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Atlanta , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Human remains found in Georgia on Saturday are being tested to see if they belong to a woman who went missing nearly a year and a half ago , a Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokesman said Sunday . Passersby found human bones about nine miles from where Kristi Cornwell of Blairsville , Georgia , was last seen in August 2009 , GBI spokesman John Bankhead said . Bankhead said the results of tests on the bones will be announced Monday morning . The site where the bones were discovered and Blairsville are both in Union County , in far northern Georgia . `` What you do first is compare people missing from Union County , '' Bankhead told CNN Atlanta affiliate WSB . `` Right now , the only person missing from Union County is Kristi Cornwell , so we 'll be looking to see if there might be -LRB- a -RRB- connection to these remains . '' Bankhead said that Cornwell 's family has been notified of the discovery . He said that authorities have a person of interest in Cornwell 's disappearance but would not provide further details . Last summer , on the one year anniversary of Cornwell 's disappearance , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said it had conducted interviews at 450 houses in the Union County area and that its file on the case had grown to 38 volumes . CNN 's Tina Burnside contributed to this report .
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Remains are being tested to see if they are those of Kristi Cornwell . Cornwell was last seen in August 2009 . Results on tests to be announced Monday .
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New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A propane gas tank leak that prompted the evacuations of an estimated 900 homes in Shirley , New York , was contained , officials said Saturday night . After conducting an air quality sampling of 100 residences , officials decided to allow all residents to go home , said Suffolk County spokesman Dan Aug. . Electricity was restored , with the exception of a shopping center that holds the 30,000-gallon underground storage tank . Fire and other workers were able to close a leaking valve on the tank in the Long Island town , Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy said in a statement . The leak was discovered at 1:15 a.m. by a driver of a propane delivery truck , the county said . Red Cross spokesman Craig Cooper arrived at a local high school about 3 a.m. Saturday to help some of the evacuees , many of whom were without important medications . `` People literally showed up in their pajamas , '' he said , estimating that about 150 residents had registered at the school . The leak affected a five-mile radius around Shirley on Long Island 's southern shore , according to Sgt. Greg Heller of the Suffolk County Police Department . Heller told CNN that the leak was not suspicious , but because propane gas stays low and close to the ground , authorities decided to evacuate nearby homes . The leak also shut down rail service between Patchogue and Speonk , according to Long Island Rail Road spokesman Mike Lewi . `` I commend our county , town , American Red Cross and volunteer emergency services personnel for this tightly coordinated response , '' said Levy . CNN 's Laura Batchelor and Angelica Bonus contributed to this report .
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NEW : Residents are allowed to go home . The leak is successfully contained in Shirley , New York . Homes and businesses within a 5-mile radius of the leak were evacuated . The Red Cross assisted evacuees .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rafael Nadal has beaten Roger Federer 7-6 7-6 in the final of the World Tennis Championships exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi . The world No. 1 recovered from 3-0 down in the first set tie-break to eventually win 7-4 as Federer made a series of unforced errors to gift the Spaniard the opening set . The second set proved equally close with both players unable to force a break of serve . But Nadal made lighter work of the second set tie-break to overcome the World No. 2 7-3 . The two men last met each other in November at the ATP World Tour Finals event in London where Federer was the victor in three sets . What were the top tennis moments of 2010 ? Nadal will be looking to regain the Australian Open title he won back in 2009 when the tournament starts on January 17 in Melbourne . Should he succeed , he will hold all four grand slam titles at the same time , having won the French Open , Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2010 .
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World No. 1 overcomes Roger Federer 7-6 , 7-6 in exhibition final in Abu Dhabi . Nadal takes opening set tie-break after unforced errors from World No. 2 . Spaniard will hold all four grand slam titles at once if he wins Australian Open later this month .
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Atlanta , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In responses to four suits accusing him of coercing young men into sexual relationships , prominent Georgia pastor Eddie Long denies the claims and asks that the suits be dismissed . `` The plaintiff 's claims of sexual misconduct are not true , '' each of the four responses filed by Long 's attorneys says . The responses , each about 30 pages , offer a point-by-point response to each of the allegations and claims in the lawsuits . The documents were posted on the website of CNN affiliate WSB . Four members of Long 's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church -- Anthony Flagg , 21 ; Maurice Robinson , 20 ; Jamal Parris , 23 ; and Spencer LeGrande , 22 -- filed suit against Long and the 25,000-member megachurch in September , claiming he used his position as their spiritual counselor to pressure them into sexual relationships . The suits allege that the relationships , which began when the men were in their teens , lasted over many months . According to the lawsuits , Long traveled with the young men to locations in the United States and abroad , sharing a room and engaging in sexual contact with them , including massaging , masturbation or oral sex . The suits also claim Long provided the youths with gifts including cars and money . Long , one of his attorneys and a church spokesman have already publicly denied the allegations . In the responses filed Monday in DeKalb County , Georgia , Long 's attorneys maintain the pastor was attempting to be a father figure to the youths , providing them with financial assistance and encouragement and helping them navigate their troubles . Long has `` been successful at building a ministry at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church that places a special emphasis on outreach to men , reinforcing to men the importance of partnering with a ministry that will grow them spiritually and will help them develop the life skills needed to become successful in the workplace and teach them how to become entrepreneurs and leaders , '' the court documents said . `` Bishop Long admits that he mentors many young men from challenged backgrounds , who have often been without the benefit of a male role model , '' according to the documents . `` The mentor/mentee relationship between Bishop Long as mentor and the mentee is firmly grounded on expressed promises of honesty and truthfulness . '' Long provided cars for the youths so they would have transportation to school and work , according to the responses , and provided them housing when they needed it -- in the case of LeGrande , for instance , because his school had no dormitory and he was living in a hotel room , and in the case of Flagg , because he could not return to his mother 's home after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting her during a confrontation . Long provides many church members with employment , the responses said . Attorney B.J. Bernstein , who represents the four men in their suits against Long , told CNN Tuesday she had not yet received copies of Long 's responses to the suits . Bernstein has alleged Long groomed the youths for sex , telling CNN in September , `` he gets to know them and gets the trust , and then bit by bit -- first it 's a hug . It 's just like any sexual predator ... Ask any victim of sexual abuse . It is a progression . '' Long admits that he `` provides opportunities for travel , education and personal growth to many members of his congregation '' and claims in the responses that he often shares hotel rooms with members of his congregation when traveling . Some of the young men have said that Long encouraged them to call him `` Daddy . '' In his responses to the suits , Long 's attorneys say that the `` entire New Birth membership calls Bishop Long ` Daddy ' or ` Bishop . ' '' Participants in the pastor 's LongFellows Youth Academy call him `` Pop , '' according to the documents , and members of other churches call Long `` Granddaddy . '' `` The references to and association between Bishop Long -LRB- and other religious leaders -RRB- and a ` Spiritual Father ' is based upon the crisis in the African American community of fatherlessness , '' the documents said . LeGrand claims that Long provided him with Ambien , a sleep aid , during a trip to Kenya . Long said nearly everyone on the Kenya trip had trouble sleeping due to the time change , and that he himself took Ambien to help him rest , but denied LeGrand 's allegations against him . Also , `` Bishop Long admits that it is common among his church congregation for members to hug each other and hug the Bishop , '' his attorneys said in the response to LeGrand 's suit . `` However , Bishop Long has no recollection of a prolonged hug with plaintiff . '' The suits also name the academy and church as defendants , saying they failed to warn the young men . Long says in his response that since no untoward conduct took place , the academy and church did not fail in their duty to warn the youths . Long also asks the court to set a status and scheduling conference `` for the purpose of simplification of the issues and management of the case . '' LeGrand told WSB last month , `` I have no hate for anyone ... I just pray for everyone . Especially the bishop , because he knows the truth . '' CNN 's Marylynn Ryan contributed to this report .
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Pastor Eddie Long says he was youths ' mentor . Long says he provided cars and housing to assist the young men . The youths did travel with him , but no sexual contact occurred , he says .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Looking to get away this holiday season ? Who better to find the deals than agents catering to notoriously cash-strapped students ? We spoke with Patrick Evans of the student travel agency STA Travel , Danielle Carlson of StudentUniverse and Anne Banas of Smarter Travel , who offered recommendations for five places around the globe that offer an especially great value for trips from December 1 through January 25 . The first two weeks of December and the first week of January are known as `` dead weeks '' in the travel industry , and are the `` absolute best time to travel in the entire year , '' Banas said . So why not follow college students during their winter break to visit awesome destinations at low prices ? 1 . Costa Rica . With an average temperature of 72 degrees during the winter , travelers will enjoy a wonderful climate during a holiday retreat to Costa Rica . Visitors can explore tons of outdoor activities including beaches , canopy tours and national parks . `` Latin American countries are a great value right now because a lot of airlines are increasing service to these locations , '' Banas said . Carlson added that Costa Rica is her company 's top selling Latin American location , followed by Buenos Aires , Argentina ; Santiago , Chile ; and Lima , Peru . 2 . Lima , Peru . Speaking of Lima , why not spend winter break visiting the largest city in Peru ? Adventurous travelers can venture beyond the metropolis to explore the jungle , climb the Andes Mountains , and discover the lost city of the Incas . `` Air travel is great in Lima , with tons of low-cost carriers flying there , '' Banas said . Check out other great travel tips and destinations at Five To Go . 3 . Panama City , Florida . Panama City and neighboring Panama City Beach are n't just for spring breakers . Indulge in shopping , helicopter tours , or spend a day at Ripley 's Believe It or Not Museum . With highs in the 60s even during winter , there 's always something to do in the area . Florida also boasts another destination with good values during winter break : Orlando , Carlson said . Many of the major attractions in the area offer deals this time of year . You can avoid the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds right after the New Year 's holiday , when theme parks often reach capacity . 4 . Boston , Massachusetts . `` Boston is really , really cheap and affordable to get to , '' Banas said . While travel prices tend to be rising nationwide , it is actually getting less expensive to travel to Boston . `` Jet Blue is now using Logan Airport in Boston as a secondary hub , '' Banas explained . Additionally , AirTran has had a strong presence in Boston , and with Southwest just starting to fly into the airport last year , it makes Logan a powerhouse of low-cost airlines . So if the cold does n't bother you , winter break would be the best time to come check out the museums and all this city has to offer . 5 . London , England , and Paris , France . Wave at the Queen during a trip to London or visit Paris for some pastries and French berets . `` For Europe , we 're seeing a huge interest in flights to London , with Paris ranking second , '' Carlson said . Additionally , London and Paris are among StudentUniverse 's top destinations in Europe for hotels offering a great value . `` British Airways is offering some crazy cheap hotel packages , with roundtrip flights from 20 major U.S. cities and two nights in a London hotel for $ 412 if you book by November 3 , '' Banas said . London and Paris are year-round destinations , so why not visit during the off-season for tourists ? `` During the winter travel months -- excluding holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas -- many of the European destinations are going to be just as beautiful as they are during the summer , but with less tourists you 'll have shorter lines for the sites and often find more welcoming local businesses since they are n't overrun with tourists , '' Evans said . In fact , December is said to be the best time to visit France , as the already beautiful country is decorated with lights , holiday ribbons , and is full of Christmas markets . Banas said the post-holiday deals are often posted right after Thanksgiving . Add that to your Black Friday shopping list !
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Many airlines are increasing service to Latin America , making it a great value . While travel prices tend to be rising , it is getting less expensive to travel to Boston . London and Paris are just as beautiful in the winter , but offer better values and fewer tourists .
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Los Angeles -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Zsa Zsa Gabor 's doctors took `` one last shot '' at saving the ailing actress ' leg with powerful antibiotics her publicist said Monday afternoon . If the newest treatment at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center does not heal a `` very deep '' lesion in her lower leg , it will be amputated below the knee , according to spokesman John Blanchette . `` She has to be on very strong antibiotics for the next few days and then they will decide what kind of operation to go ahead with , '' Gabor 's husband , Prince Frederic Von Anhalt , told HLN 's `` The Joy Behar Show '' Monday . Gabor , whose 94th birthday is next month , has not been told that amputation is a possibility , Von Anhalt said . `` I 'm not going to tell my wife that she probably could lose her leg , '' he said . `` She 's going to get a heart attack . '' Doctors recommended that Gabor check into the hospital before Christmas , he said , but she did n't want to go . `` She was crying and begged me ` Please do n't bring me to the hospital over the holidays , ' '' he said . Her condition worsened in recent days as gangrene set in , he said . `` It smells already bad , '' In November , Gabor was hospitalized for a swollen leg , her husband said at the time . Paramedics initially suspected Gabor suffered from a blood clot in her left leg , but an emergency room doctor at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center later determined she had an infection , according to Von Anhalt . Gabor has been frail and `` pretty much confined to a wheelchair '' since a 2002 car accident , Von Anhalt has said . The crash happened when the car in which she was riding with her hairdresser slammed into a light pole on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles . The Hungarian-born actress , the second of the three celebrated Gabor sisters , is most famous for her many marriages . Among her husbands was Oscar-winning actor George Sanders . Her more prominent films include John Huston 's 1952 Toulouse-Lautrec biopic , `` Moulin Rouge ; '' `` The Story of Three Loves '' in 1953 ; `` The Girl in the Kremlin '' in 1957 ; and Orson Welles ' 1958 classic , `` Touch of Evil . '' CNN 's Douglas Hyde contributed to this report .
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NEW : The actress has not been told she may lose a leg . Doctors hope antibiotics can heal Zsa Zsa Gabor 's deep leg lesion . Gabor 's leg would be amputated below the knee if the drugs fail . Gabor , 93 , has been unable to walk since a 2002 car crash .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- German champions Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of Brazilian defender Luiz Gustavo from Bundesliga rivals Hoffenheim . As part of the deal , which the German media have reported is worth an estimated $ 15 million -LRB- $ 20 million -RRB- , Bayern 's 18-year-old Austria midfielder David Alaba will move in the opposite direction on loan until the end of this season . `` Luiz Gustavo is the player we always wanted , and he 's making the team stronger , '' Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the club 's official website when the January transfer window opened on Monday . Bayern will be hoping the new acquisition can help revive their domestic fortunes , with Louis Van Gaal 's team fifth in the table and 14 points behind runaway leaders Borussia Dortmund during the winter break . Who will be the bargain signings of the January sales ? Gustavo arrived at Hoffenheim from Brazilian team Corinthians Alagoano in 2007 , and was part of the side which gained promotion to German football 's top tier in 2008 . He will fill the boots of Argentina 's Martin Demichelis , who has completed a transfer to Spanish side Malaga after seven years with last season 's UEFA Champions League runners-up . Inter Milan , who beat Bayern in the 2010 final , have sealed the capture of Italy center-back Andrea Ranocchia from Genoa . The 22-year-old , who made his international debut against Romania in November , has signed a contract with the Nerazzurri which will run until 2015 . Hoffenheim promote Pezzaiuoli to top job . France international defender Adil Rami has agreed a transfer to Spanish La Liga side Valencia . However , the 25-year-old will remain with French Ligue 1 leaders Lille on loan until the end of this season before he moves to the Mestalla in July . `` I am happy to have made my dream of playing for one of the great European teams come true , '' Rami told Valencia 's website . `` Valencia are well-known throughout the world and in France , so I have achieved something that all footballers aim for . ''
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Bayern Munich complete deal for Hoffenheim 's Brazilian defender Luiz Gustavo . The German champions ' teenager David Alaba will go to Hoffenheim on loan . Inter Milan sign young Italy defender Andrea Ranocchia from Serie A rivals Genoa . France defender Adil Rami has agreed to join Valencia from Ligue 1 leaders Lille .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An Ohio man pleaded guilty Thursday and was sentenced to life without parole for killing and dismembering a woman , her son and her friend and hiding their bagged remains in the hollow of a tree . Matthew Hoffman , 30 , pleaded guilty to all 10 counts , including three counts of aggravated murder and the kidnapping of one of the victim 's 13-year-old relatives , in Knox County , Ohio , in November . According to his attorney , Hoffman said he committed the crimes after encountering Tina R. Herrmann when he entered the house during a burglary attempt . But the sister of Stephanie Sprang , one of the other victims , said there was no excuse for him killing Herrmann and waiting for the other victims to come to the house . `` Death is too easy for him and we would rather pay tax dollars and let him suffer and live and deal with what he did every day , '' Sherrie Baxter told CNN affiliate WSYX . The remains of Herrmann , 31 , her son , Kody , and Stephanie Sprang , 41 , were found November 18 in a rural area after they had been missing 10 days from Herrmann 's home . Autopsy results indicated they had been stabbed to death and dismembered . Hoffman , who worked as a tree trimmer , was indicted Monday and the plea and sentencing agreement were detailed during a hearing Thursday . `` The indictment alleges that Hoffman purposely caused the deaths of Tina R. Herrmann , Ms. Herrmann 's son Kody Maynard , age 11 , and her neighbor Stephanie L. Sprang , on November 10 , 2010 , '' prosecutors said about the indictment . `` The aggravated murder charges further allege that Hoffman murdered the victims while he was committing the offense of aggravated burglary in Herrmann 's residence . '' The indictment did not include death penalty specifications , authorities said , `` in accordance with the wishes of the victim 's families . '' CNN left a message for Hoffman 's attorney , Bruce Malek , who told WSYX that Hoffman had remorse for what he did and felt it was important for the victims ' remains to be found . Police previously had said Hoffman provided information leading to the recovery of the remains . The 13-year-old girl was found bound and gagged in the basement of Hoffman 's home in Mount Vernon , Ohio , about 20 miles from Herrmann 's home in Howard , Ohio . Hoffman was charged with one count of rape for allegedly assaulting the girl , prosecutors said . Besides the aggravated murder , aggravated burglary , kidnapping and rape charges , Hoffman faced a charge of tampering with evidence for allegedly removing some clothing and bedding from Herrmann 's residence in order to hinder the investigation , authorities said . He also pleaded guilty to three counts of abuse of a corpse . Prosecutors those charges were filed because `` the victims ' remains were not intact when recovered by authorities in a hollow tree '' in Kokosing Lake State Wildlife Area . According to the Columbus Dispatch , in a statement read by Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher , the girl said : `` This has changed my whole life and my family 's life , too . '' In the statement , the teen related memories of the victims and said she 's no longer frightened of Hoffman . `` This is so sickening , Matthew , to know you even had the guts to do this to a family , '' she said in the statement . Herrmann failed to report to work at a Dairy Queen in Mount Vernon on November 10 , Knox County Sheriff David Barber told CNN affiliate WBNS . A deputy twice went to her home and saw her pickup truck there . No one answered the door , though lights were on in the home . Later in the week , blood was found in the home , leading authorities to suspect foul play . Sprang 's father , Steve Thompson , said he was satisfied with the sentence . `` They are many answers that I still need , '' he told WSYX . `` I am confident and sure we will find them later on down the road . ''
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Matthew Hoffman enters guilty pleas in November killings . He admitted to killing two women and an 11-year-old boy . Defendant said he entered home to commit theft . He also kidnapped a 13-year-old girl from the home .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Mid-table English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers want to sign former world player of the year Ronaldinho and persuade football icon David Beckham to come to them on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy . Rovers ' manager Steve Kean said the prospect of AC Milan star Ronaldinho and Beckham coming to Ewood Park during the January transfer window was a sign of the ambition shown by the club 's new Indian owners . `` If you asked any Premier League manager if they wanted somebody who had been the world player of the year twice , then I reckon they would say ` yes I 'm interested , '' he told the club 's website on Tuesday . `` It is something that puts us on the map as far as trying to bring players of great stature to the club . '' Who will be the bargain signings of the January sales ? Poultry giants Venky 's took control of the Blackburn in November and sacked former boss Sam Allardyce the following month when they handed the role to Kean . Ronaldinho , who was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 , has struggled to recapture his best form at the San Siro and has also been linked with a likely return to former club Gremio in Brazil . `` It shows our intent , '' said Kean on Blackburn 's bid for the former Barcelona playmaker . `` It shows we are trying to go to a different level and I think that can only be positive . `` In some areas it has been perceived and written about as if it is something of a negative , but I just ca n't see that . '' Former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder Beckham , who has been linked with a return to England during the Major League Soccer close season , has emerged as another target for Rovers . The British media reported Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are also chasing the 35-year-old , but Venky 's chair Anuradha Desai told the BBC that Blackburn were `` open whenever he is ready to come . '' Desai also confirmed the club 's interest in Ronaldinho and outlined the financial package on offer to the 2002 World Cup winner . `` He -LRB- Ronaldinho -RRB- is keen to play in the English Premier League and I think that goes in our favor . `` To be precise -LRB- it is -RRB- $ 7.6 m -LRB- $ 10.1 m -RRB- for the first year and about $ 8.5 m -LRB- $ 11.4 m -RRB- for the second and third years , '' she added .
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Blackburn Rovers have launched a bid to bring AC Milan 's Ronaldinho to England . The club have also confirmed an offer is on the table for David Beckham to come on loan . Manager Steve Kean says the double bid shows the club 's ambition . Indian poultry giants Venky 's took control of the EPL club in November .
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Tehran , Iran -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A woman sentenced to be stoned to death for adultery has not been executed , Iran 's official news agency reported Wednesday , rejecting `` Western media '' reports that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani had been executed . `` She is currently enjoying full health and is at the Tabriz Prison , '' the Islamic Republic News Agency quoted the head of the judiciary in the province as saying . `` Her case is being processed by the relevant judicial authorities of the province and is going through the due process , '' Hojatoleslam Malek Azhdar Sharif said . Her sentence of death by stoning drew worldwide outrage earlier this year . Authorities in Iran were reported to have given the go-ahead this week to execute Ashtiani as soon as Wednesday , although the method of killing her was not clear . French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Wednesday that he had spoken to his Iranian counterpart to urge Iran not to execute her . Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki assured him `` that a verdict in the case concerning Sakineh Ashtiani had not been reached by the Iranian legal authorities and that the information on her alleged execution did not correspond to reality , '' Kouchner said . Human rights groups and various governments have also urged Iran not to execute Ashtiani . Wednesday , European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton demanded that Iran stop the execution from going ahead and convert her sentence , a spokesman said in a statement . British Foreign Minister William Hague called the proposed stoning a `` barbaric punishment . '' `` I think it will damage Iran in the eyes of the world , '' Hague told reporters . `` It will be much better not to proceed with it . I think many people across the world are outraged by the punishment and the prospect of it being carried out , and I would urge them even now to desist from it . '' Iran said Wednesday the global reaction is just a way to pressure its government . `` They have become so shameless regarding the subject of human rights that they have turned the case of Sakineh Ashtiani , who has committed murder and betrayal , into a human rights issue and are using it against our nation , '' Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told the ISNA news agency . `` This case has been turned into a symbol of seeking freedom for women in the West and they are shamelessly demanding her freedom . They are , therefore , trying to turn an ordinary -LRB- court -RRB- case into a lever to pressure our nation . '' Ashtiani initially was sentenced to death by stoning for adultery . The Iranian government later said she was also convicted of murdering her husband , but her lawyer and family dispute that . Ashtiani , 43 and a mother of two , drew international attention when she was sentenced to death by stoning . She concedes that she was convicted of adultery , as initially reported , but says she was acquitted of murder . `` The man who actually killed my husband was identified and imprisoned , but he is not sentenced to death , '' she said in August . The Iranian government 's claims that she was convicted of murder are a lie , she told The Guardian newspaper through an intermediary . `` They are embarrassed by the international attention on my case , and they are desperately trying to distract attention and confuse the media so that they can kill me in secret . '' Ashtiani 's son and her attorney are still in jail after being arrested last month , said Mina Ahadi , a spokeswoman for the International Committee Against Stoning . Also still detained are two German journalists who tried to interview them . Before his arrest , Ashtiani 's son , Sajjad Ghaderzadeh , said court officials stole documents and files pertaining to the murder of his father in order to `` promote his mother as a murderer . '' Ahadi also said the Iranian regime `` fabricated '' the murder charges . In August , Ashtiani appeared on state TV confessing that she knew about a plot to kill her husband but felt she had been misled . Amnesty International condemned the interview . Ghaderzadeh and attorney Hootan Kian will not be issued a lawyer , because the government claims they do not need one , according to Ahadi . Ashtiani 's other former lawyer , Mohammad Mostafaei , is being protected by European diplomats after he fled to Turkey from Iran . Mostafaei claims that Iranian authorities tried to arrest him without cause . CNN 's Shirzad Bozorgmehr in Tehran , Iran , and Saskya Vandoorne in Paris , France , contributed to this report .
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NEW : Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is in `` full health '' and her case is being processed , IRNA reports . She was scheduled to die by stoning . Authorities gave the go-ahead for her execution this week . French Foreign Ministry says execution has not happened .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A voluntary recall of breaded chicken wings will take a bite out of the nation 's supply during the flurry of college football bowl games . Pilgrim 's Pride on Thursday recalled about 180,000 pounds of Pierce Hot & Spicy Breaded Chicken Wings and Sweet Georgia Brand Hot & Spicy Breaded Chicken Wings because they contain egg , an undeclared allergen , officials said . The U.S. Agriculture Department 's Food Safety and Inspection Service said the problem was discovered by the company through a labeling review as part of its quality-assurance program . Egg is not shown among ingredients on the labels , the agency said . Cilantro , celery recalled . The recalled products , which carry the item codes 1703 and 95122 , were sold to food service distributors in 20-pound and 10-pound cases , respectively . They were produced in the company 's plant in Boaz , Alabama . There have been no reports of adverse reactions because of the consumption of the products , the company and federal officials said . Each uncooked product bears the designation `` P-413 '' printed adjacent to a coded date , as well as coded designations of `` 0001 , '' `` 0007 , '' `` 0029 , '' `` 0044 , '' `` 0056 , '' `` 0058 , '' `` 0063 , '' `` 0075 , '' `` 0098 , '' `` 0109 , '' `` 0119 , '' `` 0135 , '' `` 0188 , '' `` 0215 , '' `` 0230 , '' `` 0244 , '' or `` 0279 . '' The wings were produced on various dates between January 1 , 2010 , and October 6 , 2010 , and sent to 30 food service distribution centers for further distribution to restaurants , the inspection service and company said . Consumers or distributors with questions regarding the recall may call Pilgrim 's toll-free line at 800-321-1470 .
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Poultry company recalls two types of breaded chicken wings . Labels did not say packages included eggs . Pilgrim 's Pride recall was voluntary .
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[[159, 344]]
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A national soccer league in Algeria has canceled matches scheduled for Friday and Saturday after riots in the capital and elsewhere this week . The Algerian National Football League announced the cancellations in Al Watan , a local newspaper . The matches were canceled in an effort to prevent large groups of young people from gathering . The streets were mostly calm in the Algerian capital on Friday , and many imams appealed for calm during morning prayers . Rising prices for food staples like milk and sugar sparked protests in the nation this week , and some fear more violence will erupt . Algerian Minister of Trade Mustapha Benbada said the price of staples will go down next week , but he did not provide any further details . The demonstrators were mostly young men . `` They are burning tires , breaking into buildings , breaking everything . ... We can hear the screams , '' journalist Lania Tagzout said a few days ago . Adding fuel to the protesters ' anger are the high rates of unemployment and housing issues , socioeconomic problems that have been festering for some time . The government has blamed the rising prices and other issues on the global economic crisis . The demonstrations began Tuesday night , and are largely are unorganized , without any clear leaders , Tagzout said . There have been injuries among the protesters as well as police , but authorities are n't disclosing any numbers , she said . Police are n't engaging the demonstrators so far , but are using tear gas to contain them . And even though businesses are shuttered and many people are staying off the streets in the capital , there 's not much anger toward the protesters , she explained . `` Everyone understands that things will only change through violence . ''
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Soccer matches are called off after riots in Algeria . Several imams call for calm during Friday prayers . Rising food prices have sparked the protests .
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Johannesburg , South Africa -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Heavy flooding has left at least 50 people dead and hundreds homeless in South Africa 's Eastern Cape Province as residents continue to battle adverse weather conditions that have plagued the country since mid-December , authorities said Friday . `` We have requested the national government to declare the Eastern Cape a national disaster , '' said Provincial Minister of Social Services Pemmy Majodina . `` We are going to need billions of Rands to help residents reconstruct their homes and repair the damage caused by the floods . '' Dozens were killed as homes and buildings collapsed around them as a result of the flooding , which washed away bridges and destroyed roads , she said . Authorities continue to search for at least two flood victims , Majodina said . Many rural residents in the Eastern Cape live in mud hits that are unable to withstand heavy flooding . Eighteen others have died during recent electrical storms , Majodina added . In the neighboring province of KwaZulu Natal , at least 13 people have been killed by flooding and storms .
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Adverse weather has plagued the country since mid-December . Dozens were killed as buildings collapsed around them in Eastern Cape Province . At least 13 people have died in the neighboring province of KwaZulu Natal .
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Editor 's note : The staff at CNN.com has been intrigued by the journalism of VICE , an independent media company and website based in Brooklyn , New York . VBS.TV is Vice 's broadband television network . The reports , which are produced solely by VICE , reflect a transparent approach to journalism , where viewers are taken along on every step of the reporting process . We believe this unique reporting approach is worthy of sharing with our CNN.com readers . Brooklyn , New York -LRB- VBS.TV -RRB- -- At the foot of Mount Fuji , in the Chubu region of Japan , a lush and expansive forest named Aokigahara sits dauntingly . Local residents are told from an early age to avoid it altogether , as its sheer volume leaves little question that a curious youngster will be unable to find his or her way out of thickets that have become synonymous with a dark mythology . Though the area has served as a respite for the peaceful elderly suicides of yore , today it has devolved into the country 's ultimate destination of despondent citizens suffering under the pressures of Japan 's notoriously driven and achievement-based culture . Aokigahara is now the site of 50 to 100 suicides each year . Earlier this year , VBS contacted Azusa Hayono , a geologist who for more than 30 years has patrolled Aokigahara studying the land , serving as an environmental conservationist and stumbling upon the not infrequent dead body . A sweet , conscientious and demure man , it is strange to consider the amount of solitary carnage he has encountered . He 's come to act as a sort of counselor to the many people he finds contemplating death along Aokigahara 's pathways . See the rest of Aokigahara Suicide Forest at VBS.TV . As he led us into Aokigahara , so creepily scored with the echo of birds and crackling brush , the idea that Azusa was sane at all seemed almost impossible . That we 'd find a dead body , to us at least , was entirely possible -- so much so that when we did in fact stumble on what Azusa judged as a suicide from at least a year before , and were left staring at the decomposed corpse , we were shocked it had n't happened sooner . Over the course of our time with Azusa , this eerie side of Japanese culture came into clearer focus . He explained to us the numerous ways its citizenry is called on to excel -- and how the subsequent feelings of inadequacy mislead and often overwhelm . It paints a sweeping and telling portrait that a sole stretch of forest , born centuries before in the wake of a volcanic eruption , could come to represent to so many the only way of escaping the ways and pressures and apparent failures of an entire nation .
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The Aokigahara Forest is Japan 's most popular suicide destination . Lush , expansive land is the final resting place for 50-100 people a year . Geologist patrols the land , discovering bodies and counseling at-risk people .
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-LRB- Mashable.com -RRB- -- John wants to share some level seven Energizing Lotion in FarmVille ! How many times have you seen a similar sentence in your Facebook News Feed and either wondered what it means , or -LRB- if you 're familiar with Farmville and other popular Facebook games -RRB- removed the message in disgust ? Facebook is aware of the problem . While some users -- 200 million of them , revealed Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg at a Gaming Event in Palo Alto -- enjoy playing games on the service , others are n't interested . According to Facebook , users either `` love playing games or hate them , '' and the company so far did n't have `` the right tools to enable developers to grow their games while at the same time providing a great user experience for non-gamers . '' Thus , Facebook has devised a plan to make games less annoying to non-users , and more engaging to gamers at the same time . The first part is relatively easy : Facebook will simply be showing application stories only to users who are already engaging with the application , meaning that people who do n't play Farmville wo n't have to endure Farmville-related posts in their feeds . If Facebook decides you are interested in games , it will be displaying full game stories -LRB- instead of collapsed ones -RRB- in the News Feed , as well as adding prominent counts to those stories to highlight tasks that need to be completed within a game . Bookmarks will get smarter -- apps will be automatically bookmarked and reordered based on actual usage . Finally , Facebook will start notifying users when their friends start playing a game -LRB- in addition to highlighting their activity within the game -RRB- . From the users ' perspective , these are welcome changes , especially for non-gamers who wo n't be pestered by constant game-related notifications . From the game developers ' end , it remains to be seen whether these improvements will alleviate the fact that gaming-related notifications will now be less aggressive than before . © 2010 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
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Facebook is trying to limit updates about games , such as FarmVille , that some users find annoying . According to Facebook , users either `` love playing games or hate them '' Apps will be automatically bookmarked and reordered based on actual usage . Gaming-related notifications will now be less aggressive than before .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Delaware authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the recent discovery of the body of a former Pentagon official in a landfill , according to a statement released Monday by the Newark , Delaware , Police Department . The Delaware medical examiner 's office has ruled the death of 66-year-old John P. Wheeler a homicide . Wheeler was discovered at Wilmington 's Cherry Island Landfill on December 31 . Wheeler , who lived in New Castle , worked under three Republican presidents -- Ronald Reagan , George H.W. Bush , and George W. Bush . He served as a special assistant to the Air Force secretary from 2005 to 2008 . Among other things , he also served as head of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and was the first chairman of Mothers Against Drunk Driving . A staff officer in Vietnam , Wheeler was a graduate of West Point , as well as Harvard Business School and Yale Law School . `` We are asking for the public 's assistance '' in the case , Newark police spokesman Lt. Mark Farrall told CNN . `` We do n't know where the crime scene occurred . The body was dumped within our jurisdiction . '' Newark is about 12 miles southwest of Wilmington . Farrall noted that Wheeler 's body was seen jutting out of a garbage truck at the landfill by a spotter whose job it is to ensure that hazardous material is not dumped there . Police believe Wheeler 's body was most likely picked up by the truck at one of the first of ten specially designated dumpster pick-up spots before heading to the landfill . Farrall said police do not know when Wheeler was last seen . He noted that Wheeler had been scheduled to take a train from Washington to Wilmington near the time of the death , though he dismissed reports that Wheeler had actually been seen on a train . Farrall said an apparent dispute between Wheeler and a neighbor was `` one facet of the investigation . '' Wheeler 's attorney , Bayard Marin , told CNN that his client had been involved in a lengthy legal fight with a couple building a new home across the street in a historic district of New Castle . Wheeler had adamantly opposed the new construction . The dispute may have become contentious , but `` I ca n't recall a confrontation , '' Marin said . `` Everything seemed to be kept within normal bounds . '' The Newark Police Department released a statement on behalf of Wheeler 's family . `` As you must appreciate , this is a tragic time for the family . We are grieving our loss . Please understand that the family has no further comment at this time . We trust that everyone will respect the family 's privacy , '' the family said . Veterans advocates offered statements of praise for the former official , who served in Vietnam . `` It is only fitting that we pause now and remember Jack Wheeler , who served his country honorably , then dedicated himself to ensuring that our nation 's service members are always given the respect they deserve , '' said Jan Scruggs , president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund . What Wheeler `` cared about was civic values and civic virtue , '' wrote James Fallows , national correspondent for The Atlantic . `` He was a complicated man of very intense -LRB- and sometimes changeable -RRB- friendships , passions , and causes . ... I feel terrible for his family and hope they will eventually find comfort in knowing how many important things he achieved . '' CNN 's Alan Silverleib , Allan Chernoff , Sarah Baker , and Nina Golgowski contributed to this story .
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The body of John P. Wheeler was found in a landfill . Wheeler was involved in a lengthy property dispute with a neighbor . Delaware authorities are investigating the former Pentagon official 's death . The Delaware medical examiner 's office has ruled Wheeler 's death a homicide .
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London -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Prince William and Kate Middleton will have a wedding reception hosted by the queen at Buckingham Palace , the royal family announced Wednesday . The palace also said the wedding service will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday , April 29 , the date previously announced for the nuptials at Westminster Abbey . The Dean of Westminster will conduct the service , and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams will marry the couple , the palace said . The Bishop of London will give the address . After the wedding , the couple will go to Buckingham Palace for the reception , which will have guests `` drawn from the congregation representing the couple 's official and private lives , '' the palace said . William 's father , Prince Charles , will give a private dinner that evening followed by dancing , all to be held at the palace for the couple and their close friends and family . Those hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal couple will have plenty of chances . The palace said Middleton will travel to the wedding on a route that includes famous and picturesque London attractions , including The Mall , Horse Guards Parade , Whitehall , and Parliament Square . Once married , the couple will return along the same processional route to Buckingham Palace . British Prime Minister David Cameron has already said the wedding day will be a national holiday , and the event is expected to draw visitors from all over the world . William and Middleton , both 28 , announced their engagement November 16 . They met each other when they were studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and started dating in 2003 . The couple have already announced that after the wedding , they plan to live in north Wales , where William is serving as a search-and-rescue pilot for the Royal Air Force .
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The queen will host the wedding reception at Buckingham Palace . Prince Charles will host a dinner and dancing in the evening . The palace also announced the processional route .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Chilean miner who led Elvis sing-alongs for his colleagues while trapped underground for 69 days visited Graceland on Friday . Edison Pena was a special guest during Elvis Presley 's annual birthday celebration in Memphis , Tennessee , on Friday . Elvis would have been 76 this weekend . `` I ca n't describe it , '' Pena said through an interpreter . `` It 's something that makes an impact on me , visually . And being able to see it myself , is like , I feel in the clouds . '' The story of the miners , known simply as `` the 33 '' in Chile , transfixed much of the world during their 69-day ordeal about half a mile below ground . They have been popular on the American talk show circuit since their rescue in October and have been honored by Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and on the `` CNN Heroes '' show . The miners and their families toured Los Angeles in November . The entourage visited Hollywood landmarks such as the Walk of Fame stars on Hollywood Boulevard , including one belonging to Elvis Presley . It was an appropriate pilgrimage for Pena who asked for the music to be sent down into the mine during the ordeal . `` He is the king ; he is the best , '' Pena , 34 , said in November , as he posed for photographs beside Elvis ' star on Hollywood Boulevard . `` The sweetest of dreams . '' Later this month , the miners are headed to Disney World . Disney is picking up the tab for the miners , their rescuers and their immediate families during a six-night stay January 27 to February 2 . Each family will get a $ 500 gift card . The group will serve as honorary Grand Marshals of a Main Street U.S.A. parade .
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The 33 miners became instant celebrities after their rescue in October . Edison Pena visits Elvis Presley 's former home . He also visted Elvis ' star in Hollywood in November . Elvis would have been 76 on Saturday .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Do n't underestimate the power of a spilled cup of coffee . A United Airlines flight from Chicago to Frankfurt , Germany , was diverted to Toronto this week after the pilot dumped a cup of coffee on the plane 's communication 's equipment . The unwanted liquid triggered a series of emergency codes , including one for a hijacking , according to Transport Canada , the agency that regulates transportation in Canada . `` With the help of their company dispatch staff , the flight crew was confirmed the problem to be a NAV -LRB- navigation -RRB- / communication issue and not a valid code 7500 -LRB- for a hijacking or unlawful interference -RRB- , '' Transport Canada said on its website . Flight 940 initially was going to return to Chicago , but then diverted to Pearson International Airport in Toronto where it landed without incident around 10 p.m. Monday . United had little to say about the coffee spill that led to the diversion , and did not acknowledge that the caffeinated beverage had anything to do with it . `` Our review of the communications issue encountered on flight 940 continues , so it 's too soon to comment on any particulars that led to the captain 's decision to divert , '' United spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said late Tuesday . `` But important to note the crew did maintain contact with controllers , and the decision to divert to Toronto was the captain 's . '' The Boeing 777 had 255 passengers and crew aboard . United retrieved them from Toronto and took them back to Chicago where they were put on another plane to Frankfurt Tuesday afternoon .
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The coffee triggered emergency codes , including one for a hijacking . The flight was en route from Chicago to Frankfurt , Germany . The passengers caught a flight to Germany a day later .
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-LRB- Oprah.com -RRB- -- On my way to interview Dr. Ethel Person , M.D. , the celebrated psychoanalyst and Columbia University professor who teaches and writes about love , I took a little detour into my past . Around the corner from Person 's home was the quaint old brownstone where , long ago , a handsome stranger arrived on my doorstep . He was n't looking for love ; he was looking for an apartment . My latest bad-news boyfriend had just suggested I get silicone implants ; suddenly , I was ready to supplant him . The apartment hunter and I talked , we had coffee , and a year later , we got married . Where did I go right ? Ethel Person can answer that . She is a dark-haired woman with warm eyes and an air of absolute confidence . If love is a battlefield , she 's a five-star general . Her mission , these days , is to help people understand how love can turn their lives around -- though not necessarily in the ways they expect . `` I think romantic love is one of the great change agents , '' she says as we sit in her book-lined living room overlooking Central Park . `` We come to know ourselves in a different way when we fall in love , and whatever happens to that relationship , we are changed . We know something we did n't know before . We discover capacities that we did n't think we had . You did it , '' she tells me . `` You had a relationship that did n't work , and you changed . You said , ` Enough ! ' '' Oprah.com : Romance rehab . `` True , '' I answer , `` but look at all the years I wasted . '' Ethel Person disagrees . `` People should not judge failed love affairs as failed experiences but as part of the growth process . Something does not have to end well for it to have been one of the most valuable experiences of a lifetime . '' Try telling Cinderella that . Most people I know still cling to the idea that love has to have a happy ending . When a relationship breaks up , they feel cheated of their future . And if they 've never fallen in love , they become desperately afraid they never will . `` People can love more than once , '' Person assures me . `` And love happens to people of all ages , because one 's internal life changes , as well as one 's opportunities . I do n't see love as something that if you do n't get it by the time you 're 30 , cross it off the list . '' When you 're a therapist , she says , people come to you in anguish about a love affair that 's gone sour , a marriage that 's gone wrong . And some people worry that they 'll never be able to let go enough to love anybody : `` The reason is usually buried in their childhood , in some fear of being found wanting , or in parental disapproval . Not that the parent does n't love the child , but that the parent does n't see the potential beauty or the soul in a child , ca n't really endorse her in some way . `` People may also find it hard to love if they 've been abused by their parents or were so overmonitored that they feel any relationship means being imprisoned . Or someone may have had parents who were miserably mismatched and says , ' I will never let myself be in the situation that my mother was in . To get married is to give away my autonomy , and I 'm not going to do it . ' So our capacity to love often depends on having a good enough childhood -- not a great one , just good enough . '' Oprah.com : The biggest love myths . Can we ever undo the effects of a really disastrous childhood ? -LRB- I 've been married for 27 years now , and I 'm still working on that one . -RRB- . `` Yes , through experience , sometimes through therapy , '' Person says . `` Some people go away from home for college or a job and find out that not everybody is like the family they grew up in . What 's great is that we can relearn , recondition , and see other possibilities . '' Okay , but how do you preserve your hard-won sense of self and still experience the enraptured merging that most of us see as the essence of romance ? `` In fact , '' says Person , `` all love has this internal dynamic between togetherness and oneness , and independence and separateness . I think that for a love affair to flourish , there have to be independent interests that can be shared , as well as interests that are the same . `` One person described it well in talking about his parents . He said they were looking out in the same direction instead of always staring into each other 's eyes . Intense physical passion waxes and wanes . Once you 've had it , it can always come back . But what sustains you in between is having something that interests you both enough that you can share it , talk about it , do it together . '' A confession : My husband and I have had some of our biggest arguments about which video to watch . Mention the Three Stooges if you want to see my hackles rise . Oprah.com : Finding and keeping the love of your life . `` Well , you have to pick your fights , '' Person says , confessing that she herself is perfectly capable of fighting to the death over the color to paint a bedroom . `` Look , in any good relationship there have to be bursts of anger and disagreement . And in those moments , if somebody asked , ` Are you in love ? ' you 'd say , ` Are you kidding me ? ' But those become part and parcel of the journey . We have the capacity to repair relationships -- it 's like having a scratch that heals . In other words , our psychological makeup has built-in healing mechanisms the same way our body does . You have to have enough conviction in the strength of the bond that you can risk some disagreement . You have to be able to take a hit . '' A tall order if you 're already one of the walking wounded . Having grown up with parents whose fights were soul shattering , I thought relationship was a code word for pain . Giving up that preconception felt like a giant leap into the dark . It took years of dead-end love affairs -LRB- and a healthy dose of therapy -RRB- to push me over the edge . I not only had to find someone who could love me , I finally realized , I had to take the risk of loving him back . That 's the kind of risk Ethel Person fully approves of . `` People are so different in their ability to let go . They need to know in the back of their minds that if it does n't work , it 's not the end of the world . If I sorrow for anyone , it 's for someone who has never rolled the dice , rather than for someone who has rolled the dice and lost a hand or two . '' Oprah.com : How to make love last . Subscribe to O , The Oprah Magazine for up to 75 % off the newsstand price . That 's like getting 18 issues FREE . Subscribe now ! TM & © 2010 Harpo Productions , Inc. . All Rights Reserved .
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Psychoanalyst Ethel Person believes that love can turn a person 's life around . Person : `` I think romantic love is one of the great change agents '' Love has this internal dynamic between independence and separateness .
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Las Vegas -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Some call the Consumer Electronics Show `` Christmas for geeks . '' On the eve of the largest gadget conference on earth , CNN was here in Las Vegas to figuratively shake the presents under the tree and eavesdrop on gift givers to try to figure out what will define this year 's show . Many companies will be unwrapping their big-ticket items at their own news conferences on Wednesday , with still more to debut at the Las Vegas Convention Center starting Thursday . In the meantime , we put together a list of gadgets and applications that stood out from the crowd at the pre-show events on Tuesday . A Windows-Android mutant tablet-laptop . Tablets are hot , and Chinese computer maker Lenovo managed to draw crowds to its booth at CES Unveiled with one of its own . The LePad hardware is a spitting image of Apple 's iPad , but the software is anything but . The touch-screen tablet runs a version of Google 's Android that 's been heavily retooled and not necessarily for the better . It splits the application list into two tabs : work and play . The former consists mostly of productivity software , and the later has a heavy focus on multimedia . But the LePad is rooted in Lenovo 's comfort zone . The tablet acts as the screen for a IdeaPad U1 hybrid laptop running Windows 7 . Users can then detach the LePad from the clamshell hardware to tote it as a touch-screen gadget . The transition from the Android software to the more desktop-centric Windows 7 can be jarringly slow . But this is a prototype . The final version will be available in China first and in other countries later . The LePad was one of the only tablets we got to touch on Tuesday , but expect plenty more in the next couple of days . We 've already had sightings of some from Motorola Mobility and Vizio . A blood pressure reader that tweets . Withings is in the business of connecting unexpected stuff to the internet . Its break-out product , a Wi-Fi-enabled bathroom scale , lets people post their current weight directly to Twitter and Facebook . On Tuesday , the company announced a smartphone-connected blood pressure monitor that transfers home blood pressure readings onto the iPhone . Users then can send that data to a doctor , personal trainer and friends on social networks . The app charts a person 's blood pressure over time , giving doctors more-granular data about a patient 's health and letting the product 's users watch these changes , too . The effects of stress , eating and exercise on a person 's health start to materialize in the app 's charts , letting users see otherwise invisible connections , said Withings CEO Cédric Hutchings . This became apparent as Hutchings demonstrated the device during a pre-CES event for the media . His blood pressure at this high-stress event : 119/78 . The day before : only 100/66 . The Smart Blood Pressure Monitor will be available at the end of the month and is expected to cost $ 129 . Ski goggles that shoot HD video . Making a home movie of a ski trip used to be a dangerous endeavor -- one that requires skiers to hold a camcorder in a mitten while looking through a tiny camera viewfinder and careening down the hill . While it 's not the safest of practices , some new products are making this high-speed art more practical . A new pair of ski goggles from Liquid Image is equipped with a high-def video camera between the eyes . Click one button on the side of the lenses to turn the camera on . Click another to start shooting . A tiny blue light inside the goggles tells you it 's working . `` I can see it 's recording , but it 's not going to distract me , '' Christina Groff said as she demonstrated that feature on Tuesday . `` So I 'm not going to get distracted and run into a tree or something . '' The ski and snowboard goggles are expected to sell for $ 250 to $ 400 -LRB- you get 1080p resolution at the top of that range -RRB- and will hit stores later in January . An app for TV socializing . Software generally is n't a hot commodity at CES . But we found a bunch of app developers showing their wares at the pre-show events . One standout is called Yap.tv . The iPad app is a self-contained social network for television junkies . Plenty of apps are targeting TV fans , including Miso and GetGlue . With Yap.tv , in addition tying into personalized Facebook and Twitter feeds , it has functions for text-chatting with friends during a show and a very attractive channel guide . For the TV obsessive , trying to talk shows on more generalized social networks -- like Facebook and Twitter which are sometimes called `` horizontal '' networks -- can be a challenge . `` Horizontal really bothers me , '' Yap.tv co-founder Shawn Cunningham told CNN on Tuesday . `` They 're vacuous . '' Adding to Yap.tv 's iPad app , the company released a version for iPhone last week , with a revamped website and Android app on the way . A small speaker that likes to lay flat . Tiny speakers usually lack one quality : rich bass sounds . WOWee ONE speakers aim to address this shortfall by turning their surroundings into musical instruments . Set the company 's iPhone-sized speaker on a desk , coffee table or even a surfboard and it transfers sound waves into that material -- creating an on-the-fly subwoofer . Scott Friedman , CEO of SoulR Products , which makes the speakers , demonstrated the concept on Tuesday by playing a bass-guitar-heavy section of `` House of the Rising Sun . '' It sounded tinny and small until he set the device down on a table . Then you could feel deeper vibrations . He proceeded to stick the gadget on all sorts of surfaces -- glass , metal , rock , an elevator wall -- like a doctor with a stethoscope . Each gave a different tone . `` A surf board 's great '' as a subwoofer , he said , `` but a skateboard is n't so great because there are layers of wood with glue in the middle . '' A special gel inside the speaker transfers the sound smoothly , he said . WOWee speakers , which connect to any gadget with a headphone jack , sell for about $ 80 to $ 90 . A thinner version of the product is coming out soon , Friedman said .
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Several companies gave sneak peeks at wares they 'll be showing off at CES . More goodies will show up in the next few days once CES kicks off . In the meantime , we got to play with tweeting appliances and camera-equipped goggles .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Arizona schools superintendent John Huppenthal has told the Tucson district to stop teaching its controversial Mexican-American studies program or face losing $ 15 million in annual state aid under a new law , he said Tuesday . Huppenthal told CNN he was backing this week 's decision by exiting state superintendent Tom Horne giving the state 's second largest district 60 days to comply with a new 2011 law banning certain ethnic studies programs in public schools . Horne is now Arizona 's new attorney general , and Huppenthal was sworn in Monday as the newly elected Arizona schools superintendent . Both men are Republicans . The new schools law is the latest controversy in a state already roiled by an immigration crackdown law , known as SB 1070 , that is being challenged on constitutional grounds in federal court . The Arizona-Mexico border is considered the nation 's busiest for illegal immigration . Tucson school board member Adelita Grijalva charged that the new law provided no due process and was unconstitutional . She said the new law was part of an anti-immigrant political climate in the Arizona statehouse . She and Huppenthal said they expected this new law to also end up in court . `` People of color in the state of Arizona are under attack , '' Grijalva told CNN . `` We 're basically going from one battle to the next . '' The law authorizes the state superintendent to stop any ethnic studies classes that promote the overthrow of the U.S. government , promote resentment toward a race or class of people , are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group or advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals . In written findings Monday , Horne said the Tucson program violated all four criteria . Huppenthal said the Tucson program is `` in clear violation '' of the new law because they 're designed for pupils of a particular ethnic group . Tucson educators who have challenged the constitutionality of the new law in court have defended the Mexican-American studies program as no different than African-American or Native American studies classes . Added Grijalva : `` What we 're doing is teaching a course that is a history course with a Mexican-American perspective . I do n't understand what is so scary about that concept . '' Huppenthal , who was a state legislator for 18 years and was the chairman of the Arizona Senate education committee , said he was serious about enforcing a $ 15 million-a-year penalty that both sides agree would devastate Tucson schools , if the district does n't end the ethnic studies program . That penalty is 10 percent of the state 's aid to the Tucson system , whose total operating budget is $ 450 million a year , officials said . `` Make no doubt about it . They should n't be under any illusion on this thing , '' Huppenthal told CNN . `` We 're going to proceed forward . These are serious issues . '' The Tucson Unified School District 's governing board has told the state in a letter that it `` supports '' the classes , which it says complies with the new law . `` TUSD administration supports its ethnic studies programs , and we are encouraged by the real and lasting impact that these programs provide to all TUSD students , '' the letter stated , according to the board 's website . Also Monday , Tucson superintendent John Pedicone told administrators and employees that he would n't tolerate any student walkouts protesting the state superintendent 's actions . Pedicone also encouraged principals to arrange a time in the school gym for students to `` express their view and discuss the pros and cons of the new law in a constructive manner , '' he said in a letter that was posted on the system 's website . `` If a student leaves campus to participate in a protest or walkout , there will be consequences in accordance with school procedure and governing board policy , '' Pedicone said . Huppenthal said he observed one of Tucson 's ethnic studies classes last year . `` When I came into a classroom , they were portraying Ben Franklin as a racist , '' Huppenthal said . `` Ben Franklin was the president of the Abolitionist Society in Pennsylvania . ... So they are vilifying Ben Franklin in this classroom , and up on the wall , they got a poster of Che Guevara , and the historical record is that he helped direct the communist death camps in Cuba by killing many dissidents . `` We just have a lot of concerns about the classes , '' Huppenthal said . Huppenthal said he was going to broaden his public discussion about the Tucson district to include how some Tucson public schools , particularly those serving low-income minority students , are among the worst in the country . He said he was planning a new accountability system measuring the performance of each school district . `` When we do our rankings and compare the data , a number of the schools in the Tucson Unified School District are among the bottom three in the nation , '' Huppenthal said . `` In their failure to serve these kids academically , we see the same failure in their response to the community concerns about these -LRB- ethnic studies -RRB- classes , '' Huppenthal added . `` I 'm a fan of Ronald Reagan and he primarily relied on persuasion . I want to use the energy associated with this one issue to get the Tucson Unified School District to examine itself . '' Tucson 's ethnic studies program , created in 1998 and initially called `` Mexican American/Raza Studies , '' has been effective in reducing dropout rates among Latino students , as well as discipline problems , poor attendance and failure rates , teachers said . In October , 11 Tucson teachers sued the state board of education and superintendent over the new law , calling it an `` anti-Hispanic '' ban on Mexican-American studies .
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A new 2011 Arizona law bans ethnic studies programs that `` advocate ethnic solidarity '' The Tucson school system has been teaching Mexican-American studies since 1998 . Arizona 's new superintendent threatens to withhold $ 15M a year from Tucson schools .
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Los Angeles -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A task force made up of local and federal law enforcement agencies is actively pursuing leads into the 1997 slaying of hip hop artist Christopher Wallace , better known as Biggie Smalls or Notorious B.I.G. , according to two sources familiar with the investigation . According to one law enforcement source , the investigation into the 13-year-old unsolved case was `` reinvigorated '' months ago as a result of new information , but the source would not elaborate further because of the ongoing investigation that includes the Los Angeles Police Department , L.A. County District Attorney 's Office and the FBI . On March 9 , 1997 , Wallace , 24 , was shot and killed while riding in a Suburban that was driving away from a music industry party at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles . Los Angeles police said a lone gunman in a Chevy Impala pulled alongside the Suburban and opened fire on Wallace , who was in the passenger seat . Witnesses described the suspect as being an African-American man wearing a suit and bow tie . The main theory behind shooting was payback in a so-called rap war between East and West Coast hip hop artists and their record companies - Bad Boy Entertainment in New York , which represented Wallace , and Death Row Records , headed by Marion `` Suge '' Knight , in Los Angeles . Six months earlier in Las Vegas , a gunman opened fire on a car driven by Knight , killing one of his top artists Tupac Shakur . That murder remains unsolved also . `` East Coast was Biggie , West Coast was Tupac , '' Wallace 's mother Voletta Wallace told a filmmaker in the 2002 documentary `` Biggie and Tupac . '' `` Come on now , you 're messing with lives here and that 's exactly what happened . Two lives were lost as a result of what ? Stupidity ? '' Voletta Wallace told the filmmaker . Retired Los Angeles Police Detective Russell Poole , who worked on the Wallace case , told CNN that he believes Knight was behind the murder , even though the Death Row Records ' boss was serving time on a probation violation at the time . `` Suge Knight ordered the hit , '' Poole said , adding that he believes it was arranged by Reggie Wright Jr. , who headed security for Death Row Records . Reggie Wright Jr. told CNN he had nothing to do with the murder , and Knight has repeatedly said he had nothing to do with the crime . Poole said he retired early from the LAPD , in part , because he was thwarted in following leads in the Wallace case involving police officers , some of whom worked off-duty for Death Row Records . `` I think I was getting too close to the truth , '' Poole said . `` I think they feared that the truth would be a scandal . '' One of the officers Poole said was involved is David Mack , who was sent to prison for robbing a bank in 1997 , the same year Wallace was killed . Poole said Mack owned the same type of car driven by the gunman who shot Wallace , and Poole said a friend of Mack 's resembles a police sketch of the shooter . CNN was unable to reach Mack for comment , but when allegations of his involvement in Wallace ' slaying originally surfaced more than a decade ago , his criminal defense attorney Donald Re called the claims ridiculous . Poole also assisted Wallace 's family in their wrongful death lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department alleging a cover-up in the investigation . Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks was the chief of police when Poole was investigating , and he told CNN the accusations about a police cover-up are `` absurd . '' `` We would have never ignored a lead that could have helped us solve that murder , '' Parks said . Perry Sanders , Voletta Wallace 's attorney , told CNN the family 's lawsuit , which was originally filed in 2002 , was put on hold in April after Los Angeles police said turning over evidence from the case would interfere with a beefed up investigation . Mack was released from federal prison on May 14 . Watch Anderson Cooper 360 ° weeknights 10pm ET . For the latest from AC360 ° click here .
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Christopher Wallace was shot and killed in 1997 . A source says the unsolved case was `` reinvigorated '' because of new information . The source would not say what the new information was .
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-LRB- Mashable -RRB- -- If you thought Apple would be absent from the news during CES -LRB- which it traditionally does n't attend -RRB- , you were wrong . Apple may not have any new products to show off at the moment , but the iPhone 3GS just became a lot more affordable , as AT&T cut its price to a mere $ 49 , the Wall Street Journal reports . Right now , the price tag on the 8 GB version of the iPhone 3GS is still $ 99 , but , starting Friday , the price will be cut in half , making the iPhone 3GS quite an attractive option for users on the lookout for an affordable smartphone . The new price tag , of course , also comes with a two-year service contract and data plan . It 's a logical move for AT&T , which is expected to lose iPhone exclusivity in the U.S. soon . The phone went on sale in June 2009 for $ 199 , but Apple cut its price to $ 99 last year . AT&T announced at CES that it plans to start offering 20 new smartphones this year , which should reduce its dependence on Apple 's smartphone . © 2010 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
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Starting Friday , the iPhone 3GS will cost $ 49 . The price of the 8 GB version of the iPhone 3GS was originally $ 199 . AT&T is expected to lose iPhone exclusivity in the U.S. soon .
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Buenos Aires , Argentina -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Authorities in Argentina 's capital are searching for at least three people who allegedly broke into a bank through an underground tunnel , state media reported . Investigators believe the thieves entered the bank through a 30-meter -LRB- 98-foot -RRB- tunnel -- replete with rugs , lighting and ventilation , the state-run Telam news agency said . `` It was truly impressive , '' prosecutor Martin Niklison told Telam . Authorities traced the tunnel to a rented business space on the same block in Buenos Aires where the bank is located . It was rented in July , Niklison said , according to Telam . The suspects broke into more than 130 safe-deposit boxes during the robbery , which occurred when the branch of Banco Provincia de Buenos Aires was closed over the New Year 's holiday weekend , Telam said . Bank security cameras recorded images of the suspects leaving with money and stolen objects , the news agency reported .
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Investigators find a tunnel between a bank and a nearby rented business . The robbery occured over the New Year 's holiday weekend . The bank says suspects broke into at least 130 safe-deposit boxes .
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New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Officials in New York said Tuesday they are looking into what happened to cleanup efforts during last week 's monster blizzard . The New York City Department of Sanitation has drawn sharp criticism since the storm that blanketed much of the Northeast . Workers there have been accused of deliberately slowing down the response in retaliation for the city 's belt-tightening measures . New York City Councilman Dan Halloran said three sanitation workers and two Department of Transportation supervisors came to his office saying their bosses ordered the slowdown , telling workers that `` the mayor will see how much he needs us '' and `` there will be plenty of overtime . '' `` This office is reviewing information provided to it by City Councilman Dan Halloran , among others , with respect to last week 's snowstorm and the City 's response thereto . In addition , we have been in contact with the City 's Department of Investigation , '' Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement . He added that his office has not yet reached a decision as to whether a formal investigation is warranted . Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty has said he had not seen evidence of a worker protest . Similarly , the head of New York 's sanitation workers union , Harry Nespoli , has said he was not aware of any slowdown and doubted there was a protest by workers . Department of Investigation Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn said her office was looking into reports of wrongdoing and asked anyone with information to step forward . `` DOI is continuing its multi-borough investigation into whether there is any evidence of intentional acts of commission or omission related to the snow clean up and has been conducting its investigation since last week , '' the department said in a statement Tuesday . `` As we always do , we will provide our factual findings when we have concluded . In addition , we have heard from various prosecutors ' offices and if we find a violation of state or federal law will work closely with the appropriate agency , '' it continued . Authorities in Brooklyn also said they would review what happened with respect to snow removal last week . Robert Nardoza , spokesman for the U.S. Attorney 's Office Eastern District of New York , declined to say if officials there would pursue a criminal investigation related to the response . CNN 's Jordana Ossad contributed to this report .
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Authorities in Queens and Brooklyn are reviewing snow removal after blizzard . District attorney in Queens stops short of saying a formal investigation is warranted . Department of Investigation commissioner urges anyone with information to step forward . Sanitation workers are accused of having deliberately slowed down cleanup efforts .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A 10-year-old Ohio boy was taken into custody after police suspected that he shot and killed his mother with .22 - caliber rifle , police said . The body of Deborah L. McVay , 46 , was found on Sunday lying face down on her living room floor in Holmesville , Ohio , some 75 miles south of Cleveland , according to Holmes County Sheriff Tim Zimmerly . McVay was apparently killed by a single gunshot wound to the head , Zimmerly said in a statement on Monday . She was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel . McVay 's son was later brought into custody after he allegedly asked a neighbor for help , telling the neighbor that he had just shot his mother , the statement said . Defense attorney Andrew Hyde said he entered a denial that the boy purposely killed his mother , allowing him time to investigate the incident . `` He is very emotional at this time , '' Hyde said . `` I think he is still struggling to accept that this happened and his mother died . '' The boy is being held at Richland County Juvenile Detention as police investigate the shooting , the statement said .
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A 10-year-old boy was taken into custody after police suspect he killed his mother . Deborah L. McVay , 46 , was found face down on her living room floor in Holmesville , Ohio . The boy 's attorney said he entered a denial that the boy purposely killed his mother .
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Islamabad , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A security guard accused of assassinating the governor of Pakistan 's Punjab province was banned five months ago by a provincial police official from providing security to VIP personnel , authorities said Wednesday . The director inspector general of Punjab Police said the guard had extremist views and it had been determined it was unsafe for him to guard important officials , the Pakistani president 's special political adviser , Faisal Raza Abidi , told CNN . Despite the assessment , the Punjab Police employed Muhammad Mumtaz Qadri for security this week . He is accused of killing Gov. Salman Taseer on Tuesday , allegedly because the governor had spoken out against the country 's controversial blasphemy law . Taseer was buried on Wednesday . He had been governor of Punjab province since May 2008 . The warning signs about Qadri go back even further , said Rana Shahid Pervez , senior police official in Rawalpindi . Pakistani intelligence agencies had warned officials in 2004 not to use Qadri after they uncovered connections between him and the religious group Dawat-e-Islami -- a Sunni group that claims it has a closer connection to the Prophet Mohammed than other Muslims . Pervez said Qadri came from an area of Rawalpindi called Sadiq Abad , adjacent to the capital of Islamabad . He came from a poor family and his father is a laborer who built homes . Qadri joined the police force in 2002 , and was selected for the elite force course in 2008 , four years after the warning from intelligence agencies , Pervez said . Qadri was one of 468 elite force guards in the Rawalpindi Police , which randomly assigns them as escorts to VIPs and officials like Taseer . Qadri was assigned to the governor on Tuesday . He had been his security guard many times before the shooting , according to Pervez , who disputed the reported link to Dawat-e-Islami . Qadri `` killed the governor totally from his own beliefs regarding Mohammed , and no group was behind him , '' Pervez said . The shooting occurred at a market in Islamabad . Qadri confessed to assassinating Taseer because `` he did blasphemy of the Prophet Mohammed , '' Naeem Iqbal , spokesman for Islamabad police , said Tuesday . Qadri told police Taseer had described the blasphemy law as `` the black laws . '' The blasphemy law makes it a crime punishable by death to insult Islam , the Quran or the Prophet Mohammed . After the shooting , Qadri immediately surrendered to authorities , the Associated Press of Pakistan reported , citing Malik . Taseer was leaving the market when he was shot . The APP said he had had lunch with a friend at a cafe in the market . Earlier , Iqbal had said Taseer had gone into the market to make some purchases . He was taken to a hospital after the shooting , but died , apparently from blood loss , officials said . However , Dr. Sharif Astori , spokesman for Poly Clinic Hospital , told CNN Taseer was `` already dead when he was brought into the hospital . '' Astori said doctors accounted for 26 bullets in his body . Most of the fatal wounds were to his chest , face , neck and legs , he said . Some bullets passed completely through his body . A spotlight was put on Pakistan 's controversial law in November when a Christian woman , Asia Bibi of Punjab province , was sentenced to death for blasphemy . A court found the 45-year-old woman guilty of defiling the name of the Prophet Mohammed during a 2009 argument with fellow Muslim field workers . An investigation by a Pakistani government ministry found the charges against Bibi stemmed from `` religious and personal enmity '' and recommended she be released . The government also said it would review the law . Taseer said he would like to see the law `` changed in such a way that it just basically says , if you insult any prophet , no matter who he is , that 's a criminal offense , but certainly not punishable by death . '' Reaction to Taseer 's death was swift . Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said in a statement he `` strongly condemned '' the incident . The Pakistan People 's Party , the nation 's ruling party , said it would observe two weeks of mourning over Taseer 's death , according to GEO TV Pakistan . `` I am shocked to hear of the assassination of Salman Taseer , '' British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement . `` His death will be a loss to the leadership of Pakistan . '' CNN 's Nasir Habib and Nosheen Abbas contributed to this report .
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Muhammad Mumtaz Qadri was n't supposed to guard VIPs , police official says . Salman Taseer was apparently killed for opposing Pakistan 's blasphemy law . The shooting occurred at an Islamabad market .
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Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency has not attempted to recoup some $ 643 million in payments that were improperly given to 160,000 individuals for housing and other aid following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita , an independent government investigator says . In a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate , Inspector General Richard Skinner wrote that a federal court in 2008 ordered FEMA to change its process for recovering the money . But Monday , three years after that court ruling , `` These payments remain uncollected because your office has not given final approval of a new recoupment process , '' Skinner wrote . Following the back-to-back storms in 2005 , FEMA disbursed more than $ 7 billion in assistance to survivors . At the time , the government placed a premium on distributing the money quickly because of the dire needs of residents of the Gulf Coast . The money was intended for rental assistance , home repairs , housing replacement , moving costs , medical costs and other individual assistance . But in the storm 's wake , FEMA estimated that approximately $ 643 million of the payments were improper due to human error and fraud . Early efforts to recover the money were themselves flawed , and in June of 2007 , a federal judge ordered FEMA to discontinue its debt collection until changes were made to the process . FEMA immediately complied , Skinner wrote , and in 2008 the agency announced that it was stopping its recoupment of improper disaster payments until it could establish new procedures . FEMA also announced it would review each case of suspected fraud to confirm the validity of the debt . But , Skinner wrote , FEMA 's new recovery process has been awaiting approval by the administrator since late 2008 . While FEMA has established a strategy , identified the necessary staff and initiated a review of the 160,000 cases , `` your office has not instructed the responsible parties to restart the recoupment process , '' Skinner wrote to Fugate . `` Further delay only makes aging debts more difficult to collect , '' Skinner wrote . In a statement to CNN , FEMA spokeswoman Rachel Racusen said FEMA is `` committed to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars . '' `` Not only do we agree with the Inspector General 's recommendation to recoup disaster assistance payments that were improperly disbursed ... but we are and have been actively working with state and local leadership and other stakeholders to finalize plans to recoup misspent funds , while continuing to support Gulf Coast communities as they recover , '' she said . `` Under our current leadership , we have worked diligently to put protections in place that will safeguard against fraud and abuse , significantly reduce the percentage of improper payments , and develop a fair , open and transparent process for recovering these payments , '' Racusen said . Racusen said she did not have a date for when Fugate would authorize collection of debts , but said , `` We are well underway in taking the steps we need to begin this new process . '' In Skinner 's letter to Fugate , Skinner wrote Fugate should `` promptly take action '' to recover the money . Noting that President Barack Obama signed a presidential memorandum in March of 2010 asking departments to identify and reclaim misspent funds , Skinner said Fugate should `` promptly authorize the collection of this debt , '' he wrote .
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FEMA disbursed more than $ 7 billion in aid after hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit in 2005 . Later , FEMA estimated that about $ 643 million were improper payments . FEMA cited human error and fraud as the causes of improper payments . An inspector says FEMA `` has not given final approval '' on a process to recoup the money .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- World No. 1 Rafael Nadal recovered from a second-set whitewash to reach the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open , while his arch-rival Roger Federer also battled into the last eight on Wednesday . Nadal , who lost in the final of the season-opening event last year , needed a tie-break in the opening set against 89th-ranked Slovakian Lukas Lacko and won just 11 points in the second before sealing a 7-6 -LRB- 7-3 -RRB- 0-6 6-3 victory . It was only the 10th time in 575 career matches that the Spaniard suffered a `` bagel '' but he fought back to win in two hours and 19 minutes . The 24-year-old , who has been struggling with illness since beating Federer in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi last weekend , will next face Latvian fifth seed Ernests Gulbis . Was Nadal 's U.S. Open win the sporting highlight of 2010 ? `` It was a very difficult match , but I resisted . I just made up my mind to do my best in the final set . I came back but it was very tiring for me , '' Nadal told reporters . Second seed Federer also had an early-season workout ahead of 2011 's first grand slam in Australia later this month as he earlier beat fellow Swiss player Marco Chiudinelli 7-6 -LRB- 7-5 -RRB- 7-5 . Two-time Qatar champion Federer set up a clash with Serbian sixth seed Viktor Troicki as he came back from 5-4 in the tie-break and 3-1 in the second set to win in one hour and 49 minutes . `` It was really difficult today , under the circumstances , '' Federer told the ATP Tour website . `` Playing such a good friend is so rare for me . I 'm happy the match is in the past and I can look forward . '' Roddick through to Brisbane quarterfinals . Third seed Jo Wilfried Tsonga continued his comeback from a knee injury as he also progressed into the quarterfinals with a 6-2 6-4 win over Ukrainian wildcard Sergei Bubka . The Frenchman will next play Spanish seventh seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez , who beat the Ukraine 's Illya Marchenko 6-1 6-4 . Big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic won an epic match against German eighth seed Philipp Kohlschreiber , triumphing 7-6 -LRB- 7-5 -RRB- 6-7 -LRB- 2-7 -RRB- 7-6 -LRB- 7-4 -RRB- to set up a quarterfinal with Russia 's defending champion Nikolay Davydenko . The fourth-seeded Russian won through with a 6-4 7-5 win over Finland 's Jarkko Nieminen in the day 's final match . In India , top seed Tomas Berdych reached the quarterfinals of the Chennai Open with a 6-2 6-4 win over Croatia 's world No. 88 Ivan Dodig on Wednesday . The 2010 Wimbledon runner-up will next face Slovenia 's Blaz Kavcic , ranked 112th . French fourth seed Richard Gasquet lost 1-6 7-6 -LRB- 7-5 -RRB- 7-6 -LRB- 7-4 -RRB- to German Bjorn Phau , who will take on Belgian seventh seed Xavier Malisse .
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Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer through to quarterfinals of Qatar Open . No. 1 Nadal taken to three sets by unheralded Slovakian Lukas Lacko . Federer also survives scare to beat his close friend Marco Chiudinelli . Defending champion Nikolay Davydenko also seeking to reach the last eight .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board are expected to arrive Thursday morning to investigate a small plane crash that killed one person in Birmingham , Alabama . The Beech BE-58 was approaching the runway of the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport when it crashed Wednesday , said the Federal Aviation Administration . The cause of the crash is unknown . `` All I know is my friend right here told me to look up , and it was a plane in the sky , fire coming out of the back of it , '' Kairee King told CNN affiliate WBMA . King was on his porch when the plane crashed in a neighborhood , about 50 feet from the nearest house , the affiliate reported .
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The plane crashes as it is approaching an airport runway . The cause of the crash is not known , the FAA says .
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Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- On Friday , Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry said the Senate is prepared to vote on a nuclear arms treaty with Russia . `` We are certainly prepared to move for a vote , '' he said on the Senate floor . `` I want to emphasize that there are no amendments from colleagues on the Democratic side . We are prepared to vote on this treaty ... We will take any amendment at any time . '' Sen. Richard Lugar , the ranking Republican on the committee , added that the Senate needs to get some sort of an amendment or `` perhaps move to close off debate and have our last 30 hours . '' Under Senate rules , 30 hours of debate are needed before taking up a vote . All it takes , though , is one senator to use the full 30 hours . The treaty would resume mutual inspections of U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals while limiting both nations to 1,550 warheads and 700 launchers each . Sen. Bill Nelson , D-Florida , said he believes they will get the 67 votes needed to pass the treaty ratification . Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid also weighed in , saying there is `` nothing more important than the START treaty . '' He is confident the Senate will move quickly through debating the treaty , but it all depends on his colleagues across the aisle . Some Senate Republicans have opposed bringing the measure up with so little time left in the lame-duck session . Opening debate on the measure was stalled Thursday night when the chamber moved on to other issues . Senate Democrats were trying to make progress on considering the treaty despite a Republican threat to block any legislation brought up before the Senate acts on a measure authorizing continued government spending . On Wednesday , senators voted 66-32 to take up the treaty . The treaty cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in September and has been endorsed by leading Republican figures , including former President George H.W. Bush and Lugar of Indiana . Republicans had pledged to block consideration of any other legislative items until passage of both the spending measure and a tax package negotiated by the White House and congressional Republicans . The current resolution authorizing government spending runs out Saturday , requiring congressional approval of a new one to cover the rest of the fiscal year . Sen. Jon Kyl , R-Arizona , told reporters Wednesday that a rushed schedule to debate the treaty would prevent Republican senators from being able to offer substantive amendments that require serious debate . He expressed `` great frustration and disappointment '' with what he called the refusal of Reid and Senate Democrats to put off the debate until there is time to do it properly in the new Congress that convenes in early January . However , Senate Democrats said Kyl and Republicans have been given plenty of opportunities to discuss and influence the treaty , and now must show that they truly want it to go forward instead of continuing to delay it . Ratification requires support from two-thirds of the Senate , or 67 votes . Democrats currently control 58 seats and need nine Republicans for ratification . In the new congressional session , the Democrats will have only 53 seats and would need 14 Republican votes to ratify the treaty . CNN 's Dana Bash , Ted Barrett , Ed Hornick , Alan Silverleib and Tom Cohen contributed to this report .
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Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry says they are prepared to vote . He said there are no amendments being put forth and thus , it 's time to end debate . The accord resumes inspections of nuclear arsenals and reduced the numbers of warheads .
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Tokyo , Japan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A leaked video is circulating in cyberspace , showing a boat collision that sparked a recent diplomatic battle between China and Japan . The YouTube video shows the same collision that Japanese lawmakers watched on video last week , said legislator Hiroshi Kawauchi , of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan . The Japanese Coast Guard shot the video , which is authentic and not doctored , said Kawauchi , who is a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet , Japan 's legislature . `` The fact that the video was leaked is a big mistake for the government , '' he added . `` It is totally different from presenting it to the public in an official manner , and it leads the people 's further erosion of faith in Japan 's government . '' In September , Japan detained the crew of a Chinese fishing boat off disputed islands in the East China Sea . China calls the islands the Diaoyu ; Japan calls them the Senkaku . In response to the detainments , China made increasingly aggressive diplomatic threats . Beijing also halted ministerial-level talks with Tokyo , and both sides canceled trips to each other 's nations . Japan has since released the fishing crew , who China says were stopped illegally . Japan initially accused the captain of obstructing Japanese public officers while they performed duties . But authorities later said that releasing him was in the interest of maintaining relations with China . The crash video that Japanese lawmakers saw has not been released to the public . The video , posted on YouTube , shows what is thought to be the Chinese fishing trawler ramming into a ship , thought to be a Japanese Coast Guard vessel . The Chinese government dismissed the video after Japanese lawmakers saw it , saying it had been edited and that it did not change the ownership of the islands . On Friday , China 's Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Cui Tiankai said : `` I think the China-Japanese relationship has to overcome the current difficulties and move forward . This will serve the fundamental interests of both countries . So -LSB- we -RSB- hope -LSB- the -RSB- Japanese side will do everything possible to make sure that there 's no further disruptions of the relationship . '' The Chinese Embassy in Tokyo has contacted the office of Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan about the leaked video , making an `` official inquiry , '' Kan 's office said . No official protest was lodged . Kan 's office is investigating the leaking of the video , which has been shown on Japanese television . The man apparently doing the videotaping says on the video that the date is September 7 , 2010 . That matches the detaining of the fishing crew . The man also says on the video , in Japanese : `` We 've ordered them to stop , in Chinese language , but they did n't stop . '' As the Chinese boat approaches , shouting is heard in Japanese . Unidentified voices shout : `` Stop , stop ! '' CNN 's Jo Ling Kent contributed to this report .
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The YouTube video is authentic and not doctored , a Japanese legislator says . He calls the leak `` a big mistake for the government '' China has made an `` official inquiry '' with the Japanese prime minister 's office . Kan 's office is investigating the leaking of the video .
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-LRB- Mashable -RRB- -- In an update to one of the more iconic `` year-end '' magazine editions , People has launched a `` Sexiest Man Alive on Facebook '' campaign to complement its `` Sexiest Man Alive '' issue , which hits newsstands later this month . For the campaign , People has chosen five celebs that are n't just `` sexy '' -LRB- as defined by the editors , we presume -RRB- , but also have a big presence in social media . Notably , the Old Spice guy is on the list , as well as Vin Diesel -LRB- who we 've long noted is disproportionately popular on Facebook -RRB- and NFL social media super user Chad Ochocinco . Enrique Iglesias and `` Jersey Shore 's '' Pauly D round out the five celebrities that People 's Facebook fans can vote for through November 10 . The winner will be revealed in the `` Sexiest Man Alive '' issue -- the 25th edition of the feature . While hardly the most innovative application , we imagine it will be a win for People -- which also recently launched its iPad app -- as its social media obsessed nominees encourage their fans to vote . Who do you think should take the title ? Let us know in the comments . © 2010 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
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Peopke magazine launches campaign on Facebook to complement `` Sexiest Man Alive '' issue . Magazine chose five celebs that are n't just `` sexy '' but have presence in social media . Facebook fans can vote for their favorites through November 10 .
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London -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Singer Gerry Rafferty , famous for the 1970s hits `` Baker Street '' and `` Stuck in the Middle With You , '' has died , his agent said Wednesday . He was 63 . A cause of death was not given . Rafferty was born in 1947 in Paisley , Scotland , near Glasgow , the son of an Irish-born miner , according to Michael Gray , his manager in the late 1970s . Gray wrote Rafferty 's obituary Wednesday in The Guardian newspaper . He was an `` unwanted third son '' whose mother would take him out of the house on Saturday nights when his father would come home drunk , Gray said . The father died when Rafferty was 16 . That same year , Rafferty started work at a butcher 's shop and the tax office , playing music on the weekends with a school friend in a band called the Mavericks , Gray said . Rafferty later joined another band , the Humblebums , with comedian Billy Connolly , Gray said . It was in the 1970s , however , that Rafferty had his heyday . He was a member of the soft-rock group Stealers Wheel when they recorded `` Stuck in the Middle With You , '' an upbeat song that did well on the U.S. charts . The song became a hit for a second time in 1992 after director Quentin Tarantino used it in his movie `` Reservoir Dogs . '' Stealers Wheel fell apart in 1975 , and that 's when Rafferty embarked on the solo career that would make him famous . He recorded the demos for the 1978 album `` City to City '' in his wife 's parents ' house using a four-track machine , playing every instrument himself , Gray wrote . The saxophone-fueled `` Baker Street '' drove sales of the album , which sold 5 million copies and made Rafferty an overnight millionaire , Gray wrote . In `` Baker Street , '' Rafferty sang about disillusionment in the big city , describing a man 's failed search for his dreams . The city has `` got no soul , '' he sang . `` It 's taken you so long to find out you were wrong/When you thought it held everything . '' The song ends with hope , however , with Rafferty ultimately singing about a `` new morning '' and that the man is going home . The follow-up album , 1979 's Night Owl , included the hits `` Days Gone Down , '' `` Get it Right Next Time , '' and the title track . Gray called the songs `` gorgeously produced works of Gerry 's prime . '' Wrote Gray , `` The voice , redolent of both Lennon 's and McCartney 's , yet unmistakably his own ; the music , a shimmering delta of sound ; the songs , romantic yet pushily sardonic -- all came to fruition thanks to Gerry 's gift of perfect pitch and an obdurate determination to stick to his guns . '' iReporter : `` Rock N Roll heaven has a new member '' The following years saw a few more albums and a job producing the Proclaimers ' 1987 hit `` Letter from America . '' His sales and standards declined , however , and he `` spiralled into alcoholism , '' putting on weight and alienating his longtime wife , Carla , Gray said . She finally left in 1990 but the two remained in touch , Gray said . In August of 2008 , Rafferty hit the tabloids after a `` five-day binge at a five-star London hotel '' led management to admit him to a hospital . He retreated to Dorset , England , where he was `` relatively well '' but ultimately sapped of talent . `` For two decades , '' wrote Gray , `` alcohol had dominated this creative and intelligent man 's life . ''
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Rafferty had a hit in the 1970s with `` Baker Street '' He was also famous for `` Stuck in the Middle With You '' Rafferty battled alcoholism for decades .
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Tucson , Arizona -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Moments after returning from visiting Rep. Gabrielle Giffords at the hospital , the congresswoman 's six-time campaign chairman said Sunday that he is confident that she will survive , though the extent of her recovery remained unclear . `` The doctors are pretty clear that we just have to wait and see , '' Mike McNulty told CNN in an exclusive interview . The impact on Giffords ' family has been huge , he said . Asked how her husband , astronuat Mark Kelly , was faring , McNulty said , `` He is a Navy combat fighter and he can take about anything , but this is a terrible experience . '' Asked about Giffords ' ability to survive a 9mm slug to the head , McNulty said , `` I can only think that God has more important things planned for her in the future . '' Even as he acknowledged that the motive for the shooting remains unknown , McNulty faulted Giffords ' opponents in last year 's elections for stirring up emotions in the campaign to an unacceptable level . `` There were rallies around her office that seemed designed to intimidate her staff , which simply does n't seem very American to me , '' he said , though he added that he never felt threatened . The rallies were organized by members of the Tea Party around Giffords ' support for President Barack Obama 's health care bill , he said . `` There was a level of vituperation that no one has ever seen , and there was , you know , the famous incident of people showing up with handguns and losing control of handguns that just fall in the street and brandishing handguns . '' He added , `` That 's where the Tea Party , I think , went over the edge . They thought it was fun to talk about using your firearms to solve political problems , and I do n't think that 's fun . '' Tea Party advocates have condemned Saturday 's shootings . `` These heinous crimes have no place in America , and they are especially grievous when committed against our elected officials , '' said Amy Kremer , chairman of the Tea Party Express . `` Spirited debate is desirable in our country , but it only should be the clash of ideas . An attack on anyone for political purposes , if that was a factor in this shooting , is an attack on the democratic process . We join with everyone in vociferously condemning it . '' McNulty credited Giffords with having a special ability to work from the center with all sides in politics , a strength that served the Democrat well in an overwhelmingly Republican state . `` If you look at the demographics , you would not think that she could get elected , '' he said . `` The way she inspires people reminds me a little bit of when I worked for Mo Udall -LRB- the former Democratic Arizona congressman -RRB- and the people that worked for Ted Kennedy -LRB- the late Democratic senator from Massachusetts -RRB- -- people who would walk through a wall for the people they believed in . But , unlike them , she does n't inspire by leading from one of the fringes . `` She is a genuine centrist and being inspirational from the center is not that easy , but she can do it and she causes people to just simply love her . '' CNN 's Drew Griffin contributed to this story .
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`` God has more important things planned for her , '' says her campaign chairman . He faults Giffords ' opponents for rallies `` that seemed designed to intimidate her staff '' `` She is a genuine centrist '' Tea Party advocates have condemned the shootings .
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Tucson , Arizona -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The 22-year-old man under arrest in Saturday 's massacre in Arizona railed against government `` mind control '' and illiteracy in online missives and had `` kind of a troubled past , '' as the local sheriff put it . `` There 's reason to believe this individual may have a mental issue , '' Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik told reporters Saturday night . An Arizona law enforcement source and a U.S. law enforcement source have identified the suspect as Jared Lee Loughner , a 22-year-old former community college student . He was taken into custody after the massacre at a Tucson supermarket that killed a federal judge , a 9-year-old girl and four others and seriously wounded U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords , who was hosting a meeting with constituents at the Safeway . `` Good-bye friends , '' read a Saturday morning posting on Loughner 's MySpace page , just hours before the shooting . `` Dear friends ... Please do n't be mad at me . The literacy rate is below 5 % . I have n't talked to one person who is literate . '' And a December 30 posting read , `` Dear Reader ... I 'm searching . Today ! With every concern , my shot is now ready for aim . The hunt , a mighty thought of mine . '' Dupnik told reporters that the suspect had `` kind of a troubled past '' that included brushes wtih the law . Though he provided no details , he said , `` We understand that there have been law enforcement contacts with the individual where he made threats . '' Online , Loughner complained about the `` second Constitution , '' a term legal scholars sometimes use to describe the post-Civil War amendments that ended slavery , extended the right to vote and required equal protection under the law . Its meaning to Loughner could not be clearly discerned . `` In conclusion , reading the second United States constitution I ca n't trust the current government because of the ratifications : the government is implying mind control and brainwash on the people by controlling grammar , '' he wrote in a Decmber 15 video message on YouTube . `` No ! I wo n't pay debt with a currency that 's not backed by gold and silver ! No ! I wont trust in God ! '' And in an apparent reference to Giffords ' congressional district , he wrote , `` The majority of people , who reside in District-8 are illiterate -- hilarious . '' On his YouTube page , a list of his favorite books included both `` Mein Kampf '' and the `` Communist Manifesto , '' along with works by George Orwell , Ray Bradbury , Ken Kesey , Herman Hesse , Ernest Hemingway , Plato and Aesop 's Fables . But while the writer complained frequently about poor grammar and illiteracy , he wrote on MySpace on December 26 that he would n't correct his own errors . `` I think the CIA watches my-space , '' he added . Loughner dropped out of high school in 2006 , after his junior year , said Tamara Crawley , a spokeswoman for the Marana United School District in suburban Tucson . Court records indicate he had been arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia in 2007 , but the charge was dismissed . In 2008 , he tried to enlist in the U.S. Army . The Army rejected him , and privacy laws keep the military from disclosing the reason , the service said in a statement to CNN . He also enrolled at Aztec Middle College , a partnership between Tucson schools and Pima Community College that helps high school dropouts transition to community colleges , PCC President Sylvia Lee told CNN . He took classes at the college from 2005 until October 2010 , when withdrew after five contacts with police `` for classroom and library disruptions '' at two campuses between February and September , the school said in a statement issued Saturday night . Loughner was suspended after authorities found a YouTube video in which he called the school `` illegal according to the U.S. Constitution , and makes other claims , '' the PCC statement said . He quit during an October 4 meeting with his parents and school administrators , and a follow-up letter warned that to return , he had to present a doctor 's note stating that `` his presence at the College does not present a danger to himself or others . '' CNN 's Emily Smith , Barbara Starr , Thelma Gutierrez and Matt Smith contributed to this report .
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`` Good-bye friends , '' was posted Saturday morning on the suspect 's MySpace page . The sheriff says the suspect had made threats before . A local community college says he quit classes after several run-ins with police .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- At least three people have been killed and 300 others injured in riots that erupted across Algeria amid rising food prices and a housing crisis , according to state-run media . The protests began last week over spiraling costs of basic food items , including milk , oil and sugar . Some staples are subsidized by the government . To curb the escalating prices of sugar and oil , the government slashed duties for sugar and oil by 41 % , Algerie Press Service reported Sunday . The suspension and exemption from customs duties and taxes until August 31 , according to APS . Meanwhile , the government reports a third person has died from the rioting : `` I can confirm the deaths of three young people in M'sila , Tipasa and Boumerdes , '' Interior Minister Daho Ould Kablia told the television channel Canal Algerie , according to APS . `` In the first two provinces , the dead corpses were found during the riots . Investigations are underway to determine the causes . '' The third person was found burned in a hotel set on fire by the rioters , he added . Similar protests , some violent , have erupted in neighboring Tunisia , where at least four people have died . Human rights groups have said the Tunisian government has cracked down on demonstrators with force . Reporters Without Borders condemned the arrests and disappearances of bloggers and online activists across a number of Tunisian cities . The worldwide press freedom organization said police arrested the bloggers to question them about hacking into government websites . One of those arrested was Hamadi Kaloutcha , who who has not been heard from since his arrest at 6 a.m. Friday , the group said . U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley has said Washington was monitoring the situation in both countries . The Tunisian ambassador was summoned to the State Department . He said the United States was also concerned about the reports of cyber intrusion and was urging everyone -- from the government to activists -- to respect freedom of expression . Crowley said it was `` difficult '' to say whether the protests in Tunisia were related to those in Algeria . `` We 're not going to say that there 's kind of an overlapping dynamic across the two countries , '' he said . `` But we continue to review this and both engage the government in Algeria and as well as look after the safety of our own citizens . '' Adding fuel to the protesters ' anger are the high rates of unemployment and housing issues , socio-economic problems that have been festering for some time in Algeria . The government has blamed the rising prices and other issues on the global economic crisis .
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State-run media : The Algerian government reduces duties on sugar and oil . Interior minister : A person is found in a hotel set on fire by rioters . Protests erupted last week amid rising food prices . Similar protests have taken place in neighboring Tunisia .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Real Madrid went down to a 2-0 second leg defeat to Levante , but still eased into the quarterfinals of the Spanish Cup , 8-2 on aggregate . Levante 's two second-half goals by Xisco Nadal and Sergio Gonzalez were not enough to overturn Real 's massive first leg advantage , but it was a boost for the Valencia-based side after an 8-0 first leg rout in the Bernabeu . Last season 's runners-up Atletico Madrid , who took a 1-0 lead to Espanyol , are also through after a 1-1 away draw . But Real Betis put out top-flight Getafe with a 3-1 win that wiped the Madrid 's club 's 2-1 advantage from last month 's first leg . The Seville-based side are now the only lower-tier club left in the competition . Jorge Molina and a double from Ruben Castrol were enough for Betis with Getafe substitute Francisco Casquero scoring his side 's only goal as they lost 4-3 on aggregate . `` They were much better than us . We have been humbled , '' Getafe coach Michel Gonzalez told AFP . Almeria scored four first-half goals in a 4-3 win at Mallorca to advance win 8-6 on aggregate while Villarreal made it to the last eight after after beating Valencia 4-2 following their goalless draw in the first leg . League leaders Barcelona secured their place in the quarterfinals on Wednesday with French international defender Eric Abidal scoring in the 1-1 second leg draw at Athletic Bilboa . Barcelona , held 0-0 at home in the first leg , went through on away goals . Defending Spanish Cup champions Sevilla and Deportivo La Coruna also went through to leave a strong quarterfinal lineup .
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Levante beat Real Madrid 2-0 in their Spanish Cup second leg tie . Real through 8-2 on aggregate to reach last eight . Barcelona reached quarterfinals on Wednesday night . Holders Sevilla also progress as do last year 's runners-up Atletico Madrid .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Virginia man who allegedly threatened during a Facebook chat to detonate explosives in the Washington area was arrested last week and is undergoing a mental evaluation , according to federal court documents that came to light Tuesday . Awais Younis , also identified as Sundullah Ghilzai , told an FBI complainant through Facebook how to build a pipe bomb `` and what type of shrapnel would cause the greatest amount of damage , '' according to an affidavit from an FBI special agent . The threatened targets included the Washington Metro transit system . Younis , who is being held at the Alexandria , Virginia , Detention Center , was arrested December 6 on charges of communicating threats using interstate communications , according to prosecutors . Younis has not been charged with any federal terrorism violation . A law enforcement source says a handgun was found at his residence but no other weapons or explosives . The threat is judged to be `` minimal , '' according to the source . The suspect had a probable cause and detention hearing on December 9 , said Peter Carr , spokesman for the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia . A judge ordered a mental evaluation . The next hearing is scheduled for December 21 , Carr said Tuesday . `` The public should be reassured that -LSB- Younis ' -RSB- activities prior to his arrest were carefully monitored and that there is no threat against Metrorail or the general public in the Washington , D.C. , area , '' Carr said in a statement . A call to Younis ' attorney was not immediately returned , and a knock at his residence Tuesday was not answered . Court records say Younis was born in Afghanistan in 1985 , making him 25 or 26 years old . The alleged threat came to light in late November when , court documents say , a person contacted the FBI 's New Orleans field office to say that Younis had described during a Facebook chat how he could build a pipe bomb and detonate it under a sewer in Georgetown , a neighborhood in Washington . Younis stated that a rush-hour explosion would produce the greatest number of casualties and that the `` third and fifth cars in the Metro trains had the highest number of commuters on them , '' the court document reads . Younis further said `` he could place pipe bombs in these locations and would not be noticed , '' the documents read . When Younis ' Facebook acquaintance told him , `` You would n't do that , '' Younis allegedly replied , `` Watch me , '' the document says . Investigators said Younis ' Facebook page , using the name Ghilzai , contained a photo of Younis in Afghanistan holding an AK-47 rifle , with his uncle standing in front of a tent containing explosives . A caption read , `` My family business , '' the affidavit says . A separate photo posted December 1 depicts a hand holding rifle rounds for a machine gun with the caption `` bullet behind every rock . '' Younis ' online acquaintance said Younis recently stated on Facebook that `` Christmas trees were going to go boom , '' according to the affidavit . The Younis case is the second this year involving alleged threats to Washington 's Metro system . In October , authorities charged Farooque Ahmed , 34 , a naturalized citizen and a native of Pakistan , with attempting to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization after he allegedly assisted in planning an attack on Metro stations in the vicinity of the Pentagon . Ahmed has pleaded not guilty to that charge . The FBI said Ahmed had conducted surveillance for undercover agents whom he believed to be al Qaeda co-conspirators . According to the documents , authorities found three weapons at Ahmed 's home at the time of his arrest : a Smith & Wesson pistol , a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun and a Remington rifle , along with ammunition . Also discovered was a biography of American-born Yemeni cleric Anwar al-Awlaki , who is believed to be a senior leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula . CNN 's Jeanne Meserve , Pam Benson and Mike M. Ahlers contributed to this report .
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The suspect is undergoing a mental evaluation . The Virginia is man accused of making threats to Washington 's Metro system . Officials say he described what he could do through Facebook . Awais Younis was arrested December 6 .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Barack Obama 's commission investigating last year 's oil disaster is giving environmental groups hope that some change is on the horizon , but not the full scope of what they 're looking for , two groups told CNN Thursday . `` If you take the findings to heart , you would n't start drilling again , '' said Kert Davies , research director with Greenpeace . On Wednesday , the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling released a chapter of its coming report , saying `` systemic '' problems caused the blowout and that only `` significant reform '' would prevent another . `` The Macondo blowout was the product of several individual missteps and oversights by BP , Halliburton , and Transocean , which government regulators lacked the authority , the necessary resources , and the technical expertise to prevent , '' the report says . Macondo was the name of the well . BP , Halliburton and Transocean all were involved in the drilling operation . Greenpeace and the Sierra Club told CNN there were no surprises in the released chapter . `` It kind of confirms our worst fears that we 've had about the oil industry all along -- that they cut corners where they can , '' said Athan Manuel , director of lands protection with the Sierra Club . `` And that sometimes threatens the safety and operation of their rigs . '' Manuel said he believes the president will take the commission 's findings seriously . `` Administratively , we 're confident that the Obama administration will change the way oil companies do business in the Gulf . '' But , he said , his group is not holding out hope for major legislative change . `` I imagine that the Republicans in charge of the Natural Resources Committee , and now the new speaker , do n't want to see any new restrictions on the oil industry , '' he said . Greenpeace 's Davies said the chapter released `` puts an exclamation point on the fact that the corporations were at fault , '' though he noted that a lack of government oversight also is to blame . `` What we hope is that the commission 's recommendations are taken to heart by the president , '' he said . But Davies added , `` We do n't have very high hopes for the reforms that should happen -- a massive overhaul of the regulatory apparatus and oversight . '' `` Ultimately , '' he said , `` I think the oil industry will succeed in blocking things like that . '' The group Ocean Conservancy also weighed in with a statement , saying the early draft indicates the commission `` will recommend important reforms . '' The group added , `` We now look to the government and industry to step up to the plate . '' The American Petroleum Institute , the main group representing the oil industry , told CNN Thursday it did not yet have a response to the chapter released by the commission . Halliburton issued a response , accusing the commission of having `` selectively omitted information we provided to them . '' The company also disagreed with certain specifics , saying the report mischaracterized foam stability tests . Transocean issued a statement saying its crew had taken `` appropriate actions to gain control of the well . They were well trained and considered to be among the best in the business . '' BP spokesman Robert Sholars said Wednesday the oil giant `` has cooperated fully with the commission 's investigation , '' stressing that `` the accident was the result of multiple causes , involving multiple companies . '' `` BP is working with regulators and the industry to ensure that the lessons learned from Macondo lead to improvements in operations and contractor services in deepwater drilling , '' Sholars said . The U.S. Department of the Interior said it , too , is already implementing reforms . `` The agency has taken unprecedented steps and will continue to make the changes necessary to restore the American people 's confidence in the safety and environmental soundness of oil and gas drilling and production on the Outer Continental Shelf , while balancing our nation 's important energy needs , '' spokeswoman Kendra Barkoff said .
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A single chapter of a report into the Deepwater Horizon disaster is now public . `` We do n't have very high hopes '' for major reforms , a Greenpeace official says . Ocean Conservancy : `` We now look to the government and industry to step up to the plate ''
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Tunis , Tunisia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Nineteen demonstrators protesting high unemployment and poor living conditions have been killed during the past two days in riots that broke out in two Tunisian cities near its border with Algeria , a government official said Monday . The incidents occurred in the cities of Thala and Kasserine , said Minister of Information Samir Abidi . All of the dead were demonstrators ; more than 30 police were injured , he said . Amnesty International said at least 23 people died in protests over the weekend , and it had received reports of more deaths on Monday . Citing `` information gathered by Amnesty International , '' it said security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse demonstrators in the cities of Thala , Kasserine and Regueb in central Tunisia . `` The authorities must urgently ensure the safety of protesters and instruct security forces to act with restraint and not to use excessive force against them , '' said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui , Amnesty International 's Middle East and North Africa deputy director . `` The authorities claim they acted in self-defense but the rising death toll and the images of demonstrations suppressed by the security forces cast serious doubt on this version of events , '' Hassiba said . In Kasserine alone , 13 people were killed in two days , Amnesty International said . The organization called for an investigation into the deaths and for those responsible to be punished . Major cities were unaffected by the unrest . The demonstrations included demands for the government to improve social services . Tunisia 's government called the protesters violent troublemakers . Tunisia has been ruled for 23 years by President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali , an ally of Western powers and a target of activist and human rights groups that accuse him of running a corrupt police state that has infringed on citizens ' rights . In his second speech since the riots erupted , he said on national radio and television that he was ordering the creation of as many as 300,000 jobs and called for greater freedoms for members of the news media . `` These violent , sometimes bloody events , which caused deaths among civilians and injuries among security officers , were perpetrated by hooded gangs that attacked , at night , public institutions and even citizens in their houses , '' he said . `` This is an intolerable act of terrorism . '' He said he would lower taxes on employers who generate new jobs . Tunisia 's 14 % unemployment rate does not reflect the true problems faced by the nation , Abidi said . The government pays for college educations , but only about a third of the 80,000 students who graduate each year from the nation 's universities are able to find work , he said . As a result , he said , unemployment among college graduates hovers around 25 % . Abidi said the government does not oppose the right of demonstrators to express their opinions , but it will not tolerate violence . He said extremist groups like al Qaeda might use the riots to recruit young people . Human rights groups have said the Tunisian government has cracked down on demonstrators with force . Reporters Without Borders condemned the arrests and disappearances of bloggers and online activists across a number of Tunisian cities . The worldwide press freedom organization said police arrested the bloggers to question them about hacking into government websites . The wave of demonstrations was sparked by the suicide of an unemployed college graduate in early December . Mohamed Bouazizi , 26 , set himself on fire in front of a government building in the town of Sidi Bouzid in early December after police confiscated his fruit cart , saying he was selling without a permit , according to Amnesty International . He died from his injuries . The official news agency reported that the Tunisian government called in U.S. Ambassador Gordon Grey to answer questions about U.S. government criticism of the Tunisian government 's handling of the unrest . In Washington , State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley confirmed that Grey was called to hear complaints about U.S. characterization of the situation in Tunis . `` We again affirmed our concerns not only about the ongoing violence , the importance of respecting freedom of expression but also the importance of the availability of information , and we will continue that discussion , '' Crowley said . `` We understand the government has a very legitimate right to ensure the safety of its citizens . That said , we do have concerns about some of the steps that the government has taken . '' Amnesty International has urged the Tunisian government to respect freedom of expression . `` Tunisians must be allowed to express their grievances and freely protest , '' said a statement from the organization . `` The authorities made empty promises of work opportunities which were followed by a crackdown on protesters . '' Tunisian authorities have said they are acting in self-defense . Security forces fired on protesters in December , the state-run TAP news agency reported at the time . At the United Nations , Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for restraint `` and urges all parties to seek to resolve differences through dialogue , '' a spokesperson said in a statement . CNN 's Richard Roth and Elise Labott contributed to this story .
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19 demonstrators are killed in Tunisia , government says . Amnesty International says the death toll is at least 23 . NEW : Government calls in U.S. envoy to complain . Demonstrators are demanding the government improve social services .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- NATO officials said Monday they have sent a team to investigate an incident in central Afghanistan where troops thought they were battling militants , but instead may have exchanged gunfire with Afghan police . The operation , which took place Sunday in Daikundi province , led to the death of three Afghan police officers and wounded three others , the International Security Assistance Force said . NATO troops were conducting a patrol in a village when they came across nine armed people who were setting up what `` appeared to be an ambush position , '' the force said in a statement . The service members called in aerial support . Later , troops determined the air strike may have been carried out against an Afghan police team , the force said . `` While we take extraordinary precaution while conducting operations to avoid friendly casualties , it appears innocent people may have been mistakenly targeted , '' said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres , the director of the force 's Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director .
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The operation takes place in Daikundi province . NATO troops think they have come across men setting up an ambush . They call in aerial support . Later , they find the attack may have been carried out against an Afghan police team .
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Conakry , Guinea -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The loser and the winner of Guinea 's disputed presidential runoff election have both filed court complaints alleging fraud , party officials told CNN on Saturday . In a press conference Saturday in Conakry , European Union officials called the election credible and transparent . Still , weeks after voters went to the polls , the campaign continues to stir discord and , in some cases , violence in the west African nation . Guinea held its much-delayed presidential runoff election between two candidates , Cellou Dalein Diallo and Alpha Conde , on November 7 . Provisional results issued November 15 by the electoral commission declared Conde the winner with 52.5 percent of the overall vote . The African nation 's Supreme Court must now look at fraud allegations put forth by both Diallo and Conde , and will finalize the results by December 2 . And the candidates also have voiced their disputes with authorities outside Guinea . As of Saturday , Diallo had filed dozens of official complaints with the Supreme Court , while Conde had filed three fraud complaints . This comes after three days of clashes between Diallo partisans and supporters of Conde and security officials in multiple cities around the country . At least nine people have died and dozens more were injured . Diallo also plans to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court for alleged abuses in the post-election violence . The Guinean government has declared a national state of emergency and a curfew restricting movement of people from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. , but residents of ethnic Peul neighborhoods in the Conakry suburbs of Enco5 , Bambeto , Hamdallaye and Cosa said that security forces entered the homes of civilians and shot at innocent people before and after the curfew was called . Amnesty International , the U.N. High Commission for Human Rights and the International Crisis Group have all detailed what they say are examples of arbitrary arrests , excessive force , incitement of ethnic hatred and killings by Guinean security officials . Diallo 's UFDG party -LRB- the French acronym for the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea -RRB- , has said that the government backed a bloody repression by security forces against its supporters , who are largely from the Peul ethnic group . On Saturday , Oury Bah , UFDG 's vice president , told CNN that the party would make an official complaint to the International Criminal Court . `` There have been cases of -LSB- security forces -RSB- raping women , shooting at unarmed persons and inciting -LSB- ethnic -RSB- hatred , '' Bah told CNN on Saturday . Guinea 's prime minister , Jean-Marie Dore , denied UFDG 's accusations on national TV recently , saying that Diallo 's supporters were responsible for the violence . If necessary , `` we will ask the ICC to prosecute those who put people in the streets , '' Dore said , referring to Diallo 's supporters . In addition to accusing Diallo of inciting violence , Dore singled out journalist Mouctar Bah -LRB- no relation to Oury Bah -RRB- of French radio RFI for calling the government repression of post-election protesters `` bloody . '' `` What he said was a violation of the law because he can not show a pool of blood in any Conakry neighborhood , '' Dore said . Mouctar Bah told CNN that the prime minister 's comments put him in a dangerous position . `` I 'm scared for my personal security ... if a prime minister talks about you , attacks you on television , he is leaving you vulnerable to extremists , to police , to the army and to political officials ... I do n't have any confidence in the government , '' Bah told CNN . The ICC , based in The Hague , Netherlands , opened its file on Guinea after the September 28 , 2009 , massacre in Conakry , when security forces killed more than 150 peaceful protesters and injured more than 1,000 , according to Human Rights Watch . The Guinean government said about 50 protesters died and that they were acting violently . Fatou Bensouda , deputy prosecutor for the ICC , visited Conakry on November 19 , when she released a statement saying , `` The Office of the Prosecutor is keeping a close eye on the situation in Guinea and deplores that at least seven persons have been reportedly killed since the announcement of the election results . '' `` All reported acts of violence will be closely scrutinized by the office in order to determine whether crimes have been committed that fall under the Court 's jurisdiction and should warrant an investigation . '' Guinea is still waiting for the Supreme Court to validate provisional results . It must review charges of fraud from both Diallo 's and Conde 's parties . Despite the provisional results , Diallo 's party is confident that it will emerge as winner . `` We have given the Supreme Court a document 50 centimeters -LRB- 20 inches -RRB- wide with proof of fraud according to what the law demands . We are sure that with that , a dignified official will see that there has been fraud and the results will give El Hadj Cellou the victory , '' Oury Bah said . Guinea has been ruled by a military junta , led by Gen. Sekouba Konate , since the death of longtime autocrat Lansana Conte in December 2008 . The presidential election is meant to complete the transition from military to civilian rule . Despite immense mineral wealth , Guinea is one of the poorest countries in Africa .
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Both the losing and winning candidates have filed complaints . EU officials call the Guinea election credible and transparent . Defeated Guinean party claims that troops repressed citizens . Prime minister claims the opposing party itself is to blame .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A driver 's best bet is to stay home when wintry weather coats the roads in snow and ice , particularly in areas such as the Southeast where motorists and road crews are n't in the habit of dealing with icy conditions . The Georgia Department of Transportation is urging travelers to avoid all but absolutely necessary driving until at least Tuesday as a storm that arrived Sunday night continues to cause treacherous traveling . For those who must go out , it 's important to plan ahead . AAA recommends motorists pack a winter driving kit made up of the following : a bag of abrasive material -LRB- sand , salt or cat litter -RRB- , a snow shovel and brush , traction mats , an ice scraper , booster cables , a flashlight , window washing liquid , cloth , warning flares or triangles , a cell phone , gloves and a blanket . Try to ease your vehicle out of parking spaces without spinning the wheels . Drive back and forth for several feet in either direction to clear a path . Spread sand or salt near the wheels if additional traction is needed . If you do get stuck , you can contact AAA via phone , iPhone app or at AAA.com . De-ice vehicles before driving , urges the Mississippi Department of Transportation . Iced-over vehicles can limit driver visibility , and ice flying off cars can be hazardous to fellow drivers . If you have to drive in conditions with low visibility , go slowly , with your headlights on low beam , AAA advises . Allow at least double the usual following distance between cars . Never use cruise control on a slick surface . Steering around an obstruction is often safer than braking suddenly at speeds above 25 mph on a slippery surface , according to AAA 's pamphlet `` How to Go on Ice and Snow '' -LRB- PDF -RRB- . When you do brake , do n't remove your foot from the brake or pump the pedal if you have antilock brakes , AAA advises . Drivers of cars that do n't have antilock brakes should keep their heel on the floor and apply firm pressure to the brake pedal to the threshold of locking . In case of skidding , steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go , keeping your eyes on your travel path . And do n't slam on the brakes ; you 're likely to make it harder to get back in control .
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Georgia officials urging drivers to avoid travel until at least Tuesday . If you have to go out on icy roads , AAA recommends essential winter driving tools . Do n't slam on your brakes in a skid ; steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go .
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ANTALYA , Turkey -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two men who hijacked a Turkish passenger jet have surrendered to authorities after releasing the remaining passengers and crew they had been holding hostage . The passenger jet was en route from Northern Cyprus to Istanbul . The hijacking occurred earlier on Saturday when the Istanbul-bound Atlasjet Airlines flight from Cyprus was forced to make an emergency landing in southeastern Turkish city of Antalya after the hijackers claimed to have a bomb . Most of those aboard had managed to escape soon after landing , but four passengers and two crew members had been held as hostages , local government officials said . `` The adventure that started early in the morning finally came to an end , '' Atlasjet CEO Tuncay Doganer told reporters . `` With the two hijackers having surrendered , the incident ended with no bloodshed . '' The other 132 passengers and four crew members had fled to safety from the plane 's emergency exits as the hijackers were releasing children and women . TV footage showed passengers running from the plane 's side and back doors . The Turkish Ministry of Transportation said the pilots escaped through the cockpit windows . Turkish Interior Minister Osman Gunes said one of the hijackers was Turkish while the other had a Syrian passport but may have been Palestinian , Reuters reported . A civil aviation official said it was unclear whether the hijackers did have a bomb but that they appeared to have been armed with a knife . Witnesses said the incident started shortly after the flight had taken off from Ercan airport in Turkish-recognized Northern Cyprus when two men from the back of the plane rushed to the front and tried to break open the cockpit door . When their attempts failed , witnesses said the men began talking to the flight attendants in a mix of Arabic and English and asked to be taken to either Iran or Syria . Passenger Ercan Tekkan told Reuters the hijackers had said they did not want to hurt anyone . `` The plane made some maneuvers and we thought the plane was going to crash ... Then the plane landed and the pilots escaped from the cockpit while the hijackers kept kicking the cockpit door , '' he said . Barkin Inan , another passenger , said the experience had been `` terrifying . '' `` They looked anxious and were sweating . They went towards the cockpit . I shouted ` hijackers ' to warn the other passengers but most of them were asleep , '' he said . Antalya Governor Alaaddin Yuksel told reporters that one of the men had claimed to be a member of al Qaeda , Reuters reported . Police also arrested a passenger suspected of being linked to the hijackers , he said . E-mail to a friend . Reuters contributed to this report .
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Two men who hijacked a Turkish passenger jet surrender to authorities . Atlasjet flight bound for Istanbul was forced to make emergency landing . Hijackers claimed to have a bomb as the plane left Cyprus , witnesses claim . Four passengers , two crew members had been taken hostage .
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New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two African runners won the 2010 New York City Marathon Sunday , marathon officials announced . Runners Edna Kiplagat , from Kenya , and Gebre Gebremarian , of Ethiopia were the first female and male finishers to cover the 26.2-mile course that cuts through New York City 's five boroughs . Having just won first prize in the 2010 Los Angeles marathon , Kiplagat was the first woman to finish the race coming first in 2 hours and 28 minutes . Gebremarian , the fastest man in the race , crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 8 minutes . Much of the celebrity limelight in the usually star-studded race was focused on a man whose fame derived from his sprints inside the gloomy pit of a Chilean mine . Chilean miner Edison Pena -- one of 33 miners trapped underground for more than two months before they were rescued -- completed the New York Marathon Sunday , taking five hours and 40 minutes to cover the 26.2-mile course . Pena , otherwise known as `` the runner '' by fellow miners who spent 69 days trapped with him in a gold and copper mine , set out to cover the course along with thousands of other runners . . During a press conference after the race , Pena said running the marathon was a way to cope with the trauma of being trapped and fearing for his life . `` What I did today was also a symbol of bravery and a struggle against myself against the pain that I have been feeling . This I want to make very clear , '' he said . With appearances on David Letterman , where he showed his devotion for Elvis Presley amid applause , Pena attracted attention from nearly every press outlet and every street fan who held signs while he ran the marathon . `` The experience was wonderful , '' said Pena . `` I am not from this country but I kept seeing signs that said ` Go Edison ' ... and people would say ` Let 's go Pena ' ... the warmth of the north American people is amazing , '' said Pena . Pena -- a triathlete -- was invited by the NYC Marathon after stories spread about his daily runs in the mine to keep himself fit . `` When I ran , I thought I was going to beat destiny , '' he said . `` I told the mine , ` I 'm gon na outrun you . I 'm gon na run till you 're tired and bored of me . ' '' The 12th miner to be rescued , he also became known for singing Elvis songs during his confinement . Star-gazing part of the experience of watching some 45,000 runners in the marathon . Actress Katie Holmes , rapper entrepreneur P-Diddy , rocker Alanis Morissette , former Gov. Mike Huckabee and TV chef Bobby Flay have all competed in the marathon . The NYC Marathon is one of the most popualr marathons in the world , drawing more than 100,000 applicants annually .
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Gebre Gebremarian of Ethiopia won the men 's category in the 2010 NYC marathon . Edna Kiplagat , from Kenya , won the women 's race . But a Chilean miner proved to be one of the main attractions of the race . Edison Pena ran daily during his captivity in the mine .
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LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Asking fans for $ 75,000 to fund your next record takes a lot of chutzpah . Getting them to meet the goal in 53 days takes a lot of charm . Jill Sobule raised $ 75,000 from fans through a Web site to fund her latest album . Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule has both in spades . Before Katy Perry topped the charts with her sassy single , `` I Kissed a Girl , '' Sobule scored a Top 20 hit with a song of the same name back in 1995 . Since then , she 's been on four record labels and has seen some modest success -- mostly recently as a songwriter/composer for the Nickelodeon series , `` Unfabulous . '' These days , Sobule is a free agent . Translated , that means the 40-something entertainer must now think of creative ways to make ends meet and pay for her artistic endeavors . In January 2008 , she started her fundraising drive on jillsnextrecord.com . Visitors to the site were greeted by a message that read , `` Hi , I 'm Elaine , Jill 's mother . As you know , my daughter is a real talent . '' During the next six weeks , donations flooded in via PayPal . Watch Sobule surprised at the effectiveness of her pitch '' To sweeten the pot , Sobule offered prizes to contributors -- or `` gifts , '' as she calls them . For 10 grand , you got to sing on the record . Five thousand dollars earned you a private living room concert . A $ 100 donation meant a T-shirt from Sobule with the words `` Junior Executive Producer '' emblazoned on it . We interviewed the Denver , Colorado , native at her home in Los Angeles -- in the living room , and not out by the pool . `` I do n't want people to think I 'm rich , '' she said , her blue eyes growing wide with horror . While the $ 75,000 she raised was enough to record her new album , `` California Years , '' it did n't include money for a makeup artist or hair stylist . Instead , we had Sobule come into the CNN bureau in Hollywood to use the glam squad we have on staff . Later , she blogged about sitting in Larry King 's makeup chair . The following is an edited version of the interview with Sobule . CNN : So Jill , your next record that 's coming out in April -LRB- `` California Years '' -RRB- was funded entirely by fans . How did you come up with that idea ? Jill Sobule : Well , after being on two major labels that dropped me , and then two indie labels that went bankrupt , the thought of maybe getting another deal seemed ridiculous . Originally , I thought I would try and have them invest -- just like stocks -- but I could n't figure out how to do it . So the next thing was a different level of donations , and they would get gifts . For $ 10,000 -LSB- the `` Weapons Grade Plutonium '' level -RSB- , you could sing a duet with me on my record , and someone actually did it from the UK . CNN : Did you know this person ? Sobule : No , I did n't know her , but what was great was that she was not a singer professionally . She wanted to give , and I brought her over from the UK , and she was fantastic . My first donation was from my friend Kenny and my mother , and really when I first started , I thought this could be a humiliating experience . Within six weeks , I reached the goal -LSB- of $ 75,000 -RSB- . I was totally surprised and shocked . Some of my favorite things were , `` I really do n't like your music , but I like what you 're doing , so here 's five bucks . '' CNN : Did you know a lot of the folks who donated ? Sobule : I do n't have a Madonna-sized fan base , so I can actually e-mail and talk to everyone that e-mails me , because I am totally appreciative and I like my fans ! They seem to have the same interests as me . They are kind of nerdy and cool -- and have good taste , obviously . Someone asked me the other day , `` Have you ever had a bad stalker experience ? '' And I said , `` Well , I had two people , but I put them to work helping me sell T-shirts . Now I 'm stalking them ! '' CNN : Your plea for money on jillsnextrecord.com starts off with a little note from your mother saying , `` Hi , I 'm Elaine , Jill 's mother . As you know , my daughter is a real talent . '' Sobule : I thought it sounded too conceited -- in a seventh grade sort of way -- to try and tout myself . So I called my mother and asked her , `` Will you write me a little letter ? '' CNN : Tom Bergeron -LSB- the host of `` Dancing With the Stars '' -RSB- gave you $ 1,000 . What did he get for that ? Sobule : For $ 1,000 , Tom gets his own theme song that he can put on his answering machine . There are actually going to be two different versions . There is a spy version , that is kind of 007-like with horns , and then there is `` That Girl , '' this Mary Tyler Moore '60s - type theme song . I am making myself do a lot of work , but it has been really fun . CNN : For $ 5,000 , donors got a private concert in their living room . How many of those did you have to do ? Sobule : About five or six . That is a good bargain , actually . If they have a large enough place , they invite a lot of people and charge 10 bucks to come in , so they get their money back . I always say that is the one you should choose . CNN : Fred Savage , the `` Wonder Years '' kid , coughed up a hundred bucks ? Sobule : He coughed up a hundred bucks . CNN : Have you gone through all the money ? Sobule : I have pretty much gone through all of it . I did not know how expensive it was to do all of this . CNN : No wonder the record labels are broke . You could have done it for less than 75 grand if you did it in your home office on Pro Tools -LSB- computer-based recording equipment -RSB- . Sobule : Yeah . I could have done it for less than $ 75,000 -- and I probably will for my next one -- but I wanted to do it the old-fashioned way one last time , and do everything that the label does -- publicity , promotion , marketing , distribution , printing the old CDs . I guess that 's what an indie budget would be at a label . CNN : It 's hard to make any money selling CDs these days . Sobule : I have never made a cent off a record in my life . I have never recouped enough , and I never sold enough . When people see you have a song on MTV , they think you are doing well -- but you know , the way the traditional label deal was set up , it is really hard for an artist , unless they sold a lot , to see anything . CNN : So what you 're saying is that you 're seeing your first dollar from record sales with this album ? Sobule : I will see my first dollar . CNN : Because you 're eliminating the record company as the middleman . Sobule : Other artists -- I think this is completely a model for them to do . I think that it 's very hard to be an artist more than ever , but it is also a very exciting time . It feels like the Wild West in a way . .
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Singer Jill Sobule set out to raise money to record an album . She set up a Web site where fans could give and receive gifts in exchange . She raised $ 75K and one fan paid $ 10K to sing a duet . Tom Bergeron , Fred Savage among those donating .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In Roseanne Barr 's third book , `` Roseannearchy : Dispatches from the Nut Farm , '' the comedian candidly discusses everything from her half-Jewish , half-Mormon upbringing in Salt Lake City , to the sitcom that made her world famous , to ex-husbands and owning her very own macadamia nut farm in Hawaii . `` Roseannearchy '' certainly wo n't leave readers wondering how Barr , 58 , really feels about the state of the world . `` My writing just comes out , and then I try to edit it and try to goose it up or down , '' she told CNN . When the subject turned to politics , Barr said , `` I 'm running for president of the United States and prime minister of Israel -- that 's kind of a twofer -- on the Solutions Party and the Green Tea Party seeking solutions . And I would advise President Obama , if asked , to do the same , look for solutions . '' Some fans might be surprised to learn that Barr 's first husband , Bill Pentland , wrote the foreword to `` Roseannearchy . '' Pentland was the inspiration for Dan Conner in the sitcom `` Roseanne , '' which ran from 1988 to 1997 . `` He was always a great writer , and that was our bond when we first met , we were both writers , '' Barr said . `` We had three kids together , and they were the blueprint for Darlene , Becky and D.J. . So I thought it was apt -LSB- to have him write the introduction -RSB- , and I think he did a great job . '' In his foreword , Barr 's ex-husband recounts the years the couple spent -LRB- pre-kids , pre-fame -RRB- living in the mountains of Colorado in the 1970s . -LRB- Read : No running water , just a pump . -RRB- . `` We were big hippies and roughing it , '' Barr said . Barr also said she believes that the legacy of `` Roseanne , '' which lives on in daily reruns in the U.S. on TV Land and Oxygen , lies in the people who watched it and continue to do so to this day . `` That 's kind of cool , '' she said . `` The fact that they found it and watched it is the best . '' Barr keeps in touch with most of her `` Roseanne '' cast mates and is delighted that the show -- which tackled hot-button issues that other shows would n't touch in its day -- remains relevant . `` A lot of writers were made on the ` Roseanne ' show , '' Barr said . `` A lot of good ideas were mined over and over and over from that show . '' Barr also said she was flattered that `` Roseanne '' was spoofed on `` Family Guy , '' although she said did n't get to see the episode `` because I never know when anything is on , so someone told me about it , but ` Family Guy ' is a good show . '' Barr also discussed how the popular CBS sitcom `` The Big Bang Theory '' has become a `` Roseanne '' reunion of sorts . `` The Big Bang Theory '' stars Johnny Galecki as Leonard ; Galecki played Darlene 's longtime boyfriend David on `` Roseanne . '' Sara Gilbert , who played Darlene , had a recurring guest role on `` The Big Bang Theory . '' Laurie Metcalf , who portrayed Jackie on `` Roseanne , '' guest-starred as Sheldon 's mother on `` The Big Bang Theory . '' Barr hinted at an interest in partaking in an episode when she said , `` it 's kind of weird that they do n't ask me . '' Perhaps someone should start a Facebook group ? As for upcoming projects , Barr said , `` I just want to continue to write . ''
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Roseanne Barr 's new book is `` Roseannearchy : Dispatches from the Nut Farm '' She told CNN that the lasting legacy of her sitcom lies in the show 's audience . Barr 's running for office `` on the Solutions Party and the Green Tea Party seeking solutions ''
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome will shutter its doors through at least the first quarter of 2011 , the commission that runs the facility said Wednesday . `` The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission informed the organizers of every scheduled event through the month of March that the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome will not be available , '' Bill Lester , executive director of the MSFC , said in a statement . `` It has become increasingly clear that any repair or replacement scenario for the damaged roof will require at least through the month of March to be completed . '' Heavy snow that hit the Midwest earlier in December caused a stunning collapse in the roof of the Metrodome . A full report on the damage and a recommended repair or replacement plan is expected to be completed by the end of January . The Metrodome is home to the Minnesota Vikings and hosts many other events .
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A damage and repair estimate is expected by the end of January . Heavy snow collapsed the roof in December . The Minnesota Vikings play at the Metrodome .
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New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A county prosecutor in Michigan is proposing a law that could punish parents with jail time for repeatedly missing their children 's parent-teacher conferences . Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy introduced a proposal Tuesday at a Detroit City Council meeting that would require a parent to attend at least one parent-teacher conference a year or face up to three days in jail , according Maria Miller , Worthy 's press secretary . The proposal , which Worthy has also sent to the state legislature and the Wayne County Commission , would exempt parents whose children are performing exceptionally well or who are actively engaged with their children 's teachers . Parents who are unable to travel for health reasons also would be exempt . So far the proposal has met with mixed responses . Detroit Council President Pro Tem Gary Brown applauded Worthy 's idea , saying he would support legislation . `` It 's child abuse when your child is failing in school and you 're not involved , because you are strapping that child to a life of poverty , '' Brown told CNN . He noted , however , that jailing parents for missing school meetings might not be practical and suggested altering the punishment . `` If it 's not jail maybe it 's something else , but we 've got to do something to get the parents ' attention , '' he said . Daniel Lessard , a member of the Livonia Public Schools board , said that he agrees with the need to get parents involved , but called the idea `` the dumbest thing I 've ever heard . '' `` You ca n't legislate parental involvement . I think this proposal is purely political and a real neat way to get your name in the paper , '' Lessard said . Wayne County Commissioner Laura Cox , R-Livonia , blasted the proposal because she feels that Worthy has bigger problems she needs to deal with first . `` Kym Worthy has a record of complaining that her office does n't have enough funding to prosecute violent crimes , and now she wants to put parents in jail . It 's despicable , '' Cox said . According to the proposed ordinance , teachers would work to accommodate parents ' schedules by setting up conferences at any time during the day . Additionally , any parent convicted under the law would have their sentences delayed to give them another chance to attend a meeting . If they do , the charges would be dropped . At present there is no legislation pending in the state House , County Commission or City Council . Kym Worthy was not available for comment Thursday .
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Parents of some children in Detroit schools could be sent to jail for three days . Prosecutor Kym Worthy presented the proposal to the Detroit City Council . The proposal has met with mixed responses .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Police arrested a suspect believed to be one of four men shown in a video apparently sexually assaulting disabled women in a care home and other places , authorities said in a statement . Ernie Lloyd , 27 , was arrested at West Hollywood Sheriff 's Station on Saturday evening , said a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff 's Department . On Saturday morning , Lloyd went to a Los Angeles police station , `` saying that he had seen himself on the news and that he knew he was wanted , '' the statement said . During an interview with detectives , Lloyd `` implicated himself , '' authorities said . He was arrested on suspicion of rape of a person with disabilities , the statement said , and bail was set at $ 100,000 . On Friday , authorities said another suspect had been identified as Bert Hicks , 41 , who is now serving a state prison sentence in California 's Tehachapi State Prison for fiduciary crimes , abuse and sexual assault in a residential care facility . Hicks allegedly took a disabled woman to Las Vegas , married her and then brought her back to the care facility , where she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by other men , said sheriff 's Detective Ron Anderson . Authorities do n't know if the crimes Hicks was convicted of are the ones depicted on video , he said . On Thursday , authorities issued a public appeal for help after the video was mailed to them by an anonymous tipster . City of Los Angeles police detectives saw Thursday 's media coverage and told the sheriff 's office that they could identify two of the four suspects shown in composite sketches , Los Angeles County Sheriff 's Sgt. Dan Scott told CNN . One of the victims was also identified . `` The investigation is still in its early stages , but detectives believe that it occurred in 2007 or earlier at a residential care facility in the city of Los Angeles , where both Suspect Lloyd and the female adult victim were living at that time , '' the sheriff 's statement said . Police have identified the victim by name , but have been unable to locate her , as neither she nor Lloyd still resides at the facility where the alleged assault occurred , authorities said . Sheriff 's detectives were working with investigators from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services and Los Angeles police to locate the woman . The 13 DVDs mailed by the anonymous tipster to the sheriff last March contain more than 100 hours of video of at least 10 men apparently sexually assaulting at least eight severely disabled women in a care home and several other locations , according to Scott and Anderson . Sheriff 's investigators spent months reviewing the grainy video and were able to come up with composites of only four of the 10 suspects , authorities said . Investigators believe the sexual assaults occurred in the past three to five years , Anderson said . Since the information was made public on Thursday , `` scores of tips '' have come in to authorities , the statement said . `` The public is clearly shocked and disturbed by every aspect of this case , '' Scott said in the statement . `` We heard from so many people who want to help , as well as from people who fear their loved ones may have been among the women abused . '' The identification of two suspects was considered a major break in the case , because the leads could allow authorities to determine identities of the other eight suspects and the locations of the alleged rapes , authorities said . More remains to be done , Scott said in the Saturday statement . `` There are still two more suspects whose images have been shared who have not yet been identified , as well as ... other suspects . Of great importance to us as well is that we need to find and help all of the victims . '' The sheriff 's department has made the inquiries `` a high priority , '' Scott said . Authorities are still asking for the tipster to come forward -- even anonymously , by contacting a hot line -- and provide more details on the video . A `` To Police '' letter accompanying the video states that the tipster was a computer technician who was hired by a man to wipe clean a hard drive on a laptop that the man bought for $ 20 from a `` crackhead '' on a street in Inglewood , California , Anderson said . When the computer technician saw the video , he was so disturbed that he made copies of the DVDs and mailed them to the sheriff , Anderson said . In the letter , the technician said the laptop purchaser was also aware of the video content . Authorities allowed CNN to see the letter , which contains grammatical errors . It says in part : . `` He saw what was on the hard drive and ask could I wipe it and restage Windows , etc. . I did restage but I have to copy this stuff for a police action , '' the letter says . `` The video 's found on the hard drive was disturbing and made me sick . I had to turn it in and I pray that you find these -LRB- expletives -RRB- in the video 's molesting handicap people , '' the letter continues . Authorities said the graphic video even depicted one female victim in a wheelchair who was wearing a diaper . The suspects allegedly sexually assaulted `` people in bed unable to move . They ca n't pick up the phone , '' Scott said . Added Anderson : `` I 've seen a lot of terrible , terrible imagery in my assignment , that involved children and all kinds of hideous things . This is among the most heinous I 've ever seen . ... What I saw was just these poor people lying there being victimized in the most terrible way I 've ever seen . '' The video was shot by a security camera and a handheld camera , Scott said . Detectives asked the tipster to call the anonymous Crime Stoppers communication system at 800-222-8477 and provide details on the video 's origin . Investigators said the public can also call the special victim bureau 's hot line at 866-247-5877 . Information can also be provided anonymously by texting the letters TIPLA plus the tip to CRIMES -LRB- 274637 -RRB- or by accessing the Crime Stoppers website at www.lacrimestoppers.org . CNN 's Michael Martinez , Casey Wian and Paul Vercammen contributed to this report .
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A 27-year-old man is one of two suspects to be identified . A second suspect is in a California prison . Police know who one victim is , but have n't been able to locate her .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Saudi Arabia and Japan made stuttering starts to their bids to win a record fourth Asian Cup title on Sunday . The Saudis , beaten in the previous final four years ago by Iraq , suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by Syria in their opening game in Qatar . Japan , the 2004 champions , earlier needed a late equalizer to snatch a 1-1 draw with Jordan in Group B 's first match . Syria have never made it to the quarterfinals in four previous attempts , the last being in 1996 , but boosted their hopes of progressing thanks to two deflected goals from midfielder Abdulrazak Al Husein at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan . Qatar welcomes half the world for 2011 Asian Cup . He broke the deadlock seven minutes before halftime when his shot from outside the penalty area went in off the head of Abdullah Shuhail , but Syria 's goalkeeper Mosab Balhous gifted Saudi an equalizer with half an hour to play . The captain let a tame header by substitute Taiseer Al Jassam slip past him and into the net , but Al Husein saved his blushes just two minutes later as he again pounced on a loose clearance and saw his shot take a significant diversion into the Saudi net . Syria 's Romanian coach Tita Valeriu was delighted after having only recently taken control of the team . `` I did n't expect to win but I expected us to play well , '' he said in quotes reported by the AFP news agency . `` I had only a very short time to coach the team but we used a formation that worked very well . That was the key . '' The result puts more pressure on the Gulf nation 's coach Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro , who was failed to guide the team to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa . `` We did n't deserve to lose , but we lost , '' he said . `` We are disappointed with the result , but not the spirit . China defeat 10-man Kuwait . Japan appointed Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni after Takeshi Okada stood down in July , having taken the `` Blue Samurai '' into the second round of football 's biggest tournament before losing on penalties to Paraguay . Zaccheroni led Japan to a historic 1-0 friendly win over South American superpowers Argentina in his first match in charge , but the former Inter , AC Milan and Juventus coach was disappointed by his team 's efforts at Doha 's Qatar SC Stadium . Jordan , playing at the tournament for just the second time , took the lead right on halftime when Hasan Abdel Fattah 's shot deflected in off Maya Yoshida -- who made amends with a headed leveler two minutes into second-half injury-time . Hosts Qatar shocked in Asian Cup opener . `` I am not satisfied with the result , especially in the first half , '' Zaccheroni said . `` We must accelerate the speed of our play . We failed to finish on chances . I expect other Asian teams will fight like Jordan . We must readjust ourselves with that in mind . '' The 16-team tournament continues on Monday , as Group C kicks off with outsiders India playing Asia 's top-ranked team Australia and then two-time champions South Korea taking on Bahrain .
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Three-time Asian Cup champions Saudi Arabia lose 2-1 to Syria in opening game . Syrians , ranked 107th in world , triumph in first match at tournament since 1996 . Japan , also seeking a record fourth title , snatch late equalizer against Jordan . The 16-team tournament continues on Monday with first matches of Group C schedule .
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Las Vegas -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- If so-called `` smart TVs '' are so clever , why do we feel so dense when trying to compare them ? Each television manufacturer has its own take on what the software that lets a TV connect to the internet should look like . These myriad smart TVs , with their varying degrees of technological intelligence , were on display throughout the Consumer Electronics Show . Many of the systems developed independently by the various companies look strikingly similar , but offer different features and content . Most provide access to YouTube 's and Netflix 's streaming video services . Some , like Sharp 's Quattron series , have Pandora for internet radio and Facebook . Others let you tweet from the TV screen using a keyboard remote . Samsung 's new Web-connected TV and LG 's Smart TV platforms can stream video from a computer or from a few smartphone models using a protocol called DLNA . Setup is n't a cakewalk . Compounding the confusion is when TV makers put lesser-known services , like Vudu , Rovi or CinemaNow , front and center . To top that off , several major TV manufacturers produce separate models that run completely different platforms . Sony 's Bravia TVs can access Hulu and a number of other services . But Sony 's Google TV sets ca n't get Hulu . Toshiba 's Net TV system can do Skype , along with other applications . But its Yahoo Connected sets have another set of apps that look and perform differently . Samsung introduced the fourth version of its connected TV platform at CES , and signed partnerships with Hulu and Adobe . Samsung also announced that it would make a Google TV set and a set-top box , both of which can run Adobe 's software but not Hulu 's . `` That is different than our smart TV , '' Samsung president Tim Baxter said in an interview , `` but for some consumers who are looking for that solution , we want to be able to serve that . '' Another advantage of having products with Google 's software on them : `` The brand name means something , '' Baxter said . The name Google resonates with certain potential customers that Samsung may not impact . Google and Samsung partner in various areas , most tightly in mobile . Samsung says it wants to offer a wide array of platforms . That 's consistent with how it runs its phone business , building smartphones that use either Google 's Android or Microsoft 's Windows Phone 7 . `` We want to offer choice , '' said David Steel , Samsung 's marketing executive . `` You wo n't see us choosing one platform over another . '' But Google TV is stumbling over obstacles from TV networks that do n't want their internet content available on the big screen . Add to that , the search-centric software has been plowed by critics for being poorly design . Perhaps so the company can retool , Google TV 's footprint at CES is small , being showcased sparingly by early partners . `` Being able to use your television set as an internet-search appliance really is n't what people think of when they come to the TV , '' TiVo CEO Tom Rogers said in an interview . `` They 're looking for a television experience . ... That 's something that you have to be very television-focused , very television-centric to deliver . '' TiVo 's Premiere box can access some internet services , in addition to recordings . Several other companies are producing Web-connected boxes that can hook up to TVs , but those could be less desirable as new TVs come with Wi-Fi functions and Web features built in . Google 's inability to find the right formula for TV software , like it did for smartphones with Android , leaves a major opportunity for software makers . Google 's longtime competitor , Yahoo , makes an operating system for the big screen . Startups like Boxee are trying to fill this niche by creating attractive internet software that is provided to manufacturers for free . So far , they 've had limited success . So unlike the smartphone area , which is dominated by just a few players , there are at least a dozen platforms with different sets of apps , interfaces and features . After sales of LCD TV sets grew last year , sales are expected to slow 13 % this year , according to a report by research firm DisplaySearch . In addition , smart TVs may not prove to be a big selling point . Samsung 's Baxter says less than half of people who buy the company 's internet-enabled TVs actually connect them to the Web . For Samsung , standing out in a sea of smart TV platforms could come down to unique methods for connecting its various products together . The Samsung TV platform can run third-party apps , like a smartphone does , and some of them can even interact with a phone . For example , there 's a Samsung TV app that lets you draw on a Galaxy S phone and see your artwork on the big screen . `` Where we think we have a big opportunity going forward is the link between 4 inches , 7 inches and 55 inches , '' Steel said , referring to the screen sizes of Samsung 's smartphones , tablets and big-screen TV .
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Connected TVs have a major presence at CES . The offerings can be confusing since there are so many platforms . Several manufacturers produce similar TV models that run completely different software .
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New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A male model suspected of killing a prominent Portuguese journalist in his posh Manhattan hotel room was undergoing a psychiatric evaluation Saturday at New York City 's Bellevue Hospital , according to an NYPD law enforcement source . Carlos Antonio De Castro , 65 , was found dead in his room at the InterContinental Hotel in New York on Friday , according to the source . He was a Portuguese reporter and columnist . Police say 20-year-old Renato Seabra , a Portuguese model , was in custody Saturday after he was spotted leaving another New York hospital where he received treatment for lacerations to his wrists . Police arrested him and transported him to Bellevue . Castro 's body was found after an acquaintance appeared at the hotel asking to see him , saying she had been in contact with him earlier in the day but was unable to reach him for some time , according to the law enforcement source . Hotel employees made the grisly discovery a short time later . Castro was found bludgeoned and castrated , the source said . Castro and Seabra were staying together at the hotel , another police source said . Castro was most recently a gossip columnist for the Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha . Seabra was a recent finalist on a Portuguese model-search television show called `` A Procura de um Sonho . '' It was unclear why the two men were in New York . CNN 's Susan Candiotti and Leslie Tripp contributed to this report .
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NEW : The victim and suspect were staying at the hotel together , police source says . The victim is identified as Carlos Antonio De Castro , a Portuguese journalist . He was found bludgeoned and castrated , the source says . Renato Seabra , a Portuguese model , is suspected in the killing .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Top seeds Serbia have been forced to withdraw from Saturday 's Hopman Cup final because of an injury to former world number one Ana Ivanovic . The 2008 French Open champion tore a stomach muscle during her straight sets loss to Justine Henin of Belgium at the annual team event in Perth , Australia on Thursday . Ivanovic went on to partner Novak Djokovic in a three-set mixed doubles loss to Henin and partner Reuben Benelmans , but after practicing on Friday morning made the decision to withdraw from the tournament . `` This morning , I was playing some points and on one serve I felt a sharp pain and I could n't even hit or move after that , '' Ivanovic told reporters . Ivanovic and world number three Djokovic -- whose singles win over Benelmans on Thursday secured Serbia 's final berth -- will be replaced in the weekend 's title-clash by Belgium who finished in second place in group A. Henin and Bemelmans will now face the United States team of Bethanie Mattek-Sands and John Isner in the final , after Mattek-Sands 's straight sets defeat of British teenager Laura Robson on Friday was enough for the American 's to secure their place at the top of group B . The injury is an early-season blow for Ivanovic , who recently made a comeback to the WTA tour following a string of fitness problems . But the 23-year-old said she can recover in time for the first grand slam of the year , the Australian Open , which begins in Melbourne on January 17 . `` It 's definitely a scare , '' the current world number 17 told reporters . `` At this moment in time my chances are still very good because I stopped in time . I 'm positive I will be fit . `` It 's very frustrating because this has been the case for a long time now . But I have to stay positive . '' Reigning French Open champion Francesca Schiavone was also forced to retire from her Hopman Cup singles match against France 's Kristina Mladenovic on Friday , however , it is not thought her injury is serious . Elsewhere , at the Brisbane International top seed Robin Soderling of Sweden progressed to the semifinal of the Australian Open warm-up event on Friday . The 26-year-old brushed aside Aussie qualifier Matthew Ebden in straight sets and will now face Czech Radek Stepanek in the semifinal , after the former world number eight and two-time finalist of the Brisbane event put out seventh seed Florian Mayer 6-3 6-3 . Saturday 's other last-four clash will see American second seed and world number eight Andy Roddick take on Kevin Anderson of South Africa , after the pair had respective quarterfinal wins over Marcos Baghdatis and Santiago Giraldo on Thursday . In the women 's singles draw Germany 's Andrea Petkovic caused an upset by knocking out the tournament 's fourth seed , Marion Bartoli of France in straight sets . The world number 32 will now face fellow unseeded player Petra Kvitova in Saturday 's final after the Czech defeated fifth seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 4-6 6-2 . Meanwhile at the Auckland Classic in New Zealand Maria Sharapova 's quarter final conqueror Greta Arn continued her winning streak with a straight sets victory over German fourth seed Julia Georges . Hungary 's Arn will meet second seed Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium in the final of the event , after the world number 23 overcame the challenge of Chinese qualifier Peng Shuai 3-6 7-6 6-3 . In the Hong Kong exhibition tournament , Venus Williams suffered a second straight defeat in her preparations for the Australian Open after a lengthy injury layoff . Williams , beaten by Vera Zvonareva on Thursday , went down in straight sets to Li Na of China , 6-3 7-6 .
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NEW : Venus Williams loses second consecutive Hong Kong exhibition match to China 's Li Na . Serbia 's Ana Ivanovic pulls out of the Hopman Cup final with a stomach injury . Belgium replace Serbia in Saturday 's final against the United States . Robin Soderling , Radek Stepanek progress to semifinals of Brisbane International .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Roger Federer became the first tennis player to win the Qatar Open three times as he ended the reign of Nikolay Davydenko in Saturday 's final . The world no. 2 was beaten by his Russian opponent in last year 's semifinals , but avenged that result with a 6-3 6-4 win as he claimed the 67th ATP Tour title of his illustrious career . The Swiss star followed up his 2005 and 2006 triumphs to give himself a boost ahead of his Australian Open title defense in the opening grand slam of 2011 later this month . `` I have had a good week . I really appreciate the support I get here . I have had good preparation . I ca n't believe that I am on the board already this year , '' Federer told reporters . What were the top tennis moments of 2010 ? `` This was a strong tournament and I 'm looking forward to the rest of the season . '' The 29-year-old lost only one service game en route to the final , and did not even face a break point against fourth seed Davydenko -- who ousted world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in Friday 's semis in a repeat of the 2010 final , but has now lost to Federer 15 times in 17 meetings . `` He was tough , really played fast , '' Davydenko told the ATP Tour website . `` He gave me no chance on the return , and also he was returning good . His first serve was very good . '' Nadal has been suffering with illness , but he teamed up with fellow Spaniard Marc Lopez to win the doubles title , beating Italy 's Daniele Bracciali and Andreas Seppi 6-3 7-6 -LRB- 7-4 -RRB- in Friday 's final . `` It 's a perfect feeling for me to win my third doubles title here in Doha after a not easy week for me , '' Nadal said . `` Now I 'm going to work hard to try to be ready for the next tournament . '' In Australia , defending champion Andy Roddick will take on world No. 5 Robin Soderling in the final of the Brisbane International event on Sunday . The American second seed beat South Africa 's Kevin Anderson 6-2 4-6 6-2 on Saturday , while Swedish No. 1 Soderling ended Radek Stepanek 's hopes of a third successive final appearance when he beat the Czech 6-3 7-5 . Young Czech Petra Kvitova won the women 's title , with the 20-year-old beating fellow unseeded player Andrea Petkovic of Germany 6-1 6-3 in the final . The United States won the Hopman Cup mixed teams event for the sixth time on Saturday , beating stand-in finalists Belgium 2-1 in Perth . With top seeds Serbia withdrawing due to Ana Ivanovic 's stomach injury , Bethanie Mattek-Sands and John Isner won the decisive doubles 6-3 6-4 against Justine Henin and Ruben Bemelmans . Former world No. 1 Henin won the women 's singles rubber 7-6 -LRB- 8-6 -RRB- 6-3 , but big-serving Isner leveled the tie with a 6-3 6-4 victory . Tomas Berdych 's preparations for Melbourne suffered a blow when the Czech top seed was beaten in the semifinals of the Chennai Open in India , losing 6-4 6-1 to last year 's runner-up Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland on Saturday . Wawrinka , beaten by Marin Cilic in the 2010 final , will take on seventh seed Xavier Malisse after the Belgian beat Serbian No. 6 Janko Tipsarevic 3-6 6-3 6-2 . In New Zealand , Hungarian veteran Greta Arn won her second WTA Tour title by beating defending champion Yanina Wickmayer 6-3 6-3 in the final of the Auckland Classic on Saturday . The 31-year-old followed up earlier victories over top seed Maria Sharapova , No. 4 Julia Gorges and No. 8 Sofia Arvidsson , saving five match-points in that second-round match . Arn is expected to break into the top-75 for the first time next week , having last won a title in Estonia in 2007 .
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Roger Federer avenges last year 's Doha defeat by Nikolay Davydenko . World No. 2 wins Qatar crown for a record third time with victory in Saturday 's final . U.S. win Hopman Cup for sixth time , beating Belgium 2-1 in final in Perth . Defending champion Andy Roddick faces world No. 5 Robin Soderling in Brisbane final .
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Nashville , Tennessee -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Moses Chol hops into a van , rubs his hands together and signals the passengers to quiet down . As he leans back to address them , his face breaks into a grin , his teeth glistening in the dawn haze . `` Today , we say goodbye to the north , '' he says as young men and women cheer , peeking through woolen scarves and hats . Chol is among about 70 Southern Sudan natives gathered on a cold morning in a church parking lot in Clarkston , Georgia , a metro Atlanta enclave popular with refugees . The group is heading to Nashville to vote in a referendum that could split Sudan into two : the north and the south . Several million people in Southern Sudan are voting this week in the historic referendum on whether to declare independence from a government based in the north . About 55,000 Southern Sudanese are casting ballots in the United States and seven other countries . Chol drives in a convoy of more than a dozen cars . As it snakes out of the parking lot , some passengers sing a song by former guerrilla fighters who now lead the government and army of semi-autonomous Southern Sudan . `` We will never surrender ; we will keep fighting until we get what we want , '' they sing in Arabic , the national language . At the end of the song , they pump their fists in the air and chant : `` Yes to separation ! '' The referendum is part of a 2005 peace agreement that helped end two decades of civil war , which left about 2 million dead . The war pitted a government dominated by Arab Muslims in northern Sudan against black Christians or animists in the south . For Chol , the referendum is more of reparation . He 's one of the so-called Lost Boys : a generation of children who fled the nation 's civil war and are now scattered across several continents . The United States resettled nearly 4,000 of them about a decade ago . The men -- now mostly in their 20s and 30s -- have spent the past decade rebuilding their lives . The war forced Chol and others to trek hundreds of miles through deserts and swamps , fending off lions and other animals , during their journeys into neighboring countries . Once there , they lived in sprawling refugee camps for years . Chol , 32 , says he has been dreaming of the referendum for years . `` It 's time for them to hear our voices , for us to revolt against all the pain we suffered , '' the graduate student says . `` A lot of people have died for this day . ... I do n't care what government comes after this . No government will be worse than what we have . '' His voice trails off as he pauses and stares into space . `` Passing this referendum means my father did not die in vain . It means our children will not live scarred lives . ... We will be the last ` lost boys ' Sudan will ever see . '' The conflict scarred an entire generation in remote Southern Sudan , which is the size of Texas but only has 30 miles of paved roads . Through the years , hundreds of thousands of Sudanese fled the south to escape fighting and famine . About 80 percent of Sudan 's oil reserves are in the south , another flash point in the war . Although the north has flourished , the south has not changed much over the years , according to Chol . `` This north claims they want to be one nation , '' he says . `` How can we be when they have schools and clean water , and their children are not dying of simple diseases ? In the south , people still drink stagnant water . They have nothing . '' Passengers chime in to add to the list of grievances with the north . Some cite the north 's attempts to impose sharia , or Islamic law , on non-Muslims -- a key reason the nation erupted in civil war in 1983 . Sharia remains the law of the land in northern Sudan . `` You see my hair . It would get me in trouble in the north because of sharia law , '' says Grace Ajawin , a bakery employee , as she points to her red cornrows . `` I want my children to walk out of the house without being forced to cover their hair , to wear what they want , to go to church without being forced to convert to Islam . '' Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has warned that he will tighten the application of sharia in northern Sudan if Southern Sudan votes for independence . Everyone in the vans believes that the south will split from the north . Any attempt to introduce a different scenario is brushed off as negativity . Ajawin is admonished when she says she will `` never '' go back to Sudan if al-Bashir does not honor a vote to split . `` How can -LRB- al-Bashir -RRB- not honor the vote when the whole world is watching ? '' Marko Ayii , 25 , shoots back . `` You need to stop your negative thinking . '' Chol says he will move home if Southern Sudan is reborn as a new nation . `` When I graduate , I 'll thank the Americans for being kind to us , and go help my people , '' he says . After about four hours , the convoy pulls up at the Lost Boys Center , a one-story red brick building just south of the office towers of downtown Nashville . The center is one of eight polling stations across the United States that will be open until Saturday . More than 900 Southern Sudanese are registered to vote there , poll officials say . Other centers are in Boston ; Chicago ; Dallas ; Omaha , Nebraska ; Phoenix ; Seattle and Washington . The vote is being organized by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission . Outside the Nashville center , a crowd awaits . Some are dancing while others wave American and Southern Sudan flags . At the front of the line , Malual Machop , 42 , of Nashville waits for his chance to vote , weeping quietly . `` My crying is not for sadness ; it 's for happiness , '' he says . `` I never knew I would vote for this separation in my lifetime . We have been slaves for so long . We are now being liberated . '' Outside , Ngong Aguek , 42 , a musician from Southern Sudan who traveled from Orlando to vote , is busy ripping up his Sudanese passport . The crowd claps and cheers as the pages flutter into the windy , wintry air . `` This passport has enslaved me for so long , '' he says . `` It has treated me like a second-class citizen , destroyed my dignity , and killed and separated my family . '' The musician says he has been targeted by the northern government for criticizing it . `` But -LRB- the truth -RRB- needs to be told , regardless of whether it will set us on fire . '' Aguek saunters into a waiting van and drives off , leaving shredded pieces of his passport outside the polling station . Inside , Chol casts his vote and triumphantly holds up his ink-stained finger for flashing cameras . `` Bye bye , Sharia law ; bye bye , slavery , '' he says . `` Now -LRB- the north -RRB- should leave us alone , and we 'll leave them alone . We ca n't be one nation , but we 'll be good neighbors . '' He makes his way out to the waiting vans . And in an unconscious defiance of the government he wants no part of , he steps over the pale green and pink passport pages scattered outside .
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About 70 Southern Sudan natives travel from Atlanta to Nashville to vote in referendum . Historic vote this week will determine whether Sudan will split in two : north and south . About 55,000 Southern Sudanese are voting in U.S. and seven other countries .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Harmon Parker is using his masonry skills to save lives . Since 1997 , he has built 45 footbridges over Kenya 's perilous rivers , protecting people from flash floods and predatory animals . The bridges also connect isolated communities with valuable resources . Below are Parker 's thoughts on being named a Top 10 CNN Hero . CNN : Where were you when you got the call that you 'd been selected as a Top 10 CNN Hero ? Parker : I was in a grass-roof banda in West Pokot , where I 'd been working on a new bridge project . I was staring at a bat hanging from the ceiling and listening to a rat run around on the floor , trying to fall asleep . It was at that moment , 10:18 p.m. , when my cell phone rang . It 's very interesting because I normally do not have cell phone reception in this area . ... I thought it might be my wife , so I answered the phone . I was surprised to hear a man 's voice . He introduced himself and said he wanted to share some news with me , so I said , `` Fire away . '' He then told me he was happy to say that the CNN Blue Ribbon Panel had selected me to be one of the Top 10 CNN Heroes for 2010 . To say I was excited does n't begin to describe my first reaction . My heart was pumping hard from the adrenaline rush , and I found myself repeating , `` You have to be kidding , you have to be kidding ! '' So there I was , alone , in the middle of the African bush , and a very nice gentleman from New York is telling me that Bridging the Gap 's story was going to be aired on the CNN Heroes tribute in -LSB- Los Angeles , California -RSB- on Thanksgiving evening . Sleep eluded me for the rest of the night , but who needs sleep when you 've just been told that you 're a Top 10 CNN Hero ? To be honest , I 'm still processing it all . I keep thinking , `` Harmon , this is CNN for heaven 's sake ; you know , Anderson Cooper , Ted Turner and all the others . '' It 's unbelievable . Sorry for the cliché , but I am incredibly humbled and honored by this recognition . I have only seen one CNN Heroes tribute show , and I was very moved by the amazing people who were being honored . To think I will soon join this prestigious family of Heroes is beyond my wildest dreams . CNN : What will this recognition mean to Bridging the Gap ? Parker : This recognition will be a venue to tell the story of the millions of marginalized people around the world who suffer greatly due to the dangers that rivers pose . It 's for them . I hope this story will inspire other people and organizations to start bridge-building programs like I have done . I also hope this will increase our financial resources so that Bridging the Gap can hire more staff and be even more effective . CNN : What do you want people to know most about your work ? Parker : I want people to know that my work is saving lives by providing safe access over perilous rivers . Our simple bridges are incredibly effective and helping poor communities in so many ways . Bridges are vital for health , education and commerce . Bridges are beautiful ! I am writing from a bridge site in West Pokot where four people , sadly , drowned earlier this year . I wish all of you could see this setting , hear the sounds of rural Africa and meet this very happy community that I 'm serving . The scenery is breathtaking . I can see children mirrored in my computer screen standing behind my chair as I type under the shade of an Acacia tree -- children who will no longer have to worry about drowning in the river they paradoxically depend on as a source of life . When I arrived at the bridge site four days ago , I was surprised to be welcomed by more than 300 people , dressed in their bright traditional attire , singing and dancing as though it was the bridge-opening ceremony . This is another first for me ! In all the years I 've been building bridges , I have never been received with such enthusiasm that stems from grateful hearts . The 42-meter bridge that the community and I are building together will link schools , medical clinics , churches and a market center . I was told by an mzee -LRB- old man -RRB- that more than 150 people have drowned at this crossing since 1965 . My typical motivational speeches to work hard were not necessary in light of this community 's history and the memories of loved ones lost . I ca n't describe how much this simple bridge means to these people . It 's their Golden Gate .
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Harmon Parker is transforming Kenyan communities by building footbridges over perilous rivers . Many people in rural Kenya still fall victim to flash floods and predatory animals . Parker on his current bridge project : `` This is their Golden Gate ''
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Tucson , Arizona -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona remained in critical but stable condition in a Tucson hospital Monday as her alleged would-be assassin made his first appearance in court . The alleged shooter , Jared Lee Loughner , 22 , briefly appeared in a Phoenix courtroom to formally hear the charges against him . If convicted , he could face the death penalty . A preliminary hearing was set for January 24 . Loughner is accused of opening fire outside a Tucson supermarket where Giffords was meeting with constituents Saturday . Six people -- including a federal judge -- were killed and 14 others were wounded in the attack . In addition to Giffords , seven other patients remained hospitalized , doctors at University Medical Center said . Five of the patients were in serious condition and two in good condition . Two patients remain in intensive care , they noted . President Barack Obama , meanwhile , led the nation in a moment of silence Monday morning as flags across the country flew at half-staff to honor the victims . He is planning to travel to Tucson on Wednesday , according to two senior administration officials . The Supreme Court , which rarely alters its public sessions , observed the occasion by convening 10 minutes early to ensure that first arguments were completed before the moment of silence . Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer was scheduled to give her official `` State of the State '' address Monday , but instead she used the occasion to call for unity and express sympathy for the victims . Debate has swirled around the question of whether Saturday 's massacre was partly the consequence of what many observers characterize as a trend of increasingly toxic political rhetoric . In his first public statement since the weekend shooting rampage outside the Arizona supermarket , Giffords ' husband thanked supporters and expressed condolences to the families of other victims . `` Many of you have offered help . There is little that we can do but pray for those who are struggling , '' wrote astronaut Mark Kelly . Giffords , who was shot through the left hemisphere of her brain with a 9mm pistol , is currently in a medically induced coma in order to minimize discomfort , according to Dr. Michael Lemole Jr. , chief of neurosurgery at University Medical Center . `` I 'm happy to say she 's holding her own , '' Lemole told CNN Monday . She is `` functioning at a high level . '' `` We 're not out of the woods yet , '' but doctors are optimistic about her prospects of recovery , he later added at a news conference . Lemole noted that potentially dangerous brain swelling typically peaks roughly three days after a person is shot in the head . '' -LRB- We -RRB- can breathe a collective sigh of relief after about the third or fourth day , '' he said . Doctors removed part of Giffords ' skull during surgery in order to keep the brain from pressing against it if it swells , but the bullet 's front-to-back trajectory did not do as much damage as would have a shot that crossed from one hemisphere to the other , Lemole noted earlier . The next big milestone for Giffords , Lemole told CNN , will come when doctors decide her condition has improved to the point that breathing tubes can be removed . That would be `` a huge step forward , '' he said . Doctors noted earlier that Giffords has been following simple commands , and a longtime adviser said Sunday he was confident she would survive her wound . `` The doctors are pretty clear that we just have to wait and see , '' Mike McNulty said . But he added , `` I can only think that God has more important things planned for her in the future . '' Meanwhile , Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said Monday morning that the investigation was `` winding down , '' and that authorities have evidence that suspect Loughner specifically targeted the congresswoman . `` He 's a very troubled individual , '' Dupnik said . Giffords , a three-term Democrat , was among the 20 people shot at her constituent open house Saturday . Federal authorities have leveled murder and attempted murder charges at Loughner , a former community college student who posted online screeds about government mind control . Authorities have said the federal charges Loughner faces include two counts of murder , two counts of attempted murder and one count of attempting to kill a member of Congress -- all stemming from the shootings of federal employees at the scene . One member of Giffords ' staff was killed and two more were wounded . The gunfire also claimed the life of a federal district judge , John Roll . State prosecutors could also bring charges in the remaining cases . Loughner had railed against government `` mind control '' and illiteracy in online missives and had `` kind of a troubled past , '' Dupnik said . The suspect was not talking and had invoked his right against self-incrimination , he said . A federal public defender known for handling high-profile cases , Judy Clarke , has been appointed to represent Loughner . Clarke previously defended the `` Unabomber , '' Ted Kaczynski , and assisted in the case of confessed al Qaeda operative Zacarias Moussaoui . Court documents released Sunday show that investigators found a letter from Giffords in a safe at the house where Loughner lived with his parents , thanking him for attending a 2007 event , similar to Saturday 's meet-and-greet . `` Also recovered in the safe was an envelope with handwriting on the envelope stating ' I planned ahead , ' and ` my assassination ' and the name ` Giffords , ' along with what appears to be Loughner 's signature , '' the affidavit states . A law enforcement official said Loughner asked Giffords a question at the 2007 event and was unhappy with her response . `` He never let it go , '' the source said . `` It kept festering . '' The source did not know the nature of Loughner 's question . The law enforcement official said earlier that investigators are interviewing `` anyone , everyone , we can . '' Loughner 's parents were cooperative when interviewed , the official said . Investigators have not found anything connecting Loughner to extremist groups , the official said . They believe Loughner was unemployed at the time of the shooting , according to the official . One of Loughner 's former teachers at Pima Community College said he saw Loughner as a threat and kicked him out of class months before Saturday 's shooting rampage . Loughner was `` physically removed '' from an algebra course in June -- less than a month after it began -- instructor Ben McGahee told CNN . Loughner voluntarily withdrew from the school in October after being suspended , the college said in a statement . McGahee said Loughner sometimes shook , blurted things out in class and appeared to be under the influence of drugs at times . `` I was scared of what he could do , '' McGahee said . `` I was n't scared of him physically , but I was scared of him bringing a weapon to class . '' Lorraine Morales , vice president of student development at Pima Community College West Campus , said the school has in place provisions for immediate suspensions . `` Hindsight is always 20/20 , '' she told CNN . `` The process is very clear for what needs to be followed . '' The 9mm pistol used in Saturday 's shootings was purchased at a gun store in November , FBI Director Robert Mueller told reporters Sunday . A law enforcement source said the suspect tried to buy ammunition at a Walmart store , but was turned down because of his behavior . Another Walmart store later sold him the ammunition , the source said . A source within Walmart offered a slightly different account of events . The man believed to be Loughner entered a store and requested to buy ammunition . While the employee was getting it , the suspect left the store , according to the source within Walmart . When Loughner tried to enlist in the Army in 2008 , the service rejected him for reasons it says it ca n't disclose due to privacy laws . But an administration official told CNN on Sunday that the suspect had failed a drug test . In addition to Roll , the dead from Saturday 's massacre includes Gabe Zimmerman , 30 , a Giffords staffer who was engaged to be married ; Dorwin Stoddard , 76 , who was fatally shot in the head while trying to shield his wife ; Dorothy Morris , 76 ; Phyllis Schneck , 79 ; and a 9-year-old girl , Christina Taylor Green , who was born on September 11 , 2001 . Giffords won her third term in November in a closely contested race against a Tea Party-backed Republican candidate . She was one of three Democratic legislators who reported vandalism at their offices following the March passage of the Obama administration 's sweeping health-care law . Sheriff Dupnik suggested Saturday night that `` vitriolic rhetoric '' in political debates could have deadly consequences . `` When you look at unbalanced people , how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government , the anger , the hatred , the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous . Unfortunately , Arizona , I think , has become sort of the capital , '' he said . `` We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry . '' Following the shootings , all legislation on the House schedule for the coming week was postponed , House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said . The decision was made by leaders of both parties and means the House will not vote this week on the repeal of health care reform . Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer said lawmakers will consider at least one resolution on the House floor Wednesday honoring Giffords and those who were killed in Saturday 's attack . CNN 's Kevin Bohn , Drew Griffin , Casey Wian , Jessica Yellin , Susan Candiotti , Alan Silverleib , Jeanne Meserve , Dana Bash and Ted Rowlands contributed to this report .
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NEW : Obama to travel to Tucson on Wednesday . NEW : Jared Lee Loughner could face the death penalty if convicted . He makes his court debut as a preliminary hearing is set for January 24 . Rep. Giffords ' condition has stabilized , doctors say .
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Madrid , Spain -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Basque separatist group ETA said Monday it was declaring a permanent cease-fire . In a statement released to the Basque newspaper Gara -- where it typically releases information -- ETA said it declares a permanent general and verifiable cease-fire as a `` firm commitment towards a process to achieve a lasting resolution and toward an end to the armed confrontation . '' Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said that the statement that the government wants to see is one where ETA calls for a definitive end , which he said the statement does not do . `` Am I more tranquil today than before ? Yes , '' Perez said . `` Is this the end ? I would say no . '' Spain 's Socialist government has repeatedly called for ETA to announce unilaterally a definitive end to its decades of separatist violence , blamed for more than 800 deaths , and a pledge to lay down its weapons . ETA wants Basque independence in northern Spain and southwest France . Various Basque leftist parties -- including the Batasuna party , outlawed for its links to ETA -- as well as four Nobel peace laureates and the Nelson Mandela Foundation also have called in recent months for the organization to establish a permanent and verifiable cease-fire . The Batasuna party 's ban from running candidates in municipal elections will not be lifted because of ETA 's statement , the interior minister said . The latest statement comes after weeks of speculation in Spain that ETA would issue a statement during the holiday season . `` It is time to act with historical responsibility . ETA calls upon those governing Spain and France to end all repressive measures and to leave aside for once and for all their position of denial towards the Basque Country , '' the statement said . Another part of the message said , `` The solution will come through the democratic process with dialogue and negotiation as its tools and with its compass pointed towards the will of the Basque people . '' `` ETA will continue its indefatigable struggle and efforts to promote and to bring to a conclusion the democratic process until there is a truly democratic situation in the Basque Country , '' it added . The organization has announced cease-fires before and broken them , notably its unilateral 2006 cease-fire that was announced as `` permanent , '' only to be broken months later with a car bomb at Madrid 's airport that killed two people . Despite ETA 's current cease-fire , in effect since September , the government has not eased up on the police pressure against ETA operatives in Spain and the organization 's hideouts in neighboring France and Portugal . In the past few years , police have arrested many of ETA 's suspected top operatives , as well as many of its foot soldiers , and seized bomb-making materials and weapons from hidden arms caches , virtually shutting off ETA attacks . There are about 800 ETA convicts or suspects in prison , mainly in Spain but also in France , the Interior Ministry said recently . ETA 's statement comes two days after a march Saturday in the largest Basque city , Bilbao , by relatives and friends of the prisoners . They want the prisoners transferred to jails in the Basque region instead of being dispersed across Spain , which authorities have said is done for security purposes . ETA is listed as a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union for its campaign of car bombings and shootings . The Spanish government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero began a peace process in 2006 during ETA 's earlier unilateral cease-fire , but after the organization detonated an airport bomb , the government called off negotiations . Since then , officials of Zapatero 's government have said they would not accept another cease-fire , only a definitive statement from ETA that it would end its armed fight , and specifying when and where it would lay down its arms forever . The Basque region in northern Spain already has considerable home-rule authority , with its own police , parliament , taxing power and control of health and education . But ETA rejects those as partial steps , and has fought for full independence . ETA 's goal is an independent Basque nation comprising the three-province Basque region and the neighboring Navarra region in Spain , along with three departments in southwest France that also have Basque roots . About 3 million people live in those areas now . Officials have said that in recent years , ETA has become weaker and more isolated from its traditional base of popular support .
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The Basque separatist group ETA has announced and broken other cease-fires . ETA seeks independence for Basques in northern Spain and southwest France . About 800 ETA convicts or suspects are being held in prisons , officials say .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Within seconds after the shooting began , at least one man who was grazed by a bullet grabbed the gunman , a middle-aged woman snatched ammunition away from him , and a group of people held him down while another man grabbed the gun out of his hand , a man and a woman who helped subdue the shooter told CNN Sunday . `` It was so surreal . You do n't believe what 's really happening in front of you . People are really dying , '' said Joe Zamudio , one of the people who helped restrain the suspect . `` As the police took him away , I looked up and it was just -- it hit me like a ton of bricks . All these people that were wounded , and all these people 's lives were changed in an instant . '' Zamudio had been inside a nearby Walgreens when he heard the shots ring out . `` I ran outside towards the shots and when I rounded the corner , the first thing I saw was the people wrestling with the gunman . Behind that it was just kind of like people laying everywhere and kind of falling and crawling . Kind of realizing you had been shot is a weird thing to go through , I think . The people did n't really know . They were saying , ` What happened ? What was that ? ' And then it started , a lot of ` I 'm bleeding . ' Like , this is real -- this is real . And then it was just , you know , ` Where 's the ambulances ? ' It was just like nobody really knew what was going on . Nobody could really come to terms with it for minutes it seemed like . Nobody really kind of realized the massiveness of what happened . '' `` What really scared me , '' Zamudio said , was seeing a middle-aged , `` maybe elderly woman , '' wrestling the next magazine away from the gunman . `` I realized he was trying to reload his gun ... I just kind of fell on him too , like kind of put my weight over him , and made sure the gun was down and out of play . '' The woman was Patricia Maisch , who said she did n't have time to think about what she was doing . `` He -LRB- the suspect -RRB- pulled the magazine out of his pants pocket and it dropped onto the sidewalk . And before he could reach it , I got it , '' she said . `` I just reacted . I did n't have an opportunity to think . '' Maisch brushed off reports of her being called a hero . `` The two men that secured him were the heroes . I just was an assistant in being able to get that magazine or clip , '' she said , humbly . The gunman was already on the ground when Zamudio got there , he said . `` I laid on him and held him down , and made sure the gun was down . '' The `` real hero , '' Zamudio said , was the man who grabbed the gunman first . `` There was a gentleman who was wounded on top of the head , I think he got hit with a ricochet or something , -LRB- a -RRB- bullet grazed the top of his head , '' but still he `` initiated the contact '' with the shooter . `` Then other people were able to grab on and they were able to kind of contain him and pull him down . '' Zamudio 's account differs slightly from Maisch 's in that she said two men secured the suspect . A third man wrestled the gun out of the shooter 's hand , Zamudio said . In the confusion , Zamudio explained , he grabbed that man 's wrist at one point , not knowing who it was . `` He says to me , ` No , no , it 's him , it 's him . Just put it -LRB- the gun -RRB- on the ground . Put it on the ground . '' It felt like three or four minutes before the police came , Zamudio said . `` I thought it seemed like forever . But I think when you 're in the moment , your perception of time is off . ''
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NEW : The woman who took the magazine from the shooter says she did n't have time to think . NEW : She snatched it after he dropped the magazine on the sidewalk . Zamudio helped pin the gunman to the ground . He says the `` real hero '' was a wounded man who first grabbed the gunman .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates held talks with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing on Monday on the first stop of his weeklong trip to Asia . It is Gates ' second visit to the country since he assumed the post in December 2006 . The trip is intended to deepen the military relationship between the United States and China -- a relationship that suffered a setback last year when Beijing objected to Washington 's sale of defensive weapons to Taiwan . Ahead of his arrival in Beijing , Gates told reporters traveling with him that he intended to discuss strategies and policies to avoid `` miscalculations and misunderstandings and miscommunications . '' Gates also wants the two nations to hold more high-level visits , he said . `` My own view is that a positive , constructive , comprehensive relationship between the United States and China is not just in the mutual interest of the two countries , but in the interests of the region , and I would say the globe , '' he said . For his part , Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie told Gates that the relationship will require efforts from both sides to resolve disagreements . `` The Sino-U.S. military relationship has new opportunities for development . It also faces challenges , '' Liang was quoted as saying by the state run Xinhua news agency .
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NEW : Liang : Relationship has opportunities and challenges . The trip is Gates ' second to China since he became defense secretary . The relationship between the two sides suffered a setback last year . Gates has said he wants the two nations to hold more high-level visits .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Top Pakistani officials on Wednesday dismissed fears over the safety of the nation 's nuclear weapons revealed in U.S. diplomatic cables . `` Pakistan 's nuclear assets are safe , '' said Qamar Zaman Kaira , the information minister . `` All major countries , including the U.S. , have shown they 're satisfied with the security of our nuclear assets . '' U.S. diplomatic cables cited by The New York Times reveal concerns over Pakistan 's uranium stockpile , its role in the struggle against Islamic militants and its economic crisis . The documents are among the vast cache of U.S. State Department papers that WikiLeaks , a website known for leaking official secrets , began releasing Sunday to widespread condemnation from the United States and its allies . CNN can not independently verify the content of all the cables from the website . Cables revealed by The Times show that the U.S. ambassador in Islamabad was concerned over a supply of highly enriched uranium at an aging research reactor , allegedly enough to build several `` dirty bombs . '' The Times cites a cable dated May 27 , 2009 , in which Ambassador Anne Patterson said the Pakistani government was dragging its feet on an agreement that would allow the U.S. to remove the material . She said the Pakistani government was concerned that the `` sensational ' international and local media coverage of Pakistan 's nuclear weapons made it impossible to proceed at this time . '' A foreign ministry spokesman said fears over the nation 's nuclear weapons are misplaced . `` Their fears are misplaced and doubtless fall in the realm of condescension , '' spokesman Abdul Basit said . `` There has not been a single incident involving our fissile material which clearly reflects how strong our controls and mechanisms are . '' Basit said Pakistan has `` extended experience in handling nuclear stuff . '' Nuclear safety was not the only concern linked to Pakistan in the cables . One document cited says Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari had told U.S. Vice President Joe Biden that the Pakistani military might `` take me out . '' However , Kaira said , the nation was not at risk of a coup . `` All of Pakistan 's institutions , including military , have learned lessons from the past , '' the minister said . `` There would be no military coup today . The people of Pakistan will not allow a coup . '' Other governments are also preoccupied by Pakistan , including Saudi Arabia , according to a CNN survey of the leaked cables . In a cable sent to Washington in February , Ambassador James Smith writes : `` King Abdullah firmly believes that Asif Zardari is the primary obstacle to the government 's ability to move unequivocally to end terrorist safe havens there -LRB- ` when the head is rotten , it affects the whole body ' -RRB- . '' Kaira refuted the accusation , saying the government is committed to the war against terrorism . `` We have won the war in many parts of the country and we are winning in other parts of the country . I admit the success is slow because the war is very long . '' A cable from June 2009 said Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told U.S. diplomats that Pakistan was his `` private nightmare , '' suggesting that the world might wake up one morning `` with everything changed '' after a potential Islamic extremist takeover . CNN 's Reza Sayah and Tim Lister contributed to this report .
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` Pakistan 's nuclear assets are safe , ' top official says . Leaked U.S. diplomatic cables reveal concerns over Pakistan 's uranium stockpile . Struggle to fight Islamic militants and economic crisis also cited .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The oldest daughter of the Austrian family portrayed in the 1965 film `` The Sound of Music '' died of heart failure Tuesday , a friend confirmed . Agathe von Trapp , 97 , was in a Gilchrist Hospice in Towson , Maryland , when she died , her friend Mary Louise Kane told CNN Thursday . She fell ill November 9 and was moved on December 2 to the Gilchrist Hospice , said Kane , who ran a kindergarten with von Trapp in Glyndon , Maryland . The 16-year-old Liesl von Trapp character in the movie was based on Agathe , but the writer and director took great artistic license with the portrayal , Kane said . '' -LRB- Von Trapp -RRB- was nothing at all like the Liesl character , '' Kane said . `` She was a very private person and a bit shy . She did n't like being in the limelight at all . '' Contrary to the movie , she was not the oldest of the von Trapp family . An older brother was made younger in the script . `` Liesl was a made-up character , '' Kane said . `` I never thought of her being Agathe because they were too unlike . '' Four siblings survive , including Maria , 96 , who lives in Vermont , Kane said . Three half-siblings still alive are Rosemarie , Eleonore , and Johannes , she said . The von Trapp family fled Austria in 1938 to escape Nazi persecution . They toured the United States as the Trapp Family Singers after World War II . Agathe von Trapp wrote her life story in a book published in 2003 and republished last September , Kane said . `` She was hoping to do some book signings , '' Kane said . `` She did enjoy the book signings because people would come and tell her how much they enjoyed her concerts . '' Kane is hoping to hold a memorial service for her friend on March 12 , which would have been Agathe von Trapp 's 98th birthday .
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Agathe von Trapp was oldest daughter of family portrayed in the `` The Sound of Music '' ` She was nothing at all like the Liesl character , ' her friend says . Four Von Trapp children survive .
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London -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- London fire officials were at the O2 arena Tuesday morning after two tour buses of the Grammy-nominated rock band Kings of Leon caught on fire , the Fire Brigade said . Kings of Leon was scheduled to play the arena Tuesday night . `` The fire is under control and no injuries reported . Assessments are currently underway and we expect to make a decision in the next couple of hours as to whether tonight 's Kings of Leon show will go ahead . We will keep our website updated so please check back throughout the day , '' the group said on its website . Sixty firefighters were battling the blaze near a loading bay of the facility , officials said . `` Our crews are doing a fantastic job , especially given the levels of smoke down here which has lead to quite challenging conditions , '' the Fire Brigade said . The Kings of Leon has achieved tremendous success in recent years , scoring a multi-platinum album and several hit singles with their 2008 CD `` Only by the Night . '' They are now touring to promote their fifth album , `` Come Around Sundown . ''
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The rock band Kings of Leon is scheduled to play the arena Tuesday night . Sixty firefighters are battling the blaze . The fire is under control , the band said .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When John Isner played Nicolas Mahut in 2010 , the American finally staggered off the court victorious -- 11 hours and a staggering 168 games later in the longest match in tennis history . But his 2011 reunion with the Frenchman proved to be a relatively brief encounter , with the world No. 19 registering a routine straight-sets win in a brisk 90 minutes on Monday . The 25-year-old , who edged the June marathon at Wimbledon with a 70-68 win in the final set , was relieved after rattling off a 6-3 7-6 -LRB- 7-5 -RRB- result at the Hopman Cup mixed teams event in Australia . `` If I 'd lost that second set it might have gone for four hours , '' he joked on the tournament 's website . `` So I was lucky to finish it in two . Isner defeats Mahut in Wimbledon epic . `` First match of the year , I 'm pretty pleased with how I played . I got on top of him early in the first set and then the second set he picked his game up and I kind of just stayed the course with mine . '' Isner 's win gave the U.S. an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Group A tie against France following Bethanie Mattek-Sands ' 3-6 6-3 6-1 victory over 17-year-old Kristina Mladenovic . The Americans , seeking their country 's sixth title in Perth , followed that up by winning the doubles rubber 2-6 6-3 10-8 to clinch a 3-0 victory and take top spot from Italy 's Francesca Schiavone and Potito Starace in the round-robin standings . Earlier in the day , the Italians beat second seeds Britain 2-1 as Schiavone and Starace won the decisive doubles rubber against teenager Laura Robson and Andy Murray 6-7 -LRB- 1-7 -RRB- 7-6 -LRB- 8-6 -RRB- 7-6 -LRB- 7-2 -RRB- in just over two hours . French Open champion Schiavone battled to a 7-5 6-3 win over 16-year-old Robson in the opening match , then world No. 4 Murray leveled the tie as he beat Starace 7-5 6-1 despite struggling with the high temperatures . What were the top 10 tennis moments of 2010 ? `` I did n't feel very fit today , '' he said . `` I was breathing so hard after four or five games , so hopefully that will improve over the next couple of weeks . `` That 's the goal , to try to beat those guys in the big events and try to win my first grand slam . '' Tuesday 's action features two Group B ties between Belgium and Kazakhstan , then top seeds Serbia versus Australia . Kazakhstan 's Yaroslava Shvedova has been forced to withdraw from the competition after suffering a knee injury in Sunday 's defeat by Serbia 's Ana Ivanovic . The 23-year-old , who has been replaced by Sesil Karatantcheva , may now miss the Australian Open , which starts on January 17 in Melbourne . Belgium 's Justine Henin and Ruben Bemelmans will seek to build on Saturday 's 2-1 win over Australia . Meanwhile , Russian star Maria Sharapova eased into the second round of the ASB Classic in Auckland , New Zealand with a 6-2 6-3 success against Italian lucky loser Alberta Brianti on Monday . Sharapova was set to face fifth-seeded Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro in the opening match of the hardcourt tournament , but the draw was rearranged after Latvia 's Anastasija Sevastova withdrew through illness . Another big name to advance at the ASB Tennis Center was top seed Sharapova 's compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova , who overcame local favorite Sacha Jones with a 6-4 6-2 win . Third seed Kuznetsova , who finished last season outside of the top 10 for the first time in seven years , praised the efforts of her 20-year-old opponent . `` For almost the whole first set I had to watch and adjust to how she was playing , '' the 25-year-old told the WTA Tour 's official website . `` She had the home crowd , I had never played her before and had no idea what to expect . In the second set I was able to put more pressure on her . '' At the Brisbane International tournament , defending champion Andy Roddick crushed wildcard Marinko Matosevic 6-3 6-2 . The second-seeded American , ranked eighth in the world , sealed his win in just 72 minutes to set up a second-round clash with Ukraine 's Alexandr Dolgopolov . In the women 's draw , Australian top seed Samantha Stosur delighted the home crowd with a 7-6 -LRB- 7-1 -RRB- 6-1 success over Czech Lucie Hradecka . It was a day of contrasting fortunes for Stosur 's main rivals , as Shahar Peer and French fourth seed Marion Bartoli both advanced while No. 3 Nadia Petrova crashed out . Israeli second seed Peer defeated Australia 's Sophie Ferguson 6-4 6-2 and former Wimbledon finalist Bartoli beat American qualifier Vania King 6-1 6-2 , while Russia 's Petrova was beaten 7-6 -LRB- 7-3 -RRB- 6-3 by Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic .
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John Isner beats Nicolas Mahut to help the U.S. to a 3-0 Hopman Cup win over France . The match was a repeat of last June 's record-breaking clash between the pair . Maria Sharapova is through to the second round of the ASB Classic in Auckland . Defending champion Andy Roddick wins his first match at Brisbane International .
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Tehran , Iran -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The death toll from a plane crash in northwestern Iran has risen to 77 , news agencies in the country reported Monday . Twenty-seven others were injured when the IranAir jet crashed near the city of Orumiyeh , in a snowy and mountainous part of the country , state-run Press TV reported . Bad weather forced the Boeing 727 to give up its first landing attempt . It was circling for a second approach when air-traffic controllers lost contact with the plane , according to an account on Press TV . Investigators have recovered the flight data recorders and plan to analyze them to determine what caused the crash , the news agency said , citing Ahmad Majidi , deputy for crisis management in the Road and Transportation Ministry . The semi-official Fars news agency said the plane went down in farmland after making a second attempt to land . Official Iranian news agencies reported Sunday that the plane carried 105 passengers and crew members , but Press TV reported a toll Monday -- 77 dead and 27 injured -- that suggests 104 passengers and crew were on board . The discrepancy could not immediately be clarified . CNN 's Shirzad Bozorgmehr in Tehran and Azadeh Ansari contributed to this story .
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The death toll has gone up to 77 , Iranian news agencies reported . The plane crashed in a snowy and mountainous part of northwestern Iran . Twenty-seven people were hurt , agencies said .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Robin Soderling will be hoping to improve on a dismal record at the Australian Open next week after an impressive display saw him clinch the Brisbane International title in Queensland , Australia . The Swede brushed aside Andy Roddick in straight sets 6-3 7-5 in Sunday 's final at the Pat Rafter Arena to claim his seventh career title and raise expectations of a good run at the Australian Open , which starts in Melbourne on January 17 . The victory means Soderling moves up to fourth in the world rankings ahead of Scotland 's Andy Murray . The Swede will also be seeded fourth in Melbourne . The 26-year-old 's improved ranking and good form should , in theory at least , give him an excellent chance of bettering his best performance at the Australian Open and make it past the second round for the first time . `` I 'm playing really well and it makes me really happy . I 've never really played well in Australia before and now finally I won a tournament playing really good tennis . It gives me a lot of confidence for Melbourne , '' Soderling said , ATPWorldTour.com reported . In an impressive service display , Soderling did n't face any break points on his serve , while creating ten on his opponent . Roddick was taken to deuce in his first service game and then lost his second as Soderling seized early control of the match . Faultless serving by the Swede ensured he wrapped up the first set in just 35 minutes . There was no let up in the second set and Roddick did well to stay in the set as long as he did . The American saved three break points in the fifth game but was finally broken in the 11th to allow Soderling to serve out the match . `` I 've had the best possible preparation I could have with five good matches here , now I 'll have a week of rest and practice in Melbourne and I 'll be more than ready to go . I know I have a chance to do really well if I play good tennis like here , '' Soderling said , ATPWorldTour.com reported . Roddick was full of praise for the in-form Swede . `` He served great . Conditions were heavy and he served through it better . I think that was the difference ; I was n't able to get into any return games and he got into two and was able to break in those , '' Roddick said , ATPWorldTour reported . Earlier in the week Roddick pledged $ 100 for every ace he served in the tournament to go towards Queensland 's flood relief fund . After the final , having served 54 aces during the week , the World No. 8 doubled the pledge to $ 200 , raising his donation to $ 10,800 .
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Swede sees off American Andy Roddick in straight sets to claim Brisbane crown . Soderling rises to four in world rankings ahead of Australian Open in Melbourne . Soderling has poor record at Melbourne Park having never made the third round . Roddick donates over $ 10,000 to Queensland flood relief fund after final .
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Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal over a federal law banning felons from having bulletproof vests or body armor . The 7-2 decision on Monday not to intervene was a reaffirmation of congressional authority over a wide range of commerce . The order was one of several hundred pending appeals the court summarily disposed of by the court . By refusing to accept the case for review , the justices let stand the conviction of Cedrick Alderman , a Washington state man who was stopped by police in 2005 on suspicion of selling cocaine . Officers then discovered he was wearing a bulletproof vest . That in itself did not violate state law , but because Alderman was an ex-felon -- convicted of armed robbery in 1999 -- and the vest was manufactured in California , he was convicted under federal law . He was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison . Congress had passed the law in 2002 in response to a series of high-profile shootings involving police , including bank robbers wearing body armor . Alderman 's lawyers argued owning such equipment had nothing to do with interstate commerce , and that Congress had no power to intervene . `` The federal power claimed is the authority to regulate anything -- from possession of french fries to the local theft of a Hershey 's kiss , '' his lawyers told the high court . Opponents of the sweeping health care reform law promoted by President Obama have made similar arguments , saying constitutional authority by the government has been improperly exceeded . In particular , nearly a dozen states and private groups have challenged a provision of the law requiring Americans to have some form of health insurance by 2014 or pay a tax penalty . Justices Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia strongly dissented from the court 's refusal to intervene in the Alderman case . `` Today , the court tacitly accepts the nullification of our recent Commerce Clause jurisprudence , '' wrote Thomas in a seven-page dissent . The court 's failure to step in `` threatens the proper limits on Congress 's commerce power and may allow Congress to exercise police powers that our Constitution reserves to the states , '' he said . The case is Alderman v. U.S. -LRB- 09-1555 -RRB- . In other pending cases : . The justices let stand the criminal conviction of an Oregon man who was found guilty despite votes from two jurors to acquit him . At issue was whether the Constitution requires a unanimous jury verdict to convict a person of a felony . Oregon and Louisiana alone among states allow criminal convictions by non-unanimous verdicts in some crimes . Alonso Herrera was convicted by a 10-2 jury vote in 2008 for unauthorized use of a vehicle -- borrowing a friend 's car and not bringing it back . He served 13 months behind bars . The case is Herrera v. Oregon -LRB- 10-344 -RRB- . The justices rejected for a second time the appeal of an outspoken figure in the `` birther '' movement involving whether President Obama is in fact a U.S. citizen . Attorney Orly Taitz has been challenging a $ 20,000 fine imposed by a federal judge who determined the California attorney had filed a frivolous lawsuit . Taitz had represented Capt. Connie Rhodes , an Army physician from Columbus , Georgia , who protested her pending deployment to Iraq . Taitz had argued in court the deployment was illegal because Obama had no authority to act as commander in chief because he was unconstitutionally serving as president . A motion for a restraining order was ultimately rejected by Judge Clay Land of the Middle District of Georgia . According to court records , Taitz then filed for a rehearing , and publicly labeled the ruling an `` act of treason . '' Rhodes later said that second motion , which also was rejected , was filed without her consent . Land then ruled the lawyer had filed `` frivolous '' litigation , had abused the civil judicial process , and fined her . The high court in August had rejected a similar motion for relief from Taitz . The justices had also dismissed earlier , unrelated lawsuits from individuals questioning Obama 's citizenship . State birth certificate records show he was born August 4 , 1961 , in Honolulu , Hawaii . His mother is a native of Kansas ; his father was born in Kenya . Among the claims of various `` birther '' movement organizers are that the president was born in Kenya or Indonesia ; that his birth certificate is a forgery ; and that he had dual American-British citizenship at birth because of his father 's Kenyan heritage and therefore is not a `` natural born '' citizen , as is required to be eligible for president under the U.S. Constitution . The case is Taitz v. MacDonald -LRB- 10-541 -RRB- . And the high court said no to the claims of a Native American inmate who wanted to grow his hair long behind bars , for what he said were a necessary part of his religious rights . Iron Thunderhorse , a 66-year-old practitioner of Native American shaminism , also claimed Texas corrections officials denied him the right to wear a colored headband and to use a pipe in his cell as part of his tribal ceremonies . At issue was whether a prison grooming rule violated a federal law protecting the rights of prisoners to religious practice . The inmate claims corrections staff has harassed him about his religion , confiscating his medicine bag , religious medallion , and quartz crystal . According to Thunderhorse , an altercation with a guard four years ago resulted him being denied the right to conduct pipe ceremonies in his cell , or being allowed to have musical instruments . The opinion says it does allow the man to wear a plain white headband . Thunderhorse is serving a 99-year prison term for robbery , rape , kidnapping and attempted escape . The Connecticut native says in his legal filings he is `` Hereditary Grand Sachem and Powwamanitomp -LRB- shaman -RRB- of the Quinnipiac Thunder Clan . '' Lower federal courts have had differing views over the level of deference owed by prison officials to inmate religious practices that conflict with grooming rules . The Obama administration had recommend the court turn aside the appeal , which it did without comment . The case is Iron Thunderhorse v. Pierce -LRB- 09-1353 . -RRB- .
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Thomas and Scalia dissent from rejection of appeal on felons owning body armor . The Supreme Court turns aside a challenge to a law allowing less-than-unanimous guilty verdicts . Another appeal from a `` birther '' also is rejected .
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-LRB- Mashable -RRB- -- Along with hearing the announcement about the Verizon iPhone Tuesday , we 've learned that Apple 's iPad -- which has been marketed by Verizon for some time -- will now actually be able to connect directly to the Verizon network . We realize that connecting the device to the network sounds like a no-brainer . However , for the past few months , folks with Verizon iPads have had to buy separate external Verizon MiFi devices in order to connect when Wi-Fi was n't available . Now , as Apple 's exclusivity with AT&T comes to a close , the iPad will be able to connect directly to Verizon 's 3G -- and who knows , perhaps even its 4G LTE -- network . The latter would bring it to parity with Motorola 's Xoom , a new Android-powered tablet recently announced at CES . iPads with embedded Verizon chips will be coming soon ; however , an exact release date has n't yet been set . The iPad first came to Verizon in October 2010 . Although connecting to the network when Wi-Fi was n't present did require a bundled MiFi , costs were comparable and data plans were better than what AT&T customers were getting . © 2010 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
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Apple 's iPad will now be able to connect directly to Verizon network . No release date set for iPads with embedded Verizon chips . iPad first came to Verizon in October 2010 .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A gap in communication between the National Weather Service and the Army Corps of Engineers undercut forecasts of the deadly flood that struck middle Tennessee in 2010 , the National Weather Service reported Wednesday . The Corps of Engineers was forced to increase the flow of water from a dam on the Cumberland River amid record rainfalls over Nashville and the surrounding region on May 2 , according to a newly released National Weather Service review of the disaster . But forecasters were n't told about the additional releases , and the Cumberland passed its predicted crest of 41.9 feet within two hours of their advisory , the report states . `` If they had been able to provide that data back to the Weather Service , we could have had a better chance of producing a more accurate and timely forecast for the Cumberland River , '' said Weather Service meteorologist Jane Hollingsworth , the report 's author . `` But again , because of the rapid evolution of the event , we could not create that communication exchange . '' The Cumberland eventually crested at nearly 52 feet in downtown Nashville , nearly 12 feet over flood stage . The resulting flooding killed 11 people in the city and inflicted more than $ 2 billion in damages , with another 15 people killed in the surrounding region . Both Hollingsworth and Jack Hayes , the Weather Service 's director , emphasized that the communication breakdown occurred during an `` unprecedented '' situation , when two-day rainfall totals more than doubled their previous record . The Corps had to increase water flows at the Old Hickory Dam in Hendersonville `` to protect the structural integrity of this dam , '' Hollingsworth told reporters . In its own November assessment , the Corps of Engineers acknowledged that `` misunderstandings '' between its Nashville district office and the Weather Service threw off forecasts `` to some degree . '' Lt. Col. Anthony Mitchell , the district commander , told CNN that the Weather Service 's report was `` pretty fair '' and consistent with the Corps ' own report . `` Obviously , our normal protocols in how we would communicate were taxed , and they were taxed to a degree that we recognize that we need to improve upon , '' Mitchell said . But , he added , `` Our actions and the actions of those Corps employees that were out there on the spillway gates , making adjustments , saved those projects and saved lives as well . '' The Corps is working on ways to share real-time data with forecasters and other agencies that need it , he said . Hollingsworth said that while the Weather Service issued flood warnings , many residents of the affected areas said they could not relate those warnings to the impact on their neighborhoods . As a result , she said , `` All perceived that they had no warning . '' Hayes said the Weather Service , the Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Geological Survey have taken steps to improve communication and to learn more about each others ' operations in the wake of the event . And he said the service has developed forecast maps that relate predicted crests to maps , allowing residents to see a clearer picture of how far floodwaters will reach . `` They need to know , when the river reaches 48 feet , what that will mean for their homes and businesses , '' Hollingsworth said . CNN 's Dave Alsup contributed to this report .
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Forecasters did n't know about increased releases from a dam upstream , the report finds . The Weather Service and the Corps of Engineers say they 're working to fix the problems . The May 2010 floods killed 26 people and flooded downtown Nashville .
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Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The State Department says it has helped relocate a number of people in other countries who , it says , could be in danger because their names have appeared in diplomatic cables revealed by Wikileaks . `` We are focused on people who have been identified in documents , '' spokesman P.J. Crowley said Friday , `` and assess whether there 's a greater risk to them of violence , imprisonment , or other , you know , serious harm , particularly in repressive societies around the world . '' `` In a small number of cases , we have assisted people in moving from where they are to -- to safer locations , '' he said . He declined to say precisely how many people have been re-located but described it as `` a handful . '' The State Department refused a request from WikiLeaks to help redact sensitive information before the documents were released in November , saying the documents were illegally obtained and should not be published . WikiLeaks began releasing what it says are 250,000 cables in small batches to four media outlets that , in turn , did some redaction on their own before publishing their stories . WikiLeaks published the redacted documents only when the outlets -- The New York Times , Germany 's Der Spiegel , Spain 's El Pais and Britain 's The Guardian -- published their stories . Crowley said the Department has identified `` several hundred '' people around the world who could be affected and it continues to pour through documents to assess their situation . Potential targets include , Crowley `` civil society , journalists , government officials . '' `` In a few instances , we have provided assistance to individuals at risk , and we will continue to reach out to them , to monitor their situation . '' In particular cases , Crowley said , the United States has `` made it clear to governments that any adverse actions against individuals identified by WikiLeaks will affect , you know , future relations with those governments . '' Crowley denied that informing governments could reveal the identities of potential victims . `` We make clear to governments , without discussing particular identities that , you know , if -- if they do for some reason move on individuals that may be exposed in cables , that that will be something that affects our relations . '' `` In certain cases , the people who might be identified are already well known to us and well known to specific governments . '' The information is being compiled by a State Department team created in November . It is analyzing Wikileaks documents , Crowley said , and it is `` intensively focused on this on an ongoing basis . '' The team includes 30 to 60 staff at any given time . Much of the team 's activity , he said , `` is focused here at the State Department . In some cases , the activity is focused at embassies and consulates around the world . ''
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Crowley : `` A small number '' of people have been moved `` to safer locations . Crowley says `` several hundred '' people could be affected . Government warns countries against `` adverse actions '' against anyone identified .
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-LRB- Wired -RRB- -- Wikipedia turns 10 Saturday , a decade during which the globally crowdsourced online encyclopedia weathered fierce criticism about its reliability and banishment from academia . At the same time , it 's so popular it turns up pretty consistently in the top 10 Google results for nearly any search . In a wide-ranging interview with Wired.co.uk , founder Jimmy Wales talks about censorship , staying relevant , and why nothing keeps him awake at night . Wired.co.uk : Did you ever think Wikipedia would be as big as it is , 10 years ago ? Jimmy Wales : I remember looking at a list of the top 100 websites and seeing an encyclopedia reference-style site ranked around number 50 and thinking that if we did a really good job we could be in the top 100 or maybe even top 50 . But today Wikipedia is the fifth most popular website in the world . What has been the biggest challenge over the last 10 years ? I would say that the biggest challenge has been dealing with the growth , and particularly in building an organization behind Wikipedia that is as strong as Wikipedia itself . Hiring Sue Gardner to run the Wikimedia Foundation was one of the best things we ever did . What has been the biggest surprise for you ? Although I always wanted Wikipedia to be global , I think I never really grasped what that would mean for the project and for me personally . I never thought about how I might need to travel all over the world to meet people . Do you get tired of defending the integrity of Wikipedia articles ? How do you counter the criticism ? No , I do n't really get tired of it , because I think that our responsibility to help make Wikipedia as good as it possibly can be means that we have to take seriously every legitimate criticism and think about how we can improve . In terms of countering the criticism , I think that today most people understand that Wikipedia is pretty good but not perfect , and that it is getting better all the time . It 's really important that our community remain steadfastly committed to taking quality really seriously . Do you see a time when Wikipedia could be a credible academic source ? I think it is already generally used and accepted far more in academia than any conventional encyclopedia ever was . What people sometimes forget is that citing -LSB- Encyclopaedia -RSB- Britannica in an academic paper is not what students should be doing , either . What are your main areas of focus at the moment ? I 'm focused increasingly on the growth of Wikipedia in the developing world . We are experiencing a lot of growth in a lot of different places , and at the Wikimedia Foundation it is a part of our five-year strategic vision to put resources behind assisting local communities grow and flourish in languages where we are currently small . We 're opening our first office outside the U.S. this year , in India , and I 'm super excited about that . Are there any legislative issues that threaten the Wikipedia model ? I worry about censorship in many parts of the world . It 's a major human rights issue and one where we try to be at the forefront of terms of advocating for the free right to share information and learn from others . While I 'm optimistic about the direction the world is headed , generally , I think there is a need for constant vigilance and pressure on repressive governments . How did you know that people would give up their time and expertise to create the collaborative encyclopedia ? I always thought that people would contribute . I did n't know , before Wikipedia , how to help them contribute , but a lot of my belief in Wikipedia came from participating in some high-quality mailing lists where I met really smart people who were perfectly happy to share what they knew . How do you encourage a more-diverse range of contributors ? There are many ways to look at this ... . Diversity across languages means that we need to look at technical and performance issues in various places around the world , and that we need to assist local communities with recruitment and publicity . Diversity within the major languages is also desirable ? we want to make it easier for more people to edit ? people who are geeks but not necessarily computer geeks ! To what extent do you think Wikipedia represents the best aspects ofthe web ? e.g. , democratization of information , power of the crowds ? To a very strong extent , I think that Wikipedia shows a hopeful set of possibilities for the future . I 'm not a big fan of the terminology `` crowds '' in this context . I think it can be disrespectful to talk about communities in those terms . We are n't a crowd . We are thoughtful and noble individuals working together in peace and by choice for a common goal . How do you stay relevant ? We stay relevant mostly by sticking with intense passion to our mission-driven culture . We are here to provide a free , high-quality encyclopedia to every single person on the planet in their own language . It is a simple and powerful charitable mission . Are you never tempted to take advertising ? If not , why not ? No , not at all . We like being supported by small donors . It 's good for Wikipedia and good for the world . What keeps you awake at night ? My superpower is sleeping , so nothing really keeps me awake at night . Sometimes , jet lag . Where do you see Wikipedia in 10 years ? More languages , more information , higher quality . Subscribe to WIRED magazine for less than $ 1 an issue and get a FREE GIFT ! Click here ! Copyright 2010 Wired.com .
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Online encyclopedia Wikipedia turns 10 years old on Saturday . Founder Jimmy Wales : `` Wikipedia is pretty good but not perfect '' Wales says he worries about censorship in many parts of the world .
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Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The child-abduction alert system used by law enforcement , broadcasters and transportation departments is now available on Facebook . AMBER Alerts have previously been available to many users via their local law enforcement Facebook pages . But now , Facebook users can receive the announcements directly from state AMBER Alert pages , by choosing which state 's alerts they want to see . The District of Columbia and the U.S. Territories also each have an alert page . `` As we all know , social networking has few boundaries , and now AMBER Alerts will benefit from that reach , '' said Laurie Robinson , the National AMBER Coordinator for the Department of Justice . The AMBER -LRB- America 's Missing : Broadcast Emergency Response -RRB- Alert system started as an agreement between broadcasters and law enforcement agencies to quickly release information to the public on child abductions so citizens can assist in the search for the child . It is named for Amber Hagerman , a 9-year-old from Arlington , Texas , who was kidnapped and murdered in 1996 . The Facebook announcement comes on the eve of the 15th anniversary of her abduction . Facebook users who want to receive the alerts must will sign up at http://apps.facebook.com/amber_alert/ . Ernie Allen , president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children , said designers of the program wanted to be sensitive to people who would see the alerts as spam , so users must sign up to receive the alerts . Once they receive a bulletin , Facebook users can easily share it with their Facebook friends . An estimated 800,000 children are reported missing every year . The AMBER Alert program has been credited with the recovery of 525 children since it began .
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Facebook users can sign up to get AMBER Alerts . The program is named for Amber Hagerman , who was abducted and killed in 1996 . Some 800,000 children are reported missing each year .
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London , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A trial against six environmental activists accused of conspiring to shut down a power station in the UK has collapsed amid questions over the role of an undercover police officer in infiltrating the group . The six were among 114 people originally arrested in a police raid at a school in Nottingham , central England , in April 2009 . The protesters planned to trespass and shut down a coal-fired power station at Ratcliffe-on-Soar , Nottingham Crown Court heard . Twenty protesters received suspended sentences and conditional discharges earlier this month after they were convicted of conspiracy to commit aggravated trespass at the power station . But a spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement that information which had `` significantly undermined the prosecution 's case '' against the six had come to light on January 5 . `` In light of this information , the Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the case and decided there was no longer sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction . We offered no evidence at a hearing this morning , thereby discontinuing the case . '' Defense lawyer Mike Schwarz said he believed the prosecution 's actions were influenced by defense plans to disclose material relating to the discovery that one of those arrested in the raid had been undercover police officer called Mark Kennedy , known to the protesters as Mark Stone . `` My clients were not guilty . They did not agree to join in any plan to occupy the power station . The evidence of PC Kennedy presumably confirmed this , '' Schwarz said in a statement . `` Yet that evidence , had it been kept secret , could have led to a miscarriage of justice . '' Danny Chivers , one of the six defendants , questioned police motives for the raid , telling CNN : `` This investigation was not in the public interest . It was political policing -- we had done nothing wrong . '' Bradley Day , one of the activists involved in plans to protest at the power station , told CNN that Kennedy had played a `` key role in organizing the action , '' including taking part in a recce to the power station . He also offered to pay more than # 700 -LRB- $ 1,090 -RRB- for the cost of a rental vehicle , he said . But most of those at the school had not been aware of the plan prior to that evening 's meeting and so had not actively committed to any illegal action , he said . Day said defense lawyers had become aware of Kennedy 's role as an undercover police officer while researching the backgrounds of all 114 who had been initially arrested . In an anonymous statement forwarded to CNN by Chivers , one of the defendants said they had known `` Mark Stone '' for five or six years and `` liked and trusted him . '' `` Mark was at the meeting for the Ratcliffe action in the late afternoon/early evening of 13/04/09 -LRB- so he knew the plan in detail -RRB- , '' the statement said . The defendant said the pair planned to suspend themselves in a hanging climbing tent beneath the power station 's coal conveyer . `` We were going to climb together and I think he was also driving one of the vehicles , '' the statement continued . After their release from police custody , the defendant said he had slept the night on Mark Stone 's sitting room floor : `` I remember being awake at about eight the next morning and seeing Mark sitting at the bottom of the stairs with his head in his hands . I assumed that this was him being upset about the arrest rather than anything more complicated . '' Schwarz said the case raised `` serious questions relating to the policing of protest , from the use of undercover officers , to the use of expensive and legally questionable mass pre-emptive arrest of protesters , to the use of stringent and unaccountable pre-charge police bail conditions , to the seemingly arbitrary nature by which the 114 initially arrested were reduced to the final 26 who were eventually charged . '' CNN 's Geoff Hill , Antonia Mortensen and Laura Perez Maestro contributed to this story .
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Trial of environmental activists collapses as prosecution offers no evidence . Prosecution says new information had `` significantly undermined '' its case . Defense planned to disclose information about an undercover police officer . Activists say Mark Kennedy played a `` key role '' in organizing the action .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In some ways , the latest Hugh Hefner engagement is a humorist 's dream . An elderly man , a 24-year-old ex-Playmate -- what do we think each person is getting out of this alliance ? I do n't think you need a Ph.D. to assess the exchange of resources that has brought them together . He has money , fame , a lifetime of good stories and useful networks . She gives him the prestige that a glamorous woman bestows upon her beau , a few virility points -LRB- if we believe that 's part of the bargain -RRB- and the daily flattery of having a beautiful , and we hope nice , woman fussing over him , holding his hand and making sure he gets his vitamins . Not a bad deal for either of them actually . But the May-December couple also offers a bit more to chew on when we think of large age gaps between partners in general and the urge to marry versus cohabit . In order to think about this kind of relationship more seriously , we have to use the much-mated , just-twice-married Hugh Hefner as a jumping off point , rather than wrestle with his particular motives -- not the least of which might be the fact that his marriages are not a bad advertisement for the Playboy brand . As a sociologist who specializes in studying sexuality , love and relationships and as a consultant to AARP , I do not find late-in-life love or marriage ridiculous , nor do I think age gaps between partners are always a mistake . Hefner brings up these issues , but he certainly should n't define them for us . Passion does not necessarily dim over the life cycle . I have a widowed friend who has just turned 83 and has fallen in love again . She had been dating online and asking friends to introduce her to potential partners , because after two years or so of grieving for her husband of many years , she wanted the comfort and thrill of another romantic partner . She found a lovely man , 86 , and they have fallen in love and are enjoying life together . They recently returned from a trip to Italy . They live in different urban communities designed for older men and women and spend a lot of time in each other 's place . They are a wonderful couple . OK , so they are `` age appropriate , '' but that they are in the market for romance at their age is part of the point . I know other successful couples with large age gaps whose marriages would strike envy in the hearts of anyone who met them . My friends Ray and Gail have a 25-year-plus spread and have been married for over 15 years . He is in his early 80s , she in her 50s . They are spectacularly well-suited for one another and have an active life in the state of Washington and doing charitable dental work in the African bush . Love , when it truly happens , is precious at any age . It is possible at any age . And even if it is not passionate love , even if it is just the comfort of companionship and spending time with someone you respect , it is a boon to the heart , health and happiness of both partners . And it can run both ways : A study released in 2003 by the United Kingdom 's Office for National Statistics concluded that the proportion of women in England and Wales marrying younger men rose from 15 % to 26 % between 1963 and 1998 . I hesitate to congratulate Hefner , not because of his age -LRB- he 's 84 -RRB- , or even because of his partner 's age -- but rather because it is hard to know the motives of the rich and famous and the people who marry them . Whether these motives will bring either person in the relationship the support and love that late-life marriage can bring is not known . One final thought : You might be saying , `` But why should they marry ? If it 's love , ca n't they just live together ? They are probably not going to have children ... '' I agree that living together is a good answer for many older people . It is less complicated financially and legally , and it does n't arouse as much fear in adult children that possible inheritances will be compromised . But there is nothing in our society that certifies the intent of two partners in the same way marriage does . Only marriage presents a clear definition of how a couple wants to be seen and treated by the world , their families , their friends and community . Only marriage brings with it a complete body of law , with traditional privileges and obligations . So yes , if that 's what someone wants to say to the world at 84 , the same way they would have said at 34 , why not ? They have the right as adults and citizens . Whether they are making a wise choice of partner is another issue entirely . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Pepper Schwartz .
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Pepper Schwartz : Easy to joke about Hugh Hefner 's plan to wed a much younger woman . But whatever the motivations , she says , late-life marriages not ridiculous , not always a mistake . Such unions can provide comfort , companionship , respect , she says . Schwartz : Why not just cohabit ? Marriage certifies intent to society and obligations of law .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- 2010 began with promise for advocates of immigration reform , but it ended with a stark reminder of the obstacles they face . In the two weeks since a Senate filibuster killed the DREAM Act -LRB- it stands for Development , Relief , and Education for Alien Minors -RRB- , commentators and political strategists have already shifted their focus to the next Congress , where any legislation including legalization of undocumented people is unlikely . To chart a path for the future , however , it 's useful to take stock of what DREAM 's failure reveals about the bill 's opponents . In letting this piece of legislation die , 45 senators allowed restrictionist sentiments to prevail over economic rationality and showed why it is so hard to have a sensible national conversation about immigration . -LRB- It wo n't help them much with the Latino electorate either . -RRB- . In actual fact , considering immigration through an economic lens makes sense these days , as Americans and their political leaders grapple with an economy climbing out of crisis . It should have been a no-brainer for Congress to promote the development of skilled workers and encourage them to stay here . Instead , they killed the bill that directly confronted what to do with the immigrant potential we already have within our borders . DREAM was not about the relative merits of bringing in new immigrants -- an important question for another day . The most recent version of DREAM offered a way to bring roughly 1 million motivated high school graduates into our formal economy . Conditional upon completing two years of university or military service , undocumented immigrants brought here by their parents as minors would be offered an earned path to citizenship . The students would have been able to go to college , serve in the military , and go on to use their education and talents to contribute to our economy and national security . DREAM was based on the simple premise that we do not punish children for the actions of their parents . But allow me , for the moment , to set aside the critical questions of justice , inclusion , and compassion and focus instead on the economic question . DREAM students have been educated in this country for up to 12 years , and the vast majority of them want to go on to college . In fact , tens of thousands of `` DREAMers '' have already completed at least an associate 's degree . By voting against DREAM , the Senators -- 39 Republicans and 6 Democrats -- who either abstained or voted against limiting Senate debate effectively told those immigrants to either remain in the shadows or take their education , motivation , and ingenuity elsewhere . The senators revealed a willingness to squander the investment our country has already made on these young people . The economic effects are quantifiable . First , on the budget : The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office calculated that passage of DREAM would have reduced the government deficit over the next 10 years by $ 2.2 billion because DREAMers would contribute more in taxes and social security payments . Meanwhile the longer-term implications for the deficit are less clear , but the DREAM Act 's principal economic benefit would have gone beyond public revenues and spending . As DREAM Act participants attended college and either joined the workforce or continued studying , they would have helped fill our impending labor shortages of nurses , teachers , and computer technicians . No wonder , then , that a recent UCLA analysis found that granting DREAMers legal status would generate at least $ 1 trillion in income for the U.S. economy over their working lives . Even the conservative United States Chamber of Commerce -- which supported the DREAM Act -- sees the economic benefits of legalizing immigrants like those eligible for DREAM . The Chamber , like outspoken leaders of many Fortune 500 companies , knows that the baby boomers will soon retire and that our increasingly service-based economy needs more young skilled workers here at home . By sending educated young people away we would be doing the opposite of what sensible governments strive for : keeping the skilled labor that all economists identify as critical for economic growth . Meanwhile , allowing them to stay , complete their education , and join the workforce would bolster segments of our economy for which we will soon lack enough qualified workers . But virtually all Republicans and a few conservative Democrats in the Senate refused to heed this simple economic argument . The bill 's death-by-filibuster marked the low point for an outgoing Senate that has pandered with nothing but short-sighted enforcement policies . The big question , now , is whether Republican leaders in the new Congress will recognize the need to shift from their current suicide path of alienating Latino voters . Here , the role of conservative advocates of comprehensive immigration reform could be critical . Conservative religious groups , some of whom have begun advocating policy that would show compassion and respect for what they called the `` God-given '' dignity of immigrants , could be a powerful voice in advancing the moral case for reform . Meanwhile , business leaders must further amplify their message about the need for immigrant labor and a sensible system to legalize and regulate it . These two groups would face steep odds in achieving any pro-immigrant legislation in the next two years , but they could begin the important work of bringing shared values and common sense back to this debate -- and setting the stage for the Dream Act 's next act . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Daniel Altschuler .
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Daniel Altschuler says it helps to look at what DREAM Act 's failure says about its opponents . Opponents ignored evidence , he says , that act would have been big economic plus for U.S. That 's irresponsible for economy , he says , and will also hurt them with Latino voters . Writer : Business , religious groups that back DREAM Act must help set stage for next act .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Affidavits in the case of a missing 13-year-old Texas girl indicate her mother and live-in boyfriend failed polygraph exams on her whereabouts and they had a New Year 's Eve party a few days after she disappeared . But Hailey Dunn 's mother , Billie Dunn , told HLN 's `` Nancy Grace '' on Wednesday that the party was a family gathering and that alcohol was not served . `` We were pretty upset , '' about Hailey , Dunn said . According to the affidavits , boyfriend Shawn Adkins ended two polygraph exams by walking out . On the third try , he failed the initial part of the test , but he then `` made a positive indication '' that the girl could be found in Scurry County , Texas . Billie Dunn said Adkins was on anxiety medication at the time of the first test . Billie Dunn was under the influence of narcotics on her first polygraph examination , and she failed the second , according to a law enforcement affidavit posted on the website of CNN affiliate KTAB in Abilene . The affidavits were filed by law enforcement officials for the purpose of securing search warrants for evidence related to Hailey 's disappearance , according to CNN affiliate KTXS . Adkins was the last person to see the eighth-grade cheerleader on December 27 at Dunn 's home in Colorado City , according to local reports . Colorado City -- a rural central Texas town -- is about 70 miles west of Abilene , Texas . Hailey was reported missing by her mother December 28 . Authorities indicated Wednesday they are looking at several `` persons of interest . '' The Colorado City Police Department responded to a domestic dispute in February 2010 after Adkins allegedly threatened Billie and Hailey Dunn , the released documents show . Adkins confirmed he did make the threats , according to documents . Billie Dunn said she has no idea what happened to her daughter . `` Somebody knows where she is , '' she told HLN . The mother said she and Adkins were interested in stories about violent crimes and murder . The affidavits claim her interest in such topics is a `` hobby . '' The affidavits also indicated Billie Dunn and Adkins made ATM withdrawals on December 27 to purchase drugs . Hailey reportedly told Adkins she was going to visit her father and then a friend . Hailey 's father , Clint Dunn , says she often came to his home but did not on that day . Billie Dunn said she took the polygraph test after she was informed that Adkins had failed . Woodrow Tripp , a polygraph expert , told `` Nancy Grace '' that troubles him . '' That absolutely would cause major problems emotionally as she 's administered one . You want to try to minimize that as much as possible , '' Tripp said last week . The night Hailey vanished , Dunn says she thought her daughter was sleeping over at a friend 's house . Dunn met Adkins on the MySpace social networking site more than two years ago , and he moved in with her several months ago . Hailey is 5 feet , 2 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds . She has hazel eyes and brown hair with blond streaks . When she disappeared , she was wearing navy blue sweatpants , a light-colored short sleeve T-shirt and pink and white tennis shoes . Colorado City Police , who said they could not discuss the affidavits , said there is no evidence the girl is in hiding or ran away . `` Law enforcement has treated the disappearance of Hailey Dunn as a criminal investigation and will continue to make every effort to follow all investigative leads , '' it said in a statement . Authorities on Wednesday said they have searched 80 square miles across multiple counties . They have conducted hundreds of interviews and have followed more than 200 viable leads .
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Hailey Dunn was last seen December 27 . Police have administered polygraph tests to her mother and her mother 's boyfriend . Mother Billie Dunn described the party as a New Year 's Eve `` family gathering ''
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Mexico City , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Diego Fernandez de Cevallos , a prominent Mexican politician kidnapped in May , was released and back at his home Monday . `` I am fine , thanks to God . I am strong and my life will continue to be the same , '' he told the crush of reporters gathered outside of his home in Mexico City . `` As a man of faith , I have already forgiven them , '' Fernandez de Cevallos said about his kidnappers . `` But as a citizen , I believe the authorities have a job to do . '' Fernandez de Cevallos , a former senator and congressman and a close ally of Mexican President Felipe Calderon , disappeared on May 14 near his ranch in the state of Queretaro in central Mexico . Blood and other signs of a struggle were found , police said . Federal prosecutors had been investigating the case but later backed off at the request of the ex-senator 's family members . Sporting a white beard , Fernandez de Cevallos seemed thin and much older Monday than in previous public appearances . He was a presidential candidate in 1994 . He belongs to the same political party as Calderon , leading some officials to speculate that he may have been abducted by narcotraffickers . More than 30,000 people have been killed since Calderon declared war on the drug cartels shortly after taking office in December 2006 . Fernandez de Cevallos ' conservative politics also have led others to speculate that leftist guerrillas may have abducted him .
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NEW : Diego Fernandez de Cevallos : `` I am strong '' He is back at his home . Fernandez de Cevallos was abducted on May 14 ; it is unclear who kidnapped him or why .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. is keeping close watch on the case of an American relief worker jailed in Haiti under suspicion of kidnapping a 15-month-old boy , the State Department said Friday , but it remains unclear whether the U.S. is working for Paul Waggoner 's release . `` We have monitored his court appearances and continue to track the case closely , '' said P.J. Crowley , spokesman for the State Department . A Haitian judge concluded after a hearing Wednesday that sufficient evidence exists to hold Waggoner while investigators evaluate a man 's complaint that the American kidnapped his critically ill son from a hospital , according to Jon Piechowski , a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Haiti . Waggoner is the co-founder of Materials Management Relief Corps , a humanitarian organization that seeks to provide logistical support to medical workers in Haiti , where a major earthquake caused extensive damage in January . Waggoner was working at the Haitian Community Hospital in Petionville in February when a Haitian man sought treatment for his 15-month-old son . Accounts differ as to what happened next , but the father believes the child survived and that Waggoner kidnapped him , Piechowski said . Waggoner 's supporters , including two physicians , have said the child died , and his body was cremated because the father would not claim the remains . Dr. Kenneth Adams , a volunteer physician on staff at the Haitian Community Hospital , said he was present when the child 's father returned to see his son and `` witnessed as the father looked at the baby for several minutes , waiting for the baby to breathe . '' The man took pictures with the deceased baby before he left , Adams said . The father filed a complaint against Waggoner in March . Piechowski said Waggoner left Haiti without answering the accusations and was arrested December 12 after returning to the country . Repeated efforts to contact Haitian government officials were unsuccessful Friday . One account provided by supporters say the father handed Waggoner the child at the hospital . Another says Waggoner may have transported the child to the hospital . Regardless , Waggoner had nothing to do with the child 's care , according to his supporters . `` I was there through the whole thing , and what kills me is that Paul basically had nothing to do with the whole situation , '' said Jeff Quinlan , who said he was working as director of security at the hospital when the child arrived . Quinlan said he told the father that the boy had died and instructed him to return within 24 hours to take the body . But he said the father instead returned with a `` witch doctor '' claiming the child was still alive . Quinlan and Waggoner 's organization said a doctor who treated the boy has signed an affidavit confirming that the child died , saying that the father had viewed the body and that he had declined to claim the remains because he did not have resources to bury the child . Quinlan said he believes Haitian authorities are trying to extort money from Waggoner , who is being held in the National Penitentiary in Port-au-Prince . Waggoner 's sister said she is concerned for his well-being . `` The cells are made for about 10 people , and an average of 70 per cell is the current population , '' Randi Waggoner Lightner said . `` There is nowhere for them to sleep ; they do n't get baths ; water is unsafe if existent . '' The State Department has maintained contact with Waggoner 's family , Crowley said , and has `` kept his family fully informed . '' In February , 10 U.S. missionaries were charged with kidnapping over accusations that they tried to take 33 children out of the country without their parents ' approval . Ultimately , all were released and have since returned to the United States . CNN 's Danielle Dellorto , Salma Abdelaziz and Umaro Djau contributed to this report .
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NEW : Doctor says child 's father waited for baby to breathe . American Paul Waggoner is accused of kidnapping of 15-month-old boy in February . Waggoner remains jailed during investigation . He is co-founder of a humanitarian group that assists medical teams in Haiti .
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Havana , Cuba -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro initially rejected a colostomy procedure when he fell ill in 2006 , putting his own life at risk , according to an unnamed medical source quoted by U.S. diplomats in cables released by WikiLeaks . The cables were made available by the Spanish newspaper El Pais Thursday . In one cable dated March 16 , 2007 , almost eight months after Castro was forced to cede power to his younger brother , the head of the American diplomatic mission quotes unnamed sources as saying the elder Castro fell ill on a short domestic flight after a long day of giving speeches . `` They had to land urgently once they knew of his bleeding , '' the cable says . `` He was diagnosed with diverticulitis of the colon . '' Four of the five diplomatic missives were sent from the U.S. Interests Section in Havana . The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Cuba . Castro 's health has long been considered a state secret , and for months there was wild speculation about his illness . But by the time the March cable was written , it was widely believed that he was suffering from diverticulitis . The same cable quotes an unnamed medical source as saying that Castro `` wo n't die immediately , but will progressively lose his faculties and become ever more debilitated until he dies . '' The author of the cable , U.S. diplomat Michael Parmly , adds , `` We are missing too many variables to be able to predict accurately how many more months Fidel Castro will live . '' More than three years later , Castro is alive and well . He has not resumed power , but he began to appear fairly regularly in public in July to deliver speeches on global affairs , particularly about his fear of a looming nuclear war . The cable also says that it was Castro himself who initially rejected a colostomy , a procedure in which one end of the large intestine is surgically cut and brought outside the body through the abdomen . A bag attached to the opening collects waste . The decision was backed by Castro 's main doctor , the cable said , but opposed by the rest of the medical team . `` Fidel Castro , capriciously , did not permit the colostomy , '' the missive said . Diverticulitis is the swelling of pouches in the lining of the intestine that are formed as a result of abnormal pressure in the colon . A colostomy is sometimes recommended in the treatment of diverticulitis if the colon wall is perforated or if an abscess is formed . Instead , the cables said , Castro chose to undergo an operation to remove the infected part of the colon and splice it back together . `` With the passage of time , as the colon was infected , the operation collapsed and the reattached part separated . They had to operate again , but found a fistula , '' according to the cable . A fistula is an abnormal connection between two separate parts inside that body that can occur due to inflammation , injury or infection , according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health . Castro himself has since said that he was on death 's door and had to undergo various operations because the first one did n't work .
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The decision risked Castro 's life , the cables say . The cables were published by WikiLeaks . A colostomy is sometimes recommended to treat diverticulitis .
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Abidjan , Ivory Coast -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Ivorians appeared Monday to be ignoring the call for a general strike by the man widely recognized as the Ivory Coast 's legitimate leader following last month 's presidential run-off election . `` The call for the strike was not followed , '' the assistant press officer for the LIberian Embassy in Washington , Cinthia Guibi , told CNN . `` People went to work ; it was just normal . '' A reporter in this port city said businesses appeared open as usual , despite Alassane Ouattara 's call over the weekend for the strike to force incumbent Laurent Gbagbo from power after his apparent loss in the November 28 presidential runoff . The Ivory Coast 's Independent Electoral Commission has named Ouattara , an opposition leader , as the winner . But its Constitutional Council invalidated those results and declared that incumbent Gbagbo won . Ouattara 's demand came amid mounting international pressure on Gbagbo to step down . In Paris , French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero told reporters Monday that the ministry had received an official request from Ouattara 's backers to put his ambassador into place , and was reviewing the person 's credentials . The Ivory Coast has been paralyzed by the political stalemate , and scores of people have died in related violence . International powers , including the United States , the United Nations and the African Union , have recognized Ouattara as the winner and urged Gbagbo to cede power . About 14,000 Ivory Coast residents escaping the instability and violence have fled to eastern Liberia , according to the U.N. refugee agency . A few deaths have been reported among the refugees , including a child who drowned during the crossing of the Cestos River into Butuo , Liberia . Observers saw malnourished children and people with malaria , respiratory infections and diarrhea . Sixty-two percent of the refugees are children and 55 percent are female , Liberia 's representative to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees , Ibrahima Coly , told CNN on Monday . `` So far , the Liberian population has welcomed these people in a very warm way and they are sharing whatever they have , '' he said from Monrovia . In general , the refugees are `` physically OK , '' he said . `` We have come across a few people who have their feet swollen because they have been walking for more than two or three days before reaching the border . We have seen also some kids who look a bit tired or malnourished , but these are really a limited number so far . '' Last Friday , the 15-member Economic Community of West African States said it would not hesitate to use `` legitimate force '' if necessary to defuse the crisis . The African Union has suspended Ivory Coast from the organization `` until such a time the democratically elected president effectively assumes state power . '' The World Bank has halted lending and disbursing funds to Ivory Coast and has closed its office in the country . Kyung-wha Kang , the U.N. deputy high commissioner for human rights , has said that between December 16 and December 21 , human rights officers had `` substantiated allegations of 173 killings , 90 instances of torture and ill treatment , 471 arrests and detentions and 24 cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances . '' She added that the actual numbers may be higher since restrictions on movement by U.N. personnel have made it `` impossible to investigate all the allegations of serious human rights violations , including reports of mass graves . '' While acknowledging `` the situation is very , very difficult to live '' in , Charles Ble Goude -- the nation 's youth minister under Gbagbo -- disputed the U.N. report 's findings . He said Gbagbo supporters were not to blame for the violence . Instead , he accused Ouattara 's supporters of using weapons at what had been billed as peaceful rallies to attack soldiers . Journalist Eric Agnero in Abidjan , CNN 's Niki Cook in Paris and CNN 's Tom Watkins contributed to this story .
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NEW : French government reviewing credentials of Ouattara 's choice for ambassador . In Abidjan , businesses appeared open as usual . `` The call for the strike was not followed , '' the Liberian Embassy 's spokeswoman says . Most of the 14,000 refugees who have fled into Liberia are children .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Christmas Eve attacks in the volatile Nigerian city of Jos have claimed at least 31 lives , a bloody aftermath in a region long torn by Christian and Muslim hostility . Gyang Choji , a special adviser to the governor of the west African country 's Plateau state , confirmed the death toll on Saturday , and said 74 others were wounded . Most of the injured have serious wounds , and some of them suffered leg amputations . Seven blasts rippled through the city as residents celebrated Chrismas Eve , four in the Kabong area and three in Angwa Rubuka . Choji cited a `` lapse in security '' by a special task force not `` doing what they were expected to do . '' `` Five different bombs blasts in the heart of Jos. This is the height of insecurity in this city , '' Choji said . Most of the injured have serious wounds ; some of them got both legs amputated and the authorities are concerned about their conditions . Choji said no one has claimed responsibility but Islamic fundamentalists are suspected of carrying out the attacks . `` For long , they have been threatening to use violence against Christians and free the region from the shackles of Western imperialism , '' Choji said . The Jos region lies on a faith-based fault line between Muslim-dominated northern Nigeria and the mainly Christian south . On March 7 , at least 200 Christians villagers were massacred near Jos , and more than 150 Muslims were killed in an attack in a nearby town , Kuru Karama , on January 19 . Hassan John , a Jos resident and journalist with the media department of the Anglican Diocese of Jos , described a scene of chaos in what was expected to be a joyous Christmas Eve . He had just come out of church about 7 p.m. , when he heard the sound of the first explosion . He rushed to the site , which he described as a beer parlor frequented by locals . `` By the time I got there , there were women crying , people screaming . It was all chaos , people were screaming , blood everywhere . '' `` I counted eight corpses all over , seven in the building , '' John said . A second blast went off within a couple of minutes after the first one . John said residents , especially young men , became agitated over the lack of security in what has been a volatile area . `` Soldiers fired a couple of rounds into the air because a riot was developing , '' John said . Choji , who is special adviser on religious affairs to the governor , said it was unclear who set off the blasts or whether they were related . But the bombs detonated in the `` same manner , '' Choji said , and they `` all went to where people were concentrated . '' In recent weeks , the governor 's office had received letters purported to be from some Muslim organizations threatening attacks against Christians , Choji said . `` The security officials did n't take the threat letters seriously . They were thought of as gimmicks , and at the end of the day , they became reality . '' A special task force sent to Plateau state by the federal government in the preceding two days had gone on radio telling residents to go about their business and not to worry about the security situation in the area , Choji said . The government had increased security and checkpoints throughout the past week , including additional patrols in various areas of Jos , Choji said . In Nigeria , Africa 's most populous nation , more than 13,500 people have died in religious or ethnic clashes since the end of military rule in 1999 , the Human Rights Watch said in a report earlier this year . There have been other deadly sectarian clashes in Nigeria over the years , including one outbreak in Jos in September 2001 that left about 1,000 dead , the Human Rights Watch said . CNN 's Mila Sanina , Giang Nguyen and Joe Sterling contributed to this report .
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Jos is on a faith-based fault line . A Plateau state official cites a `` lapse in security '' One witness called the scene `` all chaos ''
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Islamabad , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Pakistani government has reversed a recent hike in fuel prices , an effort that could help shore up the country 's crumbling governing coalition . Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced the move on Thursday in the National Assembly . It comes days after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement quit the government over fuel price increases and other complaints -- a move that cost Gilani 's Pakistan People 's Party its majority in the assembly . Gilani called for the establishment of a team that would devise a strategy to combat fluctuation in world petroleum prices and avoid harsh measures , such as the fuel price increase . The government crisis comes at a turbulent time . The U.S. military has been counting on the government to do a robust job of taking on militants in the Pakistani tribal region , but the loss of support is putting Gilani 's government on shaky ground . The MQM is one of the largest and most liberal parties in Pakistan , with its stronghold in the southern city of Karachi . Its exit follows December 's withdrawal of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal ur Rehman , a leading religious party . Muhammad Anwar , a senior coordinator for the MQM , told CNN that the last straw for the party was the fuel price increases that took effect Saturday . Pakistan 's government had raised gasoline prices by 9.2 % and increased kerosene prices by nearly 6 % , blaming higher crude oil costs for the move . Anwar also said the government had failed to crack down on `` rampant '' corruption and maintain law and order -- particularly in Karachi and the surrounding southern province of Sindh . Businessmen in Karachi `` are virtually hostage '' to extortion and kidnapping rings , he said . MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari said Sunday that the PPP-led government also has imposed unfair taxes on the poor and allowed an energy crisis to fester . The Pakistan Muslim League , another political party , said Wednesday said it will not support the government in its quest to regain a majority . Gilani said recently the ruling PPP would be able to function without a majority in the National Assembly .
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One party quit governing coalition over fuel price hikes and other issues . MQM 's move cost the prime minister 's party its majority in the assembly . Another party withdrew in December . Prime minister wants to develop a strategy to combat price fluctuation .
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Sydney -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Vast flooding covering much of eastern Australia could remain for weeks , as more than 1,200 residents remain out of deluged homes Wednesday . As of late Wednesday night , the Fitzroy River was hovering around 9.2 meters -LRB- 30 feet -RRB- , CNN meteorologist Jennifer Delgado said . `` The river has crested , it appears , and it looks like it is going to be slowly falling as we go through the next several days , '' Delgado said . Are you there ? Send us your video and photos via iReport . By next week , floodwaters could remain at levels of about 8.5 meters -LRB- 28 feet -RRB- , Delgado said , but flooding could still affect the region for `` several weeks . '' The seasonal flooding in the state of Queensland intensified last month after monsoon rains caused rivers to spill over their banks and reach record levels . The floodwaters cover an area the size of France and Germany combined and now stretch into the state of New South Wales . Images from CNN affiliate Seven Network Australia showed residents traveling down the streets in boats . From the sky , the tops of houses and trees poked out from seas of murky brown water . Snakes whipped about from under the water 's surface . Flooding fueled by cyclone , La Nina . Neil Roberts , Queensland minister for police , corrective services and emergency services , said Wednesday that 1,200 to 1,500 people had to be evacuated in parts of Queensland . Roberts said some residents probably ca n't return to their homes for at least another week . He said the recovery could take `` many months , and potentially over a year . '' Roberts said the government had an emergency cabinet meeting Wednesday and appointed a major general to lead a recovery task force . The flooding has affected the global transport of commodities such as coal and steel , as rail lines used to move such goods out of Queensland have been destroyed . Forecasters predict even more rain in the coming days . Delgado said 20 centimeters -LRB- 8 inches -RRB- could fall through Thursday . On Tuesday , relief teams continued rushing supplies into the eastern city of Rockhampton . In some of the state 's more rural areas , farmers said they were scrambling to send tons of crops out before waters damaged them and flooding made their transport impossible . Police said 10 people have died as a result of flooding since November 30 -- many of them swept away by swift waters . An airport in Rockhampton , a city of about 75,000 people , closed Sunday and was expected to remain closed for weeks , according to Emergency Management Queensland . At least 200,000 people have been affected by prolonged flooding , police have said . Police have warned residents who have been allowed to return to their homes about placing valuables outside to dry , saying some people could be tempted to take such items . Additional police have been deployed to affected communities . Prime Minister Julia Gillard has urged residents to stay away from the floodwater . On Friday , she toured the devastation and said the flooding in Queensland will cost `` hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars . '' Journalist Michael Best contributed to this report .
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NEW : A Queensland official says 1,200 to 1,500 people are out of their homes . Meteorologist : Flooding could continue for weeks . At least 10 people have died in flooding since November 30 . The floodwaters cover an area the size of France and Germany combined .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The new chief of Israel 's secret intelligence service is said to be preparing to apologize for the agency 's suspected use of forged British passports in an operation that led to the assassination of a founding member of Hamas ' military wing in January , according to a report in the UK newspaper the Telegraph . Britain 's Foreign and Commonwealth Office declined to comment on the report -- written by a leading Mossad expert -- saying only that it has reiterated its request `` for formal assurances that in the future -LRB- the United Kingdom -RRB- never would be party to the misuse of British passports . '' In Saturday 's report , the Telegraph cites unnamed sources as saying that recently appointed Mossad chief Tamir Pardo plans to apologize to UK officials during a trip to London next month `` in an effort to rebuild relations '' between the two countries . Background : UK accuses Israel . The UK expelled an Israeli diplomat in March after concluding Israel had probably forged the country 's passports during part of a suspected Mossad operation against Mahmoud al-Mabhouh , a founding member of the militant group Hamas ' military wing . Al-Mabhouh was found dead January 20 in his Dubai hotel room . Police believe he was killed the night before , allegedly by Mossad agents . `` Such misuse of British passports is intolerable , '' then-Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in March , adding that the fact that Israel was an ally of the United Kingdom `` only adds insult to injury . '' As many as 33 suspects in the case were identified by Dubai police . Most are believed to have acquired faulty passports to go to Dubai for the killing and then fled to far-flung locations , police said . The suspects used British , Irish , French , Australian and German passports . Israel has a stated policy on security matters of neither confirming nor denying involvement .
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Tamir Pardo intends to apologize to UK officials next month , newspaper reports . Mossad is suspected in the January assassination of a top Hamas leader . The use of forged passports has strained relations between Israel and the UK .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Israeli forces killed two militants in Gaza on Sunday morning , Palestinian officials said . The forces said they saw suspects `` planting explosives along the security fence along the southern Gaza Strip . '' A spokesman for the forces confirmed the attacks , saying there were `` direct hits , '' but did not provide the number of people killed . Palestinian officials confirmed an exchange of fire occurred between Israeli forces and `` Islamic jihad militants '' east of Khan Younis . Saraya al-Quds militants said in a statement that two of their fighters were killed .
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Israeli forces say they saw suspects planting explosives . A militant group says two of its fighters were killed .
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Islamabad , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Perhaps no one better understands what the family of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is going through like the widow and children of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer . `` I mean , my heart is totally with the congresswoman , '' says daughter Sara Taseer . What do an American lawmaker from Arizona and a Pakistani governor have in common ? Both outspoken elected officials were gunned down in broad daylight , within days of each other . Taseer died ; Giffords clings to life . Separated by half a world , they are united by similar crimes . Taseer was assassinated by his own security guard last week in Islamabad , Pakistan 's capital . He was coming out of a popular market when the guard , Mumtaz Qadri , opened fire and shot him 27 times . Governor 's accused killer makes unscheduled court appearance . Taseer had been an outspoken critic of Pakistan 's blasphemy laws , which make it a crime to insult Islam or the Prophet Mohammad . He argued that in a country that 's 98 % Muslim , these laws are used to discriminate against minorites . That 's dangerous talk in a nation increasingly swayed by a more conservative brand of Islam , and several clerics targeted Taseer as a blasphemer himself . Qadri confessed in court Monday that he killed Taseer because of his support to change the blasphemy laws . And that , Taseer 's family says , is where his shooting diverges from Giffords ' . Sara Taseer says , `` The difference is in Pakistan , this is not a message just to my father or my family . This is a message to all liberal and progressive people to keep quiet , and scare and intimidate them . '' She says Giffords ' shooting was an isolated incident , which has no chance of gaining popular support in the United States . `` The impact is different . And the fear among the people . I 'm sure in Arizona the general public is not feeling threatened , or not fearing that they can voice their views or openly condemn it . We are in a totally different situation . People who support us can lose their own lives . '' Shooting rampage suspect to make first court appearance . Another difference : even Giffords ' political opponents publicly and forcefully condemned the man who shot her . The Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner went on TV to say , `` An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve . '' But in Pakistan , even Taseer 's supporters have been mostly silent : perhaps calling his loss a tragedy , but stopping short of criticizing the man who killed him . `` It 's because they fear for their lives , '' says Taseer 's son Shehryar . `` There 's also been a warning issued -LSB- by clerics -RSB- against anyone who has any further vigils , and anyone who takes up the case of the governor and his family , their offices will be burned and their person killed . '' Shehryar says that was the real tragedy of his father 's shooting : it 's forcing liberals to stay quiet and hide . `` I think they 'll be hunted . Without a doubt in my mind I believe that . '' Taseer 's shooter has been hailed as a hero by many conservative Muslims in Pakistan . He has been cheered , and showered with rose petals on his way into court . `` That 's ... it makes me sick . It makes me sick to my stomach , '' says Taseer 's youngest daughter Shehrbano . `` Some people genuinely believe this was ` the right thing ' to have been done . That 's the most scary and upsetting aspect of it . It 's disgusting . '' Shehrbano graduated from college in Massachusetts , and now works as a journalist in Pakistan . She reserves some of her strongest criticism for Pakistan 's legal system . `` There were over 200 lawyers who went and put garlands and rose petals around my father 's assassin 's neck . And these men are the so-called vanguards of justice . '' Shehrbano has little to no faith that the Anti-Terrorism Court where Mumtaz Qadri is being tried will produce a fair result . `` They have a sorry record of convictions . The investigation teams , they do n't hand in enough evidence . The lawyers are scared . The judges are bribed . People are terrified of taking a stand . '' Now his family is looking back at the life of Salmaan Taseer , a businessman and governor of one of the most-populated provinces in the world . His widow Amna says , `` When I started my marriage , he was arrested and put in a Lahore fort for four months . It was a very difficult period , but we made it through that . And it 's kind of ended in such a dramatic way also . But on top of it all I say one thing : that he was a great father and even better husband . '' The family says privately , they 've received thousands of messages , letters and visits to console them . Shehrbano says a Christian woman approached her after the assassination . `` She told me ` Your father was all we had . ' '' They 're also looking ahead , to what legacy Taseer leaves for the future . His daughter Shehrbano says , `` I hope his passing does n't mean that the room for debate is over . I believe there 's room in the public sphere for moderates , for liberals . I really hope that this does n't mean that debate in Pakistan is over . '' His son Shehryar says he refuses to back down from the causes his father stood for . `` It 's not a Taseer trait . Taseers are fighters . He believed in Pakistan too much to ever back down . In fact his last tweet was ` Even if I 'm the last one standing , I 'd still support it . ' '' And daughter Sara says , `` He had a liberal and progressive and secular vision . And he ... this country needed him . This country needed people like him . The region needed people like him . The world , I think , needs people like him . ''
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Taseer and Giffords were both gunned down . Taseer died while Giffords clings to life . Daughter says father 's killing was message to liberals to keep quiet .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- LeBron James is going home to Cleveland Thursday night wearing a Miami Heat jersey , and no less an authority than the basketball-loving president of the United States predicts a rough night . `` It 's going to be brutal , '' Barack Obama told reporters Thursday , hours before tip-off . Just to make sure the court is safe for King James , the Cleveland Cavaliers say they will beef up security at Quicken Loans Arena , NBA officials have said . Mary Schmitt Boyer , Cavaliers beat writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper , said local fans ' anger could surface Thursday . `` There is a good deal of anger . And I think despite many pleas from fans for sort of nonviolent protests , I think they are probably going to just let LeBron have it , '' Boyer said . Former NBA great Kevin McHale agreed that James has more to fear from the fans than the Cavaliers themselves . `` This is their chance to express how they feel . This is the one chance for the fans to yell and scream and boo and get all that off their chest , '' he told CNN . His former teammates will want to beat James , McHale said , but as a friendly rivalry , `` like wanting to beat your brother . '' James used to be the toast of Ohio but became public enemy No. 1 this summer when he announced on a television special that he was leaving for South Beach to play with the Miami Heat . The decision brought much criticism and sent some Cleveland fans to the streets to burn James ' jersey . Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert seemed to add fuel to fire when he released an emotional statement on the team 's website the night James made the announcement . Gilbert called James ' decision a `` cowardly betrayal '' and a `` shocking act of disloyalty , '' part of the statement said . He then added , in all capital letters : `` I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ` KING ' WINS ONE . You can take it to the bank . '' Gilbert , who was fined by the NBA for that statement , has since softened his tune . He recently urged Cavaliers fans to be classy when James arrives home Thursday , according to NBA.com . James joined the Cavaliers straight out of high school and played forward for the team for seven seasons . He was a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player when he was with the Cavaliers but he never won the NBA championship . He led the Cavaliers to the NBA finals in 2007 , where they lost to the San Antonio Spurs , but never reached the finals again , despite Cleveland management bringing in supporting stars such as Shaquille O'Neal and Antawn Jamison . James said he will be dealing with his emotions when he returns home for the much-anticipated game . `` It 's going to be very emotional for myself , '' James told CNN affiliate WSVN . `` I got a lot of great memories in that city . I give a lot of thanks to that city , a lot of thanks to those fans for giving me the opportunity to not only showcase my talents but grow from a boy to a young man . '' CNNRadio 's Richard Benson contributed to this report .
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NEW : President Obama : `` It 's going to be brutal '' A local reporter says fans ' anger could surface . LeBron James says the game will be `` emotional '' Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has urged fans to be classy .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sometimes you get a good feeling about something . That 's what contestant Caitlin Burke , 26 , said after her remarkable `` Wheel of Fortune '' solve that won her a Carribbean vacation . With just one letter revealed -- `` L '' -- Burke correctly guessed the seven-word phrase : `` I 've got a good feeling about this . '' Even Pat Sajak , the show 's host , was shocked , according to video from Sony Pictures Studios . `` Wait a minute . Let me get over this first , '' he said , smiling . `` Is it just me , or was that the most amazing solve we 've ever had ? '' Burke , who lives in New York , said she is a huge `` Wheel of Fortune '' fan and often impresses her family and friends by solving puzzles when they watch at home . `` I 'm not bragging . There 's a million and one things I 'm not good at , but for some reason , I do n't know , I 've always just been really good at ` Wheel of Fortune , ' '' she said . The show aired last week . When asked what advice she could offer to aspiring contestants , Burke said practice . `` Watch the show and think positive . '' Appropriately , she added : `` If you have a good feeling about something , just go for it ! '' CNN 's Jeanne Moos contributed to this report .
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The remarkable win surprises even the game-show host , Pat Sajak . Contestant Caitlin Burke wins a Caribbean vacation . She solves the puzzle : `` I 've got a good feeling about this ''
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Las Vegas , Nevada -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A laptop with two touch-screens in lieu of a keyboard , tablets running an unfinished version of Google 's Android , 3-D TV sets that do n't require glasses . These are some of the most buzzed-about gadgets at the Consumer Electronics Show , but many of them are n't fully developed yet or primed for firsthand testing . And electronics makers are going to great lengths with smoke and mirrors to hopefully distract audiences from noticing the unknowns -- like how a product actually works when not under carefully controlled conditions . CNN spotted this trend early with tablets we were n't allowed to touch . On Motorola 's popular Xoom units , only videos of the new Android system are shown , not usable software . Research in Motion finally let people get their hands on its BlackBerry PlayBook , but some online blogged their disappointments when they discovered that things like standalone calendar and e-mail clients are seemingly missing from these versions . Getting sneak peeks at unpolished work is part of the fun of CES . But enthusiasm should be tempered because many of the concept products shown in years past have never materialized . Perhaps gadget enthusiasts prefer captivating concepts rather than actual products that may not end up being executed perfectly . The winner of the Last Gadget Standing contest on Saturday was the product that seemed to be the furthest from reality . Acer 's Iconia , a touch-screen laptop with two displays where one replaces a keyboard , won the top honors . Winners are determined through a largely unscientific measurement of crowd enthusiasm . The Iconia would let users type on a touch-screen keyboard similar to the iPad , or draw , flick and zoom with their fingers . Acer did n't announce details regarding pricing or availability . The device was demonstrated onstage using concept videos . Acer presented a corn-ball act , with pretty girls dressed in `` Star Trek '' garb and two men posing as the characters Spock and Captain Kirk . -LRB- Because all nerds love `` Star Trek , '' right ? -RRB- . After a first video ran showing the Iconia , the two actors said they would demonstrate the device onstage . As they moved their hands around the laptop set on the podium , the video behind them showed the Spock actor 's fingers manipulating Iconia software . That was until a cameraman for the event began shooting from behind the actors to reveal that they were waving their hands in front of a regular , old laptop with a keyboard . `` You 've got to show our video , guys ! '' the fellow dressed as Kirk shouted to the event organizers . `` Iconia is way ahead of its time , Spock . '' An actual version of the computer was on display and open for testing at Microsoft 's CES booth . Typing on it is difficult and somewhat uncomfortable . Visually , the software looks like a version of Windows with touch-screen features , like a button to activate the keyboard , duct taped on top . Despite that , Acer still won the Last Gadget Standing competition . The audience was unimpressed with Fujifilm 's FinePix 3-D camera or Samsung 's Nexus S Google phone , both of which are already available on the market . Samsung brought out a guy dressed as a gingerbread man -LRB- a costume that looked more like a spastic beaver -RRB- to promote the smartphone , which is the only one that comes with the Gingerbread version of Android . Then Samsung spokesman Kim Titus made a series of nauseating puns . `` No biting questions , '' he said . Maybe Samsung should have invested in some Stormtrooper costumes instead .
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Acer 's Iconia laptop , with a touch-screen instead of a keyboard , was well received . A working prototype of the Iconia was not ready to be shown . Despite that , the audience cheered for Acer , making the contest winner Iconia .
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Tucson , Arizona -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In between consoling those touched by Saturday 's Arizona shooting and warning the nation against politicizing the tragedy , President Barack Obama delivered some good news in his address at a Tucson memorial event on Wednesday . Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona has opened her eyes for the first time since being shot four days ago . `` There is nothing I can say that will fill the sudden hole torn in your hearts , '' Obama said . `` But know this : The hopes of a nation are here tonight . '' Did you watch the speech ? Share your thoughts in a short video . The attack killed six and left Giffords fighting for her life . Obama told a crowd of thousands that he visited Giffords earlier on Wednesday and that her husband told him that shortly after the president left her room , `` Gabby opened her eyes for the first time . '' `` Gabby opened her eyes so I can tell you know she knows we are here , she knows that we love her and she knows that we are rooting for her through what will undoubtedly be a difficult journey , '' Obama said . Obama and his wife , Michelle , sat next to Giffords ' husband , astronaut Mark Kelly , throughout the ceremony , and next to Daniel Hernandez , an intern in Giffords ' office who tended to the congresswoman 's wounds after she was shot . Obama called Hernandez a hero in his speech Wednesday , though Hernandez rejected that description in an earlier speech at the memorial event . The president spoke at the University of Arizona 's McKale Memorial Center , which the school said held just under 14,000 people on Wednesday night , with an overflow crowd of 13,000 outside . Obama spoke about Giffords and briefly eulogized each of those killed in the attack before moving on to warn Americans against assigning blame for the attacks to those other than the gunman . `` At a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized -- at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do -- it 's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals , not a way that wounds , '' Obama said . `` Scripture tells us that there is evil in the world , and that terrible things happen for reasons that defy human understanding , '' he said . '' ... Bad things happen , and we must guard against simple explanations in the aftermath . '' `` What we ca n't do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another , '' he said later . Obama 's speech was frequently punctuated by applause and cheers from the crowd , at times seeming to belie the somber reason for the memorial . But Obama sounded an uplifting tone , saying of the victims : `` Our hearts are broken by their sudden passing . Our hearts are broken -- and yet , our hearts also have reason for fullness . '' Beyond Hernandez , the president praised those who tackled the gunman as he stopped to reload and the medical staff who treated the wounded . `` These men and women remind us that heroism is found not only on the fields of battle , '' Obama said . `` They remind us that heroism does not require special training or physical strength . Heroism is here , all around us , in the hearts of so many of our fellow citizens , just waiting to be summoned -- as it was on Saturday morning . '' `` It was pretty much what the nation needed to hear at this time , '' said Lorenzo Cotton , a retired architect who attended the speech . `` Tucson is a great place with a lot of great people , '' Cotton said , adding that Obama 's speech `` put Tucson back in a positive light . It is a community and it is a place where we all get along and , together , care for each other . '' Other public officials took the stage before Obama , with many invoking scripture . `` We will remember how to smile again , '' Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said . `` We will go forward together . '' Secretary of Homeland Security and former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano , Brewer 's predecessor as governor , read from the book of Isaiah , while Attorney General Eric Holder reads from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians . The crowd was dotted with other prominent Arizonans , including Sen. John McCain and retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor . Earlier Wednesday afternoon , the Obamas visited with Giffords and with other survivors of the shooting and the medical staff that treated them at Tucson 's University Medical Center . Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz , D-Florida , and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , D-New York , said they were with the congresswoman when she opened her eyes for the first time since the shooting . `` You could see she was focusing and Mark said , ` Gabby if you can see me , give me the thumbs up ' and not only did she give the thumbs up she raised her entire hand , '' Gillibrand said , referring to Giffords ' husband . `` The doctors could n't believe it , '' Gillibrand said . `` She went from opening her eyes really just in slits to opening them nearly fully . '' Obama visited about 100 people at the hospital , a White House aide said . Napolitano and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi traveled with the Obamas . Giffords ' recovery is `` going as anticipated , '' and doctors are seeing what they want to see so far , the hospital treating her said earlier in the day . Peter Rhee , chief of emergency medicine at University Medical Center in Tucson , said `` none of the downward events have occurred at this time '' in her recovery . Doctors have decreased the amount of sedation they are giving her , and she is `` becoming more and more spontaneous all the time , '' Rhee added . Also Wednesday , Giffords ' congressional office released a statement thanking Americans for their support since the shooting . `` The outpouring of support from the people of Arizona and Americans across the country has been truly moving , '' the statement said . `` We appreciate everyone 's thoughts and prayers during this difficult time . '' Giffords ' office acknowledged the bipartisan response in the Congress to the tragedy . '' ... Starting with Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi , staff and Members from both sides of the aisle have reached out in words and deeds to help our office in our time of need , '' the statement said . Of the six patients the hospital is still treating from Saturday 's shooting , Giffords is the only one in critical condition . Two others are in serious condition , the other three are in fair condition , Rhee said . A 9-year-old girl and Arizona 's chief federal judge , John Roll , were among those killed at a constituent meeting Giffords was holding at a Tucson supermarket . Authorities say Giffords was the target of Saturday 's shooting . Thirteen people suffered gunshot wounds , the Pima County Sheriff said in a statement Tuesday night . Some other people were injured trying to flee the scene , the sheriff said . Tucson resident Jared Loughner , 22 , has been charged in the attack . Giffords ' Chief of Staff Pia Carusone , meanwhile , said the Giffords family is `` very strong , very supportive . You know , she 's a young , healthy person who is not only physically strong , but mentally resilient and , you know , they 're rising to the occasion . '' Carusone added , `` They 've got a long road ahead of them , not just the physical recovery , but the tragedy that this community is having to absorb is -- it 's monumental and it 's going to be ... a difficult thing to get through . '' Meanwhile , Arizona state lawmakers passed legislation Tuesday barring protesters at funerals from getting within 300 feet of services . Brewer , who visited the injured Tuesday , later signed the bill . The action , according to Arizona House Republican spokesman Daniel Scarpinato , was in direct response to the controversial Westboro Baptist Church 's announcement that it would picket the funeral of 9-year-old victim Christina Green on Thursday . Shirley Phelps-Roper , a spokeswoman for Westboro , told CNN that the church has decided not to protest at the girl 's funeral . She said her group made a deal with a radio host not to protest there in exchange for airtime . However , she said church members would protest at the funeral of U.S. District Judge John Roll and other victims on Friday . The Steve Sanchez Radio Show on KXXT AM in Phoenix offered the group 30 minutes on his show on Saturday in exchange for not protesting at Green 's funeral . The deal was established through an e-mail exchange , which was forwarded to CNN . In one e-mail , a representative of the show informs Phelps-Roper that the group will have to avoid profanity and that the platform will `` allow you to express your views and allow you as guest and Steve Sanchez as host to have a civil dialogue and discord . '' Phelps-Roper responded that the group had no problem with the rules . CNN 's John Sutter contributed to this report .
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Obama says Rep. Giffords has opened her eyes for first time since shooting . Obama says that `` Scripture tells us that there is evil in the world '' Rep. Giffords ' recovery is `` going as anticipated , '' the hospital says . The Obamas visited Giffords in the hospital .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Howard Schultz joined Starbucks in 1982 . While on a business trip in Italy , he visited Milan 's famous espresso bars -- impressed with their popularity and culture , he saw their potential in Seattle . From June 2000 to February 2005 , Mr Schultz also held the title of chief global strategist . From the company 's inception in November 1985 to June 2000 , he served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer . From November 1985 to June 1994 , Mr Schultz was also the company 's president . From January 1986 to July 1987 , Mr Schultz was the chairman of the board , chief executive officer and president of Il Giornale Coffee Company , a predecessor to Starbucks . From September 1982 to December 1985 , Mr Schultz was the director of retail operations and marketing for Starbuck Coffee Company , a predecessor to the company . Mr Schultz also serves on the board of directors of DreamWorks Animation SKG , Inc. . E-mail to a friend .
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Schultz joined the Starbucks company in 1982 . He has held a number of positions in the company including CEO and president . Schultz serves on the board of firectors of DreamWorks Animation .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- David Villa continued his remarkable scoring run against Deportivo La Coruna as Spanish champions Barcelona won 4-0 on Saturday night to move five points clear in La Liga . The Spain striker reached the milestone of 150 career league goals as he notched his 11th in 14 encounters with the Galicians . Lionel Messi made it 2-0 in the second half with a superb free-kick before late strikes from Andres Iniesta and Pedro put more pressure on Real Madrid , who host third-placed Villarreal on Sunday night . Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola rested Xavi , Sergio Busquets and Daniel Alves ahead of Wednesday 's Spanish Cup quarterfinal first-leg against second division Real Betis , giving midfielders Javier Mascherano and Seydou Keita a rare start along with Brazilian Adriano at fullback . Who is the world 's best footballer ? Xavi is one of three players on an all-Barcelona shortlist vying to win the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or award for the world 's best player on Monday along with Messi and World Cup hero Iniesta . Mascherano was involved in the opening goal in the 26th minute as he threaded a pass to Messi , who found Villa in space in the penalty area and the former Valencia star fired a shot under the body of goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia . It was Villa 's 12th goal in the league this season and his 14th overall . He has some way to go to match Messi , who curled his 18th of the La Liga campaign past a bemused Aranzubia in the 51st minute . Iniesta cut in from the right to lash in a fierce left-foot shot with 10 minutes to go for his fifth league goal this season , and barely 60 seconds later winger Pedro pounced for his ninth and 14th overall . In the first half , French fullback Eric Abidal thought he had followed up his first goal for Barca in the midweek cup draw at Athletic Bilbao but was flagged for offside to deny him just a third career strike . The result left Deportivo , who had conceded only five goals in eight previous home games this season , in 12th place on 21 points after 18 rounds . Sevilla moved up to ninth place with a 3-2 win at Real Sociedad , who suffered a fourth successive defeat . Two goals in three second-half minutes turned the match as the visitors came from 1-0 and 2-1 down , with Fredi Kanoute netting twice and strike partner Luis Fabiano scoring the other . Diego Rivas gave Sociedad the lead in the 23rd minute with a right-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area , but Kanoute leveled two minutes later with a volley from Fabiano 's header down following a lofted corner . Joseba Llorente caught out the Sevilla defense just before halftime as he won the race to a speculative long clearance and poked in a volley , but Fabiano stabbed home from close range on 63 for his fifth league goal of the season . He had been set up by Alvaro Negredo , brought on as a third forward , and the former Real Madrid player was also a provider for Kanoute 's winner as the Malian calmly slotted in the winner off the near post . Athletic Bilbao snatched a last-gasp equalizer to earn a 1-1 draw at Malaga which left the Basque club on 26 points with Sevilla and Getafe -- only five points off the top four . Malaga 's Argentine defender Martin Demichelis headed an 80th-minute opener on his first appearance since signing from Bayern Munich , but Spain midfielder Javi Martinez struck at the end to leave the hosts just four points above the bottom three .
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Barcelona striker David Villa scores the 150th La Liga goal of his career . Spain international nets opening goal of 4-0 victory at Deportivo La Coruna . Lionel Messi , Andres Iniesta and Pedro also on target for league leaders . Sevilla move up to ninth with 3-2 win at Sociedad while Bilbao snatch draw with Malaga .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- David Beckham 's proposed loan move to Tottenham has been called off , but the soccer superstar will still train with the English club to maintain his fitness during the U.S. off-season . Tottenham had hoped the former England captain would join up in a temporary three-month move to boost the club 's Premier League and Champions League hopes . The 35-year-old LA Galaxy player could have made his debut against former team Manchester United , where he made his name , next Sunday . However , the London side 's website said the midfielder 's Major League Soccer club would not let Beckham stay longer than February 10 . Who will be the bargains of the January sales ? `` We 'd love to have him here for longer but we respect his commitments to LA Galaxy . They wanted him back in early February so that made it difficult to do a playing deal on the basis of three weeks , '' manager Harry Redknapp said on Sunday . `` David is a fantastic professional -- he will be a great influence around the place and I am sure we will all benefit from his winning mentality . I think everyone will enjoy having him here . '' However , Redknapp said on Sunday night that he still hoped the deal could be resurrected . `` Hopefully it could still happen . The situation is ongoing , '' he told reporters following the 3-0 FA Cup win over third division Charlton . Beckham is still hoping to win his England place back , having been discarded by national coach Fabio Capello after suffering an Achilles injury in his second loan stint at Italian club AC Milan last year which ruled him out of the World Cup in South Africa . `` It 's important that I maintain a high level of fitness during the MLS off-season . I 'm thankful to Tottenham and Harry Redknapp for giving me the opportunity to train with the team over the next month , '' he told the Tottenham website . `` I 'm grateful to the LA Galaxy for allowing to me to train with Spurs . I look forward to getting to work as soon as possible . '' Redknapp had told reporters earlier on Sunday that the deal was unlikely due to insurance problems , with the Galaxy worried Beckham might suffer another long-term injury . The player trained with Tottenham 's London rivals Arsenal at the start of 2008 , which helped him win his 100th international cap when Capello recalled him at the start of the Italian 's tenure . Meanwhile , Beckham and his wife Victoria announced on Sunday that they are expecting a fourth child later this year . The couple already have sons Brooklyn , 11 , Romeo , 8 , and Cruz , 5 .
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Los Angeles Galaxy want David Beckham back in February ahead of new MLS season . Tottenham had wanted to sign the veteran midfielder on loan for longer than that . The former England captain will train with London club to keep up his fitness . He suffered a serious injury while on loan to Italy 's AC Milan last season .
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New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Thursday that some city snow plows will be fitted with global positioning systems in a pilot program meant to better track sanitation vehicles as officials brace for a winter storm . `` It gives us the ability to check on the location and progress of our snow plows , '' Bloomberg told reporters , saying that the devices will be added to some trucks in New York 's Brooklyn and Queens boroughs where heavy snowfall last month left many residents snowbound . The city will also deploy scout teams to transmit video images of neighborhoods back to City Hall during clean-up efforts , the mayor said . He added that John Doherty , Sanitation Department chief , has made management and personnel shake-ups in Brooklyn following sharp criticism for the city 's slow reaction to the holiday blizzard . That response has prompted an investigation into whether sanitation workers intentionally delayed clean-up efforts over frustrations of demotions and citywide budget cuts . `` These are only initial improvements , '' Bloomberg said . `` Certainly not the last word on the subject . '' He said Department of Investigations Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn is also conducting an independent review over allegations of a slowdown . Joseph Mannion , president of the Sanitation Officers Association , said there was no coordinated effort to deliberately delay clean-up efforts among supervisors . The association later posted comments , saying : `` When you look around your neighborhood and wonder what the heck happened with the City 's snow fighting ability you do n't have to look any further than City Hall . '' The heavy slow hampered morning commuters , delayed first responders and even prevented aircraft service personnel from reaching airports where 29 international flights were stuck on the tarmac for more than three hours , officials said . On Wednesday , Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano replaced the man who led the Emergency Medical Service after 170 ambulances became trapped during the blizzard . `` This city will be better off with a different person in charge , '' the mayor said . The states of New York and New Jersey had loaned the city 35 ambulances to help reduce the backlog of emergency medical services requests during the storm . In one instance , a newborn died in Brooklyn after the mother waited nine hours for emergency responders , said Fire Department spokesman Steve Rittea . The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for New York , New Jersey and Connecticut starting early Friday . Forecasters project between two and four inches of snow , with heavier amounts of snow expected over eastern sections of Long Island .
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Mayor Bloomberg : Some city snow plows will be fitted with global positioning systems . City will also deploy scout teams to transmit video images back to City Hall . Winter storm watch issued for New York , New Jersey and Connecticut .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Trader Joe 's has alerted its customers about the recall of products with a cilantro ingredient that may cause a serious foodborne illness . In some cases , the affected items are specific to certain states . For example , the 12-ounce , Spicy Thai Style Pasta Salad -LRB- sku 74441 -RRB- , was recalled by APPA Fine Foods , which supplied the product to California Trader Joe 's , according to the U.S. Agriculture Department . The pasta salad , which has sell-by dates of October 31 through November 6 , contains cilantro that may be contaminated with salmonella , the government said . The packages bear the establishment number `` P-21030 '' within the USDA mark of inspection . There have been no reports of any illnesses so far , CNN affiliate KTLA reported . Symptoms of salmonella poisoning can include fever , nausea , vomiting , diarrhea and abdominal cramping . Those with weak immune systems , like infants and the elderly , are the most susceptible . Trader Joe 's also voluntarily recalled the following products it says should not be consumed due to the potential for `` serious foodborne illness . '' The company did not describe the illness : . All stores : Cilantro Dressing -LRB- sku 36420 -RRB- with a sell-by date of February 9 , 2011 ; Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette -LRB- sku 80947 -RRB- with a sell-by date of January 9 , 2011 . California , Arizona , New Mexico , Nevada , Oregon and Washington only : Cilantro Pecan Dip -LRB- sku 76986 -RRB- with sell-by dates of November 20 and November 24 . As a precaution , all codes of the products have been removed from sale and destroyed , Trader Joe 's said . The chain advises customers to dispose of the affected products or return them to any store location for a full refund .
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Product sold in California stores may be contaminated with salmonella . Other products sold nationally or in specific states .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- There is a new speaker in town . Rep. John Boehner , R-Ohio , will be the new Speaker of the House , replacing Rep. Nancy Pelosi , D-California , as the GOP rolled in Tuesday 's midterm elections , gaining a majority for the first time in four years . The Republican Party will pick up more than 60 seats in the legislature , a statistical analysis of exit polls by CNN projects . That 's a comfortable margin over the 39 seats needed to wrest control from the Democrats . Unrest over the economy and government spending , as well as the surge of Tea Party politics , helped propel the GOP . Tuesday 's outcome was comparable to the 1994 so-called `` Republican Revolution , '' when the GOP took 54 seats from the Democrats . It is also the largest number of House pickups since Democrats picked up 75 seats in 1948 . As of 2 a.m. ET Wednesday , the Republicans held 231 seats to the Democrats ' 169 . At least 218 seats are needed for a majority . `` It 's clear tonight who the winners really are , and that 's the American people , '' Boehner said Tuesday night in front of a crowd chanting , `` Speaker ! Speaker ! '' The election was a repudiation of big government and politicians who refuse to listen to their constituents , he said . The message to President Barack Obama was clear , Boehner said : `` Change course . '' Under a Republican majority , `` the people 's priorities will be our priorities , '' an emotional Boehner said . Obama called Boehner and said he was `` looking forward to working with him and the Republicans to find common ground , move the country forward and get things done for the American people , '' the White House said . Boehner 's camp described the call as `` brief but pleasant . '' The Republican leader told Obama that he 's always been straightforward with him in the past , and will continue to be so . The ramifications of a Republican majority were tempered by the projection that the Senate will remain in Democratic hands . With a Democrat in the White House and a Democratic Senate , both parties will have to reach compromise or risk gridlock in the legislature . Key Republicans have already hinted that compromise is not a priority on their agenda , as many of them were swept into office precisely because of dissatisfaction with Obama 's policies . The GOP made sizable inroads in Virginia , where a trio of Democratic incumbents were projected to lose , according to CNN analysis of exit poll data . Reps. Tom Perriello , Rick Boucher and Glenn Nye , of the state 's 5th , 9th and 2nd congressional districts , respectively , are projected to be out of office . Republican Robert Hurd won the 5th District , and Morgan Griffith won the 9th District , CNN projected . Republican challenger Scott Rigell won in the 2nd District . In Florida 's 8th District , Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson , a lightening rod for his confrontational and sometimes rude attitude toward his political opponents , lost his seat , CNN projected . Republican Dan Webster , whom Grayson chided as `` Taliban Dan '' in what many considered an unfair attack ad , will be the area 's new congressman . Two other seats in Florida also switched hands in the Republican 's favor . Democratic Rep. Allen Boyd was projected to lose to GOP candidate Steve Southerland . In Florida 's 24th district , GOP challenger Sandy Adams will take the place of Rep. Suzanne Kosmas . With about 100 of the 435 House seats at stake considered `` in play , '' or competitive , an anti-Democratic mood was predicted to result in big Republican gains . In a statement early Wednesday , Pelosi defended the work Democrats have done in the House . `` Over the last four years , the Democratic Majority in the House took courageous action on behalf of America 's middle class to create jobs and save the country from the worst economic catastrophe since the Great Depression , '' she said . She urged lawmakers to help move the nation forward . `` We must all strive to find common ground to support the middle class , create jobs , reduce the deficit and move our nation forward . '' In Texas , a moderate Democrat , Chet Edwards , who has been a member of the House since 1991 , saw his time in Washington come to end . Republican Bill Flores ousted Edwards , who long had represented a conservative district by siding with Republicans on some key votes , including voting against the health care bill . Other moderate Democrats were able to save their seats . Rep. Heath Shuler , D-North Carolina , was among those in his party who campaigned by running away from it , distancing himself in a debate from Pelosi . He kept his seat Tuesday night , CNN projected . One moderate Republican was n't as lucky . Joseph Cao , a Republican from Louisiana 's 2nd district , was the only GOPer to vote in favor of the health care bill . On Tuesday , his constituents elected Democratic challenger Cedric Richmond . That Democratic gain in the state was offset by the projected outcome in the 3rd district , where an open Democratic seat went to Republican Jeff Landry . Heading into election day , the Democrats had a 255 to 178 advantage in the house , not including two vacancies . Republicans needed to win an additional 39 seats to claim the House majority . In addition to anti-Democrat sentiments due to a slow economic recovery and what is seen as increased government spending , the advent of the Tea Party movement also played a role in these elections . The Tea Party has boosted little-known candidates to victory in primaries over mainstream figures across the country . How they fare in the general election will be seen Tuesday . Win or lose , the impact of this group is expected to shift the Republican agenda to the right . That means little chance of compromise or bipartisan approaches on major issues , observers say . Already , Boehner , has signaled he is not planning to negotiate with the White House or congressional Democrats on his party 's top issues . `` This is not a time for compromise , and I can tell you that we will not compromise on our principles , '' Boehner said last week on Sean Hannity 's program . Recognizing that discontent with Democrats comes from the economic situation and record deficit spending , a priority for the Republicans will be to focus on fiscal issues . House Republicans have promised to cut $ 100 billion from the federal budget in the first year , rolling back spending to 2008 levels . CNN 's Dana Bash contributed to this report .
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NEW : The GOP picks up more than 60 seats , CNN projects . Republicans gain a majority in the House . About 100 of 435 House seats were competitive . Pelosi urges `` common ground ''
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Rome -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Italy 's Constitutional Court Thursday struck down key parts of a law that would protect Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi from prosecution . The law was designed to halt criminal proceedings against top government officials for 18 months on the grounds that they are too busy to appear in court . But Italy 's top court ruled that 18 months is too long , and that judges , not politicians , should be the ones to determine if a defendant is free to appear in court . The law will automatically be modified to conform with the ruling when the Constitutional Court publishes its verdict . The court heard arguments Tuesday about the legality of the `` legitimate impediment '' law , which would have granted top Italian government officials what amounted to immunity while they were in office . The Berlusconi-backed law said top government officials could not be prosecuted because their official duties made it impossible for them to attend court hearings . The law was approved in March 2010 , but prosecutors in Milan challenged the constitutionality of the measure , saying it should be judges , not politicians , who determined whether someone had time to attend court . Two separate trials against Berlusconi are pending . He 's accused of bribing a witness to commit perjury in one case , and of tax fraud and other financial irregularities in another . Both trials began but were suspended when the immunity law was passed . Berlusconi has called the charges politically motivated . A third case against the prime minister , also related to tax fraud , is in preliminary stages . Berlusconi has been tried on at least 17 charges since first taking office as prime minister in 1994 , but remains very popular with the Italian public . The immunity law was due to expire 18 months after it was passed , which would have been in October .
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NEW : The law will automatically be modified by the court ruling . The Italian law would have stopped prosecutions against top officials for 18 months . A court says that 's too long , and that judges must decide who can face trial . Berlusconi faces two ongoing prosecutions and another is pending .
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