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./cnn/stories/42d01e187213e86f5fe617fe32e716ff7fa3afc4.story | NEW DELHI , India -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A high court in northern India on Friday acquitted a wealthy businessman facing the death sentence for the killing of a teen in a case dubbed `` the house of horrors . '' Moninder Singh Pandher was sentenced to death by a lower court in February . The teen was one of 19 victims -- children and young women -- in one of the most gruesome serial killings in India in recent years . The Allahabad high court has acquitted Moninder Singh Pandher , his lawyer Sikandar B. Kochar told CNN . Pandher and his domestic employee Surinder Koli were sentenced to death in February by a lower court for the rape and murder of the 14-year-old . The high court upheld Koli 's death sentence , Kochar said . The two were arrested two years ago after body parts packed in plastic bags were found near their home in Noida , a New Delhi suburb . Their home was later dubbed a `` house of horrors '' by the Indian media . Pandher was not named a main suspect by investigators initially , but was summoned as co-accused during the trial , Kochar said . Kochar said his client was in Australia when the teen was raped and killed . Pandher faces trial in the remaining 18 killings and could remain in custody , the attorney said . | What was the amount of children murdered ? | 60:61 |
./cnn/stories/c48228a52f26aca65c31fad273e66164f047f292.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Fighting in the volatile Sudanese region of Darfur has sparked another wave of refugees into Chad and left a Red Cross employee dead , according to international agencies . Refugee camps in eastern Chad house about 300,000 people who fled violence in the Darfur region of Sudan . The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said on Monday that more than 12,000 people have fled militia attacks over the last few days from Sudan 's Darfur region to neighboring Chad , still recovering from a recent attempt by rebels there to topple the government . `` Most of the new arrivals in Chad had already been displaced in Darfur in recent years . They are really tired of being attacked and having to move , '' said UNHCR 's Jorge Holly . `` All the new refugees we talked to said they did not want to go back to Darfur at this point , they wanted to be transferred to a refugee camp in eastern Chad . '' This latest influx of refugees in Chad aggravates an already deteriorating security situation across this politically unstable region of Africa . Before the latest flight into Chad , the UNHCR and its partner groups `` were taking care of 240,000 Sudanese refugees in 12 camps in eastern Chad and some 50,000 from Central African Republic in the south of the country . '' Up to 30,000 people in Chad fled the country for Cameroon during the rebel-government fighting . The International Committee of the Red Cross said on Monday that one of its employees was killed in western Darfur last week during fighting . The victim is a 45-year-old Sudanese national and father of six children . He was killed in the area of Seleia , one of the three towns where reported government-backed Janjaweed militia attacks on Friday left around 200 people dead . U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week deplored the acts , urged all parties to stop hostilities , and said `` all parties must adhere to international humanitarian law , which prohibits military attacks against civilians . '' The United Nations says `` more than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.2 million others forced to flee their homes since fighting began in 2003 among government forces , rebel groups and allied militia groups known as the Janjaweed . '' The recent fight between Chad 's government and rebels is seen as a proxy war over Darfur . Sudan 's government believes Chad is supporting rebels in Darfur . Chad 's government believes Sudan is supporting the rebels that moved on Chad 's capital of N'Djamena . E-mail to a friend | Where was one employee killed ? | 8:12 |
./cnn/stories/c65ed85800e4535f4bbbfa2c34d7d9630358d303.story | Johannesburg -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Miffed by a visa delay that led the Dalai Lama to cancel a trip to South Africa , Archbishop Desmond Tutu lashed out at his government Tuesday , saying it had acted worse than apartheid regimes and had forgotten all that the nation stood for . `` When we used to apply for passports under the apartheid government , we never knew until the last moment what their decision was , '' Tutu said at a news conference . `` Our government is worse than the apartheid government because at least you were expecting it from the apartheid government . `` I have to say that I ca n't believe this . I really ca n't believe this , '' Tutu said . `` You have to wake me up and tell me this is actually happening here . '' The Dalai Lama scrapped his planned trip to South Africa this week after the nation failed to issue him a visa in time , his spokesman said . Visa applications for him and his entourage were submitted to the South African High Commission in New Delhi , India , at the end of August , and original passports were submitted on September 20 , more than two weeks ago , a statement on his website said . However , South Africa 's foreign affairs office said it did not refuse a visa . `` South Africa will not comment on the decision , because it is not our decision , it is his decision , '' according to spokesman Clayson Monyela , who said the visa application was still under consideration . The Dalai Lama had been invited to the country to receive the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation and to speak at a number of events , including a lecture in honor of Tutu 's 80th birthday . Tutu and the Dalai Lama are recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize . Tutu said he would pray for the defeat of South Africa 's government , led by the African National Congress -LRB- ANC -RRB- , which is rooted in the fight against the system of apartheid , or legal racial separation , that was present in South Africa until 1994 . `` You are disgraceful , '' Tutu said about the government . `` You are behaving in a way that is totally at variance with the things for which we stood . '' The ANC plans to call on government officials to explain to South Africans why the visa process was delayed , spokesman Jackson Mtembu said . He said everyone was in the dark about this matter . But he also suggested that Tutu calm down . A comparison to apartheid regimes , he said , was unfair . This is not the first time the Dalai Lama has not been able to visit South Africa . In 2009 , South Africa refused the Tibetan spiritual leader a visa to attend an international peace conference , saying it was not in the country 's interest for him to attend . In refusing the 2009 application , South Africa said that if the Dalai Lama attended the conference , the focus would shift away from the 2010 World Cup , the global soccer championship it was hosting . `` We can not allow focus to shift to China and Tibet , '' presidential spokesman Thabo Masebe said , adding that South Africa had gained much from its trading relationship with China . The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule , and China pressures governments around the world to deny him any legitimacy . Speculation surfaced Tuesday that this year 's visit was also affected by South Africa 's relationship with China . South African Vice President Kgalema Motlanthe visited Beijing last week and met with Chinese President Hu Jintao to discuss bolstering bilateral ties . Motlanthe said South Africa was ready to boost the strategic partnership between the two countries to a new stage , according to the official Chinese news agency Xinhua . But Monyela said the application had nothing to do with China . `` We are a sovereign nation which takes decisions in our domestic interest , '' Monyela said . The Dalai Lama posted a message on Twitter last week that said : `` Even if the Chinese leave nothing but ashes , Tibet will rise from these ashes as a free country even if it takes a long time to do so . '' Kim Norgaard , CNN 's Johannesburg bureau chief , contributed to this report . | who did say South Africa did not issue a visa on time ? | 23:26 |
./cnn/stories/0cf66b646e9b32076513c050edf32a799200c3c2.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- England international footballer Steven Gerrard was found not guilty of affray by a court in his home city on Friday . England international Steven Gerrard was cleared by a court in Liverpool of affray . The jury at Liverpool Crown Court took a little over an hour to clear Gerrard of charges relating to a fracas in a nightclub bar in the north-western of England city on December 29 of last year . They accepted the Liverpool captain 's version that he acted in self defense in punching businessman Marcus McGhee . The 29-year-old was the only one of the seven defendants in the case to be cleared after an incident which was described by judge Henry Globe as an `` explosion of violence . '' Gerrard spoke of his relief outside the court . `` Can I just say how pleased I am with today 's verdict , '' he said . `` I 'm glad to put this case behind me and I am really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on my football now . `` I would just like to say a big thank you to my legal team and to my friends and family and everyone at Liverpool football club for supporting me . '' His comments were met with a round of applause from a large group of fans of the Premier League club who had gathered outside the court , before he was ushered away . Gerrard was celebrating in the Lounge Inn in Southport , a suburb of Liverpool , after scoring twice his team 's 5-1 win at Newcastle which took them to the top of the Premier League . Video footage , which was available to the court , showed the moment around 2 . am in the morning when trouble flared . Gerrard apparently wanted to change the music on the CD player and the 34-year-old McGee said the football star had acted aggressively in trying to grab the device . In the fracas which followed , Gerrard admitted throwing three punches but said only one connected . He claimed , and his version was accepted by the jury , that he believed he was about to be attacked himself . `` You did not start the violence , it was started by the violent elbowing of Marcus McGee in the face by one of your friends , John Doran , '' Globe said . `` The victim 's consequential actions of reeling backwards and then forwards and your actions in response to that movement forward has to be seen against that background , '' he added . Five other men have already pleaded guilty to affray and another admitted a lesser charge of threatening behavior . They will be sentenced at a later date . | How many years old was the businessman ? | 97:98 |
./cnn/stories/13012604e3203c18df09289dfedd14cde67cf40b.story | BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- At least 6,000 Christians have fled the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in the past week because of killings and death threats , Iraq 's Ministry of Immigration and Displaced Persons said Thursday . A Christian family that fled Mosul found refuge in the Al-Sayida monastery about 30 miles north of the city . The number represents 1,424 families , at least 70 more families than were reported to be displaced on Wednesday . The ministry said it had set up an operation room to follow up sending urgent aid to the displaced Christian families as a result of attacks by what it called `` terrorist groups . '' Iraqi officials have said the families were frightened by a series of killings and threats by Muslim extremists ordering them to convert to Islam or face death . Fourteen Christians have been slain in the past two weeks in the city , which is about 260 miles -LRB- 420 kilometers -RRB- north of Baghdad . Mosul is one of the last Iraqi cities where al Qaeda in Iraq has a significant presence and routinely carries out attacks . The U.S. military said it killed the Sunni militant group 's No. 2 leader , Abu Qaswarah , in a raid in the northern city earlier this month . In response to the recent attacks on Christians , authorities have ordered more checkpoints in several of the city 's Christian neighborhoods . The attacks may have been prompted by Christian demonstrations ahead of provincial elections , which are to be held by January 31 , authorities said . Hundreds of Christians took to the streets in Mosul and surrounding villages and towns , demanding adequate representation on provincial councils , whose members will be chosen in the local elections . Thursday , Iraq 's minister of immigration and displaced persons discussed building housing complexes for Christian families in northern Iraq and allocating land to build the complexes . Abdel Samad Rahman Sultan brought up the issue when he met with a representative of Iraq 's Hammurabi Organization for Human Rights and with the head of the Kojina Organization for helping displaced persons . A curfew was declared Wednesday in several neighborhoods of eastern Mosul as authorities searched for militants behind the attacks . CNN 's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report . | What frightened the families ? | 125:143 |
./cnn/stories/47bec8c6418d2cc7e36f453f0f4bf0496afa14db.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pope John Paul II used to beat himself with a belt and sleep on a bare floor to bring himself closer to Christ , a book published Wednesday says . The late pope had a particular belt for self-flagellation and brought it with him to his summer residence , according to the book , `` Why he is a Saint : The True story of John Paul II . '' `` As some members of his own entourage were able to hear with their own ears , both in Poland and in the Vatican , Karol Wojtyla flagellated himself , '' the book says , using the name the pope was given at birth . `` In the closet , among the cloaks , a particular pant-belt hung from a hook , which he utilized as a whip and one which he always had brought to Castel Gandolfo , '' the book says . The book was written by a Vatican insider , Slawomir Oder , with Italian journalist Saverio Gaeta of the Catholic weekly Christian Family . Oder is head of the Vatican committee investigating whether John Paul II should be declared a saint . John Paul died in 2005 . The evil albino monk in Dan Brown 's `` The Da Vinci Code '' may be the best-known example of self-flagellation these days , but the practice is not unusual in Catholicism -- or nearly as extreme as it is shown in the movie . `` When members or former members -LSB- of Opus Dei -RSB- see the monk go at it in the movie , they just burst out laughing , it 's so nutty , '' said the Rev. Michael Barrett , a priest of the Catholic Opus Dei sect . In actual Catholic self-flagellation , `` there is no blood , no injury , nothing to harm a person 's health , nothing traumatic . If it caused any harm , the Church would not allow it , '' he wrote on Opus Dei 's Web site when the movie came out in 2006 . `` This voluntarily accepted discomfort is a way of joining oneself to Jesus Christ and the sufferings he voluntarily accepted in order to redeem us from sin . ` The Da Vinci Code 's ' masochist monk , who loves pain for its own sake , has nothing to do with real Christian mortification , '' Barrett said . Mother Teresa is among famous Catholics who self-flagellated in some way , Barrett said . Catholics are not alone in choosing to inflict pain on themselves for religion reasons . Some Shiite Muslims lash themselves until they bleed when marking the mourning period of Ashura , while fasting is practiced by people in several religions , including Jews on Yom Kippur , the day of atonement . David Gibson , a journalist who worked for Vatican Radio when John Paul II was pope , pointed out that the pontiff wrote an apostolic letter -- essentially a papal position paper -- on suffering in 1984 . `` Christ did not conceal from his listeners the need for suffering . He said very clearly : ` If any man would come after me ... let him take up his cross daily , ' '' the pope wrote , quoting the Gospel of Luke . Jesus , the pope wrote , `` suffered in place of man and for man . Every man has his own share in the Redemption . Each one is also called to share in that suffering through which the Redemption was accomplished . `` In bringing about the Redemption through suffering , Christ has also raised human suffering to the level of the Redemption . Thus each man , in his suffering , can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ , '' says the letter , Salvifici Doloris , On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering . `` John Paul was a product of a very Old World Polish Catholicism , '' said Gibson , who now writes on religion for Politics Daily . `` He was a very disciplined man and a very rigorous man in his personal spirituality , '' he said . The authors of the new book clearly approve of any whipping the pope did of himself , he added . `` Even though it 's going to weird people out , it 's obviously seen by his postulators as a sign of his holiness , '' he said , using the technical term for the person who investigates a person 's qualifications for sainthood . He said the idea is not as bizarre as it might sound to contemporary ears . `` The idea of fasting , renouncing something , giving up your Starbucks latte so you can send money to Haiti -- you ca n't simply look down your nose at it without rejecting a lot of other ideas about self-sacrifice , '' he said . The authors of the book based it on interviews with 114 `` witnesses '' and access to unedited documents in the Vatican 's archives , according to the publisher , Rizzoli . The book is available only in Italian , but the publisher is having it translated into Polish and other languages . | what Pope used to beat himself ? | 5:8 |
./cnn/stories/d312173b8c95cc6c206a32cc0acd8a92c1e272d5.story | CNN affiliates report on where job seekers are finding work across the country and how those looking for employment are coping with the situation . A census employee poses with the new handheld device field workers will use for the 2010 count . -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The nation will take roll call in 2010 and the federal government is giving the states money to hire thousands of census workers . Officials in Colorado say they may hire as many as 8,000 workers for positions that last between 10 weeks and one year . Cathy Illian says the bureau has already hired 800 people in the Denver area . The organization will also post open positions in early April . Some jobs pay as much as $ 28.75 an hour . Read the story on KMGH In Idaho , Dave Mulvihill , manager of the state 's census bureau , said the organization will hire 1,200 workers . He has plenty of job searchers to choose from . `` We 've had applications from approximately 7,300 people across the state , '' he told CNN affiliate KIVI . Read the full report on census jobs The office is holding off on taking any more applications until fall . The Alabama census bureau is preparing to hire between 1,000 and 1,500 workers . `` We need workers so we can get good addresses -LSB- to -RSB- send the questionnaires out so we can get a good response , '' state census bureau official Darryl Lee told TV Alabama in Birmingham . Census officials point out that an accurate count of U.S. citizens helps the government figure out how much funding to give each state for federally sponsored programs . Read the ABC 33/40 story Northeast : Rhode Island strip club holding job fair Business is so good at the Foxy Lady in Providence , Rhode Island , that owners need to hire 25 to 30 more people . And not just dancers . Club co-owner Tom Tsoumas said he also needs managers , waitresses and other behind-the-scenes workers . Tsoumas said because of the poor economy he is expecting to be shocked by the quality of applicants on Saturday . The state 's unemployment rate is 10.3 percent . Read the story at WPRI 's Web site Southeast : Beauty schools see increase in applicants looking for career change Maria Gonzalez was a receptionist until she was laid off . Now she is training to cut hair . Gonzalez , 34 , attends Bradenton Beauty and Barber Academy . `` But right now with everything slowing down and being laid off , all the companies , you know , -LSB- are -RSB- not hiring at this time , so I decided to start coming to school here , '' she told Bay News 9 in Tampa , Florida . The CNN affiliate reports that The Florida Association of Beauty Professionals says beauty schools throughout the state are seeing a 5-15 percent increase in students . Read Bay News 9 report on beauty schools Liz Galdamez , director of the school , said her newly enrolled students were more likely to be looking for a career change than people in their 20s . `` We 're seeing more people in their early 30s and 40s coming into this industry , '' she said West : Man shows job hunters how to look for work on Twitter A man who was laid off from his real estate job a year ago now organizes events that bring job seekers together while teaching them skills to use social networking tools . Edwin Duterte runs Pink Slip Mixers and has put on 10 networking events in Southern California . Recently he held his first such event in Mountain View , California . Perrine Crampton , a program manager who is out of work , was impressed with the willingness of other job seekers to help each other . `` With people saying , ` Hey , I found this job ; I 'm not a good fit . Would you like this position ? ' she told CNN affiliate KGO . Watch the KGO report on the mixer `` That kind of thing is going on now . That is something I really hold onto , because it shows me that there is good in humanity . '' Duterte said the Web sites Twitter and LinkedIn are a great way to build an online network of contacts . `` If I get other eyes to look for you maybe you 'll find a job faster than if you just look for yourself . '' West : Navy hiring 1,000 civilians The naval facility in China Lake , California , is hiring people with experience in engineering , physics , chemistry and other sciences . Employees will work with explosives and other weapons systems . `` Let 's say you 're fresh out of college -- the average salary is somewhere around $ 50,000 a year , '' division commander Capt. Mark Storch told KABC of Los Angeles . `` Very experienced people that might be looking for a job , too , we need them as well , and those jobs would be more like $ 100,000 . '' Watch the report from KABC The Navy is also hiring machinists and clerical workers . `` We 're looking to bring on about a thousand people here , '' said Scott O'Neil , executive director of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division . Midwest : Agency ready to loan money to small businesses The Small Business Administration in Oklahoma is encouraging businesses to apply for loans backed by the federal government . The agency told KWTV in Oklahoma City that more than 40 banks were committed to the loan program . `` It 'll loosen up the credit crunch , '' said Fred Munden , lead business development specialist at the Small Business Administration . `` I think that the 90 percent guarantee , personally , was a good idea to help small business . '' Read the KWTV report on how businesses can get money One bakery owner said it will keep her in business and possibly give her a chance to hire more employees . `` It will give us some operating capital , '' said Cherry Duran of Sweet Cherry 's . `` Right now , I do n't have operating capital . As we get money in , we 're spending it . '' | Who is hiring ? | 56:59 |
./cnn/stories/644a3f79470d3b457efacc7d4ea33577d59e69c1.story | WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- One of the Marines shown in a famous World War II photograph raising the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima was posthumously awarded a certificate of U.S. citizenship on Tuesday . The Marine Corps War Memorial in Virginia depicts Strank and five others raising a flag on Iwo Jima . Sgt. Michael Strank , who was born in Czechoslovakia and came to the United States when he was 3 , derived U.S. citizenship when his father was naturalized in 1935 . However , U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recently discovered that Strank never was given citizenship papers . At a ceremony Tuesday at the Marine Corps Memorial -- which depicts the flag-raising -- in Arlington , Virginia , a certificate of citizenship was presented to Strank 's younger sister , Mary Pero . Strank and five other men became national icons when an Associated Press photographer captured the image of them planting an American flag on top of Mount Suribachi on February 23 , 1945 . Strank was killed in action on the island on March 1 , 1945 , less than a month before the battle between Japanese and U.S. forces there ended . Jonathan Scharfen , the acting director of CIS , presented the citizenship certificate Tuesday . He hailed Strank as `` a true American hero and a wonderful example of the remarkable contribution and sacrifices that immigrants have made to our great republic throughout its history . '' | What war was the Iwo Jima battle a part of ? | 13:16 |
./cnn/stories/318f71eba1831f330d423043827aa24e565fd329.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Jewish organizations called for a Romanian official to resign and face a criminal investigation after he wore a Nazi uniform during a fashion show over the weekend . Radu Mazare , the mayor of the town of Constanta , wore a Nazi uniform during a fashion show over the weekend . Radu Mazare , the mayor of the town of Constanta , and his 15-year-old son `` entered the stage marching the clearly identifiable Nazi ` goose step , ' '' the Center for Monitoring and Combating anti-Semitism in Romania said in a letter to the country 's prosecutor general . The organization 's director , Marco Katz , said Mazare had broken Romanian law and encouraged his son to do the same , `` educating him to treat the law with contempt . '' Katz said Mazare was sending a message `` that to wear Nazi uniforms and to march the Nazi steps is legal and ` in vogue ' in Romania . '' He urged the authorities and the head of Mazare 's Social Democrat party to show that message `` will be strongly countermanded . '' Mazare , 41 , said he had not noticed the Nazi swastika symbol on the uniform before he wore it , according to the Romanian Times newspaper . `` I checked it before I put it on but the swastika was very small and I did n't see it , '' he said . `` I really liked the look of the uniform after seeing it in the Tom Cruise film ` Valkyrie . ' I bought it from a costume hire shop in Germany . '' A top Nazi hunter said Mazare should quit . `` The proper thing for you to do is to admit your mistake , apologize for it and resign your position , '' Efraim Zuroff of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Jerusalem wrote to Mazare . Zuroff sent CNN a copy of the letter . He said it was no defense that the uniform was that of the Wehrmacht -- the army -- rather than the SS , the elite Nazi guard which took the lead in killing Jews during the Holocaust . `` The Wehrmacht played an active role in the mass murder of European Jewry and many other innocent victims . By dressing in a Wehrmacht uniform , you are expressing totally unwarranted support and nostalgia for an army which committed the most terrible war crimes and acts of genocide , '' the letter said . `` It would hard to adequately describe the depth of the pain that your appearance caused , not only to Jews and other victims of Nazism , but to any person of moral integrity who knows the history of World War II , '' Zuroff wrote . Zuroff told CNN he did not expect Mazare to resign , or even to respond to the letter . But he said he hoped the mayor might act on Zuroff 's suggestion that Mazare create a Romanian-language edition of an acclaimed exhibition on the crimes of the Wehrmacht . The Nazi uniform incident , which took place Sunday , was the first time Zuroff heard of Mazare , he said . `` He has a history of being outrageous , but his antics have never included something that I would deal with , '' Zuroff said . `` He 's a real character , apparently . He 's also very popular , which makes this much more difficult . '' CNN attempts to contact Mazare were unsuccessful . Romania was a Nazi ally from 1940 to 1944 , under the leadership of a right-wing military government led by General Ion Antonescu . At least 270,000 Romanian Jews were killed or died from mistreatment during the Holocaust , according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia . The 1930 Romanian census recorded 728,115 people who identified themselves as Jewish , comprising approximately 4 percent of the population , the reference work says . Antonescu was deposed in 1944 and Romania switched sides in World War II . | Who is Radu Mazare ? | 36:42 |
./cnn/stories/66b8f1cd14d13ac3ad56954589d980def31be1b4.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A phone hacking scandal may have cost Rupert Murdoch his biggest-selling newspaper in 2011 , but the billionaire media mogul managed to end the year with a modest addition to his empire -- an account on Twitter . Within 48 hours of debuting with tweets about family , work and politics , Murdoch had pulled in more than 45,000 followers and stirred internet debate over why the 80-year-old was now embracing a technology often used to attack him . The tweets also raised doubts that the notorious technophobe was writing the messages himself . Twitter creator Jack Dorsey -- one of only four people being followed by Murdoch -- however insisted that the media mogul was writing `` with his own voice , in his own way . '' Murdoch appears to have made his Twitter debut on New Year 's Eve with a couple of brief comments on books including the biography of late Apple boss Steve Jobs , which he called `` interesting but unfair . '' These were followed by praise for cinema releases `` We Bought a Zoo , '' and `` The Descendants , '' both produced by Murdoch 's Fox Movies . These fueled suspicions that Murdoch 's Twitter account was being used as a publicity tool to help improve his image after a damaging year . `` Could be brilliant News Corp PR operation , '' Murdoch biographer Michael Wolff tweeted after earlier commenting : `` Might be somebody who knows Murdoch , but it 's not Rupert -LRB- he does n't use a computer unassisted nor get his own email -RRB- . '' Others claimed that the voice of the tweets , as well as their faltering grammar and punctuation , were unmistakably Murdoch . `` You can tell by the tweets he 's doing it himself , '' wrote CNN 's Piers Morgan , a former editor of one of Murdoch 's newspapers . A spokesperson for Murdoch 's News Corp. confirmed to CNN the account is genuine . The account could offer new insight into a businessman whose life has been under intense scrutiny this year after revelations that journalists at News of the World , one of his most profitable newspapers , illegally accessed the voicemail messages of scores of celebrities and public figures . Twitter played a prominent role at the height of the scandal when it was used to pressure advertisers into boycotting the paper . Commentators said the loss of revenue was a key factor in Murdoch 's decision to shut the paper down . Murdoch 's subsequent appearance before a British parliamentary inquiry into phone hacking also caused a sensation on Twitter , particularly after his wife , Wendi Deng , pounced on a man who tried to attack him with a foam pie . There were echoes of Murdoch 's parliamentary appearance -- which he called the `` most humble day day of my life '' -- in New Year pledges which he tweeted in a January 1 message to Dorsey . `` My resolutions , try to maintain humility and always curiosity . And of course diet ! '' But there were also signs that the media mogul was still getting to grips with social media . Reports suggested he was forced to quickly delete one post -- possibly after Deng leapt to his aid once again . The Sydney Morning Herald -- a fierce rival of his Australian publications -- was among news outlets claiming that Murdoch was guilty of `` tweeting-before-thinking '' for suggesting that the British have too many holidays for a `` broke country . '' The message was apparently removed , but not before someone tweeting as Wendi Deng implored : `` RUPERT !!! delete tweet ! '' A further post on the unverified Deng account later added : `` EVERY1 @rupertmurdoch was only having a joke pROMSIE !!! '' -LSB- sic -RSB- Murdoch also follows an account that appears on the surface to be Google CEO Larry Page but is actually run by a man in Virginia . It 's not clear whether Murdoch realizes he 's not following the real Larry Page . Among other tweets by Murdoch , who also follows Zynga CEO Mark Pincus and Silcon Valley entrepreneur and British businessman Alan Sugar , were an expression of support for Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum . | How many followers does Rupert have ? | 62:63 |
./cnn/stories/55a73732ee579bfe39a20ad66d190c4bf6ebfe9c.story | ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Jeremy Piven is the kind of guy who can make you laugh just by lifting an eyebrow . Jeremy Piven stars as a used car salesman in `` The Goods . '' He says '' Entourage '' would make a great film . Of course , the popular actor can do much more than that to captivate audiences . From drama to comedy , Piven has starred in more than 40 films on the big screen and has won critical acclaim for his role as super agent Ari Gold on HBO 's `` Entourage . '' -LRB- HBO , like CNN , is owned by Time Warner . -RRB- Piven stopped by the CNN.com newsroom to talk with CNN 's Nicole Lapin about his new film , `` The Goods : Live Hard , Sell Hard , '' in which he plays a used car salesman . The following is an edited version of the interview : CNN : -LSB- The movie -RSB- was hysterical , and my producer and I were sitting next to each other and we were trying to figure out -- is this like lowbrow , but it 's smart , so it 's medium-brow ? Highbrow comedy ? Jeremy Piven : It 's a hybrid-brow , or a unibrow . It 's from the people who brought you `` Talladega Nights '' and `` Step Brothers '' and `` Anchorman , '' so from the kings of guys who make really smart , low-brow comedies , and I 'm just insanely honored to be a part of it . It 's like a dream because my fear was that by the time Will -LSB- Ferrell -RSB- hit the screen that , worst-case scenario , the movie would n't be funny enough . So that when Will jumps out of the plane , he takes us to a whole other level -- it 's like , `` Oh my God , Will Ferrell is so brilliant . '' But the reality is , the movie was so funny up until that moment that it was really , it was kind of organic , and it sustained it and it was really fantastic . Watch why part of Piven 's interview had to be bleeped out '' James Brolin would go home to his wife , Barbra Streisand , at night , and I would say , `` James , is she OK with all this ? '' Because he has one of the most twisted roles you 've ever seen , as you know -- and I do n't want to give it away . He was like , `` Well , the wife is on the fence about this whole thing , '' and she came to a screening and I swear to God , Babs laughed the loudest . CNN : I think that 's a tease in itself . That would probably get people to see it . Piven : Yes , I think you 're right . The movie is OK 'd by Barbra Streisand ; she vetted the whole thing . If you would have told me , I would be doing a lead in a movie , and Will Ferrell would have a smaller role in it , I never would have believed you , but I 'm here to tell you anything is possible . CNN : Anything is possible , even in some 40 some movies in your career , but this is the first lead in a while , I mean did it take you a while to get into the used car salesman character ? Piven : There 's a great documentary called `` Slasher '' about car salesmen that I took a look at , and I went to a bunch of lots , and I 've also been sold a lot of cars , and I 'm what 's known as a sucker . As soon as they see me coming in , they know they 're going to take my money . So I kind of took that , and I reversed it and I 'm no longer a sucker . CNN : Are you going to stick with `` Entourage '' ? Piven : Well , I think `` Entourage '' ... this season is the sixth season , and it 's I think the most interesting of all of them , and I kind of have the best arc this year . The backstage life of Hollywood is such fertile stuff for our show that I think we could continue on for as long as it stays fresh . CNN : What about a movie ? Piven : I think a movie would be really , really fun of `` Entourage . '' I 'd love to open it up . I have a bunch of ideas , all that will be turned down , but I have some great ideas . | What is the HBO series called ? | 42:43 |
./cnn/stories/35d22b9240d034815afd9fc03edd3a1dcf2df1ae.story | Berlin , Germany -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A bomb scare that affected about 100 flights at Munich Airport in Germany on Wednesday may have been a false alarm , German police told CNN . Police launched a huge manhunt Wednesday after a passenger appeared to flee from security officers when his laptop computer bag tested positive for explosives , they said . Police originally said authorities wanted to take the man in for further testing after his bag set off suspicions , but he ran . They said a bomb squad was testing the bag to see if it really contained explosives . But authorities later said the man may simply have been in a hurry , grabbed his things and left the airport . They do not have the laptop case , they said . They are still trying to find the man , they said , but are no longer describing the search as a huge manhunt . Police earlier said they were reviewing airport security videos to try to figure out where the man went . It was not clear if that was what caused them to change their evaluation of the situation . Police did not know which flight the man was booked on . Part of the airport was shut down after the suspect fled , but was later reopened . All planes in the area of Terminal 2 , where the incident took place , were evacuated and all luggage was removed , police said . The passengers had to leave the secure area and be rescreened , an airport representative told CNN , adding that the airport was otherwise operating normally . About 100 flights were affected by the security measures . Some were canceled and others were delayed , the airport said , adding that activity has slowly begun to return to normal . The airport Web site was still showing some delays to flights leaving Terminal 2 several hours after the incident . The incident took place as a United States Senate committee debated the foiled Christmas Day attack aboard a plane bound from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Detroit , Michigan . The committee chairman , Sen. Joseph Lieberman , I-Connecticut , said it is `` infuriating '' that the December 25 suspect , Nigerian Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab , was able to board the plane in the Netherlands with a U.S. visa . Janet Napolitano , secretary of homeland security , said AbdulMutallab `` was not on the no-fly list , which would 've flagged him to be prevented from boarding , nor was he on the selectee list , which would 've flagged him for secondary screening . '' `` Furthermore , the physical screening performed by foreign authorities at airports in Nigeria and the Netherlands did not detect explosives on his body , '' Napolitano said . `` As this incident underscores , aviation security is increasingly an international responsibility . '' She said top Homeland Security Department officials are embarking on a multicontinent tour to meet with international counterparts about airline and airport security . She said she would leave Wednesday evening for Spain and a meeting with European Union officials . CNN 's Frederik Pleitgen contributed to this report . | How many flights were affects ? | 13:14 |
./cnn/stories/4ba7d2cd2eed959000ff8d1b1891cb72a8d2fe8a.story | SAVANNAH , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- What does it really take to dress someone as fashion-forward and in the spotlight as Michelle Obama ? Designer Yigal Azrouël talks with students at the Savannah College of Art and Design . '' Bravery , '' says Isabel Toledo , designer of the first lady 's attention-grabbing lemongrass yellow wool and lace ensemble that she wore for the inauguration of her husband President Obama . But along with bravery about their fashion sense , new graduates at the Savannah College of Art and Design -LRB- SCAD -RRB- will need courage in the face of the current recession . `` Fashion is being hit particularly hard in the new job market . Fashion as a whole is feeling a greater level of lost revenues and in turn has lost opportunities for sustaining volume and even more so for growth , '' said Marshal Cohen , chief analyst and expert fashion analyst for the NPD market research group . `` The ironic thing is that new ideas and creations are just what the industry needs but is too cautious to react to it , '' he added . Full of new ideas , student designers say they are aware of the challenges as they head out into the work force , but they 're optimistic they can make it in these tough times . `` After I graduate , I 'm going to New York , I have an internship lined up with a trend forecasting company , Promostyl , '' said Shelby Simon whose designs made it into SCAD 's annual fashion show . See the runway fashions '' `` Everyone needs an assistant so hopefully I 'll be able to find something pretty easily , '' said Caitlin Clarke . She would like to land an internship in New York and has interviewed with New York & Co. and applied for positions at Oscar de la Renta , Calvin Klein and Zac Posen . Toledo , a world-renown designer , knows it can be tough to make it in fashion . She and her fashion illustrator husband Ruben Toledo did n't have much money when they arrived from Cuba in the late 60s as political refugees . She says she found inspiration in the little things . Experts ' advice on getting to top of fashion business '' `` Go out there and look at things , look at things well . Study them ; the smallest things can inspire you . That will make you able to do what you want on any level . Many times kids think you have to have all this backing coming into a big industry . I did n't do that , I started from the bottom and as a matter of fact you can only go up , '' said Isabel Toledo . Toledo was at the school last weekend to accept the 2009 André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award . But for six months , two other top designers , Yigal Azrouël and Lars Nilsson , have been mentoring and critiquing 23 students to help them develop their designs for the runway . Azrouël , a self-taught designer , says it 's a tough industry and students have to pay their dues . `` It 's not what people think it is or what it looks like from the outside . If you want to be a fashion designer you have to carry fabric on your back , you need to learn how to cut and sew . The fame is going to come later . '' More known for his expert draping techniques , Yigal Azrouël taught students more than how to incorporate intricate folds and pleats in their designs . `` If you love something , go ahead and do it , but , be very consistent with it , '' advised Azrouël . SCAD senior Caitlin Clarke says working with Nilsson really helped her create new silhouettes and structured angles with interesting seams . `` Lars was so helpful . I remember this one time when he came in and said ` Ah , there 's something not right with this dress ' and then he helped me cut it up and fix it , '' said Clarke . Nilsson enjoyed the process . `` I really tried to spend a lot of time seeing what they -LSB- the students -RSB- had to say , giving them advice and push them forward to express themselves , '' said Nilsson . `` It 's been a great collaboration , and I must say that I 've learned a lot myself , too . '' The visiting designers give the students an edge in their job search , says SCAD president Paula Wallace . `` It 's very important to bring in the top professionals because they inspire the students and they provide contacts and networking for the students after they graduate . '' Students are also using social media sites such as Twitter , Facebook and MySpace to reach out to their peers and other industry professionals . In order to succeed you have to have innovative approaches to market , sell and sustain your product lines , said retail analyst Hitha Prabhakar . Right now retailers are in `` survival of the fittest '' mode and a handful of designers including Mui Mui , Allessandro Del Acqua , Allegra Hicks and Krizia have had to shut their store doors on Madison Avenue , she said . SCAD senior Shelby Simon feels some students went into fashion because they like to shop , but she warns there is so much more to learn about the craft . . `` The truth is hard work , nose to the grind stone and learning . All the people I know who became great designers did n't do it over night , '' said Vogue magazine 's editor-at-large André Leon Talley , who has been involved with SCAD students over the years . `` Jason Wu , a wonderful designer , a young designer , was making doll clothes for years . He was saving his money then opened his own company and look where he is today , dressing Michelle Obama . '' | What does Designer Isabel Toledo say ? | 41:42 |
./cnn/stories/7843646a31a1ca87834dc4c72a092bf6c693baff.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Les Paul never stopped tinkering , said Henry Juszkiewicz . Les Paul was constantly making recommendations on how to improve guitars , says the CEO of Gibson . Juszkiewicz , the chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitars , remembers getting calls from his company 's partner -LRB- and famed client -RRB- , offering recommendations on how to change or market his eponymous Gibson guitars . Sometimes , Juszkiewicz recalls , the two would go out for Chinese food . Paul was very particular , desiring a dish called Chicken Subgum . The two would have to search Chinatown for a restaurant that knew how to cook it , he says with a chuckle . Les Paul died Thursday of pneumonia . He was 94 . Juszkiewicz talked about his friend and colleague Thursday afternoon . The following is an edited version of the interview . Watch how Les Paul helped invent modern music '' CNN : Tell me about working with Les Paul . Henry Juszkiewicz : I 've been with Gibson about 25 years and known Les pretty much through that entire period . ... Les was a very kind person . He was a visionary . In the early days , Gibson was doing very poorly as a company , and I got involved essentially to turn the company around . ... We had many , many conversations about the guitar business and what to do . ... A lot of the things we talked about and implemented were very successful . CNN : What was distinctive about the Gibson Les Paul when it came out , and what remains distinctive about it ? Gallery : Guitarists pay tribute to Les Paul '' Juszkiewicz : When it first came out , it was extremely controversial , and it was not really successful . It took years for Gibson to actually come to terms with Les . He had been pitching the head of what was Gibson 's parent company , CMI , for three or four years until they finally decided to give it a try -- and only then when he became very famous and a television personality . And they were right , actually , because a solid-body guitar was considered silly . ... It really was n't until 1965 , '66 that the guitar took off and became popular . In fact , in the early '60s , the guitar was discontinued for several years . One of the -LSB- prized -RSB- Les Pauls was the 1959 Les Paul -- that 's sort of the holy grail of Les Pauls -- and one of the reasons is there were only 300 units made in 1959 . And 300 units was not really that successful for Gibson ; it was a powerhouse guitar builder in 1959 . So Les was always ahead of his time . He was someone who could see what was going to happen 50 years in advance , and very often , he was able to bring his vision to reality and share it with the entire musical community . ... The -LSB- Les Paul -RSB- guitar shines in modern music . ... In the '50s and before the '50s , the -LSB- standard -RSB- guitar was amplified , but it was just louder . In other words , it still sounded just like an acoustic guitar , but you could turn it up . What Les did was turn it into a whole new instrument . When he was playing ... you will hear this rich context that 's kind of normal today . ... CNN : Les Paul being Les Paul , I assumed he continue to play with things over the years . Juszkiewicz : Yeah , he would call me all the time and give me suggestions . It 's really hard to answer your original question , what makes it -LSB- distinctive -RSB- . ... As a guitar player , when I pick it up , I know it 's a Les Paul . I can feel the sustain . It 's got a certain feeling . ... There 's a lot of things in it . But it 's the package that 's kind of magic . In the modern world , working with modern equipment , it 's incomparable . CNN : How many Les Pauls do you sell nowadays ? Juszkiewicz : A lot . Many , many thousands . I 'll share with you : We had a big debate when we first got involved in the business . When I was a young guitar player , Les Pauls were always very expensive ... and they 're very expensive today . -LSB- Paul -RSB- said , `` You know , Henry , you really have to make a less expensive Les Paul . '' ... We argued about it for a year and a half , and finally I gave in . I said , `` OK , Les , it 's your guitar . '' ... And it was an instant success . And all of a sudden , people that could n't touch that magic got a shot at it , and he was pleased as punch , and we were as well . He was a renaissance man . ... What a life . And what a wonderful , warm gentleman . | when does paul died ? | 121:122 |
./cnn/stories/4d181b23eb2a5c73f17f6c6c8856ad246041af95.story | United Nations -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Confronted with the prospect of a Palestinian bid for full U.N. membership , U.S. President Barack Obama issued a sharp rebuke Wednesday to those pressing for statehood -- a rebuke likely to bring criticism from the Arab world . `` Peace will not come through statements and resolutions at the U.N. , '' Obama said , addressing delegates at the 66th annual session of U.N. General Assembly . `` If it were that easy , it would have been accomplished by now . '' The United States has vowed to block a Palestinian membership application should it reach the Security Council , but is likely eager to head off a scenario that would involve an American veto -- a move widely seen as unpopular across the Middle East . A formal request for full U.N. membership is expected to be submitted Friday . `` One year ago , I stood at this podium and called for an independent Palestine , '' Obama added . `` I believed then -- and I believe now -- that the Palestinian people deserve a state of their own . But what I also said is that genuine peace can only be realized between Israelis and Palestinians themselves . '' A year later , despite extensive U.S. efforts , `` the parties have not bridged their differences , '' Obama said . The American president met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and declared the bonds between their two countries `` unbreakable , '' a move likely to play well at home in an increasingly volatile U.S. political landscape . Though Netanyahu was not in attendance at the General Assembly during Obama 's speech , he called the U.S. position a `` badge of honor , '' and has pushed for a resumption of talks , beginning in New York and continuing in Ramallah and Jerusalem . Peace negotiations broke down last year . Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with Obama later Wednesday , part of a whirlwind of diplomatic wrangling that has accompanied his proposed move . Obama reiterated his stance on the need for a two-state solution , officials said . Abbas met earlier with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon , who promised the request would be taken `` very seriously , '' according to Nabeel Shaath , a senior negotiator for the Palestine Liberation Organization . Shaath told CNN it had not been decided if the formal application would be submitted the U.N. secretary-general before or after Abbas addresses the General Assembly early Friday afternoon . Ban said it will `` not take long '' to get Security Council consideration . Shaath added that settling for a lesser status -- such as being recognized as a non-member state -- is one option under consideration if the push for full membership is blocked . But the Palestinians do not want `` anybody to suspect a lack of seriousness , '' he said . Palestinians ' current status at the United Nations is as an observer `` entity . '' Observers can speak in the General Assembly but not vote . While a veto by the United States in the Security Council would block any effort to gain full U.N. membership , a `` yes '' vote in the General Assembly -- where only a majority would be needed -- would raise Palestinians to the status of permanent observer `` state , '' the status the Vatican currently holds . Abbas ' effort to gain U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state is opposed by Hamas , the Palestinian organization that controls Gaza . It has warned Abbas against making the request , saying it would show a willingness to acknowledge and negotiate with Israel , which would `` deprive the Palestinian people from their right to come back to their homeland . '' As national leaders took to rostrum Wednesday to spell out their visions for global peace and security , attention at the U.N. General Assembly seemed to center on the potential membership bid . French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged the body to recognize Palestine as a non-member state , calling for a more definitive timetable for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks . But he also warned that a U.S. veto of the bid for full membership in the Security Council could be dangerous and might spark violence . Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner seemed to agree , adding that `` non-inclusion of Palestine -LRB- at the United Nations -RRB- this year will create greater insecurity . '' The Palestinian leader said he will personally deliver the application to the U.N. Security Council , but does not expect the body to act immediately , according to Palestinian officials . They say Abbas is expected to deliver the letter before he leaves New York on Friday , but added that he will give both the United Nations and American leadership several weeks to respond to the letter -- temporarily averting a diplomatic showdown . Abbas will wait for a response from the diplomatic Quartet on the Middle East , the officials said , and then return to the U.N. General Assembly to negotiate statehood recognition , working through the U.N. Security Council . Abbas ' goal , according to the officials , is to legitimize Palestinian statehood by eventually forcing a vote . Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff , who kicked off the opening round of speeches at the assembly 's 66th session , joined the chorus of voices on Wednesday calling on the council to approve the Palestinian bid . Her speech marked the first time a woman has commenced the annual proceeding , reflecting a moment of equality at the start of what she described as `` the century of women . '' Also Wednesday , Obama pressed Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- an increasingly vocal critic of Israel -- to continue work toward patching up their strained relationship , officials said . The U.N. chief , meanwhile , also focused on a series of other issues highlighted during the annual session , particularly the spread of noncommunicable diseases , empowering women , food security and climate change . `` Saving our planet , lifting people out of poverty , advancing economic growth -- these are one and the same fight , '' said Ban . `` Today , I call on you to reach a binding climate change agreement -- an agreement with more ambitious national and global emissions targets . '' Thirty-one of the world body 's 193 delegates are expected to address the assembly this week . Brazil has traditionally opened the session since the days of former American president Harry Truman , when the U.N. was in its infancy . It was founded in 1945 after World War II . CNN 's Elise Labott , Richard Roth , Alan Silverleib and Joe Sterling contributed to this report . | What did the French president say ? | 682:729 |
./cnn/stories/d0cda0c70cdf24868eccba232bed8c86594ff6ed.story | BOSTON , Massachusetts -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A 23-year-old medical student pleaded not guilty Monday to an indictment alleging first-degree murder charge in a killing tied to Craigslist . Philip Markoff is charged with killing a woman and robbing another in Boston hotels in April . Philip Markoff is accused in the the fatal shooting of one woman and the robbery another in Boston hotels earlier this year . A Massachusetts grand jury late last week indicted him on seven counts , including first-degree murder . Markoff is charged with the April 14 fatal shooting and attempted robbery of Julissa Brisman , 25 , and the armed robbery of a 29-year-old Las Vegas woman on April 10 . Investigators have linked both crimes to ads on the popular Web site Craigslist . He is also charged with `` the armed and forcible confinement '' of the two women , as well as two counts of unlawful firearm possession , the Suffolk County District Attorney 's Office said . Watch Markoff in court '' The grand jury returned the indictment late Thursday , and it moves the case from Boston Municipal Court to Suffolk Superior Court , where Markoff entered his not guilty plea on Monday . He previously had pleaded not guilty in the city court and is being held without bail . Markoff 's attorney , John Salzberg , had no comment on the new indictment . Prosecutors said Brisman , a model from New York who advertised as a masseuse on Craigslist , was shot three times at close range and suffered blunt head trauma at the Marriott Copley Place hotel . The Las Vegas woman was robbed of $ 800 in cash and $ 250 in American Express gift cards at the Westin Copley Place hotel , police reports said . Markoff , a second-year medical student at Boston University 's School of Medicine , also has been charged in a nonfatal hotel assault in Rhode Island . He has been charged with assault with the intent to rob , assault with a dangerous weapon , possession of a handgun and use of a firearm while committing a crime of violence , stemming from an April 16 robbery attempt at a Holiday Inn Express in Warwick , Rhode Island . | What was he guilty of ? | 19:21 |
./cnn/stories/b0e3514a8b6859bbf897f09721e93fc9afea248a.story | -LRB- CNN Student News -RRB- -- Discussion Questions 1 . When is Black History Month observed ? When did Black History Month get its start ? Who was Dr. Carter G. Woodson ? What was his role in the establishment of Black History Month ? 2 . What are some significant events and milestones in U.S. black history ? Who are some of the individuals who have contributed to black history ? 3 . How does black history help to tell the story of what it means to be an American ? How have African-Americans enriched that story ? What lessons can be learned from the experiences of black history makers ? Learning Activities Use these activities to encourage your students to learn about and appreciate the history , culture and achievements of African-Americans . 1 . A Milestone in U.S. History Remind students that they have witnessed a truly historical event in their lifetime : the election of Barack Obama as the first African-American president . What will they remember about this milestone ? What do they want future generations to know about it ? Challenge students to write letters to students who will be in their place 100 years from now , describing the event and its significance for all Americans . Combine the letters into a book or a Web site , or create a video of students reading their letters . Present the finished product to your school 's historian or media specialist for archiving . 2 . Covering Black History Ask students : What if CNN correspondents had been on the scene to record key moments in black history for the entire world to see ? Organize students into small teams of reporters , and have each team select a time period in American history and a key figure or event that helped to define that time period for African-Americans . Then , have students imagine that CNN was there to cover the historical figure or event . Ask : How do you think that CNN reporters might have covered these stories ? Encourage the teams to write scripts for news stories on their historical figures and events . After students have presented their scripts , have them compare their reports to eyewitness accounts and local newspaper reports that were written at the time . 3 . Harlem Renaissance Inform students that during the 1920s and 1930s , an African-American cultural movement occurred in the United States that was known as the Harlem Renaissance . It was a literary , musical and artistic explosion that was born in Harlem , New York , and it had a profound impact on African-American culture and on the U.S. as a whole . Have your class host a Harlem Renaissance cultural fair . Direct students to online resources to learn about some of the great artists , writers and musicians who were part of the renaissance and their contribution to this cultural movement . Have each student select one of these African-American artists and design a display that tells about the life and times of the artist and the importance of his or her work . Invite guests from your school and community to attend the exhibit . Have students serve as `` roaming curators '' to instruct and interest guests in the Harlem Renaissance and the creative works of these great African-Americans . 4 . Profiles in Black History Do your students show a personal interest in science , music , politics , theater , sports or education ? Inspire them to celebrate the contributions of African-Americans by having them write profiles of African-Americans in the categories that interest them . For example , a budding young scientist might choose to profile the inventor of the ironing board , the lawn mower or the space shuttle retrieval arm , all of whom were/are African-Americans . Direct your students to online and print resources and have them conduct research on their chosen individuals . Then , encourage students to write proposals to have their selected persons commemorated in new postage stamps . Students should accompany their proposals with designs for the stamps . In their presentations , students should try to convince classmates why their profiled persons should have a stamp created in their name . Post the designs around the classroom . 5 . Local African-American History Valuable lessons in black history may be found just a few steps away in the stories and documents that can be found in local libraries , historical organizations , universities or colleges , and online . Encourage students to venture out into the community to investigate the history and contributions of black Americans in their city or town . Students might choose to use milestones in black history as a way to organize their research , gathering information on how those events impacted the community and its residents . They may also decide to profile influential black community members . Have students invite community members to a celebration of local black history . 6 . Black History Museum Celebrate black history by creating plans for a local Black History Museum . First , have students decide where the museum should be housed . Suggestions might include a school or local library , an exhibit in an existing history museum , or perhaps a virtual online museum . Next , discuss how the museum should be organized . Students may choose to categorize the content by theme , by specific time periods , by specific dates , by people or by local landmarks . Encourage students to include interactive elements and multimedia in their plans . Then , challenge students to consider what people , events or contributions to include in their Black History Museum . Ask : What messages or lessons do you want visitors to take away from the exhibits ? 7 . Not Just for February Inform students that , while Dr. Carter G. Woodson chose the month of February to recognize the accomplishments of African-Americans , black history can be celebrated all year long . Challenge students to create year-long calendars or timelines that highlight the contributions of African-American newsmakers , illustrate key events in black history , and encourage an ongoing celebration of black culture . Standards Social Studies II . Time , Continuity , and Change Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of the ways human beings view themselves in and over time . V. Individuals , Groups and Institutions Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of interactions among individuals , groups , and institutions . The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies -LRB- http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/strands/ are published by the National Council for Social Studies -LRB- http://www.socialstudies.org/ -RRB- . Resources CNN : Black in America 2 : http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/black.in.america/ U.S. Census Bureau : Black -LRB- African-American -RRB- History Month : February 2010 : http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/014487.html | What are the activities for ? | 118:134 |
./cnn/stories/16032c5ee785586dd13cf05818718744c15f9bea.story | UNITED NATIONS -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Wednesday delivered a lengthy , rambling address in his first appearance before the United Nations -- slamming both the U.N. Security Council and the United States . Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi addresses the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday . He broached conspiracy theories , urged probes into U.S. military activities , and took aim at the structure and the actions of the Security Council , in a one-hour and 36-minute speech at the U.N. General Assembly 's annual session . Gadhafi called for world unity in confronting various world crises , such as climate change and food shortages , but he aimed his ire at the world body and the United States . Dressed in a traditional Libyan cap and robe , he elaborated on what he believes is the unfairness of the structure of the U.N. Security Council , which has five permanent members -- the United States , Russia , China , France and Britain , each with veto power . In his One hour and 36 minute ramble , Gadhafi : | What requires unified action ? | 97:109 |
./cnn/stories/15d6c5089f6801a6c0460cb3cc2aa1b9f757df45.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb has turned down a move to Inter Milan in favor of returning to Bundesliga club Stuttgart on loan for the season . Alexander Hleb is presented to the media after completing his loan move to former club Stuttgart . Hleb had been expected to be part of the swap deal that saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto'o switch clubs earlier this week . But the 28-year-old Belarus international has opted against joining Cameroon striker Eto'o at the San Siro due to the limited prospects of regular football under Jose Mourinho , and instead decided to return to Germany . Hleb left Stuttgart four years ago to move to English Premier League side Arsenal , where he spent three seasons -- including reaching the Champions League final in 2006 , which the Gunners lost to Barcelona . Top 20 summer transfer targets Hleb eventually ended up moving to the Nou Camp last summer , but struggled to claim a place in the side and was omitted from the 18-man squad that beat Manchester United in this year 's Champions League final . Hleb told Stuttgart 's official Web site he had moved to Markus Babbel 's side because of their prospects for the coming season . `` I have opted for Stuttgart because the team has great potential and I am convinced that we can achieve a lot together , '' the 28-year-old said . Stuttgart general manager Horst Heldt added : `` We have signed a world class player with Alexander Hleb . He will increase the quality of our squad even further . '' Stuttgart had seen moves for both Real Madrid 's Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Vagner Love of CSKA Moscow break down in recent weeks . | What has Hleb chosen to do ? | 52:58 |
./cnn/stories/c7816bbe007f9a24cec53b793ac210082d45fb49.story | BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iraqi Security Forces captured 66 people believed to be connected to al Qaeda in Iraq terror cells , the U.S. military said Thursday . Members of the Iraqi Security Forces are working in Iraq to capture terrorists and insurgents . The suspects were captured during separate operations in northern Iraq this week , according to a military news release . The suspects included 45 men from al Qaeda in Iraq and 21 suspected terrorists from an umbrella group of al Qaeda in Iraq known as The Islamic State of Iraq , the statement said . The suspects are believed to be part of terror cells responsible for bombings , torturing of civilians , conducting attacks and warning insurgents about upcoming Iraqi and U.S. military operations , the military said . One of the suspects is believed to have conducted more than 12 attacks since July . `` These operations show the ability of Iraqi Security Forces to repeatedly capture criminals who undermine the security of Iraq , '' said Lt. Col. Neil Harper , a U.S. military spokesman . | What are suspects blamed for ? | 114:132 |
./cnn/stories/6011397b58f7f30ed13de7b9a282d475d963eba6.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two goals in five minutes at the start of extra-time helped defending champions Egypt book their place in the African Nations Cup semifinals with a battling 3-1 victory over Cameroon . The game , though , was marred by a controversial third goal by midfielder Ahmed Hassan which was allowed to stand by referee Jerome Damon despite replays showing the ball had clearly not crossed the line . By that time the Pharaohs ' captain , who was winning a record 170th cap for his country , had already scored an own goal to put the Indomitable Lions ahead after 26 minutes . Hassan scored again at the other end to pull his side level with a powerful long-range strike before half-time which eventually forced the game into an additional 30 minutes in Benguela . Substitute Mohamed Gedo then capitalized on an error from Geremi Njitap to put Egypt ahead in extra-time , before Hassan 's controversial strike handed them a two-goal cushion . To make matters worse for Paul Le Guen 's Cameroon , Aurelien Chedjou was sent off late on as the north Africans set up a tantalising last-four clash with old foes Algeria . Cameroon took the lead following a spell of intense pressure . A succession of Achille Emana corners had the Egyptian defence wobbling -- and the seventh one resulted in Hassan 's weak-header on the line dropping into his own net . Cameroon pressed for a second goal but were taken by surprise when Hassan unleashed a fierce 35-yard strike in the 37th minute that deceived goalkeeper Carlos Kameni before finding its way in . Emad Moteab could have won the game for Egypt right at the death after he was picked out at the back post by a sweeping pass from Hassan , but the Al-Ahly forward could only find the side netting as the game entered extra-time . However , Hassan Shehata 's side wasted no time in killing off the tie going 3-1 up after 95 minutes -- after being gifted both goals . The first came when Geremi 's poor back-pass from the right was intercepted by Gedo , who and tucked away with ease through the legs of Kameni two minutes after the resumption . The second seems certain to land South African referee Damon in the spotlight after Hassan 's free-kick from the left was pushed onto the underside of the crossbar by the Espanyol goalkeeper and did not cross the line when it hit the ground . However , it was still allowed to stand much to the dismay of the Cameroon players . It also seemed to knock the stuffing out of Le Guen 's men as they failed to create any major openings in the closing 25 minutes . To add insult to injury , Chedjou was shown a straight red for hauling down last-man Gedo midway through the second period of extra-time with Egypt going on to seal a memorable win . Meanwhile , Nigeria became the fourth team to reach the semifinals after defeating Zambia in a dull final quarterfinal showdown in Lubango . Neither side could find the net after 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time , but Nigeria progressed 5-4 on penalties and will now face near-neighbors Ghana in the last four on Thursday . Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama scored the decisive penalty for Nigeria after Thomas Nyirenda had missed for Zambia . Enyeama dived to his right to stop Nyirenda 's penalty after Sikombe Chivhuta and Christopher Katongo and Emmanuel Mayuka had all scored for Zambia . Obefemi Martins , Victor Nsofor , Peter Odemwingie , and John Obi Mikel all scored for Nigeria . | what did nigeria become | 507:513 |
./cnn/stories/ecb913720a8246ed20658de2299afe941bb3b293.story | WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A soldier who reported for duty with her children in tow has been granted her request for a discharge , her lawyer said Monday . Lisa Pagan was recalled to the Army after being honorably discharged four years ago . Lisa Pagan , of Davidson , North Carolina , reported for duty Monday morning at Fort Benning , Georgia , with her two preschool children . She had been honorably discharged from active duty at the rank of specialist nearly four years ago but was recalled as part of the Individual Ready Reserve program . The former Army truck driver asked for a reprieve from deployment because her husband travels for business and they would have no one to care for their children if she was sent overseas . Until Monday , her request had been denied . Late Monday afternoon , Pagan 's lawyer told CNN the Army would grant her request and begin the process of discharge again , this time for good . `` We are definitely heading in the right direction for Lisa and her family and her children , '' said Mark Waple , Pagan 's attorney . `` She has been told by her chain of command they plan on doing everything they can within reason to do this as expeditiously as possible . '' Pagan enlisted in 2002 and was honorably discharged from active duty in June 2005 . She was never deployed . Before she left for Fort Benning , Pagan , 27 , told CNN affiliate WCNC that her relatives were n't able to care for her children for various reasons , including her relatives ' health . She said her family could n't afford having her husband give up his job . They would lose their house , she told the Charlotte , North Carolina-TV station . `` I 'm a human being . I need to take care of my children . They do n't have anybody else , '' Pagan told WCNC . Since September 11 , 2001 , the Army has recalled about 25,000 soldiers . Nearly half requested a delay or a full exemption . Some just wanted to finish their school semester before reporting . Others had financial or medical problems that made it difficult to report for duty . The Army says it granted nearly nine out of 10 delay requests and six out of 10 requests for exemption . | What did she argue ? | 119:133 |
./cnn/stories/3ce25164248c71db6e804806c8596a99f3a22b61.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When Kellogg 's dumped its endorsement of Michael Phelps after a photograph surfaced of the Olympic gold medalist using a bong , the company was stuck with thousands of boxes of cereal featuring the swimmer 's image . Kellogg 's ended its Michael Phelps endorsement , so it sent two tons of cereal with his face on it to a food bank . No problem . The company , based in Battle Creek , Michigan , made short order of the already-printed and filled boxes , donating two tons of cereal to the San Francisco Food Bank late last month . With food banks across the country reporting shortages of food , the donation was a welcome one , said the food bank 's director of development , Christopher Wiley . It took only two weeks for about 3,000 boxes to move through warehouse . '' Thousands of families benefited from the donation '' Wiley said . `` It was a surprise to us . We were lacking a lot of cereal . It is a great product many low-income families really need . '' `` The real story for us was not the box but what 's inside the box . The food is so valuable for the community . It 's making good from bad , '' Wiley said . The food bank has seen a 6 percent increase in its customer base since the beginning of the year , he said . Phelps , 23 , won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing , China . He admitted `` regrettable behavior '' after a British newspaper published the controversial photograph in early February . The tabloid News of the World showed Phelps using the bong during what it said was a November party at the University of South Carolina in Columbia . A bong is a device commonly used to smoke marijuana . The Phelps box attracted considerable attention to the food bank . Administrators received several calls from people wanting to get the box as a novelty item . But , said Wiley , all the cereal went to food bank customers . Kellogg 's was the only one of Phelps sponsors to drop the athlete , although U.S.A. Swimming , the nation 's governing body for competitive swimming , suspended him for three months , withdrew financial support and barred him from competition during the period of his `` reprimand . '' CNN 's Jackie Castillo and Mayra Cuevas contributed to this report . | How many boxes were donated ? | 105:122,142:143,150:157 |
./cnn/stories/2b8faeb992798b4bd9df316c1c907e9e132e0b0d.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Kyrgyzstan 's president signed a bill Friday to close an air base that the U.S. military uses as a route for troops and supplies heading into Afghanistan , the president announced on his Web site . Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan serves as a U.S. supply route for troops and supplies into Afghanistan . The news came as two other central Asian nations -- Tajikistan and Uzbekistan -- reportedly agreed to let U.S. cargo pass through their countries on the way to Afghanistan . Such deals , if confirmed , could help fill the void left by the closing of the Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan . The Kyrgyz order became effective on Friday when President Kurmanbek Bakiyev reportedly signed legislation that the parliament in Bishkek backed on Thursday , the Pentagon said . Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry on Friday officially notified the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek that a 180-day withdrawal process is under way . Embassy spokeswoman Michelle Yerkin told CNN the United States hopes to retain the base . Officials in Washington and Bishkek signed a deal three years ago allowing the United States to renew the arrangement annually through July 2011 . `` We do remain in contact with the government of Kyrgyzstan , '' Yerkin said . `` The Manas Air Base continues to operate under existing agreements , as per the coalition 's efforts in Afghanistan . '' U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday the United States will continue to work with Kyrgyzstan on keeping the base open . Watch why Kyrgyzstan wants to close the base  '' `` I continue to believe that this is not a closed issue and that there remains the potential at least to reopen this issue with the Kyrgyz and perhaps reach a new agreement , '' Gates said at a NATO meeting in Krakow , Poland . `` If we are unable to do that on reasonable terms then , as I have suggested , we are developing alternative methods to get resupply and people into Afghanistan . '' The Manas Air Base outside Bishkek is the only U.S. base in Central Asia and is a major resupply hub for the war in Afghanistan . Its closing could deal a significant blow to the U.S. military effort there , especially following President Barack Obama 's announcement of additional troops to halt a resurgence of the country 's former Taliban rulers . The United States pays $ 17.4 million a year to use Manas , a major logistical and refueling center that supports troops in Afghanistan , the Pentagon said . About 15,000 troops and 500 tons of cargo reportedly move through Manas monthly , it said . The air base currently employs more than 1,000 servicemen , 95 percent of whom are Americans , Russia 's Interfax news agency reported . `` This is an important facility , it has been an important facility , but it 's not irreplaceable and , if necessary , we will find other options , '' Whitman said . How far is Manas from Afghanistan ? View our map  '' Tajikistan and Uzbekistan , two other Central Asian nations that border Afghanistan , have agreed to allow U.S. cargo to be transported to Afghanistan through their countries , the Russian news agency Interfax reported Friday . The agency said Rear Adm. Mark Harnitchek , U.S. transportation command director for strategy , policy , programs and logistics , held a meeting with Tajik Foreign Minister Kharokhon Zarifi , after which he said he had also secured Uzbekistan 's consent . A Tajik government statement said only that the two sides discussed the issue , but a spokesman for the Tajik foreign ministry told CNN that `` practically all issues '' to allow U.S. cargo transit through the country have been resolved . If confirmed , success would still depend on how much access the United States would have to those countries for flights and cargo , and even then , it may not totally replace the capacity lost in Kyrgyzstan . U.S. General David Petraeus , who oversees the war in Afghanistan , was in Uzbekistan this week for talks on Afghanistan and other regional issues . A Pentagon spokesman told CNN that his discussions included the regional supply network into Afghanistan . The U.S. military leased a base in Uzbekistan after the September 11 , 2001 , attacks on the United States . But after Uzbek troops were accused of killing at least 150 people during a demonstration in 2005 , the autocratic government of President Islam Karimov came under criticism from Washington and severed most of its military ties with the United States . | Who is the President of Kyrgyzstan ? | 120:122 |
./cnn/stories/d2b1578751b94be2482d620e7e312e36440a66f8.story | Cleveland , Ohio -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The niece of the mayor of Cleveland , Ohio , once lived with murder suspect Anthony Sowell , a registered sex offender charged with murder after the remains of 11 victims were found at his home , a spokeswoman for the mayor said Monday . Lori Frazier , niece of Mayor Frank Jackson , had a relationship with Sowell that ended two years ago , said Andrea Taylor , a spokeswoman for Jackson 's office . Taylor said it is unclear whether the relationship was romantic . `` I just want to know why , why he would do this , '' Frazier told CNN affiliate WOIO on Friday . `` He took care of me , good care of me . I never would have thought there were some bodies in the house . '' `` I lived with him from 2005 to 2007 and he did n't kill me , but he killed all these girls , '' she said . Sowell , 50 , is facing five counts of aggravated murder , rape , felonious assault and kidnapping in connection with the deaths . All the victims were African-American women . All that remains of one of them is a skull , wrapped in a paper bag and stuffed into a bucket in the basement . Sowell served 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted rape in 1989 . He was released in 2005 . So far , nine of the 11 victims found at Sowell 's home have been identified . The latest two were identified Monday by the Cuyahoga County Coroner 's Office , police said . They are Janice Webb , 49 , and Kim Yvette Smith , who was 43 when last seen . Both women were from Cleveland . Webb was last seen on June 3 and was reported missing on August 2 , police said . Smith was last seen January 1 , but was not reported missing until November 2 . A grand jury on Monday returned an indictment against Sowell in connection with an alleged assault and rape of a 36-year-old woman September 22 , Cuyahoga County prosecutors said in a news release . The investigation into that incident was what led police , armed with a search warrant , to Sowell 's home , where they discovered the bodies late last month . The alleged victim encountered Sowell while walking in the neighborhood , and he took her back to his home , where he became violent and raped her , prosecutors said . `` While raping her , he strangled her with a cord until she lost consciousness , '' the statement said . `` When she regained consciousness , he led her out of the house . '' Sowell faces a charge of attempted murder in the incident , along with two counts of rape , two counts of kidnapping and two counts of felonious assault , authorities said . Sowell will be arraigned on the new charges Friday , authorities said . The charges are first-degree felonies except for the assault charges , which are second-degree felonies , prosecutors said . If convicted , he would face a sentence of up to life in prison . The investigation into the homicides continues , prosecutor Bill Mason said in the news release . `` Upon completion of the investigation , the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor 's Office working with the Cleveland Police Department will present evidence to the grand jury seeking the death penalty for these heinous murders committed by Sowell . '' Residents of the area near the home said they had noted a smell in the neighborhood , but assumed it was from nearby Ray 's Sausage Company . Asked whether she had noticed a foul odor , Frazier told WOIO , `` Yeah , I smelled stuff , but he always told me that -- at first he said it was his stepmother downstairs . And then I guess after she left , he told me that it was Ray 's Sausage . '' Frazier said Sowell brought other women to the home when she was not there . '' I love my niece very much and while she has made some decisions that have not been in her best interest , she has my full support , '' Jackson said in a written statement . `` As a family , we are extremely fortunate that she was not a victim in this case as she did have a prior relationship with the suspect that ended approximately two years ago . My focus continues to be on making sure the loved ones of the victims get the attention , closure and justice they deserve and it is my hope that everyone remains committed to that goal . '' Hundreds of Cleveland residents gathered outside the house Sunday night to remember the victims . `` It 's hard , because I want to burn it down , '' said Inez Fortson , whose daughter Telacia , 31 and a mother of three children , is among the dead . Sowell has been placed on a suicide watch at the request of his attorney , according to Sowell 's public defender , Kathleen DeMetz . A psychiatric evaluation has been ordered but it 's unlikely to happen until after the case goes before a grand jury , the next expected step . Police recovered the first bodies after they went to Sowell 's home to follow up on a rape accusation . In a separate incident , neighbors on October 20 reported seeing a naked woman fall from the second floor . Firefighters and paramedics responded , and later notified police . But the woman told officers that she was at the home `` partying , '' when she fell off the roof , and no charges were filed . Agents from the FBI 's Behavioral Science Unit are assisting Cleveland police , Cleveland FBI spokesman Scott Wilson has said . The agents are preparing a profile of Sowell for police , tracing his life and habits , and his DNA will be entered into a national database to see whether it can be linked to any unsolved crimes . `` Our experts tell us it 's likely he 's done this before , '' said Frank Figliuzzi , special agent in charge of the FBI 's Cleveland office . `` He 's probably done it elsewhere , and so we need to determine whether or not he 's responsible for other unsolved murders and rapes around the country . '' In addition , the FBI is investigating whether Sowell might be linked to crimes abroad , Figliuzzi said . `` We know , for example , he was a Marine , he was assigned to California , he served in Okinawa , Japan , and we 'll be matching all the facts from these crimes here in Cleveland with the crimes that remain unsolved in our database , and we 'll specifically be looking at those locations where he 's previously lived . '' Allen Sowell , the suspect 's half-brother , told CNN he last saw his brother more than 20 years ago . Their stepmother , who lived in the house after Anthony Sowell got out of prison , said she knew of nothing odd going on at the time , Allen Sowell said . The stepmother tried to get Anthony Sowell evicted from the house in 2007 because he was n't paying rent , Allen Sowell said . Anthony Sowell said he should n't have to pay rent on a house that belonged to his father , who died in 2004 . Anthony Sowell remained in the house when his stepmother had to be hospitalized in 2007 , his half-brother said . Allen Sowell said he was aware of his half-brother 's prison record , but `` just could n't fathom '' the accusations now facing him . `` I did n't think he was in that bad of a mental state , '' Allen Sowell said . `` You never think it would happen to your family . It 's a horrible feeling . '' At 66 , Allen Sowell is 16 years older than his half-brother , and the two did n't meet until Anthony Sowell was 9 . He added , `` He deserves whatever he gets from the justice system . '' CNN 's Susan Candiotti , Edmund Demarche and Ross Levitt and CNN Radio 's Brendan Gage contributed to this report . | What did Frank Jackson say ? | 705:732 |
./cnn/stories/9e7d78ba97bc674e69bc02f31c8ad0a7dc87406d.story | NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Authorities are seeking the public 's assistance in identifying a teenage girl who mysteriously turned up in Manhattan two weeks ago , claiming to have no memory of her family , her home -- or even her own name . The teen has recalled an excerpt from the fantasy novel `` Fool 's Fate '' by Robin Hobb . `` I just want to know who I am , '' the girl says in a statement released by the New York City Administration for Children 's Services . The teen , who is being referred to as Jane Doe , continues , `` I want to know who I am and what happened to me . '' The Caucasian young woman , described by New York ACS as `` very soft-spoken , '' is 5 feet , 6 inches tall , light-skinned , with short , straight , cropped blond hair and blue eyes . Doctors are estimating her age to be between 14 and 17 . ACS Commissioner John B. Mattingly appealed to the public in a statement , `` asking anyone who may know this young woman to help us locate her family as quickly as possible , so we can safely reunite her with those who love her . '' The girl was found in midtown Manhattan around 12:30 a.m. October 9 outside the Covenant House youth shelter , although the organization tells CNN that she was not a resident at the time and did not appear as if she intended to seek refuge at the facility . According to its Web site , with nearly 7,000 youths seeking shelter per year , `` Covenant House New York is the nation 's largest adolescent care agency serving homeless , runaway and at-risk youth . '' A security guard for the shelter noticed the girl walking around on the sidewalk near Covenant House and approached her . Finding her unresponsive , he called the New York City Police Department . Police officers interviewed the young woman , but it became clear that she could n't provide authorities with any information about herself . The NYPD said she was wearing military green camouflage pants , a black shirt and a pair of black sneakers when she was discovered . Children 's Services said the girl recently wrote down the name '' Amber '' and has responded to it on one occasion , but she has no idea whether it is her true name . On another occasion she is said to have recalled certain words , which turned out to be an excerpt from the fantasy novel `` Fool 's Fate '' by Robin Hobb . The girl is also apparently writing a fantasy story of her own that features a heroine named Rian , `` who 's been raised by the commander of the guard post on the edge of a fantasy kingdom , '' says the young woman . The girl has a 2 - to 4-inch scar on her lower left back and had a black , handwritten birthday message on her arm , addressed to a name of Japanese origin , when she was found , police said Friday . Judging from poor dental hygiene , said Lt. Christopher Zimmerman , she appears to have been living on the streets for some time . `` This case has been going on since October 9 , '' Zimmerman said . `` Today is the 23rd , and we 're vey concerned . It 's been a very long time now . That 's a long time frame to not identify somebody . Especially someone who we believe is a juvenile . Usually juveniles we get a lot of inquiries about . '' While the girl is confused and her story remains vague , Mattingly said , `` she is safe with us , and we are doing all we can to help her , but she needs to find her family . '' She is apparently reviewing materials for a high school GED exam , saying that she is able to do the math but has no recollection of studying the history and science portions . However , according to the Children 's Services statement , the young woman `` can easily retain the information . '' New York City Administration for Children 's Services and police are asking anyone with information about the young woman or her family to contact the NYPD Missing Persons Squad at 212-694-7781 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS . | What name does the girl respond to ? | 398:399 |
./cnn/stories/d41dc7fc05273a37f0aceaf4f3e35a187f12653e.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A former government contract employee was indicted on charges of stealing restricted nuclear energy-related materials and putting the United States at risk , the Department of Justice announced Thursday . Sources say the classified materials were taken from the East Tennessee Technology Park . Roy Lynn Oakley , 67 , of Roane County , Tennessee , appeared in federal court in Knoxville on Thursday . Oakley was briefly detained for questioning in the case in January , when authorities first learned of the alleged plot to divulge the materials , government sources told CNN . He voluntarily surrendered Thursday at an FBI field office in Knoxville , the sources said . Oakley is a former employee of Bechtel Jacobs , the Department of Energy 's prime environmental management contractor at the East Tennessee Technology Park , prosecutors said . The indictment states that Oakley , `` having possession of , access to and having been entrusted with sections of ` barriers ' and associated hardware used for uranium enrichment through the process of gaseous diffusion ... having reason to believe that such data would be utilized to injure the United States and secure an advantage to a foreign nation , did communicate , transmit and disclose such data to another person . '' The transfer took place January 26 , the indictment alleges . Oakley is also charged with converting the material and `` restricted data '' to his own use . He began doing so on about October 17 , 2006 , and continued through January , prosecutors said . Prosecutors said the materials involved have been examined by scientists and posed no threat to people who may have come into contact with them . Oakley 's attorney , Herb Moncier , said outside court Thursday that Oakley 's job was to break rods `` into little pieces '' and throw them away . Moncier said Oakley had a security clearance , but Moncier did not believe it was a high-level clearance . The government alleges that in January , Oakley attempted to sell the `` pieces of scrap '' to someone he thought was a French agent -- but in reality was an undercover FBI agent , Moncier said . He said he questions whether those broken pieces would be considered an `` appliance '' under the law . `` Mr. Oakley has cooperated fully for the last six months , '' said Moncier , who added that he had traveled to Washington for work on the case . Each count carries a possible sentence upon conviction of up to 10 years in prison and a $ 250,000 fine . `` While none of the stolen equipment was ever transmitted to a foreign government or terrorist organization , the facts of this case demonstrate the importance of safeguarding our nuclear technology and pursuing aggressive prosecution against those who attempt to breach the safeguards and put that technology in the wrong hands , '' Kenneth Wainstein , assistant attorney general for national security , said in the Justice Department statement . One government source said the materials involved are not the `` crown jewels , '' but they should not have been taken from the facility . A `` barrier '' is used to filter uranium during the enrichment process , according to nuclear energy officials , but a significant number of barriers are needed to do that job . Sources told CNN that federal authorities have been following Oakley and investigating the case for at least six months , after he allegedly tried to sell the classified material . Oakley , described as a low-level employee , apparently did not make contact with any foreign government and is not a foreign agent of any kind , an official familiar with the case said . A government official with with knowledge of the case said that when authorities learned of Oakley 's alleged intentions six months ago , the FBI and Department of Energy launched a joint investigation . The FBI then developed a sting operation , government officials familiar with the case said , and authorities intervened before there could be any involvement of a foreign country . East Tennessee Technology Park is an area of the DOE 's Oak Ridge reservation `` where we are currently decontaminating and decommissioning buildings that were last used in 1985 , '' Gerald Boyd , manager of the DOE 's Oak Ridge site office , said Thursday . `` When they were in use , now over 20 years ago , some of the buildings at ETTP housed facilities used for the enrichment of uranium . '' Boyd said the technology park and the reservation `` are protected by multiple layers of security systems and detection programs , both visible and unseen , meant to identify rogue employees attempting to abuse their access and position . '' In this case , a review of security procedures showed that the system worked and `` successfully identified the individual in question , '' he said . E-mail to a friend CNN 's Terry Frieden and Kelli Arena contributed to this report . | Who is appearing in court ? | 48:51 |
./cnn/stories/cc7ea968fcb1a81b949c5e93b93147ff828eb6cf.story | LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Web designer in London was amazed to discover that Iranian election protesters are attacking the Iranian president 's Web site using software he developed in his spare time , he told CNN Wednesday . Ryan Kelly : `` I suppose I am taking sides but I have no problems with it being used in this way . '' With anti-government activists in Iran sidestepping official attempts to silence them on the Internet by posting photos , videos and blogs on sites like Facebook and Twitter , others are using a site that automatically refreshes a Web page every few seconds , potentially overloading the host server . The page reboot software means that dissidents can `` attack '' sites with a barrage of hits -- known as a denial of service attack -- causing them to appear to users as `` unobtainable . '' Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 's Web sites was one of those displaying this message on Monday , according to Britain 's Channel 4 News , although on Tuesday it was loading correctly . The freely available page refresh site was partly developed by Ryan Kelly for use with sports results sites and eBay . He said he was unaware it was being used by Iranian protesters to stop the government from getting out its message until Tuesday when he received an email from an unknown source asking him to take the site down . `` Can you please shout -LRB- sic -RRB- down the website for few weeks . Currently they are using that website to attack other websites , '' stated the anonymous e-mail seen by CNN . Kelly , who works for contract publisher Wardour , then discovered that hits on his own site had risen from 700 on a normal day to 41,000 on Monday . `` I was shocked when I heard my site was being used in this way , '' the 25-year-old told CNN . `` This exemplifies the power of the Internet that something happening in London can affect events thousands of miles away in Tehran . It 's great it 's being used in this way . '' The heavy traffic forced Kelly to temporarily suspend his site , but only because it was exceeding the volume of traffic on his server . He said he later received dozens of e-mails requesting him to restore the site , and he did so . One message seen by CNN said : `` Please bring your site back up as fast as you can . We need your help in Iran against Ahmadinejad . '' Kelly said he supported the protesters in their battle to have the results of the disputed presidential election overturned . `` I suppose I am taking sides because I 've put the site back up , but I have no problems with it being used in this way . '' | Who is responsible for developing the software that Iranian protesters used to refresh web page to hack official sites ? | 42:44 |
./cnn/stories/5df5a494ac6c23820e182912dff09d52c0f7e200.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Top Republican lawmakers Sunday called on President Obama to change his political strategy , arguing that the passage of a massive stimulus bill on a party-line vote showed he has failed to deliver the `` change '' he promised . Sen. John McCain says the Obama administration is off to a `` bad beginning . '' `` If this is going to be bipartisanship , the country 's screwed , '' Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-South Carolina , told ABC 's `` This Week . '' `` I know bipartisanship when I see it . '' Sen. John McCain , R-Arizona , said Obama was off to `` a bad beginning , '' out of step with the vow of bipartisanship both men made after Obama beat out the Republican presidential nominee for the White House in November . `` It was a bad beginning because it was n't what we promised the American people , what President Obama promised the American people , that we would sit down together , '' McCain told CNN 's `` State of the Union With John King . '' The $ 787 billion bill made it through Congress with the support of three Republicans -- Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania . Obama is expected to sign the bill Tuesday in Denver , Colorado . Watch Democratic and GOP analysts debate bipartisanship  '' `` This is not ` change we can believe in , ' '' Graham , a member of the Senate Banking Committee , told ABC . He said Democrats `` rammed it through the House '' after starting out `` with the idea , ` We won -- we write the bill . ' '' But Obama 's spokesman insisted the stimulus is a bipartisan success . Speaking to CBS ' `` Face the Nation , '' White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said , `` We 're happy that Congress , in a bipartisan way , took steps to make whatever happens in this recession easier to take for the American people . '' iReport.com : Share your thoughts on the stimulus plan And on CNN 's `` State of the Union , '' Gibbs said , `` I think what you saw from this president was an unprecedented effort to reach out to Republicans . Not just in meetings at the White House , but you had the president drive up to Capitol Hill to meet with Republicans where they work . '' McCain fired back . `` Look , I appreciate the fact that the president came over and talked to Republicans , '' he said . `` That 's not how you negotiate a result . You sit down together in a room with competing proposals . Almost all of our proposals went down on a party-line vote . '' When the next major piece of legislation aimed at helping the economy recover reaches Congress , McCain said that he hopes `` we will sit down together and conduct truly bipartisan negotiations . This was not a bipartisan bill . '' iReport.com : McCain 's actions `` totally reprehensible '' McCain added , `` Republicans were guilty of this kind of behavior . I 'm not saying that we did things different . But Americans want us to do things differently , and they want us to work together . '' Gibbs described things differently . `` This president has always worked in a bipartisan fashion , '' he told King . `` He will continue to reach out to Republicans . John , we hope that Republicans will decide they want to reach back . '' | What did the spokesman say about the President ? | 390:395 |
./cnn/stories/4b40ad1f0e59b139e9a1466859ee08a048ca8d2c.story | WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former ABC News chief national security correspondent John McWethy died from injuries in a Colorado skiing accident , a coroner said Thursday . John McWethy , right , shares a laugh in 2002 with former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in Washington . A witness said McWethy , 61 , was skiing fast on an intermediate trail Wednesday at Keystone Ski Resort when he lost control and slammed into a tree , said Joanne L. Richardson , the Summit County , Colorado , coroner . McWethy died while being treated for blunt-force injuries at Summit Medical Center , Richardson said . `` He just missed a turn and slid sideways is what we 're surmising , '' she told CNN . McWethy was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident , she said . With his wife , Laurie , McWethy recently had moved to Boulder after nearly 30 years as an ABC News correspondent , so he could enjoy Colorado 's ski trails , according to a statement from ABC News President David Westin . `` He was doing something that he truly loved , '' Weston said . `` But he deserved many more years doing it than he was given . '' Friends and former colleagues described McWethy as an outstanding reporter who also cherished life outside work . `` He always knew without exception what so many in the powerful business of TV news fail to learn until it 's too late : In the end , all we have is our families and our friends and our self-respect as news reporters , '' said CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr , who worked as a producer with McWethy for three years . Both Starr and former CNN producer Chris Plante admired McWethy 's coolheaded reporting from the Pentagon on September 11 , 2001 , when a hijacked airliner punched a huge , fiery hole in the building 's massive facade . `` He was unflappable even in the most extreme situations because he was always centered by his love for his family and the knowledge that the television news business and all of this Washington hoo-ha was not ` real life , ' '' Plante said . `` Unlike so many , he really did have a handle on what life was for . And the last moments of his life are proof of that . '' College classmate Bob Steele wrote about McWethy 's `` mighty '' skepticism of authority in an article published online for the Poynter Institute . While they attended Depauw University in Greencastle , Indiana , Steele said McWethy `` challenged the University President and his policies . He protested against the Vietnam War . '' Steele wrote that McWethy considered `` why '' to be `` the most powerful word in the English language . '' Len Ackland of the University of Colorado 's Center for Environmental Journalism told The Denver Post that his longtime friend `` was a very humble guy . '' Ackland told the paper that McWethy `` did n't talk about himself much . He was the kind of journalist who did n't want to be out front . It was always about the story , not about him . He was the kind of guy you enjoyed sitting down to have a beer with . '' McWethy left behind two sons , Adam , 28 , and Ian , 24 , according to the Post . His wife , who was with McWethy at the time of the accident , told the Post her husband was a good skier who enjoyed living in Colorado . `` He loved it here , '' she told the paper . `` I think he loved the beauty of its nature , the open spaces , the wildlife , everything . '' In his statement , Westin said , `` He was one of those very rare reporters who knew his beat better than anyone , and had developed more sources than anyone , and yet , kept his objectivity . '' After working as a reporter for U.S. News & World Report , McWethy joined ABC News in 1979 , going on to cover conflicts in Bosnia , Kosovo and Liberia , according to the ABC News Web site . McWethy was the network 's primary reporter assigned to Secretaries of State James Baker , George Shultz , Warren Christopher and Lawrence Eagleburger , ABC said , and he had traveled to more than 50 countries . McWethy was honored with at least five national Emmys during his time at ABC and also received an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award and an Overseas Press Club Award , according to ABC News ' Web site . `` For three years I watched one of the finest news reporters do what so many in television still can not do to this day : be a reporter first , foremost and always , '' Starr said . Colleagues said he 'll be missed . `` Everyone that knew Jack is trading stories today , '' Plante said . `` There is nothing but a sense of unambiguous loss on the part of all of his friends , colleagues , competitors and even the uniformed military officers that he covered as a reporter . '' E-mail to a friend | Was he wearing a helmet ? | 125:129 |
./cnn/stories/512e80a87a428d2ee0ff32b00c98c1f4abdac48f.story | LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Fans wishing to attend singer Michael Jackson 's memorial service next week will have to register for the 11,000 free tickets , organizers said Thursday . Michael Jackson is shown rehearsing at the Staples Center on June 23 , two days before his death . Details on how to register for the 10 a.m. -LRB- 1 p.m. ET -RRB- service at the 20,000-seat Staples Center in Los Angeles , California , Tuesday are to be announced Friday . Jackson 's family will hold a private ceremony before the public memorial service , his brother said Thursday . Speaking to CNN 's Larry King , Jermaine Jackson said the ceremony will be held Tuesday morning , but he did not say where . Jackson rehearsed at Staples Center two nights before he died , and he appeared healthy in a video clip of the rehearsal obtained by CNN . Jackson died June 25 after collapsing at his rented home in Los Angeles . AEG , promoter of Jackson 's planned London , England , shows , released the short video of Jackson rehearsing in the arena on June 23 . Jackson sang `` They Do n't Care About Us , '' a song from his `` HIStory '' album , as he danced along with eight male dancers . Watch Jackson rehearse '' Jackson did not specify where he wished to be buried in a 2002 will , which was filed in court Wednesday . Watch CNN 's Anderson Cooper talk about his interview with AEG '' More information emerged Thursday about how Jackson 's estate will be shared , which his will estimated in 2002 as being worth $ 500 million . The family trust created by Jackson to receive all of his assets includes his mother , his children and a list of charities , according to a person with direct knowledge of the contents of the trust . Mother Katherine Jackson 's 40 percent share would go to Michael Jackson 's three children after her death , the source said . The children -- ages 7 , 11 and 12 -- also will share 40 percent of the estate 's assets , and the remaining 20 percent will benefit charities designated by the executors of the will , the source said . A judge has delayed for a week , until July 13 , a hearing to decide whether Katherine Jackson will remain the temporary guardian of Jackson 's children . At a brief talk with reporters Thursday , an attorney for Jackson 's ex-wife Debbie Rowe said she `` has not reached a final decision '' on whether she will challenge Jackson 's mother for custody of Jackson 's two oldest children , according to her lawyer . A Los Angeles TV station quoted Rowe on Thursday morning saying , `` I want my children . '' Except for the statement to the radio station , she has not publicly indicated whether she would seek custody now that Jackson is dead . Rowe was left out of the will . `` I have intentionally omitted to provide for my former wife , Deborah Rowe Jackson , '' the will said . The will nominated Katherine Jackson , now 79 , as the guardian of his children . If Katherine Jackson were to die , `` I nominate Diana Ross as guardian , '' Jackson said in the will , written July 7 , 2002 . Singer Ross , 65 , was a lifelong friend of Jackson 's . Watch how the two had a close relationship '' There 's also a question on when the will 's executors should take over control of the late entertainer 's assets , which Judge Mitchell Beckloff temporarily placed under Katherine Jackson 's control . One man named as executor is John Branca , who represented Jackson from 1980 until 2006 and was hired again before the singer 's death . He helped acquire Jackson 's music catalog , which is worth millions . The other is music industry executive John McClain , a longtime Jackson friend who has worked with him and his sister Janet . DEA reportedly joins investigation The Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the investigation into Jackson 's death , a federal law enforcement official said Wednesday night . And the California State Attorney General 's office said Thursday that it is helping the Los Angeles Police Department in its investigation . The attorney general 's office said it will assist police in sifting through information in a state database that monitors controlled medication . Two law enforcement officials separately confirmed the DEA inquiry , saying agents would look at doctors involved with Jackson , their practices and their possible sources of medicine supply . Neither official wanted to be identified because they could not comment publicly on the matter . Officially , a DEA spokeswoman referred questions to the Los Angeles Police Department , which would not confirm the involvement . `` We routinely offer assistance to any agency regarding the Federal Controlled Substance Act , '' said Sarah Pullen of the DEA . `` However , at this time , we have nothing further to comment about the death of Michael Jackson . '' Speculation about the role of drugs has been swirling since Jackson died June 25 at his rented estate in Holmby Hills . The cause of his death , at age 50 , was pending toxicology results . On Wednesday , police released a car belonging to Jackson 's cardiologist , Dr. Conrad Murray . They had impounded the vehicle Friday , saying it might contain evidence -- possibly prescription medications . Police did not say whether they found anything . Murray 's attorneys issued a statement , asking the public to reserve judgment about the cause of death until the coroner 's tests are complete . `` Based on our agreement with Los Angeles investigators , we are waiting on real information to come from viable sources like the Los Angeles medical examiner 's office about the death of Michael Jackson , '' the statement said . `` We will not be responding to rumors and innuendo . '' No public showing planned for Neverland Logistical and financial challenges derailed earlier plans for a public viewing and private memorial at Neverland Ranch . Planning had been under way for a motorcade to carry Jackson 's body from Los Angeles to the Santa Barbara County ranch , which state and local officials suggested would be difficult and costly . Law enforcement sources had said a public viewing at the ranch was under consideration for Friday , but a spokesman for the family said that it would not happen . `` Plans are under way regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson , and we will announce those plans shortly , '' said Ken Sunshine , whose public relations firm had been hired by the Jackson family . Despite the announcement , more than two dozen TV satellite trucks lined the narrow two-lane road leading to the ranch . For a time , the California Highway Patrol closed the road to clear up a small bottleneck of cars created by Jackson fans and the media . CNN 's Drew Griffin , Kathleen Johnston , Michael Carey , Paul Vercammen , Carol Cratty and Kara Finnstrom contributed to this report . | Who has joined inquiry into Jackson 's death ? | 708:712 |
./cnn/stories/06d8caa4a0f92518d748e2c72bfc4ce6a5e378e3.story | Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The stars were out Sunday night as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts bestowed its prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on actor and comedian Will Ferrell . The award , which was established in 1998 , honors comedians who have shaped American society with their work , as Mark Twain once did . Ferrell himself commented on the importance of the prize , telling CNN it 's `` the only legitimate award that recognizes comedy , '' and he was honored to receive it . Fellow comedians Jack Black , Tim Meadows , Ed Asner , Paul Rudd , Andy Samberg , Conan O'Brien and Molly Shannon showered Ferrell with praise at the ceremony . `` When you see Will Ferrell on a marquis , he 's going to give you 90 minutes to two hours of fascinating entertainment , '' said Asner , who worked with Ferrell in the movie `` Elf . '' In the movie , Will `` was so steeped in his character that I had to believe in mine , '' Asner said . `` He 's a blast . I mean , he 's always coming up with new stuff , '' said actor Rudd , who co-stared with Ferrell in `` Anchorman : The Legend of Ron Burgundy '' He 's , `` just fun to watch , and he 's very good at keeping it together . '' O'Brien took a different approach -- the backhanded compliment . `` None of us are here for Will , '' he said . `` We 're here because Will 's very powerful . We fear Will . Let 's get that straight , okay ? I 'm angry . And afraid . I 'm here out of fear . '' Also in attendance were senior administration officials , including White House Chief of Staff William Daley , Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood , Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius , and Office of Management and Budget Director Jacob Lew . Past winners include Tina Fey , as well as Richard Pryor , Bob Newhart , Lorne Michaels , and Steve Martin . | Who called the award legimate ? | 63:64 |
./cnn/stories/c674bd461e416bfeaea2153c36f00d7ff4a66fa2.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Henry Joseph Madden was a good student and track team member in high school , but he had a secret : He sometimes wore his mother 's pantyhose and underwear under his clothes . Dr. Jennifer Madden , a family physician , began her transition to being female at age 48 . `` I really wanted to be a girl so bad , and that was one way for me to satisfy those feelings , '' Madden said . `` I always felt like someone was looking over my shoulder . '' The desire to be female never went away . At age 48 , Madden confessed these feelings to a doctor , and started seeing a gender therapist who suggested Madden was transgendered . Through reconstructive surgeries , electrolysis , laser procedures and voice lessons , Henry Joseph became Jennifer Elizabeth , known as Jenny . She is a practicing family physician in Nashua , New Hampshire . Watch Jenny 's story '' Chastity Bono , child of performer Cher and the late entertainer and politician Sonny Bono , announced Thursday the beginning of a transition from female to a male . While still relatively rare -- one advocate estimates that 0.25 to 0.5 percent of the American population is transgendered -- the idea of changing gender identity has become more widespread in recent years . The term `` LGBT '' -LRB- Lesbian , Gay , Bisexual , Transgender -RRB- is more commonly recognized , and transgendered people have been portrayed in the 1999 film `` Boys Do n't Cry '' as well as the 2002 book `` Middlesex '' by Jeffrey Eugenides . Many people who have transitioned , including Madden , say they knew they had been born into the wrong gender from childhood . As early as age 3 , Dr. Julie Praus , born male , did n't understand why her father wanted to play catch . As a boy , Praus learned how to fish and hunt , but enjoyed collecting Depression-era glassware vases . Praus , 48 , a psychiatrist in Brattleboro , Vermont , started living as a woman in March 2008 . `` I get up every morning and say , ` Wow , I can actually look at myself in the mirror , ' because I 've never been able to do that in my life , because what would stare back at me was not me , '' Praus said . iReport.com : Share your story of gender change Doctors speculate that there is a biological foundation to gender identity , but no one has determined what in the biological makeup determines that gender . The interactions between personality and culture also contribute to identity , said Chris Kraft , clinical director at the Johns Hopkins Sexual Behaviors Consultation Unit . The process of changing genders For people who want a gender change on a biological level , the first step is therapy , experts say . Dr. Gary Alter , a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills , California , said patients do n't come to him until they 've been in therapy , a process that can take as much as a year . A therapist then gives a physician approval to start the patient on hormone treatment . At that point , the patient may or may not start living as the chosen sex , Alter said . Females seeking to transition into males may elect to have their breasts removed via surgery . With testosterone , they will grow hair on their face and chest after about two years . Read one man 's female-to-male advice to Chaz Bono A higher percentage of males transitioning to females will go forward with genital surgery than females going to males , Alter said . Surgical methods for creating a penis -- which range from making one out of the clitoris to using the skin from the forearms -- are `` not perfect , '' and many patients are happy with just chest surgery , he said . Genital surgeries for creating female genitalia are better , he said . Alter 's method is to make a clitoris out of the head of the penis , and make space for a vagina . Facing the rest of the world It is rare for people to undergo a gender transition and then want to reverse it , especially when surgery is involved , experts say . Some say changing genders is one of the best things they 've done , like Jamison Green , 60 , author of `` Becoming a Visible Man , '' who went through chest reconstruction and genital surgery . `` I do n't have too hard of a time telling people about it , '' Green said . `` I worried about that a lot in the beginning , before there was any kind of community and support about this condition , but one of the things I learned early on was that living in fear and shame is not very healthy . '' Green , who started his transition at age 40 , is now happily married to a woman whom he did not know before his change . Praus is also married to a woman , who knew her before her transition . Madden has a boyfriend . `` For the longest time , I really felt like I had a mental illness , and I do n't feel that way anymore , '' Madden said . But all three have experienced shock and dismay from others around them . Green said his mother took five years to adjust . One of Praus ' sons does n't speak to her . Madden 's marriage to a woman ended in divorce during her transition , and her children have struggled . Yet these three transgendered individuals say they feel better in many ways in their chosen gender roles . `` My patients say I 'm a better doctor , '' Praus said . `` Some of it is that I 'm not exerting so much energy hiding myself . '' Psychologists recommend that people who change genders adopt a `` transgendered identity , '' and not keep their history of transition a secret . But some who `` pass '' as their new genders do n't want to risk stigma , and tell only people closest to them , Kraft said . Often , males who transition to females face more problems than females who become males , Kraft said . Transgendered individuals who start as men tend to face more stigma , particularly if they are more noticeably transgendered . Transgendered individuals do face some legal quandaries . Some states require people to show proof of a medical procedure before changing gender on documents such as driver 's licenses , while others require that the person has taken hormones , Kraft said . People may also elect to change their birth certificates to reflect chosen gender . Chastity Bono , who now goes by `` Chaz , '' has been a prominent gay-rights activist . `` You could speculate that that could make it more complicated -- when you 're a public figure -- to take on something stigmatizing '' such as a gender transition , Kraft said . | What do doctors speculate ? | 426:435 |
./cnn/stories/f0d73bdab711763e745cdc75850861c9018f235d.story | BOGOTA , Colombia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A key rebel commander and fugitive from a U.S. drug trafficking indictment was killed over the weekend in an air attack on a guerrilla encampment , the Colombian military said Monday . Alleged cocaine trafficker and FARC rebel Tomas Medina Caracas in an Interpol photo . Tomas Medina Caracas , known popularly as `` El Negro Acacio , '' was a member of the high command of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia and , according to Colombian and U.S. officials , helped manage the group 's extensive cocaine trafficking network . He had been in the cross-hairs of the U.S. Justice Department since 2002 . He was charged with conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States and manufacturing and distributing cocaine within Colombia to fund the FARC 's 42-year insurgency against the government . U.S. officials alleged Medina Caracas managed the rebel group 's sales of cocaine to international drug traffickers , who in turn smuggled it into the United States . He was also indicted in the United States along with two other FARC commanders in November 2002 on charges of conspiring to kidnap two U.S. oil workers from neighboring Venezuela in 1997 and holding one of them for nine months until a $ 1 million ransom was paid . Officials said the army 's Rapid Response Force , backed by elements of the Colombian Air Force , tracked Medina Caracas down at a FARC camp in the jungle in the south of the country . `` After a bombardment , the troops occupied the camp , and they 've found 14 dead rebels so far , along with rifles , pistols , communications equipment and ... four GPS systems , '' Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said at a news conference . `` The death of ` El Negro Acacio ' was confirmed by various sources , including members of FARC itself . '' Medina Caracas commanded FARC 's 16th Front in the southern departments of Vichada and Guainia . Established in 1964 as the military wing of the Colombian Communist Party , FARC is Colombia 's oldest , largest , most capable and best-equipped Marxist rebel group , according to the U.S. Department of State . E-mail to a friend Journalist Fernando Ramos contributed to this report . | Who managed the drug ring ? | 45:48 |
./cnn/stories/8452f5f3bbb0d04af6380fe84966d2c98d59266d.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Authorities Tuesday recovered the body of an eighth missing snowmobiler buried in avalanches in southern British Columbia , a spokesman for the the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said . Authorities found seven bodies a day after avalanches in British Columbia , Canada . Sgt. Tim Shields said the body was recovered around 11:38 a.m. . The seven other bodies were recovered Monday . Their identities were not immediately released . David Wilks , mayor of Sparwood , the small town where the snowmobilers lived , said all were men in their 20s . The eight men , and three others who escaped , faced two avalanches Sunday about 20 kilometers -LRB- 12 miles -RRB- east of Fernie , a town in the Canadian Rockies about 300 kilometers -LRB- 190 miles -RRB- southwest of Calgary , Alberta . The three survivors suffered minor injuries , and one was hospitalized overnight . The men had been in an area called Harvey Pass , which police called `` a popular backcountry snowmobile destination . '' Police said an avalanche buried part of the group and , as others came to help them , a second avalanche buried them . '' Two of the buried riders managed to self-rescue within about 20 minutes . These two used their avalanche beacons to locate a third buried victim who they rescued after an additional 20 minutes of digging , '' police said . The mayor described the snowmobilers as upstanding citizens , most of them working in coal mines or as businessmen . `` All were well aware of the dangers involved in snowmobiling . All are very cautious with what was going on , '' Wilks said . The mayor said temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit in recent weeks had warmed up in the last two or three days to 25 degrees Fahrenheit . | What number of the buried riders managed to rescue themselves ? | 201:202 |
./cnn/stories/7358adf580e448c8fde7e2dae445074aa07c6c31.story | LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Scientists in the United States are developing a `` synthetic tree '' capable of collecting carbon around 1,000 times faster than the real thing . A conceptual design of how the `` synthetic tree '' might look should they ever reach the stage of production . As the wind blows though plastic `` leaves , '' the carbon is trapped in a chamber , compressed and stored as liquid carbon dioxide . The technology is similar to that used to capture carbon from flue stacks at coal-fired power plants , but the difference is that the `` synthetic tree '' can catch carbon anytime , anywhere . `` Half of your emissions come from small , distributed sources where collection at the site is either impossible or impractical , '' said Professor Klaus Lackner , Ewing-Worzel Professor of Geophysics in the Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering at Columbia University . `` We aim for applications like gasoline in cars or jet fuel in airplanes . We are going after CO2 that otherwise is nearly impossible to collect , '' he told CNN . While the idea of carbon-catchers may sound far-fetched , an early model has been built and Lackner is in the process of writing a proposal for consideration by the U.S. Department of Energy . He personally explained the concept in a 45-minute meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu last month at a three-day symposium on climate change in London . `` He was there and I was there and he showed interest , '' Lackner told CNN . `` That 's exciting , but I do n't particularly want to discuss this in a public forum because I think this gives me a little bit of an opportunity to tailor my proposals to the Department of Energy in a way that makes them more palatable . '' Lackner started working on the concept of an ambient carbon catcher in 1998 . `` I argued back then and I still argue that the reason this can be done , from a theoretical point of view , is that the CO2 in the air is actually surprisingly concentrated , therefore the device you need to collect CO2 is quite small . '' The `` synthetic tree '' looks more like a public convenience block than a hi-tech method of reducing carbon emissions , but Lackner told CNN it is highly efficient for its size when compared , for example , to a modern power-generating wind turbine . `` If you give me one of those big windmills which have those big areas through which the rotor moves -- how much CO2 can I avoid ? And if I had an equally sized CO2 collector -- how much CO2 can I collect ? It turns out the collector is several hundred times better than the windmill . '' Is the `` synthetic tree '' an interesting alternative , or a scientific flight of fancy that 's unlikely to happen ? Sound Off below . Lackner told CNN that initial concerns over the cost of the technology were focused on the `` front-end '' carbon collector , including the sorbent used to catch the carbon dioxide in the air . But after years of research , Lackner told CNN he and his colleagues have developed a sorbent that is `` close to the ideal , '' in that it uses a relatively small amount of energy to release the CO2 and is not prohibitively expensive . `` By the time we make liquid CO2 we have spent approximately 50 kilojoules -LSB- of electricity -RSB- per mole of CO2 . '' Compare that , Lackner said , to the average power plant in the U.S. which produces one mole of CO2 with every 230 kilojoules of electricity . `` In other words , if we simply plugged our device in to the power grid to satisfy its energy needs , for every roughly 1000 kilograms -LSB- of carbon dioxide -RSB- we collected we would re-emit 200 , so 800 we can chalk up as having been successful , '' he said . Lackner told CNN the biggest cost was at the `` back-end '' of the collector , primarily the technology used to release the CO2 from the sorbent . He said for that reason , on a cost-basis , the `` synthetic tree '' could not compete with modern coal-fired power plants that are designed to release fewer carbon emissions than their older predecessors . But he said when compared to the cost of retro-fitting an existing coal plant , the `` synthetic tree '' becomes more viable . `` The bottom line is we have in this way the ability to deal with the problem at a cost which is somewhat higher than on a coal-fired power plant retro-fit , but not much higher . '' Besides , he said , the technology is not being developed as an alternative to the carbon capture and storage methods currently being tested for large-scale use on coal-fired power stations . He 's targeting carbon that 's already in the air . The concept of the `` synethic tree '' has caught the imagination of one of the first scientists to warn the world about global warming , Lackner 's colleague at Columbia University , Newberry Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences , Professor Wally Broecker . `` I 'm extremely excited about this . I think this is something that the world 's going to have to have , unfortunately , '' Broecker told CNN from Madrid where he received a BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for his work on the issue of climate change . Broecker told CNN most people still do n't recognize the magnitude of the task the world faces in reducing global carbon emissions , and it was likely that one day urgent action would need to be taken , above and beyond the current measures being discussed . `` We 're probably not going to stop CO2 rising until it 's double what it was near-1800 and maybe even more than that , '' he said . `` I think we will find that the planet is too warm , ice is melting too fast ... and we 'll want to bring the CO2 back down again . The only way we can do that on a short timescale would be to pull it back out of the atmosphere . '' Broecker told CNN the units could stand in the middle of Australia , for example , and their presence would n't significantly disrupt the atmospheric distribution . `` Each unit would take out a ton of CO2 a day -- which would be the amount of CO2 produced by 20 average automobiles in the U.S.A. And the cost of each unit would be about the cost of a Toyota . So that would mean if you added a five percent surcharge on automobile purchases that money could go to building units to remove the CO2 those vehicles are going to create . '' | What does the tree do ? | 21:23 |
./cnn/stories/174cf1e044a2493cc998cbed0c8ea063f560560f.story | COLOMBO , Sri Lanka -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sri Lankan soldiers have seized a key rebel stronghold after launching a surprise attack early Sunday morning , the head of Sri Lanka 's army announced . Sri Lankan army chief Sarath Fonseka says a key Tamil town has been taken in a national TV broadcast Sunday . Troops crossed a lagoon and entered the town of Mullaittivu before encountering heavy resistance from Tamil fighters , according to the government-run news agency . `` Our troops fought their way through a 40 km -LRB- 25 mile -RRB- thick jungle track , '' Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said in a televised address on Sunday . `` This is the long awaited victory and I am happy to say that our heroic forces today captured the Mullaittivu town after 12 years , '' the Sri Lanka Army chief said . There is no confirmation from the rebels that the strategic garrison has been overtaken . The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam -LRB- LTTE -RRB- -- commonly known as the Tamil Tigers -- have fought for an independent homeland for the country 's ethnic Tamil minority since 1983 . The civil war has left more than 70,000 people dead . The rebels gained control over Mullaittivu in 1996 and established a military garrison there , according to the government . In recent days , the military has made significant progress in its campaign to recapture rebel strongholds . Earlier this month , troops regained control of the northern town of Elephant Pass , the point at which mainland Sri Lanka links to the northern Jaffna peninsula . It had been in rebel hands for more than nine years . The re-capture enabled the government to use a highway linking the mainland to the peninsula to move troops and supplies . Previously , it was done by air and sea . `` The area that the LTTE has dominated has shrank phenomenally , '' Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India , C.R Jayasinghe , told CNN . `` They lost ... about 90 percent of what they had . '' Despite major government gains , critics point to ongoing civilian casualties resultant from the conflict . `` This is an important strategic success for the army , but literally tens of thousands of people , children , are in the line of fire , '' United Nations spokesman James Elder said in a phone conversation Sunday . `` Some Sri Lankan U.N. staff are trapped there , '' he added . `` Convoys are going to the area , delivering emergency supplies , but these are not sufficient for the number of people in need . '' Sri Lankan authorities are barring journalists and humanitarian aid workers from areas where heavy fighting is taking place . Amnesty International spokesman Shuransu Mishra estimated that `` over a quarter of a million of the population , mostly Tamils , are trapped between the two sides . '' The organization says greater access and protection for aid workers and journalists are needed as news agencies struggle to report an accurate picture of the conflict . `` The Sri Lankan authorities are doing little to ensure the safety of the country 's media , or to prosecute those responsible for murdering or attacking them , '' Amnesty International spokeswoman Yolanda Foster said in a written statement on Friday . `` They -LRB- Sri Lankan authorities -RRB- are also directly responsible for subjecting journalists to harassment and interrogation , '' she said . At least 14 journalists have been killed since the start of 2006 , according to the statement . Others have been driven from the country by death threats , or in fear of detention and torture by government authorities , it said . | When did rebels gain control ? | 212:213 |
./cnn/stories/2f94b28a4c6adeb0260d2c49f3a91daed63097a6.story | -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 . | Who died of cancer at age 64 ? | 23:25 |
./cnn/stories/09219dd44d20f76a3d09330ee3a38d8566a32b64.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A thin girl with caramel skin and a yellow silk blouse walks alone through a barren landscape of rubble . Nway prepares for her new job , selling vegetables from her aunt 's garden . Her legs are marked by cuts . Her face is smeared with white streaks of powder . And her eyes are blank as she sifts through the debris of what used to be her home before Cyclone Nargis slammed into Myanmar one night and swept her parents away . Her name is Nway , and that 's how she looked when aid workers found her after Nargis destroyed her isolated village . She refused to talk about the cyclone , pretending it never took place . She became , according to a CNN story , the '' girl who refuses to remember . '' A year later , an aid worker returned to the village to see how Nway was doing . She found Nway living in a tidy , bamboo house flanked by palm trees . The 8-year-old greeted her visitor with a big smile . Then she asked whether she could play with her visitor 's hair . Pam Sitko , the aid worker , said Nway -- like thousands of people in Myanmar -- is slowly recovering one year after Nargis demolished their country . `` After all of her pain and loss , she really is a spunky girl , '' said Sitko , who works with World Vision International , a humanitarian group . `` She was n't shy about reaching out to touch my blonde hair . '' The night everything changed Nway 's resilience is shared by many in Myanmar , aid workers say . Last year 's cyclone was catastrophic . It killed at least 140,000 people and left at least 2 million people without homes , according to the United Nations World Food Programme . The brunt of the storm hit Myanmar 's delta region , the country 's bread basket . It wiped out crops , shrimp farms and fish ponds . A year later , many fields remain unplanted ; supplies are short , and the lack of drinking water complicates recovery efforts , World Food Programme officials say . Yet some sense of normal life is returning , said Mia Marina , a program support manager for World Vision 's Nargis response efforts . World Vision is building cyclone-resistant schools and providing supplies to cyclone survivors . `` Most of the people are going back to their livelihoods , '' Marina said . `` Kids are going to school . The markets are open . '' The people of Myanmar are also buying planting tools and seed in preparation for the monsoon rains that typically come in May , Sitko said . `` Everyone is hoping that this is the moment that it turns around , '' Sitko said . `` It 's an exciting time , a time of hope . '' That hope appears to have spread to Nway . She is fortunate to be alive . The cyclone killed her mother and father . The winds were so powerful that they blew away the village buffalo . In Nway 's village , 120 people out of a population of 430 people lost their lives . Nway survived because she was staying with her aunt . The pair joined a group squeezed in to the village headman 's house to survive , Sitko said . Nway would n't talk about the cyclone after aid workers found her a month later . She would walk away whenever she was asked about that night . Now , according to Sitko , who wrote about her meeting for World Vision , Nway can talk a little about her loss . Sitko said Nway shared one memory from the morning after the cyclone while sitting in her aunt 's house : `` When I walked to my aunt 's house that day , my legs were scratched , and I passed lots of dead bodies , '' Nway said . `` I wanted to help , because everyone was working , but I was too scared , so I only helped clean up my auntie 's yard . '' Nway dreams of her future Nway prefers to talk about other subjects . One is her new job . She helps her aunt sell vegetables from their garden . On most mornings , she smears white powder made from tree bark on her cheeks -LRB- it 's used as a skin beautifier by women and children in Myanmar -RRB- . Then she balances a tray of vegetables on her head and walks to a village road to call out to potential customers . Nway told Sitko that she 's made `` four new best friends . '' They like to memorize new words and play hide and seek after school . `` I 'm always the fastest runner , '' she told Sitko . Nway is starting to become aware of life outside her village . `` She was very proud , '' Sitko said . `` She explained that she had recently taken a trip to another village with her aunties , and she was n't afraid . '' Nway does n't know , though , where she would attend school as she gets older , Sitko said . She 'll have to pay to attend school away from her village one day , but her aunt and uncle ca n't afford the costs . `` She wanted to study and said that she was smart , '' Sitko said . `` She said she would be willing to travel to a school outside of her village if she had to . '' Nway has already taken a more difficult journey . The shocked girl who aid workers met a year ago has changed , Sitko said . Now Nway can remember -- and smile again . `` I was expecting a very different girl , '' Sitko said . `` The little girl I met was very confident . I think she 's been really transformed by our experience . '' | what did the survivor come to be known as ? | 136:141 |
./cnn/stories/9aa6463127d1efcba4403a185b29849a3688db8d.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Police have arrested a man in the killing of Auburn University freshman Lauren Burk , who died this week , according to the Auburn , Alabama , assistant police chief . Courtney Larrell Lockhart , 23 , of Smiths , Alabama , is charged with capital murder during a kidnapping , capital murder during a robbery , and capital murder during an attempted rape , Tommy Dawson said Saturday . The Phenix City Police Department took Lockhart into custody on Friday , police said . Phenix City is about 35 miles southeast of Auburn . Burk , 18 , from Marietta , Georgia , was found shot on North College Street , a few miles north of campus , on Tuesday night . She died later at a hospital . Minutes after police responded to the call reporting an injured person and found Burk , they found a car -- which turned out to be Burk 's -- on fire in a campus parking lot . Dawson told reporters Friday that authorities think gasoline or another accelerant was used to ignite Burk 's car , and police were investigating whether a gas can found in downtown Auburn was connected . Police want to investigate every possible lead , Dawson said . Authorities were still on patrol in the east Alabama campus , he said . The university 's Web site said a campus-wide memorial service will be held Monday . The site carried a message from Burk 's father , James , which said : `` The Burk family was so proud to have Lauren as an Auburn University student . We want to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation for Auburn University , the city of Auburn and the Auburn Police Department . We feel very close to your community . We appreciate what everyone is doing for us and Lauren . '' Also on Friday , police released pictures of a 2001 Honda Civic similar to Burk 's car . Authorities asked anyone who thinks they might have seen the car on Tuesday to contact them . Police are continuing to interview people , Dawson said . A student at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill -- Eve Carson , 22 , of Athens , Georgia -- was also shot to death this week , on early Wednesday . Authorities in Chapel Hill said Friday they had been in contact with Auburn police but did not believe the two cases were connected . Watch CNN 's Nancy Grace discuss the two killings of college women from Georgia '' Burk 's family , in a statement read Friday to reporters by family friend Kathy Singleton , expressed their gratitude for the thoughts and prayers offered , but asked for privacy `` so that they may grieve for their loss as well as celebrate Lauren 's life . '' Those wishing to honor Burk could do so by donating to her favorite charities , Singleton said -- The Invisible Child and the American Kidney Foundation . Donations can be made at any Wachovia Bank to the Lauren Burk Memorial Fund . E-mail to a friend | whose car was found | 147:148 |
./cnn/stories/909194043525676c0206f35f1af3e20aeed80aa7.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Insurgents locked in a standoff with U.S. Marines tricked them by dressing up as women to escape , a task force spokesman said Monday . U.S. Marines scan the site of a blast that hit a U.S. vehicle in southern Afghanistan . Women and children had been caught in the standoff between the armed groups , but some of the women were not what they seemed , according to task force spokesman Capt. William Pelletier . After the Marines began taking fire from insurgents in the town of Khan Neshin , in south Afghanistan near the Helmand River , the militants ran into a multiple-room compound , the U.S. military said . Unsure of whether civilians were inside the compound , the Marines had an interpreter talk to the insurgents , said an official who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak publicly . After some time , a number of women and children left the compound , the military official said . The released hostages told the Marines that there were no more civilians inside the compound , Pelletier said . But the Marines held their fire anyway , the official said . About 4 p.m. -LRB- 7:30 a.m. ET -RRB- , in the midst of the standoff , another group of women and children emerged from the compound , the official said . The Marines continued to hold their fire and wait out the insurgents , the official said . Finally , a screaming woman emerged from the compound with a bullet wound to her hand , Pelletier said . Then , another group of women came out , covered from head to toe according to custom , he said , with a couple of children in tow . The Marines attended to the wounded woman while the others walked away . When the Marines went into the compound , they discovered that it empty , Pelletier said . That 's when they realized the fighters had dressed up as women to escape , he said . `` Apparently these were tall , rather broad-shouldered women with hairy feet , '' Pelletier said . The Marines ' restrained approach differs from previous hits on compounds when airstrikes were readily called in , the official said . Under a new tactical directive for forces in Afghanistan , some of which was unclassified Monday , forces must protect civilians soldiers and must be sensitive to Afghan cultural norms regarding women . Pelletier said that during the standoff , `` the Marines did n't have any female forces to do any searches , and they were n't going to violate cultural norms by patting down these women . '' The standoff in the town of Khan Neshin was especially significant because it has been a Taliban stronghold for several years , and the U.S. military reported that the Afghan government regained control of the town Monday . Coalition forces began talks with local leaders several days ago and have moved about 500 Marines into Khan Neshin , a U.S. military news release said . The government takeover of Khan Neshin marks the first time coalition forces have had a sustained presence so far south in the Helmand River valley , the release said . The mission to secure Khan Neshin coincides with `` establishing secure conditions '' for August elections in Afghanistan , according to the release . Elsewhere in Afghanistan , a six U.S. soldiers were killed Monday by two roadside bombs , a representative for NATO forces said . Four were killed in Kunduz province in northern Afghanistan , the U.S. military said . The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack . Two soldiers were killed in southern Afghanistan , NATO 's International Security Assistance Forces said . CNN 's Barbara Starr contributed to this report . | Against whom did Marines face off against in Khan Neshin ? | 87:88 |
./cnn/stories/aee72648dbaa6bd23edae260c05f0491fc9eeb6f.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Icelandic Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir of the center-left Social Democratic Alliance has claimed victory in general elections triggered by the collapse of the Nordic nation 's economy . Sigurdardottir celebrates victory on Saturday night . Sigurdardottir 's party , which has headed an interim government since February 1 , was on course to win around 30 percent of the vote or 20 parliamentary seats , according to state broadcaster RUV . The Left-Green Movement , the Social Democratic Alliance 's coalition ally , was expected to win 14 seats , giving the coalition a controlling 34-seat block in the 63-member Icelandic parliament , the Althing . `` I believe this will be our big victory , '' Sigurdardottir told supporters , according to Reuters.com . `` I am touched , proud and humble at this moment when we are experiencing this great , historic victory of the social democratic movement . '' Sigurdardottir 's electoral success marks a change of direction for Iceland , a nation 300,000 people , which has traditionally leaned to the right on political matters . Sigurdardottir , the world 's first openly gay leader and Iceland 's first female premier , has pledged to take the Atlantic island into the European Union and to join the euro common currency as a viable way to rescue Iceland 's suffering economy . But that ambition could bring Sigurdardottir into conflict with the Left-Green Movement which favors a currency union with Norway as an alternative to EU membership . Iceland has been in political turmoil since October , when its currency , stock market and leading banks crashed amid the global financial crisis . The country 's Nordic neighbors sent billions of dollars to prop up the economy , as did the International Monetary Fund in its first intervention to support a Western European democracy in decades . But weekly demonstrations -- some verging on riots -- finally forced Prime Minister Geir Haarde and his Independence Party-led center-right coalition to resign en masse on January 26 . The Independence Party was projected to win 16 seats in Saturday 's vote , according to RUV . | When did the financial crisis occur ? | 262:263 |
./cnn/stories/a679e6ad56c0deebd2612d96189120e1f850077e.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Verizon has been touted as having the biggest , baddest , fastest 4G around . It 's been this way since the carrier debuted its LTE network in late 2010 . But now that AT&T has joined the LTE game , consumers looking for top speeds might consider turning their focus to AT&T instead . If only for a while . Metrico Wireless , a firm that does network and mobile device analytics , took a look at 4G LTE service in the U.S. , focusing on two of the nation 's largest carriers , Verizon and AT&T . The company 's latest report shows that AT&T 's average LTE speeds are better than Verizon 's -LRB- for now at least -RRB- , and that LTE provides more than five times the performance of the carriers ' respective 3G offerings . Metrico used five 4G LTE handsets for its tests : two on AT&T , three on Verizon . On AT&T , the HTC Vivid and Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket were measured . The HTC Thunderbolt , Samsung Droid Charge and Motorola Droid Bionic were tested on Verizon 's network . In stationary download speeds , AT&T 's 4G LTE handsets outperformed those on Verizon , but Metrico believes this disparity is likely due to the fact that Verizon 's LTE service is more established and has significantly more subscribers using data on it . Indeed , as of April , Verizon had over half a million LTE subscribers . AT&T , meanwhile , just launched its LTE network in five markets this summer . But while AT&T 's data speeds were better , web pages actually loaded faster on the three Verizon smartphones tested . `` In general , the subscriber experience is not simply driven by the network or the device , but by the combination of the two , '' the report states . `` Even devices with similar specifications connected to similar network technologies still demonstrate variation in performance . '' This was especially true with regards to video performance . Of the smartphones tested , the Samsung Droid Charge -LRB- on Verizon -RRB- consistently yielded the highest frame delivery rate , while the Motorola Droid Bionic -LRB- also on Verizon -RRB- had the lowest . Also , if you 're really concerned about web page load times , consider this : All carrier-to-carrier comparisons notwithstanding , both AT&T and Verizon handsets delivered web page load times that were 80 to 85 percent shorter on LTE relative to 3G . What about battery life on an LTE device , notoriously reported as being poor ? Well , depending on how you use your device , you may be able to squeeze out a few more hours , as the report found that battery life was heavily related to app use . On the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket , you 're going to get 300 to 350 minutes of use out of your device , whether you 're a power user or someone who 's making calls all day long . On the Verizon Droid Bionic , though , those who primarily use their phones for voice calling will gain about 150 minutes of usage over those who spend most of their time on Twitter and Facebook . Verizon 's LTE network is currently the largest in terms of nationwide coverage , but AT&T 's is set to rival it as it expands . And , indeed , we 're finally beginning to see LTE infrastructure build-outs , industry-wide . Joining Metro PCS , Verizon and AT&T in the LTE game is Cricket Wireless , perhaps best known for its budget mobile phone and prepaid plan options . Cricket will offer speeds up to 6 Mbps with a 5 GB data cap . Sprint will begin rolling out its 4G LTE network in mid to late 2012 . Subscribe to WIRED magazine for less than $ 1 an issue and get a FREE GIFT ! Click here ! | What network is set to rival Verizon ? | 38:39 |
./cnn/stories/28bbbf57c580be154f0602cbfe8b63603ef5a3a4.story | BUENOS AIRES , Argentina -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Cristina Fernandez on Tuesday defended an increase in export taxes on grains that has riled many farmers , and she called on them to respect the law in protesting her policies . President Cristina Fernandez : Calls on rally Wednesday to support her policies . `` All my life I have soldiered in this party , which always believed in social justice , in the redistribution of income , which caused us to win and lose elections , '' she said in a nationally televised address from the presidential palace . `` But we were always respectful of the popular will . '' Fernandez , of the center-left Peronist movement , made her plea for comity a day after massive demonstrations in various cities blocked traffic and paralyzed much of the country . In a concession to her critics , Fernandez said the increase in taxes on exports of grains that she instituted in March by decree will be debated by Congress . But there is little likelihood that the Congress will order major changes , since her party controls both houses . But Hilda Duhalde , an opponent of Fernandez , was not persuaded . `` It 's true that they have a majority in both houses , but we have to put white on black and watch out for the small - and medium-sized producers , who are the ones suffering , '' she said . Argentina raised export taxes in March by more than 10 percent . Fernandez has said growers have benefited from rising world prices and the profits should be spread to help the poor . Farmers have countered that they need to reinvest the profits and that the higher taxes make it difficult for them to make a living . Fernandez said she was open to dialogue , but a dialogue that does not countenance the blocking of roads or other disruptions to the lives of Argentines . `` Democracy for the people , not the corporations , '' she said . She called on Argentines to take to the Plaza de Mayo Wednesday in a show of support for her policies . `` It does n't matter what party , place or sector you 're from , '' she said . `` What is important is not where you 're from , but where you are going -- what kind of country do we want ? '' To those who do not agree with her policies , she had other advice . `` If they want to change the economic model , what they should do is organize a political party , participate in elections and win them , '' she said . CNN 's Carolina Cayazzo contributed to this report . | Who complains about the high taxes ? | 280:281 |
./cnn/stories/116a6d4e8a65f7c92be15bfec01042bd2d7b60d3.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo expects the Italian team to improve on their record of just one grand prix win in 2011 when the Formula One season resumes later this month . Montezemolo watched his charges struggle in the opening rounds of this year 's championship , with Fernando Alonso 's victory at the British Grand Prix in July giving Ferrari their only maximum-points haul of the campaign so far . But the Maranello-based outfit have experienced an upturn in form of late , with two-time world champion Alonso finishing on the podium at each of the last four races -- including a third-place finish at Sunday 's Hungarian Grand Prix . Despite recent results Spaniard Alonso , 30 , still trails current standings leader and reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull by 89 points and sits fourth in the drivers ' championship . Button : `` Red Bull should be worried '' `` I can see the right spirit in the team after a very difficult start to the season , '' Montezemolo , 63 , told the team 's official web site . '' -LSB- Team principal Stefano -RSB- Domenicali and his crew seem very determined , concentrating fully on their tasks for the second part of the year which I am sure will feature Ferrari in the role of a key player . `` I expect we will pick up wins to add to the important and historically very significant victory achieved at Silverstone , '' he added . Latest F1 standings after the Hungarian Grand Prix Formula One is at the start of a three-week mid-season break , with teams required to cease work on their cars for part of that time . The 2011 season will resume with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa on August 28 . | The Formula One season resumes with the Belgian Grand Prix when ? | 306:308 |
./cnn/stories/83a95fec0dd47ab82cf01b441727eb8dba32e0b3.story | ISLAMABAD , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hundreds of Pakistani residents have taken up arms and are battling local Taliban militants in the wake of a deadly mosque attack last week . A Pakistani police stands guard at a checkpoint in Peshawar , Pakistan on June 8 . It is the first major battle between the residents of northwest Pakistan and Taliban militants near the Afghanistan border . The residents are outraged over a suicide attack on a local mosque during Friday prayers that killed at least 40 people and wounded some 80 others . Starting on Saturday morning , some 400 villagers in the Upper Dir district formed a `` lashkar '' -- or militia -- to fight the Taliban , killing 14 of the militants as of Sunday evening , according to local administrator Atiq Ur Rehman . Four of the villagers have been injured in the battle , Rehman said . The militia have burned a number of houses thought to be sheltering the militants , according to Upper Dir police chief Ijaz Kahn . Both the residents and Taliban fighters are using heavy weapons , including rocket launchers and anti-aircraft weapons , Rehman said . There is a long history of Taliban presence in the area , including foreign fighters in leadership roles , local officials said . Authorities said Taliban fighters were driven out of Shot Ghas and Ghazigay -- two villages where the Taliban have support . The villagers took up arms against the Taliban after Friday 's suicide attack at a mosque in Hayagay Sharqi -- a village in Upper Dir located about 35 km -LRB- 22 miles -RRB- from the Afghan border and known for being against the Taliban . Upper Dir is a part of the Swat Valley , where the Pakistani military has waged a month-long operation against Taliban militants , but the district has not been part of the ongoing military offensive . The United Nations has said an estimated 2 million Pakistanis have been displaced by fighting between the Pakistani military and Taliban militants . The militants threatened to continue attacking cities in Pakistan until the military ends its operations against Taliban militants . As a result , Pakistani authorities have increased security in Islamabad , Pakistan 's capital city . CNN 's Ingrid Formanek and journalist Nasir Habib contributed to this report | What did the official say about the weapons being used ? | 199:217 |
./cnn/stories/fb78373c7d5a72bf64598bb4f0e705738f31a4d7.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Coming back this weekend after a stay in Europe , I had that distinct sensation -- last felt when Lehman Brothers capsized , setting off the Great Recession -- that we once again find ourselves at the mercy of events and people just beyond our control . Here at home , one hears that by Wednesday dawn , we will know whether BP 's latest big try to stop the oil spill will work . If it does , we can begin to feel that we are moving in the right direction , but if it does n't -- well , no one is quite sure what Plan D looks like . Is this really where we have come : that the fate of our precious coastlines and the waters off our coasts are in the hands of a single foreign-based company ? A month ago , it looked like the White House was on top of this problem , as Cabinet officers scurried here and there , the Coast Guard and others swung into action , there were talks with BP , and the president paid a personal visit . But increasingly , it has become apparent that the federal government may be present but is not in charge . It keeps saying that BP bears ultimate responsibility . It is keeping the press away . No wonder James Carville , Chris Matthews and Donna Brazile exploded late last week . They are right on a basic point : Ultimately it is not the responsibility of BP or any other company to protect American interests but the responsibility of the federal government . Some Obama supporters have argued that the 1990 Oil Pollution Act limits the president 's capacity to take action . Others disagree . Either way , in an emergency , laws can be changed . Although this disaster is not an existential threat , it could be argued that if the U.S. government had fought World War II in the same way it has fought the oil spill , we might well be speaking German now . Faced with a growing danger to our well-being , a WWII-type government would at minimum have : • Brought in the CEOs of all the major oil companies and charged them with the duty of an all-hands collaborative effort to stop the spill and help ward off the damage . • Brought in the best minds in the country , from universities and technology , for emergency efforts to find solutions . • Moved quickly to mobilize the National Guard and other military forces , if necessary , ensuring that they received the resources needed to protect our beaches . • Made a clear call to citizen volunteers to help where necessary . • Given Cabinet officers an ultimatum : Get this under control in the next 30 days , or else . There will be ample time after this disaster for finger-pointing and blame-laying . The key now is to get this spill under control before it does far more damage . Meanwhile , the Washington Post had it exactly right Monday morning when it argued that with the European crisis spreading now beyond Greece , `` the knife-edge psychology currently governing global markets has put the future of the U.S. economic recovery in the hands of politicians in an assortment of European capitals . '' Across Europe , one finds people stunned at the rapidity with which this crisis has grown , threatening not only their weak economies but also their dreams of a European utopia with people living a honeyed existence . All that could go smash now . Indeed , it is ironic that Europe may now be forced to give up its strong welfare state even as the U.S. is moving toward it . But the immediate point is that the U.S. finds itself too much at the mercy of whether European politicians and publics now make the right moves . It may take a while , but Americans are going to start feeling a lot happier about our country when we once again believe we have strong control of own destiny . Leadership , anyone ? The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Gergen . | David Gergen saying about the government ? | 206:214 |
./cnn/stories/7018e29f808ad4f2a83ece085cb831e6f1cb1be8.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- After meeting a number black couples in crisis , Nisa Muhammad and Dr. Rozario Slack were inspired to create Basic Training for Couples . Nisa Muhammad , who founded National Black Marriage Day , co-created the Basic Training for Couples program . The eight-week program educates dating , engaged or married couples about the value of commitment , responsibility to the black community , psychological differences between the sexes , sexual intimacy and conflict resolution . Slack created the male-friendly portion while Muhammad , who founded National Black Marriage Day and the Wedded Bliss Foundation , created the female-friendly portion . In the program , couples also learn about the history of the African-American marriage and many for the first time plot their own family tree to trace marriage and divorces . The following is rundown of the eight-week course : Class No. 1 : Why marriage ? This class teaches the benefits of marriage for men , women , children and the community . It gives the history of marriage in the black community from slavery when marriage was illegal to today 's trends . Icebreaker : Q & A : How couples met ? Homework : 1 . Choose songs to reflect their love for each other 2 . Marriage family tree Class No. 2 : From I to we ; the sweetness of surrender This class helps couples transition from `` I thinking '' to `` we thinking . '' It helps them understand the value of making their marriage a priority in their lives . Class No. 3 : Communication ; getting your message understood This class helps couples take responsibility for their communication and teaches skills to improve their communication techniques . Main lessons : • Respecting differences between men and women • Learning to talk to each other and not at each other • Format : Teaching session with dialogue . • Activity : The talking stick , during conversation only the individual holding the stick can speak . Class No. 4 : Conflict management This class helps couples understand that conflict needs to be managed , or it will manage you . It helps to normalize some conflict that couples experience with the understanding that some conflict can not be resolved and can only be managed . Lessons : • This class targets biases . When there 's a difference of opinions , generally the stronger spouse wants his or her way . • How to bring closure to old issues instead of combining them into new issues/conflict . • Agree to disagree and not degrade your spouse for having a difference of opinion . Activity : Break up into gender groups to discuss current conflicts . The group works out ways to solve the issue Class No. 5 : Let 's make love When the sex is good in a marriage , it 's only about 20 percent of what 's going on . When it 's bad , it 's a significant problem . This class helps to solve some of those problems . The approach was from a physiological and biological perspective of the differences between the male 's and female 's body . Discussion included chemical bonding effect in women and men . Class No. 6 : From yours and mine to ours Many couples in the black community bring children from other relationships to their marriage . This class helps to blend the family into one cohesive unit . It also talks about preventing in-laws from becoming outlaws . Class No. 7 : Keeping the FIRE burning FIRE is an acronym for Faithful , Intimacy , Responsibility and Excitement . This class helps couples maintain the FIRE in their relationship . Class No. 8 : From this day forward This class helps couples understand the value of commitment in their marriage and never to make divorce an option . They create their own place for success . Recap of all the lessons together : • Remembering people gravitate to the applause • Ways to appreciate and affirm your spouse • Setting time for just the two of you • Learning to communicate , getting your message heard and understood Bonus class : Hot monogamy Gets couples comfortable to discuss sex with their spouse . Graduation A ceremony of new beginnings , couples testify what the class brought to their marriage over the eight-week period . Lots of emotions and bonding during this time between husbands and wives . Graduating couples are encouraged to bring a couple from their community or family who needs help . | where is it held ? | 40:45 |
./cnn/stories/bad69c9a3c7d84a4717705a3063dd7367243772b.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Panama City Beach , Florida , police are looking for a hotel security guard accused of raping an Alabama student and throwing her off a sixth-floor hotel balcony , a police spokesman told CNN . Police released this photo of Shawn Wuertly , who worked as a hotel security guard in Panama City Beach , Florida . The 18-year-old woman from Tuscaloosa , Alabama , remains hospitalized , but her injuries are not life-threatening , Lt. Dave Humphreys said . The incident happened early Monday at the Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort in Panama City Beach during spring break . Police have issued an arrest warrant for Shawn Wuertly , 29 , who worked as a security guard at the resort , Humphreys said . He is wanted for attempted felony murder , sexual battery and false imprisonment . Wuertly had been questioned by police regarding the attack , but they lacked the evidence to hold him , the spokesman said . The police investigation has found that the suspect had seen the girl `` several times '' at the hotel and had `` taken a liking to her at some point , '' Humphreys said . Around 1 a.m. on Monday , the suspect grabbed the woman and pulled her into an unoccupied room on the sixth floor , using his key to get in , Humphreys said . She said he sexually assaulted her and , after a brief altercation , threw her over the balcony , the police spokesman said . She hit two smaller roofs on her way down , which likely saved her from more serious injuries , before she came to rest in a second floor stairwell , Humphreys said . After his initial questioning , Wuertly told police he was leaving for Tennessee and would return on Wednesday . Wuertly has an outstanding arrest warrant , something that police did not discover until after he was released . `` Obviously no one checked his warrants because he has an outstanding warrant in Indiana , '' Humphrey said , noting that police are `` not happy and will address that . '' CNN 's calls to the hotel 's manager regarding Wuertly 's outstanding warrant were not returned . E-mail to a friend | Have police located Shawn Wuertly ? | 128:131 |
./cnn/stories/f5ecbbb7d41f75f3a9409b36f3972ed65b8adec0.story | SAN MIGUEL DEL MONTE , Argentina -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In a small farming town 105 kilometers -LRB- 65 miles -RRB- southwest of Buenos Aires , farmers are struggling to nourish their crops and feed their animals . The worst drought in half a century has turned Argentina 's once-fertile soil to dust and pushed the country into a state of emergency . Argentine farmers profited in years past from selling beef to the world , but some now struggle to feed their cattle . Cow carcasses litter the prairie fields and sun-scorched soy plants wither under the South American summer sun . Farmers are concerned about their livelihoods . `` I 'm losing money . I ca n't afford to lose money all the time , '' said Juan Cahen D'Anvers , whose family has been farming in Argentina since the late 1700s . He owns 700 hectares -LRB- 1,730 acres -RRB- in San Miguel del Monte , where he grows sunflowers and barley . He says this year is one of the hardest he 's ever had . Watch farmer explain how hard he 's been hit '' `` Production is going to go down a minimum of 50 percent , maybe more . I do n't know yet , '' he said . Argentina is one of the world 's breadbaskets , providing commodities such as soy , wheat , corn and beef to countries around the globe . In recent years , record-high prices for these products reaped millions of dollars for Argentine farmers , but since the global economic crisis hit , demand and profits have dropped . Now the drought is making matters even worse . Cesar Gioia , another San Miguel del Monte farmer , said time is growing short . `` If it does n't rain in the next 10 days , I will have to wipe out my entire corn crop , 90 hectares -LRB- 220 acres -RRB- , '' he said . `` The best I can do with it is feed it to my cows . '' Facing pressure from farmers , Argentina President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner announced emergency measures this week that will exempt the worst-hit farmers from paying most taxes for one year . `` This is a big boost of patriotism , and a sign of support from all Argentines , '' Kirchner said on January 26 . `` All other sectors of the economy will continue to contribute , so we can help the farmers who have been affected by this drought . '' Kirchner has had a contentious relationship with farmers , who staged noisy protests and strikes last year over an increase in export taxes . Those taxes eventually were reduced , but farming leaders still contend that the government is out of touch with their needs . They say the measures announced this week fall short , and are demanding a cohesive , long-term plan for dealing with emergencies such as the current drought . If not , they say , they may strike again . Watch how farmers reacted to Kirchner 's move '' `` Sure , this plan is approved now , and it helps , but we need money to feed cows , to go back to planting crops , because this drought is impacting life in every sector of society , '' said Eduardo Buzzi of the Argentine Agrarian Federation . As she yanks dead soy plant vines from a dusty field in San Miguel del Monte , Lorena del Rios of the Argentina Rural Society says she expects the drought to affect both Argentine and overseas consumers , especially when it comes to Argentina 's world-famous beef . `` We will see less meat available , which means rising prices , '' she said . `` There is even the possibility that in a few years Argentina will have to import beef , which is almost unthinkable for people here . '' | Where is the drought hitting ? | 5:6 |
./cnn/stories/e620ed92abb263c485bab0bbd64b349e6317c938.story | -LRB- Entertainment Weekly -RRB- -- How are the elements of the charming , traditional romantic comedy `` The Proposal '' like the checklist of a charming , traditional bride ? Let me count the ways ... Ryan Reynolds wonders if marrying his boss , Sandra Bullock , is a good thing in `` The Proposal . '' Something old : The story of a haughty woman and an exasperated man who hate each other -- until they realize they love each other -- is proudly square , in the tradition of rom-coms from the 1940s and '50s . Or is it straight out of Shakespeare 's 1590s ? Sandra Bullock is the shrew , Margaret , a pitiless , high-powered New York book editor first seen multitasking in the midst of her aerobic workout -LRB- thus you know she needs to get ... loved -RRB- . Ryan Reynolds is Andrew , her put-upon foil of an executive assistant , a younger man who accepts abuse as a media-industry hazing ritual . And there the two would remain , locked in mutual disdain , except for Margaret 's fatal flaw -- she 's Canadian . -LRB- So is `` X-Men 's '' Wolverine ; I thought our neighbors to the north were supposed to be nice . -RRB- Margaret , with her visa expired , faces deportation and makes the snap executive decision to marry Andrew in a green-card wedding . It 's an offer the underling ca n't refuse if he wants to keep his job . -LRB- A sexual-harassment lawsuit would ruin the movie 's mood . -RRB- OK , he says . But first comes a visit to the groom-to-be 's family in Alaska . Amusing complications ensue . Something new : The chemical energy between Bullock and Reynolds is fresh and irresistible . In her mid-40s , Bullock has finessed her dewy America 's Sweetheart comedy skills to a mature , pearly texture ; she 's lovable both as an uptight careerist in a pencil skirt and stilettos , and as a lonely lady in a flapping plaid bathrobe . Reynolds , meanwhile , is just refining his dry comedy thing , learning to get the most from his deceptive cute-face looks . Who knew these two would , hmmm , complete each other ? Working together , both are surer and more disciplined in delivering their comedy goods . iReport.com : `` Proposal '' has `` plenty of laughs '' Something borrowed : The boisterous family dynamics . The eccentric supporting players -LRB- none more extreme than Oscar Nunez from `` The Office '' -RRB- . The snappy screwball dialogue in Pete Chiarelli 's script . And the way Anne Fletcher directs like a camp counselor wrangling bunkmates ... it 's all been seen before . For a reason . These elements work . Something blue : As the wise and saucy matriarch of the family , the divine 87-year-old Betty White has fun as one hot grandma -- and inspires her younger stars to say `` I do , '' too . EW Grade : B + CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly | EW : `` The Proposal '' is a top-notch what ? | 14:16 |
./cnn/stories/eb9177b8462d6c9d5ce0d99a36414a560d2e6d5c.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Israeli President Shimon Peres said he had an amicable phone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan , a day after Erdogan stormed offstage during an angry exchange with Peres at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland . Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan leaves the stage Thursday , as Israeli President Shimon Peres sits , left . Peres said he and Erdogan did not take the spat personally . `` I called him up and said , yes , it 's nothing against you , nothing against Turkey . We consider you as a friend , '' Peres said . He said Erdogan reciprocated . Although there was no mention of an apology , Peres said there was a polite exchange between the two leaders . `` I did n't take it personally . I did n't go for a personal fight . I answered unfounded accusations . It was my duty . And they did n't change my mind , '' he said . Watch Shimon Peres on the Gaza conflict  '' Turkey , a predominantly Muslim nation , has long been the Jewish state 's closest military and economic partner in the region , and Turkey recently mediated indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria . But many Turks have been incensed with Israel over its three-week military operation that ended there earlier this month . And in Davos , Erdogan was angered after Peres said that Israel is committed to peace and blamed Hamas for the fighting in Gaza , where Israel staged a three-week military operation that ended earlier this month . When Erdogan began responding , a moderator cut him off , saying the debate had run over its allotted time . Erdogan patted the moderator on the arm until he was granted one more minute to respond . Watch commentary on Erdogan 's angry exchange  '' `` I know the reason behind raising your voice is because of the guilty psychology , '' he said to Peres . `` My voice will not be that loud . You must know that . When it comes to killing -- you know killing very well . I know how you hit , kill children on the beaches . '' He then left the stage , complaining that Peres was receiving preferential treatment . `` From now on , Davos is finished for me , '' Erdogan said . `` I will not come back . You wo n't let people talk . You gave him 25 minutes , but you gave me 12 minutes . This is not right . '' Erdogan had described the military campaign against Hamas fighters in Gaza as `` barbaric '' and accused Israel of using excessive force . He said : `` The Palestinian Territories are like an open-air prison , isolated from the world . I have always been a leader who said anti-Semitism is a crime against humanity . But so is anti-Islamism . '' Peres had said Hamas was responsible for the `` tragedy , '' accusing the Islamist militants of creating a `` dangerous dictatorship . '' `` Israel left Gaza completely -- no occupation , '' Peres said . `` I want to understand why they throw rockets at us . '' On Friday , after his outburst , Erdogan returned home to a hero 's welcome . Thousands of people lined up at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul , cheering and waving signs . A large banner read , `` You Will Never Walk Alone , '' and smaller signs bore phrases including `` Davos Conqueror . '' People also were seen waving Turkish and Palestinian flags and throwing flowers on the road leading to Erdogan 's home . Despite the glowing response at the airport , there has been some criticism in the Turkish media of Erdogan 's exchange with the Israeli president . CNN Turk 's Deniz Bayramoglu said the issue was still `` hot '' with Erdogan 's secularist political opponents speaking out against the prime minister . `` They also say that Israel 's behavior in Gaza is unacceptable but they are very critical of Prime Minister Erdogan 's behavior , '' Bayramoglu said . `` Some are saying they are really proud of Prime Minister Erdogan and some are saying it is a diplomatic scandal . '' Erdogan explained whom he was directing his anger at during a news conference at the airport . `` My words were only to the Israeli government , not the Israeli people , '' he said . CNN 's Simon Hooper and Talia Kayali contributed to this report . | What country is Istanbul in ? | 94:95 |
./cnn/stories/b7f38f54c4073c6c1955c815ca146c4e04a47da5.story | -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Arsenal climbed to the top of the English Premier League with a 2-0 victory over London rivals West Ham despite playing half of Saturday 's clash with only 10 men . Arsene Wenger 's team moved a point above champions Manchester United , who host Liverpool on Sunday , while Chelsea dropped to third ahead of their trip to Blackburn . Carlo Ancelotti 's side can join Arsenal on 67 points with victory in that game . Gianfranco Zola 's West Ham team were left to rue a missed penalty as the defeat left them just three points above the relegation zone . Arsenal , who on Friday were handed a chance to avenge 2006 's Champions League final defeat by Barcelona in the upcoming quarterfinals , took the lead after just five minutes in the rain at the Emirates Stadium . Brazil midfielder Denilson fired in a low shot for his sixth goal this season , having dispossessed Valon Behrami and then played a neat one-two on the edge of the area with striker Nicklas Bendtner . But Arsenal could not turn their dominance into further goals , and West Ham should have leveled just before halftime when Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen was sent off as his nudge in the back of Guillermo Franco saw the Mexico striker tumble in the box . But Alessandro Diamanti saw his penalty saved by Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia , and the hosts also escaped in the second half when substitute striker Carlton Cole saw his fierce low shot hit the outside of the post . Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas made the points safe on his return from injury five minutes after that with a penalty on 82 , as England defender Matthew Upson paid the price for deliberately blocking the Spain midfielder 's clever little flick with his arm . Tottenham consolidated fourth place with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at 10-man Stoke , as substitute Eidur Gudjohnsen came off the bench to put the London club ahead before Dean Whitehead was sent off and then helped set up Niko Kranjcar 's 77th-minute winner . The on-loan Iceland forward netted just 18 seconds after halftime having come on for Roman Pavlyuchenko , who joined England striker Jermain Defoe on the injured list after suffering a hamstring problem in the first half . Whitehead went three minutes later for his second booking , but Stoke leveled on 64 as winger Matthew Etherington scored from the penalty spot against his former club after fullback Benoit Assou-Ekotto fouled striker Paul Kitson . Gudjohnsen 's dummy allowed Croatia midfielder Kranjcar to put the Londoners four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool , who will have played one more match after Sunday 's trip to bitter North-West rivals United . The victory was doubly important for Tottenham after fellow Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa had to come from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw with lowly Wolverhampton in the Midlands derby earlier on Saturday . John Carew put Villa ahead in the 16th minute despite appearing to be offside , and the Norway striker salvaged a point for the hosts with eight minutes remaining as he steered Steve Sidwell 's low shot into the visitors ' net for his 13th league goal this season . Wolves moved four points clear of the bottom three , but were denied a first win at Villa Park in 30 years despite Jody Craddock 's bundled 23rd-minute equalizer and an own-goal from England international James Milner seven minutes before halftime . The result left Villa in seventh , having played one less game than Tottenham , equal on 50 points with Manchester City , who travel to Fulham on Sunday . Everton moved above Birmingham into eighth place with a 2-0 win at home to Bolton , who had Gretar Steinsson sent off in the 71st minute for bringing down Nigeria striker Yakubu . Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta fired in the resulting freekick and South Africa international Steven Pienaar wrapped up victory with a minute to go after Leon Osman hit the crossbar . Birmingham crashed 3-1 at Sunderland , who eased their relegation worries as England World Cup hopeful Darren Bent scored twice in the first 11 minutes to take his Premier League tally to 20 goals this season and 21 overall . Wigan moved seven points clear of the bottom three with a 1-0 win over Burnley , as Colombia striker Hugo Rodallega 's 90th-minute header left the visitors deep in relegation trouble after a 15th defeat in 16 away matches . Hull remain second from bottom , behind Burnley on goal difference , as new manager Iain Dowie suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat at basement club Portsmouth in his match in charge . The visitors led 2-1 with 17 minutes to play after two goals from striker Caleb Folan , but Portsmouth 's on-loan midfielder Jamie O'Hara leveled in the 88th minute with a curled free-kick and the Nigerian veteran Kanu netted a late winner . Portsmouth are still set to be relegated after being docked nine points for going into administration , now 14 points from safety with eight games to play . | Who is Thomas Vermaelen ? | 203:205 |
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