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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Indian batsman Virender Sehwag admitted he was not too disappointed after he fell seven agonising runs short of a world record third triple-century in the third Test against Sri Lanka . The 31-year-old opener had moved from his overnight score of 284 to 293 before he chipped a flighted delivery from Muttiah Muralitharan back to the bowler who claimed the catch at the second attempt . `` I am very happy I got at least 293 runs -- I am proud of what I have achieved , '' Sehwag told reporters at the close of the third day 's play . `` Not many people have got two triple centuries and followed that with 293 . So there is nothing to be disappointed about . `` I tried to take my time , but maybe the ball was not there to be hit . I misjudged the length and the ball went straight into Murali 's hands . `` I always tell myself to bat the full day , and if there is a ball to be hit , just hit it . If I 'm able to bat the whole day we will be in a good position . '' The innings , which lasted 254 balls and included 40 boundaries and seven sixes , was the backbone of India 's highest-ever total of 726-9 declared in reply to Sri Lanka 's 393 . India skipper Mahendra Dhoni hit an unbeaten century before he opted to declare with a lead of 333 before Sri Lanka saw off a difficult few overs in their second innings to close on 11 without loss . Elsewhere , England claimed a 2-1 series victory over South Africa in Durban after the fifth one-day international was abandoned without a ball being bowled . Andrew Strauss ' side became only the third team to beat the Proteas in a home one-day series after the umpires called the match off with the onset of another heavy downpour . Meanwhile , a century from Dwayne Bravo was the highlight of a competitive opening day of the second Test between Australia and the West Indies at the Adelaide Oval . The West Indies won the toss , elected to bat and finished the final session with momentum to be 336 for six at stumps . | Indian batsman Virender Sehwag fell seven agonising runs short of a world record third triple-century . Sehwag made 293 before he chipped the ball back to Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan . India closed the third day of the third Test with their highest-ever total of 726-9 declared in reply to Sri Lanka 's 393 . | [[0, 15], [19, 204], [205, 314], [284, 359], [990, 1001], [1072, 1128], [1123, 1168]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Officials warned Wednesday that the bridge linking the California cities of San Francisco and Oakland will likely remain closed Thursday morning , promising more delays for Bay Area commuters . That work is intended to dampen vibration on the structure . Vibration may have played a role in causing pieces of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge to fall Tuesday night from the span onto the roadway , resulting in its closure . The 73-year-old bridge spans the San Francisco Bay and carries an average 280,000 vehicles daily , according to the state 's Transportation Department . `` Right now , we do not have a time when the bridge will potentially open , '' said Bart Ney , a spokesman for California Department of Transportation . `` The work has to be completed first . '' Once the new steel is in place and the rods have been made tense , at least three hours of testing will be carried out before the bridge will reopen to vehicular traffic , Ney said , refusing to speculate on when that might occur . `` The first thing that I would say to motorists is that you need to be at this point planning other routes over the next day or so , '' he said . The Federal Highway Administration and the Seismic Peer Review Board are scrutinizing the repair plans , he said . Wednesday 's commute was a horror show for many . `` My wife actually drives over to the peninsula ; she says it 's taken her two hours to get to work so far and she 's not there yet , '' commuter Seth Carp told CNN affiliate KTVU as he prepared to board a Bay Area Rapid Transit train . `` I tried to take the Golden Gate Bridge , '' said a woman who identified herself only as Yemi . `` It was a big mistake . '' She gave up and wound up taking BART . `` It was back-to-back bumper , there were rows of cars everywhere , '' said Christina Chou , who lives in Foster City near the San Mateo Bridge , which served as an alternate route for many . `` It was just horrible . '' Ridership increased on ferries , too , with some people finding a silver lining to the snafu . `` I have been looking for an opportunity to go across the bay in the ferry , '' said Jack Pierce of Oakland . `` I 'm sorry the cable parted , but I am glad to get the opportunity . '' Ney said wind gusts of up to 50 mph slowed repair efforts on Tuesday , but the winds had diminished by Wednesday evening . Winds increased vibration by the rods that were fatigued and ultimately failed , he said . `` It was a contributing factor , but not necessarily the only factor , and we are analyzing what the factors are right now , '' he said . Travelers flocked to BART , which ran longer trains and extra trains . The rail line was on track to exceed its peak ridership of 405,000 in a single day , said BART spokesman Linton Johnson . Were you there ? Send photos and video . `` We have called in extra personnel to help us make sure we operate with every available train car we have in order to provide as much capacity as possible , '' said BART 's assistant general manager of operations , Paul Oversier . Amtrak was running a shuttle between the San Francisco and Martinez stations for Coast Starlight and California Zephyr passengers . The pieces that fell -- a cross beam and tie rods -- came from the same section that was repaired in September over Labor Day weekend , when crews worked almost around the clock to fix a crack in the span . A 50-foot section of the bridge collapsed in 1989 during the Loma Prieta earthquake , killing one person and prompting efforts to make it quake-tolerant . The whole Bay Bridge is slated to be replaced in 2013 , said Patrick Siegman , a transportation planner at Nelson Nygaard Consulting Associates , a national transportation planning firm based in San Francisco . The bridge is `` really showing its age , '' he said . `` It 's kind of a race against time to finish the new bridge before the next quake hits . '' | San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge closes after parts of it fall to roadway . Repair work ongoing , but there 's no word when bridge will reopen . Travelers flock to public transit , including trains and ferries . Repairs aim to stop vibration , which may have caused the problem . | [[19, 163], [615, 674], [1967, 1997], [213, 273], [213, 222], [235, 273], [274, 364]] |
MOUNT KENYA , Kenya -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- For as long as anyone cares to remember , the pastoralists of Kenya 's Rift Valley have fled with their herds to the fertile slopes of Mount Kenya when times are tough . Hundreds of dead cattle litter the slopes of Mount Kenya , fatally weakened by long treks to the region . When the rains failed this year they set off once again in search of water and pasture -- but they found only despair . `` I could have stayed home , or I could have come here , but it is all the same . All that you find is death , '' said Peraguan Lesagut , an aging pastoralist who came five months ago with his herd . After years of persistent drought Lesagut left his two wives and 16 children and drove 200 cattle to the foothills of Mount Kenya -- Africa 's second highest summit . Now , only 40 are left ; the rest succumbing to cold , disease and exposure . Across the folds of this mountain everyone has the same story . Hundreds of dead cattle dot the forests , young herdsmen try to coax ailing calves onto their feet , knowing that if they do n't get up , they will die . `` I am hopeless because I have seen almost all of my animals die , '' Lesagut said . `` If the rains are delayed for even another week two , then I will lose everything . '' Millions of Kenyans are facing the same stark reality . The World Food Program -LRB- WFP -RRB- says that , together with the Kenyan government , they will need to feed 3.8 million people across the country . Successive years of failed crops , drought and erratic rains caused by climate change have all had an impact . Somalia , Ethiopia and Djibouti all face similar crises . Despite this , the U.N. agency says that its emergency programs are facing massive shortfalls . `` We are facing a really difficult situation . We realize that the world economic crisis has affected the amount that countries can give to us , '' says WFP spokesperson Gabrielle Menezes , `` But at the same time we are seeing an awful situation in Kenya . If we do n't start feeding people now , things are only going to get worse . '' For many Kenyan farmers , the situation is already bad enough . Eunice Wairimu has seen four successive crops fail . This is harvest time in Kenya but her corn plants barely reach her knees and she will have to use her meager harvest as animal feed . `` I do n't even like to go to my farm because I become very upset , '' she said . `` There is nothing for me to get there for my family . '' Wairimu used to sell her surplus , but now she depends on food rations . She accepts them grudgingly . `` According to our tribal culture , we are n't used to being given food . We have always been willing to work hard . If it is the will of God to bring rain , he will bring rain . But he also brings drought . '' | Millions of rural Kenyans at risk of starvation because of drought , crop failure . Somalia , Ethiopia and Djibouti all face similar crises , World Food Program says . Hundreds of dead cattle dot landscape , driven in search of pasture by herdsmen . WFP warns situation will get worse unless shortfalls in resources addressed . | [[1482, 1542], [1568, 1572], [1577, 1592], [1593, 1624], [1629, 1650], [79, 185], [221, 265], [945, 984], [1666, 1746], [2046, 2082]] |
Islamabad , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday she did not come to Pakistan for `` happy talk . '' Her three-day trip is aimed at getting frank , open discussions going about the fight against terrorism , and that includes presenting U.S. concerns about how much success Pakistan is having , she said . In an interview with CNN , Clinton said it 's time to `` clear the air '' with a key U.S. ally . She added , `` I do n't think the way you deal with negative feelings is to pretend they 're not there . '' `` I think it 's important , if we are going to have the kind of cooperative partnership , that I think is in the best interest of both of our countries , for me to express some of the questions that are on the minds of the American people , '' Clinton told CNN 's Jill Dougherty . The secretary 's comments came a day after she seemed to question the commitment of some in the Pakistani government for going after the leaders of al Qaeda , who U.S. intelligence experts believe are taking refuge in Pakistan 's remote tribal areas . `` Al Qaeda has had safe haven in Pakistan since 2002 , '' she told a group of Pakistani journalists Thursday . `` I find it hard to believe that nobody in your government knows where they are and could n't get them if they really wanted to . '' She added , `` Maybe they 're not gettable . I do n't know . '' In the CNN interview Friday , Clinton said she was not suggesting that someone inside the government might be complicit with al Qaeda or might be failing to follow through in fighting the terrorist group . `` No , no , '' she said . `` What I was responding to is what I have been really doing on this trip , which is there exists a trust deficit , certainly on the part of Pakistanis toward the United States , toward our intentions and our actions . And yet we have so much in common , we face a common threat . We certainly have a common enemy in extremism and terrorism , and so part of what I have been doing is answering every single charge , every question . '' Trust `` is a two-way street , '' she added . While Pakistan 's military operation has been `` extremely courageous in both Swat and now in South Waziristan , success there is not sufficient , '' she said . '' ... I just want to keep putting on the table that we have some concerns as well . And I think ... that 's the kind of relationship I 'm looking to build here . '' Asked whether she had underestimated the level of anti-American sentiment in Pakistan , Clinton said , `` No , because I 've been following the research and the polling that 's gone on for a couple of years . I knew that we were inheriting a pretty negative situation that we were going to have to address . '' That 's why she wanted three days in the country , `` a long trip for a secretary of state , '' she said . `` I wanted to demonstrate that , look , we are not coming here claiming that everything we 've done is perfect . I 've admitted to mistakes by our country going back in time , but I 've also reminded people that we 've been partners and allies from the beginning of Pakistan 's inception as a country . Pakistan has helped us on several important occasions , and we are very grateful for that . So let 's begin to clear the air here . '' Clinton also commented on Iran , as the United States seeks clarification on whether the nation will agree to a deal brokered by the International Atomic Energy Agency aimed at resolving a dispute about Iran 's nuclear program . `` I am going to let the process play out , but clearly we are working to determine exactly what they are willing to do , '' Clinton said . The secretary made a vow to Israeli and Palestinian leaders during the CNN interview as well . `` We 're going to do everything we can to try to clear away whatever concerns that the parties have , to actually get them into negotiations where they then can thrash out all of these difficult issues , '' she said . `` I think I 'm pretty realistic about what has to be overcome for there to be the level of acceptance that is required to get into these negotiations , '' she added . `` But remember , prior to negotiations , people stake out all kinds of positions , and then in the caldron of actually getting down to specifics , that all begins to be worked out . '' She referred to the experience of former President Bill Clinton . `` I watched in the '90s as my husband just kept pushing and pushing and pushing , and good things happened . There was n't a final agreement , but fewer people died , there were more opportunities for economic development , for trade , for exchanges . It had positive effects , even though it did n't cross the finish line . So I think that being involved at the highest levels sends a message of our seriousness of purpose . '' | Hillary Clinton says she aims to address questions that Americans are thinking about . She says she wants frank talk about fight against terrorism , including U.S. concerns . On Thursday , she said she wondered why terrorists had n't been found and dealt with . She said she was n't suggesting Pakistan was complicit with al Qaeda or did n't want to fight it . | [[1397, 1424], [1427, 1602]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Broadening the number of health care professionals who can administer vaccine , New York Gov. David Paterson issued a sweeping executive order Thursday officially declaring a state of emergency due to the increase in H1N1 cases , including 75 H1N1-related deaths in New York state . The announcement , which comes on the heels of President Obama 's declaration of H1N1 flu as a national emergency , expands the categories of health care professionals who can give the vaccine to include dentists , pharmacists , podiatrists , midwives and emergency medical technicians , the executive order said . At a news conference Thursday afternoon , Paterson stressed that his order is not intended to incite panic but rather allocates the necessary resources to effectively combat H1N1 flu , also known as swine flu . `` If an enormous number of flu vaccines came into the state because of an epidemic and an emergency and we need to administer them as widely as possible , we have expanded the health care personnel who would be deemed to have the authority to administer the flu vaccine , '' Paterson told reporters . Under current state law , some health care professionals are prohibited from delivering the vaccine because of limits on their professional duties . The governor 's order waives any law that would prevent these people from giving vaccinations , according to Claire Pospisil from the New York state department of health . `` It 's called an emergency declaration , but what it does is that it provides New York the capability that once vaccine supplies become more available , it allows -LRB- health departments -RRB- to quickly vaccinate as many people as possible , '' Pospisil said . Dr. Mark Feldman , a retired dentist who serves as executive director of the New York State Dental Association , which represents 75 percent of the dentists in the state , said he would be more than willing to help administer the vaccine . `` If there is a shortage and they need more hands , I can do my part , '' Feldman said . Health care professionals named in the executive order may not administer the vaccine at their individual practices . Rather , they must do so at a New York state health department distribution center . Feldman thinks it would be wiser to allow these health care professionals to distribute the vaccine at their private practices . `` If there is a severe outbreak , to go to a mass distribution center , you risk being exposed , '' Feldman said . New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a statement Thursday supporting Paterson 's order . It will `` let a larger number of health care workers administer vaccines , and strengthen our health department 's ability to track the use of vaccine supplies , '' the statement read . About 800,000 people in New York City became infected with the disease during the first wave of the virus last spring , according to the New York City Department of Health . The New York health department will provide training for administering the vaccinations , though the exact amount of training required is yet to be determined , according to Tom Dunn of the New York state education department , which issues vaccine licenses . | Gov. David Paterson declared a state of emergency because of increase in H1N1 cases . Order allows dentists , pharmacists , podiatrists , midwives to give vaccines . Paterson said increasing those who can give vaccine would help state in emergency . Retired dentist : `` If there is a shortage and they need more hands , I can do my part '' | [[108, 310], [50, 78], [83, 105], [450, 478], [483, 596], [2600, 2602], [2609, 2673], [1725, 1741], [1746, 1761], [1725, 1741], [1897, 1964], [2016, 2034]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Harry Patch -- the last surviving British soldier from World War I -- died Saturday at the age of 111 , Britain 's Ministry of Defence said . Harry Patch , pictured here on November 11 , 2008 , at an Armistice Day commemoration ceremony in London . Patch died peacefully at his care home in the southwestern English city of Wells , the ministry announced . His death came a week after fellow British World War I veteran Henry Allingham died at the age of 113 . Patch was the last surviving soldier to have witnessed the horrors of trench warfare in the first World War . He fought and was seriously wounded in Ypres , Belgium , in 1917 at the Battle of Passchendaele , in which 70,000 of his fellow soldiers died -- including three of his close friends . Born in 1898 , Patch became a plumber before being conscripted to the army in 1916 . After training , Patch was recruited to The Duke of Cornwall 's Light Infantry as a Lewis gunner assistant . The unit was rushed to the front line trenches of Ypres , where soldiers were urgently needed to replace those who were wounded and dying by the thousand . He fought in the trenches between June and September of 1917 and was involved in some of the fiercest fighting of the war . In late September he was wounded when a light shell exploded above his head , bringing an end to his military service . He received battlefield treatment without anesthetic . After the war , Harry returned to his work as a plumber and later became a sanitary engineer . He married Ada Billington , a young girl he met while convalescing after the battle . They married in 1919 and had two sons . In World War II , Patch joined the Auxiliary Fire Service and helped tackle the fires caused by heavy German raids on the English cities of Bath and Bristol . At one point , he was sent to organize sanitary arrangements for soldiers at a camp near Yeovil , where he became friendly with some of the men . Patch remembered the shock of finding the camp deserted , with coffee still hot and meals half-eaten , on the morning that the soldiers had gone off to France , the Ministry of Defence said . His wife , Ada , died in 1976 , and their two sons also later died . Patch remarried in 1980 , but he became a widower for the second time four years later . Patch did n't speak about the war until he turned 100 , the Ministry of Defence said . `` He tried to suppress the memories and to live as normal a life as possible ; the culture of his time said that he was fortunate to have survived and that he should get on with his life , '' a Ministry of Defence biography says . `` That suited Harry ; he could ` forget ' his demons , the memories of what happened to him and to his close friends . '' In 1998 , a television producer with an interest in the war talked to Patch , who then made the decision to speak of his memories , the Ministry of Defence said . He took part in a documentary on the war and began gradually to open up . It was n't long before Patch became a spokesman for his generation , speaking about the horrors of the war as well as his own emotions and reactions , the Ministry of Defence said . `` In speaking about his experiences , Harry began at last to come to terms with his war , and was at peace with himself and his memories , '' the Defence Ministry said . `` His thoughts then turned to reconciliation , to the long-term effects of suffering and coming to terms with that suffering . '' Patch returned to Belgium in 2002 , something he had said he would never do , and laid a wreath to his battalion , the Defence Ministry said . Two years later , he met and shook hands with a German artilleryman from the Western Front , Charles Kuentz . Patch later laid a wreath at Langemark Cemetery for the German war dead . In his last years , Patch was honored at Buckingham Palace and the prime minister 's residence at 10 Downing Street . On his 101st birthday France awarded him the Knighthood of the Legion of Honor , and this year President Nicolas Sarkozy upgraded that to the rank of officer . Last year , King Albert II of Belgium made Patch a Knight of the Order of Leopold . `` Harry was delighted to receive these awards and wore the medals with great pride , but he always made it clear that he wore these medals as a representative of the selfless generation he had come to represent , '' the Ministry of Defence said . Patch wrote a book detailing his life in 2007 , called `` The Last Fighting Tommy . '' The name referred to the slang term for British privates . `` While the country may remember Harry as a soldier , we will remember him as a dear friend , '' said Jim Ross , a close friend . `` He was a man of peace who used his great age and fame as the last survivor of the trenches to communicate two simple messages : Remember with gratitude and respect those who served on all sides , -LRB- and -RRB- settle disputes by discussion , not war . '' Gen. Richard Dannatt , the chief of the general staff , issued a statement expressing his sadness about Patch 's death . `` Self-effacing about his experiences in the trenches he was no less effective in describing the horror they represented when invited to speak to schoolchildren about the realities of war . '' Dannatt said . `` He was the last of a generation that in youth was steadfast in its duty in the face of cruel sacrifice and we give thanks for his life -- as well as those of his comrades -- for upholding the same values and freedom that we continue to cherish and fight for today . '' | Harry Patch , dead at 111 , was last British survivor of World War One trench warfare . Patch was seriously wounded in Ypres , Belgium , in 1917 at Battle of Passchendaele . Patch `` tried to suppress memories and to live as normal a life as possible '' Former soldier gradually opened up about his experiences in final years of life . | [[9, 32], [106, 137], [497, 606], [503, 606], [607, 609], [621, 651], [664, 702], [2406, 2480], [2316, 2369], [2921, 2923], [2966, 2994]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Serena Williams has handed a three-year suspended ban from the U.S. Open after her verbal tirade at a lineswoman at this year 's event . The incident occurred during her semifinal defeat to Kim Clijsters when Williams was called for a foot fault to give the Belgian mum match point and her profanity-laced tirade resulted in a penalty point that ended the match . The punishments handed down by the International Tennis Federation 's Grand Slam committee could result in a U.S. Open suspension if Williams commits another major violation in any Grand Slam event in 2010 or 2011 . Williams was fined a record $ 175,000 with the amount to be reduced to $ 82,500 if she stays on good behavior over two seasons . The fine amount included $ 10,000 Williams paid the U.S. Tennis Association in September after the incident , the maximum fine the group had the power to impose . The biggest prior fine imposed by the committee came when American Jeff Tarango was fined just under $ 50,000 . Williams initially declined to issue an apology to the line-judge but subsequently issued a contrite statement in which she said : `` I need to make it clear to all young people that I handled myself inappropriately on this occasion . `` It 's not the way to act -- win or lose , good call or bad call in any sport , in any manner . '' Williams was trailing Clijsters 4-6 , 5-6 and serving at 15-30 when the baseline judge called a foot-fault on a second serve . She walked over to the official and waved her racket angrily as she unleashed her tirade at the official , who immediately reported what had been said to the umpire . Having earlier warned Williams for racket abuse , the official called for tournament referee Brian Earley and a penalty point was imposed which enabled Clijsters to claim the match . Replays indicated that the line judge may have got the foot fault call wrong . | Serena Williams is handed a three-year suspended ban from the U.S. Open . The punishment follows her outburst in the U.S. Open semifinal against Kim Clijsters . Williams also fined a record $ 175,000 with the amount to be reduced to $ 82,500 for good behavior . | [[0, 15], [19, 131], [46, 155], [156, 222], [599, 652], [637, 678]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former President Carter warned members of Congress on Tuesday that America 's failure to achieve energy independence is threatening the country 's national security , undermining its long-term potential for economic growth and contributing to global warming . Former President Carter said Tuesday that the United States must end its energy-based vulnerability . `` Collectively , nothing could be more important than this question of energy , '' Carter said during a rare presidential appearance before a congressional committee . `` I would guess that our entire status as a leading nation in the world will depend on the role that we play in energy and environment in the future . '' Carter , who in 1977 famously declared the fight for energy independence to be `` the moral equivalent of war , '' told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that reaching that goal is crucial to ending the country 's `` vulnerability to possible pressures and blackmail . '' Right now , he noted , `` whether we admit it or not , we are very careful not to aggravate our major oil suppliers . '' Watch Carter talk about energy and security '' He also asserted that more jobs will be gained than lost by transitioning the country away from fossil fuels and toward cleaner , renewable energy sources . Carter 's testimony came as Congress continues its consideration of broad-reaching energy legislation with the potential to dramatically tighten emissions controls while reshaping America 's environmental standards . Among other things , the American Clean Energy and Security Act would create a controversial `` cap-and-trade '' system establishing steadily declining limits on greenhouse gas emissions over the next four decades . Under the bill , polluters would be able to buy and sell emissions credits while utilities would be required to generate an increasing amount of power from renewable sources . Congressional attention to the issue is being driven by President Obama , who , like Carter , has placed energy near the top of his domestic agenda . Carter suggested that energy reform advocates craft an omnibus proposal that could be considered collectively by Congress in order to minimize `` adverse influence of special interest groups '' opposed to any major changes . Powerful entrenched interests ultimately helped derail his administration 's energy agenda , he said . Carter noted that his administration nevertheless succeeded in reducing net oil imports by 50 percent , from 8.6 to 4.3 million barrels per day . But after `` a long period of energy complacency , '' he said , daily imports to the United States are now almost 13 million barrels . America consumes 2.5 times more oil than China and 7.5 times more than India , he noted . On a per capita basis , the United States consumes 12 times more oil than China and 28 times more than India . `` Although our rich nation can afford these daily purchases , there is little doubt that , in general terms , we are constrained not to alienate our major oil suppliers , which puts a restraint on our nation 's foreign policy , '' Carter said . The former president reminded committee members that , as part of his drive for renewable energy , he had ordered 32 solar panels to be placed on the roof of the White House in 1979 . But the panels were removed `` almost instantaneously after -LSB- Ronald Reagan -RSB- moved into the White House , with assurances to the American people that such drastic action would no longer be necessary . '' Sen. John Kerry , D-Massachusetts , opened the hearing by noting that the price of a barrel of oil has fallen $ 90 below the record high hit in summer 2008 . Unfortunately , Kerry added , the `` political will to take decisive action has dissipated '' as each past energy crisis has subsided . Carter `` had the courage to tell the truth to Americans -LSB- and -RSB- set America on the right path in the 1970s , '' Kerry said . `` Regrettably , the ensuing years saw those efforts unfunded -LSB- and -RSB- stripped away . '' Richard Nixon was the first president to set a goal of energy independence , Kerry noted . Nixon called for that goal to be reached by 1980 . | `` Our entire status as a leading nation '' will depend on energy role , ex-president says . Energy independence would protect national security , create jobs , he claims . Congress continues to consider broad-reaching energy legislation . | [[564, 712], [1172, 1174], [1180, 1328], [1329, 1449]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Aerosmith announced the cancellation of the remainder of its summer tour Thursday , more than a week after the band 's lead singer tumbled off stage in South Dakota . Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler fell off stage August 5 while dancing to `` Love in an Elevator . '' `` Due to injuries Steven Tyler sustained last week when he fell from the stage during a concert in Sturgis , South Dakota , doctors have advised the lead singer to take the time to properly recuperate from the accident that resulted in a broken shoulder and stitches to his head , '' the band said in a statement . The accident happened August 5 during a concert at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in western South Dakota . Tyler was dancing during `` Love in an Elevator '' when he fell . He was airlifted to a local hospital for initial treatment before returning to Boston , Massachusetts , for treatment with his own doctors . `` Words ca n't express the sadness I feel for having to cancel this tour , '' said guitarist Joe Perry . `` We hope we can get the Aerosmith machine up and running again as soon as possible . '' `` We never anticipated this tour coming to such a swift and unfortunate ending , '' guitarist Brad Whitford said . `` Our thoughts and prayers go out to Steven for a speedy recovery and return to good health . '' Tyler 's fall was the second mishap for the lead singer during their tour with ZZ Top . Five shows were postponed in July after Tyler sprained his leg . The band said refunds will be issued for all canceled shows . | Lead singer Steven Tyler fell off stage during South Dakota show last week . He broke his shoulder and received stitches to his head ; doctors advise rest . Fall was second mishap for Tyler during Aerosmith 's tour with ZZ Top . Band says refunds will be issued for all canceled shows . | [[126, 185], [186, 286], [300, 397], [413, 509], [497, 509], [515, 569], [186, 286], [1329, 1416], [1482, 1543], [1496, 1543]] |
Tehran , Iran -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- United Nations-backed nuclear inspectors on Sunday visited a newly disclosed Iranian nuclear facility near the city of Qom , Iranian media has reported . `` IAEA inspectors today visited the ... nuclear installation , '' the semi-official Mehr news agency said , referring to International Atomic Energy Agency staff . `` The IAEA inspectors arrived Saturday night and are scheduled to inspect the ... site several times . The inspectors will leave Tehran Tuesday . '' Tehran sent shock waves through the international community in September by revealing the existence of the previously secret nuclear enrichment facility near Qom . The IAEA announced Saturday its inspectors were leaving for the much-anticipated inspection . The agency declined to give more details on Sunday . `` It is our policy not to comment on the itinerary of our inspectors , '' a spokesman for the U.N. nuclear watchdog told CNN . The inspectors will visit the installation to make sure it is being used for peaceful purposes , said Ali Akbar Salehi , the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran , according to the Islamic Republic News Agency . The inspection comes after Iran said Friday that it needs more time to decide whether to sign onto a deal that could help end the international showdown over its nuclear activities . That proposal calls for low-enriched uranium produced in Iran to be sent abroad for further enrichment and then returned for use in medical research and treatment . Tehran is studying the draft proposal and will have an answer next week , Iranian diplomat Ali Asghar Soltanieh said on state-run Press TV . Iran informed IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei that it is `` considering the proposal in depth and in a favorable light , but it needs until the middle of next week to provide a response , '' according to an IAEA statement . Delegations from Iran , France , Russia , the United States and the IAEA met in Vienna this week to work out details of the tentative deal reached in early October . France , Russia and the United States have indicated their approval of the arrangement . `` The Director General hopes that Iran 's response will equally be positive , since approval of this agreement will signal a new era of cooperation , '' the IAEA statement said . After the current inspection , but before the end of the month , Iranian officials are expected to meet with the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -- Britain , China , France , Russia and the United States -- plus Germany to further discuss Tehran 's nuclear program . Iran 's leaders maintain that their nation 's nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes , but many in the West believe Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities . Low-enriched nuclear fuel can be further enriched into weapons-grade material . CNN 's Per Nyberg contributed to this report . | The IAEA announced Saturday its inspectors were leaving for the inspection . Iran said Friday it needs more time to decide whether to sign onto a nuclear deal . Iran says its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes . Many in the West believe Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities . | [[666, 708], [694, 759], [1159, 1210], [1186, 1226], [1208, 1264], [2602, 2704], [2736, 2783]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Roger Federer has been hit with a $ 1,500 fine for swearing at the umpire during his shock U.S. Open final defeat to Juan Martin Del Potro . Federer argues with umpire Jake Garner during his five-set defeat to Del Potro . The world number one became embroiled in an argument with Jake Garner at the end of the second set after complaining Del Potro was taking too long to decide whether or not to make challenges . The Argentine successfully overturned an `` out '' call shortly before Federer 's outburst , a point that led to him breaking serve and eventually taking the set . During the exchange Federer was picked up on microphones telling Garner : `` Do n't tell me when to be quiet , okay ? When I want to talk , I 'll talk . '' Del Potro went on to claim his first grand slam , ending Federer 's five-year unbeaten run at Flushing Meadows and denying the Swiss maestro a 16th grand slam title . Federer 's fine pales in comparison to the one meted out to Serena Williams , who was docked $ 10,000 for an altercation with a line judge at the climax of her semifinal with eventual winner Kim Clijsters . Williams reacted angrily after being called for a foot fault , and unleashed a torrent of abuse at the official , who reported the exchange to umpire Louise Engzell . The resulting penalty point for a code violation handed the match to Clijsters . Williams later apologized for the incident . She was also fined $ 500 for racket abuse in the same encounter . Over $ 31,000 in fines were handed out in the final grand slam of the season with Daniel Nestor , from Canada , forced to pay $ 5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct towards a fan he confronted . Vera Zvonareva of Russia and Austria 's Daniel Koellerer were also fined $ 1,500 for audible obscenities . Federer will get an early chance to put his U.S. Open disappointment behind him when he plays for Switzerland in a World Group playoff tie against Italy this weekend in Genoa . | Roger Federer fined $ 1,500 for his argument with umpire in U.S. Open final . Federer confronted Jake Garner in row over challenges by Juan Martin Del Potro . Del Potro went on to win his first grand slam in five-set thriller in New York . | [[19, 132], [51, 159], [160, 240], [160, 240], [241, 339], [754, 801]] |
ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Federal investigators trying to determine why a Delta Air Lines jet landed on a taxiway instead of the runway in Atlanta on Monday morning say the runway was illuminated , but that approach lights and a ground-based instrument that helps pilots line up with the runway were off . The pilots of the plane that landed at the Atlanta airport have been relieved from flying duties pending probes . The incident happened at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport , the world 's busiest . But it occurred shortly before dawn , when airport operations are slow . Delta Flight 60 , from Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , was cleared to land on a main runway around 6:05 a.m. , but it landed instead on nearby Taxiway M , which runs parallel to the runway , said FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen . The departure taxiway , which can be filled with aircraft during peak hours , was empty at the time , and the plane landed safely , officials said . No one was injured , and there was no damage to the taxiway . The Boeing 767 aircraft had 182 passengers and a crew of 11 . The FAA , the National Transportation Safety Board and Delta Air Lines are investigating . The pilots of the aircraft were placed on nonflight status , Delta said . The NTSB on Wednesday confirmed that a `` check pilot '' on the flight was sick , and the crew had declared a medical emergency . It was not clear what , if any , role that played in the mishap . Sources familiar with the incident say that Flight 60 originally was scheduled to land on Runway 27L -LRB- left -RRB- , the active runway at that time , but was `` sidestepped '' to Runway 27R -LRB- right -RRB- . Pilots commonly ask to be `` sidestepped '' to Runway 27R -- and air traffic controllers commonly offer 27R -- because it is closer to the terminal and pilots can shave minutes from a trip . In this case , it is not clear whether the pilot made the request , or the air traffic controllers made the offer . Nor is it clear why the change was made -- whether to shave time from the flight , or because of the medical emergency on the aircraft or some other reason . But after being given permission to land on Runway 27R , the plane went too far to the right , landing on Taxiway M . The runway was marked with yellow lights , while the taxiway was marked with blue lights , one person familiar with the incident said . The NTSB said the runway lights on 27R were illuminated , but a `` localizer '' and approach lights for the runway were off . Officials said the weather at the airport was clear , and the NTSB said the wind was calm at 10 mph . The sky was dark , with twilight still more than an hour away . The NTSB said a `` check airman '' was in the cockpit with the captain and first officer during the flight , but became ill and moved to the cabin for the remainder of the flight . Check airman are company pilots who watch over crew members during significant flights , such as when a first officer becomes a captain , when a pilot is making a maiden international flight , or over mountainous terrain for the first time . The NTSB said it is uncertain why the check airman was on the Delta flight . Delta spokesman Anthony Black said the airline is cooperating with the FAA and the NTSB and conducting its own investigation . The pilots of the flight have been relieved from active flying , he said . The incident came just two weeks after the FAA announced that serious runway incursions were down 50 percent this year . Close calls in 2007 at some of the busiest U.S. airports prompted the FAA to take action to reduce the risk of runway incursions and wrong runway departures . There were 24 serious runway incursions that year , eight of them involving commercial carriers . | Delta Flight 60 from Brazil landed on taxiway instead of runway in Atlanta , Georgia . No planes were on taxiway waiting to take off ; jet landed safely with no injuries . Investigation looking at approach lights , ground-based instrument . NTSB : `` Check pilot '' was sick before landing , crew declared medical emergency . | [[37, 206], [331, 340], [346, 375], [712, 749], [2196, 2205], [2234, 2256], [827, 850], [905, 926], [933, 956], [238, 246], [247, 305], [238, 263], [269, 305], [213, 263], [306, 316], [1265, 1344], [1347, 1394]] |
Although you may think that bottled water is a safer option than tap , two new reports show that the store-bought stuff is actually less regulated than the water you get out of your faucet for free . What 's in your water ? You may be hard pressed to find out , reports the Environmental Working Group . The Food and Drug Administration has little authority to regulate bottled brands , according to a U.S. Congressional report released recently . While municipal water utilities are required to provide public reports of test results , bottled-water makers are not . -LRB- On the other hand , well water , which is found in many rural areas , is n't regulated as water provided by towns and cities is . -RRB- So although you may fork over a pretty penny for bottled water , that does n't mean it 's any better than what 's coming out of your faucet . In fact , it could be worse and you 'd never know it . The new research is backed by a second report from the Environmental Working Group . The nonprofit advocacy organization surveyed the labels and Web sites of nearly 200 popular bottled-water brands and found that less than 2 percent disclosed three important facts that can affect safety : the water 's source , purification methods , and chemical pollutants in each bottle . -LRB- See the full report on bottled water at EWG 's Web site . -RRB- . `` We 're really pushing for a consumer 's right to know what 's in their water , '' says Nneka Leiba , an environmental health researcher at the EWG . `` This is n't a doomsday scenario . It is n't that the claims are false ; it 's just that they are misleading . '' Reaching for the most popular bottled brands is n't necessarily a solution . In fact , the EWG report found that some of the best-known brands -- for example Whole Foods and San Pellegrino -- are the least likely to report where the water comes from and what it contains . Health.com : Plastic recycling gets easier . `` This probably has to do with the fact that they 're imported , so the regulations are different , '' says Leiba . `` Some of the brands you think would n't be as transparent , like Walgreens or Sam 's Club , scored higher than many of the popular brands . '' So what 's a safety-conscious shopper to do ? In recent years , some reports have suggested that tap water could be contaminated by trace amounts of pharmaceuticals or other substances . Health.com : Why caffeine and sugar are poor substitutes for sleep . Leiba says that activated carbon water filters -- like Brita pitchers or faucet attachments -- are a safe and affordable option for filtering tap water . If families can afford it , she recommends a reverse osmosis filter , which will eliminate all impurities . These reports come as food safety concerns seem to be at an all-time high . Lately , recalls of spinach , sprouts , peanut butter , and , most recently , cookie dough have made many consumers start to question the safety of the items they find on grocery-store shelves . Unlike tap water suppliers , bottled water companies do n't have to have their water tested by a certified laboratory , and they are n't required to notify customers within 24 hours if they find elevated levels of contaminants . The FDA does require bottled water companies to test for contaminants and other problems , says Joshua Sharfstein , M.D. , the agency 's principal deputy commissioner . Health.com : Could your rug make you sick ? If the companies fail , however , the public does n't get to see the actual test results . `` There 's clearly a difference in disclosure between municipal water and bottled water , but the FDA 's laws focus on safety of food more than on disclosure of information , '' says Sharfstein . `` It 's not a question of whether the FDA can do more ; it 's whether the government can do more through the food safety bill . '' Only changes in the current regulations would make it mandatory for manufacturers to make those kinds of records public , he says . Those regulations may change with the Food Safety Enhancement Act . Health.com : Drink this tea to lose that belly . The proposed Food Safety Enhancement Act covers many aspects of food safety , including better preventive control measures by food manufacturers , more frequent inspections of facilities , and greater FDA authority over food recalls . Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com . Copyright Health Magazine 2009 . | Congressional Report : FDA has little authority to regulate bottled water brands . Conversely , municipal water utilities are required to make test results public . Watchdog group 's survey : Less than 2 percent of bottlers disclose important info . | [[304, 384], [304, 336], [387, 427], [448, 534], [537, 567], [992, 1027], [1109, 1171], [1120, 1282]] |
NEW ORLEANS , Louisiana -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Orleans Parish district attorney said he plans to look into deaths at a New Orleans hospital in the days following Hurricane Katrina , but stopped short of calling it an investigation . Staff at Memorial were accused of hastening four patients ' deaths in the wake of Hurricane Katrina . `` My office has not reopened an investigation into the deaths at Memorial hospital '' after Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005 , Leon Cannizzaro said in a statement released Friday . `` As district attorney , I have a legal obligation to evaluate statements regarding possible criminal activity in this jurisdiction , '' the statement said . `` I am making that kind of evaluation , but that does not constitute an investigation by this office . '' The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported in a story Saturday that Cannizzaro will interview New Orleans coroner Frank Minyard and possibly other pathologists on the coroner 's staff regarding the deaths of Memorial Medical Center patients . But the newspaper quoted Cannizzaro as saying an investigation would involve convening a grand jury and bringing in witnesses to testify , and he does not at this time have plans to do that . After speaking with the coroner , the district attorney said he would decide whether a more in-depth investigation is necessary . Cannizzaro 's spokesman , Christopher Bowman , said Monday the DA 's office had no further comment beyond the Friday statement . According to the Times-Picayune , Cannizzaro 's conversation with Minyard was prompted by an article in The New York Times last month that quoted two doctors as saying that they gave Memorial patients morphine and other drugs in the days after the hurricane struck , knowing they would die . Cannizzaro told the newspaper he would be `` remiss in his responsibilities '' if he did not talk to Minyard about information in the article . `` That does n't mean I am opening an investigation , '' he said . Katrina roared ashore near the Mississippi-Louisiana state line on August 29 , 2005 , rupturing three of New Orleans ' protective levees and putting about three-quarters of the city under water . Then-Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti Jr. launched an investigation after officials from Lifecare , an acute-care facility operating on the seventh floor of Memorial , reported allegations that several seriously ill , mostly elderly patients had been euthanized by medical staff at Memorial as the floodwater rose around the hospital and conditions inside deteriorated . In 2006 , Foti ordered the arrest of Dr. Anna Pou and two nurses , Lori Budo and Cheri Landry , on preliminary charges of second-degree murder in the deaths of four patients . Former Orleans Parish District Attorney Eddie Jordan , who under Louisiana law was responsible for prosecuting crimes , gave Budo and Landry immunity in exchange for their testimony . In July 2007 , the grand jury refused to indict Pou . Foti said his investigation revealed that the four patients -- ages 63 , 68 , 91 and 93 -- were given a `` lethal cocktail '' of morphine and midazolam hydrochloride , both central nervous system depressants . Pou , Landry and Budo all denied the charges , and their attorneys said they acted heroically , staying to treat patients rather than evacuate . In an interview with Newsweek magazine in 2007 , Pou admitted giving the patients drugs . `` If in doing so it hastened their deaths , then that 's what happened , '' she said . `` But this was not , ` I 'm going to go to the seventh floor and murder some people . ' We 're here to help patients . '' The grand jury never heard testimony from five specialists who advised Foti that the patients were deliberately killed with overdoses of drugs after Katrina struck . All five were brought in by Foti 's office to analyze the deaths , and concluded the patients were homicide victims . After the grand jury refused to indict Pou , Jordan called the case closed and said he would no longer pursue it . If Cannizzaro does decide an in-depth investigation is warranted , it could affect the outcome of a lawsuit in which CNN and The Times-Picayune are seeking the release of Foti 's investigative file into the deaths . CNN was the first to report the allegations of euthanasia , six weeks after the hurricane . The case went to the Louisiana Supreme Court , which in July sent it back to the trial court to rule on whether criminal litigation in the case is reasonably anticipated , according to Lori Mince , the New Orleans attorney representing the media organizations . A reopened investigation could lead the court to rule that criminal charges may be forthcoming . Hospital workers identified only as John and Jane Doe had sued to block the public release of the file , claiming the records are covered by grand jury secrecy rules , that they should have been considered confidential informants and that releasing the documents would violate their privacy . | Post-Katrina euthanasia was alleged at Memorial Hospital . Grand jury declined to file charges and case was closed . Different district attorney deciding whether to reopen investigation . CNN first reported allegations six weeks after Hurricane Katrina . | [[233, 334], [233, 250], [264, 334], [2353, 2475], [2916, 2928], [2931, 2969], [3910, 3952], [3955, 3984], [3910, 3952], [3955, 3961], [3989, 4024], [4241, 4316]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An agreement could be reached before week 's end between Washington University students and an Illinois nightclub that allegedly barred six African-American students while admitting nearly 200 of their white classmates . Fernando Cutz , senior class president at the university in Missouri , said the aggrieved students have been in contact with lawyers representing Original Mother 's , a bar in Chicago 's Gold Coast neighborhood . The two sides expect a resolution to their dispute as early as Wednesday , Cutz said . He did not , however , say what the students were demanding or why he was optimistic that a deal could be struck . The students complained to state and federal agencies after six African-American members from their senior class trip celebration were denied admission to the club on October 17 . Bar personnel cited dress code violations -- specifically baggy jeans -- in barring the African-American students , Cutz said . A white student and a black student then exchanged jeans to see what would happen . The white student was admitted , while his classmate still was kept outside , Cutz said . Calls from CNN to the nightclub were not immediately returned . The bar told the Chicago Tribune newspaper that it was investigating . The celebration at Original Mother 's was to top off a two-day senior class trip to Chicago , Cutz said . The party had been arranged with the bar in advance by the student class board , which includes two of the African-American students who were later denied entry , Cutz said . He said he was already inside the bar with some 200 other students , none of whom are African-American , when the first group of African-American classmates arrived . Cutz said he quickly learned that the manager of the bar had denied the six students entry , and he said the manager told the students their baggy pants violated the bar 's dress code . Cutz , who is white , said he confronted the manager . `` These six -LSB- students -RSB- were better dressed than I was , '' Cutz told CNN . He told the students to `` go back to the hotel and change . '' But the manager of the bar stepped in to say that he had made his decision and that the six men could not return to the bar even if they changed clothes , Cutz said . The students became `` more agitated '' and `` set up an experiment , '' Cutz said . Class Treasurer Regis Murayi , who is black , exchanged jeans with a white student , Jordan Roberts , who -- being 3 inches shorter than Murayi -- looked `` substantially baggy . '' Roberts approached the same manager who had turned away the African-American students , paid the entry fee and was allowed in , Cutz said . CNN 's Susan Candiotti also contributed to this report . | Group : Bar kept African-American students out , let white classmates in . Washington University 's senior class was celebrating at the Chicago bar . Class president : Bar cited dress code violations , but clothing swap did n't help . Class complains to Illinois attorney general , others ; bar has n't returned CNN 's calls . | [[111, 132], [138, 239], [1481, 1510], [1520, 1538], [1272, 1363], [835, 948], [655, 784], [1137, 1189]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A union representing thousands of transit workers went on strike early Tuesday in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , shutting down buses , subways and trolleys that carry almost a million people daily . Transport Workers Union leaders walked out of contract talks just before midnight , saying they could n't accept an offer from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority because of a shortfall in their pension fund and disagreements on some work rule issues . Joe Casey , general manager of the transit authority , said the offer presented to workers was competitive . Are you stranded by the strike ? Share your story . `` For the life of me I ca n't believe the TWU walked away from that offer , '' he said . The strike means all buses , subways and trolleys in Philadelphia and on the Frontier line in Bucks and Montgomery counties stopped running at 3 a.m. Read local coverage from CNN affiliate WPVI . One train operator was as surprised as customers to discover the strike had begun . Sly Wagner showed up at the Fern Rock station ready to work , CNN affiliate Philly.com reported . `` I 'm like everybody else , '' he said . `` The only way I found out was when I went to the station and the gates were locked . '' Commuters were n't taking it well . Comments on the Web site of CNN affiliate WPVI-TV were anti-strike by a ratio of 9 to 1 on Tuesday . `` These guys need to take a look around and see that we 're facing 10 percent unemployment and an economy on the brink of collapse , '' Lee Henderson commented to the Web site . `` They should be grateful for good jobs and go back to work without further delay . '' Henderson commutes from Elkins Park , on the northern edge of Philadelphia . But a city resident who only gave his first name , Gary , backed the union . `` Local 234 is standing up for the union members ; Philadelphia is a union city , '' he commented . `` Local 234 is just expressing its rights . Septa always pulls the economy into negotiations , but when it comes to their managers getting paid , they get what they want . '' Read local coverage from CNN affiliate Philly.com . Concern about crowds converging in downtown Philadelphia for the World Series surfaced in talks over the weekend and workers agreed to stave off the strike . But not long after the last out in Game 5 and the series heading back to New York , Local 234 went on the picket line . The transit authority urged riders to check its Web site for contingency plans . | NEW : Commuters express outrage , but a few support the union . Transport Workers Union leaders walk out of contract talks . Strike affects buses , subways and trolleys that transport nearly a million people daily . Transit authority and union ca n't agree on pension funding and work rules . | [[1251, 1286], [217, 298], [308, 312], [0, 15], [131, 173], [145, 173], [179, 216], [740, 863], [217, 248], [301, 488]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Five people were detained off Somalia 's coast Wednesday after pirates mistook a French ship involved in an anti-piracy operation for a commercial vessel , the French Defense Ministry said . A German-flagged warship taking part in the EU 's anti-piracy mission is pictured in this April 2009 file photo . There were no injuries as a result of the attack on the BCR Somme , the ministry said . The pirates opened fire at midnight local time , about 250 nautical miles -LRB- 463 kilometers -RRB- off Somalia 's coast , officials added . An hour after the attack , the French command and supply ship chased down one of the pirates ' skiffs , and detained five suspected pirates , it said . A second skiff involved in the attack got away . The BCR Somme was carrying supplies off Somalia 's coast to forces involved in the European anti-piracy operation , called `` Atalante , '' the ministry said . Europe and other Western powers have stepped up their maritime patrols off Somalia 's coast following a spate of pirate attacks over the past year . Somalia 's transitional government , which has a tenuous grip on power , has been unable to stop the pirates , many of whom are based in Somalia 's port cities . Those who have tracked pirate activity say it started in the 1980s in Somalia , when the pirates claimed they were aiming to stop the rampant illegal fishing and dumping that continues to this day off the Somali coast . Piracy accelerated after the fall of the Somali government in the early 1990s and began to flourish after shipping companies started paying ransoms . Those payments started out being in the tens of thousands of dollars and have since climbed into the millions . Some experts say companies are simply making the problem worse by paying the pirates . | Pirates fire on French ship involved in anti-piracy operation off Somali coast . Command and supply ship chased down a skiff ; detaining 5 suspected pirates . BCR Somme carries supplies to forces involved in European anti-piracy operation . | [[98, 172], [19, 111], [554, 578], [581, 655], [581, 615], [662, 693], [662, 685], [696, 705], [755, 821], [815, 868]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An Illinois woman and her boyfriend , already charged with aiding in the abduction of the woman 's 6-year-old grandson , face new charges of tampering with a witness in the case , officials said Tuesday . Ricky Chekevdia , 6 , allegedly was hidden with his mother in a secret room in his grandmother 's house . Diane Dobbs and Robert Sandefur , both 51 , are in jail pending the filing of formal charges in the case , said Beth Sandusky , victim services coordinator for the state attorney 's office in Franklin County , Illinois . The two were charged previously with aiding and abetting child abduction , a felony , according to Sandusky and court records . They were released from jail on bond Monday , but were back in custody within hours , according to ABC News and CNN affiliate WSIL . Last week , authorities found Ricky Chekevdia , Dobbs ' grandson , at her home . The boy was hiding along with his mother , Shannon Wilfong , in a secret room built to hide them -- an area about 5 feet by 12 feet , with a 4-foot ceiling , according to WSIL . Police say the boy had been hidden for nearly two years . Wilfong , 30 , is jailed on felony child abduction charges and made her first court appearance Tuesday , Sandusky said . `` We let him out of the car and he ran around like he 'd never seen the outdoors , '' Master Sgt. Stan Diggs with the Illinois State Police told WSIL . `` It was actually very sad . '' In an interview on ABC 's `` Good Morning America '' on Monday , before she was arrested , Dobbs disputed the accusation that Ricky was hidden in the small room , saying that in two years he spent `` maybe five minutes '' there . `` My grandson had the run of the house , '' she said . `` When we were outside , we would go fishing , we would do weenie roasts . We 've done fireworks on the Fourth of July . He 's helped me plant my flower garden in the back . '' She said she would not plead guilty to the charges . `` We were on our own and we had to do what we had to do and that was make sure our grandson was safe , '' Dobbs said . Sandusky would not comment on the pending charges against Dobbs and Sandefur or identify the witness . However , a woman told WSIL she called police after Dobbs and Sandefur came onto her property and threatened her son 's life . Diggs told WSIL that Ricky is `` in very good spirits for someone who 's been isolated in that house . ... He 's a very , very social , very polite , very talkative little boy . '' Wilfong and Ricky 's father , Michael Chekevdia , had battled over custody since Ricky was born in 2002 , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported . They initially had joint custody , Chekevdia told the newspaper , but Wilfong would often fail to bring the boy for weekends or scheduled meetings , then in 2007 failed to show up for visitation hearings . A judge granted Chekevdia temporary custody , but by then Wilfong and the boy had disappeared . They were reported missing in November , and in December , prosecutors charged Wilfong with felony child abduction . Wilfong and Dobbs had accused Chekevdia of sexually abusing the boy , but authorities have said those allegations are unfounded , the Post-Dispatch said . Leaving court Tuesday , a tearful Wilfong denied any wrongdoing to reporters , and accused Chekevdia of making lewd comments about the child . She added that the boy feared returning to his father . But Chekevdia told WSIL that Wilfong and her family are `` accusing me unjustly . '' `` I was the best father I could be given the time that I had with him , '' he said . Ricky was taken into Illinois Department of Children and Family Services custody , and is staying with his father 's family under child welfare supervision , WSIL said . The department declined comment . Chekevdia told the station he got to see his son smile for the first time at a Labor Day parade . `` It was just a wonderful feeling to see a little boy that 's been in that situation for so long enjoy himself , '' he said . | NEW : Boy 's parents had battled over his custody since his birth in 2002 . Grandmother and her boyfriend are in jail pending formal charges . Mother , Shannon Wilfong , tearfully denies any wrongdoing . Boy is staying with father 's family under child welfare supervision , station reports . | [[2484, 2511], [2522, 2587], [330, 361], [374, 385], [381, 434], [3203, 3210], [3227, 3279], [3227, 3244], [3286, 3345], [3573, 3578], [3660, 3728]] |
Detroit , Michigan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Six men appeared in federal court Thursday , a day after they were arrested in raids targeting an African-American Muslim group that the FBI said sought to establish an Islamic state in the United States . Luqman Ameen Abdullah , the alleged leader of the African-American Muslim converts , was fatally shot during one of Wednesday 's raids in the Detroit area after he fired at law enforcement agents who were trying to arrest him and four other suspects . An FBI dog was also killed . Authorities say Abdullah was the imam at a Detroit mosque where he preached offensive jihad , including violence against the U.S. government and law enforcement . A criminal complaint states that he repeatedly told three confidential informants he would never be taken alive , saying `` If they 're coming to get me , I 'll just strap a bomb on and blow up everybody . '' Abdullah was one of 11 men charged Tuesday with conspiracy to commit federal crimes , including theft from interstate shipments , mail fraud to obtain the proceeds of arson , illegal possession and sale of firearms , and tampering with motor vehicle identification numbers , the FBI said in a news release . Eight suspects were in custody , including one man already in prison on an unrelated charge and another man who was arrested on Wednesday and added to the charging sheet , U.S. Attorney spokeswoman Susan Plochinski said Thursday . An additional suspect was taken into custody in Canada on Thursday , an FBI statement said . Two men remain at large . Mujahid Carswell , aka Mujahid Abdullah , was taken into custody in Windsor , Ontario , Canada , by Canadian authorities Thursday afternoon , the FBI said . According to the federal criminal complaint , Carswell , 30 , is the eldest son of Abdullah , who was killed in the raid Wednesday . Canadian Border Patrol is holding him on immigration violations , the FBI said . Of the six suspects who appeared Thursday afternoon in court , Abdullah Beard was ordered held without bail ; and Muhammad Abdul Salaam 's bail decision was delayed , as was that for Gary Laverne Porter , a 38-year teacher who was arrested at an area school . Ali Abdul Raqib was given a $ 10,000 unsecured bond ; Abdul Saboor was given a $ 100,000 bond , despite a prosecution request that he be held without bond . Another man , Acie Pusha , who was arrested Wednesday , was described by the prosecutor as `` minimally involved '' and given a $ 10,000 bond . The FBI criminal complaint says the group held target practice in a mosque basement , blowing holes in concrete walls . It includes references to possible attacks on the government , including Detroit 's federal building and the FBI . There is also discussion about causing trouble at the 2006 Super Bowl in Detroit . But the men were not arrested for any of that . Two law enforcement sources said the information about possible attacks was included in the charging document to add `` context for the crimes they 're charged with , the purpose of the group . '' `` They had to earn money for their mosque and the Ummah , '' one of the sources said . `` And the purpose of Ummah was to set up a separatist state . '' Ummah refers to the nationwide group to which the suspects belonged , according to the complaint . It 's a group made up of mostly African-American members , including some who converted to Islam while in prison . Ummah is led by Jamil Abdullah al-Amin -- formerly known as H. Rap Brown -- a 1960s radical and former member of the Black Panthers who once said `` violence was as American as cherry pie . '' He is serving a life sentence in Colorado 's Supermax prison for killing two Georgia police officers . Andrew Arena , the FBI special agent in charge of the investigation , contacted local imams and civil rights leaders in Detroit during Wednesday 's operation `` to bridge any gaps that could possible come over this , '' FBI spokeswoman Sandra Berchtold said . `` He 'd rather they hear it from him , '' she added . `` We have a good relationship with the community and we want to keep it that way . '' In the 43-page criminal complaint filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan and unsealed Wednesday , authorities said the arrests were made based on information gleaned from confidential sources identified only as S-1 , S-2 and S-3 . `` S-1 heard Abdullah encourage his followers to ` pick up guns and do something ' rather than try to achieve their goals through peaceful means , '' the complaint said . S-2 recorded a conversation on December 12 , 2007 , in which Abdullah said , `` I got some soldiers with me , so it 's not like I , I do n't have , you know , nothing . Brothers that I know would , you know , if I say ` Let 's go , we going to go and do something , ' they would do it , '' the complaint said . S-3 said that , on March 21 , 2008 , Luqman Abdullah told him `` that the FBI is the enemy of Islam , '' the complaint said . The other men charged were identified as : . • Mohammad Abdul Bassir , aka Franklin D. Roosevelt Williams . He is serving a prison term at Ojibway Correctional Facility in Michigan 's Upper Peninsula . • Mujahid Carswell . • Mohammad Philistine . • Yassir Ali Khan . • Adam Hussain Ibraheem . Acie Pusha was arrested on Wednesday and added to the charging sheet , Plochinski said Thursday . She would not provide details about the charges against Pusha . The two charged but still at large are Philistine , also known as Mohammad Alsahi , a 33-year-old resident of Ontario ; and Khan , 30 , who is believed to be a resident of Ontario and Warren , Michigan . All of the defendants `` are members of a group that is alleged to have engaged in violent activity over a period of many years , and known to be armed , '' the FBI said . The complaint was filed by the FBI 's counter-terrorism squad in the Eastern District of Michigan . CNN 's Susan Candiotti , Carol Cratty and Ross Levitt contributed to this story . | NEW : Six appear in federal court Thursday , a day after they were arrested in raids . Alleged group leader was fatally shot Wednesday after firing at law enforcement agents . FBI says men were members of Ummah , led by former H. Rap Brown . Law enforcement sources say Ummah seeks to set up Islamic state in U.S. | [[38, 80], [89, 122], [1929, 1945], [1950, 1986], [244, 265], [329, 340], [346, 439], [244, 265], [341, 439], [1792, 1805], [1810, 1844], [171, 243]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rick Lyke was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was 47 . His response was to set up `` Pints for Prostates , '' an organization that uses the universal language of beer to reach men with its message about the importance of prostate cancer screening . In 2008 , at the insistence of a colleague with prostate cancer , Lyke , from Charlotte , North Carolina , had himself tested for illness , even though he had no health problems . His doctor was initially reluctant to have him tested , as men under the age of 50 are n't considered to a high-risk group for prostate cancer , but tests came back positive and Lyke needed surgery to remove the cancer . His surgeon said that if Lyke had waited until he was 50 to be screened , he would probably have only lived another two or three years . `` I 'm doing great now , '' Lyke told CNN . `` I have to get tested every six months for the next 15 years , but I really feel like I dodged a bullet . '' Prostate cancer affects one in six men American men , with 27,000 Americans expected to die from the disease this year . The American Cancer Society believes health care professionals should discuss the potential benefits and limitations of prostate cancer early detection testing with men before any testing begins . It says that should include an offer for yearly testing with the prostate-specific antigen blood test and digital rectal exam , beginning at age 50 , to men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and have at least a 10-year life expectancy . But Lyke says other groups recommend that men should be screened once they reach their forties . `` I think it 's a financial issue in a lot of cases rather than a health issue as to why that guideline is 50 , '' he told CNN . `` The fact of the matter is not many men are going to have prostate cancer in their forties , but for those who do , if they wait until they 're 50 to be tested , their numbers are n't going to look very good . '' Lyke founded `` Pints for Prostates '' to spread the message about need for regular prostate health screenings . The organization travels to beer festivals and tries to engage with men in an informal way . `` Beer is a universal thing for men , '' Lyke told CNN . `` Where women get together and talk about health issues , men really do n't , so we try to use an atmosphere like a pub , where guys are a little bit more relaxed , to talk about prostate cancer . '' He says prostate cancer is a highly personal disease for men , in much the same way that breast cancer is for women . Treatment for prostate cancer can sometimes result in impotence . `` The pink ribbon campaign has really made it possible for women to talk about breast cancer , so we 're trying to do the same thing for guys . They need permission to talk about it , '' said Lyke . As well as setting up stalls at beer festivals and organizing events in pubs , `` Pints for Prostates '' has run adverts in magazines and Lyke estimates its message has reached about 30 million people . A year after his own surgery , Lyke 's first granddaughter was born . He is aware that by being screened for prostate cancer he has vastly improved his chances of seeing her grow up , and he hopes that by encouraging other men to be tested he will give them a similar opportunity . He told CNN , `` I 'm hoping that there 's a whole bunch of other guys out there who 'll be able to experience the same thing -LSB- as me -RSB- -- see their families grow up and grow old . '' Mark Tutton contributed to this report . | Rick Lyke set up `` Pints for Prostates '' after being diagnosed with prostate cancer . The organization travels to beer festivals to educate men about the disease . Prostate cancer affects on in six men American men and screening is recommended for men over 50 . | [[0, 15], [19, 80], [81, 130], [1975, 2087], [136, 151], [157, 274], [1975, 2087], [2088, 2130], [969, 1020], [1537, 1629]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Law enforcement authorities have recovered 52 children and arrested 60 pimps allegedly involved in child prostitution , the FBI announced Monday . More than 690 people in all were arrested on state and local charges , the FBI stated . The arrests were made over the past three days as part of a nationwide law enforcement initiative conducted on the federal , state and local levels , the bureau said . `` Child prostitution continues to be a significant problem in our country , as evidenced by the number of children rescued through the continued efforts of our crimes against children task forces , '' Kevin Perkins , assistant director of the FBI 's Criminal Investigative Division , said in a written statement . `` There is no work more important than protecting America 's children and freeing them from the cycle of victimization . '' The three-day operation , tagged Operation Cross Country IV , included enforcement actions in 36 cities across 30 FBI divisions nationwide . It is part of the FBI 's ongoing Innocence Lost National Initiative , which was created in 2003 with the goal of ending sex trafficking of children in the United States . The initiative , conducted with assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children , has so far resulted in the recovery of almost 900 children , according to the FBI . It has also led to more than 500 convictions . | 3-day Operation Cross Country IV conducted on federal , state , local levels . FBI says more than 690 people in all were arrested on state , local charges . `` Child prostitution continues to be a significant problem in our country , '' FBI says . Operation is part of initiative aimed at ending domestic sex trafficking of children in U.S. | [[254, 351], [312, 401], [862, 885], [888, 921], [862, 885], [924, 1002], [166, 234], [237, 253], [422, 496], [1113, 1173]] |
Los Angeles , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former teen idol Leif Garrett posted a $ 10,000 bond Wednesday after spending two days in a jail on a drug charge , a Los Angeles County sheriff 's spokesman said . Garrett , 48 , was arrested Monday at a downtown Los Angeles train station after police found heroin in his shoe , spokesman Steve Whitmore said . He was 16 when he scored his first pop chart hit , `` Surfin ' USA , '' in 1977 . It was followed by a four-year run of songs that kept young girls swooning and teens dancing . When deputies approached Garrett Monday morning at the Metrolink station , he was `` acting in a pronounced way , shaking and sweating , '' Whitmore said . Garrett told them he was `` nervous around law enforcement because of other meetings with them in the past , '' he said . The singer did jail time four years ago after he was arrested with heroin while he stood on a subway platform at another Los Angeles transit station . This time , Garrett told the officers that he had no drugs and he agreed to let them search him , Whitmore said . As they searched , Garrett told them he did have a little heroin in his shoe . `` That was found and it was black tar heroin , '' Whitmore said . Garrett was taken to the East Los Angeles sheriff 's station , where he was booked and held on bond . His court date is February 24 , Whitmore said . CNN 's Michelle Wright and Alan Duke contributed to this report . | L.A. County authorities : Leif Garrett posts $ 10,000 bond after two days in a jail . Garrett was found with heroin and arrested Monday , sheriff 's spokesman says . The former teen idol was arrested four years ago for possession of heroin . Garrett was 16 when he scored his first pop chart hit , `` Surfin ' USA , '' in 1977 . | [[14, 40], [74, 157], [160, 208], [209, 216], [219, 221], [224, 309], [811, 884], [356, 404]] |
Nashville , Tennessee -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- One-third of Americans have a favorable view of the Tea Party movement , but a plurality has no opinion at all , according to a new national poll . A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey indicates that 26 percent of the public has an unfavorable view of the Tea Party movement and that 4 in 10 have not heard of the movement or do n't know enough to form an opinion . The poll 's Friday-morning release comes as what 's billed as the first national Tea Party convention begins its first full day of meetings in Nashville . `` The Tea Party movement is a blank slate to many Americans , which is not surprising for a political movement that is only about a year old , '' said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland . `` Not surprisingly , opinion breaks along partisan and ideological lines . '' According to the survey , Democrats by a 2-to-1 margin have an unfavorable view of the Tea Party movement ; Republicans like it by a 3-to-1 margin . Among independents , 35 percent of independents holding a positive view and 24 percent a negative view . What 's the future of the Tea Party movement ? On Saturday , Sarah Palin will serve as the convention 's keynote speaker . The also poll indicates that Americans are split on the former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee , with 43 percent seeing her in a positive light and 46 percent holding an unfavorable view . `` Opinion on Sarah Palin also breaks down along party lines , with seven in 10 Democrats disliking her and seven in 10 Republicans with a positive view . She has a net-negative rating among independents : 42 percent favorable and 47 percent unfavorable , '' Holland added . `` She also continues to rate better among men than women . '' The Tea Party movement developed last year in protest to what its supporters saw as overspending in Washington -- by both Republicans and Democrats -- after the stimulus bill , the bank bailouts and President Obama 's budget . The poll was conducted January 22-24 , with 1,009 adult Americans questioned by telephone . The survey 's overall sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points . CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report . | CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll : One-third in U.S. favor the Tea Party movement . 4 in 10 in poll had not heard of Tea Parties or had no opinion about them . Democrats by a 2-to-1 margin have an unfavorable view of Tea Party movement . Sarah Palin to be keynote speaker at national Tea Party convention on Saturday . | [[118, 129], [154, 188], [118, 151], [189, 411], [330, 368], [330, 337], [372, 411], [863, 942], [1138, 1149], [1152, 1213]] |
New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Diplomacy has n't worked . Sanctions have achieved little . Relations between Iran and the United States are , at best , chilly . So why not try music ? On Saturday night , for the first time , Iranians were the headline performers at New York City 's famed Carnegie Hall . A father and son from Iran led American musicians in a hybrid session of traditional Iranian and classical Western music . Thirty-year-old Hafez Nazeri told CNN he was pleased to present `` another dimension of Iran and Iranian culture to the Western people . '' Nazeri , who now lives in the United States , said , `` We hear mostly about the other side -- bloodshed , chaos -- and I wanted to be able to present the reality of our culture , which is about peace and love and unity . '' Nearly 3,000 people , many of them Persians , flocked to Carnegie Hall for the concert . One patron said , `` The message was completely obvious : Love all the way . Peace ! '' The Nazeris said it was an honor to be onstage at the historic music center . The younger Nazeri said his music might be able to bridge cultural divides between Iran and the United States . His father , Shahrem , still lives in Iran . Speaking in Farsi , the man known as the Iranian Pavarotti talked about the demonstrations that followed June 's disputed Iranian presidential election . The tenor said some of the people in the streets are `` requesting something , and I think it 's important to answer to their requests . The government should answer to their requests and they have to see what their people want . '' The Nazeris are two of the few Iranian musicians allowed to freely travel and perform in Iran . Western-style popular music is banned in Iran . With just a few musicians , they form a rare group , blending Persian traditional themes with Western classical style . It 's very simple in presentation : a cello , percussion and an improvised setar -- a Persian instrument like a lute -- played by Hafez Nazeri . The Nazeris ' music is based on the 13th-century Persian poet and philosopher Rumi . `` The idea of the music is to bring unity and to be able to create a music that is not just for Iranians , it 's for people from all over the world , '' the younger Nazeri said . Rachel Cooper , director of cultural programs and performing arts at the Asia Society , said , `` You 're seeing the Iranian culture and the Western culture in something that 's a kind of hybrid , that I think represents the times that we live in . '' The Nazeris receive cultural support from the nonprofit New York-based Asia Society , Cooper told CNN . `` We 've been going through this time period where we 've been thinking about the Berlin Wall coming down , and throughout that period of the Cold War , cultural relations were always a really important component . So I think that cultural relations -- music in particular -- are a really important part of how we know each other as human beings , '' Cooper said . The Nazeris have performed in cities across the United States in recent years . | Hafez Nazeri and his father Shahrem play hybrid of Iranian and Western music . They played for enthusiastic crowd at Carnegie Hall on Saturday night . Son says he wants to show `` another dimension of Iran ... to the Western people '' Nazeris ' music based on 13th-century Persian poet and philosopher Rumi . | [[302, 424], [1761, 1765], [1786, 1852], [181, 198], [201, 219], [222, 301], [790, 809], [836, 878], [425, 561], [463, 561], [1998, 2075]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In Mexico City , the government ran out of surgical masks after handing them out to one of every five residents . A mother and son wear face masks as protection from swine flu at Sydney international Airport in Australia . Manufacturers and pharmacies in Europe are also reporting a surge in demand for face masks . And a Texas-based surgical mask producer says it 's ramping up to meet demand and expects a shortage of masks . But their real value seems to be in keeping people who are already ill from spreading the virus , rather than protecting healthy people , experts said . Dr. Richard Besser , acting director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said Monday in a press briefing that the `` evidence is not very strong '' for masks ' value outside of health care settings , and outside of settings in which people come into face-to-face contact with a person with an infectious disease . `` We would not recommend that people generally wear masks in their workplace as a precautionary measure , '' he said . Watch for more on staying safe from swine flu '' The World Health Organization -LRB- WHO -RRB- also warns against relying on face masks , especially for those not infected with the virus . `` They are mainly useful for people who are already sick , to prevent spreading . Not so much to stop people from catching the virus , '' Sarah Cumberland of the WHO told CNN . The United Kingdom 's Health Protection Agency also told CNN that the use of face masks was not necessary or recommended for protection against the swine flu virus . Although it 's not known for sure how much benefit a surgical mask has in preventing the transmission of swine flu , people who have the illness may consider wearing one as a way to reduce the amount they cough and sneeze onto others , said Dr. Arthur Reingold , head of the epidemiology division at the University of California , Berkeley , School of Public Health . `` I think that this is a perfectly reasonable thing for someone with a respiratory illness to do , '' he said . More effective than soft surgical masks is the N95 , which is an example of a `` respirator . '' This kind of tight-fitting face covering protects people against breathing very small particles , which may contain viruses . The downside is that it 's more expensive , uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and has to be custom fit , Reingold said , so it 's suited for people working in high-risk laboratories . Masks carry both physical and psychological benefits , said Dr. Julio Frenk , former health minister of Mexico and current dean of the Harvard School of Public Health . Masks are a `` reminder to people that they should avoid close contact with other persons , '' he said . `` They also have this effect of isolating people and reminding them that they should not be kissing people , shaking hands , things like that . '' For health care workers , it 's important to have high-efficiency masks , which protect better against infectious diseases , he said . But people in the United States should generally not have to wear masks because the cases are localized , he said . By contrast , it is more of a widespread problem in Mexico , especially in the capital city , a `` huge urban conglomeration . '' Measures such as closing schools are the most effective in stopping the spread of the disease , he said . Mexico 's schools are closed until at least May 6 . By early Tuesday , the swine flu outbreak in Mexico was suspected in 152 deaths and more than 1,600 illnesses , the country 's health minister said . Swine flu has reached phase 4 -LRB- out of 6 -RRB- on the pandemic scale , according to the WHO guidelines , but has not yet attained the status of global pandemic . During a flu pandemic , people should consider wearing a face mask if they are sick with the flu , live with someone who has the flu or need to be in a crowded place , the CDC Web site says . If you are caring for a person thought to have pandemic flu or will be close to someone who may have it , consider a respirator , for example an N95 or high-filtering face piece respirator , the CDC Web site says . Some health care workers , such as nurses and doctors , use respirators when dealing with patients who have airborne diseases , the CDC said . iReport.com : Worried about swine flu ? In the current swine flu situation , rather than masks , the CDC is pushing hand-washing , covering coughs and refraining from `` giving somebody that little kiss of greeting , '' Besser said . `` If you 're in an infected area or if you have the swine flu , it 's probably best not to , to not give a kiss , but we 're not recommending an end of affection during the period . It 's a period of time when we need a little more affection , but doing it in a way that is n't going to transmit a respiratory disease would be a CDC approach , '' he said . | Manufacturers and pharmacies are reporting a surge in demand for face masks . It is unknown exactly how much protection a surgical face mask provides . A more effective type of mask is called an N95 , which is expensive . Doctor : Masks carry both physical and psychological benefits . | [[242, 334], [1597, 1702], [2489, 2541]] |
Port-au-Prince , Haiti -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- High in the hills above the Haitian capital , artist Levoy Exil paints at his terrace studio . The man who began a career using beets , carrots , tomatoes and black beans for paint creates vibrant abstractions of life and nature . A year ago , he infused a celestial oil painting with hues of purplish red -- symbolizing blood -- after he gazed outward and for a moment the verdant landscape turned to black . He knew then that something bad was coming . He saw the blood he had imagined on the streets of Port-au-Prince on January 12 when the earth heaved and 150,000 people perished . It 's now apparent that among the earthquake 's widespread destruction were museums , galleries and other places that contained Haiti 's artistic treasures , including Exil 's work . They were a troubled nation 's legacy , a key source of economic trade with the rest of the world -- and undeniable symbols of hope . Lost , perhaps , forever . The earthquake 's blow to Haitian art is staggering : The Centre d'Art , which launched the Haitian arts movement in the 1940s , is severely damaged . The Musee d'Art Nader , which housed more than 12,000 pieces from the largest private collection in Haiti , collapsed . Murals in the Trinity Cathedral , assembled by some of Haiti 's best-known artists , came crashing down . `` There is no art museum run by the government of Haiti , '' said Georges Nader Jr. , who runs a gallery near the Nader museum opened by his father . `` This is for me like patrimony for Haiti . We were holding this collection for future generations . What will happen now ? I do n't know . '' The significance of art in Haiti may be hard for outsiders to understand . But with few functioning institutions , few outlets of expression , Haiti 's brightly colored depictions -- some laced with spiritual traditions of voodoo culture -- of sun and sea , people and animals serve as memory for a country that has suffered under dictatorships and failed governments and is today the poorest in the Americas . With unemployment as high as 85 percent and a majority of Haitians reeling in abject poverty , art has also emerged as an economic lifeline . `` They 're painting their lives . They 're recording their history , '' said Camille Scully , executive director of Iowa 's Waterloo Center for the Arts and co-president of the Haitian Art Society . `` And they 're very accessible because of the colors and style . Everyone who sees Haitian art tends to buy it because they respond to it . '' Scully said efforts are under way to enlist conservationists to help Haiti , and a flurry of e-mails shared by collectors , curators , gallery owners and other interested parties show the urgency people are feeling to support the arts community . One key figure who 's been weighing in on the need to save what can be saved is Gerald Alexis , a leading Haitian art historian , critic and curator . Haiti has a long enough history of not conserving its art , Alexis said from his Quebec City , Quebec , home . An earthquake in colonial times , fires and hurricanes , as wells as riots , revolutions and government-mandated raids of voodoo temples , destroyed much of the creativity that pre-dated the 1940s artistic boom . For this reason , salvaging art , including the oldest piece in Haiti -- an 1822 painting buried in the national palace -- matters . Haiti 's art `` will tell future generations who they are and where they come from , '' Alexis said . `` It 's our heritage . And although people think that in poor countries such concepts are unnecessary , they are indeed the only thing we have . Our cultural heritage is our pride . '' In Port-au-Prince , Nader has been frantically trying to rescue the thousands of pieces his father lovingly collected over four decades . Among the masters : Hector Hyppolite . Philome Obin . Prefete Duffaut . Wilson Bigaud . Nader pulled out an oil-on-cardboard floral still-life painted by Hyppolite in 1945 that now looks more like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing . Some of the artworks housed in the Centre d'Arts , which was in a wooden structure , will be more repairable , he said . What do you do when cement gouges cardboard or canvas ? `` This ? Only cement can do this , '' he said , picking up some of his punctured pieces . On the day of the quake , Nader 's 79-year-old parents were in their bedroom on the top floor of the building that houses the museum . They were pulled from the rubble after the museum collapsed . Nader could not hold back tears when he thought of the suffering around him and stopped the conversation to recompose himself . The cultural loss can hardly compare . `` At that time , the paintings were my last concern , '' he continued . `` There were lives at stake . '' But since then , he has been going back to the rubble every day to salvage what he can . He knows he has to -- for the sake of his country . On the second floor of his gallery , he and his staff have been collecting damaged pieces , their vibrant colors dulled by the dust . `` This is like a hospital for paintings , '' he said , watching his staff strip off frames and backings . He picked up a damaged portrait of a fruit vendor by Antonio Joseph . He grew to manhood looking at the painting on his bedroom wall . It 's one of his favorites . So far , Nader has rescued about 1,000 pieces ; 70 percent need restoration . That was one room in the museum . Kent Shankle , the curator for Iowa 's Waterloo Center for the Arts , which houses the largest public collection of Haitian art in the United States , said he hopes there is a silver lining to the tragedy . `` Hopefully this is raising awareness and shedding light on both the beauty of Haiti and its people , as well as the incredible needs there , '' he said . And , perhaps it will fuel a new wave of art that reveals the resilience of people here . `` We 've survived . It 's a blessing , '' said artist Jean Louis Maxan . Maxan depicted Jean-Bertrand Aristide 's exit from Haiti in 2004 , an acrylic-on-canvas painting of `` American Air '' waiting to take the disgraced president away . Now , he said , he will paint people screaming , piles of bodies and tents blanketing the city 's open spaces . High above the misery , Exil , too , said he will paint again . When nature tells him it is right . `` It 's a great loss for all of us , '' Exil said of the earthquake . `` But life continues and we will continue to create . '' He will rely on the lush , undulating landscape before him . The sun and the moon . And the distant sea . He will make beauty blossom from the ugliness below . For the future of Haiti . CNN 's Moni Basu reported from Port-au-Prince , Haiti . CNN 's Jessica Ravitz reported from Atlanta , Georgia . | Among earthquake 's destruction were museums , galleries with artistic treasures . `` They 're painting their lives . They 're recording their history , '' expert says of Haiti artists . Artist sifts through rubble to save artwork in order to preserve history . | [[629, 741], [729, 741], [747, 811], [2201, 2232], [2233, 2265], [3397, 3464]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Forty years ago this week , three men in a tiny spacecraft slipped their earthly bonds and traveled where no one else had before , circling the moon 10 times and bringing back an iconic image of a blue-and-white Earth in the distance , solitary but bound as one against the black vastness beyond . Host Nick Clooney -LRB- left -RRB- and astronauts Frank Borman , Jim Lovell and William Anders answer questions in October . The voyage of Apollo 8 from December 21-27 , 1968 , marked humans ' first venture to another heavenly body . `` We were flying to the moon for the first time , '' said Jim Lovell , one of the three astronauts aboard the historic flight . `` Seeing the far side of the moon for the first time . Coming around and seeing the Earth as it really is -- a small fragile planet with a rather normal star , our sun . '' But beyond the monumental aspects of such a scientific achievement , the feat was a major psychological and emotional boost for many Americans at the end of a particularly bad year in U.S. history . The Tet offensive in January 1968 had left many Americans shocked and doubting that victory in Vietnam was possible . In April , the Rev. Martin Luther King was assassinated , and streets throughout the nation erupted in fire and fury . Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was gunned down two months later . That summer , the nation watched in horror as police and anti-war protesters battled in the streets of Chicago during the Democratic National Convention . The launch of Apollo 7 in October was a major victory for NASA , putting the space program back on track after a 22-month interruption because of a launch pad fire that had killed three astronauts in January 1967 . Then came Apollo 8 . Gallery : Images of the Apollo 8 mission '' `` Providence happened to put everything together at the end of the year to give the American public an uplift after what had been a poor year , '' Lovell told CNN on Monday . Reaching the moon was `` a big psychological step , '' said Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham . `` The public said , ` Hey , human beings are going to another body in the solar system , ' '' Cunningham told CNN in a telephone interview from his home in Houston , Texas . The mission produced one of the most famous photos from the space program , showing a large chunk of gray moon in the foreground and a dappled blue-and-white , three-quarter Earth rising in the distance . Apollo 8 also produced what to many was one of the most inspirational and soothing moments in history when Lovell and crewmates Frank Borman and William A. Anders took turns reading from the Book of Genesis . It was Christmas Eve and the whole world was watching . NASA said at the time it was expected to be the largest TV audience to date . The astronauts signed off with these words : `` And from the crew of Apollo 8 , we close with good night , good luck , a merry Christmas and God bless all of you , all of you on the good earth . '' The timing could not have been better , Lovell said . `` It happened that it all jelled , '' he said by telephone . `` The fact that we circled the moon on Christmas Eve . A screenwriter could n't have done a better job . '' The success of the mission also gave the United States a major boost in its race against the Soviet Union to see who would get to the moon first . The United States would land two men on the moon in the summer of 1969 on Apollo 11 , beating the Soviets and fulfilling a goal set by former President John F. Kennedy at the beginning of the decade . `` There was a great psychological significance of sending a spacecraft to the moon , '' Cunningham said . `` It was not a psychological leap for any of us -LSB- astronauts -RSB- to go to the moon . '' The astronauts , he said , were used to taking risks and knew they could do it . But NASA officials had some tough choices to make . `` For the people on the ground , it was a big step for them , '' Cunningham said . `` Making life-and-death decisions about somebody else 's life is a lot more difficult than making one about your own . '' For astronaut Edgar Mitchell , the sixth person to walk on the moon , the Apollo 8 mission signified a major milestone in human history , much like when the Phoenicians started exploring the Mediterranean Sea nearly 3,000 years earlier . `` We became citizens of the galaxy , as opposed to citizens of the planet , '' Mitchell said Monday . `` For my parents ' generation , it was aviation , '' said Mitchell , who is 78 . `` My generation went off the planet altogether . We became the first generation of spacefarers . '' For the astronauts , most of them former test pilots , going to the moon was just another job . Were they fully aware of the significance of what they were accomplishing , Lovell is asked . `` No , '' he says immediately . `` We were focused on trying to do the right thing . Focused on trying to accomplish something . '' Lovell went on to fly another historic mission , Apollo 13 in April 1970 . That flight , which he commanded , became famous when an oxygen system aboard the craft blew up and the three astronauts had to limp around the moon and back to Earth using makeshift and improvised systems . Their triumph over adversity was immortalized in the movie `` Apollo 13 , '' in which Tom Hanks played Lovell . Lovell was supposed to land on the moon that time , but did not make it . `` Twice a bridesmaid , never a bride , '' he said with a laugh , admitting that for years he harbored resentment that the mission had been a `` failure . '' It was only in later years , Lovell said , that he fully realized what a success that mission had been , as he and his two crewmates returned safely to Earth . `` It is mind-boggling in some respects , '' he said Monday . | Apollo 8 came at end of difficult year in world history , 1968 . Astronauts circled the moon on Christmas Eve ; they were first to go that far . Famous photo of Earth , reading from Genesis ended year on a better note . | [[1718, 1738], [1856, 1925], [47, 77], [110, 316], [442, 491], [494, 550], [551, 599], [680, 735], [3112, 3150]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- I spoke at TED in 2006 , the year they started to put the talks online . I 'm told that since then , the talk has been downloaded more than 3.5 million times in more than 200 countries . The number of people who 've seen it may be 20 times that or more . I have a stream of e-mails , tweets and blog posts round the world from young people , parents , students , teachers , cultural activists and business leaders of all sorts . They tell me how deeply they relate to the talk and often that they 've seen or shown it many times at meetings , conferences , workshops and retreats . Parents tell me they 've shown it to their children ; young people tell me they 've shown it to their parents . They say they 've laughed and sometimes cried together and had a different sort of conversation as a result . Changing the conversation is one of the primary purposes of TED . Why has this talk had such an impact ? I think there are several reasons . To begin with , the talk is short . The 18-minute talk is part of the genius of TED . In a world of instant messaging , rampant data and overspecialization , brevity is a virtue . -LRB- Even so , I 've seen blogs that strongly recommend the talk but warn that it 's almost 20 minutes long . -RRB- . A second factor is that , based on the audience 's reaction , the talk is entertaining and funny at times , which always helps . And I 'd just had my hair cut . We may never know how much that simple act contributed to the global appeal of the talk . But the real reason for its impact is that what I 'm saying clearly resonates deeply with people of all ages and across many different cultures . I believe that the argument is becoming more urgent by the day . What is the argument ? In a nutshell , it 's that we 're all born with immense natural talents but our institutions , especially education , tend to stifle many of them and as a result we are fomenting a human and an economic disaster . In education , this vast waste of talent involves a combination of factors . They include a narrow emphasis on certain sorts of academic work ; the exile of arts , humanities and physical education programs from schools ; arid approaches to teaching math and sciences ; an obsessive culture of standardized testing and tight financial pressures to teach to the tests . The result is a disastrous waste of talent among students and their teachers . To sense the scale of this disaster , you only have to look at the alarming rates of turnover among faculty and the levels of drop out , disaffection , stress and prescription drug use among students . Even for students who stay the course and do well in education , the rules of success have changed irrevocably . Just look at the plummeting value of college degrees . The waste of talent in education is not deliberate . Teachers are as anxious about this as everyone else , but many of them feel trapped in the awkward groping of national reform policies , many of which misunderstand the problems as well as the solutions . The waste of talent is n't deliberate , but it is systematic . It happens in part because the dominant systems of education are rooted in the values and demands of industrialism : they are linear , mechanistic and focused on conformity and standardization . Nowadays , they 're buttressed by major commercial interests in mass testing and by the indiscriminate use of prescription drugs that keep students ' minds from wandering to things they naturally find more interesting . The tragedy is that meeting the many social , economic , spiritual and environmental challenges we now face depends absolutely on the very capacities of insight , creativity and innovation that these systems are systematically suppressing in yet another generation of young people . Reforming these systems is not enough . The truth is that we are caught up in a cultural and economic revolution . This revolution is global in scale and unpredictable in nature . To meet it , we need a revolution in the culture of education . This new culture has to emerge from a richer sense of human ability . To shape it , I believe we have to leave behind the manufacturing principles of industrialism and embrace the organic principles of ecology . Education is about developing human beings , and human development is not mechanical or linear . It is organic and dynamic . Like all living forms , we flourish in certain conditions and shrivel in others . Great teachers , great parents and great leaders understand those conditions intuitively ; poor ones do n't . The answer is not to standardize education , but to personalize and customize it to the needs of each child and community . There is no alternative . There never was . The good news is that all around the world there are wonderful examples of people and organizations that are making determined efforts to do things differently in education -- and in business , health care , architecture , communities and cultural programs . There are examples of these all over the TED Web site and in the expanding ripples of the TED prizes . TED itself is a great example of the spirit of collaboration and inter-disciplinarily that is the essential to a genuine culture of creativity . What are the principles of this culture ? Towards the end of my talk , I mention a book I was working on called `` Epiphany . '' It was published this year under a much better title , `` The Element : How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything '' -LRB- Viking -RRB- and is now in 11 languages . It draws on conversations with people in science , business , education , the arts , sports and more on how they found in themselves the talents and passions that have shaped their lives . But the book is not about them : it 's about you and your children , if you have any ; and your friends too , if you have any of those . There 's a wealth of talent that lies in all of us . All of us , including those who work in schools , must nurture creativity systematically and not kill it unwittingly . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Sir Ken Robinson . | Sir Ken Robinson : We 're born with great natural talents . He says schools systematically suppress many of those innate talents . Schools use testing and other systems to narrowly assess students , he says . He says they devalue forms of creativity that do n't fit in academic contexts . | [[1764, 1777], [1786, 1863], [1748, 1761], [1764, 1840], [1866, 1909], [1764, 1777], [1786, 1863], [1748, 1761], [1764, 1840], [1866, 1909], [3516, 3798], [3705, 3798], [2232, 2330]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The election victory of Massachusetts Sen.-elect Scott Brown is expected to be certified Thursday , which could allow him to be sworn in as early as Thursday afternoon to replace the late Sen. Ted Kennedy . Brown 's win stripped Democrats of their 60-seat , filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate and raised fears among many congressional Democrats about a potential GOP landslide in November 's midterm elections . Brian McNiff , spokesman for Massachusetts ' secretary of state , said the final election returns from last month 's special election were delivered to the governor 's office Wednesday . Brown had asked for immediate certification . In a letter to Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Secretary of State William Galvin , Brown 's attorney says the Republican senator-elect had planned on being sworn in on February 11 , but he has been told that several Senate votes will be held before then . `` For this reason , he wants certification to occur immediately , '' attorney Daniel Winslow wrote . | Victory of Massachusetts senator-elect is expected to be certified Thursday . He could be sworn in Thursday afternoon to replace late Sen. Ted Kennedy . Final returns from special election delivered to governor 's office Wednesday . | [[0, 15], [80, 116], [0, 15], [92, 140], [95, 118], [125, 186], [95, 118], [125, 186], [168, 225], [441, 453], [507, 627]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Colombia and the United States signed an agreement Friday that allows U.S. personnel to be stationed at seven military bases in the South American nation . The United States says it needs the bases to help in its fight against terrorists and narcotraffickers , especially since the closure a few months ago of a U.S. base in Ecuador . The United States maintains similar `` forward operating locations '' in El Salvador and Aruba-Curacao . Colombia 's agreement to host the Americans has come under harsh criticism in Latin America , particularly from President Hugo Chavez in neighboring Venezuela . Chavez has likened the agreement to an act of war and accuses the United States of wanting to stage military personnel nearby to destabilize his leftist government . The U.S. forward operating location in Aruba-Curacao is off the northern coast of Venezuela . The United States linked Colombia 's agreement to a trade pact the South American nation wants . Colombia also stands to gain from U.S. help in the nation 's 45-year-old war against Marxist guerrillas known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia , commonly called FARC . Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez , Defense Minister Gabriel Silva and Interior and Justice Minister Fabio Valencia Cossio were joined by U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield in signing the document Friday in Bogota , the nation 's capital . | U.S. military personnel may be stationed at seven Colombian bases . U.S. says agreement will help fight against traffickers , terrorists . Venezuelan leader has called agreement an act of war . Colombia wants U.S. aid in 45-year anti-guerrilla battle . | [[0, 174], [57, 76], [82, 174], [175, 321], [620, 738], [977, 985], [991, 1080]] |
PALO ALTO , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sharing the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize helps underscore the urgency of the climate crisis , said former Vice President Al Gore on Friday . `` This is a chance to elevate global consciousness about the challenges that we face now , '' said Al Gore . Gore 's comments came hours after the Nobel committee announced he would share the award with the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for their work to raise awareness about global warming . `` This is a chance to elevate global consciousness about the challenges that we face now , '' Gore said , speaking to reporters in Palo Alto , California . `` It truly is a planetary emergency , and we have to respond quickly . '' The former vice president said he would donate his half of the $ 1.5 million prize to the Alliance for Climate Protection , an organization he founded to persuade people to reduce global warming by cutting pollution . `` That amount is very small compared to the enormous challenge that lies ahead , '' Gore said , including organizing a massive grass-roots movement and a mass advertising campaign focused on `` trying to change the way people think . '' Watch Gore describe what he calls a ` planetary emergency ' '' Earlier Friday , a White House spokesman said President Bush was pleased that Gore , Bush 's opponent in the 2000 presidential race , had won the award . `` Of course , he 's happy for Vice President Gore , happy for the International Panel on Climate Change scientists , who also shared the Peace Prize , '' White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto said . `` Obviously it 's an important recognition , and we 're sure the vice president is thrilled . '' Fratto said Bush would not be under any pressure to adopt mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions , a policy Gore has advocated . Gore 's ex-boss , former President Clinton , also said he 's `` thrilled by this well-deserved recognition , '' and credited Gore with `` warning and educating us about the dangers of climate change for decades . He saw this coming before others in public life . '' The Nobel committee 's announcement cited Gore and the IPCC `` for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change , and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change . '' The award ceremony will be held December 10 in Oslo , Norway . In recent weeks , Gore has been the target of a campaign to persuade him to enter the 2008 presidential race . A source involved in Gore 's past political runs told CNN that he definitely has the ambition to use the peace prize as a springboard to run for president . But he will not run , because he wo n't take on the political machine assembled by Sen. Hillary Clinton , said the source . If the senator from New York had faltered at all , Gore would take a serious look at entering the race , the source said . But Gore has calculated that Clinton is unstoppable , according to the source . Gore repeatedly denied he has any plans to run again , but this week a group of grass-roots Democrats calling themselves `` Draft Gore '' took out a full-page ad in The New York Times in a bid to change his mind . Watch Gore discuss global warming and politics . `` Your country needs you now , as do your party , and the planet you are fighting so hard to save , '' the group said in an open letter . `` America and the Earth need a hero right now , someone who will transcend politics as usual and bring real hope to our country and to the world . '' The Nobel committee praised Gore as being `` one of the world 's leading environmentalist politicians . '' `` He is probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding of the measures that need to be adopted , '' said Ole Danbolt Mjos , chairman of the Nobel committee . In making the announcement , Mjos said , `` Through the scientific reports it has issued over the past two decades , the IPCC has created an ever-broader informed consensus about the connection between human activities and global warming . `` Thousands of scientists and officials from over 100 countries have collaborated to achieve greater certainty as to the scale of the warming . '' Said Rajendra Pachauri , chairman of the U.N. panel : `` This is an honor that goes to all the scientists and authors who have contributed to the work of the IPCC . '' Renate Christ , secretary of the panel , called the award `` the most significant recognition that the IPCC has received . '' The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was established in 1988 to study climate change information . The group does n't do independent research but instead reviews scientific literature from around the world . The U.N.-sanctioned group was formed by the World Meteorological Organization and U.N. Environment Program . U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was `` delighted '' with the news that Gore and the IPCC will share in prize . The Nobel caps a series of prestigious awards associated with Gore , including two Oscars this year for the 2006 documentary film , `` An Inconvenient Truth , '' which followed him on a worldwide tour publicizing the dangers of climate change . Last month , he also picked up an Emmy -- the highest award in U.S. television -- for `` Current TV . '' The show , which Gore co-created , describes itself as a global television network giving viewers the opportunity to create and influence its programming . Previous American recipients of the peace prize include former Presidents Carter in 2002 , Wilson in 1919 and Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 . In 1973 , Secretary of State Henry Kissinger shared the award with North Vietnam 's Le Duc Tho . The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. received the honor in 1964 . See more on 2007 Nobel winners '' Gore was vice president for eight years before winning the 2000 Democratic presidential nomination and running against Bush . But he failed in his White House bid -- despite winning the popular vote -- when the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his challenge over voting results in Florida , securing an Electoral College majority for Bush . E-mail to a friend . | NEW : Al Gore warns of `` planetary emergency , '' announces new ad campaign . Ex-President Clinton says Gore has warned of dangers for decades . Source : Gore wo n't use prize as springboard to enter 2008 presidential race . White House : President Bush pleased that Gore , U.N. panel won peace prize . | [[1177, 1239], [1202, 1239], [1834, 1849], [1950, 2046], [1257, 1371]] |
ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Wearing a plaid green A-line spring skirt from her new fashion line , paired with a black patent leather belt and black leather gladiator sandal stilettos , `` Sex and the City '' actress Kristin Davis is the perfect combination of sweet and fierce when we meet up after her fashion show at the Belk department store in Atlanta , Georgia . Kristin Davis surrounded by models and Belk store official Arlene Goldstein . It 's a look that totally says her character , Charlotte , with a little bit of screen pal Carrie . Davis is so much like her character , adorable and upbeat , I expect Carrie or Samantha to drop in on our conversation and say something to shock her . As any true fan knows ... OK ... as every woman knows , watching `` Sex and the City '' was like being front row at a fashion show with a plot . TV show and movie costume designer Patricia Field dressed the characters in haute couture as they skipped down the streets of New York City in $ 600 stilettos . But is this reality ? Most sane women would n't choose to walk even one city block in high heels . And most women certainly ca n't spend a month 's rent on a belt or bag , even if they have a truly fabulous party to wear it to . So , what about us , the fashionistas on a budget ? Are we to be ignored , forced to wear boring clothing and practical shoes ? Luckily , no ; designers are catching on . Target features affordable lines from high-end designers like Alexander McQueen and Isaac Mizrahi . All of the pieces in Sarah Jessica Parker 's clothing line Bitten cost less than $ 20 before the clothing store that carried them went under . Davis is the latest celebrity to jump on the clothing label bandwagon , designing a line for Belk department stores . Will she meet the same fate as Parker ? Davis has the following to be successful . Although her character was by far the most conservatively dressed -LRB- Carrie strolling through town in just a bra top , anyone ? -RRB- , she had the most wearable wardrobe , and Davis became a fashion icon along with the rest of the ladies . Her favorite piece from her line ? `` I ca n't decide , impossible to choose ! '' she says . So I choose for her : definitely the gladiator heels . `` It 's important for women to have a strong shoe , '' she says . `` Then you can wear anything on top . With a strong shoe on , you 're good to go . '' She admits she did n't have a defined style before meeting Field , who bluntly told her that `` Sexy Secretary '' was going to be her look . Davis ' philosophy is a good one : Stick with what works . She takes the look that Field defined for her `` Sex and the City '' character . Original it 's not , but everything coming down the runway is something the stylish Charlotte York would definitely wear . Davis is in touch with all of us real women out there , saying , `` I do n't want to make clothing that only skinny actresses could wear . '' Her solution ? Dresses , shoes and swimsuits worthy of a `` Sex and the City '' episode that you do n't need Park Avenue pockets to afford . It 's versatile enough to look good on every body type . `` Everyone has body issues . I really wanted to create pieces that looked good on different kinds of bodies . I had all of my family members trying on the outfits ! '' she says with a laugh . Davis wo n't spill any secrets from the scripts of the `` Sex and the City '' movie sequel , which comes out in May 2010 , but she admits it 's a `` happy '' movie . She does hint that our famous foursome might have to cut back a little on their clothing expenses as art imitates life . And she 's willing to share some fashion tips : How to look like you stepped out of the wardrobe room on the set of the next `` Sex and the City '' movie ? Green . `` It 's THE color '' she says . And hey , who does n't need to save some green ? It all works out perfectly . I left the meeting with Davis to check out her displays . Then I skipped out into the streets of Atlanta , in a pair of her new gladiator stiletto sandals . That I got on sale , of course . | `` Sex and the City '' actress Kristin Davis says women need strong shoes . The actress says her new fashion line fits different types of bodies . She says `` Sex '' movie sequel will have characters spending less . Green will be the hot color in the latest movie , Davis says . | [[2272, 2299], [3090, 3146], [3177, 3257], [3203, 3209], [3215, 3257]] |
WUGANG , China -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Authorities in China 's south-central Hunan province are associating disgruntled parents of children stricken by lead poisoning with the outlawed spiritual group Falun Gong . A mother feeds her child in a village near the Wugang Manganese Smelting Plant in Hunan province . `` Citizens of the Wugang area have received phone calls from members of the Falun Gong over the past several days , '' said Wugang Deputy Spokesman Zhen Zhaoxin . `` Any resident who receives any calls or information about the Falun Gong activities are encouraged to report to the police . '' He said the government , along with police , are investigating to determine the calls ' origin . But villagers said they have suffered enough and the government 's accusation is `` insulting . '' The friction comes after residents in Wenping township , governed by the city of Wugang , last month protested pollution from an area factory that left more than 1,000 children with lead poisoning . That was one of three separate lead poisoning incidents reported in August that affected large numbers of Chinese children . Watch more about the lead poisoning '' Residents of Wenping and nearby Simachong village denied any connection to Falun Gong . They said they were not even familiar with the religious sect . They just wanted their children to be well again . China banned Falun Gong in 1999 and has cracked down on practitioners . An August 26 public notice warned villagers to beware of Falun Gong members and instructed people to watch for `` reactionary propaganda '' sent online and by phone . The Wugang government issued similar information on its Web site . The villagers said the government wants them to keep quiet , but they are worried . `` They are insulting us , '' said one woman , holding up the public notice . `` They said we are spreading the rumors . '' The villagers ' lives were shattered when , one by one , children began to fall ill . So far , 1,354 have tested positive for abnormal levels of lead in their blood . Many have stopped eating and are constantly fatigued . Others are not growing hair . Some parents worry they will not be able to provide medical care for long-term problems . Lead poisoning can cause irreversible damage in the nervous and reproductive systems and cause high blood pressure , memory loss and loss of appetite , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization . Xiao Aijun , the father of two sick children , was angered by the government 's claims . `` My baby 's been in the hospital for more than 20 days , '' he said of his 10-month-old daughter , Xiao Junmei . `` We have to go back in the month . Look at her hair , look at her hair . `` They said we 're Falun Gong , '' he said . `` What is this all about ? I have no idea . I do n't even know what that is . '' Some villagers told CNN that 15 parents who protested factory pollution had been detained by police . CNN could not reach local police for comment , but Zhen , the Wugang spokesman , denied the reports . `` We would not detain parents . After all , they need to be with their children at this time , '' he said . `` This is definitely not the case . '' The lead poisoning in Wenping stemmed from the Wugang Manganese Smelting Plant . Similar incidents were reported in northern Shaanxi province , where 851 children were affected , and in southwestern Yunnan province , where 200 children were sickened . China 's Ministry of Environmental Protection has dispatched inspectors to examine the plants in Shaanxi and Hunan . Wugang government officials say children who live as far as 20 kms -LRB- 12.5 miles -RRB- from the polluting factories in Wenping and Simachong have been affected . One mother , whose son was hospitalized , said she would have moved long ago if she had known . Another Wugang government spokesman , Lei Zanning , said authorities are keenly aware of environmental protections . `` We ca n't sacrifice it for the sake of economic development , '' he said . But lead poisoning is a serious problem in China , according to Steven Ma of Greenpeace . About 10 percent of the nation 's arable land and 12 million tons of annual food crops are contaminated with lead , he said . | Spokesperson : Citizens of Wugang area received calls from members of Falun Gong . Villagers said they have suffered enough and government 's accusation is insulting . Follows protests from local parents after pollution from local factory left 1,000 kids ill . China banned Falun Gong in 1999 and has cracked down on practitioners . | [[308, 422], [703, 794], [1754, 1778], [2468, 2478], [2515, 2556], [899, 939], [924, 939], [945, 996], [1935, 1963], [3411, 3442], [3451, 3479], [167, 208], [1364, 1395], [1364, 1369], [1391, 1435]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hundreds of U.S. and Afghan soldiers have embarked on a major operation against militants in the eastern Afghan region of Tora Bora , near the border with Pakistan , officials have told CNN . File photo of the remote mountain Tora Bora region on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan . Air and ground strikes under way in the remote mountain region are aimed at large numbers of militant fighters . The troops are targeting `` hundreds of hardened al Qaeda and Taliban in dug-in positions , '' said officials familiar with the intelligence . The operation started two days ago in the region , where al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was once thought to be hiding . The Bush administration has been criticized for not sending enough ground forces to Tora Bora in December 2001 to capture the militant after the invasion that toppled the Taliban . `` U.S. and Afghan forces engaged al Qaeda and other violent extremist fighters in eastern Afghanistan during a combined arms assault using precision munitions . There have been no substantiated reports of civilian casualties in this engagement , '' said Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman , a U.S. Army spokeswoman . `` The targets were carefully chosen to pinpoint enemy positions and eliminate the likelihood of harming innocent civilians , '' she said . `` This region has provided an ideal environment to conceal enemy support bases and training sites , as well as plan and launch attacks aimed at terrorizing innocent civilians , both inside and outside the region . '' Also Wednesday , a manager at a private British security firm in Afghanistan was shot and killed in the capital Kabul , a spokesman for the company said . `` We did lose a manager today in Kabul to unknown assailants , '' Christopher Beese , spokesman for ArmorGroup International , said Wednesday . He said next of kin have been notified and an inquiry into the incident has begun . The name of the man , a British national , was not released . `` It 's bad news . He was a very well-respected man , '' Beese said , noting that the victim had experience in Afghanistan going back to the early 1980s . Beese -- who said the man 's role was to run the administration of the 1,200-person-strong security presence in the country -- described the man as a `` logistics manager '' and `` all things to all people . '' The firm , which has been operating in Afghanistan since 2002 , mostly provides diplomatic protection and has contracts with the British and American governments . The man recruited and trained Afghan guards and was the most senior administrator at the company 's Kabul base , Camp Anjuman , the company said . E-mail to a friend . CNN 's Joe Sterling contributed to this report . | Hundreds of U.S. and Afghan soldiers embark on major operation in Tora Bora . They are using air , ground strikes to target al Qaeda , Taliban . Osama bin Laden was once thought to be hiding in remote mountain region . U.S. Army : No substantiated reports of civilian casualties . | [[0, 15], [40, 150], [306, 418], [867, 997], [619, 659], [668, 682], [619, 644], [655, 682], [1026, 1108]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In order to maintain peace at home , President-elect Barack Obama might want to have some very important talks with his wife and mother-in-law before moving into the White House . President-elect Barack Obama 's mother-in-law Marian Robinson joins him on stage on election night . Like some 4 million other multigenerational U.S. households Barack Obama 's mother-in-law , Marian Robinson , will join the Obamas at the family 's private quarters at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue . In about 1.3 million American homes where the parents are head of the household , at least one grandparent lives with the family . Having a grandparent living with a family can be a wonderful and beneficial addition to the family , says psychologist Elaine Ducharme , but only if everyone can navigate the boundaries . The key issues that need to be discussed between grandparents and parents are privacy and the discipline of the children , says the psychologist , who practices in Hartford , Connecticut . Dannee Brown agrees and says having those discussions and setting ground rules ahead of time is better than making it up as you go along because then feelings can get hurt . Brown always knew her parents , Bill and Mary Lou Wade , would one day live with her and says she could n't have survived without them after she and her husband separated . But disagreements over the disciplining of her two children sparked conflict . `` We 've had some knock-down , drag-outs about discipline -- especially with my dad , '' the Fredericksburg , Virginia , woman says , `` I finally had to say , ` I 'm the mom -- you 're not -- do n't tell me how to raise my kids . ' '' On the flip side , Brown 's mother would like to be just a grandmother who spoils Noelle and Ethan -- instead of having to play disciplinarian while Brown is working as a nurse-anesthetist . The Wades have a separate apartment in the lower level of Brown 's home , but spend winters at their own home in Florida . That gives them all a break from each other . Brown describes it as a `` four-month time to really appreciate them '' for all the cooking , cleaning and home maintenance her parents do along with the childcare . She and the children miss the grandparents so much during this time that they usually make one trip to Florida so they can spend time with `` Nanny and Pop . '' The ` Aaah , go away ! ' effect . Along with establishing guidelines for everyone 's role , Ducharme says both the parents and grandparents need to address privacy issues . `` I think privacy is key -- making sure that everybody has a place where they can have some privacy , '' says Ducharme . Brown says she sometimes wishes she could have a little more privacy in the evenings now that she is working days . She gets home from work and spends the evening with her children and after they go to sleep she looks forward to some time by herself . But sometimes her mother comes upstairs to chat . `` That 's when I want to say , ` Ahhh , go away ! '' says Brown . `` I do n't say that , but I 'm thinking it . '' And even if everyone agrees on a plan ahead of time , it would be wise to expect irritations to pop up every now and then , the therapist says . `` Trying to live together is really about problem solving , '' Ducharme says . She tells her clients if they all focus on finding a solution to the problem and making it a win-win for everyone involved , it takes the emotions and hurt feelings out of the equation . Clearing the air . Ducharme suggests holding a family meeting where either party could say he or she is feeling stressed about an issue or someone lacks enough privacy . But watch out for red flags during discussions prior to inviting your mother or mother-in-law to move in . `` If you really do n't communicate well with this person , and when you try to communicate your feelings and ideas it always ends up in a battle -- then it 's probably not a good plan to have them move in with you , '' says Ducharme . Stephanie Ware knows family meetings are a good place to clear the air and discuss problems . She had asked her mother , Betty Carradine , to move in to help her with childcare upon her return to work . But her mom moved in earlier than planned after granddaughter Kennedy arrived by Caesarean section . The Atlanta , Georgia , paralegal and her husband , Michael Ware , had discussed many issues with her mother and everyone laid out their expectations of each other , with the couple telling her mother that they would handle all the household expenses . But the Wares called another family meeting after Carradine moved in because they felt she was trying to help too much . `` We let her know that we wanted her here to just help us with Kennedy and she did n't necessarily have to do any housework as far as cooking or cleaning or fixing our lunches . '' Ware also makes sure Kennedy 's bottles are prepared so that her mother 's day goes a little smoother and grandma is not so busy while tending to her seventh grandchild . Ware says she thanks God daily for her mother 's help because it gives her extra time to spend with her baby daughter in the morning . And Stephanie can carry Kennedy down the hallway to her mother 's room instead of dressing the infant , and packing all her supplies and bottles into a diaper bag and driving her to daycare . Ware says she , her husband and her mother took several trips together while she was out on maternity leave . And every other weekend , her mother stays with Stephanie 's sister 's family . In the five-bedroom Ware house , personal space and privacy is not an issue . And the couple tries to get out once a month for `` date night . '' The only problem Ware is having with her mother living with her is Carradine 's cooking : `` She is a great cook , and it 's hard , '' Ware says with a laugh , `` but I 'm staying very disciplined . '' | Michelle Obama 's mother is moving into White House with first family . Expert : Parents should discuss discipline styles , privacy with mother-in-law . Mom : Those talks should take place before mother-in-law moves in . Psychologist : Living together successfully is about problem solving . | [[399, 494], [814, 934], [814, 887], [937, 986], [1003, 1015], [1027, 1095], [2445, 2525], [56, 198], [1003, 1015], [1027, 1095], [3211, 3269]] |
Editor 's note : Journalist Karl Penhaul spent several weeks tracking the gangs of the Mexican underworld , the corrupt officials who support them and the cops trying to halt the violence . This is the last of three exclusive reports . The first focused on the violent rules gangs live by and the second looked at how gangsters are honored in death . Forensic investigators and federal police dig bodies out of mass graves in the desert near Juarez . JUAREZ , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Heat waves shimmer over the desert . A team of forensic experts clad in white overalls excavate three shallow graves . The sand gives up nine bodies -- seven men and two women . At least one of the victims ' hands were cuffed behind their back . Others had been trussed up with duct tape . The stale stench reveals that the corpses had been dumped there several days earlier and were decomposing fast . That grisly find in mid-March came a week after thousands more soldiers had been deployed to Juarez , across the border from El Paso , Texas . The arrival of the soldiers and more federal police agents had coincided with a short lull in the killings . Snapping photos of the scene from behind the police line was Lucio Soria , photographer for Juarez 's main newspaper , El Diario de Juarez , and its sister paper , PM . PM is a perfect example of Mexico 's so-called `` red press , '' newspapers that specialize in covering violence . Soria seems like a perfect ambassador . `` I 've gone for a week and a half without taking pictures of dead people . I was thinking ` Hell , what am I going to do ? ' At this rate I 'll end up taking pictures for the social pages , '' he said . Soria realizes snapping pictures of blood and gore may seem heartless . But he stays cheerful , cracking dark jokes with colleagues , all while listening to police communications on a radio scanner and searching for clues about where to find the next drug war victim . `` It might seem ugly , but that 's our job , '' Soria said . He and fellow photographers have been busy in recent months . Last year , Juarez became the poster city for Mexico 's narco-violence , with more than 1,600 gang killings . Watch musicians play `` narco-ballads '' honoring hitmen '' This year , Mayor Jose Reyes is trying to turn a page on the killings and make Juarez a showcase for solutions . Military and federal police convoys patrol the streets around the clock . Cops armed with AR-15 assault rifles , identities obscured by ski masks , hang off pickup trucks that speed around in twos and threes . Watch cops round up gang suspects '' Soldiers strike a warlike pose behind heavy machine guns mounted on American-made Humvees . Whether it 's working depends on whom you ask and how hard you read between the lines . `` I think this is very effective because it closes transport routes for the movement of -LSB- cartel -RSB- personnel and weapons , '' said a state officer , assigned to guide us , at a federal police checkpoint . The officer , known only by his call sign Trojan One , seemed confident . The agent in command of the checkpoint was less convinced . `` Of course organized crime is trying to avoid us . I 'm not sure what methods they use to operate . We do n't know how they work , '' said the officer , identifying himself only as Aztec One . On another day we ran into a three-truck federal police operation staking out a house in a middle-class Juarez neighborhood . See photos of police , gang life in Mexico '' The commander said his men believed they had made what he termed a `` major '' cocaine bust . When I met him they had already been waiting almost 24 hours for a judge to issue a search warrant . When they gained access they discovered some 500 half-gram bags of cocaine . In Juarez those bags sell for around $ 8 . Now do the math , 500 half-gram bags at possibly 60 percent purity means around 150 grams of pure cocaine -- hardly a major strike in the drug war . Reyes ' solution has been to hand the military all civilian police functions , even down to traffic control . Mexico 's military has little experience in urban warfare , little experience in policing and has been unable to shake a decades-old reputation for human rights abuses . When I bump into Reyes at a transfer-of-command ceremony at city hall I ask him what he 's doing about alleged corruption and complicity among politicians and businessmen , who permit the cartels to move their shipments and help launder the proceeds . `` My opinion in Juarez is that that kind of political corruption does not exist , '' he said adamantly . Two weeks later , in Monterrey , I caught up with outspoken lawyer Raquenel Villanueva . She knows a thing or two about politicians colluding with Mexico 's mafia . Watch how drug lords pay tribute to a highway bandit , looking for luck '' Mexican media have dubbed her the `` devil 's advocate '' for her role in defending a string of senior cartel figures and their hitmen . Last year , she was detained for 90 days , accused her of being a member of the Gulf Cartel . She was freed without charge . Throughout her career , she 's survived four assassination attempts and taken 10 bullets , two of them in the head . Her office is crammed with religious iconography : crosses , paintings of the Virgin of Guadalupe and a four-foot-high wooden statue of Saint Jude Thaddeus . Two bullets are encrusted in the effigy after the last attempt on her life in 2000 . `` I know about official corruption and exactly who is doing what because my clients tell me , '' she said . `` To win the drug war you have to tell the Americans to take better care of their young people , tell them to stop being so cold and materialistic , '' Villanueva lectured . `` Then you have to end corruption and that means changing the government cabinets of half the countries in the world . '' | Border city of Juarez last year had more than 1,600 gang killings . Mayor turns to military to control trafficking , violence . Opinions vary on whether tactics are working . Lawyer puts some blame on `` materialistic '' Americans . | [[2063, 2072], [2075, 2172]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rape has turned into a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo , with the number of attacks on women having grown threefold over the past few years , human rights activists said Friday . A Congolese rape victim , left , at the Heal Africa clinic in Goma on August 8 , 2009 . Anneke van Woudenberg , senior researcher with Human Rights Watch , told Christiane Amanpour that 200,000 women and girls have been raped in Eastern Congo since 1998 , and the condition of women has become more dire as the Congolese army has pressed a military campaign against armed groups in the countryside . `` Rape is being used as a weapon of war in eastern Congo . So we notice and we have documented that when armed groups walk into town , they will rape the women and girls , sometimes publicly , sometimes privately , in order to punish the local population , '' she said . `` It 's the easiest way to terrorize a community . '' Congo has witnessed one of the worst humanitarian crises since World War II , with a death toll estimated at more than 5 million . Most of the dead have come not from direct violence , but the consequences of the fighting : disease and starvation . While the war formally ended six years ago , fighting persists in eastern Congo , and women are paying a high price . CNN visits a devastated community '' `` One of the other sad realities is that the majority of those who are raped are adolescent girls , 12-year-olds , 13-year-olds , 14-year-olds . Their lives are often ruined by this . And I think we 've got to take more seriously -- protection of civilians is not just protecting them from death . It 's protecting them from rape , '' van Woudenberg said . Listen to more from van Woudenberg . There have also been reports of members of the Congolese army , particularly high ranking officers , attacking women . In May , the United Nations handed over the names of five top military officers accused of rape . Two of the senior officers are being detained in the capital of Kinshasa and the three others must report to authorities under close observation . They are awaiting trial . Still more must be done , aid groups say , starting with the establishment of a special court made up of Congolese and international judges and prosecutors to investigate rape allegations . `` I think they 've got to start holding to account the generals and colonels who are either themselves responsible or who allow their troops to rape . And so far , those are the guys that have been untouchable , '' said van Woudenberg . `` No general has yet been held to account in Congo for rape , and it 's high time that that changes . '' Congo has taken some measures to try to curb the sexual violence . In 2006 , its parliament passed a law criminalizing rape , with penalties ranging from five to 20 years . Penalties are doubled under certain circumstances , including gang-rape and if the perpetrator is a public official . Kabila 's wife , Olive Lemba Kabila , has launched a public campaign speaking out against rapes of the nation 's women and girls . The army has also started a zero-tolerance campaign in which commanders have emphasized to troops that they must respect human rights and protect civilians from harm , according to the U.N. . The United Nations maintains in Congo its largest peacekeeping force anywhere in the world . But the forces have been ineffective at stopping rape . Jean-Marie Guehenno , the former head of U.N. peacekeeping , told Amanpour that the international forces face a serious problem : Too few troops assigned to the vast inaccessible reaches of eastern Congo . `` In the Kivu provinces , there are 10 million people , '' Guehenno said . `` If one applied the counterinsurgency ratios that the U.S. Army thinks of -- say , 20 per 1,000 -- that would mean 200,000 troops in Congo -- 200,000 accountable troops . '' `` The U.N. is in a tough spot , to be frank , because if it did not give any support to the Congolese army , probably the Congolese army might prey even more on the population , '' Guehenno said . Part of the problem stems from the tactic applied by the Congolese government to quell previous armed rebellions against Kinshasa by incorporating insurgents into the ranks of the national army , leading to a military that paid scant attention to human rights , and the rights of women in particular . `` What needs to be done is to have a state in Congo that can control its territory and that has the confidence of the people , '' Guehenno said . `` The violence in the Kivu , the violence in Ituri , it is the result of a vacuum , the fact that there is no administration , there is no credible state , there is no justice . And so that vacuum is being occupied by various militias . `` And , unfortunately , when the Congolese army integrates a militia without sorting between the killers and those who could be integrated , it just adds to the problem . '' Van Woudenberg called for international pressure to force the Congolese army to bring abusers to justice . `` My worst fear is that we 're going to continue to see those individuals responsible for rape being promoted . My hope is that the women and girls of -- of eastern Congo in particular -- will continue to speak out . I think we 've seen immense courage from those women and girls to say , ` No , we 've had enough . ' '' | Human Rights Watch : 200,000 women , girls raped in Eastern Congo since 1998 . Condition of women more dire as the army fights armed groups in the country . More than 5 million die in Congo from disease , hunger resulting from fighting . Congo has taken some measures to try to curb the sexual violence . | [[304, 325], [372, 469], [472, 615], [1026, 1073], [2666, 2732], [2682, 2732]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- New data released Thursday suggests that the Arctic Ocean will be `` largely ice free '' during summer within a decade . As the Arctic sea ice melts , polar bears face extinction . The report , complied by the UK-based Catlin Arctic Survey and the World Wildlife Fund -LRB- WWF -RRB- , is the latest research into ice thickness in the Arctic . Researchers predict that within 20 years ice cover will be completely gone during the warmer months . The expedition , which was completed in May , was led by UK explorer Pen Hadow . He and his team collected data by manually drilling into the ice and noting its thickness along a 450-kilometer route across the northern part of the Beaufort Sea . They found that the area surveyed was comprised almost exclusively of first year ice . Scientists think this is significant because traditionally the region has been made up of much older , thicker ice . `` Discovering this area of younger ice provides another body of information that supports the rapidly emerging scientific consensus that it 's going to be nearer 10 years from now that we will see roughly 80-85 percent free waters in the Arctic Ocean , '' Hadow told CNN . Measurements taken by Hadow and his team report that the ice-floes were on average 1.8 meters thick -- which , according to scientists , is too thin to survive next summer 's ice melt . Professor Peter Wadhams , head of the Polar Ocean Physics Group at the UK 's University of Cambridge said : `` With a large part of the region now first year ice , it is clearly more vulnerable . The area is now more likely to become open water each summer , bringing forward the potential date when the summer sea ice will be completely gone . '' Professor Wadhams , who has analyzed the expedition data , added : `` The Catlin Arctic Survey data supports the new consensus view that the Arctic will be ice-free in summer within about 20 years , and much of that decrease will be happening within 10 years . '' Click here to see pictures of the expedition '' Martin Sommerkorn from the WWF International Arctic Program believes that the changes in sea-ice cover in the region are likely to increase global temperatures further . `` Such a loss of Arctic sea ice has recently been assessed to set in motion powerful climate feedbacks which will have an impact far beyond the Arctic itself , '' Sommerkorn said . `` Arctic sea ice holds a central position in our Earth 's climate system . Take it out of the equation and we are left with a dramatically warmer world , '' he added . Hadow fears that the current climate models developed by scientists may not be extreme enough . But he is hopeful that this new data will spur world leaders into action . `` We are now in a loss period , '' Hadow told CNN . `` Maybe losing this sea ice , this roof on the top of our planet in going to be an important moment , a big visual aid to the science that in combination can bring about some sort of global agreement on emissions . '' | New report says Arctic sea ice will largely disappear in summer within a decade . Survey captured latest data on ice thickness in Northern part of Beaufort Sea . Measurements show the ice-floes surveyed were on average 1.8 meters thick . Scientists warn that Arctic ice melt is likely to set off `` powerful climate feedbacks '' | [[0, 6], [9, 156], [380, 481], [405, 481], [1687, 1736], [1740, 1757], [1799, 1804], [1808, 1936], [1939, 2000], [563, 578], [632, 727], [1238, 1305], [1281, 1305], [1317, 1340], [1281, 1305], [1343, 1391], [2052, 2221], [2126, 2221], [2222, 2325], [2289, 2325], [2332, 2373]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An aircraft carrier named after the first President Bush was commissioned Saturday in Norfolk , Virginia . Former President George H.W. Bush waves aboard the aircraft carrier named after him Saturday . `` Those who are sitting out there , where I was , 65 years ago , preparing to serve aboard your new ship , I wish I was sitting right out there with you , '' the carrier 's 84-year-old namesake told sailors at the commissioning ceremony . `` As you prepare to man this ship , I do know that you take with you the hopes and dreams of every American who cherishes freedom and peace , and you take with you the undying respect and admiration of the entire Bush family , '' he said . The 1,092-foot , 20-story USS George H.W. Bush was decorated with red , white and blue banners for Saturday 's ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk . Watch video of the aircraft carrier '' The 41st president joined the Navy at 18 and served as an aviator in World War II . He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals for his Navy service in the Pacific during the war , according to the Department of Defense . His time in the Navy ended after about four years . About 17,000 people were expected to attend Saturday 's ceremony . Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice , Defense Secretary Robert Gates , Vice President Dick Cheney and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine were there , as was Bush 's son President George W. Bush and his wife , Laura . `` Laura and I are thrilled to be here to help commission an awesome ship and to honor an awesome man , President George H.W. Bush , '' the president said . `` So what do you give a guy who has been blessed and has just about everything he has ever needed ? Well , an aircraft carrier . '' The ship , comprising 47,000 tons of structural steel and about 500 tons of aluminum , is the last of the Nimitz class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers . The ship 's construction began in 2003 . It was finished nearly three years later . The vessel will carry about 6,000 Navy personnel , the Department of Defense said . After the ceremony , the president left Norfolk for Maryland 's Andrews Air Force Base on what was probably his last Air Force One flight . From Andrews , he was expected to take a helicopter to Washington . White House spokesperson Dana Perino said the president was n't aware that it was his last scheduled flight on Air Force One until he was told by an interviewer . Read about features of Air Force One '' President Bush leaves office January 20 , and President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in . | President Bush takes last scheduled Air Force One flight to attend ceremony . Ex-president , a former Navy pilot , tells sailors : I wish I was sitting out there with you . Also at ceremony : Rice , Cheney , Gates George W. Bush , Laura Bush . Current president : Carrier `` an awesome ship '' named after `` an awesome man '' | [[2095, 2108], [2169, 2213], [329, 374], [888, 906], [933, 971], [1252, 1388], [1252, 1377], [1394, 1409], [1471, 1559]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Six Nations winners Ireland ended the year unbeaten after defeating world rugby champions South Africa 15-10 in Dublin on Saturday thanks to an assured kicking performance from newcomer Jonathan Sexton . The fly-half , playing only his second international ahead of the veteran Ronan O'Gara , landed five penalties as the Irish overcame conceding the game 's only try to Schalk Burger in the 16th minute . The injury-hit Springboks , who won the southern hemisphere 's Tri-Nations title this year , were left to lament three missed kicks at goal by fly-half Morne Steyn and one by substitute Ruan Pienaar . The Irish fielded nine players who toured South Africa with the Lions earlier this year , when flanker Burger was banned for eight weeks for eye-gouging Luke Fitzgerald . Sexton landed an early penalty from long range , but Steyn helped to send blindsider Burger over the line and added the extras , before making it 10-3 with a drop-goal . Sexton reduced the deficit before halftime as Steyn three times missed from considerable distance . Ireland moved 12-10 ahead with two more Sexton goals despite struggling at the scrums , and the visitors started to wilt after Pienaar hit the post with a penalty attempt . New Zealand ended their northern hemisphere tour unbeaten after crushing France 39-12 in Marseille , running in five tries to none . The All Blacks have suffered an uncharacteristic four defeats this year -- three of them to the Springboks -- but took the chance to avenge the shock 27-22 home loss to Les Bleus in June . The Kiwis , who had earlier beaten Wales , Italy and England on tour , led 22-12 at halftime as backs Sitiveni Sivivatu and Mils Muliaina crossed for tries along with back-row forward Jerome Kaino . Winger Cory Jane and center Conrad Smith went over in the second half and mercurial fly-half Dan Carter kicked a total of 14 points while orchestrating the All Blacks ' most free-flowing performance of the tour against a side who had earlier beaten South Africa and Samoa . New Zealand captain Richie McCaw was named the International Rugby Board 's player of the year after the match , becoming the first to achieve the honor twice following his 2006 award . Scotland crashed back to earth following last weekend 's first win over Australia in 27 years , losing 9-6 at home to bogey side Argentina . The visitors came back from 6-0 down at halftime in Edinburgh , where they have not lost for 19 years , and inflicted the first defeat on Scots coach Andy Robinson . Phil Godman kicked two penalties to give Scotland hope of winning all their November internationals for the first time since 2002 , but paid the price for lock Nathan Hines ' second-half sin-binning as Martin Rodriguez leveled with two kicks of his own . Rodriguez then landed a drop-goal two minutes from time to give the Pumas a fourth straight win at Murrayfield and their first victory on this tour . Australia , however , relieved the pressure on coach Robbie Deans by crushing Wales 33-12 in Cardiff , avenging last year 's 21-18 defeat . Matt Giteau missed a last-gasp conversion against the Scots which would have won the match , but was to the fore this time as the Wallabies ran in three early tries . Center Digby Ioane , lock James Horwill , flanker David Pocock went over in the first 16 minutes , while Wales lost Shane Williams , try-scorer Leigh Halfpenny and Matthew Rees to injury as they surrendered a 23-12 halftime deficit . Substitute hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau crossed in the second half while Giteau kicked 13 points in total to hand Wales coach Warren Gatland , a New Zealander , his heaviest home defeat in front of a 74,339 crowd . Italy beat the touring Samoa team 24-6 for their first victory in four encounters with the Pacific Islanders , who had Henry Fa'afili sent off for a high tackle on first-half tryscorer Luke McLean . | Six Nations winners Ireland ended the year unbeaten after defeating South Africa 15-10 . Jonathan Sexton kicked five penalties as world rugby champions lose in Dublin . New Zealand avenge June 's home defeat by France with a 39-12 victory in Paris . Scotland lose 9-6 at home to Argentina , while Australia triumph 33-12 in Wales . | [[0, 15], [19, 108], [223, 235], [312, 365], [1373, 1387], [1487, 1561], [2221, 2229], [2317, 2361], [2933, 2942], [2955, 3016]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Jen Bucala has a lot of faith in her family 's `` lucky '' numbers . `` I 've been playing , or around playing , the lotto all my life , '' she says . She rattles off her numbers , citing family birthdays , and recounting numerical coincidences . `` Me , my husband , my father-in-law ... all our birthdays are in November . Just a week apart from each other , '' says Bucala , 31 . One number that did surprise her was $ 10,000 . After some quick figuring , Bucala estimates she has spent that amount on scratch off games and Megamillions since she started playing a decade ago . For Bucala , a Lindenhurst , New York , resident who works three jobs -- as a sales associate , an Avon Rep and a bridal consultant -- that is a lot of money . `` That ten grand could have gone toward a million and one bills I have -- my mortgage , car payments , '' Bucala says . `` We spend thousands of dollars every month on bills . I do n't have kids either . That -LSB- lotto -RSB- money could have been a whole month for me for bills , '' she says . But like a lot of people , Bucala thinks $ 1 is a small price to pay for a dream . `` You got ta play in order to win . That 's part of lotto . You never know , '' says Bucala . One of the seductive features of the lotto is the low entry fee says Frank Farley , a psychology professor at Temple University . `` It can be exciting , checking those winning numbers , '' says Farley . `` Maybe something big might happen . There 's not a whole lot of other things in your life where you put a small amount of money in and maybe something big will happen . It gives you a sliver of hope that you could turn your life around . '' And sometimes there are winners . Mineola Oaks , is retired and living in Washington Heights , New York . She has played lotto every day , spending $ 3 - $ 5 a day -LRB- and more on Tuesday -RRB- for over 20 years . -LRB- Just $ 4 a day for 20 years adds up to almost $ 30,000 . -RRB- Two years ago she won $ 100,000 . And with that money she paid off her bills and did some remodeling on her second home in Virginia . Oaks still buys lotto tickets , but she cautions that there 's always something else you can put the money towards . `` I take care of things first , '' she says . `` Food , rent -- Then you can go out and spend a dollar on the lotto . '' Just do n't expect to win . Let 's take Powerball for example . Your chances of winning the jackpot is one in 195,249,054 says Michael Orkin , a statistician and dean of business , math and science at Laney College in Oakland , California . Let 's say you buy 50 Powerball tickets a week , you 'll win the jackpot about once every 75,000 years , he says . Cold , hard numbers aside , the lotto is entertainment . `` Almost everyone spends money on entertainment , '' says Stephen Brobeck of the Consumer Federation of America . `` People spend hundreds of dollars going to a sports event . Others spend a thousand dollars a year on premium cable channels . Purchasing a lotto ticket -- it 's excitement and there 's always the possibility , however slim , that they will strike it rich and win , '' he says . Cost of fleeting excitement adds up . Sodanys Paulino , 21 , of Washington Heights , stood outside a lottery terminal one rainy Friday night . She bought two scratch off tickets and a mega millions ticket . When asked what else she could be doing with that money , she laughs . `` Two dollars ? You ca n't buy anything for two dollars , '' she says . But $ 2 a week is about $ 100 a year . And $ 100 can buy you something . The problem is opportunity costs , says Farley . `` What opportunities are lost because you are putting discretionary income into the lottery when you could be putting it into something else ? '' he asks . `` A small amount of money can be spent on dental floss , '' he says . The lotto sends the wrong message , says Farley . `` It 's hard work versus chance . The lotto says success can be built on chance . '' A 2005 study by the Consumer Federation of America says 38 percent of people with incomes below $ 25,000 think that winning the lottery represents the most practical way for them to accumulate several hundred thousand dollars . `` Lower income people think their chances of winning are slim . And they think that the probability -LSB- for them to win -RSB- is greater than being able to accumulate savings over time . The lotto advantage . Peter Tufano , a Professor at Harvard Business School , harnessed this idea that people would rather have a small probability of a large payout when he came up with the `` Save to Win '' idea . It 's part savings , part raffle ticket . And it 's had major success in Detroit , Michigan , where eight credit unions have been offering it since January . Here 's how it works . You open up a one-year certificate of deposit and for every $ 25 you save , you get the chance to win a $ 100,000 prize . Hank Hubbard , the director of Communicating Arts Credit Union in Detroit , Michigan , says when his credit union offered a 10 percent interest rate on a one-year CD , no one signed on , but with Save to Win , 14 percent of their membership signed up . `` I am surprised at the extent of the success . We really are showing people that they can afford to save , '' he says . And in the very worst case even though someone may not win the grand prize , at least they 've already accumulated some savings . But when it comes to playing the real thing -- old habits die hard . `` I 'm still going to buy my scratchoffs , '' says Bucala . `` I 'm not going to go cold turkey , '' she says . `` No way ! It 's too exciting ... knowing you have the chance to win . '' | Jen Bucala likes to buy lottery tickets ; an estimated $ 10,000 in 10 years . Psychology professor : Low entry fee is part of lottery 's seduction . Study : 38 percent of poor think lottery best way for them to get hundreds of thousands . Statistician : Chances of winning Powerball is 1 in 195,249,054 . | [[1235, 1316], [3986, 4090], [4068, 4213], [2404, 2461], [2443, 2480]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Basketball legend Michael Jordan has caused a furor at the President 's Cup golf tournament after the former Chicago Bulls player was snapped smoking a cigar at the Harding Park course in San Francisco . Michael Jordan smoking a cigar at the Hardin Park golf course . Jordan -- who is acting as the honorary assistant captain for the U.S. team at the event -- puffed while playing a practice round despite the city 's ban on smoking at public golf courses . Pictures were published in the San Francisco Chronicle of the 46-year-old flouting the rules , a move which prompted city officials to request the PGA Tour to remind Jordan of the law . `` It was sort of a gentle nudge reminding them that smoking is illegal and that we would appreciate their support , '' Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg told the Chronicle . The breaking of the smoking ban carries a $ 100 fine , however , Matt Dorsey , the spokesman for City Attorney Dennis Herrera , told the newspaper : `` Just do n't expect me to ask him for it . '' Fred Couples invited Jordan to be an honorary assistant captain at the Presidents Cup , and the Hall of Famer spoke to reporters on Monday about his smoking . `` I heard this is a public place , so they limit what you can smoke , but this was a practice round and no one said anything , '' he told the gathered media . British Open champion Stewart Cink backed Jordan despite the outcry suggesting the cigar was unlit : `` The tobacco usage did become a little bit of a story out there , because I saw Michael with a cigar in his mouth that was unlit . `` He 's trying to set a good example for the rest of the people who see on TV what we are doing out there , just try to set a good example and try to chew his tobacco instead of smoke it . '' | Presidents Cup golf tournament is being held at the Harding Park course . Under San Francisco law it is illegal to smoke while playing at the event . Michael Jordan was photographed smoking at cigar during a practice round . Jordan is the honorary assistant captain for the U.S. team at the event . | [[117, 222], [223, 286], [287, 293], [379, 476], [1471, 1536], [1539, 1586], [287, 296], [301, 375], [1051, 1136]] |
CAIRO , Egypt -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- There 's more to wearing the `` niqab '' -- the austere , all-covering veil favored by ultra-religious Muslim women -- than meets the eye . Cairo University students wearing niqab stand outside a university dormitory on Oct. 7 unable to enter due to the new rules preventing admission to niqab wearers . A recent declaration by a leading Egyptian cleric that women will not be allowed to wear the niqab in university areas frequented only by women has sparked demonstrations by female students in Cairo determined to wear the all-encompassing veil wherever they go . Egypt 's Al-Azhar university , the highest seat of Sunni Islam , recently convened an all-male committee to rule on what women can wear at Egypt 's public universities . The Shaikh of Al-Azhar , Shaikh Tantawi , announced after the meeting that a ban on the niqab , also known as the burqa , would apply to such university areas as female dormitories and all-women classes . Do you think Muslim women should wear the niqab ? Tell us below in the SoundOff box . Even though that was a step down from a statement he made earlier that the niqab would be banned in all public universities , his ruling sparked controversy with the growing number of women in the country who choose to stay covered . The initiative from Al-Azhar is seen by many in Egypt as an attempt to counter the growing appeal of the strictest interpretations of Islam . An increasing number of young women in Egypt are turning to the niqab . The niqab is worn by many Muslim women throughout the Arab world and beyond and is most common in the countries of Saudi Arabia , Yemen , Bahrain , Kuwait , Qatar , Oman and the United Arab Emirates . It is also commonly worn in Pakistan . `` The niqab should be worn under two circumstances , '' a cleaning lady who works at Al-Azhar , told CNN recently . `` A very beautiful woman should wear it to prevent men from fighting over her , and an ugly woman should wear it to hide her face . '' There is no consensus among Muslim scholars regarding the wearing of the niqab , the piece of cloth that covers a Muslim woman 's face . Women who wear it usually also cover their hands . It is widely believed to be a tradition that comes from the Arabian peninsula , introduced to more liberal countries like Egypt by people who have lived and worked in ultra-conservative countries like Saudi Arabia . There 's not much about it in the Koran , Muslim 's holy book . The Koranic verse that applies to female head covering translates loosely as : `` O Prophet ! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks all over their bodies . '' And so consequently , there are plenty of interpretations . And all sorts of opinions in the Egyptian parliament . The opposition-led Muslim Brotherhood opposes the niqab ban . `` It 's unacceptable that the niqab is treated as something bad that needs to be suppressed , '' Brotherhood member of parliament Muhamed Baltagi told CNN . `` It 's unacceptable to violate private matters in this way . '' In Baltagi 's opinion , it 's a matter of personal choice and should not be dictated by the shaikh of Al-Azhar . Appointed by the president of Egypt , the shaikh of Al-Azhar is viewed as little more than an appendage of the authoritarian Egyptian government , and thus scorned as a state puppet by both religious and secular critics of the regime . Since the 1960s the shaikh of Al-Azhar has been appointed by the Egyptian president . In Europe , wearing the niqab has become a controversial issue too . Recently , French President Nicolas Sarkozy banned it from French classrooms . And British Justice Minister Jack Straw also recently asked women to remove them in his consituency office . In Cairo 's main shopping district , the message on the niqab is decidedly mixed . The few niqabs on display are vastly outnumbered by far more risque outfits , including no shortage of mannequins sporting evening dressings with plunging necklines and naked arms . There are a few niqabs on display , but lots of less conservative clothing is on the shelves too . Outside Cairo University , some women go without any head covering at all . Most wear headscarves -- usually quite colorful ones . Those who choose to wear the niqab say the religious scholars should have asked a woman what she thought of the ban first . `` He should have taken at least one woman 's opinion , '' said student Muna Abdel Fatah . `` Because the decision will impact on her . '' Daniela Deane contributed to this story . | Recent ban on wearing the all-encompassing veil sparked demonstrations . Ban of the veil , known as the `` niqab , '' seen by many as attempt to counter extremism . Increasing number of young Muslim women want to cover themselves . No consensus among Muslim scholars on covering up . | [[337, 386], [481, 535], [1295, 1362], [1437, 1508], [2002, 2080]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Thousands of Muslims gathered Friday on Capitol Hill for a day of prayer that organizers said was intended to inspire American Muslims and non-Muslims alike . People traveled from all over the United States to attend the Capitol Hill event , organizer Abdul Malik said . `` America is not perfect , '' Abdul Malik , an organizer of the event called Islam on Capitol Hill , told the crowd . `` But I will say something it took me my whole adult life to come to : America is not perfect , but I want to tell the truth : It is one of the best places in the world to live . '' Organizers had hoped that 50,000 people would show up for the Friday afternoon prayer session , which took place at the foot of the U.S. Capitol . There were also anti-Muslim protesters near the event . Earlier , Malik said , `` This is not a protest , it is a day of prayer , of devotion , hoping that we can work ... for the betterment of the world community . '' He added , `` We can come together and work together for the common good . '' He said that Muslims in the United States have a `` unique responsibility '' and that the event seeks to inspire Muslims and all Americans . `` America represents , still , a beacon of hope , '' he said . Malik said conversations about the event began only a few months ago . `` It 's amazing , '' he said . `` The Web site has gotten more than 3 million hits already . '' Friday 's event was focused on a 1 p.m. prayer , and a reception and banquet were planned afterward . Malik said attendees were traveling from all over the United States -- including Texas , Florida and Georgia -- as well as from other countries , such as Britain and Canada . `` The beautiful thing ... about this , is that we have a good representation of the uniqueness and beauty of what Islam stands for , '' he said . Besides the protesters , the event drew other criticism . Malik said he had received some `` very nasty e-mails . '' And one Christian leader warned of a strategy to `` Islamize '' American society . `` It is important for Christians to understand that Friday 's Muslim prayer initiative is part of a well-defined strategy to Islamize American society and replace the Bible with the Koran , the cross with the Islamic crescent and the church bells with the Athan -LSB- the Muslim call to prayer -RSB- , '' the Rev. Canon Julian Dobbs , leader of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America 's Church and Islam Project , said in a written statement . `` The time has come for the American public to call Islam to account , '' he said . | NEW : Speaker calls U.S. `` one of the best places in the world to live '' Prayer event sought to inspire Muslims and all Americans , one organizer says . Event drew protesters , criticism from Christian leader , `` very nasty e-mails '' | [[108, 188], [1047, 1187], [1133, 1187], [1869, 1901], [1902, 1957], [1913, 1957]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Winter travelers trek thousands of miles to the frozen north each year seeking the sky 's `` dancing lights , '' which provoke awe , excitement and , some say , sex . CNN iReporter Bruce Barrett shot this rare red aurora in Canada 's Whitehorse , Yukon . Scientists call the natural phenomenon aurora borealis : cascading beams of greens , yellows , blues , purples or reds -- which paint a breathtaking backdrop across the wilderness and attract thousands of tourists annually . `` Usually it starts slowly as kind of a hazy greenish color -- like a mist -- building up in frequency dancing across the sky ... and to me that 's religion , '' said photographer Dave Brosha of Yellowknife , Northwest Territories , who 's seen more than 100 Canadian auroras . `` It 's just one of the most incredible feelings a person can have -- sitting there watching that . '' To the west in Canada 's Yukon province , tour operator Torsten Eder likes to tell a story about a marriage that was forged under the glowing curtains of light . See spectacular photos of auroras '' `` I had one guy from Mexico , and he wanted to surprise his girlfriend by proposing marriage with a ring under the northern lights , '' said Eder from his office in Whitehorse . `` We got lucky and the lights were visible ... so our guest went down on his knee and proposed to his girlfriend and she was totally blown away . The funny thing was -- she would n't wear gloves for the first three days -- so she could show the ring off . '' The otherworldly lights also have provided inspiration for almost sacred pilgrimages , Eder said . Guests who said they were going blind or battling cancer told him they wanted to view the auroras at least once in their lives . `` It puts enormous pressure on us , '' said Eder . `` You ca n't guarantee that the lights will be visible because it 's a natural phenomenon . '' The display is generally visible at least every three days , he said . Scientists say the northern lights are created by the sun 's super hot atmosphere , which blasts particles into the protective magnetic field surrounding the Earth . The magnetic field forces the particles toward the north and south poles . About 60 to 200 miles overhead , the particles bump into the Earth 's atmosphere and become electrically `` excited '' -- throwing off light of various colors , said Prof. Dirk Lummerzheim of the University of Alaska , Fairbanks . `` The forecast for this winter is a continued quiet sun , in general , '' he said . The sun is on the upswing of an 11-year cycle . `` Maybe we will have a few periods once a month where the aurora can get a little bit more active . '' Although the phenomenon occurs around the clock , the lights are only visible at night . The best time of year to see them is during winter , when darkness in the upper latitudes stretches up to 24 hours . See map where northern lights can be seen '' Eder 's Northern Tales tour company picks up guests at their hotels about 10 p.m. and takes them to an area about 20 minutes outside Whitehorse 's city lights . There , travelers can enjoy nature 's colorful show from a heated , walled tent until around 2 a.m. `` We almost take it for granted sometimes , '' said Brosha . `` No matter how many times you 've seen the aurora borealis -- when they really dance , when you get some really unique colors -- you just kind of say , ` Wow , I 'm so lucky to see that . ' '' A warmer way to enjoy the northern lights is a shallow , natural rock lake at Chena Hot Springs outside Fairbanks , Alaska , which allows bikini-clad guests to enjoy the lights in temperatures of 106 degrees Fahrenheit . `` I mean , honestly , it 's the best way to see them , '' said spokeswoman Denise Ferree . `` Because you 're warm and toasty and you 're watching the northern lights above . '' Chena 's owner , Bernie Karl -- who 's often as colorful as the lights themselves -- said the auroras sometimes spark the libido . `` Having sex under the northern lights -- it 's an awesome experience , '' Karl said . `` Have you ever been out in nature at 35 below zero with northern lights bouncing over your head and your bare ass ? Well , you need to try it . '' If the hot springs are n't for you , Chena also takes guests up a nearby mountain to observe the auroras from heated Mongolian-style tents called yurts . The resort prides itself on its environmental initiative , which has led to the generation of clean electricity from geothermal heat produced by the hot spring . `` Iceland is probably one of the best places to see the northern lights , '' said Reykjavik tour guide Arni Magnusson of AM Tours . That 's especially true as the U.S. dollar gains value against the Icelandic krona -- offering some attractive hotel and shopping opportunities . Guests are picked up at their hotel for a 20-minute drive outside the city to view the lights from higher elevations . `` People say they feel closer to Earth and to the forces of nature , '' said Magnusson . `` The lights totally overwhelm them . '' Dan Hershman 's life changed dramatically after he photographed a spectacular aurora in Washington state in 2000 , which was a peak year in the solar cycle . `` These things are just dynamic and they seem just alive and organic , '' said Hershman , who at the time was a high school music teacher . The photo was unique enough to attract the attention of NASA , which ran the image on its Web site , Hershman said . This spurred his interest in photography and soon , as Hershman put it , `` my hobby became my profession and my profession became my hobby . '' Now Hershman performs as principal bassoonist in local orchestras as a hobby -- and he teaches high school photography in Federal Way , Washington , as his profession . The trick to photographing the auroras , Hershman said , is choosing to take the picture when the lights are n't moving as much . `` Otherwise it looks like nothing but a big blob , '' he said . IF YOU GO . WHITEHORSE . Activities . Yukon Brewing Company offers tours of this award-winning brewery , the home of such libations as Espresso Stout , made with local espresso from Midnight Sun Coffee Roaster . Mac 's Fireweed , an independent bookstore and a Whitehorse institution , offers a nice selection of magazines and a huge catalogue of book titles . Northern Tales tour company picks up guests at their hotels and takes them a short distance outside Whitehorse to view the auroras from heated , walled tents . Stay : . Just north of Whitehorse , see the northern lights from Takhini Hot Springs , which offers cabins and camping facilities . Two bed and breakfasts come recommended by Whitehorse residents : Casey 's and Hawkins House , at 867-668-7638 . YELLOWKNIFE . Activities . Enjoy warm tepees as well as food and drinks while viewing the northern lights at Aurora Village , which gets up to 20 hours of darkness in the winter months . FAIRBANKS . Stay : . Chena Hot Springs resort offers accommodations and viewing tours of the northern lights . Locals also recommend Mount Aurora Fairbanks Creek lodge for those seeking views of the spectacular lights . ALASKA WILDERNESS . Stay : . If you 're looking for a trip deeper into the wilderness , Tolovana Hot Springs offers views of the auroras about 45 miles from Fairbanks -- accessible by trail or plane only . Northern lights tours : . Travel to the Brooks mountain range above the Arctic Circle can be arranged with Out in Alaska at 877-374-9958 . Northern Alaska Tour Co. offers wilderness tours to see the auroras in Coldfoot . ICELAND . Northern lights tours : . Visitors interested in guided views of the northern lights can contact AM Tours at 011-354-898-6581 . Activities : . Enjoy the hot springs and spa facilities at the famous Blue Lagoon . Find general information on touring Iceland at Iceland Travel . | Sex under northern lights is an awesome experience , says resort owner . People diagnosed with terminal or blinding diseases seek out aurora borealis . Brilliant green , blue `` dancing lights '' inspire marriage proposals , says guide . Spectacular phenomenon occurs when solar particles hit near Earth 's poles . | [[3845, 3859], [3862, 3873], [3930, 3975], [1619, 1625], [1630, 1675], [1619, 1747], [2324, 2326], [2330, 2366]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pilot error was to blame in the April 2006 crash of an unmanned aircraft , despite the fact no pilot was on board , the National Transportation Safety Board said in its accident report issued Tuesday -- the NTSB 's first-ever investigation into an incident involving a drone . A drone similar to this one crashed near Nogales , Arizona , on April 25 , 2006 . The agency also issued 22 safety recommendations for unmanned aircraft . It `` is an indication of the scope of the safety issues these unmanned aircraft are bringing into the National Airspace System , '' NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker said in a statement . The unmanned aerial vehicles have been touted as a possible solution to several issues facing the United States , from drug trafficking to illegal border crossings . But , as the NTSB report shows , integrating them into the nation 's airspace raises questions regarding their safety status -- and whether they should be held to a different standard than manned aircraft . On April 25 , 2006 , a turboprop-powered Predator B , operated on a surveillance mission by U.S. Customs and Border Protection , crashed in a sparsely-populated area near Nogales , Arizona . There were no injuries , but the aircraft , which has a 66-foot wingspan , was `` substantially damaged , '' the NTSB said . The probable cause of the accident was the failure of the pilot -- who was operating the aircraft remotely -- to follow checklist procedures when switching operational control from a console that had locked up , the agency said . That resulted in the fuel valve 's being inadvertently shut off and a total loss of engine power to the aircraft . Another cause , the NTSB said , was the lack of a flight instructor in the ground control station . But in a meeting Tuesday , the board highlighted areas of interest including the design and certification of unmanned aircraft ; pilot qualification and training ; and audio records of all UAV operations-related communications , among others . The Federal Aviation Administration does n't require a pilot 's certificate to operate a drone . `` This investigation has raised questions about the different standards for manned and unmanned aircraft and the safety implications of this discrepancy , '' Rosenker said in the statement . `` Why , for example , were numerous unresolved lock-ups of the pilot 's control console even possible while such conditions would never be tolerated in the cockpit of a manned aircraft ? '' The pilot , the NTSB noted , was not proficient in emergency procedures . `` The pilot is still the pilot , whether he is at a remote console or on the flight deck , '' Rosenker said . `` We need to make sure that the system by which pilots are trained and readied for flight is rigorous and thorough . With the potential for thousands of these unmanned aircraft in use years from now , the standards for pilot training need to be set high to ensure that those on the ground and other users of the airspace are not put in jeopardy . '' Also , there is no equivalent of a cockpit voice recorder at a pilot console , the board said , and the pilot 's communication with air traffic controllers and others was not recorded . The NTSB has recommended the FAA require all conversations , including telephone conversations , between pilots of unmanned aircraft and others be recorded and retained . Other recommendations , sent to the FAA and Customs and Border Protection , include : . • Requiring all unmanned aircraft operations to report incidents of equipment malfunctions that affect safety to the FAA , and require analysis of the data . • Requiring pilots be trained on the expected performance and flight path of an unmanned aircraft any time communication with the aircraft is lost . • Identifying and correcting the causes of the lockups in the pilot 's control console . • Requiring that a backup pilot or another person who can provide an equivalent level of safety as a backup pilot be readily available during the operation of a UAV system . Board members also voted to convene a two - to three-day public forum on the safety of UAV operations and investigative procedures . E-mail to a friend . | Agency issues 22 safety recommendations for unmanned aircraft . NTSB : The pilot is still the pilot , whether he is at a remote console or on board . Agency : Probable cause of 2006 drone crash was pilot error . | [[389, 399], [405, 461], [2619, 2666], [30, 35], [46, 102]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The space shuttle Endeavour docked with the international space station early Wednesday , completing a three-day orbital chase . `` Capture confirmed , '' the Johnson Space Center in Houston said at 12:06 a.m. ET . The delicate docking maneuver took place while both spacecraft were circling the globe at about 17,500 mph -LRB- 28,165 km/h -RRB- . Endeavour lifted off from Kennedy Space Center early Monday . During the two-week mission , the six-member crew will deliver an Italian-built Tranquility node and a seven-windowed cupola to the station , which will be used as a control room for robotics . The mission also will include three spacewalks . The space station will be about 90 percent complete once the node and cupola are added , NASA said . | Shuttle docked at 12:06 a.m. ET , according to the Johnson Space Center in Houston . Endeavour lifted off from Kennedy Space Center early Monday . The two-week mission will include three spacewalks . | [[19, 106], [171, 233], [367, 428], [623, 634], [640, 671]] |
Los Angeles , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- If you stared at empty seats around your Thanksgiving dinner table , Robert DeNiro 's newest film could help . Parents who want their kids home for Christmas may do well by persuading them to see `` Everybody 's Fine , '' which opens next Friday in U.S. theaters . `` I 'm hoping it might catch the moment , and it might catch the Christmas spirit and the Thanksgiving spirit , '' director-writer Kirk Jones told CNN over coffee in Hollywood . The movie is targeted at people with parents , brothers , sisters or children , Jones said . `` Pretty much everyone , '' Jones said . `` It 's about family . '' The story centers around a cross-country journey by DeNiro 's character struggling to bring together his grown children for Christmas , several months after their mother 's death . DeNiro reveals a sensitive , aging father who imagines that `` everybody 's fine '' -- a solace for his lonely suffering . Each stop reveals how his wife had sheltered him from bad news about his kids -- played by Drew Barrymore , Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell -- and how they did not know how to communicate honestly with him . His children were not living the lives he had fantasized for them . `` It 's easier not to face up to the truth , '' Jones said . Audiences emerged from preview screenings thinking about their own parents or children , Jones said . `` People are coming out of the movie , almost without exception , saying ` I 've got to ring my mom , I 've got to ring my dad , ' '' Jones said . The strongest reactions have come from people between 24 and 35 , many of whom told Jones he 's `` scratched a nerve , '' he said . `` They were saying ` That 's me . That 's my dad . Those are my parents . ' '' `` Most people have got regrets , '' he said . `` When they leave their parents , everyone looks back and thinks , ' I should have invited them on holiday with us that time or I should have made it that weekend or I should have just called them more often . ' '' It 's a remake of Giuseppe Tornatore 's 1990 Italian film `` Stanno Tutti Bene '' -- English translation : Everybody 's Fine . But Jones , a British director best known as the writer-director of the 1998 surprise hit `` Waking Ned Devine , '' made this into an American story . Jones took his own trip for inspiration before writing the screenplay , traveling by train and bus across the United States . He realized the telephone wires he saw , stretching from pole to pole for hundreds of miles along the tracks and highways , serve as a metaphor for his story . `` It 's like a wave , a musical rhythm , '' Jones said . Frank -- DeNiro 's character -- spent his life manufacturing the protective coating for the telephone lines . `` He protected the line of communication , '' Jones said . But decades of exposure to the chemicals made him ill , as did his years of insulation from honest communications with his family . `` The irony is , when he 's traveling , the children are talking about him through his wires , '' Jones said . A personal irony for the director is that , for the 14 months Jones was making this movie about family togetherness in the United States , he was away from his own family in England . | `` Everybody 's Fine '' is targeted at `` pretty much everyone , '' director Kirk Jones told CNN . Story centers on a father 's journey as he seeks to reunite his kids for the holidays . Each stop reveals how his wife had sheltered him from bad news about his kids . Jones , who also wrote the screenplay , traveled the U.S. for inspiration . | [[650, 783], [954, 1031], [2296, 2365]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Mary Travers of 1960s folk trio Peter , Paul and Mary , has died , according to her publicist . She was 72 . Mary Travers performs at the 2004 Democratic Convention in Boston , Massachusetts . Travers died from side effects of treatment from a bone-marrow transplant after battling leukemia , publicist Heather Lylis said . The singer was born in Louisville , Kentucky , in November 1936 and grew up in New York 's Greenwich Village . As a teenager , she performed in a Broadway review , but stepped on to the folk music scene in the 1950s . She emerged as an iconic folk singer while performing with Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey . Peter , Paul and Mary came together while singing `` Mary Had a Little Lamb '' in Stookey 's New York City apartment . They went on to play gigs at coffee houses and later on the radio . `` As a performer , her charisma was a barely contained nervous energy -- occasionally -LRB- and then only privately -RRB- revealed as stage fright , '' Stookey said . Their music reflected the 1960s and the 1970s , a time of turmoil as the civil rights and anti-war movements moved into full swing . Travers applied her recognition to rally behind those progressive movements . In 1963 , the trio performed its hit song `` If I Had a Hammer '' at the Washington march where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famed `` I Have a Dream Speech , '' her publicist said . `` We 've learned that it will take more than one generation to bring about change , '' Travers once said . `` The fight for civil rights has developed into a broader concern for human rights , and that encompasses a great many people and countries . Those of us who live in a democracy have a responsibility to be the voice for those whose voices are stilled . '' Travers advocated against U.S. government moves in Central America in the 1980s . She went on a mission to El Salvador and later spoke out against the country 's regime . She also opposed American funding of a militant group in Nicaragua set on overthrowing an elected government there , according to her publicist . Peter , Paul and Mary recorded hits still recognized now , including `` Leaving on a Jet Plane , '' `` Puff the Magic Dragon '' and `` Where Have All the Flowers Gone . '' They performed together for nearly 50 years , winning five Grammys and releasing 13 Top 40 hits , six of them in the Top 10 charts . Their debut album , `` Peter , Paul and Mary '' was on the Top 10 chart for 10 months . Travers also recorded four solo albums in the 1970s . `` Her talent was huge ... Mary was the difference maker , '' said Joe Smith , former head of Warner Brothers Records . `` Super bright , super talented , and a pleasure to know and work with . '' Their last performance was in New Brunswick , New Jersey , on May 20 . Those closest to Travers say she valued her friendships . `` Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of my relationship with Mary Travers over the last almost 50 years is how open and honest we were with each other , and I include Noel Paul Stookey in this equation , '' Yarrow said in a statement . `` Such honesty comes with a price , but when you get past the hurt and shock of realizing that you 're faulted and frequently wrong , you also realize that you are really loved and respected for who you are , and you become a better person . '' She is survived by her husband , Ethan Robbins ; her daughters Alicia and Erika ; her sister , Ann Gordon ; and her granddaughters Wylie and Virginia . | Mary Travers was a member of the 1960s folk trio Peter , Paul and Mary . The trio sang `` If I Had a Hammer '' and `` Puff the Magic Dragon '' She died from side effects of treatment from a bone-marrow transplant . | [[2196, 2232], [212, 285]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Do not go backstage at Cirque Du Soleil . It will only hurt your self-esteem . Anthony Gatto says he 's been in training since he was 3 years old and performing since he was 8 . In the performers ' tent for the touring show `` Kooza , '' there are the chiseled men catapulting their partners onto each other 's shoulders from a giant see-saw and the woman doing contortions on children 's - sized blocks . You can only take so much of this before your ego needs normal . Normal might be that man in the corner , wearing a T-shirt , shorts and sneakers throwing balls in the air . How hard can that be ? Your self-worth will be quickly dashed again when the man picks up a soccer ball , bounces it on his head and jumps rope at the same time . Moments later , he 's juggling six or seven orange rings -LRB- they move so fast , it looks like a blur -RRB- and then does a pirouette -- while all the rings are in the air -- and then catches them on his arm . Watch the juggler in action '' You could say Anthony Gatto went into the family business . But his stepfather was n't a farmer or a doctor . He was a juggler . `` By the time I was 8 , I was entered into a juggling competition , and incidentally , that was the same competition that Patrick Dempsey , the actor , was in , '' Gatto said . `` He used to be a juggler . We competed against each other . I took first , he took second . Now he 's a big actor and here I am , juggling . '' Gatto is being modest . In fact , he did n't audition for `` Kooza . '' The show went looking for him . `` I have right now 11 juggling world records , '' he said . `` Some of them I 've held since I was 16 years old and they have yet to be beaten . '' Imagine a wearable disco ball . That 's not too different from the form-fitting outfit Gatto wears onstage . Backstage , it 's a long-sleeve T-shirt , gym shorts and sneakers . But there 's nothing casual about his daily routine . He typically works out and practices six to seven hours a day to prepare for his 10 minutes in the spotlight . In fact , he is practicing until moments before he runs on stage . `` Juggling is something that is so delicate , you have to have a really good feel , you can lose that in minutes , '' he said . `` There are so many variables that can affect you . If it 's a humid day , it 's a very difficult task to get through the number that I do . The wind , if there 's any air current in there and you 're expecting to catch a ring and it blows an inch , you miss it . '' But he rarely misses -- at least not in his act . This performer , who relies on coordination and concentration 350 shows a year , admits his most embarrassing moment has nothing to do with balls , clubs or rings . It 's acting that trips him up . `` I have fallen as the delivery-man character in the show . In fact , I have done this a few times , '' he said . `` I like to think it 's because I put my heart and soul into the characters I 'm portraying . '' Surrounded by all this talent and precision , there is some comfort in knowing one of the best -- maybe the best juggler in the world -- is also a klutz . | Cirque Du Soleil 's `` Kooza '' went looking for juggler with 11 world records . Anthony Gatto beat actor Patrick Dempsey in juggling competition . Gatto practices six to seven hours to prepare for 10 minutes on stage . Says humidity and wind can affect his routine . | [[1530, 1561], [1565, 1607], [1942, 1944], [1969, 2003], [1998, 2052]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A polygamist sect member arrested following last year 's raid of a west Texas ranch was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting an underage girl , authorities said . Raymond Jessop was found guilty last week of assaulting a girl under 17 , with whom he had entered into a `` spiritual '' marriage , said Jerry Strickland , a spokesman for the state attorney general . Jessop also received an $ 8,000 fine , said Sheriff David Doran , of Schleicher County , Texas . The victim in the case was one of 400 children seized from the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado , Texas , in April 2008 by state child welfare workers . The children were returned after the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the state had no right to remove them and lacked evidence to show that they were in danger of abuse . Jessop belongs to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . The church -- a 10,000-member offshoot of the mainstream Mormon church -- openly practices polygamy on the ranch , as well as in Arizona and Utah . Critics of the sect say young girls are forced into `` spiritual '' marriages with older men and are sexually abused . Sect members have denied any sexual abuse . CNN 's Dave Alsup contributed to this report . | Raymond Jessop sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexual assault of teen `` bride '' Jessop must also pay $ 8,000 fine . Girl was one of hundreds seized after 2008 raid at Texas polygamist ranch . | [[0, 15], [91, 146], [151, 187], [411, 417], [423, 447], [19, 102]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- This is always a frightful time of year , but this year it got a bit scarier . You may have been prematurely spooked by an `` illegal alien '' costume threatening Halloween thrill seekers with an extraterrestrial countenance , orange prison garb and a green card . There 's also a version with a baseball cap and droopy moustache . Frankly , I 'm surprised the manufacturer , Forum Novelties , is not offering other stereotypical accessories , like low-rider flying saucers and glow-in-the-dark lawn mowers . The costume reflects ominous trends : the deterioration of the immigration debate , the rise of anti-immigrant hostility as a form of racism and the need for greater empathy to bridge the gap between those who view such attacks as harmless humor and those who are demeaned and hurt by them . According to a CNN.com article : `` Political satire and Halloween often merge . Costumes depicting former well-known political figures are often seen alongside those depicting Batman or Wonder Woman . '' But what if the inspiration for the satire is a group of disenfranchised people ? When is a costume clever and funny and when is it an expression of uglier truths inside us ? The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles , California , joined the League of United Latin American Citizens and the United Farm Workers of America in condemning the costume , calling on retailers to drop it . Target was among those stores that quickly stopped selling it , while others , including BuyCostumes.com , chose `` trick '' over `` treat . '' `` Wearing this costume shows poor taste and ignores the painful reality -- for millions of immigrants who must live through constant taunting , discrimination and now mocking , '' the Coalition 's director of communications , Jorge-Mario Cabrera , told me . `` The costume is a sign of the decaying dialogue on immigrants as a community in the U.S. '' Dreadfully , this costume contest also illuminates the evolution of discrimination in America . The Pew Research Center recently reported that 55 percent of adults say `` there are ` very strong ' or ` strong ' conflicts between immigrants and people born in the United States '' while `` 39 percent believe there are serious conflicts between blacks and whites . '' The Pew report concludes that : `` Disagreements between immigrants and native-born Americans emerge as the most prevalent and serious type of social conflict . '' What we are witnessing this season is a metamorphosis of racism , from anti-black to anti-immigrant . It 's like Darth Vader slipping into Voldemort gear . Still spine-chilling . But not all trick-or-treaters are repulsed by the specter of prejudice masquerading as freedom-loving , tongue-in-cheek revelry . William Gheen , of Americans for Legal Immigration , said he is buying the costume . `` The only people getting upset are the hypersensitive , over-politically correct , pro-amnesty , illegal alien-supporting nuts . '' he said . `` You ca n't attack people 's freedom in this country . '' This reaction highlights the polarization of the immigration debate in America and the widely divergent views on discrimination among different social groups . According to the Pew survey , blacks , Latinos and women are significantly more likely than whites and men to say major conflicts exist between groups . Some of the widest perception gaps exist between blacks and whites on whether black/white conflict persists : 53 percent of blacks said `` yes '' compared with 35 percent of whites . Gaps also exist between Latinos and whites on whether conflict exists between immigrants and native-born Americans : 68 percent of Latinos said `` yes '' compared with 53 percent of whites . It 's interesting that racism and immigration-related conflict is most perceived by those experiencing its negative effects rather than those either perpetrating the prejudices or simply floating through life oblivious to them . What may be dismissed as a non-issue or joke by some tastes bitterly like insult and injury to others . It depends on who wears the costume and who is the butt of the joke . So before people brandish their right to ridicule and belittle entire ethnic groups , before such frivolous freedoms help stoke anti-immigrant fervor , let 's pause and reflect . Just because we have a right does n't mean we must exercise it . Even if we believe all undocumented immigrants should be shipped back to their nations of origin , we need n't mock their plight or demean their humanity . We do n't have to don a costume that strips 12 million people of their dignity just for a few cheap laughs . Which America do we hope to see in the mirror when the Halloween party 's over ? How about trying to put ourselves in the shoes of that `` illegal alien '' ? for no matter how you dress it up , it 's cruel . So what are you going to be this Halloween ? I have this suggestion -- and it goes for manufacturers , retailers , shoppers and activists on all sides of the immigration issue . This year , do n't get a costume ; get a conscience . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Rudy Ruiz . | Rudy Ruiz : `` Illegal alien '' costume has alien 's face , wears prison garb , carries green card . Ruiz : Just because we have a right , we need n't demean people or mock their plight . Says costume reflects the rise of anti-immigrant hostility as a form of racism . Ruiz : If you 're one of the people who are the butt of the joke , it 's not so funny . | [[139, 283], [4484, 4540]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A celebrity gossip Web site has caught Maria Shriver a third time apparently violating California 's law against using a cell phone while driving . California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says `` swift action '' will be taken on wife Maria Shriver 's driving `` violations . '' Web site TMZ posted a 17-second video Tuesday showing the California first lady apparently speaking into a cell phone while turning a corner in Brentwood in a black SUV . She puts the phone down part way through the video , but it 's not clear whether she did so because she had finished her conversation or because she noticed cameras following her . The site also photographed Shriver allegedly chatting while driving on Sunday and on June 12 . Shriver 's husband , California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger , last year supported and signed into law a ban on using handheld communication devices while driving . Enforcement of the ban began July 1 , 2008 ; it carries a $ 20 fine for a first violation ; $ 50 for each subsequent offense . A similar law banning texting while driving took effect January 1 this year . Watch Shriver driving while on her cell phone . By the end of September , the California Highway Patrol had issued tickets for about 150,000 cell phone infractions , said Chris Cochran , spokesman for the California Office of Traffic Safety . No one keeps track of infractions cited by county and local departments , he said . See where laws limit cell phone use in cars '' Shriver has not been cited . In Los Angeles County , where Brentwood is , the Superior Court has set the cost at about $ 93 for the first ticket and $ 201 for the next one , meaning Shriver would owe at least $ 300 in fines and court fees had she been caught by police , CNN affiliate KTLA-TV reported . On Tuesday , Schwarzenegger sent a Twitter message to TMZ editor Harvey Levin : `` Thanks for bringing her violations to my attention . There 's going to be swift action . '' What that action might entail was not specified . Shriver on Wednesday issued an apology : . `` I 'm sorry , '' she said in a statement . `` I will be donating my favorite old cell phone to my Women 's Conference partner Verizon through their HopeLine program that helps domestic violence shelters . I invite anyone else who wants to recycle their old phone to join me . That 's my version of swift action with a higher purpose . '' The traffic office referred questions about Shriver to the governor 's office , which declined to comment . `` We do n't really think that hand-held bans have a whole lot of impact , '' said Jonathan Adkins , spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association in Washington . The association urges drivers not to use phones , including hands-free devices , while driving , but does not support laws banning them , he said . The attention to Shriver `` alludes to a bigger problem , and that 's the fact that everybody does it , '' Adkins said . `` Not only are public officials doing it , but we have to educate the highway safety community . ... Cops frequently are on their cell phones when they drive . `` The Shriver case really underscores the scope of the problem . We have a lot of educating to do . '' Shriver 's most recent alleged violations come on the heels of AAA Northern California 's `` Heads Up Driving Week , '' during which the auto club urged motorists to get in the habit of driving without distractions such as cell phones , fast food and tuning the stereo . `` We hope that by driving distraction-free for a week , people can pick up the habit for life , '' AAA spokesman Matt Skryja said in a news release . Seven states and the District of Columbia ban all handheld cell phone use by drivers . Several other states allow localities to set their own limits on cell phone use . | NEW : Shriver apologizes and says she will donate her cell phone to charity . California Highway Patrol issues 150,000 cell phone tickets in first year . Gossip site catches Shriver apparently violating cell phone law ; she 's not cited . California first lady 's gaffes point to bigger problem , safety advocate says . | [[2013, 2051], [2104, 2183], [1158, 1181], [1184, 1273], [1484, 1512], [2824, 2879], [3106, 3171]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Scientists have discovered the first confirmed Earthlike planet outside our solar system , they announced Wednesday . An artist 's impression shows what the planet may look like in close orbit with its sun . `` This is the first confirmed rocky planet in another system , '' astronomer Artie Hatzes told CNN , contrasting the solid planet with gaseous ones like Jupiter and Saturn . But `` Earthlike '' is a relative term . The planet 's composition may be similar to that of Earth , but its environment is more like a vision of hell , the project 's lead astronomer said . It is so close to the star it orbits `` that the place may well look like Dante 's Inferno , with a probable temperature on its ` day face ' above 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit -LRB- 2,000 degrees Celsius -RRB- and minus-328 degrees Fahrenheit -LRB- minus 200 degrees Celsius -RRB- on its night face , '' said Didier Queloz of Geneva Observatory in Switzerland , the project leader . Hatzes , explaining that one side of the body is always facing the star and the other side always faces away , said the side `` facing the sun is probably molten . The other side could actually have ice '' if there is water on the planet . `` We think it has no atmosphere to redistribute the heat , '' Hatzes told CNN from Barcelona , Spain , where he is attending the `` Pathways Towards Habitable Planets '' conference . The astronomers were stunned to find a rocky planet so near a star , he said . `` We would have never dreamed you would find a rocky planet so close , '' he said . `` Its year is less than one of our days . '' The planet , known as CoRoT-7b , was detected early last year , but it took months of observation to determine that it had a composition roughly similar to Earth 's , the European Southern Observatory said in a statement . Astronomers were able to measure the dimensions of the planet by watching as it passed in front of the star it orbits , then carried out 70 hours of study of the planet 's effect on its star to infer its weight . With that information in hand , they were able to calculate its density -- and were thrilled with what they found , Hatzes said . `` What makes this exciting is you compare the density of this planet to the planets in our solar system , it 's only Mercury , Venus and Earth that are similar , '' Hatzes , of the Thuringer observatory in Germany , told CNN . They were helped by the fact that CoRoT-7b is relatively close to Earth -- about 500 light years away , in the constellation of Monoceros , the Unicorn . `` It 's in our solar neighborhood , '' Hatzes said . `` The thing that made it easier is it 's relatively close , so it 's relatively bright . If this star was much much farther away , we would n't have been able to do these measurements . '' At about five times Earth 's mass -LRB- though not quite twice as large in circumference -RRB- , it is the smallest planet ever spotted outside our solar system . It also has the fastest orbit . The planet whizzes around its star more than seven times faster than Earth moves , and is 23 times closer to the star than Mercury is to our sun . The planet was first detected early in 2008 by the CoRoT satellite , a 30-centimeter space telescope launched by the European Space Agency in December 2006 , specifically with the mission of detecting rocky planets outside the solar system . At least 42 scientists at 17 institutions on three continents worked on the project . They are publishing their findings in a special issue of the Astronomy and Astrophysics journal on October 22 as `` The CoRoT-7 Planetary System : Two Orbiting Super-Earths . '' | The planet , known as CoRoT-7b , was detected early last year . It took months to determine that it had a composition roughly similar to Earth 's . The planet is about five times more massive than Earth . Astronomer : It is so close to the star it orbits that it may `` look like Dante 's Inferno '' | [[1606, 1636], [1639, 1667], [3140, 3160], [3170, 3206], [3140, 3150], [3155, 3206], [443, 500], [1674, 1703], [1674, 1676], [1704, 1770], [137, 226], [167, 226], [593, 619], [611, 629], [633, 798]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Seiji Ozawa is Asia 's most successful conductor , a maestro in a quintessentially Western art form , and a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan . But the affable 74-year-old is used to crossing cultural boundaries . Born in Manchuria during the Japanese occupation - his father a Buddhist , his mother a Presbyterian - he was raised in Tokyo , and greatly influenced by western culture and a Christian upbringing . His love of music was first explored through the church , but later he studied at the Toho School of Music in Tokyo . A career as a pianist was curtailed when the 16-year-old sports-loving Ozawa broke two fingers during a rugby match . From Toho he traveled to Europe and New York to further his studies . It was a steep learning curve where he learnt how to deal first-hand with other cultures and prejudices . `` I have many problem , beginning . Um ... maybe now , I do n't know , but beginning especially . It was difficult . Some people ask me , ` You came from China , you came from Japan , do you really understand Bach or do you really understand Mozart ? ' '' he told CNN . After years abroad , his return to Japan in 1962 to conduct the NHK Symphony Orchestra for six months was far from a happy homecoming ; the orchestra rebelled and refused to play for him . `` I made mistake , and I think it was too soon -LSB- for me -RSB- to take a professional orchestra for six months and at the end I think they had enough . `` I think I was a little bit stuck up ... I mean , I was conducting the best orchestra in Japan already I 'm still 26 or 27 . Very young . And I think I 'm sure during rehearsal I say something not so nice . And in Japan very bad if conductor say something not so nice . But I learned , so I become more careful and I think I started more studying , so not make mistake . `` But in a way , it may sound very strange , but really it did me good that boycott . '' It meant Ozawa explored opportunities outside of Japan , directing festivals and orchestras across Europe , Canada and the U.S. . He became musical director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra a post he held for 29 years until 2004 . He left Boston for Vienna to embrace a new challenge with the State Opera . As well as the challenge of a new city and repertory , Ozawa believes it was a move that rounded out his musical education , even if he was 68-years-old at the time . When a young conductor his interest in opera had been fostered by his early tutor Herbert von Karajan . `` He said if you do n't study this , one half of Mozart you 'll never touch and almost 99 percent of Wagner , almost 100 percent of Puccini and Verdi , you know , half of Mozart is gone . '' While Ozawa will step down from his position at the Vienna State Opera next summer , he will remain active in directing , conducting and educating the next generation in classical music . `` I have big hope all Asiatic people and countries ... everybody love music basically , '' he said . `` Teaching has become , I think , more and more important my life , really . '' | Seiji Ozawa was musical director of Boston Symphony Orchestra for 29 years . Successful career has seen Ozawa conduct some of world 's greatest orchestras . Had to deal with prejudice and expectation as Asian in Western dominated art form . | [[2047, 2113], [2107, 2147], [732, 837], [739, 761], [768, 837]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- With all of the recent deadly storms in the news , it may seem has though this year as been more active than a normal year . Since September 1 we have seen eight tropical cyclones , five of which became typhoons , two reaching Super Typhoon status , the strongest classification of tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific . A Philippines scientist points to a screen monitoring Tropical Storm Parma and Typhoon Melor . But when we look at the numbers , 2009 has actually been slightly below average . So far we have seen 19 tropical storms in the Western Pacific , which is slightly behind the pace needed to reach the yearly average of 27 . Named storms , however , are a notoriously poor metric for measuring the ferocity of tropical seasons . Take this year in the North Atlantic for instance . Yesterday , Tropical Storm Henri became the eighth named storm , coming only a week after the National Hurricane Center would normally name the eighth storm on an average year . So while 2009 may contain an average number of storms , no one will argue that 2009 has so far been a dud of a hurricane season in the Atlantic . This is largely due to the fact a majority of the storms so far this season have been weak , short-lived , and not made landfall -LRB- Tropical Storm Grace did not even last one day -RRB- . A better way to measure hurricane and typhoon seasons is with Accumulated Cyclone Energy -LRB- ACE -RRB- , a surprisingly simple mathematic calculation . The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , a U.S. scientific agency that studies oceans and the atmosphere , uses ACE to approximate the energy contained in each cyclone . ACE is continuously monitored all around the globe by Ryan Maue , a doctoral student at Florida State University , and according to Maue 's numbers the West Pacific is 20 percent below average for the season . For comparison , the North Atlantic is 50 percent below average for the year . Go here to see Maue 's research . Despite the fact that 2009 has been below average for the season , the past month has been remarkable , with five of the eight storms making direct landfall in Asia . Typhoon Melor made landfall in central Japan early Thursday . In the Philippines , people are still recovering after two typhoons hit the nation in less than two weeks . Typhoon Parma made landfall last weekend , killing at least 16 . Filipinos were still recovering from Typhoon Ketsana , which hit the country in late September . Hundreds of people were killed from that storm , primarily in the Philippines and Vietnam . Earlier in the summer , more than 600 people died in Taiwan after Typhoon Morakot struck in August . Also in August , Typhoon Etau killed more than a dozen in Taiwan after it brought flash floods and landslides . What is behind this recent uptick in activity and why are all the storms seemingly coming at once , and late in the season ? The answer may be El Nino , which refers to a periodic change in the atmosphere and ocean in the Pacific . During El Nino , the waters in the central and eastern Pacific are warmer than normal , and the effects on global weather can be drastic and far-reaching . According to Maue , we see more cyclones later in the season during El Nino years in the Western Pacific , and they tend to form farther east . With the warmer sea surface temperatures during an El Nino event , this would allow these storms more time over open water to grow into large and powerful typhoons . In fact , we tend to see more `` Super Typhoons '' during El Nino years , and this is true again this year , as Choi-Wan and Melor both reached Super Typhoon status . El Nino also is a likely culprit for the inactivity in the North Atlantic , since El Nino can cause more wind shear in the upper atmosphere , a condition that limits the ability of Tropical Cyclones to survive . | Spate of deadly storms have hit East Asia in recent weeks . Statistics show number of storms in Western Pacific in 2009 is below average . El Nino phenomenon likely culprit behind recent spate of Asia-Pacific storms . | [[443, 470], [473, 520], [1817, 1878], [2009, 2056], [2921, 2948]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The news editor of the Zambian newspaper The Post has gone on trial for allegedly circulating obscene material to politicians , the newspaper states on its Web site . Zambia President Rupiah Banda has branded the childbirth photos pornographic . In early June , Chansa Kabwela wrote to the country 's vice president , health minister and several non-governmental organizations to highlight problems in the country 's health-care system -- especially the problems pregnant women faced during a strike by health-care workers . In her letter , Kabwela included several photos of a woman giving birth in a parking lot outside a hospital from which she had been turned away , according to Reporters Without Borders . The country 's president , Rupiah Banda , branded the photos pornographic and called for Kabwela 's arrest and prosecution , according to the press freedom organization . `` Kabwela 's arrest is shocking and the grounds are ridiculous , '' the organization said in a statement on its Web site after the arrest . Now the trial into the alleged obscene photos has begun in the Lusaka magistrate 's court , the newspaper Web site says . One of the first witnesses , Kenneth Ngosa , a senior private secretary to the vice president , told the court he was immediately disturbed by the pictures he found inside the letter , according to the paper . The Post described the courtroom as `` packed to capacity '' and said `` people from all works of life including musicians and opposition political party members '' had come to support Kabwela . Defense lawyer George Chisanga has asked the court to look into whether the president 's order to arrest and prosecute Kabwela could influence the course of justice . A joint statement from several Zambian media organizations , published on The Post 's Web site , calls for the government to amend the law on obscenity to clarify what constitutes obscenity and material that can corrupt morals . The statement concedes that the pictures were in bad taste , but notes that they were sent on behalf of a good cause : to end the strike . CNN efforts to obtain comment from both The Post and the Zambian government have been unsuccessful . According to the latest figures from the World Health Organization , in 2004 the mortality rate of children under 5 years old in Zambia was 182 per 1,000 live births . In the United States , under-5 mortality rate was 8 per 1,000 live births in 2006 . Skilled health personnel attended only 43 percent of childbirths in Zambia in 2002 , according to the health organization . | News editor of Zambian newspaper on trial for circulating obscene material . Chansa Kabwela sent pictures of a woman giving birth in a parking lot to President . She says she wanted to highlight problems in country 's healthcare system . President Banda branded the images pornographic and had Kabwela arrested . | [[0, 15], [60, 144], [544, 557], [560, 651], [186, 264], [731, 755], [773, 804], [731, 755], [758, 764], [809, 853]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- There was no mistaking the target : the eight huge cooling towers at Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station , sending plumes of steam high into the watery blue sky of the English Midlands . A mix of peaceful protest and direct action took place at Ratcliffe-on-Soar , England . Instead the question in the minds of an estimated 1,000 protestors gathered in the surrounding woods and scrubland was how could they get in and shut it down . Surrounded by electrified fences , coils of razor wire and hundreds of police , this coal-fired power station run by German energy firm E.On was the target of environmental activists campaigning to stop climate change . Organizers of the protest , an amorphous group called the Camp for Climate Action , claim the plant is one of the UK 's largest sources of CO2 emissions and had named last weekend 's protest , `` The Great Climate Swoop '' . `` Climate change is one of the most important and urgent problems facing us , '' one protestor called Emma , told CNN . `` Our politicians are not doing enough . We have to take action . '' `` We need to increase the pressure on -LSB- UK prime minister -RSB- Gordon Brown until he changes his mind about coal , '' said another called Magoo . `` I would n't be here if I thought we could n't make a difference today . '' Many protestors were upbeat following a recent decision by E.On to shelve plans for a new coal powered power station at Kingsnorth , in southern England , and the site of a similar protest in 2008 . E.On told CNN that the decision was `` purely economic '' , and `` due to a marked fall in demand for electricity during the recession '' , although many activists were claiming it as a victory for them . Determination to act . There was no doubting the activists ' dedication . The weekend began peacefully enough with a procession snaking up from the East Midlands Parkway train station accompanied by a pedal-powered sound-system and a band . Several officers told CNN they were glad to be policing this event rather than a local football derby on the same day . Yet over 24-hours police say 57 protestors were arrested and both police and activists were injured in violent scuffles . The protest at Ratcliffe-on-Soar was the latest from a movement that has quickly come to define environmental activism in Britain , mixing elements of the mid-1990s road protest movement with the more targeted , professional approach of groups like Greenpeace and the mass civil disobedience modeled by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament . Although leaderless and non-hierarchical it has shown determination , organization and direction . There were several families with young children at the protests , as well as individuals of all ages , although the bulk were twenty - and thirty-somethings . While some wore bandanas to hide their faces , others were in dressed as clowns or scarecrows and seemed content to picnic within sight of the plant . Peaceful protest and police . In the spring James Hansen a climate modeler for NASA and prominent scientist lent his support for direct action , telling The Guardian newspaper : `` The democratic process does n't quite seem to be working ... I think that peaceful demonstration is not out of order , because we 're running out of time . '' The first action by Climate Camp for Climate Action was at Drax coal power station in 2006 , followed by Heathrow airport in 2007 and Kingsnorth coal power station in 2008 . In 2009 there have already been three events : a protest at the European Climate Exchange in London , to coincide with the G20 ; a camp on Blackheath , London , in August -- the site of the 1381 Peasant 's Revolt - and now the protests at Ratcliffe . All have been characterized by a mix of peaceful protest around a `` camp '' that is intended to model low-carbon living , alongside militant direct action - and an increasingly tense relationship with police . At Kingsnorth a huge police presence carried out over 8,000 searches according to an official report by the National Policing Improvement Agency , which also criticized tactics as `` disproportionate and counterproductive '' . The death of Ian Tomlinson after being pushed to the ground by an officer at the G20 protests this April led to a storm of criticism , and seems to have brought about some changes in police tactics -- arresting activists before they act , rather than confronting them in the field . Last week ten people intending to come to Ratcliffe-on-Soar were held by police on suspicion of conspiracy to commit aggravated trespass , according to Police . Others have claimed they were phoned and told they would be arrested if they came -- something the police deny . Willing to be arrested . Some of the most dramatic scenes came on Saturday afternoon came when hundreds of protestors mobbed around the perimeter fence on the north side of the plant and attempted to pull it down . Ropes were attached to fence posts , with protestors clasping their hands over them as officers tried to cut the cords with knives and secateurs , as the crowd heaved down the fences . Others climbed up and hung on -- including one man and his young daughter . It was in this moment that a division seemed to emerge between those ready to confront the police head on , and those holding back . Above the few dozen actually at the fence were many more holding back , cheering , but wondering what to do , obviously frightened of being arrested . `` Come down ! '' came the cry from one man at the fence . `` This is not a spectator sport ! '' But few did . While the movement prides itself on inclusivity , and commitment is welcome at any level , it clearly needs people ready to be arrested . Whether the weekend 's protests will inspire more of those who came to greater militancy next time around -- or scare them away - remains to be seen . But as dusk fell on Saturday night and camp was set the protestors were claiming victory -- and the next target was already clear As they packed up tents and sleeping bags the next day after a chilly night under the stars , cell phones chirruped as a message arrived : `` We did it ! 24 hrs of truly inspirational action ! Fences down , gates blockaded , railway occupied , a camp in the woods . `` Now onwards to Copenhagen ! '' | Eco activists gathered at power station in UK to protest against climate change . Called `` The Great Climate Swoop '' it was latest direct action by UK eco activists . Protestors camped out over weekend , some tried to break into power station . Event revealed difference between peaceful protestors and more militant element . | [[609, 669], [4739, 4771], [4799, 4913], [4809, 4838], [4901, 4928], [5190, 5295]] |
Perugia , Italy -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A defense lawyer for Amanda Knox made an impassioned plea to the jury Wednesday as the high-profile case neared its conclusion . Knox is the American student accused of killing her British roommate , Meredith Kercher , at the villa they shared in Italy . `` We suffer at the memory of Meredith . But we look at the future of Amanda , '' Luciano Ghirga said in his defense summation . `` Meredith was my friend , '' he quoted Knox as saying , rejecting the notion that she hated her roommate , who was fatally stabbed in November 2007 . Prosecutors say Kercher died during a twisted sex game in which Knox taunted Kercher , and two men -- Knox 's then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito , 26 , and acquaintance Rudy Guede -- sexually assaulted her . The prosecution says a knife found in Sollecito 's house had Knox 's DNA on the handle and Kercher 's on the blade , among other pieces of evidence . But Ghirga rejected the accusations against Knox on Wednesday . He attacked the way police and prosecutors had treated the defendant , giving them a symbolic `` red card '' -- a referee 's sign in soccer that a player is being expelled from the game for breaking the rules . Ghirga concluded an emotional oration -- sobbing as he came to the end -- by asking the judge and jury to acquit Knox , because her mother asked him to request it , because her family asked it . Knox 's father , Curt , said Wednesday she had been a victim of `` character assassination , '' and expressed hope she would be found not guilty . Members of Kercher 's family have declined repeated CNN requests for comment on the case . But prosecutor Giuliano Mignini accused the defense of `` lynching '' the Italian police who worked on the case . He defended the work of the police and the credibility of the prosecution witnesses as he responded to Ghirga 's arguments Wednesday . And he called again for life sentences for Knox and Sollecito if they are found guilty . Italy does not have the death penalty . The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Friday , after the prosecution completes its summary . Another Knox attorney on Tuesday said the prosecution 's theory does n't fit the facts of the case and there is not sufficient evidence to find her guilty . Calling Knox a victim herself , Carlo della Vedova said the police had rushed to judgment following the murder , leaving Knox to fend off a myriad of false media reports regarding the crime . The lawyer showed photos published in the media , purportedly showing the crime scene , that were n't authentic -- including a photo of the bathroom -- and said false allegations and rumors about Knox 's character created a bias from the start . Della Vedova also questioned the change in what prosecutor Mignini said was the motive for the murder . In preliminary hearings , Mignini argued Knox , Sollecito and Guede slashed Kercher 's throat during a sexual misadventure as the two men vied for Knox 's attention . In recent days , Mignini has focused more on what he says was a hatred between the two roommates . Defense lawyers have staunchly disagreed , claiming the two women were friends . Ghirga on Wednesday said the two had gone to a chocolate festival together days before Kercher was killed . The defense has argued that Guede , who was convicted in a separate fast-track trial and is currently appealing his conviction , was the sole killer . The defense has said there is no evidence tying the three suspects together or proving they planned Kercher 's murder . Della Vedova also focused during closing arguments on the lack of evidence tying Knox to the crime scene . As defense lawyers have throughout the entire trial , he cast doubt on DNA evidence that prosecutors claim shows Knox 's DNA on the handle of the alleged murder weapon . The defense has said the knife does n't match Kercher 's wounds or an imprint of the knife left on a bedsheet , and the DNA sample is too small to be conclusive . During the first day of closing arguments for Knox 's lawyers , della Vedova stressed to the eight-member jury that they should also keep church law in mind as they decide whether to find Knox and Sollecito guilty or not guilty . He told the jury they needed to be `` morally certain of their decision . '' `` If you have the minimum of doubts , you must absolve this young girl -- a girl that is merely 22 years old , '' he said . Knox and Sollecito , who both deny any role in the murder , have been jailed for more than two years since they were arrested on charges of murder and sexual violence . Their trial began in January . CNN 's Mallory Simon contributed to this report . | NEW : Prosecutor accuses defense of `` lynching '' police who worked on case . Defense lawyer for Amanda Knox becomes emotional during Wednesday 's closing argument . Luciano Ghirga sobs as he tells the jury Knox is innocent and has been mistreated . Knox , an American student , is accused of murdering her British roommate in Italy . | [[1640, 1705], [0, 7], [10, 31], [68, 114], [1203, 1251], [1220, 1240], [1244, 1320], [0, 7], [10, 31], [68, 114], [1203, 1251], [1220, 1240], [1244, 1320], [164, 251]] |
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- He got a standing ovation before the orchestra even played a single note . Gustavo Dudamel has been compared to the legendary Leonard Bernstein by one critic . For weeks now , anticipation has been growing for the arrival of fiery young Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel to take over the Los Angeles Philharmonic , and the crowd could n't wait to roar its approval at his arrival . Dudamel , 28 , engenders a passion among music lovers that is entirely new to the world of classical music . Tickets for his Saturday debut as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic disappeared within minutes -- the fastest sellout in the history of the 18,000-seat Hollywood Bowl . `` He is a phenomenon , '' said Mark Swed , Los Angeles Times music critic . `` He generates excitement the likes of which has n't come around in a very , very long time -- maybe since Leonard Bernstein . '' Watch the exciting Dudamel wield the baton '' Swed was in the audience two years ago when Dudamel conducted the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra at the Walt Disney Concert Hall , delivering a reading of Beethoven 's Fourth Symphony that left fans delirious . `` I have n't seen that kind of reaction from a crowd since I saw the Beatles at Dodger Stadium , '' Swed said . Dudamel 's face has been a common sight for months in Los Angeles . His billboards look down on freeway commuters . He adorns city buses . At the famous Hollywood hot dog stand Pink 's , there is even a dog named in his honor -- the `` Dude Dog , '' piled high with jalapeno peppers , guacamole and tortilla chips . While it 's not exactly Venezuelan cuisine , in Los Angeles , there can be no surer sign that the conductor known as `` The Dude '' has arrived . So where did Dudamel get this musical magic ? He said at least a part of his talent is inherited . `` I started studying music when I was 4 , '' he said . `` I wanted to play trombone like my father . '' Soon young Gustavo entered into El Sistema , Venezuela 's state-financed music education program . Hundreds of thousands of children have received instruments and music instruction through the nation 's massive system of youth orchestras . `` You can not imagine , '' said Dudamel , `` how it changes the life of a kid if you put a violin or a cello or a flute -LSB- in his hand -RSB- . You feel you have your world . You have your life there , and it changes your life . This happened to me . '' As music director of the philharmonic , Dudamel said he hopes to spread a little of the El Sistema magic in Los Angeles . He already has organized one youth orchestra in the run-down neighborhoods of south Los Angeles . Those music students opened for the orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl . The concert also featured student musicians playing alongside jazz legend Herbie Hancock . Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and bluesman Taj Mahal rounded out an eclectic bill designed to pull in a broad cross-section of music lovers . But it was Dudamel and Beethoven 's Ninth Symphony that brought the crowd to its feet at the concert 's end . It was a promising beginning for a man many are hailing as the savior of classical music . They hope Dudamel can bring a whole new audience to symphonic music , and believe the Los Angeles Philharmonic is the perfect podium for the young maestro . `` He fits in with this town in a lot of ways , '' Swed said . `` Obviously being Spanish-speaking in a city where the majority of people either speak Spanish or understand some Spanish ... you know he fits in . The youth culture ? He is young . He is also great , which does n't hurt . '' | Gustavo Dudamel , known as `` The Dude , '' brings Beatles-like frenzy to Los Angeles . The Venezuelan , 28 , is the new conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic . His Saturday debut sold out 18,000-seat Hollywood Bowl faster than anyone ever . Los Angeles Times music critic calls Dudamel `` a phenomenon '' | [[269, 359], [744, 796]] |
Seoul , South Korea -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- CNN takes an in-depth look at South Korea , including how the nation is working to become a brand leader on an international scale and on how the nation is recovering from the global economic recession . Included in the coverage are looks at architecture , cars , cuisine and the business climate in the East Asian nation . In addition to its `` Eye on South Korea '' coverage , CNN International 's interview program `` Talk Asia '' will feature Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung starting Wednesday and K-pop icon and actor Rain . Among the highlights of the coverage has been South Korea 's first lady offering her tips on her nation 's cuisine to CNN anchor and correspondent Kristie Lu Stout . CNN 's Kyung Lah also takes a look at hour South Korea is revamping its economy to environmental-themed businesses . | CNN 's `` Eye on South Korea '' programming focuses on East Asian nation . Issues covered range from business to lifestyle topics . South Korean first lady provides personal look at nation 's cuisine . | [[0, 5], [39, 80], [745, 761], [767, 799], [625, 744]] |
OAKLEY , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The black box sat inside a cabinet . Philip Garrido had given it to a friend for safekeeping , and that 's where the friend kept it . The black box has jacks for plugging in headphones . Philip Garrido claimed it could speak his thoughts . `` He feels he can speak to you and me and everyone else using this box , '' said Garrido 's friend and former business client , who spoke on condition of anonymity . `` He was a whack job , but he was a whack job who sounded like he had a really good heart , '' the friend added . Garrido and his wife , Nancy , were arrested last month and charged on more than two dozen counts , including kidnapping and rape . Authorities say the Garridos held Jaycee Dugard , 29 , captive for nearly two decades in their backyard . Both have pleaded not guilty . Authorities have said Garrido , a registered sex offender , fathered Dugard 's two children . A few days before his arrest , Garrido delivered some documents touting the device to the FBI . The black box is simple , with a handle , a metal switch and jacks for plugging in headphones . But it provides some insight into the mind of 58-year-old Garrido . Garrido told his friend and customers of his printing business that the box allowed him to communicate without speaking . `` He would move his lips and not speak ... and you would be able to hear his voice through the headphones , '' the friend said . Three years ago , Garrido demonstrated the box for clients of his printing business . The clients , some of them at least , went along with his claims for the device . `` I did n't want to tell him you 're a kook and you do n't know what you 're talking about , '' said Tim Allen , who owns a glass shop in Antioch . Even so , Allen and several other former Garrido clients signed declarations saying the device worked . `` People believe in things . I did n't think it was my place to shoot him down , '' Allen said . Garrido so believed in the power of his invention that he wanted to have the device patented , so he solicited the help of a private investigator last year . `` He was speaking normal , dressed normal , acting normal , '' said Ralph Hernandez , who spent 30 years in law enforcement before becoming an independent private investigator . Hernandez said he agreed to help Garrido verify the testimonials that the product actually worked , but he never saw the box . Garrido told him it would be best if he did n't , the investigator said . Hernandez said he provided all the requested information to Garrido . `` This was like the last part before he would take whatever he had had to a lawyer to prepare for patenting , '' Hernandez said . Documents obtained by CNN include a news release that Garrido produced : . `` A Bay area man has made a major discovery concerning the phenomenon of voice , '' the release says , accompanied by a photograph of Garrido . Read the news release . Though it 's not known whether Garrido hired a patent attorney , there 's no record at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office of a patent application or a patent granted to him . But 48 hours before he was arrested , Garrido gave the device to his friend for safekeeping . `` I can only guess that he knew something bad was going to happen , '' he said . Meanwhile , investigators will begin excavating part of the Garridos ' California property Monday afternoon after two sheriff 's dogs trained to find human remains alerted authorities of possible buried bones , officials said . The search is in the same area as a canine alert last week , said Lt. Chris Orrey of the Hayward , California , police department . Ground-penetrating radar also found an `` anomaly '' in that area , Orrey said Monday . Investigators have already found bone fragments at the property in unincorporated Contra Costa County but have not said whether they are human . | Phillip Garrido told people box allowed him to communicate without speaking . He would only move his lips , friend says , and you were supposed to hear his voice . Garrido and his wife face felony counts in case of Jaycee Dugard , abducted in 1991 . For more on this story , watch `` Anderson Cooper 360 '' Monday at 10 p.m. ET . | [[1184, 1305], [1252, 1305], [1309, 1331], [1350, 1412], [561, 581], [621, 692]] |
New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Like most people , I 'd given some thought to what meat actually is , but until I became a father and faced the prospect of having to make food choices on someone else 's behalf , there was no urgency to get to the bottom of things . I 'm a novelist and never had it in mind to write nonfiction . Frankly , I doubt I 'll ever do it again . But the subject of animal agriculture , at this moment , is something no one should ignore . As a writer , putting words on the page is how I pay attention . If the way we raise animals for food is n't the most important problem in the world right now , it 's arguably the No. 1 cause of global warming : The United Nations reports the livestock business generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all forms of transportation combined . It 's the No. 1 cause of animal suffering , a decisive factor in the creation of zoonotic diseases like bird and swine flu , and the list goes on . It is the problem with the most deafening silence surrounding it . Even the most political people , the most thoughtful and engaged , tend not to `` go there . '' And for good reason . Going there can be extremely uncomfortable . Food is not just what we put in our mouths to fill up ; it is culture and identity . Reason plays some role in our decisions about food , but it 's rarely driving the car . We need a better way to talk about eating animals , a way that does n't ignore or even just shruggingly accept things like habits , cravings , family and history but rather incorporates them into the conversation . The more they are allowed in , the more able we will be to follow our best instincts . And although there are many respectable ways to think about meat , there is not a person on Earth whose best instincts would lead him or her to factory farming . My book , `` Eating Animals , '' addresses factory farming from numerous perspectives : animal welfare , the environment , the price paid by rural communities , the economic costs . In two essays , I will share some of what I 've learned about how the way we raise animals for food affects human health . What we eat and what we are . Why are n't more people aware of , and angry about , the rates of avoidable food-borne illness ? Perhaps it does n't seem obvious that something is amiss simply because anything that happens all the time -- like meat , especially poultry , becoming infected by pathogens -- tends to fade into the background . Whatever the case , if you know what to look for , the pathogen problem comes into terrifying focus . For example , the next time a friend has a sudden `` flu '' -- what folks sometimes misdescribe as `` the stomach flu '' -- ask a few questions . Was your friend 's illness one of those `` 24-hour flus '' that come and go quickly : retch or crap , then relief ? The diagnosis is n't quite so simple , but if the answer to this question is yes , your friend probably did n't have the flu at all . He or she was probably suffering from one of the 76 million cases of food-borne illness the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated happen in America each year . Your friend did n't `` catch a bug '' so much as eat a bug . And in all likelihood , that bug was created by factory farming . Beyond the sheer number of illnesses linked to factory farming , we know that factory farms are contributing to the growth of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens simply because these farms consume so many antimicrobials . We have to go to a doctor to obtain antibiotics and other antimicrobials as a public-health measure to limit the number of such drugs being taken by humans . We accept this inconvenience because of its medical importance . Microbes eventually adapt to antimicrobials , and we want to make sure it is the truly sick who benefit from the finite number of uses any antimicrobial will have before the microbes learn how to survive it . On a typical factory farm , drugs are fed to animals with every meal . In poultry factory farms , they almost have to be . It 's a perfect storm : The animals have been bred to such extremes that sickness is inevitable , and the living conditions promote illness . Industry saw this problem from the beginning , but rather than accept less-productive animals , it compensated for the animals ' compromised immunity with drugs . As a result , farmed animals are fed antibiotics nontherapeutically : that is , before they get sick . In the United States , about 3 million pounds of antibiotics are given to humans each year , but a whopping 17.8 million pounds are fed to livestock -- at least , that is what the industry claims . The Union of Concerned Scientists estimated that the industry underreported its antibiotic use by at least 40 percent . The group calculated that 24.6 million pounds of antibiotics were fed to chickens , pigs and other farmed animals , counting only nontherapeutic uses . And that was in 2001 . In other words , for every dose of antibiotics taken by a sick human , eight doses are given to a `` healthy '' animal . The implications for creating drug-resistant pathogens are quite straightforward . Study after study has shown that antimicrobial resistance follows quickly on the heels of the introduction of new drugs on factory farms . For example , in 1995 , when the Food and Drug Administration approved fluoroquinolones -- such as Cipro -- for use in chickens against the protest of the Centers for Disease Control , the percentage of bacteria resistant to this powerful new class of antibiotics rose from almost zero to 18 percent by 2002 . A broader study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed an eightfold increase in antimicrobial resistance from 1992 to 1997 and linked this increase to the use of antimicrobials in farmed chickens . As far back as the late 1960s , scientists have warned against the nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in farmed-animal feed . Today , institutions as diverse as the American Medical Association ; the Centers for Disease Control ; the Institute of Medicine , a division of the National Academy of Sciences ; and the World Health Organization have linked nontherapeutic antibiotic use on factory farms with increased antimicrobial resistance and called for a ban . Still , the factory farm industry has effectively opposed such a ban in the United States . And , unsurprisingly , the limited bans in other countries are only a limited solution . There is a glaring reason that the necessary total ban on nontherapeutic use of antibiotics has n't happened : The factory farm industry , allied with the pharmaceutical industry , has more power than public-health professionals . What is the source of the industry 's immense power ? We give it to them . We have chosen , unwittingly , to fund this industry on a massive scale by eating factory-farmed animal products . And we do so daily . The same conditions that lead at least 76 million Americans to become ill from their food annually and that promote antimicrobial resistance also contribute to the risk of a pandemic . At a remarkable 2004 conference , the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations , the World Health Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health -LRB- OIE -RRB- put their tremendous resources together to evaluate the available information on `` emerging zoonotic diseases '' or those spread by humans-to - animals and animals-to-humans . At the time of the conference , H5N1 and SARS topped the list of feared emerging zoonotic diseases . Today , the H1N1 swine flu would be the pathogen enemy No. 1 . The scientists distinguished between `` primary risk factors '' for zoonotic diseases and mere `` amplification risk factors , '' which affect only the rate at which a disease spreads . Their examples of primary risk factors were `` change to an agricultural production system or consumption patterns . '' What particular agricultural and consumer changes did they have in mind ? First in a list of four main risk factors was `` increasing demand for animal protein , '' which is a way of saying that demand for meat , eggs , and dairy is a `` primary factor '' influencing emerging zoonotic diseases . This demand for animal products , the report continues , leads to `` changes in farming practices . '' Lest we have any confusion about the `` changes '' that are relevant , poultry factory farms are singled out . Similar conclusions were reached by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology , which brought together industry experts and experts from the WHO , OIE and USDA . Their 2005 report argued that a major impact of factory farming is `` the rapid selection and amplification of pathogens that arise from a virulent ancestor -LRB- frequently by subtle mutation -RRB- , thus there is increasing risk for disease entrance and/or dissemination . '' Breeding genetically uniform and sickness-prone birds in the overcrowded , stressful , feces-infested and artificially lit conditions of factory farms promotes the growth and mutation of pathogens . The `` cost of increased efficiency , '' the report concludes , is increased global risk for diseases . Our choice is simple : cheap chicken or our health . Today , the factory farm-pandemic link could n't be more lucid . The primary ancestor of the recent H1N1 swine flu outbreak originated at a hog factory farm in America 's most hog-factory-rich state , North Carolina , and then quickly spread throughout the Americas . It was in these factory farms that scientists saw , for the first time , viruses that combined genetic material from bird , pig and human viruses . Scientists at Columbia and Princeton Universities have actually been able to trace six of the eight genetic segments of the most feared virus in the world directly to U.S. factory farms . Perhaps in the back of our minds we already understand , without all the science , that something terribly wrong is happening . We know that it can not possibly be healthy to raise such grotesque animals in such grossly unnatural conditions . We know that if someone offers to show us a film on how our meat is produced , it will be a horror film . We perhaps know more than we care to admit , keeping it down in the dark places of our memory -- disavowed . When we eat factory-farmed meat , we live on tortured flesh . Increasingly , those sick animals are making us sick . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jonathan Safran Foer . | Jonathan Safran Foer : Inhumane way we raise animals for slaughter poisons us all . Foer : Factory farming tied to global warming , swine and bird flu , other illnesses . He says animals loaded with antibiotics , live in gruesome conditions . System driven by food and pharmaceutical industries ; Foer asks : Why no outcry ? | [[2046, 2126], [10350, 10362], [10365, 10404], [3298, 3333], [8380, 8419], [9971, 10072], [6448, 6626]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Six days before the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall , German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday and challenged U.S. lawmakers to tear down other walls . `` Today 's generation needs to prove that it can meet the challenges of the 21st century . In a sense , we are able to tear down walls of today , '' she said . What that means , Merkel said , is `` creating freedom and security , creating prosperity and justice . And it means protecting our planet . '' Merkel , the first German chancellor to address a joint meeting of Congress , emphasized the need for an agreement on global warming . `` Icebergs are melting in the Arctic . In Africa , people become refugees because their environment has been destroyed , '' she said . `` We need an agreement on one objective : Global warming must not exceed 2 degrees Celsius . '' She said she hopes that agreement will be reached at a the climate conference in Copenhagen , Denmark , next month . Merkel also touched on the global financial crisis , saying that the `` near collapse of the markets has shown what happens when there is no underpinning order . '' `` A globalized economy needs a global order ... a global framework of rules , '' she said . `` Without global rules and transparency and supervision , we will not gain more freedom , but rather risk the abuse of freedom and thus risk instability . '' Merkel also recalled her years in East Germany before the wall fell . The United States , `` the land of unlimited opportunity was for me , for a long time , impossible to reach , '' she said . `` The wall , barbed wire and the order to shoot at those who tried to leave limited my access to the free world , '' she said . Merkel said she and her countrymen owed the United States for its friendship and support . `` To put it in just one sentence , I know , we Germans know , how much we owe to you , our American friends , and I personally shall never ever forget this , '' she said . Earlier , President Obama welcomed Merkel and thanked her for her country 's `` sacrifice '' in Afghanistan . He also called her a leader on the issue of climate change . He said her opportunity to speak to the joint meeting of Congress was a `` great honor . '' `` It is , I think , a very appropriate honor that 's been bestowed on Chancellor Merkel , '' he said . In 1957 , German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer addressed the House and Senate separately , Merkel said . | Angela Merkel is first German chancellor to address a joint meeting of Congress . She stressed protecting the planet , need for an agreement on global warming . Merkel : Near collapse of the markets shows what happens when there is no order . | [[100, 180], [552, 618], [503, 539], [543, 549], [621, 677], [1028, 1034], [1040, 1078], [1088, 1128], [1028, 1034], [1081, 1189]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Manager Jose Mourinho was sent off as Italian leaders Inter Milan crashed to a 2-1 defeat at title hopefuls Juventus on Saturday night . Second-placed AC Milan are now four points adrift of their city rivals after a 3-0 home crushing of Sampdoria , who remained in fifth . Ten-man Juve went third , five points behind Inter , after ending the defending champions ' eight-match unbeaten run in Serie A. Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo was credited with the 20th-minute opening goal in Turin as he deflected in a free-kick from compatriot Diego , and Mourinho was ordered from the dugout following his protestations about the foul being awarded in the first place . Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o leveled six minutes later with a header from Dejan Stankovic 's cross , but new Italy international Claudio Marchisio gave the home side victory in the 58th minute after goalkeeper Julio Cesar blocked a shot by midfielder Mohamed Sissoko . Melo was sent off with three minutes left for his second yellow card after aiming an elbow at Mario Balotelli , who was also booked for his theatrical reaction . The defeat was a blow to Inter 's confidence ahead of Wednesday 's Champions League showdown with Russia 's Rubin Kazan at the San Siro , with the winner earning a place in the knockout stages . AC Milan scored all three goals in the first half as striker Marco Borriello , who used to play for Sampdoria 's city rivals Genoa , headed the opener in the first minute from Ronaldinho 's cross . The Brazilian was in fine form , and also set up the second goal for Clarence Seedorf in the 21st minute as he threaded a neat pass to the veteran Dutch midfielder . Ronaldinho 's compatriot Alexandre Pato made it 3-0 just two minutes later with his seventh goal of the season , netting at the second attempt after goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi blocked his initial effort following a header on by Borriello . It was Milan 's fifth successive victory , with coach Leonardo taking Ronaldinho off at halftime as a precaution due to a slight knee problem ahead of Tuesday 's Champions League trip to FC Zurich , which will determine whether the Rossoneri qualify for the knockout stages . Sampdoria slumped to a third defeat in a week , having been knocked out of the Italian Cup by lowly Livorno in midweek following the embarrassing 3-0 derby defeat to Genoa last weekend . | Jose Mourinho sent off as Italian leaders Inter Milan lose 2-1 at Juventus . Manager ordered from dugout for his protests following the opening goal by Juve . Third-placed Juventus are now five points behind the defending champions . Second-placed AC Milan are four points behind their rivals after beating Sampdoria 3-0 . | [[0, 15], [19, 84], [57, 155], [562, 645], [156, 265]] |
Forget about 20/20 . `` Perfect '' vision could be redefined by gadgets that give you the eyes of a cyborg . The surface of the eye can be used to measure much of the same data you would get from blood tests . The tech industry calls the digital enrichment of the physical world `` augmented reality . '' Such technology is already appearing in smartphones and toys , and enthusiasts dream of a pair of glasses we could don to enhance our everyday perception . But why stop there ? Scientists , eye surgeons , professors and students at the University of Washington have been developing a contact lens containing one built-in LED , powered wirelessly with radio frequency waves . Eventually , more advanced versions of the lens could be used to provide a wealth of information , such as virtual captions scrolling beneath every person or object you see . Significantly , it could also be used to monitor your own vital signs , such as body temperature and blood glucose level . Why a contact lens ? The surface of the eye contains enough data about the body to perform personal health monitoring , according to Babak Parvis , a University of Washington professor of bionanotechnology , who is working on the project . `` The eye is our little door into the body , '' Parvis told Wired.com . With gadgets becoming increasingly mobile and powerful , the technology industry is seeing a steady stream of applications devoted to health . A few examples include a cellphone microscope used to diagnose malaria , surgeons honing their skills with the Nintendo Wiimote , and an iPhone app made for diabetes patients to track their glucose levels . A contact lens with augmented-reality powers would take personal health monitoring several steps further , Parvis said , because the surface of the eye can be used to measure much of the data you would read from your blood tests , including cholesterol , sodium , potassium and glucose levels . And that 's just the beginning . Because this sort of real-time health monitoring has been impossible in the past , there 's likely more about the human eye we have n't yet discovered , Parvis said . And beyond personal health monitoring , this finger-tip sized gadget could one day create a new interface for gaming , social networking and , well , interacting with reality in general . Parvis and his colleagues have been working on their multipurpose lens since 2004 . They integrated miniature antennas , control circuits , an LED and radio chips into the lens using optoelectronic components they built from scratch . They hope these components will eventually include hundreds of LEDs to display images in front of the eye . Think words , charts and even photographs . Sounds neat , does n't it ? But the group faces a number of challenges before achieving true augmented eye vision . First and foremost , safety is a prime concern with a device that comes in contact with the eye . To ensure the lens is safe to wear , the group has been testing prototypes on live rabbits , who have successfully worn the lenses for 20 minutes at a time with no adverse effects . However , the lens must undergo much more testing before gaining approval from the Food and Drug Administration . A fundamental challenge this contact lens will face is the task of tracking the human eye , said Blair MacIntyre , an associate professor and director of the augmented environments lab at Georgia Tech College of Computing . MacIntyre is not involved in the contact lens product , but he helped develop an augmented-reality zombie shooter game . `` These developments are obviously very far from being usable , but very exciting , '' MacIntyre said . `` Using them for AR will be very hard . You need to know exactly where the user is looking if you want to render graphics that line up with the world , especially when their eyes saccade -LRB- jump around -RRB- , which our eyes do at a very high rate . '' Given that obstacle , we 're more likely to see wearable augmented-reality eyeware in the form of glasses before a contact lens , MacIntyre said . With glasses , we 'll only need to track where the glasses are and where the eyes are relative to them as opposed to where the eyes are actually looking . And with a contact lens , it will be difficult to cram heavy computational power into such a small device , even with today 's state-of-the-art technologies , Parvis admits . There are many advanced sensors that would amplify the lens ' abilities , but the difficulty lies in integrating them , which is why Parvis and his colleagues have had to engineer their own components . And when the contact lens evolves from personal health monitoring into more processor-intense augmented-reality applications , it 's more likely it will have to draw its powers from a companion device such as a smartphone , he said . Layar , an Amsterdam-based startup focusing on augmented reality , shares University of Washington 's vision of an augmented-reality contact lens . However , Raimo van der Klein , CEO of Layar , said such a device 's vision would be limited if it did not work with an open platform supporting every type of data available via the web , such as mapping information , restaurant reviews or even Twitter feeds . Hence , his company has taken a first step by releasing an augmented-reality browser for Google Android smartphones , for which software developers can provide `` layers '' of data for various web services . Van der Klein believes a consumer-oriented , multipurpose lens is just one example of where augmented-reality technology will take form in the near future . He said to expect these applications to move beyond augmenting vision and expand to other parts of the body . `` Imagine audio cues through an earpiece or sneakers vibrating wherever your friends are , '' van der Klein said . `` We need to keep an open eye for future possibilities , and I think a contact lens is just part of it . '' Subscribe to WIRED magazine for less than $ 1 an issue and get a FREE GIFT ! Click here ! Copyright 2009 Wired.com . | Scientists developing contact lens with built-in LED , powered by radio waves . More advanced lens could provide scrolling captions beneath what you see . Surface of the eye contains enough data to perform personal health monitoring . Lens must undergo more testing before gaining approval from FDA . | [[482, 679], [587, 639], [630, 679], [680, 690], [693, 844], [109, 176], [999, 1057], [1748, 1759], [1762, 1918], [3117, 3220]] |
TEHRAN , Iran -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Swiss diplomat was released from jail Thursday after being arrested on a sex charge , the Iranian media reported . The first secretary of the U.S. Interests section of the Swiss Embassy in Tehran had been in an `` indecent sexual relation '' with an Iranian woman in his car , Iran 's Press TV reported , citing Iranian police . Police spotted the car with diplomatic plates in a parking lot and caught the diplomat . The woman was `` improperly dressed and in an obscene situation , '' Press TV said . The `` sexual relation '' occurred after the diplomat , who was not named , promised he would marry the woman , Press TV reported . Both were released on bail . It was not clear what charges were filed against the woman . Press TV said it had contacted the deputy head of the U.S. Interest Section in Tehran , Elizabeth Bucher , but she would not comment on the report . The suspect is a Swiss diplomat who represents the United States in Iran in the absence of a U.S. presence . The United States and Iran have not had full diplomatic relations since the 1979 Islamic revolution . | Diplomat said to have been in `` indecent sexual relation '' with woman in car . Swiss embassy staffer was seen with woman `` in an obscene situation '' Incident occurred after diplomat promised to marry the woman , reports said . | [[150, 309], [150, 309], [453, 516], [579, 591], [614, 647]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A crew member aboard a U.S. Navy ship accidentally fired a machine gun into the Polish port city of Gdynia on Wednesday while cleaning the weapon , Navy officials said Friday . Three rounds were fired from an M240 machine gun into the town but no injuries or damage were reported , officials said . The gun , aboard the USS Ramage , a Navy destroyer , is used to defend the ship in close combat . Navy officials said a crew member was cleaning the weapon when it accidentally discharged . The incident happened as the ship was in port after returning from an international exercise in the Baltic Sea . It was preparing to leave later that day , the Navy said . Polish military police boarded the ship to investigate , and Navy officials said the crew of the Ramage fully cooperated . No U.S. sailors were taken into custody by Polish authorities , Navy officials said . There was no immediate word of a U.S. Navy investigation into the incident . | Crew member cleaning a machine gun that fires into city of Gdynia . No injuries or damage reported , officials say . Gun is used to defend ship , USS Ramage , in close combat . | [[0, 26], [68, 175], [427, 484], [447, 518], [274, 309], [329, 345], [370, 426]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- `` Saturday Night Live '' was formed in the crucible of the mid-1970s , when Watergate brought respect for politicians to all-time lows , the counterculture was taking over comedy , and many television viewers were seeking out something fresh and bold . Fred Armisen played Barack Obama in a talked-about sketch Saturday night on `` Saturday Night Live . '' It was a powerful combination -- and after 34 years , the combination of `` SNL '' and politics can still strike sparks among political observers . The most recent example came this past weekend when Fred Armisen , as President Obama , chided `` those on the right '' for saying that he was `` turning this great country into something that resembles the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany . '' Not true , said Armisen as Obama . `` When you look at my record , '' he said , `` it 's very clear what I 've done so far -- and that is nothing . '' Watch the sketch -- and the reaction '' The sketch has caused a rumble among the inside-the-Beltway chattering classes and New York news nabobs . Wrote Washington Post blogger Jonathan Capehart , `` When your ` friends ' start talking about you like this -- and friends with a huge megaphone and a feel for the national mood -- the White House should listen . '' `` Humor with some truth in it is always dangerous . Make no mistake , a drumbeat of belittlement can damage a president , '' added CNN political contributor Ed Rollins in a column . The White House had no comment when asked about the sketch by CNN . `` SNL '' cast members were n't available for interviews , an NBC representative said . `` SNL '' creator Lorne Michaels also turned down an interview request but has said the show does n't take sides . `` I think ` SNL 's ' role is , the moment they 're in power , we 're the opposition , '' he told CNN 's Alina Cho last year . `` We 're not partisan . We 're not , you know , we 're not putting on anything that we do n't believe is funny . '' Video gallery : `` SNL '' takes on presidents through the years '' The recent sketch is indicative of the end of Obama 's honeymoon , Syracuse University pop culture professor Robert Thompson says , but he does n't want to read more into it than that . `` Comedy is about going after the people in power , '' he said . The president has also taken recent shots from `` The Daily Show '' and `` Real Time with Bill Maher . '' `` What this says is that the comedy-industrial complex has turned its sights on the reigning president of the United States , '' he said . But , he added , `` I would n't put this into the meme category , '' referring to concepts that travel so quickly they take on a life of their own , such as Tina Fey 's Sarah Palin sketches from last year . `` The -LSB- Obama -RSB- sketch was n't that funny . '' Indeed , the show 's overall impact is often mixed , observes Slate columnist and Rutgers media studies professor David Greenberg . It can `` capture or intensify '' a storyline that 's being passed through the news media , but the show is more a barometer that can change with events . `` It 's not incapable of influencing things , '' he said , noting the show 's slash-and-burn '70s satire and Fey 's Palin parody . `` But since the early '80s , those moments are pretty rare . ... You 'll see good impersonations but not the underlying critique you had with , say , Dan Aykroyd as -LSB- Richard -RSB- Nixon . '' Besides , he added , the Obama sketch may have titillated the politico-media crowd , but he wonders whether its impact went any wider . `` I 'm a political junkie , '' he said , `` and this is the first I 've heard of it . '' Indeed , the ratings for the episode were a far cry from last year 's Palin-fest -- from a 7.3 rating for the same week in 2008 , to 4.7 -- and the Armisen sketch did n't get the frenzied online dispersion the Palin sketches did . iReport.com : ` SNL ' wo n't hurt Obama . However , Obama should be concerned about one thing , observes Thompson . In general , `` SNL '' mocked previous presidents ' personal characteristics , such as Clinton 's outsized appetites or George W. Bush 's struggles with spoken English . With Obama -- who lacks the same kind of easily caricatured traits , Thompson says -- the show went after his record . `` In some ways , '' Thompson said , `` he 's vulnerable to more serious damage . '' | Recent `` Saturday Night Live '' sketch attacked President Obama . Political pundits , media seized on sketch as meaningful . It marks end of honeymoon , one observer says , but probably not much more . `` SNL '' can `` intensify '' storylines but is mostly a barometer , says expert . | [[273, 373], [414, 428], [431, 472], [477, 524], [957, 1062], [2969, 2983], [2989, 3027], [3441, 3504], [2045, 2109], [3034, 3092]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A high-ranking al Qaeda leader has called on China 's minority Uyghurs to prepare for a holy war against the Chinese government . Security has been increased recently on the streets of Urumqi , Xinjiang 's capital . `` There is no way for salvation and to lift this oppression and tyranny unless you ... seriously prepare for jihad in the name of God and carry your weapons against the ruthless brutal invader thugs , '' Abu Yahia Al-Libi said Wednesday in a video on an Islamist Web site . He delivered his message in Arabic . The Uyghurs are Muslims in western China 's Xinjiang province . Some Islamists refer to the region as East Turkistan . Al-Libi 's proclamation was in reaction to the violence that has recently shaken Urumqi , Xinjiang 's capital . There , long-simmering resentment between minority Uyghurs and majority Han Chinese erupted into riots and left more than 200 people dead in July . The following month , a series of stabbings -- with syringes used as weapons -- added to the unrest . `` What we saw and heard in the recent events in Turkistan was not accidental and did n't happen overnight . This is an intifada -LRB- an uprising -RRB- and a usual response to the decades of oppression , the organized cleansing and the systematic repression until the people had enough , '' Al-Libi said . `` This was not the first uprising that the oppressed Muslim people carried out , because they keep grieving and struggling to preserve their identity against the aggressors . '' Chinese officials could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday . Al-Libi regularly produces video messages and has , in the past , called on Pakistanis and Somalis to resist their `` apostate '' governments . He is considered one of al Qaeda 's top strategists and one of its most vocal leaders in its propaganda campaign . In his latest message , Al-Libi called on Muslims worldwide to support the Uyghurs . And he vowed that China will suffer the same fate that the former Soviet Union did when it invaded Afghanistan in the 1980s -- only to be thwarted by Islamist fighters . `` To you , the state of atheism and obstinacy : You are coming to an end and you will face the same fate of the Russian bear of disintegration and division , '' he said . `` You will encounter the same defeat when your nation will fight in its own backyard the humble minority of Muslims who are stronger in faith . '' In July , a leader of an al Qaeda-linked group also denounced Chinese treatment of Uyghurs and threatened revenge . The leader of the Turkistan Islamic Party , in a video on Islamic Web sites , blamed the Chinese for `` genocide . '' The speaker urged Uyghurs to `` kill the Chinese communists where you find them , take them and besiege them and ambush them wherever you can . '' The U.S. State Department said the group has taken credit for violence in the past . | Uyghurs are Muslims in western China 's Xinjiang province . Abu Yahia Al-Libi 's comments a reaction to recent violence in Xinjiang 's capital . Tension between Uyghurs and majority Han Chinese erupted into riots in July . Al-Libi considered one of al Qaeda 's top strategists and most vocal leaders . | [[547, 610], [666, 721], [709, 721], [727, 753], [2422, 2429], [2432, 2468], [2474, 2512], [778, 783], [786, 880], [778, 783], [786, 861], [885, 925], [1732, 1846]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Greek voters will go to the polls to elect a new government two years early , Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis announced Thursday . Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis says he wants to enact reforms in response to the international financial crisis . He called the early elections in response to pressure from the opposition Socialist Party , which threatened to block the election of a president in February if there was no general election first . Karamanlis is also seeking a mandate from the voters for reforms in response to the international financial crisis , he said . `` It 's up to the citizens to decide who has the right plan to govern and face the economic challenges , '' he said in a speech to the country . `` We have two very difficult and critical years ahead of us , '' he said in the speech on Wednesday . `` There is only one path that offers hope and potential : We take -- without delay , without procrastination -- take all necessary measures to address these problems . By design and desire . We need to build the solid foundation that will ultimately get us out of this crisis stronger . '' He said the country needs `` stringent control on public spending , '' `` war on tax-evasion '' and `` bold structural reforms . '' The new elections will be held October 4 , Karamanlis announced Thursday after meeting President Karolos Papoulias , who officially dissolves parliament . Karamanlis ' term was not due to expire until September 2011 . But Socialist party leader George Papandreou insisted on new elections before the end of Papoulias ' term as president in February . The Greek constitution requires the two major parties to agree on the election of a president , giving either party an effective veto . Karamanlis called Papandreou 's stance `` blackmail . '' Parliament will be dissolved on September 7 , Karamanlis said on his Web site . Karamanlis ' conservative New Democracy party suffered a sharp setback in European elections in June , when the Socialists matched New Democracy 's tally of eight seats , with 36 percent of the vote . That election was seen as a litmus test for Karamanlis at a time of political and economic uncertainty with the economy shrinking and the country staring at a recession after nearly 15 years of high-profile growth . CNN 's Efty Katsareas and Christine Theodorou contributed to this report . | Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis announced elections Thursday . Called early elections in response to pressure from opposition Socialist Party . PM called for `` stringent control on public spending ... war on tax-evasion '' | [[97, 150], [1308, 1379], [1487, 1615], [1133, 1200]] |
NEW DELHI , India -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A government school in southern India has tested pupils ' karate skills by running over their outstretched arms with a motorcycle . K. Devarajan , the director of elementary education in Tamil Nadu state , told CNN that the event , held recently , was organized with the consent of parents . State education authorities have now asked schools not to carry out such activities because they violate safety guidelines , which he claimed were already in place in state educational institutions . Devarajan said officers visited the school after learning about the controversial show . Newspaper pictures Tuesday showed a motorcyclist driving over the limbs of a row of schoolchildren lying with their faces down in the state 's Villupuram district . It also showed smiling adults standing behind the young children . The act aimed to show the strength the students had gained from their karate classes , Devarajan said . Nobody was injured , said P. Perumalsamy , a senior state education official . The students involved were aged between six and 13 , he added . | Indian schoolchildren run over by motorcycle in karate exercise . Officials says parents approved of test of children 's karate skills . School has been told not to hold such an exercise again . | [[109, 168], [618, 716], [0, 33], [60, 108], [169, 181], [243, 328], [329, 365], [372, 451], [329, 356], [362, 451]] |
SPRING HILL , Tennessee -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- General Motors idled its Spring Hill , Tennessee , facility as part of its bankruptcy plan Monday , leaving hundreds of employees -- and thousands of residents who rely on the plant 's economic thrust -- in limbo . Johnny Miranda is trying to stay positive about the plant where he has worked for 16 years . Spring Hill , about 35 miles south of Nashville , is a town built on the jobs that the plant provides . The town has seen its population jump more than 1,600 percent in the almost 20 years since GM sent the first Saturn down the assembly line in June 1990 . `` I want to think positive , '' said autoworker Johnny Miranda , who left a GM plant in Van Nuys , California , 16 years ago to work in Spring Hill . `` It could bring you down . It could really mess you up if you be thinking they 're going to close it and you 're going to lose your job . '' The future is uncertain for the plant 's 3,000 employees . GM could shut down , phase out or sell the plant . Local media outlets report that the plant will end production toward the end of this year and that assembly of the Chevrolet Traverse will be moved to Lansing , Michigan . Watch Spring Hill residents share concerns '' The Spring Hill facility ceased building Saturns more than two years ago as sales slumped . After a yearlong retooling , it started pushing out Chevy 's crossover sport utility vehicle instead . Saturn had originally billed itself as a `` different kind of car company , '' and GM had hoped the business plan and fuel-efficient vehicles would allow it to snatch sales away from its Japanese rivals . Watch GM workers ponder future '' GM made Saturn a separate division , built an innovative plant , embraced no-haggle buying , opted for plastic over metal for many of the vehicles ' parts and brokered an agreement with the United Auto Workers that fostered teamwork between the union and management . For years the company enjoyed a cult-like following . Self-confessed `` Saturnistas '' attended `` homecomings '' on the Spring Hill campus . Web sites and fan clubs popped up across the country . One of the sites , saturnfans.com , garnered thousands of signatures on its `` Save Saturn '' petition in the months leading up to GM 's bankruptcy . Ultimately , GM 's aspiration to sell a half million of the cars a year did n't pan out . It sold only 8,000 Saturns in November 2008 and fewer than 200,000 for the entire year . Watch what drove GM to this point '' But Saturn 's waning popularity was just one of a litany of problems facing the auto giant , which filed for bankruptcy and announced specifics of its restructuring Monday . In addition to shedding the Saturn brand , GM also plans to end its Pontiac , Saab and Hummer lines , as well . The company shut down a dozen facilities and put three , including the Spring Hill plant , on standby . It also will cut ties with about a third of its 6,000 U.S. dealerships . See which plants are closing '' Visit Spring Hill and it 's tough to find anyone not affected by the plant 's suspension . Every resident appears to know at least one person whose job is on the line . `` My father-in-law works for GM . He 's worked for GM ever since the day he graduated college , '' Will Barnes said at a T-ball game Sunday . See GM 's history '' Barnes ' father-in-law is anxious , like thousands of GM employees , and has resorted to yardwork to calm his nerves , he said . `` He 's cut his yard five times this week because this is the level of uncertainty for him , and I hate to see him in that situation , '' Barnes said . John Stansbury , 55 , told The Daily Herald in Columbia , Tennessee , he has been working for GM since he was 18 . His father spent 40 years with the automaker . Watch how the U.S. auto industry has risen , fallen '' Because of the Spring Hill plant 's flexibility following its recent revamp and the competitive local labor agreement , Stansbury said he remains optimistic but uneasy . `` The mood of the whole plant is really unsure , '' he told the newspaper . `` We are all tense . '' iReport.com : What next for GM ? When the Spring Hill plant opened in 1990 , the town 's population was 1,464 , according to the Census Bureau . The latest count , from 2007 , is closer to 24,000 . In that time , numerous subdivisions have been constructed to accommodate the plant 's workers . Economic officials told The Daily Herald that at least 5,000 jobs are tied to the plant . That 's in addition to the restaurants , shops and other businesses that rely on autoworkers ' dollars . Watch how the bankruptcy will have a ripple effect '' The Spring Hill plant also gives local governments more than $ 2 million in lieu of taxes , the newspaper reported . Though the fate of the plant remains contingent on market conditions , few are under the illusion that GM employees and Spring Hill residents will remain unscathed by changes to the city 's lifeline . `` It 's going to hurt , '' Miranda , the autoworker , said . `` No question , it 'll hurt . '' CNN 's Jim Kavanagh and Eliott C. McLaughlin contributed to this report . | Spring Hill population jumped 1,600 percent since GM facility opened there . Future uncertain for about 3,000 workers ; GM could close , sell or phase out plant . Facility began building Chevy Traverse SUV instead of Saturn about two years ago . Resident says anxious father-in-law mowed lawn five times last week . | [[455, 530], [473, 548], [903, 961], [962, 980], [962, 964], [983, 992], [1001, 1012], [1231, 1312], [3324, 3357], [3324, 3346], [3391, 3440], [3456, 3458], [3462, 3515]] |
-LRB- Mental Floss -RRB- -- People have been eating pickles ever since the Mesopotamians started making them way back in 2400 B.C.E. . Here are some even more important things you should know about them . Pickles have gotten credit for health and beauty and winning football games . 1 . In the Pacific Islands , natives pickle their foods in holes in the ground lined with banana leaves , and use them as food reserves in case of storms . The pickles are so valuable that they 've become part of the courting process , helping a man prove he 'll be able to provide for a woman . In Fiji , guys ca n't get a girl without first showing her parents his pickle pits . 2 . Cleopatra claimed pickles made her beautiful . -LRB- We guess it had more to do with her genes . -RRB- . 3 . The majority of pickle factories in America ferment their pickles in outdoor vats without lids -LRB- leaving them subject to insects and bird droppings -RRB- . But there 's a reason . According to food scientists , the sun 's direct rays prevent yeast and mold from growing in the brine . Mental Floss : 8 disastrous product names . 4 . In the Delta region of Mississippi , Kool-Aid pickles have become ridiculously popular with kids . The recipe 's simple : take some dill pickles , cut them in half , and then soak them in super strong Kool-Aid for more than a week . According to the New York Times , the sweet vinegar snacks are known to sell out at fairs and delicatessens , and generally go for $ .50 to a $ 1 . 5 . Not everyone loves a sweet pickle . In America , dill pickles are twice as popular as the sweet variety . 6 . The Department of Agriculture estimates that the average American eats 8.5 lbs of pickles a year . 7 . When the Philadelphia Eagles thrashed the Dallas Cowboys in sweltering heat in September 2000 , many of the players attributed their win to one thing : guzzling down immense quantities of ice-cold pickle juice . Mental Floss : 31 unbelievable high school mascots . 8 . If it were n't for pickles , Christopher Columbus might never have `` discovered '' America . In his famous 1492 voyage , Columbus rationed pickles to his sailors to keep them from getting scurvy . He even grew cucumbers during a pit stop in Haiti to restock for the rest of the voyage . 9 . Speaking of people who get credit for discovering America , when he was n't drawing maps and trying to steal Columbus ' thunder , Amerigo Vespucci was a well-known pickle-merchant . 10 . Napoleon was also a big fan of pickle power . In fact , he put up the equivalent of $ 250,000 as a prize to whoever could figure out the best way to pickle and preserve foods for his troops . 11 . During the 1893 Chicago World 's Fair , H. J. Heinz used pick-shaped pins to lure customers to his out of the way booth . By the end of the fair , he 'd given out lots of free food , and over 1,000,000 pickle pins . 12 . Berrien Springs , Michigan , has dubbed itself the Christmas Pickle Capital of the World . In early December , they host a parade , led by the Grand Dillmeister , who tosses out fresh pickles to parade watchers . Mental Floss : Curious , bizarre and storied state symbols . For more mental_floss articles , visit mentalfloss.com . Entire contents of this article copyright , Mental Floss LLC . All rights reserved . | Average American eats 8.5 lbs of pickles a year , according to Dept. of Agriculture . Southern state treat : Dill pickles soaked for week in Kool-Aid . Philly Eagles players said pickle juice helped them beat Dallas Cowboys in 2000 . Christopher Columbus and Napoleon were fans of pickle power . | [[1609, 1707], [1654, 1707], [1213, 1233], [1284, 1346], [1712, 1805], [1808, 1861], [2460, 2505]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Israeli military action in Gaza is comparable to that of German soldiers during the Holocaust , a Jewish UK lawmaker whose family suffered at the hands of the Nazis has claimed . A protester confronts police in London last weekend at a demonstration against Israeli action in Gaza . Gerald Kaufman , a member of the UK 's ruling Labour Party , also called for an arms embargo on Israel , currently fighting militant Palestinian group Hamas , during the debate in the British parliament Thursday . `` My grandmother was ill in bed when the Nazis came to her home town of Staszow . A German soldier shot her dead in her bed , '' said Kaufman , who added that he had friends and family in Israel and had been there `` more times than I can count . '' `` My grandmother did not die to provide cover for Israeli soldiers murdering Palestinian grandmothers in Gaza . '' Kaufman , a senior Labour politician who was raised as an Orthodox Jew , has often opposed Israeli policy throughout his career . Israel has said it initiated the operation into Gaza -- which is controlled by Hamas -- to stop rocket fire on its southern cities and towns . Thirteen Israelis , including 10 soldiers , have died in the operation in Gaza and from rocket strikes on southern Israel , according to the Israeli military . More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed , including many civilians , Palestinian medics said . During Thursday 's debate , Kaufman also said that Israel needed to seek real peace and not peace by conquest , which would be impossible . He also accused the Israeli government of `` ruthlessly and cynically exploiting the continuing guilt from gentiles over the slaughter of Jews in the Holocaust as justification for their murder of Palestinians . '' But Kaufman added that while it is necessary to talk to Hamas , which had been chosen by an electorate , it nevertheless is a `` deeply nasty organization . '' Bill Rammell , the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs , said the UK government backed an EU presidency statement calling Israeli action disproportionate . But he also criticized Hamas rocket attacks on Israel during the cease-fire between June and December 2008 , adding that the militant group 's `` whole ethos is one of violence '' and that it had `` made a brutal choice to step up attacks against innocent civilians . '' `` Nothing , not the restrictions on Gaza nor its frustration with the peace process , justifies what Hamas has done and continues to do , '' Rammell said . `` In December , I was in Ashkelon near the Gaza border , and I heard the sirens . The fear was palpable : This is daily psychological and actual warfare . '' Rammell added that Hamas has `` committed acts of terrorism , it is committed to the obliteration of the state of Israel , and its statement last week that it was legitimate to kill Jewish children anywhere in the world was utterly chilling and beyond any kind of civilised , humanitarian norm . '' The debate came on the day that Saeed Siam , Hamas ' third-ranking leader in the territory , was killed by an Israeli airstrike , the Islamic militant group reported . The United Nations ' main relief compound in the territory was also hit and set on fire , which U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon blamed on Israel . Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed sorrow over the incident but said Israeli forces were responding to militant fire near the complex . UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the shelling of the compound as `` indefensible , '' media agencies reported . Speaking to Ban during a call , Brown said the UK would increase its calls for a cease-fire and also deliver aid to Gaza once a cease-fire took hold . Britain has witnessed several demonstrations since the conflict in Gaza began late last month . Last Saturday , up to 20,000 people gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in London , Metropolitan Police said . Later , parts of the crowd began pelting officers with sticks , rocks and pieces of metal barriers , police said . A similar protest Sunday was peaceful . Rallies were also held in London and Manchester last weekend in support of Israeli action against Hamas . | Jewish UK lawmaker calls on Israel to talk to Hamas , a `` deeply nasty organization '' UK government : `` Hamas made a brutal choice to step up attacks '' on civilians . UK PM calls shelling of U.N. 's main aid HQ compound in Gaza `` indefensible '' UK has seen several protests since conflict began , both pro- and anti-Israel . | [[132, 152], [191, 214], [1894, 1945], [2128, 2130], [2233, 2343], [2313, 2315], [2321, 2391], [3178, 3249], [3474, 3562], [3745, 3840]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Stonehenge , an enigma to visitors and scientists alike for so many years , became less of a mystery after a discovery announced to the world this week . A stone circle discovered near Stonehenge may suggest the prehistoric monument was part of a funeral route . Archaeologists have unearthed a new stone circle near Stonehenge that lends credence to the theory that the famous prehistoric monument in Britain was part of a funeral complex . University of Bristol archaeologist Joshua Pollard described the new find as `` incredible '' because it establishes Stonehenge as part of a larger ceremonial complex linked to the nearby River Avon . `` No one could have predicted there was another stone circle so close by , '' said Pollard , co-director of the excavation project that began in 2004 . This , he said , changes the perception of the popular tourist destination 90 miles west of London . The new find , dubbed `` Bluestonehenge '' after the color of the 25 Welsh stones of which it was once composed , sits along the Avon a mile away from its famous sister circle , Pollard said . Neolithic peoples would have come down river by boat and literally stepped off into Bluestonehenge , Pollard said . They may have congregated at certain times of the year , including the winter solstice , and carried remains of the dead from Bluestonehenge down an almost two-mile funeral processional route to a cemetery at Stonehenge to bury them . `` It could be that Bluestonehenge was where the dead began their final journey to Stonehenge , '' said Mike Parker Pearson , an archaeologist at the University of Sheffield who co-directed the project with Pollard . `` Not many people know that Stonehenge was Britain 's largest burial ground at that time , '' he said . `` Maybe the blue stone circle is where people were cremated before their ashes were buried at Stonehenge itself . '' Proof of life artifacts -- pottery , animal bones , food residues and flint tools used in the Stone Age -- are decidedly absent at Stonehenge but were found upstream in a village discovered by the excavation team in 2005 , leading researchers to believe that Stonehenge was indeed a burial ground . But people have debated the purpose of Stonehenge for decades . Known for its orientation in relation to the rising and setting sun , the circle of stones represented a prehistoric temple to some . Others argued it was an astronomical observatory . Or that it was a marker of time . But Pollard is sticking to his theory . He said others have not based their suppositions on archaeological finds . Archaeologists began the latest excavation with the hope of tracking the course of the avenue that led to Stonehenge . They had no idea they would stumble upon a second circle that would help uncover the mystery of Stonehenge . The stones at Bluestonehenge were removed thousands of years ago , Pollard said , but the sizes of the remaining pits , about 33 feet in diameter , point to giant blue stones from the Preseli Mountains of Wales , about 150 miles away . Pollard said that Neolithic people dragged the pillarlike blue stones along the processional route to Stonehenge to incorporate them in a major rebuilding that took place around 2500 B.C. Archaeologists know that after 2500 , Stonehenge consisted of about 60 Welsh stones and 83 local sarsen stones . Some of the blue stones that once stood on the river 's edge probably now stand within the center of Stonehenge , Pollard said . Scientists plan to use radiocarbon dating techniques to better understand the history of the entire site . Stonehenge remains as striking as ever . But with each new find , the enigma fades just a little . | Discovery of lost stone circle sheds new light on Stonehenge 's purpose . Researchers say `` Bluestonehenge '' was starting point of funeral processional route . Bluestonehenge is named after color of Welsh stones from which it was formed . Some have viewed Stonehenge as temple , astronomical observatory . | [[173, 214], [173, 281], [282, 346], [312, 346], [352, 460], [173, 281], [227, 281], [312, 346], [352, 460], [1460, 1553], [916, 928], [931, 1006], [2333, 2396], [2397, 2447], [2411, 2447]] |
BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iraq 's deputy minister of transport has been arrested after investigators taped him taking a $ 100,000 bribe , the Iraqi Integrity Commission said Monday . It 's the latest sting aimed at what many Iraqis say is rampant corruption in the country . The anti-corruption body said Monday this was the first time such a high-level Iraqi official was caught in the act of taking a bribe . The announcement , made on the commission 's Web site , said investigators detained Deputy Minister Adnan al-Obaidi last Wednesday . A spokesman for the Ministry of Transport , Aqeel Kawthar , told CNN on Monday that the deputy minister took office August 10 , and his arrest came as a surprise to the ministry . He said there were no indications that al-Obaidi might be corrupt before this incident , but he said the Ministry of Transport `` supports and congratulates '' the Integrity Commission 's work . A foreign security firm had approached the Integrity Commission alleging that al-Obaidi had asked for a bribe of $ 500,000 to renew the firm 's contract , the commission said . `` The deputy minister was supposed to receive the full amount first , but the scenario was changed into him receiving $ 100,000 -LSB- in U.S. dollars -RSB- as a down payment , and the rest of the money would be delivered after the renewal of the contract , '' according to the commission 's account . `` Orders were issued to security forces to deploy undercover in Karrada district '' in central Baghdad . Watch more about Iraq 's war against corruption '' The statement said the security forces did not know who the target was and their orders were in coordination with the Integrity Commission 's operations room . The commission said that five minutes before the arrest , the head of the commission , Judge Rahim al-Agili , informed Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that a high-ranking government official had taken a bribe . The commission said al-Maliki responded by saying : `` I do not want to know his name , carry out the operation even if the wanted individual is Nuri al-Maliki . ... Whether he is from the Dawa party , a Sadrist , or a member of ISCI -LSB- all Shiite political parties , including that of the prime minister -RSB- , he is only known to me as a bribe taker ... '' The Integrity Commission said the sting was caught on videotape , which it said would be posted soon on its Web site . `` The arrest of of the deputy minister of transport was a professional operation with no political dimensions to it , and we have not heard any political or parliamentary bloc objecting to it ... '' the commission 's account said . `` The operation was carried out within 56 hours of continuous , nonstop , work . The head of the secret informant department and the men of the special operations branch -LSB- of the Integrity Commission -RSB- played a major role ... and the commission dedicated all its advanced capabilities to document and follow this . '' According to the monitoring group Transparency International , Iraq is one of the top three most corrupt countries in the world , along with Somalia and Myanmar . A recent report from the group said almost half the people it surveyed in Iraq had paid a bribe in the previous year . When CNN talked to people coming and going from Iraq 's Interior Ministry , complaints were frequent . `` The employee inside said he will only finish my ID for an extra $ 40 , '' one man said . Another said , `` You ca n't even talk to the janitor in a government office unless you 're paying a bribe . '' Judge al-Agili told CNN his office is kept busiest by the Interior Ministry , but it is investigating 8,000 allegations of corruption against people through all departments and all levels of government . Al-Agili said he believes corruption is part of Iraq 's culture , stretching back long before Saddam Hussein 's regime . But he said he believes it can be beaten slowly , and that 's why he set up the undercover special operations unit to carry out sting operations . CNN 's Jomana Karadsheh and Phil Black contributed to this report . | Integrity Commission says videotape shows Transport official taking $ 100,000 bribe . Sting is latest aimed at what many Iraqis say is rampant corruption in the country . Transport spokesman calls arrest a surprise , congratulates integrity panel 's work . Integrity panel chief says Iraqi prime minister strongly backed operation . | [[95, 143], [191, 282], [197, 282], [191, 213], [228, 282], [684, 731], [825, 891]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Scientists say a very rare find of some 20 fossilized pterodactyls has produced the first clear evidence of a controversial theory of evolution . This image shows the fossilized skeleton of Darwinopterus which was found in north-east China earlier this year . The fossils were found in northeast China earlier this year , embedded in rock dating back 160 million years , and have been called `` Darwinopterus '' after the renowned naturalist Charles Darwin . The creature 's discovery has astounded scientists because their age puts them within two recognized groups of pterodactyls -- primitive long-tailed forms and advanced short-tail forms -- and they display characteristics of both . The combination of features indicates that the primitive pterodactyls evolved relatively quickly , and that certain groups of features changed at the same time . Traditional evolutionary theory suggests that one feature -- a tail for instance -- would slowly evolve over time . `` Darwinopterus came as quite a shock to us , '' said David Unwin , from the University of Leicester 's School of Museum Studies , which identified the creature , along with researchers from the Geological Institute of Beijing . `` We had always expected a gap-filler with typically intermediate features such as a moderately elongate tail -- neither long nor short -- but the strange thing about Darwinopterus is that it has a head and neck just like that of advanced pterosaurs , while the rest of the skeleton , including a very long tail , is identical to that of primitive forms , '' he said . By comparing the fossil with others from earlier and later periods , scientists have been able to sketch a rough timeline of the pterodactyl 's progression . `` The head and neck evolved first , followed later by the body , tail , wings and legs , '' Unwin said . The researchers say more study is needed to substantiate the idea of that evolution could occur relatively quickly , and that whole parts of a plant or animal 's body could change at once . The fossils indicate Darwinopterus was about the size of a crow , with long jaws , sharp , pointed teeth and a flexible neck . It had `` hawk-like '' qualities , scientists say , which allowed the creature to kill and eat smaller , feathered dinosaurs which would later evolve into birds . Pterodactyls were prevalent during the Mesozoic Era between 220 and 65 million years ago . The research has been published in the `` Proceedings of the Royal Society B : Biological Sciences . '' | Researchers say rare fossil find provides evidence of one theory of evolution . 20 fossilized pterodactyls found in China in rock dating back 160 million years . Fossils show creatures had characteristics of two types of known pterodactyls . Scientists say fossils show groups of features changed relatively rapidly . | [[0, 15], [54, 164], [19, 85], [0, 15], [54, 164], [353, 387], [478, 662], [670, 708], [709, 843], [817, 870]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- For the beautiful people , Azza Fahmy may be one of the best-known names in Egypt . Designer Azza Fahmy consults her daughters on jewelry designs in her Cairo studio . A high-end jewelry designer , Fahmy 's creations have adorned such beauties as supermodel Naomi Campbell and Queen Rania of Jordan . Her international luxury brand , Azza Fahmy Jewelries , blends Egyptian motifs and modern design to create high-end pieces . Working with precious metals and stones , Fahmy 's work is inspired by the distinctive shapes , colors , textures and calligraphy of the country . Cairo , the largest city in the Arab world nicknamed `` The City of a Thousand Minarets , '' is Fahmy 's home . She thinks she may have lived a previous life in old Cairo , which has now grown into a mega-city of almost 20 million inhabitants . See Azza Fahmy 's picks of what to do , see and eat in Cairo . `` It 's a strong feeling when I 'm walking in the streets going to old houses , churchs and old mosques , '' Fahmy told CNN . `` It 's something inside me which I ca n't describe , as if I 've lived before in these places . '' In the 1960s , Fahmy was the first woman to apprentice in Cairo 's jewelry district . She says she 'd whither and die if she ever had to leave Egypt . She takes us on a personal tour of the beguiling Egyptian capital , where she finds inspiration in almost everything she sees . `` Everything in my mind is jewelry , '' she explains . `` I turn it into jewelry . '' Ibn Tulun Mosque . The sprawling Ibn Tulun Mosque , the largest mosque in Cairo in terms of land area , is also considered the oldest mosque in the city to have survived in its original form.Cairo fact file : How to navigate Mideast 's biggest metropolis . `` It 's one of my favorite mosques in Cairo , '' Fahmy says . `` The beautiful windows of this mosque give me a lot of joy . '' Fahmy says she 's always fantasized about the windows of Ibn Tulun . `` One day I 'll do a project called the Ibn Tulun collection , because they have 126 windows , I think , and each one is different . I see them as earrings , hanging earrings , '' she says , laughing . `` They are geometrical designs each one different from the other , `` she explains . Watch Fahmy tour Cairo '' The jewelry designer says Ibn Tulun makes her feel serene , inspires her to `` sit and meditate . The mosque is very strong , very discreet and very beautiful at the same time . '' The Hanging Church . Fahmy explains that the 7th century Hanging Church , known in Arabic as Al-Muallaqah -LRB- `` The Suspended '' -RRB- , is the most famous Coptic -- a sect of Christianity native to Egypt and Ethiopia -- church in Cairo . The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary . `` Each civilization gives the other civilization something and each civilization takes something from the other civilization , '' Fahmy explains about the different faiths in the Egyptian capital . `` There is a continuity in the art . '' `` Look at the details of the wood carving ! '' she exclaims there . `` Look how they mix the pattern , '' she says , gently tracing it with her finger . From apprentice to master : Fahmy 's design inspiration '' `` You see this pattern ? The cross in the middle and four rectangles around it ? I want to do the design of this as a rectangle and then the motifs in metal . '' Fahmy says she she 's always searching for beautiful text -- inspiring calligraphy -- to use in her work . The Egyptian designer describes calligraphy as an art in itself , `` the movement of the lines and the balance of the lines and the meaning in the text . '' El Moez Street . `` This is one of the oldest streets in Cairo , '' Fahmy explains as she walks along the colourful street bursting with life . `` This street is part of me . It 's my history , my life , my youth . This is the real soul of Cairo . '' Fahmy stands in front of the Al Aqmar Mosque , known as `` the moonlit , '' and says she 's inspired by the details in the architecture . Her eyes are immediately drawn to details throughout the city , she says . `` All my life is details , details , details . You become specific about everything . '' `` Do you notice these black and white stripes ? '' she asks . Fahmy says she loves the way black and white are mixed together in Cairo to `` create all this balance . '' What inspires you about Cairo ? Tell us in the SoundOff box below . `` Art is all about balance . They are perfect in how they balance things . '' Workshop . `` I used to work in this place , Rabeh El-Selehdar , '' Fahmy explains as she enters the workshop where she trained as a young jewelry-making apprentice . `` It was 40 years ago . '' `` I went to the workshop , I introduced myself to a man named Hajj Said and then I worked with him for about three years , '' she said , no small feat for an Egyptian woman in the 1960s . She warmly greets one of the men working at the workshop . `` He is the nephew of my master . He still remembers me , '' she explains . `` I used to sit on this table and I used to help them file and solder . It was the beginning of my life . '' Fahmy 's business , which evolved into the first Egyptian designer brand , is a family affair . Her daughters , Fatima and Amina , work with her . `` I love the idea of the family business , '' she says . `` I 'd like to give this to my daughters -LSB- to -RSB- continue . I want to have a design house which can continue with the same message of carrying the Arab culture to the world . '' | Designer Azza Fahmy takes CNN on a tour of Cairo . She was the first Egyptian woman to apprentice in Cairo 's jewelry district . Fahmy sees Islamic calligraphy as art and gets inspiration from mosques . Azza Fahmy Jewelries is a family affair run with her two daughters . | [[1296, 1361], [1145, 1157], [1160, 1230], [4587, 4667], [3472, 3528], [120, 203], [5131, 5148], [5206, 5226], [5227, 5259], [5262, 5277]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The young man 's call echoed throughout the remote village in northern Nigeria -- the marriage ceremony was about to begin . Umar Ahmed and his wife wait for anti-HIV drugs at a hospital in Nigeria . Under the dusty sun , the fathers of the bride and groom agreed to the marriage and this ancient Muslim tradition proceeded as it has for hundreds of years . But unknown to the gathered villagers , the couple is hiding a modern secret . Both bride and groom are HIV-positive and marrying with the support of a local government program that encourages such `` HIV-marriages '' in the hope of preventing the virus from spreading . After the ceremony and away from the village , the husband agreed to speak with CNN as long as he was not identified . `` The woman I marry loves me -- I love her , '' he said . `` And we promised that we can keep ourselves healthy and clean . '' According to the United Nations , Nigeria has the third-largest HIV population in the world , with about 3.1 percent of its 148 million people infected . Officials working for the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of AIDS , Tuberculosis and Malaria , known as BACATMA , hope to put a dent in those numbers -- not just by treating HIV-positive people with free antiretroviral drugs but , they say , by helping more than 100 HIV-positive couples marry . The agency offers to pay for the dowry , provide counseling and even employment within the agency . BACATMA officials hope that , by keeping HIV-positive couples together , they will keep AIDS from spreading to anyone not infected . `` If someone having HIV marries another HIV-AIDS person , that means there will be no HIV transmission to another negative person , '' said Rilwanu Mohammed , the BACATMA chairman . However , UNAIDS , the UN agency tackling HIV and AIDS , has its doubts , arguing such marriages do not prevent the spread of AIDS . `` There are better methods to address the prevention of HIV and AIDS rather than encouraging that kind of union , '' said Warren Naamara , the UNAIDS Nigeria coordinator . `` We have made it very clear from UNAIDS that the best way to address HIV infection is universal access to prevention , treatment and care . '' There is no evidence that such marriages stop the spread of AIDS . However , for many of the couples , the marriages support their personal fight against AIDS and the stigmatization it often brings from society , friends and family . That stigmatization can lead HIV-positive people to become outcasts , discriminated against and sometimes physically abused . Queuing for their antiretroviral drugs at a local hospital , Umar Ahmed and his wife said they married last year and have since had a child . `` Before , I was lonely , '' Umar said . `` Being with my wife , I feel great -- because we stay together , we discuss different issues together . '' For those couples who decide to have children , BACATMA tries to reduce the odds that the child will be born infected with HIV by ensuring that the parents have antiretroviral agents and medical advice . Still , the decision to have a child is a controversial one when the parents who decide to do so are sick and unlikely to be able to raise the child . | Local agency will pay dowry , offer counseling , to get HIV-positive couples to wed . The goal is to keep HIV from spreading to people not already infected . UN agency says marriage does n't stop AIDS , prevention and treatment needed . For some couples , the marriages reduce stigma of being HIV-positive . | [[456, 553], [527, 553], [559, 647], [1349, 1448], [1449, 1581], [1520, 1581], [895, 926], [1775, 1810], [1839, 1897]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Tennessee detective 's keen eye may have nabbed a serial killer . Tennessee police say trucker Bruce Mendenhall implicated himself as a serial killer . A long-distance truck driver gave statements implicating himself in six slayings in four states after Detective Sgt. Pat Postiglione discovered what appeared to be blood inside the cab of his rig , police said . Bruce Mendenhall , 56 , an independent truck driver from Albion , Illinois , is facing homicide charges in the shooting death of Sara Nicole Hulbert , 25 . Her body was found June 26 in the parking lot of a Nashville , Tennessee , truck stop , authorities said . Mendenhall made his first court appearance Thursday via closed-circuit television . A judge declined to set bond . Heading to the crime scene Thursday , Postiglione saw a tractor-trailer rig on the road that matched the description of a truck sought in the investigation . The rig pulled into the truck stop and stopped . Watch police search Mendehall 's truck '' Postiglione knocked on its door . While talking with Mendenhall , Postiglione noticed what appeared to be blood on the inside of the driver 's door . Mendenhall gave the detective permission to look inside the truck . Postiglione found `` some more evidence that I considered incriminating , '' he said . Mendenhall was detained , police said , because he gave statements implicating himself in Hulbert 's slaying . Knowing that the slaying was similar to other recent homicides in the South , Postiglione questioned Mendenhall about those as well , police said . Mendenhall implicated himself in the death of Symantha Winters , 48 , of Nashville , who was found shot to death June 6 in a trash container at a Lebanon , Tennessee , truck stop , police said . He also implicated himself in a homicide in Alabama , one in Georgia and two in Indiana , the statement said . Those victims were not named . Nashville police said they are in contact with agencies in those states regarding statements from Mendenhall , who is being held without bail . The truck was impounded and was being processed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation . E-mail to a friend . | Detective finds blood in truck that matched description of wanted vehicle . Also found was `` more evidence '' that detective considered incriminating . Police say driver gave statements implicating himself in 6 murders in 4 states . States are Alabama , Georgia , Indiana and Tennessee . | [[290, 368], [1230, 1301], [1275, 1301], [1304, 1306], [87, 172], [108, 172], [173, 289], [1343, 1354], [1357, 1427], [1771, 1773], [1779, 1822]] |
Rome , Italy -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Seeking to identify the man who shot dead another man outside a store in Naples , Italy , in the spring , an anti-mafia prosecutor distributed on Thursday a video showing the execution . The surveillance-camera video , shot May 11 , shows a man wearing a baseball cap , dark jersey , blue jeans and running shoes entering a store , walking to the back and looking around , then walking out . As he exits , he pulls a pistol from his right front pants pocket and shoots a man standing outside the store . As the victim buckles to his knees and then sprawls headlong on the pavement , the killer approaches him from behind and squeezes off a second round into the back of his head , turns and strides unhurriedly out of camera view . Passers-by appear unfazed . One woman tries to lift the victim 's head in an apparent attempt to see whether she knows him ; a man steps over the body . `` Indeed , it is ugly to see people behaving as if that was not a dead body and going on their daily routine , '' a police spokesman said . `` Unfortunately , this is not an anomaly in Naples and in that neighborhood . '' He said fear led people to behave that way . The spokesman , who asked not to be identified , said anti-mafia prosecutor Sergio Amato released the video to the media in hopes that someone would recognize the killer and his apparent accomplice : a man who had been standing next to the victim and walked off just before the shooting . Police said no motive has been determined for the killing , which took place in the poor neighborhood of Rione Sanita , where Camorra -- the name for organized crime in Naples -- is strong . The victim was a bank robber , the spokesman said . Italian Minister for Equal Opportunities Maria Rosaria Carfagna called the video `` tragic . '' `` It shows us , finally , without any censorship , a disgusting side of the Camorra , which along with all the rest of its disgusting faces , has forced a city , a region , a territory , to be ashamed of itself and to hide its real face . `` A street homicide , in broad daylight , in the center of a great European city can not be considered normal and even less be accepted by the conscience of all Italians as if it were a TV show , '' she said . `` The police forces are waging a battle against organized crime , as the number of arrests shows us . The state is there and in strong force . But , and I speak here as someone from the Campania region , Naples and all of Campania need not only a strong political force but the courage of all its citizens . '' Roberto Saviano , author of the book `` Gomorrah , '' which details the Camorra , called the video `` shocking . '' `` What is shocking about this video is the absolute serenity of the people around the victim , '' he told the daily newspaper La Repubblica . Saviano , who has lived under police protection since shortly after his book was published in 2006 , added , `` Unfortunately , though , when a city is at war , its citizens undergo and live almost with normal indifference . '' Italy 's Green Party is offering 2,000 euros -LRB- $ 2,963 -RRB- to whoever helps investigators identify the suspects . `` The Camorra pays them to keep quiet ; we pay them to speak , '' said Francesco Emilio Borelli , head of the Green Party in the Campania region . The police spokesman said Camorra has been blamed for about 60 killings this year in Naples and its surrounding county . | Video shows man shoot another man twice outside Naples store during day . Passers-by appear unfazed by shooting in neighborhood where organized crime is strong . `` Unfortunately , this is not an anomaly in Naples , '' police spokesman says . Italy 's Green Party offers reward for information on shooter and accomplice . | [[32, 135], [438, 440], [494, 535], [764, 791], [947, 1026], [1600, 1610], [1653, 1664], [2692, 2699], [2718, 2785], [2972, 2978], [2996, 3008], [3021, 3059], [1029, 1057], [1077, 1136], [1696, 1716], [3063, 3182]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Six Uyghurs who were imprisoned in the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , were transferred Saturday to the South Pacific island nation of Palau , the Justice Department said . Ahmad Tourson , Abdul Ghappar Abdul Rahman , Edham Mamet , Anwar Hassan , Dawut Abdurehim and Adel Noori were resettled in Palau , the Justice Department said in a statement Saturday . Seven Uyghurs are still at Guantanamo Bay , where 215 prisoners remain . Uyghur is an ethnic group from western China . Since January , 25 detainees have been transferred to other countries . The United States has coordinated with Palau `` to ensure that the transfers take place under appropriate security measures and will continue to consult with the Republic of Palau regarding the individuals , '' the Justice Department said . The 13 Uyghurs were accused of receiving weapons and military training in Afghanistan . Some of them have been cleared for release since 2003 , and other Uyghurs have been released to other countries . The United States said it would not send them back to their homeland because of concern they would be tortured by Chinese authorities . The Chinese government has said no returned Uyghurs would be mistreated and has repeatedly warned other countries against taking the men . Beijing officials this summer again urged the United States to hand over all remaining Uyghurs instead of sending them elsewhere . China alleges the men are part of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement , a group the U.S. State Department considers a terrorist organization , that operates in the Xinjiang region . East Turkestan is another name for Xinjiang . On October 20 , the Supreme Court tentatively agreed to accept an appeal from the 13 Uyghurs to be released into the United States from American military custody . CNN 's Carol Cratty and Bill Mears contributed to this report . | The Uyghurs -- Muslims from Southern China -- went to South Pacific island nation Saturday . 7 Uyghurs still at Guantanamo Bay ; U.S. wo n't send them back to China , citing torture concerns . The 13 Uyghurs were accused of receiving weapons and military training in Afghanistan . China says returning Uyghurs wo n't be mistreated , warns other countries not to take them . | [[0, 15], [97, 173], [464, 510], [391, 432], [1026, 1113], [1106, 1161], [824, 911], [824, 838], [852, 911], [1162, 1184], [1238, 1300], [1194, 1233]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- Reuters -RRB- -- The `` bongs '' of London 's Big Ben stopped on Saturday for up to six weeks as the clock 's chimes were shut down for maintenance work . The London landmark is undergoing maintenance work ahead of its 150th anniversary in 2009 . At 8 a.m. -LRB- 0700 GMT -RRB- the bells of the landmark Westminster clock tower were silenced for the final phase of a program of work ahead of the clock 's 150th anniversary in 2009 . An hour later , Londoners and tourists saw the unusual spectacle of workers abseiling down the south clock face to clean and repair it . Both hands of the clock were turned to 12 . An electric system will keep the clock moving while work takes place on the mechanism . The stoppage will be the longest suspension of Big Ben since 1990 . There were previous stoppages of both the hour and quarter bells in 1956 and 1934 . The 96 meter -LRB- 315 ft -RRB- clock tower of Britain 's parliament is popularly known as Big Ben , although the name actually refers to the 13.5 tonne Great Bell inside . E-mail to a friend . Copyright 2007 Reuters . All rights reserved.This material may not be published , broadcast , rewritten , or redistributed . | `` Bongs '' of London 's Big Ben stopped on Saturday for up to six weeks . Clock 's chimes have been shut down for maintenance work . Work being carried out ahead of clock 's 150th anniversary in 2009 . The stoppage will be the longest suspension of Big Ben since 1990 . | [[9, 36], [77, 177], [9, 36], [77, 177], [178, 269], [270, 455], [178, 269], [212, 269], [270, 455], [725, 792]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iran tested a missile-launching system and several types of short - and medium-range missiles Sunday , the state-run Press TV said . A short-range missile is test-launched during war games in Qom , Iran , south of Tehran , on Sunday . Earlier , the country 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had said it would stage missile exercises beginning Sunday to promote the armed forces ' defense capabilities . The tests , which are expected to last until Monday , are code-named `` Payghambar-e Azam 4 '' or `` The Great Prophet 4 , '' Press TV said . The missiles , fired at targets around the country Sunday , included the Fateh-110 , a short-range ground-to-ground missile , and Tondar-69 , a short-range naval missile , the station said . Several models of medium-range Shahab missiles were tested at night , Press TV reported . Watch Iranian missile tests '' The final stage of the tests will be held Monday morning , when Iran plans to test the long-range Shahab missile , the station said . In May , Iran said it tested a surface-to-surface missile that is capable of reaching parts of Europe . At the time , a White House official said actions in Iran were noteworthy . `` Of course , this is just a test , and obviously there is much work to be done before it can be built and deployed . But I see it as a significant step forward in terms of Iran 's capacity to deliver weapons , '' said Gary Samore , special assistant to the president on nonproliferation . The latest test follows Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 's disclosure Friday that Iran was building a second uranium enrichment facility . Watch analyst 's view on missile tests , nuclear tensions '' The United States and Israel believe that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear energy program . Iran has denied the allegation . | NEW : Iran test-fires several types of short - and medium-range missiles . NEW : Tests are code-named `` The Great Prophet 4 , '' state-run Press TV says . Missile tests come days after Iran admits existence of second nuclear facility . In May , Iran tested surface-to-surface missile capable of reaching parts of Europe . | [[19, 119], [152, 253], [758, 825], [122, 151], [425, 476], [479, 545], [548, 566], [1484, 1566], [1013, 1019], [1022, 1070], [1032, 1116]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been named the best player in Europe , becoming the first Argentine to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award on Tuesday . Last year 's winner Cristiano Ronaldo came second , with Messi 's teammates from Barcelona 's historic 2008-09 treble-winning side -- Spain midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta plus Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o -LRB- now at Inter Milan -RRB- -- rounding out the top five . The 22-year-old Messi helped the Catalan giants to the Spanish La Liga and European Champions League titles as well as the Copa Del Rey , while his Argentina side scraped into the World Cup finals after finishing fourth in their South American qualifying campaign . Messi told France Football magazine , organizers of the award , that he knew he was `` among the favorites because Barcelona had a profitable year . '' `` For me it 's a big honor to win -- but also to become the first Argentinian in history to receive the trophy , '' he said . `` I dedicate it to my family , they were always present when I needed them and sometimes felt even stronger emotions than me . '' Messi is the first Barcelona player to win the award since Brazilian forward Ronaldinho took it in 2005 , and the sixth to have won it while at the club . He dominated the Ballon d'Or voting , polling 473 votes compared to second-placed Ronaldo 's 233 , and 27 more than the Real Madrid and Portugal winger received when he won it in 2008 for his exploits while with Manchester United . The rest of the top-10 was completed by : Brazil playmaker Kaka , Real Madrid 's summer signing from AC Milan ; Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic , who joined Barcelona from Inter in the off-season ; England forward Wayne Rooney of United ; Chelsea 's Ivory Coast frontman Didier Drogba ; and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard of England . The award was only open to European players before 1995 , and that year AC Milan 's Liberian star George Weah became the first from outside the continent to win it . Argentina-born Alfredo Di Stefano was named Europe 's top player twice in the 1950s while at Real Madrid , but had acquired Spanish citizenship by that time . | Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi crowned the 2009 Ballon d'Or winner . He won 473 votes -- 240 more than second-placed Cristiano Ronaldo , who won last year . The 22-year-old Messi is the first Argentinian to win the award , launched in 1956 . It is organized by France Football magazine to recognize the best player in Europe . | [[176, 225], [1316, 1335], [1318, 1376], [0, 15], [93, 175], [924, 978]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Suspected Somali pirates hijacked a Greek-owned bulk carrier Wednesday with 22 crew members aboard , according to the European Union 's Naval Force for Somalia . MV Filitsa was seized in the early morning about 460 miles -LRB- 740 kilometers -RRB- northeast of the Seychelles as it headed toward Durban , South Africa , according to a news release from EU NAVFOR Somalia . The Marshall Island-flagged carrier -- with three Greek and 19 Filipino crew members -- `` has now turned around and is heading north , '' it said . The bulk carrier has a deadweight of more than 23,000 tons . There have been more than 100 pirate attacks and at least 39 hijackings off the east Africa this year , according to EU NAVFOR . In late October , Somali pirates seized a private yacht in the Indian Ocean , taking Paul and Rachel Chandler hostage . They have demanded a $ 7 million ransom for the British couple 's release , but the government has refused to pay as a matter of long-standing policy . Two vessels were attacked the day after the Chandlers set sail . One of them -- a cargo ship -- was successfully boarded and seized off the Seychelles , while the other fought off its attackers near the Kenyan coast . Pirates are still holding a Spanish fishing boat , the Alakrana , which they seized on October 2 off Somalia 's coast . Days later , they transferred three of the fishing boat 's 36 crew members to land . Two pirate suspects had left the Alakrana in a small vessel heading toward land , authorities said , and the Spanish military swooped in to stop them on the high seas . They were later brought to Madrid , where a judge has charged them with piracy and kidnapping . The pirates holding the crew have demanded Spain release the two suspects . Spain is part of the European Union task force against piracy in the Indian Ocean off Somalia . The Spanish parliament last January agreed to increase Spain 's presence with up to 395 troops and assets , including a frigate and aircraft . CNN 's Al Goodman contributed to this report . | 22 crew aboard Greek-owned bulk carrier MV Filitsa . Ship changed directions , now heading north European Union Naval Force says . More than 100 pirate attacks off East Africa this year . | [[0, 15], [19, 110], [0, 15], [120, 180], [392, 476], [509, 525], [706, 730], [602, 693]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A silent , invisible battle is being fought against roadside bombs in Iraq . Though the military does n't like to advertise their use , electronic jamming systems are playing a key role in neutralizing the threat . Smoke billows from tires of a U.S. military truck hit by an IED near the Iraqi-Syrian border in October 2005 . `` Any weapon we had against IEDs , -LSB- improvised explosive devices -RSB- was utilized including jamming technology , '' said Jason Spencer , 29 , an Oklahoma City , Oklahoma , engineer who served with the Army in Iraq in 2005 . Vehicle mounted electronic jammers attempt to block a signal going to a radio-controlled IED . The military also uses portable backpack jammers . `` The sophistication of IEDs definitely increased during my time in Iraq , '' said Spencer . `` There was a definite increase in remote detonation . '' A signal going to a remote-controlled IED operates on a radio or infrared frequency . Jamming devices , known as Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare , or CREW systems , attempt to intercept or block a signal before it reaches its intended target , preventing detonation . One common method is barrage jamming , which knocks out a broad range of radio signals . However , it also knocks out communications used by U.S. troops putting them at increased risk . `` Ideally what you want to be able to do is have something that can grab very precise signals , capture the signals and render them irrelevant without knocking out your own communication , '' said CNN military analyst retired Army Brig. Gen. James `` Spider '' Marks . These technologies represent the last line of defense , Marks said . `` We do n't want to give our potential enemies an understanding of what we are doing to counter their efforts , '' he said . Along with jammers , troops use air surveillance , robots , blast-resistant vehicles and mine rollers as countermeasures . See counter-IED technologies in Iraq '' IEDs are the No. 1 source of U.S. and alllied casualties in Iraq , according to the Department of Defense . From July 2003 to July 2007 , 1,565 coalition forces were killed by IEDs , according to iCasualties.org . See the casualty toll inflicted by IEDs '' `` We dealt with hundreds of IEDs while in theater , '' said Spencer . `` IEDs were always on our minds during every patrol . '' Spencer says IEDs come in a variety of shapes and sizes . `` From a simple mortar round on the side of the road with a fuse and a wire running to a push-button , to complex explosives poured into concrete -LRB- shaped like curbs -RRB- with remote detonators and booby traps . '' Most roadside bombs are remotely detonated using common household devices : cell phones , garage door openers , burglar alarms , key fobs , doorbells , or remote controls for toy cars . Learn more about the IED threat '' `` Our enemy hides in plain sight . He buys his bomb parts in stores . It 's standard commerce , '' said Marks . U.S. forces are dealing with an adaptive , innovative and flexible enemy , according to the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization , or JIEDDO , which is leading the counter-IED effort for the military . As insurgents modify their devices to outwit the military , the military in turn adapts its own jamming technologies . Many companies have been tapped to supply jammers to coalition forces . JIEDDO is interested in technologies that can be used in the field within two to eight months -- `` light speed '' in Defense Department terms . The Army 's main CREW system is the Warlock Duke , a vehicle - mounted radio jammer developed by Syracuse Research Corporation . It 's capable of jamming most radio-controlled IEDs , according to the Pentagon . The Navy , which oversees the CREW program , contracted BAE Systems to produce 3,800 wearable jammers to be fielded in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2008 . Canadian firm Med-Eng is building jammers for the Marines , reports military contractor General Dynamics . By the end of 2007 , JIEDDO will have funded more than 30,000 jammers for Marine and Army units . They have spent $ 1.6 billion on jamming technology for this fiscal year . `` This gear saves lives every day , '' wrote retired Gen. Montgomery Meigs , director of the Joint IED Defeat Organization , in a column titled `` On the Offensive : The Battle Against IEDs . '' One in six IEDs causes casualties in Iraq , JIEDDO reports . To remain effective the enemy `` must expose himself more and take higher risks to do his ugly work , '' Meigs said . In January , the Government Accounting Office launched a review of JIEDDO and its efforts to counter IEDs . The Defense Science Board criticized the agency for focusing too much on defensive countermeasures `` to which the enemy quickly adapts , making these efforts less effective , '' in an April 2006 report . JIEDDO is fully cooperating with the GAO , said Col. Dewey Ford , director of strategic communications for JIEDDO . He added that Congress has long supported eliminating the IED threat . JIEDDO said it is aggressively going after the bomb makers , working to destroy their networks . The agency acknowledges that the mission wo n't be achieved merely by technical means . `` The best way to counter the IED threat is through understanding the network that allows an IED to even be assembled , '' said Marks , who supports JIEDDO 's work . `` I 'd rather have the guy who is going to put that IED in place get killed long before he 's even part of the network . And I do n't want him to know how I found him out because I want to find out where all his buddies are and kill them too . '' E-mail to a friend . | Counter-IED technologies are troops ' last line of defense in Iraq . Signal jammers used to block an IED from detonating . Enemy is adaptive , innovative and flexible . Best way to combat insurgents -- go after the bomb makers . | [[1640, 1693], [381, 463], [577, 671], [962, 1078], [1081, 1157], [962, 1078], [1160, 1183], [2997, 3069], [5068, 5136], [5253, 5294], [5306, 5371]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sea The Stars showed a blistering turn of pace to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and confirm his status as one of the greatest race horses in history . Sea The Stars finishes clear of the field to win Europe 's top horse race . It was the fifth consecutive win for the three-year-old colt , including the 2,000 Guineas and English Derby , as he claimed Europe 's premier flat race on Sunday . Trained in Ireland by John Oxx , Sea The Stars was boxed in approaching the final furlong , but jockey Mick Kinane found a gap before bursting clear of the field . He relegated Youmzain , ridden by the returning Kieren Fallon , into second place with seven-time Arc winning trainer Andre Fabre 's Cavalryman , under Frankie Dettori , in third . Breeders Cup Turf champion Conduit was finishing fast but could do no better than fourth . Sea The Stars started as a 4-6 favorite and was supported by a huge following , being cheered to the rafters in the ring even prior to the race . But the Aidan O'Brien-trained Set Sail and Grand Ducal set a blistering pace with the former leading by 15 lengths entering the home straight of the mile and a half -LRB- 2,400 meters -RRB- race . Unbeaten French filly Stacelita then hit the front before 50-year-old Kinane and the superstar Sea The Stars worked their magic to emulate his dam -LRB- mother -RRB- Urban Sea who won the race in 1993 . | Sea The Stars wins Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe horse race at Longchamps . Completes treble after earlier wins in English Derby and 2,000 Guineas . Irish trained horse bursts clear of rivals under jockey Mick Kinane . | [[0, 9], [19, 102], [174, 249], [364, 414], [250, 358], [174, 249], [511, 578]] |
New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The new Navy assault ship USS New York steamed into New York harbor Monday , cutting through the water with a bow built using seven and a half tons of steel recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center . Its crew stood at attention and a 21-gun salute greeted the ship . Firefighters , bagpipers , and those who lost loved ones on 9/11 lined the shore to watch the emotional arrival . The docking holds special meaning for many families of those who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11 , 2001 . `` What better way for our young men and women that are going to be on the USS New York to feel the spirit of our country than to have this ship have the steel in the bow that represents not the bad but the good of our country , '' said Lee Ielpi , who lost his firefighter son , Jonathan , on 9/11 . The memory of the attacks is etched on the crest of the ship , which features a phoenix rising from the twin towers with the words , `` Never Forget . '' Watch USS New York sail up the Hudson . The ship weighs more than 25,000 tons and is as long as two football fields . Thirteen percent of the 361 crew members hail from the state of New York . Former New York Gov. George Pataki received special dispensation to name the $ 1 billion ship USS New York ; only submarines normally can be named after states . Can you see the USS New York ? Send your photos or videos . It is the first ship assignment for Ensign Timothy Gorman , who said , `` Of any ship in the Navy , this is one ship that you can be proud of commissioning , to remember on a daily basis why we are here and why the ship is so special . The steel in the bow , we are very mindful that we are representing victims of 9/11 and the families and the people that died that day . '' Howard Lutnick takes great pride in the new ship . He is CEO of the financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald , whose offices were in the World Trade Center . The ship , he said , is a memorial to his brother and 658 of his employees who died on that day more than eight years ago . Lutnick said he lives with the loss every day . Watch how steel from World Trade Center became the ship 's bow . `` I really like the idea of people going out and avenging what happened to us and protecting us so that it should never happen again , because the pain that we went through , we want no one , no other family to have to go through it , '' Lutnick said . The ship also will be used to ferry disaster relief when needed . The USS New York will remain docked in the city through Veterans Day before heading back to its base in Norfolk , Virginia , for a year of crew training and exercises . | USS New York greeted by 21-gun salute , emotional spectators , as it arrives in New York . Ship 's bow includes tons of steel from World Trade Center . Ship to remain in New York until Veterans Day ; it will be based in Norfolk , Virginia . | [[54, 102], [241, 288], [273, 307], [308, 344], [373, 421], [136, 184], [164, 240], [669, 712], [2119, 2183], [2504, 2615], [2504, 2520], [2573, 2617]] |
Islamabad , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pakistan 's military said Tuesday that its forces have taken over a Taliban stronghold during the ongoing ground offensive in the tribal region of South Waziristan . Pakistani security forces have secured Sararogha and have started to clear the town of weapons and ammunition , the military said . It comes a day after its forces gained control of Kaniguram , another key Taliban stronghold , which the military says its forces have now completely secured . According to the military , 21 militants and one Pakistani soldier died in the past 24 hours of fighting -- most of them in the raid on Sararogha . The military is trying to rout Taliban insurgents operating along the Pakistan-Afghan border . The restive and largely ungoverned region of South Waziristan is the headquarters of the Pakistani Taliban . Pakistan 's military suspects its leader , Hakimullah Mehsud , is still in the region backed by up to 8,000 militant fighters . Pakistan 's army has launched three similar offensives in Kaniguram and Sararogha since 2004 without success , sometimes agreeing to peace deals that eventually fall apart . Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas recently told CNN that this time a peace deal is not an option . `` Certainly there is no scope of a peace deal , '' Abbas told CNN . `` It is a fight to the finish . '' The military began its ground offensive in South Waziristan three weeks ago , however the region has been affected by a broader anti-Taliban offensive that has uprooted more than 180,000 people this year , according to the United Nations . Many of those people -- more than 94,000 -- have fled South Waziristan since June , the U.N. said last week . In recent weeks , Pakistan has been relentlessly rocked by a wave of attacks as Islamic militants retaliate against the military campaign . On Monday , the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Rawalpindi were hit by separate suicide bombings . A suicide attacker believed to be on a motorcycle targeted people outside a bank in Rawalpindi who were lined up to pick up their monthly checks , police said . That attack killed 30 people , police said on Tuesday . The attack happened in the Cannt area of Rawalpindi , close to Pakistan 's military headquarters where the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan , Gen. Stanley McChrystal , was meeting with Pakistan 's army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Monday . It was unclear if he was there at the time of the attack . Hours later , two suicide bombers detonated their explosives at a police checkpoint in Lahore , injuring 17 police and civilians . CNN 's Samson Desta and Reza Sayah contributed to this report . | Pakistani forces secure Sararogha , clearing the town of weapons and ammunition . Pakistan : 21 militants and one Pakistani soldier die in the past 24 hours of fighting . Restive and largely ungoverned region of South Waziristan is headquarters of Pakistani Taliban . Pakistan 's army has launched three similar offensives in Kaniguram and Sararogha since 2004 without success . | [[0, 9], [12, 36], [40, 205], [206, 254], [206, 231], [245, 315], [526, 602], [741, 849], [978, 1070]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The 63-year-old bearded fireplug of a man erupted in tears , pulled a white handkerchief from his back pocket , carefully unfolded it and pressed it into his eyes , pulled it away , pressed it again to his eyes , this time with more force , pulled it away again just long enough to take a sip of water , then rubbed them again . Lula da Silva gets a kiss from bid committee president Carlos Arthur Nuzman after the announcement Friday . `` I 've never won a gift before , '' Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told reporters . `` The first gift I ever had in my life I had to buy . It was an old bike with a broken belt and I had to fix it . Today , people who do n't even know me gave me the greatest gift that a president could have : to host the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro . Rio deserves this because Rio is a city that has suffered . '' For Lula da Silva , Friday 's announcement in Copenhagen , Denmark , that Rio de Janeiro will host the 31st Olympiad in 2016 signified a major achievement not only for his hemisphere -LRB- no city in South America has ever before hosted the games -RRB- but for him -- a former autoworker and union organizer who defied dizzying odds to become president . Lula da Silva was born to a peasant family in one of northeastern Brazil 's most impoverished areas and migrated as a young man to a city near São Paulo , where he worked as a metalworker , losing his left pinky finger in the process . In the 1970s , he became a union leader , said Luiz Valente , chairman of the department of Portuguese and Brazilian studies at Brown University in Providence , Rhode Island . During the years of military rule from 1964 until 1985 , the government cracked down on unions . But Lula da Silva acquired a reputation as a public figure by leading a successful strike in São Paulo , Valente told CNN in a telephone interview . `` He was able to negotiate a favorable contract for his union but , from a political standpoint , he demonstrated that worker strikes were possible again in Brazil , '' Valente said . During the early 1980s , as the military rulers ' grip on control loosened , Lula da Silva helped found the leftist Workers ' Party . In the late 1980s , he ran for Congress and won , but he chose not to run for re-election . Instead , he set his sights on the top job , waging a losing presidential campaign in 1989 , the country 's first presidential election since 1960 . Successive tries in 1993 and 1997 were unsuccessful , but in 2001 , he won and quickly surprised many observers . `` When he began , he was perceived as someone very much on the left , '' said Valente . `` He was perceived as being a socialist . However , he has not governed as a socialist . Instead , his economic policies were a continuation of the previous administration 's . '' In fact , Brazil 's economic policy has been `` pretty much middle of the road , some people would say pretty conservative , '' said Valente , who added that he has never voted for Lula da Silva . But Lula da Silva has worked to help the country 's poor , introducing populist measures intended to lower the incidence of poverty and making other moves , Valente said . `` As a union leader during the military dictatorship , he learned how to negotiate with the so-called enemy , '' Valente said . `` So Lula is going to try to reach some kind of consensus , and he did . What he did was not a product of ideology but of a pragmatist attitude of the government of Brazil . '' Lula da Silva 's moderate modus operandi has gained him popularity at home , where he has made no moves toward abolishing the term limits that preclude his running for a third term next year , Valente said . That pragmatism has served him well on the international front , where he is on good terms with the leftist governments of Venezuela , Bolivia and Ecuador as well as with the United States and the European Union . `` Lula knows how to play the game , '' Valente said . Like Brazil 's president , Rio did not succeed on its first try , having been rejected in an earlier bid -- which inspired planners to be meticulous , Valente said . `` They were very well-prepared , '' he said . Indeed , the city two years ago hosted the Pan-American Games , which officials looked on as a trial run for the Olympics , he said . `` Everything ran without a hitch , '' said Valente . `` It was just a beautiful event . '' Lula 's waterworks were no surprise to his countrymen , the professor said . `` He 's a very emotional guy and Brazilians tend to be emotional . They 're certainly not ashamed of showing their emotions ... It 's not unusual for Brazilian men to cry in situations like that . Brazilians actually like to see men cry . They think it 's good to show your emotions . '' Watch the reaction as Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , is named host city for the 2016 Olympics '' `` He always cries when he talks of his mother , who never saw him become president , '' said Fabiana Frayssinet , CNN 's correspondent in Rio de Janeiro . `` He 's a man who cries , who gets mad . He 's an emotional man who says what he thinks whenever he wants . '' Emotions were on display Friday on Copacabana beach in Rio , where thousands of people flocked on the first sunny day after two weeks of rain and atypically cold weather . `` It was a mix of the end of a football championship with a ... carnival and all the Brazilian festivals , '' Frayssinet said . | Lula da Silva calls announcement `` the greatest gift that a president could have '' Brazil 's president rose from metalworker to union organizer to politician . His election to the presidency in 2001 came after three unsuccessful tries . Rio 's hosting the Pan-American Games was seen as a trial run for the Olympics . | [[1144, 1145], [1168, 1183], [1188, 1230], [1144, 1183], [1209, 1230], [1392, 1418], [1467, 1479], [1482, 1506], [4199, 4205], [4208, 4260], [4238, 4260], [4279, 4320]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Saudi Arabia 's King Abdullah has been called `` The King of Hearts '' by many of his countrymen , referring to what they believe are his compassionate attempts to reform his ultra-conservative kingdom . He used his power Monday to overturn a criminal court sentence of 60 lashes and a two-year travel ban imposed on female journalist Rosanna al-Yami . Under the travel ban , she could not have left Saudi Arabia . Al-Yami was sentenced for her work on an episode of the television show `` A Thick Red Line '' that featured a Saudi man who bragged about sexual escapades . The controversial show explores social taboos . It is carried by the Lebanese Broadcasting Corp. , for which al-Yami works as a coordinator and guest booker . `` King Abdullah 's swift revocation of this punishment sends an important notice to the Saudi judicial system that it should not go after journalists for exercising free speech , '' said Sarah Leah Whitson , Middle East director for Human Rights Watch . `` King Abdullah should also overturn the sentence against the man at the center of the case , who had spoken about sex on a television show , and initiate reforms to strengthen the rights to freedom of expression and to a fair trial , '' Human Rights Watch said in a written statement . In the episode , the Saudi man , Mazen Abdul Jawad , 32 , bragged about his sex life . Saudi authorities put him on trial and sentenced him to five years in prison and 1,000 lashes . Shortly afterward , the court sentenced al-Yami . Jawad 's attorney , Suleiman al-Jumeii , said al-Yami was not involved in setting up the episode in which his client appeared . The lawyer said he is attempting to pursue an appeal for his client and get the case heard in a special court that deals only with media matters . `` A Thick Red Line '' caused an uproar in deeply conservative Saudi Arabia , where sharia , or Islamic law , is practiced . Pre-marital sex is illegal , and unrelated men and women are not permitted to mingle . Saudi authorities shut down Lebanese Broadcasting 's offices in Jeddah and Riyadh after the interview aired a few months ago . The king 's pardon of al-Yami was unusual , but it was not the first time he has stepped in . In late 2007 , the king pardoned a woman who , although she had been gang-raped , was sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in prison for appearing in public with an unrelated male , who also was pardoned , according to the Saudi justice minister . The king concluded in a letter pardoning the woman that her male companion , who was abducted along with her , had suffered torture along with her . Details of what happened to the two were not disclosed . Octavia Nasr , senior editor for Middle East affairs , contributed to this report . | Saudi king overturns journalist 's sentence of 60 lashes , two-year travel ban . Female journalist worked on controversial TV show on sexual taboos . Saudi man was sentenced to five years in jail , 1,000 lashes for his role in show . Human Rights Watch.calls on King Abdullah to overturn that sentence too . | [[223, 324], [303, 371], [1381, 1398], [1420, 1476], [1006, 1098]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It says something about the popularity of `` Dancing With the Stars '' that the show 's professional dancers have become almost as famous as the celebrities they 're paired with . Mark Ballas and Shawn Johnson celebrate after winning last season 's `` Dancing With the Stars . '' Take Mark Ballas , who last season waltzed and tangoed his way to a first-place finish with Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson -- his second mirror ball trophy since he joined the hit series in 2007 . At just 23 , Ballas is already recognized on the street , he 's in a band with fellow `` Dancing '' pro Derek Hough , and he 's thinking about branching out into acting . For the new season of `` Dancing With the Stars , '' which begins Monday , Ballas is paired with Melissa Joan Hart , best known for her roles in the television series `` Sabrina , the Teenage Witch '' and `` Clarissa Explains It All . '' Ballas spoke to CNN about his new celebrity partner , his training routine and whether former `` American Idol '' judge Paula Abdul could find a new home on the show . The following is an edited version of that interview . CNN : What is Melissa Joan Hart like as a dancer ? Mark Ballas : She 's doing really well so far . I think she 's going to shock a lot of people , and I think they will love her personality . She 's really bright and bubbly . CNN : Does she have any dancing experience ? Ballas : No , she 's never danced before . I mean , she took a couple of ballet classes when she was a child , but everyone 's done that . She 's never danced like this before , so it 's been a bit of a learning curve for her , but hopefully she 'll smooth it out . CNN : Did you know who she was before you were matched ? Ballas : Oh , yeah . I used to watch her shows all the time when I was younger . I would watch `` Clarissa Explains It All '' and `` Sabrina , the Teenage Witch '' after school . CNN : Do you get any input in what celebrity you are paired with ? Ballas : No , we get no choice whatsoever . It 's basically -LSB- dependent on -RSB- whether they think our personalities will be compatible and also on height . You have to be the right height , because if someone is 6 feet and your partner is 5 feet , it wo n't work out . CNN : How do you choreograph dances ? Do you like to use certain routines over again ? Ballas : I start fresh every time . Having a good song is definitely helpful , and when you get a new song , it 's really inspiring and makes you want to move , and that 's the fun of it . You always want to keep things fresh , and I always keep challenging myself , like how can I outdo what I did last time ? CNN : The facial expressions seem so important in ballroom dancing . How do you teach that to your celebrity partners ? Ballas : That 's something you ca n't teach . Obviously , you explain what the dance is and how you have to act and what you should be thinking , but you do n't choreograph facial expressions . That 's got to come from the heart and the soul , and you just have to feel it . CNN : If you have a celebrity partner like Kim Kardashian , who was criticized for being wooden on the dance floor , is there anything you can do ? Ballas : The best thing to do is to make them feel comfortable . Kim got very shy when the cameras were on , and she would always dance a lot better off camera . But sometimes , dancing just is n't for certain people . Kim and I had a great time together and still are good friends to this day . But dancing was n't her thing , she just did n't take to it . CNN : Do you keep in touch with your former partners ? Ballas : Yes , I talk to Shawn -LSB- Johnson -RSB- and Kristi Yamaguchi all the time ; I talked to Kim Kardashian about an hour ago . We stay good friends . Kristi Yamaguchi was amazing to work with -- great temperament , really eager to learn , she was like a machine . Kim Kardashian was a doll . We talk all the time , we hang out when we can , she 's a lot of fun . Shawn Johnson was just a joy to work with , from start to finish . Just an absolute sweetheart . We had a lot of fun , we laughed a lot . CNN : A lot of people were surprised that actor Gilles Marini did n't win last season . What 's your take on that ? Ballas : I definitely feel that Shawn was the better dancer . Gilles was a great performer , but technically -- if you were looking at technique and you 're looking at dancing -- Shawn was the stronger dancer . Her routines were a lot harder , her technique was a lot stronger ... especially in the last four weeks . I definitely feel like it was a fair result . CNN : Your father , Corky Ballas , who is also a professional dancer , made quite a splash when he was paired with 80-something Cloris Leachman on `` Dancing '' last year . Is he coming back to the show anytime soon ? Ballas : I hope so . It was a lot of fun having him around , and I thought he was amazing , of course . They were a great team , absolutely hilarious . I 'm sure if they ask him back , which I 'm hoping they do , that he would definitely come back . CNN : There were some suggestions that Paula Abdul might join the show as a judge . What do you think about that ? Ballas : I think that Paula would be great as a contestant . If she wanted to be on our show , she should come on to compete and be partnered with one of us . As far as the judges , I love our judges . I think our judges are great , and I think we 've got a great system , and I do n't think there would be any need for an extra judge . I love Paula -- I 've met her several times because `` American Idol '' is right next door to us . I would love for her to come on the show and be my partner . CNN : Are you recognized on the street ? Ballas : I have loads of people come up to me . They ask questions about the season . It 's really nice , and I really appreciate it . CNN : Your fellow pros on `` Dancing , '' Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff , broke off their engagement recently . Is that going to affect the show in any way ? Ballas : We 're all very professional . These things happen . It will definitely not affect the show , we 'll keep on dancing . You wo n't even be able to tell . I 've talked to Max several times . He 's doing OK . These things are never easy , and Max is a dear , dear friend of mine . I 've known him for 13 years . CNN : What are your career goals beyond dancing ? Ballas : I 'm actually a guitar player and a singer/songwriter . I studied musical theater and music and vocals . Anything to do with music is definitely a big goal of mine . I 've studied acting for 10 years , so I 'd love to do film at some point as well . | Professional dancer Mark Ballas is paired with Melissa Joan Hart this season . The two-time champ of `` Dancing With the Stars '' finds her `` bright and bubbly '' Ballas : Paula Abdul would be great as a contestant , but is n't needed as a judge . Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff 's breakup wo n't affect the show , he says . | [[666, 698], [741, 780], [1319, 1352], [5175, 5226]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- On the first anniversary of the historic 2008 election , retired Gen. Colin Powell , the first African-American secretary of state , talks one-on-one with CNN 's Don Lemon for Essence Magazine about the most pressing issues facing black men in the age of President Obama . Don Lemon : President Barack Obama issued a national call to service . Do you think African-Americans have answered that call ? Colin Powell : I really do n't know that I know the answer to that question . I do know that in the work that I do and my wife does as the chair of America 's Promise , we are seeing more and more people step forward to try to deal with the problems that we have , to include African-Americans and Hispanics stepping forward . But it 's not just a one-time thing . You ca n't just have , let 's have a day of service on Martin Luther King Jr. 's birthday or a day of service . We 've got to get deeply involved in working with our kids on a continuing basis and not just one day a year . We need more African-American men , for example , to step forward and serve as mentors to young kids who do n't have a responsible , caring adult male in their lives . If I could snap my finger and do one thing , I would make sure that every young American boy or girl , but especially African-American -LSB- children -RSB- , have a responsible , caring adult in their lives . Hopefully , it 's their parents , even if it 's a single parent . ... But without that kind of family support , then we need Boys and Girls Clubs . We need Big Brothers and Big Sisters . We need mentors . Otherwise , these kids will find bad adults to copy from , and we 're going to lose them . Lemon : I recently reported on youth violence and gangs in Chicago , Illinois . Most of the young men did n't have role models at home . Would it help if more African-American men had picked up the torch to help those young men ? Powell : Of course it would . President Obama has spoken out rather clearly about this : Fathers have got to start doing their jobs . Every child has a father , and some of those fathers do n't want to live up to the responsibility of being a father . Whether it 's a father in a marriage or a father in a good home , that father is a father and owes that child financial support , owes that child companionship , owes that child an example in life . Those of us who have been blessed with some success ... you can look back and see family members who kept you in play . If it had n't been for my relatives and my parents and my cousins and my priest and all the other people in my neighborhood , I would n't have made it . But they had a level of expectation for me . Lemon : How do you convince African-American men , especially , that service is a worthwhile effort ? Powell : You tell them that without that effort , all of our achievements over the last 50 or 60 years are being put at risk . The statistics are frightening . Fifty percent of our African-American youngsters are not graduating from high school . And of that 50 percent , a higher percentage of boys are not graduating than girls . And when they get out of high school , if we can get them into the college , you will find six girls in college for every three or four boys who are in college . And those six girls will graduate at a higher rate than the three or four boys . This is a moral disaster for the African-American community . This is not why Rosa Parks rode in the back of the bus or why Martin Luther King Jr. and all of his colleagues marched . We did n't do it so that these kids could fail because they do n't have adults in their life , teaching them how to succeed . We 've got to teach them that you 've got to behave . You 've got to learn what it means to `` mind '' somebody . You 've got to read to your kids . You 've got to act like responsible fathers . Lemon : How did you become involved in President Obama 's Renew America Together initiative , and what is your role ? Powell : The president-elect was aware of the work that Alma and I had done together on America 's Promise . As part of the transition effort , he intended to make this an important part of his administration , and he wanted to get started earlier . The White House asked if I would work with transition officials to launch his first initiative , which was called Renew America Together . I launched that for him on the 9th of January , 11 days before the inauguration . We also announced the Web site where people could sign up to get involved in service to their community . It 's called usaservice.org . I 'm so pleased that he has made this a major part of his administration and his agenda , because it fits right into what my wife and I have been doing for many years . LEMON : Did you have any African-American role models ? What did they teach you ? POWELL : They were , first and foremost , my family . When I was a young kid , born in Harlem , raised in the Bronx , it was my family that taught me how to behave , taught me what they expected of me , gave me a sense of shame and told me to `` mind . '' It 's a word that 's not used enough anymore . I tried to observe people who were successful in life . In the black community , we did n't have that many in those days . You had Joe Louis , Jackie Robinson , Ralph Bunche , Willie Mays , a lot of athletes . ... You had Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Sr. , the first black general in World War II . But it was still a country where people of color could not reach the heights . I was nevertheless inspired by these folks who did the best they could in the time in which they lived and showed that if you do your very , very best , you will be recognized and rewarded for it . I entered the Army five years after the last segregated unit was closed down . I entered in 1958 , and at that time , the Army was fully integrated , the most integrated institution in American society . And what my commander said to me : `` We do n't want to hear any sad stories about you were born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx . Do n't tell us anything about your immigrant family . We know you did n't go to West Point . `` We do n't care where you went , and we do n't care if you 're black , white , blue . ... The only color we care about now is green . You 're in the Army . '' The only thing that counts is performance . You ca n't perform if you do n't get your education . You ca n't perform if you do n't speak the English language well . You ca n't perform if you 're not respectful . You ca n't perform and you wo n't get the opportunity to perform if you walk around with your pants dragging around your ankles and you 're not behaving in a proper manner . Lemon : Amen , General . Thank you . Read Don Lemon 's editorial on Essence.com about what Obama represents for all of us . | Retired Gen. Colin Powell , wife founded America 's Promise Alliance to support youth . Powell : `` Fathers have got to start doing their jobs '' `` All of our achievements over the last 50 or 60 years are being put at risk , '' Powell says . Watch `` Black Men in the Age of President Obama , '' weekdays on HLN at 4 p.m. ET . | [[1998, 2044], [3815, 3860], [2791, 2872], [2832, 2908]] |
Fort Collins , Colorado -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The lawyer of a Colorado father accused of carrying out a bizarre hoax involving his son and a huge balloon said Monday that official charges in the case could be filed next week . Authorities announced that Richard Heene and his wife , Mayumi Heene , face several felony charges , but David Lane said the sheriff was overreaching with the charges . `` It 's piling on and it 's using charges that really are n't designed to fit this sort of allegation , '' Lane said on `` Larry King Live . '' `` The attempt to influence a public official fraudulently , that 's bribing a public official . That 's not what happened here . '' The Heenes face charges of conspiracy , contributing to the delinquency of a minor and attempting to influence a public servant , Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said Sunday . The family also probably will be charged with filing a false police report , which is a misdemeanor , Alderden said . Lane has said that the couple is `` not running from the law '' and deserves the presumption of innocence . `` The sheriff having a press conference saying that they 're guilty does not make them so , '' Lane told CNN 's `` American Morning . '' Authorities say the event -- in which the tearful couple said their 6-year-old might have been trapped in the drifting balloon -- was staged . Richard and Mayumi Heene had met in a Hollywood acting school and pursued fame for their family in the world of reality TV , Alderden said . Lane , asked Monday by CNN about his client 's state of mind , said it was `` what you would expect someone 's state of mind to be after law enforcement searched your house , seized your property , held a press conference announcing you 're about to be charged with felony criminal charges . Your state of mind would be rather upset and you would feel somewhat under siege , which is exactly how the family feels at this point . '' During the incident Thursday , as millions worldwide watched live TV coverage of the contraption floating above northern Colorado , authorities did not pick up on any deceptive behavior , Alderden said . But that night , during an interview on CNN 's `` Larry King Live , '' the boy , Falcon , gave authorities an `` Aha ! moment , '' Alderden said . `` You guys said we did this for the show , '' Falcon said in the interview , when his father asked him why he had not come out from hiding when his parents were looking for him . Richard and Mayumi Heene said their son was simply confused . Lane said on `` Larry King Live '' on Monday that he thinks Falcon was referring to his demonstration to reporters of how he hid from view . But authorities enacted a game plan to get the truth , Alderden said . The plan included misleading the media on Friday when Alderden said authorities still believed the incident was not a hoax . They wanted to keep the couple 's trust , the sheriff said . Investigators pursued separate interviews and polygraph tests with the Heene parents Saturday , then searched the couple 's home early Sunday for computer records , phone records , video recordings and other potential evidence , Alderden said . `` The sheriff put both of them on a box , and they have not shared with us whether or not they passed or failed , '' Lane told `` American Morning '' on Monday . Polygraphs are not admissible in court , Lane added . Alderden said that , under Colorado law , authorities can not announce whether polygraph tests were taken -- only that authorities pursued them . He added that authorities plan to seek restitution for the expenses incurred in the wild goose chase for Falcon . Because authorities are n't required to share evidence until charges are filed , Lane said he could not lay out the Heenes ' defense . `` Until that point ... I 'm shooting in the dark , '' he said , adding , `` If they have probable cause to make an arrest , then make an arrest and give me the evidence . '' iReport.com : `` Outraged '' over balloon hoax . Alderden , speaking at a news conference Sunday , said authorities are concerned about the safety of all three Heene children , ages 6 , 8 , and 10 . Authorities spoke with Mayumi Heene about domestic violence and the children 's safety , the sheriff said . `` But we did n't have enough that would allow us or child protection services to physically take the kids from that environment . '' A 9-1-1 call from the home earlier this year led authorities to a `` suspicious circumstance '' that the sheriff said might have involved `` domestic violence , perhaps against the wife . '' Lane told CNN affiliate KMGH on Sunday that he has `` no reason to believe they 're anything but loving parents . '' iReport.com : `` Balloon boy saga is symptom , not disease '' Speaking to CNN on Monday , Lane said the Heene children were in his office Sunday , and that by his observations as a father of three , `` They seem to be perfectly , normal , happy , well-adjusted kids that are being insulated from this process as much as possible . '' During a round of live TV interviews Friday morning , Falcon was sick , which many speculate was because he was upset about the incident . One of the questions that remains unanswered is where Falcon was as the balloon drifted . On Friday , Alderden said it had been determined that the boy was hiding in an attic in the garage . Now , authorities are unsure . Alderden said the boy might not have even been in the home . The Heenes have previously appeared on the ABC program `` Wife Swap . '' Richard Heene also chases storms , brings his family along and takes videos . TLC , which produces the show `` Jon & Kate Plus 8 '' -- told CNN that the Heenes had `` approached us months ago '' about a possible show , `` and we passed . '' Heene has been described as a meteorologist , but his education ended at the high school level , Alderden said . The sheriff said investigators want to interview researcher Robert Thomas , who worked with Heene for about two months this past spring . Thomas , 25 , was paid by the gossip site Gawker.com to write about his experience with Heene for a story published on Saturday . In an interview arranged with the help of Gawker , Thomas told CNN that at one point they talked about the Roswell UFO incident of the late 1940s , when Heene said it would be easy to cook up `` a media stunt that would be equally profound as Roswell , and we could do so with nothing more than a weather balloon and some controversy . '' | Authorities say story of boy in runaway balloon a hoax . Family wanted publicity for reality TV jobs , sheriff says . Official charges in the case could be filed next week . Lawyer says Heene family deserves presumption of innocence . | [[1358, 1382], [1424, 1480], [2903, 2921], [4242, 4260], [136, 223], [969, 1076], [969, 973], [988, 998], [1037, 1076]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An employee of a luxurious New York hotel has been arrested in connection with the slaying of a woman in one of the hotel 's residential condominiums , police say . The Jumeirah Essex House is a landmark on Central Park South in New York . Derrick Praileau , 29 , faces second-degree murder charges in connection with the death of Andree Bejjani , 44 . Police said Bejjani , who was originally from Lebanon , had moved to New York from Dubai , United Arab Emirates , and had been staying in a residential condominium at the Jumeirah Essex House since August . Bejjani 's nude body was found Saturday afternoon on the 10th floor of the hotel on Central Park South . Her throat was slashed , authorities said . Police have not revealed a suspected motive for the slaying . `` This incident occurred in one of the private condominiums at The Essex House complex , '' the hotel said in a statement provided to CNN . `` Our sincere condolences go out to the victim 's family and we have offered our full support during this difficult time . '' The statement continued : `` We understand that a hotel employee has been arrested pending charges in conjunction with this incident . We continue to fully cooperate with the police throughout their investigation . '' A message left with Praileau 's defense attorney was not returned . The hotel referred to Praileau only as an employee , but the New York Daily News said he was its housekeeping manager , citing Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly . The 44-story Essex House opened in 1931 , a landmark Art Deco building . It recently underwent a $ 90 million renovation . The hotel has more than 500 luxury rooms and suites , along with several privately-owned residences . One six-room unit is currently on the market for $ 8.25 million . | Lebanese native Andree Bejjani , 44 , found dead in condo Saturday . Derrick Praileau , 29 , faces second-degree murder charges . Police commissioner tells newspaper that Praileau was housekeeping manager . Authorities have not revealed suspected motive . | [[381, 436], [268, 284], [292, 373], [1410, 1470], [1410, 1433], [1473, 1515], [737, 798]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pirates seized control of a cargo vessel near the Seychelles Thursday , one of two attacks that took place within minutes of each other off the coast of east Africa , according to the European Union Naval Force . The International Maritime Bureau say attacks off the east coast of Africa have increased this year . The EU maritime patrol responded to the early morning attacks , along with the Seychelles Coast Guard . The crew of the Panama-flagged MV Al Khaliq said two pirates had boarded the vessel before communication was cut off with the crew . The EU force confirmed that six pirates have boarded the 180-meter long bulk carrier , with two attack skiffs in tow . They hoisted the `` mother skiff '' onto the vessel with a crane , the EU force said . A second attempted hijacking took place at approximately the same time , but the Italian-flagged cargo ship evaded the attack , the EU said . Armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades , pirates opened fire on the MV Jolly Rosso about 460 miles -LRB- 740 km -RRB- east of Mombasa , Kenya . A Belgium warship , part of the EU force , responded to the attack , which caused no casualties . The 200-meter MV Jolly Rosso continued its voyage . Pirate attacks off the coast of east Africa have significantly increased this year , according to the International Maritime Bureau , which monitors shipping crimes . But successful attacks have gone down as a result of a strong presence of international monitors . The first nine months of this year has seen more pirate attacks than all of last year , the bureau reported on Wednesday . From January 1 until September 30 , pirates worldwide mounted 306 attacks , compared with 293 in all of 2008 , it said . More than half of this year 's attacks were carried out by suspected Somali pirates off the east coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden , a major shipping route between Yemen and Somalia . Out of those attacks , Somali pirates successfully hijacked 32 vessels and took 533 hostages . Eight others were wounded , four more killed and one is missing , the bureau said . On Monday , pirates hijacked a Chinese merchant ship and its 25-member crew about 630 miles -LRB- 1,000 km -RRB- northeast of Seychelles . The pirates appeared to be heading toward Somalia , the European Union Naval Force said . China plans to make `` every effort to rescue '' the crew members , Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu , told reporters . The bulk carrier De Xin Hai is one of four ships that Somali pirates are holding for ransom with 80 crew members as hostages , the International Maritime Bureau said Wednesday . Maritime authorities say two recent trends have led to a rise in piracy : access and opportunity . As global commerce picks up , more and more of the world 's fuels , minerals and other crucial commodities travel by ship . Ninety-five percent of America 's foreign trade , for instance , moves by water , according to the U.S. Maritime Administration . That cargo is an easy target for robbers in countries that lack the resources to secure their shorelines , such as Somalia . Somalia 's transitional government , which has a tenuous grip on power , has been unable to stop the pirates -- many of whom are based in the country 's port cities . This has prompted Europe and other Western countries to step up maritime patrols . `` In the Gulf of Aden , the number of attacks have gone up . But because of the presence of naval vessels , the success rate of the pirates have decreased , '' said Cyrus Mody , manager of the International Maritime Bureau . `` The navies are responding very very effectively . '' Piracy accelerated after the fall of the Somali government in the early 1990s and began to flourish after shipping companies started paying ransoms . Those payments started out being in the tens of thousands of dollars and have since climbed into the millions . With the ransoms they collect , pirates can earn up to $ 40,000 a year , analysts say . That 's a fortune for someone from an impoverished country . Some analysts say companies are simply making the problem worse by paying the piracies . `` Yes , the ransoms have probably caused the piracy to become a bit more rampant . But at the same time , from the owner 's point of view , there is no other way currently to secure the safe release of the vessel along with the crew and the cargo , '' Mody said . `` It 's basically a cycle . '' CNN 's Saeed Ahmed contributed to this report . | Pirates have taken control of cargo vessel near the Seychelles off east cost of Africa . European Union Naval Force say six pirates boarded 180-meter long carrier . A second attempted hijacking took place at approximately the same time . Pirate attacks off east African coast have increased this year . | [[19, 88], [2113, 2122], [2125, 2251], [571, 689], [594, 655], [2304, 2341], [98, 109], [115, 183], [777, 847], [232, 306], [282, 333], [1233, 1315], [1233, 1276], [1318, 1364], [1499, 1584], [1812, 1856], [3372, 3394], [3397, 3433]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Huddled on the top floor of her home after waist-deep water inundated the lower story , Doranne Lim is bothered by the debris -- and the smell . Residents remove mud from a home Monday as waters recede in Marikina City , suburban Manila . `` My house is super , super messy , '' she said , speaking from her home in the eastern Manila suburb of Pasig City . The mud left behind by receding floodwaters -- caused when the nearby river flooded its banks -- is `` really smelly . '' Her car wo n't start , probably because the engine is flooded . Her microwave and refrigerator wo n't function . Most of her possessions have been moved upstairs . Still , as one of the more than 1.8 million affected by recent floods , the 28-year-old Lim is counting her blessings . Her power is back on and she believes she can salvage most of her furniture . In addition , people she knows are still searching for missing friends and relatives in the flooding . Are you there ? Share your story or pictures . `` My office mate , she lives in a village with actually really nice houses , '' Lim said . `` She was sitting on her roof for 15 hours . They did n't save anything , nothing . '' The floodwaters were beginning to subside in some areas Monday after a weekend that saw Manila hit with torrential rainfall caused by Typhoon Ketsana , which has since strengthened into a typhoon . Officials said the Philippine capital saw its heaviest rain in more than four decades . The water swallowed whole houses and buses . At least 240 people are dead , officials say . See incredible images of the flooding '' Lim said she is cleaning up the smelly mess , but no one she knows has begun fixing the damage -- because another typhoon could be bearing down on the island nation in several days . Tracking maps show Tropical Storm Nineteen approaching the Philippines later this week . Lim submitted a photo to CNN 's iReport site of people traveling down a flooded road -- a main thoroughfare -- in Pasig City . Some are wading through thigh-deep water ; others are being pulled on rafts . Some opportunists are charging others money to pull them on rafts , she said . At the end of the road is a church and a market , she said . The market is not flooded , but is `` really , really muddy , '' she said . `` Most of the vendors in the market said they are going to sleep in the market tonight because they do n't have any place to go . '' Manila , on the island of Luzon , and the nearby province of Rizal bore the brunt of the storm . People like Lim 's office mate huddled on rooftops Sunday waiting on army helicopters to pluck them to safety . Others used ropes to wade through waist-deep muddy waters . Watch how people of Manila are coping '' Power and water supply failed in some areas . Roads were rendered impassable , making rescue efforts challenging . Rescue crews were handing out food rations . `` Right now the challenge is to find out how many people have actually died and how many people we have to take care of in terms of people who 've been displaced , '' said Richard Gordon , the chairman of the Philippines National Red Cross . He estimated up to 300,000 people have been displaced on the island of Luzon alone . Another Pasig City resident , Arturo Fidelino , said 80 percent of his village was flooded . He counts himself lucky that his home was not inundated , but his family had to evacuate and move in with his in-laws because nearby streets were impassable . Fidelino said he and his wife have to get to work , and their 14-year-old daughter has to get to school . Fidelino said his family was stuck in their home for two days , before a relative who owns heavy machinery was able to remove them . `` It 's our first time to experience that kind of flood , '' he said , estimating it could take about a month for the waters to completely recede . He said many of his neighbors remain stuck in their homes , as the homeowners ' association organizes a removal effort . Other Pasig City residents were evacuated to temporary shelters set up in a municipal hall or gymnasium , he said . Officials worried that if the rains return , they could bring more floods if reservoirs burst . `` We 're hoping that there will be no more breaching of the dams , '' Gordon said . `` That 's one of the things that are very disconcerting to many people right now . '' Fidelino said many Filipinos are n't sure if the flooding was caused by the typhoon or by the opening of dams . `` It was so sudden , '' he said . `` It was sort of a flash flood . '' The floodwaters contained all sorts of animals as well -- snails , snakes , Lim said . Two crocodiles escaped from the zoo , she said -- `` it 's funny , but it 's scary . '' `` I 'm happy that I 'm a lot better off than so many other people I see on TV , clinging to electric posts , electric wires , so they wo n't be carried away -LRB- by the water -RRB- , '' she said . `` I have friends who are still missing their siblings , missing their dogs . '' Both she and Fidelino said residents have banded together to help one another . Lim said that after her electricity was restored , she got on Facebook , where she saw numerous posts from people seeking missing friends or loved ones . Members of the media and even the government were trying to help on the social networking site , asking them to send more information . Some people are putting together `` relief bags '' of food and other items to distribute to those in shelters , while others were bringing canned goods , Lim said . `` Everyone is united right now to help feed everyone , '' she said . Others are just trying to feed themselves . John Gonzalez , 11 , has been pushing a trolley through his flooded neighborhood in Manila 's Marietta Romeo village for two days . `` The flood went above the height of a man , '' he said . `` Way above our heads . Today , the water just comes to my mouth . That 's why we are out looking for food . '' CNN 's Dan Rivers contributed to this report from Manila , Philippines . | Survivors face mud and destruction , but they are thankful for their lives . Floods caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana kill at least 240 people . More than 80 percent of capital was under water at one point Sunday . iReport.com : Are you there ? Send images . | [[1295, 1340], [1522, 1550], [1553, 1568], [964, 979], [980, 1010]] |
DALLAS , Texas -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Texas terrorism suspect Hosam Smadi recorded a seven-minute video message for al Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden before his arrest on charges of plotting to blow up a Dallas building , an FBI agent testified Monday . Hosam Maher Husein Smadi said through his lawyer that he understood the charges Friday . No details of the message were provided in court . But FBI Special Agent Thomas Petrowski said the video was recorded in a hotel room with the assistance of undercover FBI operatives and Smadi intended for it to be delivered to or seen by bin Laden , the fugitive leader of the terrorist network behind the September 11 , 2001 , attacks on New York and Washington . Smadi , a 19-year-old Jordanian living in the United States illegally , is charged with plotting to set off a bomb at the base of the 60-story Fountain Plaza office tower in downtown Dallas . He was arrested September 24 after federal agents said he tried to trigger an improvised bomb attached to a vehicle at the base of the building . At a brief hearing in Dallas on Monday , Magistrate Judge Irma Ramirez ordered Smadi bound over for future hearings . Peter Fleury , the public defender representing Smadi , told reporters that his client remains held under immigration law , with no bail set . Fleury called his client `` a scared 19-year-old kid held away from his family , '' who could face additional charges from a grand jury . Prosecutors do n't have to share the evidence against Smadi until after a grand jury acts , so lawyers do n't know the full extent of the case against him , Fleury said . `` We have got a lot of work to do , '' he said . `` They have had the case since March . We just got the case . We 're way behind them . '' Friends in the town of Italy , Texas , about 45 miles south of Dallas , said Smadi was outgoing and friendly -- but one told CNN last week that the teen started showing signs of depression about six months ago , around the same time the FBI started believing he was serious about carrying out a bomb plot . CNN 's Tracy Sabo contributed to this report . | FBI : Suspect recorded video in hotel ; intended for Osama bin Laden to see it . Hosam Smadi accused of plotting to bomb Dallas skyscraper . Lawyer : Smadi `` a scared 19-year-old kid held away from his family '' Judge also ordered Smadi bound over for future hearings . | [[58, 147], [396, 549], [528, 589], [177, 217], [707, 712], [767, 898], [1306, 1358], [1334, 1384], [1045, 1083], [1086, 1162]] |
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