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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Universities nationwide were recovering Friday , a day after protests over education budget cuts hit campuses from coast to coast . Though many of the demonstrations were peaceful , some turned chaotic . On the West Coast , the University of California , Santa Cruz , was scheduled to reopen Friday . The crush of demonstrators on Thursday caused administrators to close the northern California campus . `` Please check back for information on the campus 's planned return to service on Friday , '' the university Web site said . The protest , dubbed the March 4 National Day of Action , sent thousands of students , educators and supporters to the streets to challenge budget cuts and tuition increases . In Oakland , California , police arrested 160 protesters who shut down a freeway , authorities said . Police stopped students from shutting down a freeway near the University of California , Davis , in northern California . Demonstrations occurred in other states including Colorado , New York and Wisconsin . A blog called Student Activism , which compiled a list of the protests , said 122 events were slated in 33 states , most on campuses and some at state capitols . Many of Thursday 's demonstrations focused on cuts in state funding for colleges and universities , which supporters say drive up tuition , limit classes and make higher education unobtainable to many . State funding for the California State University system was reduced by nearly $ 1 billion for the academic years between 2008 and 2010 . Schools have responded by increasing fees , canceling classes , cutting student support programs and furloughing professors . Fees have increased 182 percent since 2002 . Class waiting lists have doubled or tripled . `` The less affordable education becomes , the less likely low-income students will be able to get a college education , '' said Lillian Taiz , president of the California Faculty Association and a professor of history at California State University , Los Angeles . | Demonstrations on Thursday caused administrators to close the northern California campus . Students , educators , supporters hit the streets to challenge cuts , tuition hikes . Funding cuts spur tuition and fee hikes , program cuts , bigger classes . | [[320, 422], [366, 422], [549, 562], [607, 660], [664, 724], [1197, 1294], [94, 150], [664, 724], [1269, 1294], [1314, 1350], [1538, 1663], [1538, 1545], [1561, 1581]] |
London , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A letter written by Adolf Hitler in 1931 hoping for a `` truly cordial relationship '' between Britain and Germany goes on sale Tuesday and is estimated to fetch up to # 12,000 at auction . The one-page letter was addressed to Sefton Delmer , a British journalist , in which Hitler expressed hopes of a new friendship between the two countries to replace the `` unhappy war-psychosis '' that existed after the First World War : . Hitler wrote the letter 16 months before he became chancellor and seized power in 1933 . In the letter he said : `` I hope ... that out of this crisis a new readiness will grow up in Britain to submit the past twelve years to a reappraisal . I should be happy , if as a result of this the unhappy war-psychosis could be overcome on such a scale as to permit the realization of the truly cordial relationship between the British and the German peoples so eagerly desired by myself and my movement . `` For I believe that the crisis now breaking in on us can only be solved by the closest political collaboration of those nations who see in the re-establishment of a natural European balance of power the first precondition to dealing with those great world problems under which Britain too suffers today . '' Andrew Roberts , the British military and political historian , said the letter was a classic example of Hitler trying to lull Western democracies into a state of appeasement . Roberts said Hitler was saying there were underlying interests between Britain and Germany and that he wrote many such letters . `` He refers to 12 years which would make it 1919 , the year the Versailles Treaty was signed ... appeasement was his central message until the outbreak of war . Sefton Delmer would not have been taken in by any of this , '' said Roberts . Auctioneers at Bonhams in London said the letter has remained in Delmer 's family until now but they could not release the name of the person selling it . Delmer was the Berlin correspondent of the Daily Express at the time when Hitler wrote the letter . He was born in Berlin and spent the first 15 years of his life there before his family were expatriated to the UK . He is reported to be the first British journalist to interview Hitler , who he later described as a rather ordinary looking man with hair that had been arranged too carefully . | Hitler wrote the letter 16 months before he became chancellor and seized power in 1933 . Andrew Roberts : `` Appeasement was his central message until the outbreak of war . '' Delmer was the Berlin correspondent of the Daily Express . | [[36, 76], [466, 554], [507, 509], [532, 554], [2049, 2074], [1678, 1741], [1802, 1819], [1975, 2043]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Embattled former Detroit , Michigan , Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was released from jail early Tuesday . Kwame Kilpatrick appears for his sentencing October 28 , 2008 , in Detroit , Michigan . Kilpatrick , his beard overgrown and bushy , was escorted out of Michigan 's Wayne County jail as he dodged a crowd of reporters before getting into a car and was driven away , according to television footage from CNN affiliate WXYZ . Kilpatrick spent 100 days in jail as part of a plea agreement connected to a sex scandal that rocked Detroit and caused the city council and governor of Michigan to push to impeach him . Kilpatrick also agreed not to run for public office during his five years of probation . He was expected to immediately leave the state for a job interview , WXYZ reported . Kilpatrick pleaded guilty in September to two felony counts of obstruction of justice stemming from his efforts to cover up an extramarital affair . He also pleaded no contest to charges of assaulting a police officer attempting to serve a subpoena on a Kilpatrick friend in that case . He was accused of blocking a criminal investigation into his office and firing a police deputy to cover up the affair . | Kwame Kilpatrick spent 100 days in jail as part of a plea agreement . Kilpatrick pleaded guilty in September to two counts of obstruction of justice . The former Detroit mayor had tried to cover up extramarital affair . He was expected to leave Michigan immediately for a job interview . | [[442, 503], [803, 888], [903, 951], [718, 784]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Shoe prints left behind at the scene of several church fires in east Texas , as well as surveillance tapes and witness accounts , led police to two men now charged in one blaze and suspected in a string of others , according to court documents . Jason Robert Bourque , 19 , and Daniel George McAllister , 21 , are charged with one count of arson each in connection with a February 8 fire at Dover Baptist Church in Tyler , Texas . The blaze was one of 10 church fires in east Texas this year . Nine have been ruled arson , and authorities have said they believe Bourque and McAllister are responsible for them . Both men appeared in court Monday in Tyler and are being held on $ 10 million bond . A federal law enforcement source told CNN that multiple pieces of evidence have been linked to one of the suspects through DNA , and that many of the fires were ignited the same way . A resident called 911 at 8:45 p.m. after seeing smoke rising from the sanctuary at Dover Baptist Church , according to probable cause affidavits . As firefighters battled the blaze , a second fire was reported at 9:44 p.m. at Clear Spring Missionary Baptist Church in Lindale , Texas , about 15 miles northwest of Tyler . At Dover Baptist , someone apparently kicked in a rear door and threw a rock through a window , according to the affidavits . A Red Wing brand boot print was found on the door . It 's the same brand of boot that authorities believe left prints at previous church fires and attempted church break-ins in three counties . A print from a Skechers shoe also was found at several fire and attempted break-in locations , the affidavits said . Police obtained a surveillance tape from a gas station near Dover Baptist , the documents said . `` Subsequent review of this video revealed individuals known ... as Jason Robert Bourque and Daniel George McAllister were present at said location close to the same time the fire at Dover Baptist Church was discovered . '' A second surveillance tape , from a store near Clear Spring Missionary Baptist , shows someone police believe is Bourque walking inside at about 10:35 p.m. , according to the affidavit . Witnesses told police they saw a dark blue or purple four-door car parked next to the Clear Spring Church before the fire . A second sighting of such a car was reported on the same road where the church is located , the documents said . One witness said he saw the driver was a white male wearing a T-shirt and tried to flag him down , but the vehicle sped away . On February 11 , agents from the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives contacted Bourque at his Lindale home , following up on a tip they received that he was involved in several of the church arsons , the affidavit said . Bourque agreed to talk with authorities , and they checked his blue 2008 Ford Focus , the documents said . The affidavits do not divulge what , if anything , Bourque told the agents . While agents were at Bourque 's home , his grandmother backed out of the garage and left the door open . The agents saw a muddy pair of Skechers shoes inside , the affidavit said . Agents believe the sole pattern on the shoes is consistent with the prints found near the churches . Authorities contacted a member of McAllister 's family , who told them he wears a size 13 or 14 boot , the documents said . A family member was shown a Red Wing boot and said the sole was the same as McAllister 's , except his boots were more worn . The relative took McAllister to the Greyhound Bus Station in Dallas , Texas , on February 10 where he purchased a one-way ticket to San Antonio , Texas , the affidavit said . McAllister was arrested in San Antonio . Authorities have given no information on a motive for the fires . | Jason Bourque , Daniel McAllister charged with arson in connection with church fire . Authorities think they are responsible for other church blazes in east Texas . Gas station surveillance tape shows men close to church 's at time of fire , court documents say . Footprints also link suspect to churches . | [[163, 195], [265, 321], [324, 326], [329, 439], [163, 170], [200, 231], [542, 630], [2675, 2680], [2686, 2747], [0, 9], [234, 264], [1659, 1732], [1981, 2059], [2062, 2167], [3200, 3236]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Osiel Cardenas Guillen , the former head of a powerful Mexican drug cartel , was sentenced to 25 years in prison and will forfeit to the United States $ 50 million in illegal proceeds , a judge ruled . Cardenas Guillen , 42 , was the leader of the Matamoros , Mexico-based Gulf cartel until his capture in 2003 . He was subsequently extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking charges in 2007 . U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle handed down the sentence Wednesday , following an earlier guilty plea by the drug kingpin . Under Cardenas Guillen 's leadership , the Gulf cartel was responsible for smuggling thousands of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana into the United States , the FBI said in a news release . According to the FBI , in 1999 Cardenas Guillen threatened to kill a U.S. undercover sheriff 's deputy . In another incident , he threatened the lives of two U.S. agents . `` The successful prosecution of Cardenas Guillen underscores the joint resolve of the United States and Mexico to pursue and prosecute the leadership of the drug trafficking cartels , dismantle their organizations and end the violence and corruption they have spawned , '' U.S. Attorney Jose Angel Moreno said . Cardenas Guillen pleaded guilty to five felony charges , including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute , conspiracy to launder money and threatening to assault and kill federal agents . Tagle also fined Cardenas Guillen $ 100,000 and ordered him to five years probation once his sentence is served . He is not eligible for parole . | Sentence handed down Wednesday after drug kingpin 's earlier guilty plea . FBI : Cardenas Guillen in 1999 threatened to kill an undercover sheriff 's deputy . He also threatened the lives of two U.S. agents . | [[427, 493], [496, 550], [765, 846], [1294, 1424], [847, 866], [869, 913], [1294, 1424], [1227, 1243], [1376, 1424]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Talk about a hefty baggage fee : . For months now I have not been able to get the $ 27,100 suitcase out of my mind . The economy is rocky . People are out of work . Yet the $ 27,100 suitcase exists . It 's not a joke . At first I thought it was . Last fall I was traveling through Naples , Florida , and a cover line on a glossy local magazine caught my eye . The magazine was called Gulfshore Life , and the cover line said : . `` The $ 58,000 brooch ... The $ 27,100 suitcase ... Check Out Our Luxury File . '' Perhaps , I thought , this was a teaser to a satirical story using literary exaggeration to whistle past the graveyard of America 's fiscal hard times . But when I flipped open the magazine , the feature seemed to be serious . The $ 27,100 suitcase , the story said , was sold by Hermès , the luxury retailer , which has a store in Naples . The suitcase was called the Hector , and was `` constructed of Officier canvas with Evercalf calfskin . '' I closed the magazine , but could not stop thinking about the suitcase . A suitcase is something that gets banged around . It sits out in the rain and snow on airport runways . Baggage handlers toss it roughly onto conveyer belts . Sometimes it gets lost on flights . Why would anyone pay $ 27,100 for a suitcase ? Weighty and important matters dominated the news . But there it was , always in the back of my mind : the suitcase , and the parallel world of wealth it represented . Over the holidays , I was in New York City . One morning I walked to the Hermès store at the corner of 62nd Street and Madison Avenue . I took a deep breath and walked in . `` May I help you ? '' a clerk asked . `` I 'd like to see the $ 27,000 suitcase , '' I said . -LRB- I shaved $ 100 off the price ; the phrase sounded smoother that way . -RRB- . `` Which bag specifically ? '' she said . `` You have more than one that costs that much ? '' I said . `` There was one that cost $ 200,000 , '' she said . `` It featured diamonds . '' `` Why would someone spend that kind of money on a suitcase ? '' I said . `` Hand-stitching , '' she said . `` Sometimes exotic material . '' She looked around , as if to be certain no one was listening , then half-whispered : . `` I use my Samsonite . '' She said that the $ 27,100 suitcase was not , on that day , on floor display . I left New York , still mulling : How could a person take such a suitcase on a trip ? It would be like putting a baggage tag on $ 27,100 in cash . At Midway Airport in Chicago , I went in the slush and slop to Southwest Airlines ' curbside baggage-check area to commiserate with my baggage-handler friends there . I told them the story . I would like to report their response , but it was so cold outside , and they were so bundled up head to toe , that all I could discern was their muffled laughter . In recent days I was in southwest Florida again . This time I went to the Hermès store there , in the elegant Waterside Shops outdoor mall . `` I 'm interested in the $ 27,000 suitcase , '' I said to the first clerk I saw . She absolutely beamed , and I immediately realized she had mistaken my intentions . `` No , '' I said . `` No . I do n't want to buy it . '' The wattage of her smiled dimmed a bit . She said I would have to give her more information about the product ; she said some specially made Hermès bags sold for $ 40,000 or $ 50,000 . `` The people who pay that much for a bag usually fly on jets , '' she said . `` Most people fly on jets , '' I said . She gave me a do n't - be-dense look . `` Oh , '' I said , surmising that , in these circles , `` jets '' was a synonym for `` private jets . '' Back in my hotel room , I called Hermès ' U.S. corporate headquarters . There , a spokeswoman , Bernice Kwok-Gabel , said that for many customers , only the best that money can buy will do . `` They want the finest , '' she said . `` No compromises . '' She said that for people who might spend $ 27,000 on a work of art , $ 27,000 for a suitcase is not excessive . `` If they want it , the price is not a big concern . '' She said that the $ 27,100 Hector suitcase is actually a twinned piece of luggage : two compartments carried by a single handle . For a customer on a tight budget , a single Hector compartment can be bought by itself . For $ 14,000 . I ended my quest where it began : at Gulfshore Life magazine , where I had seen the original mention . I called the editor-in-chief , David Sendler , to ask if he thought his readers had greeted the item about the suitcase with a shake of the head . `` Some probably did , '' he said . `` But I 'm sure there were others who saw it and thought : ` I 'd like to have that bag . ' We have a very high-demographic readership . '' I will leave you with this thought . At that Hermès store in New York , I asked the clerk why someone would pay so much for a suitcase that would inevitably get scuffed and scratched in transit . `` Some people buy metal cases in which to enclose their suitcases , '' she said . She saw the disbelief in my eyes , smiled , and said : . `` They buy suitcases for their suitcases . '' The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Bob Greene . | Bob Greene saw an ad for a $ 27K suitcase and thought it was a joke . Even in difficult economic times , extravagant luxury goods are for sale , he says . He asks why people would pay so much for an item that gets jostled around and endures all weather . | [[1053, 1102], [1067, 1076], [1082, 1102], [2002, 2060], [4772, 4804], [4807, 4869]] |
London , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Ozzy Osbourne , the former front man of rock group Black Sabbath , says that after decades of living a life of drugs and sex , he 's lucky to be alive today . Speaking to CNN 's Max Foster , Osbourne described in detail how he often played a dangerous game when it came to using drugs and having promiscuous sex . `` With the sexually transmitted disease , what I was doing is playing Russian roulette with sex , '' says Osbourne . `` With the drugs , it nearly killed me on a daily basis -- I did a lot of heavy drug taking for a long time and I survived it by the grace of God . `` You might not be as lucky as me -- I 'm living on borrowed time . '' In his autobiography , `` I am Ozzy , '' Osbourne discusses his past , his family and his time with Black Sabbath . Answering a viewer 's question on whether he realized his power to change people 's lives , Osbourne replied with shock . `` When you 're on the inside looking , you do n't see it that way , '' Osbourne said . `` But I suppose you 're right . I do -- I do have the power to change people 's lives . '' What does he remember about Black Sabbath ? `` We were just four kids from Aston in Birmingham who had a good idea and it worked out fine . '' Osbourne also discussed the current state of the music industry and the `` manufacturing '' of artists today . `` It 's completely different -- they 're manufactured people now ... like ice cream . `` Every now and then somebody comes out and I really like them -- I really like this Lady Gaga . '' | Ozzy Osbourne says he is lucky to be alive after years of drug and alcohol abuse . During a CNN interview , Osbourne says he played Russian roulette with sex . Osbourne has a new autobiography out called `` I am Ozzy '' Osbourne was the former front man for Black Sabbath . | [[0, 6], [9, 32], [103, 194], [543, 576], [227, 292], [260, 349], [398, 446]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Everything will glow -- the balloons , the table cloths , the blue martinis and the party favors . The red carpet will turn blue . Even the female impersonators will be painted -- you guessed it -- blue . The first 50 guests will be given bright blue boas . There will be seven high-definition projection screens , and the winner of the trivia competition will win a massive , crystal-bedazzled Hpnotiq bottle . All-in-all , Edward Gisiger says , it 's going to be one great Oscar party . Gisiger is the owner of the Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club in Chicago , Illinois . Every year the Kit Kat throws an elaborate themed party on Oscar night . This year they 've chosen to transform the club into `` The Land of Avatar , '' complete with Kit Kat diva Aurora Sexton playing the role of warrior princess Neytiri . `` This is one of the best years of Hollywood ever because of ` Avatar , ' so there 's a real reason to celebrate , '' Gisiger said . With 10 best picture nominees , there are plenty of themes to choose from . But planning that party can be stressful and time consuming . CNN talked to Gisiger and other party-throwers to provide dos and do n'ts for an award-worthy night . Do n't wait until Sunday . Mary Johnson and her friend Carolyn Mueller in Dayton , Ohio , held a `` Julie & Julia '' dinner party in December . The pair started prepping their individual ingredients on Tuesday , met on Wednesday to combine portions and baked early on Thursday to get all the dishes ready for Thursday night . `` Prepare as much of the food ahead of time so you can enjoy the party , '' Johnson recommends . `` You also do n't want to try new recipes out on a party . Choose recipes you feel comfortable with . '' First season `` Top Chef '' host and cookbook writer Katie Lee offers the same advice . `` It is important to be able to enjoy your party just as much as your guests . Do n't keep yourself too occupied in the kitchen so you can join in on the fun . Put out a food and drink buffet to make it easier to serve . '' Do make it interactive . Johnson and Mueller dressed up in old-school aprons , chef hats and pearls . Gisiger says this is a great way to get guests involved in the theme , especially if you offer them prizes for being creative . Lee recommends creating ballot games and trivia to entertain guests in between watching category announcements at the Academy Awards show . Do set the mood . Although Gisiger 's budget may be a bit bigger than yours , his club 's glowing blue atmosphere should inspire you . `` I think there are so many things you can do from home . It 's just a way of being creative and making it different from others , ' '' the club owner said . Gisiger suggests having a signature drink that follows the theme of the party , similar to his `` Avatar Princess '' martini made with vodka , Cognac and pineapple juice -- with a glow stick , of course . Stacy Suzuki attended another `` Julie & Julia '' party in Hawaii where the host had guests bring a dish from Julia Child 's cookbook . The recipes were on display and the dining table was set with lines from France . A French cooking DVD played in the background . `` A part-French poodle was running around the house wearing a doggie t-shirt made in Paris , '' she said . Lee , also the Moet & Chandon spokeswoman , said you can offer your guests the same cocktail the stars are drinking on the red carpet and at the Governor 's Ball -- Moet Golden Glamour . Or bring the fashion world to your party by making it black tie optional and place digital cameras around the room to capture paparazzi shots , Lee suggested . Whatever you do , `` do n't keep the glamour to a minimum . '' Do n't have guests leave empty-handed . Suzuki 's host created a full menu using all of Julia Child 's recipes . When the guests left , the host had copies of the recipes available to take home . The gift bags at the Kit Kat Lounge will include that blue boa , a glowing heart-shaped necklace and a T-shirt . But most important , Gisiger says , is that guests leave feeling recharged . `` It 's a fun way to escape , '' Gisiger said about both the party and movies in general . `` That 's kind of what we focus on . '' | With 10 best picture nominees , it 's easy to pick a great theme for an Oscar party . Experts say not to wait until the last minute to prepare food or you 'll miss the fun . Set the mood with decorations , props and costumes , party hosts suggest . | [[2419, 2436]] |
Lisbon , Portugal -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Let 's face it , footballers have a bad rep. They are labelled by many as overpaid selfish prima donnas who could not care less about the world around them . This may in reality apply to some players , but definitely not all of them . In Lisbon I recently met many who truly enjoy being role models and were honored to take part in the 7th edition of the United Nations -LRB- UN -RRB- Match Against Poverty . This year , in light of the tragic earthquake in Haiti , all of the proceeds went to the devastated country as 55 thousand people filled the Stadium of Light to greet some of the best footballers on the planet , both past and present . The likes of Kaka , Thierry Henry , Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane lent a hand to this cause . Organizers were hoping to raise over $ 750 000 and in ticket sales alone , that target was reached . Having the privilege to be behind the scenes at this match in my home country , I spoke with various players about their involvement in it . One of the most concerned about the plight of the Haitian people was Thierry Henry . The Barcelona forward , who made headlines for the wrong reasons after his controversial handball which helped prevent Ireland from attending the World Cup , had already personally pledged $ 90,000 to the French aid agency Medecins sans Frontieres . `` I am very touched by this tragedy and it is very good that everybody should mobilize in order to help Haiti , '' Henry told his club side Barcelona 's official Web site . `` This touches me because almost 20 years ago something similar happened in -LRB- the French Caribbean island of -RRB- Guadeloupe and I know what the Haitians must be going through . I have many friends over there . Haiti is a former French colony and it 's as if we are cousins . '' Henry showed true concern for a nation that needs all the help it can get to rebuild its infrastructure and its hope . Zidane , Kaka and Figo were others who told me they were shocked by some of the footage they saw coming out of Haiti . As the death toll rose , they felt they needed to do something to help , and were delighted so many high-profile names showed up . In all , some 40 international players participated in a match that was qualified as a success by all , including the former Arsenal striker . `` We must help them . I felt I should do something and that 's why I have decided to make a donation to Medecins sans Frontieres , '' said the former Arsenal legend . | United Nations game in Lisbon raises over $ 750,000 for Haiti earthquake appeal . French star Thierry Henry plays and personally donated over $ 90,000 . Other leading stars such as Kaka , Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane take part . CNN 's Pedro Pinto reports Henry was shocked by the tragedy . | [[1103, 1124], [1261, 1339], [682, 775]] |
New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A human skull and crossbones , valued at up to $ 20,000 , wo n't appear at a Christie 's auction Friday after another party claimed rights to the remains , the auction house announced . Yale University 's secret Order of Skull and Bones used the skull and crossbones as a ballot box , Christie 's said in its advertisement of the item in an auction catalogue . The auction house estimates the 19th century ballot box is worth between $ 10,000 and $ 20,000 . The skull , crossbones and accompanying book of Skull and Bones members between 1832 and 1877 were `` withdrawn from sale due to a title claim , '' Christie 's said in a statement Friday . The global auctioneer did not say who claimed rights to the items . Earlier this month , the World Archaeological Congress condemned the sale , calling the sale of human body parts an `` affront to human dignity . '' The group also suggested the skull might be that of a Native American and thus be subject to federal laws protecting Native American remains . This is n't the first time Skull and Bones has been entangled in a debate over human remains . The great-grandson of famed Chiricahua Apache warrior Geronimo sued Skull and Bones last year , claiming the society had Geronimo 's remains . Historians disagreed on whether the society had ever dug up Geronimo 's grave . The collegiate society has existed since 1832 and has prominent alumni such as former President George W. Bush and his grandfather , Sen. Prescott Bush . | Another party claims rights to human skull and crossbones valued at up to $ 20,000 . Yale University 's secret Order of Skull and Bones used them as ballot box . World Archaeological Congress calls sale of human remains `` affront to human dignity '' Group suggests skull might be Native American , subject to legal protection . | [[0, 24], [59, 83], [0, 24], [86, 181], [675, 696], [713, 742], [214, 310], [743, 761], [764, 816], [743, 761], [764, 797], [819, 855], [892, 901], [907, 997]] |
Madrid , Spain -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Spanish court Wednesday convicted five men accused of Islamic terrorist activities that included aiding fugitives from the Madrid train bombings of 2004 and planning other attacks . The five men include three Moroccans , an Algerian and a Turk . Their sentences , on charges of collaborating or belonging to an Islamic terrorist group , range from five to nine years in prison , according to a copy of the court order viewed by CNN . The court acquitted four other defendants , all Moroccans , on similar charges . `` During the years 2004 and 2005 , the group provided cover and economic support and facilitated the flight from Spain for individuals who had roles '' in the train bombings , the court said . The group was based in a Barcelona suburb , Santa Coloma de Gramenet , before police made arrests in June 2005 , officials said . Some in the group also were involved in trafficking in weapons or explosives , or preaching violence for indoctrination of new militants , ruled a three-judge panel at Spain 's high-security National Court . The Madrid train bombings -- coordinated attacks on four morning-rush commuter trains -- killed 191 people and wounded more than 1,800 . Spanish courts previously had convicted 14 Islamic militants for their roles in the train bombings . Among them were four Spaniards convicted of trafficking in the explosives used in the attacks . | Spanish court convicts five men of Islamic terrorist activities that included aiding fugitives from Madrid train bombings . Five men , including three Moroccans , an Algerian and a Turk , sentenced to between five and nine years in prison . Madrid train bombings of 2004 killed 191 people and wounded more than 1,800 . | [[9, 30], [60, 118], [90, 118], [124, 217], [587, 596], [637, 686], [218, 281], [282, 297], [331, 388], [282, 297], [373, 412], [1083, 1108], [1172, 1189], [1083, 1108], [1194, 1219]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iceland 's voters overwhelmingly rejected a deal to pay billions of dollars it owes to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands , the Foreign Ministry said Sunday . With around 90 percent of votes counted , just over 93 percent said no and just under 2 percent said yes . Not enough votes remain to be counted to change the result . Some 62.5 percent of Iceland 's roughly 200,000 register voters cast ballots , the ministry said . The referendum was on a law about repaying the Netherlands and UK , which helped savers in their own countries who lost money in a failed Icelandic Internet bank . The British and Dutch governments came up with more than $ 5 billion for bailing out people who lost money in Icesave -- an online retail bank branch of Landsbanki . That Icelandic bank failed in October 2008 , along with two other banks in the country . Under a European Union directive , Iceland now owes compensation to Britain and the Netherlands . The Icelandic government has said it will honor its international obligations . Iceland 's parliament passed a bill authorizing a state guarantee for repayment of the funds , but President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson declined to sign it in January . He cited public disapproval , and in particular , an Internet petition signed by up to one-quarter of the electorate , as a reason for not signing the bill . He said there needed to be a national consensus in addressing the issue . That prompted Saturday 's national referendum on the law . The Icelandic public widely disapproved of the deal , the government said in a fact sheet on the deal . `` There is widespread frustration over the claim on ordinary citizens in Iceland to pay the price for the irresponsible behavior of reckless bankers , '' it said . Magnus Arni Skulason , who campaigned against the bill , called the terms of the loan repayment unacceptable . `` Of course we feel empathy for those people that lost money , '' he said Saturday while voting was going on . `` We just want to get a more reasonable agreement , '' he told CNN . It is not clear what happens now that voters have said no to the loan guarantees . The International Monetary Fund loaned Iceland $ 2.1 billion in November , and said repaying the money to the British and Dutch governments was a requirement of the loan . Iceland has begun moves toward applying for European Union membership , which Britain and the Netherlands could block . Britain spent # 2.3 billion -LRB- $ 3.69 billion -RRB- last year to cover the losses that British savers incurred when Icelandic banks collapsed . The Dutch government spent $ 1.3 billion -LRB- $ 1.87 billion -RRB- to cover bank losses in the country . The Icelandic government said it has `` clearly stated its intention to honor its international obligations and remains fully committed to implementing the bilateral loan agreements with the UK and the Netherlands . '' | UK , Dutch governments bailed out their savers hit by collapse of Icelandic banks . Under an EU directive , Iceland owes compensation to the UK , the Netherlands . Some Icelanders say that the current repayment terms are unacceptable . With around 90 percent of votes counted , just over 93 percent said no to deal . | [[512, 514], [523, 559], [613, 646], [682, 730], [779, 821], [2529, 2585], [19, 144], [868, 900], [903, 965], [2231, 2318], [1771, 1791], [1828, 1881], [19, 144], [182, 221], [1502, 1553]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Israel 's Shahar Peer continued her superb run at the Dubai Open by beating Li Na of China to reach the semifinals of the WTA Tier One tournament on Thursday . Peer progressed to a match-up with Venus Williams as Li , who reached the semifinals of the Australian Open , retired with a back injury when trailing 5-7 0-3 . Peer , who was refused entry to the United Arab Emirates for last year 's tournament , is posing a security problem for organizers , who have scheduled her matches on an outside court with restricted access . With tensions high after last month 's assassination of a senior Hamas official in Dubai , placing Peer on the 5,000 capacity Center Court for her last four clash is a step they may be unwilling to take . Peer , who has been in fine form in 2010 , beat top seed Caroline Wozniacki to reach the quarterfinals and said after the match that despite the controversies in the past she was receiving a good reception . `` I get really amazing treatment here and they are so nice to me , all the people around me that are taking care of me , '' she told the official WTA Tour Web site . Against world number 10 Li , she was always on top as she headed for her fourth straight win in the tournament and her first over the highly-rated Chinese player . Defending champion Venus Williams showed her liking for the venue with a straight sets 6-3 6-4 win over promising young Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in their quarterfinal later on Thursday . In other quarterfinal action , seventh seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland saw off Russian qualifier Regina Kulikova in three hard-fought sets , 3-6 6-4 6-3 . She will play fourth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belaus who brushed aside Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-1 6-3 to reach the last four . | Israel 's Shahar Peer reaches the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championship . Peer defeats eighth seed Li Na of China who is forced to quit in the second set . Peer has played all her matches on a restricted access outside court amid security fears . NEW : Defending champion Venus Williams into semifinals where she will face Peer . | [[0, 15], [19, 109], [232, 234], [289, 339], [456, 472], [477, 548], [179, 234], [1293, 1317]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Days ahead of national elections , Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has announced plans to rehire 20,000 former Iraqi army officers who served under former leader Saddam Hussein . The officers will be reinstated into the new Iraqi army , said an official with the ministry of defense . The move garnered criticism as being a political ploy and was surprising in some circles after al-Maliki 's campaign rhetoric against Hussein 's Baath Party . Several candidates who planned to stand in the upcoming election have been banned by the country 's Accountability and Justice Commission because of evidence of them `` glorifying '' the Baath Party . Kurdish lawmaker Mahmoud Othman said al-Maliki was simply trying to secure more votes . `` This contradicts his anti-Baathist election campaign and it is very obvious that he wants to appeal to voters . '' A few weeks after the 2003 invasion of Iraq , top U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer dissolved Baathist institutions , including the Iraqi army , that were viewed as threats against building a new Iraqi society . The Baath Party was declared illegal and many Sunni Arabs lost their government jobs . As a result , the Sunni Arab community became disenfranchised -- many embraced the rising insurgency and stayed away from the first elections in 2005 . The tensions led to pitched battles between Shiites and Sunni Arabs in the streets of Baghdad and other Iraqi cities . Over the years , the United States has worked to get on the good side of the Sunni Arabs , bring them into the country 's new political culture , and persuade them to accept the new Iraq . In a separate development , a member of an al Qaeda in Iraq cell responsible for several dozen assassinations in and around Baghdad has been arrested , the U.S. military said . Iraqi security forces seized the militant in a rural area about 38 kilometers , or almost 24 miles , southwest of the capital . The cell is believed to have conducted nearly 50 assassinations . The arrest occurred ahead of Iraq 's March 7 national elections , and the military says intelligence reports indicate that the al Qaeda in Iraq fighters `` are increasingly staging politically motivated assassinations '' to undermine the Iraqi government and the upcoming polls . CNN 's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report . | Iraq to hire thousands of former soldiers who worked under Saddam Hussein . Move comes days before national elections , seen by some as political ploy . After the 2003 invasion of Iraq Baathist institutions were dissolved . Many former Baath party members became marginalized and joined the insurgency . | [[54, 153], [113, 153], [158, 184], [308, 361], [2004, 2067], [874, 917], [920, 1016]] |
Los Angeles , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Actor Corey Haim was the `` poster child '' for the problem of addicts `` doctor shopping '' for dangerous drugs , California 's top law enforcement official said Tuesday . Investigators found that the former child actor was supplied with prescriptions for five controlled substances by seven doctors in the last 10 weeks of his life , Attorney General Jerry Brown said . `` Corey Haim actually obtained 553 dangerous drugs in just this year , as late as five days before he died , '' Brown told reporters at a news conference in Los Angeles . The drugs included Vicodin , Valium , Soma , Oxycontin and Xanax , Brown said . The coroner has not yet ruled on what killed Haim , 38 , who died last month after collapsing at the Los Angeles apartment he shared with his mother . Toxicology lab results are expected to be available this month for Haim , who battled drug addiction for decades . Haim visited several emergency rooms and urgent care clinics with complaints of an injured shoulder or depression issues , according to Sara Simpson , head of the state task force investigating doctor shopping . Los Angeles County Deputy Coroner Ed Winter revealed last month that Haim obtained drugs using prescriptions written under the names of 20 Los Angeles doctors in the past year . The coroner subpoenaed medical records from those doctors . Haim also obtained at least one prescription of Oxycontin through the use of an illegally obtained prescription pad , Brown said . State agents arrested one person last month in connection with what Brown said was a massive drug ring that obtained and sold the counterfeit doctor 's pads . Although Haim battled drug addiction for decades , his manager said his death came when Haim `` was making major progress '' with a program to wean him from pills . Still , Haim sometimes threatened to find other doctors to prescribe him drugs when his primary physician would n't give him what he wanted , manager Mark Heaslip said Monday . `` I would be the only one who could talk him out of it , '' Heaslip said Monday night . His doctor was providing pills only in one-day supplies in an effort to wean him , Heaslip said . Haim 's primary care doctor would constantly follow up with urgent care centers that he believed were writing prescriptions for Haim , Heaslip said . The doctor later gave the information to investigators , he said . Simpson confirmed to CNN that Haim 's doctor was helping investigators . Haim had a prescription for the muscle relaxer Soma and the narcotic pain reliever Norco filled at a pharmacy February 26 , a source with knowledge of the transaction told CNN . Two days after Haim picked up the drugs , his primary care doctor called the San Fernando Valley pharmacy to ask about the prescriptions , the source said . An autopsy revealed that Haim suffered from pneumonia , an enlarged heart and water in his lungs when he collapsed March 10 , Winter said . Heaslip said he and Haim 's family are convinced his death was not from a drug overdose , but was perhaps a bad reaction to a single pill he took in the hours before his death . The pills , prescribed by an addiction specialist , came with a warning that they should not be taken by someone with a heart condition or flulike symptoms , both of which Haim had , Heaslip said . `` This kid was making major progress , '' Heaslip said . His manager said that if Haim was cheating on his addiction program , he would probably not have admitted it to him since he would have dropped Haim as a client . Haim began his acting career in 1982 , with his first television appearance on the Canadian series `` The Edison Twins . '' His first film role was in the 1984 American movie `` First Born . '' Haim also won rave reviews for his title role in the 1986 film `` Lucas . '' Film critic Roger Ebert said of him at the time , `` If he continues to act this well , he will never become a half-forgotten child star , but will continue to grow into an important actor . '' His most famous role was in the 1987 movie `` The Lost Boys , '' in which Haim played a fresh-faced teenager whose brother becomes a vampire . In recent years , the actor was reunited with longtime friend and frequent co-star Corey Feldman in a reality show . `` The Two Coreys '' ran for two seasons on the A&E Network before it was canceled . | Corey Haim obtained 553 drugs in last year of his life , AG says . Attorney General Jerry Brown calls Haim the ` poster child ' for doctor-shopping . Coroner has not yet ruled on what killed Haim , 38 , who died last month . Former child actor battled drug addiction for decades . | [[159, 216], [380, 415], [419, 485], [488, 495], [380, 415], [668, 691], [698, 722], [668, 679], [688, 722], [886, 890], [897, 933], [1683, 1722]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Philanthropist and billionaire businessman Ted Turner will receive 88 disease-free bison from Yellowstone National Park , Montana 's Department of Fish , Wildlife and Parks confirmed Tuesday . The bison , which were facing slaughter , will be transferred for breeding to Turner 's `` Green Ranch , '' west of Bozeman , Montana , from a quarantine facility . `` The Green Ranch emerged as the best option we have for these bison right now , '' said Ken McDonald , said the state agency 's wildlife bureau chief in Helena , Montana . `` It gives us time to evaluate the social and biological factors that will come into play as we begin to plan for the future of bison management in Montana . '' For several years , the bison were quarantined and spared from slaughter after concerns about brucellosis disease , an infectious disease caused by contact with animals carrying the bacteria called brucella . All quarantined bison delivered to Turner 's property , along with 25 percent of their offspring , will be returned to the state wildlife agency at the conclusion of the agreement , which will last up to five years , the release said . Turner Enterprises ' Green Ranch proposal describes 12,000 acres of suitable habitat , excellent handling facilities , years of experience with bison and secure living space for the animals . The ranch also will participate in continued disease testing and monitoring conducted by state and federal officials , the release said . According to the Turner Enterprises Inc. . Web site , Turner , who founded CNN in 1980 , is the largest individual landowner in North America with an estimated 2 million acres . His Western properties consist of 15 ranches in seven states . His bison herd is about 50,000 animals , making it the largest private herd in the world , his Web site said . | Turner will get 88 disease-free bison to use for breeding . Yellowstone bison had been quarantined after concerns about brucellosis . Turner has 50,000 bison , making it the largest private herd in the world . | [[0, 138], [212, 221], [252, 345], [713, 730], [733, 759], [713, 730], [733, 742], [764, 826], [1729, 1767], [1729, 1743], [1770, 1817]] |
Editor 's Note : The staff at CNN.com has recently been intrigued by the journalism of VICE , an independent media company and Web site based in Brooklyn , New York . VBS.TV is Vice 's broadband television network . The reports , which are produced solely by VICE , reflect a very transparent approach to journalism , where viewers are taken along on every step of the reporting process . We believe this unique reporting approach is worthy of sharing with our CNN.com readers . Brooklyn , New York -LRB- VBS.TV -RRB- -- Colombian tailor Miguel Caballero specializes in making garments that enable the wearer to get shot at point-blank range with nary an injury besides , maybe , a bruised ego . At-high-risk-of-catching-a-bullet demographics , such as rappers and politicians all over the world , rely on Miguel 's handiwork . And , lucky me , when I was recently in Bogota for VBS.TV covering a few stories , I had the chance to visit Miguel 's shop , learn about his protective clothing , and get shot in the gut by him . Seriously . Upon arriving at Miguel 's warehouse one sunny morning , I received a guided tour from a friendly office assistant . It all seemed totally benign -- sweet middle aged ladies stitching together jackets and blazers , smiling at me as I walked by . I could 've been at American Apparel 's Southern California warehouse . But when I sat down with Miguel and he got into the whole spiel about why he made the type of clothing he did , nervousness started to set in . Was this guy seriously going to put a thin jacket on me and then shoot me with a real live handgun ? The man is running a multimillion-dollar international business . Is he really so confident in his wares that he 's going to risk it all by potentially killing a novice American journalist on camera ? The answer was yes . But first he had to finish telling me about himself . Miguel explained his business model to me , and it was hard to dispute the logic . The world 's an increasingly dangerous place for political leaders and citizens alike . Miguel is simply combining the need for safety with the natural desire to look good . Watch more videos from around the globe on VBS.TV . And judging by his success , I 'm not the only one who gets it . There were rumors that President Obama wore some of Miguel 's goods during his inauguration . Plus , look at the automobile industry . Not long ago , Hummers were the province of soldiers in combat . Today , they 're a staple of suburban strip malls . How long until Miguel 's pieces follow suit ? By this point , Miguel seemed very determined to prove the reliability of his products to me . I figured it would be somewhat staged : I 'd sign something , be ushered into a safe room , and he 'd fire a couple blanks into some military grade flak jacket . Thanks and good night . Instead , my new buddy Miguel popped the question mid-interview in his office . And it was n't really a question . I believe he said , `` Now we 'll do a demonstration with you . '' Not exactly a request . He stood up from his desk , opened a drawer , and casually pulled out a .38 . This was happening very fast . He moved me over to the side of the room , outfitted me with some noise-reducing headphones , and offered me a black suede jacket . After instructing me to take a deep breath on `` 1 '' and prepare for a gunshot on `` 3 , '' he shot me in the gut on `` 2 . '' Obviously I lived to tell the tale . But -- most importantly -- I like to think that I looked damn good doing it . | Colombian tailor makes fashionable bulletproof clothing . Rappers and politicians are among tailor Miguel Caballero 's clients . VBS reporter `` volunteers '' to test a jacket and gets shot in the gut with a .38 . | [[696, 795], [798, 827], [911, 912], [996, 1024]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- At the stroke of midnight , American beer drinkers were no longer breaking the law when they broke open a beer . Brewers and beer lovers this weekend are toasting the return of legal brew 75 years ago . Breweries and beer lovers around the country are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the return of beer on April 7 , 1933 , as the Prohibition era was drawing to a close . It was n't quite the end of Prohibition , and it was n't quite beer , but after 14 thirsty years , it was close enough . What became available that day was only 3.2 percent alcohol by weight -LRB- compared with up to 5 percent in full-strength beer -RRB- , but still , it was a step up from the virtually alcohol-free `` near beer '' that had been sold since 1920 . `` It 's a big deal . ... The whole industry of beer has gotten together to say this date is definitely historic , '' said Julia Herz , spokeswoman for the Brewers Association , which represents smaller `` craft '' brewers . In St. Louis , Missouri , megabrewer Anheuser-Busch is throwing a big bash , complete with historical exhibits and an appearance by the company 's famous Clydesdale horses . Also in St. Louis , but on a more intimate scale , Schlafly Beer is inviting folks to come out to its Bottleworks for a festival next weekend . Remnants of Prohibition survive today in the form of state-owned liquor stores and local laws that , for example , prevent sales of alcohol on Sundays or in grocery stores . Some counties remain entirely dry , banning alcohol sales altogether , and 3.2 beer is still sold in six states -LRB- Colorado , Kansas , Minnesota , Missouri , Oklahoma and Utah -RRB- , according to Modern Brewery Age magazine . And there are those who think a beer-related anniversary is nothing to celebrate . `` It is the product of choice for underage drinking , '' said Michael Scippa , advocacy director for the Marin Institute , an alcohol industry watchdog group . `` We 're not neo-Prohibitionists or teetotalers , '' he said . `` We 're not trying to tell adults what to do . '' He said his group just wants the industry to operate more responsibly . The crowds celebrating the anniversary are unlikely to match the size or enthusiasm of those that gathered around breweries all over the country on `` New Beer 's Eve , '' April 6 , 1933 , in anticipation of the return of legal beer that actually had some alcohol in it . `` There was dancing in the streets and lines outside brewery doors ... It was a big date , for sure , '' Herz said . Franklin Delano Roosevelt had been president barely a month , having been sworn in on March 4 after a landslide victory the previous November . Sweeping into power with him was an anti-Prohibition majority in Congress known as `` the wets . '' Together they fulfilled their first campaign promise with passage of the Cullen-Harrison Act , which increased the amount of alcohol allowed in beverages from 0.5 percent to a discernible 3.2 percent by weight . When the act took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET April 7 , trucks and carriages burst out of brewery gates bearing cases and barrels of beer for a parched republic -- at least for the District of Columbia and the 20 states whose laws permitted it . Several breweries dispatched cases directly to the White House and the Capitol . According to the Brewers Association , more than 1.5 million barrels were snapped up in the first 24 hours . Full-strength beer and hard liquor were still a few months away . National Prohibition was n't repealed until the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on December 5 . Bob Skilnik , author of eight books about beer , including `` Beer & Food : An American History , '' holds that the December date is more significant and that the quickly brewed April 7 beer probably was of poor quality . `` I know everyone gets excited about it , but you were offered a watered-down version of beer . That 's all you got , '' Skilnik said . `` It probably was n't a very satisfying drink . If you wanted to have a shot -LSB- of hard liquor -RSB- on the side , you still had to wait until December 5th for that to happen . '' But the celebration was about more than getting a buzz . According to a contemporary article in The New York Times , the revival of the brewing industry restored at least 50,000 jobs in the midst of the Great Depression , instantly breathing life into the economies of St. Louis ; Milwaukee , Wisconsin ; Chicago , Illinois ; and other cities and towns where breweries were large employers . `` April 7th was really just ... FDR looking for an economic shot in the arm , '' Skilnik said . `` And it was a very successful shot in the arm . There was a hell of a lot of money spent . '' He said $ 25 million was pumped into breweries and associated businesses -- helping farmers , truckers , and glassmakers as well as brewers and pubs -- in the first 48 hours of sales . And that was good for cash-strapped governments , too . `` Everybody -LSB- in government -RSB- , for the first time , started to wrap their heads around the notion that this is something that you could tax , '' he said . The first day of beer sales reaped $ 7.5 million in tax receipts for the U.S. Treasury , he noted . About half the nation 's breweries went out of business during Prohibition , but others survived by converting to products such as oleomargarine , ice cream , cheese and smoked ham . So at the Storck brewery in Milwaukee , for example , children could enjoy a sundae while Mom or Dad slipped away to a room where illicit beer was served from a hidden tap , according to the American Brewerania Association 's Web site . Yes , despite Prohibition , Americans could go for the gusto . Chicago had as many as 20,000 speakeasies , Skilnik said . `` If you could n't find a beer during Prohibition , '' he said , `` you really were n't trying . '' E-mail to a friend . | Brewers , beer lovers celebrate 75th anniversary of return of beer on Monday . Change in law in 1933 made beer legal after 14 years of Prohibition . `` New Beer 's Eve '' provided instant economic boost during Depression . Quickly brewed , weak beverage probably tasted bad , expert says . | [[132, 221], [222, 343], [4255, 4357], [3693, 3816], [3954, 4002]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama and the rest of the first family teamed up with an extremely oversized rabbit Monday to the host the annual White House Easter Egg Roll , much to the delight of visiting children from across the country . The theme of this year 's festivities was `` Ready , Set , Go ! '' -- a reference to first lady Michelle Obama 's `` Let 's Move '' initiative , which is designed to address the problem of childhood obesity . The first family kicked off the event , which dates to 1878 , shortly before 11 a.m. , appearing with the Easter Bunny on the White House 's South Portico , a balcony overlooking the residence 's sprawling South Lawn . `` Is this not the most perfect day for the Easter Egg Roll ? '' Michelle Obama asked the enthusiastic crowd . Washington is currently in the middle of a warm spell under a clear sky . `` Our hope today is that in addition to having fun and doing some of the traditional activities like the egg roll ... you can learn about beginning to live a more healthy life , '' she said . As well as participating in the traditional egg roll , families were invited to visit the White House garden and play football , basketball and tennis , among other things . Several celebrities attended the event , including players from the Washington Redskins and athletes Apolo Ohno and Billie Jean King . The president also read the Dr. Seuss book `` Green Eggs and Ham '' to the visiting children . `` When your parents tell you to eat your broccoli , you do n't know whether you 're going to like them or not , '' he told the kids , emphasizing the point of the classic story . `` You 've got to try it . ... -LSB- And -RSB- when your parents tell you to eat your peas , eat your peas . '' The first White House Easter Egg Roll was hosted by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878 . | White House Easter Egg Roll dates back to 1878 . Families invited to visit White House garden and play football , basketball and tennis . Obama read Dr. Seuss book `` Green Eggs and Ham '' to kids . | [[460, 519], [1753, 1844], [1112, 1230], [1366, 1379], [1385, 1410]] |
Jerusalem -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Israeli authorities discovered and disarmed an explosive barrel Wednesday , the third to wash up on an Israeli beach this week , the Israel Defense Forces said . The barrel was found Wednesday afternoon at Palmachim beach south of Tel Aviv . On Monday , Islamic Jihad , the Fatah Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and the Nasser Salah A din Brigades issued a leaflet in Gaza claiming responsibility for sending three explosive devices to the coastal cities Ashkelon and Ashdod . The other two barrels packed with explosives -- one found at Ashkelon and one at Ashdod -- were discovered Monday and disposed of . In response , the IDF said , the Israeli Air Force attacked `` two Hamas terrorist targets '' in southern Gaza . `` One of the targets was a terror tunnel , used for the infiltration of terrorists into Israel , while the other was used for smuggling of weapons . Direct hits were identified , '' the IDF said . Hamas , the movement controlling Gaza , has been vowing retaliation against Israel 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 that allegation . | Various Islamic groups issue a leaflet in Gaza claiming responsibility for sending devices . In response , the IDF said , the Israeli Air Force attacked `` two Hamas terrorist targets '' in southern Gaza . Hamas vowing retaliation against Israel since one of founding members of its military wing died last week in Dubai . | [[271, 280], [283, 393], [376, 497], [158, 190], [644, 656], [659, 742], [941, 946], [981, 1078], [1081, 1092], [1102, 1127]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A former foreign minister claimed to be in control of an interim government in Kyrgyzstan early Thursday after a wave of protests that left at least 40 dead and appeared to have driven President Kurmanbek Bakiev from office . `` We must restore a lot of things that have been wrongly ruled , '' said Roza Otunbayeva , who called herself the country 's interim leader . No independent confirmation of the claim was immediately available . The U.S. State Department said earlier that it believed Bakiev remained in power , but Otunbayeva said he had fled Bishkek , the capital , and his government had resigned after a day of clashes between anti-government protesters and police . Are you there ? Share your story , photos and video . A senior State Department official told CNN late Wednesday that the situation in Kyrgyzstan remains `` very fluid and fast moving , '' and declined to comment on reports that the government had collapsed or that the president had left the country . The official , who insisted on anonymity because of the quickly changing situation , said the United States had been in contact with both members of the government and the opposition . The United States is encouraging all sides to work toward resolution according to the rule of law , the official said . Otunbayeva 's announcement came after hours of clashes between anti-government demonstrators and police , who responded with water cannon , tear gas and eventually with live ammunition . Kyrgyzstan 's Health Ministry told CNN that 40 people had been killed and 400 wounded in the clashes , and that the toll was expected to rise . The former Soviet republic is home to an air base that forms an important link in the supply line for U.S. and NATO forces in nearby Afghanistan . In Washington , a senior Pentagon official said that the turmoil has interrupted flights into and out of that facility , and it was unclear when those flights would resume . But the U.S. military has contingency plans to deal with the situation , the official said . Otunbayeva is the head of Kyrgyzstan 's Social Democratic Party and a member of its parliament . She was a leader of the protests that brought Bakiev to power in 2005 , and she served as his foreign minister for about two years before quitting to protest his appointment of one of the president 's brothers to an ambassadorship , said Mirsulzhan Namazaliev , executive director of the Central Asian Free Market Institute in Bishkek . Opposition leaders have accused Bakiev of consolidating power by keeping key economic and security posts in the hands of relatives or close associates . Protests began Tuesday in the northern city of Talas , Kyrgyzstan , over increases in electric and fuel rates , which had been jacked up at the first of the year as Bakiev 's government sold the country 's public utilities to companies controlled by his friends , Namazaliev said . The demonstrations spread to the capital on Wednesday after the government responded by arresting opposition leaders in Talas . Namazaliev said that demonstrators were already gathered outside Bishkek 's main square when he was headed to his office Wednesday morning , and the crowd had grown to about 5,000 people by noon -LRB- 2 a.m. ET -RRB- . About that time , police began to open fire on them , he said . `` I was running together with them while the police was shooting , '' Namazaliev said . Other protesters remained and battled with police , and some took weapons from officers they overpowered , he said . Machine-gun fire could be heard in the streets into the evening . Opposition leaders took control of the state television network Wednesday evening , airing images of riot police turning water cannons on demonstrators and asking people to donate blood . Though the opposition called for calm , clashes with police continued into Wednesday night , Bishkek resident Munarbek Kuldanbaev said . And Namazaliev said some protesters turned to looting after the proclamation of a new government , and police began trying to crack down on the looting only after negotiations with the interim government . iReporter describes protests , discusses grievances . Bakiev came to power in 2005 after a similar upheaval led to the ouster of then-President Askar Akayev . He won a new term in July 2009 in a vote the United States said `` was marred by significant obstacles for opposition parties , intimidation , voting irregularities , and the use of government resources to benefit specific political interests . '' There have been reports of restrictions on the freedom of expression and the media in the country , including the recent closure of an opposition newspaper and other media outlets , the United Nations said . Outside Bishkek , opposition leaders had taken control of Talas and several other towns before claiming power in the capital , the Russian independent news agency Interfax reported . Russia called on Kyrgyz authorities and the opposition to settle all disputes without force and with a democratic process . It also stepped up security at its air base in Kant , Kyrgyzstan . `` On the assumption of our interests to secure political stability in a country that is friendly to ours , we believe it is important that all issues in the given situation be resolved within the legal framework . At the same time , we would like to strongly appeal to the opposing forces to refrain from the use of force to avoid bloodshed in any case , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry said . U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon , who had visited Kyrgyzstan on Saturday , said Wednesday that he was `` shocked '' by the reports of violence and urged all sides to show restraint , engage in dialogue and promote calm . `` While freedom of assembly is an essential element of any democratic society , the rule of law must be respected , '' he said . CNN 's Ben Brumfield , Matthew Chance , Talia Kayali and Matt Smith contributed to this report . | NEW : Former foreign minister says she is in charge of interim government . NEW : Roza Otunbayeva says President Kurmanbek Bakiev has been driven from office . NEW : No independent confirmation of the claim was immediately available . At least 40 dead , 400 wounded in fighting in capital city , health agency says . | [[0, 15], [19, 20], [45, 148], [19, 44], [53, 123], [319, 334], [341, 387], [388, 456], [140, 148], [154, 175], [1494, 1637], [1533, 1563], [1568, 1594]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A California man pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter with the use of a gun Tuesday in the shooting death of a man who he claimed sexually abused him as a teen , a prosecutor said . The plea comes less than a week before Aaron Vargas ' first-degree murder trial was supposed to start for the slaying of Darrell McNeill , a neighbor from his childhood and a family friend whom Vargas claims began molesting him when he was 11 years old . Under the terms of a plea deal , Vargas , now 32 , faces anywhere from probation to 10 years in prison for shooting the former Boy Scout leader and local businessman last year in his home in the Northern California community of Fort Bragg . Lawyers will return to court April 20 to place a statement of facts on the record before Judge Ronald Brown decides on the final sentence . `` There 's some relief that we know we wo n't lose him for the rest of his life , but there 's also a lot of anxiety about what the judge is going to do , '' said Vargas ' sister , Mindy Galliani . `` I wo n't have closure until he 's home , '' she added . `` But even when he 's home , it 's still not going to be closure . We need to get him into treatment so he can get help . I feel like this is only the beginning . '' Since his arrest , Vargas ' family has waged a tireless campaign to reduce the charges and raise awareness over child sex abuse , earning support from members of the community and giving rise to more sex abuse allegations against McNeill . McNeill used his position as a Boy Scout troop leader and as active neighborhood father to win the trust of Vargas and other young boys , Galliani said . He took the boys on camping trips or hikes , gave them alcohol or drugs and molested them , Galliani alleged . The alleged sexual abuse waned as Vargas grew into adulthood , but McNeill continued to call him and visit the home where Vargas lived with his wife and infant daughter . The continued contact drove Vargas to the breaking point , his sister said . Vargas was under the influence of alcohol the night of February 8 , 2009 , when he drove to McNeill 's mobile home with a loaded gun and shot him in front of his wife , Mendocino County Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Norman said . The prosecutor said she consulted with the victim 's family and reached what they thought a jury may have found -- that his level of intoxication placed the crime more along the lines of an `` emotional decision rather than an intentional first-degree murder . '' Norman said she has received four reports of sexual abuse involving McNeill , which factored into the decision to strike a plea deal even though she could not prove they were true . `` When you have other victims coming forward , that does lend credibility to that scenario , '' she said . `` These people have written me letters and said this has happened , and I have no way of showing this has happened , but it has been put out there . '' The slaying victim 's wife , who lived next door to Vargas ' family and has known the defendant since he was a child , said she had no reason to doubt his claims of abuse . `` I love this young man and feel he needs counseling more than anything , '' McNeill 's wife said in an e-mail . She requested that her name not be published . `` I can not condone what Aaron has done , but I do understand it . I believe he took the wrong avenue by taking the law into his own hands . Like most of this community , I do not feel he deserves 50 years in prison . Unlike most of this community , I feel he should serve some time , but not much . '' The case , with its suggestions of long-buried secrets , has rocked Fort Bragg , a former logging community that has become a coastal tourist destination . Another longtime Fort Bragg resident has come out publicly with allegations of abuse against McNeill . `` I was a reserved kid , some considered me a loner ; I just kind of kept to myself as a kid , and he would play on that , '' Todd Rowan said in an interview in March . `` He 'd give me pot and beer , and he 'd get me stoned and a little drunk , and he took advantage of me that way . '' Rowan said the abuse began when he was 15 and continued on and off until he was 19 , but the emotional trauma lingered for years , driving him to substance abuse and suicide attempts . He said he brought the allegations to Fort Bragg Police in 2001 but nothing happened . `` All those years , I wanted to forget about and push it away with alcohol because you 're supposed to be a man . And then , when police did n't do anything , that pushed me even further down the hole . '' Repeated calls for comment to the Fort Bragg Police Department and the Mendocino Sheriff , which handled the investigation of McNeill 's death , were not returned . Rowan said his ability to stay sober for more than two years braced him for news of McNeill 's death . `` When I got news that he 'd been shot , the first thing I thought was , ` who got him ? Somebody got him . Who else did he do it to ? ' '' McNeill 's second wife , Jenny Cotila , who divorced him in 1980 , said she also went to Fort Bragg Police in the 1990s after she was told that her ex-husband had sexually abused her son years ago . `` It could 've been stopped a long time ago but the police did n't take me seriously when I reported it because they said the statute of limitations was up by the time I found out what happened to my son , '' Cotila said in a phone interview Tuesday . Cotila said she has long felt indifference toward her ex-husband but worried about the effects of his death and the abuse allegations were having on their children , now adults . `` It 's hard for them to cope because they 're friends with Aaron , they knew him , '' said Cotila . `` Darrell 's their father and he 's their friend . They 're having a hard time separating their father from the pedophile . '' Members of the community also expressed shock that a `` normal '' guy like McNeill , a small business owner who installed the blinds in your home after you bought them at his furniture store , was capable of such horrific acts right under their noses . `` Here we have this man , and he 's being the normal , small-town businessman , and he 's following all the cultural paths available and all the norms , so when you have people coming forward and saying this man is doing something to me that 's outside the norm , there 's a tendency to not listen closely or to ignore it , '' said Jeff Edwards , a hospital employee who has lived in Fort Bragg most of his life . `` I guess we are to blame in a way , for thinking that this could never happen in our town . '' | Aaron Vargas was set to stand trial for first-degree murder next week in Darrell McNeill 's death . Vargas says McNeill molested him as a teen , emotionally tormented him as an adult . Many in community support Vargas ; other adult men say McNeill abused them as children . Mendocino County District Attorney says there is no way to substantiate abuse claims . | [[248, 345], [136, 141], [149, 186], [2570, 2602], [4243, 4282], [5162, 5240], [136, 141], [149, 186], [1270, 1286], [1289, 1473], [3762, 3864], [2670, 2706]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Actor Dennis Quaid told lawmakers Wednesday how his newborn twins came close to death after an overdose of blood-thinning medication , the fault of a drug company that did not recall easily confused bottles despite previous problems , he said . Actor Dennis Quaid says that what is happening in the nation 's courts `` is no fiction . '' The incident occurred last year at a Los Angeles , California , hospital , Quaid told members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform . In The actor also said the `` infants nearly died because of a drug company 's failure to put safety first . '' The panel 's hearing focused on the issue of `` pre-emption , '' under which FDA approval guarantees immunity for drug companies against state lawsuits , because federal law supersedes state law . The Supreme Court is mulling the issue in a Vermont case . Oral arguments are expected in early October . `` I am in the entertainment industry , but what happened to us , and what is happening in the courts of our country , is no fiction , '' Quaid said in a statement prepared for members of the House panel . `` It is all too real . That is why I have decided to speak out and do something . '' Watch Quaid say `` Baxter 's negligence was an accident waiting to happen '' '' The actor 's actual statement was abridged , as he and other witnesses were given a five-minute time limit on remarks . Committee Chairman Henry Waxman , D-California , said , `` This is exactly the wrong time for the FDA to say , ` Trust us . ' As a result of chronic underfunding and weak leadership , FDA 's ability to protect the public is plummeting . '' He said the agency has believed that state liability helped the agency regulate drugs and devices but has changed its stance under the Bush administration . In response to Quaid 's testimony , the company that made the drugs involved -- Baxter Healthcare -- issued a statement saying human error was to blame , noting that the finding was supported by the California Department of Public Health . In November , Quaid 's 12-day-old twins , Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace , were undergoing intravenous antibiotic treatment for a staph infection at Los Angeles ' Cedars-Sinai Hospital . According to standard procedure , nurses were supposed to clean the infants ' IV lines with Hep-Lock , a drug containing a very small dose of the blood thinner heparin , to allow the lines to flow freely . However , instead of the 10 units of heparin they were supposed to receive , the twins received 10,000 units , 1,000 times the prescribed amount . The babies survived , apparently with no permanent injury , Quaid told members of Congress , although no one knows whether they will show any long-term effects . The actor grew emotional as he recalled a 41-hour ordeal in which his infants ' blood was the consistency of water and their bodies bore bruises from internal bleeding . `` It made me feel that they had survived for a reason ... that maybe they were going to change the world in a little way , '' he said . In researching the incident , Quaid told lawmakers he found that the bottles of 10-unit Hep-Lock and 10,000-unit heparin were `` virtually indistinguishable . '' Both drugs are manufactured by Baxter Healthcare . He also learned that the labels ' similarity led to an overdose of infants at an Indianapolis , Indiana , hospital in 2006 . Three babies died and three were injured . Four months after that incident , he said , Baxter sent a warning to hospitals regarding the potential for mistakes . Seven months after that , Baxter received permission to change the labels . However , Quaid said , Baxter failed to recall the previous bottles that were in hospitals . `` They recall automobiles ; they recall toasters ; they even recall dog food , '' Quaid said . `` Although mistakes did occur at Cedars , the overdosing of our twins was a chain of events of human error -- and the first link in that chain was Baxter . '' Baxter , meanwhile , said in its statement that its heparin vials `` have been used safely more than 100,000 times a day , a fact that contradicts the implication that two of the company 's vials are indistinguishable . `` The two hospitals where tragic errors occurred with Baxter 's heparin products reported that these were isolated events resulting from a system failure in the hospital along with human and procedural errors , such as not reading the label . '' Quaid and his wife , Kimberly , have filed suit against Baxter in state court . The drug company has filed a motion to dismiss the case , relying on the pre-emption argument , Quaid said . Baxter spokeswoman Erin Gardner said in the statement that the company did not recall the vials because the medication errors were not related to the safety or efficacy of the product , and `` Baxter 's vials , even before the label enhancement , were better differentiated than other heparin products on the market . '' The company said it contacted the Quaids ' attorney in March to ask whether the couple would partner with them and medication safety experts on a program aimed at reducing medication errors but had not received a response . `` Baxter is hopeful that it can resolve this litigation and partner together with the Quaids for the beneffit of clinicians and patients rather than continue to litigate this matter in the courts , '' the statement said . | Actor testifies before House committee on newborn twins ' brush with death . The newborns were given 1,000 times the normal dose of a blood thinner . Quaid says pharmaceutical companies must be held accountable through lawsuits . Baxter Healthcare said the incident resulted from human error . | [[30, 162], [2566, 2577], [2582, 2601], [1862, 1893], [1927, 2056], [1953, 1964], [1969, 1977], [1987, 2065]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- `` Do n't close your eyes , do n't close your eyes , '' a terrified Christopher Gamez chanted as he coasted 7,000 feet above South Padre Island , Texas , his heart racing . One by one , Gamez watched as three people were `` sucked '' out of the plane and whipped violently into the thrashing winds and mist . `` Just put your head back and breathe , '' he told himself , seconds before joining the others . But why would someone with a severe fear of heights willingly plummet from the sky ? To cross `` skydiving '' off his mental bucket list , of course . Gamez was inspired to dream up his list of goals after watching MTV 's `` The Buried Life '' , a reality TV show about four friends who set out to accomplish the tasks on their joint bucket list . The show , which wrapped its first season in March , has motivated many young adults to create such lists right now , rather than waiting until they 're about to `` kick the bucket '' like Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman 's terminally ill characters in `` The Bucket List '' or Queen Latifah 's supposedly terminally ill character in `` Last Holiday . '' Gamez said he tuned in every week , but he knew he wanted to live his own version of `` The Buried Life '' five minutes in to the first episode . `` If you had one day to live , what would you do ? '' a voice asks viewers during the show 's opening credits . `` Would you climb a mountain ? Would you kiss the girl of your dreams ? Would you tell someone how you feel ? Now , if you had a whole lifetime to live , would you lose that drive , or would your list just keep getting longer ? '' '' -LSB- The guys on the show -RSB- inspired me and they pushed me to -LSB- go skydiving -RSB- , '' he said . `` To see them go out with no fear and do the things they wanted to do -- it made me want to do those things , too . '' The show 's title was inspired by a 19th century Matthew Arnold poem by the same name . The stars on the show -- Ben , Dave , Duncan and Jonnie -- decided `` The Buried Life '' summed up their concerns about getting bogged down with daily routine and losing their passion for life . `` What do you want to do before you die ? '' became the premise for their new lifestyle and , eventually , the MTV series that allowed them to cross Number 53 off their bucket list : `` Make a badass TV show . '' That list is under their control . `` What they do and how they do it and who they contact and help -- that 's their decision , '' said Brent Haynes , a senior vice president at MTV , who first realized the project 's potential when he saw footage of the guys sneaking into the Video Music Awards to walk the red carpet . Rather than arresting them , we gave them a TV show , Haynes joked . Others like the guys ' ideas . `` The more I watch ` The Buried Life ' and the more I 've seen them experience things , the more I 've wanted to do it , '' Megan Fulton said . The 18-year-old Emory University student said she appreciates what the guys stand for . In 2008 , Fulton 's friend died about three days after being diagnosed with an infection . The loss prompted Fulton and her friends to create a bucket list made up of kind gestures , long-term goals , personal achievements and travel destinations . Some of the items , like pay for someone 's groceries and adopt a dog from a shelter , were crossed off rather quickly , she said . But goals like start a flash mob , travel to Lebanon -- from where Fulton and her sister were adopted -- and overcome her crippling stage fright , will be more difficult to accomplish . `` If they can take part in a Krump -LSB- dance -RSB- competition , I think I can get up and say a few lines in front of people , '' she said . `` They 've really helped me and they do n't even know it . '' One of Fulton 's favorite aspects of the show is that every time the cast members cross something off their bucket list , they help a stranger accomplish one of his or her own goals . For example , in the series finale , the guys help a young man who was adopted at birth find his biological father . Because Fulton was adopted , the episode meant a lot to her , she said . `` You can actually care about people and still be cool , '' Fulton said . '' -LSB- It 's -RSB- a good trend to have caught on . '' Just one bucket list was n't enough for 21-year-old Kevin Cheaney . The Michigan State University student wrote two -- one for specific goals he wanted to accomplish during 2010 and one for long-term goals . Like Fulton , Cheaney was inspired to write a bucket list after his friend died suddenly in a motorcycle accident last summer . `` It opened up my eyes , '' he said . `` Life is kind of short . '' Though Cheaney has n't yet found the time to be someone 's hero , save someone 's life or race Germany 's legendary Nürburgring track , just writing the lists is an accomplishment , he said . `` A lot of these things , like taking more pictures and visiting old friends , are n't going to be difficult , '' Cheaney said . `` They 're just going to improve me as a person and make me appreciate life more and really enjoy it to the max . '' Celestine Chua , who has never seen the TV series , came across the bucket list concept while surfing the Internet in 2009 . The 25-year-old from Singapore eventually decided to write her own bucket list , which she shares with the public on her Web site as a reminder to `` live every moment to the fullest when you 're in good health . '' Despite already opening her own school for personal development in Singapore and starting an online talk show , Chua said she thinks No. 14 , `` experience true love , '' will be the most challenging goal to accomplish . `` You might think -LSB- a bucket list is -RSB- just a list of goals , but if you 're really thinking about things you want to see , experience and feel before you die , then the whole concept of setting goals is totally different , '' Chua said . `` When we start thinking about what we want to do before we die , our goals become totally different . Fall in love , see the Empire State building . That 's the magic of the bucket list -- it removes limits . '' Gamez agrees . That 's why he 's not ending his `` buried life '' with skydiving , which he said he would do again in a heartbeat , by the way . Bungee jumping and riding a bull are next . `` I 'm hooked , '' he said . | `` The Buried Life '' follows four friends as they accomplish tasks on their bucket list . The show has motivated many young adults to pursue their goals early on in life . `` What do you want to do before you die ? '' became the premise for the MTV series . | [[696, 708], [713, 773], [774, 824], [827, 885], [2138, 2177]] |
Hartford , Connecticut -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Few defending champions in sport have had as much to defend as the University of Connecticut women 's basketball team . On Tuesday night , the Huskies successfully defended their title -LRB- beating Stanford 53-47 -RRB- , their winning streak -LRB- 78 games -RRB- and themselves -LRB- against the charge that they 're `` bad '' for women 's basketball -RRB- . They are so much better than every other team , goes the argument of various scribes , yakkers and bloggers , that they 've made a mockery of the game . Never mind that these very pundits have mocked the game for years . Perhaps that 's UConn 's real crime : It 's made a mockery of others ' mockery . I know . I once mocked women 's basketball -- and thank God I did . After I 'd written a single line casually ridiculing women 's basketball in the pages of Sports Illustrated , a woman confronted me in a bar in New York . She asked me how many games I 'd attended before forming my low opinion of the sport . My armpits burst into flames , and I said that I 'd never actually been to a women 's basketball game . She invited me to one , and 23 months later , I married that woman , Rebecca Lobo , who won a national championship with an unbeaten UConn team in 1995 and a gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and who helped to launch the WNBA in 1997 as a member of the New York Liberty . I 'm not saying critics are wrong : Perhaps UConn is bad for the sport , the way Secretariat was bad for horse racing when he won the Belmont by 31 lengths , or the way the Beatles diminished pop music by releasing 20 No. 1 hits , or the way da Vinci 's diversity of talents -- artist , engineer , inventor , etc. -- rendered the Renaissance irredeemably dull . Or perhaps exceptional talent and overriding excellence , over time , raises the level of everyone in its proximity , in which case this UConn team might be the best thing that ever happened to women 's basketball . True , when the Huskies play , the outcome of every game is known in advance , much as the outcome of every Perry Mason case was known in advance . The fun lay in seeing how the inevitable victory happened -- in watching the genius at work . People knew going in that Houdini always escaped . They still watched , because the next time he might not . And so it goes for the Huskies , who trailed 20-12 after a hideous first half Tuesday night before slipping the padlocks and swimming to the surface , triumphant . People who play and appreciate extraordinary basketball recognize this dominance as an end unto itself . `` UConn has too many weapons , '' Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant said on Twitter last week . `` Best team ever in sports ? '' Not many people can answer that question knowledgeably , because most people do n't watch women 's basketball . It ca n't help that the women 's final is played between the men 's national championship game and the Masters golf tournament . It 's a subordinate clause between a giant pair of parentheses . Pity , because the 2009-10 UConn women are surely one of sports history 's most dominant teams , one for whom losing is unfathomable . `` What if the UConn women lose ? '' Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jonny Flynn asked on Twitter during the tournament . `` I hope not , because that means the end of the world is near . '' He pleaded for the Huskies to save the planet -- or as Flynn put it : `` Win for Humanity . '' Of course , the Huskies are not saving mankind . Or womankind . Or womynkind . Women 's teams , unlike men 's , are somehow required to carry the flag for their entire gender . They 're `` empowering our daughters , '' they 're sneaker-shod suffragettes . The UCLA men 's team that won 88 consecutive games in the early 1970s were n't striking a blow for wearers of headbands or mutton-chop sideburns . The Chicago Bulls dynasty of the '90s was not empowering the rainbow-haired . Men 's teams play and are appreciated on their own merits . We should be able to do the same with the UConn women . They do n't have to be heroines or feminist icons . The epithet my wife most often uses to describe herself is `` tall chick . '' That 's what the UConn women are : Women -- some tall , some not -- playing very good basketball . It 's pleasure enough to watch a bunch of shiny new parts working together , efficiently , toward a devastating end : the kind of beauty you see in a combine harvester as it threshes a field of wheat . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Steve Rushin . | Steve Rushin says UConn had to defend title , winning streak and dominance in sport . UConn thwarts critics ' complaints the team is just too good , Rushin says . Women 's teams , unlike men 's , are required to carry flag for their entire gender , he says . Rushin : The UConn women are one of sports history 's most dominant teams . | [[0, 8], [11, 38], [69, 161], [3536, 3550], [3569, 3633], [3046, 3133], [3136, 3173]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Space shuttle Discovery docked with the international space station early Wednesday despite a broken antenna that knocked out radar tracking aboard the shuttle . The shuttle docked with the space station at 3:44 a.m. ET . At the time of docking , both spacecraft were traveling 225 miles over the Caribbean sea near Caracas , Venezuela , NASA said . Commander Alan Poindexter and his crew completed the rendezvous without the use of the shuttle 's Ku-band radar , relying instead on other navigation tools to precisely track the space station , NASA said . The Discovery 's seven-person crew now joins the six-person space station crew for more than a week of work together . It 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 . NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson is already at the space station . Discovery launched Monday morning from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida . The shuttle 's 13-day mission includes three planned spacewalks , replacing an ammonia tank assembly and retrieving a Japanese experiment from the station 's exterior . It is scheduled to return to Earth on April 18 at 8:35 a.m. ET . There are only three shuttle missions remaining before the space shuttle fleet is retired . | Shuttle Discovery reaches international space station despite loss of shuttle 's radar system . Four women are aboard same spacecraft for first time . 13-day mission includes three spacewalks , replacement of ammonia tank assembly . | [[19, 102], [111, 127], [133, 180], [695, 766], [703, 766], [1060, 1123], [1060, 1089], [1126, 1164]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Canadian firetruck responding with lights and sirens to a weekend fire in Rouses Point , New York , was stopped at the U.S. border for about eight minutes , U.S. border officials said Tuesday . The U.S.-Canadian border is more than 5,000 miles long . Fire officials battling the blaze called for help from fire departments in nearby Quebec , using a longstanding and often-used mutual aid agreement . But the first truck that arrived at the small Rouses Point border crossing was delayed as officials checked documentation of the firefighters and their truck , officials confirmed . Two other trucks that arrived at the crossing next were cleared in less than two minutes each , a time that one fire official said was still too long considering the situation . `` It 's embarrassing , '' said Chris Trombley , chief of the Champlain -LSB- New York -RSB- Volunteer Fire Department and deputy fire coordinator for Clinton County Emergency Services . `` We 're calling for help from another country and the first roadblock they hit is at our border . '' The Canadian firefighters `` were asked for IDs , '' Trombley said . `` I believe they even ran the license plate on the truck to make sure it was legal . '' In the past , firetrucks on emergency calls cleared border checkpoints in 30 seconds or less , Trombley said , although he said identification is sometimes checked upon their return . A U.S. Customs and Border Protection official said the eight-minute delay at the Rouses Point crossing was caused `` when one of the firefighters ' admissibility was brought into question . '' He declined to elaborate , citing immigration and privacy laws . A government source familiar with the case said one firefighter had a criminal record , raising questions about whether he could enter the United States . Kevin Corsaro of the border protection 's Buffalo field office said the agency 's primary responsibility is to protect the homeland . He called the event an `` isolated incident '' and said agency officials were meeting with local fire officials to `` develop a plan to prevent the possibility of any delays . '' No one was seriously injured in the fire , but The Anchorage Inn restaurant -- a landmark in the village of Rouses Point -- was destroyed . A firefighter who suffered minor smoke inhalation was treated at the scene , said Michael LeBlanc , chief of the Rouses Point Volunteer Fire Department . The cause of the blaze has not been determined , he said . Ten fire departments , including the Canadian departments , responded to the fire . `` Would it -LSB- quicker passage at the border -RSB- have changed the outcome of the fire ? '' Trombley asked . `` Would the building have been burned ? Of course it would . '' But he said firefighters were getting fatigued fighting the fire and relief was delayed . `` Just the fact that it could happen and it could happen again is what has us worried , '' he said . Clinton County has mutual aid agreements with fire departments in Vermont and Quebec , Trombley said , and the county requests help from Quebec fire departments about 30 times a year . It sends help to Canada a similar number of times , he said . Trombley and LeBlanc said they planned to meet with authorities on Wednesday to discuss the incident . LeBlanc declined to comment . `` I do n't have all the facts and I do n't want to mistake what happened , '' he said . `` We 've had a mutual aid system in place since the '50s and I ca n't remember anything like this happening , '' said Trombley . E-mail to a friend . | Upstate New York firefighters asked nearby Canadian units for help with blaze . Firetruck that responded held up at U.S. border for eight minutes . Government source says one firefighter 's criminal record caused the delay . U.S. firefighter calls it embarrassing , says it delayed relief for tired firefighters . | [[272, 405], [972, 1040], [0, 15], [114, 175], [1465, 1603], [1672, 1826], [1720, 1757], [2759, 2844]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Jacques Kallis moved into joint third place on cricket 's all-time Test century list as he helped South Africa recover from a disastrous start to the opening match of the series against top-ranked India in Nagpur on Saturday . The all-rounder joined Brian Lara and Sunil Gavaskar in having scored 34 tons in the five-day game as he posted 159 on the opening day , putting on an unbroken 285 with Hashim Amla as the tourists battled back from losing two wickets for only six runs . The 34-year-old right-hander reached the milestone in his 136th match , five more than West Indian Lara and 11 more than India 's Gavaskar . Only India 's Sachin Tendulkar , who will seek to add to his record tally of 45 centuries in this match , and Australia captain Ricky Ponting -LRB- 39 -RRB- have passed three figures more times than that trio . Amla ended the day on 115 , his eighth century in his 42 Test , having come to the crease after India 's left-arm quick bowler Zaheer Khan had Ashwell Prince caught behind by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for a duck , fending off a short ball . India , who have taken South Africa 's top ranking of the nine Test-playing nations , struck again soon after when Zaheer clean bowled Proteas captain Graeme Smith for six . But Kallis took the attack to the bowlers , and had scored 120 of South Africa 's tea total of 193-2 . Amla had only 38 to his name when Kallis reached his ton , but then took charge in the third and final session as hit hit 55 of the 92 runs scored . It ended a frustrating day for the home side , who had to give reserve wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha his debut as a specialist batsman after VVS Laxman failed a fitness test and Rohit Sharma injured himself playing football in the warm-up . Dhoni then lost the toss , and Zaheer 's early exploits proved to be a false dawn . | Jacques Kallis scores 34th Test century as South Africa reach 291-2 on opening day . Hosts India took two early wickets before Kallis added 285 with Hashim Amla . Kallis moves into joint third on all-time list with 159 while Amla contributes 115 . India head the Test rankings , having overtaken second-placed South Africa last year . | [[348, 380], [383, 442], [19, 103], [852, 877], [1101, 1108], [1113, 1184]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Iranian Revolution , Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country will show its support to the revolution on February 11 . `` Our revolution has changed the patterns and the equations of the world , '' he said in a nationally televised interview . Ahmadinejad spoke on the occasion of the Ten Days of Dawn , which lead up to the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution . He said that enemies who plotted against Iran during the election protests last year continue to plot , but despite all the economic sanctions on the country , they are not succeeding . `` This year , they have mobilized themselves again to harm the Iranian nation and to stop them , but they failed , '' he said , adding that the capitalist powers who are against Iran have peaked . Specifically , he cited the United States and United Kingdom as nations that have tried to interfere with Iran 's domestic issues . `` They adopted their stances , and they failed , '' Ahmadinejad said . `` This is a clear defeat for them . '' On the nuclear issue , Ahmadinejad said that Iran seeks such production for peaceful purposes only . The United States and other nations have expressed concern that Iran wants to acquire nuclear weapons . The same countries who doubt Iran could , instead , partner with Iran and build the nuclear plants themselves if they wanted , he said . `` Russia , France and the United States can come and sign contracts to build the power plants . It serves our interests as well as theirs . Of course , if they do n't come to do this , we will reach a point -LSB- where we will -RSB- build our own power plant , '' he said . The Iranian leader also mentioned the three American hikers who have been detained , saying that negotiations are ongoing . `` We do n't like anyone in jail or in prison , but these people have violated our borders , and it has a defined penalty , '' he said , adding that there are Iranians `` languishing within American jails . '' He hinted at a possible prisoner swap . `` We are approaching this from a humanitarian perspective and see how it goes , '' Ahmadinejad said . U.S. State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid said the United States is prepared to answer any questions about Iranians in U.S. custody . `` It 's hard to know what he meant from these fragmentary comments , but we have made clear that we want consular access to our citizens in Iranian custody , '' Duguid said . `` If President Ahmadinejad 's comments suggest that they are prepared to grant us access through the Swiss and resolve the cases of the three hikers and others in custody , we would welcome that step . It is long overdue . '' CNN 's Jill Dougherty contributed to this report . | The Ten Days of Dawn lead up to the February 11 anniversary of the Islamic Revolution . In nationally televised interview , leader says U.S. , UK trying to interfere in Iran 's affairs . Iran is holding three American hikers who have been detained since July 31 . Ahmadinejad says negotiations for their release continue . | [[367, 371], [380, 434], [265, 313], [834, 890], [880, 890], [896, 950], [1680, 1698], [1704, 1803], [1680, 1698], [1704, 1803]] |
Jerusalem -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has fired his chief of staff despite an inquiry into a sex scandal that cleared the second-in-command of wrongdoing . Rafiq Husseini was accused of using the power of his office to extract sex from a female job seeker . The scandal erupted in February after a video was made public allegedly showing Husseini undressing in a bedroom and calling for a woman to join him in bed . The president fired Husseini on Tuesday at the recommendation of a committee that Abbas created to look into the allegations . The report clears Husseini of corruption and sexual misconduct charges . But because its content was not made public , it was not immediately clear why the committee recommended that the aide be let go . `` I was exonerated from the main accusations of abusing my power in office for personal gain and sexual favors , '' Husseini said Wednesday . `` But at the same time , the committee found that I committed personal error outside the realm of my work . '' The controversy began after Israel 's Channel 10 aired the grainy surveillance footage of Husseini . The footage shot in 2008 was provided to Channel 10 by Fahmi Shabaneh , a former agent in the Palestinian Authority 's General Intelligence Department . Shabaneh said he released the tape to the media to expose ethical and financial corruption within the Palestinian Authority . Shabaneh said he had brought evidence of both sexual and financial wrongdoing to Abbas before going public , but that he was ignored . He said received permission from his superior officer to make the clandestine recording of Husseini after a Palestinian woman approached him complaining that Husseini was trying to `` sexually blackmail her . '' The tape was made in cooperation with the woman who had brought the allegations , he said . In a news conference in February , Husseini denied the allegations . He told reporters that he had been framed by a gang `` working for the interest of Israeli intelligence '' and said the tape was `` dubbed . '' On Wednesday , Husseini said he accepted the committee 's recommendation . `` I am satisfied , and know that I paid a price after all , '' he said . `` I refuse to be blackmailed and I stood up to the black mailers even when that meant that I would lose my job over it . '' CNN 's Kareem Khadder contributed to this report . | Rafiq Husseini accused of using power of his office to extract sex from female job seeker . Report clears Husseini of corruption and sexual misconduct charges . But Hussein fired at recommendation of committee created to look into allegations . Controversy began after Israel 's Channel 10 aired grainy surveillance footage of Husseini . | [[193, 294], [193, 207], [220, 294], [787, 895], [1660, 1737], [1691, 1762], [128, 141], [147, 192], [580, 652], [787, 895], [453, 529], [295, 431], [1039, 1087], [1067, 1139]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Paraguay international Salvador Cabanas is in a critical condition after being shot in the head in Mexico City . The 29-year-old Club America striker was taken to a hospital intensive care unit following the incident on Sunday night . Mexico City attorney general Miguel Angel Mancera told TV station Televisa : `` We do n't know the motive behind the injury . According to an initial report it was a shot from a firearm with a frontal entry point and without exit . `` The player is conscious but he has a heart problem which they 're trying to stabilize . We 're waiting to see what those arrested have to say . It seems that the attack happened in the bathroom of a bar . '' Cabanas is one of Paraguay 's most highly-rated players and was part of their World Cup squad in Germany . He has scored more than 100 times in the Mexican top-flight and has netted 18 goals in 24 matches this season . Club America president Michel Bauer later revealed the forward was having surgery adding he believed the attack was unprovoked . `` He arrived conscious and responded well to the questions they asked him as he was going into hospital , '' he told Televisa . `` It 's a key point that can be encouraging , but until further notice we can not speculate on anything at all . `` They wanted to assault him . I can confirm that is what his wife has said , that it was an assault . There was no shoot-out nor any quarrel , '' Bauer added . | Paraguay international Salvador Cabanas is in a critical condition after being shot in the head in Mexico City . The 29-year-old Club America striker was taken to a hospital intensive care unit following the incident on Sunday . He has scored more than 100 times in the Mexican top-flight and has netted 18 goals in 24 matches this season . | [[0, 15], [59, 131], [132, 253], [182, 253], [804, 863], [804, 806], [857, 915]] |
Leogane , Haiti -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In a dirt field 20 minutes outside of Leogane 's city center , desperation surfaces in the form of fear , anger , thanks . All at once . Relief trucks from CARE International have arrived , and the waiting wall of people pounces on the aid workers . The residents clutch paper tickets given out earlier to collect the goods : one mattress and blanket per family . CARE begins to distribute 250 of each , but the makeshift settlement here holds as many as 10,000 earthquake victims . Guards wearing gray polo shirts with the word `` securite '' painted on their backs roam the grounds with metal baseball bats in hand . They anticipate chaos . `` We are happy for the mattresses . We are thankful , '' says Willio Sainvil , a spokesman for a community organization helping organize the flow of aid . `` But what we need is water . We need food . We have people who are sick . They need medicine , '' he says . `` We need tents , especially if it rains . '' Above the sun is hiding , for the moment , under dark clouds . iReport : Looking for loved ones in Haiti . `` You can see the people are not satisfied , '' Sainvil says . `` But they are thankful . '' CARE spokesman Rick Perera says the humanitarian agency delivered a water buffalo to this settlement , about 20 miles west of Port-au-Prince , but nothing else arrived until the mattresses on Sunday . The agency plans to supply more relief items , but distribution has been a huge problem , Perera said . It has been difficult finding enough trucks to carry the goods . In outlying areas like this , the biggest fear is people will be forgotten . Sainvil says aid agencies have visited the city center , but few have received help in the townships and villages of Leogane province , lined with sugarcane groves , banana trees and now , mangled chunks of concrete that used to be homes , offices , schools and clinics . Twelve days after a magnitude-7 .0 earthquake , the focus in Haiti has shifted from extracting survivors from heaps of rubble to helping those who survived . By some estimates , 1.5 million Haitians were rendered homeless . In Leogane , at the epicenter of the massive quake , about 85 percent of the town may have been destroyed . Kenneth Merten , U.S. ambassador to Haiti , told CNN 'S Christiane Amanpour on Sunday that the relief was slow in the first few days . `` It was very slow , a lot came in , it was hard to get it out to the people who needed it most , '' he said . `` If I were a Haitian here , I would be , frankly , angry at the whole situation I found myself in . But I must say that I think the Haitians are resilient , and they 're to be applauded for approaching this in a stoic and dignified fashion . '' Full coverage . The International Organization for Migration said Sunday that the biggest need was tents for as many as 500,000 displaced people . The agency identified two new sites in Port-au-Prince and Leogane where temporary shelters will be developed for those `` living in deplorable conditions in makeshift settlements without basic services . '' `` The temporary tent settlements will provide a clean and safe environment for the displaced , '' said Vincent Houver , the agency 's chief of operations in Haiti , `` but they are a short-term solution . Tent settlements are not sustainable . '' More than 500 aid agencies are operating in Haiti . Fifteen of them met with Leogane officials Saturday to address needs . The United Nations plans to set up a separate water and sanitation system for Leogane , but the world organization is `` quite stretched , '' said Paul Shanahan , senior emergency specialist with CARE . `` It 's hard to imagine how it could be worse , '' he said about Leogane 's sanitation problems . `` Human waste is being generated and disposed of informally . '' He meant left in open areas or dumped onto trash heaps . `` You see every mode of catastrophic failure possible , '' Shanahan said of Leogane . `` And the people fear they are not going to be attended to . '' Interactive map of where to find aid , hospitals in Haiti . That includes the 10,000 people who are making do at this makeshift camp with whatever they could rescue from their shattered homes . Bed sheets , cooking utensils , a lawn chair -- and memories of lost lives . Fenilmarie Carmel has managed to build a shelter for the five people left in her family . She points to the packed dirt under her feet to show where she has been resting her head every night . `` We have nothing . When will they come to help us ? '' she asks . She clutches her printed floral mattress made in Haiti -- CARE says it tries its best to promote local manufacturers rather than ship in goods from other nations -- and a blanket sent by the Latter Day Saints . One , maybe two , of her children might sleep a little better tonight . | In Leogane , Haiti , earthquake victims still need water , food and shelter . People in outlying areas of Haiti worry they 've been forgotten in relief plans . More than 500 aid agencies operating ; 15 met with Leogane officials Saturday . | [[1562, 1589], [1592, 1638], [3981, 4035], [3339, 3390], [3391, 3461]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Washington Wizards player Javaris Crittenton Monday became the second member of the NBA team to plead guilty to a weapons charge following a gun-toting locker-room incident . Crittenton , 22 , pleaded guilty in Superior Court in the District of Columbia to a misdemeanor count of possession of an unregistered firearm . He will avoid jail time . Judge Bruce Beaudin sentenced Crittenton to one year of unsupervised probation . The judge also ordered him to perform community service with a children 's organization in Washington and through the NBA 's Haiti project . `` Possessing a firearm unlawfully in the District of Columbia can lead to nothing but trouble and can have serious consequences , '' said U.S. Attorney Channing Phillips . `` We commend Mr. Crittenton for accepting responsibility and hope he fully appreciates the gravity of his actions , '' Phillips said . The Wizards said in a statement that the charges and Crittenton 's plea were `` another disappointing development in what has already been a long and frustrating process for the team , the NBA and , most importantly , our fans . '' `` Javaris clearly used very bad judgment in this situation and will now face the consequences of his actions , '' the statement said . Crittenton , who is currently listed as inactive on the Wizards ' roster and has not played a game all season , agreed with prosecutors that the incident stemmed from an angry exchange with teammate Gilbert Arenas following arguments over a card game . The argument led to shooting threats , according to documents submitted to the court . Prosecutors say Arenas threatened to burn or blow up Crittenton 's car when they came to practice the following Monday . `` According to Crittenton before he left his home in Virginia for practice that day , Crittenton placed a lawfully owned unloaded handgun into his backpack because he believed that Arenas would carry out his threat to shoot him that day , '' prosecutors said . Authorities say Crittenton displayed the weapon to Arenas , but did not aim it at him or load the weapon . Arenas had placed four of his own guns at Crittenton 's locker and told him to `` pick one , '' authorities said . Authorities say Crittenton had been cooperating with them after the incident , and had voluntarily surrendered his weapon , a 9 mm semi-automatic Taurus , to law enforcement officials . Arenas , a former NBA all-star , pleaded guilty to a more serious felony charge and faces potentially six months in jail , and has been suspended indefinitely by the NBA . His sentencing is set for March 26 . | NEW : Wizards call charges and sentencing `` another disappointing development '' Washington Wizards player Javaris Crittenton , 22 , pleads to misdemeanor count . While he will avoid jail time , Crittenton must perform community service . Crittenton agreed incident stemmed from angry exchange with teammate Gilbert Arenas . | [[907, 1135], [944, 1020], [205, 215], [223, 283], [350, 375], [457, 466], [472, 597], [1275, 1285], [1387, 1527]] |
-LRB- Skiing Magazine -RRB- -- When it comes to ski-equipment meccas , there 's Park City , Utah ; Boulder , Colorado ; and , Vancouver , Canada . Home to Arc ` teryx , Westcomb , and Prior , these Vancouver-based brands are leading the charge in innovative gear technology and design . Take Arc ` teryx , a local company that got its start in 1991 making rock-climbing harnesses , and has since evolved into an industry leader turning out stellar outdoor apparel , equipment , and accessories year after year . `` Our brand was born and raised and is still growing its roots in Vancouver , '' explains Arc ` teryx CEO Tyler Jordan . `` We rely on our local contacts , a group of hardcore athletes , and our employees -- we 're all gear junkies -- to give immediate feedback to help us grow and develop the brand . '' Using state-of-the-art materials , construction methods , and a style-y aesthetic , Arc ` teryx appeals equally to hardcore skiers as to mainstream mountain lovers . In fact , Arc ` teryx 's gear is so good , some of Vancouver 's police are now outfitted in the brand 's LEAF -LRB- Law Enforcement Armed Forces -RRB- line . And with two full-time colorists on staff , the brand has revolutionized the world of color in ski apparel . Gone are the days of black , yellow , and red jackets à la North Face 1995 ; in are outer shells splashed with shades like Big Sky blue and Bud green . It 's not just the city 's proximity to the outdoors that influences local gear companies ; it 's also Vancouver 's thriving cosmopolitanism , fashion scene , and underground culture . Alan Yiu , CEO and creative director of Westcomb , a local ski apparel brand , just looks to his city for ideas . `` I look at architecture and buildings . Anything that makes me stop in my tracks and wonder what the process was to create it is a source of inspiration to me . '' And Westcomb 's vibe reflects Yiu 's -- and Vancouver 's -- modern sensibility : funky , fresh , and sleek . Skiing Magazine : Why you should care about the Olympics . Vancouver is also home to award-winning `` microbrew '' ski and snowboard manufacturer Prior . What started in 1990 with founder Chris Prior making snowboards in his North Vancouver garage has turned into one of the world 's top producers of handcrafted snow equipment . Skiing Magazine : Why you should care about the Olympics -LRB- counter-argument -RRB- . In 2000 Prior moved its factory to Whistler , and having one of North America 's premiere resorts in its backyard translates into primo powder skis and boards made for big-mountain ripping . Want to build the ski of your dreams ? Prior can customize tricked-out features , graphics , and top sheets . A tour of the factory in Whistler makes for a killer off-piste adventure . However , if the snow is good , you may find the place empty . Though it 's doubtful the IOC had local gear companies in mind when it picked Vancouver to host the 2010 Winter Games , it 's no coincidence that the city claims Olympic-caliber gear as its own . © 2010 Skiing Magazine . All rights reserved . Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited . | Vancouver-based brands turning out top-notch gear . Proximity to outdoor venues part of success . Culture of city contributes to creativity . | [[192, 286], [287, 295], [386, 493], [409, 511]] |
HILLSBOROUGH , North Carolina -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A man who was obsessed with the Columbine High School massacre was found guilty of murder Friday and sentenced to life without parole for gunning down his father before opening fire at a North Carolina high school three years ago . Alvaro Castillo was fixated with the Columbine High School shootings , mass murders and natural disasters . Alvaro Castillo , 21 , has been medicated during the trial and showed little reaction as the first verdict was read -- guilty of the first-degree murder of his father . He also was convicted of multiple assault and weapons offenses in the school shooting . No one was killed at the school , but two students were wounded . The jury deliberated seven hours before rejecting Castillo 's insanity defense . At his sentencing , Castillo thanked `` the Lord our God for all his blessings '' and thanked his family for being in court . `` I thank my father in heaven for watching down on me '' he said . Later , Castillo apologized to the victims , adding , `` I know by my actions I shocked and hurt a lot of people . It was n't my intention . I simply wanted to help . Now I know I was wrong . '' Before pronouncing a sentence of life without parole , Judge Allen Baddour said : `` It 's frustrating to hear how help -- I think it was available , but everything did n't fit together to get you the help that you needed . '' Castillo , who has a history of mental illness , admitted shooting his father and firing at the students , but defense attorneys James Williams and Phoebe Dee argued he was not criminally responsible for his actions because he was legally insane . Experts for the defense testified that Castillo believed God wanted him to sacrifice his father and the students . `` The only thing that could make this tragedy worse would be if he were convicted of first-degree murder , despite substantial evidence that he was indeed insane at the time that these acts were committed , '' Williams said during his closing argument . Prosecutor James Woodall said while Castillo might be disturbed , he does not meet the criteria for a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity . He said Castillo planned a murderous rampage . `` He wants to be famous and he wants to be somebody . And the only way he can figure out to do that is to kill some folks , '' Woodall said . Watch more of the closing arguments '' The 13 days of testimony told the story of an alienated young man who grew up in a dysfunctional family and finally lashed out violently on August 30 , 2006 . Castillo , then 18 , shot his father , Rafael , 65 , seven times in the head and neck as he sat on the couch reading , according to testimony . Castillo covered his father 's body with a sheet , held his hand , kissed him , asked for forgiveness and then left a note and pipe bomb next to the body . Castillo later dressed in a Colorado T-shirt , a black trench coat he bought during a sightseeing trip to Columbine , cargo pants , military-style boots and ammunition belts , according to testimony . He armed himself with a sawed-off shotgun he named Arlene , the same name Columbine shooter Eric Harris gave his gun , he wrote in his journal . Watch how Castillo named his guns '' He also carried a 9 mm semi-automatic rifle he named Anna after an unrequited high school crush . He gathered pipe bombs , smoke grenades and nearly 200 rounds of ammunition . Before leaving for Orange High School , Castillo sent an e-mail to the principal of Columbine High School in Littleton , Colorado , to alert him that Hillsborough would soon make history , according to testimony . He also mailed a letter and videos to a classmate and a local newspaper . Castillo drove the family 's minivan to a patio lunch area , set off a cherry bomb and fired at the students . He later told a psychiatrist that he aimed for their heads , according to testimony . His gun jammed , and he was jumped by a deputy sheriff assigned to the school and a retired highway patrol officer who taught driver 's education . Castillo 's trial included eight hours of homemade videos showing Castillo ranting , yelling , whispering , singing and beating himself ; journal entries detailing an obsession with a classmate he compared to the obsession would-be presidential assassin John Hinckley had with Jodie Foster ; and a notebook he called `` Mass Murders and School Shootings of the 20th and 21st Centuries . '' See excerpts of Castillo 's journal '' In the notebook , he listed himself at the end of a gallery of school shooters . Jurors also saw a narrated video that Castillo shot in Littleton after convincing his mother to take him there to see Columbine High School and the homes of shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold . Castillo 's mother and sister , both named Victoria , testified that Rafael Castillo tormented the family . He was described as a controlling husband and father with unconventional beliefs . They said he forbid his wife from bathing the children in warm water because he believed cold water cured all ills . The children often saw their father drag their mother by her hair , according to testimony . Watch Castillo 's mother describe the abuse '' After high school graduation in 2005 , Castillo enlisted in the National Guard . By January 2006 he decided to kill himself . He was discharged from the National Guard later that year . In April 2006 Castillo recorded a video in which he appears to be talking to his unrequited crush . He asked his father to mail the video on April 20 . When Rafael Castillo returned , his son was dressed in his military uniform and was close to shooting himself with a shotgun , according to testimony . Rafael Castillo wrestled the gun away and called the police on his son , who was committed to a psychiatric facility . When Castillo was discharged a week later , he was advised not to have contact with guns and placed on an antidepressant . But five days after his discharge Castillo bought another shotgun . His journal shows that he had decided to carry out a `` Columbine-like massacre at Orange High School . '' By late June , he told his therapists that he no longer felt suicidal or thought of hurting others , and that he was no longer obsessed with Columbine . From June 1 to August 30 , Castillo 's diary is replete with references to `` Operation Columbine '' and how he would `` sacrifice '' students then kill himself . He chose August 30 because it is the birthday of Kip Kinkel , another high school shooter who killed his parents and high school students in 1998 in Springfield , Oregon . Defense attorney Williams told the jury that a social worker tried urgently to get Castillo into treatment in July , but there was a six-week backlog at the local psychiatric clinic . She tried to get another clinic to see him , but learned on August 11 that they would not . Nineteen days later , Castillo shot his father dead , dressed in the manner of the Columbine shooters , drove to his alma mater and opened fire . | Alvaro Castillo , 21 , sentenced to life without parole . Castillo shot father , opened fire at former high school on August 20 , 2006 . Trial featured disturbing videos , journal entries . Castillo was obsessed with the Columbine shootings . | [[15, 45], [150, 167], [168, 199], [204, 210], [211, 280], [1409, 1417], [1458, 1513], [2563, 2571], [2584, 2599], [6882, 6901], [6904, 6933], [6882, 6901], [6904, 6912], [7014, 7027], [3183, 3208], [4055, 4112], [4445, 4480], [49, 54], [59, 111], [281, 388]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama announced Thursday that the federal government will spend $ 8 billion developing a nationwide high-speed train system -- an investment the White House says is needed to help spur long-term economic growth . The investment , to be made through a series of state grants , will be funded through the government 's $ 862 billion economic stimulus package . Overall , projects and planning involving the rail corridors will take place in 31 states , according to a White House statement . The program `` will help accelerate job growth in an economy that is already beginning to grow , '' Obama said at a town hall at the University of Tampa in Florida . `` There is no reason why other countries can build high-speed rail lines and we ca n't , '' Obama said . More than 30 rail manufacturers have agreed to establish or expand U.S. operations if they are hired to work on the high-speed rail network , the administration said . The president first mentioned the program in his State of the Union speech Wednesday night . The administration initially released an outline for a national high-speed rail network last April . Each of the corridors identified by the administration last year are between 100 and 600 miles long . The program is `` a long-term venture in which states will need to plan projects , purchase and lay track , build and assemble equipment , and construct or upgrade train stations , tunnels and bridges , '' the statement said . In addition to the $ 8 billion mentioned by Obama , the plan also includes $ 1 billion a year for five years in the federal budget `` as a down payment to jump-start the program , '' the White House said . Train corridors in the program include : . -- San Diego-Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo in California . -- Oakland-Sacramento in California . -- Portland-Eugene in Oregon . -- Seattle-Portland in Washington and Oregon . -- Chicago-St . Louis in Illinois and Missouri . -- St. Louis-Kansas City in Missouri . -- Minneapolis/St . Paul-Madison in Minnesota and Wisconsin . -- Madison-Milwaukee in Wisconsin . -- Milwaukee-Chicago in Wisconsin and Illinois . -- Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati in Ohio . -- Detroit/Pontiac-Chicago in Michigan , Indiana and Illinois . -- Tampa-Orlando in Florida . -- Raleigh-Charlotte in North Carolina . -- Washington-Richmond in the District of Columbia and Virginia . -- Raleigh-Richmond in North Carolina and Virginia . -- New York City-Albany-Buffalo in New York . -- New York City-Montreal in New York and Quebec , Canada . -- Boston-New York-Washington in Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Connecticut , New York , New Jersey , Delaware , Maryland , and the District of Columbia . -- Brunswick-Portland in Maine . -- Philadelphia-Harrisburg-Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania . -- Springfield-East Northfield in Massachusetts . -- New Haven-Springfield in Connecticut and Massachusetts . | Projects and planning involving rail corridors will take place in 31 states , White House says . Investment will be made through state grants funded by $ 862 billion stimulus package . More than 30 rail manufacturers agree to establish or expand U.S. operations if hired . | [[399, 488], [399, 459], [491, 529], [253, 267], [270, 313], [253, 398], [802, 884]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The super-yachts of the super-rich could soon become super-green . The solar sail : super-yachts could cut fuel consumption and emissions by using a sail similar to this . Sydney-based technology company Solar Sailor is working on a `` solar sail '' which could act as both a sail and a solar power source to all sorts of large vessels . Super-yachts owned by billionaires like Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen are currently among the biggest fuel guzzlers on the planet . Some of the ocean-going beasts like Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum 's `` Dubai , '' the biggest private super-yacht in the world , are over 150 meters long and contain amenities like aircraft hangars , movie theaters , Jacuzzis , and swimming pools . All of these features sap incredible amounts of energy . Fuel consumption estimates on super-yachts have ranged up to one liter of fuel per second when traveling at high power . • See a photo gallery of the world 's best super-yachts . Solar Sailor 's CEO Robert Dane told CNN the technology could work perfectly with super-yachts . He said the solar sails had the ability to significantly reduce the boats ' fuel consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions . `` We think it would enable people to have their super-yacht but make little or no carbon footprint , which is the big problem with these vessels , '' he said . Dane said the technology worked by using a wing that is a solar panel or a sail , pivotally mounted to a vessel so it can be angled to the sun or the wind . The `` sails '' are controlled by a computer which takes into account the direction and strength of sun and wind to optimize energy collection . A design project is currently underway in the United Kingdom to create a solar sail for the super-yachts , he said . Dane said the company was working with Chinese shipping company COSCO to get solar sails on some of its fleet . `` Our aim is for a trail of retrofitted sails to one bulker and one tanker in 2010 . Based on the results of this , then we would design ` new-build ' vessels , '' he said . Dane estimated the sail could save about 5 percent in fuel consumption from the solar power and another 20 to 40 percent from wind power when the vessel is traveling at 18 knots . `` This might add up to a 10 percent saving overall in the whole journey , '' Dane said . He said there were further hopes that the technology could be improved by developing systems to raise and lower sails with fewer moving parts and store energy more efficiently . | Solar sails are large solar-paneled wings which can harness sun or wind power . Sydney-based company Solar Sailor is developing the technology . The solar sails could be fixed to super-yachts to help reduce their fuel consumption . | [[264, 285], [292, 373], [1443, 1512], [1690, 1734], [208, 285], [103, 117], [120, 173], [264, 285], [292, 373], [1156, 1271]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Akio Toyoda 's appearance before U.S. legislators on Wednesday represents not just a fact-finding mission by committee members and a public relations move by Toyota , but a clash of cultures that in many ways created the recall controversy . `` They turned a rather ordinary recall into a brand-threatening crisis , '' said Jeff Kingston , a professor of Asian studies at Temple University 's Japan campus in Tokyo . Indeed , a key reason why Toyoda is in the hot seat is because the company leadership responded in a very Japanese fashion , Japan watchers say . `` Their decision-making process was painfully slow , but the international media and concerned customers do n't want to wait so long for answers , '' Kingston said . `` Anytime the public hears ` brake ' and ` problem ' in the same sentence , they want quick answers . '' Toyoda 's long silence as the company deliberated what to do is a hallmark of the Japanese culture of consensus building . `` The decision-making process is really the planning process in Japan -- you do n't see a lot of rapid response to a strategic issue , '' said Michael Alan Hamlin , president of Team Asia , which provides communications advice to multinational companies . Difficult , too , will be how Toyoda handles hostile questioning , especially since most of his public experience has been before a largely deferential Japanese press . `` There is a huge difference in how Japanese media cover companies , '' said Hamlin , who lived in Japan for a decade . `` They are careful not to upset or annoy business leaders too much , because they do n't want their access to information or press conferences blocked because of negative reporting . `` In the West , you take Microsoft , Google or GM -- once they are big , successful companies , they are targets -LRB- of aggressive media -RRB- , '' he said . `` That 's the trade-off for visibility and success . '' How the two audiences -- American and Japanese -- view Toyoda 's performance may be very different because of cultural differences in body language . `` Japanese when in an apology mode -- especially before an authority like the U.S. Congress -- will be very humble . That means , you do n't necessarily look people in the eye , '' said Deborah Hayden , Tokyo managing partner of Kreab & Gavin Anderson Worldwide , a communications consultancy . `` From a Western perspective , that can be mistaken as weakness or perhaps trying to hide something . '' Also , Japanese language tends to be indirect -- whereas before the committee members are likely to pepper him with direct questions and `` be a bit of political theater , '' Hamlin added . `` He 's got to walk a very fine line of polite respect -- which Japanese have in bucket loads -- and the confidence of being head of one of the largest , most respected companies in the world , '' Hayden said . | Toyota 's handling of the recall crisis has elements of a culture clash . Toyoda 's long silence is a hallmark of the Japanese culture of consensus building . Toyoda has little experience dealing with hostile questions from the public . | [[190, 209], [228, 260], [881, 977], [855, 892], [916, 977], [1235, 1244], [1247, 1403]] |
Athens , Greece -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Thousands of people marched through Athens Thursday as part of a 24-hour nationwide strike to protest further austerity measures by the embattled government . The strike began at midnight and caused all government-run institutions -- including schools , airports , trams , subways , and most buses -- to close down . Banks and the media were also shut , meaning no broadcast news Thursday and no newspapers Friday . There were small clashes with police and protesters threw two petrol bombs at officers in Constitution Square , in front of the Parliament building . Police fired some tear gas and pepper spray in return , but otherwise the march was relatively calm . Sixteen people were arrested and two police officers were injured , police told CNN . Many people appeared to be suffering from the tear gas . The protesters are angry about further government measures aimed at cutting Greece 's massive deficit . They oppose the cutting of benefits and salaries , and the raising of taxes , and want more of the measures to be aimed at the wealthy . The government says Greece has to modernize its tax structure as the country suffers from tax avoidance and other structural impediments to job growth . But younger workers say they already pay high taxes , have little job security and make less money than older generations . Some of the same measures prompted large demonstrations and some violence two weeks ago , but polls at the time still showed the majority of Greeks backing the government plans . Since then , government has introduced a third round of austerity measures in Parliament amounting to $ 6.5 billion of cuts and tax increases , and that has caused support for the government to slip -- polls now show only a bare majority in favor of the government 's actions . The Greek government revealed late last year that its budget deficit was 12.7 percent of its gross domestic product , far exceeding the European Union limit of 3 percent . Countries participating in the EU must agree to that condition and other economic goals . Greece aims to reduce that deficit to 8.7 percent this year and reach the EU target by 2012 . Thursday 's strikes were rescheduled from March 16 , when European Union officials plan to go to Athens and assess Greece 's financial pledges to Europe . Protesters moved the strikes to Thursday in order to maximize disruption , because both public and private sector workers would be able to strike . The Greek government has said it will not back down in the face of strikes . CNN 's Jim Boulden contributed to this report . | Protesters angry about measures aimed at cutting Greece 's massive deficit . Strike began at midnight and caused all government-run institutions to shut . Small clashes reported , two petrol bombs thrown at officers in central Athens . Austerity measures amount to $ 6.5 billion of cuts and tax increases . | [[877, 949], [194, 222], [194, 204], [227, 351], [451, 487], [481, 560], [1543, 1553], [1556, 1684]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tzipi Livni , leader of a key Israeli opposition party , said Monday she would be willing to face arrest to challenge the validity of war crimes charges reportedly filed against her in a British court . `` For me , this is not a question , '' Livni told CNN 's Christiane Amanpour , when asked whether she was willing to face arrest . `` I mean , yes , the answer is yes . I am . '' A British court last year issued an arrest warrant for Livni , leader of Israel 's Kadima Party . Details of the warrant were never made public ; the warrant was reportedly later dropped . `` I would like this to be , in a way , maybe even a test case , because I 'm willing to speak up and to speak about the military operation in Gaza Strip , '' Livni said . Livni had served as Israel 's foreign minister during an Israeli three-week military offensive against Hamas in Gaza that ended exactly one year ago . The United Nations and some human-rights groups have blamed Israel and Hamas for human rights abuses during the conflict . But Livni , who is no longer in the Israeli government , defended the former government 's decision to go to war , saying that the campaign was needed to confront rocket attacks by Palestinian movement Hamas on Israeli civilians , particularly those living in southern Israel . `` I know that the decisions that we made were crucial to give an answer to Israeli civilians that could n't live in the south part of Israel and later or even also in different parts of Israel , '' she said . `` It was part of my responsibility , and this was the right answer . And I 'm willing to stand for these reasons and to explain this to -- to the world and to any court . '' She said that the Israeli military had already conducted its own investigation into the actions of its soldiers , but that she did not necessarily support a public inquiry in Israel , unless it helped Israeli soldiers when they traveled outside Israel . `` Part of our responsibility is also to defend the Israeli soldiers and officials that worked according to our decision in the government . And if an inquiry helps them , this is fine , so I can support an inquiry , as long as this helps them . It 's not about me . It 's about the Israeli soldiers , because I want them to leave Israel and to feel free to visit different parts of the world according , you know , to -- like any -- like any other citizen of the free world and any other soldier . '' One year after end of fighting in Gaza , Livni said that the Israeli blockade of Gaza would stay in place . `` The blockade on Gaza -- yes . But it 's important to say that , when it comes to humanitarian needs , the gates are open , '' she said . It was not clear who originally sought the warrant for Livni last year from Westminster Magistrates Court . British legal rules allow arrest warrants to be issued by a court independent of ministerial approval . The arrest warrant was revoked once it was clear Livni was not in Britain , the BBC reported . | Tzipi Livni , leader of Israeli opposition party , is willing to face war crimes charges . Charges reportedly filed against her in a UK court ; Details of the warrant were never made public . Livni was Israel 's foreign minister during military offensive against Hamas in Gaza . U.N. has blamed Israel and Hamas for human rights abuses during the conflict . | [[0, 15], [76, 171], [137, 221], [500, 545], [763, 879], [914, 1036]] |
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Many fans will always remember where they were when they heard the `` King of Pop '' had died . The rapper The Game will always remember what he did afterward . The Game created a tribute to Michael Jackson -- video and all -- within a day of Jackson 's death . That same day , Thursday , June 25 , he rounded up some famous friends , recorded a song , shot a music video and got a Michael Jackson tattoo etched on his upper arm . Actually , he got the tattoo while he was in the studio recording the track . Some people know how to multitask . The tune , `` Better on the Other Side , '' is n't available for sale yet -- although he 's hoping it will hit iTunes very soon . Because the record company was caught off guard , it is still playing catch-up . Game says all proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated to Michael Jackson 's family . The companion music video is all over YouTube . In it , the 29-year-old shares the spotlight with Chris Brown , who sings the hook as a counterpoint to Game 's rap . It 's the first project Brown has appeared in since he pleaded guilty to assaulting his former girlfriend , Rihanna . The video , in various forms , had received more than 750,000 views as of Thursday evening -- not bad for less than a week in release . In the following interview , The Game -LRB- born Jayceon Taylor -RRB- recounts how the project came together -- with a little help from Lady Luck and the muse of Michael Jackson . CNN : You may be the first well-known artist to have a Michael Jackson tribute out there . The Game : I did n't want to wake up the next morning and have somebody spread a tribute all over the Internet , and I was n't a part of it . So I decided to take matters into my own hands . CNN : Did you already have the beats pre-recorded ? The Game : No . The first thing I did was call DJ Khalil ... and I told him , `` Yo , I need you in the studio , and by the time I get there , I need a Michael Jackson tribute song made -LSB- the music bed -RSB- . I need violinists , I need pianists , I need everyone in there for a production . '' And then I started reaching out to Diddy . He 's on a set 18 hours a day , but he said he 'd get it done some way , somehow . Talked to Chris Brown . He and -LSB- his manager -RSB- Tina Davis said they were on their way to the studio -- so they told me after I do my part , to bring it over and Chris will do the hook . Before I took the beat over to Chris , Boyz II Men walked into the studio randomly -- so they took it to their studio next door , laid down all the background vocals . Then I took it to Mario -LSB- Winans -RSB- , then I took it to Diddy . In the meantime , me and my boy Taydoe -- we running around to the hospital , to the Jacksons ' house , to the star on Hollywood , getting all this -LSB- secondary -RSB- footage -LSB- for the video -RSB- . Crazy . CNN : This was the day he died , on Thursday ? The Game : It was just the day . By Friday , everything was done -- video , everything . We did it in 15 hours . Watch a report about Jackson 's final days '' CNN : You made the music video for $ 500 . The Game : All in tapes , $ 500 went to tapes , HD high-definition tapes . CNN : At the end of the video , you reveal a new tattoo . The Game : Yeah , I 'll show you . I thought if I was going to get a Michael Jackson tattoo , I would get a more menacing one . -LRB- The tattoo shows the `` King of Pop '' with a bandanna over the lower half of his face . -RRB- . CNN : Had you ever met Michael ? The Game : I never met him in person , but he tried to mediate a truce between myself and Curtis Jackson -LSB- aka 50 Cent -RSB- , and I was n't having it at that time . CNN : How did that happen ? Did somebody call you and say , `` Please hold the line for Michael Jackson ? '' The Game : At first my managers called me and they said , `` Mike -- Michael Jackson -- is going to want to talk to you in an hour . Exactly an hour . '' So I waited an hour , and I 'm like chewing on my fingers in the hotel room ... and the phone rings and a guy comes on and he 's got an English accent . He 's like -LRB- affects an English accent -RRB- , `` Hello Game , I have Michael Jackson on hold for you . '' It was just cool . So Michael comes on , and ... he was like , `` Yo , it 's Mike , and I 'm a big fan of your music , '' and starts going into my songs , `` Hate it or Love It '' and `` How We Do . '' And he 's like , `` I 'm a big fan of 50 's -- every time I get in the car , I tell my driver to play ` In Da Club . ' Would you guys be willing to make a truce , and then put it on my album ? '' Listen to Jackson 's biggest hits '' And then I was like , `` Yo Mike , we got ta slow down , man ! '' This was at the height of me and 50 's little beef , or whatever people called it , but I talked to him for another 35 minutes on why I could n't do it at that time , and at that point in my career , and he was OK with that . He said one day if we decided to do it -- myself and Curtis ' camp -- we could reach out to him . We never got a chance to do it . CNN : So the video also features Chris Brown . It 's the first track we 've heard him on since the hearing last Monday -LSB- June 22 -RSB- . The Game : They were really edgy about getting on it . I think -LSB- his managers -RSB- wanted Chris Brown 's first look to be kind of strategically thought out , and I came so fast with the Michael Jackson tribute -- but we talked it over , and at the end of the day , they thought it was a good idea , so we went ahead and did it . CNN : How is Chris ? I 'm sure you guys talk all the time . The Game : He 's like a little brother to me . I talk to him all the time , and I give him my support . You know , I 'm no stranger to trials and tribulations in life , and the court system . CNN : What are your thoughts about how Michael Jackson died , and how it seems as though prescription drugs may have been involved ? The Game : My thoughts on Michael Jackson are always the same . It does n't matter , the form or fashion he died in . He 's iconic to me , and his untimely demise is felt around the world . You got certain people saying , `` Oh everybody 's loving Michael now , '' but that 's neither here nor there . Me , myself -- I loved Michael Jackson to death . My mom sent me a host of pictures with all my `` Thriller '' shirts on , and the jacket with the zippers and glove -- me , my sisters and brothers -- so I really do n't care . I just know he left an impact on the world . I think he 's the most cried-for human being since Jesus Christ . It 's just my opinion . CNN : Are you thinking about donating part of the proceeds from the single ? The Game : Oh , all the proceeds of anything that I do that has anything to do with Michael Jackson will go to his family and his children . And that 's just the bottom line . | The Game records `` Better on the Other Side '' as tribute to Michael Jackson . Rapper greatly admired star ; Jackson tried to mediate between Game and 50 Cent . Game : `` He 's iconic to me , and his untimely demise is felt around the world '' | [[205, 267], [1975, 1976], [1982, 2045], [3593, 3678], [6083, 6101], [6083, 6154], [6493, 6537], [6505, 6537]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When an overwhelmed Shreve Stockton tweeted : `` I need an assistant ! '' she considered it more of a joke than a serious request , because she could n't pay a salary . `` I ca n't even offer room & board , only a camp trailer named the Psychedelic Jellybean & an unlimited supply of milk ! '' she tweeted last month . Shreve is not a celebrity or executive requiring a personal assistant , but a published writer and photographer who lives in a log cabin on 40 acres in the rolling hills near Ten Sleep , Wyoming . Her homestead includes a dog , tomcat , dairy cow , baby calf , young bull she 's training to work like an ox , two horses and , of course , Charlie the coyote . She feels overwhelmed with the daily care of all the animals . But she 'd also like to share her home with visiting assistants because `` it 's becoming so rare in America to have the time and space and the openness of the rural landscape that is shrinking . '' The only `` luxury '' she will be able to provide a starving artist is the time `` to work on whatever they want art-wise '' in their off time , without having the stress of coming up with money for rent or utilities . Her ad was only posted for a day or two but drew around 100 responses -- with one person offering to pay her for the opportunity to be her assistant . She directed them to an application . She shared a few of the forms with her boyfriend , Mike , a trapper with the Bureau of Land Management , who found all the applicants interesting and told her if he had to choose , he 'd have to move into a tent so they could all move into his house . The application also came with an unusual warning to all would-be helpers that there would be no petting , no face-to-face time and no `` hanging out '' with Charlie . The wild-born Charlie earns his keep by allowing Shreve to take photos of his everyday activities and write about him in her book as well as on her blog -- both titled the Daily Coyote . She 's raised him since he was 10 days old , after his parents were shot for attacking sheep . Although he walks on a leash , co-exists with Eli the cat , plays with Chloe the dog and often visits inside Shreve 's house , Charlie does not like strangers . So for everyone 's safety , her new helper will not be visiting inside the electric fence that surrounds his territory . But that 's OK with self-taught artist Sarah Frary of Kentucky , who plans to move into the trailer and spend part of her days helping Shreve with household tasks such as cleaning milk pails and maintaining her Web site , and the rest of her time on her art . Frary , 23 , expects the experience will have a `` monumental '' effect on her drawing , painting and screen printing . She describes her current drawings as `` very primordial and ancient feeling , '' while her new boss calls them fantastic . Frary has already started blogging about her new life and plans to set off later this month . She sought out the position because Shreve 's `` energy and everything about her just completely resonates and it 's something I connect with . '' Shreve was a little concerned about sharing her space with a stranger , but said she felt `` a kindredness '' with the young woman , who has been working as an apprentice tattoo artist in Louisville , Kentucky . Frary also performs `` live art , '' which she describes as taking place in a theater during a concert or play with her perched near the edge of the stage , painting on a large scale that has her `` throwing paint and finger painting -- getting crazy with it . '' The work-exchange program will give Shreve more time to `` concentrate on her next artistic endeavor . '' She has a few ideas percolating and hopes to decide on one `` the day after my new help arrives . '' Frary , a tattooed former military brat , feels her arrival wo n't go unnoticed , with her PT Cruiser covered in stickers she describes as bizarre and with an interior sporting a bobble-head Mr. T and feathers . Shreve landed in Wyoming after her own unusual journey , a solo , cross-country trip from California to New York on a motor scooter . After reaching her destination , she returned to the shadow of the Big Horn mountains to write about the trip on her Vespa Vagabond blog . While she fell in love with Wyoming instantly , the author says it still felt like another planet at first and it was a year and a half before she `` fully got into the rhythm of this life . '' Because Frary 's father was in the Air Force , she says she 's used to having to uproot and adapt to new places . She also describes herself as being outdoorsy , pretty adventurous and a nature person who loves to challenge herself . The two women will have to work out their schedules and computer differences : the Wyoming resident only knows Macs , while the visitor has built her own PC . Shreve plans to teach Frary how to market her art on the Internet and is willing to teach her how to mend real fences and care for the animals . The older woman picked up her skills watching and helping her neighbors . `` I 'm a pretty gung ho , hardworking person , so I 'll probably get my hands on everything , '' says the painter , who expects a full , disciplined life in the country with fewer distractions than the city . But there is one service Frary says she probably wo n't be able to provide to Shreve 's satisfaction : cooking . She says her mother hated cooking so she never learned . She has been taking lessons from a vegan friend who does n't use any animal products . Cooking takes a lot more planning on the homestead because the nearest grocery store is about an hour away . | Author and photographer tweets in frustration and gets an artist as assistant . Shreve Stockton is the creator of DailyCoyote.net Web site . Kentucky artist Sarah Frary is headed to Wyoming to be her helper . | [[24, 62]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The first decade of the 21st century was the warmest ever on Earth according to data released by scientists at NASA . The U.S. space agency 's data also revealed that 2009 was the second warmest year since temperature records began in 1880 , and only narrowly cooler than 2005 , the warmest year ever . 2008 was the coolest year of the decade but this was attributed to a strong La Nina which causes extensive cooling of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean . James Hansen , director of NASA 's Goddard Institute for Space Studies -LRB- GISS -RRB- said in a statement : `` There 's substantial year-to-year variability of global temperature caused by the tropical El Nino-La Nina cycle . When we average temperature over five or ten years to minimize that variability , we find global warming is continuing unabated . '' In the past three decades , GISS report surface temperature records show an upward trend of about 0.2 degrees Celsius -LRB- 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit -RRB- per decade . In total , according to GISS , average global temperatures have increased by about 0.8 degrees Celsius -LRB- 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit -RRB- since 1880 . GISS sources its data using over one thousand weather stations around the world , satellite observations of sea surface temperatures , and research station data from Antarctica -- all of which , they say , is readily available to the public . | 2000 to 2009 was the warmest decade since records began . 2005 was warmest year of all time , 2008 coolest in decade . Global temperatures have risen 0.8 degrees Celsius since 1880 . | [[0, 15], [56, 103], [322, 361], [1008, 1016], [1037, 1158]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A school board in Rhode Island has voted to fire all teachers at a struggling high school , a dramatic move aimed at shoring up education in a poverty-ridden school district . In a 5-2 vote Tuesday night , the board approved the plan by Frances Gallo , superintendent at Central Falls School District , to discharge the teachers , administrators and other personnel at Central Falls High School . The firings , which will be effective at the end of this school year , came after the district said it failed to reach an agreement with the teachers ' union on a plan for the teachers to spend more time with students to improve test scores . A union spokesman called the firings drastic and cited a 21 percent rise in reading scores and a 3 percent increase in math scores in the past two years . The school district said 93 people -- including the principal , three assistant principals and 77 teachers -- were fired . The teachers ' union said the firings affected 74 classroom teachers plus a number of other educators such as guidance counselors and reading specialists . Central Falls High is one of the lowest-performing schools in Rhode Island . It is in a community where median income is $ 22,000 , census figures show . Of the 800 students , 65 percent are Hispanic and for most of them , English is a second language . Half the students are failing every subject , with 55 percent skilled in reading and 7 percent proficient in math , officials said . In a proposal based on federal guidelines , Gallo asked teachers to work a longer school day of seven hours and tutor students weekly for one hour outside school time . She proposed teachers have lunch with students often , meet for 90 minutes every week to discuss education and set aside two weeks during summer break for paid professional development . A spokesman for the union said the teachers had accepted most of the changes , but wanted to work out compensation for the extra hours of work . The superintendent said the two sides could not agree on a pay rate . Under new federal requirements for school reform , low-performing schools have several options . One is called the transformation model , which includes a series of changes that teachers agree to adopt . When the negotiations on those changes failed at Central Falls High , the superintendent switched to another option : the turnaround model , which means firing every teacher at the troubled school . Kathy May , a teacher at Central Falls High , said she 's disheartened . `` I feel like , after 20 years , I can see some progress beginning to be made . And I 'm sad that we 're not going to be around to follow that through , to push that forward . '' Gallo , who said Rhode Island law says notice must be given by March 1 , said the problem is n't solely the fault of teachers and it was n't her preference to make the move . She indicated that some of the teachers might be rehired . `` When we had to move from the transformation model , the next best move was the turnaround model . And that requires us to remove the teachers and rehire , of those who reapply , up to 50 percent , '' she said . `` This is a major move , for a very significant reason , and that being that we could n't hone in on the assurances we needed for the transformation model . '' Asked what would happen if the teachers ' union accepted the original terms , Gallo said it would be very difficult to go back , but ca n't be discounted . `` And if ... as we move forward , if indeed something of that effect comes around , then I still think we have a lot of doors that could be opened . '' At a community rally before the school board meeting on Tuesday , supporters of the teachers slammed the plan . Jane Sessums , president of the Central Falls Teachers Union , said teachers have been unfairly targeted and scapegoated and the union will fight to have them reinstated . `` We want genuine reforms , not quick fixes that do nothing but create a wedge between teachers , our school and our community , '' said Sessums . She added that `` teachers have agreed to numerous solutions and reforms . '' George McLaughlin , a guidance counselor who was fired along with his wife , a chemistry teacher , said the school has been inaccurately cast as a place with low graduation rates . `` We have the most transient population in this state . Nobody comes close to us . So when they say that 50 percent of the people graduate , a very high percentage of our students leave our school . They return . They leave again . They go back to other countries , '' he said , noting that three times as many of the school 's students are accepted to colleges now than they were five years ago . He also knocked the superintendent , saying she `` has been with us for a little more than three years . '' If Gallo were willing to negotiate and listen to former Sen. Lincoln Chafee , who has offered to mediate , `` maybe we could resolve this instead of causing more trauma to us . '' McLaughlin said the negotiations were about job security , not pay , and said the teachers are ready to resume talks . | Board votes to discharge all teachers , other educators at Central Falls High School . District , union fail to reach agreement for teachers to spend more time with students . Union president says teachers scapegoated , union will fight to reinstate them . Terminations will go into effect in the next school year . | [[0, 15], [37, 108], [225, 234], [322, 415], [963, 1092], [2373, 2393], [2402, 2453], [498, 600], [2255, 2322], [2325, 2370], [3737, 3749], [3800, 3895], [3862, 3908]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Thursday , January 21 . 8:44 p.m. -- Haitian police shot and killed a man they suspected of stealing rice in Port-au-Prince on Thursday , leaving his body on the sidewalk for hours as his family mourned . Witnesses said no one was looting at the time . A nearby shop owner said the five bags of rice the men were found with fell from a truck and passers-by picked them up . 8:30 p.m. -- Haiti 's orphanages have become targets for people desperate for food , water and medical supplies , aid workers said . On Wednesday night , Maison de Lumiere , an orphanage caring for 50 orphans , came under attack from a group of 20 armed men , aid workers told the Joint Council on International Children 's Services . A neighboring orphanage sheltering about 135 children has been robbed several times over the past few days , they said . 6:20 p.m. -- U.S. medical assistance teams have treated 7,000 patients in Haiti , the White House said in a statement . A total of 160 U.S. missions have been flown carrying 2,600 tons of relief supplies and more than 2,500 military and relief personnel into Haiti , and will be delivering 50,000 hand held radios to Haitians , the statement said . The U.S. has also evacuated approximately 10,500 people from Haiti so far , including 8,300 American citizens , the White House said . 5:59 p.m. -- The Senate unanimously passed legislation Thursday that will allow taxpayers to deduct cash donations to Haiti earthquake relief on their 2009 tax returns instead of having to wait to file the claims next year . 4:37 p.m. -- Haitians are lining up in the streets for hours to try and receive wire transfers at the banks and wire services open in Haiti . Some Haitians said they have n't been able to eat because they do n't have cash to buy any food available at street markets . 3:34 p.m. -- The U.S. Southern Command conducted an air drop of food and water over Haiti on Thursday . A C-17 delivered water and 17,200 meals ready to eat , the military said in a statement . Thursday 's air drop was the second since the quake ; the first was Monday . 1:06 p.m. -- Soldiers at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , have set up tents , beds and toilets in anticipation of a possible influx of Haitian refugees , a military spokeswoman said . 12:55 p.m. -- A Dutch Navy ship , the Pelikaan , was docked at Port-au-Prince 's south pier Thursday , unloading 90 tons of humanitarian aid . Two other ships previously offloaded containers . 12:29 p.m. -- The USGS confirms a magnitude 4.8 aftershock occurred nine minutes after the magnitude 4.9 at 11:45 a.m. and 15 miles closer to the capital . 12:14 p.m. -- Twitter users in the Port-au-Prince area report multiple small aftershocks . 11:45 a.m. -- An aftershock shook the capital . The U.S. Geological Survey estimated its magnitude at 4.9 and located its epicenter 30 miles west of Port-au-Prince . 11:10 a.m. -- Gen. Douglas Fraser , head of the U.S. Southern Command , said 63 military helicopters and 20 ships are working in and around Haiti . The military has distributed 1.4 million bottles of water , 700,000 meals and 22,000 pounds of medical supplies , he said . 10:52 a.m. -- One of two piers at the port serving the Haitian capital has reopened , and a gravel road was laid off of it , clearing a major route for aid to come into Port-au-Prince , officials said . 10:21 a.m. -- Save the Children , World Vision and a unit of the British Red Cross called Thursday for an immediate halt to any new adoptions of Haitian children after last week 's earthquake , saying the focus must first be on tracing any family members the children may still have and reuniting them . 10:14 a.m. -- Louis Belanger of the charity Oxfam tweeted : `` Water : all @oxfam sites are operational today . No logistical problems reported . Good day in #Haiti so far . '' 9:35 a.m. -- Haitians need donations of cash -- not clothes , food , medicine , or other relief supplies , as well intended as they might be , aid groups said Thursday . Such `` in-kind '' donations take up valuable space in cargo shipments and waste aid workers ' time in sorting through the items , charities said . 9:19 a.m. -- The State Department says the campaign that allows mobile phone users to donate $ 10 to the Red Cross by texting `` Haiti '' to 90999 has surpassed $ 25 million , making it the largest mobile donation campaign to date . 8:18 a.m. -- About 100 aid flights are arriving daily at the Port-au-Prince airport , up from 25 a day just after the earthquake hit January 12 , a senior administration official says . How you can help . 8:13 a.m. -- Ice and bread began appearing on the streets of Port-au-Prince this morning , for sale next to flattened and buildings and piles of rubble . Street vendors have been selling goods for days , but mostly nonperishables like crackers and candy . CNN crews spotted loaves of bread Thursday that appeared homemade as well as men and women carrying small blocks of ice in plastic bags . 2:48 a.m. -- The U.S. military will now station aid officials in the Port-au-Prince airport control tower to assess the contents of each flight , to prioritize landings and ease the flow of aid . The military also will provide security for U.N. relief teams , which had not been able to operate at night without protection . Share your earthquake stories . 1:15 a.m. -- Any U.S. citizen who wants to leave Haiti on a U.S. military transport aircraft can do so simply by going to the airport and applying for voluntary departure at a State Department office placed on the tarmac . The service is available to U.S. citizens or anyone escorting a U.S. citizen who is a minor . iReport.com : Looking for loved ones . 12:01 a.m. -- Electrical power was still out most places in Port-au-Prince , but traffic lights were functioning . Some banks , wire-transfer offices and a few stores reportedly were planning to reopen Thursday . Follow daily developments : . January 12 . January 13 . January 14 . Friday . Saturday . Sunday . Monday . Tuesday . Wednesday . | Watch Anderson Cooper live from Haiti at 10 p.m. ET tonight . 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 . | [[5684, 5695], [5698, 5722]] |
Editor 's Note : The staff at CNN.com has recently been intrigued by the journalism of VICE , an independent media company and Web site based in Brooklyn , New York . VBS.TV is Vice 's broadband television network . The reports , which are produced solely by VICE , reflect a very transparent approach to journalism , where viewers are taken along on every step of the reporting process . We believe this unique reporting approach is worthy of sharing with our CNN.com readers . Viewer discretion advised . Brooklyn , New York -LRB- VBS.TV -RRB- -- On January 22 , 2006 , the New York Times reported that all foreign journalists were being banned from Pakistan 's tribal areas , which has been called `` the most dangerous place in the world . '' A week before that , the CIA fired missiles remotely from a Predator aircraft into the Waziristan tribal area . They were hoping to eradicate a bunch of al Qaeda operatives . Instead , they killed 18 women and children . One week before that , I arrived in Pakistan to visit Darra Adamkhel , the massive open-air market located deep in the tribal areas , where a frighteningly high percentage of Islamic holy warriors goes to buy their guns . Gaining access to the tribal areas was next to impossible . It took months of pre-planning with the consul general of Pakistan in Montreal and top officials in Peshawar . They repeatedly denied us entry because , according to them , the Pakistani Army had too many `` sensitive operations '' going on in that region . Without my personal advantage -LRB- a family friendship with the governor of the Northwest Frontier Province -RRB- , we never would have gotten in . The government assigned me and my team a political agent named Naeem Afridi . He was born and raised in the tribal areas . He took care of us while we were there , and he was a godsend . You ca n't do anything in this part of the world without someone like Naeem . See more stories on VBS.TV . Our driver stopped at a security point just outside the town center , where we were introduced to the Frontier Agency militia , six angry-dad-looking guys with AKs and sidearms . They became our personal bodyguards , and followed us through the tight warren of gun shops and factories , barren little brick rooms where upward of 1,000 guns are manufactured every day . Most of the work is done by hand . The vendors are Pashtuns , who are basically the toughest people in the world . They comprised the majority of the mujahideen who kicked the Soviets out of Afghanistan in the late '80s . These days , the town is rumored to be completely overrun by the Taliban . They purchase the guns , then cross the border to fight the U.S. army in Afghanistan , or they drive through the mountains to the south to fight the Pakistani army . This summer , I went back to Pakistan , and found that the fuse on this powder keg has become even shorter . The Pakistani army has surged more troops into the tribal areas , attempting to eradicate the Taliban and al Qaeda . The U.S. and British troops are attempting to do the same thing on the other side of the border in Afghanistan . Meanwhile , Pakistan itself has seen violence spread to its major urban centers , where extremists have been detonating bombs and taking over police stations . But at the same time , there is a cultural explosion taking place , a vibrant art scene and metal and rock bands popping up everywhere . The whole situation has become ultra charged by the fact that there are tons of news channels operating uncensored by the insanely corrupt government . For Pakistan , it 's a volatile , turbulent , and fascinating moment in time . | VBS.TV gains rare access to gun market in Pakistani tribal area . Massive shop manufactures up to 1,000 guns a day , most by hand . Area has been home base for the Taliban since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan . | [[2238, 2319], [2320, 2354]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Scientists have found the oldest fossilized footprints made by a four-legged creature , forcing a rethink on when fish first crawled out of water and onto land . The discovery of the footprints in a former quarry in the Holy Cross Mountains in southeastern Poland are thought to be 395 million years old -- 18 million years older than the earliest tetrapod -LRB- a vertebrate with limbs rather than fins -RRB- body fossils . The report published Thursday in the science journal Nature says the footprints of the tetrapod measure up to 26 centimeters -LRB- 10 inches -RRB- wide , which scientists say is indicative of an animal around 2.5 meters -LRB- 7.5 feet -RRB- in length . The footprints are also 10 million years older than the earliest known elpistostegids -- creatures which displayed some animal characteristics but retained fins . Philippe Janvier from the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris , the reviewer of the paper , told CNN : `` It is a really stunning discovery because it 's the earliest evidence we have of tetrapods . These footprints are clear enough to attest that tetrapods were there 395 millions years ago . '' The report 's authors say their findings `` force a radical reassessment of the timing , ecology and environmental setting of the fish-tetrapod transition , as well as the completeness of the body fossil record . '' As well as finding fossilized footprints , Per Ahlberg , professor of evolutionary organismal biology at Uppsala University in Sweden , and his co-authors from the Polish Geological Institute in Warsaw also report finding several tracks of different sizes and characteristics . The tracks , they say , have distinctive `` hand '' and `` foot '' prints and no evidence of a dragging body . Ahlberg said in a video on the Nature Web site : `` The trackway shows pairs of prints -- the sort of tracks a salamander would leave if it walked . In order to make tracks like the ones found you need to have front legs and back legs that are about the same size . '' Ahlberg said the disused quarry where the fossils were discovered has yielded some of the most exciting finds he has encountered in his career as a paleontologist . Although Janvier describes the lack of skeletal evidence as `` frustrating , '' it does n't undermine the importance of the discovery . `` It changes what we thought about the evolutionary tree concerning the part dealing with transition from fish to land vertebrae . '' Janvier said . `` The divergence between the tetrapods and their closest fish relatives is much younger than previously thought and it obliges us to find actual evidence -- skeletons or complete fossils -- in much earlier strata that could enlighten us between this divergence . '' | Fossilized footprints of 395-million-year-old four-legged creature found in Poland . Discovery pushes the evolutionary scale back by nearly 20 million years . Compared in significance to discovery of the first miocene hominoids . | [[19, 104], [181, 322], [181, 282], [295, 381], [1069, 1085], [1103, 1163]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Wayne Rooney 's injury time header gave Manchester United a 3-1 victory over city rivals Manchester City to put them through to the English League Cup final 4-3 on aggregate . City won last week 's first leg 2-1 , courtesy of a double by former United striker Carlos Tevez , but the English champions brought the aggregate scores level early in the second half . Rooney sent Ryan Giggs racing clear with a superb cross-field pass . City 's defence appeared to have halted the attack , but the ball eventually fell to Michael Carrick , whose pass found veteran midfielder Paul Scholes to fire past goalkeeper Shay Given . Then , with 20 minutes remaining , the tie looked settled when Darren Fletcher laid a Nani pass into the path of Carrick who scored with a precision side-footed effort into the corner of the City goal . Tevez was jeered by the home fans , but the Argentine again showed what the Old Trafford club are missing when pulling a goal back five minutes later , flicking Craig Bellamy 's cross powerfully home , ahead of defender Rio Ferdinand , to leave the tie poised for extra time . However , in the 91st minute , England forward Rooney -- who scored all four goals in United 's victory over Hull on Saturday -- struck with a close range header from a Giggs to deny City a place in their first major final for 29 years . United will now face Aston Villa in a repeat of the 1994 League Cup final , looking to gain revenge for that particular 3-1 Wembley defeat . | Wayne Rooney 's injury time header gives Manchester United a 3-1 victory over Manchester City . The result sees United edge through to the English League Cup final 4-3 on aggregate . United will now face Aston Villa at Wembley in a repeat of the 1994 final which Villa won 3-1 . | [[0, 15], [47, 169], [1130, 1148], [1151, 1173], [1249, 1294], [0, 15], [47, 169], [1358, 1373], [1379, 1431], [1358, 1364], [1370, 1431]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The first passenger plane equipped with a system to repel shoulder-fired missiles successfully completed its flight , a British defense and aerospace company announced Wednesday . The system aims to protect against fire from missile launchers like these , which were used to fire at an Israeli plane . The JetEye infrared missile-defense system was tested on an American Airlines flight that took off July 11 , according to a statement from BAE Systems . The plane flew from New York 's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport in California , the company said . The JetEye system works by detecting the heat-seeking missiles and then firing a laser , which diverts the missile . American Airlines refused to make the system mandatory on all trips but agreed to cooperate with the tests . The flight represents the final phase of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security 's Counter-Man-Portable Air Defense System program , designed to test the suitability of missile-protection equipment for commercial aircraft . Previously , the technology was successfully evaluated on an American Airlines test aircraft and an ABX Air Inc. cargo aircraft . The missile-protection equipment will be installed on two more American Airlines 767-200 aircraft for daily cross-country flights through March . Engineers will evaluate the system 's maintainability and reliability , as well as its suitability for the airline industry . No missiles will be fired at these flights . `` BAE Systems worked closely with DHS and the airline industry to develop an effective response to potential terrorist threats , '' said Burt Keirstead , JetEye program director for BAE Systems in Nashua , New Hampshire . Homeland Security officials said in January that there is no specific threat of these weapons being fired at planes . However , Taliban forces successfully used shoulder-fired missiles against Soviet helicopters in Afghanistan . Terrorists tried in 2002 to shoot down an Israeli passenger jet in Kenya with them . Insurgents hit a cargo plane in Baghdad the following year , but the plane landed safely . Experts say that about 500,000 to 700,000 shoulder-fired missile weapons have been produced worldwide , and some have been purchased in Middle Eastern and Central Asian arms markets for as little as $ 5,000 . Since 2003 , Congress has pressured Homeland Security to adapt military anti-MANPADS technology to commercial aviation . BAE Systems , based in Farnborough , England , works with American Airlines Maintenance and Engineering Services , which provided the test aircraft and engineering services for the development of JetEye . DHS awarded BAE Systems a $ 29 million contract in January for this final evaluation phase of the program , which calls for the planes to log about 7,000 flight hours . Northrop Grumman , a defense company with its own system to protect planes from portable missiles , urged the Defense Department in March to install its system on commercial flights that take soldiers and equipment to war zones . Jack Pledger , a Northrop Grumman executive , said in March that 27 terrorist groups are believed to possess shoulder-fired weapons , that aircraft are vulnerable to the missiles within 25 miles of airports and that one missile incident could have catastrophic effects on the U.S. economy . In March , the Northrop system concluded a 14-month test during which anti-missile systems were installed on 11 FedEx cargo planes that flew 4,500 flights . | System detects heat-seeking missiles , then emits a laser to divert the missile . American Airlines flight becomes first passenger plane to test out `` JetEye '' system . JetEye will be installed on at least two more American Airlines flights . Goal is to have an effective response to terrorist threats . | [[616, 678], [616, 633], [683, 732], [321, 405], [378, 405], [411, 427], [1198, 1343]] |
Islamabad , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Pakistani Taliban are waiting the weather out and will take on the military when winter arrives in Pakistan 's tribal region , said Taliban leader Hakeemullah Mehsud in a phone call with CNN . `` We will wait till January for our offensive since we are stronger during the snowing season , '' Mehsud said . He told CNN he remains confident despite the large-scale military operation currently targeting him and his fighters in the province of South Waziristan . `` We have conserved our energy and have not lost our morale , '' he said . The leadership of his organization is safe , he said , but he did n't say where they are taking refuge . He neither denied nor confirmed that the Pakistani Taliban was responsible for Monday 's suicide blast outside the district courthouse in Peshawar . `` Being occupied in other matters , I have not been able to contact my colleagues there , so I will not be able to take responsibility at this time , '' Mehsud said . Eleven people died and 36 were wounded in the Monday terror attack , according to a count by the hospital where victims were taken . Two of the dead were police officers . Peshawar is the capital of the Northwest Frontier Province , where the Pakistani government has also waged its recent military offense against Taliban militants . | Taliban leader Hakeemullah Mehsud : Leadership of organization is safe . Group plans January offensive `` since we are stronger during the snowing season , '' he says . He neither denied nor confirmed responsibility for Monday 's blast in Peshawar that killed 11 . | [[582, 624], [237, 331], [687, 835], [687, 704], [709, 835], [1004, 1022]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A man on trial for gunning down a Kansas abortion provider in church said he had no regrets because `` abortion is murder . '' Scott Roeder , 51 , said he shot and killed Dr. George Tiller as services began on May 31 to save the lives of the unborn . `` There was nothing being done and the legal process had been exhausted , and these babies were dying every day , '' Roeder said . `` I did what I thought was needed to be done to protect the children . '' Roeder is charged with one count of first-degree murder for the death of Tiller , who ran a women 's clinic in Wichita where abortions were performed , including the controversial late-term procedure . Roeder was the only witness for the defense , which rested its case Thursday . Sedgwick County District Judge Warren Wilbert told jurors closing arguments will be held Friday morning , depending on the weather . After the jury left , Wilbert ruled that the jury could not consider convicting Roeder of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter , which is defined as `` an unreasonable but honest belief that circumstances existed that justified deadly force '' under Kansas statute . Wilbert said testimony did not support the defense claim that Roeder 's beliefs on abortion justified the use of deadly force against Tiller . Tiller , 67 , was one of the few U.S. doctors who performed late-term abortions . He had already survived one attempt on his life and a clinic bombing before he was slain . During Roeder 's testimony Thursday , Tiller 's widow , Jeanne , and other family members sat in the gallery . Initially stoic , they began to dab at tears as Roeder described putting a gun to Tiller 's head . Asked if he regretted what he did , Roeder said , `` No , I do n't . '' Upon learning that Tiller 's clinic was shut down after his death , he said he felt `` a sense of relief . '' Dressed in a dark suit , white shirt and a red patterned tie , Roeder calmly testified that he had a long-standing belief that Tiller should die . He thought about different ways to kill the doctor -- driving a car into him , perhaps , or shooting him with a rifle . His main concern , Roeder said , was that he might harm others . Under cross-examination by Sedgwick County District Attorney Nola Foulston , he said he also considered cutting Tiller 's hands off with a sword , but decided that would not be effective , as Tiller would still be able to train others . Roeder said that through the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue he learned that Tiller took measures to protect himself -- traveling in an armored car , using a security escort , wearing a bulletproof vest and living in a gated community . He decided to kill Tiller at his church , he said , because `` I felt that actually if he was to be stopped , that was probably the only place he could have been stopped . ... It was the only window of opportunity I saw . '' Roeder said he visited the church four or five times before Tiller 's death . The week before the shooting , on May 24 , he carried a .22 - caliber handgun with him , he testified , but Tiller did not attend church that day . On May 31 , though , the doctor was greeting congregants in the foyer of Reformation Lutheran Church before Roeder walked up to him and shot him at point blank range . `` The lives of those children were in imminent danger if someone did not stop George Tiller , '' Roeder said . `` I shot him . '' Under questioning from Foulston , Roeder acknowledged that he `` somewhat '' admired those who previously had committed violence against abortion providers . He said his anti-abortion beliefs `` go hand in hand '' with his religious beliefs . He said he became born again in 1992 after watching an episode of `` The 700 Club . '' Asked if there are any circumstances in which he believes abortion is acceptable , Roeder said he thought it could be if the mother 's life was in `` absolute '' danger . `` I struggle with that decision , '' he said , `` because I believe that ultimately , it is up to our heavenly father . But if there was a time , that would be it . '' He said he did not believe abortion was justified in the case of rape . `` You are taking the life of the innocent . You 're punishing the innocent life for the sin of the father . Two wrongs do n't make a right . '' Asked about incest , he said his beliefs were the same : `` It is n't our duty to take life , it 's our heavenly father 's . '' Roeder 's testimony was peppered with objections from prosecutors . Many objections were sustained by Wilbert , who has maintained he does not want the trial to become a forum on abortion . In a conference out of the presence of jurors , Wilbert cautioned Roeder , saying specifics on medical procedures would not be allowed . Roeder 's testimony would proceed , Wilbert said , `` on a question-by-question basis . '' Roeder recounted conducting what he called `` sidewalk counseling '' at Kansas City abortion clinics , handing pamphlets and other literature to women as they went inside . `` Some of them did ultimately change their mind , '' he said . In opening statements Thursday , defense attorney Steve Osburn told jurors Roeder `` killed Dr. Tiller because he believed that was the only way , necessary to save the lives of the unborn . '' Defense attorneys claim Roeder was also motivated by authorities ' failure to punish him through the judicial system . Wilbert refused to allow former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline to testify on behalf of the defense . On Wednesday , he refused to allow testimony from current Deputy Attorney General Barry Disney . Kline unsuccessfully attempted to prosecute Tiller in 2006 . Disney charged Tiller with 19 misdemeanor counts , but a jury acquitted the doctor . Wilbert said Roeder can testify about the cases and how they affected his beliefs , but to allow testimony from Kline would `` get into legal matters that do not concern this jury . '' And , the judge said , the cases do not give Roeder a basis to state absolutely that Tiller 's actions were illegal , since the doctor had never been convicted . Roeder testified he was `` very frustrated '' by Tiller 's acquittal , saying it `` seemed like that was the last attempt by the state of Kansas to find if there was anything at all going on illegally in George Tiller 's clinic . '' Randall Terry , founder of Operation Rescue , told reporters outside the courtroom the trial is `` a railroad , a kangaroo court , where they are denying critical evidence about what was on Scott Roeder 's mind when he pulled the trigger . '' `` Perhaps if the Sedgwick County prosecutors had done a better job prosecuting Tiller for how he illegally killed babies , he would still be alive , '' Terry said . | NEW : Judge rules jury can not consider manslaughter charge for abortion provider 's shooter . Scott Roeder says he has no regrets over killing Dr. George Tiller at church in May 2009 . Tiller ran a women 's clinic where he performed abortions in Wichita , Kansas . Roeder testified he thought of various ways to kill Tiller . | [[891, 910], [913, 1024], [146, 158], [166, 207], [146, 151], [171, 173], [183, 269], [550, 556], [563, 595], [588, 595], [602, 626], [2020, 2051], [2037, 2070]] |
Wichita , Kansas -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In situations like the dire humanitarian crisis that has followed Tuesday 's earthquake in Haiti , we all are forced to witness what is the sometimes painful truth behind the cliché about it taking a village to raise a child . In the tragedy unfolding before us now , it will take a global village . President Obama and former presidents , along with other leaders and representatives of humanitarian organizations , have reminded us of this . We would like to add our own small , humble contribution to the efforts under way around the world to help the people of Haiti . In particular , we would like to draw your attention to the many children who were living in Haitian orphanages when the earthquake hit . As we have heard from professionals devoted to children 's issues , children are among the most vulnerable segments of a population subject to natural disasters and humanitarian crises . It is not hard to imagine that orphans living in institutional care might often be even more vulnerable . Watch couple 's interview with Anderson Cooper . Right now , orphanages across Port-au-Prince are struggling to provide the most basic necessities to the children in their care . But right now , all Haitians in the capital are struggling to do this . What makes Haiti 's orphans different is that they have no families to take care of them , and no hope of reuniting with their families . Except for the orphanages ' staff members , most of whom have families of their own to which they rightly must divide their attention , these children have no one . iReport : Looking for loved ones in Haiti . Our adoptive son , Alexander , is one of the children without a family . He was left , just hours after his birth , near a hospital in Cité Soleil and , with the permission of Haiti 's Institut du Bien-Être Social et de Recherches , brought to one of the homes of the Brebis de Saint-Michel de L'Attalaye orphanage in Port-au-Prince . He was named after one of the American volunteers , Alison McMutrie , who works alongside Haitian staff to care for orphaned children . Ti Ali , or Little Ali , is 17 months old , and Big Ali is about 21 . Ali and the rest of the BRESMA staff have been the only family Alexander has ever known . And although we will never know for sure , especially not after the earthquake , anything about her , we firmly believe that his birth mother loved Alexander and did what was in her power to ensure that he would have a brighter future than she could provide . Hers was , we believe , an act of sacrifice , but it was also an act of hope and trust -- hope that the world would be kind to Alexander , perhaps even despite her own experience , and trust that someone would love him as much as she does . Though she will never know us , the faith that she has placed , even indirectly , in us is quite simply astounding . Or at least it was until Tuesday . Now , we imagine that we share another bond with her : We would willingly make whatever personal sacrifice we have to to save Alexander 's life . As parents who are adopting across national , linguistic and cultural boundaries , we are sensitive to all of the complicated issues that arise in international adoption , and we support both the integrity of Haitian families and the commitment to finding loving homes for children who are in need of them . Since being matched with Alexander in April , we have traveled to Haiti four times to get to know him and the country of his birth . Each successive trip impressed upon us more and more the dignity of the Haitian people and the sense of commitment they show for each other . From what we have seen of the people of Haiti when we have been there with Alex , they care deeply about all children -- orphans and those still living with their families . Many likely would help the orphans through this crisis if they could , but they simply can not . As Alexander 's mother put her trust in the people who , as fate would have it , turned out to be us , we are placing our trust in others to join our efforts to secure the life of our child and the rest of the orphans of Haiti . This is no longer an adoption matter . It 's a matter of life and death . We have been told by the BRESMA staff that the children living in orphanages before the quake need to be evacuated from Haiti to save their lives . We are aware that evacuating these children under such circumstances is temporary and might affect our adoption proceedings , potentially negatively . We also understand that it could mean that Alexander will never live in the home we have waiting for him . But he 's our son , and we want him to live . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jean Griffith and Ross Haskell . | In Haiti crisis , children are most vulnerable and orphans most of all . Authors are in the process of adopting Alexander , a 17-month-old orphan in Port-au-Prince . Children in Haitian orphanages need to be evacuated , according to staff of institution . Priority is saving the life of Alexander and his fellow orphans , the authors say . | [[815, 933], [4225, 4318], [4268, 4287], [4302, 4372]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Nigeria joined Group C rivals Egypt in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations after they completed a 3-0 victory over Mozambique on Wednesday . Osaze Odemwingie struck either side of halftime break for Nigeria at the Tundavala Stadium in Lubango before substitute Obafemi Martins sealed victory for the the ` Super Eagles ' . Nigeria had enjoyed the majority of possession and took the lead moments before the interval when Odemwingie found space inside the penalty area . The Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder was able to take full advantage and rifled a low near-post shot past Mozambique goalkeeper Joao Rafael and into the net . Shuaibu Amodu 's side doubled their lead two minutes after the break when the unmarked Odemwingie was able to control a cross from Yakubu Aiyegbeni and tap the ball home from close range . Everton striker Yakubu was substituted and replaced by Martins who got his name on the scoresheet five minutes from time . John Obi Mikel punished some sloppy Mozambique defending but lashed a shot straight at Rafael who parried the ball into Martins and he confidently stroked the ball home . Defending champions Egypt cruised into the knockout stages with a 100 percent record after a routine 2-0 victory over Benin which extended their unbeaten run in the Africa Cup of Nations to 16 games . Egypt coach Hassan Shehata rested key players Ahmed Fathi and Wael Gomaa but they still had too much quality for Benin and took the lead in the seventh minute with an audacious effort by Ahmed Al-Mohammadi . The defender lashed an ambitious shot from long range which caught Benin goalkeeper Yoann Djidonou off his line and dropped into the top-right corner of the net . Egypt doubled their lead in the 23rd minute when Emad Motaeb was able to bundle the ball home from close range after Ahmed Raouf 's header had been parried by Djidonou . The win ensured the ` Pharaohs ' qualified with nine points at the top of Group C and Nigeria went through with six while Benin and Mozambique end their campaigns with just a point apiece . | Nigeria joined Group C rivals Egypt in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations after they completed a 3-0 victory over Mozambique . Osaze Odemwingie struck either side of halftime break for Nigeria before Obafemi Martins scored five minute from time . Defending champions Egypt cruised into the knockout stages with a 100 percent record after a routine 2-0 victory over Benin . Egypt qualified with nine points and Nigeria went through with six while Benin and Mozambique ended with just a point apiece . | [[19, 170], [171, 218], [280, 348], [353, 360], [404, 499], [654, 722], [898, 905], [910, 965], [1137, 1202], [1879, 1960], [1879, 1960], [1965, 2068]] |
-LRB- Travel + Leisure -RRB- -- Warm beige tones , rich graphic accents , and futuristic chairs give Le Jules Verne a contemporary elegance , while dishes from superstar chef Alain Ducasse create a joie de vivre in diners ' mouths . But the real showstopper at this restaurant -- set more than 400 feet above Paris in the Eiffel Tower -- is its panoramic view . From the tower 's south pillar , diners look out on barges navigating the Seine and clusters of steely gray rooftops stretching for miles . Sierra Mar , in Big Sur , California , is perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific . Restaurants have long been setting tables in locales with dramatic views , but often the food has paled in comparison . With the dramatic evolution of the global culinary scene , however , it 's more than safe to look past the cocktail menu at many of the world 's most beautifully situated restaurants . `` They actually have a view and good food at the same time , '' says Tim Zagat , co-founder of the Zagat Survey restaurant guides . `` It 's a combination that was rare 10 or 20 years ago . '' So where are the top places that harmonize amazing vistas with delectable victuals ? At Asiate , in New York 's Mandarin Oriental Hotel , eyefuls of Midtown Manhattan 's cloud-grazing buildings and the lush refuge of Central Park draw locals , tourists and special occasion diners , and executive chef Toni Robertson is up to the task of keeping the Asian-influenced cuisine at the same high level as the 35th-floor restaurant . `` The challenge I have is I have to compete with the view , but as a chef , I always win , '' she says . The Big Apple is hardly alone in providing winning skyscraper meals . At Felix , on the 28th floor of Hong Kong 's Peninsula Hotel , guests soak in the city 's striking setting from a slick dining room designed by Philippe Starck while feasting on dishes like Tasmanian salmon with parsnip gratin and seared duck breast with blood oranges and duck confit . Travel + Leisure : World 's best hotels 2008 . Of course , some of the world 's most spectacular restaurant views are born , not made . At Ambrosia , on the Greek island of Santorini , the island 's sea-filled volcanic crater provides a rocky perch for the terraced restaurant , from which diners gaze out on an inky blue sea . Santorini fava puree with grilled octopus and caramelized onions brings Grecian flavors to the Aegean seascape . Travel + Leisure : Amazing waterside restaurants . And up in British Columbia , diners at Eagle 's Eye Restaurant -- part of Kicking Horse Resort -- survey snow-capped peaks as they tuck into Rocky Mountain cuisine infused with hints of chef Alain Soret 's native France . Riding a gondola up to the restaurant 7,700 feet above sea level gives some guests the impression they 're going to an alpine snack shack . `` Lots of people expect to find burgers and doughnuts up there , '' says Soret . They 're surprised to be greeted with romantic fireside dining and entrees like roasted venison with almonds , pancetta and juniper jus served with fig-saffron risotto . Whether you crave rough-edged mountains or deep ocean views , a glitzy skyscraper scene or a secluded retreat , these restaurants offer mesmerizing views with menus worthy of the scenery . Planning a beach getaway ? Do n't miss Travel + Leisure 's guide to Affordable Beach Resorts . Copyright 2009 American Express Publishing Corporation . All rights reserved . | 11 restaurants that marry heavenly views with multi-starred menus . Diners at Eagle 's Eye Restaurant in British Columbia survey snow-capped peaks . At Ambrosia , Santorini 's sea-filled volcanic crater provides a rocky perch . | [[1091, 1172], [3198, 3274], [2577, 2581], [2582, 2594], [2116, 2127], [2130, 2162], [2165, 2256]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Maybe marriage to Kate Winslet is n't all that bad . Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski star as a couple on the road in the comedy `` Away We Go . '' After cruelly dissecting marital malaise in `` American Beauty '' and again , just six months ago , in `` Revolutionary Road , '' Winslet 's husband Sam Mendes takes a slightly more optimistic view of family life in the edgy comedy `` Away We Go . '' Not that he 's offering a whole-hearted endorsement of the institution . Burt and Verona -LRB- John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph -RRB- are n't legally bound -- she staunchly resists his repeated proposals -- but nevertheless they 're a couple about to go nuclear : She 's six months pregnant . He sells insurance to insurance companies . She 's an illustrator with a lucrative line in anatomical drawings . Nevertheless , they 're struggling to make ends meet . `` Are we losers ? '' wonders Verona -LRB- only she uses a more colorful expression -RRB- . `` We have cardboard windows ... I think we must be . '' Insomuch as they have a plan at all , it hinges on the support they 're expecting from Burt 's doting parents . So it 's a nasty wake-up call when Jerry and Gloria -LRB- Jeff Daniels and Catherine O'Hara -RRB- announce they 're taking off for a new life in Belgium -- yes , even before the baby 's out . There is a silver lining : Realizing they no longer have any reason to stay , Burt and Verona decide to widen their horizons . They could move to Arizona where Verona 's sister lives . Burt has a job prospect in Madison , Wisconsin . Or they have college friends in Montreal . Their destiny awaits them , all they have to do is go out and find it . And away they go . Although the couple racks up a good few miles in their search for home , the movie does n't betray much interest in location . Arizona is hot and arid . In Montreal they pour gravy on French fries . Do n't expect cultural insights . It 's never explained how these stragglers can afford such speculative wandering , and when they do find their dream home it 's mystifying that it has n't occurred to them before . Still , the movie 's loose-limbed , spontaneous quality is a good part of its appeal , and a refreshing change of pace from other movies by Mendes , whose artfully designed compositions often seem self-conscious and painfully detached . In keeping with Indie-wood 's vogue for shuffling snide satire and sentimentality -LRB- see `` Juno '' and `` Little Miss Sunshine '' -RRB- , `` Away We Go '' presents its trepidatious travelers with half a dozen starkly contrasted parental figures , including Allison Janney 's monstrously vulgar alcoholic , Maggie Gyllenhaal 's radical earth-mother -LRB- who has shortened her name to `` LN '' -RRB- , and Paul Schneider as Burt 's rawly dumped brother , who wonders aloud if it would be wrong to tell his daughter her mom has been murdered . There 's a level of bile here that some audiences may find alienating -- I ca n't see it being a big hit in Phoenix -- but Dave Eggers ' and Vendela Vida 's writing is a cut above the average , and it 's performed with gusto . They may not be the most dynamic duo to hit the road , but the relationship between Burt and Verona feels touchingly true . Burt is a boy still trying on manhood for size -LRB- with a beard for extra emphasis -RRB- , and though we 've seen Krasinski do this before , he seems to have fine-tuned the performance to the point where he could very happily play it for the next two decades . Unlike his character , he 's an actor who has found himself . Maya Rudolph is the joy of this picture . Give or take her role in Altman 's `` Prairie Home Companion , '' the `` Saturday Night Live '' star has n't made much impact in movies before now . With her frazzled , freckled face , she 's not the glamour girl who would normally be shoe-horned into the romantic lead , but she seizes her chance and runs with it . Mendes brings out a more thoughtful and nuanced presence than the brittle comedienne , and Rudolph makes you consider how rarely we see a real woman at the center of things . Even her occasional tentativeness works for the part . Verona is so fresh and alert , she ca n't help but doubt herself as they trail from one family disaster to the next and wonder what kind of parents they are going to make . It 's an uneven picture about the bumps in the road , and not immune to the odd dramatic shortcut or jocular cheap shot . But it does catch an anxiety that will be acutely familiar to anyone contemplating imminent parenthood , and -- in a beautifully judged cameo by Melanie Lynskey -- the deep anguish of someone who has had that prospect snatched away . More often than not , and where it really counts , `` Away We Go '' hits home . `` Away We Go '' is rated R and runs 98 minutes . For Entertainment Weekly 's review , click here . | John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph star as a couple expecting a baby . Their onscreen relationship feels touchingly true . Director Sam Mendes brings out a great performance from Rudolph . Movie 's loose-limbed , spontaneous quality is a good part of its appeal . | [[3181, 3245], [2112, 2117], [2120, 2196]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Eight years ago , Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna became global pin-ups for the resurgence in Mexican filmmaking after their memorable breakthrough in coming-of-age road movie `` Y tu Mama Tambien . '' `` Rudo y Cursi '' reunites Luna and Bernal , who became pin-ups for the resurgence in Mexican filmmaking with `` Y tu Mama Tambien '' in 2001 . Today , Luna and Bernal 's on-screen chemistry has once again grabbed the public 's attention , this time in Mexico , where their latest film `` Rudo y Cursi '' made box-office history . It became the fourth highest-grossing film in the country 's history when it was released at the end of 2008 . `` Rudo y Cursi , '' approximately translated as Tough and Corny , tells the story of two rural banana farmers who , after being ` spotted ' by a crooked talent scout , gain instant celebrity in the Mexican soccer league playing for opposing teams . But , mesmerized by women and fast cars and unable to defy their demons , they look on powerless as the dream disintegrates in front of them almost as suddenly as it arrived . The movie touches on fame , poverty and corruption , but for its makers , it is ultimately a tale of brotherhood . It was written written and directed by Carlos Cuaron , and is the first release from groundbreaking new production venture Cha Cha Cha films . Cha Cha Cha was established by Mexico 's three leading directors who are also renowned internationally -- Carlos ' brother Alfonso Cuaron -LRB- `` Children of Men '' -RRB- , Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu -LRB- `` Babel '' -RRB- and Guillermo del Toro -LRB- `` Pan 's Labyrinth '' -RRB- . All three serve as producers on the film . In pictures : Bernal and Garcia in `` Rudo y Cursi '' '' `` Originally I wanted to make a fake documentary about a footballer from a humble background who made it big and then disappeared mysteriously , '' Carlos Cuaron told CNN . `` But I told this idea to Gael -LSB- Garcia Bernal -RSB- and Diego -LSB- Luna -RSB- , and they both said they wanted to play the part . I had one part and two actors . So I made up another brother and forgot about the fake documentary . '' Cuaron also cast Bernal and Luna -- best friends since childhood in Mexico City who were so keen to do the film the signed up before they saw a script -- against type and against their wishes . Both had originally wanted to play the opposite character : Bernal the abrasive Rudo , and Luna the romantic Cursi . They were eventually dissuaded by Cuaron who said : `` I do n't want to make Y Tu Mama Tambien 2 . '' The idea behind Cha Cha Cha films was conceived by Cuaron senior , del Toro and Innaritu when the trio -- a kind of all-stars of Mexican cinema -- found themselves with a surprise 16 nominations and 4 awards at the 2007 Oscars . The idea came out of a desire to pool their their rising bargaining power and maximize their clout in Hollywood -- and , of course , out of friendship . The company was `` born out of friendship and sibling sympathies , '' del Toro told CNN . When Carlos was originally writing the script , his bother , Alfonso told him thought it was perfect for Cha Cha Cha . The venture formalizes a working relationship del Toro , Innaritu and Alfonso Cuaron have had for years , but they freely admit they spend little time together . Rather it is a case of exchanging ideas and honing each other 's writing over the phone and via email from all over the globe . Del Toro , for example , is currently in New Zealand directing Peter Jackson 's follow-up to his wildly successful `` Lord of the Rings '' trilogy , `` The Hobbit . '' It would appear that the Mexican trio have created an ideal creative environment for themselves , Cha Cha Cha has been criticized for forgetting their Mexican heritage in the rush to embrace Hollywood . It is not a criticism they take lightly . Watch Cuaron , Bernal and Garcia talking about `` Rudo y Cursi '' `` I do n't care about Mexican films , about indie films , about Hollywood films , '' says Alfonso . `` Just good or bad movies . `` Yes , it 's great that we have a common background as Mexican creators , but once you are a creator you have a common language with creators from all around the world . '' For del Toro , the company will extend the influence of Mexican cinema not diminish it : `` We want to give Mexican cinema , if you want to call it that , the credentials and right to exist in world cinema . `` People do n't think twice when -LSB- Italian filmmaker -RSB- Bernardo Bertolucci is doing a movie about China called ` The Last Emperor . ' `` But in your mind , Latin American filmmakers are only doing Latin American films . We 're trying to show that it 's important to have roots , but not borders . '' The bittersweet drama has played to big laughs all over Mexico and the U.S. , but for its makers , it is not simply a comedy . `` People talk about this film as if it 's a comedy but I question that , '' says Alfonso . `` The elements are very dramatic and actually very tragic , and the ending has a very bittersweet tone . '' According to del Toro , the movie `` says there 's a way to be comfortable with failure , and finding you 're emotionally more satisfied in failing . '' Failure though , is not an issue overly burdening Cha Cha Cha 's `` three amigos , '' -- their second film , `` Biutiful , '' set in Barcelona , directed by Inarritu and starring Javier Bardem is currently being edited in Spain . Alfonso told CNN his next movie would be shot in France and Scotland , and would be in French and English , though that too `` will be a Cha Cha Cha film . '' Carlos Cuaron is the only one who is unhappy , despite the unprecedented success of his directorial debut . `` For me it 's difficult , '' he says . `` Whenever I see the movie , I only see the flaws . Nobody else sees them . '' `` Not even your mother ? '' asks Bernal . `` No , not my mother , '' says the director . `` She thinks I 'm a genius . '' | Mexican superstars Gael Garcia Bernal , Diego Luna star together . Film has gone down in Mexican history as fourth most popular box office hit ever . Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu , Alfonso Cuaron , Guillermo del Toro behind film . Directed by Carlos Cuaron and produced by production company , Cha Cha Cha . | [[509, 571], [572, 640], [3172, 3256], [1224, 1226], [1251, 1276]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The father of American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan is dead and her brother is behind bars , accused of assault and battery against 70-year old Daniel Kerrigan , according to Massachusetts authorities . Daniel Kerrigan died Sunday after being taken by emergency personnel from his family home in Stoneham , Massachusetts , to a hospital , authorities said . His son Mark , 45 , was arraigned Monday and pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged assault . According to Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Keeley , police responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday from Brenda Kerrigan , wife of Daniel and mother to Mark and Nancy Kerrigan . Keeley told Middlesex District Court Judge Mark Sullivan during the arraignment Monday for Mark Kerrigan that there was a violent argument and struggle between the father and his son , resulting in the elder Kerrigan falling or collapsing on the kitchen floor . Keeley said that Mark Kerrigan told authorities `` that he did in fact have an argument with his father , the argument became physical , he grabbed his father around the neck , and at some point the father collapsed to the floor . '' The Middlesex District Attorney 's office said Monday that authorities were still investigating the `` entirety of the circumstances of the incident , '' along with the cause and manner of death . The county medical examiner is expected to release a report within a couple of weeks . According to Keeley , police found Mark Kerrigan in the basement of the house , `` clearly intoxicated '' and `` extremely combative . '' He refused to comply with police officers , said Keeley , and they had to subdue him with pepper spray before forcibly removing him from the home . Mark Kerrigan wept softly during Monday 's arraignment . His attorney , Denise Moore , told the judge that Kerrigan was in grief and `` quite distraught about his father 's death . '' Through his attorney , Mark Kerrigan denied any responsibility in the death . Moore said in court that Mark Kerrigan was unemployed , was recently released from a correctional facility and was living at home with his parents . He is taking medications and seeking psychological help for post-traumatic stress , apparently from his time in the Army , Moore said . Despite appeals from his attorney , Sullivan ordered Kerrigan held on $ 10,000 cash bail . His next court appearance is expected to be February 24 . Nancy Kerrigan first gained prominence by winning a bronze medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville , France . In 1994 she earned an Olympic silver medal in Lillehammer , Norway . But she is perhaps best remembered for surviving an attack before the 1994 Winter Games by skating rival Tonya Harding 's ex-husband and an accomplice . Through a spokeswoman on Tuesday , the Kerrigan family released a statement saying : `` Dan Kerrigan was a wonderful husband for 47 years , a caring and loving father to his daughter Nancy and two sons , Michael and Mark , and a grandfather of eight . ... The family 's focus is on mourning Dan and honoring his life and many contributions . '' CNN 's Vanessa Juarez contributed to this report . | Violent argument and struggle between father and son results in elder Kerrigan falling . Mark Kerrigan , who denies responsibility in his father 's death , is `` quite distraught '' Police find Mark Kerrigan in the basement `` clearly intoxicated '' and `` extremely combative '' Judge orders Mark Kerrigan held on $ 10,000 cash bail ; court appearance February 24 . | [[823, 889], [905, 931], [1773, 1829], [1830, 1842], [1860, 1953], [1980, 2034], [1509, 1564], [1567, 1592], [2356, 2410], [2411, 2468], [2411, 2436], [2449, 2468]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Investigators expanded their search into Texas Monday for a 7-year-old girl who was reported missing after her mother was found dead in Oklahoma Sunday night . Authorities also are trying to find the dead woman 's estranged husband , the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said in a statement . The girl -- Aja Daniell Johnson -- was reported missing from Geronimo , Oklahoma , late Sunday , the bureau said . Her mother , Tonya Hobbs , 37 , was found dead inside a parked RV Sunday night , the bureau said . Hobbs and her daughter were visiting Hobbs ' estranged husband , Lester William Hobbs , at his sister 's home , the bureau said . Lester Hobbs , 46 , and Aja are missing and are presumed to be in Hobbs ' car , said investigators who issued an Amber Alert to try to find her . Lester Hobbs is not Aja 's biological father , police said . Texas authorities also issued an Amber Alert , Texas Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Lisa Block said . Authorities believe Hobbs has connections to Rockport , Texas , and the alert was issued preemptively , she said . Tonya Hobbs and her daughter were last seen Saturday night . Authorities did not say how Hobbs died , but the bureau said investigators believe someone killed her . The RV belonged to Lester Hobbs , and was parked at his relatives ' home , Richard Goss , agent in charge of the state bureau of investigation 's Lawton , Oklahoma , office , told reporters Monday . Hobbs ' relatives became suspicious Sunday after they did not see Tanya Hobbs or Aja , and one of them pried open the door and discovered Tanya Hobbs ' body , he said . Lester Hobbs and Aja were gone , Goss said . The Hobbses were separated , but apparently Tanya Hobbs was visiting Lester Hobbs in an attempt to reconcile , Goss said . The couple had been together for about five years . A medical examiner was performing an autopsy , the bureau said , and police want to question Lester Hobbs about the death . He and the girl are believed to be traveling in his car , a white 1992 Toyota Paseo with Oklahoma tag number 577-BPW . The two-door car has no hubcaps , and the rear passenger window is covered in plastic , the bureau said . The Comanche County , Oklahoma , Sheriff 's Office said Aja has a medical condition that requires medication . `` Our main concern at this time is to find the little girl , '' Sheriff Kenny Stradley told reporters . `` We know that she does need some medication , '' and authorities were checking leads regarding that , he said . He did not specify Aja 's medical condition . Goss said Lester Hobbs has an extensive criminal history but did not elaborate . The Sheriff 's Office said he had prior felony convictions . Lester Hobbs was supposed to appear in court in Lincoln County , Oklahoma , on a DUI charge , Goss said , and did not appear , so a warrant has been issued for him . Aja 's biological father was awarded emergency custody of her in November , according to Oklahoma County District Court documents obtained by CNN affiliate KWTV of Oklahoma City , Oklahoma . At a hearing , Tonya Hobbs -- identified as Tonya Dunkin in the documents -- and the girl 's father , John Johnson , agreed that she would have supervised visitation with Aja and keep the girl away from Lester Hobbs , the documents said . Aja is 4 feet tall and weighs 59 pounds , Goss said . She has brown eyes , and her hair is brown with the ends dyed black . Lester Hobbs is about 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds , with hazel eyes and brown hair , according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation . The agency released a picture of him and said he has a mustache but no longer has a goatee . Geronimo is about 12 miles south of Lawton , Oklahoma , in the south-central part of the state . | NEW : Amber Alert issued as authorities extend search into Texas . 7-year-old was reported missing after mother was found dead Sunday night . Authorities seek mother 's estranged husband , say she , girl visited man at his sister 's home . Man , girl believed to be traveling in a white 1992 Toyota Paseo . | [[19, 94], [662, 689], [742, 807], [869, 886], [892, 913], [73, 94], [99, 136], [126, 178], [433, 443], [460, 511], [179, 190], [196, 250], [532, 594], [620, 641], [644, 661], [662, 689], [706, 739], [1972, 2003], [1972, 1987], [2001, 2027]] |
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Miss California USA Carrie Prejean has assured pageant officials that a lingerie modeling photo published online this week is the only one she posed for , the state pageant director said . Miss California USA Carrie Prejean may lose her crown because of some semi-nude photos she appeared in . But the Web site that published the first picture said it has several more that it will `` slowly roll out '' starting Wednesday afternoon . The possibility that racier images could emerge prompted `` closed-door meetings '' Tuesday to consider stripping Prejean of her beauty queen title , pageant spokesman Ron Neal said . Although Neal said Prejean `` breached her contract '' by keeping the semi-nude photo or photos a secret , the only picture published so far appears about as revealing as the bikini Prejean wore in the pageant 's swimsuit competition . `` We have been told by Carrie Prejean there are no other photos other than the one circulating in existence . She should know better than anyone , '' Miss California USA Director Keith Lewis said Wednesday . The 21-year-old Miss USA contestant has been the center of controversy since she declared her opposition to same-sex marriage in a response to a question on the national pageant stage last month . She finished as runner-up to Miss USA . In a statement given to CNN Tuesday , Prejean said the photos -- and she did use the plural -- were being used in a `` vicious and mean-spirited '' effort to silence her for `` defending traditional marriage . '' While she vowed to `` continue to support and defend marriage as the honorable institution it is , '' Prejean may be doing so without the Miss California USA title . State pageant officials met Tuesday with lawyers and representatives of Donald Trump , who owns the international competition , to consider if they had grounds to take the crown away from Prejean , according to Neal . `` When you compete for Miss California , you 're supposed to disclose whether you posed for nude or semi-nude photos because it 's grounds for disqualification , '' he said . CNN obtained a copy of the pageant contract Prejean signed last year in which she agreed that the discovery of semi-nude photos could mean disqualification . The only photo made public shows Prejean -- who said she was 17 at the time -- wearing pink panties and no top . She is turned away from the camera , with her arm hiding most of her breast . It was unclear if pageant officials would consider this a semi-nude photo , in light of their standard requirement that contestants parade across stage wearing a bikini that arguably shows more bare skin . But the other shoe -- or other garment -- may be yet to drop . Nik Richie -- of TheDirty.com -- said he has waited for an upgrade of his Web site 's servers to handle the flood of traffic he expects will come after he posts the additional photos . `` I will slowly roll these out , '' Richie said . The next image will likely be published Wednesday afternoon , he said . `` We 'll see what happens with those and we want to know who 's releasing them , '' Neal said . Shanna Moakler , the co-executive director of the Miss California USA organization , will meet with Tami Farrell , the runner-up for the title , `` to discuss the possible next steps , '' Neal said . Prejean defended the photos , which she said were taken when she was a teenager aspiring to be a Victoria 's Secret model . `` I am a Christian , and I am a model , '' she said . `` Models pose for pictures , including lingerie and swimwear photos . '' She said the photos `` have been released surreptitiously to a tabloid Web site that openly mocks me for my Christian faith . '' `` I am not perfect , and I will never claim to be , '' she said . `` But these attacks on me and others who speak in defense of traditional marriage are intolerant and offensive . While we may not agree on every issue , we should show respect for others ' opinions and not try to silence them through vicious and mean-spirited attacks . '' Her publicist , Melany Ethridge , confirmed a comment she gave to celebrity Web site TMZ in which she said Prejean was just 17 when she posed for the photos , hoping they would land her a modeling job . `` In her naivete , an agent convinced her to pose for this photo to submit to a lingerie company , claiming they could make her the next Victoria 's Secret model , '' Ethridge told TMZ . `` She has since learned what a lie that was , and what a mistake it was to have the photo taken . '' Prejean announced last week that she would star in a new $ 1.5 million ad campaign supporting what she termed `` opposite marriage '' -LRB- marriage between a man and a woman -RRB- funded by the National Organization for Marriage . `` Marriage is good , '' Prejean said at a news conference announcing the ad campaign . `` There is something special about unions of husband and wife . Unless we bring men and women together , children will not have mothers and fathers . '' CNN 's Aileen Martinez contributed to this report . | Miss California USA Carrie Prejean says she posed for one semi-nude photo . A Web site says it has more photos of Prejean , and plans to slowly roll them out . Prejean is in the news for her response to question about same-sex marriage . | [[114, 196], [342, 444], [393, 478], [2924, 2948], [1108, 1304], [1185, 1304]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The parents of a 15-year-old girl who was gang-raped on a California high school campus urged the community Saturday to channel its anger over the event `` through positive action , '' according to a pastor . At a Saturday community event at the campus where the attack took place , the Rev. Jim Wheeler , who said he was the family 's pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond , read a statement from the teenager 's parents . `` Stop the violence , '' Wheeler read . `` Please do not respond to this tragic event by promoting hatred or by causing more pain . We 've had enough violence already in this place . '' Police say as many as 10 people were involved in the rape on October 24 in a dimly lit back alley outside Richmond High School , where a homecoming dance was taking place . Another 10 people watched the attack without calling 911 , police say . Five people have been arrested in connection with the attack . A sixth person who was arrested is expected to be freed because of insufficient evidence , CNN affiliate KGO reported . Authorities say the attack lasted for more than two hours . The victim , who was taken to a hospital in critical condition , was released Wednesday . The parents ' statement urged the community to work to ensure that such an attack never happens again . `` If you need to express your outrage , please channel your anger through positive action , '' they said , according to Wheeler . `` Volunteer at a school . Go help a neighbor . Be courageous in speaking the truth and in holding people accountable . Work toward changing the atmosphere in our schools and in this community so that this kind of thing never happens again . `` Please do not let this happen again . '' | `` Please do not respond to this tragic event by promoting hatred , '' victim 's parents say . Family 's statement read during community event at campus where attack took place . Police say 10 people may have been involved in rape outside Richmond High School . Five arrested in connection with attack , which occurred during homecoming dance . | [[228, 271], [302, 322], [405, 452], [497, 585], [228, 271], [278, 299], [228, 271], [302, 322], [405, 452], [640, 722], [746, 759], [775, 812], [885, 947]] |
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Chinese military continues to increase spending on efforts to break into U.S. military computer systems , expand its Navy , and invest in intercontinental nuclear missiles and weapons to destroy satellites , according to the latest U.S report on China 's military power . Chinese military officers after a meeting about the People 's Liberation Army in 2007 . The annual report from the Pentagon to Congress says China 's total military spending in 2007 was between $ 97 billion and $ 139 billion , but it is hard to tell exactly how much was spent and on what . In comparison , the U.S. military budget request for 2008 is $ 481.4 billion , not including war requests . Pentagon officials said a chunk of China 's spending went to cyberwarfare , because 2007 saw several `` intrusions '' believed to be from the Peoples Liberation Army . In the incidents , unclassified U.S. military computer systems were broken into and information was taken , according to Pentagon officials . While the information taken was not classified , Pentagon officials said the worry is the Chinese hacking required many of the skills and capabilities that would also be required for a computer network attack . Last summer , a cyber-attack on Department of Defense computer systems took down the e-mail capability of hundreds of staffers for weeks , but the Pentagon still will not comment on who initiated the attack . It is widely believed among the military to have been the Peoples Liberation Army . China is also investing heavily in and fielding improved nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles and antisatellite missiles , according to the report . The United States expressed its concern last year after China fired a missile at one of its old satellites and destroyed it , sending thousands of dangerous pieces of space debris into orbit . The United States conducted a similar strike last month on a broken U.S. spy satellite before it re-entered the Earth 's atmosphere . U.S. officials said the satellite was hit and broke into thousands of small pieces that burned up as they re-entered Earth 's atmosphere . The United States is also concerned about the purchase of more submarines by the Chinese navy as well as plans for more aircraft carriers . The Chinese once had a small Navy . Now the United States is keeping an eye on the growing service amid concerns over Taiwan . The concerns include `` China 's near-term focus on preparing for contingencies in the Taiwan Strait , including the possibility of U.S. intervention , which is an important driver of its modernization , '' the report says . Additionally , the Chinese have placed about 100 more short-range missiles on the shore opposite Taiwan in the past year , it says . Pentagon officials worry the continued increase in Chinese military spending is slowly tipping the balance of power between China and Taiwan in China 's favor . The United States has said it would help defend Taiwan if China invaded . The report also says the Peoples Liberation Army is `` pursuing comprehensive transformation from a mass army designed for protracted wars of attrition on its territory to one capable of fighting and winning short-duration , high-intensity conflicts along its periphery against high-tech adversaries . '' Such an army , the report says , would have `` the greatest potential to compete militarily with the United States and field disruptive military technologies that could , over time , offset traditional U.S. military advantages . '' The United States says the lack of transparency by the Chinese on its spending poses `` risks to stability by increasing the potential for misunderstanding and miscalculation , '' and that China has yet to explain to the international community the purpose of its military expansion , Pentagon officials said . E-mail to a friend . | Pentagon : Chinese military expanding its Navy , investing in weapons . Officials worry China is trying to hack into U.S. military computers . `` Intrusions '' have already happened , officials say , though info was not classified . Pentagon : China 's lack of transparency makes it hard to know the extent of activity . | [[0, 26], [140, 155], [2766, 2926], [93, 137], [763, 778], [781, 822], [705, 713], [794, 872], [1021, 1061], [1064, 1072], [3538, 3616]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Maryland mother faces assault charges for allegedly ordering a group of teens to beat up a 14-year-old who was stabbed in the ensuing melee , Baltimore County police said Friday . Kimberley Lyn Cudanin , 34 , told her 16-year-old son and at least four of his friends to attack Malaki Malloy as retaliation for a recent assault against her 14-year-old son , police said in a news release . On Saturday night , Cudanin drove some of the teens to where Malloy was , about a mile from her home , police said . Those teens and others at the scene then beat and stabbed Malloy and three friends who were with him , police said . Malloy was released from the University of Maryland Medical Center 's shock trauma center Monday , hospital spokeswoman Cindy Rivers said Friday . Cudanin and her son Andre were arrested Monday and face first - and second-degree assault charges , police spokesman Bill Toohey said . Four other teens face the same charges after being arrested Wednesday : Leo Eades , 17 ; Marvin King , 16 ; Malcolm Scott , 15 ; and James McBride , 16 . All are being charged as adults , police said . Police are looking for two other suspects , Toohey said . Warren Brown , defense attorney for at least one of the teens , could not be immediately reached for comment Friday . An attempted murder charge is likely against the person alleged to have stabbed Malloy , Toohey said , but police have yet to determine who that person was . Investigators do not think it was Kimberley Cudanin , he said . In fact , investigators do not think she assaulted anyone , but under Maryland law , her role in the attack warrants the assault charges , Toohey said . CNN 's Khadijah Rentas contributed to this report . | Kimberley Lyn Cudanin told son and his friends to attack Malaki Malloy , police say . Teen stabbed after assault against Cudanin 's 14-year-old son . Cudanin , son Andre , 4 teens face first - and second-degree assault charges . Whoever stabbed Malloy will face attempted murder charge , spokesman says . | [[19, 98], [59, 123], [201, 222], [230, 261], [276, 375], [630, 643], [1115, 1128], [82, 160], [276, 375], [19, 98], [791, 810], [817, 837], [791, 810], [842, 888], [927, 996], [1305, 1368], [1342, 1391]] |
Wichita , Kansas -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Major King remembers a time before the abortion debate came to his hometown , a time when Wichita , Kansas , was known as the air capital of the world . Manufacturers such as Learjet , Cessna and Beechcraft were the backbone of a tight-knit community where God-fearing folks like King would canoe after school in the Arkansas River and drag the streets `` in slick cars with a nice-looking honey '' on weekends . Times have changed , says King , 70 , a retired oil refinery worker who also spent time at Cessna . `` Now , Wichita 's known as the abortion capital of the world . '' It 's a label shunned by many Wichitans , regardless of their views on abortion . They 'd rather be known for the restaurants and entertainment venues , quality schools and affordable housing that make Wichita one of the nation 's `` best-kept secrets , '' King says . But the May 31 , 2009 , slaying of Dr. George Tiller , a prominent abortion provider gunned down in church during Sunday services , focused national attention back on Wichita and its role in one of the most divisive legal and social controversies of our times . It faded for a time , as Tiller 's death led to the closure of Wichita 's last abortion clinic , and activists on both sides shifted their focus elsewhere . But the trial of Tiller 's admitted shooter , Scott Roeder , again stirred talk of abortion in the bars and coffee shops of a city where most have steeled themselves for years against noisy protests and graphic images of fetuses . Roeder was convicted Friday of first-degree murder . After the jury 's swift verdict -- they deliberated for just 37 minutes -- many in Wichita are hoping the abortion controversy will fade . `` After he receives his sentence on March 9 -- preferably the Hard 50 , as District Attorney Nola Foulston is requesting -- he 'll also get the consequence . And then may we never hear from him again , '' blogged an editorial writer for the local newspaper , The Wichita Eagle . `` Maybe this will get things back to normal now , seeing as there 's not much reason for abortion to be such a big issue now that the trial 's over , '' King says . `` And , now there is no more abortion in Wichita , either , because the doctor is gone . '' To Troy Macormac , Tiller 's death already signified the end of Wichita 's reputation as the world 's abortion capital , albeit through deplorable means . `` I 'm really not for abortion ... so it 's kind of a fence-riding deal , '' says Macormac , a brick mason who grew up in Wichita . `` But I feel he has a right to have a business and provide for his family and take care of his business the way he wants to take care of it . That 's his right as being an American . '' For years , demonstrators maintained a constant presence outside Tiller 's Women 's Health Services clinic , a nondescript , cream-colored building of cement and brick facing Kellogg Avenue -- the city 's major east-west corridor . `` People got tired , '' says Lorrie Donham , a middle school science teacher . `` The only way it really affected me was when I 'd have to drive down Kellogg with my young daughters and have them be exposed to these grotesque , brutal images . '' The turmoil also spread to Tiller 's congregation at Reformation Lutheran Church , where he was ultimately shot to death . `` They knew what service Dr. Tiller generally attended and they would come out there full-blown with their babies in arms and huge imagery of damaged fetuses , '' said Teresa Mora , a member of the congregation who identifies herself as pro-choice . `` It got to the point we had to set up partitions so children could exit family vehicles and go into church without having to be exposed to so much of that imagery . '' Frosted glass was installed on the church 's windows , added Mora . The controversy made Tiller a symbol of hope for the abortion rights movement and a formidable foe of abortion opponents . He received repeated death threats and survived a shooting , a clinic bombing , criminal trials and two grand juries intended to put him out of business . Wichita 's abortion activism peaked during 1991 's `` Summer of Mercy , '' when tens of thousands on both sides of the debate gathered in Kansas to stage protests . `` What bothered me is that it was n't Wichita people stirring the pot , so to speak . It was n't Wichitans having conflicts with Wichitans . It was somebody from outside Wichita coming in and stirring the pot , '' said Donham , the middle school science teacher . `` I think everyone felt the same way at that time , '' she added . `` There are other things going on , but our resources , the city was having to extend coverage by local law enforcement , just to have a presence and keep the peace . It was an expensive , aggravating time . '' It was not the first time a conservative social movement claimed the south central Kansas town as its staging ground . Early in the 20th century , Carrie Nation , a voluble evangelist who helped establish the Medicine Lodge , Kansas , chapter of the Woman 's Christian Temperance Union , brought her fight to Wichita . She became a local legend after using a rock and a pool ball to smash up the Carey House , a downtown bar . Since then , the former trading post and cattle-drive destination has grown into a sprawling metropolitan area of more than 600,000 . It covers four counties of flat suburban landscape criss-crossed by railroad tracks about 200 miles southeast of Kansas City . An assortment of newer , upscale subdivisions and stately homes a few blocks from older craftsmen and ranch-style homes underscore the city 's evolving landscape . Much of modern Wichita 's growth has been spurred by the airline industry , along with successful entrepreneurial ventures such as Coleman , Koch Industries and Pizza Hut , and three universities . A new arena recently opened , and a revitalization of Wichita 's `` Old Town '' has produced many new bars , high-end restaurants and entertainment venues in the city center . But lifelong residents like Major King still gather in the same coffee shops they patronized when they were younger , like the Riverside Cafe , a cozy diner that has changed hands several times but where you can still find breakfast specials for $ 4.99 . `` Wichita 's still a good place to raise a family , but it 's not the same , '' he said on a recent morning as his brother , Thomas , sat across the table , nodding his head . `` You could say it 's grown too big for its britches . '' After the Summer of Mercy , things mostly quieted down , resurfacing with an occasional protest that drew national media coverage , or a periodic extreme act directed at Tiller . He was shot outside his clinic in 1993 by Shelley Shannon , who has voiced support for Roeder from prison . Tiller 's slaying last year led to the closure of his clinic , which was Wichita 's last abortion clinic . Mark Gietzen , an anti-abortion activist and long-time Wichitan , started Kansas Coalition for Life in 1993 , making the closure of `` Tiller 's the Killer 's '' clinic one of his main goals . `` He has pretty much always been the focus of our efforts because he 's always been the late-term abortionist . He was known not only nationwide but worldwide . People came from all over the world to see him , '' said Gietzen . An upbeat man who runs Kansas Coalition for Life and a Christian dating service from the basement of his suburban Wichita home , Geitzen has posted a sign on his driveway that greets visitors with the message , `` Thou shalt not kill '' on one side . The other side reads , `` If you no longer feel close to God , ask yourself , ` Who moved ? ' '' `` We had 650 volunteers that were involved in the continuous presence at Tiller 's gate , offering help to the women that were going in , '' Gietzen said , adding that his group had a `` save '' rate of about 3.5 unborn babies per month . Like many anti-abortion organizations across the country , Gietzen has denounced Roeder 's use of violence , calling it a blow to the movement and its credibility . He says anti-abortion groups in Wichita were only months away from shutting Tiller down through official channels . The debate over health care policy has mobilized his group 's efforts to lobby politicians and gather signatures on the Web site , abortionisnothealthcare.com . `` I do n't have time to think about Scott Roeder because we 're too busy trying to keep abortion out of health care , '' he said . Next to the building that once housed Tiller 's clinic , a pregnancy counseling clinic called Choices has no plans to close . In fact , since Tiller 's death , Choices has seen an increase in clients , spokeswoman Marilyn Manweiller said . `` We will continue to provide services to women as long as they keep coming through our doors , '' she said . Abortion rights activists such as Mora are determined to see a new abortion clinic open in Wichita eventually . `` Dr. Tiller 's death kind of forces us to keep going , to make noise and fight so there is a safe and legal option , '' she says . `` He was a hero for all women . He fought for us . '' But to Donham , Tiller 's death may further strain the bonds of a once tight-knit community . Wichita has endured other violent crimes , including the BTK serial killer Dennis Rader , who evaded authorities for 30 years . Still , Tiller 's death within the sacred confines of a church struck a deep chord . `` What does this say for your openness to others ? Do we have to lock the church narthex after service begins or check your ID at the door ? '' she says . '' -LSB- Roeder 's -RSB- biggest impact is going to be he caused us to be suspicious of each other . Unfortunately , I think it makes you even more hesitant to embrace a stranger . '' | Some say abortion provider 's death marks end of Wichita 's reputation as `` abortion capital '' Scott Roeder was convicted Friday of killing abortion provider Dr. George Tiller . The shooting stirred emotions among residents who had wearied of the abortion debate . | [[558, 565], [569, 613], [2286, 2413], [908, 938], [1536, 1588]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Basketball commentator and former hoops star Charles Barkley was arrested Wednesday in Scottsdale , Arizona , on suspicion of drunken driving , a police spokesman said . Charles Barkley was driving an Infiniti SUV through a trendy area of Scottsdale on Wednesday , police say . Barkley issued a brief statement , saying , `` I am disappointed that I put myself in that situation . The Scottsdale police were fantastic . I will not comment any further as it is a legal matter . '' Lt. Eric Shuhandler of the Gilbert Police Department said an officer pulled Barkley over after he ran a stop sign in Scottsdale 's Old Town area , a trendy spot known for its nightclubs and bars . Gilbert and Scottsdale are in the Phoenix metro area . `` The officer identified the driver of the 2005 Infiniti as Charles Barkley , '' according to a written statement from police . `` Mr. Barkley was administered the standard field sobriety tests after the odor of intoxicating liquor was detected . '' Watch : Barkley ` disappointed ' by arrest '' At a news conference later in the day , Shuhandler said Barkley 's `` performance on the field sobriety test revealed there was probable cause to make an arrest . '' Barkley declined to take a breath test to measure his blood-alcohol level , Shuhandler said earlier . `` When he arrived at the station , police administered a blood test , which is customary of our police department to do , '' he said , adding that Barkley consented to the blood test . It will take `` a few days '' for the crime lab to test the blood sample and determine Barkley 's blood-alcohol level , Shuhandler said . The former NBA power forward was cited for driving while impaired and released . `` It was a pretty routine arrest , '' Shuhandler said . Barkley 's sport-utility vehicle was impounded under mandatory vehicle impound laws , police said . Shuhandler said Barkley behaved professionally during the booking and was `` very respectful and cordial with our officers . '' Watch Shuhandler describe the arrest '' Barkley , 45 , is a commentator for TNT 's coverage of the NBA . In October , he told CNN 's Campbell Brown that he plans to run for governor of his home state of Alabama in 2014 , saying , `` I ca n't screw up Alabama . We are number 48 in everything and Arkansas and Mississippi are n't going anywhere . '' Although he is well known for entertaining comments and a cocky attitude , he also compiled an impressive résumé as a professional basketball player . A Hall of Famer and 11-time All-Star , Barkley is one of four players in history to rack up more than 20,000 points , 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists in a career . He also earned the NBA 's most valuable player designation in 1993 and brought home gold medals with the U.S. Olympic basketball team in 1992 and 1996 . His commanding performance on the court earned him the nicknames `` Sir Charles '' and the `` Round Mound of Rebound . '' Barkley was drafted out of Auburn University in 1984 by the Philadelphia 76ers and played 16 seasons with the Sixers , Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets before he was permanently sidelined in 1999 with a ruptured tendon in his left knee . TNT is owned by Turner Broadcasting Corp. , also the parent company of CNN . CNN 's Nick Valencia contributed to this report . | NEW : Barkley says he 's disappointed in himself , police were `` fantastic '' Police : Sobriety test `` revealed there was probable cause to make an arrest '' Outspoken commentator took field , blood tests , but not breath test , police say . NBA Hall of Famer , Olympic gold medalist known for entertaining remarks . | [[297, 304], [332, 338], [342, 399], [400, 438], [1002, 1007], [1010, 1032], [1035, 1044], [1133, 1190], [1214, 1287], [1319, 1349], [1352, 1436], [2364, 2374], [2381, 2427]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A college student in Nigeria has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for scamming an Australian woman out of $ 47,000 online by pretending to be a widowed white businessman desperately in love with her . A court in Ikeja in southwest Nigeria ruled that Lawal Adekunie Nurudeen will also have to pay back the 56-year-old woman , even if it meant selling the two plots of land and the Honda Prelude he bought with her money . Nurudeen was an engineering student when he met the woman online in 2007 , said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , Nigeria 's anti-corruption police . The woman lamented that she was looking for a husband but had been disappointed in the men she had met . `` The convict , who is married with three children , instantly applied and told the victim that she had met Mr. Right , '' the commission said in a statement . Nurudeen pretended to be a 57-year-old British engineer working with a multinational company in Nigeria . He told her his wife and only child had died in a road accident in Lagos , the former capital of the country . `` He sent the picture of a white man to the victim to foreclose any suspicions , '' police said . The woman agreed to marry him . A few weeks later , Nurudeen called the woman pretending to be a doctor . He told her that her fiance had been in an accident and needed money for treatment . The woman obliged , the commission said . Nurudeen let two weeks pass . He then called the woman again , thanking her profusely for her kindness and telling her that he would like to visit her in Australia . He asked her for airfare , cash for customs clearance and other incidentals , police said . Authorities did not say how Nurudeen was caught . But he duped the woman of $ 47,000 before his arrest , the commission said . Scammers in Nigeria have gained a reputation for using the Internet to con foreign nationals out of money . Some of the scams have earned the name `` 419 '' after the clause in the Nigerian criminal code that deals with obtaining property under false pretense . | Police : Nurudeen was engineering student when he met the woman online in 2007 . Nurudeen pretended to be a British engineer working in Nigeria . Authorities do not say how he was caught . | [[444, 516], [873, 978], [873, 881], [892, 978], [1680, 1729]] |
-LRB- Budget Travel -RRB- -- Hard as it may be for anyone under 30 to imagine , there was a time when people used to shoot eight-millimeter films while on vacation and then show them to friends and family gathered around a projector in the living room . Nowadays , capturing video is far easier -LRB- whether you use a video camera , a digital still camera with video capability or even a cell phone -RRB- , as is the sharing : YouTube has proved that millions of folks have learned to upload video to a computer and instantly e-mail a link to family and friends . Whether you use a video camera , a digital still camera with video capability , or even a cell phone , capturing video has never been easier . While YouTube remains a popular venue for sharing vacation videos , Web sites specifically targeting travelers are also springing up . The quality of the applications and usefulness of the content , however , vary greatly . We tested four to see which are easiest , which have bugs to work out and which can even help you offset your travel costs . Travelistic . For anyone just getting the hang of online video sharing , no-frills Travelistic -- founded by veterans of Condé Nast , iFilm and MTV -- is a good start . Before you upload a video , Travelistic directs you through a simple registration process and asks you to write a short description of your clip . When the video is posted , you can e-mail friends to tell them to watch it . You can also create a profile page to list your videos , add links to other people 's clips and indicate on a world map where you 've been and where you 'd like to go . Cool : Similar to YouTube , Travelistic gives an embed code for most postings , allowing anyone on the Internet to add the clip to his or her own Web site or blog . Likewise , YouTube videos can be embedded into Travelistic . Not cool : No registration is required to leave comments on other people 's videos , leading to spam . Travelistic also does n't restrict who can post videos , so some material on the site comes from tourism promoters . Upload time : Painfully slow at 20 minutes . * . Revver . Revver is a general-interest video-sharing site with a category devoted to travel clips . Its process for uploading a video is similar to Travelistic 's , but the personal `` dashboard '' is much more sophisticated . You can collect friends , à la Facebook , and add other people 's videos to your playlist -LRB- a compilation of favorite clips -RRB- . There are also more ways to share your videos : The site allows you to use embed codes to link your videos to social-networking sites , and your friends can download the clips as podcasts in iTunes . Cool : The site affixes small advertisements to the bottom of every video , usually promoting something germane . -LRB- For example , an ad for a Miami hotel is attached to a home movie of Miami Beach . -RRB- Revver then pays you half the revenue it makes from the video ads -- the total depends on how many people view the ads or click on them . You can track how much you 've made in your dashboard , and you 're automatically paid through PayPal once you 've earned at least $ 20 . Earnings can be substantial . The creators of an extremely popular Diet Coke and Mentos video on the site have made $ 50,000 . Not cool : Editors screen all of the videos to ensure that no obscene or copyrighted material will be posted to the site -- the process can take several hours or even a day . If your video has more than 10 seconds of a Beyoncé song in the background , for instance , the editors could consider it a copyright violation and block the clip 's posting . Upload time : Five minutes . Tripfilms . Founded by four friends in New York City , including former IgoUgo chief executive Tony Cheng , Tripfilms is geared toward people who think of themselves as filmmakers , professional or otherwise , with higher-quality and more informative clips than those on other video-sharing sites . But that should n't deter the novice videographer ; Tripfilms 's videos may be slicker than those on other Web sites , but the site is n't necessarily more exclusive . The staff posts all videos submitted by users unless the clips are offensive . There are also tips on producing better videos , such as finding an opening or closing shot and writing a more natural script . Cool : The site has a Film Your Trip program in which people pitch ideas for video travel stories to the editors and -- if their ideas are accepted -- are paid at least $ 50 for each clip they produce . If you ask , the staff may edit your video to make it look more professional or give advice on how to do it yourself . The site also occasionally gives away an iPod Nano to the creators of the top videos . Not cool : Tripfilms is less than a year old , so traffic is low . There are just 700 videos on the site ; only a handful have more than a few thousand viewings . Upload time : Six minutes . Zoom And Go . Zoom And Go sees itself as a combination of TripAdvisor and YouTube . The site allows users to not only upload videos and photos , but also to write reviews for hotels , destinations and attractions , and to search for hotels in certain cities . Navigating the site , however , can be slightly problematic . When you click on a city like London , for instance , you can add it to your Trip Planner , but that just creates a list of bookmarked places -- there 's no actual planning function yet . The site also has a tool to check hotel availability , but clicking on the link to book the room in both Firefox and Safari led to an error page . Cool : Zoom And Go does n't attach ads to videos , but it 's launching a system that 'll award points for every video , photo and review posted on the site . The points will then be redeemable for money that 'll go to the charity of the user 's choice . Videos will be worth 30 points apiece ; every 100 points accrued will earn $ 1 . The editors also say that all content is provided by actual travelers , not tourism promoters . Not cool : Although Zoom And Go claims to have the largest collection of travel videos on the Internet -LRB- more than 14,000 -RRB- , the clips are rarely longer than a minute , providing just a cursory glimpse of a hotel lobby or a tourist destination . Upload time : Seven minutes . * For all tests , we used broadband Wi-Fi to upload a four-minute clip . E-mail to a friend . Get the best travel deals and tips emailed to you and enter to win a free trip - CLICK HERE ! Copyright © 2009 Newsweek Budget Travel , Inc. , all rights reserved . Note : This story was accurate when it was published . Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip . | Video-share Web sites specifically targeting travelers are springing up . Travelistic gives an embed code for most postings , so others can post the clip . Revver pays users half the revenue it makes from ads on their submissions . | [[708, 773], [776, 842], [1647, 1658], [1699, 1783], [1647, 1682], [1647, 1658], [1699, 1783], [2524, 2609], [2879, 2922]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Embattled Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe signed a power-sharing deal with the opposition party 's breakaway faction , his party said Tuesday , though Mugabe 's opponents denied the claim . Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe leaves a hotel where negotiations had been taking place Tuesday . Mugabe 's party said the deal , which promises cabinet positions to the splinter group of the Movement for Democratic Change , does not involve MDC head Morgan Tsvangirai . Tsvangirai said he still is involved with the talks , and that the power-sharing deal with the MDC offshoot is part of larger deal that has not been signed by anyone . Welshman Ncube , spokesman for the MDC splinter group , also said his party has not signed a deal with Mugabe , though Mugabe 's party said the deal was signed with the group 's chief , Arthur Mutambara . South African President Thabo Mbeki , the mediator in the talks , would not confirm that a deal had been signed . Mbeki said Mugabe and the splinter group had formed an `` agreement '' and were awaiting Tsvangirai 's position on certain points in the plan . Another high-ranking official with knowledge of the negotiations told CNN that the deal signed with Arthur Mutambara , head of the faction that broke from the MDC , has to do with the prime minister position that will be created in the new Zimbabwe government . The official said deciding the duties of the new prime minister has been a sticking point in the negotiations . The MDC has wanted the prime minister to be in charge of government and Mugabe to be in charge of the state , the official said . But Mugabe has sought to keep control of both and make the prime minister position `` ceremonial , '' the official said . All the parties involved have been meeting in a hotel in Harare , Zimbabwe 's capital city . Video footage Tuesday showed Tsvangirai leaving the negotiations stone-faced as he ignored reporters ' questions . Mutambara told reporters he plans to have a news conference Wednesday , and Mugabe smiled widely and shook hands with onlookers as he left the hotel , but did not answer reporters ' questions . Tsvangirai had been in power-sharing talks with Mugabe in recent days as a culmination of his party 's protest of Mugabe 's disputed re-election in a June presidential runoff . The election was condemned internationally as a sham . Tsvangirai withdrew from the June 27 runoff days before the vote , saying Mugabe 's supporters had orchestrated a campaign of beatings , intimidation and murders against the MDC . Tsvangirai had garnered the most votes in a March general election , but not enough to avoid a runoff , according to the government 's official count . CNN 's Nkepile Mabuse contributed to this report . | Official : Zimbabwe 's president makes power-share deal with splinter group . Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai not part of deal , official says . Tsvangirai denies he 's out of power-sharing discussions . | [[0, 15], [19, 138], [311, 483], [311, 326], [332, 340], [438, 483], [1599, 1618], [484, 614]] |
Richmond , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Four teenagers were arraigned Thursday on charges connected to the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl on a high school campus after a homecoming dance . Cody Ray Smith , described by the court as over 14 years old , pleaded not guilty to charges of rape with a foreign object and rape by force . Two other juveniles , Ari Abdallah Morales and Marcelles James Peter , appeared with Smith at the Contra Costa County Superior Court , but did not enter a plea . The court described Morales as under 16 , and did not give an age for Peter . All three juveniles , who wore bulletproof vests at the hearing , were charged as adults . A fourth individual , Manuel Ortega , 19 , appeared separately without an attorney and did not enter a plea . He did not wear a protective vest . The four are accused of taking part in what police said was a 2 1/2 - hour assault on the Richmond High School campus , in the Richmond community north of Oakland on San Francisco Bay . All of those arraigned are due back in court on November 5 . Another adult was arrested in connection with the October 24 attack , but has a different court date than the others . Police said as many as 10 people were involved in the assault in a dimly lit back alley at the school , while another 10 people watched without calling 911 . The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition but was released Wednesday . | Cody Ray Smith pleads not guilty to charges of rape with a foreign object and rape by force . Juveniles Ari Abdallah Morales and Marcelles James Peter do not enter pleas . Manuel Ortega , 19 , appears separately without an attorney , does not enter plea . Four are accused of taking part in a 2 1/2 - hour gang rape at the school . | [[199, 213], [262, 341], [342, 410], [413, 474], [342, 361], [364, 404], [481, 503], [673, 692], [760, 782], [673, 692], [716, 755], [673, 692], [760, 782], [83, 198], [819, 936]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Lourdes Batista wishes she had super powers so she could use them to find her husband , she said Wednesday , 105 days after authorities said he was kidnapped in Mexico . Lourdes Batista says she has no idea why someone would kidnap her husband , Felix . Felix Batista , a renowned kidnapping consultant , disappeared after getting into a vehicle outside a Saltillo restaurant December 10 . The family has yet to hear a word from his abductors . `` I do n't have words to describe the pain , '' Lourdes Batista said . `` It 's cruel , very cruel . '' Lourdes Batista was getting ready for bed at her Miami , Florida , home when she received a phone call informing her that her husband of 31 years had been snatched . She tried contacting him on both of his phones , but to no avail . Felix Batista , 53 , had arrived four days prior in Saltillo , the Coahuila state capital about 250 miles from the U.S. border , to take part in a security seminar about kidnappings . He was giving talks about kidnappings to a business group in Saltillo and Torreon . Though the Cuban-American worked as a contract consultant for the Houston , Texas-based ASI Global Response , the trip was not affiliated with the company . On the day of his kidnapping , Felix Batista was in a restaurant with several other people when he received a phone call , according to a statement from the Coahuila state attorney general 's office . `` After speaking for a few minutes , -LSB- he -RSB- left the restaurant , telling his colleagues that several people in a white pickup truck were going to give him a message , '' the statement said . `` Afterward , outside the business , at about 7 p.m. , he got into a vehicle with different characteristics from those he had mentioned to his colleagues and , since then , no one has had any communication with him , '' the statement said . There was no indication of violence at the scene , the attorney general 's office said . Jackie Batista said she has no clue why someone would abduct her brother . `` We can speculate till next year , '' she said . `` We 've waited for answers . We do n't have any information , and no one has contacted us . '' Lourdes Batista added , `` It 's very perplexing . I do n't know . I do n't understand why . This is why I ca n't sleep at night . '' Watch Felix Batista 's wife , sister plead for his release '' Felix Batista served four years in the U.S. Army before entering private practice . He has 23 years of experience as a crisis responder and had worked with ASI Global Response since May 2007 , President Charlie LeBlanc said . A profile on the company 's Web site , which has been taken down , said Felix Batista conducted threat assessments and had been credited with the `` successful resolution '' of almost 100 kidnap-and-ransom cases . LeBlanc said Felix Batista was a `` multidisciplined security practitioner '' who also worked on extortion cases and consulted corporations . His aptitude as a consultant aside , Lourdes Batista said , he was an outstanding family man : `` a great man and a great father and a wonderful husband . I could n't ask for better . '' Since Felix Batista 's kidnapping , ASI Global has been working with his family , acting as a liaison with the FBI and Mexican authorities and vetting those offering to help with the case , LeBlanc said . It 's the same kind of work Felix Batista was known for , he said . ASI Global has been sharing information with the Mexican national police , who have `` been very forthcoming in sharing information and asking for advice , '' LeBlanc said . `` We 've had viable leads . They just have n't panned out , '' he added . Kidnappings and violence have long been problems in Mexico , but the problem has spiked in the past year , at least statistically . Mexican President Felipe Calderon said this month that there were 6,500 organized-crime killings in 2008 , more than double the number from 2007 . The nation 's human rights ombudsman has reported that there were 5,140 reported kidnappings between 2001 and 2008 . Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora 's office reported that there were 326 kidnappings in the first five months of 2008 alone . `` Many cases continued , however , to go unreported , as families negotiated directly with kidnappers . The number of reported cases to authorities was believed to be far less than the actual number of kidnappings , '' said a statement from Mora 's office . Lourdes Batista said the level of violence in Mexico troubles her . `` The Mexican citizens , how do they live like this every day of their lives ? It 's beyond me , '' she said . `` I fear for them and fear for their loved ones . '' Lourdes Batista said there have been no threats against her or against her five children with Felix , who range in age from 16 to 28 , but she still lives anxiously . `` I do live in fear , but mostly for Felix and for the families that are going through what I 'm going through , '' Lourdes Batista said , adding that the kidnappers ' silence has left her feeling impotent . Last week , exactly 100 days after his kidnapping , the Batistas submitted a letter to three newspapers in Monterrey , about 30 miles east of Saltillo . The letter , addressed to `` the Mexican people , '' sought any leads or information in the case and offered a financial reward for information yielding Felix Batista 's safe return . In short , it stated , `` we want Felix back , '' Jackie Batista said . Lourdes Batista said she is willing to add a caveat to the family 's plea . `` I am not one to persecute , and I do n't want to know . I just want my husband back . We need him here , '' she said . | Lourdes Batista says of perplexing motive , `` This is why I ca n't sleep at night '' Felix Batista was kidnapped December 10 outside a restaurant in Saltillo , Mexico . Felix Batista is skilled crisis responder who helped families of kidnapping victims . Violence , kidnappings plague Mexico ; many abductions go unreported . | [[189, 262], [510, 535], [2183, 2204], [2208, 2233], [2276, 2313], [143, 188], [273, 286], [324, 408], [3670, 3728], [4195, 4218], [4221, 4228], [4231, 4247], [4300, 4409], [4454, 4521], [4475, 4521]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- `` New Moon , '' the latest film in `` The Twilight Saga '' is doing record business at the box office . In its opening weekend the film grossed $ 140.7 million -- more than any other film with an autumn release in history . The tales of teenage vampire love based on the best-selling books by Stephanie Meyer have wooed film-goers without having to resort to acres of flesh being on display . This distinct lack of on-screen sex runs contrary to the popular trend of portraying teenagers on screen as playing fast and loose with their virginity and affections . Love and the importance of relationships most definitely rule in `` The Twilight Saga '' and the formula is proving popular with audiences . Elizabeth Morowitz , Communications Professor at the University of Missouri and author of `` Bitten By Twilight '' thinks that this more sensitive approach is the key to the film 's success . `` A lot of people ask ` what 's so appealing about the Twilight and why is it popular now ? ' and we think it 's because of the relationships and the messages about love in Twilight . In a more conservative environment we 've had this push for abstinence education , so we now have a media message that 's more congruent with that . So perhaps some teens relate to it in that way , '' Morowitz told CNN 's Katie Walmsley . The director of `` New Moon '' Chris Weitz says that sexual abstinence is central to the film 's appeal . `` It 's not that they ca n't have sex , they choose not to and I think there 's so much popular culture that 's saying to young people : ` you 'll be cool if you have sex ' or ` it 's important to be sexy ' whereas this series really concentrates on matters of the heart and spirit and I think that 's lovely , '' Weitz told CNN . A dashing male lead , in the shape of Robert Pattison does n't hurt either when you 're trying to attract a female teenage audience . But whatever the exact recipe for its undoubted success it looks like teenagers in the `` Twilight '' world do n't like to bite off more than they can chew . | `` The Twilight Saga : New Moon '' is breaking records at the box office . Film contains plenty of sexual tension but no sex scenes . Twilight Saga concentrates on matters of the heart and spirit says director Chris Weitz . | [[0, 15], [33, 123], [1661, 1727]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- People were `` thrown to the roof as if they were dolls '' and some feared for their lives when a Continental Airlines flight ran into turbulence , shaken passengers said . Oxygen masks hang from a damaged part of the plane Monday , in a photo by passenger Camila Machado . The turbulence struck without warning several hours into Monday 's Continental Flight 128 from Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , to Houston , Texas . The pilot diverted the Boeing 767-200 to Miami , Florida , to get treatment for the injured . Continental said seven passengers were transported to hospitals , and about 28 other passengers were treated at the scene . Lt. Elkin Sierra of the Miami-Dade Fire Department said 26 passengers were injured , including four seriously . `` The airplane came down very sharply , and all of us bumped our heads against the ceiling -- twice , '' Brazilian passenger Celi Dfaria told CNN affiliate WSVN-TV at Miami-Dade International Airport . `` It dropped so hard that everything in the seat-back pockets just flew up in the air . I caught my phone in my lap , '' passenger Richard Sharp told the Houston Chronicle . Watch what happens when a plane drops '' `` The second one was the devastating one . That 's when the plane really fell , '' Fabio Ottolini of Houston , who with his wife and daughter was returning from a visit with family in Brazil , told affiliate KTRK-TV in Houston . `` While it was doing that , I saw people being thrown to the roof as if they were dolls . '' Aloiso Dias thought the plane dropped more than twice . `` I felt like I was on a roller coaster , '' he told WSVN-TV . `` I could n't even see what happened with my wife . I was just holding onto the front of the seat and going with the flow . '' He could n't see because the cabin lights had gone out and `` it was pitch black outside , '' Frederick Bright told the Houston Chronicle . `` I went up , and it was like I was in the air for a minute . Then I came down and I hit my back on the armrest , then I fell into the chair , '' he said . `` I thought I was going to die because the lights went off completely , and all I could see was the red lights '' on the wings . Most of those who were injured had not been wearing seat belts , passengers said . `` It was like in the movies -- anybody who did n't have a seat belt on came right out of their chairs , '' Manuel Alfaro of Houston told the Chronicle . `` It smacked everyone around . '' Several people hit the ceiling hard , witnesses said . `` People that were n't seatbelted in flew up and hit the ceiling , so their heads and their faces hit the plastics all up at the top , '' John Norwood of Houston told WSVN-TV . `` A couple of people were badly hurt from the plastic breaking on their faces from the lights . There were people cut , bleeding . There were a few people unconscious . '' Watch passengers describe the terror '' Deanna Buckley of Houston hit the ceiling but was n't hurt . `` I hit my head on the light above and it broke the light out and I was showered in glass , '' she told WSVN-TV . `` I was lucky , though . There were people on there whose faces were cut up . It was terrible . '' The turbulence came suddenly , catching many passengers asleep . `` It seemed like the back of the plane got it the worst , though , probably because there 's more people in the back and a lot of people did n't have their seat belts on , '' Sharp told the Chronicle . `` You had a lot of people sleeping across the empty rows , so those people were bouncing around on the armrests . They really took the brunt of the beating in the back . '' Learn more about turbulence and what causes it '' One of those was 13-year-old Thiago Candido , who was traveling unaccompanied . `` Oh , I was scared man , '' Candido told KTRK-TV . `` I was sleeping and I woke up with my head in the ceiling . I did n't know what was going on . `` I thought the plane was falling , just like a big earthquake , but in the air , '' he said . The flight carried 168 passengers and 11 crew members . Continental flew remaining passengers to Houston later Monday . `` I think the most important thing about this whole episode is seat belts , all the time , '' Ottolini told KTRK-TV . `` Because we have no way to predict what happened . It just happened . '' | Airliner dropped sharply at least twice , sending people and objects flying . Several people 's heads hit ceiling , breaking plastic and glass . `` I thought I was going to die , '' Houston man tells TV station . | [[765, 803], [1508, 1563], [1528, 1563], [810, 856], [2455, 2490], [2581, 2643], [2688, 2784], [82, 164], [1087, 1142], [1265, 1293], [1378, 1413], [2371, 2419], [2646, 2687]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rutgers University has suspended a sorority after police charged six of its members in a hazing investigation . The North Carolina-based headquarters of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority also suspended the chapter at Rutgers , in New Brunswick , New Jersey . That means the sorority has ceased to be officially recognized and can accept no new recruits while the investigation is under way . Police have charged six sorority members with aggravated hazing , which a police spokesman Friday called a possible `` indictable offense . '' Rutgers Police Lt. Richard Dinan said the six women were taken to the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Facility , and bail was set at $ 1,500 for each . At least four of the woman have posted bail , he said . He declined to give details of the alleged hazing , but said one woman sought medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries . Dinan told The Star-Ledger newspaper in Newark Wednesday that there were at least three victims , but police may identify more victims and more suspects . He said four sorority members were arrested Tuesday and two more on Wednesday . He said the hazing occurred at a university student apartment building , but he declined to give the location . The hazing began about the middle of January and went on for eight days , he said . Dinan also told the newspaper that the alleged victims were `` unofficial pledges '' because the alleged hazing did not occur during the university 's recognized pledge period . Sigma Gamma Rho is a recognized sorority , but it does not have a sorority house in New Brunswick , Dinan said . The police officer said five of the undergraduates charged were from New Jersey : Vanessa Adegbite , 21 , of Jersey City ; Joana Bernard , 21 , of West Orange ; Kesha Cheron , 20 , of Newark ; Shawna Ebanks , 21 , of East Orange ; and Marie Charles , 21 , of West Orange . Llana Warner , 20 , is from New York City . E. J. Miranda , a spokesman for Rutgers , said a student and her parents reported the alleged hazing to the university administration Tuesday . According to the university 's statement , `` After receiving this information , university officials contacted the police . '' Miranda said he did n't know whether the sorority had had similar reports before . According to Rutgers , the university `` strictly prohibits all forms of hazing . Under the Code of Student Conduct , a student found to have engaged in hazing may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion . '' | Members of Sigma Gamma Rho at Rutgers charged with aggravated hazing . One woman sought medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries , police say . Sorority chapter is suspended by university and by its national headquarters . Alleged hazing occurred at university student apartment building , police say . | [[0, 15], [19, 130], [406, 469], [761, 763], [817, 892], [0, 15], [19, 130], [131, 200], [206, 238], [1128, 1198]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Whether they 're raising their adopted baby girl , dodging homophobic quips from their fraternity brothers or teaching the `` Single Ladies '' dance to the football team after glee club , it seems gay characters are becoming a vital part of prime time TV . With characters like `` Modern Family 's '' Mitchell and Cameron , Calvin from `` Greek '' and Kurt from `` Glee , '' the number of lesbian , gay , bisexual and transgender -LRB- LGBT -RRB- characters on scripted programs has just about doubled since 2005 , according to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation . And characters will continue to identify as LGBT as time goes on , such as `` Ugly Betty 's '' Justin , who recently had his first same-sex kiss . But Jarrett Barrios , president of GLAAD said , `` We still have a long way to go before we 're fully represented -LSB- on -RSB- TV . '' In addition to the increasing number LGBT characters on scripted shows , which currently represents a little more than 3 percent of all leading and supporting characters on broadcast networks , there are also more openly gay actors and producers working in Hollywood , says Barrios . Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson plays the character Mitchell on the ABC prime time show `` Modern Family . '' Like his on-screen role , Ferguson himself is openly gay . `` The opportunity to play not only a well developed gay character , but a dad , a son and brother was really appealing to me . ... I chose to play him very close to myself and I think that truthfulness was appealing to the creators , '' Ferguson told CNN . However , Ferguson says his sexual orientation does not make him any more qualified to tackle a gay role than Eric Stonestreet , his straight co-star who plays Mitchell 's partner Cameron . `` As a gay man and as someone who is an advocate for equality , truthfulness and fairness , I want to see more gay roles go to gay actors , '' Ferguson said in an e-mail . `` But then on the flip side , as an actor , I want to still be given the opportunity to play roles that are straight . '' In a recent interview on The Joy Behar Show , Stonestreet said he 's excited he has been given the opportunity to portray one half of a committed gay couple raising a child -- a first , he said , for broadcast TV . `` Our goal is to make people laugh , but while we 're making people laugh , if we can open a couple minds here and there , that 's also an added benefit , '' he said . And while shows like `` Modern Family '' are working to open peoples ' minds about same-sex parents , the `` L '' and the `` T , '' of LGBT , are still waiting for their TV time , said Hollywood casting director Tammara Billik . It 's very common for female characters to be portrayed as bisexuals instead of lesbians , she said . `` I would n't say it 's because of a discomfort with lesbianism , it 's just an interest in bisexuality , '' Billik said . '' -LSB- People -RSB- think it 's hot , and it gives characters a wide variety of storylines . '' And as far as the `` T , '' she said , `` transgender people are not represented in our daily lives with the same frequency that gay and lesbian people are . It 's harder to find an audience that will embrace a transgender character . '' Sean Smith , the executive producer of ABC Family 's `` Greek , '' said he has loaned some of his own experiences as an openly gay man to the show . And when casting , an actor 's sexual orientation does not come into play . `` When you 're in casting , it 's not appropriate or legal to say , ` Hey , are you gay ? ' Whether they 're gay , straight , from the South , British or from Mars , it does n't matter . The best person who captures that character gets the job . '' And for Smith , straight actor Paul James was the best person for the role of Calvin Owens , a gay member of Omega Chi , a fictional fraternity on `` Greek . '' James said he does n't think twice about the intimacy between him and the three actors he 's made out with on the series . His girlfriend does n't either . It 's just acting , he says . But with the exception of Neil Patrick Harris , who came out in 2006 , playing a straight character on `` How I Met Your Mother , '' straight actors are more often tapped for gay roles , rather than the other way around . Or so it seems . `` Many gay actors , who are not out in Hollywood , are afraid -LRB- coming out -RRB- will compromise their ability to get roles , '' Barrios said . `` But -LSB- LGBT -RSB- actors need to feel as if they can be who they are and still make it in Hollywood or homophobia wins . '' Both Ferguson and Smith identified themselves as gay before beginning careers in Hollywood , but Smith said he understands why some people are apprehensive about coming out once they 're in the spotlight . `` People want to succeed and avoid any potential pitfalls , and coming out is definitely one that can draw attention to you that might make other people in this town fearful of hiring you , '' said Smith . `` For me , I 've never really questioned it . I 've worked with great guys . For them it was n't an issue , but I 'm aware of other parts of this industry . '' People want to watch characters they can relate to , said Smith , who was very excited to welcome `` Modern Family '' into his living room . `` Jesse and I ... get so many compliments from gay couples and lesbian couples that want to introduce us to their kids and thank us for representing them on TV for the first time , '' Stonestreet told Behar . But still , `` Modern Family '' is n't hitting viewers over the head with Cameron and Mitchell 's physical intimacy . `` We 're the perfect show to just build it in naturally , not draw a bunch of attention to it , '' Stonestreet said . For Ferguson , it 's a non-issue . `` I want the viewers to know Mitchell and Cameron 's sex and love life is just fine , '' Ferguson wrote . `` They also have regular bowel movements , but that is something you do n't see either . '' | The number of LGBT characters on scripted programs has doubled since 2005 . LGBT characters represent more than 3 percent of characters on broadcast networks . It does n't matter if an LGBT actor plays an LGBT role , said GLAAD 's Jarrett Barrios . | [[391, 531], [896, 951], [937, 951], [960, 1072], [1150, 1164]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Barack Obama headed to the Czech Republic on Wednesday night to meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and sign an arms control agreement that reduces the nuclear stockpiles of both nations . The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty -LRB- START -RRB- to be signed Thursday by the two leaders builds on a previous agreement that expired in December . Obama has called the treaty the `` the most comprehensive arms control agreement in nearly two decades '' and said it would cut the nuclear weapons of the United States and Russia by about a third . After meeting with Medvedev and attending the signing ceremony in Prague , the Czech Republic capital , Obama will have dinner with heads of government from 11 countries -- Bulgaria , Croatia , Czech Republic , Estonia , Hungary , Latvia , Lithuania , Poland , Romania , Slovakia and Slovenia . The highlight of the two-day trip is the new treaty with Russia , which is another step in nuclear arms relations between the former Cold War adversaries . Its signing comes two days after the Obama administration announced a new U.S. nuclear weapons policy and four days before Obama convenes a summit of 47 nations on nuclear security issues . `` It significantly reduces missiles and launchers , '' Obama said of the new treaty , which lasts for 10 years . `` It puts in place a strong and effective verification regime . And it maintains the flexibility that we need to protect and advance our national security , and to guarantee our unwavering commitment to the security of our allies . '' Obama has made nuclear non-proliferation a major priority of his presidency , prompting criticism from conservatives who fear the president will weaken the U.S. nuclear deterrent against possible attack . `` We believe that preventing nuclear terrorism and nuclear proliferation should begin by directly confronting the two leading proliferators and supporters of terrorism , Iran and North Korea , '' according to a statement issued Tuesday by Arizona 's two Republican U.S. senators , John McCain and Jon Kyl . `` The Obama Administration 's policies , thus far , have failed to do that and this failure has sent exactly the wrong message to other would be proliferators and supporters of terrorism . '' According to information released by the White House , the new treaty limits both nations to `` significantly fewer strategic arms within seven years '' of its signing . One of the limits : 1,550 warheads . `` Warheads on deployed ICBMs -LRB- Intercontinental ballistic missiles -RRB- and deployed SLBMs -LRB- submarine-launched ballistic missiles -RRB- count toward this limit and each deployed heavy bomber equipped for nuclear armaments counts as one warhead toward this limit , '' the White House said . There also are limits on launchers . The treaty also lays out a `` verification regime '' that includes on-site inspections , data exchanges and notifications , the White House said . `` The treaty does not contain any constraints on testing , development or deployment of current or planned U.S. missile defense programs or current or planned United States long-range conventional strike capabilities , '' according to the White House . Obama said the agreement is part of the U.S. effort to `` reset '' the U.S. relationship with Russia . `` With this agreement , the United States and Russia -- the two largest nuclear powers in the world -- also send a clear signal that we intend to lead , '' the president said . `` By upholding our own commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty , we strengthen our global efforts to stop the spread of these weapons , and to ensure that other nations meet their own responsibilities . '' Negotiators have been working since April 2009 to wrap up the `` follow-on '' to the 1991 START agreement . Talks were difficult , with disagreements over verification , including on-site inspection of missiles that carry nuclear warheads . A U.S. official with knowledge of the talks earlier said that negotiators had found `` innovative '' ways to verify what each side has . Verification will be a top issue politically because the U.S. Senate and the Russian parliament will each have to ratify any agreement . Russian officials at one point objected to the Obama administration 's plans to build a missile-defense system in Eastern Europe . Specifically , they were angered by news leaks from Romania that it had agreed to allow missile interceptors to be installed in that country . The issue , according to arms control experts , was resolved by including non-binding language in the START treaty 's preamble stating that there is a relationship between offensive and defensive weapons ; however , the treaty itself deals only with limits on offensive weapons systems . This resolution could help placate U.S. critics who want no link in the treaty between offensive and defensive weapons , arguing that it might be used to try to limit a U.S. missile-defense plan . The new treaty would be the first pact related to arms control since the end of the Cold War , experts have said , setting the stage for further arms reductions that will tackle thorny issues such as what to do with non-deployed warheads that are kept in storage , tactical nuclear weapons and further cuts in missiles and launch vehicles . Some of those issues are expected to come up at the nuclear security summit in Washington on April 12-13 . | Obama : `` Most comprehensive arms control agreement in nearly two decades '' President will also have dinner with heads of government from 11 countries during trip . Treaty limits both nations to `` significantly fewer strategic arms '' | [[383, 488], [5002, 5094], [582, 654], [684, 876], [2334, 2448]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Costa Rica 's first female candidate held a two-to-one lead in the country 's presidential election , as the second-place candidate , Otton Solis of the Citizen 's Action Party , conceded defeat . If the PLN -- the Spanish acronym for the ruling National Liberation Party party -- wins , Laura Chinchilla would become the nation 's first female president . Polls showed Chinchilla garnering 47.3 percent of the vote , with 24.9 percent of election sites reporting . Solis had 23.3 percent , while Otto Guevara of the Libertarian Movement had 21.9 percent . Before noon Sunday , all three leading candidates had cast their votes in events broadcast live by local media . If none of the candidates gain 40 percent of the vote , a runoff election will be used to select the next president . In addition to president , Costa Ricans also cast ballots Sunday for two vice presidents , 53 congressmen and 495 councilmen . Video footage showed flag-waving supporters of the main presidential candidates dressed in their respective campaign colors throughout the country . International observers interviewed on CNN affiliate Teletica compared the election scene to a festival . The festivities included election sites where children could vote in a mock presidential vote . The educational outreach let the children pick their candidate on a digital ballot not unlike the ones the rest of the electorate cast their votes with . Some 2.8 million Costa Ricans are eligible to vote . The legacy of outgoing President Oscar Arias -- a Nobel laureate who leaves office a popular , if polarizing leader -- has in many ways shaped the presidential race . Although he has given Costa Rica a larger role in foreign affairs through his involvement in seeking resolution to the political crisis in Honduras , but his style has rubbed some the wrong way . After casting his vote Sunday , Arias called the electoral process transparent and trustworthy . `` I would like to thank the Costa Rican people for filling the streets with color , '' he said . CNN 's Roberto Pazos contributed to this report . | NEW : Solis bows out with 23.3 percent of the vote so far . NEW : Polls show Chinchilla with 47.3 percent of vote , with a quarter of sites reporting . Chinchilla represents ruling National Liberation Party . If no one takes 40 percent of the vote , a runoff election will be necessary . | [[376, 434], [254, 296]] |
Rio de Janeiro , Brazil -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The death toll from flooding and mudslides in Brazil continued to climb Thursday , with official reports of at least 154 fatalities . Thousands of people have been left homeless , said the government-run Agencia Brasil news service . The Rio de Janeiro mayor 's office placed that figure at 5,000 . At least 161 people have been injured , the Rio de Janeiro state government said Thursday on its Web site . A record 11.3 inches -LRB- 287 millimeters -RRB- of rain fell in Rio within 24 hours Tuesday , Mayor Eduardo Paes said , according to the news service . The downpour continued Wednesday . iReport : Share your photos , video , stories with CNN . More than 30 homes were destroyed in a mudslide Wednesday in metropolitan Rio , Agencia Brasil said . About 200 people could be buried or trapped in the mud , emergency officials said . The cities of Niteroi and Sao Goncalo are among the hardest hit , with more than 80 dead and dozens missing , the news service said . CNN affiliate TV Record showed firefighters , military personnel and other rescuers using heavy machinery to dig for buried residents . | Death toll climbs to more than 150 ; thousands left homeless . Mayor : Record-breaking 11.3 inches -LRB- 288 millimeters -RRB- of rain fell in Rio Tuesday . 200 could be trapped following another mudslide , Brazilian media reports . | [[177, 220], [342, 361], [382, 449], [929, 944], [947, 969], [450, 542], [797, 829], [841, 851], [797, 813], [833, 851]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and members of the Sex Pistols have led tributes to the band 's former manager Malcolm McLaren who died of cancer on Thursday aged 64 . As manager of the Sex Pistols and owner , with his then-lover Westwood , of the Sex boutique in London during the mid-1970s , McLaren was considered one of the pioneers of the punk movement . `` When we were young and I fell in love with Malcolm , I thought he was beautiful and I still do , '' Vivienne Westwood said in a written statement . Westwood 's son with McLaren , Joe Corre , her other son , Ben Westwood , and McLaren 's girlfriend , Young Kim , were with him when he died in Switzerland after a battle with mesothelioma . `` I thought he is a very charismatic , special and talented person . The thought of him dead is really something very sad , '' said Westwood . The lead singer of the Sex Pistols , John Lydon , better known as Johnny Rotten , also paid tribute to the band 's former manager . `` For me , Malc was always entertaining , and I hope you remember that , '' Lydon said . `` Above all else , he was an entertainer , and I will miss him , and so should you . '' McLaren and the Sex Pistols had a turbulent relationship during the band 's brief , spectacular and controversial career . Originally known as the Strand , McLaren drafted in Lydon as lead singer and renamed the band the Sex Pistols . Lydon had been spotted wearing a Pink Floyd T-shirt with the words `` I hate '' added to it . The Sex Pistols ' raucous public appearances and raging lyrics on songs like `` Anarchy in the UK '' and the sneering `` God Save the Queen '' -- which became a hit despite the BBC 's refusal to play it -- made the band notorious on both sides of the Atlantic by 1977 . The Sex Pistols broke up in 1978 after one studio album , in large part because of a feud between McLaren and Rotten , who walked off stage at the end of the band 's last show declaring , `` Ever get the feeling you 've been cheated ? '' The band 's surviving members have regrouped for periodic tours since 1996 , but its official Web site still refers to McLaren as its '' -LRB- mis -RRB- manager . '' McLaren went on to assemble the pop act Bow Wow Wow and record several albums of his own in the 1980s and '90s . CNN 's Stephanie Halasz and Todd Leopold contributed to this report . | Malcolm McLaren was the onetime manager of the British punk band the Sex Pistols . He died of cancer at age 64 , his girlfriend said Thursday . Band broke up in 1978 after feud between McLaren and singer Johnny Rotten . | [[106, 109], [118, 148], [153, 189], [106, 109], [118, 148], [153, 189], [533, 632], [647, 723], [1778, 1833]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Golf legend Tom Watson says Tiger Woods needs to `` clean up his act '' and show some humility in public when he returns to the circuit after sorting out his tangled personal life . World number one Woods is taking an `` indefinite break '' from the circuit after a car crash outside his Florida home on November 27 led to revelations about a string of extramarital affairs . Elder statesman Watson , who came close to winning last year 's British Open at Turrnberry , aired candid views on Woods as he prepared to tee up in this week 's Dubai Desert Classic . `` Tiger has to take ownership of what he has done , '' said the 60-year-old . `` He must get his personal life in order . I think that 's what he 's trying to do . And when he comes back he has to show some humility to the public , '' he added . `` I would come out and I would do an interview with somebody and say , ` You know what ? I screwed up . And I admit it . I am going to try to change . I am trying to change . I want my wife and family back . '' Watson , who dueled with fellow legend Jack Nicklaus at the peak of his career , also criticized Woods for his behavior on the course , upbraiding him for bad language and angry outbursts . `` I feel that he has not carried the same stature that other great players that have come along like Jack -LRB- Nicklaus -RRB- , Arnold -LRB- Palmer -RRB- , Byron Nelson , the Hogans , in the sense that there was language and club throwing on the golf course , '' Watson went on : `` I think he needs to clean up his act and show the respect for the game that other people before him have shown . '' Woods , who has not made a public appearance since the media storm which engulfed him at the end of 2009 , has lost a string of endorsements since he admitted to `` transgressions '' in his personal life . The 14-time major winner has also been a regular at the prestigious tournament in Dubai , which completes the `` Gulf swing '' on the European Tour . In his absence , Watson is the star attraction after his heroics at Turnberry which saw him beaten in a playoff by fellow American Stewart Cink . Watson , who has already won the Seniors Tour this year , has played down his chances of victory but has been impressed by the condition of the Emirates course . `` The rough is very tough , '' he said . `` It is very tough to get the ball on the green from the rough . You have probably only got a one-in-seven or one-in-eight chance to get the green if you drive into the rough . '' Northern Ireland 's Rory McIlroy defends the title where he made his big breakthrough last year , with European number one Lee Westwood and Sweden 's Henrik Stenson also among the favorites for the $ 416,000 first prize . | Golf legend Tom Watson says Tiger Woods needs to clean up his act . Watson compares Woods unfavorably with other greats such as Jack Nicklaus . Watson is making a guest appearance at this week 's Dubai Desert Classic . Rory McIlroy defends his title which boasts a first prize of $ 416,000 . | [[0, 15], [42, 123], [395, 417], [488, 579], [1494, 1584], [2517, 2730]] |
BEIJING , China -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- African governments have stopped importing Chinese dairy products as the crisis which has seen more than 52,000 Chinese children poisoned by melamine-tainted goods spreads . Burundi , Gabon and Tanzania have joined governments closer to China -- including Indonesia , Taiwan , Japan , Singapore and Malaysia -- in banning Chinese dairy products . At least 11 countries have banned imports . The precautions come as the number of affected children in China continues to swell . Four babies have died from melamine-tainted infant formula and more than 52,000 children have fallen ill , Chinese authorities say . `` I think we will see more cases , but it is , of course , impossible to predict how many cases there finally will be , '' said Hans Troedsson , the the World Health Organization 's China representative . `` We have to remember that China is a large country with a population of 1.3 billion people . However , of course , 40 - to 50,000 children are affected as reported now . It 's a staggering figure , but where we will end up is too early yet to say . '' On Monday , China 's top quality control official , Li Changjiang , resigned as a result of the scandal , which has seen the arrest of at least 18 people . Two brothers arrested last week on charges of selling contaminated milk could face death if convicted , according to China Daily , a state-run newspaper . The raw milk used to produce powdered baby formula had been watered down and the chemical melamine was added to fool quality checks , the newspaper said . Watch CNN visit the company at the center of the scandal '' Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Beijing hospitals and a supermarket to show his concern . China 's Health Ministry said about 13,000 children were hospitalized , while another 40,000 had undergone outpatient treatment . `` What we need to do now is to ensure that nothing like this happens in the future , not only in dairy products , but in all foods , '' he said . `` Manufacturers and owners of dairy companies should show more morality and social responsibility in these cases . They are heartless , so we have to create strict law and legislation . I 'm sorry . '' Watch how Beijing is under pressure over public safety '' The repercussions from the scandal were felt as far away as Africa . Burundi imports milk products from two suspect Chinese companies and the government has set up a commission to investigate how much tainted product could remain on store shelves , officials said . `` For the moment , nobody knows if the milk is being sold on the Burundi market , '' Noel Nkurunziza , president of a Burundi consumer association known as ABUCO , is quoted as saying in The Guardian newspaper and other publications . In Asia , Singapore announced a recall of all Chinese milk products on Tuesday . The head of Indonesia 's Food Safety Watch said she was instituting a temporary ban of all milk imports from China , although contaminated milk has not been found in the country . In issuing its recall of milk products , Singapore had already suspended the import and sale of milk and dairy products from China on Friday , after it said it has found traces of melamine in three Chinese-made dairy products . The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority said `` White Rabbit Creamy Candy '' was ordered off of shelves after tests showed it was contaminated . White Rabbit is among the best-known candy brands in China and one of the few exported widely . The United States is among 40 nations that import the candy , a man in the administrative office of the Shanghai-based company told CNN Monday . Earlier , Singapore 's agri-food agency said it found melamine in two other milk-based Chinese imports : the Yili brand `` Choice Dairy Fruit Bar Yoghurt Flavored Ice Confection '' and the Dutch Lady brand of strawberry-flavored milk . In Bangladesh , three Chinese powdered milk brands -- Sanlu , Suncare and Yashili -- have been taken off shelves and all milk powder imports at Bangladeshi ports will be inspected . Bangladeshi TV showed the country 's Rapid Action Battalion climbing over a fence to raid a storage facility believed to contain tainted milk . In Malaysia , Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai announced that import of Chinese milk products had been stopped . In addition to banning imports , thousands of tons of tainted milk powder have been recalled . In the Philippines Monday , the country 's Bureau of Food and Drugs banned the distribution and selling of two brands of imported Chinese milk that could possibly be tainted , the Philippines News Agency reported . The milk brands were Yili and China Mengniu Diary Company , the agency reported . One of the implicated Chinese plants is operated by a subsidiary of the Marudai Food Co. in Japan . Marudai said it was recalling five types of products from the plant , would halt operations there for one month , and will send employees to the subsidiary to examine quality controls . The factory will be shut down through October 19 . Even some countries that do n't import Chinese dairy products , such as Malaysia and Brunei , have banned milk products from China . In Hong Kong , concerned parents have swamped hospitals . A 3-year-old Hong Kong girl was reported this weekend as the first case outside of mainland China . The girl was treated for kidney stones at Princess Margaret Hospital and released , Hong Kong 's government Web site reported . Her condition is being monitored . Watch the public outcry faced by the Chinese government '' A second child , a 4-year-old boy , had similar renal symptoms , the government reported Monday . The boy , a Hong Kong native , had consumed milk products contaminated with melamine and was diagnosed with a kidney stone in mainland China , the Department of Health said . He was treated at Princess Margaret on Monday and was in stable condition . The hospital said Monday it has provided medical consultation to 63 people who might have consumed contaminated milk products . The patients , 34 males and 29 females , ranged in age from 2 months to 17 years old . A Hong Kong government hotline has received nearly 1,000 calls . Melamine is commonly used in coatings and laminates , wood adhesives , fabric coatings , ceiling tiles and flame retardants . Some Chinese dairy plants have added it to milk products to make it seem to have a higher protein level . Learn more about the chemical melamine '' Melamine is the same industrial contaminant from China that poisoned and killed thousands of U.S. dogs and cats last year . Health experts say ingesting melamine can lead to kidney stones , urinary tract ulcers , and eye and skin irritation . It also robs infants of much-needed nutrition . | NEW : Burundi , Gabon , Tanzania ban import of suspect milk products from China . NEW : Singapore , Taiwan , Bangladesh , Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei impose bans . Head of China 's quality watchdog resigns over tainted baby formula scandal . Four infants in China dead , over 52,000 reported ill from tainted milk powder . | [[0, 7], [10, 31], [35, 114], [346, 381], [5051, 5065], [5071, 5114], [5046, 5065], [5131, 5178], [209, 342], [382, 425], [2764, 2771], [2774, 2844], [3025, 3054], [3066, 3075], [3080, 3165], [4200, 4211], [4214, 4316], [5046, 5065], [5131, 5178], [1105, 1114], [1117, 1154], [1173, 1208], [101, 114], [121, 163], [140, 198], [450, 511], [512, 600], [575, 616]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- On most mornings , my better half wakes up around 5:30 , throws on some sweats and heads to the gym before work . About a half hour later , I wake up my 13-year-old son , go downstairs to the kitchen to make his breakfast and pack his lunch . Once he 's out the door , I brew some coffee and get to work . Ladies and gentlemen , may I present to you the `` gay lifestyle '' -- run for your heterosexual lives . I understand opponents of gay rights must highlight differences in order to maintain the `` us against them '' tension that 's paramount to their arguments . But this notion that sexual orientation comes with a different and pre-ordained way of life -- as if we 're all ordering the No. 3 at a drive thru -- only highlights how irrational groups such as Focus on the Family , the Family Research Council , the American Family Association and others like them are in this whole debate . Pro-marriage organizations try to stop two consenting adults from marrying . Pro-family groups try to stop stable couples wanting children from adopting unloved orphans . And somehow , me doing something like going to the grocery store threatens the very fabric of society , as Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern spewed . She says `` the homosexual agenda is destroying this nation '' and `` homosexuality is more of a threat than terrorism . '' I 'm not sure what her idea of a gay lifestyle might be , but with a growing teenager , buying and cooking food dominates my day-to-day . I do n't worship Barbra Streisand , I do n't watch any TV show with the word `` Housewives '' in its title and I love fishing , beer and Madonna . But more important , I 'm just a father trying to keep my son away from drugs , get him into college and have a little money left over for retirement . I 'm no sociologist but I 'm pretty sure those concerns are not exclusive to gay people . In one of the most pivotal scenes in the biopic `` Milk , '' Harvey Milk , played by Sean Penn , gathers a group of community organizers and activists to come up with strategies to combat a 1978 ballot initiative that sought to ban LGBT -LRB- lesbian , gay , bisexual and transgender -RRB- teachers and their supporters from working in public schools in California . As the small crowd settles down , Milk quickly glances around the room and says . . `` If we 're going to convince the 90 percent to give a -- about us 10 percent , we have to let them know who we are ... '' `` What '' we are -- be it gay , straight , black , white -- is simply window dressing . `` Who '' we are is where the substance is , where the person is , where our humanity is . Too often , discussions about gay people and gay rights focus on sex , as if a person 's entire being is defined by his or her Hollywood crush . This fixation has been the crux behind attempts to link gay men to pedophilia -- from John Briggs , a state legislator from Orange County who introduced the proposed ban on gay teachers in California , to the Catholic League 's Bill Donohue , whose recent attempts to excuse the church for its global scandal coverup by seemingly blaming homosexuality -- and it 's a tactic that is evil incarnate . `` The vast majority of the victims are post-pubescent , '' Donohue recently said on `` Larry King Live . '' `` That 's not pedophilia , buddy . That 's homosexuality . '' Actually , Bill , sexual predators whose victims are 13 - to 17-years-old are called hebephiles -- a la Joey Buttafuoco , Madeleine Martin and Heather Kennedy -- not homosexuals . And that still does n't explain why the church opted to save face as opposed to , in the words of the infamous anti-gay figurehead Anita Bryant , `` Save our children . '' Being gay does n't dictate how people live their lives any more than being straight does . There are gay people who go to church every Sunday and straight people who do not believe in God . There are single gay men who believe in the sanctity of marriage and married straight men who apparently do not -- such as Gov. Mark Sanford , ex-Sen . John Edwards and Sen. John Ensign , to name a few . The truth is the only thing all gay people have in common -- you know , besides being gay -- is that we face continuous rhetorical , social and legal attacks for simply existing , thus potentially making something as mundane as bringing a date to a work function a fight-or-flee situation . And yet , even in the face of that discrimination , LGBT people all handle it differently . Some of us live in the closet , some of us do drag every Wednesday night , some of us are Republicans hoping to be change agents within a conservative sect and some of us are apathetic Democrats too dumb to carry on a conversation about anything other than Lady Gaga . In other words , we 're just as diverse , intolerant , upstanding and tragic as our straight counterparts and unless there is an annual meeting I do n't know about , the only item on the much talked-about gay agenda is an abbreviated passage from the Declaration of Independence -- `` We hold these truths to be self-evident , that all men are created equal . '' In 29 states , people can be fired simply for being gay regardless of their education , experience or job performance ; servicemen and women can be dismissed from the military regardless of their qualifications , dedication and courage ; and partners are unable to see their better halves in the hospital regardless of the love , commitment and life they share . Wanting to be judged by the content of one 's character is n't a special right , it 's a constitutional one guaranteed by the 14th and 15th amendments . And yet , 145 years since the abolition of slavery , 90 years since women were allowed to vote and 20 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act , we 're still involved in McCarthy-like investigations , holding Briggs-like elections and taking opinion polls based solely upon `` what '' someone is as opposed to `` who '' they are . It 's sad . We 're such a great nation , still full of great hope and promise and yet we keep being tripped up by ignorance , which leads to fear and then eventually hate . Being gay is n't a choice , but being a bigot certainly is . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of LZ Granderson . | LZ Granderson : Is grocery shopping , getting my son off to school the `` gay lifestyle '' ? Granderson : Nonexistent gay lifestyle keeps up an `` us against them '' tension . Gay rights foes drum up the fear of a link between gay men and pedophilia , he says . He writes : Being judged by the content of one 's character is a constitutional right . | [[2785, 2862]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- We are often asked to declare our identity for documents , applications , bank loans and even social networking sites . But how much of our identity is lost when we select `` female , '' `` African-American '' or `` Muslim ? '' I think much of my own identity is lost when I fill in those boxes . I am technically a white , male , heterosexual , Christian , upper-class Ph.D. student . But I am more than meets the eye . I 'm covered in tattoos and piercings , and this often leads to assumptions about my character . `` Is he a drug addict ? Is he a skinhead ? Does he play music for a band ? '' I am none of these things . The lesson I hope to teach others through my life is that it 's important to see past appearances . My sociopolitical views are a large part of my identity , and I incorporate these into what I wear ; whether it 's T-shirts emblazoned with the images of activists whom I admire or deliberately manipulating my demeanor to reflect the `` professorial '' role I assume in the classroom , I am continually aware that others are reading my presentation as a measure of my character . And it is to this end that I deliberately try to throw people off . I hope to debunk some of the myths surrounding tattoos and piercings . And I know that everyone who interacts with me is left wondering how someone so `` deviant-looking '' can be kind , courteous and hospitable . My body is also a billboard for my life , and my tattoos tell the story of my identity . My earliest tattoos were direct quotes and Bible verses and captured my identity as an outspoken social-justice advocate . I began to display my political views more directly in later tattoos . I have the `` female '' sign behind my left ear to reflect my commitment to feminism and women everywhere ; I have the Human Rights Campaign logo behind my right ear to reflect my commitment to LGBT struggles . The tattoos on my arms capture my commitment to `` faith , '' `` family '' and `` mom and dad . '' I also have a bald eagle on my forearm to reflect my commitment to making this country a better place and a skull wearing a graduation cap to reflect my lifelong commitment to teaching . I know that my appearance is misleading , and I know that many people would disagree with what I see as efficacious inscriptions . But one thing is for certain : I will not blend in with the crowd . I will be noticed , for better or worse . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Paul Strohecker . | David Strohecker is technically a white , male , heterosexual , Christian Ph.D. student . Strohecker : My tattoos and piercings lead to assumptions about my character . Sociopolitical views are a large part of identity , and tattoos tell story , he says . `` I hope to teach others ... it 's important to see past appearances '' | [[316, 404], [440, 477], [440, 444], [484, 536], [1030, 1123], [1452, 1494], [1495, 1514], [1555, 1617], [644, 654], [657, 693], [644, 743], [702, 743]] |
BEIJING , China -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Chinese investors want to cash in on the country 's NBA fever with a bid to buy a 15 percent stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers . Chinese superstar Yao Ming has been linked with a switch to Cleveland if Huang 's deal goes through . Chinese-born businessman Kenny Huang is heading the deal , estimated to be worth more than $ 70 million . Huang has masterminded previous sports deals , including introducing Mandarin advertisements in the Houston Toyota Center , home of Rockets and Chinese basketball star Yao Ming . With his U.S.-based partner Marc Ganis , Huang founded SportsCorp China , a company that facilitates sports and sponsorship contracts between the United States and China . Ganis said that if the deal goes through , it would rank as the largest international sports transaction ever made by Chinese nationals . `` Simply having Chinese ownership will increase significantly the visibility of the team within China , '' Ganis said . `` There will be much more coverage -LSB- of the Cavaliers -RSB- on the electronic news as well as the printed news . which means the team gets a much broader brand penetration in China for themselves , for their sponsors , and for any other business activities that they may want to engage in . '' The news has already sparked excitement among China 's massive basketball fan base . `` It makes me proud that the Chinese will be working with my favorite team , '' said a 14-year-old boy at Beijing 's Youth Pro Basketball Training Camp . `` It 's an honor . '' At the training camp , players practice in the shadow of a giant statue of four-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal , who last month moved to losing Eastern Conference finalist Cleveland from Phoenix Suns . `` They 're crazy for basketball , '' said the camp 's founder and former Chinese national basketball player Ma Jian . `` Basketball has probably become the number one most popular sport in China . '' Ma says China 's fascination with shooting hoops stems partially from NBA efforts to promote the league in the world 's most populous nation . A minority ownership of an NBA team will take China and the NBA 's love-love relationship to the next level . `` It is a natural extension of what the NBA 's efforts have been in China , '' Ganis said in an interview , `` for Chinese investors to look not just at sponsoring the NBA , not just getting athletes as endorsers of their products , but also for them to now move into ownership of NBA franchises , '' The move is also expected to bolster the Cavaliers ' marketing opportunities in China , where the franchise 's merchandise is already a top seller . Some say that deal may even entice LeBron James , who has claimed he wants to be the first billion-dollar athlete , to re-sign with his hometown team next summer . James , or `` Little Emperor '' as the Chinese call him , is hugely popular in China . It seems the feeling 's mutual . Playing for a team with links to China , `` should be fun , '' James told Cleveland newspaper , The Plain Dealer . `` It 's a big market ; they love the game of basketball . I 've been over there the last four or five summers , and I know how much they are inspired about the game . '' There 's also speculation that if the deal is finalized , the Chinese presence at Cleveland 's Quicken Loans Arena may increase by one . A move by Yao to the Cavaliers has been at the center of discussion in the Chinese bloggosphere . A Chinese forum post reads : `` I think there is around a 60 percent chance that Yao Ming will go to the Cavaliers because now the team is part-owned by Chinese investors and they will want to sign him . '' `` This is all an unknown , '' said Yao in the interview with his hometown Shanghai TV station . Although Yao 's recent injury may keep him off the court , it wo n't keep Chinese fans from watching the NBA -- despite speculation that his broken foot could end his career or , at the very least , keep him out of the next season . `` Despite Yao 's injury , many people in China will still be interested in basketball , '' says Mang Hongche , the manager of one of Beijing 's NBA Stores . `` Yao Ming 's our favorite , but besides Yao there are also other players that we like , like Kobe and LeBron . '' With Chinese basketball fans in it for the long-run , the future may see more partnerships between the NBA and China . `` In the next three to five years you will see a lot more sponsorships -LSB- with the NBA -RSB- , '' Ma Jian said . `` The Kenny Huang deal and Yao Ming are just a piece driving this market . '' Some analysts say there 's a possibility the NBA and China may even tie the knot by creating an NBA-CBA -LRB- Chinese Basketball Association -RRB- partnership . `` At the end of the day , the NBA is still a league , so at some point they 'll want to have a league here on the ground , '' says Michael Sun , managing director of sports giant IMG . `` This is something that I 'm sure -LSB- NBA China CEO -RSB- Ted Chan thinks about every day . '' | Chinese businessman hopes to buy 15 percent stake in Cleveland Cavaliers . Kenny Huang is heading the deal , estimated to be worth more than $ 70 million . Chinese people fanatical about basketball and national sports hero Yao Ming . Further Chinese investment in the NBA is expected in the future . | [[102, 162], [265, 321], [265, 321], [265, 301], [324, 370], [1280, 1300], [1309, 1364], [1280, 1364], [1752, 1781], [35, 107]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The remains of a woman who disappeared 22 years ago in northern California have been found after the son of the woman 's purported killer guided police to the site where her body was dumped , investigators announced Thursday . The alleged killer 's son told authorities that he watched his father kill 27-year-old Lysandra Marie Turpin in 1988 and that his dad forced him to help dispose of the body , the Humboldt County , California , Sheriff 's Office announced . Ernest Samuel Christie III , who was 16 at the time , told authorities that his now-dead father , Ernest Samuel Christie Jr. , made him help dump Turpin 's body in a ditch near their home in Fieldbrook , California , about 80 miles south of the Oregon border . Christie said his father forced him to help cover the body with tires , douse it in gasoline and set it on fire , Humboldt County Sheriff Gary Philp said in a statement Thursday . Christie 's dad had held and abused Turpin at his house for several weeks before killing her , Christie told the sheriff 's office . She had been reported missing to Humboldt County law enforcement on April 8 , 1988 . After Christie supplied the sheriff 's office with a map of where the body had been dumped , a team of detectives , evidence technicians , and sheriff 's deputies found teeth , clothing and charred bones . A forensic odontologist positively identified the remains as Lysandra Turpin on Wednesday , according to Philp . Ernest Samuel Christie Jr. died in 2006 , according to the sheriff 's office . His son , now 38 and living in North Carolina , contacted the sheriff 's office in February . He is not facing criminal charges , Philp said . Christie told authorities that his father had abused other women , once holding a woman prisoner in a hollowed-out redwood tree stump . The woman escaped and declined to report the incident to law enforcement , the sheriff 's office said . Using a description provided by Christie , sheriff 's personnel located the stump and found a carpet , plastic jugs , a hypodermic syringe and clothing there , Philp said Thursday . Christie related other instances of his father -- who he said frequently used methamphetamine -- terrorizing women , Philp said . Christie told authorities that his dad once took a woman on his fishing boat , tied her up and told her he was going to kill her . The woman managed to escape , and detectives were recently able to find her and corroborate Christie 's account , Philp said . | Man told police he watched his father kill 27-year-old Lysandra Marie Turpin in 1988 . He said his father forced him to dispose of the body in a ditch near their home . Forensic odontologist positively identified Turpin 's remains on Wednesday . The suspected killer , Ernest Samuel Christie Jr. , died in 2006 . | [[246, 418], [486, 512], [540, 581], [246, 418], [562, 581], [613, 746], [1351, 1440], [1464, 1503]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- British newspapers were filled with speculation Wednesday that Prince William may soon propose to his girlfriend , Kate Middleton , after an influential blog reported on a possible date . In an entry on her Web site , The Daily Beast , former magazine editor Tina Brown wrote that a `` high-placed source in royal circles '' told her that June 3 and 4 have been `` mysteriously blocked out on the palace diaries . '' This suggests a likely date for the engagement of William , 27 , and Middleton , 28 , wrote Brown , author of a biography of the late Princess Diana . Brown was previously editor-in-chief of high-society magazine Tatler as well as editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker . There was no response Wednesday from Clarence House , William 's official residence . `` We do n't comment on speculation , '' a spokeswoman there told CNN . William and Middleton have been dating off and on since 2003 , when both were students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland . They split in April 2007 despite widespread speculation they were close to marriage , but they remained friends and began dating again by the end of that year . The pair is often seen on the town in London , going to exclusive nightclubs . William is now training to be a search-and-rescue pilot with the Royal Air Force , where he holds the rank of flight lieutenant . | No response from Clarence House , Prince William 's official residence . Couple have been dating since 2003 , when both were students in Scotland . Prince is currently training to be a search-and-rescue pilot with the Royal Air Force . | [[727, 778], [885, 945], [953, 1018], [1259, 1339]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Inter Milan are through to the semifinals of the Champions League after Wesley Sneijder 's first-half free-kick gave them a 1-0 victory at CSKA Moscow , for a 2-0 aggregate win . Dutchman Sneidjer scored the only goal of the game in the sixth minute when his low-free-kick deceived goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev after his defensive wall jumped in unison -- allowing the shot to go underneath them . Following their 1-0 defeat at the San Siro last week , that meant the Russian champions needed to score three times to advance to the last four stage for the first time in their history . But their mission became impossible three minutes after the interval when substitute Chidi Odiah was sent off for a late challenge on Samuel Eto'o , resulting in a second yellow card . From then on , Italian champions Inter Milan were always in control . Sneijder and Dejan Stankovic both had shots well saved by Akinfeev , while the goalkeeper produced a superb save to keep out Diego Milito when the Argentine international went through on goal . The home side rarely threatened after being reduced to 10 men and Inter comfortably held on to reach the last four of the competition for the first time since 2003 . | Italian champions Inter Milan through to the semifinals of the Champions League . Wesley Sneijder scores the only goal as Inter defeat CSKA Moscow 1-0 . The 2-0 aggregate victory means Inter reach the last four for first time since 2003 . | [[0, 15], [19, 42], [91, 169], [198, 268], [1105, 1215]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Before this week , most Americans had likely never heard of Kyrgyzstan and even fewer could place it on a map . But the central Asian nation , which is about the size of South Dakota , is important to U.S. foreign policy for one simple reason : a vital military base through which tens of thousands of troops pass every month on their way in and out of Afghanistan . The fate of the Manas Transit Center was thrown into question Wednesday when Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev was forced to flee the capital after angry mobs seized government headquarters . Fighting between police and protesters left 75 people dead and hundreds injured , authorities said Thursday . The protesters say they are in control of the government , but Bakiev sent word Thursday from southern Kyrgyzstan that he is not abandoning his duties . The United States likely will retain use of the Manas facility even if Bakiev 's opponents secure control of the government , said Alexander Cooley , a central Asia expert at Barnard College . Latest news out of Kyrgyzstan . `` It 's going to survive , but it 's going to generate a lot of noise , uncomfortable negotiations and a lot of hard bargaining , '' said Cooley , author of `` Base Politics . '' The Manas base plays a major role in internal Kyrgyzstan policy on several levels . For starters , it is a major source of income in the small nation , which has a gross domestic product of less than $ 12 billion a year , according to the CIA World Factbook . The nation ranks 143rd in the world in terms of its GDP . In exchange for use of the base , the United States provides about $ 180 million in aid to Kyrgyzstan each year , Cooley said . Although the United States does not pay rent for use of any bases in the world , Cooley said , about $ 60 million of the Kyrgyzstan aid is considered payment for access to the Manas facility . In addition , Cooley said , Bakiev 's political opponents say the United States pays about $ 160 million a year to buy fuel for American aircraft using the base . `` The base is as much an economic investment as much as it is a security investment , '' Cooley told CNN . `` Kyrgyzstan does not have a lot of economic assets . That 's why the base is important . '' But the base also has deep significance to Bakiev 's opponents , who see it as a symbol of the deposed president 's corruption and U.S. complicity in his abuse of power . `` The United States stayed silent as Bakiev built a criminal state , '' Cooley said . iReport : Are you there ? Share photos , video . Political opponents believe that aid paid for use of the base went into Bakiev 's pockets , not the country 's coffers . `` That money went to companies and shady off-shore enterprises controlled by the family , '' said Cooley . `` It 's the actual site of tacit deals and corruption . '' The new government has said it will address citizens ' concerns . Kyrgyzstan has had a troubled history since shortly after gaining independence when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 . Also gaining independence that year were the three other `` stans , '' as some people commonly refer to the region : Kazakhstan , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan . `` Kyrgyzstan seemed to be in the 1990s the one bright spot , '' Cooley said . Askar Akaev , who had been president since 1990 , started off as a good leader , Cooley said , `` and politics were pretty pluralistic . Then , he started regressing . '' Akaev increasingly turned to repression . `` As they do , he stayed a few years too many , '' said Cooley . `` Bakiev was bad , but Akaev was a real thug . '' As happened this week , opponents took to the streets in 2005 and drove Akaev from power . Bakiev won election as president in July 2005 . But he , too , soon started to maneuver to increase his power and consolidate control . Demonstrations by political opponents in April , May and November 2006 led to the adoption of a new constitution that gave some of the president 's powers to parliament and the government . A year later , the parliament voted to restore some of those powers to the presidency . In September 2007 , the new constitution was declared illegal , and Bakiev resumed having the presidential powers he had inherited when taking office . `` The president then dissolved parliament , called for early elections and gained control of the new parliament through his newly created political party , Ak Jol , in December 2007 elections , '' the CIA World Factbook says . `` In July 2009 , after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics , Bakiev won re-election in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed . `` Just a few months later in October , Bakiev engineered changes in the government structure that further consolidated his already considerable hold on power . '' The CIA World Factbook says concerns about Bakiev 's rule , `` included privatization of state-owned enterprises , negative trends in democracy and political freedoms , endemic corruption , improving interethnic relations , electricity generation and combating terrorism . '' That such turmoil should fall upon such a country seems incongruous to some . `` Kyrgyz are great , '' Cooley said . `` They are very hospitable . Very mild-mannered . '' The CIA World Factbook describes Kyrgyzstan as a land of `` incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions . '' With an estimated 2009 population of about 5.4 million , Kyrgyzstan ranks No. 111 among nations . It is a landlocked country and entirely mountainous , with 94 percent of the nation 3,280 feet -LRB- 1,000 meters -RRB- above sea level and an average elevation of 9,000 feet -LRB- 2,750 meters -RRB- , the CIA World Factbook says . The topography includes many tall peaks , glaciers and high-altitude lakes . Nearly two-thirds of the nation 's citizens belong to the Kyrgyz ethnic group , while nearly 14 percent are Uzbek and more than 12 percent are Russian , the CIA World Factbook says . Likewise , nearly 65 percent of the people speak Kyrgyz , which is the official language . Nearly 14 percent speak Uzbek and Russian is the language for more than 12 percent . Three of every four citizens are Muslim and one in five are Russian Orthodox . Although Kyrgyzstan shares a 533-mile -LRB- 858-kilometer -RRB- border with China , most people identify with mother-nation Russia . Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876 and became a Soviet republic in 1936 . `` There 's a strong cultural affinity to Russia due to media , education and the Soviet legacy , '' Cooley said . Still , China is knocking at the door . `` China has moved in , but it 's been a very recent development , '' said Cooley . `` Last year , China did a lot more trade there than Russia did . But there 's very little cultural affiliation with China . '' There is no seeming affinity for the United States , a distant nation tied in the minds and hearts of many Kyrgyz to corruption at home . The question that remained unanswered this week was whether millions of dollars in U.S. aid would provide enough affiliation to allow continued use of the Manas Transit Center . | Central Asian nation is home to a military base that 's vital to U.S. in Afghanistan war . Kyrgyzstan initially showed great promise after the break-up of the Soviet Union . Its rulers eventually fell into repressive rule ; some residents say U.S. turned blind eye . China is beginning to make economic inroads with the landlocked nation . | [[3441, 3482], [5500, 5551]] |
Tehran , Iran -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iran tested an upgraded version of a surface-to-surface missile with a range that makes it capable of reaching parts of Europe , state-run television reported Wednesday . Iranian Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said on Press-TV that the solid-fuel , high-speed Sajil-2 missile has `` great maneuverability '' and can access targets more than 2,000 kilometers -LRB- 1,242 miles -RRB- away , making Israel and U.S. military bases in the Gulf reachable . Vahidi said the missile has a shorter launch time and is intended to boost Iran 's deterrent capability . In Washington , Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Defense Secretary Robert Gates had seen the intelligence on the launch , which occurred Tuesday , `` and , based on that , is clearly concerned . '' `` At a time when the international community has offered Iran opportunities to begin to build trust and confidence , Iran 's missile tests only undermine Iran 's claims of peaceful intentions , '' he added . `` Such actions will increase the seriousness and resolve of the international community to hold Iran accountable for its continued defiance of its international obligations . '' But a U.S. intelligence official said the test launch does not represent `` a major advancement '' in Iran 's missile technology . The official added that Iran carries out such tests on a `` routine basis ... to attract attention . '' Iran tested the initial version of the Sajil-2 in May . In September , days before a key meeting over nuclear issues with industrialized powers , Iran tested two types of long-range missiles . Those tests drew condemnation after the Islamic republic revealed the existence of a covert uranium enrichment site near the city of Qom . Iran shocked the world with that revelation . Since then , it has allowed inspectors from the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency to visit the plant . Western powers fear that Iran is intent on developing nuclear weapons . That 's a claim Tehran denies , but the latest test-firing of the Sajil-2 could add to existing tensions . | NEW : Gates : `` Missile tests only undermine Iran 's claims of peaceful intentions '' Missile 's range puts parts of Israel , U.S. bases , parts of Europe within range . West fears Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons ; Iran denies claim . | [[915, 989], [102, 109], [115, 182], [426, 487], [1896, 1967], [1968, 1997]] |
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Britain 's Prince William is starting a two-month attachment with the Royal Navy on Monday , part of the future king 's continued experience with various branches of the military , the Ministry of Defense said Saturday . Prince William and his father , Prince Charles , at his graduation from the Royal Air Force in April . William , 25 , will spend the first part of his attachment on a basic sea safety course training in sea survival , firefighting and ship damage repair , according to the ministry . If William passes the course , as expected , he will join the HMS Iron Duke in the Caribbean , the department said . The ship 's function is to support overseas British territories in the event of a hurricane and to carry out counter-narcotic operations . The prince , who will be called Sub Lieutenant Wales in the Navy , is expected to spend time aboard a frigate , a mine hunter , a submarine and helicopters during his attachment , which ends August 1 , the Ministry of Defense said . William completed a four-month attachment with the Royal Air Force this year and received his pilot 's wings upon graduating in April . He learned to fly three different aircraft during the attachment and is known as Flying Officer Wales within the RAF . William is also a second lieutenant in the British Army , where he serves in the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry . The attachments are designed to provide the prince with military experience for when he becomes head of the armed forces as king . `` When he becomes king , he needs to know his armed forces -- instinctively be very familiar with them -- and so he is doing this visit to the Royal Navy , '' said Rear Adm. Bob Cooling , the assistant chief of naval staff . William 's father , Prince Charles , had a five-year career in the navy in the 1970s . Charles served on the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk and two frigates before qualifying as a helicopter pilot and joining a naval air squadron that operated from the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes . Prince Charles spent his last nine months in the navy in 1976 in command of the coastal minehunter HMS Bronington . William 's uncle Prince Andrew served 22 years in the Royal Navy as a helicopter pilot , seeing active service during the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina in 1982 . Queen Elizabeth II 's husband , Prince Philip , William 's grandfather , spent more than 13 years in the Royal Navy . He saw active service throughout World War II and was in Tokyo Harbor when Japan surrendered . | Britain 's Prince William begins two-month attachment with Royal Navy on Monday . William has completed attachment with the Royal Air Force . The future king is a second lieutenant in the British Army . Experience will prepare him for when he becomes head of armed forces as king . | [[0, 6], [9, 32], [47, 126], [1030, 1106], [1285, 1340], [1324, 1340], [1349, 1418], [1504, 1549], [1553, 1573], [1576, 1609]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- As the National Tea Party Convention concluded this weekend , it 's clear that the Tea Partiers are propelled by two competing claims -- a principled commitment to fiscal conservatism and a serious case of Obama Derangement Syndrome . The first group remains true to the roots of the movement as it emerged almost one year ago amid bailout backlash . They feel like modern Paul Reveres , warning their fellow citizens about the unsustainable nature of our government 's deficit spending and unprecedented debt . They still have an important civic role to play in our national debate . The second group reflects the overheated , hyperpartisanship that emerged over the August town halls and the 9/12 march on Washington . Oddly enough , this group embraced the tactics of Saul Alinsky 's Rules for Radicals and applied them to the conservative cause , with angry confrontation and street theater protests . They ascribe to Obama every sinister characteristic imaginable -- often a secret plot to undermine our constitutional republic and put in a socialist , one-world government in its place . This is the crowd that carries the signs comparing Obama to Hitler and communists , while proclaiming themselves patriots . Their extremism will ultimately lead the movement to self-destruct unless it is clearly repudiated . The weekend 's controversial and much-covered Tea Party ended up being more of a conference than a convention . It offered speeches and seminars to a relatively small group of attendees . While Tax Day 2009 Tea Parties attracted some 300,000 people nationwide , this convention accommodated just 600 people , who paid nearly $ 500 each for the privilege of attending the populist conference . While the crowds at 2009 's protests were generally angrier than the speakers who climbed up onto platforms at last weekend 's conference , the dynamic was reversed . The crowd was generally more civil than the selected speakers . Former congressman Tom Tancredo accused the president of being a `` committed socialist ideologue '' and proposed a civic literacy test for voting . WorldNet Daily founder Joseph Farah used his post-dinner speech , covered by C-Span , to repeat inane `` Birther '' claims . Alabama gubernatorial candidate and former state Supreme Court chief justice Roy Moore said Obama had `` ignored our history and our heritage , arrogantly declaring to the world that we are no longer a Christian nation . '' He also compared Obama to King George III by quoting the Declaration of Independence : `` A Prince , whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant , is unfit to be the ruler of a free people . '' Sarah Palin was the most cautious by far , saying simply `` America is ready for another revolution . '' Where will the Tea Party movement go from here ? The for-profit conference organizers declared that `` we absolutely do not support a third party '' and instead announced the creation of a new corporation and concurrent PAC to support conservative candidates , primarily in the South . This is still very much a leaderless movement with divergent tributaries . There 's no shortage of anger at the GOP for starting the path of deficit spending last decade and then backing the first round of Wall Street bailouts under Bush . There is a rejection of politics as usual , the feeling that both parties are captive of their respective special interests -- big business and big government . What 's your take ? Share your thoughts on the Tea Party movement . For the Tea Party momentum to continue in a constructive way , it will need to take at least two further steps : First , repudiate the unhinged Obama-haters and then focus its anger at fiscal irresponsibility into policy proposals instead of bumper-sticker platitudes . With a growing number of conspiracy entrepreneurs trying to profit off populist anger in a recession , it 's also worth keeping the conservative virtue of healthy skepticism in mind . Remember what the author Eric Hoffer warned in his book `` The True Believer : '' `` Every great cause begins as a movement , becomes a business and eventually degenerates into a racket . '' | Some in Tea Party movement have an Obama blind spot , John Avlon observers . If Tea Party movement is to last , Avlon says the Obama bashers must be repudiated . Sarah Palin was the most cautious speaker at Nashville convention , he says . Avlon : Movement must focus its anger at fiscal irresponsibility into policy proposals . | [[2680, 2720], [3603, 3605], [3701, 3770]] |
Naoma , West Virginia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Crews planned to pump nitrogen into a West Virginia coal mine as the search resumed early Friday for four miners who may be trapped after a deadly explosion earlier in the week . Kevin Stricklin of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration -LRB- MSHA -RRB- said crews would neutralize potentially explosive air in the Upper Big Branch coal mine with nitrogen , allowing rescuers to go back in and remain there even if an explosive mixture builds again in the air . The hope , though slim , is that the four missing miners were able to survive by entering one of the chambers , which were stocked with enough food , water and air to keep 15 miners alive for four days . `` We committed to the families that we wanted to get into the chambers within 96 hours and we 're trying to everything in our power to do that without taking a chance on the rescue teams , and I think this is the way to do it , '' Stricklin said . Officials said the rescue teams will make `` a mad dash '' to one of the mine 's two airtight rescue chambers . `` The rescue teams have taken four breathing apparatuses with them , '' Stricklin said . `` In the best case scenario , we would find four survivors . Once they get in there , we 'll put oxygen masks on the survivors and bring them out . '' At least 25 miners died in Monday afternoon 's explosion in West Virginia , while four others remain missing and two were injured . Rescuers -- 32 of them working in four teams -- got within 500 feet of one of the rescue chambers before having to turn back Thursday , said J. Christopher Adkins , chief operating officer of Massey Energy , the mine 's owner . They were pulled back after it was determined that noxious gas levels were high enough to cause another blast . The readings showed potentially explosive levels of methane and hydrogen and high levels of carbon monoxide . Stricklin said air samples were tested at regular intervals Thursday night and that rising barometric pressure in the wake of a cold front that moved through the region had helped reduce the chances of another blast . Rescuers had been using high-pressure fans to pull the toxic air through 1,100-foot holes to the surface Thursday . One of the four unaccounted-for miners and 18 of the dead were working in an area where longwall cutting was taking place . The technique uses a large grinder to extract the coal . It creates large amounts of coal dust and methane , both of which are explosive . The other three missing miners are believed to be about 2,000 feet away in a new development area of the mine . Authorities have acknowledged it is unlikely the four missing men are alive , but they refuse to give up hope . Officials hope to determine whether either rescue chamber has deployed by lowering a camera through the second hole . `` If they 're deployed , more than likely someone 's in them , '' said West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin said . `` That means we have a chance of that miracle . '' But he added : `` If they 're not deployed , we know that our chances are diminished tremendously . '' In an interview with CNN , Manchin noted that the mine was outfitted with gas sensors to alert mine personnel when levels become danger . `` In gaseous mines , you want to monitor and you want to have good ventilation , '' he said . `` If that has worked before , whenever the levels got out of control they pulled them out and stopped , why did it not happen this time ? '' The cause of the explosion is unknown , and state and federal officials have pledged a full investigation . The White House announced Thursday that President Obama will meet next week with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and an MSHA official to hear their initial assessment of the cause of the blast and their recommendations on steps the federal government should take to improve safety . CNN 's Rachel Streitfeld and Samira J. Simone contributed to this report . | NEW : Crews to pump nitrogen in West Virginia coal mine to flush out toxic gas . Rescuers hold onto hope of finding four miners trapped in blast . Cause of Monday 's explosion unknown ; state and federal officials plan full investigation . | [[41, 116], [220, 404], [138, 219], [2691, 2720], [138, 219], [3479, 3516], [3523, 3586]] |
Northampton , Massachusetts -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Three teens accused in the bullying of a Massachusetts high school student who committed suicide pleaded not guilty to related charges Tuesday . Sean Mulveyhill , 17 , Kayla Narey , 17 , and Austin Renaud , 18 , were not present at Hampshire Superior Court . They entered their pleas through their lawyers . Judge Judd Carhart upheld an agreement between prosecutors and defense attorneys that the defendants report to State Police barracks for booking before Friday . They must also stay away from the family of Phoebe Prince , the dead student . Terrence Dunphy , attorney for Renaud , did not comment on the status of his client , but told reporters that Renaud is innocent . The body of 15-year-old Phoebe was found hanging in the stairway leading to her family 's second-floor apartment in South Hadley on January 14 , Northwestern District Attorney Elizabeth D. Scheibel told reporters last month . Phoebe underwent what Scheibel described as a months-long campaign of bullying that led to her commit suicide . The girl was on the receiving end of `` verbally assaultive behavior and threats of physical harm ... on school grounds , by several South Hadley High School students , '' Scheibel said . In the indictments , returned last month , the Hampshire County grand jury charged Mulveyhill , of South Hadley , with statutory rape , violation of civil rights with resulting bodily injury , criminal harassment and disturbance of a school assembly . The indictments charged Renaud , of Springfield , with statutory rape . Kayla Narey , of South Hadley , was charged with violation of civil rights with resulting bodily injury , criminal harassment and disturbance of a school assembly . Charges against another three girls included violation of civil rights with resulting bodily injury ; two also were charged with stalking . South Hadley Public Schools Superintendent Gus Sayer defended school administrators ' handling of the matter , saying Phoebe had not alerted anyone to her situation . `` She did n't reveal to people what she was being subjected to and , unfortunately , until January 7 we were not aware of what she was being subjected to , so -LSB- there was -RSB- very little way we could have intervened in the bullying , '' he said . Sayer cited two incidents that occurred on January 7 , a week before Phoebe 's death . In one , a girl walked into a classroom and called Phoebe `` an Irish slut , '' he said . The name caller was taken to the principal 's office and disciplined , he said . In the other , a girl `` said something threatening about Phoebe '' to another girl , he said . A staff member overheard the comment and reported it to the principal , who took disciplinary action , Sayer said . He said it was school policy not to specify what disciplinary actions may have been taken against any individual student , though he said the latter case did not include expulsion and that the student returned to school . `` To our knowledge the action taken was effective in ending their involvement in any bullying of Phoebe , '' he said . Phoebe , who had recently moved to the area with her family from Ireland , also was harassed as she walked through the halls of the school on the day of her death and as she walked on the street toward her home , Scheibel said . The harassment that day , by one male and two females , `` appears to have been motivated by the group 's displeasure with Phoebe 's brief dating relationship with a male student that had ended six weeks earlier , '' she said . None of the six students identified in the indictment remains in school , Sayer said . CNN 's Brian Vitagliano contributed to this report . | Sean Mulveyhill , Kayla Narey and Austin Renaud enter pleas through their lawyers . Phoebe Prince 's body was found hanging the stairway leading to her family 's apartment . Schools superintendent defends administrators ' handling of the matter . Superintendent Gus Sayer : `` She did n't reveal to people what she was being subjected to '' | [[726, 790], [778, 868], [1881, 1964], [1999, 2009], [1881, 1933], [1992, 2047], [2051, 2079]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Actress Dixie Carter , best known for her role as Julia Sugarbaker on the TV show `` Designing Women , '' has died , her agent said Saturday . She was 70 . She was 70 . Carter died from complications arising from cancer , her publicist , Steve Rohr , said Sunday . Carter was drawn to roles portraying steely Southern women . One of her more recent roles included a guest appearance on the show `` Desperate Housewives , '' for which she was nominated for an Emmy in 2007 . `` This has been a terrible blow to our family , '' her husband , the actor Hal Holbrook , told `` Entertainment Tonight . '' `` We would appreciate everyone understanding that this is a private family tragedy . '' Carter and Holbrook met while filming the CBS-TV movie , `` The Killing of Randy Webster . '' Carter was born in 1939 in McLemoresville , Tennessee . In addition to her role as feisty Julia Sugarbaker , she 's been on other television series including `` Family Law '' and `` Diff ` rent Strokes . '' She also had a long career on Broadway and appeared on stage in `` Southern Comforts '' with her husband in 2006 . In addition to Holbrook , to whom she has been married since 1984 , Carter is survived by two daughters , Mary Dixie and Ginna . According to Rohr , Carter suffered from endometrial cancer , which forms in the the tissue lining the uterus . | Actress Dixie Carter dead at 70 , agent tells CNN . Carter was best known for role as Julia Sugarbaker on `` Designing Women '' Carter was married to fellow actor Hal Holbrook . | [[136, 161], [162, 174], [175, 187], [0, 15], [42, 65]] |
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama called Thursday for high-level talks with Republicans to work out a compromise on health care legislation , then putting the resulting bill to a vote in Congress . `` If Congress decides we 're not going to do it , even after all the facts are laid out , after all the options are clear , then the American people can make a judgment as to whether this Congress has done the right thing for them or not , '' Obama said . `` That 's how democracy works . '' Obama 's comments were the first clear signal from the White House or Democrats in Congress on how they would proceed on a top legislative priority after losing their 60-seat super-majority in the Senate . Republican Scott Brown was sworn in as the new U.S. senator from Massachusetts earlier Thursday , leaving the Democrats one vote shy of being able to overcome GOP filibusters of health care reform and other major initiatives . Asked at a party fund-raising event about the Democratic strategy for health care reform going forward , Obama said Democratic leaders in the House and Senate were working out differences in the separate health care bills passed by each chamber last year . Once that was finished , Obama said , the next step would be `` to call on our Republican friends to present their ideas . '' `` What I 'd like to do is to have a meeting whereby I 'm sitting with the Republicans , sitting with the Democrats , sitting with health care experts , and let 's just go through these bills -- their ideas , our ideas -- and walk through them and in a methodical way so that the American people can see and compare , '' Obama said . `` And then I think we 've got to go ahead and move forward on a vote , '' he added . `` We 've got to move forward on a vote . '' A White House official acknowledged later Thursday that this was new language from Obama to offer a possible scenario for health care talks to move forward . However , the official stressed it was `` not a new strategy '' for the White House to coalesce behind , and aides were still mulling various options to complete action on health care legislation . Democrat leaders in Congress have struggled to come up with a consensus strategy since the party lost its super-majority in the Senate . Republicans have unanimously opposed the health care bills so far , meaning Democrats would be unable to pass a bill through the Senate because of a certain GOP filibuster . Brown , now the 41st Republican senator to give the GOP its unstoppable filibuster ability , said Thursday after his swearing-in that Congress should start over on the health care issue instead of continuing to work on existing proposals . Republicans complain the comprehensive Democratic health care bills would lead to a government takeover of health care . They call for smaller steps focused on individual issues , such as limiting medical malpractice lawsuits . Democrats , however , say that spiraling health care costs that threaten the nation 's future economic stability can only be addressed through comprehensive reform . Obama said Thursday the Democratic bill that will emerge from the House-Senate talks on joining their two proposals would expand coverage to at least 30 million Americans who lack health insurance while reducing long-term health care costs . The measure would include an insurance exchange to allow people and small business owners to pool together to purchase coverage , Obama said , but he made no mention of a government-run public health insurance option that Republicans have rallied against . Obama said the Democratic bill would include reforms that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing medical conditions or capping lifetime benefits . `` And by the way , all of it is paid for , '' Obama said . `` Not only is it deficit-neutral , but the Congressional Budget Office , which is the bipartisan office that is the scorekeeper for much things cost in Congress , says it is going to reduce the costs by $ 1 trillion . '' Obama called health care reform the `` single best way to bring down our deficits , '' adding `` nobody has disputed that . '' `` Nobody can dispute the fact that if we do n't tackle surging health care costs , then we ca n't control our budget , '' he said . While Democrats from both chambers have been working together to merge their two bills , alternative strategies also have been discussed . House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said this week that the chamber would vote next week on one provision of its health care bill , which would drop the current anti-trust exemption for the insurance industry that allows practices such as market allocation . The Senate bill would maintain the anti-trust exemption , so it was unclear whether the House 's limited first step would win approval there . However , Democratic aides have said that House Democrats want to keep momentum on health care going in coming weeks . CNN 's Ed Henry contributed to this story . | Obama : Democratic leaders in House , Senate working out differences in two bills . After that , president wants Republicans to present their ideas . It 's first clear signal from Democrats how they want to proceed after Senate seat loss . Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts gives GOP 41 senators , enough to filibuster Senate bill . | [[1041, 1083], [1088, 1157], [30, 99], [1193, 1215], [1218, 1228], [1231, 1315], [1229, 1290], [503, 656], [709, 804], [2277, 2288], [2345, 2450], [2463, 2533]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Illness forced Whitney Houston to postpone the first four shows of the European leg of her `` Nothing But Love '' comeback tour , her publicist said Wednesday . `` Doctors visited Whitney late last night in Paris and confirmed that she was suffering from an upper respiratory infection , '' a statement issued Wednesday said . `` Upon medical advice Whitney has been advised that she can not perform to allow her time to recover . '' It was announced Monday that Houston would miss Tuesday 's show in Paris because of the illness , but now doctors have advised her to cancel her first three United Kingdom performances , the publicist said . `` Only last month Whitney had said how excited she was to be performing again in the U.K. after her eleven year absence and was looking forward to performing new songs as well as crowd favorites , '' the statement said . Her two Manchester , England shows have been moved from Thursday and Friday to the end of her tour on June 17 and 18 , the publicist said . The Glasgow , Scotland concert has been shifted from this Sunday to May 1 , he said . The tour is expected to resume next Tuesday in Birmingham , England . Houston just completed a tour of Asia and Australia . | Illness forces Whitney Houston to postpone first four shows of European tour . Doctors says Houston is suffering from an upper respiratory infection . Glasgow , Scotland concert has been shifted from this Sunday to May 1 . | [[19, 120], [453, 525], [477, 548], [555, 637], [183, 190], [236, 304], [1037, 1096]] |
South Hadley , Massachusetts -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The 15-year-old girl who hanged herself last January after enduring months of bullying from schoolmates failed to alert others to her plight , the superintendent of South Hadley Schools said Thursday . The girl , Phoebe Prince , `` was apparently a very private person ; she bore a lot without talking to friends or with her parents or with anybody at school , '' Gus Sayer told CNN . `` She did n't reveal to people what she was being subjected to and , unfortunately , until January 7 , we were not aware of what she was being subjected to , so -LSB- there was -RSB- very little way we could have intervened in the bullying . '' Sayer cited two incidents that occurred on January 7 . In one , a girl walked into a classroom and called Prince `` an Irish slut , '' he said . The name caller was taken to the principal 's office and disciplined , he said . In the other , a girl `` said something threatening about Phoebe '' to another girl , he said . A staff member overheard the comment and reported it to the principal , who took disciplinary action , Sayer said . He said it was school policy not to specify what disciplinary actions may have been taken against any individual student , though he said the latter case did not include expulsion and that the student returned to school . `` To our knowledge the action taken was effective in ending their involvement in any bullying of Phoebe , '' he said . Prince , who had recently moved with her family from Ireland to South Hadley , hanged herself on January 14 after enduring what Northwestern District Attorney Elizabeth B. Scheibel described to reporters Monday as `` a nearly three-month campaign of verbally assaultive behavior and threats of physical harm toward Phoebe , on school grounds , by several South Hadley High School students . '' Six students were named in an indictment returned by a grand jury Friday and made public Monday . In addition , Scheibel said three female students received juvenile charges , but she would not clarify if they were among the six named in the indictment . That left even Sayer confused . `` There could be as many as nine , but I believe that six '' is the correct number , he said . Though authorities did not consider that the actions or failures to act by the faculty , staff and administrators of the school amounted to criminal behavior , prosecutor Scheibel called for them to undergo training to learn to intervene more effectively in such cases . But administrators in the school district , who oversee the education of 2,100 students in four schools , are being unfairly blamed for the death , Sayer said . Those critics include a number of parents who have demanded that the administrators resign . `` They really do n't know what 's going on in the schools , but they feel that this should n't have happened and that , somehow , it has to be the fault of the schools themselves , '' Sayer said . `` Frankly , I think that grossly oversimplifies the situation . '' Sayer said he had received hundreds of vituperative messages from the community . `` They are awful , '' he said , citing one that said he should be `` burning in hell . '' He said he was trying to ignore them . None of the six students identified in the indictment remains in school , he added . Sayer said he supported the punishments meted out to the students . `` If they , as they have been charged , committed crimes , they should face the consequences for those crimes , '' he said . But , he added , expulsion is something educators are reluctant to countenance . `` It 's a terrible punishment because that changes their whole lives and what they are capable of doing , and they have to figure out a way to renew and complete their education . '' CNN 's Alina Cho contributed to this story . | Irish immigrant Phoebe Prince , 15 , hanged herself in January in Massachusetts . South Hadley superintendent says Prince did n't let school officials know of her troubles . Gus Sayer says first knowledge of bullying campaign came just one week earlier . He says he 's received hundreds of ugly messages , threats . | [[48, 68], [73, 134], [1459, 1465], [1538, 1639], [0, 44], [152, 188], [191, 249], [1459, 1465], [1567, 1800], [3027, 3108], [3038, 3108]] |
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Latino group Tuesday expressed outrage over the slaying of an Ecuadoran man , allegedly at the hands of seven teenagers in what police are calling a hate crime . Marcello Lucero , 37 , was stabbed to death in an attack that police say was a hate crime . The teens ' parents bear some of the blame , along with community leaders who have created an inhospitable environment for immigrants , Fernando Fernando Mateo , founder of Hispanics Across America , said at a news conference . `` We understand that some may not welcome us in their neighborhoods , but killing us will not drive us away , '' Mateo said . `` Those that hate us allow us to cut their lawns , build their homes , paint their homes , cook for them , serve their children -- and yet they teach them hate . '' Marcello Lucero , 37 , was walking to a friend 's apartment in Patchogue , New York , when he was attacked late Saturday , police said . He was stabbed in the chest and died of his injuries . A friend walking with Lucero was not injured . The seven teens were trying `` to find Latinos and to assault them , '' said Suffolk County Police Detective Lt. Jack Fitzpatrick . `` That was what they went out to do that night , and that 's exactly what they did do . ... They were actively seeking victims . '' At a court hearing for the seven Monday , a prosecutor quoted the youths as saying , `` Let 's go find some Mexicans to f -- up . '' Jeffrey Conroy , 17 , faces charges of first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime in the attack , police said . He and the other six -- Jordan Dasch , Anthony Hartford , Nicholas Hausch , Christopher Overton , Jose Pacheco and Kevin Shea -- also face charges of first-degree gang assault . The additional charge against Conroy stems from authorities ' belief that he was the one who stabbed Lucero . All of the suspects are 17 except for Overton , who is 16 , according to police . The `` hate crime '' designation would enhance any sentence imposed upon conviction . Upon their arrest , all seven of the youths `` admitted their involvement and their role in this crime , '' said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer . However , all seven pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned Monday in Suffolk County Criminal Court . Mateo said that Hispanics Across America and Lucero 's relatives have retained a law firm and may file suit against the youths ' families `` to make sure the parents of these seven kids pay the consequences . '' But he and other community leaders also laid blame at the feet of Steve Levy , Suffolk County executive . `` He has brought this hate that exists here amongst the Hispanic community , '' Mateo said . `` He has legislated over and over again against Hispanic immigrants . ... He should be the person not welcome in this community . '' The Rev. Alan Ramirez of Brookville Reform Church said , `` We all know that Mr. Levy , along with these seven young men , has blood on his hands . And we consider that unacceptable . We ask a responsible Democratic Party to seek Mr. Levy 's resignation or removal from office . We do not need our communities to be separated by hatred , intolerance and racial discord . '' Attempts by CNN to contact Levy on Tuesday were unsuccessful , as his office was closed for the Veterans Day holiday . On Sunday , however , Levy issued a statement saying Lucero 's death `` was n't a question of any county policy or legislation ; it was a question of bad people doing horrific things , '' according to Newsday , which reported that Levy answered no further questions . In a statement issued by police Sunday , Levy was quoted as saying , `` This heinous crime that led to the death of an individual because of his race will not be tolerated in Suffolk County . The suspects will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law . '' New York Gov. David Paterson , in a statement Monday , also condemned Lucero 's death . `` Suffolk Police tell us that Mr. Lucero and a friend were attacked late Saturday by seven teenagers who were driving around looking for a Hispanic to beat up , '' Paterson said . `` The senseless and cowardly act by these teenagers can not stand . ... Mr. Lucero 's death is a jarring reminder that we must remain vigilant and continue our fight to eradicate prejudice in our words and in our actions . '' Mateo said Tuesday that Lucero 's death `` is an outrage . ... Those days of noosing , hanging and torturing should be a thing of the past . '' Conroy 's friends and fellow students told CNN affiliate WABC they do not believe he committed the crime . `` He 's the nicest guy you will ever meet , '' one said . Attempts to contact Conroy 's defense attorney were unsuccessful Tuesday . A candlelight vigil was held Monday night in honor of Lucero . `` I still do n't believe my brother 's death , '' Joselo Lucero said . `` Today I buried him and I still do n't believe that he 's dead . ... He 's left a real emptiness in my family . '' | NEW : Officials condemn attack , fatal stabbing of Ecuadoran in Long Island . Marcello Lucero , 37 , and a friend were attacked late Saturday night . Jeffrey Conroy , 17 , was charged with manslaughter as a hate crime . Six other teenagers charged with gang assault ; all seven plead not guilty . | [[0, 14], [28, 105], [192, 207], [210, 248], [3628, 3632], [3644, 3653], [3657, 3716], [3849, 3877], [3909, 3936], [192, 207], [210, 248], [891, 925], [928, 941], [3940, 4038], [158, 191], [254, 283], [1442, 1456], [1464, 1536], [2184, 2279]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Colorado woman indicted on terror charges pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Wednesday in federal court in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Jamie Paulin-Ramirez , 31 , faces federal charges that she conspired to support terrorists overseas . She was mostly expressionless at the hearing and nodded her head to indicate her not guilty plea rather than saying it aloud . She was wearing a green jumpsuit . Her attorney said she is 12 weeks pregnant . The attorney , Jeremy Gonzalez Ibrahim , said he and his client decided she should not speak at the hearing because the government may have collected audio evidence . If that is the case , the defense did n't want to give prosecutors an opportunity to do voice analysis between her courtroom testimony and any possible evidence , Ibrahim said . Paulin-Ramirez , who was indicted Friday , is being held in a federal detention center in Philadelphia . She was arrested in Ireland in March , reportedly as part of an investigation into a conspiracy to commit murder . She was released without charges after that arrest . The fact that she was released in Ireland and chose to return from abroad to answer charges in Philadelphia shows that she is confident of clearing her name , Ibrahim said . Paulin-Ramirez , who was indicted Friday , is being held in a federal detention center in Philadelphia . Her lawyer said she will file a motion for bail . The U.S. indictment also charges Colleen R. LaRose , a Pennsylvania suspect known as `` Jihad Jane , '' with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists . The indictment is a superseding document to a previous indictment that charged only LaRose . According to the latest indictment , Paulin-Ramirez exchanged e-mail messages with LaRose during summer 2009 and was invited by the Pennsylvania woman to join her in Europe to attend a `` training camp . '' Paulin-Ramirez accepted the invitation and arrived in Europe with her 6-year-old son , Christian , on September 12 , 2009 , with `` the intent to live and train with jihadists , '' the indictment says . Paulin-Ramirez was arrested Friday afternoon in Philadelphia after voluntarily flying to the United States from abroad , authorities said . Her lawyer , Jeremy Ibrahim , said his client `` did what any law-abiding citizen would do if they knew they were facing charges back home : She came back with her -LSB- 6-year-old -RSB- son . '' Paulin-Ramirez , of Leadville , Colorado , briefly appeared in court Friday . Ibrahim said Paulin-Ramirez married a man when she arrived in Ireland last fall after meeting him through the Internet . Ibrahim said the man `` courted her and told that he would take care of her and her son . '' On Tuesday , the government filed a motion for a continuance in the trial of Paulin-Ramirez and LaRose , citing the complexity of evidence in the case including the seizure of several computer hard drives . The trial was originally set for May . The government 's motion also called for a court order to schedule a pretrial conference among parties in the case to discuss discovery materials under the Classified Information Protective Act . Paulin-Ramirez 's son is being held in the custody of Pennsylvania Child Services . Ibrahim has said Paulin-Ramirez is distraught over the welfare of her son . Her attorney said he has not been able to see the boy to check on his condition on behalf of his mother . He said he is trying to make arrangements for a phone call between mother and son . CNN 's Miguel Susana contributed to this report . | Jamie Paulin-Ramirez accused of conspiring to support terrorists . Paulin-Ramirez voluntarily flew back from abroad with 6-year-old son . She was arrested in Ireland in March , reportedly during investigation into murder plot . | [[161, 186], [189, 262], [1518, 1520], [1537, 1580], [2084, 2202], [2365, 2416], [920, 956], [1003, 1034]] |
Kiev , Ukraine -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko refuses to concede defeat in Ukraine 's presidential election and plans to demand a recount in some districts , officials from her party , Bloc Tymoshenko , said Tuesday . Meanwhile , her rival , former Ukrainian prime minister Victor Yanukovich told CNN it is time for her to give up . Yanukovich is leading Sunday 's runoff election . With 99.98 percent of the votes counted , he has 48.96 percent , while Tymoshenko has 45.47 percent , according to the country 's Central Election Commission . Yanukovich 's supporters rallied outside the commission Tuesday and vowed not to leave until the vote count was final and their candidate named the winner , Ukrainian news agencies and state media reported . In an exclusive interview with CNN Tuesday , Yanukovich called on Tymoshenko to accept defeat and remember the pro-Western Orange Revolution that swept her to power . `` This country has been democratic for five years , and that 's been proven again by this election , '' he said . `` Yulia Tymoshenko is betraying the principles of her Orange Revolution '' by failing to acknowledge defeat . A Yanukovich win would put the finishing touches on a remarkable comeback for the former prime minister five years after he was ousted in a populist uprising . Ukrainian voter Nikolay Gluhovskiy said he supported Yanukovich because Tymoshenko had been a disappointment . `` All the time Yulia Tymoshenko has been in power , we had no prospects , '' he said at a Yanukovich rally Monday . `` Of course , she is a fighter , but in a bad sense . She should n't have promised us so much and done nothing . '' Russian President Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Yanukovich by telephone Tuesday , the Kremlin told CNN . `` Medvedev congratulated Yanukovich on the completion of the election campaign , which was highly rated by international observers , and the success achieved at the presidential election , '' the Kremlin 's statement press statement said . The Kremlin statement did not offer congratulations for a Yanukovich win , however . During the 2004 presidential election , then-Russian President Vladimir Putin became the first world leader to congratulate Yanukovich on his victory , a full two days before the electoral commission declared him the winner . Appearing on television after the polls closed Sunday night , Yanukovich said his opponent should begin preparations to step down . But Tymoshenko has evidence of election fraud and intends to demand a recount in some districts where , she says , voting irregularities took place , officials from her party said Tuesday . The two politicians have fought a bitter battle . Yanukovich has strong links to Russia , and a checkered election history . In 2004 , he was declared the winner of the presidential election before the ballot 's legitimacy was questioned and he was accused of stealing the race . `` The country remembers times when there were presidents announced , they received congratulations , and then things changed , '' Tymoshenko said Sunday , referring to the 2004 race . A pro-Western uprising , known as the Orange Revolution , followed . Yanukovich 's win was annulled , and current President Victor Yushchenko won the re-vote . Yushchenko ran for a second term this year , but , blamed for Ukraine 's faltering economy , he did not make the runoff . This year 's elections , by contrast to those in 2004 , got a clean bill of health from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe , which sent observers . The OSCE hailed the process as `` professional , transparent and honest , '' saying it should `` serve as a solid foundation for a peaceful transition of power . '' CNN 's Matthew Chance , Mike Sefanov and Maxim Tkachenko contributed to this report . | Tymoshenko refuses to concede defeat in Ukraine 's presidential election . Former PM Victor Yanukovich tells CNN it is time for her to give up . With 98 percent of ballots processed , Yanukovich had 48.94 percent . Current Ukraine PM Yulia Tymoshenko has 45.48 percent . | [[0, 4], [7, 175], [1129, 1163], [238, 247], [250, 352], [771, 813], [816, 911], [2388, 2457], [403, 442]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An Ethiopian-flagged vessel fought off a pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden earlier this week , the multi-national anti-piracy task force said Thursday . The MV Andinet , part of the Ethiopian Shipping Line , was approached by two pirate skiffs Monday , with one of them coming close enough to fire automatic weapons in an attempt to force the ship to stop , the task force said in a statement . But the vessel 's crew used anti-piracy measures -- including firing flares in the air and utilizing fire hoses , as well as `` evasive maneuvering '' -- to repel the pirates , Combined Maritime Forces said . After a distress call was sent out , the USS Farragut , a U.S. Navy destroyer assigned to the task force , deployed her SH-80 helicopter to follow the skiffs , and the USS Porter gave chase as well , the task force said . `` A boarding team from the USS Farragut subsequently stopped and boarded the pirate skiffs , but only an empty magazine and used rounds were found on board . '' `` The MV Andinet once against demonstrated that even basic preventive measures can save a crew from a successful pirate attack , '' said Commodore Tim Lowe of Britain 's Royal Navy , deputy commander of the Combined Maritime Forces . `` Although there is -LRB- a -RRB- significant international naval presence in the Gulf of Aden , these warships can not be everywhere and may not always be close at hand to prevent an attack . '' The incident occurred about 145 miles east of Aden , Yemen . The task force advocates that commercial and civilian vessels in the region implement anti-piracy measures such as maintaining a 24-hour lookout , traveling in convoys and using high-intensity lighting . | MV Andinet , part of the Ethiopian Shipping Line , was approached by two pirate skiffs Monday . Crew used anti-piracy measures -- including firing flares and evasive maneuvering -- to repel pirates . Warships from international anti-piracy task force gave chase but only found empty skiff . | [[172, 186], [220, 269], [418, 561], [539, 564], [568, 588], [114, 171]] |
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- After eight months in hibernation , ABC 's `` Lost '' returns to television tonight to finally explain , among other things , the dazzling white light that ended the 2009 season not with a whimper , but with a bang . Was it a nuclear blast ? A quantum-leaping time shift ? A reboot to the story 's preflight origins ? These are key questions as broadcast TV 's most ambitiously complex drama series presents the beginning of the end -- the first of 16 final-season episodes before ending its time-rearranging , sympathy-shifting narrative . But the most important question of all , six years after `` Lost '' was launched in 2004 , is this : . Who cares ? That 's not a flippant question , because both TV and the audience have changed in the years since `` Lost '' pulled back from Jack 's eyeball to reveal , slowly and masterfully , the panicked insanity of a remote island plane crash . Little more than a decade ago , `` Lost '' would have been riveting `` appointment television , '' but DVRs and DVD boxed sets have changed the rules of the game . Instead of clearing calendars to watch in real time and line up for the water-cooler conversation the next morning , fans of such shows as `` Lost '' and Fox 's similarly serialized `` 24 '' might just as easily record and time-shift their viewing , avoiding office chats until they watched on their own schedules . Or , even more aggressively , they might actively avoid the broadcasts of their favorite show , just for the delayed gratification of watching the entire season later on DVD -- gobbling up episodes at their own pace , and without commercials . It 's a very different TV world than in 1967 , when the long-awaited ending of ABC 's `` The Fugitive , '' with David Janssen 's Richard Kimble finally coming face-to-face with his wife 's one-armed killer , drew enough viewers to set a TV record for entertainment programming that beat even The Beatles on `` The Ed Sullivan Show '' three years earlier . Or in 1983 , when the finale of CBS ' `` M * A * S * H , '' with its end to the Korean War , drew 77 percent of all TV viewers that night , and set a viewership record of 121.6 million that still stands . And , given the fragmentation of TV audiences , most likely will never be equaled . `` Lost , '' at its viewer zenith in season two , boasted an average of nearly 19 million viewers . By last season , that number was below 12 million . And the season finale -- the episode that , in a reverse-polarity nod to the abrupt blackout ending to HBO 's `` The Sopranos , '' concluded with an unsettling fade to white -- attracted about 10 million viewers . In the interim , the broadcast networks attempted to copy the `` Lost '' formula of season-long mysteries and unanswered questions , but all the attempts -LRB- `` Threshold '' from CBS , `` Invasion '' from ABC , etc. -RRB- came up short , and vanished without concluding . `` Lost , '' at least , is marching towards an actual ending -- and that alone makes it a TV event worth embracing . iReporter : `` Lost '' lives up to expectations . After all , how many more opportunities like this will viewers get ? On cable TV , perhaps many . But on broadcast TV , how many shows are left that are even worth caring about -- much less anticipating their conclusion ? It 's likely that many viewers who gave up on `` Lost '' in years past will return for this final lap , hoping to witness something special . And they will . The creators and show runners of this labyrinthine drama series have known for years what the final image will be -LRB- my guess , and my hope : an extreme closeup of Jack 's eye , ending the show just as it began -RRB- , and are crafting this final season with an eye -LRB- so to speak -RRB- to the show 's beginnings , as well as its endings . Despite all the changes in technology and viewership , `` Lost '' is a series that rewards , if not demands , watching in real time . ABC did n't even provide critics with preview copies of the final-season premiere -- and even though I 'm therefore deprived , I 'm not complaining . This is a show I want to watch as it airs , and discuss with friends afterward . I do n't take for granted how rare that is these days -- and neither should you . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Bianculli . | After eight months in hibernation , ABC 's `` Lost '' returns to television Tuesday for its final season . David Bianculli : `` Lost '' may be last opportunity for mass cultural experience on broadcast TV . Shared TV experiences like `` Lost , '' are fewer because of DVRs , DVDs , he says . | [[942, 1036]] |
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