to other zoos or wildlife sanctuaries . The state of New York funds just 2.7 percent of the Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium 's budget , but zoo officials say it will be difficult to make up . Between the state budget cuts , the loss in the value of their endowment and fewer people renewing memberships -- times are so tough for the zoo and aquarium -- they say they may lay off 120 to 130 people . `` Two-thirds of our budget is people , and so two-thirds of the cuts will come in cutting positions , '' Sanderson said . `` And we 'll also cut back what we provide in the way of education and entertainment and nature experiences for people . So it affects everything . '' Zoo officials questioned the state 's priorities . But just about everybody getting taxpayer funds has to cut back . Jeffrey Gordon , a spokesman for the New York State Budget Office told CNN the cuts are regrettable but necessary considering the state 's current financial crisis . Citing a `` dramatic reduction in revenue , '' Gordon said , `` Every entity that receives state funds must do what the state has done , which is to review its operations and identify ways to operate at lower costs . '' The Bronx Zoo is n't the only one affected ; cutbacks are happening everywhere . The Los Angeles Zoo in California stopped work on its $ 42 million elephant exhibit last year , and there are big budget cuts for zoos in Maryland , Missouri and North Carolina . There 's no relief for the zoos in the $ 819 billion economic stimulus package . Section 1109 of the stimulus bill which passed this week in the House forbids the use of federal taxpayer money to plug the budget gaps . Taxpayer watchdog groups lobbied to keep zoos , aquariums , swimming pools , golf courses and casinos out of the stimulus , arguing that there are higher priorities for Americans ' money during a recession . | State budget cuts threaten funding for zoos , aquariums and botanical gardens . New York 's 76 zoos , aquariums and botanical gardens will lose $ 9.1 million . Bronx Zoo : Some animals wo n't be replaced ; others may go to zoos , sanctuaries . Zoos in Florida , Maryland , Missouri and North Carolina face budget cuts . | [[112, 188], [157, 225], [274, 340], [309, 393], [394, 498], [714, 757], [935, 1085], [1115, 1127], [1130, 1227], [3068, 3146], [112, 188], [157, 225], [309, 393], [394, 498], [1115, 1127], [1130, 1227], [1674, 1745], [274, 340], [3068, 3146]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Miriam Brown has always wanted to visit Cape Cod , but when she recently began to plan a trip and found out she would have to pay $ 200 or more a night for lodging , her dream vacation seemed out of reach . Miriam Brown and her husband bartered their services for room and board on Cape Cod . Brown , who lives in New Orleans , Louisiana , is an accountant . Her husband is a home renovations contractor . Like many people dealing with a soft real estate market and high food and gas prices , they just do n't have that kind of extra cash for a trip . `` I have traveled a lot in prior years , but after -LSB- Hurricane -RSB- Katrina , there 's just no money for traveling , '' Brown said . So she still plans to go , but she wo n't spend any cash at all on lodging . Brown has joined the growing ranks of Americans who are bartering -- trading goods and services without exchanging money -- as a way to cope with tough economic times . Brown posted an ad in the barter section of the online community Craigslist last month , offering to trade her accounting skills and her husband 's knack for home repairs in exchange for room and board on Cape Cod , Massachusetts . She has lots of company . There were some 142,000 listings in the barter section of Craigslist in July , or almost double the number posted during the same month last year , according to Craigslist spokeswoman Susan MacTavish Best . `` When the economy turns unfriendly , Craigslist users become far more creative to get their everyday tasks done , '' Best said . Swapping ` to get by ' Other Web sites that put Americans in touch with like-minded people who are willing to trade everything under the sun have also seen a boost in traffic . SwapThing , which lists almost 3.5 million `` things '' available for trade , reports its customers are bartering for different reasons than before . `` I think a few years ago it was more for fun , '' said Jessica Hardwick , SwapThing founder and CEO . `` But we 've seen a real shift in the last year , and especially an increase in the last few months , where I think people are really doing it to get by . '' Some of the most popular items to trade for late this summer were school uniforms , which some parents found they could not afford to buy for their children , Hardwick said . Experts are n't surprised Americans are becoming more financially creative during an economic downturn . `` Historically , when times get tough , you see a 50 percent-plus increase in bartering as a way for people to be able to buy things or get things and do it economically , '' said C. Britt Beemer , chairman of America 's Research Group . The company talks with thousands of consumers every week to gauge their spending habits and attitudes . A couple of years ago , many Americans had $ 500 to spend at the end of the month , but that money has evaporated because of rising prices , Beemer said . `` We 've never had a time , at least in my lifetime , where you have food and fuel going up at the same time . So it is n't a question of buying things , it 's a question of buying nothing , '' Beemer said . Breast implants and a horse . Businesses have long recognized the benefits of bartering , and there are hundreds of barter networks set up across the country to fill their needs . They use barter credits as currency , so a plumber in need of a filling does n't need to search for a dentist 's office with plumbing problems to make a deal . He can fix a leaky pipe for one member of a network and use the credits he earned for that job at any other . Since all kinds of companies are members , the trades can be all over the map , said Michael Krane , president of Green Apple Barter Services in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . His company has brokered everything from breast implants to college tuition to a horse . `` Really , there are no limits to it . We trade for just about anything you can think of , '' Krane said . Bartering on this scale is also robust in tough economic times . Krane said his exchange has seen a 20 percent rise in barter transaction volume in the first six months of this year . A longtime client is Thomas Forrest , an orthodontist in suburban Pittsburgh who barters his services for everything from office improvements to stationery . His practice has n't been affected by the economic downturn , Forrest said , but some of his patients seem glad to be able to visit him under the barter arrangement . `` I think if you have a business owner who has children in need of braces , I sense a gratitude that that 's available , '' Forrest said . Barter exchanges must carefully document all trades , since the Internal Revenue Service considers income from bartering as taxable . However , a barter exchange `` does not include arrangements that provide solely for the informal exchange of similar services on a noncommercial basis , '' according to the IRS . In New Orleans , Brown and her husband are getting ready to go to Cape Cod after finding a taker for her bartering offer on Craigslist . The couple will work five hours a day in exchange for staying in `` a beautiful three-bedroom house right in the center of it all , '' Brown said . `` We can do a lot more if we do n't have to pay for room and board , '' she added . | Many Americans are bartering as a way to cope with tough economic times . Bartering involves trading goods and services without exchanging money . Researcher : Bartering activity rises dramatically during economic downturns . `` We trade for just about anything you can think of , '' barter network president says . | [[825, 834], [839, 907], [914, 955], [2343, 2421], [2440, 2444], [2463, 2530], [3949, 4013], [825, 834], [839, 907], [2343, 2421], [2440, 2444], [2463, 2530], [3949, 4013], [3579, 3594], [3620, 3656], [3881, 3917], [3905, 3930]] |
LONDON , England -- Graffiti artist Banksy , famed for infiltrating museum collections without their knowledge and spray-painting public buildings around the world , is holding his first major exhibition in years . A Banksy painting of the British House of Commons at England 's Bristol museum . This time , however , the anonymous artist worked in tandem with the director of Bristol museum in the UK . CNN 's Max Foster got a preview of his largest project to date . The artist 's anonymity gained him notoriety and he became one of the art world 's biggest names with his works selling at auction for hundreds of thousands of dollars . The exhibition 's range , while very varied , remained true to Banksy form with his usual unconventional take on art . See pictures from Banksy 's exhibition '' `` I think we might have dragged them down to our level rather than being elevated to theirs '' Banksy , who is thought to be from Bristol , said about the museum . He filled three stories of the building with his art in 36 hours under tight security , as only a few museum staff were aware of the shows ' imminent arrival . His work is hidden among the museum 's usual exhibits and is split into different rooms , including installations , paintings and sculptures . In one of the paintings , a character has been cut out and is instead sitting on the painting 's frame , perhaps taking a break from posing ? Another piece , which at first glance , looks like a copy of an ancient classical statue , is in fact a woman over-loaded with countless shopping bags as she browses for yet another item . Perhaps the most controversial , yet equally light-hearted piece , is a painting of the British Parliamentary House of Commons , filled with chimpanzees who are looking surprisingly `` ministerial . '' `` You paint a hundred chimpanzees and they call you a guerilla artist , '' Banksy said . While one of the more poignant installations is that of Tweety , the Warner Bros. animated character famous for his upbeat personality and energy , looking old and life-less . `` This show is my vision of the future , '' the artist said . Banksy is unlikely to show up at the exhibition as he attempts to retain his anonymity . But while we may never know his identity , with this latest show , Banksy has definitely shown yet another facet of his personality . CNN 's Max Foster contributed to this report . | Banksy , the world-famous British graffiti artist will unveil his largest project to date . A surprise show is held from June 13 until August 31 at the Bristol museum , UK . Banksy has remained true to form with his unconventional take on art . | [[639, 682], [685, 743], [702, 757]] |
MIAMI , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Florida Department of Law Enforcement closed a sex-related criminal probe of former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley on Friday without filing charges , authorities said . `` There is insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges , '' said Gerald Bailey , commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement . Authorities were investigating whether the Florida Republican , who resigned in September 2006 , might have used congressional computers to engage or solicit minors in any illegal activities . Officials said they were hindered by refusal from Foley and the House of Representatives to allow inspection of the computers . `` FDLE conducted as thorough and comprehensive investigation as possible considering Congress and Mr. Foley denied us access to critical data , '' Bailey said in a written statement . `` Should additional information arise which is pertinent to this case , we will ensure it is appropriately investigated . '' Foley is `` relieved '' that no probable cause was found to charge him with a crime , his lawyer , David Roth , told reporters Friday evening . But in a statement Roth read on behalf of the former congressman , Foley added , `` I however recognize that while my behavior was not illegal , it does not by any means make it proper or approriate . To the contrary , I am deeply ashamed of my conduct , which was wrong and without question inappropriate . '' Foley said he takes full responsibility for his actions and apologized , particularly to the recipients of the e-mails or instant messages . `` I continue to pray for forgiveness from those I have disappointed '' and emotionally harmed , Foley said in the statement . Foley entered treatment for alcoholism on October 1 , 2006 , he said in his statement , and has been clean and sober since the day he resigned from Congress . Roth has denied that his client engaged in sexual activity with minors . `` He is absolutely , positively not a pedophile , '' attorney David Roth said previously . `` He is apologetic for the communications he made while under the influence of alcohol , which he acknowledges are totally inappropriate . '' Those communications included scores of e-mails and instant messages that were given to investigators by former House pages . The exchanges -- in which Foley used the screen name MAF 54 -- were published in a House ethics committee report in December 2006 . Roth told reporters Friday that Foley has no intention of re-entering politics and is focusing on his recovery . The Florida Department of Law Enforcement put the price tag for the nearly two-year investigation at about $ 37,800 . Foley entered a treatment facility for alcoholism shortly after resigning , saying he is gay and was molested by a priest when he was between the ages of 13 and 15 . A Catholic priest living in Italy admitted in a TV interview that he molested Foley when he was a teenager . `` Once maybe , I touched him or so , but I did n't -- it was n't -- because it 's not something you call , I mean rape or penetration or anything like that , you know . We were just fondling , '' said the priest , Anthony Mercieca . The ethics committee 's probe concluded that House GOP leaders were negligent in not protecting male teenage pages from possible improper advances by Foley . But the panel said there were no violations of the House Code of Official Conduct and decided no one would be reprimanded . A Justice Department report issued a month later said the FBI should have notified the House or other officials when members first learned of the inappropriate e-mails . The FBI acted within its `` range of discretion '' when it initially decided not to open a criminal investigation in the case , the Justice Department said . But the internal watchdog 's investigation concluded that simply filing away the complaint from a public interest group was an inadequate response . The FDLE 's investigative summary notes that the U.S. House 's clerk of courts took possession of two computer hard drives from Foley 's two district offices in Florida and the computer from his Washington office , along with backup material . The department said it did not seek a search warrant for the drives because it failed to turn up probable cause of a crime with a Florida connection . The department report said that Foley 's attorneys voluntarily worked with the Justice Department to review computer data , but the FDLE failed to work out a similar review with Foley 's attorneys . The department said it was given no indication from the FBI or the Justice Department that there was any non-congressional data in the material that would violate Florida law . CNN 's Kevin Bohn and Terry Frieden contributed to this report . | Former lawmaker accused of sending suggestive messages to House pages . Florida agency wo n't file charges against ex-Rep . Mark Foley , official says . Foley , Congress blocked access to `` critical data , '' agency says . Foley did not engage in sexual activity with minors , his attorney says . | [[538, 626], [553, 665], [752, 808], [1859, 1931]] |
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The number of movies nominated for the best picture Oscar will double next year , a move apparently aimed at bolstering sagging ratings for the Academy Awards broadcast . Danny Boyle exults in an Oscar win for `` Slumdog Millionaire '' earlier this year . `` Having 10 Best Picture nominees is going allow academy voters to recognize and include some of the fantastic movies that often show up in the other Oscar categories , but have been squeezed out of the race for the top prize , '' Sid Ganis , president of the Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , said . Doubling the nominations would make it more likely a viewer 's favorite movie is in the running for the top honor , which may make them want to watch the show , said Steve Pond , author of `` The Big Show : High Times and Dirty Dealings Backstage at the Academy Awards . '' `` This clearly is a reaction to declining ratings , '' Pond said . `` Even though this last show the ratings were up ... over the last 10 years or so the ratings have been down . '' Oscar producers realized they `` can juice the show up all you want , but people watch the Oscars when there are movies competing that they have an interest in , '' Pond said . The best picture nominations often consist of movies that `` the vast majority of people have not seen , '' he said . The problem `` came to a head with ` The Dark Knight , ' '' which sold more than $ 1 billion in tickets worldwide , but was snubbed by the academy in the best picture category last year , he said . The Batman sequel won best movie at the MTV Movie Awards and was chosen favorite movie by the People 's Choice Awards . It also made many critics ' top 10 lists . If the nomination field had been expanded last year , the film might have made the best picture list , `` which clearly would have been some kind of bump in the ratings , '' Pond said . This would also counter the impression among TV viewers that the awards show is `` for movie snobs who do n't like the movies I like , '' he said . The decision to double the number of features films nominated is a return to the way the Oscars were awarded in its early decades , when as many as 12 movies were considered in the field of finalists , Ganis said . `` After more than six decades , the Academy is returning to some of its earlier roots , when a wider field competed for the top award of the year , '' Ganis said . `` The final outcome , of course , will be the same -- one best picture winner -- but the race to the finish line will feature 10 , not just five , great movies from 2009 . '' Nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards will be announced on February 2 , 2010 . The awards show is set for March 7 at Hollywood 's Kodak Theatre . A best picture nomination often serves as a marketing boost for films , driving DVD sales for those films no longer in theaters . | NEW : Nominating more films `` a reaction to declining ratings , '' says expert . Academy Awards to nominate 10 best picture possibilities next year . Academy has been nominating just five films for more than six decades . `` The Academy is returning to some of its earlier roots , '' says its president . | [[126, 214], [885, 935], [2306, 2359]] |
IN THE FLORIDA KEYS -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In the early morning darkness of the Florida Keys , the low hum of the Mystic I is hardly enough to disturb the slumber of the tourists in their hotel rooms . A lobster fisherman holds two spiny tail lobsters caught during the Mystic I 's trip off the Florida Keys . From the wheelhouse , Captain Karl Lessard steers his boat into the darkness toward the fertile fishing grounds off the small Island of Marathon , Florida . This is a ritual that Lessard has done thousands of times . `` I 've been fishing for 38 years , my family has been fishing since the 1820s , there are a lot of fourth - , fifth - and sixth-generation fishermen that are here in the Keys , '' Lessard says . At dawn he reaches a spot that holds a special meaning for him . `` I pass where my mother 's and father 's ashes are scattered . Just around sunrise , it 's a very spiritual place for me . '' In the light of a spectacular sunrise , Lessard plots his course on the open waters . `` I fish for the freedom , '' he explains . `` It 's good for the soul . It 's a fantastic way to make a living , coming out here in God 's glory every day . '' He adds with a laugh that fishing also `` gets me away from the house . I hate those ` honey-do 's . ' '' It 's spiny tail lobster season in the Florida Keys , and that is what Captain Karl and his three-man crew are on a quest for today . `` I am hoping to catch between 300 and 400 pounds , with the new moon that slows fishing down , '' the skipper says . They travel 20 miles offshore to where they have put out their traps . They hope to find them filled with the clawless crustaceans that live in these shallow waters . `` In the Keys , people really started fishing for lobster in the 1930s , '' Lessard says . `` Before that there was very little market for them . '' Lobster fishermen in years past worried more about the impact of things like hurricanes , but these days they have other concerns , namely the price they can get for their catch . `` This ... economy that we are in is not really promoting the sale of our product , '' Lessard says . `` Lobster is going from eight dollars a pound to three dollars a pound . We are basically in survival mode at the present time , but it is still a wonderful way to make a living . '' As a mate hooks the buoys and throws the line in the winches , the traps break onto the surface . As they are hoisted on deck the captain smiles at what he is seeing . `` We got some nice lobsters today , some grandes , '' he says . Watch the skipper at work on the water '' Lessard navigates his boat along his strings of traps as his crew pulls them , repeating the motion some 480 times . Two dolphins play off the bow . `` This is the most beautiful office that anyone could have in the world , '' the lobster fisherman says . `` If you feel the calling , there is no better way to make a living . It 's something I 've wanted to do since I was a child , and I 'm blessed to have been able to do what I wanted to do in life , and have the freedom to do it . `` I hope my family can do it for another hundred years . '' As the afternoon wears on , the traps rise out of the ocean and fall back to the seabed , and a constant flow of lobster fills up the boat 's holding tanks . The catch seems to be better than expected . `` Sometimes if you are lucky , it 's better than being good . And if you 're good and lucky , that 's even better , '' Lessard jokes . With the last trap dropped back into the water , Lessard and the crew of the Mystic I head back to the dock , where they will place the day 's catch onto the scales to see how good the sea has been to them . `` Today we caught 476 pounds . I did n't expect to do this well with the phase of the moon , '' Lessard says . Tomorrow morning the captain will rise again in the darkness and answer the calling that he and his family have heeded for generations . `` My family is out here , and I plan on being out here and joining them someday , '' Lessard says , `` although I would like it to be a long time from now . '' | Lobster fisherman 's family has been working the waters since the 1820s . Crew off the Florida Keys is on a quest for spiny tail lobster . Boat skipper laments the economic tailspin , falling price of lobster . `` This is the most beautiful office that anyone could have '' | [[558, 602], [1267, 1283], [1325, 1400], [2728, 2800]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Polish president on Saturday signed his country 's ratification of the Lisbon Treaty , aimed at streamlining the workings of the European Union . Polish President Lech Kaczynski holds the EU 's Lisbon Treaty in Warsaw on October 10 . President Lech Kaczynski 's approval of the treaty leaves the Czech Republic as the lone country that has not ratified the document . Kaczynski signed the treaty at a ceremony attended by EU officials in Warsaw . He had refused to sign the document until it was ratified by Irish voters in a referendum . They backed it by a wide margin on October 2 . `` I am certain that the union will function even better with the treaty of Lisbon , '' Kaczynski said Saturday , in an excerpt of his remarks provided by the Swedish presidency of the EU . The treaty would create an EU president and foreign minister and introduce rotating representatives for member countries in the EU Commission , the union 's executive branch . All member states have to ratify the treaty before it can be adopted . `` The Czech Republic must conclude their ratification process by the signature of President Klaus . Europe is waiting impatiently , '' Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said , according to the Swedish presidency . The Lisbon treaty is undergoing review in a Czech court , which will determine in a few weeks whether it is compatible with the nation 's constitution . Czech President Vaclav Klaus must also sign it . On Friday , Klaus outlined his objections to the treaty , saying at a news conference that `` the Lisbon Treaty constitutes a fundamental change for the Czech Republic . `` As you know , I have always considered this treaty a step in the wrong direction , '' he said . `` It will increase its democratic deficit , worsen the standing of our country and expose it to new risks -- among other things also because it endangers the legal status of the citizens and the stability of property rights in our country , '' he said . He said he was particularly concerned about one section of the treaty , called the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union , which concerns fundamental human rights , including property rights , for EU citizens . `` On its basis , the Luxembourg Court of Justice of the EU will assess whether the legal provisions , customs and practices of the EU member countries comply with those of the charter , '' Klaus said . `` The charter makes it possible to reexamine even those decisions of the Czech courts that are legally binding , '' he said . He said he feared the treaty would make it possible to raise property claims related to the expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia following World War II . The last Czech government did not pay enough attention to this possibility , he said , and did not negotiate an exemption from the charter , which Poland and the United Kingdom have , he said . `` Before the ratification , Czech Republic must at least ex post negotiate a similar exemption , '' he said . `` I think this exemption can be solved quickly . '' Klaus spoke with Reinfeldt by phone on Thursday about the treaty . `` This sends the wrong message at the wrong time , '' Reinfeldt said afterward , his spokeswoman , Roberta Alenius told CNN . Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer said in a Friday statement that he had seen Klaus ' concerns , and said that he regretted that the president did not consult with the government beforehand . `` I remain convinced that the Czech Republic will bring the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty to a successful conclusion , so that it can enter into force by the end of the year , '' he said . | Treaty undergoing review in a Czech court to determine its compatiblity . Czech president raises fears over property claims relating to World War II . Swedish presidency of EU calls on Czech Republic to clarify ratification comments . Only Czech Republic left to sign treaty that would reform the European Union . | [[1307, 1325], [1332, 1361], [740, 798], [257, 353]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- On `` Amanpour '' this Thursday , Christiane Amanpour sits down for an exclusive live interview with the President of Zimbabwe , Robert Mugabe . Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe talks to CNN 's Christiane Amanpour Thursday . In Mugabe 's first interview with a major Western network in years , Christiane will explore the historic power-sharing agreement with the unity government there , and get the president 's thoughts on the highly-emotive issue of land redistribution . As Mugabe prepares to take center stage at the United Nations on Friday , Christiane will take the opportunity to ask if the power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe is really working , if international sanctions are responsible for his country 's economic and political turmoil , and what kind of engagement he is looking for from the international community . In this rare interview , Christiane will also address signs of optimism emerging in Zimbabwe ; sky-rocketing inflation stabilizing , basic goods returning to store shelves , and a loosening of restrictive media laws . `` Amanpour '' is CNN International 's new live global interview program , which launched on September 21 , 2009 as the centerpiece of its new evening line up . Live interview airs 2100 CET Thursday 24 September . | Christiane Amanpour to interview Zimbabwe 's Robert Mugabe . Interview will be Mugabe 's first with a major Western network in years . Political turmoil , Western sanctions and power-sharing deal up for discussion . Watch `` Amanpour '' weekdays : ET : 1500 , 0800 ; CET 2100 , 1400 ; HK : 2000 , 0300 . | [[53, 145], [164, 243], [244, 405], [244, 310], [313, 323], [412, 494], [679, 768]] |
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Jay Leno says immediacy is key to his new show , and he should have plenty of it for his prime time premiere Monday , when Kanye West is a musical guest . Kanye West , center , with girlfriend Amber Rose and actor Tracy Morgan at the 2009 MTV VMAs . The rapper created a fan and artist uprising Sunday night when he jumped onstage at MTV 's Video Music Awards to hijack singer Taylor Swift 's acceptance speech . Leno could reprise his 1995 ratings-grabbing moment when he asked actor Hugh Grant , `` What the hell were you thinking ? '' Grant had been arrested two weeks earlier for public lewd conduct with a Hollywood hooker . West placed a written apology on his Web site -- `` I 'm sooooo sorry '' -- but `` The Jay Leno Show '' could be the place and time for a more personal and public mea culpa . Watch the details on West 's appearance '' Leno 's publicist confirmed Monday that West was still booked for the NBC show , which tapes just three hours before it airs in the eastern United States at 10 p.m. West was booked by Leno weeks ago to perform with two other hip-hop superstars : Rihanna and Jay-Z . Some drama may center around how West and Jay-Z get along onstage . Jay-Z 's wife , singer Beyonce Knowles , was perhaps the most embarrassed by his outburst . Swift , a 19-year-old country-pop singer , was in the midst of her acceptance speech for the Best Female Video award when West rushed onstage and took her microphone . He then let loose an outburst on behalf of Beyonce , who was one of several artists who lost out to Swift . Although Beyonce appeared stunned as she watched from the front row , she gracefully recovered near the end of the show , when she was onstage to accept an award of her own . `` I remember being 17 years old , up for my first MTV award with Destiny 's Child , and it was one of the most exciting moments of my life , '' she said , referring to the girl group with which she had her start . `` So I would like for Taylor to come out and have her moment . '' West 's online apology appeared soon after . `` I 'm sooooo sorry to Taylor Swift and her fans and her mom , '' the message said in all caps . `` I spoke to her mother right after and she said the same thing my mother would 've said . She is very talented ! ... I 'm in the wrong for going on stage and taking away from her moment ! '' MTV said the West-Swift incident was not planned , a point it had to stress after a walkout by singer Eminem at last year 's event turned out to be staged . Staged or not , apologies from celebrities behaving badly have been good for Leno 's ratings . When Grant told Leno `` I did a bad thing , '' it gave Leno 's `` Tonight Show '' a viewership bump that has been credited with solidifying his lead over rival David Letterman in the late-night ratings war . This is just the kind of `` immediacy '' Leno was talking about in a call with reporters last week . `` The idea here is that we 'll tape a new , fresh show every single day , talking about the events that happened that day that night , '' Leno said . West , Rihanna and Jay-Z will debut Leno 's new approach to musical guests . They will be limited to one song , and most nights they 'll share the stage with other stars . `` What we 're trying to do is put together acts that you do n't normally see together or do n't normally perform together , '' Leno said . Jerry Seinfeld will also appear on Leno 's premiere Monday . | Rapper Kanye West scheduled to appear on `` The Jay Leno Show '' Leno 's new show set to premiere Monday night . Leno could reprise famous Hugh Grant moment in questioning West . West made news and angered fans by interrupting Taylor Swift during speech . | [[892, 965], [457, 539], [404, 456]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Diprivan is a powerful I.V. anesthetic drug used for patients undergoing certain surgeries and diagnostic procedures . Patients undergoing surgery may receive Diprivan to keep them sedated during the procedure . The drug is making headlines with the claim from a nurse who worked for pop icon Michael Jackson that the singer , who died June 25 , had repeatedly asked her about the drug . Nurse Cherilyn Lee told CNN that Jackson had brought up Diprivan about three months ago , saying he needed it for insomnia and that his doctor said it was safe . `` He said , ' I am so sleepy . I can not sleep . I want to have at least eight hours of sleep , ' '' Lee told CNN 's Anderson Cooper . The medication , whose generic name is propofol , renders the patient unconscious for as long as doctors deem necessary . The patient wakes up almost immediately after the infusion is stopped , experts say . But treating sleep disorders is not an approved use of the drug . The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Diprivan should be given only by people trained in the administration of general anesthesia and who are not involved in the conduct of the surgery or diagnostic procedure . Watch Dr. Gupta explain when and how propofol -LRB- Diprivan -RRB- is used '' The general anesthetic has the effect of making patients feel well-rested when they wake up from it , said Dr. Hector Vila , chairman of the Ambulatory Surgery Committee for the American Society of Anesthesiologists . Vila gives the drug to all of his patients who are getting office procedures in areas such as urology , dentistry and gynecology . It is also the most common anesthetic for colonoscopies , he said . `` I have never heard of anyone using it for the treatment of a sleep disorder , '' he said . There have been cases of health care professionals self-administering the drug and abusing it , however , said Vila , who has examined deaths from Diprivan in Florida . Other deaths from the drug have occurred when administered by non-anesthetist professionals , in settings such as ophthalmology , gynecology and plastic surgery , he said . Diprivan appears white and milky , and is usually run as an I.V. drip . In addition to surgical applications , it can be used in the intensive care unit for someone who may be intubated on a ventilator . The drug itself does not provide pain relief , experts say . The principle risks of Diprivan come from improper monitoring of the patient 's breathing , Vila said . When a person 's breathing slows down , not enough carbon dioxide gets removed from the body , and not enough oxygen enters . This could lead to cardiac arrest , he said . Still , when used properly , Diprivan is not a dangerous drug , he said . `` It 's very safe in a properly trained physician 's hands . '' The drug has been used in the past to treat prolonged epileptic seizures . A small MayoClinic study in 2008 found that Diprivan was associated with a higher risk of cardiac arrest and deaths in patients with a condition called refractory status epilepticus . Side effects of Diprivan may include dizziness and lightheadedness . Balance , coordination and judgment may be affected for up to 24 hours , so patients should not drive cars , play sports or sign contracts in that period , Vila said . Patients may also experience a euphoric feeling upon waking up , Vila said . This is distinct from older anesthetics , which caused nausea and vomiting , he said . The FDA also issued a warning to health care professionals in 2007 about patients who experienced chills , fever and body aches shortly after receiving the drug for sedation or general anesthesia . Doctors consider sedation a continuum , where relaxation is on the mild side and general anesthesia is at the other extreme . There may be complications of Diprivan if the patient is also taking prescription pain medications , experts say . Patients should tell their health care providers about any allergies they have before taking this drug , doctors say , including eggs , soy products , sulfite , benzyl alcohol and any medications . CNN 's Stephanie Smith contributed to this report . | Diprivan renders the patient unconscious for as long as doctors deem necessary . FDA has not approved it for treating sleep disorders . The drug has the effect of making the patient feel well-rested upon waking up . People with food or drug allergies should alert their doctor before taking it . | [[705, 740], [755, 809], [802, 826], [917, 978], [1273, 1346], [1321, 1372], [3905, 3973], [3960, 4007]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Top Obama administration officials outlined several new initiatives to safeguard the country 's food supply Tuesday , saying the recent spate of food-borne illnesses is unacceptable . Recent salmonella outbreaks , including one at Nestle , were called unacceptable by federal officials Tuesday . The FDA intends to issue new guidance over the next three months regarding steps the entire food industry can take to more quickly detect contamination sources and remove the unsafe products from stores . A new position at the agency -- deputy commissioner for foods -- will be created for the sole purpose of overseeing food protection . The commissioner will be part of a `` unified incident command system '' established to address contamination outbreaks and facilitate responses at the federal , state , and local levels , officials said . In addition , they said , food safety information will be more effectively communicated to the public through a revamped Web site : www.foodsafety.gov . The announcement was made near the White House by Vice President Joe Biden , Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius , and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack . `` There are few responsibilities more basic or more important ... for the government than making sure our families in America eat food that is not contaminated , '' Biden said . Dozens of people have become sick in recent weeks due to a nationwide E. coli outbreak linked to tainted Nestle cookie dough . Spinach , peanut products , pistachios , peppers , mushrooms , alfalfa sprouts , have also been recent culprits , noted Sebelius . An estimated 5,000 Americans die annually after consuming contaminated food and tens of millions fall ill , she said . J.D. Hanson , a policy analyst for the Center for Food Safety , called the initiatives a good first step . `` They are the kinds of things we have been calling on previous administrations to do , and we 're glad this administration is moving fairly quickly on these issues , '' he told CNN . Hanson praised the creation of the position of deputy commissioner for foods at the FDA , saying it should have happened long ago . `` You 'd think an agency called ` Food and Drug ' would have made food a priority a long time ago . They did n't until today . '' But he said the government still is n't tough enough with the food industry . `` Their goal of 90 percent compliance with their new guidelines is not good enough . It needs to be very close to 100 percent compliance . '' And he said bureaucracy stands in the way of improvement . `` Right now there are 13 federal agencies that deal with food safety . We would pull all of those functions into one agency . '' Making eggs safer . New safeguards to protect against salmonella contamination of eggs alone should cut the number of food-borne illnesses every year by roughly 80,000 , and generate an annual savings of over $ 1 billion , according to Sebelius . `` Salmonella enteritidis is a major cause of food-borne illness in the United States and eggs are a significant source , '' Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg , commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration , told reporters in a telephone conference call . The $ 81 million program will translate into less than a penny per dozen eggs and will yield $ 1.4 billion in annual public health benefits , the agency said . In all , more than 79,000 of the 142,000 cases of sickness and 30 deaths associated with tainted eggs each year will be prevented , it predicted . Under the rule , egg producers must buy their chickens and hens from producers who monitor for salmonella bacteria , said Dr. Stephen F. Sundlof , director of the Food and Drug Administration 's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition . If salmonella bacteria or its derivatives are detected , a sample of eggs from the facility must be tested over eight weeks , he said . If any test positive , the producer must process the eggs to destroy the bacteria or divert the eggs to non-food uses . In addition , henhouses must be tested and those that test positive must be cleaned and disinfected , he said . Under current law , eggs do not have to be refrigerated until they are packed for the ultimate consumer , said Nancy Bufano , a food technologist at the agency . `` What 's new here is requiring now that eggs must be refrigerated on the farm and during transport and storage beginning no later than 36 hours after the time they 're laid , '' she said . A key part of the plan to reduce salmonella enteritidis is the requirement that producers institute rodent-control programs , said Darrell Trampel , a poultry veterinarian at Iowa State University in Ames , Iowa . `` Mice are notorious carriers of -LSB- salmonella enteritidis -RSB- and , in the fall when it starts getting cold , the mice start looking for a warmer home and some of them make their way into chicken houses , and then they leave their droppings behind in the feed and so the chickens pick it up in that manner . '' Producers will have to pay more to comply with the testing requirements , `` but I do n't think this should put anybody out of business , '' he said . The rules go into effect within a year for producers with more than 50,000 hens , which produce approximately 71 percent of eggs sold to consumers , the FDA 's Sundlof said . Those with fewer than 50,000 hens have three years to comply ; those with fewer than 3,000 hens or those that sell directly to consumers are exempt . About 1 in 200 eggs in flocks of fewer than 3,000 hens test positive for salmonella and derivatives , Sundlof said . Until now , egg quality assurance programs have been voluntary , Sundlof said . `` So the fact that they will now be required really gives us greater assurance . '' Industry supports the requirements , though many of them have long been complying voluntarily , said Howard Magwire , director of government relations for United Egg Producers , a trade association . `` Our egg farmers have always done everything they could to provide a safe , affordable , high-protein product to consumers and for years we have been supportive of the concept of an egg-safety rule to address the salmonella enteritidis problem , '' he told CNN in a telephone interview . `` Do we go out and do a pep rally for more regulation ? No , but at the same time , we understand why the industry has been moving that way . '' CNN 's Tom Watkins and CNN Radio 's Matt Cherry contributed to this report . | Department wants better control of salmonella in eggs , turkey and poultry . Control E. coli outbreaks by issuing new instructions regarding beef production . FDA will release new safety standards to help prevent the contamination of produce . Salmonella safeguards in eggs alone to cut food-borne illnesses by 80,000 a year . | [[2738, 2867], [2738, 2810], [2892, 2938]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Jurors spared the life of a former Canton , Ohio , police officer who killed his pregnant girlfriend and tearfully asked them for mercy . A judge then sentenced him Wednesday to 57 years to life in prison . Bobby Lee Cutts Jr. stared straight ahead as the jury announced its recommendation to spare him . Bobby Lee Cutts Jr. , 30 , will be 87 by the time he becomes eligible for parole . He stared straight ahead as the jury of six men and six women recommended that his life be spared . He and his lawyer teared up as the jurors were polled about their decision . Watch Cutts react '' Judge Charles E. Brown added to the sentence , taking other counts into consideration after hearing victim impact statements from the parents and sisters of victim Jessie Marie Davis . She was 26 and nine months pregnant when she disappeared last June . Her body , and that of her unborn child , were found 10 days later at a state park in northeastern Ohio . Whitney Davis , Jessie 's sister , directed her anger and grief at Cutts . `` You got rid of someone that was an inconvenience . I hate you . '' Watch Davis ' family lash out at Cutts '' She continued : '' `` You used and manipulated her over and over and still you sit there and you are not crying . I do n't believe that you are sorry for what you did . I believe that you are sorry that you got caught up in all your lies . I do n't know that you would know the truth . `` Watch sister tell Cutts she hates him . Cutts took off his eyeglasses as Davis ' father , Ned , addressed him : `` Do n't even look at me . '' `` Your honor he violently murdered her , '' the anguished father continued . `` Five-foot-four , nine months pregnant , that baby could have been delivered . '' And , tears rolled down Cutts ' face as Davis ' mother , Patricia Porter , spoke of her grief . `` There are mornings I have to cover her picture up , when I ca n't get out of bed . '' She continued , `` I serve an amazing God , Bobby . A God that forgives and heals and restores people . And all I know today is that I do forgive you , and I know it is only through him that I am able to do that . '' But she turned the other cheek : `` I may not have family to go home to after this , but I pray that you make a way for him to get out of there and begin a new life , and to be able to hold his son . '' Porter , who is raising Blake , told Cutts the child `` knows what you did . You would not believe the stories he has told us . '' When his time came , Cutts offered no statement , no testimonials to his character . On February 15 , the same jury found Cutts guilty of murdering Jessie Davis and their baby , who was to be named Chloe . It was Chloe 's death that made Cutts eligible for the death penalty . Jurors convicted him of two counts of aggravated murder -- for terminating a pregnancy and taking her life during the commission of a felony . All the members of the jury are white , as was Davis . Cutts is black . Cutts , who has maintained Davis ' death was the result of an accidental elbow to the neck , asked the jury to spare his life and offered a tearful apology at his sentencing hearing Tuesday . Watch Cutts ' tearful plea '' `` Ladies and gentlemen of the jury , I 'm asking you to spare my life , '' he said . `` To imagine that I was responsible for the death of Jessie , the mother of my children and my unborn daughter , is beyond any words that I can express , '' Cutts added , reading from a handwritten statement . `` Words can not bring them back , nor can they erase the pain I 've caused , but I want to apologize , '' he said . Cutts ' lawyer , Fernando Mack , had urged jurors to recommend the lowest available penalty -- 25 years to life -- to allow him to play a limited role in his other children 's lives . Mack acknowledged that many of the jurors might still be angry with Cutts for leaving his 2 1/2 - year-old son , home alone for more than a day while his mother lay dead in a field . But sentencing Cutts to death hurts Blake even more , he argued . `` That is still Blake 's father , like it or not . The prosecutor here wants you to kill Blake 's father , so now he 'll have no parents . '' Stark County Assistant Prosecutor Dennis Barr attacked Cutts ' character and his sincerity on the stand . A police officer should have known better , he said . `` Bobby Cutts took an oath to serve and protect , '' the prosecutor argued . `` But on June 14 , 2007 , Bobby Cutts did not serve and protect . He destroyed . '' According to testimony , Cutts rolled Davis ' body in a comforter and dumped it in a park , leaving toddler son Blake in the house alone at the crime scene in a soiled diaper . `` Mommy 's in the rug , '' Blake told police , according to testimony . Prosecutors charged during the trial that Cutts buckled under the financial pressure of additional child support , killed Davis , and then created a cover story to try to get away with it . After the sentencing , prosecutors -- no longer restricted in their comments by a gag order -- told reporters Cutts led authorities to Davis ' body , but no deal was made in return . Davis ' father , Ned Davis , told reporters , `` Our family , in one sense , was fortunate that we had some legal resolution because I know along with this , there are families out there that do n't ever get an answer . It does n't make it any less painful , but at least this part of it is resolved . '' E-mail to a friend . | NEW : Judge gives Bobby Cutts Jr. the maximum life sentence . Jury recommended life , with no parole eligibility for 30 years . Cutts Jr. convicted of murdering girlfriend , unborn child . He apologized for killings and asked jurors to spare his life . | [[157, 225], [70, 84], [89, 119], [2567, 2581], [2584, 2657], [124, 156], [1288, 1320], [2974, 2979], [3067, 3165], [3234, 3266]] |
ORLANDO , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Some Florida amusement park visitors may enjoy space-themed roller-coasters , but the first vehicle they board at Orlando International Airport may be the most futuristic ride of their vacation . Four hydrogen shuttle buses are part of the fleet at the Orlando International Airport . The airport is testing four Ford shuttle vans equipped with internal combustion engines modified to run on hydrogen instead of gasoline . `` It 's quiet , it does n't shake like diesel , it does n't have that diesel smell , '' said Rafael Sanchez , who has been driving the vans for a year . The quieter engine makes conversation inside the bus easier than in conventional vehicles . `` Hydrogen is one of the many technologies we are exploring , trying to become more of a green airport , '' said Ronald Lewis , director of airport operations . Vehicles powered with hydrogen engines are different from the many vehicles across the nation that run with the help of hydrogen fuel cells -- which are the gold standard of green machines . The use of hydrogen in internal combustion engines is far less efficient than in the fuel cells . The modified engines aboard the Ford E-450 shuttle buses are 6.8 liter V-10s . The airport 's fleet also includes three gas-electric hybrid vehicles and 24 biodiesel buses . The facility also powers its maintenance equipment -- such as lawnmowers and tractors -- with biodiesel . But like many experiments with alternative fuels , the price is very high and the long-term outcome is unknown . Proponents of hydrogen technology have long had a chicken-and-egg dilemma over whether to build million-dollar fueling facilities or to wait until more vehicles are in use . Energy companies are reluctant to pour money into expensive fueling stations without a lot of hydrogen vehicles around , but consumers are not likely to buy a vehicle without adequate places to fill up . `` It is clear nothing is going to displace gasoline or diesel for 20 , 30 , maybe 40 years , '' said John Lapetz , who has been working on alternative fuels at Ford for more than 20 years . The Orlando project has several goals : To get average consumers acquainted with hydrogen and to acquire data on the buses ' performance in a setting where they are in use almost nonstop . Lapetz said it 's an effort to use a technology that customers take for granted -LRB- the internal combustion engine -RRB- , while preparing for the day when drivers can complete the divorce from fossil fuels . At the Boggy Creek Hydrogen Fueling Station in Orlando , the hydrogen is produced on-site . `` We are doing a process called steam methane re-forming , which is natural gas to hydrogen , '' said Puneet Verma , manager of biofuels and hydrogen at Chevron Technology Ventures , one of the players involved in the project . During a careful fueling process , technicians check for leaks of the highly flammable hydrogen -- leaks both in the bus and the fuel pump . Because a fossil fuel , methane , is used to make the hydrogen , the buses are about 12 percent cleaner than gasoline or diesel when their entire carbon footprint is measured . `` We view the hydrogen efforts as a technical success , '' said Verma . `` This is the first time we have been able to demonstrate actual production of hydrogen at the station . It 's not necessarily an economic success yet . '' `` The ultimate goal is hydrogen fuel cell cars , '' Verma said . `` The hydrogen internal combustion engine buses are much less expensive to manufacture , but they consume a lot more hydrogen . '' Verma said the buses are `` valid transition technology '' aimed at quickly building significant demand for hydrogen , which would then justify an expensive infrastructure . The hydrogen test project also includes the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority , Ford Motor Company , the Florida Department of Environmental Protection , Progress Energy and SeaWorld . Hydrogen buses began shuttling SeaWorld employees in February from the park 's outer parking lots to their workplaces . `` The environment is really an important part of SeaWorld 's culture here , '' said Kelly Bernish , director of environmental health and safety at Busch theme parks SeaWorld , Discovery Cove and Aquatica . Bernish described the venture as another opportunity for `` employees to feel like they can impact the environment by using this kind of vehicle , that will lessen our footprint on the world . '' SeaWorld 's Discovery Cove animal training supervisor Jay Tacey said `` somebody has to get the ball rolling . Until somebody takes that first step , there 's always going to be the ` what if ? ' '' Airport Operations Director Lewis said being in on the hydrogen experiment early could pay off in the long run . `` We are hopeful that since they built the facility here , the only one in the southeast United States , that there will be a long-term usage for it . '' | Orlando airport tests cleaner hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines . Smoother , quieter engines require million-dollar fueling stations . Testers hope to learn more by gathering data from nonstop shuttle usage . Hydrogen engines cheaper than hydrogen fuel cells , but they use more hydrogen . | [[382, 459], [3548, 3582]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In a tough job market , MBA graduates seeking top-tier jobs are turning to a career networking site created by and catering to young professionals . Doostang gets its name from the Latin for `` reaching for talent . '' Doostang is an online community that seeks to match the brightest new grads with what it says are the crème de la crème of positions in finance , consulting and tech . Exclusivity is the cornerstone of this network , which connects graduates from elite schools with top employers . The site offers its members access to selective jobs that are not really available on the open market , according to founder Mareza Larizadeh . It 's able to do that because recruiting managers are drawn by the caliber of its members , which includes students from the top business schools , he says . Schools like The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Duke University 's Fuqua School of Business have formed partnerships with Doostang that enable their students to access the network 's premium job listings for free . `` Our goal is to get great jobs in front of relevant people and relevant candidates in front of hiring managers , '' Larizadeh tells CNN . Larizadeh never intended to launch a career start-up . He was completing his MBA at Stanford University in 2005 when he got the idea for Doostang , which is a modified version of `` reaching for talent '' in Latin . Classmates were exchanging emails about career advice , and `` I thought , why do n't we give this some structure ? '' he recalls . Four years and a round of venture capital funding later , what started as a hobby designed to help friends share career information has turned into a network with approximately 600,000 members . Larizadeh estimates that roughly a dozen of the top 20 MBA programs have signed partnership deals with Doostang . While mostly U.S. focused , Doostang is also becoming more international and recently sealed a deal to provide job opportunities to INSEAD . In an age where social networking sites abound , Doostang sets itself apart by taking closely knit relationships developed offline in B-school and leveraging them online to make a better job searching experience , Larizadeh says . A member applying for a job at McKinsey , for instance , is able to connect with members of his or her Doostang network that may have a McKinsey link to gain an insider 's perspective . Larizadeh believes it is n't just the quality of people and jobs that distinguishes Doostang from other careers sites like LinkedIn and executive search service The Ladders . Doostang is also distinctive in that it caters specifically to students in their 20s and 30s with most of the positions advertised geared towards people at the beginning or middle of their careers . Employers advertising positions on the site range from white shoe firms like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to Silicon Valley titans Google and Facebook . Users initially had to be invited to join the network , but now Doostang is open to everyone . Members , however , have to pay for access to the most exclusive job postings . This helps keep the membership selective , Larizadeh said . Generally , people wo n't pay for membership if they are n't qualified for the jobs being advertised , he explained . The fee for premium services , which gives access to the more exclusive job postings , ranges from $ 25 to $ 40 a month . The site , which has always featured jobs at hedge funds , private equity firms and investment banks prominently , experienced a surge when the financial crisis kicked off last fall . `` Even though the economy is not as bad as it used to be , we are still seeing a good uptake . Our traffic is still going strong , '' Larizadeh says . | Doostang is a career networking site geared towards 20 and 30-somethings . Since it was founded in 2005 , its membership has grown to 600,000 . Business schools like Wharton and INSEAD have partnered with Doostang . | [[111, 184], [2643, 2698], [1564, 1574], [1671, 1758], [759, 770], [779, 826], [839, 991]] |
JERUSALEM -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Palestinian militant groups including the armed wing of Hamas are committing war crimes when they fire rockets into Israel , according to a report by campaign group Human Rights Watch . Palestinian militants from the al-Ahrar Brigades march during a rally in Gaza City in July . Three Israelis have been killed and dozens more seriously injured in Palestinian attacks since November 2008 with rockets striking populated areas up to 40 kilometers -LRB- 25 miles -RRB- inside Israeli territory and putting 800,000 Israelis in danger , the report said . Two Palestinian girls died in Gaza when a rocket fell short of its intended target while the attacks have also put Palestinian citizens at risk from Israeli counterstrikes , it added . Human Rights Watch urged Hamas , which controls Gaza , to hold those responsible for the attacks accountable . Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union . Hamas militants have cut down on rocket strikes in the past few months , but the group has not denounced those targeting Israeli civilians , nor has it tried those behind the attacks , the New York-based watchdog said . `` Hamas rocket attacks targeting Israeli civilians are unlawful and unjustifiable , and amount to war crimes , '' said Iain Levine , program director at Human Rights Watch . `` As the governing authority in Gaza , Hamas should publicly renounce rocket attacks on Israeli civilian centers and punish those responsible , including members of its own armed wing . '' A spokesman for Hamas , Sami Abu Zuhri , criticized the report , claiming Palestinians had the right to defend themselves against Israeli military operations . `` The report is not fair , '' he said . `` It should condemn the -LRB- Israeli military -RRB- crimes instead of condemning people who defend themselves . `` The international law gives them the right to defend themselves because they are occupied . We have the right to defend our land . '' During Israel 's offensive into Gaza during December and January , Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants claimed to have fired 820 rockets at Israel , the report said . Human Rights Watch said the use of homemade Qassam and Soviet-designed Grad rockets to strike at densely populated areas amounted to indiscriminate attacks on civilians because the weapons can not be aimed with any reliability . The watchdog found no evidence that Palestinian armed groups had deliberately used civilians as shields in rocket attacks . But it said militants took insufficient precautions to avoid putting civilian lives in danger . `` Hamas forces violated the laws of war both by firing rockets deliberately or indiscriminately at Israeli cities and by launching them from populated areas and endangering Gazan civilians , '' Levine said . Human Rights Watch has also documented war violations by Israeli forces during its three-week offensive into Gaza . While Israeli military operations had been more harmful , killing hundreds of civilians with airstrikes , tank shelling and other assaults , `` violations by one party to a conflict never justify violations by the other , '' it said . `` Attacks targeting civilians are never permitted under the laws of war , which require armed forces to target only military objectives , and to take all feasible precautions to spare civilians from harm , regardless of the reasons for resorting to armed conflict . '' The United Nations is investigating violations by both sides and is due to report to the U.N. Human Rights Council in September . | Human Rights Watch : Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel are war crimes . HRW urges Hamas , which controls Gaza , to bring those reponsible to account . Hamas spokesman : Palestinians have right to defend themselves . Two Israelis killed , dozens injured in rocket attacks since last November . | [[0, 25], [91, 151], [122, 126], [154, 214], [1178, 1273], [122, 126], [154, 214], [765, 795], [790, 795], [804, 817], [820, 875], [1543, 1564], [1584, 1605], [1543, 1564], [1608, 1643], [1617, 1702], [1953, 1991], [344, 429]] |
LONDON , England -- Malaria is one of the world 's worst health problems and one of its biggest killers , with half a billion people affected every year , according to the Roll Back Malaria partnership . Around half a billion people are infected with malaria every year . Ninety percent of those cases are in Africa . Saturday marks World Malaria Day , when the world commemorates global efforts to eradicate the disease . Below CNN 's Vital Signs has produced a complete A - Z guide to how malaria spreads , the symptoms to look out for and how to protect yourself . A is for Anti-malarial drugs The history of anti-malarial medicine has been marked by a constant struggle between evolving drug-resistant parasites and the search for new drugs . Currently , anti-malaria experts are focusing on therapies that combine several drugs for better effects . B is for Blood stream Once a mosquito has bitten and the malaria parasites reach the liver , the parasites divide and create thousands of mature parasites . These are released into the blood and infect red blood cells . At that point , typical malaria symptoms such as fever and anemia develop . C is for Chloroquine Until recently , Chloroquine , an anti-malarial drug , was the first option for many people because of its relatively low price and effectiveness . However , resistance to Chloroquine in many parts of the world has rendered the drug ineffective . D is for Diagnosis After noting your symptoms and travel history , your doctor will likely obtain a sample of your blood for observation . Two blood samples , taken at six - and 12-hour intervals , can usually confirm the presence of the malaria parasite and its type . It is possible to be infected by more than one parasite at the same time . E is for Epidemic According to the World Health Organization -LRB- WHO -RRB- , large and devastating epidemics can occur when the mosquito-borne parasite is introduced into areas where people have had little prior contact with the infecting parasite . These epidemics can be triggered by wet weather conditions and further aggravated by floods or mass population movements driven by conflict . F is for Fever The most common symptom of all types of malarias is high fever , which is why doctors often misdiagnose malaria for flu . The fever is a reaction to toxins in the blood . It is therefore advised to tell your doctor you have been to a malaria affected zone , even if symptoms arise months after the trip . G is for Genome In 2002 , -- hundred years after it was discovered that mosquitoes transmit the malaria parasite -- the complete genetic codes of both the human malaria parasite and the mosquito that spreads it was cracked . This development brought scientists a step closer to developing drugs and vaccines to fight the disease , Nature magazine reported . H is for Hotspots Most cases and deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa , many of them occurring among children . However , Asia , Latin America , the Middle East and parts of Europe are also affected . In 2006 , malaria was present in 109 countries and territories . I is for Immunity Travelers from malaria-free regions such as Europe and the United States , with little or no immunity , who go to areas with high disease rates , are particularly vulnerable . It is essential to take precautions by taking anti-malarial drugs prescribed by your doctor . J is for Julius Wagner-Jauregg Julius Wagner-Jauregg , a Viennese doctor , was the first to intentionally infect syphilis patients with malaria parasites . By controlling the subsequent malaria-related fever with an anti-malaria drug , the effects of both syphilis and malaria could be minimized . Jauregg received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1927 . K is for Killer Malaria is a life-threatening disease but it is preventable and curable if the right steps are taken . Education in recognizing the symptoms has reduced the number of cases in some areas by 20 percent . Recognizing the disease in the early stages can stop the disease from becoming a killer . L is for Laser gun U.S. scientists say they are developing a laser gun that could kill millions of mosquitoes in minutes . The laser fires at mosquitoes once it detects the audio frequency created by the beating of wings , the lead scientist on the project told CNN . The project is being funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation . M is for Mosquitoes Malaria is caused by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquitoes . The mosquitoes bite between sunset and sunrise and parasites from the mosquito are then injected into the person 's skin and transported to the liver . About 170 species of such parasites exist , but only four cause malaria in humans . N is for Nets The distribution of mosquito nets with insecticide is a very effective method of malaria prevention , and it is also one of the most cost-effective methods . These nets can often be obtained for around $ 3 . Earlier this month , actor Ashton Kutcher won a Twitter race against CNN to reach 1 million followers . Kutcher had pledged 10,000 mosquito nets to charity if he beat CNN , and 1,000 if he lost . CNN agreed to do the same . O is for Obstacles In many endemic areas , access to health facilities , as well as drug costs , still present major obstacles . Humanitarian agency Medecins Sans Frontieres estimates that the cost of treating a malaria-infected person in an endemic country was between $ 0.25 and $ 2.40 per dose in 2002 . P is for Pandemic For malaria to become a pandemic -LRB- plague -RRB- in an area , several factors have to be present : high human population density ; high mosquito population density ; high rates of transmission from humans to mosquitoes and from mosquitoes to humans . Q is for Quinine Quinine was the first effective treatment for malaria in the 17th century . Since the 1940 's , many other anti-malarial drugs have appeared on the market and have taken precedent over quinine . But quinine is still being used to treat malaria in some cases . R is for Repellent The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says inspect repellents with DEET -LRB- most common active ingredient in strong insecticides -RRB- in them should be used on exposed skin and flying-insect spray can be used to kill mosquitoes in the sleeping area . DEET may be toxic , however and should be used with care . S is for Symptoms Fever is not the only symptom of malaria . Other symptoms can include shivers , headaches and nausea . Sweating and exhaustion is also common and in some cases , it can affect the brain or kidneys . T is for Tablets Malarone is a common anti-malaria drug among many travelers . It is said to have a 97 percent efficacy with relatively few side-effects . It can be given just one day before arrival in a malaria endemic country and only needs to be taken for another week after leaving . U is for Unborn child According to the WHO , pregnant women are at high risk of contracting malaria . The illness can result in high rates of miscarriages and cause more than 10 percent of maternal deaths annually . This figure can rise to 50 percent in cases of severe disease . V is for Vaccine Despite intensive research , no effective malaria vaccine has been developed to date . But according to a report in April 's New Scientist journal , a unique vaccine taken from the saliva of infected mosquitoes has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be tested in people . W is for World Malaria Day April 25 has become World Malaria Day to provide a global effort to control malaria around the world . The international malaria community only has two years left to meet the 2010 targets of delivering effective protection and treatment to all people at risk of malaria , as called for by the UN Secretary-General , Ban Ki-Moon . X is for X-ray X-ray microscopes are used to find the presence of malaria in red blood cells and see how they interact with healthy cells . One of the advantages of this type of microscope is that it produces very-high-resolution images of the cell structure . Y is for Yellow fever Yellow fever is another disease transmitted by mosquitoes . Some countries , such as Peru , require a certificate showing yellow-fever vaccination before you can travel there . Z is for Zanzibar Zanzibar , part of the African republic of Tanzania , has had relative successes in combating malaria ; Africa 's biggest killer according to the New Scientist journal . The achievements are due to the widespread use of treated bed nets , along with the switch to new anti-malarial drugs instead of Chloroquine in 2004 . | World Malaria Day on April 25 highlights the danger of malaria and calls for action . According to the WHO there were 247 million cases of malaria in 2006 . 880,000 people died of malaria in 2006 , a preventable and curable disease . | [[318, 350], [7453, 7488], [7462, 7544], [3796, 3825]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. military said it is investigating claims from Syria that U.S. helicopters based in Iraq killed eight people and wounded another Sunday in an attack inside Syria 's territory Sunday . A U.S. army Apache helicopter flies over southern Baghdad , Iraq . Syria 's state news agency SANA said four U.S. helicopters crossed the border and struck a farm about 8 kilometers -LRB- 5 miles -RRB- inside Syria before returning to Iraqi airspace . The raid occurred about 4:45 p.m. -LRB- 1345 GMT -RRB- . The helicopters hit a civilian building under construction on the farm , killing a father and his four sons , a married couple and another man , SANA said . Syria 's deputy foreign minister contacted the U.S. embassies in Damascus and Baghdad , SANA said . Military officials are investigating the claims , Sgt. Brooke Murphy , a U.S. military spokeswoman , told CNN . `` Unfortunately , we can not confirm anything at the moment , '' she said . The attack occurred near the town of Al-Bukamal , which is home to a Red Crescent camp for Iraqi refugees . The town is across the border from the Iraqi city of Qaim , which has been a major route for Sunni Arab fighters battling U.S. troops in Iraq . Watch CNN 's Cal Perry explain the implications of the possible attack '' Syria has said it has made efforts to secure the 600-km desert border , which is marked largely by a sand wall . But Maj. Gen. John Kelly , the U.S. commander in western Iraq 's sprawling Anbar province , told reporters last week that much of the border remains `` uncontrolled . '' `` We still have a certain level of foreign fighter movement , not much , through Anbar , because of our activities out there , '' Kelly said . But he said Iraqi intelligence believes al Qaeda operatives and others `` live pretty openly on the Syrian side , and periodically we know that they try to come across . '' Syria demanded Iraq 's government `` immediately investigate this serious violation '' and bar U.S. forces from striking Syria from its territory . The Syrian government summoned U.S. and Iraqi diplomats to the Foreign Ministry in Damascus to condemn the attack , SANA reported . CNN 's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report , Nada Husseini , Mike Mount and Cal Perry contributed to this report . | State news agency says 3 men , 1 woman , 4 children killed near Iraq-Syria border . SANA says 4 helicopters from Iraq crossed border about 5 miles into Syria , hit farm . Syrian government summons U.S. , Iraqi diplomats to Foreign Ministry in Damascus . U.S. Military says it is investigating claims , can not confirm anything right now . | [[520, 535], [593, 627], [677, 762], [2040, 2153], [0, 15], [19, 101], [777, 845], [908, 949]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A militant Islamist group associated with al Qaeda has for the first time threatened to attack Israel , far from its normal base of operations in Somalia . Al-Shabab , which is fighting to control the east African country , accused Israel of `` starting to destroy '' the Al Aqsa mosque , where standoffs have taken place recently between Israeli police and Palestinians . The mosque is part of the complex that Jews call the Temple Mount and Muslims call Haram al-Sharif . `` The Jews started to destroy parts of the holy mosque of Al Aqsa and they routinely kill our Palestinian brothers , so we are committed to defend our Palestinian brothers , '' said Mukhtar Robow Abu Mansur , a prominent Al-Shabab commander . His threat was part of a series of fiery sermons delivered after Friday prayers in Baidoa in southwest Somalia . Al-Shabab controls the region , which is part of a country that has been without an effective national government for nearly 20 years . Other leaders of the group also threatened Israel , the first time the group is known to have done so . `` We will transfer and expand our fighting in the Middle East so we can defend Al Aqsa mosque from the Israelis , '' Al-Shabab commander Abdifatah Aweys Abu Hamza said in Mogadishu , the Somali capital . He is apparently the leader of a new Al-Shabab armed group calling themselves `` Mujahedin Al Aqsa , '' or `` Al Aqsa Holy Warriors , '' which they said is assigned to attack Israel . It is not clear whether Al-Shabab has the capacity to carry out its threats against Israel . But Rashid Abdi of the International Crisis Group , speaking last week before al-Shabab issued its threats against Israel , warned that the group should be taken seriously . `` We should not underestimate the capacity of Al-Shabab , '' he said . `` This is a deadly organization , a formidable foe . '' Abdi said the group had been mutating from a nationalist group into a terrorist organization more like al Qaeda , which was behind the September 11 , 2001 attacks on the United States . `` If you look at the rhetoric and language and if you look at the Web sites , if you hear their preachers or their scholars speak , it is completely indistinguishable from al Qaeda leaders , '' Abdi said . The group has also become more vicious in Somalia , a local human rights expert said . `` The most gruesome and gross violations of human rights are committed by Al-Shabab , '' activist Hassan Shire Sheikh said . `` They have also instilled fear . They just shoot , they kill , they maim and they lash . '' The group also threatened African neighbors on Friday , including Ethiopia , Djibouti , Kenya , Eritrea , Ghana , Sudan and Uganda . They have in the past threatened African nations that provide peacekeeping troops to the war-torn country . The U.S. State Department Country Reports on Terrorism from April lists Al-Shabab as a terrorist organization and blames it for shootings and suicide bombings inside Somalia . It does not list the group as having carried out violence outside Somalia , but says some members of the group have trained and fought alongside al Qaeda in Afghanistan . Somalia has been mired in chaos since 1991 , when warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and sparked brutal clan infighting . The transitional government has struggled to establish authority , challenged by Islamist groups like Al-Shabab that have seized control of Mogadishu and much of the south . CNN 's David McKenzie in Nairobi , Kenya , contributed to this report . | Al-Shabab accuses Israel of `` starting to destroy '' the Al Aqsa mosque . `` We are committed to defend our Palestinian brothers , '' Al-Shabab commander says . It is not clear whether Al-Shabab has the capacity to carry out its threats against Israel . Somalia has been mired in chaos since 1991 , when warlords overthrew its dictator . | [[175, 184], [243, 305], [496, 559], [611, 665], [1479, 1529], [3163, 3205], [3213, 3259]] |
-LRB- InStyle.com -RRB- -- Daring in her fashion choices and her roles -- this summer she plays Agent 99 in `` Get Smart '' -- Anne Hathaway is the perfect candidate to answer questions about developing your own unique personal style . Anne Hathaway wears a Valentino satin coat and La Crasia leather gloves at an InStyle photoshoot . Curvaceous and kooky , interesting and interested , Hathaway is a multidimensional gal . In an age of nonstop tabloid exhibitionism , she stands out as a beacon of confident allure . Within a short period of time , the young actress has graduated from fashion ingénue to a woman who navigates the designer realm with intrepid spirit and lashings of wit . Now that she has her bearings , Hathaway is ready to express her individuality . Watch how Anne Hathaway changes her style '' She arrives for our meeting looking well scrubbed , bohemian and totally incognito : Her navy jacket is from Et Vous in Paris ; the jeans , True Religion ; the flats , Lanvin ; and the bag , Anya Hindmarch . An Yves Saint Laurent lapis lazuli ring and Ugandan handcrafted beads from Beadforlife.org are all the embellishment she needs . It seems to me that nowadays some stars confuse being stylish with dressing really slutty . What 's your take ? I 've always been on the conservative side when it comes to showing skin . I 'm from that school where you show one part of your body , not all of it . So compared to the girls you 're talking about , I 'm quite prim ... -LSB- But -RSB- sometimes you just make mistakes . I once wore a see-through dress to an event , but I had absolutely no idea ... You did n't do the lighting test ! And I have never not done the lighting test after that . At the end of the day , you have to dress in what you 're comfortable in . If you 're at ease in a bikini top and a miniskirt -- though I certainly would n't be -- go for it . Can you talk about your style philosophy ? If you 're going to be glamorous , it has to be tempered with eccentricity so that it incorporates your own personality . Dressing up is great , but you need a twist . And one of my biggest style influences has been Rachel Zoe , who introduced me to glamour . Now I 'm kind of pushing her a little bit to explore the eccentric side . Lately , I 've been having a lot more fun with how I dress . I am braving the idea of ending up on a worst-dressed list , but I 'm also a lot happier with what I wear . What 's the most tragic thing you wore in high school ? So many things ! I was still recovering from Clueless when I was in high school , so probably one too many baby-doll skirts with baby Ts , knee socks , mary janes and barrettes . Maybe the occasional pair of flannel pajama pants during finals week . I do n't let myself get that slobby these days . What does the word `` chic '' mean to you ? I instantly think of Audrey Hepburn -- she could do no wrong . Her style was revolutionary . She was ladylike without being stuffy . And I also love Tilda Swinton , Cate Blanchett and Selma Blair , who is so fabulous . Any other Hollywood icons lurking in your closet ? I 'm currently having a Gwen Stefani moment . I just bought some beautiful shorts from her fashion line , LAMB . Do you enjoy the whole red-carpet circus ? For a while it was very new and very frightening , and I would just work myself up so in all my photos I looked like I was staring down the barrel of a gun . I do n't beat myself up about it anymore . Did you care when the tabloids ragged on your white Valentino dress with the black bow at the 2007 Oscars ? I consider it a good sign when you end up on best - and worst-dressed lists . If you 're universally best , then you 've been quite boring . Let 's talk about `` Get Smart '' : Is it retro , or did they update the groovy sixties vibe of Agent 99 's look ? It 's groovy in a different way . There are some things that are very mod , but we 're not making Austin Powers 4 -- it 's not a spoof . It 's more like a comedic Bourne Identity . Watch Hathaway , other stars talk about movie '' I wore a few body-hugging dresses , which was so fun since I 'm not used to them . I did inherit 99 's Chanel bag addiction , and I was very happy about that . I have a ton of action sequences , and I had to be able to fight in every single outfit . Beyond swinging a Chanel handbag , did you do anything in particular to get into shape for this role ? I started working out about three months before the film began . I wanted to be curvy and muscle-y . I took my body inspiration from Jessica Biel . I did n't quite get those results , but she 's great . David Kirsch , my trainer , has made sure that I am no longer self-conscious about my thighs . Eventually my knees are going to be all wrinkly and I 'm not going to be able to wear things like short skirts , so I take pleasure in wearing them now . Next you play a bridezilla opposite Kate Hudson in `` Bride Wars . '' Did you get to wear show-stopping bridal gowns ? I really ca n't say too much , but there 's a fantastic scene where we 're both in our dresses and we do absolutely terrible things to each other . Get a FREE TRIAL issue of InStyle - CLICK HERE ! Copyright © 2009 Time Inc. . All rights reserved . | Anne Hathaway plays Agent 99 in the movie `` Get Smart '' The actress says she 's more conservative than most in her style . Audrey Hepburn and Gwen Stefani are among her style icons . Hathaway started working out three months before filming the movie . | [[74, 123], [1265, 1339], [4403, 4467]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Striker Carlos Vela has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal , the English Premier League club have announced on their official Web site . The Mexican international signed for Arsenal after coming through the youth ranks at Guadalajara and has subsequently had loan spells at Spanish sides Celta Vigo , Salamanca and Osasuna . The 20-year-old made his Arsenal debut last season , bursting onto the scene with a Carling Cup hat-trick against Sheffield United in September 2008 . Manager Arsene Wenger told the Web site : `` We 're delighted that Carlos Vela has signed a new long-term contract with the club . Carlos is a fantastic talent and we have already seen glimpses of this during his performances . '' The Frenchman continued : `` Let 's remember , he is still only 20-years-old , so there is still a huge amount to come from this boy . `` We have invested a lot of time in Carlos , as we put him in Spain for two years to get some good experience . `` Now he 's back with us , we 're working hard with him every day and he is a very exciting player . `` We 're looking forward to seeing Carlos score many goals in an Arsenal shirt for a long time to come . '' Vela said : `` I 'm very happy to sign a new contract and I 'm very excited to be spending more years with Arsenal Football Club . `` I just want to work hard and help this great club win trophies . I want to stay here for a long time and it 's a great responsibility . I will keep working hard to show the boss and all the fans why I 'm here . '' Vela played against Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday but he was one of the biggest culprits as Arsenal squandered a number of chances . He is the 11th first-team player to commit his long-term future to Arsenal since the end of last season . Vela , Eduardo , Sanchez Watt , Alex Song , Nicklas Bendtner , Denilson , Robin van Persie , Theo Walcott , Lukasz Fabianski , Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere have all recently signed new long-term extensions with the club . | Mexican striker Carlos Vela has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal . The 20-year-old made his Arsenal debut last season , bursting onto the scene with a Carling Cup hat-trick . He is the 11th first-team player to commit his long-term future to Arsenal since the end of last season . | [[0, 15], [19, 87], [550, 635], [354, 404], [354, 369], [407, 487], [0, 15], [19, 87], [550, 635], [1694, 1799], [1700, 1799], [1800, 1962], [1983, 2023], [1800, 1957], [1967, 2023]] |
NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH , Massachusetts -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Ron Hassell stares at one really worn-out brown leather loafer . Ron Hassell has seen his share of heels . And soles . His grandfather taught him the shoe-repair trade . `` This is a shoe I do n't want to tackle , '' he grimaces as his finger traces holes on the bottom . `` I tried to talk the guy out of fixing it , believe it or not . '' The cobbler grabs a tool to rip off the entire sole . `` Some guys get a favorite pair of shoes . ... as you can tell , this guy wore this one to death . '' He brings one of the shoes to a grinder that files down the last of the old sole and heel . `` It 'll look brand new when I 'm done , '' Hassell says . Hassell 's shoe repair business , tucked into the corner of a three-story building in downtown North Attleborough , Massachusetts , is a trade and a tradition . The shop he now owns , North Shoe Repair , once belonged to his grandfather , who taught him everything he knows about being a cobbler . `` He was one of the best , '' Ron says , and he knows this because that 's what all the salesmen -- the ones who sold products to all the local shoe repair shops -- would tell him . There are not a lot of cobblers left in the area , but Hassell 's business has been steady and has even picked up in the last year . He sees the economy as one reason . It 's far more economical to spend $ 12.50 on a pair of $ 125 shoes than to buy new ones . Hassell , however , sees another reason for being busy . With few young people entering the trade , customers seek out cobblers when theirs retire . `` I used to be the youngest that I knew of , because I started when I was twenty . Of course I 'm close to fifty now , and I 'm still probably one of the youngest around here . '' Watch the craftsman at work '' He continues to work on the really beat-up pair he did n't want to face . He uses special cutting and sewing machines to attach new leather to the bottom . Glue is pasted onto parts and the grinding machine is visited several times , both to sand off rough edges and later to polish them to a shine . He 'll go back and forth to the various shoes that have been brought in and stop to wait on people bringing in his next challenge to repair . His customers seem satisfied with the results they get , and some have been loyal to his business for years . `` I came when his grandfather was here , '' says Inez Cavallaro , who had come to the shop to pick up a pair of sandals Hassell had fixed . `` I hope he always stays here , because he 's great . `` He has done some magical things for me . '' The comments do n't go unnoticed by Hassell . `` You know , what 's pretty cool is , customers , they get pretty happy . You get that all the time , and it makes you feel good . '' Using an old shoe brush to polish what had started the day as a hopeless pair of old shoes , Hassell puts the final touches on what now look like shoes just bought from a store . `` Better than I thought they were going to come out , '' he says , looking them over one last time . Hassell says he enjoys his craft because he knows what he does is appreciated . As one customer leaves his shop and says goodbye , she stops in the door and turns around . She looks back at Hassell and says , `` Do n't go out of business , now ! '' As long as he can , that 's something Ron Hassell has no intention of doing . | Shoe-repair business is a trade and a tradition in small Massachusetts shop . Repairman cites economic downturn as factor in current uptick in his trade . It 's far more economical to have shoes repaired rather than buying new ones . Some customers have been coming to shoe-repair shop for years . | [[704, 735], [836, 864], [1318, 1353], [1354, 1444], [2306, 2358]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- One summer night in 2004 , 3-year-old Riley Fox lay asleep on a couch not far from her 6-year-old brother on a chair in the living room . Their father was sleeping in a nearby bedroom . The FBI joined the search for the killer of 3-year-old Riley Fox last month . Just before 8 a.m. , Kevin Fox was awakened by his son . The boy told his father that Riley was missing from the sofa . Fox searched for his daughter for 40 minutes inside and outside their Wilmington , Illinois , home and then called police , according to authorities . His wife , Melissa , was in Chicago participating in a charity walk , and when she found out , she rushed home . Nearly 500 volunteers , along with police and family , searched for the little girl . Her body was found later that day in a river in Forked Creek , Illinois , just 4 miles from the family 's home . She 'd been bound and gagged with duct tape , raped and drowned , according to the Will County Sheriff 's Office and the coroner 's report . It was June 6 , 2004 , the start of a horrific ordeal for the family . Fox was arrested and charged with the killing , only to be exonerated by DNA evidence . More than five years later , authorities have yet to capture Riley 's killer . Kathleen Zellner , Fox 's attorney , said that the crime scene was brutal and that the theory is that Riley was snatched from her home , sexually assaulted and then thrown from the bridge overlooking the river where she drowned . Because her hands were bound and her mouth covered with duct tape , she was unable to swim or save herself , Zellner said . According to Zellner , Fox says that the night his daughter disappeared , he had gone to a street fair while the children 's grandparents looked after them . On his way home , about midnight , Fox picked up his two sleepy children from their grandparents and put them to bed in the living room of the 500-square-foot cement box family home . Riley often fell asleep on the sofa and her 6-year-old brother on the chair near her while watching TV , Zellner said . Fox has said the front door was wide open when he awoke , Zellner said , as was the back door . He has said he locked the front door before he 'd gone to bed . The back door 's lock had been broken weeks ago ; they typically propped a stack of laundry baskets against it to keep it shut . According to the family , those baskets had been removed and placed on top of the laundry machine by someone other than family members . `` From the beginning , we believed that someone was already inside the house waiting when Kevin got home with the kids that night , '' Melissa Fox said . `` But it was clear that police were looking at Kevin suspiciously . '' Indeed , five months later , Will County sheriff 's officers arrested and charged Kevin Fox with the sexual assault and murder of his daughter . Zellner says the arrest came after authorities coerced a confession from him after 14 hours of relentless questioning . Fox spent eight months in jail , but DNA evidence from the rape kit conducted on Riley 's body finally exonerated him . There was no semen found during the autopsy , Zellner says , but saliva of an unidentified male was found on the duct tape covering Riley 's mouth and elsewhere on her body . In late 2007 , the family won a $ 15.5 million wrongful-arrest suit against the sheriff 's detectives . The Foxes believe that the perpetrator was someone in the community who had been watching and targeting their daughter for some time . `` For weeks before her disappearance , I could n't shake a feeling of uneasiness , strange noises at night outside our house , as if someone were lurking and watching us , '' Melissa Fox said . Zellner believes that another big clue was a red car similar to a Chevrolet Cavalier parked outside the Fox home that night , before Kevin Fox and his children returned home . `` It 's only been in the last few weeks that investigators have actively begun pursuing this case again , '' Zellner said , `` even though Kevin was cleared nearly four years ago . '' Last month , the FBI joined the investigation at the request of Will County State Attorney James Glasgow . FBI agents combed Riley 's neighborhood and talked with neighbors and other potential witnesses . `` The FBI is bringing unprecedented resources and expertise to this investigation , '' Glasgow said in a statement . `` We can not allow this horrific crime against an innocent child to remain unsolved . '' The family is offering a $ 100,000 reward , and the FBI is offering $ 10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Riley Fox 's death . Anyone with more information is urged to call the FBI 's Chicago office at 312-421-6700 . | FBI joins investigation into death of 3-year-old Riley Fox , slain in 2004 . Riley was reported missing from home ; her body was found that day . Authorities initially charged father in the killing , but DNA exonerated him . Attorney for family blasts law enforcement for lack of progress on case . | [[214, 291], [762, 822], [1087, 1090], [1135, 1174], [3025, 3055], [3083, 3107]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An audio message purportedly from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has accused President Barack Obama of being unable to fulfil his election pledge to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq . Osama bin Laden is seen in an image taken from a videotape that aired on Al-Jazeera in September 2003 . The tape emerged on radical Islamist Web sites , just two days after the United States marked the eighth anniversary of the September 11 , 2001 , terror attacks . `` To the American people , this is my message to you : a reminder of the reasons behind 9/11 and the wars and the repercussions that followed and the way to resolve it , '' the message said . `` From the beginning , we have stated many times ... that the cause of our disagreement with you is your support of your allies , the Israelis , who are occupying our land in Palestine . Your stance along with some other grievances are what led us to carry out the events of 9/11 . '' The video plays the audio over a undated photograph of bin Laden . The video also shows a banner with the American flag as the backdrop and an image of the New York City skyline with the twin towers of the World Trade Center -- destroyed in the 9/11 attack -- still standing , said terrorism analyst Laura Mansfield . CNN could not independently authenticate bin Laden as the speaker in the 11-minute video posted on Sunday by As-Sahab Media -- al Qaeda 's production company . Watch CNN 's Octavia Nasr 's analysis of the message '' Obama was `` a vulnerable man who will not be able to stop the war , as he promised , but instead he will drag it to the maximum possible extent , '' the message said . Though U.S. troops no longer patrol Iraq 's major cities and a large number have left , tens of thousands remain in the country and are expected to stay for years to come . The message claims that the Obama administration is under the influence of the Republican White House it replaced , pointing out that the president kept Robert Gates as defense secretary -- a holdover from the Bush administration . `` Prolong the wars as much as you like . By God , we will never compromise on it -LRB- Palestine -RRB- , ever , '' the message continued . Mansfield noted that the video brings no new images of the elusive bin Laden , who was last seen in footage two years ago on the sixth anniversary of the terror attacks . Bin Laden has released audio messages since then , most recently on June 9 . | Obama is `` vulnerable man who will not be able to stop the war as he promised '' Message : `` By God , we will never compromise on it -LRB- Palestine -RRB- , ever '' CNN could not independently authenticate bin Laden as the speaker in the video . Al Qaeda 's production company , As-Sahab Media , posts the 11-minute video . | [[0, 15], [75, 165], [1480, 1509], [1493, 1509], [1514, 1546], [2096, 2157], [1264, 1352], [1333, 1387]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- What 's it really like to be a new member of the world 's most powerful legislature ? Two new U.S. representatives are teaming up with CNN.com to report their `` Freshman Year '' experience through videos and commentaries . Jason Chaffetz and Jared Polis are taking video cameras with them as they negotiate their way in the 111th Congress , both inside and outside Washington . They both won convincing victories in November in neighboring states , yet they are world 's apart . Utah 's Chaffetz is a conservative Republican married father of three who is sleeping on a cot in his congressional office to save money . Democrat Polis from Colorado is a former Internet entrepreneur who is one of the wealthiest members of Congress and the first openly gay male to be elected to the House of Representatives as a freshman . You can follow their stories regularly on CNN.com . Watch the action in Congress from the point of view of the Congressmen '' Here are their biographies : . • Jason Chaffetz . Rep. Jason Chaffetz is a freshman Republican congressman representing the 3rd District of Utah . He was elected in November , winning two-thirds of the vote against a Democratic challenger . Chaffetz , 41 , got the Republican nomination in an upset victory over Rep. Chris Cannon . He ousted the six-term incumbent in a low-budget campaign in which he said Cannon was not conservative enough for the district , particularly in fighting illegal immigration . Chaffetz grew up in California , Arizona and Colorado and was recruited to Brigham Young University to be a placekicker by football coach LaVell Edwards . He set two school records as the starting placekicker and earned a degree in communications . After college , Chaffetz joined the local business community and worked as a spokesman for Nu Skin International . Chaffetz stayed at Nu Skin for nearly 11 years , as managing director of marketing and product development and general manager for Australia and New Zealand . Watch the reports from Week One '' Chaffetz managed Jon Huntsman Jr. 's campaign for governor of Utah and after Huntsman took office in 2005 , he became his chief of staff . He has been married to Julie Johnson for 18 years and they have three children . • Jared Polis . Rep. Jared Polis is a freshman Democratic congressman representing the 2nd District of Colorado . He was elected in November to the seat held by Mark Udall , who ran and won for U.S. Senate . Polis defeated his Republican opponent , gaining 62 percent of the vote . His campaign stressed environmental issues , education reform , withdrawing troops from Iraq and repealing Bush administration tax cuts for the highest-income earners . He is the first openly gay male to be elected to Congress as a freshman . Polis , 33 , was born in Boulder , Colorado , and grew up in Colorado and Southern California . He was a student at Princeton University when he co-founded a company providing Internet access and Web hosting . Growing up in his family 's Boulder-based greeting card and publishing business , Blue Mountain Arts , he succeeded his grandmother as sales manager in 1996 and helped start bluemountainarts.com , an online greeting card Web site . In 1998 , he launched ProFlowers.com , a Web company to sell flowers direct from growers to consumers ; its parent company was sold to Liberty Media Corporation in 2006 . Jared won statewide election in 2000 to the Colorado Board of Education and served for six years . He started a foundation and two charter schools to support improvements in education and received numerous awards for his philanthropic work . Immediately before running for Congress , Polis served as superintendent of New America School , a charter school he founded to help 16-21-year-old new immigrants learn English and gain a high school diploma . | Two freshman representatives document their experience for CNN . Rep. Jared Polis is a Democrat representing Colorado 's Second district . Rep. Jason Chaffetz is a Republican representing Utah 's Third district . | [[105, 242], [154, 208], [2270, 2356], [2290, 2367], [1041, 1114]] |
Editor 's note : David B. Givens is Director of the Center for Nonverbal Studies in Spokane , Washington . He is the author of `` Love Signals : A Practical Field Guide to the Body Language of Courtship '' -LRB- St. Martin 's , New York , 2005 -RRB- , `` Crime Signals : How to Spot a Criminal Before You Become a Victim '' -LRB- St. Martin 's , 2008 -RRB- , and the forthcoming `` The Body of Work : Sightreading the Language of Business , Bosses , and Boardrooms . '' His online Nonverbal Dictionary is used around the world as a reference tool . Barack and Michelle Obama celebrate winning the Democratic nomination with a fist bump in 2008 . SPOKANE , Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The H1N1 swine flu virus is putting our most familiar gesture of greeting -- handshakes -- at risk . As an anthropologist who watches people for a living , I can tell you that human beings touch their own faces with their own fingertips hundreds , if not thousands of times a day . Repeated face touching -- especially finger contact with eyelids , lips , and nostrils -- is as predictable as blinking . You 'll observe hand-to-face gestures in every culture and society , as well as in our closest primate relatives , the monkeys and apes . There 's nothing wrong with face touching . Nothing , that is , unless you 're afraid of germs . And today , many of us around the world are terrified by these tiny organisms , especially ones that cause swine flu . Merely by shaking the hand of someone infected by the swine-flu virus , we risk infection each time we inadvertently reach up and touch our faces . Physicians urge that we wash right after shaking hands . But since the anthropologist in me knows that , as a primate , you 'll touch your face before washing , germs will inevitably visit unsuspecting lids , lip , and noses . The human handshake itself , meanwhile , is a widespread gesture used for meeting , greeting , and sealing a deal . It 's a ritualized gripping of another 's hand , with one or more up-and-down -LRB- or , in Texas , sideways -RRB- motions followed by a quick release . Since the fingertips and palm of the hand are exquisitely sensitive , the shake itself can be deeply personal . We instantly feel the warmth or coolness , dryness or moistness , and firmness or weakness of another 's grip . Sensory input from a hand 's thermal and pressure receptors to the brain 's sensory cortex and then to deeper , emotional brain areas can be intense . If you travel to France , be prepared to shake hands dozens of times a day . Office workers in Paris , for example , may shake in the morning to greet , and in the afternoon to say goodbye , to colleagues . Outside vendors and technicians will handshake with everyone present when they enter or leave an office . The risk of hand-carried flu virus is thus greater here than it is in the United States , where handshaking is far less frequent . Contrast this to the Japanese practice of giving fewer handshakes , still , in favor of polite bows of the head . In all three nations , casual face touching is frequent , but germs in Tokyo are less apt to spread through handshakes . In Islamic nations , it is strictly taboo for men to shake hands in public with women . So , Muslim couples are less likely to exchange swine-flu germs through manual contact than are business men and women in , say , Seattle , Washington . Since in much of the world a handshake is both a visual and a tactile index of your concern for other people , it 's hard to hold one back . In North America , Latin America , and Europe , when someone holds out a hand , it 's difficult not to just take a step forward and shake . You do n't want , after all , to seem rude . In Asia , South Asia , and the Middle East , handshaking may be more nuanced than in the West , or even absent . An Asian namasté , with your palms and fingers pressed together in front of your chest , given with a slight bow -- or a Muslim salaam , in which your right hand touches your forehead , also given with a slight bow , may be proffered instead of a handshake . While you 'll see the same incidence of facial touching -- to wipe a lip , relieve tension , or scratch an itch -- the fingertips themselves wo n't carry germs born of handshakes . So , what are we face-touchers in the rest of the world to do ? Are we doomed to spread flu germs through our practice of ritually of gripping each other 's hands ? The short answer is no . Thanks to a pair of the planet 's most well known human primates , we now have a healthier hand sign with which to meet and greet . Since the Obama-Lama `` fist bumps '' have been so well publicized of late , I 'm sure you 've seen it in newspapers and magazines and on Web sites and TV . Primates are the most imitative of all of Earth 's animals , so do n't be surprised if you find yourself bumping fists -- a lot -- in the weeks and months ahead . On September 22 , 2009 , the Dalai Lama was welcomed to Memphis , Tennessee , not with a handshake but with a fist bump from interim Memphis Mayor Myron Lowery . The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader balled up his fist and reached it forward to make friendly contact with the mayor 's own proffered balled-up fist . From his smiling face , I could tell the Dalai Lama enjoyed his new greeting ritual . It looked as if he were playing with the cue . Though it was unclear if either of the fist-bumpers had flu phobia , that they touched with the knuckles instead of the fingertips rendered disease transmission far less likely . A year earlier , on June 3 , 2008 , then-Illinois Sen. Barack Obama tenderly fist bumped with his wife Michelle , in what The Washington Post called `` the fist bump heard ` round the world . '' That a U.S. president publicly performed the fist bump -- a gesture that originated partly from the sportsman 's palm high-slap of victory and partly from the Black Power fist of the 1970s -- has given the gesture staying power , even though some people were critical of its use . It will last considerably longer than Andy Warhol 's `` 15 minutes of fame . '' Thanks to Barack Obama , the Dalai Lama , and the swine flu , the fist bump will surely show up at a greeting near you . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Givens . | David Givens : H1N1 flu is prompting focus on how we greet each other . He says handshakes create risk of spreading the flu virus . Fist bumps are a less risky way of greeting people . Givens : Obamas and Dalai Lama have popularized the fist bump . | [[646, 653], [656, 682], [686, 759], [1444, 1507]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- US Airways Capt. Chesley `` Sully '' Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles were reunited in the cockpit Thursday for the first time since Sullenberger safely landed a disabled passenger plane in the Hudson River in January . Thursday 's flight was Chesley Sullenberger 's first in his new role as an active management pilot for US Airways . `` It was great to fly with Jeff again . Being back in the cockpit felt very familiar . It was like coming home , '' Sullenberger said of the flight from New York 's LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte , North Carolina . `` Even though several months had past since I 've flown , it would seem like I had never left . '' It was the first time Sullenberger had flown the New York to Charlotte route since the water on landing on January 15 . A bird strike in the engines forced Flight 1549 to make an emergency landing in the icy waters between New York and New Jersey . The landing made heroes of Sullenberger and the flight 's crew , who managed to lead passengers to safety with only a few minor injuries . Watch Sullenberger talk about the flight '' Sullenberger has been honored with numerous awards , appeared on the `` Late Show With David Letterman , '' spoke before a joint session of Congress and even went to the Super Bowl . Sullenberger said that , after the incident , he wanted to be reunited in the cockpit with Skiles and complete the flight . Cheers filled the cabin when Sullenberger introduced himself , adding he had `` learned to wait '' for applause to die down before giving preflight announcements . Four passengers from Flight 1549 returned for Thursday 's trip , putting their lives once again in the hands of the man they affectionately call `` Sully . '' Christie Spears , who survived the `` miracle on the Hudson , '' reserved the same seat for today 's trip . `` What better flight to be on ? What better captain to fly with ? I would n't choose any other one , '' she said . Barry Leonard , a regular commuter on the New York-Charlotte route , said the flight was a healing process for him . Other passengers said they felt like they were taking part in a historic event . With `` Sully '' at the controls , Pat Martinez said she felt like she won the lottery . `` It was a smooth , calm flight -- just what you would expect from Sully . '' Thursday 's flight also was Sullenberger 's first in his new role as an active management pilot for US Airways . In addition to his flying duties , Sullenberger will join the airline 's flight operations safety management team , which helps airlines assess potential risks and act to mitigate them , US Airways said . Both men took time off before returning to the cockpit , US Airways said , during which they completed requalification training . Skiles returned to work in April , US Airways said . Since then , he has flown more than 60 flights . Sullenberger completed his training September 11 , and since the crash , he has flown two flights between Charlotte and Atlanta . Sullenberger said he plans to step back from his flying duties while he goes on a book tour in two weeks and starts teach other pilots at the flight training school . Skiles said that even after eight months away from the controls , Sullenberger did everything perfectly , even reaching over to his radio to change the frequency . Sullenberger said the clear skies and nice weather made Thursday 's flight go smoothly . `` It was a beautiful day to fly , '' he said . `` This flight today was a lot longer than that one in January , and I was able to give -LSB- CEO Doug Parker -RSB- back his airplane without getting it wet first . '' CNN 's Adam Reiss contributed to this report . | NEW : Four passengers from ill-fated flight in January make trip on same route . NEW : Passenger reserves same seat she had on Flight 1549 for Thursday 's flight . Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles reunite in cockpit . Sullenberger : `` Being back in the cockpit felt very familiar . It was like coming home '' | [[1587, 1649], [1587, 1619], [1652, 1706], [1808, 1853], [0, 15], [73, 251], [409, 434], [409, 455], [456, 479]] |
San Juan , Puerto Rico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Investigators do n't know if the massive fire at a fuel storage facility near San Juan was deliberately started or was an accident , the agent in charge of the FBI 's San Juan office said Monday . The blaze , which started with an explosion at the Caribbean Petroleum Corp. facility in Bayamon municipality early Friday , was extinguished Sunday , firefighters said . Some of the tanks continued to smolder and crews stood ready to fight any flare-up . `` We do n't know if it 's a crime scene , '' said FBI Special Agent Luis Fraticelli . `` We do n't know if it 's an accident , so we 're not making any determinations at this point until our experts do their work , do their analysis and then provide input to us as to what they feel happened here . '' Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States . The FBI is investigating graffiti found on two San Juan tunnels that referred to a fire , Special Agent Harry Rodriguez said Friday . A spray-painted message on the tunnels , less than three miles apart , said : `` Boom , fire , RIP , Gulf , Soul , ACNF . '' Caribbean Petroleum owns the Gulf Oil brand , but Rodriguez said he did not know what ACNF referred to . Hundreds of firefighters battled the blaze , which began with an explosion early Friday morning . That explosion shook the ground with the force of a 2.8-magnitude earthquake , authorities said . Flames shot into the air while plumes of thick , black smoke hovered over the region . Agents from the FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives were investigating to determine whether the explosion was an act of sabotage or an accident . Seventeen tanks were destroyed by flames and the initial explosion . Puerto Rico 's governor , Luis Fortuno , said the main priority of his government is to counter any long-term effects of air and water pollution caused by the disaster . Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency have been checking air quality near the fire . `` We 're not finding levels that would be of concern , '' said Bonnie Bellow , EPA spokeswoman . She said the fire had been so intense because it was `` burning off chemicals that are part of the fuel . '' About 600 displaced people stayed in shelters on Sunday night , but many were being sent home . Dr. Lorenzo Gonzalez , Puerto Rico 's health secretary , tests conducted on the air and water showed no reason for concern . Because they were placed in close proximity in the facilities , everyone in the shelters and all the emergency personnel were vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus as a precaution , Gonzalez said . President Obama declared an emergency in Puerto Rico , which frees up federal aid . Fortuno said the blaze has cost the island at least $ 6.4 million . The governor sought to allay fears over gasoline supplies . Caribbean Petroleum owns 200 gas stations in the island and several inland distribution facilities , and supplies much of the island 's fuel . Puerto Rico will receive 3.6 million gallons of regular gasoline , more than 1 million gallons of premium gasoline and more than 1 million gallons of diesel fuel to help make up for what may have been lost , Fortuno said . The company has been cited for violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act , the main law in the United States that deals with the disposal of solid and hazardous wastes , according to EPA spokeswoman Bellow . Caribbean Petroleum is under a corrective-action plan , she said . CNN 's Rafael Romo and Arthur Brice contributed to this report . | Blaze started with massive explosion early Friday . Graffiti found in two San Juan tunnels made reference to fires . Puerto Rico to receive fuel imports to make up for what burned . | [[239, 248], [257, 348], [1245, 1254], [1263, 1309], [848, 911], [891, 911], [917, 935], [982, 1050], [1053, 1057], [1061, 1106]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Clouds of black smoke from burning plastic hang over the sites of Nigeria 's vast dumps , as tiny figures pick their way through slicks of oily water , past cracked PC monitors and television screens . Toxins from dumped electronics in developing countries has been seen as a growing problem . But it is n't just a cut from broken glass these mainly young scavengers are risking . Much of the discarded electronic kit contains tiny -- but valuable -- quantities of aluminum , copper , cadmium and other minerals , all of which can be sold on , if they can be recovered . However they also contain highly toxic materials , which have been linked to reproductive problems and cancers . `` People living and working on and around the dump sites , many of whom are children , are exposed to a cocktail of dangerous chemicals that can cause severe damage to health , including cancer , damage to the nervous system and to brain development in children , '' Kim Schoppink , Toxics Campaigner at Greenpeace , told CNN . `` The open burning creates even more hazardous chemicals among which are cancerous dioxins . '' No studies have been done on the extent of the chemical pollution of such sites in Nigeria , but in 2008 a Greenpeace report on similar dumps in nearby Ghana confirmed that high levels of lead , phthalates and dioxins were present in soils and the water of a nearby lagoon . A Chinese academic report published in `` Environmental Health Perspectives '' in 2007 confirmed that children living in the same area had higher levels of toxic metals in their blood than other children living nearby . There is increasing evidence that this new health and environment problem is arriving in shipping containers from Western countries . Nigeria is one of the principal global destinations for `` e-waste '' -- the catch-all term for discarded consumer electronics . Some of this may have been legitimately handed in to be recycled in an EU or U.S. city , but lax enforcement , vague legislation and a lack of political will has meant that it instead passes through a network of traders keen to profit from developing countries ' hunger for hi-tech and a burgeoning second hand market . According to the United Nations Environment Program around 20 to 50 million tons of e-waste are generated worldwide each year . In 2008 a Greenpeace study , `` Not in My Backyard '' , found that in Europe only 25 percent of the e-waste was recycled safely . In the U.S. it is only 20 percent and in developing countries it is less than one percent . Extrapolating out from these figures the report concluded that a massive 80 percent of e-waste generated worldwide is not properly recycled . Some is burnt in Western incinerators or buried in landfill sites . But much is exported to developing countries including India , China , Pakistan , Nigeria and Ghana . When it arrives , a further percentage may be repaired and sold on to populations desperate for affordable technology . But anything beyond the skills of local traders will end up dumped . It 's a profitable business , and is already attracting the attention of organized crime . A report issued by the United Nations in July said that the criminal gangs behind much of the drug trade in West Africa were becoming involved with e-waste trading . The volume of material on the move is staggering . In 2005 , more than 500 containers full of e-waste entered Nigerian ports every month , according to the Basel Action Network , a U.S. NGO campaigning on issues surrounding toxic waste . Each one contains 10 to 15 tons of e-waste , totaling 60,000 to 90,000 tons per year . These figures are likely to have increased in recent years . There seems little doubt that much of this waste is finding its way to Africa from Western countries . The Basel Action Network and Dutch NGO Danwatch have traced equipment from Europe to Nigerian dumps and earlier this year Greenpeace placed a radio tracking device in a broken TV handed in for safe recycling in the UK , but followed it to a Nigerian market . `` Greenpeace is disappointed especially by U.S. and EU authorities , '' said Schoppink . `` It is toxic waste from the U.S. and EU countries that is causing serious environmental and health problems in Nigeria , a country without the means to deal with this problem . `` The U.S. and EU must play the biggest role in stopping the spread of e-waste ; they are most responsible for the problem and have the resources to tackle it . The export of e-waste from the EU is illegal under the Basel Convention and the Waste Shipment Directive , but the laws are not being sufficiently implemented . In the U.S. , there is no such law banning this practice . `` In Nigeria the government is talking about stopping imports , but there has been no progress on this to date . '' Signs of progress . There are calls from environmental groups likes Greenpeace for electronics producers to do more to phase out their use of hazardous substances , and there are some signs of progress . Several electronics companies already make products using fewer hazardous substances , and others , including Nokia , Philips and Samsung are setting up voluntary collection and recycling systems in countries where they are not legally obliged to . Apple claims its products are now almost entirely free of the worst toxic chemicals . `` If producers continue to use hazardous chemicals in their electronics and to fail to take responsibility for the safe disposal of their products , e-waste will continue to be dumped in developing countries , '' said Schoppink . `` The pollution and related health problems in countries where e-waste is dumped will increase massively as the amount of electronics used worldwide is growing exponentially and the number of countries used as dump sites will grow . '' But while the developing world needs the U.S. and EU to take responsibility for their waste , it also needs their discarded computers to train and build a 21st century workforce . `` Nobody is arguing that Africa should be denied access to computers , '' said Tony Roberts , Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Computer Aid International , a charity licensed by the UK Environment Agency , which provides recycled computers to developing countries to improve education and healthcare . `` Technical colleges and universities are always short of resources . It is , of course , essential to developing economies escaping poverty to have access to affordable modern technology . '' Computer Aid works to close the digital divide between the north and southern hemispheres and offers corporations , including Coca Cola , as well as individuals , a positive way of disposing of electronics . They also believe learning about responsibility for that technology is a crucial part of the exchange . `` Computer Aid argues that , in addition to the PCs , it is essential to also build the skills , knowledge and operating capacity in every country to manage responsible re-use programs and environmentally sound end-of-life recycling . '' In the end , this is about everyone involved -- particularly the developed nations -- taking responsibility for their waste . `` It is clear that companies have a moral obligation to treat Africa in exactly the same way that they do , say , Germany , '' said Roberts . Until then , toxic black smoke will continue to cast a shadow over lives across the developing world . | Export of electronic products for recycling creating health and environment problems . Developed nations that export e-waste criticized by many for lack of responsibility . Study from Greenpeace suggest only around 20 percent recycled safely . Organized crime involved in e-waste trading according to UN report in July . | [[221, 312], [1658, 1757], [4192, 4204], [4210, 4273], [3149, 3194], [3149, 3314]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Federal officials will travel to Standish , Michigan , on Thursday to tour a state prison that could be used to house terror suspects detained at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , U.S. government officials said Wednesday . The prison in Standish , Michigan , is slated for closure but would stay open if Guantanamo detainees are sent there . Among those who will check out the facility , the officials said , will be representatives from the departments of Defense and Homeland Security , the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Prisons . One administration official stressed no decision has been made about where to relocate Guantanamo detainees . Multiple options are under consideration . That official added Thursday 's visit is simply to gather information about the prison . The prison in Standish is a maximum security facility slated for closure . Some local officials would like to see Guantanamo prisoners brought there as a way to keep the prison open and preserve jobs in an area with more than 20 percent unemployment . Jerry Nelson , mayor pro tem of Standish , told CNN earlier this month that the area would lose 350 jobs if the prison closes . `` I think most people are for this , '' Nelson said . `` Anything to keep the prison open . '' Another location often mentioned for housing Guantanamo prisoners is a military prison at Fort Leavenworth , Kansas . Republican Sen. Sam Brownback and other officials vehemently oppose placing prisoners there . `` This local community has spoken loud and clear repeatedly , '' Brownback said in a news conference in Kansas this month . `` They do n't want the detainees here . '' Administration officials have said they are looking at installations that could hold courtrooms for federal criminal trials as well as military commissions . President Obama announced plans early in his presidency to close the U.S. military detention center at Guantanamo Bay by January . The center has 229 detainees . | Michigan prison seen as place where Guantanamo detainees could be relocated . Official : No decision on where to move Gitmo detainees has been made . Mayor of Standish , Michigan : Move would keep prison open , keep jobs in area . President Obama aims to close Guantanamo detention center in January . | [[563, 631], [563, 581], [600, 672], [243, 265], [305, 320], [1820, 1950], [1820, 1835], [1876, 1950]] |
TOKYO , Japan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two hundred thousand boats sat idle in Japan , as fishermen across the nation took to the streets on Tuesday to protest skyrocketing fuel prices . Fishermen rallied in Tokyo on Tuesday against skyrocketing fuel prices . The strike -- the first ever by the country 's fishermen -- hopes to convince the government that without its intervention , rising fuel costs will kill the fishermen 's businesses . Across Japan 's fishing ports , fishermen simultaneously blew their whistles in a symbol of solidarity , and operations ground to a halt . Thousands of others rallied in downtown Tokyo , marching in circles around the fisheries ministry and chanting , `` We 're dying , '' through bullhorns . The protesting fishing unions say fuel once accounted for 10 percent of a business ' operating cost . It now accounts for 30 to 50 percent . Watch the unions protest in the streets '' They want the government to provide subsidies to make up for the price hike . The demonstration was the latest in a wave of protests around the world over fuel prices . Masatoshi Wakabayashi , the minister of agriculture , forestry and fisheries , told reporters Tuesday morning that he `` understands the frustration of the fishermen . '' He urged reforms within the fishing industry to decrease its reliance on oil , adding it would be `` difficult to compensate them for the hike in the price of oil . '' The deep-sea tuna fishermen 's association told CNN it might suspend operations for two to three months later this year , due to fuel price hike . Marine life has long been a staple food source in Japan . Last week , nearly 400 taxis brought traffic to a halt in Berlin , Germany , as drivers drove through the city in a protest over high fuel prices . Truckers in Vienna , Austria , also staged a protest last week . And earlier this month , hundreds of British truckers drove past Parliament to voice their anger about the high cost of fuel . India , France , Spain and South Korea have had similar protests . | Thousands in Tokyo marched in circles around the fisheries ministry . Fishing unions want the government to provide subsidies to make up for price hike . Minister of agriculture , forestry and fisheries says he `` understands the frustration '' Demonstration is the latest against fuel prices around the world . | [[575, 620], [575, 594], [623, 685], [913, 990], [923, 990], [1082, 1103], [1161, 1249], [180, 252], [991, 1081], [1706, 1773], [1839, 1861], [1864, 1965]] |
ORLANDO , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- There was no trauma visible on the `` completely skeletonized '' remains of slain toddler Caylee Anthony , but there were overlapping pieces of duct tape over her mouth , according to the autopsy report released Friday . Caylee Anthony was last seen June 16 , 2008 . Her mother , Casey Anthony , is in jail awaiting a murder trial . The tape was still attached to head hair , and the skull was separate from the other body parts , said Dr. Jan Garavaglia , chief medical examiner for Orange County . `` This duct tape was clearly placed prior to decomposition , keeping the mandible in place , '' she says in the report . Garavaglia said animals had scattered the bones after decomposition began . The cause of the child 's death is listed as `` homicide by undetermined means . '' Caylee Anthony 's remains were found in December in woods less than a mile from her grandparents ' home . Her mother , Casey Anthony , is charged with murder . She could be sentenced to death if convicted . The mother was arrested July 16 , 2008 , while Caylee was still missing . Earlier Friday , a judge denied a request from the child 's grandparents , George and Cindy Anthony , to keep the autopsy report from the public . Last week , their attorney filed a motion saying the report should be sealed because its release would cause the family great anguish . Holding back tears , George Anthony on Friday asked the judge not to release the report until Casey Anthony 's trial . `` Our family 's memory of precious Caylee Marie is all we have left of her , '' he said as his wife appeared visibly shaken . Judge Stan Strickland said George Anthony 's testimony was not lost on him , but according to the law he had no choice . `` Their pain means a great deal to me . I do n't like the ruling I 'm making , but it 's one that I legally have to make , '' he said . George Anthony , angry after the ruling , left the courtroom before the hearing ended . The autopsy report contains no X-rays or photos of the remains . Watch Nancy Grace 's take on the coroner 's findings '' According to Garavaglia , intermixed with Caylee Anthony 's skeletal remains were two plastic garbage bags , a canvas laundry bag and a baby blanket with a Winnie the Pooh print . A pair of partially decomposed , multi-colored shorts were among the clothes , the doctor said . Two sets of cloth letters were found intermingled with plant material and debris . Garavaglia said the first set spelled `` big '' and the second group appeared to spell `` trouble . '' `` The roots growing into the vertebrae and bags indicate the body was placed there months prior to being found , '' Garavaglia said . `` There is nothing inconsistent with the body being placed there soon after the date of -LSB- Caylee -RSB- being last seen alive . '' George Anthony said he saw his granddaughter leave his house with her mother for the last time on June 15 , 2008 . Officials allege Caylee was killed by her mother a short time later . Since her arrest in July , Casey Anthony , 23 , has remained behind bars in Orlando . The search for Caylee ended December 11 , when a meter reader brought out a bag containing a skull from the woods . He said he had contacted police three times in August to report a suspicious bag in the area . A deputy was ultimately fired for not properly searching the area . The remains were confirmed through DNA testing to be those of Caylee Anthony . CNN 's Natisha Lance and John Couwels contributed to this report . | Autopsy report , released Friday , says remains of slain toddler `` skeletonized '' Cause of death listed as `` homicide by undetermined means '' Judge denied grandfather George Anthony 's request not to release report . | [[68, 101], [10, 17], [208, 239], [221, 257], [735, 815], [1117, 1199], [1202, 1246], [1383, 1390], [1404, 1501]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel dismissed questions about whether President Obama is being overexposed with his recent media blitz , saying Tuesday that the American people want to hear what Obama is doing about a struggling economy . Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel says President Barack Obama is using the media to keep citizens informed . Speaking to CNN 's Larry King moments after Obama finished a prime time news conference , Emanuel said people are talking about issues like jobs , education and health care , and want to know where their president stands . `` You can say maybe there 's overexposure , '' Emanuel said . `` I think if you watch and see , there have been greater audiences for the shows he has been on to answer these questions , because these are the questions the American people are asking around their kitchen tables . '' In the past week , Obama has appeared on CBS ' `` 60 Minutes '' and NBC 's `` The Tonight Show with Jay Leno , '' the first appearance by a sitting president on a late-night talk show . He fielded questions for an hour at Tuesday 's news conference and also appeared last week on ESPN filling out his bracket for the NCAA men 's basketball tournament . Some analysts say the president risks diluting his message in the public 's mind by being visible so frequently . Some Republicans and other critics have accused Obama of maintaining a campaign mentality when he needs to be governing . But Emanuel said a public anxious about the economy has largely rejected those notions . `` I think in this troubled time ... the American people expect the president to talk to them , walk them through his thinking -- why he makes the decisions he makes , what are the tradeoffs to those decisions -- and carry them through this process , '' he said . `` I think they 're very engaged in this conversation . If you look at the data , they are involved in this conversation and interested in this dialogue and appreciate an adult conversation with them about the changes they 're making and the changes their government and their elected leaders are making on their behalf . '' | Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel says president using media to spread message . Emanuel says Obama wants to keep Americans aware of his economic plan . Some say president risks diluting his message by being visible so frequently . Emanuel : In troubled time , Americans `` expect the president to talk to them '' | [[262, 336], [290, 364], [290, 364], [0, 15], [59, 157], [1225, 1338], [1243, 1305], [1306, 1338], [1587, 1643]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- David Lance Arneson , who helped trigger the global phenomenon of role-playing games as co-inventor of `` Dungeons & Dragons , '' has died at the age of 61 . A statement on the game 's official Web site , wizards.com , said Arneson died Tuesday evening `` after waging one final battle against cancer . '' Arneson `` developed many of the fundamental ideas of role playing : that each player controls just one hero , that heroes gain power through adventures , and that personality is as important as combat prowess , '' the statement said . The game 's co-creator , Gary Gygax , died last year . In 1974 , Arneson and Gygax created `` Dungeons & Dragons , '' which allowed players to assume roles in a magical world . They could be fighters or wizards , elves or dwarfs . `` As characters journey through various lands , they search for hidden treasures while battling menacing monsters with their own brains and brawn , '' a description on wizards.com says . Some games would last days or weeks -- or even longer . `` Game campaigns are as limitless as the player 's imaginations , '' wizards.com says . What began as a hand-assembled print run of 1,000 games quickly sold out . Young people all over the world started buying up the game . By 1982 , sales broke the $ 20 million mark . Arneson filed a series of lawsuits against Gygax insisting he was not being given credit or proper royalties for his work creating the game . The suits were settled . `` Dungeons and Dragons '' spawned video games , novels , a cartoon , and a movie . The franchise saw a surge this decade after `` The Lord of the Rings '' and `` Harry Potter '' movies took off . | David Lance Arneson has died at the age of 61 . He helped trigger phenomenon of role-playing games . Statement : Arneson died `` after waging one final battle against cancer '' `` Dungeons and Dragons '' spawned video games , novels , a cartoon , and a movie . | [[144, 176], [0, 15], [19, 38], [45, 143], [177, 221], [238, 321], [1474, 1557]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Happy birthday , Catherine Zeta-Jones . You are turning 40 this month , joining an exclusive club of women in show business who are marking the same milestone this year . Catherine Zeta-Jones arrives at a Hollywood event earlier this year . She turns 40 on September 25 . Think big names like Renee Zellweger , Jennifer Aniston , Mariah Carey , Jennifer Lopez and Cate Blanchett . It 's a birthday many actors -- but especially female stars -- in Hollywood would once dread , hide and agonize over . At an age where men could comfortably play heroes and lovers in the prime of their life -- and could do so for many years to come -- women often found themselves starting to be cast in different roles . -LRB- One example : `` The Graduate , '' where 36-year-old Anne Bancroft played a frustrated `` older woman '' trying to seduce Dustin Hoffman , who was just six years younger than she at the time . -RRB- . No wonder some stayed mum about their age , but this generation of 40-something female entertainers is different . They 're holding birthday bashes , embracing the big four-oh and staying as busy and famous as ever . Their faces grace magazine covers , their bodies are the envy of women decades younger and their careers seem to be going strong . See photos of stars who are 40 and still hot '' Zellweger herself has said she has n't noticed good parts getting scarce . `` I do n't see it . I do n't know . I 'm so spoiled with respect to the experiences I 've had and the opportunities I 've had that I do n't see it , '' she said , according to published news reports . So has anything changed for women hitting 40 in a business obsessed with youth ? Industry observers say stars like Zeta-Jones , Zellweger and Aniston have more options than ever to have long , distinguished careers thanks to independent films and television , but opinions are mixed on whether they can sustain a big Hollywood presence . `` These women are still among the most bankable , biggest stars in the industry and turning 40 is n't going to change that , '' said Kathy Heintzelman , entertainment director for More , a magazine geared toward women over 40 . Watch a report on the most rich and famous women over 40 '' Importance of box office . But others argue that the opportunity to land lead roles in major studio films for actresses like Aniston , Zeta-Jones and Zellweger is running out . It 's all about the global box office for Hollywood , which right now is most interested in making comic book movies or big-action , special-effect films in which women are mostly decorative , said Leah Rozen , film critic for People magazine . That often leaves few lead roles in big-budget Hollywood films for established female stars as they get older . `` They 're going to work , but the entire movie will not be built around them . It will not be a Renee Zellweger vehicle or a Catherine Zeta-Jones vehicle , unless it 's an indie film , '' Rozen said . `` I 'm not saying anything about the quality of the movies they 're making or their validity as actresses , '' Rozen said . `` I am saying that viewed as box office -- or can they open a movie ? -- the answer would be no right now . '' Zellweger 's most recent project , `` My One and Only , '' which Rozen called a `` very sweet little film , '' has grossed less than $ 1 million since it premiered last month -LRB- it opened in wide release last Friday . -RRB- Earlier this year , her film `` New in Town '' grossed about $ 16 million domestically , according to Boxofficemojo.com . Zeta-Jones ' last big Hollywood role was in the 2007 movie `` No Reservations , '' which earned $ 43 million in the United States . Aniston has had a better run . Last year 's `` Marley & Me '' took in $ 143 million domestically and more recently , `` He 's Just Not That Into You '' earned $ 93 million . Men are viable as box office leads far longer than most women , Rozen said . Think Harrison Ford , who was still the action hero at 66 in last year 's `` Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull '' -LRB- which earned $ 317 million domestically -RRB- or Sean Connery , who at 69 was paired with a then-30-year-old Zeta-Jones in 1999 's `` Entrapment '' -LRB- $ 87 million domestic gross -RRB- . A big exception to this trend has been Meryl Streep . Watch a report on women over 40 who make us laugh '' Streep , 60 , has a great track record at the movies with films including the recent `` Julie & Julia '' and last year 's `` Mamma Mia ! '' She 's part of a very successful run of female-centric movies that have starred women over 40 , said Jane Fleming , president of the nonprofit organization Women In Film . `` That proves if you have an audience base that wants to see you , they 're going to keep coming out to see you regardless your age , '' Fleming said . `` What 's been nice about the last two years is that there 's been economic proof that that audience exists and that given the right form of entertainment , it will be very lucrative for the studios . '' Fleming believes this is a good time to be turning 40 in Hollywood , with popular films like `` Sex and the City , '' `` Marley & Me '' and `` The Proposal '' starring 40-and-over actresses . Watch a report on women over 40 who rock '' TV , indie films offer new options . It may be a big improvement over the options available to female stars not too long ago . `` There are only three ages for women in Hollywood : babe , district attorney , and ` Driving Miss Daisy , ' '' Goldie Hawn 's character famously exclaimed in the 1996 comedy `` The First Wives ' Club . '' Actresses like Sandra Bullock are redefining those stereotypes by playing lead roles in romantic comedies well into their 40s , sometimes paired with younger men . Just this year , Bullock , 45 , has starred in `` The Proposal '' and `` All About Steve . '' Watch a report on women over 40 who 've had work done '' Many actresses over 40 are also finding a new home on television , where there are many complex characters to choose from . Glenn Close , 62 ; Kyra Sedgwick , 44 ; and Holly Hunter , 51 , are just some of the stars who have made the move from the big screen to the small screen , earning critical and popular success . `` Cable has opened up enormous possibilities . In feature films , you 're still lucky if you 're not the girlfriend or the wife , '' Katey Sagal , 55 , who stars in the TV series `` Sons of Anarchy , '' recently told Oprah.com . But she was also glad to note that there are more opportunities in general for female stars over 40 . `` I do n't know why it 's changed , but I 'm really grateful it has . Maybe it has to do with the fact that we 're all living longer and suddenly it 's OK to get older . Maybe there 's a broader audience for these characters . The stories you can tell about older women are deeper , '' Sagal said . | Renee Zellweger , Jennifer Aniston , Cate Blanchett have turned 40 this year . Stars appear to be going strong in an industry famously obsessed with youth . Some doubt Hollywood is interested in making ` vehicles ' for top female stars . Television , independent films offer more options than ever for actors . | [[291, 399], [1683, 1751], [1237, 1250], [1256, 1276], [1650, 1682], [1730, 1859], [5275, 5277], [5280, 5311]] |
-LRB- The Frisky -RRB- -- When I try to explain my ardor for HBO 's trashy-fabulous soap opera `` True Blood '' to my dude friends , they either shrug and change the topic , or question whether I 've been writing for ladyblogs for too long and am suffering from a form of Stockholm Syndrome . Dudes just do n't dig bloodsuckers , since vampires pretty much look like girls . We prefer zombies , because we love chainsaws , flamethrowers , and samurai swords . And because , on some level , we know that besides being vehicles for sperm , our other important , if lesser , genetic imperative is to defend our loved ones from hordes of unthinking , flesh-eating metaphors for current social anxieties . To most guys , vampires are the monster movie equivalent of that sensitive man-sponge in college who plays acoustic guitar in order to seduce chicks . They 're what you get when you cross your average Renaissance Fair enthusiast with a mosquito . And what 's with their greatest weaknesses being most kinds of Italian food , Sunday school , and the sun , which helps flowers grow ? Really ? Why women find date-rapey parasites who wear capes compelling must have something to do with deeply primal fears . A vampire is a monster , who looks , acts , and talks like a man . Who is passionate , romantic , and tortured . To surrender to this character is to play with fire . The vampire , in many ways , is the prototype of the bad boy . Women love bad boys - they 're exciting , and the chance to change him , to break him like a horse , must be an irresistible challenge . If self-destruction were n't seductive on some superficial level , then no one would ever need rehab . But I am like most guys in that I am a fan of zombie flicks . `` 28 Days Later '' may possibly be my favorite movie ever . I 'm also a fan of alien and robot movies , but more often than not , it seems women are more adept at dispatching those . Zombie movies indulge male power-fulfillment fantasies . We enjoy pretending to be dragon-slaying knights or bad-guy-perforating cowboys or Bruce Willis , saving our ex-wife from a skyscraper full of terrorists . The Frisky : Compliments guys take as insults . Before any feminist blood vessels burst , let me explain that this fantasy goes hand-in-hand with a male-specific fear that speaks to ancient genetic programming . That for all our swagger , testosterone , and machismo , we can not protect those we love . The disaster call for women and children to evacuate first is n't chivalry , inasmuch as it 's evolutionarily smarts . The women and children will continue the species ; the men are disposable . We fear being useless , especially once we have issued forth our baby-making essence . The Frisky : Where all the good guys are . In `` True Blood , '' the vampire Bill has decided to change himself , to fight his ferocious nature . He struggles to be a better , um , corpse . He rejects the cold , bloodthirsty vampirism of his peers , and tries to embrace those human virtues he once had : selflessness , mercy , kindness , and justice . In some ways , he 's less a vampire and more a superhero . Then he falls in love with someone he is told he should n't . And his love for Sookie , a human woman , is a choice he has made , regardless of the scorn heaped upon him by the undead and the living alike . He protects her , despite his fears that he is completely impotent , powerless to defend her from a world that despises them both . And she returns the favor , despite her fears that underneath sweet words and passion is an animal waiting to pounce . A little bit for men and women . The Frisky : Ways men try to impress women . I watch `` True Blood '' because chicks will dig it when I can talk about Eric and Maryann and Action Stackhouse ; it 's how I `` open '' a pick-up artist-style `` set . '' My knowledge of `` True Blood '' will help me convince turbo-hotties to come back to my sweet fourth-floor walk-up in Queens , where I will love them forever , or until I have to call the unemployment office at 10 a.m. , whichever comes first . Sigh . Oh forget it . I love this show , without condition . I love that Alan Ball followed up his twee meditation on mortality , `` Six Feet Under , '' with a show that 's just about hot sexing and gratuitous gore . It 's a soft-core comic book , nothing more , nothing less . I fully accept that there 's a part of me that will always be a pear-shaped teenage goth girl . I mean , I 'm reading the `` True Blood '' books , for the love of Godric . Horror movies , books , and television shows reflect our collective fears , and `` True Blood '' is awesome because it sneaks male fears into a female-oriented program . Also : because all the women are hot and sometimes they show their chest . TM & © 2009 TMV , Inc. | All Rights Reserved . | Writer says the vampire , in many ways , is the prototype of the bad boy . Women love bad boys and the chance to change him , writer says . Zombie movies indulge male power-fulfillment fantasies , columnist says . Writer says av ampire is a monster , who looks , acts , and talks like a man . | [[1374, 1400], [1403, 1436], [1923, 1979], [1207, 1273]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A store owner in New York who is being hailed as a hero after rescuing a 4-year-old boy from a burning building said he plans to visit the child in the hospital Friday . Horia Cretan climbed up a fire escape and helped save a boy through the window of a burning building . Horia Cretan , who owns an electronics store in the Bronx structure where the fire broke out , also hopes to meet Christopher 's parents for the first time , he told CNN 's `` American Morning . '' The boy is expected to recover , Cretan said . The child was taken to Jacobi Medical Center , where a nurse said she could n't provide his condition . Cretan , who moved to the United States from Romania 15 years ago , said he was inside his store Wednesday when he heard a child 's screams . It was about 4 p.m. , he said , about the time children play outside after getting out of school , but he said the screams he heard were `` totally different . '' He reached a fire escape and climbed to the fourth floor , where a firefighter handed the boy to him through a smoke-clouded window , video from the scene shows . `` What I was worried about is , is he still alive ? Because his head just dropped , and he was n't helping himself or helping me , '' Cretan said . `` He just could n't hold his weight and he was unconscious . '' While the firefighter was handing over the boy , other crew members were trying to get into the building 's main entrance to make their way to the apartment where the fire was , the store owner said . Cretan covered himself and the boy with a blanket or curtain to shield themselves from falling debris and glass , which cut the boy on the leg . Watch Cretan describe the rescue '' During the rescue , the boy 's brother stood below , yelling , the rescuer said . Christopher was given oxygen on the ground and taken to the hospital . Cretan said it was n't the first time he rescued someone . He said he rescued his sister from a fire in Romania that killed their father . The 33-year-old Cretan said he was 12 years old at the time . `` It was a sad story , a tragic moment at the time , '' he said , referring to the Romanian incident . `` And you know , it had an impact on people around the neighborhood like it does right now . It 's amazing . This just skyrocketed . '' Cretan said he 's received messages across the globe about the Bronx incident . `` This has become famous because somebody happened to be on the corner with the camera pretty much . You do n't do things like this for merit . The merit in itself is you save somebody , '' Cretan said . `` And the whole community 's just being great . Adopting me like a son , and I 'm a part of a big family and I 'm happy to have them in my life . '' | Horia Cretan says he was working in his store when he heard a child 's screams . The boy is expected to recover , says Cretan , who plans to visit the child . He says he has received messages from around the world . Cretan says at 12 he rescued his sister from a fire in which his father died . | [[650, 656], [718, 756], [723, 746], [757, 791], [0, 24], [140, 197], [499, 529], [2309, 2388], [2321, 2388], [1926, 1978], [2006, 2067], [2034, 2067]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- One of America 's pre-eminent political power couples made a rare joint appearance Friday , when Bill and Hillary Clinton took the stage at the former president 's Clinton Global Initiative conference . Bill Clinton says his wife Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is the `` best public service our family has ever produced . '' `` I want to begin by expressing my extreme indebtedness to the Clinton Global Initiative , to all of you who participated , for giving me the first chance I have had in a week to see Hillary , '' Bill Clinton told the audience of social activists and business leaders at the closing session of CGI , a week-long conference designed to find solutions to global problems through public and private partnerships . Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was at the session to unveil a new State Department initiative on food security . As he introduced her , the former president was effusive in his praise for his wife , saying that her approach to food security -- helping farmers around the world grow their own food to earn income and alleviate poverty -- was much smarter than the decades-long policy of simply giving humanitarian aid and food to countries . Watch Clinton pay tribute to his wife '' `` It was a wrong-headed policy . It persisted through Democratic and Republican policies alike , including mine . We were all wrong , and she is determined to reverse it , '' Bill Clinton said . Watch portion of Anderson Cooper 's interview with former President Clinton '' `` Most of what I know about what I do today , I learned from her and she has become the best public servant our family has produced , '' he added . `` I am very proud of her and honored that she came here . '' Hillary Clinton , who received a standing ovation , had equally kind words for her husband . `` It wo n't surprise you to hear that I am very proud of my husband , and I think what he has invented and brought to life here is extraordinary , '' she said , adding that the new State Department food initiative , in part , was an idea she developed by seeing the kinds of partnerships the Clinton Global Initiative produced . The Clintons posed for a photo-op with State Department officials and executives from General Mills and other organizations , who pledged at the conference to start a program to help farmers around the world . And then , for fans of the former first couple , a rare treat . As she walked off the stage , Bill Clinton drew some more cheers when he gave his wife a kiss . Bill Clinton continued to read off the million-dollar commitments he received at the conference for additional social programs . Hillary Clinton left to meet with 15 ministers from the Caribbean . | Bill Clinton praises wife 's approach to food security at global issues conference . Hillary Clinton wants farmers worldwide to grow own food to earn income . Clinton admits `` wrong-headed '' policy toward humanitarian aid . | [[909, 929], [972, 1198], [1258, 1288]] |
MOGADISHU , Somalia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Chaos and death on the streets of Mogadishu : unfortunately , it 's nothing new in the Somali capital . Casualties are taken into Mogadishu 's hospital on stretchers . Government forces are fighting against insurgents on this day in September in a bloody battle that leaves 30 dead . Dozens of wounded Somalis are taken out of the danger zone , some of them in the back of insurgents ' pick-up trucks . One of the trucks races through the streets , zig-zagging to the echoing booms of the ongoing shelling . The truck comes to an abrupt halt , stopping at a rare sight in the Somali capital -- an ambulance , waiting at the heart of the chaos to ferry the dead and the injured to the hospital . The wounded are transferred onto the ambulance . People shout and run as the mortar attacks continue . One woman screams over and over for her son . The ambulance is one of seven medical vehicles paid for with donated funds from local and expatriate Somalis . Residents can simply call for the ambulances without charge , and the vehicles will be dispatched to the scene . `` It is amazing , '' said Rufai Salad , one of the founders of the ambulance service in the Somali capital . `` We have this toll-free number , 777 , that you dial . Someone is giving you a free call and then coming and giving you free help . `` People here find it hard to believe it is real . '' Life Line Africa , a local Somali charity , started its ambulance service in Mogadishu in December , bringing a small amount of order to the lawless country that is in the midst of a brutal Islamist insurgency . Apart from the short-lived rule of the Islamic Courts Union in 2006 , there has been no genuine central authority in Somalia since the collapse of Mohamed Siad Barre 's repressive regime in 1991 . Now , the United States and other Western powers are propping the U.N.-backed transitional government forces in their attempt to fend off the insurgency , particularly Al-Shabaab -- a Somali militant group that has ties to al Qaeda . Watch Nima Elbagir 's report on the humanitarian crisis in Somalia '' Basic amenities in Somalia , like electricity , water and sanitation - and even luxuries such as wireless Internet facilities -- are provided by enterprising businessman , which is partly how the ambulance service came to life . In the Somali equivalent of a public-private partnership , clan elders and local businessman donated the money to fund the ambulance service , helping fulfill a crucial need . The ambulance drivers are well compensated , earning about U.S. $ 200 a month in a country where the average yearly income is $ 130 , according to the United Nations . Life Line Africa 's monthly budget for its Mogadishu ambulance service is $ 3,200 , including fuel , running costs and the salaries of the 10 drivers . They hope to increase their driving staff to 14 . Salad , 24 , is an information technology officer for the Somali president 's office , but volunteers his time to help keep Life Line Africa running . His enthusiasm about the ambulance service obscures the very real danger he and his drivers face . Part of the problem , he explains , is trying to stay neutral in a war zone . `` We did have one driver killed by Al-Shabaab , '' he admits . `` They told us that it was because we were carrying government soldiers to hospital . But I said to them that this is what we do - we are working for all of you . '' And it 's not just the insurgents that Salad and his drivers fear . `` We had to take the body of a Syrian ship captain who had been killed by pirates to the airport , '' he said . `` The government and African Union soldiers opened fire on the ambulance . We were later told they 'd received information that the insurgency was planning on using an ambulance to stage a suicide attack . '' `` But what can you do ? '' he asks . `` Our driver ran away and then later was allowed to come back for his ambulance . '' Salad says the relatively high pay is not the real reason his drivers are willing to take the risks they do . `` If you go to the area of the fighting then the combatants -LSB- from both sides -RSB- say ` You must carry us to the hospital or we will kill you , ' '' he says . `` It is so dangerous but when we see the problems of the people , we 're trying to find a way somehow , to keep on working . '' | Volunteer ambulance service ferries wounded civilians and fighters to the hospital . Drivers face problems from both sides of the conflict in the capital , Mogadishu . Ambulance drivers earn $ 200 a month ; national average annual salary is $ 130 . U.N.-backed transitional government forces are fighting Islamist insurgents . | [[143, 206], [648, 733], [633, 645], [682, 733], [2524, 2545], [2569, 2614], [2605, 2614], [2621, 2655], [207, 300]] |
-LRB- The Frisky -RRB- -- About a year ago , a group of my closest friends got together in a basement apartment in Queens . It was a Saturday night in the dead of winter , and most of us were broke -LRB- the economy was crashing -RRB- and lazy -LRB- we did n't feel like trekking to a bar in the city -RRB- . As we cracked open a bottle of wine and ate fresh-baked zucchini muffins , one of my friends decided to play us some records on the record player he had recently inherited from his parents . It turned out to be one of the best nights of our lives . In sharing great music , great food and great fun , a tradition was born : Record Party . The New York Times is finally catching on to something my friends and I discovered that night ; vinyl is back in a major way . The stats say that CDs are becoming just about as obsolete as cassettes and 8-tracks . Sure , iPods are fun if you 're on the go , but really the only way to devour your favorite music -LRB- other than to hear it live -RRB- is to listen to it on vinyl . It 's like hearing the music again for the first time -- rich and layered . Mike Jbara , a bigwig at Warner Music Group , said , `` It is absolutely easy to say vinyl does n't make sense when you look at convenience , portability , all those things . But all the really great stuff in our lives comes from a root of passion or love . '' -LSB- New York Times -RSB- . That 's what Record Party is really all about . But do n't take my word for it . Here are five tips for throwing your own rocking Record Party . • Yes , you need a record player . I know you 're thinking , `` Where on earth do I get a record player ? The antique shop ? '' Try eBay or Craigslist . There are so many used record players that need a good home . From bottom of the line models to high-end turntables , you would n't believe how many people have record players . If you 're an electronics idiot like me , you may want to consult a knowledgeable person . I always ask my super-geeky musician friends about makes , models and features . If you do n't have a music nerd in your life , do a little research online or find a specialty store in your area . Also , do n't forget to get some great speakers so you can hear all the natural flava of your records . • Starting a record collection is n't as hard or as expensive as you think . It 's always fun to go to a local record store and pick out some delicious vinyl . Many record stores have used records , which can save you some money . Take the record out and make sure that it 's the right record -- one time I got `` A Chorus Line '' record in a `` Stevie Nicks '' jacket . Also , make sure that the record is not terribly scratched . If you 're a bargain hunter like me , go to your local thrift store and pick through . You may have to search for a while , but it 's not uncommon to find some $ 1 gems . Also , flea markets are a great place to find some hot , cheap vinyl . • Keep the guest list small . The best thing about Record Party is reveling in your favorite music and breaking out your finest dance moves . This is always most fun with close friends who have similar tastes in music . But part of the fun is also learning about new music , so you may want to require guests to bring some records of their own . • Food and drinks are a must . It 's hard to throw a great record party without food and beverage . Have everyone contribute . Snacks and drinks will be much appreciated when guests step off the makeshift dance floor . • Establish some rules and traditions . At our Record Party , we 've established a couple of rules in order to keep the good times rolling : 1 . Everyone must write all requests down on our request list . 2 . No more than two songs played at one time per person . After everyone has put in a request , the cycle starts over . 3 . Everyone gets one `` Yoinx '' per night . A `` Yoinx '' is when you have a great song that you feel like you need to push to the top of the list . Develop your own rules and traditions to ensure that everyone is able to share in the music . Enjoy . TM & © 2009 TMV , Inc. | All Rights Reserved . | Record Parties are a great way to get together with friends . Instead of an iPod , get better sound with a record player , available on eBay or Craigslist . Records can be inexpensive : $ 1 gems are n't too rare to stumble upon . Bring snacks and a playlist . | [[2873, 2936], [2823, 2865], [3283, 3313]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A soldier who reported for duty with her children in tow has been granted her request for a discharge , her lawyer said Monday . Lisa Pagan was recalled to the Army after being honorably discharged four years ago . Lisa Pagan , of Davidson , North Carolina , reported for duty Monday morning at Fort Benning , Georgia , with her two preschool children . She had been honorably discharged from active duty at the rank of specialist nearly four years ago but was recalled as part of the Individual Ready Reserve program . The former Army truck driver asked for a reprieve from deployment because her husband travels for business and they would have no one to care for their children if she was sent overseas . Until Monday , her request had been denied . Late Monday afternoon , Pagan 's lawyer told CNN the Army would grant her request and begin the process of discharge again , this time for good . `` We are definitely heading in the right direction for Lisa and her family and her children , '' said Mark Waple , Pagan 's attorney . `` She has been told by her chain of command they plan on doing everything they can within reason to do this as expeditiously as possible . '' Pagan enlisted in 2002 and was honorably discharged from active duty in June 2005 . She was never deployed . Before she left for Fort Benning , Pagan , 27 , told CNN affiliate WCNC that her relatives were n't able to care for her children for various reasons , including her relatives ' health . She said her family could n't afford having her husband give up his job . They would lose their house , she told the Charlotte , North Carolina-TV station . `` I 'm a human being . I need to take care of my children . They do n't have anybody else , '' Pagan told WCNC . Since September 11 , 2001 , the Army has recalled about 25,000 soldiers . Nearly half requested a delay or a full exemption . Some just wanted to finish their school semester before reporting . Others had financial or medical problems that made it difficult to report for duty . The Army says it granted nearly nine out of 10 delay requests and six out of 10 requests for exemption . | Soldier reported for duty in Georgia on Monday with her two preschool children . She had been discharged four years ago , but was recalled . Lisa Pagan argued no one would be able to care for kids if she was sent overseas . Lawyer : Army granted request for reprieve , and she will be discharged for good . | [[30, 39], [44, 86], [245, 269], [289, 337], [159, 244], [159, 169], [195, 244], [384, 482], [550, 710], [711, 737], [0, 26], [83, 131], [783, 804], [807, 905]] |
BEIRUT , Lebanon -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Saad Hariri , the leader of Lebanon 's Sunni-dominated `` March 14 coalition , '' claimed victory hours after the polls closed in Sunday 's crucial election . `` March 14 '' coalition leader Saad Hariri claims victory after polls close Sunday . Results were not expected until midday Monday . `` What happened today proved again that Lebanon is doing well , '' said Hariri in a televised victory speech . `` The Lebanese proved again that they are holding on to their freedom and the democratic system , so congratulations to Lebanon , congratulations to freedom and to every voter who participated in this election . In this election , there is no winner or loser , democracy won today and the biggest winner is Lebanon . '' Hezbollah officials did not challenge Hariri 's speech . Al-Arabiya television network cited Hezbollah sources as predicting Hariri 's March 14 coalition would win 70 seats , and that the Hezbollah-dominated `` March 8 alliance '' would win 58 seats . The election -- with 128 seats in parliament at stake -- was crucial in determining whether the Arab nation , scarred by war and political instability , picked the coalition led by Hariri or an alliance backed by the militant group Hezbollah . Watch Hariri 's victory speech '' Turnout was high among the country 's 3 million registered voters during the 12 hours that polls were open Sunday . About 50,000 troops were on the streets , but the run-up to the balloting had been free of violence . Former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Jimmy Carter on Sunday said the United States should work with whichever coalition wins -- even though it considers Hezbollah , supported by both Syria and Iran , to be a terrorist organization . Carter was in Beirut as part of more than 200 international observers monitoring the election . Two senior Obama administration officials -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden -- have visited Lebanon in recent months , signaling concerns over a possible Hezbollah victory . Hezbollah grew in popularity after its militant wing claimed victory over Israel after a 34-day military conflict in 2006 . Since then , it has been more widely perceived by its supporters to be the `` defenders '' of Lebanon . In Lebanon 's unique power-sharing government , the presidency is reserved for Maronite Christians , the speaker of parliament is always a Shia Muslim , and the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim . The law was created to balance power among Lebanon 's three main religious groups . Resident Georges Azzi , who cast his ballot early Sunday morning , hoped the elections bring about a smooth and healthy transition to a new government and the continued support of the West -- whatever the results . `` I think it would be seen as a punishment to everybody if it does n't , '' Azzi said . `` We should accept the results whatever they are . That 's how democracy works . '' CNN 's Cal Perry and Saad Abedine contributed to this report . | NEW : Hezbollah officials did not challenge Hariri 's victory speech . Results not expected until midday Monday . At stake were 128 seats in parliament . Carter in Beirut as part of more than 200 international election observers . | [[762, 818], [281, 328], [1014, 1067], [1071, 1164], [1014, 1067], [1083, 1187], [1757, 1852], [1799, 1852]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The French spend more time eating and drinking than anyone else among the world 's wealthy nations , a new study reveals . The study , by the Paris-based Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development -LRB- OECD -RRB- , found that the average French person spends nine hours sleeping every night , and spends two hours a day eating . On the other end of the spectrum , the average Japanese gets seven hours of sleep and also spends longer at work -- and getting to work -- than on leisure activities . And when it comes to food , Mexicans spend the least time : just over an hour a day . The survey looked at 18 countries among the organization 's 30 members to see how people use `` that most fundamental of resources : '' time . The results were released Monday . Among the organization 's findings : . The lowest obesity rates ? South Korea and Japan with less than 4 percent of the population exceeding a BMI of more than 30 . | Average Japanese spends longer at work and getting to work than on leisure . South Korea and Japan have the lowest obesity rates . Survey looks at 18 countries among OECD 's 30 members to gauge use of time . | [[359, 391], [394, 414], [450, 471], [359, 391], [394, 414], [479, 526], [613, 683], [653, 743]] |
SAN FRANCISCO , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Steroid test results and notes and calendars from his then-trainer are among the evidence federal prosecutors have amassed in their perjury case against baseball home-run king Barry Bonds , according to documents unsealed Wednesday . Barry Bonds , shown at his most recent court appearance , is accused of lying to a grand jury . The 223-page stack of documents unsealed by a federal judge represents much of the government 's case against Bonds , who is accused of obstructing justice and lying to a grand jury investigating the use of steroids in professional sports . Prosecutors say the test results show Bonds was using performance-enhancing substances -- including a then-undetectable designer drug -- at a time he denied knowingly using any . Bonds ' attorneys are seeking to keep much of that evidence out of court . The 44-year-old former San Francisco Giants slugger holds Major League Baseball 's single-season and all-time home-run titles , but his achievements have been shadowed by allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs . Bonds pleaded not guilty to the perjury and obstruction of justice charges and has been free on $ 500,000 bond . A hearing in the case is scheduled for Thursday . The charges stem from his 2003 appearance before a federal grand jury probing the distribution of steroids by the San Francisco-area Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative , or BALCO . Bonds told the grand jury that his former personal trainer , Greg Anderson , gave him a cream that he said was flaxseed oil to use on his arm in 2003 . Anderson spent three months in prison after admitting distributing steroids and was later jailed for refusing to cooperate with prosecutors . The case against Bonds will include calendars kept by Anderson that prosecutors say were used to keep Bonds and other athletes on a doping regimen -- an assertion expected to be bolstered by the testimony of other athletes , they said . Evidence will include a recording of a phone conversation with an associate in which Anderson `` describes injecting the defendant , having the ability to obtain and utilize inside information about MLB 's random drug testing to the defendant 's benefit and the undetectable nature of what Anderson had been doing , '' according to documents . Bonds won seven National League MVP titles during his 22-year career , 15 years of which was spent with the Giants . The team released him after the 2007 season , just weeks after he broke Hank Aaron 's career home-run record . | NEW : Bonds ' attorneys are seeking to keep many of the documents out of court . NEW : Evidence will include phone conversation about `` injecting the defendant '' NEW : Hearing in the perjury case is scheduled for Thursday . Steroid test results and notes from ex-trainer among documents unsealed . | [[796, 870], [1964, 2039], [2027, 2039], [2049, 2094], [1205, 1254], [0, 155], [0, 36], [236, 279]] |
Baghdad , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Nearly 130 people were killed and more than 400 wounded early Tuesday when a string of five suicide car bombings hit government buildings , a neighborhood and a commercial district in Baghdad , Iraqi authorities said . Iraq 's Finance and Labor ministries and a courthouse were the targets of three of the terror attacks , which shattered a two-month period of relative calm in the capital . By evening , Interior Ministry officials put the toll at 127 dead and 448 wounded , the worst since twin car bombings killed and wounded hundreds of people in late October . Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said the attacks were aimed at undermining Iraq 's upcoming elections , now set for March after a lengthy impasse in the country 's parliament . `` The timing of these cowardly terrorist attacks in Baghdad today , after the success of Iraqi Parliament in overcoming the last obstacle in the election procedures , shows that the enemies of Iraq and its people are aiming to create chaos in the country and prevent any progress in the political process and to disrupt the procedures of the coming elections , '' he said . The first of the vehicles blew up in southern Baghdad 's Dora district at about 10 a.m. -LRB- 2 a.m. ET -RRB- , followed by four more car bombs about half an hour later . Three of the explosions struck at the heart of the Iraqi capital , detonating a few minutes apart . One hit the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs , while another hit the new site of the Ministry of Finance near al-Qashla Square . The ministry 's former building was destroyed in a bombing in August . Another bomb exploded in the busy commercial district of Nahdha , and the fifth bomb blew up outside the Karkh Civil Court in western Baghdad 's Mansour district . The sounds of sporadic gunfire and emergency sirens could be heard immediately following the attacks , and smoke from the blasts billowed into the morning sky . Suicide bombers carried out the five attacks , Brig. Gen. Qassim Atta , a spokesman for the Baghdad Operations Command , told CNN . At the United Nations , Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attacks and offered his `` heartfelt condolences '' to the families of those killed , according to a statement from his office . `` The Secretary-General appeals to the people of Iraq to remain steadfast in the face of these attacks and to continue their determined efforts to achieve national reconciliation , '' the statement said . `` The United Nations remains committed to supporting them . '' And the human rights group Amnesty International said there was `` absolutely no justification '' for the bombings , noting that indiscriminate attacks on civilians are war crimes under international law . Suicide bombers were also blamed for the two bombings October 25 in Baghdad , which killed 160 people and wounded 540 . Those bombs detonated in quick succession at mid-morning on a Sunday , the first day of the workweek in Iraq , in the Salhiya district of central Baghdad . The location was close to the Foreign Ministry . Government officials , including Baghdad 's governor , questioned how the bombers were able to penetrate the area 's security , which was supposed to have been improved in the months leading up to the attacks . Authorities subsequently detained more than 60 people responsible for security in the district where the bombings took place . And Tuesday 's attacks sparked debate among Iraqi lawmakers about the capability of the country 's security forces . Noor Aldeen al-Haiali , a member of Iraq 's parliament from the country 's largest Sunni Arab party , said al-Maliki 's government `` failed in taking the measures to protect the targeted Iraqi citizens , who are shocked and getting slaughtered on a daily basis . '' Ali al-Adeeb , a senior member of the prime minister 's Dawa party , said security has improved in recent years . But Kurdish lawmaker Mahmood Othman told CNN that more attacks could be possible `` because the people against the political process , against the elections and against stability in Iraq '' will try to disrupt the elections . And he said stepped-up security measures wo n't be enough to deter them . `` There should be some political stability , political reform , reconciliation , '' he said . `` These are also very , very important to provide security . '' CNN 's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report . | Four car bombs explode in central Baghdad , killing nearly 130 and wounding hundreds . First of the vehicles blew up in southern Baghdad 's Dora district . Three other car bombs struck at heart of Iraqi capital , detonating a few minutes apart . Fifth bomb blows up outside the Karkh Civil Court in western Baghdad 's Mansour district . | [[0, 7], [10, 30], [34, 63], [68, 146], [426, 436], [439, 507], [526, 543], [555, 599], [510, 550], [1156, 1181], [1268, 1326], [1327, 1391], [1156, 1265], [1156, 1181], [1268, 1326], [526, 543], [555, 599], [510, 550], [1156, 1181], [1268, 1326], [1327, 1391], [1327, 1350], [1394, 1426], [2881, 2949], [1701, 1794]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- For most Americans , mosquitoes are pests whose bites leave behind itchy bumps . But in other parts of the world , mosquitoes carry a disease called malaria that kills more than a million people each year . Mosquitoes , especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa , may transmit malaria to humans . A new malaria vaccine that 's about to begin human clinical trials is dependent on mosquitoes -- a whole lot of them . Bioengineers have been growing millions of mosquitoes in a sterile environment , letting them feed on malaria-infected blood , irradiating the bugs , extracting the disease-causing parasites and storing them for use in vaccines . The announcement of the Food and Drug Administration 's approval for clinical trials comes just days before World Malaria Day , which is Saturday . Check out the World Health Organization 's site about malaria goals worldwide . The vaccine is unique among other candidates in that it uses the entire parasite and not just parts of it , said Dr. Stephen Hoffman , chief executive and scientific officer at Sanaria Inc. , the Maryland-based biotechnology firm developing the vaccine . This technique was first shown to be effective in the 1970s , but the technology did n't exist to mass-produce it for the millions of people who need it , said Dr. Kirsten Lyke , principal investigator in the clinical trial site at the University of Maryland School of Medicine . At that time , people were immunized by being bitten by the irradiated mosquitoes . `` That is the only effective vaccine that anyone has ever really developed that works and does complete protection , '' said John Dame , chair of Infectious Diseases and Pathology at the University of Florida , who is not involved with the Sanaria trials . The vaccine takes the same basic approach as standard vaccines in use for diseases such as measles and polio . In those vaccines against viruses , weakened bacteria is injected , creating an immune response without causing illness . In the Sanaria vaccine , the body recognizes the malaria parasite as a foreign material , Lyke said . It goes to the liver , where a lot of the immune response is generated , but does not develop into a disease because the mosquito was irradiated , she said . Clinical trials will begin in May , Hoffman said , and will include 80 immunized individuals and 24 controls . About 3,000 mosquitoes were used to produce the vaccines for the first clinical trials , he said . If these trials are successful , researchers will initiate trials on adults in Africa , and then children . Among other vaccines in clinical trials currently , the one that is furthest along is RTS , S , developed by GlaxoSmithKline PLC. . The company announced in December that this vaccine , based on a recombinant protein that uses part of the malaria parasite , was safely administered to African infants , with an efficacy of 65 percent in a three-month follow-up . Both the Sanaria and the GlaxoSmithKline projects receive support from the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative , a program at the nonprofit PATH established through an initial grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation . Dame , who used to be involved with the GlaxoSmithKline vaccine , said he would guess the Sanaria vaccine will be more effective , but clinical trials will provide more information . He also noted that mass distribution to developing countries would require appropriate infrastructure , and may be more difficult depending on how long the immunization lasts . Each year , 350 million to 500 million cases of malaria occur worldwide , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Most people who die from the disease are young children in Africa south of the Sahara . Symptoms of malaria include fever , chills and flu-like illness , the CDC said . Although preventive measures exist , such as insecticide-treated nets and medications , there is no licensed vaccine on the market . Moreover , effective treatments are largely too expensive for the people who need them in poor countries . The parasite has become resistant to cheaper treatments , Lyke said . `` Individuals living on $ 1 or $ 2 a day ca n't even afford $ 8 medication , '' Lyke said . The U.S. military also has a keen interest in a malaria vaccine . The antimalaria drugs available have side effects such as stomach aches , said Dr. Tom Richie , director of the Navy component of the U.S. military malaria vaccine program , who provides oversight to the clinical trials . `` Malaria has been one of the most significant infectious threats to our military personnel when we deploy to tropical areas , '' Richie said . The disease was the leading cause of casualties in the South Pacific theater during World War II , and also a major problem in the Vietnam War , he said . There are five species of the malaria parasite known to infect humans . One called Plasmodium falciparum causes the vast majority of cases . Malaria was eliminated in the United States in 1951 , but there are still cases in the country , mostly from people who acquired it in high-risk countries . In 2002 , there were 1,337 cases of malaria in the U.S. , and all but five had been acquired abroad . An international team at the Malaria Atlas Project recently published what researchers say is the most comprehensive map ever illustrating global malaria risk . Researchers told CNN the map offers hope that it is possible to eradicate the disease in many parts of the world . Hoffman , former head of a U.S. Navy malaria vaccine team , started the Sanaria effort himself in the breakfast room of his house in 2003 . The company now has a more official corporate headquarters in Rockville , Maryland . `` I thought that the world needed a malaria vaccine , there was no question this was the best way to make one , '' he said . | Sanaria Inc. is developing a malaria vaccine that uses the whole parasite . Concept is akin to live virus vaccines , such as those for polio and measles . The method had been tried in the 1970s but was n't feasible on mass scale . The most advanced malaria vaccine , by GlaxoSmithKline , has been tested in Africa . | [[943, 970], [2664, 2667], [2674, 2707]] |
LAGOS , Nigeria -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- More than 400 people have been killed in a spate of violence in northern Nigeria , the president of a human rights group said Tuesday . More than 150 alleged militants were arrested by Nigerian police after clashes . The violence has pitted Islamic militants against government police and troops in the north-central part of the nation , officials said . Attacks continued Tuesday in the suburbs of the northern city of Maiduguri , said Shehu Sani , president of the Civil Rights Congress , a human rights organization based in northern Nigeria . People there are seeking refuge in police and military barracks and in hospitals , he said . Police and troops were dispatched to the militants ' hideouts after they began attacks on government establishments Sunday , said police spokesman Moses Anegbode . As authorities exchanged fire with the militants , 41 people , including a soldier and a policeman , were killed , Anegbode said Monday . In addition , some 176 people were arrested in Bauchi , he said . Besides Bauchi , militants also staged attacks on the nearby states of Yobe and Borno on Sunday and Monday , said Emmanuel Ojukwu , spokesman for the national police . Yobe 's police commissioner , Alhaji Muhammed Abbas , said that 23 suspected militants were arrested in connection with a bomb attack at a police station in Potiskum that killed a policeman and a civilian and wounded seven people . The official News Agency of Nigeria reported that as many as 100 members of a religious sect led by Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf may have been killed in a confrontation with police . In Borno , police spokesman Isa Azare said that two policemen were killed in an attack on police headquarters late Monday . `` The religious fanatics took the police unawares , '' Azare told the government-affiliated New Nigerian newspaper . `` That was why they succeeded in killing all the officers on night duty . '' Panicked residents stayed inside in all three states , and businesses shut down , even though officials said the situation was under control . The militants used guns , bows and arrows and machetes in the attacks , officials said . The militants disagree with the government 's teaching of Islam in the region , maintaining that the government allows itself to be influenced by Western values , and have been attacking government offices and Islamic clergy . There is a history of religious violence in central Nigeria , where majority-Muslim north Africa meets largely Christian sub-Saharan Africa . Human Rights Watch estimates that more than 1,000 people were killed in riots in 2001 . The human rights organization alleged last week that police and soldiers killed at least 133 people during two days of riots between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria last year . Most of the victims were young Muslim men , often unarmed , the group charged in testimony before a state commission examining the riots and in a separate report . More than 700 people died in the violence , the organization said , citing local religious authorities on both sides of the divide . CNN 's Christian Purefoy contributed to this report . | As many as 400 people killed in Nigerian violence , group says . Militants disagree with the government 's teaching of Islam . 176 people also arrested , according to police . | [[8, 115], [2171, 2248], [171, 251], [991, 1030]] |
Newark , New Jersey -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Transportation Security Administration officer has been reassigned after Sunday 's security breach at Newark 's Liberty International Airport , according to the TSA . `` The TSA is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident , and we are making an assessment as to what disciplinary action will be taken against -LSB- the -RSB- officer posted at the exit in question , '' TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis said . `` For now , that officer is performing non-screening duties while we look at what happened . '' Davis confirmed Monday that the TSA had not been able to locate the individual who breached security , but there was no indication that the individual presented a serious threat , she said . `` We were able to eliminate that he was a risk to the airport by rescreening everyone and re-combing the airport to make sure he did n't introduce anything to the environment or hand anything off to anyone , '' she said . The incident Sunday evening forced the closure of a terminal for hours while authorities rescreened thousands of passengers . The security breach happened about 5:20 p.m. at Terminal C when a man walked through an exit on the public side to the secure `` sterile '' side for passengers who had cleared screening , according to the TSA . All passengers had been rescreened by early Monday , according to the TSA . Flights from Terminal C were grounded until the process was completed . Authorities reviewed video from airport cameras but were not sure whether the man was once on the sterile side and went back or whether he never went through screening , Davis said . The incident caused arrival delays and mainly affected Continental Airlines , which is the airport 's largest tenant . iReport : Passenger photographs massive crowd . CNN 's Alina Cho , who arrived at the airport Sunday night on a flight from Fort Lauderdale , Florida , described a hectic scene , saying many passengers who had boarded outgoing flights had to get off planes to be rescreened . `` I just saw one woman pleading with a gate agent , saying that she had two small children and a heart condition -- that she simply could not take this , '' Cho said . `` But of course , there will be no exceptions . '' Newark Liberty International Airport , about 15 miles from Manhattan , is the second-largest hub for Continental . The airport handles approximately 35 million passengers a year . CNN 's Susan Candiotti , Ross Levitt and Jamie Guzzardo contributed to this report . | Security breach Sunday evening forces closure of Terminal C for hours . Officer posted in area that was breached has been reassigned . Man improperly skirted security screening ; he was never found . | [[0, 6], [9, 35], [65, 182], [966, 1036], [0, 6], [9, 35], [65, 182], [552, 630], [580, 587], [606, 652]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A bronze statue of Helen Keller was unveiled at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday as lawmakers praised her as a trailblazer and an inspiration for those with disabilities . The Helen Keller statue depicts the moment when Anne Sullivan spelled `` W-A-T-E-R '' into the child 's hand . `` Some are still dismissed and cast aside for nothing more than being less than perfect , '' Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Kentucky , said at the unveiling ceremony . `` The story of Helen Keller inspires us all . '' The statue shows Keller -- who lost her sight and hearing to illness when she was 19 months old -- standing at a water pump as a 7-year-old , a look of recognition on her face as water streams into her hand . It depicts the moment in 1887 when teacher Anne Sullivan spelled `` W-A-T-E-R '' into one of the child 's hands as she held the other under the pump . It 's the moment when Keller realized meanings were hidden in the manual alphabet shapes Sullivan had taught her to make with her hands . `` W-A-T-E-R , '' said Alabama Gov. Bob Riley . `` Five simple letters that helped rescue 7-year-old Helen Keller from a world of darkness and a world of silence . `` It is this defining moment that we celebrate today . And in time , this moment so vividly depicted by this statue helped the world to understand that all of us , regardless of any disability , have a mind that can be educated , a hand that can be trained , a life that will have meaning . '' Keller learned to speak and earned a degree from Radcliffe College and the women 's branch of Harvard University . She traveled the world as an adult , wrote 12 books and championed causes including women 's suffrage and workers ' rights . Carl Augusto , president and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind , told the crowd he thinks Keller , who worked for the foundation for the last 44 years of her life , `` would have loved this impressive statue of herself and the symbolism attached . '' Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nevada , and others assisted Augusto as he ran his hands over the statue . The foundation , Augusto said , still considers Keller `` our guiding light . She embodies the American spirit of limitless possibility ... her biggest desire was to leave the world a better place than she found it , and ladies and gentlemen , that 's the legacy she leaves all of us . '' More than 40 of Keller 's descendants attended the ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda . Students from the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind sang a medley of patriotic songs . The statue , said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-California , will `` always remind us that people must be respected for what they can do rather than judged for what they can not . '' The statue is also the Capitol 's first depicting a child , Riley 's office said . Since 1864 , each state has been allowed to place two statues in the Capitol . In 2002 , Congress changed the law to allow states to change their statues . Riley , then a U.S. representative , suggested the state place a statue of Keller , and the state Legislature passed a resolution asking Congress to accept a statue of Keller as a gift . A committee with Alabama first lady Patsy Riley serving as honorary chairwoman raised private donations and selected Utah bronze sculpture artist Edward Hlavka to create the piece . The 600-pound statue is made of bronze with a base of Alabama marble , Riley 's office said . In 1997 , a Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorial that opened near the National Mall drew complaints from disability advocates because the statue of the president , who suffered from polio , did not show him in a wheelchair . In 2001 , President Clinton unveiled an addition to the memorial including a new statue of the four-term president sitting in a wheelchair . `` By placing this statue in the Capitol , we appropriately honor this extraordinary American , and will inspire countless children who will come to understand that with faith and with courage , there truly are no limits on what can be accomplished , and there is no obstacle that ca n't be overcome , '' Riley said . Keller 's statue will replace one depicting Jabez Curry . Curry , who has represented Alabama in the Capitol since 1908 , was a Georgia native who served as president of Howard College , which later became Samford University in Birmingham . The Curry statue is being sent back to Alabama for display at the university . The other statue representing Alabama is of Joseph `` Fightin ' Joe '' Wheeler , a Confederate general during the Civil War who , three decades later , volunteered to serve in the Spanish-American War at age 62 and attained the same rank in the U.S. Army , the only one of 425 Confederate generals to do so , according to a biography of him posted on the Fort Sam Houston Museum 's Web site . His statue was donated by the state in 1925 , Riley 's office said . | Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing to illness when she was 19 months old . Statue depicts when teacher Anne Sullivan spelled `` W-A-T-E-R '' into the child 's hand . She traveled the world , wrote books , championed women 's and workers ' rights . | [[541, 609], [615, 680], [199, 309], [247, 309], [750, 797], [785, 830], [1273, 1284], [1288, 1319], [1613, 1647], [1613, 1616], [1669, 1737], [1656, 1679], [1687, 1737]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Singapore-flagged container ship hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia was released Monday , according to the European Union Naval Force Somalia . The Kota Wajar , with a crew of 21 , was the second hijacked ship released in as many days . A Chinese bulk carrier , the De Xin Hai , and its crew of 25 were released on Sunday , NAVFOR said . Both ships were hijacked in October . NAVFOR said the De Xin Hai and its crew were in good condition and `` heading to a safe port . '' The Chinese carrier was hijacked about 350 nautical miles northeast of the Seychelles , NAVFOR said . The Kota Wajar was hijacked about 300 nautical miles north of the Seychelles . Regarding the Kota Wajar , NAVFOR said it was `` monitoring the situation . '' The Canadian warship HCMS Fredericton was providing medical and logistical assistance to the ship , it said . NAVFOR did not say how either ship was released , but the Chinese Marine Search and Rescue Center said the De Xin Hai and crew were rescued , according to the state-run Xinhua news agency . The ship is under the protection of a Chinese naval escort fleet , Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told Xinhua Monday . The De Xin Hai was carrying about 76,000 tons of coal from South Africa to India when it was hijacked . NAVFOR is `` a military operation to help deter , prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia , '' according to its Web site . | Hijacked Chinese bulk carrier De Xin Hai released off coast of Somalia . Singapore-flagged Kota Wajar also released . The De Xin Hai , with crew of 25 , was hijacked in October by pirate group in Indian Ocean . | [[268, 352], [19, 73], [369, 406]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Washington Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas admits he drew guns in the team locker room in a highly publicized December 21 incident , but says he was only kidding around . `` I took the unloaded guns out in a misguided effort to play a joke on a teammate , '' Arenas said in a statement released Monday . `` Contrary to some press accounts , I never threatened or assaulted anyone with the guns and never pointed them at anyone . Joke or not , I now recognize that what I did was a mistake and was wrong . '' Citing NBA sources last month , the New York Post reported that Arenas and Javaris Crittenton both brandished firearms in the team 's locker room . Authorities continue to investigate the incident . Crittenton 's agent , Mark Bartelstein , told CNN Monday that his client `` has n't done anything wrong . I 'm extremely confident he 'll be exonerated . '' Asked if Crittenton brought a gun into the Verizon Center that day , Bartelstein said , `` I 'm not going to get into details . '' He said Crittenton has not met with authorities , nor has such a meeting been requested or scheduled . Arenas , a three-time NBA All-Star , spent Monday afternoon in a voluntary meeting with federal prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney 's Office in Washington and with D.C. metropolitan police about the incident , according to his attorney , Kenneth L. Wainstein . `` From the outset of this incident , Mr. Arenas has been fully cooperative with the investigation , '' Wainstein said in a statement , noting that Arenas relinquished the guns to Wizards security officers and met with authorities to `` tell the full story . '' `` Over the course of a two-hour interview this afternoon , Mr. Arenas answered every question asked of him , '' Wainstein said in Monday 's statement . A spokesman for the U.S. attorney 's office declined to comment on Arenas ' statement , citing the ongoing investigation . Arenas said he told authorities that he stored four unloaded guns in his locker the Verizon Center to keep them away from his children . Arenas said he told authorities that he stored four unloaded guns in his locker the Verizon Center to keep them away from his children . `` I brought them without any ammunition into the District of Columbia , mistakenly believing that the recent change in the DC gun laws allowed a person to store unloaded guns in the District , '' he said in the statement . He offered a public apology to the league , his teammates and his fans , saying , `` I promise to do better in the future . '' NBA spokesman Tim Frank declined to comment on Arenas ' comments , deferring to an earlier statement : `` There is an active investigation by DC law enforcement authorities , which we are monitoring closely . We are not taking any independent action at this time . '' | New York Post : Washington Wizards teammates drew guns on each other . Gilbert Arenas , Javaris Crittenton argued over gambling debt , paper says . Authorities say they are investigating incident but gave no details . | [[541, 547], [573, 688], [689, 739], [1805, 1848], [1893, 1927], [2656, 2725]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- African-Americans are extremely supportive of President Obama , but their enthusiasm appears to have dramatically dropped from earlier this year , according to a new national poll . The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey , released Tuesday , also indicates that Obama 's presidency appears to have made blacks more optimistic about race relations , but less than one in five believe the new president has ushered in a new era of race relations in the country . More than nine in 10 blacks questioned in the poll approve of the job Obama 's doing in the White House , far higher than 42 percent of whites who approve of his performance as president . But when asked how they personally feel about Obama 's presidency , only 42 percent of black respondents say they 're thrilled , with nearly half of those questioned saying they are happy but not thrilled . The 42 percent who are thrilled is down from 61 percent in January , when Obama was inaugurated . `` African-Americans are still big fans of the first black president in U.S. history , but the thrill is gone , '' said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland . According to the poll , 51 percent of African-Americans say Obama 's presidency has brought some improvement in race relations in the U.S. , but only 18 percent feel it 's the start of a new era . Another 23 percent say they 've seen a real change in race relations over the past 11 months and 7 percent say things have gotten worse . The survey indicates that three-quarters of blacks believe race relations will improve eventually , which is up from 49 percent of blacks who felt that way a year before Obama was elected . `` Whites take a dimmer view of Obama 's effect on race relations , with a third believing that the new presidency has not changed race relations in the country and 15 percent of whites saying that Obama has made race relations worse , '' Holland added . `` Not surprisingly , whites are less supportive of Obama , although for a notable number of whites , their negative view of the president is due to the perception that he 's not been liberal enough . '' The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted December 16-20 , with 1,160 adult Americans , including 259 African-Americans and 786 whites , questioned by telephone . The survey 's overall sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points and plus or minus 6 percentage points for the African-Americans sample . CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this story . | CNN/Opinion Research Corp. . Poll released Tuesday . Poll : More than nine in 10 blacks approve of the job Obama is doing . Black respondents saying they 're `` thrilled '' down 19 points from January . Approval rating more than twice as high among blacks than among whites . | [[212, 249], [252, 268], [0, 26], [30, 91], [490, 593], [626, 632], [637, 678], [98, 114], [123, 174], [683, 744], [747, 805]] |
Beirut , Lebanon -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The leaders of Lebanon and Syria vowed to improve cooperation between their two countries Sunday , tying up a meeting aimed at thawing frozen relations . `` We want to open new horizons between the two states , '' Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said at a news conference at the end of the two-day meeting , which happened in Damascus , Syria . `` We had good and excellent discussions based on mutual clarity and honesty , '' he added . `` We are betting on a better future for both countries and peoples , in economy , trade as well as all other levels . '' Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was not at the news conference . Official Syrian news agency SANA reported that both al-Assad and Hariri `` saw the visit as a starting point to restore cooperation between the governments of Syria and Lebanon . '' `` Both sides agreed that the institutions and ministries in both countries directly coordinate and communicate to remove all obstacles to the cooperation on all levels , '' SANA reported . Hariri has previously blamed Syria for the 2005 assassination of his father , Rafik Hariri , a former Lebanese leader who was a prominent figure opposing Syria 's continuing presence inside Lebanon . A United Nations investigation found indications of Syrian involvement , but Syria denies responsibility . A U.N.-backed tribunal has been created to investigate the killing . The two leaders did not discuss that issue or the assassinations of other anti-Syrian figures in Lebanon , Hariri said Sunday . They also did not discuss requests by a Syrian court to question Lebanese officials . Asked whether any guarantees were exchanged regarding the Lebanese-Syrian relationship , Hariri responded , `` I do n't want to go into details . '' He added that the meeting proves `` a relationship is being built in both countries ' interest and in the benefit of future openness . '' A popular uprising after the elder Hariri 's killing in 2005 helped lead to the withdrawal of Syrian forces after almost 30 years of military and political domination of Lebanon . Under international pressure , Syria opened an embassy in Beirut almost a year ago , and a Lebanese ambassador arrived in Damascus a short while later . It was the first time the two foes established diplomatic ties since their independence more than six decades ago . The United States , which also accused Syria of involvement in Rafik Hariri 's assassination , withdrew its ambassador four years ago . President Obama decided to make an effort toward reconciliation and announced earlier this year that he was returning a U.S. diplomat to Damascus . | NEW : Lebanese leader : `` We are betting on a better future for both countries and peoples '' Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Syria . Relations between neighboring Arab nations collapsed after 2005 assassination of Hariri 's father . | [[478, 596]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The wife of al Qaeda 's second-in-command has purportedly issued a message urging women to raise their children to love holy war and defend Muslim lands . The message from Omaima Hassan Ahmad Mohammad Hassad , wife of Osama bin Laden advisor Ayman al-Zawahiri , said that since women could not fight , they should dedicate themselves to so-called holy warriors , or mujahedeen . `` I ask you to raise your children to obey Allah and love jihad -LSB- holy war -RSB- and to defend the Muslim lands , '' she said , in a message released by As-Sahab Media -- al Qaeda 's production company . `` Fighting is not easy for women because they need a male guardian by their side . ... But we can place ourselves in service of the mujahedeen and do what they ask of us . We can help by supporting warriors with money or information or even by a martyrdom operation . '' CNN can not independently verify the authenticity of the document , which appeared on multiple radical Islamist Web sites . Hassan also asked that Allah grant her and her Muslim sisters `` patience and persistence until death , '' especially in the Palestinian Authority , and in Iraq , Chechnya , Afghanistan and Somalia . CNN 's senior editor for Middle East affairs , Octavia Nasr , said it is not a usual practice for women linked to al Qaeda to release messages . `` It signals that al Qaeda seems to be aggressively reaching out to the female population , whereas in the past their focus was mainly on men , '' she said . | Omaima Hassan Ahmad Mohammad Hassad is wife of Ayman al-Zawahiri . Purported message says women should not fight , but encourage their children . Message from woman would be unusual move for al Qaeda , CNN analyst says . | [[0, 15], [61, 173], [1203, 1247], [1265, 1306]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Benjamin Wallen , self-proclaimed biggest fan of HBO 's `` The Wire , '' thought it was well worth a $ 300 flight home to watch the highly anticipated series finale of the acclaimed crime drama with his best friends -- and fellow series diehards -- Sunday night . The finale of `` The Wire '' has raised intense interest -- all the more so because it 's not available on demand . Though the season finale is not scheduled to air nationally until Sunday , HBO has made episodes of the series available through certain cable providers ' on-demand feature up to a week before their national air dates . But when Wallen and his friends huddled around the television and switched on the cable box at 12:03 a.m. Monday , their hearts sank : The new episode was n't listed . They tried an old trick , turning the cable box power switch on and off , hoping the episode would eventually appear . Finally , something did show up -- but not the finale . In the place where the show should have been , Wallen , 24 , and his friends found a one-minute preview of the finale that ended simply with a title screen bearing the date `` March 10 , '' the day the show will be available on demand . Like thousands of other `` Wire '' fanatics who had similarly flocked to the presumed early screener Sunday night , the group sat stunned . `` It completely killed the whole weekend , '' Wallen said . `` We are diehard fans who have watched it every week -- a week early . We did n't think this week would be any different . '' The finale of `` The Wire '' has earned intense interest from fans who have followed the Baltimore-set show zealously since its premiere in 2002 . The critically lauded show has never matched the audience of other HBO programs , such as `` The Sopranos , '' but its viewers are a particularly passionate lot , following the show 's motley crew of cops , drug dealers , struggling children , politicians and journalists with deeply probing blogs and running commentary . Gallery : Get to know the characters of `` The Wire '' '' They want to delve deeper into the show 's portrayal of what creator David Simon has described as `` what it feels like to live in the American city . '' Monday morning , the official HBO Web site confirmed that the series finale would not be made available early , but would premiere during its regularly scheduled 9 p.m. Sunday time slot . While the decision to not release the show early was a surprise to fans , it was one made back at the beginning of the final season at the urging of Simon , executives at HBO said . HBO vice president Dave Baldwin said that in seasons past , spoilers about season finales and the episodes themselves had leaked onto the Web , so Simon requested a change in the schedule . Baldwin acknowledged that there were many angry fans -- some of whom are calling HBO liars -- but attributed their rancor to their passion for the show . But what could he say ? `` Forgive us , we thought we were doing the right thing , '' Baldwin said . `` And anything else that a husband would say to his wife -LSB- in -RSB- begging for forgiveness . '' The curtain of secrecy around `` The Wire '' finale is one Simon intends to keep tightly drawn until the show begins Sunday night . Aaron Barnhart , TV critic for The Kansas City Star , found out just how tightly guarded Simon intended to keep it when he posted an entry to his blog about the advance copy of the finale he received . Barnhart told CNN he intended not to spoil the show for fans , only discussing small details of the finale . But what Barnhart thought was a small detail -- the finale 's closing song -- turned out to be otherwise for Simon . Less than three hours after the blog entry was posted , Barnhart received a voice mail from someone identifying himself as Simon , imploring him to take the post down , because there is a great deal of anticipation and betting on what the song will be . Barnhart said he had no idea the closing segment was such a big deal , saying it had n't made a big impact on him in the past , but he realized that does n't mean it is n't a huge deal to other fans . `` I think it is a token of the strong bond that this show has to its small niche of fans , '' he said . '' -LSB- Simon -RSB- wants to reward the devotion of those fans with a moment like that . He 's decided it 's important , and the fact that it 's not important to me does n't entitle me to spoil it . '' While some `` Wire '' fans who were duped out of an early release ranted on HBO message boards , Facebook and MySpace , Wallen said he and his friends decided to find the positive in it all . `` I guess the consolation is that we have five extra days to be excited and talk about the show before it 's over , '' he said . HBO is a division of Time Warner , as is CNN . E-mail to a friend . | `` The Wire '' has been available on demand , but not Sunday 's finale . Show has a hard-core audience of passionate fans . HBO show , set in Baltimore , wraps up five-season run Sunday . | [[1400, 1471], [1584, 1593], [1598, 1634], [1782, 1834]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Billionaire oil man T. Boone Pickens is shelving plans to build the world 's largest wind farm . T. Boone Pickens says the capital markets will not support his plans to build the world 's largest wind farm . The chairman of BP Capital Management announced Tuesday that his plans for the Pampa Wind Project , designed to generate 4,000 megawatts of electricity using thousands of wind turbines , is on hold . `` I had hoped that Pampa would be the starting point , but transmission issues and the problem with the capital markets make that unfeasible at this point , '' Pickens told CNN 's Ali Velshi . `` I expect to continue development of the Pampa project , but not at the pace that I originally expected . '' The Pickens Plan was an attempt to wean the United States off foreign oil and switch to wind and natural gas . The project was to be set in four Texas Panhandle counties . Pickens said he faced hurdles in routing the power from Texas to a distribution system . His plans were also stymied by a plunge in natural gas prices and a tightening credit market . `` The capital markets have dealt us all a setback , and I 'm less aggressive with the Panhandle project than I have been , '' Pickens said . Watch Pickens respond to criticism that the U.S. ca n't shake it 's oil addiction '' He said he was still committed to 667 wind turbines that he has already ordered and would find homes for them . The Texas billionaire pushed The Pickens Plan in television commercials and lobbying efforts that started last summer . Pickens had hoped to complete his $ 12 billion plan in 2014 and provide enough electricity to power 1.3 million homes . Renewable energy is the source of only a small portion of electricity used today , but in 2008 , the United States became the world 's leading provider of wind power . Pickens , 81 , made his fortune in oil production and trading and is listed in Forbes magazine as the 117th richest person in the United States with a net worth of about $ 3 billion in 2007 . | T. Boone Pickens shelves plans for building world 's largest wind farm . Pampa Wind Project in Texas Panhandle was to have powered 1.3 million homes . Pickens says transmission issues , capital markets make project unfeasible . In 2008 , United States became world 's leading provider of wind power . | [[0, 24], [28, 124], [147, 235], [236, 333], [297, 333], [423, 435], [1556, 1675], [125, 193], [147, 235], [496, 591], [913, 1001], [1002, 1096], [1763, 1770], [1773, 1843]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Commercial office space , warehouses or factory facilities are not required to launch a successful business . At-home enterprises have turned many business people into full-fledged celebrities . Grammy award-winning musicians OutKast started in a basement recording studio in Atlanta , Georgia . Apple , Google and Microsoft all were born at home-based facilities . See more famous businesses that started at home '' Culinary queen Paula Deen started her media empire by making bag lunches in her own kitchen . | At-home startups prove commercial facilities are n't required for success . OutKast , Google , Microsoft , Spanx and other famous names started in homes . Paula Deen 's kitchen bag-lunch operation led to her media empire . | [[0, 15], [45, 128], [315, 343], [348, 384], [385, 435], [389, 411], [417, 435], [436, 486], [470, 473], [487, 529]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Barack Obama on Tuesday admitted he made a mistake in handling the nomination of Tom Daschle as his health and human services secretary , saying Daschle 's tax problems sent a message that the politically powerful are treated differently from average people . President Barack Obama is interviewed by CNN 's Anderson Cooper on Tuesday . Daschle , the former Democratic leader in the U.S. Senate , withdrew earlier Tuesday as news that he failed to pay some taxes in the past continued to stir opposition on Capitol Hill . `` I think I screwed up , '' Obama said in a wide-ranging interview with CNN 's Anderson Cooper . `` And I take responsibility for it and we 're going to make sure we fix it so it does n't happen again . '' Daschle had apologized Monday for what he said were honest mistakes , calling them an embarrassment . The series of errors included improperly reporting $ 15,000 in charitable donations , failing to list $ 80,000 in lobbying income due to what Daschle said was a paperwork error , and not reporting as income a car and driver loaned to him by a friend and business associate . Watch Obama admit mistake '' Daschle recently filed amended tax returns and paid more than $ 140,000 in back taxes and interest for 2005 to 2007 . Those tax issues , as well as questions over whether work he did after his stint in the Senate amounted to lobbying , gave critics ammunition to question Obama 's call for a change of culture in Washington . `` Ultimately , I campaigned on changing Washington and bottom-up politics , '' Obama said . `` And I do n't want to send a message to the American people that there are two sets of standards -- one for powerful people and one for ordinary folks who are working every day and paying their taxes . '' Watch the full interview with Anderson Cooper '' Obama defended Daschle 's original appointment , saying `` nobody was better-equipped to deal both with the substance and policy of health care . '' `` He understands it as well as anybody , but also the politics , which is going to be required to actually get it done , '' Obama said . Earlier , White House spokesman Robert Gibbs insisted Daschle 's decision to withdraw was made on his own , not as a result of any prodding from the administration . In a written statement , Daschle acknowledged the political problem he had created for the administration . Still , Obama insisted the mistake was his . Read how CNN analysts assess the situation '' Obama also said he 's going to crack down on businesses using taxpayer money to excessively pay executives . He plans a Wednesday announcement of mechanisms to keep that from happening . `` I 'm going to be talking about executive compensation and changes we 're going to be making there , '' he said . `` We 've now learned that people are still getting huge bonuses despite the fact that they 're getting taxpayer money , which I think infuriates the public . '' Watch Obama discuss getting tough on executives '' The president also spoke about the struggling economy , the use of the label `` war on terror , '' and lighter topics , including the family dog and his efforts to stop smoking . Thinking about the nation 's faltering economy keeps him up at night , Obama said . He also addressed criticism that there is too much spending in the current stimulus package bill written by House Democrats . iReport.com : Was Daschle properly vetted ? `` Look , the only measure of my success as president when people look back five years from now or nine years from now is going to be , did I get this economy fixed . I have no interest in promoting a package that does n't work , '' Obama said . Cooper also asked Obama about reports that he is not using former President Bush 's phrase , `` war on terror , '' to refer to the wars in Iraq in Afghanistan . `` Words matter in this situation because one of the ways we 're going to win this struggle is through the battle of hearts and minds , '' Obama said . `` I think it is very important for us to recognize that we have a battle or a war against some terrorist organizations , but that those organizations are n't representative of a broader Arab community , Muslim community . '' Watch Obama talk about the phrase `` war on terror '' '' Moving on to lighter topics , the president said the first family has n't decided what type of dog to get , but will wait until spring . Obama , an intermittent smoker , also said he has not smoked on the White House grounds . `` Sometimes it 's hard . But , you know , I 'm sticking to it , '' Obama said . iReport.com : ` People should give him some slack ' Asked about the greatest lesson he 'd learned about the presidency from studying about Abraham Lincoln , Obama said : . `` You know , when I think about Abraham Lincoln , what I 'm struck by is the fact that he constantly learned on the job . He got better . You know , he was n't defensive . He was n't arrogant about his tasks . He was very systematic in saying , ` I 'm going to master the job , and I understand it 's going to take some time . ' '' | Obama tells CNN 's Anderson Cooper : ' I take responsibility for it ' President says message was sent that the politically powerful are treated differently . Daschle apologizes for what he says were honest mistakes involving taxes . Obama also discusses declining economy and fight against terrorist groups . | [[300, 376], [588, 659], [667, 695], [2411, 2416], [2419, 2455], [0, 26], [178, 299], [769, 836], [3018, 3031], [3037, 3071]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel will bring a `` tough-minded '' and `` pragmatic '' approach to the White House when he becomes President-elect Barack Obama 's chief of staff , according to people who know the Chicago , Illinois , native . Rep. Rahm Emanuel has experience in the White House , on Wall Street and on Capitol Hill . Emanuel , a former top aide to President Clinton , has accepted the position in the new administration , Obama confirmed in a statement Thursday . `` I announce this appointment first because the chief of staff is central to the ability of a president and administration to accomplish an agenda , '' Obama said . `` And no one I know is better at getting things done than Rahm Emanuel . '' In the job , Emanuel would oversee the White House staff . The chief of staff is usually involved in all the major decisions that the president makes and is responsible for making sure the administration carries out the president 's wishes . Watch Emanuel call himself `` fortunate '' '' The chief of staff also often is involved in negotiations with congressional leaders when major legislation is under consideration . Jim Manley , a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nevada , called Emanuel : `` An excellent choice . '' `` Rahm knows the Hill . And he knows the White House . He is a brilliant strategic thinker and someone who knows how to get things done , '' Manley said . Manley also rejected the idea that Emanuel is a true partisan that could not work with Republicans . `` That 's ridiculous . Rahm understands politics is the art of compromise . He 's got a deeply held set of views but he also understands to get things done you have to compromise , '' he said . After leaving the Clinton White House , Emanuel , 48 , was an investment banker on Wall Street and later was elected to the House of Representatives in 2002 from a heavily Democratic Chicago district . He quickly rose to become the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House . Watch what Emanuel brings to the White House '' It is Emanuel 's combination of experiences -- plus his strong personal relationship with Obama -- that would make him a strong chief of staff , said CNN political analyst Paul Begala , a fellow Clinton veteran . `` He has spent more time in the White House than President-elect Obama has . That matters a lot . It is a special place with its own rhythms , '' Begala said . See who Obama may be considering for his Cabinet '' `` But , maybe most importantly , he 's got the relationship . He has known Barack and Michelle Obama for a number of years . '' Before reports emerged that he had accepted the position , Emanuel told WLS-TV in Chicago that he had to consider the possible impact on his family . Watch how Obama is starting his transition '' `` I have a lot to weigh : the basis of public service , which I have given my life to , a career choice . And most importantly , what I want to do as a parent , '' Emanuel said in an interview that aired Wednesday . Emanuel added : `` This is not a professional choice . This is a personal choice about what my wife and I want to do for our family , as much as what to do with my career . '' Emanuel 's at-times blunt approach would ensure the White House runs smoothly for the new president , said Mack McLarty , Clinton 's former chief of staff . Watch as McLarty calls Emanuel an `` excellent choice '' '' `` Rahm is high energy . He 's direct . He 's a tough-minded pragmatist . So I think the years have been good to him in that regard , '' McLarty said . `` I think the high-energy directness will serve him well . `` Rahm , like a lot of us , made mistakes , but he quickly corrected them . '' However , the lawmaker 's direct style has ruffled a number of feathers in Washington , and Emanuel is known as one of the toughest partisan fighters on Capitol Hill . After reports that Emanuel had agreed to be Obama 's chief of staff on Thursday , the top Republican in the House , Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio , questioned the president-elect 's pick . Election T-shirt : Obama inspires historic victory . `` This is an ironic choice for a president-elect who has promised to change Washington , make politics more civil and govern from the center , '' Boehner said . According to a 2006 profile of Emanuel in Fortune magazine , Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma warned his fellow Republicans of Emanuel 's ferocity in a letter two years ago . `` He 's dangerous , '' Cole told Fortune then . `` He has a closing intensity . When he 's got a political kill in sight , he 's absolutely relentless . '' But David Gergen , a CNN senior political analyst who has worked in five administrations , said the contrasting styles between Obama and Emanuel could help the new president get things done in Washington . `` They are obviously setting up a good cop/bad cop routine in the White House . ... Barack Obama can be the good guy , '' Gergen said . iReport.com : Who should be in Obama 's cabinet ? Emanuel has made a career of being the tough guy . In the 2006 Fortune profile , Begala described Emanuel 's aggressive style as a `` cross between a hemorrhoid and a toothache . '' `` I love Rahm , but that 's a small group of us , '' he told Fortune . CNN 's Ted Barrett and Don Lemon contributed to this report . | NEW : Rahm Emanuel will be White House chief of staff , Barack Obama says . Emanuel 's direct style has ruffled some feathers on Capitol Hill . House minority leader calls pick `` ironic '' for candidate who ran on change . Emanuel is a veteran of Clinton White House , Wall Street and Congress . | [[127, 184], [3865, 3944], [3947, 3978], [4020, 4060], [3188, 3222], [3290, 3307], [3430, 3444], [3707, 3782], [4114, 4163], [4142, 4163], [4168, 4201], [250, 301]] |
PITTSBURGH , Pennsylvania -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- For Pittsburgh International Airport , the Group of 20 summit is like the Sunday after Thanksgiving : the busiest flying day of the year , with world leaders instead of holiday travelers . Officials greet Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal , left , on Wednesday at Pittsburgh International Airport . After weeks of logistics and planning , the airport and the adjacent Air Force Reserve Base will see 23 heads of state arrive in the space of a few hours . President Obama is hosting the G-20 summit -- a two-day meeting of representatives of the world 's largest economies -- Thursday and Friday in Pittsburgh . `` This is unprecedented , '' Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said . `` We 've never seen anything like it . '' The county runs the airport and coordinated the arrivals along with the White House , U.S. State Department and law enforcement officials . The arrivals will take place away from the commercial passenger terminals on the huge airport property . With different areas being used , some of the presidents and prime ministers will show up at the same time . Watch Pittsburgh 's security preparations for protesters '' `` It is all scheduled . No one will be sitting out '' on the tarmac waiting , Onorato said . There are no welcoming ceremonies planned at the airport . The leaders quickly will get into separate motorcades and be whisked to downtown Pittsburgh . A formal greeting will take place Thursday evening at a conservatory in Pittsburgh 's Oakland neighborhood . The heads of state invited to Pittsburgh include the leader of the European Union and the prime ministers of the Netherlands , Spain and Sweden . Many leaders are bringing hundreds of delegates and support staff with them as well . At least two countries are bringing jumbo jets into the airport . Members of Saudi Arabia 's delegation landed Wednesday evening . The leaders are arriving from New York , where they attended the U.N. General Assembly . Airport officials say the VIP landings will not mean delays for passengers , though they warn trips to and from the airport could take extra time because of road closings for motorcades . It 's Obama 's second trip to Pittsburgh in nine days . He addressed the AFL-CIO Convention on September 15 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center , where the G-20 summit also is being held . This time , Air Force One will have plenty of company . | Representatives of world 's largest economies meeting for two days in Pittsburgh . Twenty-three heads of state arriving in the space of a few hours at airport . Leaders ' arrivals will take place away from commercial passenger terminals . Delegates and support staff also on hand ; airport says there wo n't be any delays . | [[348, 385], [388, 473], [925, 1029], [1701, 1779], [2007, 2081]] |
Editor 's Note : The following story contains spoilers regarding the show `` House . '' If you 'd rather not know what happens , stop reading now . Kal Penn , left , with Peter Jacobson on `` House , '' is joining the Obama White House . LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When Dr. Lawrence Kutner killed himself on the latest episode of `` House : MD , '' it was the beginning of a new career for actor Kal Penn. . The demise of Penn 's character cleared the way for the actor to move on to another `` House , '' the White House . Penn , 31 , will be an associate director for the Obama administration 's Office of Public Liaison . `` It seemed like something I would enjoy doing , '' Penn said . `` I figured it was something to do . '' He 's not retiring from acting , just pursuing a longtime desire for public service that was rekindled when he campaigned for Barack Obama 's election , Penn said . Penn played a teen terrorist on Fox 's `` 24 '' before joining the network 's `` House '' two years ago . He 's also known as Kumar Patel in the `` Harold & Kumar '' movie series . The White House job likely ends his Kumar roles , he said . In fact , he will not consider any acting jobs until he leaves the Obama administration , he said . Penn will take a big pay cut to work for the government , but he has committed to at least one or two years in the job , he said . His focus will be as a liaison for the arts community and the Asian-American community , he said . He filled a similar role in the Obama presidential campaign , he said . `` We want to make sure that everyone 's concerns are heard and they are familiar with the president 's plans and proposals , '' he said . Penn said he spoke briefly with Obama after the election about `` trying to find the right fit '' for him in the administration . He said he has bittersweet emotions as he leaves Hollywood to search for an apartment in Washington next week . The writers ' decision to have Dr. Kutner commit suicide ensures Penn will not return to the show , although he said he leaves on good terms . He felt `` more than a little bit of shock and loss '' to learn that his character would die in his final episode . Even though he spoke no lines in the episode -- and only his legs are seen when his body is found -- he was on the set for the filming , he said . CNN 's KJ Matthews contributed to this story . | `` House '' actor Kal Penn is leaving the show to join the Obama White House . Penn will become part of Office of Public Liaison . Actor says working on campaign last year re-ignited desire for public service . | [[200, 237], [541, 545], [548, 550], [553, 641], [748, 778], [781, 831], [817, 831], [837, 898]] |
Tehran , Iran -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iranian forces that seized an Iraqi oil well have withdrawn from the installation but remain on Iraqi territory , a top Iraqi official charged Sunday . Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki 's government deployed more troops to Maysan province where oil well number 4 is located , Iraqi security officials said . They said workers returned to the well Sunday morning , escorted by the Iraqi army . Negotiations to resolve the diplomatic standoff are ongoing , said Iraq 's Deputy Foreign Minister Labid Abawi . Iran , however , dismissed Iraq 's allegations of the takeover . `` Our forces are on our own soil and , based on the known international borders , this well belongs to Iran , '' the armed forces command said on the Web site of Iran 's state-run Arabic-language Al-Alam TV . The Iraqi government had issued a strong statement deploring the act after al-Maliki attended an emergency meeting of Iraq 's National Security Council to discuss the situation . Iraq demanded the Iranians withdraw remove an Iranian flag hoisted from the well tower in the takeover on Thursday night . Senior Iraqi government sources initially referred to the Iranians as security forces , but the official Iraqi government statement later called them an armed group . Alaeddin Borujerdi , head of the Iranian parliament 's national security and foreign policy commission , also rejected Iraqi allegations , blaming the international media for distributing propaganda intended to harm relations between Iran and Iraq . Drilled in 1979 , the well near the city of Amara is within the province 's Fakka oil field , which includes a number of wells , the Iraqi government said . The diplomatic scuffle , a manifestation of existing tension between the two neighbors , prompted discussions between Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari on Saturday , Iran 's state-run Press TV reported . Iraq and Iran share a long border , and high-ranking committees from both countries handle all border matters , an Iranian Embassy official said . Political , economic , cultural and religious ties between Iran and Iraq , which are both majority Shiite Muslim nations , greatly improved after the overthrow of the Saddam Hussein regime in 2003 . At the same time , there has been widespread concern among Iraqi and U.S. officials that Iran has been providing Iraqi insurgents with material for roadside bombs during the Iraq war . And Iraq and Iran fought a bloody eight-year war that ended in 1988 in a cease-fire with no clear victor and parts of the border under dispute . The report of the oil-well incident comes just after the oil ministry 's two-day auction of oil fields . Aimed at increasing Iraqi oil production , deals were struck for seven of the 15 fields offered . Iraq , however , was forced to halt its exports from northern oil fields due to an attack -- the fourth in two months -- on a main pipeline Saturday about 300 kilometers -LRB- 186 miles -RRB- north of Baghdad , Oil Ministry spokesman Assim Jihad said . | Iranian forces that seized Iraqi oil well withdraw from facility but remain in Iraq , says Iraqi official . Iran , however , dismissed Iraq 's allegations of takeover , saying well is in Iranian territory . Negotiations to resolve diplomatic standoff are ongoing , says Iraq 's Deputy Foreign Minister . The two countries fought 8-year war that ended in 1988 with parts of border under dispute . | [[9, 29], [119, 144], [536, 540], [553, 600], [684, 688], [694, 709], [423, 482], [423, 470], [485, 535], [1687, 1709], [1776, 1901], [2473, 2617], [2498, 2521], [2527, 2617]] |
-LRB- Sunset -RRB- -- An insider shares five top experiences in Sausalito , California , you wo n't read about in guidebooks . Waldo Point Harbor is one of several scenic houseboat communities in Sausalito . Off-the-path pier . You 'll want a bike or a car to get to the Fort Baker fishing pier , which sits in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge and has unbeatable views across the bay to San Francisco . In summer , foghorns bellow loudly from here , but in December , fishermen and pelicans are more the order of the day . A short walk north is eco-luxe Cavallo Point : The Lodge at the Golden Gate , which was big news in town when it debuted last summer . Even if you do n't stay there , stop for a glass of wine in the clubby Farley Bar . Locals ' beach . Schoonmaker Beach is a bit farther from downtown , but still doable on foot and well worth finding . My son and I have whiled away many sunny mornings here , wading in the bay and watching sailboats . The beach bumped up to our number one favorite in April with the addition of Le Garage , a French bistro steps from the sand and , hands down , the best new restaurant in town in ages . Grab a seat next to the roll-up glass garage door and definitely try the mussels Provençale . Sunset.com : 20 perfect summer trips . Undiscovered hike . You ca n't spend time in Sausalito and not make it to the Marin Headlands , just a mile outside town -- it 'd be like going to Yosemite and missing Half Dome . So join the parade of cars winding up twisty Conzelman Road to Hawk Hill , but do n't stop there . Drive a bit farther to the beach parking area on your left , and you 'll see signs for the trail to Black Sands Beach . The 0.75-mile hike down -LRB- slightly rickety -RRB- steps is sure to put the rosy in your cheeks , and the narrow strip of beach is windy , wild and stunning . My secret ? Instead of starting from the beach parking area , I like to drive past the Marin Headlands Visitor Center , turn right on Bunker Road , and start at the historic rifle range . It 's worth the extra 1.5 miles over the ridge for the views you 'll have all to yourself . Sunset.com : Our amazing national parks . Best shopping street . There 's more to Sausalito shopping than the chintzy souvenir shops that line the main drag downtown . Just a 10-minute walk north of the waterfront lies leafy Caledonia Street , home to several locally owned galleries and framing shops , plus Flying Oliver Books , where we always find deals on used cookbooks . I love to look at the black-and-white photography at Sausalito Picture Framing and pick up letterpress holiday cards and fashionable ribbons and papers for present wrapping at Pinestreet Papery . And one block to the east on Bridgeway is McCloud Design , with streamlined modern container gardens , handcrafted fountains and outdoor furniture . Sunset.com : Outdoor dining rooms . Hidden harbor . Sausalito would n't be Sausalito without its houseboats . Among several houseboat communities in town , Waldo Point Harbor stands out for its hilarious , only-in-Sausalito message board at the harbor entrance . On my all-star list : `` Lost : Plywood dinghy , battered blue '' -LRB- alongside a charmingly rakish drawing of the poor lost boat -RRB- and `` Want to exchange your houseboat with mine in Paris for a week ? '' Impressive feats of container gardening -- succulents , roses , lemon trees -- line the boardwalk , and residents are often out watering plants in the early morning . Truth be told , I did once catch a minibus of Japanese tourists being let off in this area , but that was in the height of summer , and they seemed to walk right past Issaquah Dock , our favorite spot . Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com . Copyright 2004-2009 Sunset magazine . All rights reserved . | Wade in the bay and watch sailboats at Schoonmaker Beach . Stroll through Waldo Point Harbor , one of Sausalito 's houseboat communities . Shop Caledonia Street , a 10-minute walk north of the waterfront . | [[864, 876], [921, 963], [127, 207], [2291, 2364]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President-elect Barack Obama 's transition team announced several key appointments to his communications team Saturday . Robert Gibbs will have one of the most highly visible roles in the Obama administration . Robert Gibbs , an Obama campaign spokesman who also has acted as spokesman for the transition , will become Obama 's press secretary , one of the most highly visible roles in the administration . Gibbs , an Auburn , Alabama , native who has worked for Sen. Fritz Hollings , the Democratic Senatorial Committee and Sen. John Kerry 's presidential campaign , was communications director and then a senior strategist for the Obama campaign . Ellen Moran , executive director of EMILY 's List , will serve as Obama 's communications director . Moran worked for the AFL-CIO , coordinating `` Wal-Mart corporate accountability activities , '' before returning to EMILY 's , an organization dedicated to helping Democratic women get elected to office . It had endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton for president . See who 's on Obama 's short list for cabinet posts '' Dan Pfeiffer , current communications director with the transition team , will be Obama 's deputy communications director . He began work with the Obama campaign in January 2007 as traveling press secretary before returning to Chicago , Illinois , to work as communications director . Unlike Gibbs and Pfeiffer , Moran is not already on Obama 's communications team . `` These individuals will fill essential roles , and bring a breadth and depth of experience that can help our administration advance prosperity and security for the American people , '' Obama said in a written statement . `` This dedicated and impressive group of public servants includes longtime advisors and a talented new addition to our team , and together we will work to serve our country and meet the challenges of this defining moment in history . '' On Friday , sources indicated that some of Obama 's Cabinet posts were close to being filled . Two sources close to the transition team said New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner is `` on track '' to be offered the Treasury secretary post . Watch CNN 's Anderson Cooper discuss Obama 's choices '' Transition officials told The Associated Press on Saturday that Obama planned to announce Geithner 's appointment on Monday , along with that of Lawrence Summers as director of the National Economic Council . Summers is a former president of Harvard University and served as treasury secretary under Bill Clinton . Two sources said Friday that Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico is a serious contender for commerce secretary but that he could be chosen for another senior post . Geithner has played a large role in the government 's efforts to wrangle the credit crisis , which has damaged markets and economies worldwide . Although a number of those efforts have been controversial , Geithner remains a well-regarded figure from Wall Street to Washington . Geithner began working with the Treasury Department in 1988 in the International Affairs division . In 1999 , he became under-secretary of the Treasury for international affairs . Geithner would be charged with restoring stability to the financial markets , the banking system and the housing sector through oversight of the controversial $ 700 billion financial rescue package , of which about half is still available for use at the discretion of the Treasury secretary . Watch CNN 's John King discuss the posts with panelists '' The Dow Jones industrial index staged a late rally Friday after traders heard news of Geithner 's possible appointment , rising by almost 500 points shortly before the market 's closing time . The two sources close to the transition team said they do not consider Richardson 's appointment to the Commerce Department to be a done deal . Richardson , 61 , was a candidate for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination . Currently in his second term as New Mexico 's governor , he served as ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary in the Clinton administration . Richardson is also considered to be a possibility for the secretary of state post . Also Friday , Sen. Hillary Clinton 's camp shot down reports that she had agreed to accept the secretary of state position . `` We 're still in discussions , which are very much on track , '' said Philippe Reines , Clinton 's senior adviser . `` Any reports beyond that are premature . '' The New York Times reported that Clinton would give up her Senate seat and accept the Cabinet post , citing two confidants , who said the decision was made after further consultation with Obama about the nature of her role and his foreign policy plans . A senior Obama aide told CNN there has been no development on a possible Clinton appointment since they informed CNN Thursday that she is `` on track '' to be nominated for secretary of state . Obama 's transition team also appears close to choosing a national security adviser to the White House . Retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones has emerged as the president-elect 's leading choice for the position , two sources close to the Obama transition team say . The sources said Jones has been given the impression by Obama that the job is his if he wants it . But the officials said that private discussions are under way and that no final decision has been made . The discussions are focused on precisely how much power Jones will have in the staff job , since he is used to being in a command role . Among his many posts , Jones served for several years as the operational commander for NATO . | NEW : Timothy Geithner to be announced as Treasury pick , AP reports . Robert Gibbs , an Obama campaign spokesman , will be press secretary . Ellen Moran , EMILY 's List executive director , will be communications director . Dan Pfeiffer named Obama 's deputy communications director . | [[2225, 2348], [230, 242], [326, 362], [669, 680], [714, 769], [1084, 1096], [1158, 1207]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Senate confirmed by unanimous consent retired Adm. Dennis Blair as director of national intelligence Wednesday . Retired Adm. Dennis Blair answers questions at his confirmation hearing last week . The confirmation followed the resignation of former director Michael McConnell , who left the post Tuesday after nearly two years on the job . Earlier this month , President Barack Obama nominated Blair to be chief of intelligence . McConnell had been expected to remain as DNI until Blair was in place , but a delay in Blair 's confirmation prompted him to announce his resignation sooner than that . Blair 's confirmation hearing was held last week . The retired admiral will continue to advise Obama , however , having agreed to serve on the President 's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board . The defense consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton announced Tuesday that McConnell will return to the company as a vice president . He left the firm in February 2007 to become the nation 's second director of national intelligence . In a farewell letter obtained by CNN , McConnell thanked his colleagues for their hard work and touted some of the accomplishments during his tenure . At the top of his list : passage of legislation revising the law governing intelligence community eavesdropping and updating the presidential order that outlines the power and authorities of the community . `` These documents lay a foundation to provide the IC the structure and the tools needed to continue our work , while expanding privacy and civil liberties protections to all Americans , '' wrote McConnell . The office was created in late 2004 as part of the effort to improve intelligence gathering after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States and the faulty intelligence on Iraq weapons of mass destruction . | Retired Adm. Dennis Blair confirmed by unanimous consent . Confirmation comes after previous director Michael McConnell resigned . Earlier this month , President Obama nominated Blair as chief of intelligence . | [[30, 71], [231, 309], [276, 309], [316, 373], [0, 26], [72, 146], [374, 392], [395, 463]] |
ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Every year , I take at least one vacation out of the country to get my international travel fix . And this time , I 'm taking you with me . The travel bug is a forever-itch that leaves you longing to wake up in a foreign country , Jarrett Bellini says . No , not literally . Sit down . This year , YOU can weigh in on where I go and what I do once I get there . We 're calling it : Let 's Ruin Jarrett 's Vacation ! By adding your comments below or sharing your ideas on CNN.com Live 's Facebook page , you can send me to either Argentina , Greece , South Africa or Turkey . The destination that gets the most positive response is where I 'll go . And to make it more fun , I wo n't even find out where I 'm heading until I actually get to the airport this Sunday , August 30 . There , I will tear open an envelope , read the results for the first time , and then head to my departure gate -- hopefully with at least a few articles of appropriate clothing . Once I get to wherever it is you send me , I 'll be blogging on CNN.com and and checking in from time to time on CNN.com Live . By sharing your ideas on Facebook , you 'll be able to guide many aspects of this vacation . You call the shots . And I 'll cry myself to sleep at night wondering why I agreed to work on vacation and let other people plan it . I suppose , now , you might want a little background on why I 'd actually want to do this . I mean , besides the fact that clearly , I 'm a glutton for punishment . Really , though , I think I just like a challenge . In the fall of 2003 , after an entire month of fruitlessly waiting by my phone to hear back about an entry-level position with CNN , I finally gave up hope and took my apparent job snub as some sort of cosmic sign from the Slacker Gods . I decided , then , that the only reasonable course of action was to buy a plane ticket to Europe to spend the next three months running around with my backpack , trying -- again , quite fruitlessly -- to meet foreign chicks . Though not quite a rucksack Casanova , I did come back from these magical three months with a far greater ability to entertain myself in a completely new place among absolute strangers . -LRB- Granted , for me , this can be accomplished by the presence of shiny objects . -RRB- . Amazingly , the day after I returned from Europe , CNN called and offered me the position . It took four long months , but the timing was remarkable and I could n't have been happier . But , as I started my new professional life , I was sick . I had the travel bug . Now , this is not to be confused with bed bugs , which , FYI , I painfully fell victim to in Copenhagen at a horrible , bomb-shelter-of-a-hostel they call Sleep in Heaven . Apparently , Heaven smells like mildew and leaves you with a rash . No , this was the travel bug -- the forever-itch that leaves you longing to wake up in a foreign bed in a foreign country , rising to face new ideas and new people beneath an unfamiliar sky . Of course , that 's just my poorly poetic way of saying : The world is huge and amazing . It 's so good ! Once it hits your lips , it 's so good ! | Jarrett Bellini offers readers opportunity to decide where he 's going on vacation . Readers can choose either Argentina , Greece , South Africa or Turkey . Bellini will blog on CNN.com and appear on CNN.com Live from the country . Bellini says he has the `` travel bug '' for international vacations . | [[538, 611], [995, 1027], [1038, 1083], [995, 1017], [1038, 1039], [1075, 1122], [86, 134]] |
Madrid , Spain -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Spanish court convicted 11 Islamic militants Monday of membership in a terrorist group , but acquitted them of a `` specific '' conspiracy to carry out an attack on Barcelona 's metro subway system , as prosecutors alleged . The court instead said there was a more general decision by the group , linked to al Qaeda , to use explosives against Barcelona 's metro , but that a specific date and place had not been determined , nor had a sufficient amount of explosives been assembled , according to a copy of the sentence viewed by CNN . The judges ruled the alleged Barcelona plot had `` not advanced sufficiently '' to constitute a crime of conspiracy under Spanish law . The alleged plot in January 2008 had raised alarm bells in Europe because Spanish authorities said there were to be a series of attacks , starting with suicide bombings on the Barcelona metro , and then other attacks in Spain , Germany , France , Portugal and Great Britain , if successive demands from a Pakistani Taliban leader and al Qaeda were not met . The trial against 10 Pakistani men and an Indian national was held last month . All proclaimed their innocence and many refused to answer prosecutors questions . The three-judge panel at the National Court ruled on Monday that all 11 belonged to a terrorist group . Two of the 11 also were convicted of possession of explosives , but nine others were acquitted on that charge . The 11 face prison terms of eight to 14 years . But Jose Maria Fuster-Fabra , a private prosecutor representing victims in the case , told CNN the sentence sets a precedent in Spain because the 11 defendants were convicted for terrorist group membership almost solely on the basis of a key police informant , known as F1 to protect his identity . F1 testified he was selected by the group 's leader to be a suicide bomber , and that he quickly made a secretive call from a bathroom at a Barcelona mosque to warn a friend in France about an impending terrorist attack . Hours later , police swooped to make arrests in January 2008 in Barcelona . The protected witness denied on the stand that he worked for French or any other secret service . Defense lawyer Jacobo Teijelo , on the team representing all 11 defendants , said the sentence lacked judicial merit and he vowed to appeal to Spain 's Supreme Court . About 30 members of Barcelona 's large Pakistani community watched the trial almost daily in a bulletproof basement courtroom at the high-security National Court in central Madrid . A community leader told CNN the defendants were innocent and that the Pakistani community in Barcelona was hardworking and law-abiding . More than 300 suspected Islamic extremists have been arrested in Spain since the Madrid commuter train bombings that killed 191 people and wounded more than 1,800 on March 11 , 2004 , Spain 's interior minister has said . | Court convicts 11 Islamic militants of belonging to terrorist group , but acquits them of conspiring to attack Barcelona 's metro . Judges ruled alleged Barcelona plot not advanced to constitute crime of conspiracy . Alleged plot in January 2008 raised alarm bells with Spanish authorities fearing series of attacks across Europe . | [[34, 80], [9, 30], [129, 174], [147, 233], [1229, 1332], [1294, 1332], [1401, 1444], [573, 694], [622, 708], [709, 844], [783, 900]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Being the leader and second-richest person in one of the most beautiful and cultured nations on Earth might sound cushy , but Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is having a rough year . Already the subject of intense criticism over his personal life and management style , Berlusconi took another blow Sunday when a man police are calling `` mentally unstable '' smacked the Italian prime minister in the face with a souvenir replica of a cathedral . Berlusconi , 73 , who was in his hometown of Milan stumping for a political ally , suffered broken teeth and a fractured nose . His alleged assailant , Massimo Tartaglia , is being held by Milanese authorities , who believe he acted alone . As he has done in the past after nonphysical attacks , Berlusconi blamed political opponents . `` What I can tell you is that there has been such a buildup of hatred toward the premier , and this is not good , '' Berlusconi spokesman Paolo Buonaiuti said . `` This campaign of hatred has been building quite rapidly recently , and I am not surprised that what happened tonight took place . '' The prime minister scores highly in polls gauging Italian popular opinion , though he has been tried on various charges 17 times since taking office in 1994 . The charges include corruption , false accounting and tax fraud . Berlusconi has said he did nothing wrong and accused magistrates of conducting a witch hunt . He also noted that he has never been convicted . In some cases , he was found guilty but won on appeal . Berlusconi was elected to his third term as premier in April 2008 , about two months after his trial on corruption charges was postponed until after the election . His ability to maneuver through political crises has prompted a prominent journalist to liken him to a puppeteer , saying he is popular because he 's a skilled populist . Berlusconi is `` a man who pulls the most elementary strings of the public opinion -- a public opinion , which in Italy in these times , prefers simple paths , '' said Giulio Anselmi , chairman of ANSA , Italy 's leading news wire . Even by Berlusconi 's standards , 2009 has been a tumultuous year , as his second wife has filed for divorce and allegations of corruption and infidelity continue to surface . This month 's Rolling Stone Italy cheekily declared him `` Rock Star of the Year . '' Editor Carlo Antonelli released a statement saying the prime minister made rockers Keith Richards and Rod Stewart look like `` schoolboys . '' `` This year the choice was unanimous for his obvious merits due to a lifestyle for which the words , rock 'n' roll , fall short , '' Antonelli 's statement said . Watch how Berlusconi was hit at a rally . The prime minister 's second wife , Veronica Lario , whom he married in 1990 , filed for divorce in May after news reports that he attended a birthday party for 18-year-old Neapolitan model Noemi Letizia , with whom he was accused of having an improper relationship . Berlusconi called the allegations `` slander '' and the girl 's family , longtime friends of the prime minister , also deny there was anything improper . Lario , the mother of three of Berlusconi 's five children , is asking for about $ 70 million a year from the prime minister , whom Forbes magazine ranked this year as No. 70 on its list of richest people , with an estimated net worth of $ 6.5 billion . More allegations followed the divorce filing , including claims that women were paid to attend parties at the prime minister 's various homes . Berlusconi denied those allegations , telling the Italian magazine `` Chi '' he would never pay for sex because it would dampen the `` the pleasure of the conquest . '' In June , he went to court to block the publication of hundreds of photos from his seaside villa in Sardinia , saying they posed `` an aggressive intrusion into my private life . '' A Spanish paper ran some of the photos , showing scantily clad women at Berlusconi 's villa and reporting that the premier was the subject of an investigation into whether he used official Italian aircraft to ferry guests to his villa . Berlusconi admitted using government airplanes to ferry guests , but an investigation found no wrongdoing on the premier 's part . In October , old allegations of political scandal re-emerged when Italy 's Constitutional Court overturned a law that shielded presidents , prime ministers and the leaders of both houses of parliament from prosecution . The court said the constitution requires all Italians to be equal before the law . Berlusconi had pushed for the immunity law after his 2008 re-election , and the court 's action opened Berlusconi to prosecution on allegations that he paid British tax attorney David Mills $ 600,000 to provide false testimony in two court cases in the 1990s . Mills was convicted , but is appealing . The Constitutional Court 's ruling also lifted Berlusconi 's immunity from prosecution on charges that his company , Mediaset , failed to pay $ 45 million in taxes between 2000 and 2003 . The latter case was postponed until January because the prime minister was unable to attend hearings , but Berlusconi has been outspoken in his defense against all of the allegations . He said he believes he is on trial for political reasons and has called magistrates `` communist bullies . '' He also has declared himself the most persecuted man `` in the entire history of the world . '' The Italian leader has often blamed Italy 's ills on the left wing . He does n't enjoy leading the country , he said , `` because very often there is a lot of dirty dealing . '' He leads out of a sense of sacrifice and duty and because he is the `` only leader able to hold the center-right together , '' he has told CNN . But Berlusconi seems aware that his popularity and populism allow him to continue to hold sway in this nation of about 58 million . Though his popularity recently has seen a slight dip among women , he routinely garners approval ratings of 50 percent or higher . `` When I go around , it 's embarrassing to see the affection showered upon me , '' Berlusconi told CNN in October . `` I know that people can change their opinions ... but I must say that I just note the fact that I am close to the heart of many Italians and they show this to me very often . '' | Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has blamed political opponents for physical , nonphysical attacks . Rolling Stone Italy : PM makes rockers Keith Richards , Rod Stewart look like `` schoolboys '' Divorce sought , corruption and infidelity alleged as court lifts immunity from prosecution . Spokesman says he 's not surprised PM was attacked amid `` campaign of hatred '' | [[764, 803], [2356, 2495], [2388, 2495], [2162, 2247], [2916, 2972], [3381, 3524], [4849, 4883], [4889, 4935], [812, 893], [1040, 1098]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Walk into any sleek West Elm store , and the first thing you 're likely to see is a giant red banner emblazoned with a white peace symbol . Peace is pretty . Browse Pottery Barn Teen , and you 'll be dazzled by backlit peace signs and multicolored peace-sign bedding . Peace is cool . Visit the ubiquitous Gap store and find peace within reach on T-shirts and bracelets . Peace is accessible , at least as an accessory . Where are the protesters passionately waving hand-drawn peace signs at marches , calling for an end to war ? What happened to `` Give peace a chance '' rather than `` Give peace a place in your wardrobe '' ? The notion of peace has been corroded to the point that it 's as fragile as a Christmas ornament . Or as dubious as a prize doled out to a president at war . Fittingly , President Obama 's Nobel speech acknowledged the paradox of being honored for contributing to world peace while sending more young Americans to kill and die in Afghanistan . Rationalizing the contradiction , he apologetically characterized humanity as caught in the throes of our own evolution , from who we are to who we ought to be . But what will spark that progress , from waging war to living peace ? It 's difficult to expect peace to take root beyond symbols and words if the symbols lose their meaning and the words ring hollow . How will we ever evolve if we always choose pragmatism and fear over idealism and hope ? When will peace truly have its season ? For starters , we must know what peace is and what it 's worth . And we must practice it rather than wait for its miraculous arrival . We must stop viewing `` peace '' as the cry of the weak and `` war '' as the act of the strong . We must not envision peace as isolationist inaction or the mere absence of conflict . Peace is a proactive choice we make in our personal lives every day . We must do the same as a nation . In order to embrace peace , we must believe it 's worth doing so . Ponder all the lives lost at war . Consider the sacrifice endured by our brave soldiers and their families . Weigh the enormous cost to our struggling economy . Not only would thousands of lives be spared by peace , but millions more would benefit by the constructive use of the vast resources squandered on war . Diseases might be cured . World hunger might be eliminated . Prosperity and fulfillment might replace poverty and suffering around the globe . Peace is worth it . And it 's certainly not for the weak but rather for those courageous enough to take a risk . Evolution begins with one mutation that turns out to be better , higher , smarter , stronger . Making the leap requires faith in our own ability to lead the world by example through this evolutionary process . Peace is a bold but calculated risk , a brave and noble choice . Gandhi said , `` Each one has to find his peace from within . And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances . '' Pacifist A.J. Muste once declared , `` There is no way to peace . Peace is the way . '' Martin Luther King Jr. said , `` Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek but a means by which we arrive at that goal . '' What I take from these wise thinkers is that peace starts with us and our actions . Peace is not passive . It 's not something we can put off forever . We must practice peace in order to attain it . As citizens , we must demand it . Only then will elected officials -- and others around the world -- follow our lead . So when we purchase peace signs , let 's honor their meaning : . The peace symbol , created in 1958 by designer Gerald Holtom , combines the signals in semaphore for the letters `` N '' and `` D , '' standing for nuclear disarmament . By the 1960s , it was adopted by anti-war protesters of the baby boom generation , perhaps explaining its now nostalgic allure in boomer-frequented retail establishments , where the only conflict is whether to pick a throw pillow in sage , cranberry or chartreuse . Just as we must not allow peace to become a meaningless trinket , we must n't allow the prize to become a parody . Instead , we must remember the passion with which that peace sign was first hoisted at marches on capitols and on campuses . We must recall the fervor and nobility with which Nobel laureates like Gandhi and King gave their lives pursuing nonviolent solutions . And we must stand for peace , in our actions , in our expectations of our leaders , and in our votes . We can not simply consume peace as an illusion . We must stop talking about peace in terms of who we ought to be and start making it who we are . Because the day we stop fighting for peace is the day peace will be ours . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Rudy Ruiz . | Rudy Ruiz writes that `` peace '' has been reduced to meaningless symbol . Peace is not for weak ; not just isolationist inaction or absence of conflict , Ruiz says . He writes that peace is noble , contagious action practiced by those with higher purpose . Ruiz says Americans must stand for peace in actions , in expectations of leaders , in votes . | [[648, 746], [3996, 4051], [1717, 1802], [3253, 3275], [3169, 3252], [3214, 3252], [4364, 4391]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The search for two missing hikers on Oregon 's Mount Hood has moved from a search operation into a recovery operation , authorities said Wednesday . `` It was our hope that we might get a window today to take a last look , '' Clackamas County , Oregon , Sheriff Craig Roberts told reporters . `` Unfortunately , that has n't happened . '' Anthony Vietti , 24 ; Luke Gullberg , 26 ; and Katie Nolan , 29 , set out about 1 a.m. Friday on what was to have been a fairly easy `` semi-technical '' hike in which they would have descended the south side of the mountain , Sheriff 's Deputy Scott Meyers has said . Gullberg was found dead Saturday from hypothermia . Authorities said Tuesday they were suspending the search , citing the threat of avalanches . Roberts said Wednesday the mountain was experiencing 60 mph winds and the weather is not expected to clear anytime soon . However , the Sheriff 's Office will continue to monitor weather conditions and will launch an organized recovery mission when conditions improve , he said . `` God has given me a peace about Katie , '' Nolan 's father , David Nolan , told reporters Wednesday . `` He 's given me strength . '' `` I think there needs to be a time of meeting with my family , and we 're going to talk , and we 're going to cry , and we 're going to hug one another , and then we 're going to turn around and praise God that we know Katie is in heaven , '' he said . `` We are confident ... she has led a life that 's been exemplary . '' `` This has not shaken our faith , '' said John Vietti , Anthony Vietti 's father . `` This has strengthened our faith . '' On Tuesday , authorities said there was little hope the two would be found alive . `` Could they be alive ? Yes , '' said Dr. Terri Schmidt , physician supervisor for American Medical Response in Clackamas County . `` Is it very likely ? No . '' A specialist in emergency medicine , Schmidt noted that `` at about 48 hours -- two days -- the chances of finding somebody alive after that go down to about 1 percent . '' Operations coordinator Nate Thompson hypothesized that the hikers may have been involved in an accident and that Gullberg , the most experienced of the three , may have broken away from the others and begun to backtrack in an effort to seek help . Above his body rescuers found a water bottle , a helmet , a harness , a camera and camera case and a mitten belonging to Nolan . `` Maybe Katie lost a mitten in an accident , '' Thompson said . If Gullberg did indeed seek to return for help and Nolan lost one of her mittens in an accident , he may have left his gear , his pack and his supplies and gloves with her , taking the lone mitten , he said . But descending can be more difficult than climbing in some places . `` If there was some form of an accident and Luke did downclimb , this is a much more difficult descent , '' he said . Vietti 's home is Longview , Washington ; Nolan 's is Portland , Oregon . Gullberg was from Des Moines , Washington . Mount Hood rises 11,239 feet above sea level , with a base that stretches across 92 miles -LRB- 148 km -RRB- . It is the highest mountain in Oregon , a dormant volcano with steam constantly spewing from holes , according to the Web site mthood.org . | `` Could they be alive ? Yes , '' expert says . `` Is it very likely ? No '' Anthony Vietti , Luke Gullberg , Katie Nolan , started hike about 1 a.m. Friday . Gullberg was found dead Saturday from hypothermia . He may have been trying to get help for others after an accident , searcher says . | [[1721, 1744], [405, 416], [424, 516], [627, 678], [2056, 2288], [2279, 2303]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An Amtrak train traveling from New York to Washington struck and killed a 14-year-old girl Tuesday morning , the rail operator said . Details on how the accident occurred were not immediately available , and the girl was not named . Baltimore County Police Lt. Robert McCullough said there were other children at the scene who knew the victim . Nearly two hours after the fatality occurred , emergency management officials in Washington announced that one out of four railroad tracks between Washington and Maryland had been `` cleared for reduced speed service . '' Amtrak spokeswoman Tracy Connell said trains were traveling in both directions but had to take turns using the single set of tracks . Amtrak halted all trains through the area near Essex , Maryland , to give investigators access to the scene . Authorities said the teen was hit at 9:02 a.m. ET . Connell said the incident occurred 11 miles north of the Baltimore , Maryland , rail station . Both Baltimore County Police and Amtrak were investigating . | 14-year-old struck by train headed from New York to Washington . All trains halted throughout area during investigation . One track was reopened at 10:45 a.m. | [[30, 83], [0, 26], [95, 136], [731, 783], [797, 840], [375, 419], [422, 593]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tenants of apartments in Pacifica , California , were under evacuation Thursday after erosion threatened the cliff on which their building sits , a city official said . Authorities have been watching the seaside building for years and were waiting for the erosion to reach a 12-foot safety zone behind it , said Doug Rider , a building official for Pacifica . The problem has reached that zone , he said , so officials notified the building 's management and tenants began evacuating . The building is stable , so tenants are able to remove belongings from the apartments , Rider said . Police , fire and other local authorities are assisting residents , along with the city 's Building Department , he said . All residents of the 12-unit building must be out by 5 p.m. PT Thursday , he told CNN affiliate KGO-TV in San Francisco , California . KGO reported a large chunk of land fell from the cliff into the Pacific Ocean about 5:30 a.m. PT Thursday . Two nearby buildings also face questions about their structural reliability but are not being evacuated , the station reported . Pacifica is about 15 miles southwest of San Francisco . CNN 's Sara Pratley contributed to this report . | Residents of 12-unit building must be out by Thursday afternoon , CNN affiliate reports . Chunk of land fell from cliff into Pacific Ocean earlier , TV station says . Building is on seaside cliff in Pacifica , California , near San Francisco . | [[729, 800], [864, 941], [877, 971]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- This week on Inside Africa . It 's one of the most sacred acts of the Zulu people . We take you inside an ancient wedding ceremony played out in modern times . Africa gains two seats on the United Nations Security Council , but should those seats be permanent , and what will Nigeria do with this two-year opportunity ? Plus , Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys takes us on her eye-opening trip to Africa and talks about how the experience changed the way she wrote her next album . Alicia Keys in Africa . She 's traveled the world on tour but for singer Alicia Keys nothing spoke to her like a visit she once took to Africa . It moved her to help create a charity and influenced her next album . CNN 's TJ Holmes sat down with the singer to find out what caused the profound effect . Liberia Photo Exhibit . Tim Hetherington is a photographer who has witnessed the violent life behind rebel lines in Liberia 's 2003 civil war . He takes us through photos he took during his time there , now on display in London . World Food Prize . There is a weed so powerful in sub-Saharan Africa that it can destroy hundreds of thousands of hectares of crucial crops . It 's a problem that has puzzled researchers for ages . But now , thanks to one man , a breakthrough is on the horizon . We reveal why Dr. Gebisa Ejeta is the recipient of this year 's World Food Prize . Interview with Ojo Maduekwe . The United Nations has recently voted in its newest members to the Security Council , the new five out of 15 who will serve for the next two years . Nigeria and Gabon received the two African seats , making this the third time Gabon has served on the council and the fourth time for Nigeria . CNN 's Isha Sesay spoke with Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe about what he 'd like to accomplish in the next two years and how it felt to be the one to bring this success to Nigeria . Traditional Wedding . A view of ancient times . These were images sent in by an iReporter of one of the most sacred acts of the Zulu people : a traditional wedding . Our correspondent Errol Barnett caught up with the iReporter behind these photos . | Inside Africa reports on Africa 's seats in the United Nations Security Council . CNN 's TJ Holmes sat down with Alicia Keys to talk about her visit in Africa . Photographer Tim Hetherington shows us his Liberia photo exhibit . Plus , World Food Prize and Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe . | [[339, 343], [346, 432], [612, 645], [716, 803]] |
BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Al Qaeda in Iraq is trying to foment sectarian tensions by attacking and killing Iraqi civilians , a government spokesman said Monday . Iraqi women gather near the site of an attack in the village of al-Khazna , near Mosul , on Monday . Explosions across the country have killed 50 and wounded 231 others , most of them civilians in Shiite areas , according to Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Abdul Karim Khalaf . `` Most of the terrorist attacks carried out by al Qaeda in Iraq were against civilians and not Iraqi security forces , '' Khalaf said . `` This is an indication that al Qaeda in Iraq can not face the Iraqi security forces . '' Monday 's deadliest attack happened near the northern city of Mosul when two truck bombs destroyed 32 homes , killing 30 people and burying others in the rubble , officials said . The bombs targeted al-Khazna village , which is inhabited by a Shiite Shabak ethnic group . The village is an area disputed between Kurds and Arabs . Car bombings and a roadside bomb in Baghdad killed 18 others on Monday , most of them Shiites . `` This is the card that al Qaeda in Iraq is now playing by targeting mostly Shiite areas and neighborhoods to agitate the sectarian violence , '' Khalaf said . `` But this will not happen because Iraqi security forces and Iraqi people in general are aware of this losing game and they will not fall into this trap . '' On Monday afternoon , two children -- brothers aged 5 and 9 -- were killed when a roadside bomb detonated near them as they played in a yard in northern Tikrit , about 99 miles -LRB- 160 km -RRB- north of Baghdad , a police official said . The attacks come after a series of bombings in Iraq on Friday , mostly aimed at Shiite targets , which killed 50 and wounded 154 others . Friday 's deadliest attack happened when a suicide car bomb exploded near a Shiite mosque where a funeral was taking place , killing 38 . Last week 's attacks occurred at the end of a Shiite Muslim celebration marking the birthday of Imam Mohammed al-Mehdi , the last of 12 historic imams revered by Shiites . Pilgrims participating in such celebrations have been the target of similar attacks by Sunnis . The bombings sparked fears of sectarian violence and called into question the ability of Iraqi forces . The United States pulled back its combat troops from Iraqi cities and towns on June 30 , leaving security responsibilities to the Iraqis and remaining only in a training and advisory capacity . The U.S. military continues to conduct combat operations in areas outside cities and towns . Khalaf said the recent attacks are part of `` an escalation of violence '' over the past two months ahead of national elections in January . `` The enemy of Iraq wants to bring down political progress in the country , '' he said . | Dozens dead , 231 wounded , houses destroyed from bombings . Series of bombings appears to target mostly day laborers . Most of attacks scattered across Baghdad ; two truck bombs reported in Mosul . Attacks fuel fears sectarian violence could re-ignite in Iraq . | [[271, 338], [683, 790], [1749, 1763], [1772, 1806], [455, 487], [520, 572], [683, 790], [1013, 1083], [2213, 2261]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Organizers of a tennis tournament in Dubai , criticized for banning an Israeli player , said Tuesday they were trying to protect the woman from anti-Israel protests . Shahar Peer told CNN she learned of her visa ban Saturday , just before her scheduled flight to Dubai . `` The Tournament respects Ms. Shahar Peer as a professional tennis player on the Tour and understands her disappointment , '' the organizers wrote in a statement . `` Ms. Peer personally witnessed protests against her at another tournament in New Zealand only a few weeks ago . `` We do not wish to politicize sports , but we have to be sensitive to recent events in the region and not alienate or put at risk the players and the many tennis fans of different nationalities that we have here . '' Peer was scheduled to fly to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday , but was informed on Saturday night by telephone that she would not be granted a visa . Watch Peer describe her disappointment '' This sparked a response from the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour that it could drop Dubai from the World Tennis Tour calendar . `` I am confident that the Tour will take appropriate actions to ensure that this injustice is not allowed to occur in the future , and that the Tour will make sure I will not be further harmed in the short and long term , '' Peer said in a statement on Tuesday . `` There should be no place for politics or discrimination in professional tennis or indeed any sport . '' Peer has experienced a `` tremendous outpouring of support and empathy '' from fans , friends and fellow players , but agrees with the Tour decision to go ahead with this week 's Dubai Open . WTA chairman and chief executive officer Larry Scott had said : `` The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour believes very strongly , and has a clear rule and policy , that no host country should deny a player the right to compete at a tournament for which she has qualified by ranking . '' Scott noted this is not the first time Dubai has taken this type of action . Last year an Israeli men 's doubles team was denied entry while Andy Ram , a member of Israel 's Davis Cup team , is scheduled to compete in next week 's men 's competition . World No. 6 Venus Williams told The New York Times : `` All the players support Shahar . We are all athletes , and we stand for tennis . '' On Tuesday in Dubai , Venus rushed to a 6-0 6-1 win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova whose Russian compatriot and second seed Dinara Safina suffered a shock exit against Virginie Razzano , of France , 6-2 6-4 . Top-seeded Serena Williams came from behind to oust Italian Sara Errani 4-6 6-2 6-0 and Serbian third seed Jelena Jankovic beat Monica Niculescu of Romania 6-3 6-2 in an earlier second round encounter . | Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer denied entry for Dubai tournament . Shahar Peer told night before tournament she would not be granted visa by UAE . Tournament organizers : Player faced protests against her in New Zealand recently . We have to be sensitive to recent events in the region , organizers add . | [[186, 243], [207, 243], [246, 289], [788, 792], [858, 901], [907, 940], [455, 568], [614, 616], [622, 668]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Global warming concerns took center stage Monday as two organizations held rallies to draw attention to an issue that President Barack Obama has promised to place near the top of his agenda . Demonstrators stand outside the Capitol Power Plant in Washington on Monday to protest the plant 's use of coal . A group of young protesters gathered in front of the Capitol to rally on behalf of legislation to reduce carbon emissions , decrease dependence on coal and oil , and speed a national drive toward `` clean '' energy . Later Monday , hundreds of representatives of a coalition of environmental , public health , social justice and other advocacy organizations marched around Capitol Hill and encircled a Washington coal-fired power plant to highlight the issue of climate change . The group , protesting the Capitol Power Plant 's use of coal , stood in front of the plant 's gated entrances . The plant powers the heating and cooling systems in the Capitol , as well as roughly a dozen other federal office buildings on Capitol Hill . `` The Capitol Power Plant , sitting just blocks from Capitol Hill , symbolizes the stranglehold coal has over our government and future , '' the group said on its Web site . `` It 's not the largest or the dirtiest power plant in the country , but as the plant that is actually run by and for Congress it serves as an incredibly iconic symbol of what is wrong with our country 's energy and climate policy . '' No arrests were made as a result of the protest , which `` did n't affect the operations of the power plant , '' Capitol police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said . House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid released a letter Thursday calling for the plant to convert to 100 percent natural gas by the end of 2009 . `` Taking this major step toward cleaning up the Capitol Power Plant 's emissions would be an important demonstration of Congress ' willingness to deal with the enormous challenges of global warming , energy independence and our inefficient use of finite fossil fuels , '' they wrote . Several members of Congress and environmental leaders addressed the earlier rally , which was held at the conclusion to Power Shift ' 09 , a four-day environmental summit organized by the Energy Action Coalition . The coalition describes itself as an umbrella organization of 700 groups fighting for `` clean energy solutions and the creation of a new green economy . '' It 's time to `` turn up the political heat in Washington so we can turn down the heat on Mother Earth , '' Rep. Chris Van Hollen , D-Maryland , told the crowd . `` The science tells us that the time for talking about this problem is over . The time for action is now . '' The concept of `` clean coal '' is a `` dirty lie , '' added environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy . `` The most important thing you can do is not to change your light bulb but to change -LSB- members of Congress who have been -RSB- corrupted by ... dirty , filthy industry . '' America needs to be freed from the `` carbon cronies , '' who are part of the `` biggest threat to civilization , '' Kennedy said . | Two protests on global warming issues hit Washington . Group rallies for legislation to reduce carbon emissions , back `` clean '' energy . Separate group protests Capitol Power Plant 's use of coal . Group : Plant `` symbolizes the stranglehold coal has over our government and future '' | [[30, 112], [82, 142], [553, 565], [568, 693], [726, 814], [30, 112], [336, 430], [336, 363], [431, 457], [336, 363], [502, 552], [222, 335], [222, 235], [298, 335], [815, 824], [827, 876], [1070, 1096], [1139, 1206]] |
KANDARA , Kenya -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Daniel Mungai 's family keeps him locked in a room in a wooden shack that is just big enough to fit a bed , a cupboard , Daniel and his wheel-chair . His clothes and bed are soaked with his own waste -- and he 's been living like this for 15 years . Daniel Mungai is kept locked away in a small wooden shack and has been for 15 years . Daniel , 35 , started having seizures at a young age . He is sometimes given medicine for epilepsy and spent time at a mental hospital but his parents say they simply can not afford to maintain proper care -- they are struggling to cope . Both his parents are also now too old to help him properly . They live in the same compound in Kandara , Kenya , but in a different building . His father , Ndung ' u Joroge , said : `` We do n't lock him out of bad will . We lock him up because people have become very bad . He may come out here and then he is caught by young men , that is why we lock him in the house . '' The desperate measures Daniel 's family has resorted to are not rare . African health services are often underfunded and overwhelmed -- no more so in the field of mental health . Watch more about the story '' CNN visited rural Kenya -- a country where less than one percent of the health budget is allotted to mental health -- to investigate the extent of the problems . Edah Maina , who runs the Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped , says the mentally disabled in Kenya have few options for long-term care and support . `` The entire family is affected and especially when the mother sort of loses hope and resorts to locking up the child because they have to go out and earn a living or they have to chain them up because they might hurt themselves , '' said Maina . Social workers in Kenya searching for those in desperate need found a mother and child on the floor of a squalid kitchen hut . John is 17 and severely handicapped . He can not speak and can not properly hold his head up . He has been living like this his whole life . When CNN met with him , he and his mother were lying on a thin , filthy blanket . His mother , Jane , is mildly mentally disabled . She does what she can for her son , but John spends so much time on his side that he suffers from severe bedsores . They depend on help from their impoverished family and they have n't eaten for days . Maina said : `` I think that some of these social needs are beyond the family capacity to handle the normal day to day life needs , and as you can see the burden of disability increased for this particular family when the son to this girl with mental disabilities was also born with mental disability and then the severity of mental disability of the son became more severe because the mother ... is herself with mental disability . '' She added : `` First and foremost , nobody would want to live like this , it 's inhumane , it is not what we want to see people live , it is not the lifestyle that anybody would want . What I am saying is that this home is suffering . '' Maina said that even with years of experience working with the vulnerable , the cases still shock her . Her poorly funded charity does what it can , sometimes acting on the tips of neighbors . The Director of Mental Health in Kenya told CNN that they were trying their best to help the mentally disabled and mentally ill , but that the needs were ` enormous ' -- and the funding was far too little . Dr. David Kiima told CNN there are only 50 active psychiatrists in the country to serve a population of more than 30 million . It is hard to believe that 15-year-old Joseph could hurt himself or anyone else . But he is on powerful anti-psychotic drugs and his mother and grandmother struggle to handle him . Grandmother Prisca Njeri said : `` When the drugs finish he beats himself and he bites himself when the drugs finish . '' She does not know what they will do when Joseph gets bigger and they have no access to proper care . When his family leaves to work on their small patch of land , they lock Joseph up in a dark room . Here , too , the place reeks . They are a loving family and are conflicted about what they have to do . `` He is afraid of entering that room . We put him in when we want to leave to go to the farm because he will get lost if we leave him outside , '' Njeri said . Like so many families with limited means in Kenya , they feel compelled to make this awful decision : locking their loved ones away from society just to keep them safe from themselves and those who would do them harm . | Mental health patients in Kenya find themselves locked in shacks by their families . Relatives struggle to cope and get little government assistance . Less than one percent of Kenya 's health budget is allotted to mental health . Senior health official says there 's only 50 active psychiatrists in the country . | [[0, 7], [10, 31], [35, 103], [285, 342], [580, 609], [1221, 1230], [1237, 1308], [3437, 3515]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Coagulated sheep 's blood . Pig knuckles . Snake bile . Fried crickets . Sound like ingredients you might see bubbling away in a caldron , right ? Zane Lamprey raises a toast to alcoholic beverages the world over . Well , these are just some of the unusual items Zane Lamprey has eaten -- yes , eaten -- during the course of his day job . No , he 's not a human garbage disposal . Lamprey is a comedian who hosts a TV program about drinking , `` Three Sheets . '' The show follows him all over the world as he samples local libations . Lamprey also claims to be in search of the ultimate hangover cure , which is why he 's often called upon to ingest the indigestible . Not that the drinks are any better . Anyone for a shot of Belize rum that 's had a dead snake fermenting in it for about a year ? If the locals drink it , so will Lamprey . `` I 'll try anything once , '' he said , adding that `` there 's certainly a lot that I wo n't drink twice . '' Watch Lamprey use sword to open champagne '' Gross stuff aside , Lamprey has what many consider to be a dream job . And although he occasionally gets a little bleary-eyed , the Californian maintains that it 's not a show about getting inebriated . `` I drink to try new things , to learn about drinking cultures or new drinks , '' Lamprey said . `` Sometimes levels of inebriation are the by-product of my job , but I 'm certainly not going out looking to do that . If I did I think I 'd be the wrong person for the job . '' We caught up with Lamprey in New York 's Bubble Lounge , where he was preparing -LRB- soberly , mind you -RRB- to use a sword to lop off the end of a champagne bottle , glass neck and all . It 's a ritual he says started in the Napoleonic era as a way to celebrate victories at battle . While Lamprey might not be as battle-scarred as Napoleon 's men , he does have a victory to celebrate : `` Three Sheets '' has a new home after being put in limbo for several months after its original network went off the air . The show now airs on the Fine Living Network , which has just popped the cork on `` Three Sheets ' '' fourth season . New episodes air Monday nights at 10 p.m. ET and repeat throughout the week . Besides demonstrating how one sabers champagne , Lamprey talked to CNN about dealing with thumping hangovers , staying in shape and other challenges of hosting a TV show about alcohol . The following is an edited version of the transcript . CNN : Do you consider yourself a professional drinker ? Zane Lamprey : I get paid to drink . If I got paid to play baseball , I 'd be a professional baseball player , right ? Yeah . So I guess I am a professional drinker . CNN : By now you must have discovered a cure for a hangover . Lamprey : There is no cure . Actually , there 's two . Either do n't drink , or do n't stop . Once you break one of those , you get into trouble . We 've found remedies , things that 'll make it a little easier . I 've jumped in freezing water , I 've done just about everything , and nothing has wiped out my hangover . CNN : Where were you when you had your worst hangover ? Lamprey : Oddly enough , I was in a place that I was promised by several people I would not get a hangover : Champagne , France . They said if you drink good champagne , you can drink as much as you want , and you wo n't get a hangover . So I put it to the test , and the next day , I had the worst hangover yet . It was horrible . Oh . So bad . CNN : In Iceland , you drank something called `` Black Death , '' the same name given to the pandemic that nearly wiped out Europe centuries ago . Taste good ? Lamprey : I 'm sure it tasted better than the plague , but not by much . It tasted like something that people should n't want to drink , like vodka mixed with black licorice and dirt . When I stepped off the plane , I was dying to try it . Then once I tried it , I was dying to drink something to get that taste out of my mouth . CNN : You 've said that one of the worst things you 've had to drink was viper rum in Belize , which had a dead snake soaking in it . What does a snake taste like ? Lamprey : A dead snake tastes like what a dead snake smells like . When I actually had to smell the shot , which I was told not to do , I almost hurled . I managed to get it down , and I think I chased it with a piece of watermelon rolled in sugar . CNN : What does your doctor say about the state of your liver ? Lamprey : I have one . It 's sitting on my counter at home , and it 's completely fine . ... When I finished this last season , I did go and get a full checkup , and I 'm completely fine . CNN : How do you stay in shape while shooting `` Three Sheets '' ? Lamprey : I do n't . Go look at a clip of me doing the show . I 'm probably about 23 pounds heavier . I have taken my shirt off , and when I watch that sometimes I get a little , `` Oh , God . '' But that makes me an everyman . People want to see an everyman . They do n't want to see some guy who 's all put together , which clearly I 'm not . I do n't profess to know anything about booze . I learn it from the people that show me . CNN : Do you find that generally everybody 's attitude toward drinking is the same the world over ? Lamprey : Absolutely . Everyone drinks to enjoy themselves . Everyone goes out with their friends because they 're looking to have a good time . That 's the same everywhere . CNN : You spend all this time in bars around the world ... your crew must be tempted to drink . Lamprey : Tempted to drink ? Fact : I can not keep up with my crew . CNN : So your camera operator has shot you drunk ? Lamprey : I would say yes . CNN : That explains why sometimes you look blurry . Lamprey : I 'm generally a very blurry-looking person . | Zane Lamprey hosts `` Three Sheets '' on Fine Living Network . On show , Lamprey drinks things like `` Black Death '' and viper rum . For all that , his liver 's in good shape , says Lamprey . | [[2024, 2068], [3488, 3529]] |
NEW ORLEANS , Louisiana -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two newlyweds are fighting for the dismissal of the justice of the peace who refused them a marriage license because they are of different races . A Louisiana justice of the peace refused to perform a marriage for Beth and Terence McKay . `` We 've retained an attorney , and we 're in the process of taking the next steps in order to make sure that -LRB- the justice of the peace -RRB- loses his job , '' Beth McKay told CNN 's `` American Morning '' on Monday . She and her husband , Terence McKay , stepped into the national spotlight when Keith Bardwell , a justice of the peace for Tangipahoa Parish 's 8th Ward , refused them a license . They ultimately got a marriage license from another justice of the peace in the same parish . Despite a national uproar and a call by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal for him to lose his license , Bardwell , 56 , said he has no regrets . `` It 's kind of hard to apologize for something that you really and truly feel down in your heart you have n't done wrong , '' he told CNN affiliate WAFB on Saturday . He insisted he is not racist and does not treat black people differently . He said he does not perform mixed-race marriages because he is concerned about the children of such marriages . Bardwell did not return calls from CNN . Beth McKay , 30 , said she was speaking with Bardwell 's wife by phone about getting a marriage license and was `` shocked '' to be asked whether they are an interracial couple . Watch how justice 's decision shocked couple '' `` She said , ` Well , what 's the deal ? Is he black , or are you black ? ' And so I answered her question , and then she just said , ` Well , we do n't do interracial marriages . ' '' Terence McKay , 32 , told CNN , `` Everyone is entitled to their own opinions , but he 's absolutely wrong on all aspects of his stance . '' McKay added , `` If it was n't for interracial couples today , we would n't have our president . So for him to take that outlook , that 's still like 1800s or something . '' `` A lot of people have come up to us and said , ` You know , we 're in interracial relationships as well , ' not just black and white , and just encouraged us to stand up for our rights and to speak out against things like this , '' Beth McKay said . The incident `` caught us completely off guard , '' said Terence McKay , `` and we 're just trying to live our lives . '' The National Urban League called for an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department 's Civil Rights Division , saying in a statement that Bardwell 's actions were `` a huge step backward in social justice . '' The U.S. Supreme Court tossed out race-based limitations on marriage in the landmark 1967 Loving v. Virginia case . In the unanimous decision , the court said that `` Under our Constitution , the freedom to marry , or not marry , a person of another race resides with the individual and can not be infringed by the State . '' | Couple were denied marriage license because they are of different races . Justice of Peace Keith Bardwell said he was concerned for kids of biracial marriages . Louisiana couple eventually got married by different justice of the peace . Beth , Terence McKay hire lawyer , want judge to lose job . | [[106, 115], [120, 189], [190, 281], [586, 600], [662, 686], [2664, 2668], [2669, 2745], [1172, 1275], [687, 780], [282, 312]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It was the kind of phone call military families dread receiving from Iraq and Afghanistan -- not from Texas . Peggy McCarty 's daughter called Thursday afternoon to say she had been wounded by a gunshot in her left shoulder . Keara Bono , 21 , assured her mother that she was OK , but McCarty 's heart skipped . She knew she had much to fear when Bono , an Army specialist , arrived at Fort Hood to prepare for an early December deployment to Iraq . But McCarty never thought she would have to worry about her child getting wounded on American soil . `` I thought I was more worried about her going over to Iraq than here , just doing training in Texas . She just got there yesterday , '' McCarty told CNN affiliate KSHB-TV in Kansas City , Missouri . Bono was one of 30 people hurt when a soldier opened fire on a military processing center at Fort Hood , the place where soldiers report before they head to war . They get medical and dental checkups there . They settle finances and even make out their wills . Thursday , the center turned into a killing field , and 13 lives were abruptly cut short . America watched in horror the news of the shootings , the deadliest ever on a military base . Some of the victims , such as Bono , were preparing to head to Iraq or Afghanistan . They were felled instead in the place they called home . When the shouts of `` Shots fired ! Shots fired ! '' started , one soldier pushed and shoved people to get out the back of the readiness center . And run . The soldier , who did not want to be identified , heard more screaming . Soldiers were dragging bodies away from the shooter . They snatched tablecloths off tables , cut up their own sage-green digital combat uniforms , even their tan undershirts , and turned them into tourniquets and pressure bandages . Everyone tried to render CPR and medical aid . Some were medical personnel . Others were simply friends helping friends . They were soldiers , after all , and trained as combat lifesavers , though they could not have imagined having to use their skills at home . But soldiers never abandon wounded comrades on the battlefield . Most of the injured were awake and alert , witnesses recalled . They just were n't talking . About a mile away at Darnall Army Medical Center , Army medic Spc. Eric Blohm waited for mass casualties . If the emergency rooms filled up , Darnall would put victims in rooms where usually babies are brought into the world . It felt too much like Blohm 's tour of Iraq . `` I 'm pretty shocked and bewildered , '' he told CNN 's Anderson Cooper . `` Going to war and experiencing combat overseas and then ... to have your sense of security shattered , that 's just kind of unreal . '' Watch Blohm describe the scene . The shooting suspect , Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan , was a psychiatrist who had an office at Darnall . Now , the hospital was taking in the doctor 's alleged victims . Sirens , installed after the September 11 , 2001 , attacks , sound routinely at Fort Hood during emergency drills . Pam Stephenson , the wife of a Judge Advocate General officer , was used to the blaring noise . Early afternoon , she was about to make a quick trip to the grocery with Megan , her 5-year-old who stayed at home sick on Thursday . But then she heard the whirring of choppers overhead and warnings on the loudspeakers : `` Take cover . Stay away from windows . Lock your doors . '' Her husband called and told her not to leave the house . She turned on the television and learned the grim news . The gunman , she discovered , was a soldier . `` When you hear it 's soldiers gone crazy -- you do n't know what kind of ammunition or guns they have , '' she said . She wanted to fetch Patrick , 2 , stuck at day care , but the sprawling post was under lockdown . No one knew then if there were killers on the loose . The streets were deserted . A mass of cars , waiting to get out , piled up at the gates . Loved ones waited on the other side , desperate for news of their soldiers . Stephenson checked Facebook and read a message from a military friend serving overseas . Deployed soldiers from Fort Hood were in a panic not knowing whether their families were safe . She checked on the soldier 's wife and worried about Patrick . Finally , at 7:15 , she was able to see her baby . Many miles away in Punta Gorda , Florida , Roxanne Johnson was chitchatting with her son , Justin , on the phone . He was a young track vehicle mechanic who was heading to Afghanistan come January . Mother and son joked and laughed , like they always did . And then she heard a strange noise : `` Dosh , dosh , dosh . '' What was that ? she wondered . `` At first I thought he was just kidding around and turning up the video game , and then I said , well , maybe it 's a training exercise , '' Johnson told CNN affiliate WINK News in Fort Myers , Florida . She pressed the phone to her ear and listened . She heard the screams and the crying . Wow , she thought . It sounds so real . Her son 's voice was gone . She refused to hang up until she could hear Justin again . She heard people shuffling about and muffled voices . Where was Justin ? Had he been hurt ? What was going on ? `` Justin , call home ! '' she said aloud . Hours passed before Johnson learned the fate of her son . He was one of the shooting victims . But Justin Johnson was one of the lucky ones . He underwent surgery and was recovering Thursday night . Roxanne Johnson breathed a sigh of relief and was able finally to disconnect her phone . | Parents worry about dangers overseas , not in Texas . Soldiers use battlefield medical training on home soil . Mother worries about son in day care as post is locked down . Watch a CNN investigation on the shootings at Saturday 8 p.m. ET on CNN TV . | [[573, 640], [3759, 3798], [4205, 4208], [4244, 4267]] |
LONDON , England -- A new drug for melanoma has been shown to rapidly shrink malignant tumors in an early trial at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York . New drug inhibits BRAF , the main driver of mutation in over 50 percent of melanomas . Among 27 patients whom the experimental new drug was tested on , `` 19 showed a 30 percent or greater reduction in tumor size , '' Dr. Paul Chapman , the lead researcher told CNN from a cancer conference in Berlin . Melanoma develops in cells that produce melanin , the pigment that gives skin its color , and is the most serious type of skin cancer . Currently the standard treatment for metastatic malignant melanoma is chemotherapy , which has only a 15 percent success rate , Chapman explained . In his trial using PLX4032 over 70 percent of patients had a response to the drug . `` Without reservation we can say this is a breakthrough in melanoma . We have n't seen a major breakthrough in this disease in the last 40 years , '' said Professor Alexander Eggermont , President of the European Cancer Organization . Seventy-five percent of the patients who were treated with PLX4032 had already received multiple treatments of other cancer drugs , all of which had failed . Two-thirds of those patients also already had what Eggermont described as `` very widespread metastatic disease . '' `` There were patients who were on oxygen or on continuous morphine who were off the morphine after one or two weeks of treatment , '' Eggermont told CNN . Two patients , he said , even showed complete remission , such that all detectable melanoma `` melted away . '' The other two major benefits of PLX4032 are that it can be taken orally as a pill and seems to have very mild side effects . The PLX4032 complex works by blocking the activity of cancer-causing mutation of the BRAF gene , which is implicated in more than half of all melanomas . Eggermont praised the drug for being highly-selective unlike traditional `` dirty '' cancer drugs that have a wide range of side-effects . `` The side effect profile looks very mild and we think it 's because it 's such a clean , super selective molecule and it 's an oral drug , and that 's a great asset , '' he said . Peter Hirth , CEO of the drug 's maker Plexxikon explained that it is because PLX4032 is such a highly selective compound that `` doctors can adjust the dosage to really shut down tumors , '' whereas other cancer treatment drugs are frequently limited from working to their full potential because patients can not tolerate their toxicity levels . PLX4032 is not a cure , but offers hope for alleviating symptoms and extending life . `` I 've never seen this before in melanoma , '' Chapman said referring to the successful findings . `` One thing we do n't know is how long these response are going to last , '' he added . The next step will now be to test the drug in a larger trial of almost 700 people , scheduled to begin this month and to be completed by the end of the year . Then a randomized test comparing chemotherapy treatment with PLX4032 therapy will need to occur before . Currently that is slated to take place across North American , Europe and Australia in the first quarter of 2010 . `` We are working to make sure that within the shortest time possible we will satisfy the needs of FDA to get this drug available to melanoma patients as quickly as possible , '' Eggermont said . Early responses from peers have been supportive . In a statement Dr. Kat Arney said that `` Cancer Research UK and others have been investigating drugs that can block faulty BRAF , so it is interesting to see the results from a small-scale trial of such a drug . Melanoma is a very difficult cancer to treat and the results of this early-stage trial are promising , but larger trials need to be done before we know for sure how effective this treatment is . '' | Experimental new skin cancer treatment shows 70 percent effectiveness . PLX4032 inhibits BRAF , the driving mutation in more than half of melanomas . Unlike chemotherapy the drug can be taken orally and has mild side effects . Larger trials are needed to confirm results and test safety . | [[753, 804], [750, 833], [163, 185], [1738, 1757], [1764, 1832], [1816, 1834], [1841, 1891], [1613, 1737], [1662, 1694], [1613, 1632], [1699, 1737], [1662, 1664], [1705, 1737], [2031, 2073], [2836, 2858], [2862, 2917], [2836, 2849], [2855, 2917], [3781, 3868]] |
Pago Pago , American Samoa -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When an earthquake-triggered tsunami cascaded into this tiny island in late September , the result was 34 lives lost and untold millions in property damage . But a CNN investigation to air on tonight 's `` AC 360 '' has uncovered an array of unsettling facts that point to a single conclusion : this natural disaster was in many ways a man-made tragedy . Public records show that the Department of Homeland Security had awarded millions of federal dollars in grants for disaster preparedness here , including the construction of an island-wide siren warning system . But all the federal funding was frozen in early 2007 after DHS inspectors found that the local American Samoan government had been diverting millions of those dollars for its own uses . Birdsall Alailima , director of American Samoa 's territorial office of Homeland Security from 2003 through 2007 , now lives in southern Illinois , not far from St. Louis , Missouri . He showed CNN on a map exactly where on the island the sirens were to have been placed . Thirty towers in all , he said , with 30 sirens that could have been activated by the push of a single button . `` You 're saying that the systems should have been in place ? '' CNN correspondent Drew Griffin asked him . `` Absolutely , '' Alailima said . `` And people died as a result ? '' `` Yes . '' He 's not the only one who thinks so . Federal sources told CNN they believe that had the warning system been built , the death toll would likely have been lower . In American Samoa , however , territorial Gov. Togiola Tulafono , told CNN that he knew of no viable plan for the siren system . `` There was a study , I believe , but never a plan for a system , '' the governor said . `` I was trying to get verification of what happened to that system , but I could not get the definite information . '' Alailima said he was fired by the governor when the federal funding was frozen , and that the governor was aware of the preparations . `` I 'm not going to fault them for freezing the funds , '' Tulafono said . `` These are federal funds that they have oversight responsibility for and they saw fit to freeze the funds . '' The governor told CNN he had tried to correct the problem by firing his entire homeland security staff . But , he said , that failed to solve the problem . `` All I 'm saying is we have tried to work with them and have tried to get partial releases -LRB- of the money -RRB- , and so far that has n't happened . '' A federal official calls the governor 's statement `` nonsense . '' American Samoa would have access to the frozen funds if it had agreed to pay back even some of the money it misused , said the official . The government and the governor refused , and the tsunami siren system was stopped , according to the official . A spokesman for the governor 's office later declined comment on the nature of the negotiations . American Samoan government officials said they purchased another warning system -- radios that would have triggered alarms across the island . But during the CNN interview , Tulafono conceded that the system `` was not in place '' when the tsunami struck . CNN has learned that the FBI is now conducting an investigation into exactly what did happen to the federal preparedness dollars sent to American Samoa . It was launched , sources tell CNN , by the Interior Department as its Insular Affairs office has federal administrative responsibility for the island . The FBI investigation is only the latest and most recent attempt by the federal government to try to track what one federal official told CNN was `` endemic '' corruption on the island . Here are only a few instances of the alleged corruption : . • Both the current Samoan lieutenant governor and a former state senator are under federal indictment on allegations of fraud , bribery and conspiracy . A trial is pending in Washington because there are no federal courts on the island . Attorneys for both men have refuted the indictment in court filings and say their clients are innocent of all the charges . • An inspector general 's report by the Department of Homeland Security issued in May 2007 cites numerous examples of American Samoan officials misusing federal grant money . The report 's findings include the purchase of six flat-screen televisions for more than $ 25,000 ; purchase of executive leather chairs for $ 4,000 ; spending $ 77,000 on equipment no auditor could find ; and extensive travel and entertainment charges , including money spent in Las Vegas , Nevada , by a Samoan official for a conference he was scheduled to have attended in Colorado . • The DHS letter freezing its funding was sent on January 12 , 2007 . The action was taken because `` we have found that Homeland Security Grant funds have been diverted to uses by State government offices for other than the intended use of Homeland Security funds . This is not only in violation of public trust but In Lieu of agreement as well . '' In the Samoan villages destroyed by the tsunami , stories of corruption are not new . `` The government here gets a lot of money from the U.S. federal government , '' Heinrich Tavai told CNN as he watched members of his Lofatonoa Pentacostal Church help in the clean up . `` Every year , they get millions and millions of dollars . As you see , we look like a Third World country when we should be looking more like a U.S. territory . '' In half a dozen villages either wiped out or badly damaged by the tsunami , CNN could find no visible evidence of local government assistance . Workers from a tuna fish processing plant were helping in one village ; in another , students from an island community college were dredging rubbish out of a stream . Red Cross officials distributed tents in other villages . Children in another village were hauling furniture on their backs to help clear the debris . When asked about the seeming lack of local government assistance , the governor told CNN , `` Our departments are out there working and working very hard , and to say they have n't seen any assistance is totally false . '' Since 1995 , American Samoa has received nearly $ 2 billion in federal grants from nearly every federal agency . On average the 65,000-population -- the size of a typical American suburb -- receives about $ 250 million in federal money each year . Congressional sources tell CNN that oversight has always been a problem because of Samoa 's isolation and the expense involved in even mounting an investigation . `` They can do half a dozen investigations in Wyoming or California for the amount just one investigation would cost in Samoa , '' a source told CNN . Federal sources said they do n't believe any official is getting rich off the U.S. Treasury . Instead , they said , federal funds -- including disaster-preparedness money that was to have gone to the warning system -- were instead used to create local government jobs in an economy almost totally dependent on U.S. federal grants . Moreover , the source added , each federal agency may have many employees whose jobs are to allocate federal funds , but only a relative handful whose jobs are to `` manage '' or account for that money . In an e-mail to CNN , an Interior Department spokeswoman said that in previous administrations `` there were real issues of neglect and failed oversight that must be addressed quickly , thoroughly and responsibly . '' `` We will help the islands rebuild and recover , '' said Kendra Barkoff , `` but taxpayer dollars will be invested with strong oversight and full accountability . '' | 34 people died in last month 's tsunami that smashed into American Samoa . DHS inspectors say funds for a warning system were improperly diverted . Investigators : Some funds used to pay for flat screen TVs and trips to Las Vegas . The results of this special investigation on AC 360 ° , 10 ET tonight . | [[46, 131], [134, 203], [617, 798], [4282, 4379], [4492, 4534], [4537, 4552], [4559, 4571], [208, 304]] |
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