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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It will take NATO-led military forces `` another 25 to 30 days to secure that which needs to be secured '' in Afghanistan 's Helmand province , and a further three months after that to be sure insurgents are being kept out of the area , British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter said Thursday . But Operation Moshtarak has reached `` the end of the beginning , '' he said in a briefing from Afghanistan broadcast by the Pentagon Channel . `` The insurgent was entirely dislocated within 24 hours '' of the insertion of troops by helicopter , he said . The Nad Ali district is `` broadly secure , '' he said , but there is still Taliban resistance in Marjah . `` It will be some days before we can be completely confident that Marjah is secure , '' he said . Ten civilians were killed on the second day of the operation , he said . Reports at the time said 12 were killed . More coverage on Afghanistan Crossroads blog . | NATO troops need 25-30 days to secure areas in Helmand province , UK general says . Three more months needed to be sure insurgents stay out , says Maj. Gen. Nick Carter . But Afghan offensive has reached `` end of the beginning , '' he says . | [[196, 253], [256, 301], [306, 365]] |
-LRB- Mental Floss -RRB- -- If you think comic book characters do amazing things in comic books , you wo n't believe what they can do off the page . For starters , Superman brought down the Ku Klux Klan , and Donald Duck raised ships from the ocean floor . 1 . Superman defeats the Ku Klux Klan . In the 1940s , `` The Adventures of Superman '' was a radio sensation . Kids across the country huddled around their sets as the Man of Steel leapt off the page and over the airwaves . Although Superman had been fighting crime in print since 1938 , the weekly audio episodes fleshed out his storyline even further . It was on the radio that Superman first faced kryptonite , met The Daily Planet reporter Jimmy Olsen , and became associated with `` truth , justice , and the American way . '' So , it 's no wonder that when a young writer and activist named Stetson Kennedy decided to expose the secrets of the Ku Klux Klan , he looked to a certain superhero for inspiration . In the post-World War II era , the Klan experienced a huge resurgence . Its membership was skyrocketing , and its political influence was increasing , so Kennedy went undercover to infiltrate the group . By regularly attending meetings , he became privy to the organization 's secrets . But when he took the information to local authorities , they had little interest in using it . The Klan had become so powerful and intimidating that police were hesitant to build a case against them . Struggling to make use of his findings , Kennedy approached the writers of the Superman radio serial . It was perfect timing . With the war over and the Nazis no longer a threat , the producers were looking for a new villain for Superman to fight . The KKK was a great fit for the role . In a 16-episode series titled `` Clan of the Fiery Cross , '' the writers pitted the Man of Steel against the men in white hoods . As the storyline progressed , the shows exposed many of the KKK 's most guarded secrets . By revealing everything from code words to rituals , the program completely stripped the Klan of its mystique . Within two weeks of the broadcast , KKK recruitment was down . And by 1948 , people were showing up to Klan rallies just to mock them . Mental Floss : 5 memorable moments in comic book censorship . 2 . Donald Duck 's scientific breakthrough . In 1966 , Danish engineer Karl Krøyer developed a method for raising sunken ships off the ocean floor by injecting them with polystyrene foam balls . However , when Krøyer tried to license his invention with the Dutch patent office , he was denied . Donald Duck had beaten him to the punch by 22 years . Indeed , Krøyer 's concept could be traced back to a Donald Duck comic conceived by Carl Barks . In addition to being the most celebrated artist of the Donald Duck comics , Barks was known for his scientific prowess . So in a 1944 story , when Donald got a bump on his head that turned him into a genius , the duck managed to mumble , `` If I mix CH2 -LSB- a methylene compound -RSB- with NH4 -LSB- ammonium -RSB- and boil the atoms in osmotic fog , I should get speckled nitrogen ! '' Although it sounded like nonsense , it was n't . In 1963 , chemists P.P. Gaspar and G.S. Hammond wrote a technical article about methylene that included a reference to the Donald Duck story . The final paragraph read , `` Among experiments which have not , to our knowledge , been carried out as yet is one of a most intriguing nature suggested in the literature of no less than 19 years ago . '' A footnote revealed that `` literature '' as the Donald Duck comic . It seems the web-footed children 's hero had deduced the chemical intermediate long before it had been proven to exist . Mental Floss : Musicians performing on Sesame Street . But why were these top American chemists looking to comics for inspiration ? Apparently , Dr. Gaspar had been a lifelong Donald Duck fan , and he 'd rediscovered Donald 's early reference to methylene while collecting old copies of the classic adventures . Gaspar never disclosed how much his work owed to Duckburg 's most famous resident , but then again , how many scientists would confess that they used comic books to bolster their research ? 3 . A Spider-Man villain keeps folks out of jail . In a 1977 edition of Spider-Man , Peter Parker has the tables turned on him . The villain , Kingpin , tracks down Spidey using an electronic transmitter that he 'd fastened to the superhero 's wrist . Although Kingpin loses in the end -LRB- he always does -RRB- , one New Mexico judge saw beauty in his plan . Inspired by the strip , Judge Jack Love turned to computer salesman Michael Goss and asked if he could create a similar device to keep track of crime suspects awaiting trial . In 1983 , Goss produced his first batch of electronic monitors . Authorities in Albuquerque then tested the devices on five offenders , using the gadgets as an alternative to incarceration . Today , the transmitters are a common sight in courtrooms across the country , usually in the form of electronic ankle bracelets . Most famously , Martha Stewart donned one while she was under house arrest in 2004 . Perhaps she would have felt better knowing that the gadget had once nabbed Spider-Man , too . Mental Floss : Truth about lie detectors -LRB- and Wonder Woman -RRB- . 4 . Captain Marvel Jr. saves the bad-hair day . Like most American kids in the 1940s , Elvis Presley fantasized about growing up to be like his favorite comic book superheroes . But it turns out that The King might have been more interested in their fashion statements than their special powers . During his early teen years , Elvis was obsessed with Captain Marvel Jr. , known as `` America 's most famous boy hero . '' A younger version of Captain Marvel , the character sported an unusual hairstyle that featured a curly tuft of hair falling over the side of his forehead . Sound familiar ? When Elvis set out to conquer America with his rock 'n' roll ways , he copied the ` do , thus making it one of the most famous hairstyles of the 20th century . But that was n't all . Captain Marvel also gets credit for the short capes Elvis wore on the back of his jumpsuits , as well as The King 's famous TCB logo , which bears a striking resemblance to Marvel 's lightning bolt insignia . Of course , Elvis never tried to hide his love for the Captain . A copy of Captain Marvel Jr. . No. 51 still sits in his preserved childhood bedroom in an apartment in Memphis , and his full comics collection remains intact in the attic at Graceland . Plus , the admiration was mutual . Captain Marvel Jr. paid tribute to The King in one issue , referring to the singer as `` the greatest modern-day philosopher . '' For more mental_floss articles , visit mentalfloss.com . Entire contents of this article copyright , Mental Floss LLC . All rights reserved . | Several comic book heroes have affected people in real life . Superman battled the KKK in radio series `` Clan of the Fiery Cross '' Something created in Spider-Man comic inspires device that keeps people out of jail . And Donald Duck blocked a scientist from getting a patent . | [[1753, 1806]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Chelsea struck a major blow in the English Premier League title race with a controversial 2-1 victory over champions Manchester United on Saturday that put the London club two points clear at the top of the table with five matches to play . Carlo Ancelotti 's team traveled to Old Trafford to face a side reeling from the loss of injured England star Wayne Rooney following the midweek European Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich . The Italian coach opted to leave his own key forward Didier Drogba on the substitutes ' bench , but the Ivory Coast international scored a decisive goal with 11 minutes to play despite being clearly offside . United boss Alex Ferguson was left fuming at the decision . `` What I ca n't understand is the linesman 's directly in front of it . He has no-one near him and he gets it wrong , '' the Scot told Sky Sports . `` A game of that magnitude , you really need quality officials and we did n't get them today . It was a poor , poor performance . `` Five games left , they 're two points ahead and four goals better than us -- they 're in the driving seat . Chelsea are favorites now , there 's no question . I 'm certain we 'll respond but we could win the next five games and not win it . '' United hit back with a late bundled goal from young substitute Federico Macheda , which television replays showed came off the Italian 's arm , but Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov could not convert a chance to equalize in time added on . Chelsea , who had scored 12 goals in the two previous matches and did not have to play in midweek following last month 's Champions League exit against Inter Milan , started the game in dominant form . Man of the match Florent Malouda set up the opening goal in the 20th minute , with the France winger surging past Darren Fletcher into the penalty area and providing a low cross that England midfielder Joe Cole cheekily backheeled past goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar . Both teams had penalty claims turned down before halftime , and Berbatov missed United 's first real chance with a header after an hour . Drogba replaced Nicolas Anelka in the 69th minute , and 10 minutes later he had the ball in the net after collecting a pass from fellow substitute Salomon Kalou despite being further forward than United 's last two defenders . United pulled a goal back with nine minutes to play as substitute Nani broke down the left and his cross rebounded off goalkeeper Petr Cech , onto Macheda and into the Chelsea net , with visiting captain John Terry appealing in vain for handball . Berbatov , who started on his own up front in place of Rooney , then tamely volleyed Gary Neville 's cross into the arms of Cech as Chelsea held on for a deserved victory . Third-placed Arsenal kept their title hopes alive with a last-gasp 1-0 victory at 10-man Wolverhampton which left Arsene Wenger 's team three points behind London rivals Chelsea . Wolves had captain Karl Henry sent off for a foul on Tomas Rosicky in the 66th minute , but Arsenal could not take advantage until deep into injury-time when substitute striker Nicklas Bendtner headed in Bacary Sagna 's cross . Manchester City moved up to fourth place above Tottenham with a 6-1 thrashing of Burnley in Saturday 's late match that left their near neighbors deep in relegation trouble . Roberto Mancini 's team were 4-0 up after 20 minutes , and led 6-0 before an hour had been played as Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice along with goals from fellow strikers Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez . Patrick Vieira and Vincent Kompany were also on target before Steven Fletcher 's 71st-minute consolation for the home side . Tottenham 's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League took a big blow with a 3-1 defeat at Sunderland , for whom the London club 's former striker Darren Bent scored twice -- the first after only 36 seconds and the second from the penalty spot . England World Cup hopeful Bent also had two spot-kicks saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes as he took his tally to 23 for the season . Sunderland also had a goal disallowed as Steve Bruce 's team consolidated 13th place , a comfortable 11 points clear of the bottom three . Aston Villa bounced back from the 7-1 thrashing at Chelsea with a 1-0 win at Bolton to join sixth-placed Liverpool -- who travel to Birmingham on Sunday -- on 54 points . England international Ashley Young fired an 11th-minute winner to leave Bolton five points above the relegation zone . Stoke moved up to 10th with a 2-0 victory that left Hull in the bottom three , equal on points with West Ham , who travel to Everton on Sunday . Jamaica forward Ricardo Fuller gave Stoke a sixth-minute lead , and Hull were reduced to 10 minutes after Dutch midfielder George Boateng was carried off after being kicked in the head before Liam Lawrence scored a late second . Bottom club Portsmouth delayed their inevitable relegation with a 0-0 draw at home to Blackburn despite having defender Anthony Van den Borre sent off with half an hour to play . Avram Grant 's team would have gone down if they had lost and Hull had won . | Chelsea move two points clear at the top of the English Premier League with vital victory . London club defeat champions Manchester United in controversial match . Didier Drogba 's second-half goal put Chelsea 2-0 up but substitute striker was offside . United hit back with goal by replacement Federico Macheda , who seemed to use his arm . | [[157, 165], [171, 249], [2707, 2747], [1253, 1332], [1299, 1332], [1367, 1394]] |
San Francisco , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Officials have agreed to pay $ 1.5 million to the daughter of a man fatally shot in the back by a transit police officer on New Year 's Day 2009 in Oakland , California . A bystander 's cell-phone video of the shooting on a transit platform was widely circulated on the Internet and on news shows . The Bay Area Rapid Transit train system late Wednesday announced the settlement over the killing of Oscar Grant , 22 . `` It 's been a little over a year since we experienced the tragic death of Oscar Grant , '' BART Board President James Fang said . `` No matter what anyone 's opinion of the case may be , the sad fact remains this incident has left Tatiana without a father . The $ 1.5 million settlement will provide financial support for her . '' Grant 's daughter , Tatiana , is 5 . The video showed then-Officer Johannes Mehserle , 27 , pulling his gun and shooting Grant in the back as another officer kneeled on Grant . Mehserle might have intended to draw and fire his Taser rather than his gun , according to a court filing by his attorney . The shooting sparked large protests in Oakland and led to Mehserle 's arrest on a murder charge . The case against him is pending . Initially , attorney John Burris asked for $ 50 million in a wrongful-death lawsuit filed on behalf of Grant 's daughter . Burris was not immediately available for comment on the settlement . The transit system 's police department has made several changes since the shooting . The department has increased training hours for officers , is requiring them to report all `` use-of-force incidents , '' and is tapping the public 's help in searching for a new police chief , the transit system said in a statement . `` This settlement is critical in our efforts to move forward , '' said Carole Ward Allen , a BART board member . `` We 're working hard to make the police department the best it can be for our officers , our customers and our community . '' | San Francisco 's BART to pay daughter of man shot by officer . Oscar Grant was shot in the back on New Year 's Day 2009 . Officer may have thought he was firing Taser ; he faces murder charge . Bystander 's cell-phone video of incident widely seen on Internet , TV . | [[46, 113], [108, 113], [122, 190], [345, 463], [108, 113], [122, 190], [974, 1049], [1098, 1110], [1149, 1195], [217, 344]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Bayern Munich capped a successful week by returning to the top of the German Bundesliga with a 2-1 victory away to title rivals Schalke on Saturday despite having a man sent off in the first half . Louis Van Gaal 's team followed up the midweek Champions League victory over Manchester United with a win that puts them a point clear of previous leaders Schalke ahead of Wednesday 's trip to England for the second leg of the quarterfinal . Bayern took a 2-0 lead after only 26 minutes as Franck Ribery and Thomas Muller scored within 60 seconds of each other , but Schalke 's former Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi reduced the deficit soon after . The Bavarians had Hamit Altintop sent off for a second booking four minutes before halftime , but Schalke -- beaten by Bayern in the German Cup semifinals 10 days ago -- could not claim a point and had Marcelo Bordon dismissed at the end of the match . Bayern were again without Dutch forward Arjen Robben , who missed the United game with a calf problem , but surged into a two-goal lead when French playmaker Ribery fired home from a corner and Tuesday 's match-winner Ivica Olic set up Muller . Kuranyi followed up his double from last weekend with another strike from a pass by Rafinha , who was fouled by Altintop to see the Turkey international an early bath . Kuranyi should have leveled just before the break but missed from close range , and Schalke failed to seriously threaten the Bayern goal in the second spell . Third-placed Bayer Leverkusen suffered another blow to their title hopes with a 3-2 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt which left the former leaders six points adrift of Bayern after a run of just one win in seven league outings . Frankfurt , who upset Bayern two weeks ago , moved up to eighth with a third successive win thanks to Maik Franz 's 89th-minute winner . Leverkusen led 2-1 straight after halftime through Stefan Kiessling 's second goal , but had Daniel Schwaab sent off three minutes later for a rash tackle on Umit Korkmaz . Caio leveled on 62 with a super long-range effort , and Franz snatched victory from close range . Borussia Dortmund consolidated fourth place with a 2-1 victory at home to Werder Bremen , scoring both goals in the first half through Kevin Grosskreutz and Neven Subotic before Aaron Hunt pulled one back in the 65th minute . Dortmund closed to with a point of Leverkusen , who hold the final Champions League place , and went four clear of fifth-placed Bremen . Stuttgart moved up to seventh with a 2-1 victory at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach , while Nuremberg moved three points clear of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win at home to 10-man Mainz . Bochum joined Nuremberg on 28 points with a 1-1 draw at third-bottom Freiburg , while bottom side Hertha Berlin earned a surprise 3-0 win at Cologne in Saturday 's late match thanks to two first-half goals from Raffael and a 75th-minute effort from fellow Brazilian Cicero . | Bayern Munich return to top of German Bundesliga with 2-1 victory at title rivals Schalke . Bavarians beat previous leaders despite having Hamit Altintop sent off late in first half . Third-placed Bayer Leverkusen six points behind Bayern after losing at Eintracht Frankfurt . Borussia Dortmund close on Leverkusen with a 2-1 victory at home to Werder Bremen . | [[58, 106], [317, 322], [328, 417], [0, 15], [175, 216], [683, 756], [1491, 1557], [1585, 1604], [1611, 1716]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- English Premier League side Liverpool were beaten by two penalties in Lisbon as Benfica came from behind to grasp the advantage in their Europa League quarterfinal . The Portuguese club suffered a nightmare start when Daniel Agger put the visitors in front after just nine minutes with a neat back heel from Steven Gerrard 's free kick . But just after the half hour mark Liverpool were reduced to ten men when Ryan Babel clashed with defender Luisao after he had fouled Spanish striker Fernando Torres . Babel appeared to put his hands in Luisao 's face and the referee produced a red card . It took Benfica less than 30 minutes to press home their advantage when Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua brought down Pablo Aimar inside the box and conceded a penalty . Oscar Cardozo converted the spot kick and was given the chance to put his side into the lead when the referee adjudged Jamie Carragher had handled in the area on 79 minutes . Again Cardozo made no mistake from the spot . The return leg is at Anfield next Thursday . Fulham vanquished seasoned European opponents again as they defeated German champions Wolfsburg 2-1 at Craven Cottage . Striker Bobby Zamora gave the English side the lead on 59 minutes with a precise curling shot from the edge of the area . Irish winger Damien Duff made it 2-0 just four minutes later as he converted Zamora 's pass . But in the final minute Wolfsburg scored a vital away goal as Alexander Madlung emphatically headed home Zvjezdan Misimovic 's cross . After the game Fulham manager Roy Hodgson told ESPN television : `` Wolfsburg are a good team but tonight I thought we made them look reasonably ordinary . '' The all-Spanish tie between Valencia and Atletico Madrid finished 2-2 . Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan put Atletico in front on 59 minutes but Manuel Fernandes equalized shortly after for the home side . Atletico struck again through Antonio Lopez only for Spain forward David Villa to rescue a draw for Valencia . In the evening 's other match Hamburg beat Belgian side Standard Liege 2-1 in Germany . A strike from Deiudonne Mbokani gave Liege an early advantage but goals from Mladen Petric and Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy secured Hamburg a lead to take into the second leg . | Portuguese club Benfica beat Liverpool 2-1 in their Europa League quarterfinal tie . Fulham beat German champions Wolfsburg 2-1 . All-Spanish tie between Valencia and Atletico Madrid ends 2-2 . German club Hamburg beat Belgian side Standard Liege 2-1 . | [[0, 15], [42, 184], [1049, 1168], [1104, 1168], [1679, 1750], [1994, 2049]] |
Istanbul , Turkey -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Police have arrested Tarkan , Turkey 's most famous pop music star , in a narcotics raid , Turkey 's semi-official Anatolian Agency reported Friday . Police , Tarkan 's publicist and relatives could not be reached for comment on the reported arrest . According to Anatolian , Tarkan was detained along with several other individuals who are `` important figures from the art and magazine world . '' Full coverage in Turkish : CNN Turk . Tarkan rose to international prominence in the late 1990s for singing playful hit songs like `` Simarik '' -LRB- Spoiled -RRB- . The heartthrob has been described by some as a Turkish Ricky Martin , referring to the Latin pop singer from Puerto Rico who achieved popularity worldwide . German-born Tarkan , who uses only one name , also has made the pop charts around the world . In recent years , it was reported , he has been living in New York City . The arrest was carried out in Istanbul . Turkey is a key stop on a drug smuggling transit route between Asia and Europe . According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime , it is a major hub for the trafficking of illegal heroin and opium from Afghanistan en route to European markets . Drug operations involving Turkish celebrities , including artists and models , are often carried out in Istanbul . Last month , Tarkan gave a concert in Istanbul 's central Taksim square to celebrate the city 's inauguration as Europe 's 2010 Capital of Culture . Thousands watched as the artist performed along with a fireworks display . | Tarkan has been Turkey 's biggest pop star since the 1990s . Singer was arrested in narcotics raid in Istanbul , Anatolian Agency says . Others detained were `` important figures from the art and magazine world '' | [[128, 186], [288, 310], [928, 968], [313, 369], [344, 369], [374, 432]] |
Miami , Florida -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Commercial air service resumed Friday morning from the United States to Haiti . An American Airlines flight from Miami to Port-au-Prince , Haiti , left at 7:36 a.m. ET after about an hour 's delay , according to the airline 's Web site . The flight landed at 9:22 a.m. ET in Haiti , the company said . An Insel Air flight also left Miami on Friday morning with passengers bound for Haiti , including relief workers , said Heerem Zeen of the airline 's international office . Commercial air service from the United States to Haiti had been suspended since the January 12 earthquake . The Haitian government says at least 212,000 people died in the magnitude-7 .0 quake . The quake damaged many of the country 's buildings , including some at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in the Haitian capital . Full coverage of the Haiti earthquake and aftermath . American has said it plans three flights a day from Florida to Haiti . `` This is that crack in the dam that we so badly needed and our passengers so badly wanted , to start moving regularly scheduled traffic into and out of Haiti , '' spokesman Tim Smith recently said . `` We 'll start out with three main flights a day from South Florida , two from Miami and one from Fort Lauderdale . Then we 'll also fly a JFK New York flight into Haiti four days a week . '' Haitian customs officials will work out of a cargo facility because of damage at the main terminal , Smith said . `` These flights serve as major milestones toward helping the country rebuild , '' Peter Dolara , American 's senior vice president for Mexico , the Caribbean and Latin America , said in a recent news release . `` With commercial air service restored , we can better connect loved ones and provide consistent transportation to and from Haiti . '' Also beginning March 12 , American Eagle -- American 's commuter affiliate -- will commence new service into Port-au-Prince from San Juan , Puerto Rico , and daily flights from the Dominican Republic cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago . `` We have begun our journey to recover from the catastrophic earthquake , but with support from companies like American Airlines , we hope it wo n't be nearly as long , '' said Ralph Latortue , consul general of Haiti in Florida . American has served Haiti since 1971 and employs more than 100 people in Port-au-Prince , according to the airline . Since the day after the earthquake , American Airlines and American Eagle have continued flying into and out of Haiti , carrying relief workers , medical personnel , humanitarian aid and evacuating hundreds of people . Representatives of Spirit Airlines and Delta Air Lines said this week that they were working to restore air service to Haiti . CNN 's Alden Mahler Levine contributed to this report . | Commercial air service from U.S. to Haiti had been suspended since January 12 quake . American Airlines says it plans three flights daily from Florida to Haiti . Airline official : `` Flights serve as major milestones toward helping the country rebuild '' | [[510, 617], [115, 171], [234, 272], [898, 968], [916, 968], [1171, 1273], [1478, 1554]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- North Korea resumed firing near its sea border with South Korea on Thursday , South Korean media said , citing Seoul officials . Artillery shells were fired toward South Korean-controlled Yeonpyeong Island , Yonhap News Agency quoted the officials as saying , adding that the shells fell in waters north of the Northern Limit Line -LRB- NLL -RRB- , the de facto inter-Korean maritime border . The North fired artillery shells on Wednesday in the same area , saying they were part of an annual training drill . `` We have confirmed North Korea 's firing of several artillery shells , but they did not cross '' the two countries ' maritime border , said Park Sung-woo , of Seoul 's joint chiefs of staff , according to Yonhap . `` We are on high military alert . '' `` Following the firing by North Korea , South Korea responded by shooting vulcan canons into the air , a statement that it would not be intimidated by saber-rattling by the communist neighbor , '' Yonhap said . There were no reports of casualties . Also Thursday , a South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman said that despite the tension , talks slated for Monday with North Korea would still go forward in the North Korean border town of Kaesong , Yonhap reported . Seventeen South Korean officials are expected to attend those talks , Yonhap cited Chun Hae-sung , the official , as saying . | NEW : Talks still on for Monday in North Korean border town , South Korean official says . North says firing of artillery shells is part of an annual training drill . Inter-Korean talks still set for Monday , Yonhap cites S. Korean official as saying . | [[1049, 1233], [412, 474], [484, 488], [412, 421], [477, 528], [97, 120], [123, 147], [723, 744], [1049, 1233], [1324, 1350], [1368, 1379]] |
-LRB- The Frisky -RRB- -- I know you are really , really upset -- but can you stop crying for a second so we can talk about the fact that Katherine Heigl is finally leaving `` Grey 's Anatomy ? '' Long overdue , as far as I 'm concerned . She has been annoying me since day one . How bad can the job really be ? Hmmm , let 's see . You get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to show up on set for 12 episodes -- then you get half the year off . Yeah , I think I 'd quit too . Her publicist claims she 's out of there because she wants to spend more time with her newly adopted daughter , and that becoming a mother has `` changed -LSB- her -RSB- desire to work full-time . '' That 's sounds like sunshine and moonbeams and all , but the truth is that she 's been petitioning to get Dr. Izzie Stevens written off for the last three years . Since her BFF T.R. Knight left , I suspect . At least we can have some fun imagining how they might get rid of her . Drug overdose ? Amnesia ? Doctors Without Borders ? Sex tape ? Fun ! Anyway , considering her last few movies were ludicrous rom-coms and she has a rep for biting the hand that feeds her , I 'm thinking she may not be too popular in Hollywood after this . Plenty of other celebs have left cushy TV jobs for bigger and better things . Let 's see how nine of them fared . The Frisky - Sandra Bullock and other celebs who ditched the dead weight . 1 . Amanda Seyfried thinks she 's too big for the filming schedule of `` Big Love . '' That 's why she 's leaving the show -- to move back to New York City , pursue her film career , and live life to the fullest by eating spinach and seeds and popping pills . Mazel Tov , Amanda ! But we 're not sure how this is going to go for you . 2 . Fans went crazy when ABC announced that it was canceling `` My So-Called Life '' after just one season . But then it came out that Claire Danes was the one who wanted the show to end -- she was ready to move on to a film career . She 's had some hits , `` Romeo & Juliet '' and `` Shopgirl , '' but she will always and forever be Angela Chase . 3 . She 's never confirmed it , but when `` The O.C. '' killed off Marissa Cooper in the season finale of season three , most people assumed it was because Mischa Barton wanted to move on . The show trucked on without her -- for a season . Mischa 's career , on the other hand : as dead as Marissa after the car wreck . Frisky - 8 female stars who dated their managers . 4 . Rose McGowan replaced Shannen Doherty when good witch Prue Halliwell was `` killed off '' of `` Charmed . '' Now she 's working her magic on the judges of `` Dancing With the Stars . '' Abracadabra ! Save my career ! 5 . Never thought I 'd say this , but I 'm actually glad that Tina Fey left `` SNL '' to go on to write , produce , and star in `` 30 Rock . '' Yeah , she 's pretty much taking over the industry and making money with much more than her looks . The Frisky -- Britney and J. Lo did it : How a `` How I Met Your Mother '' cameo can turn a career around . 6 . Hunky George Clooney left `` ER '' in its fifth season to become the A-list movie star in the front row at the Oscars . A winning move ? I 'd say yes . 7 . Nicollette Sheridan was so desperate to be polished like the jewel that she believed she was that she left `` Desperate Housewives . '' She called the show `` complacent , '' but creator Mark Cherry said her time was up because she had already slept with everyone on the show . Rumor has it that she has a new TV show coming out . Let 's see if that jewel shines . The Frisky - 10 stars whose relationships went sour after they found fame . 8 . Viewers cried and stuff when Kal Penn 's character on `` House '' committed suicide only to stop crying when they found out he 'd accepted a position at the White House . Because it 's nobler to actually help people than to play someone who does it on TV . 9 . While Kal Penn joined the real White House , Rob Lowe left the fictional one on `` The West Wing '' because he did n't think there was a place for his character , Democrat Sam Seaborn , anymore . And then he went on to play Republican politico Robert McCallister on `` Brothers & Sisters . '' Politics will eat you alive , man . TM & © 2010 TMV , Inc. | All Rights Reserved . | Claire Danes was the one who wanted `` My So-Called Life '' to end . Mischa Barton has never confirmed she wanted `` The O.C. '' to kill off her character . Heigl 's publicist says she 's leaving the show to spend more time with her daughter . | [[1852, 1898], [1891, 1898], [1903, 1925], [2092, 2117], [479, 588]] |
ISTANBUL , Turkey -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two Iranians who were caught up in the waves of arrests that followed the disputed presidential elections in June have accused their captors of raping them . By telling his story , Ibrahim Sharifi says , he `` committed social suicide so this incident would n't happen to others . '' An Iranian man and a woman made the allegations in separate interviews with CNN . Both said they fled to Turkey from Iran after claiming to have been threatened by Iranian security services . While CNN does not normally use the names of alleged rape victims , their names are included here with their permission . CNN could not independently confirm their accounts . But the testimony of one of the alleged rape victims , Ibrahim Sharifi , was revealed last month by a prominent Iranian opposition leader who claimed to have gathered at least four accounts of sexual assault this summer in Iranian prisons . Sharifi 's allegations were also included in a report published last week by two Western human rights organizations investigating reports of abuse in Iranian prisons . `` What we 're encountering are numerous accounts of brutality , poor treatment , even torture , serious beatings , and a couple of cases , as you know , of alleged sexual assault -- rape , '' said Joe Stork , Middle East deputy director for Human Rights Watch . The Iranian government has launched two investigations into the allegations . Iran 's judiciary concluded there was no evidence of rape . A parliamentary fact-finding committee is still working on the issue . Repeated calls by CNN to get reaction from Iranian officials to the claims of the alleged victims did not result in a response . `` Take him and get him pregnant '' Twenty-four-year-old Ibrahim Sharifi is a university student from Tehran who campaigned actively on the Internet for opposition presidential candidate Mehdi Karrubi in the run-up to the controversial June 12 vote . When incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared winner , Sharifi joined the throngs of angry protesters in the streets who accused the government of rigging the election . On June 22 , Sharifi said , he was kidnapped , handcuffed , blindfolded and stuffed into a car by three unknown men while he was walking home from language lessons at the Italian Embassy . He said they drove him to an unknown location , where he was stripped to his underwear . There , he said , he endured several days of beatings and mock executions alongside other male prisoners , all the time tightly blindfolded . Watch Ibrahim Sharifi describe being tortured and sexually assaulted '' `` They took us and they put a noose around my neck in a way that I was forced to stand on my tiptoes , unable to breathe , '' Sharifi said . `` Somebody was constantly telling us ... ` You have received the oral sentence to be hanged , we are just waiting for the written order . ' '' `` There was the stink of piss and blood . It smelled terrible , '' Sharifi recalled . `` I was beaten so much I did n't have any energy left to cry . '' On the fourth day of his detention , during one of these mock executions , Sharifi said he finally snapped . `` I said , if you want to kill us , go ahead . Why do you play such games with us ? And the response was a kick in my stomach that made me fall . '' Sharifi said his captors kicked him repeatedly in the stomach until he started vomiting blood . He showed a pink scar on his belly from a previous car accident that he said was torn open by the blows . `` Then the guy told someone else , ` Take him and get him pregnant , ' '' Sharifi said , his voice cracking with emotion . `` They tied my hands to the wall and tied my legs , and then did that thing to me . While doing it , he was telling me , `` You , who can not even defend your you-know-what , you wanted to conduct a revolution ? '' Sharifi said he blacked out during the rape and woke up later , handcuffed to a hospital bed . A day later , he said , his captors dumped him , blindfolded , on the side of a highway . `` I was raped . Raped four times '' Twenty-one-year-old Maryam Sabri spoke to CNN by telephone from a Turkish city where , like Sharifi , she is waiting for the U.N. High Commission for Refugees to process her request for asylum . She said she was arrested by men in plainclothes on July 30 while attending a ceremony at the grave of Neda Agha-Soltan , the Iranian woman whose death was captured by cell phone camera after she was shot during a protest in the streets of Tehran . `` When I asked them where was I being taken to , why have you arrested me , who are you ? '' their response was a constant slap on my face , '' Sabri recounted . Sabri said she was interrogated several times after being detained . The sexual assault began during the third interrogation , she said . `` He said , ` OK , you wanted your vote back ? Now I 'm going to give back your vote . '' It was then that I was raped . Raped four times , '' she said . `` My hands were tied and my eyes were blindfolded , '' she said . `` He threw me on the ground while pressing my throat with one hand , and both my legs were under the weight of his legs so I could n't move at all . '' Sabri said the last time she was raped , her assailant took off her blindfold and said he would release her on the condition that , once out of prison , she remain in contact with him and cooperate with him . Several days after her release , Sabri said the alleged rapist , described as a man in his late 30s with light eyes and several days ' worth of stubble , began calling her on her cell phone and threatening her . She fled Iran several weeks later and applied for refugee status in Turkey . Rape as punishment ? Human rights organizations Amnesty International , Human Rights Watch and the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran have expressed alarm about the reports of sexual assault in prison . `` The issue is , are the authorities using rape as a tool to pressure people , to punish people ? '' asked Stork , the Middle East deputy director for Human Rights Watch . `` In the case of the one individual , Ibrahim Sharifi , it appears it was a punishment . '' Iran 's parliament and judiciary launched investigations into the allegations . But last month , Iranian security forces raided the offices of Karrubi , the opposition presidential candidate and longtime advocate for prisoners ' rights who first publicized the rape allegations . The offices of another opposition candidate , Mir Hossein Moussavi , were also raided in September . Iran 's powerful conservative parliamentary speaker , Ali Larijani , said a special committee of Iran 's parliament , or Majlis , conducted a `` precise and comprehensive inquiry '' into the treatment at Tehran 's Evin and Kahrizak prisons and found `` no cases of rape or sexual abuse , '' government-funded Press TV reported last month . Larijani accused Karrubi of spreading `` sheer lies . '' However , not everyone was persuaded by the investigation . `` The Iranian authorities appear more intent on finding the identities of those who claim to have been tortured by security officials than in carrying out an impartial investigation , '' said Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan . Sabri and Sharifi are members of a growing population of expatriate Iranian dissidents in Turkey . Both face an uncertain future as refugees here and worry about the safety of their families back in Tehran . Sabri claims her father was arrested after she first went public with her rape testimony on the U.S. government-funded network Voice of America . Sharifi , meanwhile , said that before he fled Iran , government investigators accused him of lying about his prison experience for money ... charges he angrily denies . `` I broke a taboo in Iran , '' he said , weeping . `` I sat in front of the camera and committed social suicide so this incident would n't happen to others . '' `` I want the whole world to know that Iran 's problems are not only limited to the nuclear issue , '' he said . `` The Iranian regime plays games with other countries of the world . It plays the same games with its own nation and people . '' | Two expatriate Iranians allege rapes in graphic detail . Male , female Iranian dissidents give separate interviews to CNN . Both are in Turkey , claiming they fled after threats from security services . They were arrested after disputed June 12 presidential election . | [[0, 8], [11, 33], [146, 194], [340, 402], [403, 512], [413, 512], [85, 92], [98, 150]] |
New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Today 's bipartisan health care meeting is being called a summit , a term that brings to mind diplomatic missions during wartime . That 's a fitting description for the atmosphere in Washington . Political opponents are considered enemies . Health care is just the latest example of government dysfunction ; it 's been derailed by hyper-partisanship , over-spending and the disproportionate influence of special interests . Independent voters , the largest and fastest growing segment of the electorate , hold the balance of power in American politics , but they have once again been shut out of the debate . The professional partisans in Washington ignore them at their peril . Many Americans associate broken government with the chaos that followed Hurricane Katrina and the anxieties that accompany the current manic recession . But the roots of independent voters ' frustration go deeper . For them , the first modern evidence of failure from the federal government came during the late 1960s , when the social spending of Democratic President Johnson 's Great Society failed to stop urban blight by throwing taxpayer money at the problem . One presidency later , the country confronted the corruption of Watergate from Republican President Nixon . Washington grew more harshly partisan , with political opponents determined to delegitimize any president from day one of his term . As the two parties grew more polarized , power shifted from the center to the margins , and special interests increased their influence . In reaction , the ranks of independent voters grew from 20 percent of the electorate at the start of the 1960s to 30 percent after Watergate . When Ross Perot ran for president as an Independent in 1992 , the self-made businessman presented himself as a nonideological problem solver . His campaign gained traction because both parties had lost credibility as stewards of fiscal responsibility , with overspending and then-record deficits . Perot briefly led in the polls , and independents spiked to 36 percent of the electorate . The divided government of President Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich ultimately produced hard-won budget surpluses . But when President Bush and the Tom DeLay-led Republican Congress ruled Washington during the last decade , surpluses again turned to deficits and independents turned against the GOP . Independents listed the economy as their No. 1 issue back in 2007 , when Democrats said health care and Republicans said terrorism . Moderates and the middle class -- the people who determine who wins elections -- felt squeezed even before the fiscal crisis , with rising health care and energy costs absorbing whatever benefit they might have received from tax cuts . After watching the jet set excess of the Bernie Madoff class from afar , they were left with less and still asked to clean up the mess . Now , as they try to balance their own budgets at home , they see big government and big business -- Washington and Wall Street -- piling up huge debts and passing the buck to the taxpayer . It was in this environment that independents began to break with President Obama last spring , after voting for him in 2008 by an eight-point margin . The change they voted for was rooted in candidate Obama 's calls for an end to politics that `` played to the base '' and a restoration of fiscal responsibility . The liberal House leadership 's private negotiations over the $ 787 billion stimulus bill seemed to contradict those promises . And the subsequent health care debate was derailed in part because it was seen as adding additional spending and leading to the growth of government . In reaction , independents reasserted themselves , their numbers growing quickly and reaching 43 percent by September 2009 , according to a monthly Washington Post/ABC News poll . In Virginia , New Jersey and Massachusetts ' elections , independents voted by at least a 2-to-1 margin for Republican candidates . Exit polls showed they were voting to send a message to Washington , not necessarily endorsing the Congressional Republicans ' agenda . Independents ' anger today is focused on familiar targets : hypocritical politicians , over-spending and a lack of agreement on solutions from Washington . Independents feel they are paying more and getting less . They believe the system has been rigged to benefit special interests at the expense of the national interest . As bitter partisanship increases government 's dysfunction , more voters are declaring their independence from politics as usual . Today 's bipartisan health care summit is a step in the right direction . Independent voters want to see the warring parties in Washington speaking to each other in the presence of television cameras , ensuring at least a degree of civility and accountability . It 's more difficult to demonize the opposition when talking with them . But photo-op centrism is , of course , not enough . It must be followed by substance . To really change the culture of Washington , we need to change the rules that reinforce this predictable partisanship . The quickest policy cure would be to change the rigged system of redistricting that creates congressional ` safe seats ' and replaces competitive general elections with closed primaries , where party activists reign supreme . Nonpartisan redistricting and open primaries would reward politicians who reach across the aisle , and would empower independent voters . Americans ' sense that government is broken did n't happen overnight , and it wo n't be solved overnight . It will take time to restore trust in Washington . But substantive efforts to depolarize our politics will lead to the politics of problem solving . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of John Avlon . | John Avlon says health care summit comes amid a period of bipartisan dysfunction in government . Historically , frustrated independent voters increase in this climate , hold balance of power , he says . Let down by bipartisan gridlock , stalled agenda , faltering economy , independents have broken with Obama . Avlon : Health care meeting is chance for parties to show independents they can change . | [[269, 333], [452, 470], [533, 579], [1552, 1563], [1566, 1694], [3683, 3694], [3697, 3731], [2393, 2437], [3122, 3182]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- On January 12 , a magnitude-7 .0 quake struck Haiti just southwest of the capital , Port-au-Prince . On February 27 , an 8.8-magnitude quake hit Chile near that nation 's second largest city , Concepcion . That same day there was a 7.0 quake off the coast of Okinawa , Japan , and just this week a 6.4 quake hit southern Taiwan . The Fact Check Desk looked at whether all of the seismic activity could be related . Fact Check : Is there any connection between the recent deadly earthquakes ? • Dr. Kurt Frankel of the Georgia Institute of Technology , who specializes in active tectonics , says that earthquakes are sporadic and unpredictable in nature . • According to Frankel , the fact that these relatively strong quakes would strike around the same time is merely coincidence . Because the quakes did happen one after another , earthquakes are on people 's mind , Frankel explained . `` Had the quakes in Haiti and Chile not occurred recently , we might not have even been interested in the other quakes , '' he said . • CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said earthquakes can trigger other seismic activity , but added that those four aforementioned events were too far apart in both time and distance to be connected . • The U.S. Geological Survey on its Web site takes on the assertion that two major earthquakes in the same day must be related . Their answer : not likely . This is because Earth 's surface is not rigid enough to transfer the stress over long distances . `` There is evidence to suggest that earthquakes in one area can trigger seismic activity within a few hundred miles , '' they write . `` There is also evidence that some major earthquakes manage to trigger seismicity over much greater distances -LRB- thousands of miles -RRB- , but these triggered quakes are small and very short lived . '' • The USGS estimates there are several million earthquakes each year and the National Earthquake Information Center locates about 50 quakes per day . However , large quakes measuring 8.0 and higher occur only about once a year on average . Bottom Line : While earthquakes can , and do , trigger other seismic events , the recent earthquakes in Haiti , Chile , Japan and Taiwan are not thought by experts to be connected . Got something that needs checking ? E-mail us at [email protected] . | Fact Check : Is there any connection between the recent deadly earthquakes ? Earthquakes are sporadic , unpredictable in nature , says Georgia Tech expert . CNN meteorologist : Great time intervals , distances indicate quakes are n't connected . While quakes often trigger other seismic events , recent events are thought to be unrelated . | [[349, 433], [434, 444], [447, 510], [511, 568], [609, 673], [1043, 1073], [1132, 1238], [1043, 1125], [1494, 1610], [1629, 1640], [1646, 1770]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. Department of Transportation slapped United Airlines with a $ 30,000 fine Friday for violating price advertising rules , and the airline also will have to pay the balance for a previous infraction . Under DOT rules , airlines must disclose the full price of air travel to consumers . `` Our fare advertising rules are designed to ensure that consumers know how much they will pay for a ticket and are able to compare prices when choosing which carrier to fly , '' Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement . The department found that United failed to disclose a 7.5 percent federal excise tax for 60 hours on the initial results page of its Web site . United said it is committed to advertising its fares clearly . `` In this unique case , due to a programming error , the initial fare display inadvertently placed the 7.5 percent federal excise tax in the ` taxes and fees ' section , rather than in the base fare , '' said spokeswoman Sarah Massier in an e-mail . `` Immediately upon learning of the programming error United took action to move the tax to the base fare . '' Government taxes and fees per passenger are the only charges that are not required to be included in the published fare , according to the DOT . The new penalty means United also will have to pay the balance on a fine for a violation over the summer . In August , the DOT fined United $ 75,000 for not disclosing taxes and fees in the initial advertised fares on its Web site and for showing one-way fares that were only applicable for round-trip travel . The airline was required to pay $ 37,500 of that penalty , with the understanding that half would be forgiven if it had no further violations within the next 12 months . United now is required to pay the other half of the $ 75,000 fine . | Under DOT rules , airlines must disclose the full price of air travel to consumers . United violated price advertising rules twice in five months . Government taxes and fees per passenger are the only exception to the rules . | [[227, 242], [245, 311], [86, 146]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Twenty-eight suspected pirates were taken into custody Friday by the European Union Naval Force after a handful of failed attacks on fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean , the EU mission said . In the first incident , the mission intercepted a mother ship and two skiffs early Friday in the southern Indian Ocean between the Seycelles and Mombasa , Kenya . The mission said the suspected pirates were in an area where an earlier attack had occurred . A helicopter from the French warship FS Nivose then tracked the vessels and saw the suspects throwing things overboard , the mission said . When a French team arrived at the scene , it found 11 suspected pirates and `` pirate paraphernalia '' in the skiffs : a rocket launcher , grappling hooks and several fuel barrels . The forces destroyed the pirate ship and a skiff and took the suspected pirates into custody . The fate of the second skiff was not immediately known . Soon after , pirates tried to attack a French fishing vessel near two other fishing boats , said Cmdr. John Harbour , spokesman for the EU Naval Force . The French fishing vessel collided with the suspected pirates ' vessel and sank it , Harbour said . Six suspected pirates were picked out of the water by the EU force , he said . It was not immediately clear if they had been transported to the FS Nivose , although that had been planned , he said . Later , pirates tried to attack a Spanish fishing vessel , Harbour said . The boat alerted the EU Naval Force , and air and naval units intervened , he said . Eleven suspected pirates were taken into custody and were on board the Nivose , Harbour said . Harbour said an increase in pirate attacks was likely over the next few weeks as the monsoon season was ending and the ocean was becoming calmer , he said . `` The pirates have been preparing for it . ... We are prepared as well , '' he said . On Thursday , pirates on two skiffs in the Indian Ocean attacked the Spanish fishing vessel Albacan , the EU Naval Force said . The pirates fired a rocket-propelled grenade , which exploded on the Albacan 's deck and burst into flames , force said . Armed guards on the Albacan fired shots at the skiffs and repelled the attack , it said . No crew members were injured , and the small fire was extinguished . The EU mission tries to deter and stop piracy off Somalia , which has been mired in chaos since the early 1990s . It escorts vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean carrying World Food Program humanitarian aid to displaced people in Somalia . It also seeks to protect `` vulnerable vessels '' in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast , according to the mission 's Web site . | Pirates attack fishing vessels in Indian Ocean . 28 suspected pirates and `` pirate paraphernalia '' seized by EU naval force . EU mission involved in trying to deter , stop piracy off Somalia . EU spokesman : The pirates have been preparing . We are prepared as well . | [[943, 953], [956, 1032], [1395, 1400], [1403, 1451], [1893, 1904], [1907, 1992], [0, 15], [19, 181], [1893, 1904], [1995, 2020], [2302, 2359], [1806, 1849], [1854, 1872]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Ena Zizi was participating in a prayer group at the national cathedral in Port-au-Prince , Haiti , when the structure came down on her during the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit the island on January 12 . In New York , meanwhile , her son , Maxim Janvier , had no way of knowing what befell her other than she was missing . Miraculously , the 70-year-old Zizi survived seven days trapped under the rubble before she was rescued by international search crews this week . A person can , give or take , expect to survive 72 hours trapped without water or food . Zizi managed to hold on for twice as long , something that experts say speaks to the body 's resilience in times of danger . It is possible for a healthy person to survive more than 10 days in some cases , experts say . `` I was n't surprised . I knew she would live through that . She is a tough woman , '' Janvier said , recalling when he heard the news , via a CNN tip , that his mother had been found . Earlier , he had used CNN 's Web site to enter his mother 's name , age and approximate location in hope of someone identifying her . Zizi has since been moved to a medical facility aboard the USS Bataan , and now her son is seeking help moving her to a hospital in Florida for further treatment . `` I have n't given up hope , '' Janvier told CNN . `` It 's God 's sign to me that I will have another chance to see my mom . '' A CNN crew captured video of Tuesday 's rescue . After hours of careful extraction by rescue crews from Germany , South Africa and Mexico , Zizi was carried from the rubble on a wooden board as she grasped the edges , her face covered in dust . `` Thank God ! Thank God ! '' she exclaimed as she was pulled out , the video shows . `` Thanks to teamwork we were able to take this woman that prayed and prayed , and I believe that her faith that is so big was the thing that saved her , '' one of the Mexican rescuers said . iReport : Search list of the missing and the found . Janvier said he has no doubt that his mother 's faith played a role in her survival . `` Definitely , no question . Everyone was praying , '' he said . By her side as Zizi was freed , her friends from the church cheered and prayed , Janvier said . The next step in Zizi 's recovery , however , remains unclear . Full coverage l Twitter updates . The life-long Port-au-Prince resident was undergoing surgery aboard the USS Bataan , Janvier said . She was reported to have suffered a fractured femur in the quake . | Ena Zizi , in her 70s , lasted seven days in rubble near national cathedral . Son , Maxim Janvier says he has no doubt that his mother 's faith played a role in her survival . Zizi was undergoing surgery aboard the USS Bataan , Janvier said . Zizi was reported to have suffered a fractured femur in the quake . | [[345, 357], [360, 490], [1829, 1882], [1991, 2076], [2004, 2076], [2224, 2238], [2337, 2419], [2422, 2436], [2437, 2503], [2437, 2440], [2454, 2503]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The North Korean government informed the State Department on Friday that it is holding a second American citizen who the North Koreans say entered the country from China , a State Department spokesman said . The American , who has not been identified , was detained Monday for trespassing on North Korea 's border with China , state-run Korea Central News Agency reported Thursday . The incident is under investigation , according to the agency 's report . Spokesman P.J. Crowley had said Thursday afternoon that the department had been unable to get information on the reported incident . North Korea announced December 29 that it was holding an American who had entered the country illegally from China on Christmas Eve . The news agency did not identify the man , who it said was `` now under investigation by a relevant organ . '' At the time , State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said Washington was concerned by reports that a Korean-American missionary , Robert Park , had gone into North Korea , but could not confirm them . Washington and Pyongyang have no diplomatic relations . The United States relies on the Swedish Embassy to look after U.S. interests in North Korea . Crowley has said the United States continues to seek consular access to Park . | North Koreans say U.S. citizen entered the country from China . North Koreans also still holding American they say entered illegally on Christmas Eve . Neither person has been identified ; U.S. worried about missionary Robert Park . | [[117, 142], [169, 199], [659, 753], [620, 685], [659, 753], [238, 250], [257, 280], [865, 876], [879, 1032]] |
London , England -- He 's no Wyclef Jean or George Clooney , but that has n't stopped seven-year-old Charlie Simpson from raising more than # 150,000 -LRB- $ 240,000 -RRB- for the Haiti earthquake . Simpson from Fulham , west London had hoped to raise just # 500 for UNICEF 's earthquake appeal by cycling eight kilometers -LRB- five miles -RRB- around a local park . `` My name is Charlie Simpson . I want to do a sponsored bike ride for Haiti because there was a big earthquake and loads of people have lost their lives , '' said Simpson on his JustGiving page , a fundraising site which launched his efforts . `` I want to make some money to buy food , water and tents for everyone in Haiti , '' he said . Donate to Charlie Simpson 's Haiti fundraising page . And with that simple call , messages of support flooded the site . `` Such a big heart for a young boy , you 're a little star ! '' wrote one supporter . `` Well done Charlie . A real celebrity , '' said another . More donations began pouring in after the story caught the attention of the British media -- with many cheering Simpson past the # 100,000 mark . Even British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is spreading the message . His `` Downing Street '' Twitter alias said : `` Amazed by response to the great fundraising efforts of 7 yr old Charlie Simpson for the people of Haiti . '' David Bull , UNICEF 's UK executive director described Simpson 's efforts as `` very bold and innovative . '' `` It shows he connects with and not only understands what children his own age must be going through in Haiti , '' Bull said in a press statement . `` The little seed -- his idea -- that he has planted has grown rapidly and his is a place well deserved in the humanitarian world . `` On behalf of the many children in Haiti , I thank Charlie for his effort . '' Money raised by Simpson will go towards UNICEF 's Haiti Earthquake Children 's Appeal which will provide water , sanitation , education , nutrition as well as support child protection . | Charlie Simpson has raised $ 240,000 for UNICEF 's Haiti Earthquake Children 's Appeal . Donations pour in amid media coverage with many cheering Simpson on . Funds raised will provide water , sanitation , education , nutrition and supporting child protection . | [[65, 198], [1822, 1907], [977, 1024], [1075, 1096], [1822, 1907], [1854, 1907], [1914, 2007]] |
Baghdad , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Saddam Hussein 's cousin Ali Hassan al-Majeed -- also known as Chemical Ali -- was executed Monday , an Iraqi government spokesman said . He was hanged after having been convicted on 13 counts of killings and genocide , Ali al-Dabagh said . Al-Majeed had been sentenced to death in four separate trials , including one that focused on his involvement in a poison gas attack against Iraqi Kurds that killed about 5,000 people . His execution had been delayed for political rather than legal reasons . It is not clear what change , if any , led to the reported execution . Al-Majeed had been held in United States custody since his capture in 2003 . But he was handed over to the Iraqi authorities in the 24 hours before his execution , U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill told CNN 's Diana Magnay on Monday . The 1988 poison gas attack on the village of Halabja , which earned al-Majeed his nickname , was part of the Anfal campaign , in which the Hussein regime killed at least 100,000 Iraqi Kurds . The campaign is believed to be worst poison gas attack on civilians ever . Al-Majeed was sentenced to death separately for his role in putting down a Shiite uprising against Hussein in 1991 , and for his part in putting down a Baghdad revolt in 1999 . Estimates of the Shiite death toll in the 1991 rebellion range from 20,000 to 100,000 . Al-Majeed was convicted of playing a key part in the slaughter during the revolt in southern Iraq that followed the 1991 Persian Gulf War . One of his co-defendants in the Anfal case , Sultan Hashem , is a prominent Sunni leader who is considered a key player in efforts to reconcile the country 's once-dominant Sunni community with the Shiite majority that now wields political power . Hashem was also sentenced to death , but Iraq 's Sunni Arab Vice-President Tariq al-Hashimi has long refused to sign his execution order . That delayed the execution of al-Majeed and another defendant as well . Iraqi law requires all three members of the Iraqi presidency council -- the president and two vice-presidents -- to sign execution orders . It does not say what happens if they do not sign . CNN 's Yousif Bassil contributed to this report . | NEW : U.S. handed al-Majeed over to Iraqi authorities shortly before execution , official says . Saddam Hussein 's cousin Ali Hassan al-Majeed executed . Al-Majeed had been sentenced to death in four separate trials . Execution had been delayed by VP 's refusal to OK another defendant 's death sentence . | [[686, 766], [275, 336], [1106, 1138], [1800, 1897], [1898, 1959]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Desiree Rogers , the White House social secretary , plans to step down , the Obama administration announced Friday . Her office came under scrutiny after a couple who lacked an invitation were allowed into President Obama 's first state dinner . `` We are enormously grateful to Desiree Rogers for the terrific job she 's done as the White House social secretary , '' the president and first lady said in a statement released Friday . In an interview on Friday , Rogers said she was leaving voluntarily and that her decision was unrelated to the fallout over the security breach . `` It has nothing to do with that , '' she said . `` It 's Secret Service 's job to handle security . Not the social secretary 's office . '' The Obamas ' statement did not mention November 's party-crashing incident . `` When she took this position , we asked Desiree to help make sure that the White House truly is the people 's house , and she did that by welcoming scores of everyday Americans through its doors , from wounded warriors to local schoolchildren to NASCAR drivers . `` She organized hundreds of fun and creative events during her time here , and we will miss her . We thank her again for her service and wish her all the best in her future endeavors . '' Rogers said in an e-mail to CNN on Friday , `` It has been incredible setting the foundation for the -LSB- White House -RSB- for this historical presidency . Headed back to private sector . '' `` I accomplished initially what I came to do , '' Rogers said later . `` I like strategy . I like building something . It 's built ... the foundation of the -LSB- social secretary 's -RSB- office is good and solid . '' Rogers would not say where she 'll be working . She said she 'll be `` around to work on the transition '' to a new social secretary at the White House . She summed up her experiences at the White House in another note : `` 330 events . Halloween for 3,000 . Easter egg roll for 30,000 . Music series with performances and the performers teaching the students during the day . Latin , jazz , country , civil rights . '' In December , the White House was accused of stonewalling as Congress investigated the party-crasher security breach at Obama 's first state dinner . At issue was whether the White House was protecting Rogers from testifying about how Tareq and Michaele Salahi were able to crash the first White House state dinner . The couple did not have an invite but were allowed in . Rogers ' office planned the dinner . At the time , Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan said his agency would take the heat for the incident . `` This is our fault and our fault alone , '' he told federal lawmakers . `` There 's no other people to blame here . ... Look at me and blame me , '' he told members of the House Homeland Security Committee . CNN 's Ed Henry , Suzanne Malveaux and John King contributed to this report . | Desiree Rogers came under scrutiny after White House state dinner . She says her decision is unrelated to the fallout over the security breach . `` Headed back to private sector , '' she says in e-mail . `` We are enormously grateful ... for the terrific job she 's done , '' Obamas say . | [[465, 490], [493, 610], [1284, 1315], [1442, 1473], [276, 344]] |
Liancourt , Haiti -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- She gingerly walked from the car and shuffled up the small hill , her eyes welled in tears . The first sight of her daughter 's grave was too much for Beatrice Elan to bear . She began to scream and flail . `` Anna , Anna , Anna , '' Elan cried , while two family members struggled to restrain her . On Thursday , Elan 's 11-year-old daughter , Anaika St. Louis , became another victim of a tragedy unforgiving to both the old and the young . Just hours earlier that day , CNN brought Anaika 's story to the world . For 48 hours she had lain trapped under the rubble since a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday . Her right leg was crushed and pinned by a steel beam . `` My lord God , save me ! '' she cried . Her screams were chilling . Share your tributes to victims of the Haiti earthquake . No rescue teams could be found . Caring neighbors and family desperately tried to cut through steel using a hacksaw . CNN correspondent Ivan Watson and photojournalist Dominic Swann , climbed up into the crevice that trapped Anaika , and brought her water and granola bars . She reached out to hold their hands when she was scared . Volunteers gave Anaika a pair of glasses to protect her eyes from the dirt . `` She spent 3 days in the hole . All that time saying , ` My God , I do n't want to die . I want to live , '' said her aunt Etiana Jean-Baptiste . On Thursday night , neighbors found a power saw and a portable generator . Soon after , Anaika was free . But a happy ending eluded this story . Anaika was rushed to a doctor , who could only offer some mild pain killers . The doctor told the family that they had to get Anaika to a hospital about three hours away . Her uncle said Anaika was bleeding internally . She was so incredibly strong , he said , and was willing to have her leg amputated , to live . `` She say , ` Thank you , God . Because He save my life , '' said Rodreffe Jean-Baptiste , in broken English . `` If I lose my feet . I always had my life , '' he recalled his niece saying . But before the night was over , Anaika was gone . Anaika 's family called her the `` little lawyer , '' because she wanted to study law one day . She sang in the choir at church and at school , and seemed to have found a special place in each of her family members ' heart . Her aunt said she was just beautiful . `` She said ... ` Bring me a Bible . There is a psalm I like a lot , which is Psalm 23 , ' '' recalled her aunt , Etiana Jean-Baptiste . `` She spent all her time reading the psalm . She said , ` My God , come help me . ' '' Anaika 's funeral was held in a church in Liancourt on Friday night and Anaika was buried -- wearing a Girl Scouts uniform and a veil in Liancourt . Liancourt , about two hours away from the devastated capital of Port-au-Prince , escaped the quake 's fury . This is where Anaika 's family has taken refuge -- and where they mourn the passing of a little girl with an angel 's voice . | Anaika St. Louis dies after being rescued . She had been trapped in the rubble for 48 hours days . CNN crew meets girl while rescue was underway , gives her water , food . Family buries girl known as the `` little lawyer '' on Friday . | [[553, 662], [1258, 1288], [963, 1026], [1083, 1119], [2105, 2153], [2594, 2661]] |
New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw and his wife were involved in a three-vehicle accident Friday in which one person died , a network spokeswoman said . The accident happened about 1 p.m. on New York 's Bruckner Expressway in the Bronx , spokeswoman Jenny Tartikoff said in a statement . Brokaw and his wife , Meredith , were not injured , she said . The accident occurred when an SUV swerved to avoid a spool of wire that had fallen from a truck and slammed into a 7-ton U.S. postal truck , said Peter Rendina , a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service . Brokaw , who was driving behind the postal truck , hit the rear of the truck , Rendina said . The driver of the SUV was thrown from her vehicle and killed , according to Rendina . The newsman and his wife waited at the crash scene until postal inspectors arrived , Rendina said . `` According to our inspectors , Brokaw did nothing wrong , just in the wrong place at the wrong time , '' he said . `` Tom and Meredith are greatly saddened by this loss of life , '' the Brokaw statement said . New York police confirmed that one person was killed in an accident on the expressway involving an SUV , a postal truck and a possible third vehicle . No other details were released . | Brokaw not at fault , U.S. Postal Inspection Service spokesman says . Accident occurs when SUV swerves to avoid spool of cable on the road , hits postal truck . Brokaw , who was driving behind the postal truck , hit rear of that vehicle , spokesman says . | [[378, 444], [437, 444], [450, 516], [1085, 1225], [593, 599], [606, 641], [593, 599], [644, 669]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The search will continue until at least Friday night for 16 people missing since Thursday morning when a helicopter carrying them to an offshore oil platform ditched in the Atlantic Ocean off Newfoundland , Canadian officials said . A helicopter made an emergency crash landing off Newfoundland en route to Hibernia oil field on Thursday . One survivor , identified as Robert Decker , was found and taken to a hospital , but efforts to find more survivors had proven fruitless , said Maj. Denis McGuire of the Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax , Nova Scotia . The body of one person , who has not been identified publicly , also was pulled from the water . There were 18 people aboard the helicopter when it went down , about 30 nautical miles from St. John 's . `` All we 've got is the debris field , '' McGuire said . `` There are no indications of any -LSB- more -RSB- survivors , but the search will continue . '' The water is 400 feet deep at the site where the helicopter hit the water , he said . Helicopters and ships were scouring the debris field Thursday evening , and search-and-rescue technicians were planning to use night-vision goggles and flares overnight . The debris filled a six-mile area , said Jeri Grychowski of the Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax . Officials became aware that the helicopter was having problems shortly after 9:10 a.m. , when the pilot declared a mayday , McGuire said . `` They declared their mayday and then they hit the water or landed in the water approximately eight minutes later , '' he said . About 25 minutes later , a helicopter arrived and discovered the survivor , the body , the overturned helicopter and two empty life rafts , he said . Those aboard should have have been wearing survival suits that would have kept them dry and were equipped with lights and personal locator beacons , but the suits have not helped searchers . `` We have not received any signals whatsoever , '' McGuire said . The suits theoretically would allow wearers to survive 24 hours in the freezing waters -- or until about 9 a.m. Friday -- but the search effort was to continue well beyond that . `` We will continue to search until there 's absolutely no chance that any survivors will be located , '' he said . `` Until last light -LSB- Friday -RSB- . '' At that time , based on water temperature and the size of the search area , officials will decide whether to continue the effort , he said . Early in the day , high winds and seas hampered the search , but by late afternoon , the weather had improved , though seas were still about 13 to 16 feet -LRB- 4 to 5 meters -RRB- and winds were at about 40 knots -LRB- 46 mph -RRB- . The survivor was taken to the Health Sciences Center in St. John 's , Newfoundland . The helicopter had been heading to the Hibernia offshore oil platform when it went down in what Grychowski called a controlled emergency crash landing . The pilot reported some technical malfunctions before the crash and radioed that he was turning the chopper around , said Rick Burt of Cougar Helicopters -- the operator of the S-92 Sikorsky copter . | NEW : Search to continue `` until there 's absolutely no chance '' of locating survivors . NEW : People aboard chopper should be wearing survival suits , locator beacons . One survivor in hospital , one man found dead , 16 still missing . 18 aboard were oil workers ; copter ditched into waters off Newfoundland . | [[908, 938], [2159, 2259], [1722, 1868], [19, 93], [76, 116], [359, 371], [418, 437], [359, 371], [444, 474], [583, 605], [645, 679], [2695, 2762], [122, 223], [252, 358], [270, 322], [680, 740], [972, 980], [987, 1015]] |
San Diego , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- There was a lot to appreciate in yesterday 's bipartisan White House health care summit between President Obama and members of Congress . No really . This is the kind of thing that our leaders ought to do three or four times a year on a variety of issues -- from Social Security to education to immigration to job creation . Why not ? Put aside the sound bites and partisan barbs . Get beyond the dueling appearances on the Sunday morning talk shows . And bring your best ideas and most constructive suggestions to the table . Obama deserves credit for convening the meeting . His opening remarks were good , especially when he talked about the rising costs of health insurance premiums , the `` exploding costs of Medicare and Medicaid , '' and how he wanted to `` make sure that this discussion is actually a discussion and not just us trading talking points . '' I also appreciated his candid discussion of health scares years ago involving his own daughters and how he wondered `` What would have happened if I did n't have reliable health care ? '' And his acknowledgement that `` Everybody here understands the desperation that people feel when they 're sick . '' That is , assuming everything that happened yesterday at Blair House was real -- and not merely a theatrical setup for a Democratic-led effort next week to push through , using reconciliation , what Democrats on the Hill call `` the big bill . '' That 's Obama 's comprehensive $ 950 billion plan to radically reform the nation 's health care system -- the one opposed by every Republican in Congress and , according to polls , a majority of Americans . Reconciliation is a procedural maneuver that allows the Senate to pass the health care bill with 51 votes rather than the 60 votes required to end a filibuster . Yet , according to a recent Gallup poll , more than half of Americans -- 52 percent -- oppose Democrats resorting to reconciliation to pass a bill . And while Republicans are still holding out hope that Obama and congressional Democrats will go back to the drawing board and start with a blank piece of paper , that appears unlikely since Democrats seem to be `` all in '' on their piece of legislation . So what was the point of the summit ? It might well have been to create a foil . According to what an unnamed Democratic official told Politico.com , the purpose of the event was to give a face to gridlock . Democrats intend over the next few weeks to spin this narrative suggesting that they tried , really tried , to work with Republicans but the `` party of no '' was just too obstinate and too uncompromising . So Democrats had no choice but to rely on the perfectly legitimate process known as reconciliation . So the summit was a fraud ? A charade ? I hope not . Even in Washington , there has to be a limit to cynicism . And I 'd hope this would be it . I 'd hope that Obama and Democratic lawmakers would n't toy with the American people on an issue as important as this one . Talk about broken government . The public wants solutions to our health care problems -- however they 're defined -- and not partisan gimmicks that give `` a face to gridlock . '' Even many of those Americans who oppose the Democratic plan turn around to tell pollsters , in the next breath , that the current system has too much cost and not enough common sense . No one approves of the status quo . That 's at least something to agree on . And while Obama got a lot of things right in his remarks , he also made a big mistake when -- at the very outset of the discussion -- he defined as the baseline `` the House and the Senate legislation that 's already passed . '' That told Republicans that they were not getting their blank sheet of paper , and that the best they could hope for was to tweak but not substantially change the Democratic plans . It also did something else . It reminded the American people of who calls the shots in Washington . It 's the party in power . Democrats control all the levers of government , at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue . Remember that fact . Write it down . For President Obama and the Democratic congressional leadership , the real obstacles to reform are n't Republicans -- who do n't have any power -- but fellow Democrats who are up for re-election and who are terrified of `` the big bill . '' They represent districts that either Obama lost to John McCain in 2008 or in which Obama barely squeaked out a victory . So they 're not going anywhere near this unpopular piece of legislation . Who can blame them ? Whatever happens on health care , Democrats alone deserve , depending on your view , either the credit or the blame . You see , the real face of gridlock is theirs . The opinions in this commentary are solely those of Ruben Navarette , Jr. . | Ruben Navarrette Jr. lauds the health care summit , says leaders ought to hold more such events . Navarrette : Let 's hope it was real and not preparation for Democrats to pass unpopular health bill . Navarrette : Democrats control levers of government in Washington . Some Democrats up for re-election are terrified of passing `` the big bill , '' he writes . | [[1212, 1216], [1222, 1364], [2861, 2893], [3997, 4043], [4272, 4288], [4324, 4358]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In a most public fashion , congressional lawmakers have been grilling Toyota officials this week about safety defects that have caused some of the automaker 's vehicles to accelerate without warning . Accidents and deaths are being linked to these problems . This is prime political theater . Angry lawmakers are aggressively demanding answers , dressing down their corporate counterparts . Toyota officials are largely apologetic . Toyota President Akio Toyoda wept after the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing Wednesday . What 's largely occluded from television cameras , however , are the long , deep ties between Toyota , former federal government employees and current lawmakers , some of whom are -LRB- or have been -RRB- tasked with providing oversight , upholding public safety and , at the moment , potentially recommending regulatory changes . Of course , ties do not mean tepid congressional questioning , nor do they mean tough regulations will not result from committee hearings . But as consumers -- and citizens -- watch the hearings transpire , it 's worth remembering that Washington is a place where the public interest is n't always politicians ' first or only interest . In 2009 , Toyota employed 31 lobbyists , hired to exert influence and defend the company 's interests before Congress , the White House and federal agencies , such as the Department of Transportation and Department of Energy . So who are these Toyota lobbyists working the back channels of government ? Our research indicates that in many instances , they 're former members of the U.S. government , earning handsome salaries lobbying on behalf of their corporate client . Among the leaders in this small army of lobbyists -LRB- and registered as such in 2009 -RRB- are a former congressman , two former chiefs of staff for prominent senator currently serving , a former Department of Energy assistant secretary , a former assistant director of the National Commission on Air Quality and a former special events director for the Republican National Committee . This is a group that ca n't be easily dismissed by congressional leaders and their staffs . In politics , just like any social realm , it 's simpler to say `` no '' to a stranger than someone who used to work for you or with you , or someone you may have even campaigned for . Now , in Toyota 's period of political peril , the company will probably need the help of its lobbyists to mitigate damage to its corporate interests . By December , Toyota had spent about $ 5.4 million on federal lobbying efforts for 2009 , more than Honda , Volkswagen , Nissan or any other foreign automaker . During the past five years , Toyota 's federal lobbying expenditures total nearly $ 25 million , about enough to buy two new Prius hybrids for every member of Congress . Among automakers , only General Motors and Ford have each spent more money to lobby the federal government during that time . As for lawmakers themselves , they , too , have connections to Toyota . In 2008 , the most recent year for which data are available , seven members of Congress reported owning Toyota stock . Rep. Jane Harman , D-California , who represents that district in which Toyota 's U.S. headquarters is located , declared in her 2008 personal financial disclosure report that she and her husband owned $ 315,000 in Toyota assets . Harman , who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee , which is investigating Toyota , said this week that she 'd recuse herself from committee proceedings and votes , an appropriate step to avoid any actual or apparent conflict of interest . No other member of Congress has publicly followed suit , including Rep. Michael Burgess , R-Texas , another Toyota stock owner in 2008 who also sits on the committee . Sen. Jay Rockefeller , a Democrat from West Virginia , does n't own Toyota stock , but he was instrumental in wooing Toyota to build a factory in his state , once saying he `` felt like a full-fledged member '' of Toyota 's site selection team . Rockefeller , chairman of the Senate 's Commerce , Science and Transportation Committee , is slated to serve as the Senate 's lead investigator into Toyota 's safety issues -LRB- hearings begin next week -RRB- and whether the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration properly monitored safety concerns about the company . The agency 's new chief ? He 's David L. Strickland , a former lawyer and senior staff member for Rockefeller 's Senate committee . -LRB- A spokeswoman for Rockefeller told the Washington Post this week that the senator fought `` for good-paying manufacturing jobs but never shirks from holding those same companies ' feet to the fire when it comes to safety and consumer protection . '' -RRB- . Lawmakers are also the beneficiaries of money Toyota has directly donated to their political campaigns . Although Toyota itself can not create a political action committee through which to make donations to politicians -- foreign firms are banned from doing so -- the U.S.-based Toyota distributor , Gulf States Toyota , faces no such restriction . Gulf States Toyota 's political action committee has contributed at least $ 1,000 to each of 10 federal political candidates this election cycle after making donations to 29 federal candidates during the 2008 election cycle . Included on this list -- for 2007 and 2008 -- are members of the congressional committees investigating Toyota : Reps. Joe Barton , R-Texas ; Gene Green , D-Texas ; Charles Melancon , D-Louisiana ; Steve Scalise , R-Louisiana ; and John Sullivan , R-Oklahoma . Since 1999 , Toyota employees in the United States have also individually donated more than $ 100,000 to congressional members . Taken separately , these associations may not amount to a smoking gun of profit and politics over people . But together , they represent a ruck of entanglements and potential conflicts of interest that must be adequately checked by the press . And the public must be mindful of these ties , lest they deliver on their potential to render safety subservient to a financial bottom line . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Sheila Krumholz and Dave Levinthal . | Toyota hearings were a major event on Capitol Hill . Less visible were ties between Toyota and current , former members of Congress , co-authors say . They say the public should be mindful of potential for abuses . | [[44, 136]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Al Qaeda 's north African wing has released an audio message from an Italian man whom it says it has kidnapped and has set a 25-day deadline for the Italian government to meet its demands . The message was accompanied by a still photograph , posted on Islamist Web sites , showing a bearded man kneeling in front of a group of six armed and masked men . The group , Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb , says the man is Cicala Sergio . The group says it has been holding the man and his wife for two months . The audio message , dated February 24 , urges the Italian government to meet the group 's demands in 25 days -- although it was unclear what those demands are . `` If you want to guarantee the safety of these two Italian captives , you need to pressure your government and urge them to respond to the legitimate demands , '' the statement said . CNN could not immediately determine the authenticity of the message . In June , Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb executed a British man after the British government did not give in to its demand to release Abu Qatada , a Jordanian considered to be al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden 's right-hand man in Europe . The group began life as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat with aspirations to overthrow the Algerian government . Around 2004 , it joined forces with al Qaeda and extended its reach across North and West Africa . CNN 's Saad Abedine contributed to this report . | The group , Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb , says man is Cicala Sergio . It was unclear what the group 's demands were . In June the group executed a British man after UK refused to release Abu Qatada . | [[373, 382], [419, 450], [645, 684], [940, 947], [950, 1063]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Philippine government convoy was ambushed by gunmen Thursday in the same province that saw the bloody massacre of 57 people last month , a Philippine military spokesman said . The convoy was on its way back from a raid on the compound of former governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. in Maguindanao province , Maj. Randolph Cabangbang said . No one was injured in the attack , he said . `` They were about to take the evidence to General Santos City when they were ambushed in the same municipality -LRB- where -RRB- the massacre took place , '' Cabangbang said . `` The convoy was able to return fire and the gunmen scampered , '' he added . The attack occurred at 7:30 p.m. local time -LRB- 6:30 a.m. ET -RRB- and Philippine military personnel were still in the area conducting search operations several hours later , he said . `` We surmise that these are men who are still loyal to the governor trying to recover what we took from the governor 's compound , '' Cabangbang said . Thousands of rounds of ammunition and several firearms were recovered from the compound , Cabangbang said . Maguindanao province is the same place where 57 people , including 30 journalists , were massacred on November 23 . That attack , authorities have said , was an apparent attempt to keep a political opponent of the Ampatuan clan from registering to run for governor . Philippine police say that at least two people who were at the scene of the massacre have implicated a mayor as being involved in the killings , state media reported Thursday . The two are among 161 suspects in the killings in the southern province . Some of the suspects are in custody ; others are being sought , the Philippines News Agency said . Immediately after the killings , suspicion fell on Andal Ampatuan Jr. , the mayor of Datu Unsay municipality and the son of the powerful governor of Maguindanao . Authorities have recommended that Ampatuan be charged with 25 counts of murder . `` We have two -LRB- witnesses -RRB- . Because they were in the crime scene , these two have direct testimony linking the mayor to the crime , '' the country 's National Police Director Raul Castaneda was quoted as saying by the news agency . Also on Thursday , 75 civilians , including children , were kidnapped in the region where the massacre took place , authorities said . Several rebel groups there are fighting for different causes . Seventeen children and an adult were freed soon after , and negotiations continued to secure the release of the rest , said Army Capt. Enrico Ileto . The abductions took place Thursday afternoon in Prosperidad , the capital of Agusan del Sur province . The November 23 massacre took place on the other side of the island . There are no indications that the two incidents are related . Alongside Muslim separatist groups that have been fighting for an independent Islamic state in the region , communist rebels are engaged in a 40-year insurgency there . The Philippine Congress met Thursday for a second day in a joint session as lawmakers questioned President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo 's Cabinet members about a martial law that was imposed on the province Friday . The martial law allows arrests without a warrant . The army has said it is necessary to impose peace following what has been called a politically motivated massacre . Critics contend that it sets a dangerous precedent . Violence in the run-up to elections is not uncommon in the country . The Maguindanao massacre , however , is the worst politically motivated violence in recent Philippine history , according to state media . The victims included the wife and sister of political candidate Ismael `` Toto '' Mangudadatu , who had sent the women to file paperwork allowing him to run for governor of Maguindanao . He said he had received threats from allies of Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. , the father of the accused mayor , saying he would be kidnapped if he filed the papers himself . Maguindanao is part of an autonomous region in predominantly Muslim Mindanao , which was set up in the 1990s to quell armed uprisings by people seeking an independent Muslim homeland in the predominantly Christian Asian nation . CNN 's Nick Valencia , Joyce Joseph and Sarita Harilela contributed to this report . | Philippine government convoy ambushed in same province as massacre . Convoy was returning from raid on compound of former provincial governor . 57 people killed in Maguindanao in apparently politically-motivated attack . Separately , 75 civilians kidnapped from a region in southern Philippines . | [[0, 15], [32, 102], [400, 404], [416, 508], [197, 274], [85, 102], [108, 155], [1101, 1216], [1125, 1216], [3238, 3240], [3254, 3335], [2224, 2288]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Johnny Lee Wicks , 66 , was carrying a 12-gauge shotgun when he walked Monday into the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse and started firing , shooting court security officer Stanley W. Cooper and a deputy U.S. marshal , said Kevin Favreau , special agent in charge of the FBI 's Las Vegas office . The two victims returned fire , driving Wicks out of the courthouse , and pursued him into the street along with two other marshals and three other court security officers -- a total of seven officers , authorities said . During the ensuing exchange of gunfire , Wicks fired a total of five rounds , authorities said , while the officers fired a total of 81 . Wicks was shot in the stomach and fatally shot in the head , Favreau said . Cooper later died of his injuries . The deputy marshal 's condition has stabilized and he was released from the hospital , said Gary Orton , U.S. marshal for Nevada . Authorities said the deputy marshal 's name would be released after he recovers further . Orton said he was about 48 and had more than two decades of service with the U.S. marshals . Wicks had a lengthy criminal history , Favreau said , including arrests for murder in Memphis , Tennessee , in the 1970s ; arrests for drug charges in the 1980s in Memphis ; a 1995 arrest for sexual assault and domestic violence in Sacramento , California ; and a 1996 arrest for robbery and domestic violence , also in Sacramento . It was unclear whether those arrests resulted in convictions , and authorities did not have information on whether Wicks had been incarcerated . In 2008 , Wicks filed a race discrimination and civil rights claim against the Social Security Administration , alleging he was denied full benefits because he was African-American , according to court documents . A federal judge -- located in the Las Vegas courthouse -- ruled against him in September . Those who knew Wicks told authorities he had an `` overwhelming anger '' toward the government , Favreau said . However , he had made no threats that police were aware of , and investigators do not know why Monday was the day his rage boiled over . Evidence indicates Wicks intentionally set his apartment on fire about 5:05 a.m. Monday , then walked three miles to the courthouse , Favreau said , where the shooting took place about 8 a.m. Witnesses said Wicks was clad in black when he walked inside , pulled out the shotgun and opened fire . Police believe he acted alone . `` An act such as this can not be predicted , '' said Doug Gillespie , sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police . He and other officials praised Wicks ' victims for acting quickly to repel the gunman . Cooper , a former sergeant with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police who had been a contract security officer since 1994 , `` dedicated his entire life to protecting others , '' Gillespie said . `` He was not only a good man , he was a great man . '' Cooper was able to fire one round while pursing Wicks , authorities said . The sheriff said he did not know whether funeral arrangements had been made for Cooper . Wicks fired three rounds inside the courthouse and two others outside , said Las Vegas police Lt. Lou Roberts . The last two were fired when Wicks turned to face the pursuing officers , and he was fatally shot shortly afterward , Roberts said . He died among the bushes in front of an old school that once housed a temporary police headquarters . Wicks had more rounds available , Roberts said , but would not elaborate , citing the ongoing investigation . The officers involved in the firefight have been placed on administrative leave , authorities said -- standard procedure for officer-involved shootings . Witnesses to the exchange of gunfire Monday estimated at least 40 shots were fired . A one-minute , 13-second video clip posted on YouTube includes at least 45 gunshots , many in rapid succession . Nicholas Gramenos , who recorded the clip , said he was leaving the courthouse when the shooting erupted . Another witness , Bobby Scottland , told CNN the shots `` sounded like popcorn . '' Cones were scattered across Las Vegas Boulevard Monday evening , with each representing a slug or shell casing from the gun battle . | NEW : Suspect Johnny Wicks had a lengthy rap sheet . Wicks was shot and killed after opening fire in courthouse lobby . Slain guard identified as former Vegas police officer . FBI : Wicks pulled shotgun from underneath his jacket and began shooting . | [[1104, 1140], [678, 683], [712, 736], [2372, 2374], [2418, 2431], [3272, 3309], [0, 15], [43, 159], [80, 82], [145, 176], [2372, 2374], [2418, 2431]] |
ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Dressed head to toe in black , designer Isaac Mizrahi is wearing an outfit that seems to contradict his personality -- and his usual fashion flair . Isaac Mizrahi has earned four awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America . `` I always start with color when I 'm designing things . Always . If the color is right , I feel better , '' he touts on his Web site . But Mizrahi has an explanation for his less than colorful attire on a recent visit to CNN Center in Atlanta . `` We have this very quick trip , and we have to go right back and there 's no time to pack and we ca n't check luggage ... so I focused it to black , gray and white . '' It 's just one more style tip you can pick up from Mizrahi 's new book `` How to Have Style '' -LRB- Gotham -RRB- . Despite the slightly audacious title , Mizrahi , who has won four awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America , has earned the right to tell women how to dress . For five years , the New York fashion designer has been selling low-priced clothing and home furnishings at Target . But with his new book comes a new job -- as the creative director of Liz Claiborne . CNN talked to Mizrahi about his love for theater , the most common fashion mistakes and why bad flowers are never OK . The following is an edited version of that interview : . CNN : You started in acting at the High School of the Performing Arts . How do you combine that love and your love for design ? Isaac Mizrahi : Well , you know what , I think it 's all theater . I think that fashion is a form of entertainment . And I think that these days , as a fashion designer , it 's almost like you represent a political party or something . Like women say , `` Oh , that 's a brand name I associate with because I 've worn it before . I love it . It seems to fulfill who I am really easily . '' Whatever it is , she knows that it just makes her life really easy so she associates with it , you know ? And in the end , I am like this personality that represents that . Watch Mizrahi talk about his new book '' But more than that , I have designs -LSB- in -RSB- the entertainment business . There 's a movie called `` Unzipped '' about me that was a really successful movie . I had two TV series . I design costumes constantly for theater and ballet and opera . So to me it 's all one big world . It 's seamless to me . CNN : What 's your daily schedule like ? It has to be crazy with all that you do . Mizrahi : It changes every day , and I really like that . There 's a base to it . I wake up , I go swimming every day , and I eat the same breakfast almost every single day . But when I get to work is when it changes up . Some days I work in the showroom ; some days I work in the design room ; some days I actually work in my own private studio , where I just do sketches and sketches and sketches . Other days I work in the TV studio taping segments and my Web show . I do n't really love travel . I feel like it really disrupts what I love doing most , which is this creation , you know what I mean ? When I finally let myself enjoy it , I can enjoy traveling . But it takes a great agony for me to separate from New York City and my studios and the people that I work with . CNN : Say you 're walking down the street . What 's the most common style error that you see in people ? Mizrahi : I see a lot , a lot , a lot of bad hair . I would say that 's the most common style error I see is bad hair . You know people have excuses for bad shoes -- because you know some people have back problems , it is the street and they 're walking and walking and walking -- but I do think that people have no excuse for bad hair . Because you know what ? There 's a hat , if your hair is really that bad that day . But I always think that women should be encouraged to spend a lot of money on their hair . It 's like you should spend your most money ... on your hair . You 'd think I had a chain of hair salons , but I do n't . -LSB- Laughter -RSB- . CNN : What about in home furnishing ? You do a line for Target that 's ending this year . What 's the most common mistake people make there ? Mizrahi : You know what it is with people ? I think people get lazy when it comes to being at home -- they leave things around . I like to think about cabinets . I like to put things away as much as possible . It 's like salt shakers on the table ? No . You put the salt shakers in a cabinet , and the table looks so much better when it 's plain . You know what I mean ? And people just think that bad flowers are better than nothing , but I disagree with that . I think that nothing is way better than bad flowers . You either have gorgeous , gorgeous flowers , or you have no flowers . Like at a dinner party , I prefer no flowers usually to the flowers that people have on the table . That 's awful , but it 's true . CNN : How has your personal style evolved over time ? Mizrahi : It 's gotten a lot quieter , my personal style . I used to dress , dress , dress , dress , dress , and I do n't know , I dress in a very particular way now and it 's almost like clockwork . And every once in a while I break out and do something crazy . CNN : Can you describe your personality for me , and how it affects your style ? Mizrahi : I do n't know . It 's very hard to describe one 's personality . I ca n't say about my personality , but I like to think that I 'm very exposed to what 's going on out there in the world culturally , and that 's what influences my design . It 's kind of like here 's the 360 degrees of what 's going on -LSB- in -RSB- the world culturally , you know ? Socioeconomically , culturally , and here 's my response to it . Here 's what the clothes look like ; here 's what you should be wearing . And it 's kind of like a wonderful edge , you 're standing , and yet there 's room enough in there for your own interpretation or to move in one direction or another . Oh ! Here 's a good description of my personality : claustrophobic . I am very claustrophobic . I do n't like to commit to one thing necessarily , but when I do commit to it , it 's whole and complete . | Designer Isaac Mizrahi moving from Target to creative director at Liz Claiborne . Mizrahi says he believes `` bad hair '' is the most common style mistake Designer says he prefers no flowers to `` bad '' ones . Mizrahi admits he has a `` claustrophobic '' personality . | [[3420, 3467], [3432, 3487], [4781, 4823], [6025, 6051]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Canadian government hopes to overturn a decision granting refugee status to a white South African who says he would face persecution at home , a spokesman for Canada 's immigration minister said Friday . The Immigration and Refugee Board recently granted refugee status to Brandon Huntley , 31 , a South African native who has been living illegally in Canada . The board decided to let him live and work legally in Canada after Huntley argued he had been the victim of racial violence and discrimination in South Africa . The board operates independently of the Canadian government . The ruling African National Congress in South Africa blasted the decision as racist and said it would `` only serve to perpetuate racism . '' Watch how the South African government has condemned the ruling '' Now the Canadian government plans to ask federal courts to overturn the decision , said Alykhan Velshi , a spokesman for Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney . `` It 's important to stress that this is n't the minister 's decision nor that of the government , '' Velshi said in a statement Friday . `` It was a decision taken by the quasi-judicial , independent Immigration and Refugee Board . I will leave it to them to defend the quality of their decisions . '' He declined further comment `` because the matter is now before the courts . '' A spokesman for the Immigration and Refugee Board earlier also had declined to comment on the grounds that refugee claims are confidential . However , a member of the board 's Refugee Protection Division , William Davis , has written in The Toronto Star that the board found that Huntley 's case demonstrated `` a picture of indifference and inability or unwillingness '' by South Africa to protect `` white South Africans from persecution by African South Africans . '' About 79 percent of South Africans are black ; 9.6 percent are white . Huntley 's attorney , Russell Kaplan , said his client had been attacked seven times by black South Africans who called him a `` settler '' and a `` white dog . '' `` In each instance , there were racially motivated remarks that were made -- that 's what distinguishes this case from ordinary criminality , '' Kaplan said . The African National Congress has a different view . `` We find the claim by Huntley to have been attacked seven times by Africans due to his skin color -- without any police intervention -- sensational and alarming , '' the ANC said in a statement this week . Kaplan is a human rights lawyer in Canada who left South Africa 20 years ago to escape the apartheid government 's discrimination against black South Africans . `` Twenty years later , we have this case that involves the exact opposite , '' he said this week . Newspaper clippings were presented as evidence of life in South Africa during the August 18 hearing , South Africa 's The Times reported . Kaplan 's sister , who came to Canada last year , testified about `` the torture and murder '' of their brother , who was killed by robbers in 1997 , the newspaper reported . The ANC said the current government under President Jacob Zuma is committed to fighting crime `` regardless of color or creed . '' The South African government would have preferred Canada seek its view `` before such a decision was made , '' South African Foreign Affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa told The Times . `` Quite clearly , the allegations are as preposterous as they are laughable -- which they would be if they were not serious , '' he told the newspaper . | Brandon Huntley says he faced racial violence and discrimination in South Africa . Canadian immigration board recently granted refugee status to Huntley . South African government blasted decision as racist . Canadian government asks courts to overturn independent board 's decision . | [[99, 120], [125, 163], [384, 393], [422, 544], [1908, 1927], [1947, 2016], [2296, 2384], [227, 316], [607, 690], [607, 659], [695, 745], [749, 812], [755, 812], [0, 15], [19, 120], [816, 896]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When Bertrand Piccard came up with his audacious plan to fly around the world in an aircraft powered only by the sun , he found that airplane manufacturers were skeptical such a plane could be built . So who built the first model of `` Solar Impulse , '' Piccard 's $ 72-million solar-powered craft ? A company that makes ships . Piccard , who won the first transatlantic balloon race and commanded the first balloon flight around the world , told CNN , `` Each time we asked the aeronautical industry to build that airplane , they told us it 's impossible . We can not make an airplane so light and so big . So who did we ask for some help ? A boat manufacturer . They had no idea it was impossible , so they built the pieces in carbon fiber and now we have an airplane . '' The plane is made by the Swiss company Decision SA , which made the America 's Cup-winning Alinghi . `` People put limitations on their creativity , believing they have to rely on what they know and what they have done , '' Piccard says . He sees the Solar Impulse venture as a way to dramatically demonstrate that it 's possible to make a sharp break with the past -- in this case , by showing that renewable energy can replace fossil fuel . `` A lot of industries say we have a society based on oil dependency , so let 's continue . ... We know how to deal with oil . The result is General Motors and Chrysler going bankrupt . It 's a typical example of people who did not make the turnaround early enough . If GM made engines with much lower fuel consumption , they would not have gone bankrupt . '' `` We have to get rid of certainties , habits , paradigms , common assumptions , '' Piccard says . `` These are the limits to creativity . '' Piccard , who is 51 , spoke about his new venture at the TED Global conference in July 2009 and elaborated on it in a recent interview with CNN.com . CNN : Why are you interested in attempting to fly around the world in a solar airplane ? Bertrand Piccard : My life and the life of my family has to do with exploration , with adventure . My grandfather was the first man in the stratosphere , and my father was the first to touch the deepest point in the ocean . ... For me adventure and exploration is something in the blood . So that 's why I flew around the world in a balloon in 1999 . ... It was considered to be impossible , I said , `` Let 's try it . '' I succeeded after two failures , and I came to the middle of my life , thinking now that adventure has to go on , and a pioneering sprit has to go on , but how can the adventure be useful -- not a personal dream like flying around the world in a balloon -- but really useful ? I came up with idea of a solar airplane flying around the world with no fuel -- that would be a beautiful message in terms of technology , the energy of the future and the environment . CNN : So what is the status of the effort right now ? Piccard : So the airplane is built . The first flight was achieved on the third of December and in the spring and summer this year , we 're going to make the high-altitude flights and the cycle of -LSB- flying -RSB- one day , one night and one day . We take off in the morning . We climb to 27,000 feet , and at the same time we load the batteries and run the engines on solar power only . Then we fly through the night on the batteries in order to reach the next sunrise and continue the following day . So this makes a complete cycle , with no fuel . When this will be achieved , we will build a second airplane that will be able to cross the Atlantic and fly around the world . The first airplane has to prove that it 's possible to fly a complete cycle , one day , one night , one day . ... This little airplane is not a Piper or Cessna with a couple of solar cells . It 's a really high-tech carbon fiber airplane which is 200 feet in wingspan . It weighs 1.6 tons . So it has basically the wingspan of a jumbo jet 747 , it has the weight of a little car , and on average it can fly with the energy of a little motorcycle -- which is only provided by the sun . ... If an airplane like this can fly day and night with no fuel , then nobody can say in the future that it is impossible to use the same technology for cars , for heating systems , for air conditioning , for electronics and so on . CNN : How fast will the plane travel ? Piccard : The plane will travel very slowly . Otherwise it would take too much energy . The average speed will be 40 knots , roughly 55 miles per hour . CNN : And so a flight around the world will take how long ? Piccard : It would take around 20 days and because there is only one pilot at a time in the cockpit , we 're going to land every five days and change the pilot . ... When Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic in 1927 , he was alone on board , and the airplane was full of gasoline and nobody thought than an airplane could take passengers over the Atlantic . And 30 years later , airplanes were taking 200 passengers across the Atlantic . So now we start the same thing over again , but with no fuel . We need an airplane that is very big , that is very light , and full of batteries , lithium polymer batteries , and it can take only one person . We have to see afterward if the technology can improve -- and transport people . But our goal is more to bring about a revolution in behavior than to bring a revolution in aviation . The goal is really to have people on ground who will follow this adventure and will start to use the same technologies , to save energy and to rely on renewable energy . CNN : What is the biggest technical challenge in building this airplane ? Piccard : There are several challenges . One challenge is to have this airplane light enough despite its huge wingspan . The construction has to be done with carbon fiber with completely new technologies . The structure of Solar Impulse ... is 10 times lighter than the normal glider . It 's a breakthrough in construction technologies . The second challenge is energy . It has to fly through the night with a battery that has been loaded the previous day . So it has to be extremely energy efficient . Another challenge is that it 's difficult to ... control such a huge airplane that flies so slowly and is so light . CNN : Do you intend to be one of the pilots ? Piccard : I will be one of the pilots , and Andre Borschberg will also be a pilot . CNN : What 's the greatest risk on the flight ? Piccard : The greatest risk is bad weather . If we can not remain in sunny areas , we may have to land somewhere or ditch in the ocean . But we have very , very good weathermen , and I 'm confident that it will work . CNN : So you will not be flying above the cloud cover ? Piccard : We will be flying above the cloud cover , but during the night we have to fly lower because the efficiency of the batteries on the market is not yet sufficient for us to stay at high altitudes . So during the day we climb to 27,000 feet and then during the night , we go down to 10,000 feet to save energy . When we have sunlight , we go up again . Which means that in the morning we absolutely have to be clear of clouds , otherwise we can not go up again . CNN : Why ca n't you go up through clouds ? Piccard : Because we will have almost empty batteries every morning ... so if we have clouds in morning , we can not load the batteries to go back up . ... This will be the big weather challenge for the team . CNN : Where will you land the plane ? Piccard : We need an airport with a large runway . We do n't need a long runway . We 'll have one stop in the U.S. ... We have not yet decided where it will be . We 'll have five legs , and each leg will be five days and five nights on average . So we 'll stop in China , Hawaii , the U.S. mainland , Europe and one stop probably in the Arab Emirates and then back in China . CNN : What 's your projected date for takeoff ? Piccard : The schedule is like this : In 2010 , we fly day and night . In 2011 , we 'll make international flights , several days and nights . In 2012 , we 'll cross the Atlantic , and in 2012 or 2013 , we 'll go around the world . CNN : How much does this project cost and who 's paying for it ? Piccard : The entire budget is 100 million U.S. dollars , coming from private sponsors . CNN : Do you have children ? Piccard : Yes I have three kids . CNN : And are they adventurous ? Piccard : Well , they fly with me with hang gliders , with balloons , paragliders , micro-lights . They like it very much . But I 'd say they 're a little too young to show really what they 're going to do , they 're 15 , 17 and 19 . ... CNN : Are you hoping your children will take on adventures the way you have ? Piccard : No , I hope they will take on the challenge of improving the quality of life , bringing a pioneering spirit and new ways to think about political issues , environmental issues , technological issues , charity issues . In the 20th century , the heroes were the ones who went to the North Pole , the South Pole , Everest , the bottom of the ocean , space and the moon . In the 21st century I think the heroes will be the people who will improve the quality of life , fight poverty and introduce more sustainability . | Bertrand Piccard is a ballooning record-setter ; wants to fly around the world in a solar plane . He says he wants to demonstrate the potential of renewable energy to replace fossil fuel . Piccard says in a TED Talk that thinking creatively requires the ability to jettison familiar ideas . He says , `` We have to get rid of certainties , habits , paradigms , common assumptions '' | [[54, 119], [1896, 1978], [1071, 1237], [1601, 1676], [1601, 1676]] |
New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- `` Unauthorized and unprofessional '' is how an internal memo describes the conduct of an air traffic controller , who allegedly allowed his two young children to speak with pilots on an air traffic control frequency , and his supervisor , who allegedly allowed it to happen . The memo , dated February 25 , was written after the facilities manager for the air traffic control tower at New York 's John F. Kennedy Airport learned about the incident , a source who has seen the memo told CNN . `` The display of professionalism in the past by the control personnel at this facility has been exemplary , '' the memo said . `` However , a lapse in judgment for what may seem a minor transgression diminishes our credibility and slights the high standards of professionalism . '' It was not immediately clear what prompted the manager to write the memo or how he found out about the incident , the source said . The incidents occurred on succeeding days last month at JFK , the Federal Aviation Administration said this week , and the controller and the supervisor have been placed on paid administrative leave . `` We have an incredible team of professionals who safely control our nation 's skies every single day . This kind of behavior does not reflect the true caliber of our workforce , '' FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said in the statement Wednesday . Babbitt was referring to the February 16 incident involving the controller 's young son , who is heard in a recording -- posted on liveatc.net -- clearing a JetBlue flight for takeoff and later speaking to an apparent Aeromexico flight . Later , an FAA official , who asked not to be identified because of the ongoing investigation , said the controller brought his daughter into the same tower the following day , and the child was allowed to talk with pilots of two planes . A separate source said the supervisor `` should be making sure that things like this do n't happen . '' Yet another source familiar with the investigation said the two children are twins . The controller who brought the children to work later reported that he had done so , the source said . The controller and supervisor involved are veteran employees , the official said . Dave Pascoe owner of the Web site where the recording of the air traffic communications is posted , told CNN he thinks the attention the incident has drawn is `` ridiculous '' and it has been `` blown out of proportion . '' In the recording , a child says , `` JetBlue 171 , cleared for takeoff . '' A man then tells the plane , `` Here 's what you get , guys , when the kids are out of school . '' The pilot chuckles and says , `` Wish I could bring my kid to work . '' The same pilot later tells the child , `` Awesome job . '' During the recording , which is dated February 17 , the child also speaks to an apparent Aeromexico flight . A recording from the following day , when the daughter was reportedly in the tower , also was posted on the Web site . FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown later said the incident took place about 7:30 p.m. February 16 . Pascoe said most people `` in the aviation community felt like this was -LRB- not -RRB- anything more than a noble thing , that a father would take his kid to work . '' `` It was one incident where a kid was up in the control tower , '' he said . `` If you know anything about aviation , you know that the air traffic control towers are highly supervised . ... A father was taking a child to work and let the kid clear planes for takeoff and now the world thinks it 's an unsafe place . '' The FAA has suspended all unofficial visits to air traffic control operational areas during its investigation into the incident . Babbitt has directed a team to review air traffic control policies and procedures related to facility visitors . The National Air Traffic Controllers Association , the union representing controllers , issued a statement , saying its members `` do not condone this type of behavior in any way . '' CNN 's Susan Candiotti contributed to this report . | Memo says conduct of control personnel in the past `` has been exemplary '' Memo goes on to say the `` lapse in judgment '' slights the agency 's credibility . The FAA has suspended all unofficial visits to air traffic control operation areas . | [[521, 627], [662, 800], [3579, 3708]] |
New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Passengers of US Airways Flight 1549 could soon have a unique souvenir from their harrowing flight that ended in New York 's Hudson River -- although it would be quite a large one . The plane famously landed with 155 people aboard in the frigid river waters by Capt. Chesley `` Sully '' Sullenberger last January after a bird strike disabled its engines is up for auction . The plane , an Airbus A320-214 , is listed for sale `` AS IS/WHERE IS '' at a salvage yard in Kearny , New Jersey . The wings , included in the sale , have been separated from the body of the aircraft and the bid site for the aircraft lists `` severe water damage throughout the airframe '' and `` impact damage to underside of aircraft . '' The engines are not included . The auction , managed by Dan Akers of Chartis Insurance , is set to end on March 27 at 4:30 p.m. ET and is open to the public . Chartis is a division of the larger American International Group Inc. and insures US Airways . Marie Ali , a spokeswoman for Chartis , told CNN the plane is being auctioned `` as salvage '' but declined to provide further details about the auction . A spokesperson for Sullenberger said the captain is aware the plane is at a salvage yard . US Airways did not immediately return calls for comment about the auction . | Airbus plane listed for sale `` AS IS/WHERE IS '' at a salvage yard in New Jersey . The wings , included in the sale , have been separated from the body of the aircraft . Plane , piloted by Capt. Chesley `` Sully '' Sullenberger , safely landed in Hudson . Auction set to end on March 27 at 4:30 p.m. ET and is open to the public . | [[402, 411], [429, 474], [1211, 1243], [518, 642], [104, 126], [132, 165], [775, 874], [775, 830], [879, 902]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It has become a commonplace that it is hard to comprehend the disaster in Haiti . If so , and if we hope to provide Haitians with anything like the help that they need , then we must understand where our minds fail us . One problem that we do not yet face is having our compassion numbed by the sheer magnitude of the calamity . Indeed , it has evoked a deep visceral response , as we see graphic images of individual suffering on a background of mass devastation . When our local tea store is devoting 20 percent of sales to relief and cell phone donations keep pouring in , the scope of the tragedy is mobilizing , not paralyzing . The threat to our compassion comes , rather , from feeling ineffective . We risk that failure if we can not grasp the realities facing Haiti . Here , we face two deep mental challenges . One is that we must struggle to comprehend how many interdependent threads of Haiti 's social fabric have been ripped apart . People lost family , friends and communities in an instant . Children were orphaned in a nation already struggling to care for many orphans . Hospitals , factories and government agencies disappeared . Essential aid organizations lost brave people and resources . Communications and transportation were ruined , including the port that brings almost all goods into the nation . Here , imagining ourselves in the Haitians ' plight might help . Can we imagine trying to recover , if our country faced the most massive disaster in its history , without work , food , medicine , transportation , commerce or government ? The second challenge is that our minds also struggle to reason quantitatively about events beyond our normal experience . Here , a back-of-the-envelope calculation might help . Assume , plausibly , that everything that 3 million Haitians need must be brought in from outside their country for a period of time . Assume that each Haitian needs 5 pounds of goods per day -LRB- food , water , medical supplies , soap , cooking fuel , the gasoline needed to distribute these supplies and more -RRB- . Assume that everything must be flown in -LRB- at least until the port can be reopened -RRB- . That means 15 million pounds -LRB- 7,500 tons -RRB- of airfreight per day . If a cargo plane can carry 75 tons , then that means 100 flights per day , or one plane landing every 15 minutes , then having its goods unloaded and distributed to victims across the country . One way to understand what those numbers mean is by analogy . The Berlin Airlift was another crisis that required a massive mobilization to supply an isolated population in desperate need . Berlin was cut off by a hostile power , rather than by an ocean . It was devastated by war rather than by an earthquake . Its 2 million citizens needed roughly 5,000 tons of goods per day , delivered through limited entry points , over distances comparable to those of Haiti 's island neighbors . The airlift required an unprecedented logistics operation , which Soviet and East German authorities believed impossible . It encountered serious organizational problems in coordinating American forces among themselves and with our allies . It drew resources from other military theaters . It was enormously expensive , in both money and the lives of aviators . In some ways , supplying Haiti is easier . Technology is vastly improved and the world much wealthier . But in other ways , supplying Haiti is even more difficult than the Berlin Airlift . Berlin was occupied territory , under Allied military rule ; while Haiti has little functioning government , and those trying to help are struggling to work out their division of labor . If we are not thinking in terms of an effort as massive and risky as the Berlin Airlift , then we have not gotten our minds around the problem . Unless we grasp the complexity and magnitude of the task , then we may be expecting brave , dedicated relief workers to do the impossible -- and be disappointed when they can not do it all . As a nation , we may fail to support our leaders in providing the sustained resources that the mission requires . If our collective imagination and our sense of history fail us , then we will not achieve the results that our compassion demands -- and will fail Haiti and its people in their long , difficult road to recovery . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Baruch Fischhoff and Kathleen Tierney . | The earthquake devastated Haiti 's families , social networks and economy , authors say . They say it 's difficult to conceive of the dimensions of the need . The U.S. and others will have to supply essentials of life for a time , they say . Authors : In some ways , the aid operation is equivalent to airlift that sustained Berlin in 1940s . | [[840, 965], [852, 854], [869, 965], [966, 1026]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tuesday , January 19 . 10:37 p.m. -- Two children were pulled alive Tuesday night from the rubble of a two-story building in Port-au-Prince . The 8-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl , rescued by a team from the New York City fire and police departments , were taken to an Israeli tent hospital . 10:31 p.m. -- Rescue teams on Tuesday stopped searching the rubble of Port-au-Prince 's Caribbean Supermarket , where five people were rescued over the weekend . `` You have to accept the realization that the potential for survivability is extremely low , '' said Capt. Joe Zahralban of the South Florida Urban Search and Rescue team . `` It gets to a point where you can only risk the rescuers ' life so much before you say , we do n't think there is anybody left . '' 10:25 p.m. -- Heavy traffic is making the 200-mile drive from the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo to the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince take as long as 18 hours , a United Nations situation report says . This is hampering groups ' ability to send aid from the Dominican Republic to areas in need in Haiti . 8:53 p.m. -- Although aid organization Doctors Without Borders is `` facing huge problems '' in receiving supplies , it is doing what it can to get work done , said Renzo Fricke , the group 's chief of Haiti operations . `` This morning we had to buy a saw in the market , in the city ... for our surgeons to do amputations , '' he told CNN 's Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday . `` We had to buy a saw because our materials -- the medical equipment is not coming as it should arrive . '' Bottlenecks at Port-au-Prince 's small airport has been a problem for aid groups since the earthquake ; Doctors Without Borders says that five of its supply planes have been diverted from Haiti to the Dominican Republic since January 14 . 8:40 p.m. -- Ena Zizi , the woman in her 70s who was rescued from rubble in Port-au-Prince today , has been airlifted by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter to the USS Bataan , CNN 's Ivan Watson reports . Earlier , she was being treated at a clinic , but it did n't have the operating facilities she needed . 8:24 p.m. -- At a candlelight vigil outside the Haitian Embassy in Washington , D.C. , Haitian Ambassador Raymond Joseph urges people to donate money for Haiti as opposed to supplies . `` It is more cumbersome to transport all these things from here in Washington , D.C. , all the way to Port-au-Prince , '' he said . 7:26 p.m. -- Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore , who led relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina in 2005 , says `` we need to start talking about evacuating the vulnerable population '' -- including those who are injured , elderly , pregnant and disabled . `` We need to talk about a mass evacuation , and we need to tell the United States military to open two more airports . ... We 've got the capability to do it , we need somebody in Washington to wake up and make it happen , and we ca n't wait for the U.N. to figure out it needs to be done , '' Honore said on CNN 's `` The Situation Room . '' 5:44 p.m. -- Doctors at a makeshift , outdoor hospital in Jacmel , Haiti , say they need more specialists , including orthopedic doctors and anesthesiologists , CNN 's Soledad O'Brien reports . The doctors currently there say they 're approaching the limits of what they can do for the 75 patients , some of whom have broken limbs and head injuries that need further treatment . 5:25 p.m. -- The mayor of Washington , D.C. , says the city will help the Haitian Embassy there handle the flood of phone calls and donations it has been receiving since the January 12 earthquake in Haiti . Mayor Adrian Fenty says the city is opening a `` command center '' at the embassy that will add 20 phone lines and laptop computers to assist with communication efforts , CNN 's Greg Clary reports . 5:07 p.m. -- Medical personnel treating Ena Zizi , who was rescued today from rubble in Port-au-Prince , say she needs surgery but they do n't know where to send her for one , CNN 's Anderson Cooper reports . The people at the clinic where she 's being treated are trying to find a surgical unit . Zizi , believed to be in her 70s , did not have access to food or water in the seven days since the quake , Cooper reports . 4:51 p.m. -- A U.S. Air Force plane is broadcasting radio messages urging Haitians not to attempt ocean voyages to the United States , saying they will be intercepted and turned back home if they do , CNN 's Mike M. Ahlers and Mike Mount report . `` It is part of the U.S. effort to help keep Haitians safe . We do n't want people to endanger their lives by taking risk to try to get to the U.S. at this time , '' State Department deputy spokesman Gordon Duguid said . Haitians who have valid visas can come to the United States on commercial flights . Read . 4:36 p.m. -- About 2,000 U.S. troops are in Haiti , and more than 5,000 are just off-shore on U.S. ships , said Maj. Gen. Daniel Allyn , the deputy commander of Joint Task Force Unified Response . He said the U.S. military anticipated eventually having an `` aggregate strength '' about 10,000 troops . 4:33 p.m. -- Regarding the scores of U.S. soldiers who landed on the grounds of the ruined presidential palace in Port-au-Prince today : Some of them moved to the capital 's general hospital , which is without electricity or running water . `` Our primary purpose is in getting to the population , whether it be the distribution of water , food , or , in this case , where they 've got medical treatment going on and they 're overwhelmed , '' Lt. Gen. P.K. Keen , head of U.S. Southern Command , told CNN at the hospital . He said the troops were providing some security there . 4:11 p.m. -- A clarification on the death toll : At least 72,000 bodies have been recovered since the earthquake , and that does n't include bodies buried by families or collected by the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti , Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive says . Some death toll estimates range from 100,000 to 150,000 in the capital alone . 3:58 p.m. -- In rubble not far from where Zizi was rescued today , a German team is looking for two people it believes are still alive , CNN 's Anderson Cooper reports . The team was drawn there by a text message that was believed sent from beneath the debris . Watch . 3:54 p.m. -- The newly rescued woman , Ena Zizi , said , `` Thank God , thank God , '' after being rescued , CNN 's Anderson Cooper reports . She was taken to a nearby medical center in Port-au-Prince . A Mexican search-and-rescue team pulled her from the rubble . 3:24 p.m. -- The woman rescued Tuesday -LRB- see 3:08 p.m. entry -RRB- is Ena Zizi . Her son , Maxime Janvier , told CNN that he never gave up hope that she 'd be found . `` We were praying a lot for that to happen , '' he said . Watch . 3:08 p.m. -- A woman was rescued Tuesday from rubble at or near the national cathedral in Port-au-Prince , seven days after the earthquake struck , CNN 's Anderson Cooper reports . Rescuers believe two other people might be alive in the rubble , Cooper reports . 3:03 p.m. -- Twenty-eight Americans have been confirmed dead in Haiti since last week 's earthquake , according to U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley . `` We have an additional number that are presumed dead , but ... we 're still looking for specific confirmation , '' he said . About 4,500 U.S. citizens have been evacuated from Haiti , he said . 2:58 p.m. -- Haitian authorities have recorded 70,000 deaths since last week 's magnitude 7 earthquake outside Port-au-Prince , its prime minister says . 12:53 p.m. -- A 2-year-old girl named Carla opened her eyes Tuesday while being treated at a Cuban-run field hospital after being rescued from rubble on Monday , six days after Haiti 's earthquake . 12:50 p.m. -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the United Nations Security Council has approved a proposal to send an additional 2,000 soldiers and 1,500 police officers to Haiti . 11:05 a.m. -- As of Monday , charities had raised more than $ 210 million in donations for Haiti earthquake relief , according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy , a newspaper covering nonprofit organizations . The estimate is based on a survey of 25 charities contributing the largest amounts of money to Haiti . How you can help . 10:23 a.m. -- Several helicopters from the U.S. Army 's 82nd Airborne Division landed Tuesday on the grounds of the ruined presidential palace in Port-au-Prince . It was not immediately clear what their mission was . Share your earthquake stories . 9:58 a.m. -- A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck off the coast of the Cayman Islands , 600 miles west of Haiti , on Tuesday morning , the U.S. Geological Survey reported . There were reports of weak to light shaking on Grand Cayman Island , according to the USGS . 9:50 a.m. -- About 50 Haitian orphans , including infants , arrived Tuesday at a Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , airport and will be taken to Children 's Hospital of Pittsburgh , where adoptive parents are expected to greet them . The children were accompanied on the flight by Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell , several doctors and a few members of Congress . Read more . 9:20 a.m. -- Haiti 's fledgling tourism industry was showing glimmers of promise before the earthquake struck . Story . 7:36 a.m. -- The American Red Cross and UNICEF 's United States Fund raised about $ 7.3 million in donations from 8 p.m. to midnight , while `` Haiti : How You Can Help , '' a special `` Larry King Live , '' aired on CNN . 7:13 a.m. -- Nearly 500,000 people have encamped in a tent city in the Champs de Mars square in downtown Port-au-Prince , the largest of numerous tent cities scattered throughout the ruined city . iReport.com : Looking for loved ones . 6:02 a.m. -- About 50 orphans who survived last week 's earthquake are expected to arrive in Pennsylvania aboard a military transport plane at 9 a.m. ET . In Florida , where evacuees have been ferried in since Saturday , more flights from Haiti are scheduled for Tuesday . Officials at Orlando Sanford International Airport expect arrivals for the next two weeks . Follow daily developments : . January 12 . Wednesday . Thursday . Friday . Saturday . Sunday . Monday . | Read Twitter feeds to stay up to date on the latest in Haiti . Read CNN.com 's complete special coverage of the Haiti earthquake . iReport : Looking for loved ones . | [[9739, 9750], [9753, 9777]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A 22-year-old woman whose claims that she was abused in a trailer in rural West Virginia in 2007 helped send six people to prison now says she made up the story , her lawyer said Wednesday . Attorney Byron Potts says his client is not being pressured to recant her story . `` She is recanting her entire story , '' attorney Byron Potts told reporters in Columbus , Ohio , about his client , Megan Williams , who moved there after the incident . `` She says it did not happen . She fabricated it . '' He added , `` She wanted to get back at her boyfriend . She was mad at him . '' In 2007 , police acting on a tip found the black woman in a trailer with cuts and bruises . She said she had been stabbed in the leg and beaten , sexually assaulted , forced to eat feces and subjected to a racial slur by her white captors . The suspects included a mother and son , a separate mother and daughter , and two men . All are still jailed , according to the prosecutor who handled the case . The incident , which drew extensive media coverage , stirred outrage around the country . Civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton called for the incident to be investigated as a hate crime . Last year , all six defendants pleaded guilty and were given terms of up to 40 years in prison . Potts said his client was coming forward `` to right the wrong perpetrated on these six individuals . '' He added that she told him all her injuries except for the bruises on her face were self-inflicted . The bruises , he said , were from an altercation she had had with her then-boyfriend before the incident in question . Potts described Williams ' feelings as `` total remorse ; that 's why she 's coming forward . She is remorseful for having these people spend time in jail . '' Asked if she was being pressured to recant , he said , `` No , she 's not being pressured into this . '' Williams had been expected to speak herself , but Potts said she would not appear before the news media because she was afraid for her safety . He said she was `` fully aware '' that she might face criminal charges , `` but she still wanted to go forward with this . '' Brian Abraham , the former Logan County prosecutor who handled the case , defended the convictions . `` The case was n't based on her statements , '' he said , noting that Williams never testified in the case . `` The case was based on the evidence discovered by the police , including the confessions of the six defendants . '' He added , `` All six of them have been in jail without filing appeals . If they file something afterwards , the evidence was pretty overwhelming for the charges on which they were convicted . '' The current county prosecutor , John Bennett , said he could not comment on whether the case would be reopened . He said he represented one of the suspects in 2007 and so would let a judge decide how to handle the potential conflict of interest . Sharpton said , `` If they are being held under false information and she misled authorities , and if the authorities went solely on her testimony , then they should be released . '' But he added , `` If there are other circumstances around the recanting , we should know what they are . '' | 6 people in prison for beating , sexual assault of Megan Williams . Williams ' lawyer says she made story up to hurt ex-boyfriend . 6 defendants pleaded guilty , were given terms of up to 40 years . Williams alleged she was forced to eat feces and subjected to a racial slur . | [[0, 15], [116, 152], [0, 15], [149, 179], [182, 209], [519, 527], [531, 574], [530, 574], [1196, 1200], [1208, 1234], [1196, 1205], [1208, 1226], [1235, 1292], [691, 694], [766, 839]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Denny 's restaurants served about 2 million free Grand Slam breakfasts during its eight-hour promotional giveaway on Tuesday , the company reported Wednesday . Cooks fill the pass-through window with Grand Slam breakfasts Tuesday at a Denny 's in Emeryville , California . The company used a commercial during the third quarter of Sunday 's Super Bowl to announce it would give away its signature breakfast from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday , and the response was spectacular . Media outlets across North America reported lines of customers stretching outside and around restaurants and strangers crowding together into booths to take advantage of the special . The restaurant chain 's approximately 1,500 stores served an average of 130 Grand Slams per hour to customers who waited an average of 60 minutes for their free pancakes , eggs , bacon and sausage , the company said . `` We had an extraordinary day , '' Denny 's CEO Nelson Marchioli said when the promotion was over . `` We were hoping to reconnect with millions of Americans today , and we did . `` We have received the most heartwarming comments from our servers , our managers and above all our customers . This Free Slam Day has exceeded our expectations in every way . '' iReport.com : Miami customers line up for Denny 's meal . Denny 's does n't disclose specific cost information , but including the cost of the food , the Super Bowl spot and other production costs , the promotion cost the company roughly $ 5 million , it said . The Grand Slam started as a baseball-related promotion in Atlanta , Georgia , in the mid-1970s and has been served chainwide since 1977 . Its normal price varies by market but averages around $ 5.99 . Denny 's said it sells 12.5 million Grand Slams a year . At the normal average price of $ 5.99 , Denny 's gave away meals Tuesday with a retail value of $ 11.9 million . But the goodwill value could be priceless . iReport.com : Vouchers run out at Georgia Denny 's . `` The key is to get the guest to come back , '' Troy Morgan , a Denny 's franchisee in Sacramento , California , told CNN affiliate KCRA-TV . `` So , we show them great hospitality and we 're confident we 're going to win guests and get them to return again and again . '' A Denny 's competitor , IHOP , is planning its own giveaway . The chain promises to give a short stack of three pancakes to all comers on `` National Pancake Day , '' February 24 . IHOP requests a donation to Children 's Miracle Network or other local charities in exchange . | Restaurant chain says it served 2 million free breakfasts in eight hours . Each of 1,500 eateries served about 130 Slams per hour , company says . Cost of promotion , including Super Bowl ad , was $ 5 million , Denny 's says . Competitor IHOP to give away pancakes on February 24 . | [[0, 15], [19, 143], [677, 786], [1454, 1504], [371, 455], [2259, 2280], [2290, 2320]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared martial law beginning Friday night in the southern province of Maguindanao , where 57 people were killed last week , an army spokesman told CNN Saturday . Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said martial law -- under which police can make arrests without a warrant -- went into effect at 9 p.m. Congress would have to approve any extension beyond 60 days . Brawner said the measure was invoked to impose peace on the region after the unrest , which led to troops being mobilized . `` Life is to resume normally and martial law is established to prevent new violence , with troops on the ground monitoring any possible violence breakout , '' he said . `` But the civilian government will be running the affairs of the province , not a military governor . '' Military police have detained three brothers and their father on suspicion of involvement in the unrest : Akmad Ampatuan , the vice governor of Maguindanao ; Anwar Ampatuan , the mayor of Sherif Auguak , Maguindanao 's capital ; and Zaldy Ampatuan , governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao . Andal Ampatuan Sr. , the patriarch , became ill and was hospitalized after he too was taken in . `` Local government will function , it will prevent armed groups from wreaking havoc ... and it will allow the officials to search and find the guilty parties , '' Brawner said . Security forces on Friday searched the home of Andal Ampatuan Jr. , mayor of Datu Unsay and son of the provincial governor of Maguindanao , according to Brawner . Authorities say Andal Ampatuan Jr. directed the November 23 politically motivated killings . Weapons were found in the house , Brawner said . On Tuesday , Philippine authorities charged Ampatuan and other suspects with 25 counts of murder in the killings . Still more suspects were taken into custody Friday . The Philippine military is investigating its own forces in connection with the case as well , Brawner said . The National Bureau of Investigation has moved a third witness to Manila for questioning , the Philippines News Agency reported Thursday . `` At the moment , we are interviewing the witness , so that we would know what he knows about the incident in Maguindanao , '' NBI Director Nestor Mantaring said . The witness claimed to have been at the site during the massacre . `` He is very vital , '' Mantaring said . `` From what I know ... he knows a lot of information regarding the incident . '' Among the victims in the massacre were the wife and sister of political candidate Ismael `` Toto '' Mangudadatu , who had sent the women to file paperwork allowing him to run for governor of Maguindanao . He said he had received threats from allies of Gov. Andal Ampatuan , the father of the accused mayor , saying he would be kidnapped if he filed the papers himself . Witnesses and local officials have blamed the younger Ampatuan , a longtime ally of the Philippines president and a known warlord . They said the killings were an attempt to block Mangudadatu from challenging him in the May gubernatorial election . Also killed were a dozen journalists who had accompanied the women . Violence in the run-up to elections is not uncommon in the Philippines . The Maguindanao massacre , however , is the worst politically motivated violence in recent Philippine history , according to state media . Maguindanao is part of an autonomous region in predominantly Muslim Mindanao , which was set up in the 1990s to quell armed uprisings by people seeking an independent Muslim homeland in the predominantly Christian Asian nation . Suspicion fell on Ampatuan after a government construction vehicle was found at the hastily dug mass grave that held the bodies of the massacre victims . CNN 's Talia Kayali contributed to this report . | NEW : Martial law invoked to impose peace on the region after unrest . Measure follows killings of 57 people last week in province of Maguindanao . Security forces search the home of Andal Ampatuan Jr. , mayor of Datu Unsay . Authorities say Ampatuan Jr. directed the November 23 politically motivated killings . | [[437, 520], [591, 684], [157, 188], [1418, 1483], [1581, 1673], [1597, 1673]] |
New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A New York man accused in an alleged terrorist plot pleaded guilty Thursday to lying to federal agents . Ahmad Wais Afzali , a Muslim cleric and funeral director from the New York borough of Queens , was one of the first people charged in what authorities have described as a plot to detonate bombs on New York subways . Afzali was accused of lying about whether he tipped off suspect Najibullah Zazi that the FBI had been asking questions about his activities . Zazi subsequently pleaded guilty to conspiring to detonate explosives in the United States . On Thursday , Afzali told the court that police had asked him to help provide information about Zazi and two other suspects , Adis Medujanian , and Zarein Ahmedzay . He said he knew Zazi and Medujanian fairly well from when they were teenagers and attended his mosque for prayers and to play volleyball . `` The police interest in these men led me to believe that they were involved in some criminal activity , but I had no idea of its seriousness , '' Afzali said Thursday , at times choking up during his statement . He said he called Zazi on September 11 , 2009 , a day after he was contacted by authorities . `` I told him that our phone call was being monitored . I told Zazi , ` Do n't get involved in Afghanistan garbage and Iraq garbage , that 's my advice to you . ' '' `` On September 13 ... I was interrogated by FBI agents for the first time . I believed that the FBI was angry at me for calling Zazi , '' he added . `` When I was asked whether I had told Zazi about law enforcement being interested in him , I lied and said I did not . My intention was not to protect Zazi , but to protect myself . '' He admitted to repeating the lie during another interview with prosecutors a few days later . `` In doing so , I failed to live up to my obligation to this country , my community , my family , and my religion . I am truly sorry . '' Afzali 's plea deal reduced the charge from lying to federal agents `` during the course of a terror investigation '' -- which carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison . The basic charge of lying to feds carries a maximum sentence of five years . His plea deal recommends that Afzali be sentenced anywhere from zero to six months in prison . His sentencing hearing was tentatively scheduled for April 8 . Under the terms of the agreement , Afzali agreed to leave the United States within 90 days of completing any sentence he receives . Before entering his plea , the 38-year-old imam placed a scarf down on the floor outside the courtroom and prayed . He later told reporters that he `` just signed his death sentence '' by accepting the plea deal , saying he did n't want to the leave the United States . Afzali is a native of Afghanistan , but has no idea where he will go upon leaving the United States . `` I hardly speak my own language , '' he said . Afzali also said he is concerned for his health ; he has diabetes and is anemic , and said his wife has a pelvic tumor . `` I was helping the government and this is what I get , '' Afzali said . The two others suspects in the case , Ahmedzay and Medunjanin , pleaded not guilty in February to new charges of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in the United States , as well as several other counts . The two had previously faced lesser charges . Prosecutors say the two 25-year-old U.S. citizens and residents of Queens conspired with Zazi `` to attack the New York subway system in mid-September 2009 . '' CNN 's Jennifer Rizzo contributed to this report . | Ahmad Wais Afzali admits that he lied about alerting bomb suspect to investigation . The Muslim cleric says he lied about warning Najibullah Zazi `` to protect myself '' Plea deal recommends zero to six months , immediate deportation after time served . Zazi has pleaded guilty in plot to detonate bombs on New York subways . | [[349, 428], [349, 428], [1633, 1645], [1676, 1695], [2190, 2284], [2215, 2284], [2348, 2380], [2383, 2465], [51, 94], [302, 348], [491, 583], [491, 495], [517, 583], [3475, 3479], [3483, 3543]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hours after January 12 's earthquake in Haiti , Drs. Claude and Yolene Surena were treating more than 100 wounded people -- not in a medical facility but outside their own Port-au-Prince home . City medical facilities were decimated or overwhelmed , and makeshift triage areas like the one in the Surenas ' yard tried to keep patients alive long enough to get the next available hospital bed . Yolene called her daughter in Maryland to assure her the couple was fine and to make a request . `` She was overwhelmed with patients , '' said Fabiola Surena , a 28-year-old U.S. Army staff sergeant studying to be a physician 's assistant . `` She needed me to come help . '' Surena and eight U.S.-based relatives and friends -- all of whom were raised in or have relatives in Haiti -- went to the Surenas ' Haiti home to assist the doctors , deliver food and first-aid supplies , and to see how their loved ones fared . Surena , who was granted time off from the Army , and her cousin Anne-Rene Louis have been documenting their trip on CNN 's iReport.com . They talked to CNN.com by phone on Thursday , their seventh day in Haiti ; the group planned to return to the United States this weekend . iReport.com : Fabiola and Anne-Rene 's journey to Haiti . The nine , none of whom had any medical experience except for Surena , flew to the Dominican Republic and traveled by bus to Haiti 's capital on January 15 . At the Surenas ' house , one of the few in the neighborhood that did n't collapse , patients were in bad shape . `` I 've seen crushed bones , fractures , dislocations , a lot of lacerations . We 've had kids who lost digits , '' Fabiola Surena said . `` We 've also had people just suffering from just diabetes or high blood pressure , whose medication was stuck in their -LSB- destroyed -RSB- house , so they 're going into diabetic comas . '' Many patients needed surgery , but the one surgeon assisting the couple had no post-school experience . The Surenas ' home , stocked mostly with first aid and suture kits and over-the-counter medications , had `` no surgical capabilities outside of sutures , '' Fabiola Surena said . Because surgeries could n't be done immediately and infection was setting in , many patients would need amputation later . A few people died before Surena 's group arrived , and one has died since , after being moved to a hospital , she said . iReport : List of missing , found | Are you there ? Fabiola Surena dressed bandages and took vital signs . The other eight from the U.S. made sure patients took medication , sterilized tools and did small dressing changes . The crew also tried to find hospitals that could take the critical patients , she said . Patients rest on mattresses in the yard , covered by tents . Food , water and medical supplies , though bolstered by trips to the Dominican Republic and aid brought by others , are constantly low . The family eats whatever it serves to the patients -- perhaps rice , beans and tuna -- and sometimes it 's just one meal , Surena said . `` We 're basically out of painkillers . We receive a lot of medication for adults , but not for kids , so children are barely getting painkillers at all , '' she said . Surena , who was born in New York but was raised in Haiti , says her feelings are difficult to put in words . `` It can be very depressing , '' she said in Port-au-Prince , in and around which tens of thousands were killed in the quake . `` After a while , you 're looking at the things you ca n't do . ... Some people beg for water , and we do n't have water for us to drink . '' `` People look calm and try to go on with life and joke , but then a scared , panicked look comes over their faces when a helicopter flies overhead , because it sounds like an aftershock , '' she added . Full coverage | Twitter updates . Haitians took the wounded to the Surenas ' house after the quake because they knew they were doctors . They also knew that Claude Surena , a pediatrician who heads the Haitian Medical Association and directs Rotary International 's disaster preparedness committee for Haiti , sometimes sees patients at his home , Rotary spokeswoman Elizabeth Dwyer said . Besides tending to patients , the U.S. nine have connected with relatives to find out who survived . Not all the news was good . Louis , 25 , of Orlando , Florida , said her parents ' Port-au-Prince-area house collapsed during the quake , killing her grandfather and a maid . Also killed was the best friend of Louis ' 18-year-old sister , she said . The sister , Soraya Louis , a U.S. college student visiting her parents ' home , was trapped for a few hours in the rubble . She passed out briefly during the collapse , and she awoke to `` everybody screaming , '' she said . `` I heard footsteps overhead . People were walking on the bricks , '' Soraya Louis , a student at Connecticut 's University of Bridgeport , said by phone from Port-au-Prince on Thursday . `` I was crying and screaming for help . '' People dug her out after she helped them find her . She found a piece of wood , stuck it between bricks and moved it until someone saw it , she said . Impact Your World . Soraya Louis and her cousin were injured but are OK . Also escaping the collapse were one of her sisters and another friend ; her parents were at work . Anne-Rene Louis arrived in Haiti in time for her grandfather 's funeral January 15 . By Thursday , many of the Surenas ' patients had been sent to hospitals . Only about 20 remained in the yard . Claude and Yolene no longer tend to the patients during the day -- Claude was just named the country 's coordinator for disaster medical care , and Yolene , who already worked for Haiti 's government , is helping determine which hospitals are running and where more can be set up , Fabiola Surena said . Some of the U.S. nine went to work with Claude Surena on Thursday , helping to direct hospital workers to medical supplies , Anne-Rene Louis said . Though the nine plan to leave Haiti this weekend , some may return soon . Soraya Louis said it was a relief to see the group . `` It 's been hard for us here , and it feels good to know people are supporting us , '' she said . `` Now our whole family is together . ... They give us strength every day . '' CNN 's Katie Hawkins-Gaar , Nicole Saidi and Christina Zdanowicz contributed to this report . | Two doctors in Port-au-Prince turn their home into a makeshift clinic after quake . Doctors ' relatives in U.S. , including their Army daughter , arrive to help . Food , medical supplies remain constantly low , they say . Survivor on being trapped : `` I heard footsteps overhead '' -- searchers walking on rubble . | [[0, 15], [67, 212], [690, 739], [800, 854], [2776, 2809], [2892, 2912], [4775, 4803], [4804, 4837]] |
Hanford Nuclear Site , Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The federal government has set aside nearly $ 2 billion in stimulus funds to clean up Washington state 's decommissioned Hanford nuclear site , once the center of the country 's Cold War plutonium production . That is more stimulus funding than some entire states have received , which has triggered a debate as to whether the money is being properly spent . The facility sprawls across approximately 600 square miles of south-central Washington , an area roughly half the size of Rhode Island . It was built in the 1940s as part of the `` Manhattan Project '' to develop the first atomic weapon during World War II . Millions of dollars and thousands of jobs poured into the remote area about 75 miles east of Yakima where nine nuclear reactors were eventually built . During the Cold War , Hanford became a main source of plutonium production for the nation 's nuclear weapons program . Decades of improper radioactive waste disposal earned Hanford the notorious distinction of being one of the most contaminated nuclear sites in the Western Hemisphere . Today , the Hanford site is a virtual ghost town , and those involved in the cleanup say they will need every dollar of the federal stimulus funds . There are still millions of gallons of untreated contaminated groundwater , hundreds of buildings used for plutonium enrichment that need to be torn down and underground tanks that are full of radioactive sludge . The stimulus money will reduce the cleanup time by years , according to Jon Peschong , who oversees the federal project at Hanford . `` It was perfect work , ready to go for the stimulus package , '' Peschong said . `` Each day that passes the conditions worsen -LSB- and -RSB- the receipt of the federal stimulus money allows us to reduce the costs and also allows us to reduce the cleanup footprint much sooner , years sooner . '' The money has also created jobs for about 1,400 people at Hanford , including Joe Gill who manages a team that is tearing down equipment that is heavily contaminated by radiation . Despite the dangers of his job , Gill said it came just at the right time . `` I had managed a production warehouse facility for one of the largest companies in the world , -LSB- I -RSB- thought I 'd be there for 20 years , '' Gill said . `` We laid off 8,000 people in three months and they closed down our plant , -LSB- and -RSB- those jobs are n't jobs you just read the paper and get . '' Hanford wo n't be decontaminated quickly . The workers have to suit up three to four times a day in protective gear . They break down contaminated equipment through a `` glove box , '' allowing them to disassemble the equipment a room away through lead-lined gloves . Each time a worker removes the gloves , a colleague must check for radiation exposure . The large scale of the project and years of cost overruns have led critics to complain that stimulus money is being misdirected at Hanford . A report by Sens. John McCain , R-Arizona , and Tom Coburn , R-Oklahoma , listed Hanford as one of 100 sites where stimulus money may have been wasted . The Hanford cleanup `` has been plagued by massive cost and schedule problems - and almost no progress , '' according to the report . Gerry Pollet , who runs a Hanford watchdog organization , says he supports using stimulus money to rid the nuclear site of its radioactive waste . But he questions whether the funds are going where they are most needed . `` You are not seeing the value that we should be seeing for the cleanup and the environment , '' said Pollet , who heads Heart of America Northwest . `` They are picking the low-hanging fruit , the easy projects that give very nice photo opportunities . But that does n't cost $ 2 billion . `` Hanford is getting more money than many states in stimulus funds , and you would expect to see real progress for cleanup -LSB- to -RSB- happen with those dollars . '' While debate continues over whether and how stimulus dollars should be used , the Tri-Cities area that surrounds the Hanford site -- which includes Richland , Kennewick and Pasco -- is reaping the benefits of the cleanup boom . Hanford began receiving stimulus dollars in March 2009 , which helped the surrounding cities and towns avoid the catastrophe that has plagued other communities impacted by the recent economic downturn . The Tri-Cities area has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Washington , and the housing market has barely been affected by the recent economic downturn , according to the Tri-Cities Industrial Development Council . Ken Brutzman , who owns a local office furniture store , said his business was `` at a standstill '' last year before the orders from Hanford contractors started pouring in . Brutzman had to hire six temporary workers , two of which he may keep on full time , to deal with the boom in business . `` We are on track to have the best year ever , '' Brutzman said . His business has been in his family for three generations and will likely stay profitable since the Hanford cleanup project is expected to take another 40 years . `` It has my manufacturers raising their eyebrows saying , ` Wow how does that guy do that ? ' '' | $ 2 billion in stimulus funds set aside to clean up Washington 's Hanford nuclear site . Money has created jobs for about 1,400 people . Critics say funds are being misdirected , wasted at Hanford . Cleanup `` has been plagued by massive cost and schedule problems , '' their report says . | [[0, 7], [53, 126], [112, 194], [671, 770], [1906, 1971], [298, 316], [331, 332], [339, 411], [2836, 2976], [2911, 2976], [3415, 3484], [2836, 2976], [3130, 3232], [3235, 3263]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Len Gengel cries between sentences . `` It 's my daughter 's birthday today , '' he says , choking back tears . `` We should be celebrating , '' he says . `` Instead , I 'm talking to people all day long , making sure they continue on the search and rescue . That 's my objective today : to keep that search and rescue going . '' Gengel 's daughter , Britney , is one of four students from South Florida 's Lynn University who are missing amid the rubble of Haiti 's Hotel Montana . Two faculty members from the university also remain missing . Britney , a sophomore journalism major with jet black hair and a bright smile , turned 20 Thursday . She had traveled to Haiti with 12 Lynn University students on a humanitarian mission to feed the poor . Eight of the students were rescued last week . An hour before the magnitude-7 .0 quake , Britney called her mother . `` Brit said she found her calling , that she knew what she wanted to do for the rest of her life , '' her father said , pausing to catch his breath . `` Who knew an hour later that was going to happen ? It 's so hard to talk about . ... Think of the worst day of your life and then times that by 1,000 . '' Crews have spent days searching mounds of rubble , 30 feet high in places , that was the Hotel Montana , popular with tourists and visiting officials . Lynn University , which hired a search crew immediately after the quake , initially told the Gengel family that their daughter had been rescued . The family then flew from their Massachusetts home to South Florida for what they thought was going to be a reunion . `` We have spent a week here in Florida in a living hell , '' the father said . `` It 's just one of the dirtiest tricks life can play on you , to take someone from you and then call and say they found her and she 's on a helicopter and she 's gon na be OK . And then to be told 10 hours later ... that they had bad intel -- they do n't have her . '' Lynn President Kevin M. Ross said Thursday evening that he is still optimistic `` that a miracle is found . '' `` We still have hope at Lynn University , '' he said . `` The search and rescue will continue . '' He also called upon the U.S. government to ensure that every person `` lost in this tragedy are returned to their loved ones . '' `` We need a commitment to return the missing to the families , '' Ross said . The university has been updating families regularly on the search efforts . Students have also rallied on campus , raising money for relief efforts in Haiti . T-shirts for sale have a simple message : `` Lynn United . '' Len Gengel said that his daughter was in Room 300 and that a CBS news crew showed him photographs of what was believed to be the room . `` She 's in the back right-hand corner , '' Len Gengel said . `` Her roommate was at the pool when this happened . My daughter was either showering or resting . '' On a Facebook page dedicated to Britney , one message says , `` Everyday miracles happen , I think today would be a perfect day to have one . '' Her father says his family has been touched by the thousands of messages they have received : `` The outpouring of support and love has just been amazing . '' He says he 's heartened that eight of the Lynn students were rescued . He continues to pray for others missing at Hotel Montana and across Haiti . But on this day , his thoughts are focused on the girl who brought him so much joy when she entered this world 20 years ago today . `` At this moment , we 're trying to prepare ourselves for the worst , but we 're hoping and praying for the best , '' he said . `` We 're devastated . Our hearts are broken . They 're just broken . '' | Today is Britney Gengel 's 20th birthday ; she remains missing in Haiti . `` Think of the worst day of your life and then times that by 1,000 , '' father says . Britney was among 12 college students in Haiti on humanitarian trip . Her family was initially told Britney was rescued . | [[564, 571], [644, 664], [1120, 1159], [1669, 1689], [665, 749], [1346, 1361], [1420, 1491]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The faithful prayed -- for relief , for mercy , for safety -- as aftershocks rumbled across Haiti on Tuesday evening . `` It 's 8:44 p.m. and we 're still getting aftershocks ! Can hear people gathered in the distance singing prayers , '' wrote Richard Morse , hotel manager at the Oloffson Hotel in the capital , Port-au-Prince . On Twitter , he captured the aftermath of a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Haiti , causing widespread destruction . The quake , which happened shortly before 5 p.m. , was followed by at least 18 aftershocks , averaging a magnitude of 5.0 , according to the U.S. Geological Survey . As the night went on , the singing and praying intensified and then waned , Morse wrote . What he did n't hear in all the commotion were helicopters or ambulances . The panic that engulfed Haiti , the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere , could be witnessed on an online Haitian entertainment channel called Haitipal , which suddenly became an essential communication tool . Frantic callers broadcast pleas for help . `` My cousin has a broken leg and she 's trying to get to the hospital , '' one caller said . `` She has two kids . ... How can she get to the hospital ? '' Are you there ? Submit an iReport . The man gave his cousin 's address , and the channel 's commentator asked anyone listening who lived nearby to see whether he could help . Many callers expressed their sympathies and prayers for the people of Haiti , while others told of fallen buildings and damaged homes . The first photographs from the area showed collapsed walls and sidewalks covered with cinder block-size chunks of debris . One photograph , taken by members of a American church mission group , showed a dead man in a gray T-shirt and jeans , hunched on the ground . Another broadcaster , Radio-Tele Ginen , collected and posted photographs on its Web site that hinted at the damage and deaths caused by the earthquake . One showed two bodies , completely covered in dust , inside the bed of a pickup . Others showed men and women bloodied by rubble . The building that houses Citibank 's offices in Port-au-Prince , one of the most modern in the city , collapsed , bank spokeswoman Liliana Mejia told CNN . There were 12 employees unaccounted for after the three-story building fell , she said . Are you looking for loved ones in Haiti ? Jonathan de la Durantaye was in a car when the quake hit . His initial thought was that a tire had come loose , he told CNN . Then he noticed that the power lines were moving above , and then a fence or wall next the car started to fall . That was in the northwest part of the city , in an area called Croix des Bouquets . Appeals for aid after quake strikes . Reports of exactly how widespread the damage was , or how many people had perished , was hard to gather because of limited communication with the island . Phyllis Bass , an American missionary in Haiti , was able to reach her son-in-law via text message . Using texts , she told of how she saw dead bodies on the road , and how she and four other missionaries were helping the injured . CNN 's Alanne Orjoux contributed to this report . | People in Haiti using social media to help tell of earthquake , aftershocks . Online entertainment channel in Haiti becomes vital communications tool . People use text messages to contact relatives , friends in earthquake zone . | [[350, 360], [363, 418], [820, 849], [887, 961], [922, 977], [922, 961], [986, 1035], [2901, 2913], [2950, 3001]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Fears that Haitian earthquake survivors would engage in a massive and deadly ocean migration to South Florida have thus far been unfounded , according to federal and local government officials , who say they continue to plan for such an exodus only as a precaution . The U.S. Coast Guard said it has witnessed only normal maritime traffic around Haiti , and it has not intercepted any Haitians attempting illegal crossings into U.S. waters . Nor does it see people preparing for voyages . Florida officials have asked for federal government funding to shelter 10,000 refugees , but said that was done only as a precaution . Meanwhile , the U.S. Air Force continues daily flights of its EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft -- a radio station in the sky -- which is broadcasting warnings to would-be migrants , as well as information about where people can find food and aid . List of missing , found people in Haiti . The plane is broadcasting a recorded message from Raymond Joseph , Haiti 's ambassador to the United States , saying : `` Listen , do n't rush on boats to leave the country . Because I 'll be honest with you : If you think you will reach the U.S. and all the doors will be wide open to you , that 's not at all the case . And they will intercept you right on the water and send you back home where you came from . '' State Department deputy spokesman Gordon Duguid said the message is `` part of the U.S. effort to help keep Haitians safe . '' `` We do n't want people to endanger their lives by taking risk to try to get to the U.S. at this time , '' he said . The U.S. military will be distributing special radios to Haitians this week in an effort to get messages and news spread as far as possible . Some 50,000 portable solar-powered and windup radios will be distributed by the U.S. military joint task force that is deploying troops in Haiti 's capital , Port-au-Prince , and other severely stricken parts of the country . Government officials say past migrations from Cuba and Haiti were the result of large geopolitical events , circumstances that differ significantly from those in Haiti now . Further , there is a large U.S. government presence in Haiti and offshore -- factors that will make any migration easier for the government to detect . `` At this point , we are not expecting a massive influx of Haitian individuals , '' said Mike Stone , spokesman for the Florida Emergency Operations Center . Immediately after the January 12 quake , the state `` dusted off '' a preparedness plan known as Operation Vigilant Sentry `` just in case , '' he said . The plan has been in place since 2003 . David Halstead , director of Florida 's Division of Emergency Management , said the state 's request for `` safe housing '' for 10,000 Haitian survivors was based on the plan . That is the maximum number Florida officials believe the state could support in any mass migration , and only for a limited period , he said . It is based on the expectation that people would first be housed at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba and federal immigration detention centers . `` I think right now , with everyone watching Haiti ... for any boat or ship to be able to get out of there illegally would be a miracle upon itself , '' Halstead said Tuesday . The U.S. Coast Guard said it has seen `` nothing out of the ordinary '' off Haiti 's coast in recent days . Ferry vessels have been crowded , `` but they 're not going anyplace we would n't expect them to , '' Lt. Cmdr. Christopher O'Neil said . Haitians have migrated to the United States by boat in relatively small numbers for at least the past 30 years , with several notable spikes . An estimated 25,000 Haitians were among the mass migration of more than 150,000 asylum seekers , primarily Cubans , during the Mariel boatlift in 1980 . In the early 1990s , tens of thousands of Haitians migrated to the United States after the coup d'etat deposing President Jean-Bertrand Aristide . CNN Pentagon Producer Mike Mount contributed to this report . | U.S. Coast Guard : Maritime traffic around Haiti normal . Coast Guard says it has n't intercepted Haitians trying illegal crossings into U.S. waters . Florida has asked for federal funding to shelter 10,000 as a precaution . U.S. Air Force plane broadcasts message : Do n't try to reach U.S. on boats . | [[297, 381], [388, 471], [519, 605], [519, 536], [612, 653], [2651, 2665], [2726, 2803], [1052, 1058], [1061, 1116]] |
London , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Britain 's involvement in the invasion of Iraq `` was the right decision and it was for the right reasons , '' Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Friday in his first response at an inquiry into country 's role in the March 2003 conflict . Brown was answering a question from the chairman of the inquiry , John Chilcot , about whether he thought taking military action in March 2003 was the right decision , especially given that it led to such a great loss of life among military personnel and civilians . The prime minister said he respects members of the armed forces `` who served with great distinction in Iraq '' and lost their lives , and to civilians who died . `` I think any loss of life is something that makes us very sad indeed , '' Brown said . The inquiry began last year and is expected to be the most thorough investigation yet into decisions that led up to the war and governed Britain 's involvement , analysts have said . It is not a court of law , so the inquiry can not find anyone criminally responsible or apportion blame . But inquiry members will be able to judge the legality of the conflict . Brown spent much of Friday defending military spending allowances , which have come under harsh scrutiny in Britain . Earlier witnesses have said Brown , as head of the British Treasury leading up to and after the Iraq invasion , did not allow the Ministry of Defence to spend as much as was needed . Such cuts would have restricted the military 's ability to buy helicopters , body armor and weapons that would have subsequently been used in Afghanistan . Brown said as chancellor , he never ruled out a military option on the basis of cost . `` I said that every single request that was made for -LSB- military -RSB- equipment had to be met , and every request was met , and at any point military commanders were able to ask for equipment that they needed , and I know of no occasion when they were turned down for it , '' Brown testified . Tony Blair testifies at Iraq inquiry . Geoff Hoon , defence secretary at the time of the 2003 invasion , testified that Brown forced cuts that limited military spending . `` We then had to look hard at our budget and make some rather difficult cuts in the future equipment program as a result , '' Hoon testified . Brown had faced increasing pressure to testify before Britain holds general elections , widely expected to be held May 6 . His Labour Party faces a tight race with the opposition Conservatives . Chilcot , the inquiry chairman , said committee members previously decided not to call any government ministers who are still serving in posts relevant to Iraq , but Brown offered to testify . Chilcot announced in January that Brown had agreed to appear in the next two months . Susan Smith , whose son , Pvt. Phillip Hewett , died in Iraq in 2005 , said she does n't believe Brown did everything possible to equip British troops . `` Was it needed ? Was it asked for ? If it was , why was it not funded ? '' she said . `` At the moment , you 've got no answers . It 's all speculation . It would be nice just to know the truth . '' Brown has faced repeated criticism for the level of equipment for the 9,000 British troops in Afghanistan , which some have said is too low . The prime minister has defended equipment levels and said he seeks assurances from military officers in the field that troops have the supplies they need . A military memo , sent in June but released in October , contained a warning from a British officer that a shortage of helicopters was putting troops at risk because they were forced to travel on the ground , increasing the chances a roadside bomb could kill them . The memo was written by Lt. Col. Rupert Thorneloe , who died a month later in a roadside bombing . At the time , he was the highest-ranking British serviceman to die in combat since the 1982 Falklands War . Gen. Michael Walker previously testified the Treasury gave defence officials a spending target that they found hard to reach . `` It was -LSB- a budget for -RSB- some of the stuff that was related to some of the longer-term equipment programs , including infantry battalions , '' he testified February 1 . `` I think it included helicopter money . I think it included things like aircraft carriers . It was all big-ticket items that were being threatened . '' Defence officials made as many cuts as they could before they had to stop , Walker said . `` I think we drew a line somewhere halfway down the page and said , ` If you go any further than that , you 'll probably have to look for a new set of chiefs , ' '' he said . Hoon and others have testified that the Defence Ministry 's budgeting structure in 2002 , the year before the Iraq invasion , allowed officials to save money by using and maintaining existing equipment . Officials used the cash saved for other spending , Hoon said . That spending ability changed a year later and caused big problems for the ministry , they have testified . `` We asked for significantly more money than we eventually received '' in subsequent spending programs , Hoon said . Kevin Tebbit , who was permanent secretary to the Defence Ministry at the time of the invasion , said Brown did not want the ministry to have as much cash as it eventually received . `` The Treasury felt that we were using far too much cash , and in September 2003 , the chancellor of the day instituted a complete guillotine on our -LSB- ability to spend -RSB- , '' he said . `` It meant that we had to go in for a very major savings exercise in order to cope with what was effectively a billion pounds reduction in our finances . '' Brown testified that military options took precedence over financial concerns . `` There was no time from June -LSB- 2002 -RSB- when the Treasury said , ` This is a better military option because it 's cheaper and less costly , ' '' Brown said . `` At every point I made it clear that we would support whatever option the military decided upon with the prime minister and the Cabinet , and there would be no financial barrier to us doing what was necessary to be done . '' He also testified the Treasury granted `` every application '' for equipment made by the Defence Ministry . Brown was chancellor , or head of the Treasury , from 1997 until 2007 when Prime Minister Tony Blair stepped down and Brown took over the top post . Alistair Campbell , Blair 's former spokesman , testified in January that Brown was part of Blair 's inner circle , discussing questions about the Iraq war . Blair testified in January . | Gordon Brown served as Chancellor , or head of the Treasury , from 1997 until 2007 . Brown : `` Financial concerns played no part in military planning for the Iraq '' Brown : `` I made it clear we would support whatever option the military decided upon '' The decision to go to war in Iraq was made for the right reasons , he said . | [[6246, 6292], [5929, 6048]] |
Tehran , Iran -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iranian authorities will observe and control text messages and e-mails that encourage protesters , an Iranian semi-official news agency reported Friday . Messages that encourage demonstrations will be screened , and organizers of illegal protests will face heavy penalties , the Iranian Labor News Agency reported , citing Tehran Police Chief Ahmadi Mogadham . Iran has clamped down on protests nationwide since mass demonstrations erupted after a disputed presidential election last June . Hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner over main opposition candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi . Full coverage of the protests in Iran . Many of the protesters e-mailed images worldwide of demonstrators clashing with police , filling the void created by strict government controls on foreign media outlets . Protesters were also active on social networking sites including Twitter and Facebook where one pro-democracy page has more than one quarter of a million members . The mass arrests that followed the protests have led to widespread accusations of authorities torturing and otherwise abusing prisoners . A report released Sunday by an Iranian fact-finding committee found that 147 detainees held after last summer 's post-election protests were stuffed into a small room , deprived of adequate food and subjected to other mistreatment , Iranian media reported . The 147 detainees at Kahrizak Detention Center were held with 30 additional inmates for four days in a 750-square-foot room lacking proper ventilation , the parliamentary report found , according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency . The fact-finding committee blamed former Tehran prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi for the decision to send the detainees to Kahrizak -- usually reserved for rapists and other dangerous criminals -- instead of Evin prison , which had informed Mortazavi that it had the space for them . `` Even if Evin prison had been full , it was not justified to send other offenders to this special site , '' the investigation found , according to Mehr . Iran 's supreme leader , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , ordered the Kahrizak facility shut down after reports of mistreatment surfaced . Three prison officials have been charged with premeditated murder in the beating deaths of three imprisoned protesters . According to the investigation , Mortazavi had claimed the three died of meningitis , Mehr said . Sunday 's report found that the 147 detainees arrested July 9 suffered `` harsh corporal punishment , humiliating and insulting techniques , '' and other mistreatment , Mehr said . `` The deaths of some detainees were a result of beatings and neglect of the physical condition of the injured by the detention center 's officials , '' an excerpt of the report said on the Mehr Web site . The investigation did not reveal evidence of rape or sexual abuse , as alleged by reformist Mehdi Karrubi , Mehr and state-run Press TV reported . Karrubi , a former parliamentary speaker , and fellow reformist Moussavi , had publicly accused the government of allowing rape , torture , wrongful deaths and secret burials of several detainees . Karrubi had been especially vocal about the claims of detainee rape -- even publishing a first-hand account of one alleged victim on his Web site in October . The parliamentary committee met with Karrubi about the claims , but he `` did not present any convincing evidence or reliable documentation of the alleged abuse , '' Mehr said the report found . | Iranian press agency reports Iranian government to screen e-mails , texts . Government trying to discourage protests that erupted after disputed presidential election . Organizers of illegal protests warned they will face hefty fines . Authorities alleged to have tortured and abused prisoners arrested as a result of the protests . | [[9, 29], [70, 129], [132, 186], [1388, 1412], [394, 523], [445, 523], [249, 305], [1017, 1154], [1099, 1120], [1017, 1060], [1125, 1154], [2433, 2599], [2614, 2761], [2967, 2974], [2977, 3039], [3042, 3164]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The State Department 's chief of diplomatic security has resigned amid scrutiny of the use of private military contractors to guard the department 's staff in Iraq , a spokesman said Wednesday . Richard Griffin testifies before a House committee looking into private security contractors earlier this month . Richard Griffin , a 36-year career official , gave no explanation for his decision in his resignation letter to President Bush . `` I am grateful that I had the opportunity to serve as the assistant secretary for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security , whose brave men and women serve on the front lines of the Global War on Terror , '' he wrote in his resignation letter , a copy of which was obtained by CNN . `` Without their courage and commitment , the State Department could not possibly carry out its foreign policy mission . '' Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice accepted Griffin 's resignation , State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said . Griffin 's decision to step down follows weeks of investigations into the September 16 killings of Iraqi civilians by Blackwater USA , a North Carolina-based firm hired by the State Department to protect American diplomats in Baghdad . Meanwhile , a survivor of the September 16 incident told CNN on Wednesday that he and a number of other victims were summoned to a meeting with U.S. Embassy officials and were offered money . Mohammed Abdul Razzaq , whose 9-year-old son died , said the embassy offered him $ 12,500 -- which he said he refused because `` they did n't acknowledge their crime . '' `` Do n't they need to acknowledge my son 's blood first so I can forgive them ? Now I ca n't . How can I take compensation and they never acknowledge the crime ? '' he said . The father is demanding a formal apology from Blackwater CEO Erik Prince , prosecution of those responsible for his son 's death and political asylum in the United States so he can pursue the case in American courts . Another survivor , taxi driver Sami Hawas , told CNN he received $ 7,500 from the embassy , a payment he described as `` aid . '' Hawas was shot a number of times in the back and leg . He said he is unable to work now and complained about the high cost of medication . He took the money , he said , because he needs help paying for medical treatment and supporting his family . `` Even if they compensate me with millions , it will not make up for the lost blood and the pain I live every day , '' he told CNN . U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Natango said the payments were `` part of a standard procedure '' and would continue . She described them as `` short-term and speedy aid and support '' but said they were not an admission of guilt . She said those receiving the money do not waive any right to future compensation . The State Department and the FBI are conducting their own investigation into the killings , and a joint U.S.-Iraqi commission is reviewing the results of both probes . Prince has said that Blackwater guards came under fire while protecting a State Department convoy and acted properly in self-defense . Watch Blackwater chief talk about his company '' But Iraqi authorities have called the killings `` premeditated murder '' and demanded Blackwater leave Iraq . A State Department report of its own operations , released Tuesday , found lax oversight of security contractors , who are under the supervision of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security . It recommended tightening the rules of engagement for contractors to bring them in line with those used by the U.S. military , and Rice appointed a top U.S. diplomat to oversee all security operations in Iraq . Blackwater is the most prominent of the military contractors working in Iraq , where an estimated 25,000 private contractors guard diplomats , reconstruction workers and government officials . Company officials urged subscribers to its e-mailed newsletter Wednesday to help fight its public-relations battle . `` In this tumultuous political climate , Blackwater Worldwide has taken center stage , our services and ethics aggressively challenged with misinformation and fabrications . Letters , e-mails and calls to your elected congressional representatives can and will create a positive impact by influencing the manner in which they gather and present information , '' the company wrote . The message , titled `` A Request for Your Support , '' urged readers to contact members of Congress `` and tell them to stand by the truth . '' It recommended that constituents emphasize that the company hires U.S. military veterans and the fact that no one under Blackwater 's protection has been killed in Iraq . It also asked that supporters stress what the company termed the `` cost efficiency '' of its services , for which the State Department has paid more than $ 800 million since 2004 . Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell said the company had received `` hundreds of positive responses '' to its appeal by Wednesday afternoon . The contractors are immune from prosecution under Iraqi law , under an order issued by the American-led occupation government in 2004 . Iraq 's government has agreed to ask the country 's parliament to consider changing that directive , an adviser to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told CNN on Wednesday . E-mail to a friend . CNN 's Jomana Karadsheh , Elise Labott , Ingrid Formanek , Jim Clancy and Saad Abedine contributed to this report . | Assistant secretary of state for diplomatic security announces decision to resign . Richard Griffin gave no specific reason for resignation or offered timetable . Blackwater issues appeal to supporters to stand up for company . NEW : Blackwater shooting survivor says U.S. Embassy offered victims money . | [[0, 26], [63, 152], [339, 354], [385, 467], [1305, 1337], [1397, 1417], [1983, 1999], [2027, 2072]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The maternal grandmother of a 7-month-old Florida girl found hidden in a small cedar box under her baby sitter 's bed says her daughter , who was charged in the case , is troubled and needs help . Police think Chrystina Lynn Mercer gave Shannon Lee Dedrick to the sitter -- who is the baby 's paternal aunt , Susan Baker -- and 10 hours later reported the girl missing . `` As confused as Tina is , I have to tell you , she has emphatically stated that she did not and would not ever harm her child , '' Mercer 's mother , Kandis Boyer , said Thursday on HLN 's `` Nancy Grace . '' Without elaborating , Boyer said she thinks her daughter `` was manipulated into this situation . '' Baker , whose home Shannon was found in , was also charged in connection with the incident , Washington County Sheriff Bobby Haddock has said . The baby is in protective custody with the state and is in good health despite her ordeal , according to Boyer , who says she drove nearly 900 miles in 14 hours from Texas to Florida when Shannon disappeared . According to Haddock , Baker took custody of Shannon from her mother on Saturday . Boyer said her daughter told her she only let Baker care for the child , nothing more . Asked why Mercer reported the child missing to police , Boyer said she did not know . Boyer said her daughter has said `` so many different things '' and that `` she seems to be very confused . That 's what I 've gathered from talking to her myself since I have been here from Texas . '' She said her daughter has had counseling over the years , and `` she 's going to get the help she needs now . '' Clothes and baking powder to hide the smell of soiled diapers were found inside the 2-foot-by-3-foot box . Shannon had been inside the box for about half a day before authorities found her late Wednesday , but she might have been in and out of the box for several days , investigators said . | 7-month-old Florida girl reported missing , found in small box under baby sitter 's bed . Police say mom gave baby to sitter , who is baby 's paternal aunt . Mom , aunt both charged in case ; baby in state custody . Mother `` seems to be very confused , '' baby 's grandmother says . | [[0, 15], [47, 136], [216, 289], [279, 289], [297, 325], [702, 707], [744, 792], [1313, 1420], [1389, 1420]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- `` Media must cease reporting on the discovery of a body at a psychiatric hospital in Dongguan . '' `` Media must not report on corruption allegations relating to the eldest son of President Hu Jintao . '' `` Media must not report on a lawsuit against China Eastern Airlines by victims of a plane crash in 2004 in which 52 passengers were killed . '' Those are just a few of more than 60 restrictions the Chinese government slapped on the media in 2009 , often secretly , according to the International Federation of Journalists . The press freedom group said it obtained written media-related orders which are published in its report , `` China Clings to Control : Press Freedoms in 2009 . '' Tight controls were put on reporting of ethnic riots in the west of the country in July , and clear orders were issued for how to report President Barack Obama 's visit to the country in November , the IFJ said in the report released Sunday . The press was instructed not to organize questions for the public to ask Obama at a town-hall style event he did in the country and was banned from reporting on `` protests or spontaneous news during Obama 's visit , '' the IFJ report said . It all added up to a year of increased censorship in China , on the heels of a period of relative openness around the Beijing Olympics in 2008 , the group charged . CNN 's calls to the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Washington were not immediately returned . The IFJ report said that Chinese media were ordered not to report prominently on protests in Iran following the country 's controversial presidential election in June . They were barred from reporting at all on elections for the chief executive of Macau , a region of China , and were waved off stories about refugees entering China , threats to public health , political protests and corruption , the report said . They were allowed to report about some stories in English but not Mandarin , and others in newspapers but not online , said the report , which was compiled with the help of a group called Chinese Human Rights Defenders . That 's not to mention self-censorship in the press around two key anniversaries last year : the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests and the Tibetan uprising of 1959 , the IFJ said . `` Media did not need to be ordered how to report these matters -- they were very aware there was to be no independent reporting on these topics , '' the report said . `` Most journalists and media outlets would self-censor and there would be no need for regulations or orders ... self-censorship remains a matter of self-preservation . '' Direct orders from the government -- sometimes containing the explicit threat of `` punishment from the Central Propaganda Department '' -- was only one element in Beijing 's arsenal against the press , the report said . China is clearly concerned about the Internet , the IFJ suggested . `` Online surveillance was stepped up , Web sites were entirely or partially closed , online social networks were shut down , online news portals were censored , online journalists and bloggers were detained and arrested . '' Press `` accreditation rules tightened further in 2009 ... making it difficult for online journalists to gain accreditation , '' the report said . And foreign journalists encountered `` acts of violence , destruction of work materials and equipment ... surveillance and reprimands , '' the report said . But `` despite the difficulties , many journalists try to go out of the way to get the news , '' the IFJ said . China hosted a World Media Summit in October , drawing the heads of some of the world 's largest news organizations , including the Associated Press , Reuters , News Corporation , Russia 's Itar-Tass , Kyodo of Japan and China 's own Xinhua . President Hu addressed the conference , saying `` it is more important than ever before that the media should establish and uphold social responsibilities , '' according to Xinhua . Hu pledged the Chinese government would safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of foreign news media and continue to facilitate foreign media coverage of China in accordance with the law , Xinhua reported . It is not clear that he made a similar promise regarding Chinese media . Obama criticized censorship in his November visit to China , responding to questions from the Chinese public about restrictions on the Internet . `` Because in the United States information is free , and I have a lot of critics in the United States who can say all kinds of things about me , I actually think that that makes our democracy stronger and it makes me a better leader because it forces me to hear opinions that I do n't want to hear , '' he said . Earlier this month , Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on China to investigate alleged hacking of Google in the country -- prompting the Internet search giant to threaten to pull out of China . `` We look to the Chinese authorities to conduct a thorough review of the cyber intrusions that led Google to make its announcement . And we also look for that investigation and its results to be transparent , '' Clinton said . Five years ago , Google agreed to allow some censorship by China , in exchange for the right to operate in that country 's massive emerging technology market . The company now says censorship and the hacking of Chinese dissidents ' Google e-mail accounts have prompted it to reconsider . The IFJ calls itself `` a non-governmental , non-profit organization that promotes coordinated international action to defend press freedom and social justice through the development of strong , free and independent trade unions of journalists . '' | Press group notes more than 60 government restrictions on media in 2009 . Report : Press was told not to organize questions for public to ask Obama during visit . Chinese media barred from reporting on elections for chief executive in Macau , report says . CNN 's calls to Chinese Foreign Ministry , Embassy in Washington not returned . | [[370, 419], [420, 471], [3157, 3213], [803, 908], [956, 1021], [1647, 1731], [1363, 1466]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- While millions of Christians worldwide will celebrate Easter this weekend , David Silverman has other plans . Silverman will join about 300 atheists in a Newark , New Jersey , hotel ballroom to proclaim another message : The atheist movement in America is growing . Silverman will participate in the 36th annual American Atheists National Convention at the Newark Liberty Renaissance Hotel . He 'll also try to clear up a misconception : Atheists are n't immoral , and they do n't worship Satan . That 's what many people assume when he tells them that he belongs to an atheist group , Silverman says . `` We have a lot of wonderful people , '' he said . `` I have n't sacrificed any Christian babies . I have n't danced naked under the stars . I have n't stolen anything . '' What Silverman is doing instead is talking up the `` resurgence '' among atheists . He says atheists once felt isolated and misunderstood . Two events changed that , he says : the rise of the Internet and the election of George W. Bush . Bush 's polarizing presidency showed people how bad things could turn `` if religion was in charge , '' he said . The Internet showed atheists that they were n't alone , as they sought out and encouraged one another . `` Closet atheists are coming out all over the country , '' Silverman said , estimating that his group has 4,000 members . `` Anybody can go on the Internet and read blogs , Facebook pages , and know that there are millions like them . '' Those who ask why people need God are also raising their public profile in other ways . Richard Dawkins , author of `` The God Delusion , '' and Sam Harris , author of `` The End of Faith , '' have best-selling books questioning the need for religion . Silverman says a coalition of groups , including American Atheists , met with White House officials in February to discuss more tolerance for nonbelievers . He takes pains to say that atheists respect those who believe otherwise . But if that 's so , why hold a convention on Easter weekend ? Silverman chuckled at the question . `` It 's not a slam against Easter , '' he said . `` We always have our national convention on Easter weekend . The hotels are cheap , and everybody has time off . '' | American Atheists group meets Easter weekend . Group seeks to debunk stereotypes about atheists . Leader says atheists are becoming more accepted . `` I have n't danced naked under the stars , '' he says . | [[2124, 2185], [411, 454], [661, 673], [722, 763], [1135, 1147], [2111, 2123]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- American sixth seed Andy Roddick denied Rafael Nadal a third final appearance at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami after another sensational serving performance on Friday . Roddick , the tournament 's 2004 champion , will face Tomas Berdych in Sunday 's title match after coming from behind to defeat Spanish fourth seed Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-3 in the semis at Key Biscayne . He has won an incredible 62 of his last 64 service games , reaching the final of two successive Masters 1000 events for the first time since 2003 , when he went on to win the U.S. Open . Roddick , beaten in the Indian Wells title match by Ivan Ljubicic two weeks ago , broke Nadal 's serve at 4-3 up in the second set with three forehand winners and then held to love to level the match . He again broke his fellow former world No. 1 in the third game of the decider and held serve to claim his first win in the last four meetings between the two . `` I knew I had to be more aggressive . My heavy forehand does n't work against him , so I had to hit it flatter , which is higher risk . I took really , really ridiculous cuts at a lot of forehands , '' Roddick told the ATP Tour Web site . `` I took a lot of risk there in the last two sets . My comfort zone of moving the ball around and maybe chipping it around a little bit does n't work against Rafa . I had to try to come up with something that at least took him out of his comfort zone a little bit , and it paid off . '' Nadal was not too disheartened , having reached the semifinals in his two outings since suffering a knee injury at the Australian Open in January . `` Two semifinals in a row , first two Masters 1000 of the season for me is positive , '' Nadal said . `` Positive American hardcourt season , first part . So , yeah , happy for that . '' Berdych continued his giantkilling run as he followed up his victories over world No. 1 Roger Federer and 10th seed Fernando Verdasco by crushing Swedish fifth seed Robin Soderling 6-2 6-2 . The Czech , seeded 16th , has gone one better than his last-four achievement in Miami last year as he qualified for only his second Masters final . `` In all my matches with Robin in the past I 've been too defensive . If you give him time to hit the ball hard it 's really tough , '' Berdych said . `` I wanted to play more aggressive , but without making mistakes . '' | Andy Roddick reaches final in Miami , coming from behind to beat fourth seed Rafael Nadal . American sixth seed triumphs 4-6 6-3 6-3 as he seeks to follow up title from 2004 . He will face Tomas Berdych in Sunday 's final after Czech upset fifth seed Robin Soderling . The 16th seed followed up his fourth-round triumph over world No. 1 Roger Federer . | [[190, 197], [223, 332], [283, 386], [283, 386], [190, 197], [223, 332], [1801, 1886], [1992, 2001], [2004, 2015], [1992, 2001], [2011, 2087]] |
Tucson , Arizona -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Last week during the day , some kids in Ciudad Juarez , Mexico , were playing soccer in a park when a car slowed down , guys got out and executed a 13-year-old boy . And then they drove away , unmolested in a city with 11,000 army and police officers . The Mexican government repeatedly states that 90 percent of the deaths in the current drug war are of people who are dirty ; that is , criminals involved in the drug business . The killings of reporters and of innocent women , men and children continually belie that statement . The child was not a cartel member in disguise . Nor were the 15 high school kids killed at a party in a small house in a poor barrio . Their parents had made them hold the celebration of a sports victory at home because it was too dangerous to be out in the city . I went to Juarez in June of 1995 and never seem to escape the pull of the place . The city then was controlled by Amado Carrillo Fuentes , then the head of the Juarez cartel . Drug Enforcement Agency intelligence told me he was raking in $ 250 million a week . American factories were erupting out of the ground in the wake of the passage of NAFTA . Huge districts of shacks made out of stolen pallets and cardboard boxes were growing faster than the city could map . These shacks were filled with people working full time in those American-owned factories . Murders ran around 250 a year and sometimes the cartel left bodies on the street wrapped in yellow ribbon . Carrillo ran the city and yet his name never appeared in the newspapers nor was mentioned on radio and television . I thought I 'd stumbled into hell . Now the city is dying . About 5,000 people have been slaughtered in Ciudad Juarez in 27 months . It is a destroyed city where 25 percent of the houses are abandoned and 40 percent of the businesses have closed . There were 2,600 murders last year and killings are going on at a faster clip this year . At night , no one is on the streets . I realize that I was a fool in 1995 . I had not stumbled into hell . That was the golden age . But one constant remains : No matter how many die in Juarez , no matter how low the pay in the American factories , the U.S. government insists the War on Drugs is being won and that NAFTA is a big success . The Mexican War on Drugs is not lost : it never seriously began . The drug industry is an essential prop under a faltering Mexican economy and has been so for more than 20 years , since the peso crisis of the early 1980s . The money flows into the hands of countless government officials , into the banking industry and into many investments in Mexico . More people die each day as the government of President Felipe Calderon uses the Mexican army and the federal police to try to get the illegal drug industry under control . Calderon was elected by a razor-thin margin and followed the custom of Mexican presidents by immediately making a show of force . But he badly underestimated the power of the drug industry . The profits are estimated by many analysts to be between $ 30 billion and $ 50 billion a year , although it 's notoriously difficult to track . But it is not a piddling sum in a country where oil is the official highest earner of foreign currency and supplies 40 percent of the federal budget . But the oil is running out . Calderon has publicly stated that the oil fields will be gone in 10 years or less . The next big earner is human flesh , the millions of Mexicans who have fled the economic doom of their nation and send more than $ 20 billion a year home from the United States . But the recession and job losses in the U.S. have cut into that source . Tourism ranks third in legitimate sources of money for Mexico , but in a nation where heads keep getting lopped off , tourism is n't thriving . The illegal drug industry in Mexico employs hundreds of thousands of people . No one knows the payroll , but certainly it includes many people in the army , the 3,500 separate police forces and the government from top to bottom . It 's difficult to make a living wage legitimately here . The pay varies , but in Ciudad Juarez , one of the most violent cities on Earth , the starting salary in the 400 foreign-owned factories , mainly American , is about 40 bucks a week . There are 500 to 900 street gangs . No one can live on the pay offered by these factories . In a country with 50 percent of the population living in poverty , the turnover in these plants runs from 100 to 200 percent a year . No one can live long in a gang -- but for a while , a kid can live well and feel that his life is a dream of money and power . The U.S. approach to the killings in Mexico never looks at an economic reason , just as the consequences of our free trade treaty -LRB- NAFTA -RRB- are never brought up . The effects wrought by NAFTA launched one of the largest human migrations in the world as poor Mexicans fled collapsing industry and agriculture . Border Patrol statistics show that the number of Mexicans entering the U.S. illegally skyrocketed within two years of the passage of NAFTA . We also never question our four-decades-old War on Drugs , which has produced cheaper drugs of higher quality at lower prices in thousands of U.S. cities and towns . It has helped create one of the largest prison populations in the world . If our drug policy were a ship , it would be called the Titanic . Anyone who questions the propaganda of the U.S. government on the violence in Mexico , on our War on Drugs or on our free trade agreement is told to come up with a solution , some silver bullet that instantly slays the dragon . But our policies over the decades have created a disaster , and it will take years to reverse the damage these acts of government have inflicted . The time to start is now . Let 's address the true and lethal nature of Mexico 's war on drugs -- one we are in part bankrolling under the Merida Initiative to the tune of half a billion dollars per year , often tossed into the murderous hands of many in the Mexican army . We need to have a public discussion of the obvious : Legalize drugs or keep caging Americans for taking drugs -- unless of course they are booze , tobacco or happy pills from the doctor -- and keep financing the murders of Mexicans . The first thing to do if we want to come clean about the slaughter in Mexico is start smelling the coffee . We share a 1,900-mile border . We share a history and people . At least 10 percent of the Mexican people now live in the United States as economic or political fugitives . Recently , the secretaries of State , Homeland Security and Defense flew to Mexico City and promised the Mexican government we would continue exactly the same polices as in the past . I have been told I should be reasonable . I am . And I expect the same of my government . Building prisons and lending support to a murderous war on drugs must stop , and digging deep into the economics and politics behind the hellish state of affairs must begin . It 's a testament to the Mexican people that no matter how hard life is in Juarez , they seem to endure , raise families , smile and try to create a better future . As a Mexican friend told me , `` I love Juarez , it is such a needy city . '' It is poor and dangerous , a tapestry of one-story buildings . But once you know Juarez it haunts you no matter how you try to flee . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Charles Bowden . | Charles Bowden : 5,000 killed in Juarez in 27 months , one of most violent cities on Earth . Bowden : Innocents die in crossfire among cartels , army , police . He says drug trade is a source of money for the Mexican economy . Bowden : U.S. must face NAFTA 's failures and the lethal results of `` war on drugs '' | [[1676, 1748], [2128, 2146], [4126, 4142], [4145, 4184], [4262, 4288], [2361, 2433]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When President Obama threw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals ' season opener on Monday , he kicked off not only a new baseball season but also a new round of fundraisers at Nationals Park . Though Obama was n't raising any cash himself on game day , his appearance was the backdrop for at least one ballpark fundraiser Monday , the first of what Nationals President Stan Kasten hopes will be many political events held at the stadium this season . Since Nationals Park first opened in March 2008 , Kasten has actively encouraged political operatives of all ideological stripes to hold their fundraisers and receptions at the ballpark , as opposed to more conventional venues such as restaurants or hotel ballrooms . `` I am absolutely bipartisan when it comes to business , or even multi-partisan , '' said Kasten in an interview with CNN . `` We welcome all , and we 've had all come to the ballpark . Republicans , Democrats , and I 'm sure other parties as well . '' Kasten helped bring major-league baseball back to Washington in 2005 after a 34-year absence . Since then , federal candidates , major political parties , and political action committees have spent at least $ 432,000 on fundraising events either at Nationals games or at their facility , according to campaign finance documents filed with the Federal Election Commission . Although campaigns did spend money on Nationals-related fundraising events when the team played at RFK Stadium , the records show that spending skyrocketed once the gates opened at Nationals Park . Campaign disbursements to the Nationals for fundraising expenses averaged $ 11,000 per year from 2005 to 2007 , but that increased by twelvefold , to about $ 131,000 , in 2008 , the year the park opened . That amount doubled to $ 264,000 in 2009 . The total dollar amount spent on all fundraisers at Nationals Park is likely to be much higher than FEC records indicate , since lax federal disclosure rules allow campaigns to pay corporations directly for use of their luxury suites at the ballpark , without having to specify how the money was spent . However , regulations do require that campaigns pay full price for all expenses , such as tickets , suite rentals and concessions . Much of the Nationals ' success in wooing the campaign crowd can be attributed to a relative lack of variety available on the Washington fundraising circuit . One Democratic fundraiser who has held two events at the ballpark told CNN that both candidates and donors enjoy the change of scenery . `` It 's different . It 's a good time to interact with people but also have fun while doing something non-politically related , '' she said , speaking on the condition of anonymity . `` There is a little bit of monotony in fundraisers in D.C. There 's a formula to it , so this is a little out of the ordinary . '' Kasten could not agree more . `` The key to fundraisers is to get people to come , '' he said . `` We have the added element of holding an event at our ballpark and having a fun evening going on alongside the fundraiser with lots of other things to do . '' `` It 's just so much more appealing to potential contributors than just coming to some hotel ballroom , '' he added . The ballpark hosted over 40 fundraisers in 2009 , and Kasten expects that number to increase this year with the midterm elections looming . The team advertises its facilities to individual campaign committees , congressional offices , and to national party organizations , including both the Democratic and Republican National Committees . Special outreach is made to the members and candidates representing whichever visiting team happens to be in town . Although holding fundraisers at baseball games is not new , the Nationals have capitalized on being uniquely positioned in a city with a year-round political industry unrivaled by other baseball towns . Records show that several teams with national fan bases have not received nearly as much in campaign expenditures as the $ 432,000 the Nationals have garnered so far . Since 2003 , the Boston Red Sox have received about $ 207,000 , the New York Yankees have received about $ 157,000 , and the Chicago Cubs have brought in just over $ 36,000 . The Baltimore Orioles , which had been Washington 's venue of choice for baseball-themed political fundraisers prior to the arrival of the Nationals , received $ 134,000 during the same time period . But not everyone is sold on Nationals Park as a fundraising venue , at least as long as the team continues to perform poorly on the field . `` The allure of doing events at their games has worn off , since the home team is n't good . We usually struggle to sell tickets for Nationals games , '' said one Republican fundraiser , who asked not to be identified . `` We generally advise our clients to have other types of fundraising events that are cheaper and more successful . -LSB- Washington Capitals hockey -RSB- games sell very well right now . '' On that point , Kasten , who has also headed up professional hockey and basketball franchises , says that baseball is the most conducive sport for political fundraisers . `` The pace is a little slower , '' he said . `` It gives people more of a chance to sit and think and talk typically than there is at a basketball or hockey game . '' Despite his efforts to lure partisan fundraisers to his ballpark , the Nationals ' top executive sees baseball as an inherently nonpartisan activity . According to Kasten , `` A ballpark is a controversy-free zone , a politics-free zone , where everyone can unify behind the idea of just having fun . '' | Nationals President Stan Kasten encourages political operatives to hold fundraisers at ballpark . Spending on fundraisers skyrocketed once gates opened at Nationals Park in 2008 . Ballpark is much more appealing `` than just coming to some hotel ballroom , '' Kasten said . One Republican says ballpark is n't a good fundraising spot because team is n't playing well . | [[372, 491], [492, 518], [542, 677], [5358, 5361], [5370, 5414], [1500, 1584], [4547, 4598], [4751, 4784]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- British billionaire Richard Branson 's dream of space travel that thousands of people can afford took a leap toward reality with the maiden flight of the world 's first commercial spacecraft over California 's Mojave Desert . Branson 's company Virgin Galactic announced Monday that the VSS Enterprise had successfully completed what it called a captive carry flight attached to a carrier plane . The spacecraft 's developer called it a `` momentous day . '' `` The captive carry flight signifies the start of what we believe will be extremely exciting and successful spaceship flight test program , '' said Burt Rutan , founder of Scaled Composites , which built the spacecraft . The VSS Enterprise remained attached to its carrier aircraft for the duration of the 2-hour , 54-minute flight , reaching an altitude of 45,000 feet , according to a statement from Virgin . Eventually , the 60-foot long rocket plane will be taken 60,000 feet above the Earth by its carrier and fire rockets to propel itself into space . The test-flight program is expected to continue through 2011 , going first to a free glide and then to a powered flight before commercial flights begin . `` Seeing the finished spaceship in December was a major day for us but watching VSS Enterprise fly for the first time really brings home what beautiful , ground-breaking vehicles Burt and his team have developed for us , '' Branson said . `` Today was another major step along that road and a testament to U.S. engineering and innovation , '' he said . Virgin Galactic has envisioned one flight a week , with six tourists aboard . Each will pay $ 200,000 for the ride and train for at least three days before going . About 80,000 people have placed their names on the waiting list for seats . `` What we want to be able to do is bring space travel down to a price range where hundreds of thousands of people would be able to experience space , and they never dreamed that -LSB- they -RSB- could , '' Branson said last year . He has said he hopes the technology will lead to a new form of Earth travel , jetting people across oceans and continents faster through suborbital routes . | VSS Enterprise remained attached to carrier aircraft for duration of near 3-hour flight . Test-flight program is expected to continue through 2011 before commercial flights start . Virgin Galactic has envisioned one flight a week , with six tourists aboard . Each will pay $ 200,000 for the ride and train for at least three days before going . | [[353, 415], [1037, 1097], [1545, 1593], [1623, 1708], [1623, 1627], [1664, 1708]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain scored the goals that gave Real Madrid a 2-0 win at Racing Santander on Sunday -- a result that sees Manuel Pelegrini 's side return to the top of the Spanish Primera Liga . Real 's 12 consecutive league victory ensured that Real will face title rivals Barcelona in next weekend 's crunch league match in pole position on goal difference . Barcelona 's 4-1 victory at home to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday ensured that Real needed another win to regain top spot and they took the lead in the 24th minute . Ronaldo teased a foul out of Jose Moraton in the penalty area and from the resulting spot-kick , the Portuguese international fired home his 18th league goal of the season . Despite dominating the match , Madrid had to wait until the 76th minute for their second goal , Higuain sliding the ball home from Guti 's pass for his 24th goal of the season , two behind Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts . Meanwhile , Spanish international striker David Villa took his season 's goal tally to 20 with two late goals as Valencia defeated Osasuna 3-0 , to take a firm grip on third position . Joaquin opened the scoring in the 47th minute before Villa netted his first with a minute to go -- and then doubled his tally with an injury-time penalty . | Real Madrid defeat Racing Santander 2-0 to return to the top of Spanish table . Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain score the goals that lift Real above Barcelona . Valencia consolidate third place in the table with a comfortable 3-0 win over Osasuna . | [[0, 135], [0, 135], [1085, 1114], [1117, 1156]] |
Jerusalem -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two barrels filled with explosives washed up on beaches in Israel on Monday , according to Israeli authorities . Authorities disposed of both without injury . Islamic Jihad , the Fatah Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and the Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades issued a leaflet in Gaza claiming responsibility for sending three explosive devices to Ashkelon and Ashdod . A large barrel filled with explosives was found on a beach in the Ashkelon area Monday morning . The beach was closed . Policemen and bomb disposal experts neutralized the explosives , according to police spokesman Miki Rosenfeld . A second barrel filled with explosives was discovered later in the day on the shore of the city of Ashdod . Authorities conducted a controlled explosion on the second barrel . Police were combing the beaches , and nearby areas were closed to the public . Authorities have not discussed a third device . The Israel Defense Forces , in a statement Monday , said several Palestinian groups had claimed responsibility January 29 for a maritime terrorist attack after the detonation of two sea-born explosive devices about two kilometers -LRB- 1.24 miles -RRB- off the coast of Gaza . Hamas , the movement controlling Gaza , has been vowing retaliation since one of the founding members of its military wing , Mahmoud al-Mabhouh , died last week in Dubai . Al-Mabhouh 's brother , Fayek al-Mabhouh , said that preliminary results of Hamas ' investigation of the death showed his brother was killed by electrocution and strangulation with a piece of cloth . Hamas officials accused Israel of assassinating Mahmoud al-Mabhouh . Israeli officials have not responded to those charges . | Authorities dispose of two barrels filled with explosives ; no injuries reported . Islamic Jihad among groups claiming responsibility for barrels in Ashkelon , Ashdod . Police close the beach , nearby areas to the public . | [[29, 63], [142, 187], [385, 422], [385, 481], [617, 655], [617, 724], [725, 792], [482, 504], [831, 871]] |
SACRAMENTO , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- For more than two years , undercover cops on the Sacramento Police Department 's vice squad have been working one of the most draining beats : trying to crack down on online child prostitution . Sacramento police have nabbed nearly 70 underage girls for child prostitution since 2005 . Police have nabbed nearly 70 girls under the age of 18 since 2005 . Most of the girls were released to foster or group homes . Those are just the official figures ; investigators think there are many more child prostitutes out there . It is no easy task . `` We 're asking these girls to do a big thing ... which is to stop what they 're doing , '' said Sgt. Pam Seyffert of the Sacramento Police Department . `` Stop what 's working for them . Surviving is basically what they 're doing . '' Sacramento police are working with the FBI as part of a nationwide campaign to combat underage prostitution called Innocence Lost . The goal of the program , which is now in almost 30 U.S. cities , is to decriminalize the girls and concentrate on catching the pimps who control them . `` It really makes me angry , '' Seyffert said . `` I think everybody on the team has different reactions to it , but I just flat out get really angry that some guy thinks he can take this girl and basically deprive her of her freedom . '' It is not uncommon for the officers on the unit to put in 30-hour shifts . Oftentimes , their work is heart-wrenching . Watch how investigators work to catch pimps '' Child prostitution is even tougher on the parents of these girls . Roslyn and Sergio 's daughter had been missing for more than two weeks . They waited for hours at police headquarters in hopes that their daughter would be found . Vice squad officers found her in a downtown apartment with Bruce William Carter , a 21-year-old man who police said had posed on the Internet holding fistfuls of cash . He pleaded not guilty to charges of statutory rape and was held in lieu of $ 35,000 bail . The couple 's daughter , who had just turned 17 , was detained but not arrested . `` It hurt , '' said Roslyn , who appeared weary and a bit shell-shocked . `` Because you do n't want to see your children involved in things like this . You do n't realize how dangerous the Internet is . Now , we got to keep her away from the Internet . '' Police say most of the ads appear on Craigslist , the popular and free Internet classifieds site , under a category named `` Erotic Services . '' Even though Craigslist has posted a bold disclaimer warning against human trafficking and the exploitation of children , law enforcement officials said it does n't seem to deter girls from posting the ads or men who are searching for sex . But why would a girl sell her body online ? To help answer that question , Sacramento police made arrangements for CNN to interview a 14-year-old girl who said she 'd started selling herself as a prostitute at the age of 11 . `` I wanted to feel loved . ... I wanted to feel important , '' said the teen , who did not want to be identified . She said she used Craigslist because it was free and she could post dozens of ads a day . Even though she understood the seriousness of what she was doing , she said she did n't care . `` You could put stuff in your ad like ` wet and wild , ' ` fun and sassy , ' things like that to catch their attention , to make them want you , '' she said . Craigslist executives said they abhor the fact that their site is being used for child prostitution but believe that the problem could be harder to track if they removed the category . `` It would be a bigger problem if we removed that category and had those ads spread throughout the site , '' said Jim Buckmaster , chief executive officer of Craigslist . Both legal experts and police say Craigslist bears no legal responsibility . Undercover officers said the fact that the listings can be traced helps them pinpoint the girls and sometimes leads them to pimps . For her part , Roslyn has a strong message for the man arrested in connection with her daughter 's detention . `` I want him to stay away from my daughter , '' she said . `` I 'm going to put a restraining order on him . Every time he goes near my daughter , I 'm going to call the police and have him put in jail . '' Even though they have more work than they can handle , vice officers hold out hope that they can save more girls from a life of prostitution . | Underage girls are selling sex in free Internet classifieds , police say . Sacramento police have nabbed nearly 70 underage girls since 2005 . `` I wanted to feel loved ... important , '' says girl who began posting ads at age 11 . Craigslist posts disclaimers warning against child exploitation , human trafficking . | [[238, 328], [329, 396], [2846, 2956], [2960, 2984], [2989, 3015], [2496, 2609]] |
In our Behind the Scenes series , CNN correspondents share their experiences in covering news and analyze the stories behind the events . CNN 's Christiane Amanpour meets the Dalai Lama and some of his unruly flock in `` Buddha 's Warriors '' airing Saturday and Sunday , 8 and 11 p.m. ET . The Dalai Lama cracked jokes and chatted when a storm knocked out power during his interview with CNN . DHARAMSALA , India -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- I never knew much about Buddhism , and was not expecting much , spiritually , from covering the Dalai Lama . But what happened just goes to show how the unlikeliest events can affect you at the unlikeliest times . I flew from covering the historic visit of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in North Korea to Dharamsala , India . This is the home-in-exile of the Dalai Lama and his government , as well as thousands of Tibetan monks and supporters . Our visit coincided with the events that commemorate each March 10 , the date the Dalai Lama fled Tibet on horseback in 1959 . He managed to evade the Chinese Communist forces , disguised as a soldier and escaping at night . The somber remembrance is a little like what the Palestinians do every year . They call it al-Nakba , or `` catastrophe , '' which marks 1948 when they lost much of their land as the state of Israel was founded . This year , however , the March 10 anniversary took on a more ominous tone . It was the first time the growing split among Tibetan exiles burst into the open . Some of the younger generation of exiles are losing faith in the Dalai Lama 's abandonment of the dream of Tibetan independence . Some want action , even if it might mean abandoning their peaceful Buddhist way . I wanted to ask the Dalai Lama about this and where he thought it would lead . The day we visited , we attended a `` Long Life Ceremony '' in which thousands of Tibetans come from all over India and across the Himalayas from Tibet to catch a glimpse of their spiritual leader , to pray for his continued health and long life and to bestow their most precious gifts upon him , including cubes of dried cheese wrapped in muslin , textiles and tapestries . It went on for more than two hours . I never thought I would sit through the whole thing , but something about the chanting , the incense and the vital connection between the Dalai Lama and his adoring flock was mesmerizing . Watch : Amanpour investigates new breed of Buddhists '' As a journalist and an observer , I was transfixed . Even though the Dalai Lama has spent nearly 60 years in exile , people are still so faithful to him , so respectful , weeping , bowing low as they pass him sitting high above on his throne-like dais . He towers over them , and yet there is nothing removed or dictatorial about him . See behind-the-scenes photos from Buddha 's Warriors '' Afterwards we prepared for our interview . He gives many , and I wondered what we could elicit from him that would be new or noteworthy . As our cameramen were setting up , I hung around outside to quietly watch as he received the first of many visitors that day : dignitaries , ordinary tourists , prayer groups and school groups . I 've found you can tell almost everything about a person by observing the way they deal with others . He was kind , witty , warm , laugh-out-loud funny and deeply moved by some of the personal tales he heard from those visitors seeking his advice and blessing . I thought about how he must do this so many hundreds of thousands of times and yet he had time for everyone , treating each one like a VIP . Once we sat down , I was immediately slightly thrown off by his style . He told us very clearly that what the Chinese are doing in Tibet amounts to `` cultural genocide . '' And then he burst into his trademark giggles . I could n't fully understand why , but it is apparently the Buddhist way to laugh off life 's horrors , and thus survive . Learn about Tibet 's history of conflict '' He went on to tell us , with great earnestness , how he approves of the Olympic Games being held in Beijing and how he is not trying to seek full independence from China , just what he calls cultural autonomy . This man , who is lionized for his quiet spirituality and for being a one-man movement of conscience , who had won a Nobel Peace Prize , calls himself a simple Buddhist monk . As we sat there , suddenly a thunderstorm broke and all our lights went out and we were plunged into darkness . Any other important interviewee would have swept out to rest while we dealt with it . Not the Dalai Lama . He sat there with us in the dark , cracking jokes and chatting , as we waited for the generator to kick in . The Chinese government says the Dalai Lama is lying when he says he does not want independence from China . They call him a wolf in sheep 's clothing . So why , I wondered , would he not overtly support the young generation of Tibetans who want a more proactive policy of confronting China ? Over and again I asked him about the split among his ranks . He said he would not condemn them as he believed in democracy and free speech . But nor would he support their tactics or their goals . He just kept asking -LRB- rhetorically -RRB- a simple question : With what are we going to fight them ? Are we 6 million Tibetans going to confront the army of 1.2 billion people ? How ? The Chinese government refused repeatedly to talk to us and accused us of trying to `` beatify '' the Dalai Lama . I could n't help wondering why they wo n't talk to him or meet him halfway . They may be trying to wait out the 74-year-old Dalai Lama . But they must know they 'll have much more trouble on their hands once he is gone and the angry younger generation takes over . | Christiane Amanpour traveled to India to meet with the exiled Dalai Lama . In 1959 , the Dalai Lama fled Tibet on horseback to evade China 's communist forces . Amanpour says the Dalai Lama 's connection to his adoring flock is `` mesmerizing '' Dalai Lama says what the Chinese are doing in Tibet amounts to `` cultural genocide '' | [[138, 242], [954, 1011], [1012, 1060], [2244, 2374], [3632, 3730], [3661, 3730]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hip-hop artist Lil Wayne pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted criminal possession of a weapon , the Manhattan district attorney 's office said . Lil Wayne is expected to receive a one-year jail sentence for his guilty plea . He is expected to receive a one-year jail sentence , the office said . The Grammy Award-winning artist , whose real name is Dwayne Carter , is due for sentencing in February . His trial had been scheduled to begin in January . When he was indicted in February 2008 , Carter pleaded not guilty to a charge of criminal possession of a weapon , the district attorney 's office said . His guilty plea Thursday was to a reduced charge . He was arrested in July 2007 . Police officers said Carter and another man were smoking marijuana on a street , and the officers found a .40 - caliber pistol in Carter 's possession . Born and raised in New Orleans , Carter launched his solo career at age 16 with the release of `` Tha Block is Hot '' in 1999 . He won two BET Awards in 2007 and four Grammy Awards in 2009 . | Lil Wayne was arrested in July 2007 on weapons charge . Hip-hop artist pleaded guilty to reduced charge Thursday ; sentencing due in February . Lil Wayne launched solo career at age 16 with release of `` Tha Block is Hot '' in 1999 . He won two BET Awards in 2007 and four Grammy Awards in 2009 . | [[685, 715], [324, 355], [393, 428], [634, 684], [666, 684], [902, 943], [967, 996], [997, 1059]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The `` disgusting '' blob in Fred DeNegri 's Diet Pepsi can was probably a frog or toad , the Food and Drug Administration said . Amy DeNegri took pictures of the can in question right after her husband gagged on its contents . DeNegri was grilling in his backyard tiki bar in Ormond Beach , Florida , when he popped open a can of Diet Pepsi , took a big gulp and started gagging , his wife , Amy , said . He emptied out the can down a sink but something heavy remained inside . He shook the can until something resembling `` pink linguini '' slid out , followed by `` dark stuff , '' Amy DeNegri said . But the heavy object inside the can never came out , she said . `` It was disgusting , '' said Amy DeNegri , 54 . `` And now , what started out as a normal afternoon in our tiki bar has blown up into this crazy thing . '' The DeNegris took pictures before calling poison control and the FDA , which showed up the next day to examine the can in question and collect it for lab testing . The couple received a copy of the completed report last week from the Food and Drug Administration Office of Regulatory Affairs , which concluded the foreign matter appeared to be a frog or a toad . Watch CNN 's Nicole Lapin discuss the results '' `` The animal was lacking internal organs normally found in the abdominal and thoracic cavity , '' the report notes . A second , closed can from the same 36-pack of Diet Pepsi from Sam 's Club , was also submitted for testing , according to Amy DeNegri . No abnormalities were detected , the report states . The FDA also conducted an investigation at the local Pepsi bottling plant in Orlando from August 4 to 11 and `` did not find any adverse conditions or association to this problem , '' spokeswoman Siobhan DeLancey said . `` We have not determined when or how the contamination occurred , '' DeLancey said in an e-mail . Pepsi says the FDA results `` affirmed '' the company 's confidence `` in the quality of our products and the integrity of our manufacturing system , '' according to spokesman Jeff Dahncke . `` The speed of our production lines and the rigor of our quality control systems make it virtually impossible for this type of thing to happen in a production environment . In fact , there never has been even a single instance when a claim of this nature has been traced back to a manufacturing issue , '' Dahncke said in an e-mail . `` The FDA conducted a thorough inspection of our Orlando facility and found no cause for concern . In this case , the FDA simply was unable to determine when or how the specimen entered the package . '' When asked if Pepsi believed it was not responsible for the animal getting into the can , Dahncke said , `` We have addressed the facts of the investigation and stated our position . It 's not appropriate for us to comment beyond that . '' But the DeNegris say they 're hopping mad over Pepsi 's handling of the matter . Amy DeNegri said she has n't heard from Pepsi since the day after the incident occurred , when she spoke with someone over the phone . At first , the woman was apologetic , but DeNegri says her attitude changed after she told her that the FDA was coming to take the can for testing . `` She asked for my pictures , I sent them and never heard back , '' she said . The retired school staffer says she and her husband are seeking legal advice to examine their options . `` I want to see Pepsi fess up to it and compensate my husband for the negative publicity they have caused , '' she said . `` I 'm easy , but they 're the ones that are making it hard . '' CNN 's Carolina Sanchez contributed to this report . | Fred DeNegri and wife found matter resembling `` pink linguini '' in Pepsi can in July . FDA concludes blob is toad or frog `` lacking internal organs , '' not sure how it got there . FDA examined bottling plant in Orlando , did not find anything connected to incident . Pepsi says FDA 's finding affirms its confidence in integrity of manufacturing system . | [[498, 566], [1118, 1136], [1145, 1207], [1260, 1350], [1565, 1572], [1578, 1649], [2413, 2476], [2413, 2420], [2481, 2509], [1884, 2031]] |
Editor 's Note : This story details how two members of the CNN Special Investigations Unit reported a story about controversial plans to spend $ 31 million to enhance two remote crossings on the border between the United States and Canada . The road to the border was so quiet it was safe for Drew Griffin to sit in the middle of it . SCOBEY , Montana -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- We were driving through some of the most remote country in the United States , chasing a story that seemed hard to believe . The Department of Homeland Security had announced it was spending $ 31 million to enhance and upgrade two remote border crossings -- just 12 miles apart -- on the border between Montana and the Canadian province of Saskatchewan . The spending was lauded by Montana 's two senators , even though only an average of 22 cars a day traveled through these border posts . We hopped a plane from Atlanta , Georgia , to Billings , Montana , and then headed to Scobey and Whitetail . The six-hour drive took us through some of this nation 's most beautiful country into the high plains of the Missouri River Region . It was a drive punctuated with glimpses of cows and antelopes , but few people . In fact , Burl Bowler , editor of the Daniels County Leader newspaper , which serves the border towns , advised us where to stop for gas en route , so we would n't run out and then really be in trouble . Besides seeing a part of the country where Lt. Col. George Custer took his last stand , there was the added benefit -LRB- sorry CNN management -RRB- of having no phone or Blackberry access . In that respect , it was a peaceful drive . When we got to Scobey , the few people we encountered could n't have been nicer . Everyone we passed stopped , said hello , or waved . But encountering people was the problem -- and in fact , the story : We just did n't encounter that many . Certainly not at the border , where we stood and even sat in the middle of the road to show viewers how few people travel to and from Canada here . Watch just how quiet the border crossing was '' The Scobey border crossing itself seemed perfectly adequate . But the Department of Homeland Security had warned its agents not to allow us inside , so we do n't know what the interior is like . If we came in , we would be too disruptive , one government spokesman had informed us . In Scobey , that claim seemed a little far-fetched , since there was n't anything going on here -- disruptive or otherwise . On the Canadian side , farmer Marc Chabot , a U.S. citizen whose family has farmed the area on both sides of the border for generations , said he was grateful for the money his senators -- Democrats Max Baucus and Jon Tester -- steered to northeast Montana . But , he said , like others in the community , he gasped when he learned of the plan to spend $ 31 million expanding two border crossings that are rarely used . `` It would be wiser spent on something more useful to the public generally , '' he told us , adding that come winter , the average of 20 cars crossing a day in Scobey drops to almost none . Editor Burl Bowler told us the area could certainly use stimulus money for jobs , but not at the border . We asked both Bowler and Chabot about the possibility of terrorists creeping across the frontier . Both said that after the attacks of September 11 , 2001 , everyone needed to be more mindful of the porous border . But Chabot said the government had the area fairly well covered . `` Trust me , they know we are here right now , '' he said . And a massive new building costing more than $ 15 million in Scobey , Montana , was n't exactly a deterrence to someone set on harming the United States , he added . Chabot joked that any stranger in the area certainly would not be a stranger long , since everyone knew everyone -- a point echoed by Bowler , who pointed out that while he had n't told many people that CNN was coming to town , everyone seemed to know it anyway . In Whitetail , it was even quieter . The town has grain elevators and a post office . Bureau of Transportation statistics show only about two people a day cross the border there , and the agents ' building seemed in good shape , save for maybe needing a paint job . The DHS planned to spend $ 15 million on the outpost . That would buy a lot more paint than the building seemed to need . So why did these two areas get so much money ? Locals and critics suspect politics might have played a role . Baucus is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee ; Tester is on the Senate 's Homeland Security Committee . Both took credit for convincing the DHS to give these towns millions for border crossings , bragging in a joint press release that they pressured the agency . `` This is good news for all of Montana and especially communities across the northern tier , '' Baucus said in the statement . Tester said the spending would `` pay off for generations to come by creating new jobs and opportunity that will benefit all of Montana . '' As late as Wednesday , his spokesman reiterated Tester 's support of the spending , saying that it would seal security gaps on the border . So , the nagging question : Did politics , rather than security , guide the DHS ? Especially when a border town like Laredo , Texas , which sees 66,000 crossings a day , was getting not one dime of the $ 400 million in DHS border stimulus funds . Montana , in total , was to receive $ 77 million . In an interview Wednesday with CNN , Trent Frazier , the director of port modernization for the Department of Homeland Security , denied that politics played any role . `` We feel that these ports , like all ports of entry , are a vital part of the network of security that we have established across the border apparatus that we employ across the borders , and the investments we are going to do along these borders are a critical step in ensuring we can perform our mission , '' Frazier said . But if Frazier did not believe politics factored in the decisions , it appeared to play a big role by Wednesday afternoon . Fellow Democrat Sen. Byron Dorgan , from the neighboring state of North Dakota , sent out a news release urging DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to suspend the stimulus program . He said that spending the money on such remote ports -- including the nine in his state -- was `` just nuts . '' Dorgan said the plan `` just defied common sense . '' Within hours , Napolitano announced she was ordering a 30-day review to see if the money was being spent appropriately . In her letter to Dorgan , Napolitano said 39 of the 43 Custom and Border Protection posts were located in the northern United States . She said most of the Southern ports were owned by the General Services Administration , and the money directed by Congress was earmarked for the Custom and Border Protection properties and required to be spent within 24 months . `` Nonetheless , '' she wrote , `` in order to ensure even further transparency in this process , I am ordering a 30 day review '' of all port construction decisions by officials who did not make the initial allocation decisions . So , for now , if you want to travel to Canada through Scobey or Whitetail , the agents who inspect your vehicles will be using the buildings now in place -- and according to the locals , you will be adequately served . | DHS planned to spend $ 31 million to upgrade remote border crossings . The crossings are 12 miles apart and get little to no traffic . Laredo , Texas , by comparison , gets 66,000 crossings a day . Laredo will not receive any of the $ 400 million in DHS border stimulus funds . | [[114, 240], [496, 625], [2805, 2866], [2823, 2889], [2823, 2889], [5252, 5258], [5275, 5302], [5217, 5258], [5261, 5266], [5305, 5381]] |
Kabul , Afghanistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Nine people killed in a military action targeting militants in eastern Afghanistan apparently were members of an insurgent network , a U.S. military official told CNN on Tuesday . `` The operation was against a network of folks , who had been tracked for a while , involved in producing IEDs as well as some criminal activity , '' said the official , who asked not to be named . `` As a result of the action , the best info that we have is that nine of those militants in that network were killed . That 's based on weapons and IED components at the scene , '' and it appears the nine were males , the official said . IED is the acronym for improvised explosive device , which is a roadside bomb . U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan said Monday they were investigating reports that 10 Afghan civilians , including eight students , were killed Saturday in a coalition operation in the Narang district of Kunar province . Said Fazelayallah , governor of Kunar province , told CNN Monday that 10 civilians , in fact , were killed . Coalition forces said they killed their targets , he said , but a delegation sent by the governor to investigate reported the civilian casualties . Civilian casualties in the Afghan war have stoked outrage among the citizenry and Afghan authorities . U.S. and other international forces have been working to stop such fatalities , and they have accused Taliban militants of putting civilians in harm 's way . The United Nations in Afghanistan said on Tuesday that from January to October of this year , 1,404 deaths have been caused by insurgents ; 465 have been caused by pro-government forces , such as NATO 's International Security Assistance Force ; and other causes have led to 165 civilian deaths . In this Kunar province incident , Fazelayallah said the operation was launched without the knowledge of government officials in the province . The U.S. military source said it was `` a joint operation with Afghan and U.S. forces . '' The numbers of civilian casualties have fallen off in recent months , since Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal took over as U.S. commander in Afghanistan . The military 's goal is to protect population centers to enable the government to improve security and governance , McChrystal told CNN 's Christiane Amanpour earlier this month . Civilian casualties , he said , make it less likely that the Afghans will support the coalition . `` It is better to miss a target than to cause civilian casualties , '' he said . `` We can always target enemy leaders later . We ca n't make up for the fact that we killed civilians . '' CNN 's Atia Abawi contributed to this report . | U.S. source : Nine militants involved in building roadside bombs were killed . Provincial governor says panel found 10 civilians were killed in coalition operation . The U.S.-led operation took place in the Narang district of Kunar province on Saturday . | [[39, 78], [468, 537], [737, 954], [773, 954], [955, 972], [1004, 1047], [1128, 1211], [737, 954], [773, 954]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Skeletal remains found in a hayfield are those of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington , a spokeswoman for the Virginia State Police said Wednesday . The remains were identified based on dental records provided by the victim 's family , spokeswoman Corinne Geller said . Morgan Harrington , a 20-year-old education major , went to a Metallica concert at the University of Virginia 's John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville , Virginia , on October 17 . She was separated from her friends and was the subject of repeated searches . `` Investigators are now working to determine how the remains came to be in this particular location , cause and time of death , and identifying who was responsible for the remains being there , '' Geller said in a news release . More information is expected after the completion of an autopsy , the spokeswoman added . Police said skeletal remains were found Tuesday morning by a farmer driving a tractor through a hay field on his 700-acre farm . The area has no public access point , police said . The farm is about 10 miles from where the concert was being held . The farm 's owner , David Dass , told CNN affiliate WTVR that he was out looking for damage after wind and rain knocked down several trees in his yard over the past week . He told WTVR that the area is at least a mile and a half from a main roadway . `` I looked down and saw what looked like a human skull , and my first thought was that it was Morgan Harrington , '' Dass told WTVR , adding that he immediately called 911 . WTVR : State police ` confident ' remains are Harrington . There was significant evidence leading police to believe that the remains are Harrington 's , Virginia State Police Col. W. Steven Flaherty said , though he declined to specify what the evidence was . Police said the area where the remains were found had not been searched during the early stages of the investigation into her disappearance . The girl 's parents , Dan and Gil Harrington , were in town to identify the remains , WTVR reported . Dan Harrington , in tears , told WTVR that `` this is a horrible day '' for his family . Gil Harrington expressed concerns Saturday that there was beginning to be complacency in the search , she wrote in a blog on the Web site set up to help find their daughter . On Sunday , more than three months after Morgan went missing , Gil Harrington still clung to hope . `` Despite the length of time Morgan has been gone I remain hopeful , '' she wrote . `` Part of me is waiting to be surprised . Waiting for God to pull the rabbit out of the hat and bring Morgan home . `` I remember that the light always returns , it can not help but return . Will the light of my life return soon ? I can not imagine that all the water of Morgan 's potential is to run down the drain and be wasted . Can it really play out like that ? '' Now , it appears , the Harringtons finally have their answer . Police say they have now switched their focus to finding out how Morgan Harrington ended up in the remote farm and who put her there . During the concert , Harrington left her friends to use the restroom , police said . When she did not return , they called her cell phone at 8:48 p.m. . She told them she was outside the arena and could not get back in because of its policy , police said , but told them not to worry about her and that she would find a ride home . There are restrooms inside the arena , police said , and police do not know how or why Harrington got outside . Witnesses who saw her outside the arena said she did not appear to be with anyone , police said . About 9:30 p.m. that night , witnesses reported seeing a person matching Harrington 's description walking on a nearby bridge , police said . No further sightings were reported . Harrington 's purse , with her identification and cell phone inside , was found the following day in an overflow parking lot near the arena , police said . A friend had driven Harrington 's car to the concert , she said , and was still in possession of the car keys when they got separated . Harrington was reported missing the day after the concert , when she did not show up at her parents ' home to study for a math exam with her father . Working with police and the Texas-based Laura Recovery Center , the Harringtons organized community searches , saying they would not give up hope that their daughter would be found . A $ 150,000 reward has been offered for information leading to Harrington 's whereabouts , police said . Of that , Metallica contributed $ 50,000 . The couple was joined at a news conference after her disappearance by Ed Smart , whose daughter Elizabeth was abducted in 2002 . She returned home nine months later , after police say they found her in the custody of Brian David Mitchell and his wife , Wanda Barzee . Harrington said he reached out to Smart last week to seek advice on how to go through the disappearance of a child . Harrington was wearing a black Pantera T-shirt , a black miniskirt , black tights and black boots when last seen . | NEW : Dental records confirm remains are Morgan Harrington , police say . Skeletal remains found Monday morning in hay frield on 700-acre farm . Student was separated from friends at Metallica concert on October 17 . Harrington 's purse , cell phone found next day in overflow parking lot near arena . | [[172, 223], [19, 41], [19, 27], [36, 55], [293, 310], [345, 446], [3791, 3858], [3861, 3930]] |
Atlanta , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Love it or hate it , the Hummer came to symbolize American might over the years -- tires the size of Texas , a chrome grill that looked primed to eat up wimpy cars in its path , and its drivers with egos to match their mammoth-mobiles . But the iconic vehicle -- a symbol for macho men like Arnold Schwarzenegger and ridiculed worldwide by environmentalists -- is headed toward the auto graveyard . General Motors last week announced the likely end of the Hummer after a deal with a Chinese automaker fell through . The news thrilled many who have protested the guzzler for years : Good riddance ! But for Hummer owners , the reaction remains mixed . Most mourn the impending death of their beloved behemoths but celebrate the fact that the Hummer wo n't be outsourced to China : Whose harebrained idea was that anyway ?! Ai n't no Hummer meant to be made in China ! Owners are hoping for a last-minute buyer to emerge before the Hummer joins the maligned Pinto in the scrapyard . GM has said it is trying to salvage the Hummer , setting May 1 as a deadline for other possible deals to be made . A single sticky note , left on Russ Builta 's 2005 Hummer , sums up the emotion stirred by the super-sized SUVs . `` You are polluting our air and abusing our national resources , '' the unsigned note said . `` And all because of greed and selfishness . You should be very ashamed of yourself . '' Builta , who served in the Marine Corps , still gets mad : `` It was not even on recycled paper ! '' Builta installed a supercharger that gave his Hummer a whopping 600 horsepower . When he really mashed the pedal , it got 1 mile per gallon . `` It would just move , '' he told CNN iReport . Check out Builta 's mega-ride . After the HMMWV rolled off the AM General assembly line in Indiana on January 2 , 1985 , it represented a new breed of American military might and toughness . In 1992 , production of the civilian Hummer began , instantly creating a fraternity among owners of the SUV-on-growth hormone . They exchange photos of their trucks , chat over the Internet and plan for their next muddin ' sessions . They laugh at tree huggers who give them the finger as they cruise down the road . `` I hate to see it die , '' says iReporter Michael Tawdy of Tennessee , who owns a 2006 H3 . `` You can go anywhere you want . '' Hummer : What might have been . The Hummer even shares its name with a sexual term . How many cars can stake that claim ? And the vehicle became fodder for late-night comedians and Internet jokes . `` You might be driving a Hummer , '' says one joke on a Web site devoted to the vehicle , `` if you ca n't reach far enough to slap the person sitting in the passenger seat . '' The grass-roots social justice group CodePink created an anti-Hummer campaign during the height of the Bush administration , including a Top Ten Reasons Not To Buy A Hummer . At the top of the list : `` The Gas Mileage Alone Will Kill You . '' Billy Paniaha of North Carolina gets speechless when talking about his chrome-and-gray-mobile . `` I love my Hummer , '' he told iReport . In one photo , he 's leaning against his mud-caked Hummer , which looks like it just wallowed in a pigpen . `` Trust me , these tree huggers in their Priuses . ... If a Prius hits me , I wo n't get hurt . They will . '' Paniaha hot-dogs in mud . Raymond Winbush is n't your ordinary Hummer owner . A lover of his giant SUV , he also owns -- are you ready for this ? -- a Toyota Prius . `` People think I 'm kidding when I say I have both cars , but I do , '' said Winbush , an author and the director of the Institute for Urban Research at Morgan State University . `` If you combine my carbon footprint ... I do n't feel real guilty about it . '' A resident of Baltimore , Maryland , he uses the Hummer to get through the East Coast 's brutal winters . During last month 's storm , which left the region under a couple of feet of snow , he helped get doctors and nurses to and from a hospital , thanks to his Hummer . When winter ends , his machismo-meter goes down . He grabs his man purse and hops into his Prius . `` My son calls it the nerd-mobile , '' he said . `` I 've had more people razz me about the Prius than I have the Hummer . '' `` It 's my yin and yang . I think they balance each other out . '' Winbush : Why I own a Hummer and Prius . Candi Angotti of Texas is just the opposite . She would n't be caught dead in a Prius . The president of the Texas chapter of Club Hummer Offroad , she 's been driving her solar-flare metallic orange Hummer for three years . `` I use it what it was built for -- off-roading and adventures -- and it has never let me down , '' she said . `` I have met a great group of guys and girls , and we 're like a big family . '' See Texas woman catch air in Hummer . The owners now have one more thing in common : They 're sporting a likely collector 's item . But Builta 's the exception . He got rid of his Hummer . And he still misses it . CNN 's Christina Zdanowicz contributed to this report . | Hummer came to define machismo in America . `` You should be very ashamed of yourself , '' sticky note left on Hummer said . Hummer owners rally behind their beloved behemoths . | [[58, 95], [1133, 1190], [1193, 1246], [1387, 1427]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards , who admitted last week that he fathered a child with a videographer who worked on his campaign , has legally separated from his wife , Elizabeth , a source close to her said Wednesday . The source would not say when the separation occurred , only that it happened a while ago . The source said he or she spoke to Elizabeth Edwards in recent days , and would not speak on the record because of the sensitivity of the situation . John Edwards issued a statement Wednesday , calling it `` an extraordinarily sad moment , but I love my children more than anything and still care deeply about Elizabeth . '' Elizabeth Edwards ' publisher , Random House , released a statement saying , `` Elizabeth is moving on with her life and wants to put this difficult chapter behind her . It was an excruciatingly painful period for her and she -LSB- has -RSB- no interest in rehashing the past . '' News of the separation comes a week before a tell-all book by Andrew Young , a one-time close confidante of John Edwards , is set to hit bookstores . `` Based on the limited portions of the book that have been made available , it is clear it contains many falsehoods and exaggerations , '' the statement from Random House said . '' -LSB- Elizabeth Edwards -RSB- will not engage in a dialogue on each of the false charges , but would like to set the record straight on two key points . `` First , the allegation that she sought to politicize her cancer is unconscionable , hurtful and patently false . Second , she believed Andrew Young to be the father of this child until her husband confessed his paternity to her this past summer . She will have nothing further to say . '' Edwards , 56 , had denied he was the father of his mistress Rielle Hunter 's infant for more than a year , saying his self-admitted affair with her was over before she became pregnant . People magazine , a CNN sister organization , first reported the story . Elizabeth Edwards ' sister , Nancy Anania , told People magazine in an article dated Wednesday that Elizabeth Edwards told her , `` I 've had it . I ca n't do this . I want my life back . '' The sister told the magazine , `` She 's got cancer and has young children and totally believes in marriage ... but she can only do so much . '' Read the People story . John Edwards , a former U.S. senator from North Carolina , sought his party 's presidential nomination in 2004 and 2008 . On November 3 , 2004 , the day her husband and Sen. John Kerry , D-Massachusetts , conceded the presidential race , Elizabeth Edwards revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer . She discovered a lump in her right breast the last week of the campaign , but said she withheld the diagnosis from her husband to spare him the distraction during the campaign . She announced in 2007 that the cancer had recurred . Last year , she told CNN 's Larry King that the medicine she was taking seemed to be working . However , she said the situation was `` up and down . '' Elizabeth Edwards , 60 , and her husband have been married for 32 years . They had four children together . The oldest , Wade , died in a car accident in 1996 . Spokesmen for both of the Edwardses did not return CNN calls seeking comment . CNN 's Deb Krajnak contributed to this report . | Ex-Sen . John Edwards admitted last week to fathering child with videographer . Source close to Elizabeth Edwards says ex-senator and wife have separated . Sister tells magazine that Elizabeth Edwards said , `` I 've had it . I ca n't do this '' | [[31, 80], [87, 150], [230, 268], [2071, 2129], [2135, 2149], [2150, 2168], [2194, 2222]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rep. Charlie Rangel temporarily stepped down as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday , a decision forced by a growing storm of ethics controversies threatening the longtime congressman . The 20-term New York Democrat told reporters he had submitted a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi requesting a temporary leave of absence until a broad-reaching House ethics committee investigation concludes . `` In order to avoid my colleagues ' having to defend me during their elections , I have this morning sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi asking her to grant me a leave of absence until such time as the ethics committee completes its work , '' Rangel said Wednesday . In a statement , Pelosi said she had accepted Rangel 's request and praised the congressman for `` his decades of leadership on jobs , health care and the most significant economic issues of the day . '' Read Rangel 's letter to Pelosi . The night before Rangel said he had no plans to step aside from his powerful post . The Ways and Means Committee is responsible for drafting the nation 's tax policies . Rangel is being investigated for , among other things , failing to pay taxes on a home in the Dominican Republic . The congressman also has admitted failing to report several hundred thousand dollars in assets on federal disclosure forms . In addition , he is under scrutiny for the purported misuse of a rent-controlled apartment for political purposes , as well as for allegedly preserving tax benefits for an oil-drilling company in exchange for donations to a project he supported at the City College of New York . Rangel was formally admonished Friday by the House ethics committee for violating rules on receiving gifts . Specifically , the committee found that Rangel violated House gift rules by accepting reimbursement payments for travel to conferences in the Caribbean in 2007 and 2008 . Rangel 's staff , according to the committee , knew that corporations had given money to the Carib News , which sponsored the events . That fact had not been divulged to the ethics committee when Rangel asked for and received approval to attend the trips , according to the committee 's report . The committee found that while Rangel did not know about the contributions , he was nevertheless responsible . A source told CNN on Tuesday that if Rangel stepped aside , senior Ways and Means Democrat Pete Stark would take over as the committee 's chairman `` on a temporary basis . '' House Republicans plan to introduce a resolution Wednesday calling on Rangel to permanently step down and again force House Democrats to go on record defending him . They issued a statement after Rangel 's announcement , calling his decision to temporarily step aside an `` embarrassing episode '' for the Democratic majority . `` Nancy Pelosi 's promise to run the ` most ethical Congress in history ' has been reduced to a punch line , and as a result she is presiding over a caucus in chaos , '' said GOP spokesman Ken Spain . `` The Democrats -- under Speaker Pelosi 's leadership -- are incapable of leading the United States Congress . '' House Democrats have blocked previous GOP resolutions on the House floor , but several Democrats in competitive districts have come out publicly in recent days , saying they thought it was time for Rangel to step down . Rangel is a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus , which has 42 members in the House . CNN 's Brianna Keilar and Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report . | NEW : Republicans plan to call for Rep. Charlie Rangel to step aside permanently . Rangel investigated for failing to pay taxes on Dominican Republic home . House ethics committee admonished him for violating rules on receiving gifts . House Ways and Means Committee responsible for drafting nation 's tax policies . | [[2507, 2603], [2543, 2618], [1125, 1131], [1181, 1239], [1644, 1752], [1644, 1650], [1712, 1752], [1753, 1765], [1768, 1923], [1039, 1124], [1039, 1067], [1083, 1124]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Jessica Simpson 's name dominated headlines for months in 2009 as critics picked apart everything from her weight to her romantic relationships . The onslaught of attention was so extreme , Simpson said on Wednesday 's `` The Oprah Winfrey Show , '' she could n't escape it . `` The judgment of people . ... Those voices are sometimes in my head when I fall asleep , '' the singer said . Even when she 's walking through an airport , she is n't free from people 's opinions , she said . `` I was going through security getting a pat down , and the woman goes , ` Oh , you 're really not that big , ' '' Simpson recalled . `` I walk away from a moment like that thinking that people really think that I 'm 245 pounds . '' But the numbers on her scale have n't been her only public embarrassment . Simpson 's romantic life also became fodder for the media after former boyfriend John Mayer told Playboy magazine that having sex with her was like being exposed to `` sexual napalm . '' `` I could n't read the John Mayer article , '' Simpson said . `` I heard about it and I saw some of the clips . I tried to read it , and I was so disappointed in him ... it made me so sad . It was so discouraging , because that 's not the John I knew . '' While Simpson does n't want people to know the intimate details of her personal life , she admits it could 've been a lot worse . `` My phone is ringing off the hook , I must say , '' she laughed . All jokes aside , Simpson said she did feel betrayed by her ex-boyfriend , whom she dated on and off for two years , and has yet to accept his apology . `` I do n't resent him , '' she said , `` but I 'm just going to let that part of my life go . '' Yet of all the events in the past few years that have affected Simpson , the now infamous pair of `` mom jeans '' she wore while performing at a chili cook-off in January 2009 have taken the greatest toll . `` The sad part about it is that when everything came out , I did n't want to sit down and talk to anyone about it because I felt guilty , '' she said . `` I felt like if people look at me and they 're a size bigger , they think they 're fat because of what the media was saying . I did n't want to feed into it . '' Now , Simpson said she 's found self-acceptance . `` I 'm comfortable with me . I love my curves . I 'm not ever going to be a size 0 and weigh 90 pounds , '' she said . Simpson dropped weight for her 2005 film , `` The Dukes of Hazzard , '' but insisted it was just for a role . The constant chatter about her dress size was part of the inspiration for Simpson 's VH1 show , `` The Price of Beauty , '' in which she visits seven countries to learn the lengths that women go to for beauty . Cameras follow Simpson -- accompanied by friends Ken Paves , a celebrity hairstylist , and CaCee Cobb -- as she tries a flesh-eating fish pedicure in Japan and a detoxifying drink made from cow urine in India . Simpson says filming the show has given her a new outlook on what it means to feel beautiful . `` No one else can define beauty but me , '' she said . `` Nobody 's words , nobody 's compliments , nobody 's love -- it 's all what I have within myself . I finally relaxed , and I do n't care what people have to say about my weight . I think I look great . '' | Jessica Simpson has been silent about the gossip surrounding her weight and relationships . On Wednesday , she told Oprah Winfrey how difficult the criticism has been . The negative attention to her weight inspired her to do a show about global beauty . Now , Simpson has found self-acceptance , she told Winfrey . | [[2512, 2600], [2232, 2235], [2238, 2281]] |
Vancouver , British Columbia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Holding the Olympic medal she and her mom always wanted , Joannie Rochette finally smiled and talked about when she was a young skater and desperately wanted to make her mother proud . Her mom , Therese , was her biggest supporter and sometimes her biggest critic , she said . She was n't the best `` coach , '' and she was kind of picky , but she had such a good eye , Rochette said . She was always encouraging , too , even when she was finding fault . `` And even though she 's not here anymore , I 'm not afraid to say it , sometimes she was a pain in the ass , '' Rochette said laughing , probably for the first time in days . Rochette made her mom very proud Thursday night , winning a bronze medal in the women 's figure skating final , just four days after Therese Rochette died of a heart attack . Without her mother to support her , Joannie Rochette skated into Canada 's collective heart by relying on all those years of training , all those years of committing jumps and spins to muscle memory . And when she needed it most , she relied on the memory of how her mom would always convince her that she was going to be on the Olympic medals podium . `` It feels good for me to talk about her , '' she said , joyfully recounting the many times her mom took her to practice and stay when the other moms left . She laughed when she told how her mom would assess a school test score of 98 with a `` What about those other two points ? '' `` She was my biggest fan , my best friend . She was with me every step of the way , '' she said . When things were n't going so well in the first week Rochette was here for Olympics training , she called her mom , seeking her advice on what to do about her triple Lutz . Her mom assured her it would be all right , that she just needed to visualize doing it well in her head , that this was something she had done for years . But doing what she did this week was something no person can ever be prepared for . To compete in the spotlight of the Olympics ' marquee event , in front of an expectant and hopeful home crowd , with the heartache of her mother 's death so present would take strength most of us can not imagine . But the people closest to her knew she had that strength . Her coach , Manon Perron , said there was never any doubt that Rochette would skate and never a doubt that she would n't be standing on the medals podium . `` Never ... because she was so ready and the goal was so strong , '' Perron said , just like a proud mom . `` I 've been with her since she was 12 so we just have to look into each other 's eyes and we know right away . It was really hard on her because her mom was the biggest thing in her life , but she 's not a quitter . '' Rochette said she struggled more than she showed during Tuesday night 's short program that captivated the skating world . When she stepped on the ice , her legs were shaking , she said . With mom in ` heart and soul , ' Rochette goes for medal . `` I do n't know how I ever got through this whole program . I 'm sure my mom was there with me , '' she said . Rochette was third after the short program -- 7.14 points behind Kim Yu-Na of South Korea and 2.42 points behind Mao Asada of Japan -- who skated just before her . The free skate scores are weighted more and account for roughly two-thirds of a skater 's total . Kim made it impossible for Rochette to dream of gold with an amazing free skate that was the best ever under the 6-year-old scoring system -- 150.06 . The score was so high it would have beaten seven skaters ' combined marks on its own . Her total of 228.56 is also a record . Asada then put up a 131.72 , virtually clinching silver . Rochette came on the ice , looking determined , to the hockey-like cheers of the 14,000 at Pacific Coliseum . She needed a perfect skate for silver but on a triple flip , she stumbled and her chance for second place slipped away . Later in the program she had a bit of a shaky landing after another jump , but she stayed on her feet . After she finished she blew a kiss into the air , and came to the waiting area where she , in French , covered her heart with her right hand and spoke to her mother . Joannie Rochette opted to stay in the games , and two days later stirred a crowd with a courageous performance . `` Her mother is inside her heart and soul , so she 'll be there for her , '' her agent Dave Baden told CNN on Wednesday , `` and -LSB- Joannie -RSB- will draw from that strength . '' Therese Rochette herself wrote of the bond she had with her daughter in an e-mail interview with The Christian Science Monitor in January . She said that she was the first person her daughter called whenever a problem occurred , though Joannie did n't need a great amount of support , the Monitor reported this week . `` The hurdles she faces motivate her to rise above them , '' Therese Rochette wrote to the Monitor . `` Joannie has always been naturally determined and persevering . '' Joannie Rochette rose through the ranks of Canadian skaters , winning junior national titles before winning six straight senior national championships from 2005 to 2010 . In 2006 , she placed fifth at the Winter Olympics in Turin , Italy , and last year she finished second at the World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles , California . Liz Manley was the last skater to medal for Canada , earning silver at the 1988 Calgary Games . | Joannie Rochette earns bronze medal in women 's figure skating . She skated four days after mother had heart attack and died . `` It feels good for me to talk about her , '' Rochette says of her mother . Kim Yu-Na of South Korea won the gold medal with best free skate score ever . | [[680, 688], [730, 789], [813, 854], [1211, 1249]] |
Port-au-Prince , Haiti -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Another aftershock rocked Haiti on Friday . Buildings shook . People looked around to see what else might fall . Then they returned to what they had been doing . At a park in the capital that has become a tent city , a group of kids resumed their soccer game . Aftershocks have become a way of life in this devastated country along with so many other life-threatening challenges . The aftershocks -- smaller earthquakes that follow a more powerful one -- `` will continue for months , if not years , '' the U.S. Geological Survey said . `` The frequency of events will diminish with time , but damaging earthquakes will remain a threat . '' The quake Friday morning had a magnitude of 4.4 , the Geological Survey said . That makes it much less powerful than the 7.0-magnitude quake that struck 10 days ago , leaving widespread death and destruction in its wake . An earthquake on Wednesday was the strongest aftershock so far , with a magnitude of 5.9 . An earthquake that size is strong enough to cause `` considerable '' damage , the Geological Survey said , though the extent of damage that any earthquake causes depends on many factors , including its depth , proximity to dense population centers , and the strength of structures where it hits . An American adoption service provider in Haiti wrote in a blog that the aftershock Wednesday sent `` a wall tumbling down on our heads . '' Save the Children said its staff `` heard already-weakened structures collapsing '' as a result . Yet the 7.0-magnitude quake was more than 40 times stronger than the 5.9-magnitude aftershock , researchers said . While each new earthquake can slow relief efforts , those efforts were advancing Friday , including at the port , where critical supplies are being shipped in . Full coverage | Twitter updates . The city 's south pier was operating , though slowly . Authorities pushed Friday to clear the bottlenecks at the port . The north pier remained unusable , and the south pier is the smaller of the two . Bottlenecks at all points of entry -- the airport , roads , and ports -- have delayed food and medical aid to the estimated 3 million Haitians affected by the quake . About 120 to 140 flights a day were coming into the single-runway Port-au-Prince airport , compared with 25 a day just after the quake struck last week . The USNS Comfort , a U.S. naval hospital off the coast , received about 240 patients over 36 hours , said Capt. James Ware , the commanding officer . `` Most of those individuals are critical care types of injuries , '' he told CNN 's `` American Morning . '' At least 72,000 people have been confirmed dead in the quake , according to Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive . iReport : List of missing , found | Are you there ? As aid moves more quickly , those Haitians who made it through the quake with their health will have increased access to necessities such as food and water . More than 300 aid distribution sites are up and running , a senior U.S. administration official said . Rescuers continue efforts to find survivors who have defied the odds . A group of rescuers told CNN on Friday that each rescue gives them hope to keep working . `` We 're still searching , we 're still out there . ... And we 'll continue doing that until the Haitian government and the local governments here decide that we 're going to be going into a transition , '' said Capt. Louis Fernandez of Miami-Dade Urban Search and Rescue . His colleague Danny Whu said , `` The window is rapidly closing . These people , the ones who are entrapped without the ability of receiving food or water , they have to withstand heat indexes at or near triple digits . ... The body may survive a lot of days without food , but definitely they need water . '' Impact Your World . International aid contributions since the quake have totaled hundreds of millions of dollars . U.S. spending for relief in Haiti has hit $ 170 million , the federal government announced Thursday . | Aftershocks in Haiti `` will continue for months , if not years , '' scientists say . 4.4-magnitude quake shakes Haiti on Friday , 10 days after monster 7.0 quake . Aftershocks becoming routine to Haitians , but can be dangerous , experts warn . Relief efforts in Haiti advancing as pier , airport gradually improve . | [[42, 73], [442, 461], [467, 524], [530, 539], [542, 578], [683, 730], [800, 823], [829, 847], [303, 422], [582, 605], [632, 679], [1646, 1680], [1698, 1757]] |
London , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The attackers who planted a car bomb outside a courthouse in Northern Ireland Monday night gave only 17 minutes warning before the explosion , the Police Service of Northern Ireland told CNN Tuesday . `` It is a miracle that no one was killed or seriously injured , '' PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott said . `` It is only thanks to a member of the public contacting us that we are not dealing with fatalities this morning . '' The car was packed with about 250 pounds -LRB- 113 kilograms -RRB- of explosives , police estimate . A local hospital in the town of Newry got a warning call at 10:20 p.m. local time -LRB- 7:20 p.m. ET -RRB- and a business was phoned two minutes later . The bomb went off at 10:37 p.m. , a police representative said . That `` is not enough time to evacuate a public area , '' a police representative said . British police spokesmen traditionally do not identify themselves by name . A member of the public reported a car being abandoned at about 10 p.m. , she said . That appears to have given police extra time to respond . Baggott blamed the attack on `` dissident republicans , '' pro-Irish militants who reject the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that sharply reduced violence in the province . They `` simply want to drag Northern Ireland back to the dark days of the past , '' Baggott said , condemning `` cowardly attacks '' by `` terrorists '' who `` want to destroy all that is good about Northern Ireland and have no place in a modern civilized society . '' `` This is not an attack on a court building , this is an attack on people whose lives depend on the well-being of Newry , '' he added . `` This is an attack that broke and damaged places of worship ... damaged the ability of Newry to be at the heart of our economic success . '' Newry is about 35 miles -LRB- 56 kilometers -RRB- south of the provincial capital , Belfast . Prime Minister Gordon Brown 's office `` strongly condemned '' the bombing , saying Tuesday it was the work of a `` tiny minority . '' The `` attack '' is `` entirely unrepresentative of the views of the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland , '' said a statement from Brown 's Downing Street office . The court building was badly damaged and businesses in the area were evacuated , police said . Northern Ireland was wracked for decades by violence between pro-British unionists and pro-Irish republicans . About 3,000 people died in the `` Troubles , '' as the violence was known , before the tenuous peace agreement was hammered out in 1998 . There has been sporadic violence since then . A booby-trapped car exploded on January 8 , severely injuring Constable Peadar Heffron . A car bomb partly exploded outside the headquarters of the Policing Board of Northern Ireland on November 21 , and another under-car booby trap exploded on October 22 in east Belfast , injuring a woman , the PSNI said . Two soldiers and a policeman were shot dead in separate attacks in March 2009 . The two biggest parties in the province , the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party and the pro-Irish Sinn Fein , reached a deal earlier this month to bring police powers under local control , averting a crisis that had threatened to force new elections . | Attackers who planted bomb in N. Ireland gave only 17 minutes warning before explosion . British PM Gordon Brown condemned car bombing outside court in Newry . No one was killed or injured in the blast . About 3,000 people died in decades of violence before 1998 peace agreement . | [[0, 6], [9, 32], [127, 176], [36, 49], [54, 126], [1903, 1977], [240, 299], [1181, 1211], [1217, 1259], [2306, 2416], [2417, 2459], [2500, 2554]] |
Tehran , Iran -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Demonstrators shouting `` Death to the dictator '' clashed with police in Iran on Monday as students took to the streets to mark a key national anniversary , witnesses said . At least two clashes occurred at Revolution Square , where police attacked demonstrators with batons and chased them onto side streets , witnesses said . A large number of security forces ringed Tehran University , where the gates were shut and large crowds inside also chanted `` Death to the dictator , '' the witnesses reported . Pro-government crowds also inside the university chanted slogans and waved the flag of the Islamic Republic , witnesses said . The witnesses asked not to be identified out of concerns for security . CNN could not independently verify the reports . The Iranian government did not allow members of the international media witness any possible protests this week . The state-operated Press TV acknowledged the protests . `` A number of anti-government protesters attempted to hijack the occasion to hold rallies in Tehran . Their efforts were foiled by the presence of security forces which are deployed in several parts of the capital , '' an anchor said while the station showed images of pro-government demonstrations . The demonstrations are being held on Student Day , an annual observance when Tehran extolls the virtues of the Islamic Revolution . The holiday commemorates three university students killed in 1953 by security forces of the Western-backed Mohammad Reza Pahlavi , the shah of Iran . He was toppled from power during the revolution two decades later . The students this year are demonstrating against the disputed June 12 presidential election . President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the overwhelming winner in what protesters say was a rigged election . The election result was met with nationwide protests and the imprisonment of hundreds of demonstrators . Allegations of torture , rape and other abuses have since emerged . Ongoing prosecutions of protesters have resulted in death sentences for some . Since the election , other key anniversaries have met with protests against the current leadership . Protesters and police clashed November 4 , the anniversary of the 1979 siege of the U.S. Embassy in Iran . In September , demonstrators took to the streets in protest on Quds Day , an annual event that is meant to show Iran 's solidarity with Palestinians . On Monday , police manned major intersections . Shopkeepers , fearing violence , shuttered storefronts . As the protests got under way , Iranian security and paramilitary forces tear-gassed , beat and arrested students on university campuses , said a group called the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran . According to the human rights organization , protests have taken place at the following universities in Tehran : Amir Kabir , Tehran , Sharif , Elm va Sanaat , Honar , Tehran Markaz , Sureh , and Tehran Shomal . Protests also have taken place at universities in Isfahan , Kermanshah , Shiraz , Mashhad and Tabriz , and at Agricultural University of Karaj , the rights group said . Security forces fired plastic bullets at students and protesters outside the Amir Kabir campus , said the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran . The organization 's reports could not be independently verified . In central Tehran , plumes of smoke rose from a large garbage bin that had been set on fire , witnesses told CNN . | Authorities prepare for gatherings that could turn into demonstrations against elections . Students Day marks anniversary of 1953 killing of three students by shah 's security forces . Day is also a `` symbol of Iran 's struggle against tyranny , '' says ILNA news agency . | [[81, 188], [1393, 1521]] |
-LRB- OPRAH.com -RRB- -- Some know Emmitt Smith as the National Football League 's all-time leading rusher . Others recognize him as a three-time Super Bowl champion or a Dancing with the Stars winner . But do you really know who Emmitt is ? Until he traced his genealogy for the NBC reality series `` Who Do You Think You Are ? '' , Emmitt says he did n't even know the answer to that question . To find out more about himself and the family members who paved the way for his success , this hall-of-fame inductee followed his roots to Burnt Corn , Alabama , the town where his great-grandmother was born . `` I feel like a detective on a hunt trying to find clues , '' he says . In Burnt Corn , Emmitt wandered into a convenience store and asked a clerk if he knew two of his relatives , Bill and Victoria Watson . Coincidentally , Joe , the clerk , turned out to be Emmitt 's second cousin . Oprah.com : How to dig up your own family history . Emmitt soon learned that his great-great-grandmother , Victoria , had an unusual maiden name -- Puryear . Genealogist Marjorie Sholes told Emmitt that `` Puryear '' was probably the name of a slave owner . `` African-Americans , at the end of the Civil War , sometimes picked the names of their last slave owner , '' she says . The next step ? Emmitt went in search of Victoria 's parents ' names . In an old ledger , Marjorie found a man named Prince Puryear who was described with the letter `` m , '' which meant mulatto . `` Specifically , black/white race , '' she says . Oprah.com : Chris Rock uncovers his genetic roots . They also discovered that Prince 's mom was a woman named Mariah . `` Now , I know that Prince was mixed race and born into slavery , '' Emmitt says . `` If Mariah was his mother , could she be the link between the black and the white side of my family ? '' To explore this theory , Emmitt traveled to Mecklenburg , Virginia , to learn more about a notorious slave trader who owned Mariah at some point in history . The man 's name was Alexander Puryear . Virginia historian John Caknipe said Samuel Puryear , Alexander 's father , might be the link to Mariah . To find out for sure , John selected a book of old deeds from a shelf . The number on the book was 22 -- the same number Emmitt wore on the football field for 15 years . `` I 've been wearing jersey number 22 since college , '' he says . `` Maybe it is my destiny , and I 've always believed I was a child of destiny , but , whew , this is ... it 's making me a little bit nervous . '' Emmitt says the family history he unearthed in book 22 shook him to the core . John helped him find a property deed stating that Mariah was transferred from Samuel to his son , Alexander . `` Samuel probably had her bred , '' John says . `` Then , when she got old enough , he gave her to his son . ... They raised and bred horses , and raised and bred slaves . '' `` In other words , the horses were more important than any slaves that they ever had , '' Emmitt says . `` They treated my people like animals ... but worse than animals . '' The deed stated that Mariah was passed down along with a horse bridle and a saddle . `` She was such a young woman , '' Emmitt says . `` I have a 13-year-old daughter right now , and I have a 10-year-old daughter right now . I could n't imagine them being passed down through slavery that way . '' Professor Steven Deyle , a domestic slave trade historian , says it 's safe to assume that Samuel was , in fact , Mariah 's father . `` Alexander was engaged in this horrible , horrible traffic and why he did n't sell Mariah is because he recognized Mariah as his sister , '' Steven says . After discovering the horrors his family endured , Emmitt says he 's even more thankful for the power of progress . `` I thank God for people who stood up for equality for all of us , '' he says . Emmitt says he felt the true power of his newfound knowledge while sitting on the porch of an old slave quarters in Clayborn , Alabama . `` That house down in Clayborn is where I started to put things together , '' he says . `` And right then and there , I sensed that my ancestors were crying out to me because they were lost for so many years , and here , their great-great-grandson is going on the journey to find who they were . '' While Emmitt sat on the porch , it started to rain . `` It was coming to me all at one time , and it was incredible , '' he says . `` Oftentimes , people want closure , and I felt like my folks did not have closure . At that time , when I found that information , I felt like they were crying out , ` We got closure now . ' '' After learning what he could from dusty record books , Emmitt took the next step in his genealogical journey and had a DNA test . The results showed him that he 's 81 percent African , 12 percent European and 7 percent Asian , which is most likely Native American ancestry . Emmitt 's journey has come to an end , but he encourages anyone who 's curious about their roots to follow in his footsteps . `` You must go do this yourself , '' he says . `` It 's extremely important . It 's critical . It will help shape your vision in terms of how you go forward . It will also help you appreciate your past . '' Oprah.com : Lisa Kudrow solves a family mystery . From the Oprah Winfrey Show © 2010 . Subscribe to O , The Oprah Magazine for up to 75 % off the newsstand price . That 's like getting 18 issues FREE . Subscribe now ! TM & © 2010 Harpo Productions , Inc. . All Rights Reserved . | NFL all-star Emmett Smith felt like a detective as he hunted for his family history . He learned his great-great-grandmother , Victoria , had unusual maiden name : Puryear . Traced her grandmother to a notorious slave trading family of same name . Smith on his ancestor : `` They treated my people like animals ... but worse than animals '' | [[610, 643], [946, 1038], [1922, 1946], [1951, 1990], [2996, 3033]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele might be reminding conservative activists of a past Republican leadership turned arrogant with power . Under Michael Steele 's leadership , the RNC has been accused of spending campaign funds on private jets , booze , limousines , five-star hotels , overseas resorts and a party donor 's trip to a Hollywood bondage club . Most conservatives will agree that these expenditures are a horrible waste of funds at a time when Republicans are hoping to enjoy sizable gains in the 2010 midterm elections . After the devastating results of the 2006 and 2008 elections , conservatives were unexpectedly able to energize their followers as the Tea Party movement emerged and President Obama experienced first-year difficulties . Local Republican victories in gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey boosted the spirits of conservatives who feared Democrats might be on the verge of another New Deal . But along comes the RNC scandals , which have had the exact opposite effect . Tony Perkins , the president of the Family Research Council , told his followers that they should not write checks to the national party . Perkins said : `` This latest incident is another indication to me the RNC is completely tone-deaf to the values and concerns of a large number of people they are seeking financial support from . '' The RNC scandals smack of the type of arrogance that was at the heart of the scandals that brought down key Republicans in 2005 and 2006 . During these critical years , it became clear that party leaders had been abusing their influence by focusing on expanding their own power rather than advancing the agenda of the right . House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was forced to resign in early 2006 after being accused of violating campaign finance laws in Texas . He was also tied to the lobbying scandals that centered on Jack Abramoff . California Rep. Duke Cunningham ended his career for accepting bribes from defense contractors who benefited from his decisions on appropriations . There was also the case of Florida Rep. Mark Foley , to whom Republican leaders turned a blind eye despite his highly inappropriate text messages to underage male pages . Even Ralph Reed , the darling of the Christian Coalition , had been in cahoots with Abramoff in schemes to mobilize activists to protest gaming with the intention of drumming up business for his long-time friend . It seemed that the attitude of Republicans in Washington had become `` anything goes . '' The results were devastating . Many Republicans were forced to resign , and Democrats regained control of Congress in 2006 . Polls showed that corruption was a major issue on Election Day . The chickens had come home to roost . Not only did the scandals offer campaign fodder for Democrats who wanted to challenge the Republicans ' self-promotion as the righteous party , but even more importantly , they deflated the enthusiasm of conservative activists who believed their energy and money had been wasted and that their party was just as corrupt as the opposition . Rather than the party of Ronald Reagan , the GOP looked more like the party of Tammany Hall . The Steele scandals point to that same kind of arrogance . This time around , Republicans are in an even weaker position , given that they are in the minority and out of the White House , struggling to rebuild their battered party . In addition , Democrats have just achieved a major victory with health care , and it seems that the jobs market is finally starting to improve . Republicans will need to clean their house quickly and find leaders who do not look more interested in the lavish ways of Washington than in the more modest ways of Main Street . On Monday , the Republican National Committee chief of staff resigned , with many assuming he was fired by Steele in an effort to clean house . The resignation is a start . But much more needs to be done . If the Republican leadership does not respond more aggressively , recent efforts to revive the party wo n't amount to very much . Conservative voters will not be enthusiastic about supporting a party whose leaders partake in lavish and questionable activities , and Democrats will have more evidence that their opponents can not be trusted with power . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Julian Zelizer . | Julian Zelizer : Michael Steele and RNC spending spree is alienating conservative wing . Zelizer : Spending on booze , bondage club comes when GOP hoping to win 2010 midterms . He thinks scandals reveal same arrogance that brought down GOP in 2005 and 2006 . They must change or it appears they ca n't be trusted with power , Zelizer says . | [[2949, 3003], [176, 210], [213, 395], [495, 572], [1392, 1439], [1430, 1439], [1445, 1477], [1465, 1477], [1483, 1530], [3211, 3269]] |
Kabul , Afghanistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Conflicting accounts of a botched NATO raid that killed five Afghans in February have led to a new investigation ordered by the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan , a NATO military spokesman said Monday . Lt. Col. Todd Breasseale , a NATO spokesman , said Gen. Stanley McChrystal , who oversees all U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan , called for the review after receiving a briefing from Afghan officials in late March . On Sunday , NATO acknowledged that its troops killed five Afghans in the nighttime raid in February , after initially saying the civilians may have been the victims of an `` honor killing . '' Although civilian casualties at the hands of NATO troops have fallen off in recent months , such incidents have strained the relationship between Afghanistan and the Western nations that make up the International Security Assistance Force . According to two U.S. military officials , in the March briefing , Afghan officials from the Interior Ministry told McChrystal that after the incident , they visited the compound where the Afghans were killed and found evidence of bloodstained walls being washed down and bullets being dug out . McChrystal wants a thorough review now to see why U.S. and Afghan accounts differ so greatly , according to one of the sources , a senior U.S. official familiar with the briefing . The senior U.S. official said that by the time the Afghan investigators got to the compound , the people who lived there may have been attempting to clean it up . NATO officials believe the U.S. and Afghan troops may have dug some bullets out of the wall for purposes of the initial investigation , which is a common practice , the official said . In March , the International Security Assistance Force released a statement denying a report by a British newspaper that NATO had covered up the involvement of troops in the incident . U.S. officials continue to deny that there was any coverup of U.S. involvement . `` We have no evidence to date anything improper was done , '' the senior U.S. official said . At the time of the February 12 incident , NATO said its troops went to a compound in the village of Khatabeh in Paktia province , believing it to be a militant hideout . A firefight ensued , and several insurgents died , NATO said at the time . When soldiers entered the compound , they found the bodies of two men and two women who had been shot `` execution-style , '' a senior U.S. military official said then . `` It has the earmarks of a traditional honor killing , '' the official said , adding that the women were found bound and gagged . An honor killing is a slaying carried out by a family or community member against someone thought to have brought dishonor to them . The senior U.S. military official said that at the time , it was n't clear whether dishonor in the case stemmed from accusations of acts such as adultery or even cooperation with NATO forces . But on Sunday , NATO made an about-face from its earlier claims . `` International forces were responsible for the deaths of three women who were in the same compound where two men were killed by the joint Afghan-international patrol searching for a Taliban insurgent , '' NATO said in a statement . There was no explanation given for the cause of the third woman 's death or why it was n't mentioned previously . The two armed men whom troops killed were not insurgents , NATO said Sunday . `` The force went to the compound based on reliable information in search of a Taliban insurgent and believed that the two men posed a threat to their personal safety , '' the NATO statement said . `` We now understand that the men killed were only trying to protect their families . '' NATO said a lack of forensic evidence made it difficult to determine how or when the three women died . But it concluded that they were killed when troops fired at the men . As for the initial report about the women being found bound and gagged , the NATO statement said it stemmed from a cultural misunderstanding . `` The statement noted the women had been bound and gagged , but this information was taken from an initial report by the international members of the joint force who were not familiar with Islamic burial customs , '' the statement said , without elaborating . NATO troops who went to the scene after the raid may have misinterpreted burial rites . Muslims wrap their dead in clean white cloth before they are placed in the ground . NATO said it will apologize to the victims ' family members and offer compensation in accordance with local customs . The NATO admission follows the fatal shooting of five Afghan soldiers by troops in a friendly fire incident in northern Afghanistan on Friday . Afghan President Hamid Karzai has strongly criticized civilian deaths by international troops , and the deaths have bred resentment among many Afghans . The numbers have fallen off in recent months since McChrystal took over as U.S. commander in Afghanistan . `` It is better to miss a target than to cause civilian casualties , '' McChrystal said in December . `` We can always target enemy leaders later . We ca n't make up for the fact that we killed civilians . '' CNN 's Barbara Starr contributed to this report . | NATO : Acknowledges killing 5 civilians in nighttime February raid . At time , NATO said deaths had earmarks of honor killing . Three women , two men were found killed in compound in village of Khatabeh . Civilian casualties have strained Afghan relations with Western nations . | [[63, 82], [88, 119], [462, 471], [474, 641], [5189, 5210], [462, 471], [474, 641], [474, 478], [570, 651], [2303, 2326], [2500, 2550], [2327, 2361], [2364, 2410], [3079, 3090], [3095, 3120], [3103, 3187], [747, 836], [4745, 4838]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Ten million Americans a year are victims of identity theft . It 's a growing problem in the United States , but fighting it does n't appear to be a priority , a new report says . A report by the Justice Department Inspector General released Tuesday cites the wide-ranging costs and dangers of ID theft . Although the report has no new numbers , the financial losses are believed to be substantially higher than the $ 15.6 billion documented in 2005 . Inspector General Glenn Fine found the effort to combat the problem , however , has lagged since the President 's Task Force on ID Theft was established in 2007 . `` We found that to some degree identity theft initiatives have faded as priorities , '' said Fine . He said the Justice Department has not developed a coordinated plan to combat ID theft and that some recommendations of the President 's Task Force have not been addressed . No one has been appointed to oversee the efforts , the report says . The report says `` the specific crime of identity theft is not a top FBI priority . '' However , the report adds that the FBI often addresses the issue through the Cyber Division 's criminal intrusion program , which is a priority of the agency . Similarly , ID theft investigations are often part of larger federal criminal investigations into health care fraud , mortgage fraud and credit card fraud . `` Identity theft can also be a significant element of violent crimes , such as domestic abuse , and even terrorism , and a significant number of ID theft-related crimes originate overseas , '' the report said . | Justice Department Inspector General cites wide-ranging costs and dangers of ID theft . Effort to fight problem has lagged since task force formed in 2007 , report says . Costs thought to be substantially higher than the $ 15.6 billion documented in 2005 . | [[209, 307], [209, 333], [285, 293], [294, 333], [91, 128], [142, 186], [189, 208], [481, 548], [481, 509], [551, 617], [572, 643], [644, 727], [375, 395], [409, 459], [441, 480]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Vatican officials failed to take action against a priest accused of sexually abusing two teenage girls in Minnesota despite repeated warnings from a local bishop starting in 2005 , attorneys for one of the alleged victims said Monday . The Vatican 's failure occurred despite the establishment of safeguards established four years earlier to deal with the growing abuse scandal inside the Catholic Church , they said . The priest -- Father Joseph Pavanivel Jeyapaul of Ootacamund , India -- served in a diocese in Crookston , Minnesota , for a little more than a year in 2004 and 2005 , according to church documents unearthed in a lawsuit related to the case . Complaint letters from Crookston Bishop Victor Balke to Rome were acknowledged by Vatican officials , but no disciplinary action was taken , the documents show . Jeyapaul is now the head of a church education commission in Ootacamund , giving him continued access to children , lawyers said . `` This is systematic . All roads ... lead to Rome and the top officials there , '' said Jeff Anderson , a St. Paul , Minnesota , attorney representing the alleged victim . `` As horrific as the rape of children by Jeyapaul is ... the coverup of it is every bit as horrific and criminal . '' Father Louis Rag , bishop secretary of the Ootacamund Diocese , confirmed Monday that Jeyapaul is still in Ootacamund . He refused to comment further , except to note that he had heard about the charges against Jeyapaul through media reports . Anderson revealed the church documents at a news conference in St. Paul . The county attorney 's office for Roseau County , Minnesota , is trying to extradite Jeyapaul from India . The Crookston Diocese first received reports of `` inappropriate behavior '' on the part of Jeyapaul in September 2005 , according to a letter Balke sent four months later to Cardinal William Levada , head of the Vatican 's Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith , a body established to deal with cases of alleged abuse . Pope Benedict XVI headed the congregation before being chosen to lead the Roman Catholic Church . Balke wrote that according to an internal investigation , Jeyapaul took a teenage girl to his rectory in the summer of 2005 , where `` he proceeded to kiss her repeatedly , pulling her on top of him and at one point touching her beneath her clothing . '' Balke also said in the letter that Jeyapaul had misappropriated `` a substantial amount of money belonging to the parish and also attempted to give a diocesan vehicle to a third party as payment for an outstanding debt . '' The bishop went on to warn the Vatican that it is `` impossible to say that Father Jeyapaul does not at present pose a risk to minors . '' `` I can not in good conscience allow this matter to be passed over '' simply because Jeyapaul has now returned to India , Balke said . `` In my mind , that would be a shameful act of betrayal towards the women and girls in India to whom Fr . Jeyapaul could at present pose a serious risk . '' A representative for Levada responded to Balke 's letter in May 2006 , acknowledging his complaint and writing that the Vatican had requested to church officials in India that `` Father Jeyapaul 's priestly life be monitored so that he does not constitute a risk to minors and does not create a scandal among the faithful . '' Six months later , Balke relayed a new series of allegations about Jeyapaul to Levada . Balke wrote that he had received reports `` of similar behavior having taken place between Fr . Jeyapaul and a second girl . '' In both instances , Balke wrote , Jeyapaul had been counseling the girls about their religious lives . Church officials once again acknowledged Balke 's letter but took no disciplinary or other action against Jeyapaul , the documents show . Anderson accused Vatican officials Monday of being more concerned with preserving their own reputations than with protecting children . `` We are sad because so many kids have been wounded and hurt because Catholic officials -- top Catholic officials from the Vatican on down ... do n't get it and remain in denial , '' he said . `` They have a problem . ... They fail to do what is necessary to protect children across the globe . '' CNN 's Alan Silverleib and Sumnima Udas contributed to this report . | Priest accused of abusing two teenage girls , misappropriating money . Bishop sent letters to Rome , but no disciplinary action was taken . Vatican requested that `` priestly life '' be monitored . | [[19, 134], [2366, 2371], [2377, 2462], [19, 134], [0, 5], [143, 180], [787, 819], [3669, 3690], [3730, 3783], [3023, 3050], [3126, 3335], [3199, 3346]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Be excited , but be scared . A world of mind-blowing possibilities is suddenly being thrust upon the world of video gaming . Detecting your thoughts : the EPOC headset is a breakthrough in brain - computer interfaces . The era of thought controlled games has arrived , and soon you could be required only to ` think ' to operate a video game . Maybe you 'll even have the chance to be completely immersed in a video game ` world ' . The Emotiv EPOC headset - the first Brain Computer Interface -LRB- BCI -RRB- device for the gaming market is the technology behind the revolution -- and the company claims to have already mastered thought control . The EPOC detects and processes real time brain activity patterns -LRB- small voltage changes in the brain caused by the firing of neurons -RRB- using a device that measures electric activity in the brain . In total , it picks up over 30 different expressions , emotions and actions . The leap in technology has been met with excitement amongst many gamers . Singapore enthusiast Samuel Lau has even made a video showing his hopes for the future of gaming . But , for the creators , what possibilities does this open up for future video games ? View gallery of gaming through the years '' According to experts , the sci-fi scenarios depicted in The Matrix , and Star Trek 's ` Holodeck ' are now comprehendible realities in the future . President and co-founder of Emotiv Systems , Tan Le , said the brain-to-computer interface was undoubtedly the future for video games . `` Being able to control a computer with your mind is the ultimate quest of human-machine interaction . When integrated into games , virtual worlds and other simulated environments , this technology will have a profound impact on the user 's experience . '' What do you think video games of the future will look like ? Le envisaged the lines between games and reality continuing to blur . `` In the long run , the user 's interactions with machines will more closely mimic our interactions with other humans . Our technology will ultimately bring communities of people closer together to richly share their experiences , '' she said . Rick Hall , production director at the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy , is also open-minded about possibilities in future gaming . Hall , who has worked across machines such as the N64 , Sony PSP , PS2 , and Nintendo DS , told CNN that some of the concepts in The Matrix were now `` eerily reaching towards theoretical possibility '' . `` If we can interpret basic control thoughts now , it is n't far off where we 'll be able to interpret more complex thoughts , even potentially things you 're not consciously thinking of . If we can now do it in a non-invasive fashion , it probably wo n't be long before we can read these things from across the room . And if we can `` read '' complex thoughts , then should n't we also be able to `` write '' thoughts into a person 's brain ? `` So add that up : a wireless , remote , brain reading/writing device that can scan , interpret , and communicate with someone across the room , without them even knowing it . Connect that to the Internet ... and talk about brainwashing possibilities . What if some hacker could figure out how to write viruses to people 's brains ? It 's actually a little scary . '' But , it 's not all optimism and imagination for the technology . American gaming analyst Todd Greenwald believes it may be some time yet before brain to computer interfaces reach a marketable standard , saying it is `` a bit too far out and speculative to say with any confidence '' . University of Ulster video gaming lecturer Darryl Charles told CNN he was also uncertain whether Emotiv 's technology would take off . `` It 's a little bit harder to see . It 's quite a complex thing to force your thought on a television screen . '' However , Emotiv 's Le strongly defended the headset , saying it `` works on a vast majority of people and can adapt to a wide variety of thought patterns . Emotiv has carried out tests with hundreds of people and so far we have had success on every single person , '' Le said . While the speed of the revolution pushing the gaming world is hotly debated , one thing all experts agree on is the underlying themes of future games . Gamers can be certain that social interaction and strong storylines will strengthen to form the core of games . Tan Le told CNN , `` The one thing that we believe will be core to the future of gaming is the social experience . Nothing a game developer can program can match the random nature of actually participating in a scenario with other live people . '' Le said the social aspect was the key to growth of the industry , as it was opening the door to fresh markets . She acknowledged the new level of immersion offered with the Wii 's interactive control had helped send the industry in the right direction . Charles believed a move closer towards the movie and television entertainment realm was also imminent . `` The big blockbuster game is going to compete more with Hollywood movies . They will be a lot more competitive in storylines ... there is a lot of production values already coming from cinema . '' Greenwald said downloading games straight from the producer could soon become a reality . A market where simple games could be downloaded for free and then add-ons to significantly improve the game were sold at a premium , could be a more financially rewarding for the makers , he said . | EPOC headset by Emotiv allows users to ` think ' and video characters will ` do ' Experts predict concepts from The Matrix and Star Trek could become reality . Games will become more social and have advanced storylines in the future . | [[1272, 1292], [4320, 4431], [4342, 4431], [4499, 4546]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Long after she escaped a polygamist Colorado City , Arizona , community in 1986 , Flora Jessop found another way to escape : cocaine . Flora Jessop says she ran away from a polygamist sect in 1986 after being married to her cousin . `` It killed the pain . It killed the hurt , '' she said . `` I did n't have to hurt so bad because I missed everything I knew . '' Once she fled the fundamentalist Mormon sect , she was an apostate . She believed God hated her . Her parents and siblings thought she was wicked . Worst of all , she knew she was damned to hell , Jessop said . Jessop , then 17 , began hitchhiking across the country , almost killed herself with cocaine , worked as a topless dancer and eventually became pregnant , she said . Fearing that church members would hunt her down , she looked over her shoulder for five years , she said . She occasionally drank alcohol -- she liked tequila best -- but preferred to use cocaine because it kept her alert . `` When you 're running for your life , you ca n't afford to get to the point you can not run , '' she said . Watch Jessop explain how running was an education '' It was a need to protect her daughter that finally convinced her there was more to life , she said . Today , Jessop , 38 , escapes by freeing others trapped unwillingly in polygamist sects : 84 to date . She finds particular solace in rescuing women and children , some of whom are child brides like she was . It was a marriage to her first cousin Philip that prompted Jessop to run . Her story strikes a common theme among those who have left the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , a Mormon offshoot that disavowed the mainstream church in 1890 when it abandoned polygamy as a pathway to the highest level of heaven . The FLDS has strict rules , especially for girls : no pants , haircuts , drugs , booze or boys ; just `` keep sweet '' and obey . So young women who leave often delve into worldly pleasures once outside , indulgences as innocent as blue jeans and as destructive as heroin and prostitution , survivors and an expert say . Jenny Larson experienced such urges in 1946 , when her mother , Berna , left a polygamist household in Glendale , Utah , with seven of her nine children . In those days , however , rebellion bore a different hue . Larson , 73 , recalls how `` you would n't have caught me wearing a long-sleeve blouse '' after leaving Glendale . `` I think I was one of the first girls in the seventh grade to wear lipstick . I put henna in my hair to make it red . I was n't going to look like a little ` polyg ' kid , '' she said , using the slang `` polyg '' with all the contempt of a racial slur . Larson -- who goes by Aunt Jenny to the dozens of girls she 's helped escape and who wrote the book `` Brainwash to Hogwash : Escaping and Exposing Polygamy '' -- concedes it 's rare that young women can shed the sect 's psychological shackles . So how did she know polygamy was n't for her ? Larson recalls seeing her father , Vergel , smack her mother for expressing jealousy over his second wife , Mae . Watch an ex-sect member say she 's now free '' `` There was no way in hell I was going to live that way , '' Larson said . And Larson quipped of the men hounding her for her hand in marriage when she was 11 : `` Some of them were so ugly I wondered how they could have sex without putting a sack over their head , but I 'm being mean . '' Larson 's and Jessop 's escapes are not typical . Many women do n't want to leave , ex-sect members and an expert said . The purportedly rescued women often return to polygamy . An example is the 1953 raid at Short Creek -LRB- now Hildale , Utah , and Colorado City -RRB- , where dozens of women and more than 260 children were placed in state custody . Three of the then-children taken in the raid recently said that they eventually returned to polygamist lifestyles , including Fawneta Caroll , who was 7 when she was taken from her family . She remembers clearly what she felt 55 years ago , and it was n't relief , she said . `` We knew that the object was to take us away , adopt us out and we would never be back to our homes , '' she said . Religion -- the reason these women say they stay -- is also used to validate the brainwashing and , in some cases , physical abuse employed to keep women and children submissive , said Marci Hamilton , author of `` Justice Denied : What America Must Do to Protect Its Children . '' The women are wholly dependent on the patriarchal community , Hamilton said . They often lack education and marketable skills , and they 're told of `` terrible forces outside the compound , '' namely evil people who wish them harm , she said . And there 's always the prospect of eternal damnation , said Hamilton , a professor at Yeshiva University 's Cardozo School of Law who has studied polygamist sects for 10 years . `` It 's not only physically dangerous to leave , you 're also risking your soul , '' she said . `` Staying in the compound , even though they 're being abused , may look like a smarter choice to a lot of these people . '' Joni Holm has taken care of four children who escaped Colorado City , and she concurs that youngsters who leave the community have trouble shaking their indoctrination . `` You literally have to take them , deprogram them and reintroduce them to society , '' she said . Flora Jessop brought Fawn Holm , 16 , and Fawn Broadbent , 17 , to Joni Holm 's Sandy , Utah , home in 2004 . Watch Jessop talk about life in a sect '' Fawn Holm , Joni 's sister-in-law , feared that she was about to be married to now-imprisoned FLDS `` prophet '' Warren Jeffs , who is serving time in Utah for being an accomplice to rape . Broadbent 's name had just been placed in the church 's `` Joy Book , '' meaning she could be married off any day , and probably without warning . The `` two Fawns '' were smart , Joni Holm said , but had elementary school education levels . They had bizarre mannerisms and would n't look people in the eye . They would sometimes jump off elevators because `` they were taught they could never be alone with a man , '' she said . Fawn Holm began using drugs and alcohol , and Broadbent dabbled in drinking , Joni Holm said . It 's a common phenomenon , Larson said . `` When you 're held down and ca n't have any freedoms , they go the opposite way when they get out : drinking , drugs , sex . They 're going to hell anyway ; they just jump headfirst in . '' Joni and husband Carl 's greatest challenge , however , was teaching the teens to trust . So entrenched was their distrust of `` outsiders '' that they needed even the simplest things proved to them , especially examples of how the FLDS `` twisted '' the Book of Mormon , said Joni Holm , a mainstream Mormon . `` You have to show them factual stuff , because this is what their dad has taught them all their lives , '' she said . When Texas authorities seized 416 children from the FLDS Yearning for Zion compound in Eldorado this month , there were similar signs of indoctrination , said Helen Pfluger , whose Baptist church in nearby San Angelo volunteered to help feed and clothe the children and their mothers . `` They were very quiet and did n't want to look us in the eye , '' she said . `` We never knew for sure which child belonged to which mother . It was very communal . '' They refused to play board games . Clothes had to be cotton and plain , no patterns and no red , `` the color of the devil , '' Pfluger said . The children shunned processed food , white bread and sodas , and essentially subsisted on yogurt , fruit and lots of almonds , she said . `` Another San Angelo church had brought some coloring pages and crayons , '' she said . `` They did n't know what to do with them , and their mothers did n't either . '' Learning to color will be one of many challenges the children will face if they 're permanently removed from YFZ ranch . Joni Holm said it takes five to 10 years for a sect child to learn how to live a life society would deem `` normal . '' Larson said it could take longer . Jessop said she might never be normal . But Jessop said she would rather wage the battles she faces on `` the outside '' than live a life of submission and abuse . She reckons many FLDS children would feel the same way if given a choice , she said . It was difficult to give up the life she was taught was her only path to salvation . But she had to do it to get away from a culture that she felt was backward and malevolent , she said . `` The pain got so bad in heaven that I was willing to damn myself to hell to escape it , '' she said . E-mail to a friend . CNN 's Gary Tuchman and Amanda Townsend contributed to this report . | Women share stories on Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints . Flora Jessop says she escaped abusive community , now helps others do same . Woman who cared for escapees : `` You literally have to take them , deprogram them '' Expert says women often stay , fearing `` terrible forces outside '' | [[2084, 2113], [4608, 4664], [5293, 5299], [5310, 5329], [5293, 5299], [5330, 5360]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Authorities in Linden , New Jersey , have launched a homicide investigation after the discovery Monday of a pair of trash bags containing the dismembered remains of two people , officials said . The medical examiner has confirmed the body parts are `` indeed human , '' the Union County Prosecutor 's Office said in a news release . `` There were two bodies found inside trash bags near the intersection of Essex Avenue and Cranford Avenue , '' spokesman John Holl said in the release , adding that the remains are from adults , one male and one female . Yellow police tape surrounded the scene Monday afternoon , tied to the tree trunks lining the quiet residential street where the black trash bags were discovered earlier in the morning . Linden Mayor Richard J. Gerbounka , who was at the site , called the shocking discovery `` very unusual for this area . '' `` We 've got the homicide investigative team out and they 're in the process of culling the area for evidence , '' he said . Along with the Linden Police Department , investigators from the county prosecutor 's office and the city fire department also were at the site . Officials spread a white sheet around the trash bags before loading the remains onto two stretchers and taking them away for further study . Autopsies were scheduled for Monday afternoon , according to the prosecutor 's office . | Dismembered remains found Monday in a pair of trash bags , officials said . Linden , New Jersey , officials launched a homicide investigation after the discovery . Autopsies were scheduled for Monday afternoon , according to the prosecutor 's office . | [[0, 40], [47, 145], [135, 194], [197, 213], [352, 458], [0, 40], [47, 145], [1297, 1342], [1297, 1306], [1345, 1384]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Peruvian soccer star Paolo Guerrero has been punished with a record fine by his German club Hamburg for throwing a water bottle into the face of a fan who he claimed had insulted him . The striker made a public apology on Monday , but could face further disciplinary action from the German Football Association on Tuesday . The incident happened at the end of Hamburg 's 0-0 draw with relegation-threatened Hannover on Sunday , a result which dented Guerrero 's team 's hopes of qualifying for European competition next season . `` I had a blackout , '' the 26-year-old told Hamburg 's official Web site . `` I was insulted and I over-reacted . `` I am incredibly sorry . I hope that I get the opportunity to apologize personally to the spectator concerned . `` I have already done so to HSV . Of course I will accept any punishment from the club . I made a big mistake . '' Chairman Bernd Hoffmann said Guerrero 's behavior was `` absolutely unacceptable . '' `` Something like that is not allowed to happen . Paulo will be heavily fined by us . He has assured us believably how sorry he is . '' The amount of the fine has not been disclosed , but Hoffman told German football magazine Kicker that it would be `` the like of which there has never been in the club . '' Ralf Bednarik of the Hamburg Supporters ' Board told the club 's Web site that fans should accept Guerrero 's apology . `` Players have to deal with criticism , '' he said . `` But Paolo Guerrero has apologized for his behavior . Now it 's up to us all to reappraise the things and to jointly look into the future . '' Guerrero has played 24 times for his country , but missed many of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers after suffering injuries and being handed a six-game suspension for abusing a referee . Peru finished bottom of the South American group . He moved to Hamburg in 2006 after beginning his Bundesliga career at Bayern Munich , and played as a second-half substitute against Hannover after recently returning to action following seven months on the sidelines with a knee injury . | Paolo Guerrero hit with record fine for throwing a water bottle into the face of a fan . His German club Hamburg acted after incident at end of Sunday 's 0-0 draw with Hannover . Peruvian striker apologizes for reaction after claiming he abused by supporter . Guerrero may face further disciplinary action from German Football Association . | [[0, 15], [46, 118], [0, 5], [119, 169], [1030, 1065], [0, 15], [46, 118], [343, 444], [204, 247], [1466, 1518], [204, 215], [254, 342]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Space shuttle Discovery launched early Monday to deliver spare parts and science experiments to the international space station . Discovery launched at 6:21 a.m. ET from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida . Discovery , with its crew of seven astronauts , is carrying supplies and science equipment for the international space station 's laboratories . The 13-day mission includes three planned spacewalks , replacing an ammonia tank assembly and retrieving a Japanese experiment from the station 's exterior . Discovery is scheduled to arrive at the space station on Wednesday , and return to Earth on April 18 at 8:35 a.m. ET . After this mission , there are only three shuttle missions remaining before the space shuttle fleet is retired . iReport : Did you watch the launch ? Share your photos and video . NASA said Discovery 's mission will mark the first time four women have been in space at one time : Three women -- mission specialists Stephanie Wilson , Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger and Naoko Yamazaki -- comprise part of the Discovery 's crew , while NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson is already at the space station . The launch comes three days after Russian spacecraft Soyuz TMA-18 , carrying Dyson and Russian cosmonauts Alexander Skvortsov and Mikhail Kornienko , blasted off to the International Space Station from a Kazakhstan facility . The space station , which orbits the Earth at a height of some 250 miles , is due to be finished next year and is about 90 percent complete . | Discovery launches on mission to international space station . Shuttle is carrying supplies , equipment to the space station . Three spacewalks planned during 13-day mission . Marks first time four women have been in space at one time . | [[0, 15], [19, 148], [1301, 1376], [0, 15], [19, 148], [227, 236], [275, 371], [372, 424], [829, 926], [834, 1021]] |
-LRB- CNN Student News -RRB- -- Discussion Questions . 1 . When is Black History Month observed ? When did Black History Month get its start ? Who was Dr. Carter G. Woodson ? What was his role in the establishment of Black History Month ? 2 . What are some significant events and milestones in U.S. black history ? Who are some of the individuals who have contributed to black history ? 3 . How does black history help to tell the story of what it means to be an American ? How have African-Americans enriched that story ? What lessons can be learned from the experiences of black history makers ? Learning Activities . Use these activities to encourage your students to learn about and appreciate the history , culture and achievements of African-Americans . 1 . A Milestone in U.S. History . Remind students that they have witnessed a truly historical event in their lifetime : the election of Barack Obama as the first African-American president . What will they remember about this milestone ? What do they want future generations to know about it ? Challenge students to write letters to students who will be in their place 100 years from now , describing the event and its significance for all Americans . Combine the letters into a book or a Web site , or create a video of students reading their letters . Present the finished product to your school 's historian or media specialist for archiving . 2 . Covering Black History . Ask students : What if CNN correspondents had been on the scene to record key moments in black history for the entire world to see ? Organize students into small teams of reporters , and have each team select a time period in American history and a key figure or event that helped to define that time period for African-Americans . Then , have students imagine that CNN was there to cover the historical figure or event . Ask : How do you think that CNN reporters might have covered these stories ? Encourage the teams to write scripts for news stories on their historical figures and events . After students have presented their scripts , have them compare their reports to eyewitness accounts and local newspaper reports that were written at the time . 3 . Harlem Renaissance . Inform students that during the 1920s and 1930s , an African-American cultural movement occurred in the United States that was known as the Harlem Renaissance . It was a literary , musical and artistic explosion that was born in Harlem , New York , and it had a profound impact on African-American culture and on the U.S. as a whole . Have your class host a Harlem Renaissance cultural fair . Direct students to online resources to learn about some of the great artists , writers and musicians who were part of the renaissance and their contribution to this cultural movement . Have each student select one of these African-American artists and design a display that tells about the life and times of the artist and the importance of his or her work . Invite guests from your school and community to attend the exhibit . Have students serve as `` roaming curators '' to instruct and interest guests in the Harlem Renaissance and the creative works of these great African-Americans . 4 . Profiles in Black History . Do your students show a personal interest in science , music , politics , theater , sports or education ? Inspire them to celebrate the contributions of African-Americans by having them write profiles of African-Americans in the categories that interest them . For example , a budding young scientist might choose to profile the inventor of the ironing board , the lawn mower or the space shuttle retrieval arm , all of whom were/are African-Americans . Direct your students to online and print resources and have them conduct research on their chosen individuals . Then , encourage students to write proposals to have their selected persons commemorated in new postage stamps . Students should accompany their proposals with designs for the stamps . In their presentations , students should try to convince classmates why their profiled persons should have a stamp created in their name . Post the designs around the classroom . 5 . Local African-American History . Valuable lessons in black history may be found just a few steps away in the stories and documents that can be found in local libraries , historical organizations , universities or colleges , and online . Encourage students to venture out into the community to investigate the history and contributions of black Americans in their city or town . Students might choose to use milestones in black history as a way to organize their research , gathering information on how those events impacted the community and its residents . They may also decide to profile influential black community members . Have students invite community members to a celebration of local black history . 6 . Black History Museum . Celebrate black history by creating plans for a local Black History Museum . First , have students decide where the museum should be housed . Suggestions might include a school or local library , an exhibit in an existing history museum , or perhaps a virtual online museum . Next , discuss how the museum should be organized . Students may choose to categorize the content by theme , by specific time periods , by specific dates , by people or by local landmarks . Encourage students to include interactive elements and multimedia in their plans . Then , challenge students to consider what people , events or contributions to include in their Black History Museum . Ask : What messages or lessons do you want visitors to take away from the exhibits ? 7 . Not Just for February . Inform students that , while Dr. Carter G. Woodson chose the month of February to recognize the accomplishments of African-Americans , black history can be celebrated all year long . Challenge students to create year-long calendars or timelines that highlight the contributions of African-American newsmakers , illustrate key events in black history , and encourage an ongoing celebration of black culture . Standards . Social Studies . II . Time , Continuity , and Change . Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of the ways human beings view themselves in and over time . V. Individuals , Groups and Institutions . Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of interactions among individuals , groups , and institutions . The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies -LRB- http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/strands/ are published by the National Council for Social Studies -LRB- http://www.socialstudies.org/ -RRB- . Resources . CNN : Black in America 2 : . http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/black.in.america/ . U.S. Census Bureau : Black -LRB- African-American -RRB- History Month : February 2010 : . http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/014487.html . | February is Black History Month . These questions and activities help students learn about the history , culture and achievements of African-Americans . These questions and activities can be adapted to accommodate students of different grade levels and learning styles . | [[620, 759], [654, 759], [620, 640], [687, 759], [1411, 1435]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Taken alone , a California woman 's 20-minute video `` scrapbook '' is basically a collection of photographic memories spanning her 19-year-old daughter 's all-too-brief life . Birthday parties , picnics , graduations -- all set to evocative music and narrated matter-of-factly by the mother . John Paul Stevens was one of three justices who wanted to grant further review of the defendant 's case . What makes this video unusual is that it was presented at a California murder trial as `` victim impact evidence . '' The Supreme Court on Monday gave an indirect endorsement to such videos when it rejected an appeal from a defendant who argued that the presentation violated his right to a fair trial . The high court also rejected a similar capital case , also from California , involving a woman who narrated a video montage of her slain parents . With the court 's refusal to intervene , the death sentences imposed by the juries in the two cases were upheld . At issue was not whether any testimony can be used showing the impact a crime victim 's loss had on family , friends and society at large . The question for the justices was how that testimony is presented . Some trial courts , but not all , have allowed such videotapes to be played in court , while often placing limitations on the content . One case involved Douglas Oliver Kelly , convicted in the 1993 slaying of Sarah Weir . The teenager had befriended Kelly at a Burbank gym . Her body was found stabbed 29 times , probably by a pair of scissors . During the penalty phase of the trial , the prosecution presented just one witness to provide victim impact evidence : the victim 's mother , Martha Farwell , a Los Angeles-area attorney . She had prepared the video , describing how her daughter had been adopted from Canada and was a Blackfoot Indian . In the background is the music of Enya , an Irish singer and composer . Most of the video simply describes the photos and home movies , but near the end is a shot of Weir 's grave and Farwell 's narration : `` As time goes by , I try very hard not to think of Sarah in terms of this terrible tragedy that we 've had to deal with here in court , but rather of her in a place like this . '' Over photos of the Canadian landscape , Farwell concludes , `` This is filmed in southern Alberta , the land where Sarah 's people lived for so many generations . This is the kind of heaven she seems to belong in . '' The trial judge had allowed the video to be presented , calling it a `` very compelling tape '' and adding that `` it has more probative value than any prejudicial effect . '' Kelly appealed , saying the video so influenced the jury that the panel was unable to render a fair assessment of the penalty . California 's highest court allowed the verdict and death penalty to stand , but urged judges to use caution in allowing such video evidence . Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens , in a brief statement , said Monday he would have accepted Kelly 's appeal of his sentence and held oral arguments on the issue . `` The videos added nothing relevant to the jury 's deliberations , '' he wrote , `` and invited a verdict based on sentiment , rather than reasoned judgment . '' But it takes four justices to grant further review of a case , and only Justices David Souter and Stephen Breyer joined Stevens . Breyer called the Kelly video `` poignant , tasteful , artistic and , above all , moving , '' but he noted that was the problem . `` Those aspects of the film tell the jury little or nothing about the crime 's ` circumstances ' '' the jury had to consider during sentencing . The companion case dealt with Samuel Zamudio , convicted in the February 1996 slayings of Elmer Benson , 79 , and his wife Gladys , 74 , in the South Gate area of Los Angeles . The defendant lived next door to the Bensons and owed money to them . He robbed and stabbed the elderly couple , and a jury sentenced him to death . The Bensons ' daughter , Linda Bouffard , narrated 118 scenes from her parents ' life . The trial judge forbade the playing of accompanying audio , and instructed Bouffard not to make inflammatory comments , an order she complied with . Courts around the country have offered differing rulings on the issue of such videos . Juries in Maryland , Missouri , Montana and Arkansas have been allowed to see video of victims playing the piano , with their families at Christmas time , and playing with their children . But a federal court in Massachusetts barred a video of about 200 photos of a victim , set to Beatles and James Taylor music . And a Texas court tossed out a murder conviction after a slain man 's father showed a video tribute , also with Enya music , during the penalty phase . The Supreme Court in 1991 upheld the use of victim impact evidence , saying it balanced what the justices at the time said was almost unlimited mitigation evidence the defendant could offer . But the high court said such evidence has its limits . Then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist wrote that a criminal defendant could seek judicial relief `` in the event that evidence is introduced that is so unduly prejudicial that it renders the trial fundamentally unfair . '' The justices in 2006 unanimously upheld the conviction of another California killer after the victim 's family members wore buttons with a picture of the slain man as they sat silently in front of jurors throughout the trial . | Case involved case of Sara Weir , stabbed to death in California . Victim 's mother , a lawyer , put together moving video scrapbook . Defendant Douglas Oliver Kelly contended video was prejudicial . Justices rejected Kelly 's appeal , indirectly endorsing victim impact videos . | [[44, 148], [652, 663], [668, 733], [2637, 2642], [2654, 2764], [548, 663]] |
KABUL , Afghanistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- One of five members of the Electoral Complaints Commission in Afghanistan has resigned amid the group 's probe of allegations of voting fraud during the presidential election . An Afghan woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Kabul on August 20 . Mustafa Barakzai , a Supreme Court judge , was one of two Afghan members of the commission . His departure on Monday comes as the commission nears completion in the investigation of allegations of fraud in the August 20 elections . Local news reports have quoted Barakzai as saying that the commission is unduly influenced by foreigners and that it has not included him in the decision-making process . The head of the commission , Grant Kippen , disputed both assertions . `` He was involved in our major decisions , '' Kippen told CNN . `` We are only a five-member team . Every member is integral to our work . '' Kippen is one of three non-Afghans on the Electoral Complaints Commission appointed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations . Kippen said the `` vast majority of our decisions were consensus decisions . '' The commission said in a statement that it is `` disappointed at the resignation of an important member '' at a crucial time in the process . `` The -LRB- commission -RRB- remains dedicated to the elections process and will continue to work openly and honestly in the implementation of its mandate under the Afghan Electoral Law , '' the statement said . `` This will not distract the -LRB- commission -RRB- from continuing to focus on the task at hand . '' Complaints of irregularities have dogged the presidential elections . The top United Nations official in Afghanistan , Kai Eide , admitted Sunday that the vote was marred by `` widespread fraud . '' Eide 's recently fired deputy Peter Galbraith told CNN 's Christiane Amanpour on Monday that Eide earlier refused to share details of voting irregularities with Afghan election officials . Galbraith also said his former boss could have prevented some fraud by closing unsecured polling stations . Eide on Sunday denied the allegations of withholding information and defended his decisions to open as many polling stations as possible , despite security concerns . With findings of the fraud complaints investigation upcoming , Galbraith said he anticipates the commission will determine that Afghan President Hamid Karzai will not have enough votes to avoid a runoff . `` I think there 's a very strong likelihood that the election complaints commission will find that he 's below 50 percent , and then the question is whether Karzai will accept that decision and whether the Independent Election Commission , which is not independent but a pro-Karzai body , will accept that decision , '' Galbraith said . Watch Galbraith 's reaction to Eide 's acknowledgement of election fraud '' `` If they do n't , then the political crisis in Afghanistan , which has already done such damage to the overall effort there , will get much worse . '' The Independent Election Commission is expected to soon finish an audit and recount of suspicious ballots ; the results could be announced this week . The independent commission is a `` constitutional body '' that conducts `` free and fair elections '' in an `` impartial way '' according to its Web site . Galbraith has also accused Barakzai of favoring incumbent Karzai , even though the Electoral Complaints Commission says that it is also an independent body . Election tallies have yet to be certified because of the allegations . Last month , final uncertified results showed Karzai with 54 percent of the vote . CNN 's Tom Evans contributed to this report . | Commission says it is `` disappointed at the resignation of an important member '' Commission head says Barakzai `` was involved in our major decisions '' Barakzai reported as saying commission is unduly influenced by foreigners . Top U.N. official in Afghanistan admits on Sunday vote was marred by fraud . | [[1154, 1295], [1194, 1295], [771, 809], [526, 696], [526, 544], [566, 696], [1682, 1728], [1742, 1807]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Supreme Court dealt federal prosecutors dual setbacks Monday in efforts to prosecute the laundering of drug ring and organized crime profits . The Supreme Court considered a pair of cases involving hidden money and an illegal gambling ring . The justices ruled that merely hiding money headed out of the United States is not proof of money laundering . Justices also concluded that prosecutors had to prove that an illegal gambling ring had laundered profits of its betting , rather than just proceeds . In a unanimous ruling , the justices overturned the federal conviction of Humberto Regaldo Cuellar , who had run afoul of the `` transportation '' part of the international money-laundering law when his car was stopped by a deputy sheriff near Eldorado , Texas . Inside the car , officers found nearly $ 81,000 in cash wrapped in duct-taped bundles and hidden in a secret compartment covered with animal hair , presumably to trick drug-sniffing dogs . Police suspected the money came from drug trafficking and arrested Cuellar , who had been heading for Mexico when he was stopped . Cuellar was convicted and sentenced to 78 months in prison . Federal law requires proof the transportation was `` designed to conceal or disguise the nature , location , the source , the ownership , or the control '' of the money . Writing for the high court , Justice Clarence Thomas said prosecutors failed to prove the reason for moving the money across the border was to hide its source , as part of an alleged international drug ring . `` Although the evidence suggested Cuellar 's transportation would have the effect of concealing funds , the evidence did not demonstrate that such concealment was the purpose of the transportation '' Thomas wrote . Congress passed a law in 1986 designed to prevent the laundering , or `` washing , '' of criminal funds through legitimate enterprises and overseas bank accounts . In the other case , the high court split 5-4 in concluding that prosecutors failed to show money used to pay couriers in alleged gambling operation were `` profits , '' rather than `` gross proceeds . '' The case involved Efrain Santos and Benedicto Diaz , convicted of running an illegal lottery in Indiana since the 1970s . Santos allegedly used a network of `` runners '' and `` collectors '' to run the enterprise , and Diaz was a collector who gathered money from the runners and delivered it to Santos . `` The money laundering charges brought against Santos were based on his payments to the lottery winners and his employees , and the money laundering charge brought against Diaz was based on his receipt of payments as an employer , '' Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in a very narrow opinion . `` Neither type of transaction can fairly be characterized as involving the lottery 's profits , '' Scalia added . `` Indeed , the government did not try to prove , and the defendants have not admitted , that they laundered criminal profits . '' Scalia noted the high court 's ruling would not overly burden prosecutors , saying only one instance of `` profitability '' would be required to prove money laundering . `` What counts is whether the receipts from the charged unlawful act exceeded the costs fairly attributable to it , '' he said , adding the government `` exaggerates '' the difficulty it would have to do that . Although Scalia wrote the main ruling , it was Justice John Paul Stevens who provided the critical fifth vote for a majority , and his concurring views will probably provide the controlling opinion to guide lower courts in similar cases down the road . Stevens did not go as far as Scalia wanted , saying Congress failed by writing an `` ambiguous '' law that only confused judges . He said lawmakers seemed to want a broader interpretation of `` proceeds '' as the term applied to money laundering . Justices Samuel Alito , Anthony Kennedy , Stephen Breyer , and Chief Justice John Roberts dissented . | In one case , court rules that hiding money not same as money laundering . In another , justices say prosecutors have to prove gambling ring laundered `` profits '' Cases involved cash hidden in car , illegal Indiana lottery . | [[276, 386], [387, 395], [401, 537], [2952, 2985], [2989, 2995], [3065, 3158], [216, 275]] |
Maryland 's attorney general said Wednesday that the state may legally recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states . The 45-page opinion from Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler was addressed to state Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. . `` You have asked whether those marriages may be recognized under state law . The answer to that question is clearly ` yes , ' '' Gansler wrote . He noted that his opinion is `` not itself the law of Maryland in the same sense as a statute enacted by the Legislature or court decision elaborating the common law or construing a statute . '' Rather , it is an interpretation of law intended to guide courts and government agencies , he said . `` Thus , what we say in this opinion is a prediction , not a prescription , as to the how the court would approach this issue under current law , '' Gansler wrote . His office said that he can not direct the actions of state agencies . But Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said Wednesday afternoon that the state `` will be guided by the attorney general 's thorough analysis and legal advice on this matter . '' He added , `` I am confident that the attorney general and his office will provide all necessary advice to state agencies on how to comply with the law , and I expect all state agencies to work with the attorney general 's office to ensure compliance with the law . '' Further details were not immediately available , and the governor 's office did not return phone calls seeking clarification . It was unclear what the immediate ramifications of Gansler 's opinion would be in Maryland . One state representative , Del. . Emmett Burns -- who sponsored a bill earlier this year that would have barred the state from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states and other countries -- said the attorney general 's opinion `` muddles the waters . '' Burns ' bill failed in committee . Referring to the opinion , Burns said , `` I do n't think it 's worth a bucket of warm spit . ... I do n't think it 's something that is going to make that big of a difference . '' He said the issue is likely to be decided through legislation or in a court case . He noted that state Sen. Norman Stone is sponsoring a bill that mirrors Burns ' failed one . Also , he said , the House Judiciary Committee is considering a bill that would allow same-sex marriage . `` It 's going to be going pandemonium on the House floor '' if that bill makes it out of committee , he said . He added he believes there is much opposition in both the state House and Senate to same-sex marriage . `` I believe that the concept is going to have be settled through -LSB- public -RSB- referendum , '' he said . `` If it were to go to referendum , my side will win . '' Maryland state law from 1973 says that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid in the state . However , there are no laws or court cases regarding recognition of marriages legally performed in other places , the attorney general 's office said . Madaleno said in a statement released through Equality Maryland that the opinion is `` welcome news '' for same-sex couples legally married in states where the practice is allowed , and `` nothing in the attorney general 's opinion changes the fact that same-sex couples can not obtain marriage licenses in Maryland . '' Media reports said Madaleno had asked the attorney general in May whether Maryland may legally recognize same-sex marriages . Massachusetts , Connecticut , Vermont and New Hampshire and Iowa allow same-sex marriage . The District of Columbia has also passed a law allowing same-sex marriage , although it has not yet taken effect . CNN 's Taylor Gandossy contributed to this report . | Maryland should recognize same-sex marriages from other states , according to state AG . State representative says Douglas F. Gansler 's opinion `` muddles the waters '' Five states currently allow same-sex marriages . | [[0, 99], [44, 127], [2958, 2995], [1619, 1631], [1792, 1852], [3443, 3533]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Twitter was buzzing Thursday morning with news that several airlines are flying doctors and nurses to Haiti free of charge to help with relief efforts there in the wake of Tuesday 's devastating earthquake . The only problem : The rumors are false , an American Airlines spokesman says . `` Last night 's hoax on Twitter about American and JetBlue flying doctors and nurses to Haiti for free was just that -- a hoax . We do n't know who is responsible , but it 's a very low thing to do , '' airline spokesman Tim Smith said in e-mails sent Thursday . Twitter users also circulated a rumor that UPS would ship for free any package under 50 lbs . to Haiti . In a blog post Wednesday on UPS 's Web site , a spokeswoman debunked the rumor and said that destruction of Haiti 's roads and communications networks `` means our own shipping services to Haiti are on hold . '' UPS is donating $ 1 million to help the people of Haiti through relief agencies , she said . On Wednesday , American and American Eagle sent three planes to Port-au-Prince , Haiti 's capital , carrying 30,000 pounds of water , food and other nonperishable goods for its more than 100 employees who work at the airport there and for assistance at Port-au-Prince hospitals , the airline said in a news release . Three more relief flights are planned from Puerto Rico to Haiti on Thursday , and an additional three for Friday , the airline said . `` We 've incentivized our 62 million AAdvantage members to give cash to Red Cross and receive bonus miles from us , '' Smith added . `` We can not fly any passengers to Haiti at this time and our efforts on the humanitarian front are as described above . '' A spokeswoman for JetBlue said the airline is flying relief workers from agencies such as the American Red Cross free of charge to Santo Domingo in the neighboring Dominican Republic , but only after they have been vetted by the Haitian Consulate . The consulate then arranges transportation for passengers from Santo Domingo to Port-au-Prince , she said . `` There have been a lot of people mobilizing on Twitter asking for our support . And I think that 's where these rumors are coming from , '' JetBlue spokeswoman Alison Croyle said . `` We 're not offering free transportation for just any doctors who walk up and want to fly there . '' The American Airlines and JetBlue rumors erupted quickly on Twitter and other social networks , with people retweeting the Haitian Consulate 's New York City phone number , which medical professionals could supposedly call for free flights . Calls overwhelmed the consulate , resulting in repeated busy signals for callers . But by late Thursday morning , word appeared to be spreading that the rumors were not true . Posted one user on Twitter about 10:30 a.m. ET : `` American Airline and Jet Blue Are NOT Flying doctors and nurses into Haiti for free . Do NOT call them . '' | Rumors spread on Twitter on Thursday about airlines flying doctors to Haiti free of charge . American Airlines spokesman calls the rumors a hoax . Rumors also spread that JetBlue is offering free flights and UPS is shipping packages for free . Both airlines say they are working with relief agencies to fly in supplies and personnel . | [[19, 65], [332, 401], [307, 436], [2334, 2427], [269, 306], [307, 436], [571, 584], [590, 664], [2334, 2427], [1691, 1873]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two people were killed when unusually large and powerful waves crashed into a cruise ship in the Mediterranean Sea this week . Here CNN Senior Meteorologist Brandon Miller explains the science behind the deadly squall that hit the Louis Majesty as it traveled from Barcelona , Spain to Genoa , Italy . What caused the wave that hit the cruise ship ? There was a strong storm moving through the Mediterranean which brought winds gusting well over 100 kph . Winds of this magnitude will result in a very rough sea state and large waves . Buoys nearby recorded significant wave heights -LRB- defined as the average of the largest 1/3 of waves over a 20 minute period -RRB- over 6 meters . The waves which hit the ship were reported to be between 8-9 meters . This would not be considered a `` rogue '' wave , as rogue waves must have a height at least double the significant wave height , but it is nevertheless abnormally high . Several factors can contribute to an increase in the size of the wave , including wind direction , ocean current direction , and shape and depth of the sea floor . How common are such waves ? Waves of this height are not very common in the Mediterranean under normal conditions , but it would not be unusual to find waves of this magnitude within strong storms -LRB- as was the case with these waves -RRB- . Rogue waves , especially those not associated with stormy conditions , are far less common , but present the biggest danger to ships due to their unexpected nature . Is it unusual for cruise ships to be hit by such abnormal waves ? Cruise ships are frequently affected by large waves all over the world , although normally not to this extreme , and with minimal consequences . Cruise ships normally set their course to avoid storms and rough seas when possible . We hear of events such as this one every couple of years , such as in March 2001 when two tourist ships were impacted in the same week -LRB- the Bremen and Caledonian Star -RRB- . Can abnormal activity in one ocean impact other seas or oceans ? All the world 's oceans are connected , and we know vary large scale events such as tsunamis can traverse and affect multiple ocean basins -LRB- a very large earthquake in the Indian Ocean could conceivably create a tsunami that would be felt in parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for example -RRB- . The waves which hit the Louis Majesty , however , were a much more localized event brought on by a storm system nearby . They were in no way related to the Chile earthquake and subsequent tsunami . Rough seas and high waves can be expected to occur near this storm as it moves eastward through the Mediterranean towards Greece and Turkey . How far from a storm can you find large waves ? Large waves can occur at great distances from the storm that generates them . Hawaii , for instance , will often receive high surf and large swells from tropical storms located in the Western Pacific near Asia or Eastern Pacific near North America . In order for this to occur , the strong wind must blow in a consistent direction over a large distance -LRB- fetch -RRB- , such as in large typhoons/hurricanes . | Powerful storm waves uncommon in the Mediterranean . Wind , ocean current , and shape and depth of sea floor can contribute . Storm waves not connected to recent tsunamis caused by Chile quake . | [[0, 15], [19, 145], [475, 554], [1138, 1223], [2567, 2633], [2567, 2592], [2609, 2708], [946, 1109], [946, 961], [1045, 1070], [2503, 2566]] |
Port-au-Prince , Haiti -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- So many doctors are answering Haiti 's call for medical aid that the largest hospital in Port-au-Prince has a new problem : organizing and finding good use for them all . `` I think there is a lot of confusion , '' said Marivittoria Rava , a longtime volunteer with the charity Friends of the Orphans , which runs a children 's hospital caring for some post-operative patients from the general hospital . Rava said that medical supplies and resources have improved , but the crush of volunteer doctors in Port-au-Prince can complicate treatment in the city while there is great need for help in other places hit by the earthquake . iReport : Looking for loved ones in Haiti . The general hospital has nine operating rooms , but a near platoon of volunteer surgeons . That leaves many standing by for work , though there are relatively few nurses . CNN 's Dr. Sanjay Gupta learned medical teams are taking their first steps to organize and see how many of them are needed . Representatives from each volunteer doctor group at the general hospital gathered for a quick , to-the-point meeting over the weekend . `` We are all well-staffed , '' Dr. Paul Auerbach of Stanford University told the group . `` The issue is coordinating . '' Auerbach is the point person to try and control the surge of doctors . Over the weekend , he and volunteer groups started tackling some basics of treatment : how to ID patients , keep records and make rounds . Among the problems with the large number of doctors , Auerbach said , is that patients can have their dressings opened three or four times in close succession as one and then another crew of doctors come to evaluate their wounds . To change that , charity groups have set up shifts and literally drawn lines , sketching maps on hospital walls showing who is working where . They are also identifying medical centers outside Port-au-Prince , where there is need for the booming supply of doctors in the capital . Full coverage . Space is also an issue . A team from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is carefully assessing the buildings that survived on hospital grounds , trying to find a stable place for post-operative care . Patients now recover in tents or are taken to other hospitals . As the city 's main hospital is brimming with doctors , it is in need of nurses and physical therapists . Thousands of amputees will need significant , specialized help from physical therapists , but few are available . Nurses are in short supply . A nursing school on the grounds of the general hospital was crushed in the earthquake , killing some of the people who would be giving care now . The flood of outside volunteers is mostly doctors , not nurses . Interactive map of where to find aid , hospitals in Haiti . At one point over the weekend , a mass of 12 medical workers gathered around a tiny premature infant . Someone called out , `` If you 're not a doctor , step away ! '' Immediately someone else responded , `` We 're all doctors ! '' Even as they juggle an abundance of doctors , many volunteers said they worry the general hospital in Port-au-Prince could again face dire need after this first wave of medical staff rotates out of Haiti over the next two weeks . Those on the ground advise doctors who want to help Haiti to wait and volunteer in a few weeks or months . | Largest hospital in Port-au-Prince has too many doctors ; coordination is a problem . Patients have dressings opened three , four times in close succession by different medics . Volunteer nurses and physical therapists are in short supply . Nursing school on grounds of general hospital was crushed in earthquake . | [[107, 163], [513, 598], [1241, 1271], [3036, 3071], [1485, 1536], [1539, 1552], [1555, 1650], [1485, 1503], [1539, 1547], [1555, 1683], [2332, 2381], [2525, 2610], [2525, 2580], [2613, 2639]] |
Cleveland , Ohio -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Candles in hand and singing hymns , hundreds of Cleveland residents stunned by the discovery of 11 bodies in a local home gathered outside the house Sunday night to remember the victims . But Inez Fortson , whose daughter Telacia was among the dead , said she could barely stand to look at the home . `` It 's hard , because I want to burn it down , '' she said . `` I know my baby was in there , and she got killed in there , '' Fortson added . `` I know what other people feel like when they lost a child . I did n't , but I do now . That was my only daughter . '' Telacia Fortson , 31 , had three children , ages 2 , 4 and 6 , her mother said . She had last been seen in June . Her body was among the first identified in the home of Anthony Sowell , who is now facing five counts of aggravated murder , rape , felonious assault and kidnapping in connection with the deaths . All of those found dead were African-American women . A Cuyahoga County judge has set bail at $ 5 million for Sowell , a registered sex offender who served 15 years in prison for a 1989 attempted rape case . He was released from jail in 2005 . `` Whenever I see him on TV or think about him , I have to pray , '' Fortson said . `` Because I believe that one day , I 'll have to forgive him for what he 's done . But right now , I ca n't , because I 'm numb . '' About 500 people joined the march , which followed a packed memorial service at the neighborhood 's Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church . The turnout `` means that people do care , '' Fortson said . `` There is a little compassion in the world . '' Mount Olive pastor Larry Harris Sr. , who led the memorial service , called the Sowell home a house of `` horror . '' `` It brings trembling to the bones to think about what all went on right here , '' he said . Sowell has been placed on a suicide watch at the request of his attorney , according to Sowell 's public defender Kathleen DeMetz . A psychiatric evaluation has been ordered but it 's unlikely to happen until after the case goes before a grand jury , the next expected step in the case . Police recovered the first bodies after they went to Sowell 's home to follow up on a rape accusation . Last month , neighbors reported seeing a naked woman fall from the second floor , but no charges were filed . Neighbors called 911 after the October 20 incident . Firefighters and paramedics responded , and later notified police . The woman told officers that she was at the home and `` partying , '' when she fell off the roof . Allen Sowell , the suspect 's half-brother , told CNN he last saw his brother more than 20 years ago . Their stepmother , who lived in the house after Anthony Sowell got out of prison , said she knew of nothing odd going on at the time , Allen Sowell said . The stepmother tried to get Anthony Sowell evicted from the house in 2007 because he was n't paying rent , Allen Sowell said . Anthony Sowell said he should n't have to pay rent on a house that belonged to his father , who died in 2004 , and remained in the house when his stepmother had to be hospitalized in 2007 , his half-brother said . Agents from the FBI 's Behavioral Science Unit are assisting Cleveland police , Cleveland FBI spokesman Scott Wilson said . The agents are preparing a profile of Sowell for police , tracing his life and habits , and his DNA will be entered into a national database to see whether it can be linked to any unsolved crimes . Allen Sowell said he was aware of his half-brother 's prison record , but `` just could n't fathom '' the accusations now facing him . `` I did n't think he was in that bad of a mental state , '' Allen Sowell said . `` You never think it would happen to your family . It 's a horrible feeling . '' At 66 , Allen Sowell is 16 years older than his half-brother , and the two did n't meet until Anthony Sowell was 9 . He added , `` He deserves whatever he gets from the justice system . '' CNN 's Susan Candiotti and Ross Levitt contributed to this report . | After vigil , ministers walk to Anthony Sowell home , where 11 bodies were found . Sowell is on suicide watch in jail ; charged with murder , rape , other felonies . Seven of 11 bodies have been identified ; all were African-American women . | [[84, 157], [145, 223], [772, 786], [793, 799], [807, 913], [772, 786], [796, 913], [1839, 1911], [914, 967]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Parents should take precautions to minimize infants ' exposure to the chemical Bisphenol-A , the Food and Drug Administration said Friday in an announcement that stopped short of saying there is a definite health risk from the chemical . In guidelines published on its Web site , the FDA said it has `` some concern '' about the safety of BPA , and supports efforts by industry to remove BPA from infant bottles and feeding cups . Dr. Josh Sharfstein , deputy FDA commissioner , said the agency is trying to determine whether it has the legal authority to quickly force such products off the market if manufacturers do n't do it voluntarily . According to Sharfstein , the six largest makers of infant bottles and cups already use alternatives to BPA . Bisphenol-A is found in many products , but has drawn the most attention for its use in linings for canned food and infant formula , and as a hardener in plastic baby bottles and toys . A handful of states and cities including Minnesota , Connecticut , Massachusetts and Chicago , Illinois , have passed laws in some form banning BPA in products meant for children . The new position is a partial reversal of the FDA 's declaration in 2008 that BPA has no adverse effects . That announcement came under fire from environmental groups that said it relied too heavily on industry-funded research . Since then , the agency says on its Web site , `` recent studies have reported subtle effects of low doses of BPA in laboratory animals . While BPA is not proven to harm children or adults , these newer studies have led federal health officials to express some concern about the safety of BPA . '' The new position brings the FDA into line with guidance from the National Toxicology Program , which in its own 2008 report said there is `` some concern '' for BPA 's effects on the brain , behavior and prostate gland , in developing fetuses , infants and children . Other studies have found a possible link to diabetes and cardiovascular disease , but the authors of those studies say it 's not clear the problems were actually caused by BPA . At a news conference Friday , FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg said further research is needed `` to determine if and when further action is needed . '' The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has been allotted $ 30 million to study the health effects of BPA . Hamburg said that research would likely be complete in 18 to 24 months . In a separate review , the Environmental Protection Agency is weighing whether to list BPA as a chemical of concern under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act , which would trigger a formal process to develop possible restrictions on BPA . At the news conference , Hamburg and Sharfstein urged parents to keep the risk in perspective , saying the benefits of nutritious infant formula outstrip any potential danger from BPA . Other guidance includes : . • Discarding scratched or worn bottles and cups , which aside from harboring germs might also release small amounts of BPA . • Being careful when heating formula , as boiling or very hot liquid might cause the release of BPA into infant formula . • Checking labels to ensure that only microwave-safe products are used in the microwave , and dishwasher-safe products are put in the dishwasher , to avoid leakage . In taking a middle ground , the FDA managed to frustrate both industry and consumer safety groups . Steven Hentges , a scientist with the American Chemistry Council 's global study group on BPA , said the guidance would `` confuse consumers , '' while a scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council said the move was `` too little , too late . '' Hentges painted the FDA decision as a victory , saying the announcement reflects scientific consensus `` that these products continue to be safe for use . '' However , he complained that there was no scientific basis for the advice to discard older bottles and cups and insisted that studies have failed to find evidence of actual harm from BPA . Sara Janssen , a scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council , agreed the advice was confusing , but said the FDA should have gone further and banned the use of BPA . Sonya Lunder , a senior analyst with the Environmental Working Group and a longtime BPA critic , says mothers can largely avoid BPA by using powdered formula instead of liquid . But she welcomed Friday 's announcement . `` This is a huge step forward . The Bush administration wanted to close the books and declare this safe , and now that 's not going to happen , '' Lunder said . | Bisphenol-A , known as BPA , is found in many products including baby bottles . FDA stops short of saying there is a definite health risk from the chemical . Industry says FDA goes to far ; consumer groups say BPA should be banned . | [[772, 809], [1102, 1138], [160, 175], [181, 256], [3334, 3359], [3362, 3433], [4036, 4048], [4146, 4211]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The White House rejected criticism Sunday that President Obama has not delivered on his promise of `` change '' during his first year in office . White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett said the president has brought about `` enormous change . '' `` I think what we 've seen is a dramatic difference in terms of how the United States is perceived around the world , '' Jarrett told NBC 's `` Meet the Press , '' on the final Sunday before the president 's State of the Union address . Obama 's travels have established relationships with world leaders that `` lay a foundation for keeping America safe and making us a partner around the world , '' she added . Jarrett also credited the president with having `` pulled back the economy from the brink of disaster . '' `` That 's an enormous amount of change when you consider where we were a year ago right on the brink , '' she said . `` And he 's adding discipline in government to try to get control over our fiscal house . So I think that we 've seen enormous change . '' Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell , on the same program , countered that `` if you look at the first year of this administration , we have n't made much progress . '' He complained about the deficit in the president 's budget and the health care reform package that Republicans oppose . But McConnell , R-Kentucky , was also on the defensive about the GOP , which critics have been calling `` the party of no . '' Asked to characterize the performance of his own party this year , McConnell said , `` What we did is try to operate on principle . The president decided to go hard left . That 's why he does n't have many of my members -LSB- supporting his agenda -RSB- . If he chooses to govern in the middle , he will have broader support . '' Jarrett insisted the president never wavered from his promised bipartisan approach . Discussing his health care initiative , Jarrett said Obama `` has sat down with the leadership and members of the Republican Party , both the House and the Senate . In fact , bills in both the House and the Senate contain provisions that were suggested by the Republican Party -- so nothing 's changed about the president 's approach . '' | Valerie Jarrett : Obama has made `` dramatic difference '' in U.S. image around the world . White House senior adviser also credits Obama with pulling back economy from disaster . Republican leader says Obama went `` hard left '' and lost bipartisan support . Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticizes deficit , health care reform . | [[176, 276], [283, 396], [741, 796], [1609, 1648], [1609, 1622], [1637, 1648], [1230, 1315]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- French star Franck Ribery scored the only goal of Sunday 's match as Bayern Munich went to the top of the Bundesliga with a home win over fourth-placed SV Hamburg . It ended a long wait for the Bavarian giants who have not headed the German standings since winning the title in 2008 . Their poor form last season led to the departure of former Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann , but his replacement Louis van Gaal has also been under pressure after a slow start to the current campaign . But since the midwinter break , Bayern have returned to winning ways and have been level on points with leaders Bayer Leverkusen , who had a better goal difference . Leverkusen 's 0-0 draw at home to Cologne on Saturday extended their unbeaten Bundesliga run to a record 24 games , but left the door ajar for Bayen to take advantage . Their three-point haul on Sunday gives them a two-point cushion at the top but it was not until the 78th minute that they made the breakthrough with a fine goal from Ribery . The influential playmaker left Hamburg goalkeeper Wolfgang Hesl no chance with a fierce shot . Visitors Hamburg were still missing their new signing Ruud van Nistelrooy through injury and could create little up front . In Sunday 's other game , Hanover continued their slump with a ninth defeat in a row as defending champions Wolfsburg secured a 1-0 away victory . Bosnian midfielder Zvjezdan Misimovic scored the only goal of the match for Wolfsburg to complete a fine week which saw them progress to the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday . In the Scottish League , Rangers all but sealed the title with a last-gasp 1-0 win over 10-man Celtic in the Old Firm derby . Rangers ' American substitute Maurice Edu struck in injury time to send the defending champions 10 points clear with a game in hand over their nearest rivals . Celtic captain Scott Brown was sent off in the second half but they looked set to hold out for a point until Edu scored with the last kick of the game . In the Spanish Primera , the battle for third place intensified as nine-man Valencia lost 4-1 at Athletico Madrid . David Silva grabbed the opener on 20 minutes but Valencia defender Carlos Marchena was sent off for deliberate handball and Diego Forlan converted the penalty kick . Sergio Aguero and Forlan scored further goals for Atletico after the break before the visitors had Luis Miguel sent off in the 81st minute and Jose Jurado added the fourth . Earlier , Sevilla were held to a goalless draw by Athletic Bilbao and trail Valencia by three points . In Serie A , champions Inter Milan won 3-2 at Udinese and maintained their four-point lead at the top over city rivals AC Milan , who beat Atalanta 3-1 in the San Siro . A double from Brazilian Pato enabled Milan to keep up the pressure on Jose Mourinho 's men while third placed AS Roma saw their title hopes slip away in a 2-2 draw at Napoli , having led 2-0 . | Franck Ribery goal gives Bayern Munich 1-0 home win over Hamburg to top Bundesliga . Rangers take giant stride towards Scottish title with 1-0 win over arch-rivals Celtic . Nine-man Valencia thrashed 4-1 by Atletico Madrid in Spanish La Liga . Inter Milan and AC Milan record victories in Serie A title countdown . | [[0, 15], [19, 173], [958, 1015], [2072, 2120], [2564, 2574], [2577, 2617]] |
London , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is denying allegations of `` abusive behavior '' and `` volcanic eruptions of foul temper '' ahead of the publication of a new book by a top British political journalist . The claims come in a book by Andrew Rawnsley of the Observer newspaper , which will be released March 1 . The newspaper began running excerpts on Sunday . `` These malicious allegations are totally without foundation , '' Brown 's official spokesman said in a statement Saturday . The spokesman is traditionally not quoted by name . The Observer claimed that Brown 's behavior upset staff at his office , 10 Downing Street , so much so that the head of the civil service launched an investigation and `` ordered '' the prime minister `` to change his behavior . '' Britain has a professional civil service which runs the administration of the government , distinct from elected politicians . The Cabinet Office , a part of the civil service , issued a strongly-worded denial that Sir Gus O'Donnell had looked into Brown 's behavior or warned him about it . `` It is categorically not the case that the Cabinet secretary asked for an investigation of the -LRB- prime minister 's -RRB- treatment of Number 10 staff , '' his office said in a statement . `` These assertions have been put to the Cabinet secretary who has rejected them . '' Before the publication of the excerpts from the book , there were rumors it would allege that Brown had hit staffers , which he denied Saturday . `` Let me just say , absolutely clearly , so that there is no misunderstanding about that : I have never , never hit anybody in my life , '' he said , according to a statement from his office . The book , `` The End of the Party , '' apparently does not claim the prime minister hit people . Brown is required by law to call an election by June this year . The date has not yet been announced , but it is widely expected to be May 6 , and the election campaign has already started . One of the top strategists in Brown 's Labour Party , Peter Mandelson , declined to deny that Brown had a temper , but painted his personality as a virtue . `` I do n't think he so much bullies people as he 's very demanding of people . He 's demanding of himself , he 's demanding of people around him , '' Mandelson said on the BBC 's `` Andrew Marr Show '' on Sunday . `` He does not like taking no for an answer ... . there is a degree of impatience about the man , but what would you like ? Some sort of shrinking violet at the helm of the government ? '' Mandelson asked . Mandelson laughed and dodged a question from Marr about whether Brown had ever hit him or shouted at him . But he said Rawnsley had a history of writing about events he had not witnessed . `` He 's a very good , colorful writer , but that 's it , '' Mandelson said . | Brown accused of `` abusive behavior '' , `` volcanic eruptions of foul temper '' Journalist claims Brown 's behavior was investigated by a top civil servant . Brown `` ordered to change his behavior , '' Andrew Rawnsley 's book claims . Brown spokesman : `` Malicious allegations are totally without foundation '' | [[0, 6], [9, 243], [577, 777], [244, 314], [759, 779], [781, 805], [399, 460], [463, 524]] |
London , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tiger Woods ' marital `` transgressions '' may have cast doubt on the future of his corporate associations , but history shows that a dose of bad publicity does not always mean an end to the earning power of sport stars . The world 's No. 1 golfer has not been seen in advertisements on American television since November 29 according to media research company Nielsen , with the blackout starting just two days after he crashed his car outside his house -- reportedly following an argument with his wife . But Nigel Currie , director of international sponsorship agency BrandRapport , believes that although Woods faces an uncertain corporate future , his marketability will remain if he thinks creatively . `` It all depends on how long the story will stay on the front page . A story like this makes sponsors very nervous because they do n't know if there 's more to come , '' he told CNN . `` Most companies will have a morality clause as part of the contract with a big name like Woods . This is usually enforced because of drugs -LSB- or criminal issues -RSB- , but in a situation like this which is ongoing , there 's a good chance these companies will exercise their rights and jump ship . '' However , while Woods -- , the first sportsman to earn $ 1 billion -- might possibly lose some sponsors , other revenue streams could be exploited , according to Currie . Will Tiger Woods return to golf the same ? `` This chink in his armor wo n't impact his earning capacity , but companies and brands will think differently in the future . It will open up new offers and close a few doors too , '' he said . While golf is traditionally a very conservative sport which attracts like minded backers , it is still possible to bring in sponsors even in cases as extreme as John Daly -- whose drinking , smoking and eating problems put his career at risk . Daly 's less than wholesome image paid dividends in 2005 when the American teamed up with restaurant chain Hooters , known for its scantily-clad waitresses , in what seemed a mutually beneficial arrangement . Hooters vice-president Mike McNeil said in a statement on Daly 's Web site : `` John is unique , successful and a man of the people who does n't really worry too much about what the establishment thinks . In fact he 's a lot like Hooters . '' But the appeal of Daly 's carefree attitude also proved to be his downfall when , in November 2008 , the golfer was found drunk and face down in a flower bed outside a Hooters restaurant . Earlier this year , Hooters quietly relinquished their contract with the colorful , larger-than-life character . Another player who has successfully surfed the wave of marketing and endorsement despite a checkered personal life is European golfing legend Nick Faldo . Despite two divorces and a number of well-documented affairs -- including a three-year liaison with 20-year-old Brenna Cepelak which ended famously with the American student battering Faldo 's Porsche with a golf club -- sponsorship has never eluded the golfer . Faldo also went on to cement his position among the game 's elite when he captained the European Ryder Cup team in 2008 . Time will tell if Tiger Woods ' self-confessed `` personal failings '' will impact on his career , but his world-beating marketability may have to undergo some change . | Major sponsors have distanced themselves from Tiger Woods after his recent scandal . Expert says Tiger 's `` transgressions '' will impact on sponsorship but may open up new avenues . Golfers such as John Daly and Nick Faldo have bounced back from PR nightmares . | [[0, 6], [9, 142], [547, 559], [622, 744], [2645, 2799]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A letter penned by George Washington praising the new Constitution sold for $ 3.2 million at an auction , the highest price for a letter by America 's first president . The four-page letter in Washington 's slanting penmanship was written to his nephew Bushrod Washington in November 1787 , according to Christie 's , the company that auctioned it . It was in the possession of an unidentified British descendant of his family , Christie 's said . Washington led the Philadelphia Convention , at which the Constitution was drafted in 1787 . After the Constitution was produced , a nationwide debate ensued on whether to ratify it . In the letter written from Washington 's Virginia estate , Mount Vernon , he endorses the Constitution and highlights the benefits of compromise and of states merging into one nation . `` The central issues must be consolidated -- and local views as far as the general good will admit , must be attended to , '' he says in the letter , according to Christie 's . The company said the president confided in his nephew . `` Washington professed neutrality in public , but to Bushrod expressed his unequivocal conviction that the new Constitution must be ratified , in spite of opposition from many special-interest groups , '' Christie 's said . The buyer was not identified . Christie 's had earlier estimated that the letter would fetch $ 1.5 million to $ 2.5 million at Friday 's auction . Washington served from 1789 to 1797 , then died of a throat infection two years later . He died at his beloved Mount Vernon at age 67 , plunging the nation into months of mourning . Last year , a 1864 letter in which President Abraham Lincoln replies to the abolitionist pleas of youth sold for $ 3.4 million . | Highest price ever paid for a letter penned by America 's first president . Four-page letter sold for $ 3.2 million at auction by Christie 's on Friday . Letter was written to his nephew Bushrod Washington in November 1787 . Last year , a 1864 letter by President Abraham Lincoln sold for $ 3.4 million . | [[74, 131], [197, 254], [319, 343], [28, 64], [197, 280], [300, 316], [1633, 1642], [1645, 1658], [1668, 1736], [1633, 1642], [1645, 1651], [1668, 1761]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Jury selection in the case of a deadly 2007 Connecticut home invasion was postponed Monday because the suspect was hospitalized , his defense attorney said . Steven Hayes was in intensive care , attorney Thomas Ullmann said . Jury selection in Hayes ' murder trial was delayed . A status conference was scheduled for Wednesday , Ullmann said . `` We have no idea how long this is going to take , '' the attorney added . Hayes , 46 , is one of two men charged with offenses including felony murder , kidnapping , sexual assault and arson in the July 2007 home invasion in Cheshire , Connecticut . Prosecutors allege that Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky , 29 , broke into the home of the Petit family . They say the two beat up Dr. William Petit ; strangled his 48-year-old wife , Jennifer Hawke-Petit ; and set the home ablaze . The couple 's two daughters , 17-year-old Hayley Petit and 11-year-old Michaela Petit , died from smoke inhalation . Trial 's start stirs painful memories in Cheshire . Ullmann said he did not know why Hayes was hospitalized , but the Hartford Courant , citing unnamed sources , said he apparently overdosed on medication he receives daily . Superior Court Judge Jon C. Blue said in court Monday that Ullmann told him Hayes was found unconscious in his cell and may be in a medically induced coma . The University of Connecticut Medical Center referred questions Monday to the Connecticut Department of Correction . The department declined comment , citing a court-imposed gag order in the case . Authorities allege that during the Petit home invasion , one of the attackers drove Hawke-Petit to a bank to withdraw money . She was able to alert a bank teller that the family was being held captive , and the teller alerted police , authorities said . Media reports said that Hawke-Petit and Michaela Petit were sexually assaulted during the seven-hour ordeal . Prosecutors have declined to confirm details because of the gag order . The motive in the case remains unclear . Hayes and Komisarjevsky , who is set to be tried separately , could face the death penalty if convicted . | Steven Hayes , defendant in Connecticut home invasion case , reportedly in coma . Jury selection at murder trial has been postponed . Hayes and another man are accused of killing doctor 's wife , two daughters . Codefendant 's trial is also scheduled for this year . | [[245, 297]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Three faculty members were killed and three other school employees were wounded Friday in a shooting at the University of Alabama in Huntsville , a school spokesman said . A female shooting suspect was in custody and a second person was detained , `` not arrested , '' spokesman Ray Garner told reporters . Huntsville Police Chief Henry Reyes left open the possibility that more than one person had been detained . `` We have a suspect and possible persons of interest , '' he said late Friday . `` Until we go through everything , we 're not going to say exactly how many or who we have . '' He said police were questioning the suspect , whom he would not identify . Of the wounded , two were faculty members and the third was a staff member , he said . Garner said the incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. in Shelby Hall . Police arrived at 4:01 p.m. ; residence halls were locked down at 4:10 p.m. ; the building was secured by 5:45 p.m. , he said . The suspect was taken into custody outside the building , said Reyes . No weapon has been recovered , he said . The 6-year-old , $ 60 million facility houses the chemistry department and is named for U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama and his wife , Annette Shelby . Garner identified the dead as Gopi Podila , chairman of the biological sciences department ; Maria Davis , associate professor of biology ; and Adriel Johnson , associate professor of biology . He identified the injured as Joseph Leahy , associate professor of biology , in critical condition ; Luis Cruz-Vera , assistant professor of biology , in stable condition ; and Stephanie Monticello , staff assistant , also in stable condition . The wounded were taken to Huntsville Hospital . Classes and athletic events are to be canceled February 15-19 , he said . Asked why students had not been alerted for more than an hour after the shootings , Reyes said , `` I ca n't comment on that part . '' | Three killed were faculty members at University of Alabama in Huntsville . Police leave open the possibility that more than one person has been detained . Shooting occurred about 4 p.m. in Shelby Hall , which is named for senator . | [[0, 15], [19, 52], [733, 761], [326, 433], [393, 433], [774, 846], [786, 846]] |
New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- If President Obama had been forthright last week at the health care summit , he would have opened the meeting by stating : `` If you have health coverage , under our reform bills you are going to pay more and get less . If you are one of the 45 million elderly or disabled people on Medicare , you are going to get less . There is no such thing as free medical care . Somebody has to pay ! And in the end it is you . '' Those are the facts ! And as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid stated to the Republicans : '' ... you 're entitled to your opinion , but not your own facts . '' However , the facts , as the president has found out , are not exactly a compelling message to persuade a reluctant Congress and public to overhaul nearly one-fifth of the nation 's economy . Adding 31 million people -LRB- 45 million now do n't have coverage -RRB- to the health care system will cost the taxpayers trillions over time . Many of that uninsured group ca n't afford health insurance , and if this legislation passes , the government will create an entitlement program to subsidize them . In the end , like the entitlement programs that have gone before them , they will far exceed any cost estimates on the table today . Just to remind you , Mr. President and members of Congress , the taxpayers have a right to know the full fiscal consequences of this legislation . The United States is spending this year nearly $ 2.5 trillion on health care . That is 17.3 percent of the U.S. economy and it 's rising at a rapid rate . We spent $ 134 billion more in the past year than in the year before . To put $ 2.5 trillion into perspective , that is more money than the federal government received in taxes and revenues this year . The problem is nobody knows -LRB- and especially the Congress -RRB- what a trillion dollars really means . A trillion is a million million . Still means nothing to most of us . If you spent a million dollars a day since the birth of Jesus Christ , it would n't even equal a trillion . If you stacked up a trillion dollars in dollar bills , it would reach 68,000 miles into the sky , about a third of the way from the Earth to the moon . Those numbers are too big for any of us . Somebody has to pay for the most expensive health care in the world . Many experts would argue it is also the very best health coverage in the world . Health care today is paid for by three entities . The government -LRB- federal , state and local -RRB- pays more than 50 percent of the costs . That is us , the taxpayers . The insurance companies pay about one-third of the costs . That again is us . We pay the premiums and the insurance company pools the risk , and distributes our monies back for the medical services . They obviously add an overhead cost as does any business , but it 's still our money being paid out . The third payer is again us . Out-of-pocket reimbursements or additional fees come directly out of our pocket and paycheck . Health care has changed as dramatically as anything in our society in the last half century . First , we are living longer . In 2007 , American men could expect to live 3.5 years longer and women 1.6 years longer than in 1990 . We are long past the days when you walked into a doctor 's office and the doctor -- armed only with a stethoscope , blood pressure monitor and a thermometer -- listened to our symptoms and made a diagnosis . Maybe in a rare case an X-ray was called for . We paid our bill and went to the drugstore and got our prescription . There were no MRI 's , no heart diagnostic tests , no CT scans or any of the wonder drugs that have extended our lives and in many cases made the quality better . It 's not that people are n't seeing doctors . In the last several years , more than 1.2 billion annual visits to a physician 's office have taken place , averaging more than three a year per person . Certainly , some efforts must be made to provide some insurance reform -- but that also means malpractice insurance reform . Some massive efforts need to be made to curb Medicare and insurance fraud . And efforts must be made to create more competition among insurance companies across state lines . The president 's attempt to add some of the better suggestions from the Republicans addressing these issues is not going to add any support from that side of the aisle . They are minor changes that are positive but do n't tackle the fundamental cost issues or address the new entitlements and mandates that Republicans object to most . Reducing costs in most cases means reducing services . Who does n't want an MRI for their child injured in a car wreck ? Who does n't want tests done on a spouse or parent who has chest or abdominal pain ? But if Reid and Pelosi shove this legislation through Congress against public opinion , they and their party will pay a price . Yet the price Democrats will pay at the polls in November wo n't be nearly as big a price as our kids and grandkids will pay when the bill comes through years hence . If you 're going to have reform , make the system better . Take your time and do it right . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ed Rollins . | Ed Rollins says President Obama should have explained that health bill will cost taxpayers dearly . He says health care consumes 17 percent of the nation 's economy . He says costs are rising at a rapid rate , and consumers are footing the bill . Obama 's attempt to add some GOP ideas does n't go nearly far enough , Rollins says . | [[874, 945], [680, 800], [1515, 1545], [4195, 4219], [4303, 4364]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former South African rugby World Cup winner Ruben Kruger has passed away following a long battle with brain cancer . The ex-Cheetahs and Bulls flanker was first diagnosed with the illness during the early 2000s at the end of a successful career that saw him earn 36 Springboks caps . Kruger , who was just two months short of his 40th birthday , made his debut against Argentina in Buenos Aires during 1993 and was named South African Rugby Player of the Year in 1995 -- the year the country lifted the World Cup . `` Ruben Kruger was the epitome of the Springbok flanker , tough , indomitable and with an outstanding work ethic , '' Oregan Hoskins , president of the South African Rugby Union -LRB- SARU -RRB- , told reporters . `` When Ruben was on the field you always knew that the Springboks would not be beaten without a tremendous battle . `` Our prayers have been with him through his battles against illness and it is very sad to hear of his early passing . Our thoughts are with his young family and we extend to them our sincerest condolences . '' Kruger made his final appearance in the green and gold against New Zealand in 1999 . | Former South African rugby World Cup winner Ruben Kruger passes away . The flanker dies aged 39 following a long battle with brain cancer . Kruger was named Player of the Year in 1995 , the year the Springboks won the World Cup . | [[0, 15], [63, 135], [303, 309], [421, 486], [490, 533]] |
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