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Cairo , Egypt -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The United States finds intervention in Bahrain by the Persian Gulf kingdom 's neighbors `` alarming '' and wants all players in the region to keep `` their own agenda '' out of the struggle between the monarchy and anti-government demonstrators , Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday . Washington has told the Bahraini monarchy that `` there is no answer to the demands for political and economic reform though a security crackdown , '' Clinton told CNN 's Wolf Blitzer . `` We are urging in the strongest possible terms , both publicly and privately , that they immediately begin to negotiate with the opposition , '' Clinton said . `` At the same time , we are telling the opposition , ' you can not use violence . You should return to the negotiating table . There is no positive outcome to this kind of standoff , and security alone is not the answer . ' '' Troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates moved into Bahrain on Monday to `` protect the safety of citizens , '' the Bahraini government said . The troops arrived under the banner of the Gulf Cooperation Council , an association of six Gulf Arab states . Bahrain 's King Hamad imposed a three-month state of emergency Tuesday and launched a crackdown on anti-government protesters Wednesday , according to witnesses in the capital , Manama . Bahraini officials deny these accounts . At the White House , U.S. President Barack Obama called both Hamad and Saudi Arabia 's King Abdullah to express his `` deep concern over violence '' and the need for `` maximum restraint , '' according to White House spokesman Jay Carney . Bahrain has a Shiite Muslim majority population , but its rulers are Sunni Muslims . An underlying concern is that Iran , an overwhelmingly Shiite state , could seize the opportunity to meddle in Bahrain 's internal affairs . Clinton said , `` There is no room for anyone to be pursuing their own agenda in Bahrain , no matter who it is . `` There are clearly other agendas are at work , but the only agenda that should matter is the future of the people of Bahrain , '' she said .
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A clampdown is `` no answer '' to demands for reform , Clinton says . `` There is no room for anyone to be pursuing their own agenda in Bahrain '' Troops from Saudi Arabia and the UAE moved into Bahrain on Monday .
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Ashdod , Israel -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Israeli military displayed mortar shells , ammunition and surface-to-sea missiles in Ashdod on Wednesday , ordnance that officials said was seized from a ship bound for Gaza . Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the weapons `` originated in Iran , went through Syria , and they were en route to terror organizations in Gaza , but their ultimate target was the Israeli civilian population . '' `` Every day , new attempts are made by Iran and by Syria to smuggle weapons into Lebanon to Hezbollah , to Gaza to Hamas and to other terror organizations , '' he said . Accompanying Netanyahu for the display were Defense Minister Ehud Barak and army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gans , among other officials . Israeli commandos intercepted a ship 200 miles off the coast Tuesday . The `` Victoria '' is German-owned and Liberian-flagged , with an international crew . The ship had 1,000 containers aboard , the army said , and three were found to be carrying the weapons . Israeli officials say the containers were loaded in the Syrian port of Latakia , where a false manifest indicated that they were carrying lentils.The ship made a stop in Turkey before heading for the Egyptian port of Alexandria , where the containers were to be unloaded . Lt. Col. Avital Leibowitz , spokeswoman for the Israel Defense Forces , said the military believes that these weapons were intended to be smuggled into Gaza through the numerous tunnels between the Egyptian Sinai desert and the coastal strip , which is governed by Hamas . Among the weapons were six C-704 surface-to-sea missiles with two launchers , along with a British-manufactured radar command and control system . According to Israeli military analyst Ron Ben Ishai , the introduction of this weapon would have added strategic significance to those battling Israel . `` Had this shipment gone through to Alexandria and then to one of the Palestinian organizations in Gaza , it would have given them the capability that does not exist today , that is , to hit the Israeli navy at a distance of 35 kilometers , '' he said . Along with the missiles , the Israeli army says , it found 230 120-mm mortar shells , 2,200 60-mm mortar shells and 66,960 Kalashnikov rifle rounds .
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Three containers of weapons found aboard ship Tuesday , officials say . Mortar shells , surface-to-sea missiles among weapons displayed . `` Ultimate target was the Israeli civilian population , '' Netanyahu says .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Casey Stoner showed he will be a force to be reckoned with at new team Honda by dominating practice for the season-opening MotoGP event in Qatar on Friday , but seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi struggled as he seeks to replace the Australian at Ducati . Repsol Honda claimed the three quickest times in the evening session at the Losail International Circuit , with Stoner 's best of one minute 55:035 seconds heading off Spaniard Dani Pedrosa and Italian Andrea Dovizioso . Yamaha 's world champion Jorge Lorenzo was fourth fastest as he beat young American teammate Ben Spies for the first time in three sessions this week . Spanish motorcyclist Hector Barbera , who finished 12th overall last season , was the best of Ducati 's three riders in sixth place . Rossi , who ended a seven-year stint with Yamaha at the end of a 2010 season marred by injuries , was eighth . American Nicky Hayden , who also rode with Rossi at Honda earlier in his career , was back in 14th . `` Today was a bit difficult , because we had hoped to make a bigger improvement , but in the end we did n't lower our time enough , '' Rossi told the Ducati website . `` First of all , my shoulder bothered me a little . I was n't as strong as I was yesterday , and in the end of the session , I could feel it . Also , we still do n't know this bike perfectly and , as happened to us in the test , we get to a point where it 's difficult to make a step forward with the set-up . `` We 're missing half a second with our pace to be in the group where we hope to be Sunday . Anyway , today we tried two set-up solutions that were quite different , and we chose one that we 'll try to refine tomorrow . '' Stoner , the 2007 world champion in motorcycling 's elite class , also set the fastest time in windy conditions in Friday 's opening session of 1:55:457 as he again headed off Pedrosa , with Spies third . Lorenzo was fifth despite the Spaniard suffering problems with his bike which limited his time on the track . Rossi was ninth , with Hayden just behind him . Lorenzo 's compatriot Alvaro Bautista has been ruled out of Sunday 's race after the 26-year-old Suzuki rider suffered a broken leg when he crashed late in Friday 's second session . Qualifying will be held on Saturday evening Qatar time , with Sunday 's race also at night at 1900 GMT .
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Honda 's new signing Casey Stoner quickest ahead of qualifying in Qatar . Australian was the fastest in both of Friday 's practice sessions at Losail . Seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi was off pace with Stoner 's old team . Italian complains of shoulder pain after finishing eighth for Ducati .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has continued his impressive run of form at Indian Wells with a straight-sets third-round victory over American qualifier Ryan Sweeting . The 23-year-old Spaniard has dropped just 11 points on his serve in the tournament so far , and took just 68 minutes to brush aside the world No. 105 6-3 6-1 on Monday . `` I played solid , '' the two-time winner of the Californian hard-court event , who had a first-round bye , told the official ATP Tour website . `` I think today the more positive thing is I finished much better than the beginning of the match . In general I 'm happy . '' The nine-time grand slam champion will meet world No. 84 Somdev Devvarman in the fourth round , after the Indian qualifier secured just his third win in a Masters event with a 6-1 3-6 7-6 -LRB- 7-5 -RRB- victory over Belgium 's Xavier Malisse . Djokovic and Federer through to third round . `` I have a lot of respect for Nadal , '' the 26-year-old said . `` He 's one of my favorite tennis players , one of my idols , so when I 'm out there I 'm gon na do everything I can to win the match . I 'm gon na compete as hard as I can . '' It was not such a good day for Swedish world No. 4 Robin Soderling , who made a shock exit from the tournament after being beaten by Germany 's Philipp Kohlschreiber . Two-time French Open finalist Soderling failed to convert five set-points in his 7-6 -LRB- 10-8 -RRB- 6-4 loss to the world No. 35 , who inflicted just his second defeat of the season . Next up for Kohlschreiber will be the rejuvenated former world No. 4 and 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro . The 90th-ranked Argentine , who spent much of last season sidelined with a wrist injury , continued his comeback with a 7-6 -LRB- 7-3 -RRB- 6-3 victory over Australian Open quarterfinalist Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine . The United States ' Sam Querrey also caused an upset by easily beating Spanish world No. 9 Fernando Verdasco 7-5 6-4 . The 24th-ranked Querrey will face another Spaniard Tommy Robredo in the last 16 , after the world No. 28 cruised to a 6-0 6-4 win over American Donald Young -- who eliminated fifth seed Andy Murray in the previous round . In other third-round results , Spain 's Albert Montanes beat compatriot and world No. 12 Nicolas Almagro 4-6 6-2 6-4 . He will next face big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic , who knocked out France 's Gilles Simon 6-3 6-3 .
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Rafael Nadal eases into last 16 at Indian Wells by beating U.S. qualifier Ryan Sweeting . Two-time champion meets Indian qualifier Somdev Devvarman for a quarterfinal spot . Robin Soderling suffers surprise defeat to German world No. 35 Philipp Kohlschreiber . Juan Martin del Potro , Sam Querrey and Tommy Robredo also progress to round four .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- England kept their Cricket World Cup hopes alive after a dramatic 18-run victory over the West Indies . Needing to win to stay in the tournament , England failed to capitalize on a quick start to their innings , losing a clutch of wickets in the middle period to post a modest total of 243 . The West Indies got off to a fast start themselves and looked well set to clinch their place in the last eight at 222-6 before losing their last four wickets for three runs to hand England an astonishing triumph . England will be through to the quarterfinals if Group B leaders South Africa beat Bangladesh on Saturday or India beat the West Indies on Sunday . For the sixth time in the tournament England were involved in a match that twisted one way and then the other , the outcome unclear until right at the death . Batting first in Chennai , captain Andrew Strauss got England off to a bright start , hitting 31 , while Jonathan Trott looked in good touch before he was dismissed for 47 . But England slumped from 121-3 to 151-6 as Ian Bell , Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara all went in quick succession . They were grateful to Luke Wright , who hit 44 , and an unbeaten 20 from Tim Bresnan to set a competitive target . In reply Chris Gayle played in trademark fashion , smashing 43 runs off 21 balls and taking 18 off an over from Chris Tremlett before spinner James Tredwell made his mark on his first appearance in the tournament . He claimed the first three wickets as Gayle , Devon Smith and Dwayne Bravo were all removed . When Bopara then bowled captain Darren Sammy and Devon Thomas , England could scent victory . Explosive batsman Kieron Pollard fell for 24 but Ramnaresh Sarwan and Andre Russell steadied the ship for the West Indies before Trott thought he had caught Russell in the deep . But Trott 's catch was ruled out by the third umpire , who adjudged he had made contact with the boundary rope after taking the ball . Six runs were given instead . With the partnership between Sarwan and Russell reaching 72 , West Indies needed just 24 more runs to win before the game turned on its head . First Russell was trapped LBW by Tredwell before fellow spinner Graeme Swann then dismissed Sarwan and Kemar Roach in consecutive balls . And England 's thrilling victory was confirmed when a pinpoint throw from Trott allowed Matt Prior to run out Sulieman Benn . Swann told the England and Wales Cricket Board 's website : `` I thought ` It 's one of those nights ' . We have dug ourselves a hole and we are slowly stepping out of it . It was up there with the Ashes for raw emotion . '' Strauss added : `` We 've just been inconsistent , there 's no doubt about it . We have n't played as well as we would like in this tournament , but we have pulled out some results when we really needed them . `` Obviously we are still waiting on other results , but hopefully we have done enough to go through to the last eight . ''
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England beat West Indies by 18 runs to keep Cricket World Cup hopes alive . West Indies fall short of England 's modest total of 243 . Spinner James Tredwell took four wickets as West Indies were bowled out for 225 . England need other results to go their way in order to make last eight .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- NASA 's Mercury probe Messenger has become the first spacecraft to go into orbit around the closest planet to the Sun . Confirmation of the probe entering Mercury 's orbit was received Thursday evening . `` Achieving Mercury orbit was by far the biggest milestone since Messenger was launched more than six and a half years ago , '' said Messenger Project Manager Peter Bedini , of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory . `` This accomplishment is the fruit of a tremendous amount of labor on the part of the navigation , guidance-and-control , and mission operations teams , who shepherded the spacecraft through its 4.9-billion-mile -LRB- 7.9-billion-kilometer -RRB- journey . '' The space agency is hoping to get the first pictures back from the Messenger probe in orbit by the end of the month . The primary science phase of the mission is scheduled to begin April 4 . `` Despite its proximity to Earth , the planet Mercury has for decades been comparatively unexplored , '' said Sean Solomon , Messenger principal investigator . `` For the first time in history , a scientific observatory is in orbit about our solar system 's innermost planet , '' he said . `` Mercury 's secrets , and the implications they hold for the formation and evolution of Earth-like planets , are about to be revealed . ''
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It takes the probe more than six years to get to Mercury . It 's a 4.9-billion-mile -LRB- 7.9-billion-kilometer -RRB- journey to the solar system 's innermost plant . The space agency is hoping to get the first pictures from the probe by the end of the month . The primary science phase of the mission is scheduled to begin April 4 .
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Tokyo -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Japanese authorities vowed Friday to continue their aerial and ground-level dousing of water on a troubled nuclear reactor , with its owner saying that earlier attempts have been `` somewhat effective '' in addressing radiation concerns . Still , the Fukushima Daiichi complex of six nuclear reactors remained a danger . Radiation levels peaked Friday at 20 millisieverts per hour near in an annex building where workers were trying to reestablish electrical power , `` the highest registered -LRB- at that building -RRB- so far , '' an official with the Tokyo Electric Power Company told reporters . Radiation levels Thursday morning at the plant were nearly 3.8 millisieverts per hour -- more than a typical resident of a developed country receives in a year . But Japan 's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said 17 of 18 workers checked Thursday morning tested normal , and the one who received a higher dose of radiation required no medical treatment . Last Friday 's earthquake and tsunami caused damage at four of the six reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant , located on the northern coast of the Japanese island of Honshu . Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said that efforts would resume Friday afternoon to spray water from the ground and air in and around the plant 's No. 3 reactor , the sole damaged unit that contains plutonium along with the uranium in its fuel rods . They have done so already in two rounds Thursday and another early Friday , according to Tokyo Electric . Based on the steam emitted after these water-spraying operations , Edano said that authorities believe there is still water in the spent fuel pool -- meaning fuel rods , which can give off radiation , likely are n't fully exposed -- though he said it was not clear how much liquid there was . Edano said Friday morning that authorities are also assessing whether to also spray in and around the plant 's No. 1 reactor , though he added that the situation there was not as serious as in the No. 3 reactor . Concerns remained about the spent fuel pool at reactor No. 4 , from which the IAEA said no water-temperature data has been received since Monday , and which a U.S. official said Wednesday appeared to contain no water . `` The current situation at units 1 , 2 and 3 , whose cores have suffered damage , appears to be relatively stable , '' said Graham Andrew , a top aide to IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano . `` Unit 4 , in particular , remains a major safety concern . '' But a Tokyo Electric Power spokesman said Friday that a video of the No. 4 reactor 's pool appeared to show it still contained water . Japanese military helicopters dumped tons of water on the No. 3 reactor housing , including its spent-fuel pool , at the plant until after midnight Thursday , TEPCO reported . Earlier , fire and police trucks turned their hoses on the No. 3 reactor housing for more than an hour , and TEPCO said the subsequent steam and lowered radioactivity levels indicated progress . Experts believe that steam rising from the pool , which contains at least partially exposed fuel rods , may be releasing radiation into the atmosphere . In Vienna , Austria , a senior official of the International Atomic Energy Agency told reporters the situation remains serious , but there had been `` no significant worsening '' Thursday . The state of the six nuclear reactors at Fukushima Daiichi has raised the specter of a multiple nuclear meltdown -- the nightmare scenario in which fuel rods can not be cooled and the reactor 's core melts . In the worst-case scenario , the fuel can spill out of the damaged containment unit and spread radioactivity and cancer-causing isotopes through the air and water . All six reactors have been shut down , but some appear in better shape than others . A spokesman for the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency , which oversees the running of the country 's nuclear plants , said Friday morning that sea water was still being injected into the reactor pressure vessel of Unit 1 . A hydrogen explosion damaged it on March 12 . White smoke continued to emanate Friday from a hole in the Unit 2 building , said the spokesman , who was not identified by name . In a news release , the agency said `` an abnormal noise '' from the pressure suppression chamber had occurred on March 15 and the chamber 's pressure dropped . Workers have been moved away from the unit , though sea water injection continues . A power source for the cooling system of Units 1 and 2 was expected to be connected Friday morning , a Tokyo Electric spokesman said . Unit 3 has been particularly worrisome . It was struck March 14 by an explosion -- described by the IAEA as caused by a hydrogen blast . Fog -- possibly steam -- began rising from the reactor building on Wednesday morning . Unit 3 too is being injected with sea water and water was being sprayed into it . The pressure of the suppression `` has been temporarily increasing since approximately 6:15 a.m. on March 17 , '' the release said . Temperatures in the spent-fuel pools at Units 5 and 6 had been rising slowly since they lost power . But engineers got an emergency diesel generator connected to Units 5 and 6 to cool their spent-fuel pools , a spokesman for the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said Friday . Water injection to the spent fuel pools was continuing . On Friday morning , Edano said temperatures in and around those two reactors have risen , though not enough to pose any immediate danger , according to a report by Japan 's Kyodo News agency . Used nuclear fuel is stored in pools at each of the six reactors plus a shared pool and in a dry container storage , according to the Nuclear Energy Institute . Sixty percent of the total is in the shared pool , 34 % is stored in the six spent-fuel pools of the reactors , and the remaining 6 % is stored in nine dry storage containers , it said . There were `` no safety concerns '' about the dry storage containers . The spent-fuel pools -- located at the top of the reactor buildings to make it easier to handle the fuel during refueling -- were typically filled with water 16 feet or more above the top of the fuel rods . `` The only way to rapidly drain down the pool is if there is structural damage to the walls of the floor , '' the release said , noting that the pools have no drains and are built of concrete and steel . They lose water slowly due to evaporation when the units lose power and the cooling systems stop working . But the threat is not immediate . `` Rapid evaporation of the water will not occur , '' the release says . If the water level drops below the fuel , `` oxidation of the zirconium cladding could occur , '' resulting in the formation of hydrogen , it says . But only fuel discarded within recent weeks would cause such a strong reaction , which would require temperatures of approximately 1,000 degrees Celsius , it adds . Zirconium melts at 1600 degrees C. `` The likelihood of cladding damage , as with hydrogen generation , decreases substantially with temperature and cooling time , '' it says . It called the prospect of a zirconium fire `` virtually impossible . '' The TEPCO spokesman said the level of water in the main pool , which contained older fuel that had already cooled , was only 10 to 15 centimeters below normal . Still , he acknowledged , officials had not been able to measure the temperature there . And nuclear engineer Arnie Gundersen told CNN that the effort will likely need to be sustained `` for months , if not years . '' `` What 's pushing the firemen back is the radiation that 's coming from the spent fuel pool , '' he said . If the spent fuel rods in that pool are uncovered , `` There 's an awful lot of gamma rays flooding that site , forcing the workers to say further away . '' Public health officials say the release of radiation from a meltdown can cause immediate and long-term health problems , including radiation poisoning and cancer . About 200,000 people living within a 20-kilometer -LRB- 12-mile -RRB- radius of the plant have been evacuated ; those living 20 to 30 kilometers from the site have been told to remain inside , and Japan has banned flights over the area . Rebecca Johnson , founder of the London-based Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy , which promotes international security , disarmament and arms control , told CNN that Japanese engineers were `` flying by the seat of their pants now ... Everything they try goes wrong . They 're focusing on reactors , then spent fuel becomes damaged , '' Johnson said . `` They 've just got to get water in there , keep the water pumping . '' CNN 's Stan Grant and Steven Jiang contributed to this report .
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NEW : Efforts will resume Friday afternoon to spray water on Unit 3 's fuel pool , Edano says . NEW : Authorities are also considering spraying on Unit 1 , though that situation is less dire . NEW : Kyodo News reports temperatures are up at Units 5 and 6 , but no imminent danger . One emergency generator for 2 units is running , with another power supply in the works .
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Tokyo -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Even as Washington and Tokyo disagreed on the extent of the threat a damaged nuclear power plant poses , President Barack Obama told the Japanese prime minister Thursday that the United States will help Japan rebuild following last week 's devastating earthquake and tsunami . The two leaders had a 30-minute phone call at 10:30 a.m. Thursday -LRB- 9:30 p.m. ET Wednesday -RRB- . During the phone call with Prime Minister Naoto Kan , Obama voiced sympathy for Japan 's plight . `` The president again conveyed his deep condolences at the tragic loss of life and the widespread suffering in northeastern Japan , '' a White House statement on the call said . `` The president emphasized that the U.S. is determined to do everything possible to support Japan in overcoming the effects of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck on March 11 . '' Kan also briefed the president on the status of Japanese efforts to contain the nuclear emergency at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in the country 's northeast , the White House said . The developments came as the nations established significantly different radiation exposure warning zones . The U.S. military will not allow troops to get within 80 kilometers -LRB- 50 miles -RRB- of the damaged plant . The Japanese government has told people to evacuate to at least 20 kilometers -LRB- 12 miles -RRB- away from the damaged reactors . Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Thursday it 's `` understandable '' that the United States would make a `` more conservative decision '' on the warning zone as it tries to protect its own citizens . He suggests that is , in part , because the United States is `` not directly controlling '' the situation . Meanwhile , a Tokyo Electric Power company official said Thursday that -- based on information gathered from a helicopter that flew over the Fukushima facility on Wednesday -- authorities believe that there is water in a key fuel pool outside one of the plant 's most troubled reactors . Hours earlier , Gregory Jaczko , the head of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission , told Congress that spent fuel rods in Unit 4 of the plant had been exposed , resulting in the emission of `` extremely high '' levels of radiation . Having water in the fuel pool is important because it helps absorb the radiation . The Fukushima complex lost its power Friday , after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake followed by a tsunami pounded northeastern Japan .
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NEW : Japan and United States issue different radiation warning zones . Obama emphasizes that the U.S. is determined to do everything possible to support Japan . Kan briefs the president about efforts to contain the nuclear emergency at the Fukushima plant . Kan and Obama talk for about 30 minutes .
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Kabul , Afghanistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The German news outlet Der Spiegel has published photographs of what appear to be two U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan posing over the bodies of dead Afghans -- images which threaten to further complicate the American military effort there . Two images show the soldiers kneeling by a bloody body sprawled over a patch of sand and grass . A third shows what appears to be two bodies propped up , back to back , against a post in front of a military vehicle . Der Spiegel identifies the soldiers as Spc. Jeremy Morlock and Pfc. Andrew Holmes , who are both facing charges relating to the wrongful deaths of Afghan civilians . Specifically , Holmes is charged with the premeditated deaths of three civilians , possessing a dismembered human finger , wrongfully possessing photographs of human casualties , and smoking hashish . He is also accused of conspiring with Morlock to shoot at a civilian and then toss a grenade so it would look like the soldiers were under attack . Morlock is charged with three counts of murder . He is accused of killing one Afghan civilian in January 2010 with a grenade and rifle ; killing another in May 2010 in a similar manner ; and shooting a third to death in February 2010 . U.S. military rules also prohibit `` taking or retaining individual souvenirs or trophies , '' which the photographs may be construed as . The trial for the two soldiers is being conducted at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington . Morlock 's court martial is slated to begin Wednesday , while the start date for Holmes ' court martial has not been publicly announced . The U.S. Army released a statement Monday calling the photographs `` repugnant to us as human beings and contrary to the standards and values of the United States Army . '' `` We apologize for the distress these photos cause , '' the statement said . Army officials asserted in the statement that ongoing court-martial proceedings related to the alleged atrocities `` speak for themselves . The photos appear in stark contrast to the discipline , professionalism and respect that have characterized our soldiers ' performance during nearly 10 years of sustained operations . '' They also stressed that the `` United States Army is committed to adherence to the Law of War and the humane and respectful treatment of combatants , noncombatants , and the dead . ... Soldiers who commit offenses will be held accountable as appropriate . '' In all , officials have charged 12 U.S. soldiers in what they called a conspiracy to murder Afghan civilians and cover it up , along with charges they mutilated corpses and kept grisly souvenirs . Five of the soldiers face murder charges , while seven others are charged with participating in a coverup . All of the accused men were members of a 2nd Infantry Division brigade operating near Kandahar in southern Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010 . CNN 's Alan Silverleib and Scott Zamost contributed to this report .
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Photographs have been published of what appear to be U.S. soldiers posing over dead Afghan civilians . The photos were published by Der Spiegel in Germany . Spc. Jeremy Morlock and Pfc. Andrew Holmes are featured in the photographs , according to Der Spiegel . Twelve U.S. soldiers have been charged in an alleged conspiracy to murder Afghan civilians and cover it up .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Five U.S. soldiers facing murder charges in the deaths of three Afghan civilians earlier this year have now been charged with `` conspiracy to commit premeditated murder , '' and seven more soldiers have been charged in connection with the probe into the incidents . The five facing murder charges are Pfc. Andrew Holmes of Boise , Idaho ; Spc. Adam Winfield of Cape Coral , Florida ; Spc. Michael Wagnon of Las Vegas , Nevada ; Spc. Jeremy Morlock of Wasilla , Alaska ; and Staff Sgt. Calvin Gibbs of Billings , Montana . They are from the 5th Stryker Brigade . The alleged killings took place at or near Forward Operating Base Ramrod in southern Afghanistan 's volatile Kandahar province . In June , the five were charged with murder . Holmes was accused of killing Afghan civilian Gul Mudin in January with a grenade and rifle . Winfield is accused of killing civilian Mullah Adahdad in May in a similar manner . Wagnon is accused of shooting to death Marach Agha in February . Morlock and Gibbs each were charged with three counts of murder and one count of assault involving the same victims as in the cases against Holmes , Wagnon and Winfield . On Wednesday , the military added conspiracy and other additional charges against the five . Morlock , Holmes , and Winfield were charged with wrongfully using a Schedule I controlled substance . Charges were also filed against seven other soldiers from the 5th Stryker Brigade , the military said Wednesday , but none involve murder or conspiracy to commit murder . The seven are Staff Sgt. Robert Stevens , Sgt. Darren Jones , Cpl. Emmitt R. Quintal , Staff Sgt. David Bram , Pfc. Ashton A. Moore , Spc. Adam Kelly and Spc. Corey Moore . All were charged with conspiracy-related and other charges . Stevens and Ashton Moore were charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon . Jones was charged with conspiracy to commit assault and battery and conspiracy to commt aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon . Quintal , Bram , Kelly and Corey Moore were charged with conspiracy to commit assault and battery . Stevens was charged with wrongfully and wantonly engaging in conduct likely to cause death or bodily harm to other soldiers . Jones , Quintal , Bram , Kelley and Corey Moore were charged with unlawfully striking another soldier .
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The case stems from the killing of three civilians . The soldiers are from the 5th Stryker Brigade . Charges are filed against seven others as well .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An operation to retrieve two Colombian hostages held by the FARC rebel group will resume Tuesday , the Red Cross said , but the government denied that it had authorized such a move . The conflicting reports come two days after an initial attempt to retrieve the hostages was foiled by inaccurate coordinates . Christophe Beney , the Red Cross representative for the operation , said that the release of police Maj. Guillermo Solorzano and Army Cpl. Salin Sanmiguel by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC will happen in the department of Cauca on Tuesday morning . But shortly after these comments were reported , the Colombian government said in a statement that `` it is not true that we have authorized the resumption of any operation for the liberation of the hostages . '' The government was awaiting a debrief from the Red Cross before moving forward , the statement said . Solorzano , Sanmiguel , and police officer Carlos Ocampo were to be released by the FARC on Sunday , but only Ocampo was freed . Colombian authorities were upset at what they said were wrong coordinates given by the Marxist guerrilla group . `` Even though the government did its part , the FARC have committed an act that shocks us , '' said Eduardo Pizarro , the government 's representative for the liberation operation . `` Today , the FARC gave us coordinates in the department of Tolima . The helicopters went to those areas , and it turns out that the hostages are n't in the department of Tolima , but in the department of Cauca . '' He added that `` this behavior surprises , upsets and disturbs us very much . '' In December , the FARC leftist guerrilla group pledged to release five hostages as a humanitarian gesture . Three of them were released last week , and two others had originally been scheduled to be released Sunday . However , former Sen. Piedad Cordoba , who helped to coordinate the humanitarian mission , later said that the rebel group would release three hostages Sunday . Some have suggested the hostage releases could fuel renewed negotiations between Colombia 's government and the rebels . One of the freed hostages called for dialogue between the government and insurgents . `` Humanitarian exchange is the first step toward a friendly understanding , which permits the return of our brothers deprived of their liberty , '' politician Armando Acuna said after his release last week . But Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has sharply criticized the FARC , accusing the group of having a `` double standard '' and creating an `` absurd media show '' in order to draw sympathy to their cause . On Thursday , he said he was tempted to call off the rescue mission after learning that two workers from the Carton de Colombia company had been kidnapped in southwestern Colombia on Wednesday night . Journalist Fernando Ramos contributed to this report .
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Red Cross says it is ready to resume a liberation operation , . But the government says it has not signed off on such a move . Two hostages who were to be released Sunday were not released . The government was upset that it was given wrong coordinates .
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Havana , Cuba -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former Cuban President Fidel Castro threw his support behind Egyptian protesters Monday , hailing the `` defeat of the United States ' principal ally in the bosom of Arab countries . '' In a newspaper column called `` The Revolutionary Rebellion in Egypt '' , Castro accused Washington of looking the other way while Hosni Mubarak pillaged his own people . `` We support the people of Egypt and their brave fight for political rights and social justice , '' he wrote . Castro was in power for nearly five decades after his own revolution defeated Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959 . He was forced to hand power to his younger brother Raul Castro in 2006 when he fell ill . Cuban dissidents have also allied themselves with Egypt 's young protesters , saying they too should try to use social media more to organize protests against the government . On the day of Mubarak 's fall , prominent Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez announced via Twitter , `` Right now I feel like I am in Cairo . I shout and celebrate just like them , '' she wrote . `` I call all my friends to tell them : there is one less dictator . ''
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Fidel Castro says Egypt is a defeat for the United States . He says Washington looked the other way as Mubarak pillaged his own people . Cuban dissidents have also allied themselves with Egypt 's protesters .
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[[9, 29], [123, 215], [219, 240], [293, 343], [350, 389], [9, 120], [713, 788], [798, 837]]
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- More than 65 people have been killed in two days of clashes between rebel groups and soldiers in Southern Sudan 's Upper Nile state , an army spokesman said . Philip Aguer , spokesman for the Sudan People 's Liberation Army -LRB- SPLA -RRB- told CNN.com that forces loyal to a militia leader named Oliny attacked the village of Uach west of Malakal in Upper Nile state . `` 55 members of the militia and seven SPLA soldiers were killed , and we believe a number of civilians also died , but we are still getting information . '' Oliny , Aguer said , is a former member of Southern Sudanese politician Lam Akol 's militia . `` But we do n't know if he is still associated with him . '' Aguer also said that he believes that Oliny was receiving military support from the government in northern Sudan . `` They have received new weapons . We suspect they all acted in coordination with Khartoum ... I think things are going to continue escalating , '' he said . However , Sudan 's dominant National Congress Party -LRB- NCP -RRB- in the north denied having any involvement . Rabie Abdelati , an NCP party official , said on Monday : `` If we really wanted to go back to war , we would not have signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement -LRB- the 2005 accord -RRB- or accepted the referendum . `` We are hoping for a strong south after secession . If the south is not stable the north will not be stable , '' he said . Akol , a seasoned Southern Sudanese politician and a former member of the SPLA , broke from the SPLA in 2009 and created a new party , the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement-Democratic Change -LRB- SPLM-DC -RRB- . Akol rejected any association with Oliny 's militia . `` He was never a part of the SPLM-DC , '' he told CNN.com . `` He is a Shiluk youth who with others were defending their land from Dinka who tried to take their land , '' he told CNN.com . The fighting took place in areas dominated by the Shiluk tribe , which Akol belongs to . The SPLA on the other hand is dominated by members of the Dinka tribe . The fighting comes days after more than 40 people had been killed in clashes between soldiers and another rebel militia , George Athor , in Southern Sudan , . Rebel leader George Athor has been saying his forces have killed more than 100 people , most of them soldiers , since a fresh round of fighting started last week . But Philip Aguer , a spokesman for Southern Sudan 's military , said Athor 's claims are exaggerated . Athor took up arms in 2010 when he was not elected governor of Southern Sudan 's Jonglei state . The fighting comes just four months before the region is due to become independent . The south is expected to secede on July 9 after southerners overwhelmingly voted to declare independence from the north in a January referendum -- a vote promised in a 2005 peace accord that ended decades of civil war between north and south .
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Increasing violence comes as south prepares to declare independence from north . Militia forces attacked village of Uach in Upper Nile state , military spokesman says . SPLA spokesman believes militia leader Oliny is getting help from Khartoum . Official for Sudan 's dominant party denies any involvement with violence .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Dozens of African Union soldiers have been killed in two weeks of fierce fighting in Somali capital of Mogadishu , clashes that resulted in significant gains against local and foreign extremists , according to an African Union official familiar with the scale of those losses . The fighting was part of a major offensive by Ugandan and Burundian forces , who are part of the African Union Mission in Somalia -LRB- AMISOM -RRB- , against Al-Shabaab , an al Qaeda-linked extremist group trying to take over the weak transitional federal government and implement a stricter form of Islamic law , or sharia . AMISOM officials said they would not specify exactly how many soldiers have been killed or wounded in the operations until the families and contributing countries were properly notified . Also , they did n't detail Al-Shabaab losses . `` This loss of life comes in an intently meaningful and honorable victory , one which will ensure that many more lives will be saved in the long run , '' Wafula Wamunyinyi , a senior AMISOM official , told reporters in Nairobi , Kenya . `` The positions that we have seized in the past week break the grip of extremist militants in the city . We have taken a very important step towards the stabilization of Mogadishu and in pursuit of a day many deemed impossible -- the day when law and order returns to Mogadishu , '' Wamunyini said . The operations began on February 19 with the clearance of a network of urban trenches by Ugandan forces . That battle uncovered further proof that foreign fighters are playing a key role in the leadership of Al-Shabaab , originally a homegrown Somali movement . According to AMISOM , several key foreign fighters were killed in the operation . `` Al-Shabaab is organized like an Al Qaeda operation , '' said force commander Maj. Gen. Nathan Mugisha , `` their tactics are replicated from Afghanistan . '' On February 23 , Burundian forces successfully took two key Al-Shabaab positions in fierce fighting -- the former Ministry of Defense buildings -LRB- known as Gashindiga -RRB- and the former milk factory , according to Mugisha . Located in northeastern Africa , Somalia has not had a stable government since 1991 , and fighting between the rebels and government troops has escalated the humanitarian crisis in the famine-ravaged country . One U.N. humanitarian official said on Friday voiced urgent concern about the `` increased displacement '' caused by the fighting and the effects of drought there , said Valerie Amos , under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs . She visited Somalia last month and talked to reporters on Friday . `` I again urge all parties to the conflict and AMISOM -LRB- the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia -RRB- to comply with international humanitarian law in order to minimize harm to the civilians , '' Amos said .
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The fighting was part of a major offensive . The operation began February 19 . Ugandans and Burundians are part of the AU mission .
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Islamabad , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pakistan 's Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. ambassador Friday to protest a drone strike as the death toll from that attack rose to 44 , Pakistani intelligence officials said . The attack also unleashed tribal fury , with regional elders vowing revenge on the United States for the strike . Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir summoned Ambassador Cameron Munter to make a `` strong protest '' regarding the Thursday drone strike in Pakistan 's remote tribal area , the Foreign Ministry said in a statement . Pakistan 's prime minister and a military leader have already made harsh statements about the attack . Two Pakistani intelligence officials said Friday the death toll had risen to 44 , and that the majority of the dead were civilians . Munter was told that such strikes are not only unacceptable but constitute `` a flagrant violation of humanitarian norms and law , '' the ministry said . `` Pakistan should not be taken for granted nor treated as a client state , '' the ministry said . Munter was also told that , under the current circumstances , Pakistan will not be able to participate in the upcoming trilateral meeting between Afghanistan , Pakistan , and the United States , scheduled for March 26 . Two intelligence officials said the drone fired two missiles on a jirga meeting in North Waziristan , one of the seven districts of Pakistan 's volatile tribal region bordering Afghanistan . Tribal elders from the region where the drone strike happened vowed to take revenge on America , saying they will unleash their family members as suicide bombers because of the drone strike . `` Americans do n't spare us -- not our children , nor our elders , nor our younger , '' Malik Jalal Wazir , a tribal elder from North Waziristan , said in news conference . `` That is why we have decided we will take blood revenge however we can . '' A statement from the elders titled `` Announcement of Jihad against America '' said , `` We have given permission to our loved ones to do suicide attacks against Americans . And we will take revenge so that Americans will remember it for centuries . '' They added that the victims were civilians . `` None of the killed were linked to al Qaeda , '' they said . The drone strike follows the controversial release of CIA contractor Raymond Davis , a U.S. agent acquitted of the double murder of two Pakistani men in Lahore after a total of $ 2.3 million was paid to the relatives of his victims . That incident had already fueled talks of protests in Pakistan . Based on a CNN count , Thursday 's suspected drone strike was the 18th of the year , compared with 111 in all of 2010 . U.S. officials rarely acknowledge publicly the CIA 's secret drone program in Pakistan .
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Pakistan summons the U.S. ambassador to register `` strong protest '' The death toll rises to 44 , two Pakistani intelligence officials say . Tribal elders vow to take revenge on America for the strike . Thursday 's suspected drone strike is the 18th so far this year .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The 20 jurors to be selected in the Orlando , Florida , murder trial of Casey Anthony will cost the court system an estimated $ 361,000 , according to court administrators . According to a cost breakdown spreadsheet obtained by `` In Session '' on truTV , these expenses include everything from housing , transportation and three daily meals , to wages associated with the sheriff 's office , court clerks and courthouse facilities for the duration of the trial . The jurors will be sequestered for the trial , in which Anthony , who turns 25 on Saturday , faces a capital murder charge in the death of her 2-year-old daughter , Caylee . The girl was reporting missing in July 2008 , and investigators found her body after five months of intense searches . Prior to a jury being seated , the Orange County Clerk of Courts Office will be required to pay nearly $ 4,000 in jury selection costs . `` It 's an estimate of the expenses , but it 's certainly not all-inclusive , '' court spokeswoman Karen Levey told the Orlando Sentinel . However , she added , the cost breakdown per juror is `` fairly accurate . '' Orange County Clerk of Courts Lydia Gardner told the newspaper that `` funding for the Casey Anthony trial is in serious jeopardy '' and that she `` informed both the chief justice of the state Supreme Court as well as Chief -LRB- Judge -RRB- Belvin Perry of these dire circumstances . '' Florida Gov. Rick Scott in February proposed cutting state spending by more than $ 5 billion this fiscal year . That includes a cut of about 8.4 percent -- or nearly $ 40 million -- to the state courts ' budget for 2011-12 , according to the governor 's web site . In a statement released Thursday , Levey said the chief judge knows that Gardner `` has concerns regarding her office 's ability to cover the costs that her office is responsible for , ... such as jury sequestration . '' Levey added that the legislative session is in its early stages and talks of a continuance in the case on `` are extremely premature . '' Jury selection in Casey Anthony 's murder trail is scheduled to start May 9 , and Levey stressed that the date `` has not been continued . '' Aletse Mellado of `` In Session '' contributed to this report .
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Costs to Orlando court system cover housing , transportation , meals . Also included : courthouse costs , wages associated with sheriff 's office , clerks . Jury selection for the trial begins May 9 . Casey Anthony is on trial for capital murder in the 2008 death of her daughter .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Sri Lanka returned to the top of Group A with a convincing 112-run win over Cricket World Cup rivals New Zealand on Friday as veteran spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan took center stage in Mumbai . Both teams had already qualified for the quarterfinals of the 50-over tournament , but the highest-placed sides should avoid Group B heavyweights such as India and South Africa . Sri Lanka 's fourth victory in six games left the co-hosts above Australia on run differential , meaning they will finish second , with New Zealand a point back in third place . The Australians , seeking a fourth successive title , complete their group campaign in Colombo on Saturday against fourth-placed Pakistan -- who have also qualified for the last eight and who could top the table with a win . New Zealand restricted Sri Lanka to 265-9 , with skipper Kumar Sangakkara top-scoring on 111 as he made his first World Cup century . Sangakkara put on 145 for the third wicket with Mahela Jayawardene , who was controversially given not out in the 24th over when bowler Nathan McCullum dived to pluck a return catch . Television replays showed that the Black Caps player had grasped the ball before it touched the grass , but umpire Asad Rauf told Jayawardene to stay at the crease after consulting with video official Amiesh Saheba . Jayawardene went on to make 66 off 90 balls before becoming the second of Tim Southee 's three victims , while McCullum struck twice as the last seven wickets fell for 101 runs . In reply , the Kiwis reached 83-2 before suffering an all-too-common batting collapse , losing five wickets for 27 runs and eventually slumping to 153 all out in the 35th over . Muralitharan , who turns 39 next month two weeks after the final , claimed figures of 4-25 off eight overs has he extended his world-record one-day total to 530 . He has now taken 64 wickets in World Cup matches , leaving him seven behind Australia 's record-holder Glenn McGrath in his last tournament before retiring from international cricket . Murali 's expected successor , Ajantha Mendis , took 2-24 as the four other Sri Lankan bowlers shared the wickets evenly . In Friday 's other match , Ireland beat the Netherlands by six wickets in Kolkata to clinch a second win in Group B . The Irish , who shocked England earlier in the tournament , reached 307-4 with 2.2 overs to spare in the third-highest run chase in World Cup history . Paul Stirling smashed 101 off just 72 balls faced , hitting 14 fours and two sixes in the fourth-fastest World Cup century . He put on 177 for the opening wicket with captain William Porterfield , who scored 68 , while Niall O'Brien was unbeaten on 57 . The Dutch had been hopeful of a first victory after posting 306 , including a bizarre four run-outs in the final over , with Ryan Ryan ten Doeschate 's 106 being his second century of the event . On Saturday , Bangladesh play Group B leaders South Africa -- who have already qualified for the quarterfinals -- in Dhaka in a match the fifth-placed co-hosts need to win to go through . The West Indies , above Bangladesh only on run differential , close out the schedule against India in Chennai on Sunday .
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Sri Lanka will finish second in Group A following 112-run victory over New Zealand . Co-hosts will be deposed at the top by either South Africa or Pakistan on Saturday . All four teams have already qualified for the quarterfinals of the World Cup . Ireland end tournament with two wins after beating fellow Group B minnows the Netherlands .
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WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A lawsuit filed in California against Kellogg , Brown and Root on Wednesday alleges the company and its subcontractor were involved in a human trafficking plan that forced Nepali men to work against their will in Iraq . The lawyer and relatives of men who were employed by KBR and allegedly sent to Iraq without their consent . The men , between the ages of 18 and 27 , were recruited in Nepal and told they would be doing work in hotel and restaurant kitchens in Amman , Jordan , but were sent instead to Iraq to work at a U.S. air base , according to the lawsuit . The lawsuit alleges KBR , based in Houston , Texas , and Daoud & Partners , a Jordan-based subcontractor , engineered the trafficking scheme . A KBR spokeswoman would not comment directly on the allegations but released a statement defending the company . `` KBR has not yet seen the lawsuit so it is premature for us to comment at this time . The safety and security of all employees and those the company serves remains KBR 's top priority . The company in no way condones or tolerates unethical or illegal behavior , '' KBR spokeswoman Heather Browne said in a statement e-mailed to CNN . `` Each employee is expected to adhere to the company 's Code of Business Conduct and complete ethics training , which includes TIPS -LRB- Trafficking in Persons -RRB- information , '' Browne continued . Efforts by CNN to reach Daoud were unsuccessful . When the Nepali men arrived in Jordan , according to the lawsuit , the contractors took their passports and drove them into Iraq . Mathew Handley , a lawyer with Cohen , Milstein , Hausfeld & Toll , which filed the lawsuit , said about 70 Nepali men were driven into Iraq in a large convoy of civilian vehicles . One of the lead vehicles was ahead of the convoy and was stopped by insurgents posing as Iraqi Police . Twelve of the Nepali men were taken by the insurgents and later killed . `` As the men were being transported to Iraq , a car containing twelve of the men was stopped by members of the Ansar al-Sunna Army , an insurgent group . The 12 men in the car were taken hostage and executed by the insurgents , '' according to a statement on the law firm 's Web site . A 13th man , Buddi Prasad Gurung , was not kidnapped and arrived at the U.S. Al Asad air base in western Iraq in August 2004 . Gurung worked in a warehouse managed by KBR and was released 15 months later by the company , according to the law firm . Gurung and the families of the 12 men who were killed have brought the lawsuit . Handley says the other Nepali workers who were sent to Iraq with Gurung did not come forward for the lawsuit after they were eventually released from KBR . `` Their families went deep into debt to arrange the jobs , which they hoped would lift them out of poverty , '' according to the lawsuit . The case garnered the attention of the Department of Defense Inspector General 's office after a number of news reports about KBR involvement in trafficking . The department concluded an investigation in April 2006 . `` The primary finding concluded that the U.S. Government had no jurisdiction over the persons , offenses , or circumstances that resulted in the Nepalese deaths , '' according to the final report . The report also concluded that the events happened `` before starting their employment with KBR . '' However , the case led to increased awareness and enforcement of trafficking laws by the U.S. military .
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Suit claims that Nepali men were told they would work in kitchens in Jordan . They were instead sent to Iraq where they were captured and killed , suit says . KBR issued statement defending company but not directly addressing allegations .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Manchester United moved five points clear in the English Premier League after snatching a 1-0 win against Bolton on Saturday despite having a player sent off . Second-placed Arsenal lost ground after coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened West Brom , but have a game in hand on the leaders . Third-placed Manchester City face fourth-placed Chelsea on Sunday in a match that will have a big bearing on the Champions League hopes of Tottenham , who could only draw 0-0 at home to struggling London rivals West Ham on Saturday . Second-half substitute Dimitar Berbatov was United 's hero as he bundled home an 88th-minute winner after visiting goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen failed to hold a shot by Nani . The Bulgarian striker had never before netted for United coming off the bench , but made a telling impact after replacing in-form Mexico forward Javier Hernandez at halftime . Chelsea draw English rivals Manchester United in Euro quarterfinals . United , with manager Alex Ferguson watching from the stands as he started his five-match touchline ban , failed to dominate a Bolton side seeking to claim sixth place from Liverpool . The home team lost Jonny Evans with 14 minutes to play when the Irish defender was sent off for a raised-studs challenge on Stuart Holden that required the United States midfielder to be carried off with a gashed leg . But United kept pushing for a winner , which finally came as Berbatov moved two clear of City 's Carlos Tevez in the English scoring charts with his 20th Premier League goal this season and 21st overall . Arsenal went into the match at West Brom hoping to resurrect the team 's final chance of winning a trophy this season after being knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup plus losing in the final of the League Cup . But Steven Reid 's third-minute header and a second goal by Nigeria striker Peter Odemwingie in the 58th minute after a mix-up by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and Sebastien Squillaci gave Roy Hodgson 's hosts hope of a much-needed win . However , Andrei Arshavin reduced the deficit with 20 minutes to play , and Dutch striker Robin van Persie equalized on 78 with an effort that just crossed the line after the Russia forward 's cross hit the post . The result lifted West Brom a point away from the bottom four clubs -- led by West Ham on goal difference from Wolverhampton . Fifth-placed Tottenham trail Chelsea by two points after failing to score against the Hammers , despite hitting the woodwork three times as Harry Redknapp 's team once again crashed back to earth after European heroics . Having earned a Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid after eliminating AC Milan on March 9 , Redknapp saw his team frustrated by West Ham 's former England goalkeeper Robert Green on a day that Spurs ' Wales winger Gareth Bale signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract . Everton claimed eighth place , joining Bolton on 40 points , with a 2-1 win over Fulham in the late match . Young Irishman Seamus Coleman opened the scoring in the 36th minute and France striker Louis Saha doubled the lead four minutes after the restart with his 10th goal this season before U.S. midfielder Clint Dempsey reduced the deficit just after the hour mark . FA Cup semifinalists Stoke moved above Newcastle into 10th place after a 4-0 thrashing of their mid-table rivals that maintained the side 's unbeaten home run in 2011 . Striker Jon Walters headed a first-half opener and his provider Jermaine Pennant made it 2-0 after the restart before Danny Higginbotham 's free-kick added to the lead soon after , and Jamaica forward Ricardo Fuller capped the victory at the end when he came on as a late substitute . Just three points separate the bottom eight teams , with four clumped together on 33 after Blackburn came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at Blackpool and Aston Villa lost 1-0 at home to Midlands rivals Wolverhampton . Wolves joined West Ham on 32 points with a first win at Villa Park in more than 30 years thanks to a winner by winger Matt Jarvis , while bottom club Wigan moved up to 30 with a 2-1 win over League Cup winners Birmingham , who remained in the relegation zone . Liverpool , eliminated from the Europa League last week , travel to Sunderland on Sunday .
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Dimitar Berbatov scores late winner as Manchester United beat visiting Bolton . United reduced to 10 men with 14 minutes left after Jonny Evans is sent off . Second-placed Arsenal trail United by five points after being held 2-2 at West Brom . Tottenham 's Champions Leagues hopes suffer another blow with draw against West Ham .
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Ithaca , New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- I work at an inland university in chilly upstate New York . Around here , many people feel a little global warming is good and there is really nothing that they can see or hear that will make them feel differently . News of warming sea surfaces and bleached coral reefs inspire little response when there 's a chill in the air and the ocean is hundreds of miles away . Sure , the ice is off the lakes a few weeks earlier and the growing season is a couple of weeks longer . But there are costs we are seeing now -- mosquitoes , ticks and other species of insects are really thriving with the warmer weather while some species of trees , like sugar maple , are suffering slow declines . However , none of these small , incremental impacts gives one a sense of imminent disaster , but the reality is that increased sea-surface temperatures will impact hundreds of millions of people , whether they live in Key West or Kalamazoo . In contrast to the incremental changes we are seeing here in the heartland , the sea is already undergoing catastrophic changes on a massive scale , ones that are unprecedented in human history and that may be largely irreversible on human time scales . During the past few months , coral bleaching near Aceh , Indonesia , in the Coral Triangle and in the Andaman Sea of Southeast Asia has left vast tracts of reefs impacted , with up to 80 percent of the corals dead or dying at some sites . Bleaching occurs when corals get so thermally stressed that the symbiotic relationship with their solar-powered algae falls apart , and the pigmented algae get expelled . The result is a bleached reef that looks starkly white because the white skeleton underlying the coral skin shows through . Imagine if overnight all of the leaves on the trees in your neighborhood turned white from losing their photosynthetic pigments . Then think about what it would look like if more than half of those trees did n't recover and died . Coral reefs are an ecosystem rich in biodiversity beyond our wildest imagining -- we are still discovering the countless links that support transforming nutrient - poor tropical oceans into an oasis of life . Reefs provide a home to countless small crabs , worms , starfish and rich zooplankton which hide in the reef by day and come out at night to be a rich banquet for fish . Young fish shelter and feed in the reef , until large enough to survive elsewhere . Gobies are an example of a small reef fish that shows big declines on reefs affected by bleaching ; the butterfly fish also is a species that feeds directly on coral and so declines with reef damage . Reefs that have bleached and died quickly erode and can not fix carbon from the sun or provide habitat for fish . Even as I write this , I am anticipating that one of the largest bleaching events in the history of the Caribbean is under way . We do n't know yet if this event will become the largest because it has not reached its peak . I have checked NOAA 's Coral Reef Watch website every week this August and September to monitor the sea surface temperatures and to try to guess at what level they might peak . Currently , the trajectory is on course to be markedly warmer than the record-breaking summer of 2005 . During that year of record-breaking bleaching and devastating hurricanes , including Katrina , scientists identified the extreme sea surface temperatures as a once-in-a-100-year event . Well , here we are five years later , and with a month to go before the expected temperature maximum during mid-October , it looks like we are in for a greater once-in-a-100-year event in the space of five years ! So , this raises the question -- does this really matter to folks in the heartland ? Does it matter that nobody is even aware that this huge event is even going on ? Well , it matters if we care about global biodiversity , since those reefs in the Coral Triangle are at the center of both fish and coral biodiversity . It also matters if we care about the people who make their living on the fish , snails , crabs , and other animals that live on the reefs in the Coral Triangle , Southeast Asia , and the Caribbean -- and the people who eat seafood in your town and every town . It matters if we are concerned about future tsunamis in the Indo-Pacific because those reefs are the strongest wavebreaks known to protect fragile coastal communities . And finally , it matters because coral reefs fuel billions in tourist dollars to fragile economies in the developing world as well as in our territorial waters . So , for people who are concerned about the fate of the global environment and human civilization , it does matter . We are an ocean nation with vast areas of coral reefs . The exclusive economic zone of the US includes not only a 200-mile coastal zone around our fifty states , but a 200-mile zone around rich marine resources in the Pacific , including Guam , Midway Island , Palmyra Atoll and American Samoa . It is important to realize that the effects of climate change are being felt more directly in the oceans than on land . Just because they are out of sight does not mean that they should be out of mind . Most people have not experienced firsthand the already disastrous impacts of climate change on our ocean . But soon enough we will start to notice disruptions in terrestrial ecosystems as well . To help coral reefs and other affected coastal ecosystems , much more stringent management policies must be implemented to control overfishing and land-based pollution . This can improve the resilience of these climate-stressed ecosystems . In the larger policy arena , to slow this sea surface warming we must not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions , we have to figure out a way to get the CO2 concentration below the level of the 388 parts per million it is at now . The target of 350 ppm CO2 advocated by 350 . org movement is a way forward if future generations are to benefit from the services coral reefs provide and the sense of awe that they inspire . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Drew Harvell .
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Higher sea temperatures are damaging coral reefs around the world , says Drew Harvell . She says the reefs provide a crucial habitat for fish and a lure for tourists . Some effects of global warming are most visible in our seas , she says . As an ocean nation , the U.S. has much at risk , Harvell says .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former world champion Casey Stoner claimed the 27th pole position of his career on Saturday to ensure he will start the new MotoGP season at the head of the grid in Qatar . The Australian , who dominated the three practice sessions at Losail with his new Repsol Honda team , set the fastest time of one minute 54.137 seconds . His teammate Dani Pedrosa will line up on the front row of the grid in Qatar for the first time on Sunday after finishing second , while Yamaha 's reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo took the final place -- 0.810 seconds behind Stoner . Stoner is the only rider to have ever won from pole position in Qatar , doing so in 2009 . Stoner dominates Qatar practice as Rossi struggles . His replacement at Ducati , seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi , again struggled with the Italian qualifying ninth fastest as he again battled the lingering effects of last season 's shoulder problems . Rossi 's American teammate Nicky Hayden , another former world champion , was way back in 13th . Lorenzo , who was runner-up last year after starting back on the grid , saw new young American teammate Ben Spies qualify in fifth behind Marco Simoncelli of the San Carlo Honda Gresini outfit . British rookie Cal Crutchlow was eighth , outshining his senior Monster Yamaha Tech teammate Carl Edwards in 10th . Meanwhile , Bridgestone will continue to be MotoGP 's tire supplier until 2014 after agreeing a new deal announced on Saturday , having been involved with motorcycling 's elite class since 2009 .
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Australian rider Casey Stoner will seek to emulate his 2009 victory from pole in Qatar . The 2007 world champion helps his new team Honda to fill top-two qualifying places . He is joined on the front row by Dani Pedrosa and world champion Jorge Lorenzo . Seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi back in ninth in his debut for Ducati .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Novak Djokovic can move above Roger Federer in the world rankings by beating the 16-time grand slam champion in the semifinals of the Masters Series event at Indian Wells on Saturday . The Serbian will clinch the No. 2 spot behind Rafael Nadal if he continues his hot form this year , which has seen him beat Federer on the way to winning the Australian Open and then again in the Dubai Tennis Championships final last month . The 23-year-old stormed into the last four of the Californian desert event on Friday with a 6-2 6-4 dismissal of French 18th seed Richard Gasquet , his 16th successive victory this year and 18th including the Davis Cup final in December . He has dropped just 12 games in this tournament , which he won in 2008 after losing in the final to Nadal the year before . `` This has been the best period of tennis in my career over the past three months . I want to maintain this level of performance , '' Djokovic told reporters . Federer , however , is not giving up his ranking without a fight , and set up a rematch against a man he beat four times out of five last year by ending the hopes of 12th-seeded friend and fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka on Friday . The 29-year-old won the closing quarterfinal 6-3 6-4 to give himself a chance of a record fourth title at Indian Wells , which would take him one past Michael Chang and Jimmy Connors . Nadal 's bid to join that trio with three titles will face a strong test against resurgent former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro on Saturday . The Spaniard was less than comfortable as he battled back to defeat big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic 5-7 6-1 7-6 -LRB- 9-7 -RRB- in the quarterfinals on Thursday . `` You lose a set against Karlovic , and you are under pressure the rest of the games of the match , '' nine-time grand slam winner Nadal told the ATP World Tour 's official website . `` I think I played a fantastic second set , returning better than ever . In the third , I did n't have chances . His serve was unstoppable . In the tiebreak I was really nervous . `` For sure , it is a very important victory for me . Being in the semifinals another time here after one month outside competition is fantastic news for me . '' Nadal , 24 , has only recently recovered from a hamstring injury sustained at January 's Australian Open , where he lost in the quarterfinals . Former world No. 4 Del Potro has climbed back up the rankings to 90th after winning at Delray Beach and reaching the semis in San Jose and Memphis . He had easier progress to the last four when Nadal 's compatriot Tommy Robredo was forced to withdraw from their quarterfinal with an abductor muscle injury . Federer closes on Djokovic rematch . In the women 's draw , Marion Bartoli became the first Frenchwoman to reach the final at Indian Wells when she beat Yanina Wickmayer 6-1 6-3 on Friday . The 15th seed will next take on world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki , who thrashed three-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova 6-1 6-2 in the second semifinal . Bartoli , the 2007 Wimbledon runner-up , ended a streak of seven semifinal defeats as she proved too strong for the Belgian 23rd seed . Japan crisis focuses Sharapova 's Chernobyl commitment . Wozniacki was fresh for her match with Sharapova after playing only three games of her quarterfinal against close friend Victoria Azarenka before the eighth seed from Belarus retired with a hip injury . Sharapova , the 2006 champion but seeded 16th this year at Indian Wells , had been seeking to return to the top-10 , which Bartoli now has the chance to do in her place . The Russian had battled into the last four with a 6-2 5-7 6-3 win over China 's Shuai Peng on Thursday .
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Novak Djokovic will take on Roger Federer in the semifinals at Indian Wells . Serbian can claim the world No. 2 ranking if he beats Federer for third time this year . No. 1 Rafael Nadal faces former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro in other semi . Marion Bartoli becomes first Frenchwoman to reach the final of California event .
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Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Obama administration sent mixed signals Wednesday on its stance on a no-fly zone in Libya , with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton saying U.N. backing was essential while White House spokesman Jay Carney left the door open to the United States acting unilaterally or in concert with NATO allies . Some critics , as well as top Democrats such as Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts , have called for a stronger U.S. response to the Libya violence , including the possible imposition of a no-fly zone that would prevent Libyan military aircraft from attacking the Libyan people . President Barack Obama has made clear he wants any military response to come from the international community , to prevent Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi from blaming the United States for his predicament . Clinton emphasized that point Wednesday in an interview with CBS News , saying the administration seeks to avoid `` any room for anyone , including Col. Gadhafi , to say that ` This is n't about my people , this is about outsiders . ' '' She noted that the British and French governments were bringing a draft resolution on international action to the United Nations , saying : `` I think it 's very important that there be a U.N. decision on whatever might be done . '' `` We believe it 's important that this not be an American , or a NATO , or a European effort . It needs to be an international one , '' Clinton said . Approval by the U.N. Security Council for international military intervention in Libya , including a no-fly zone , is considered unlikely due to expected opposition from China and Russia . Both countries are believed to be reluctant to set a precedent of U.N.-supported military action in an internal conflict . Clinton acknowledged opposition to a no-fly zone from within the U.N. Security Council , but said efforts continued to come up with an acceptable package . She also emphasized the need to have Arab nations and bodies such as the Arab League in support . A few hours later , Carney told reporters at the White House that U.N. backing was just one possible form of the international support sought for any military intervention in Libya . `` It is our strong preference in this situation and many others that we act together with our international partners , '' said Carney , who then added that `` we always reserve the right , NATO does rather , as does the United States , to act on our own . '' At the State Department , spokesman Mark Toner also stopped short of insisting on U.N. backing , instead saying : `` It 's always desirable . '' In a letter dated March 5 to the U.N. General Assembly , Libya 's Interim Transitional National Council -- the opposition movement seeking to oust Gadhafi -- asked for the international community to `` fulfill its obligations to protect the Libyan people from any further genocide and crimes against humanity without any direct military intervention on Libyan soil . '' Carney and other administration officials contend the United States already has moved quickly in the crisis by freezing $ 30 billion in U.S. assets of Gadhafi , supporting further U.N. sanctions on Libya and sending military aircraft to help transport foreign nationals who fled the fighting there . At the same time , top U.S. defense officials including Defense Secretary Robert Gates warn that imposing such a no-fly zone amounts to an act of war that requires major resources and political will . On Wednesday , Carney reiterated the White House stance that all options remain on the table regarding Libya , and he specified that a possible no-fly zone was being actively discussed by both the United States and NATO . Overall , though , the Obama administration has tried to downplay the possibility of imposing a no-fly zone without significant international backing , especially from the Arab world . Asked about it Sunday on the NBC program `` Meet the Press , White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley complained that people calling for such a move `` talk about it like it 's a game or a video game or something . '' Obama , in response to questions about the U.S. response in Libya , told reporters last week that that it was important to ensure that the Libyan people feel `` full ownership '' for any transformation and cited Egypt 's recent revolution as an example . `` We did not see anti-American sentiment arising out of that movement in Egypt precisely because they felt that we had n't tried to engineer or impose a particular outcome , but rather they owned it , '' Obama said .
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Clinton : U.N. backing is important . White House : U.S. , NATO have the right to act unilaterally . Approval from the U.N. Security Council is considered unlikely .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Black Eyed Peas have joined a growing list of artists and celebrities calling attention to the disaster in Japan . The group shot their latest music video for the single `` Just Ca n't Get Enough '' in Tokyo a few days before the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and the resulting tsunami rocked the island nation . The video opens : `` This video was filmed in Japan one week before the earthquake . Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the people of Japan . We love you . '' The video closes with a link to the Red Cross . The video is scheduled to premier this week and the group will perform the song on `` American Idol '' Thursday night . The international aid agency appeared to be the charity of choice among celebs . Many are encouraging their fan bases to make donations via text message . `` Imagine ... if we ALL texted REDCROSS to 90999 we 'd have raised over 60million dollars for #JAPAN REFLIEF ! BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE ! BE ! , '' said a post on singer Katy Perry 's Twitter account this week . Likewise , rapper P. Diddy , talk show host Conan O'Brien and R&B singer Chris Brown implored their followers to help the victims of the disaster . Lady Gaga is taking a different approach , selling red-and-white `` We pray for Japan '' wristbands , which feature an image of the singer 's monster paw gesture . `` Little Monsters , show your support for Japan with this ` We Pray For Japan ' wristband ! '' her website said , encouraging her fans to donate . `` All proceeds go directly to Japan relief efforts . '' Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park has designed a T-shirt to benefit Music for Relief 's Tsunami Relief in Japan . Donations of $ 10 can be made by texting `` MFR '' to 85944 . Music for Relief also established a fund after the Haiti earthquake . CNN 's Denise Quan contributed to this report .
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Black Eyed Peas use video to push fans to Red Cross website . Linkin Park designs T-shirts to raise money for Japan relief . Lady Gaga offers a wristband . Celebrity Twitter accounts spread the message .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Late goals from Brazilian duo David Luiz and Ramires gave Chelsea a 2-0 home win over Manchester City in the English Premier League on Sunday . A 78th-minute header from January signing Luiz and a fine solo effort by Ramires in time added on meant the London club moved into third place above City , a point clear having played one less match . The English champions are now four points behind second-placed Arsenal and nine adrift of league leaders Manchester United , who beat Bolton 1-0 on Saturday . City , hoping to reach for the European Champions League for the first time next season , are four points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham -- but Roberto Mancini 's team have played one more game than the team who pipped them to the final qualifying position last season . Ten-man United extend English lead . The result was a deserved one for Chelsea , who dominated a lackluster City side missing injured captain and top scorer Carlos Tevez . After a frustrating goalless first half , the home side came alive after the break and defender Luiz netted the crucial opener with just 12 minutes of play remaining with a header from substitute Didier Drogba 's well-flighted set-piece . The 23-year-old Luiz , who has looked a bargain buy since joining from Portugal 's Benfica in a $ 35 million deal , won the free-kick after some nimble footwork . Drogba had come on to replace $ 80 million striker Fernando Torres , who has now yet to score after seven appearances for his new club . Chelsea looked to be home and dry after Luiz 's goal , but Ramires made sure as he waltzed into the penalty area and fired an impressive strike past City goalkeeper Joe Hart in the dying seconds . Earlier , City 's best attempt at goal came from Yaya Toure , but his shot was easily blocked by Peter Cech , and the Ivory Coast midfielder was later replaced by striker Mario Balotelli after suffering an injury . In the day 's other match , sixth-placed Liverpool kept their hopes of playing European football next season alive with victory by the same score away to 10-man Sunderland . Holland striker Dirk Kuyt gave Liverpool a first-half lead from the penalty spot , as Sunderland 's Ghana defender John Mensah fouled Jay Spearing in the box just after half an hour . The referee had initially awarded a free-kick for the incident but changed his mind after consultation with the linesman , much to the anger of the home players and fans . The Reds ' second goal came in the 77th minute courtesy of Uruguay forward Luis Suarez , who found the net from an impossible angle . Mensah was shown a straight red for pulling back Suarez six minutes later , leaving the Black Cats a man down for the remainder of the game . With Liverpool having been knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday , the win gave Kenny Dalglish 's team hope of catching Tottenham to secure a berth for next season . Champions League quarterfinalists Tottenham have a four-point buffer , and have played 29 games to Liverpool 's 30 . A run of seven games without a win has left Sunderland in ninth position with eight games remaining , having been as high as sixth earlier this season . Meanwhile , Rangers won the Scottish League Cup for the 27th time with a 2-1 victory over Glasgow rivals Celtic after extra-time on Sunday . Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic scored the winner in the 98th minute , while Celtic 's Honduras defender Emilio Izaguirre was sent off at the end .
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Chelsea leapfrog Manchester City in the EPL after a 2-0 win over Northern side . Late goals from David Luiz and Ramires secure victory for the Blues at Stamford Bridge . Result puts Chelsea up to third , nine points behind leaders Manchester United . Liverpool win 2-0 at 10-man Sunderland and remain in sixth place in the table .
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Edmonds , Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Scott West went to Japan expecting trouble . A veteran anti-porpoise hunting activist , West documents and protests the killing of the mammals . His actions are deeply unpopular in many of the Japanese coastal communities that cling to the tradition of catching and eating whale . West 's organization , the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society , has a long and colorful history of clashing with the Japanese . In the Animal Planet series `` Whale Wars , '' Sea Shepherd volunteers impede Japanese whale fishing off the coast of Antarctica . Their tactics include placing their boats in front of whaling ships , attempting to carry out citizen 's arrests of the Japanese crew and heaving acid stink bombs onto the vessels . For their efforts , the Sea Shepherd volunteers have had flash bang grenades thrown at them , their boats sunk in collisions and detainment for days by the Japanese crews . The show has made the Sea Shepherd members reality TV stars and notorious in Japan . March 11 started like many other days for Scott West . He was in an unfriendly territory , a small Japanese coastal town where a porpoise hunt was under way and the efforts of outsiders to document the slaughter were not welcome . West led a five person Sea Shepherd team of Mike Vos , Tarah Millen , Carisa Webster and Marley Daviduk to the town of Otsuchi , Japan . They were joined by Brian Barnes a cameraman from Save Japan Dolphins , a group that often collaborates with Sea Shepherd . The activists had other company , as well . Closely monitoring the group were two plain clothes Japanese policemen the activists nicknamed `` Turner and Hooch , '' for the Tom Hanks comedy about a cop and his sidekick , a dog . As detailed in the Academy Award winning documentary `` The Cove , '' the relationship between anti-porpoise hunt activists and Japanese authorities often becomes a game of cat and mouse . The police try to impede the activists from documenting the killing of the dolphins . The activists use disguises and other sleights of hand to keep the police off their tails . A former EPA and customs investigator , West said he is still able to think like law enforcement agents . And he recounts with a smile how he managed to lose Turner and Hooch at a traffic light with some creative driving as they tried to shadow his group . West is back in his home in Edmonds , Washington . It 's been just over 24 hours since he returned from Japan and four days since the earthquake and tsunami that wrecked much of the country . As he thinks of the two cops back in Otsuchi his mood darkens . `` You know those guys are probably dead , '' he said . When the earthquake hit in Otsuchi , about 94 miles from Sendai , the quake 's epicenter , the activists were at the town 's port waiting for the porpoise fishing boats to return with their catch . `` The car was rocking and rolling it was actually jumping on the pavement like a frog , '' West said . `` We got out of the cars and it was almost impossible to stand up . The ground was heaving . It lasted for a long time . '' Immediately seafood workers got out of factories as the town loud speakers called for residents to seek higher ground . The six activists jumped into their two cars and made for the hills . It was a snap decision that West believes saved their lives . `` If we had stayed where we were , they probably would have never found our bodies or our cars , '' West said . West estimates that the drive to higher ground took them about eight minutes . In that time the first tsunami waves already crashed into the town . Video West took from the hillside shows fishing ships fighting the incoming rush of water to get to the open ocean and safety . Houses can be seen being dragged out to sea by the monster waves . On the hillside , the activists were joined by a handful of rescue workers and a Japanese woman . `` It was impossible to comprehend the amount of devastation and the human misery , '' West said `` How many people got to the hill ? There were only a handful of us up there . Why are n't there thousands here with us ? '' In the video he took from the hill , West narrates as a wave heads toward the area below where they have sought refuge . `` Look at the black one heading toward us , '' he said . An aftershock rocks the activists . `` This is scary s ** t , '' a woman says off camera . As darkness fell , the tsunami waves continued sweeping into the town below them . The rescue workers on the hill left to begin their work and check on their own homes . The activists and the Japanese woman who also made it to the hill took turns warming themselves in the cars . Over the roar of the waves they heard a voice . `` We could hear this woman screaming out in the water , '' West said . `` It was dim out there and all this debris was out there and then we could make out her form on a pile of debris . '' The activists tried to reach her but were pushed back the waves still topping the tsunami wall . They commandeered an abandoned fire truck and the Japanese woman with them used the loud speaker to call to fishing boats off the coast . `` We quit hearing her , '' West said of the trapped woman . `` I do n't know if it was because she grew weary or from exhaustion or she floated too far away . But then her voice would come back . '' The boats came near to where the woman was floating but the group could not make out if they rescued her . `` We do n't know if the boats found her but we certainly hope they did , '' West said . `` We heard her voice no more and the sound of her pleas in Japanese are a sound that will stay with me the rest of my life . '' The next morning the group marched out of the town that was shrouded in a fog of burning wreckage and diesel . West calls it a journey through a `` post-apocalyptic world . '' The photos he took along the trip show enormous tsunami barriers torn and twisted by the waters , a person being plucked from a roof top by a rescue helicopter and fields of debris that were once people 's homes . And there are photos of a human body hanging in a tree . The group came across a teenager still in his school uniform wandering the debris fields . They tried to get him to come with them . Unable to communicate with the activists , the teenager walked away in another direction . They finally made found a group of Japanese people huddled over a campfire . Their house was destroyed but they offered the travelers soup . West said they felt bad but receiving food from them but `` it would have been rude to have refused and it was welcome . '' West said he and his companions were only able to leave the devastation through the kindness of Japanese people they encountered along their journey and who they could just barely communicate with . One man , West said , pantomimed for the group to stay put and then returned with cars to drive them from the disaster area . The Japanese , West said , refused to take anything more than gas money . Back at his home in Edmonds , West has been able to take a hot shower and sleep in a real bed if not yet fully absorb his ordeal . West 's views on the porpoise hunts have n't changed . But he has invited many of the Japanese people he knows to come stay in his family 's home as they try flee the damage and radiation released by the quake . He is more than 4,000 miles from Japan but still feels like he is on the hilltop being battered by the tsunami waves . `` My wife 's been saying , ` what if ? ' I had n't really allowed myself to go there , '' West said . `` The six of us made it , we are fine , we are home with our families but so many other people did n't make it . ''
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Scott West documents and protests the killing of porpoises . When quake hit Otsuchi , West and crew were waiting for boats to return with catch . West said he was able to leave devastation through the kindness of Japanese people . He 's invited many he met in Japan to his family 's home .
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-LRB- EW.com -RRB- -- Matthew McConaughey plays a slick Los Angeles criminal defense attorney in the movie adaptation of Michael Connelly 's legal thriller `` The Lincoln Lawyer '' . Audiences are likely to have strong memories of the star as a perspiring Mississippi lawyer 15 years ago in the movie adaptation of John Grisham 's legal thriller `` A Time to Kill . '' Those customers will be pleased to know that the guy still looks great arguing in a courtroom , still delivers his lines with a variable drawl implying barbecue for dinner . This time , McConaughey is Mick Haller , who 's familiar to fans of Connelly 's best-selling detective novels as the half brother of the LAPD 's Harry Bosch . Haller 's an unorthodox smoothie : His '' office '' is the backseat of his chauffeured Lincoln Continental , and his clients tend to be colorful bottom-of-the-deck types that character actors love . The lawyer 's newest client , though , is fancier goods . Louis Roulet -LRB- Ryan Phillippe , his petulant lip telegraphing his attitude -RRB- is the son of a rich family , and he 's been charged with attempted rape and murder . He swears innocence , but he may or may not be guilty . And his case bumps up against that of another former Haller client already wrongly convicted . The whole thing gets Haller 's moral gyroscope whirling in a way that makes for good reading but not automatically compelling moviegoing . Plot leaps that are fun on paper look generic on screen ; here 's another lawyer movie in which the characters are only as interesting as the actors playing them . At least director Brad Furman gives them their space . Among the draws : William H. Macy -LRB- in `` Shameless '' hair -RRB- as Haller 's investigator ; Marisa Tomei as a DA who 's also Haller 's ex-wife ; and Bryan Cranston -LRB- with more hair than on `` Breaking Bad '' -RRB- in a small , swell role as a hard-ass homicide detective . EW.com rating : B . See the full article at EW.com . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2010 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. . All rights reserved .
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Matthew McConaughey plays a criminal defense attorney in the movie adaptation of `` The Lincoln Lawyer '' Ryan Phillippe plays the son of a rich family who 's been charged with attempted rape and murder . The plot makes for good reading , but not automatically compelling moviegoing .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Formula One team Sauber will feature a message of support for the people of Japan on the livery of their cars at the opening grand prix of the season . The Asian country was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami on Friday last week with over 5,000 people now confirmed to have died . One of Sauber 's drivers , Kamui Kobayashi , is a native of Japan and was born in the Hyogo prefecture . He and Mexican Sergio Perez 's cars will carry a message in Japanese at the Melbourne Grand Prix in Australia on March 27 that reads ` may our prayers reach the people in Japan . ' Sauber 's team principal Peter Sauber told Formula One 's official website it was important the team did something to demonstrate their support . `` It is difficult to find the right words to express our emotions and feelings , but silence means we ca n't even begin imagine how to try , '' he said . `` We can hardly believe what we are seeing . Our thoughts are with the people in Japan . `` We hope they will have the necessary strength to overcome these circumstances of extreme adversity . ''
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Formula One team Sauber to show support for Japan at opening race of the season . Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi is from Japan . Message to be displayed on the livery of Sauber 's cars .
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Los Angeles -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Famed actress Elizabeth Taylor has shown `` steady improvement '' since she was taken to a Los Angeles hospital last week for treatment of a heart problem , her representative said . Taylor , 78 , has been `` comfortable over the past few days , '' according to a statement released Tuesday afternoon . She checked into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center a week ago for `` symptoms caused by congestive heart failure , '' which an `` ongoing condition , '' representative Jamie Caldwell said last week . `` Since being admitted , there has been steady improvement in her condition , '' the latest statement said . Taylor will stay at Cedars-Sinai for `` continued monitoring , '' the statement said . `` Her medical team is gratified by her progress to date , and it is hoped and expected that this will continue over the next few days , '' it said . The London-born movie star has won two Academy Awards for best actress : for `` Butterfield 8 '' in 1961 and `` Who 's Afraid of Virginia Woolf '' in 1967 . When doctors repaired a leaky heart valve in October 2009 , Taylor posted a Twitter message saying it `` was like having a brand new ticker . '' The actress has used Twitter over the past two years to communicate with fans and dispel the occasional rumor reported on celebrity gossip websites . However , a message she tweeted last Wednesday was her first in nearly six months . The tweet pointed fans to an interview she gave to Kim Kardashian in Harper 's Bazaar magazine . `` I like the connection with fans and people who have been supportive of me . '' Taylor told Kardashian when asked about Twitter . `` And I love the idea of real feedback and a two-way street , which is very , very modern . But sometimes I think we know too much about our idols and that spoils the dream . So , like all things , it is to be used with care ! '' CNN 's Jack Hannah contributed to this report .
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Taylor is `` comfortable '' as she 's monitored for a heart condition . The actress is expected to stay in the hospital for `` the next few days , '' rep says . Congestive heart failure is an `` ongoing condition '' for Taylor , 78 , rep says .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When the FBI called Martha Huie 's house in 2005 , she did n't think much of it . `` I answered the phone , and he identified himself and wanted to speak with Ernest Withers . I said , ` This is not Ernest Withers ! ' '' Huie recalled , laughing . Last year , she learned the likely reason for the call was no laughing matter . In 2010 , The Memphis Commercial Appeal revealed that the friend she knew for almost 20 years was an FBI informant . As the pre-eminent photographer of the civil rights era , Withers had close access to leaders of the movement . To some , charges of informing represented a betrayal of the highest sort . But not to Huie . Watch the trailer for In America 's documentary about Withers , `` Pictures Do n't Lie '' `` I ca n't think about why it was presented in such shock value , '' Huie said . `` A lot of people talk to the FBI . If the FBI wants to talk to you , you talk to them . It 's just not a horror story , and Ernest just does n't deserve that . '' Huie met Withers at a contemporary art show in Memphis in 1988 . `` We were the senior people there ! '' she laughs . `` That was how Ernest and me started talking . '' He was black . She was white . He grew up poor in Tennessee . She had a relatively privileged upbringing in Alabama . Withers ' wife , Dorothy , supported his fledgling photography business and eight children . Huie 's late husband , William Bradford Huie , was a celebrated author and investigative journalist who chronicled the events of the civil rights movement and broke the story when two white men confessed to the 1955 murder of Emmett Till , a black teen . Withers , too , had covered the Emmett Till case . Huie and Withers formed an immediate bond over the journalistic work , but it was their mutual appreciation of art and history that kept them talking . The photographer shared stories about his experiences during the civil rights movement and how he learned to use a camera . In one conversation , Withers told Huie how he learned to see color . `` When he was a young boy , his mother died . His stepmother was his mother . And she sewed . She made things for rich white women , and she would send him to the store to buy thread , '' Huie said . `` And if he did n't come back with the exact right color , he would have to go right back . And there 's where he learned to see matching colors . '' When an FBI agent called Huie a second time in 2005 , she assumed again it was a mistake , and gave the agent Withers ' number . She still does n't know why they called her house . When Withers died in 2007 , his funeral was front-page news in Memphis . Huie and Withers never spoke about his involvement with the FBI , and she is n't concerned that the information will affect his legacy . `` Ernest was not a traitor , or doing anything political or underhanded , '' Huie said . `` If the FBI wanted to hand him some grocery money , then so what ? '' While the civil rights photographer later became famous for his photographs , he never achieved fortune . But , according to Huie , he lived a life rich in other ways . `` He tried his best every day of his life and made a lot of mistakes and laughed at himself , '' Huie reminisced . `` He was on the right side all the way , all the time . And he played it like he needed to . '' CNN 's Alicia Stewart contributed to this report .
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Civil rights photographer Ernest Withers was revealed in 2010 to be an FBI informant . His friend , Martha Huie , says Withers was n't a traitor . Withers maintained a long love of art and photography , but never became wealthy from his work .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Gary Ridgway , the confessed `` Green River Killer , '' pleaded guilty Friday to a 49th slaying -- that of a 20-year-old mother more than 28 years ago . The arraignment and plea took place at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent . Authorities filed an aggravated murder charge against Ridgway related to the slaying of Becky Marrero , whose remains were uncovered last December by teens exploring a steep ravine near the town of Auburn . The count is the first filed against Ridgway since he admitted to serial killings in 2003 . `` The Marreros have the right to face the man who killed Becky and the opportunity to remind us all about what was taken from them , '' King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg said before the plea . `` They finally have the answers , and with these charges and the anticipated guilty plea , they will have obtained the truth , accountability and ... a degree of justice . '' The most prolific known serial killer in U.S. history , Ridgway is already serving 48 consecutive life sentences for murdering women . Forty-six of the bodies were found near Seattle -- which is part of King County -- while two were in Washington County , Oregon . In a plea deal dating to November 2003 , when he was sentenced on 48 counts of aggravated murder , prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty against Ridgway if he agreed to `` plead guilty to any and all future cases -LRB- in King County -RRB- where his confession could be corroborated by reliable evidence , '' Satterberg said . `` Ridgway confessed to killing Becky Marrero , but he was unable to provide sufficient details to warrant a charge , '' Satterberg said . `` The discovery of Ms. Marrero 's remains now gives us the evidence we need to file this charge . '' Once he entered the guilty plea , Ridgway was given a 49th life sentence and returned to his prison cell at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla . Ridgway may still face the death penalty if convicted of murder outside King County . Satterberg said his predecessor , Norm Maleng , opted to eliminate that option in King County in hopes of resolving more cold cases . `` When the late Norm Maleng made the difficult decision in 2003 to trade the possibility of the death penalty for the truth about unsolved cases , he had cases like this one and families like the Marreros in mind , '' Satterberg said . `` It was n't about what Gary Ridgway deserved . ... It was about what the families ' deserved . '' Marrero left her 3-year-old daughter with her aunt on December 3 , 1982 , headed toward Seattle 's Sea-Tac airport , and was never seen alive again . Satterberg offered few details about the victim , beyond that she `` was in an area engaged in activities that made her vulnerable to crime , -LRB- and -RRB- particularly to Mr. Ridgway 's method of operating . '' Her remains were found about 100 feet away from where searchers in 2003 found another of Ridgway 's victims , according to Satterberg . The Green River Task Force had made periodic visits to the area over the past seven years , but found nothing new , he said . Ridgway was arrested in 2001 in King County and accused in the murders of five women . Two years later , when prosecutors were preparing seven separate murder cases , he offered to confess to those seven and 41 other murders . The `` Green River Killer '' moniker came from a river south of Seattle where Ridgway began dumping his victims in 1982 . Most of the women were prostitutes , officials say . Ridgway has said he targeted prostitutes `` because I thought I could kill as many as I wanted without getting caught . '' He said he killed because he hated prostitutes and did n't want to pay them for sex , and claimed he killed so many women he had a hard time keeping them straight . While not indicating any news on the horizon , Satterberg did not close the door to further murder charges against Ridgway . `` It 's quite possible that more remains will be found someday , '' Satterberg said .
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NEW : Gary Ridgway was sentenced to his 49th consecutive life sentence . NEW : Ridgway could face the death penalty if he is ever convicted of murder outside King County . Ridgway , the `` Green River Killer , '' in 2003 pleaded guilty to the murders of 48 women . He had confessed to killing Marrero , but her remains were n't found until last December .
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New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Facebook users now have two more ways to describe their romantic arrangements . In a gesture of inclusiveness aimed at the gay community , Facebook on Thursday added `` In a civil union '' and `` In a domestic partnership '' to its official list of relationship statuses . Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment , but a gay rights group , which announced the change , cheered it . `` By acknowledging the relationships of countless loving and committed same-sex couples in the U.S. and abroad , Facebook has set a new standard of inclusion for social media , '' Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation president Jarrett Barrios wrote in a statement . Barrios said that GLAAD and several other gay-rights groups met with the company to push for the change . The option is now available for Facebook users in the U.S. , Canada , the United Kingdom , France and Australia , the group said .
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Facebook has added `` In a civil union '' and `` In a domestic partnership '' to its list . `` Facebook has set a new standard of inclusion , '' GLAAD says . Several gay-rights groups met with the company to push for the change , GLAAD says .
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Berlin -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A 48-year-old German man admitted being the father of his stepdaughter 's eight children Tuesday , but denied he had sexually abused her , a German court official said . The man , identified only as Detlef S. , is on trial in Koblenz , Germany , charged with the sexual abuse of dependents and facilitating the sexual abuse of minors . He is accused of hundreds of incidents of sexual abuse of his daughter , his stepdaughter and his stepson between autumn 1987 and summer 2010 . He is also charged with bringing his underage stepdaughter and his daughter to men who paid for sex with them on multiple occasions . The first allegations of abuse came more than a decade ago , in 1998 , but there was no medical evidence to support the claims then , Germany 's youth welfare office said in a statement Tuesday after the trial opened . Two stepsons leveled fresh accusations in 2002 , saying the defendant was abusing his biological daughter , then 11 . Police began an investigation but found no medical evidence and dropped the case , the statement said . The daughter denied having been abused , the welfare office said . It would not be against the law for the defendant to have a consensual sexual relationship with his stepdaughter , the office added . Two men are due in court on charges of sexual assault in connection with the case . A third man suspected of abusing the children has died , Koblenz state court spokesman Alexander Walter said . The trial of Detlef S. opened Tuesday , with his stepdaughter and stepson in court . His biological daughter was not present , Walter said . The stepdaughter is giving evidence against him , the court spokesman said . DNA test results introduced in court gave a `` 99.999 % '' certainty that the defendant is the father of her children , he said , and Detlef S. admitted Tuesday he was the father . But he denied the charges of sexual abuse , Walter said . Seven of the stepdaughter 's eight children survived infancy , he said . He did not know the cause of death of the eighth . The sexual assaults took place in the defendant 's home , in woods nearby and in various apartments near where the family lived , prosecutors charge . Only two of the 350 charges are related to the stepson , Walter said . The case is due to run through February 25 , he said . One of the men accused of paying for sex with the children is due to go on trial March 18 , he added . CNN 's Roman Lehberger contributed to this report .
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NEW : There were allegations against Detlef S. for more than a decade , officials say . He is accused of 350 incidents of abuse of his daughter , stepdaughter and stepson . He admits fathering the children but denies sexual abuse , the court says . He is also accused of providing his daughter and stepdaughter to men who paid for sex with them .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Gas prices have jumped nearly 7 cents a gallon over the past two weeks , reaching a level more than 75 cents higher than they were a year ago , according to a survey published Sunday . The average price for a gallon of self-serve regular is $ 3.57 , the Lundberg Survey found . That 's 6.65 cents higher than the price the same survey found two weeks earlier . The latest spike suggests that the dramatic price increases are slowing down , said publisher Trilby Lundberg . Between February 18 and March 4 , the survey had found an increase of about 33 cents . That hike corresponded to an increase in crude oil prices amid unrest in more than a dozen countries in the Middle East and north Africa , six of which are OPEC members , Lundberg said . The new jump in prices at the pump comes despite a drop in crude oil prices over the past two weeks . Lundberg described that as `` follow-through '' from the previous spike in oil prices . The survey was taken Friday , before several countries began military action against Libya . It is too soon to know what impact events in Libya will have on gasoline prices , Lundberg said Sunday . The Lundberg Survey tabulates prices at thousands of gas stations nationwide . Of the cities included in the latest survey , the lowest average price was in Billings , Montana , at $ 3.27 a gallon . The highest was in San Francisco , California , at $ 3.97 . Here are the average prices in some other cities : . -- Denver , Colorado - $ 3.29 . -- Atlanta , Georgia - $ 3.49 . -- Boston , Massachusetts - $ 3.54 . -- Philadelphia , Pennsylvania - $ 3.56 . -- Portland , Oregon - $ 3.64 . -- Minneapolis , Minnesota - $ 3.52 .
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Gas prices have jumped nearly 7 cents a gallon over the past two weeks . The latest spike comes despite a drop in crude oil prices . It is too soon to know how events in Libya will effect gas prices , survey publisher says .
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Tunis , Tunisia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tunisia 's interim president and prime minister resigned from the ousted leader 's ruling party , state TV said Tuesday , a move seen as a gesture to placate angry street demonstrators and keep the unity government afloat . But at least four ministers from opposition parties have pulled back from the new government , leaving some observers concerned that the coalition may collapse before it can set up new elections . President Fouad Mebazaa and Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi submitted their resignations from the Constitutional Democratic Rally , which was the ruling party of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali -- now in exile in Saudi Arabia . Members of the opposition and the Ben Ali party formed a unity government to replace the ousted president , but there have been difficulties in getting that administration going because protesters are demanding that more should be done to sweep the old guard out of power . The displeasure was reflected Tuesday in central Tunis , when roving packs of protesters staged demonstrations and up to 1,000 protesters took to the streets of the capital and called the country 's new unity government a sham . The opposition parties were listening . Lotfi Al Ahwal , a senior member of the General Union of Tunisian Workers , confirmed that the union 's administrative committee is calling for all of its members to resign from the recently formed unity government . Three ministers have already stepped down , Al Ahwal said . The union 's administrative committee , which met Tuesday in a Tunisian suburb , decided not to accept any government that has officials from the old regime and called for demonstrations against the ruling party . Another opposition leader , Mustafa Ben Jaafar , was to serve as health minister in the new government but suspended his participation in the united government , his spokesman , Abudallah Tif , told CNN Tuesday . The move by the interim president and prime minister was seen as a way to disassociate themselves from the old guard and salvage the new government . Earlier , Ghannouchi said in an interview with Europe 1 radio that some officials from the old regime kept their positions `` because we need them in this time of building democracy . '' `` All ministers who have retained their jobs have clean hands and they are very competent . They also have a merit . With their dedication , they have succeeded in reducing the destructive capacity of some areas , '' he said . He emphasized that a new election will take place in six months and will be the first to be held in a free Tunisia . Ghannouchi also said that `` we will not forgive '' those responsible for wrongful shootings , including people who may have been personal officers of Ben Ali , and that `` all those who were behind this massacre will be held responsible . '' Weeks of demonstrations have left 78 dead and 94 wounded , the government said . Many of the injured were police officers , according to the country 's interior minister . It was not immediately clear how many may have been shot by those affiliated with Ben Ali . Ghannouchi -- who said the military did n't shoot people -- emphasized that he never gave any order for police to shoot people and only allowed tear gas and rubber bullets . When peaceful gatherings started to grow in size , witnesses said , police would step in and start firing tear gas and chase protesters with their batons . At least a half dozen people were beaten , witnesses said , and one man 's arm was broken . At the same time , more people began going back to work and more businesses were opening Tuesday , as many tried to restore a sense of normalcy despite the unrest permeating certain places in the restive country . But many others remained angry about the country 's new unity government , saying they do n't want it to include anyone from the old administration , which fell apart after Ben Ali fled last week . `` No leftovers from the old regime ! '' protesters chanted . Ghannouchi 's 19-member cabinet was to include three opposition leaders and 10 independents , he announced Monday . The new government will be tasked with leading Tunisia toward new elections , he said . Opposition leaders Ahmad Ibrahim and Ahmad Najib Al Shabi were named to serve as education minister and minister of local development , respectively . Monsef al Marzouki , the leader of Tunisia 's National Congress Party -- a leftist and secularist movement that was banned by Ben Ali 's ruling party -- returned to Tunisia from exile in Paris to cheers from demonstrators at the Tunis-Carthage International Airport . Among the holdovers from the previous government is Ahmed Friaa , the interior minister . Friaa has vowed that those who should be held responsible for mistakes of the past will be punished . Hager Ben Mahmoud , a 34-year-old bid manager at a software company , told CNN that normalcy is creeping back , with banks , shops and grocery stores in Tunis starting to reopen . But the military is ever-present . `` There are still a couple of demonstrations because people are against the fact that older members of the political party -LRB- will remain -RRB- in power , '' she said . She said that the Tunisian workers union is asking people to go back to work in order to get things back to normal . In the city of Sfax , Tunisian State TV said , all of the the shops , pharmacies , cafes and most banks are open as usual . Unlike the previous two days , no demonstrations had taken place in Sfax Tuesday , the report said . The army is still positioned in most areas but not as prominently as in previous days . Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia last week after ruling the country for 23 years , following weeks of protests over what Tunisians said were poor living conditions , high unemployment , government corruption and repression . The unrest over the past several weeks was triggered in December when Mohamed Bouazizi , an unemployed college graduate , set himself ablaze after police confiscated the fruit cart that was his source of income . He died early this month . Recent diplomatic cables from the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia , disclosed by the WikiLeaks website , revealed growing discontent with what Tunisians believed was widespread corruption and nepotism within Ben Ali 's government . The unrest has stoked concern across the world , with international leaders calling for an end to violence and offering assistance to develop a Tunisian democracy , with a unity government that `` ensures a peaceful democratic transition . '' `` Tunisia has reached a point of no return . The EU will stand side by side with Tunisians as they pursue their peaceful and democratic aspirations , '' Catherine Ashton , the European Union foreign policy chief , and Stefan Fule , commissioner for enlargement and the European neighborhood policy , said in a statement released Tuesday . Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underscored the EU statement , appealing `` for broad-based consultations in Tunisia to establish an inclusive interim government leading to the holding of timely and credible elections through which the citizens of Tunisia can freely choose their leadership . '' `` The United Nations stands ready to provide assistance to the Tunisian people , '' he said . CNN 's Ben Wedeman , Rima Maktabi , Tom Evans , Joe Sterling and Neil Curry contributed to this report .
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NEW : At least 4 opposition ministers back away from unity government . The president and prime minister leave Ben Ali 's old movement . Angry protests erupt in Tunisia 's capital and witnesses report violence . Tunisians are steadily trying to get back to a semblance of normalcy .
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-LRB- Mashable -RRB- -- More than 150,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Apple to remove an app from the iTunes store that was created by a Christian organization they say is anti-gay . Exodus International , which according to its website has ministries that `` provide support for individuals who want to recover from homosexuality , '' released the app on February 15 . -LSB- UPDATE 11 a.m. ET Wednesday : Apple has pulled the app from its online store . -RSB- . The app had a 4 + approval rating from the Apple app store , and the organization is quick to point out that this rating is reserved for those apps that `` contain no objectionable material . '' Gay rights activists obviously disagree . `` No objectionable content ? We beg to differ , '' reads the Change.org petition that was started by non-profit LBGT advocacy organization Truth Wins Out . `` Exodus ' message is hateful and bigoted . They claim to offer ` freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ ' and use scare tactics , misinformation , stereotypes and distortions of LGBT life to recruit clients . '' The app is like a portable version of Exodus International 's website . It has a calendar of events , news , links to Exodus 's social media sites and videos . Those items , like corresponding features of its website , reflect its belief that someone can be counseled away from homosexuality . In a blog post , the organization writes that it intends to broaden its reach with the app . Despite the petition calling for the app 's removal , which suggests Exodus International is dangerously broadening its reach toward youth , and a storm of negative complaints posted on the app 's download page , Apple has not taken the Exodus International App -LSB- iTunes link -RSB- down . Apple responded differently to a similar situation last year . According to Pink News , the company shut down an anti-gay app created by a Christian group after a mere 7,000 people signed a change.org petition calling for its removal . At the time , Apple said in a statement that they had removed the app because it violated its developer guidelines by `` being offensive to large groups of people . '' © 2010 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
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Anti-gay Christian organization Exodus International created app . Petition started by non-profit LBGT advocacy organization Truth Wins Out . App reflects group 's belief that someone can be counseled away from homosexuality .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Inter Milan capitalized on AC Milan 's slip-up to move within two points of their city rivals after a controversial 1-0 win at home to lowly Lecce on Sunday . Leaders Milan suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Palermo on Saturday , giving Inter hope of a sixth successive title with eight rounds left to play this season ahead of the derby at the San Siro on April 2 . However , both teams also face a challenge from Napoli who could move within three points of the leaders with a win over Cagliari in Sunday 's late match . Inter took control from the opening whistle at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza , but squandered countless opportunities as Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder missed two great chances in the opening 20 minutes . Blow for AC Milan title bid . The remainder of the first half was peppered with controversial incidents , with Lecce 's Uruguayan midfielder Guillermo Giacomazzi yellow-carded for his kick on Samuel Eto'o , then Inter defender Lucio was booked for a handball that means he is suspended for the Milan derby in two weeks . Inter striker Giampaolo Pazzini and Lecce 's Brazilian defender Fabiano had to be broken up by referee Daniele Orsato when the pair came to blows . The second half started just as bizarrely , as a mistake from Lecce goalkeeper Antonio Rosati almost gifted Inter with an unlikely goal . As it was , Inter 's 54th-minute winner from Pazzini was hotly-disputed by the Lecce players , who claimed it had come off the Italy forward 's hand . `` Today I can say that we 're where we wanted to be and the derby wo n't be decisive , even if we win , because we 'll only have a one-point lead , '' Inter coach Leonardo told the club 's website . `` Let 's not forget that Napoli and Udinese have been on great runs for a long time . Champions League hopefuls Udinese moved ahead of Napoli and Lazio into third place in the table after defeating Catania 2-0 . Gokhan Inler opened proceedings for the home side in the 22nd minute , while captain Antonio di Natale doubled the lead with a penalty in the 74th minute after Alexis Sanchez was brought down by Giuseppe Marchese . Sixth-placed AS Roma twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at Fiorentina , as captain Francesco Totti bagged his second successive double to pass 200 career goals in Serie A. Romania striker Adrian Mutu put Fiorentina ahead before Totti reached the landmark with a penalty , but defender Alessandro Gamberini made it 2-1 at halftime . Totti , whose brace secured Roma victory in the in the Eternal City derby against Lazio last weekend , earned his team a point seven minutes after halftime from John Arne Riise 's cross . Juventus moved into seventh place ahead of Palermo after defeating second-bottom Brescia 2-1 . Milos Krasic scored in the 25th minute for Juve , but Eder leveled the match just before halftime . Veteran striker Alessandro del Piero tied up three points for the home side in the 68th minute , while Victor Mareco 's sending-off left Brescia with just 10 men for the last 20 minutes . Mid-table Chievo beat bottom side Bari 2-1 . Sergio Pellissier put Chievo ahead after 38 minutes only for the home side to be awarded a penalty two minutes later , allowing Abdelkhader Ghezzal to equalize . Davide Moscardelli scored the winner for the visitors four minutes after halftime . Parma moved four points clear of the bottom three with a 1-0 win at Sampdoria , thanks to Cristian Zaccardo 's 65th-minute goal . Sampdoria had a chance to level the game with a penalty 10 minutes later , but striker Massimo Maccarone was unsuccessful as his team were left two points above the relegation zone . Mid-table rivals Bologna and Genoa settled for a 1-1 draw , with striker Marco Di Vaio opening the scoring for the former after 28 minutes and defender Dario Dainelli equalizing just before halftime .
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Inter Milan move within two points of their city rivals AC Milan in Italy 's Serie A . Inter beat Lecce 1-0 on Sunday after Milan lost 1-0 to Palermo the day before . Napoli can reclaim third and be three points off lead by beating Cagliari in late match . Francesco Totti passes 200 Serie A goals with double in Roma 's 2-2 draw at Fiorentina .
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San Francisco -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Barry Bonds ' personal trainer refused to testify against the baseball home run king in his perjury trial Tuesday , prompting the judge to order the trainer held in custody until he changes his mind . Federal prosecutors called Gary Anderson as the first witness as they began laying out their case against Bonds in a San Francisco courtroom Tuesday morning . Anderson , flanked by lawyer Mark Geragos , told the judge he would not testify , . `` It 's very important that you testify so that the whole truth can some out in this trial , '' U.S. District Judge Susan Illston told Anderson , as she found him in civil contempt . Geragos said he would immediately appeal the judge 's decision to send Anderson to jail on the grounds that he was not given a fair hearing . Anderson has already served several months in prison for previously refusing to testify against Bonds before grand juries in 2006 . He also was sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty in 2005 to illegally possessing anabolic steroids with the intent to distribute . `` He does n't trust the prosecution , '' Geragos said of Anderson . `` He will never cooperate with these guys . '' The trial , which is expected to last three or four weeks , is taking place less than two miles from the ballpark where Bonds , 46 , broke Henry Aaron 's major league home run record in August 2007 . Bonds , then a star on the San Francisco Giants , was indicted three months later on four counts of lying to a grand jury about his use of performance-enhancing drugs during the federal investigation of steroids use by athletes . He also faces one count of obstruction of justice . Prosecutors will try to convince a jury of eight women and four men that Bonds knew his trainer was giving him illegal steroids and that he lied about it to a grand jury in December 2003 . Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Parrella told jurors that a urine sample given by Bonds in the summer of 2003 , just months before his grand jury testimony , tested positive for anabolic steroids . Defense lawyer Allen Ruby , in his opening statement told jurors that Bonds acknowledged to the grand jury that he used the substances known as `` the clear and the cream , '' but at the time of his testimony even investigators did n't know what was in it . Bonds told the grand jury he thought Anderson was giving flax seed oil , Ruby said . `` Barry answered every question , he told the truth , he did his best and , most significantly , he provided the grand jury with useful information which supported the indictment that they later returned against the BALCO defendants , '' Ruby said , referring the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative by its acronym name , BALCO . The witness list includes Bonds ' ex-girlfriend Kimberly Bell , who will testify that Bonds told her he was taking steroids prior to the 2000 Major League Baseball season , according to the prosecution . `` Ms. Bell will further testify to personal observations regarding changes in the defendant 's body during the period of time beginning in the year 1999 , including bloating , acne on the shoulders and back , hair loss , sexual dysfunction , and testicular shrinkage , '' the prosecution 's description of its witnesses said . `` She will also testify about changes in the defendant 's temperament , including an increase in angry , threatening , controlling , and violent behavior . '' Several former teammates and friends are also on the witness list to testify for the prosecution . Ruby , in his opening statement , attacked the former friends who are expected to be called as key prosecution witnesses . `` The bitterness of these people toward Barry that surfaced around the time of the breakup , was very pervasive , very strong , '' Ruby said . These witnesses `` cooperated with the media as anonymous sources on many of the poisonous things about Barry , '' he said . `` They have tried to create a caricature of Barry Bonds , a terrible guy , always bad , mean and so on . '' A former IRS agent who fished through the trash at BALCO every week for a year testified Tuesday afternoon that a magazine clipping he found in the garbage bin led him to Barry Bonds as a witness in his investigation . The article , which included a photo of Bonds with BALCO chief Victor Conte and Anderson , indicated that Bonds `` was using their services , '' investigator Jeff Novitzky testified . Bonds holds the major league record for home runs with 762 in his 21-year career . He also set the record for most home runs in a single season in 2001 when he hit 73 balls out of the park . Bonds did not officially retire after he was indicted , but he never played another game .
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NEW : Bonds ' trainer is sent to jail for refusing to testify . `` Barry told the truth , '' Bonds ' attorney says . Bonds faces four counts of lying to a grand jury and an obstruction of justice charge . He allegedly lied when he said he did not know his trainer was giving him steroids .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Congress might cut most of the federal funding for your local poison control center , which could mean a longer wait during your next poison-related emergency . Measure H.R. 1 would cut $ 27.3 million , or about 93 % , of federal funding for poison control centers across the United States . The bill was passed by the House of Representatives , but rejected by the Senate on March 9 . Congressional leaders now need to negotiate a final spending measure , and that bill might include cuts to the poison control centers . `` My feeling is that just based on my experience , it would end up costing lives somewhere along the way , '' says Jo Anne Bryant , a nurse with 30 years experience who recently called a poison center when her husband , Ronald , accidentally inhaled pesticide fumes while cleaning out the garage . `` I 've dealt with some emergencies in this field over my career , but I was completely at a loss as to what to do . When it came to this , I felt completely helpless . '' Bryant dialed the national poison center hot line 1-800-222-1222 and was told to take her husband to the hospital if he had specific symptoms , including vomiting . He 'd already thrown up , so they headed to the emergency department , where he was treated and released . It 's not just the patients . Hospitals rely on poison control centers , too . Poison centers answered 4.2 million calls in 2009 , and about 16 % of those calls came from hospitals seeking their expertise . `` After the hospital did their initial treatment , '' says Bryant , `` they also called the poison control center to verify that they had administered the correct treatment . '' What about when you dial 911 ? They call your poison center , too . When the 911 operators figure out your emergency is poisoning related , they conference in the poison center for a three-way conversation . That 's because the poison center staff answering phone calls include nurses , physicians and pharmacists with specialized poison center training , and there is always a toxicologist on call . `` If we 're not around , you better tell your 911 operator to strap their belts on to answer a whole lot of calls that they do n't know a damn thing about and ca n't safely manage that patient at home , '' says Mark Ryan , director of the Louisiana Poison Center . Spending here , saving there . Poison control center operators say their services save health care dollars , primarily because most callers are told they do n't need a hospital . Eliminating call centers could increase unnecessary trips to the hospital , further burdening the health care system , they say . `` Poison centers treat nearly 75 % of all exposure cases at home , without the patient having to go to a health care facility , '' said Jim Hirt , executive director of the American Association of Poison Control Centers , in a written statement . `` The costs of this cut would ultimately far exceed the $ 27 million saved . '' According to a study cited by the Department of Health and Human Services , for every dollar spent on poison control centers , $ 7 in health care spending is saved . Other studies find the per dollar value of poison control centers to be far greater . Louisiana has already been down this road . Because of state budget cuts , the Louisiana Poison Center closed on October 31 , 1988 . The percentage of patients treated at home dropped to 28.6 % , from 74.1 % before the center closed , according to a 1991 study published in the Southern Medical Journal . The Louisiana Poison Center reopened in 1992 , because the additional health care costs outweighed the savings , and because of stories like Peggy Toner 's . Toner 's 2-year-old daughter swallowed an antibiotic cream one day in 1990 . With the Louisiana Poison Center closed , she called another state 's poison center for help , but the staff was instructed not to help her , because the state where she lived , Louisiana , was not paying for their poison center services . `` It was the most horrible feeling in the world , '' says Toner . `` What if my daughter died because they would n't help me ? '' She then called a Kentucky poison center , where she got help . Creating one national call center . The cuts in federal funding would eliminate all but one of the nation 's 57 poison control centers , which rely heavily on federal funding . Click here to see how many federal dollars your local poison control center receives . `` There 's just no reason to maintain 57 separate call centers around the country when technology would enable us to get the job done with one , '' said a statement from Rep. Denny Rehberg , R-Montana , chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Health and Human Services . `` We can save millions simply by cutting out 56 duplicative locations and with record debt and deficits putting our future in jeopardy , it 's worth looking under every rock for savings . '' Poison control center operators strongly disagree . `` Local relationships are invaluable '' says Ryan of Louisiana . `` There 's no way a single center could get in there and provide for the wants and needs of every state . It 's not possible . '' He also warns of putting all resources in a single entity . `` What happens if the hypothetical ` single ' center gets wiped out by a tornado and the infrastructure is destroyed ? Where are those 12,000 + calls each day going to go ? '' Many health care students -- doctors , nurses , pharmacists , EMTs -- receive formal toxicology training from their local center . `` Who else knows what we know ? '' says Ryan . It is unclear how one enormous center would be funded , or in which state it would be . `` If you want the same number of people to be answered , '' says Gaylord Lopez , director of the Georgia Poison Center , `` suddenly you need to have probably six - or seven-hundred people working in a single poison control center . '' Proponents of the one-center plan cite innovation in private business and say government could follow the example to be more efficient . `` If you look at things like bookstores or movie rental stores , with internet technology , where long distances really are n't an issue anymore , what they do is they save a ton of money by putting everything in a single warehouse , '' said one congressional staffer speaking anonymously . Could it work ? Many call centers already serve areas far beyond their locale . A call center in Nebraska also handles emergencies in American Samoa and Micronesia . Oregon serves Guam . A Jacksonville , Florida , call center serves the Virgin Islands . And Montana -- Rehberg 's state -- is served by the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center , which also handles Colorado , Hawaii , Idaho and Nevada , negotiating rates with each state . Cell phones also make out-of-state poison emergencies a common thing . Timing the announcement with National Poison Prevention Week , which began Sunday , the American Association of Poison Control Centers will release an iPhone app to help users dial the poison control hot line . Those calls , like all cell phone calls , may ring at the nearest poison control center , or not . `` Every single center gets calls from other states almost daily , '' says Ryan . `` Two or three a day ; we see it more with certain carriers than others . '' Still , poison center operators insist that local matters . `` I think it was just an ill-informed decision by somebody who , let 's just hope , was new on the scene , '' says Lopez about the proposed budget cuts , `` and was n't that ill-informed after lots of experience . ''
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Measure H.R. 1 could cut 93 % of federal funding for poison control centers . House passed H.R. 1 but Senate rejected it ; cut could still be in a final , negotiated bill . Centers answered 4.2 million calls in 2009 ; about 16 % of those came from hospitals . The cuts are meant to eliminate all but one of the nation 's 57 poison control centers .
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MUMBAI , India -LRB- Reuters -RRB- -- An exclusive magazine for prostitutes is offering a snapshot of life in some of India 's biggest brothels , reporting the murky world of pimps and violent customers and showcasing the dreams and talents of sex workers . `` Red Light Despatch , '' a monthly publication , is full of emotional outpourings of women sold to brothels as children , personal accounts of torture and harassment , poems and essays by prostitutes , book and film reviews and advocacy articles . Health workers and prostitutes sit together once a week in a tiny newsroom located inside a brothel in India 's financial capital to discuss stories , headlines and the design of issues . The reporters , often themselves prostitutes or their relatives , file their contribution after scouring the brothels of Mumbai , Kolkata and New Delhi and some smaller cities . `` We choose the best stories for publishing , '' said Rupa Metgudd , a news coordinator and daughter of a former prostitute , sifting through reports for the latest edition . `` The magazine is not a mere publication . For us it is journalism of purpose . '' Although prostitution is illegal in India , it is a thriving underground industry and voluntary groups estimate that there are about 2 million women sex workers . Launched six months ago , the magazine is a platform for the collective memories , nostalgia and dreams of the sex worker community and an attempt to wean their children away from the profession , said editor Anurag Chaturvedi . In one recent edition , Sita , a prostitute from Kolkata who gave only one name , told of her violent childhood marriage that forced her to flee her home and land in a brothel . `` My dignity was torn to pieces . I used to cry a lot . But I soon learnt some things will never change no matter how much you cry , '' she wrote . Elsewhere , women wrote about betrayed love , bad marriages , their dreams of living a life of dignity , of owning a `` house with lots of sky , '' and about the `` frightening '' world of prostitution . With a little help from a voluntary group , the magazine prints about 1,000 copies in Hindi and English and is distributed free among prostitutes and residents of red light districts . The ragtag magazine , without any photographs , looks more like a booklet but it apparently serves the purpose . `` It 's a platform , a vent for many prostitutes who deposit their anger , hurt and thoughts on these pages , '' said Anita Khude , a health volunteer associated with the magazine . `` The magazine is for them and it is about them . '' If there were any doubts about the quality of the magazine staffed by people with no journalistic experience , two former journalists help edit it . There also are plans to turn it into a more appealing tabloid in Hindi , English and Bengali . `` We have little money , but we still pay our writers small amounts so that they realize they can earn a respectable living as well , '' said editor Chaturvedi . For its reporters , getting stories from brothels is not a problem because `` we are accepted as one of them '' . `` When we go to people 's homes they are comfortable and they talk , '' said Khude . `` In the next issue we will write about how a ` normal ' man -- a poor roadside snacks seller -- fought prejudices and married a prostitute he fell in love with . '' E-mail to a friend . Copyright 2007 Reuters . All rights reserved.This material may not be published , broadcast , rewritten , or redistributed .
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Magazine for prostitutes offers snapshot of life in India 's biggest brothels . Monthly `` Red Light Despatch '' reports on world of pimps , violent customers . Prostitution is illegal in India , but it is a thriving underground industry . Voluntary groups estimate 2 million women in India work as prostitutes .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Barcelona defender Dani Alves has ended speculation about his future by signing a new contract with the Spanish Primera Liga champions . The 27-year-old Brazilian international full-back , who had been linked with a move to big-spending Manchester City next season , has agreed a three-year extension to his current deal . Alves -- who will officially sign his new deal on Wednesday -- is now contracted to Barcelona until June 30 2015 . Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta told the club 's official website : `` This is the news we were all hoping for , for both the club and the player . `` The negotiations were long but never tense and Alves ' performances on the pitch have been as good as ever . We have taken our time and we can finally announce that we have achieved the objective we set out to achieve . '' Zubizarreta continued : `` He plays with an intensity that has nothing to do with tactics but is more about spirit . `` Alves has everything . We have looked at the market and there is nobody like him , he is unique in his position . '' Alves , who is currently with the Brazil squad preparing for the friendly international against Scotland in London this weekend , moved to the Camp Nou from Spanish rivals Sevilla for 29.5 million euros in 2008 and is a key member of coach Pep Guardiola 's side .
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Barcelona defender Dani Alves has signed a new contract with the club . The Brazilian international has agreed a three-year extension to his current deal . Alves , 27 , is now contracted to the Spanish champions until June 30 2015 . Alves moved to the Camp Nou from Spanish rivals Sevilla for 29.5 million euros in 2008 .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Japanese J-League will resume its fixture list on April 23 , after all football was suspended following the earthquake and tsunami that hit the north-east of the country on March 11 . Just one round of matches had been played prior to the disaster , with the missing five rounds now due to take place in July -- a month where no fixtures were originally scheduled because of Japan 's national team commitments . However , it is still not certain whether the clubs that have been affected most be the disaster -- Kashima Antlers , Vegalta Sendai and Mito Hollyhock -- are able to resume their fixtures , or whether those games will be moved to a neutral venue because of damage to their stadiums . Meanwhile , the electricity shortages caused by the after-effects of the earthquake have resulted in the J-League confirming that all matches in April will take place during the day -- a measure that might be extended throughout the rest of the season . That measure has also been taken up by the Japanese baseball Pacific League , who have decided not to stage night games next month in the worse-affected regions of Kanto and Tohoku . In other sport affected by the disaster , Russia have made a bid to stage this year 's world figure skating championships . On Sunday , the Japan Skating Federation withdrew their offer to restage the event in October after the original March 21-27 competition in Tokyo was cancelled . Russia , who will stage the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi , have proposed to host the event in Moscow from April 25 to May 1 . Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told reporters : `` We can help out our Japanese colleagues and the international federation by offering them the chance to host the world championships here . ''
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The Japanese J-League will resume its football fixture list on April 23 . All football has been suspended since the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan . Electricity shortages mean that fixtures will be played during the afternoon . Russia bid to stage the world figure skating championships after Japan pulled out .
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Pittsburgh -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Singer Elton John paid tribute to his friend and fellow AIDS-activist , Elizabeth Taylor , at a concert in Pittsburgh Wednesday night . `` Today I lost a friend and you lost a hero named Elizabeth Taylor , '' the singer told a cheering crowd at the Consol Energy Center . `` She was not just a movie star , although she was a huge movie star and there will never be anyone like her again ... She was without a doubt one of the greatest people I 've ever met in my life . '' `` She stood up when no one was prepared to stand up and be counted against AIDS , '' John continued . `` She supported everybody in that with 1,000 % of her body and her fiber . But most of all she loved people . She fought for the underdog . She was an incredible woman and I was privileged to have known her . '' As John began to play the opening notes of his song `` Do n't Let the Sun Go Down on Me '' he said `` God bless you , Elizabeth . God knows how we 're going to replace you . This is for you and your beautiful memory and for all the people you helped and saved . '' Taylor and John have been active for years in raising awareness about AIDS and HIV , as well as raising money for research and care for sufferers . John accepted an award on her behalf from the group she helped create , the American Foundation for AIDS Research -LRB- amfAR -RRB- , at the group 's 25th annual black-tie benefit in February . Taylor passed away early Wednesday at the age of 79 .
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Elton John and Elizabeth Taylor worked together on AIDS-issues for years . John paid tribute to Taylor at a concert in Pittsburgh Wednesday . John dedicated `` Do n't Let the Sun Go Down on Me '' to Taylor . John : Taylor was `` one of the greatest people I 've ever met in my life ''
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Bahrain has foiled a foreign plot to destabilize it , the country 's king said Sunday . King Hamad said the plot had been in the making for more than two decades -- but did not name a country that he believed was trying to carry it out . Bahrain 's Sunni Muslim monarchy has long suspected Iran of attempting to foment unrest among the island 's majority-Shiite population . Relations have been tense in recent weeks as anti-government protesters have taken to the streets of Manama and Iran has condemned Bahrain 's violent crackdown . The king was speaking to officers from the Peninsula Shield , the military arm of the Gulf Cooperation Council . Several members of the council have sent troops to Bahrain to help Manama quell the protests . `` An external plot has been fomented for 20 to 30 years for the ground to be ripe for subversive designs , '' the king told the gathering . `` Such subversive designs are not however possible , whether in Bahrain or in any other GCC country , thank goodness , '' he added , according to a report by the Bahrain News Agency . `` I here announce the failure of the fomented subversive plot . '' King Hamad said that if the plot succeeded in one council country , it could spill over into others . Meanwhile , Human Rights Watch urged Bahrain on Monday to end its `` campaign of arrests '' of doctors and human rights activists . Over the weekend , security forces arrested four medical doctors and two activists , the group said . `` The arrests , some of which occurred during pre-dawn hours , appear part of a broader government crackdown involving nighttime raids on the homes of those viewed as supporting pro-democracy protesters , '' Human Rights Watch said . Among those detained was Nabeel Rajab of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights . About 25 people in about a dozen cars pulled up to his house early Sunday and took him to the offices of the interior ministry 's investigative department , he said . `` They said that they were looking for a suspect who was armed and thought I might know him , '' Rajab said . `` They beat me , punched me , kicked me , handcuffed me . Blindfolded me . '' The government confirmed that Rajab was arrested but did not provide additional details . In a statement released Monday , the government denied accusations from the Human Rights Watch suggesting `` there is a campaign of indiscriminately arresting or targeting doctors . '' `` What such organisations have so far failed to understand is that the services of some of Bahrain 's main medical facilities , including Salmaniya Medical Complex , had been overrun by political and sectarian activity , '' the government said in a statement . `` This was totally unacceptable behaviour , by any standard . `` Those responsible are being investigated and will be held to account in the proper , legal manner . '' Thousands of people have been demonstrating in Bahrain since last month , part of a wave that has spread through North Africa and the Middle East . On Saturday , U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Bahrain to allow its people to demonstrate peacefully as opposition members reported the death of a fifth protester . `` We have made clear that security alone can not resolve the challenges facing Bahrain , '' Clinton said . `` Violence is not and can not be the answer . A political process is . We have raised our concerns about the current measures directly with Bahraini officials and will continue to do so . '' The demonstrators were killed when Bahraini security forces cleared protesters from the Pearl Roundabout in the capital , Manama , on Tuesday . The roundabout had been a rallying site for anti-government demonstrators since the unrest began . Three days later , the government demolished the landmark monument at the center of the traffic circle .
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Bahrain denies accusations it has been singling out doctors for arrest . King Hamad does not say which country he accuses of fomenting unrest . Bahrain 's Sunni monarchy has long suspected Iran of inciting its Shiite majority .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Tensions boiled in a volatile Syrian community Thursday as thousands turned up for the funerals of people killed in unrest . Meanwhile , Syria 's government blamed the instability on outsiders and announced plans to study popular demands , including the lifting of the country 's decades-old emergency law . Syria is the latest in a string of Arabic-speaking nations beset with discontent over economic and human rights issues . Syrian discontent centers on Daraa , a southern city in the impoverished country 's agricultural region , where violence has been escalating between security forces and anti-government protesters since late last week . Wissam Tarif , executive director of the human rights organization Insan , said at least 34 people have been killed in Daraa in the past two days . Other activists believe many more have been killed . Tarif said as many as 20,000 people followed the funeral procession for those who died in the violence , including a conscripted soldier who was reportedly shot and wounded because he refused to fire on demonstrators . A witness , who asked not to be named , said 10 `` martyrs '' were buried following afternoon prayers , with the people in the procession mourning the loss of the victims and chanting anti-government slogans . Kamal Aswad , a political activist in Daraa , said people in the funeral procession were chanting : `` Those who kill their own people are traitors '' and he said activists are trying to generate support for a big protest on Friday -- a `` Day of Martyrs '' to be held after Friday prayers . Syrian state TV portrayed an opposite picture of the public mood . Scenes broadcast Thursday included fireworks and crowds of pro-government supporters waving pictures of President Bashar al-Assad and shouting , `` with our bloods and our souls , we defend you Bashar ! '' The footage was marked onscreen as `` live , '' but it could not be determined when the footage actually originated . Also Thursday , state TV broadcast an `` urgent '' message that read : `` Following a directive by President Assad , all those who were detained in the latest events were released . '' It could not be determined whether the statement was true . State TV reported on Wednesday that the government fired the provincial governor amid the demonstrations . The Obama administration on Thursday released a statement condemning `` the Syrian government 's brutal repression of demonstrations , in particular the violence and killings of civilians at the hands of security forces . '' `` We call on the Syrian government to exercise restraint and respect the rights of its people and call on all citizens to exercise their rights peacefully , '' the White House statement read . Al-Assad 's government on Thursday announced a number of measures apparently addressing protesters ' demands . Among them , decrees to cut taxes and raise government workers salaries by 1,500 Syrian pounds -LRB- $ 32.60 US -RRB- a month , as well as pledges to provide more press freedoms , increased job opportunities and curbs on government corruption . The government also said it would study lifting the country 's emergency law and new legislation that would license political parties . Syria 's emergency law has been in effect since 1963 . The law allows the government to make preventive arrests and override constitutional and penal code statutes . It also bars detainees who have n't been charged from filing court complaints or from having a lawyer present during interrogations . The government also announced Thursday it will form a committee `` to contact and listen to citizens in Daraa . '' Bouthina Shaaban , a spokeswoman for al-Assad , passed along his condolences to those killed in Daraa and said the president `` would not accept any bloodshed . '' `` I was an eyewitness to his excellency 's orders that no live bullets would be used against the demonstrators , '' Shaaban said . Shaaban also said the government is investigating the unrest in Daraa and that there are `` indications and proof that there is a foreign financial support . '' `` Daraa was chosen because of its geographic location near the borders and how easy it is to transfer money and weapons to the city , '' Shaaban said , referring to the area 's proximity to Jordan . The Jordanian government on Thursday released a statement on state TV denying `` as baseless , reports that fighters and vehicles loaded with weapons entered Syria from inside Jordanian territory . '' `` Such reports are nothing but media allegations that will not affect the good relations between the two countries , '' the statement read . Syria is a diverse country , largely Sunni Muslim but ruled by the minority Alawite Muslim sect . It is also populated by Christians and members of the Druze sect . Along with Arabs , it has a significant Kurdish minority , which has been restive in recent years , and an Armenian population . Those populations are controlled by a government that human rights groups consider one of the most repressive in the world . In 2010 , Syria ranked 127th out of 178 countries in transparency and accountability to the public , according to the international government watchdog group Transparency International . On a scale of 0 to 10 , the lowest score representing the world 's most corrupt governments , Syria scored a 2.5 , Transparency International reported . Human rights groups estimate that tens of thousands of people were killed in Syria during the three decades under the rule of Hafez al-Assad , the current president 's father . Bashar al-Assad came to power in 2000 promising reforms , but aside from implementing some economic reforms , failed to deliver , according to human rights groups . Joshua Landis , who runs the Syria Comment blog and is director of the Center for Middle East Studies and associate professor at University of Oklahoma , told CNN that the unrest in Daraa is spurred by a number of factors , widespread poverty , a dislike for the emergency law and the arrests two weeks ago of young people who scrawled anti-government graffiti . It is also driven by Sunni resentment against a government controlled by Alawites , among them , al-Assad . So far , Landis said , the rallies been localized to Daraa but it 's possible that there will be demonstrations elsewhere on Friday . `` Daraa is very poor and Islamic -- it optimizes everything that troubles Syria -- a failed economy , the population explosion , a bad governor and overbearing security forces , '' Landis wrote in his blog . `` It is an explosive brew . Even if the government can contain violence to Daraa for the time-being , protests will spread . The wall of fear has broken . Apathy of the young has turned to anger , '' Because there are so few sources available from what has been a closed , authoritarian society , human rights activists are trying to get a handle on the number of casualties and the context behind the unrest in Daraa , which is a more conservative , tribal and close-knit community . Amnesty International said it has been `` deeply disturbed by reports of multiple deaths '' in Daraa , as security forces fired `` at protesters and people coming to the aid of the injured . '' Along with many killed in the violence over the past 36 hours there were 92 confirmed arrests , according to Neil Sammonds an Amnesty researcher on Syria , Lebanon and Jordan . Sammonds said there are reports of army snipers shooting women carrying water and an 11-year-old girl . It 's `` hard to imagine these are front-line protesters , '' Sammonds said . CNN 's Saad Abedine and Mia Aquino contributed to this report .
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Syrian president decrees salary hikes for state workers , tax cuts . Syrian state TV broadcasts pro-government rallies . The White House condemns `` brutal repression '' by the Syrian government . Thousands show up for the funerals of a soldier and others .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The trial of a soldier accused of killing Afghan citizens for sport is scheduled to begin Wednesday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington . Spc. Jeremy Morlock is charged with three counts of murder . He is accused of killing one Afghan civilian in January 2010 with a grenade and rifle ; killing another in May 2010 in a similar manner ; and shooting a third to death in February 2010 . Morlock is one of two U.S. soldiers who are scheduled to be tried at Joint Base Lewis-McChord . Pfc. Andrew Holmes is also facing charges in the case but a start date for his court martial has not been publicly announced . Both are part of a larger case that involves several other soldiers , all accused of similar killings . In all , officials charged 12 U.S. soldiers in what they called a conspiracy to kill Afghan civilians and cover it up , along with charges they mutilated corpses and kept grisly souvenirs . Five of the soldiers face murder charges , while seven others are charged with participating in a cover-up . Morlock was the first of the five to face an Article 32 hearing , the military equivalent of a grand jury hearing , at Joint Base Lewis-McChord . If convicted , Morlock faces a maximum punishment of imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole , the military said . Holmes is charged with the premeditated deaths of three civilians , possessing a dismembered human finger , wrongfully possessing photographs of human casualties and smoking hashish . He is also accused of conspiring with Morlock to shoot at a civilian and then toss a grenade so it would look like the soldiers were under attack . All of the accused men were members of a 2nd Infantry Division brigade operating near Kandahar in southern Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010 . The three others facing murder charges are Staff Sgt. Calvin Gibbs , of Billings , Montana ; Adam Winfield , of Cape Coral , Florida ; and Spc. Michael Wagnon , of Las Vegas , Nevada . Authorities allege Gibbs kept finger bones , leg bones and a tooth from Afghan corpses . Wagnon allegedly kept a skull from a corpse , according to charging documents . Several soldiers are charged with taking pictures of the corpses , and one soldier is charged with stabbing a corpse . This week , German news outlet Der Spiegel published photographs of what they identified as Morlock and Holmes posing over the bodies of dead Afghan . Two images show the soldiers kneeling by a bloody body sprawled over a patch of sand and grass . A third shows what appears to be two bodies propped up , back to back , against a post in front of a military vehicle . The U.S. Army released a statement Monday calling the photographs `` repugnant to us as human beings and contrary to the standards and values of the United States Army . '' `` We apologize for the distress these photos cause , '' the statement said . Army officials asserted in the statement that ongoing court-martial proceedings related to the alleged atrocities `` speak for themselves . `` The photos appear in stark contrast to the discipline , professionalism and respect that have characterized our soldiers ' performance during nearly 10 years of sustained operations . ''
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Spc. Jeremy Morlock faces a maximum sentence of life in prison . He is part of a larger case involving several soldiers . They are accused of a conspiracy to kill and cover up , prosecutors say . Photos were published of what appears to be Morlock posing over dead Afghan civilians .
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Cairo , Egypt -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Egyptian stock market plunged 5 % in the opening minute Wednesday , triggering circuit breakers as the exchange opened for the first time in nearly two months . The sell-off was expected . Traders had predicted a `` bloodbath . '' `` For sure , the main index will drop 5 % in the first minute , '' said Ahmed Samir of Hurreya Brokerage ahead of the trading day , pointing to the red sales orders dominating his computer screen . `` Then the stock market will close . '' The circuit breaker stops trading for 30 minutes . Outside the stock market , the orderly palm-lined street was mostly empty , with the exception of soldiers and armored personnel carriers . Security has been increased since some protesters demanded on Tuesday that the exchange not reopen . Mohamed Abdel Salam , who is the chairman of Ministry for Clearing and Settlement , will serve as chairman of the exchange for 6 months , a government statement said this week . He said this century old building has housed the Egyptian stock market since 1903 . Never in the history of Egypt or the world , however , has he seen a stock market closed for such a long period . The markets have been closed since January 27 . A political uprising that began two days earlier resulted in the eventual overthrow of then-President Hosni Mubarak . On Saturday , Egyptian voters overwhelmingly approved proposed constitutional amendments that pave the way for parliamentary elections in June . An estimated 45 million Egyptians were eligible to vote in what was widely viewed as the country 's first free election in decades , and the poll sets the stage for parliamentary and presidential elections later this year . The proposed amendments included limiting the president to two four-year terms , capping emergency laws to six months unless they are extended by public referendum , and placing elections under judicial oversight . CNN 's Ed Payne contributed to this report .
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NEW : Circuit breakers slow any large drops in the market . The Egyptian exchange closed January 27 in the midst of anti-government protests . A political uprising overthrew President Hosni Mubarak . Egyptian voters have approved constitution amendments that pave the way for parliamentary elections .
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St. Louis -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A 1-year-old boy whose family fought a Canadian hospital over whether he should be allowed to die received a tracheotomy at his St. Louis hospital early Monday morning . Officials at the SSM Cardinal Glennon Children 's Medical Center where Joseph Maraachli -- widely known in the media as `` baby Joseph '' -- is being treated , wrote that following a thorough examination by a multi-disciplinary team of specialists and ethicists , a tracheotomy was deemed `` medically appropriate '' for the child . The surgical procedure creates an opening into the airway through an incision in the neck , and a tube allows for suction of fluid out of the lungs . According to the hospital , this creates a safe and stable way to use a mechanical ventilator . Joseph , who was born in January 2010 , had been in the care of the London Health Sciences Centre in Canada since October . His doctor , in court papers , said there was no hope for recovery and recommended that the infant 's breathing tube be removed and he be allowed to die . The hospital would not perform a tracheotomy because they consider it to be an invasive procedure , one not typically recommended for patients who require a long-term breathing machine . The child 's parents , Moe and Sana Maraachli , refused to comply with court orders and sought instead to have their son transferred to a location where he could get a tracheotomy combined with continued mechanical ventilation and later be transferred home into their care . Physicians at Cardinal Glennon say Joseph suffers from a rare genetic neurometabolic disorder called Leigh Syndrome . According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders . The condition is characterized by the degeneration of the central nervous system and is inherited in most cases . In February , a family spokesperson told CNN the Maraachlis have undergone genetic testing , but no genetic link had been found . Joseph will remain in the intensive care unit for seven to 10 days and then head to Ranken Jordan , a pediatric specialty hospital in St. Louis , before being discharged and transported to his family home in Windsor , Ontario .
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Canadian doctors had refused , citing no hope for recovery . Surgical procedure allows use of mechanical ventilator . Boy has rare genetic disorder .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The woman charged in a deadly day care fire that killed four small children is back in Texas , an official said Tuesday . Jessica Tata , who has dual citizenship in the United States and Nigeria , fled to Lagos shortly after the fatal fire at her Houston home in February . She was transported to the Harris County Jail early Tuesday morning , said Christina Garza , a spokeswoman for the Harris County Sheriff 's Office . Tata arrived in Atlanta Monday morning and was booked into the Fulton County Jail , officials said in a statement . She made an appearance in magistrate court , where she waived her extradition rights . Investigators allege that Tata , a 22-year-old day care owner , left seven children alone at her Houston day care center with the stove on while she went to a store . Four children died , and three others were injured in the blaze . Tata was taken into custody Saturday in Port Harcourt , Nigeria , by Interpol and U.S. diplomatic security agents , officials said . At a news conference Monday , U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee said Tata turned herself in to authorities after a `` monumental '' effort between the U.S. and Nigerian governments , along with Tata 's family in Lagos . `` We now have the opportunity to move forward , '' Lee said , adding that she worked closely with the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria and spoke with the Nigerian ambassador to the United Statesto make sure Tata 's return was a `` top priority . '' On Sunday , Lee gathered with Houston 's Nigerian community for a memorial service in honor of the four children lost in the fire , where ministers `` pleaded '' for Tata to return home . U.S. marshals were asked to join the search by Harris County authorities after Tata left the Houston area . They added the missing woman to their 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list in March . Tata has been indicted on felony charges in the fatal fire , including four counts of manslaughter , six counts of reckless injury to a child , three counts of abandoning a child under 15 and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution . CNN 's Antoinette Campbell contributed to this report .
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NEW : Jessica Tata is currently at a Houston area jail . Four children died at her Houston day care in February . Tata faces manslaughter and unlawful flight charges .
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Berlin -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A German man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing his daughter , stepdaughter and stepson was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison Tuesday , a court official said . The man , identified only as Detlef S. , was accused of hundreds of incidents of sexual abuse of his children between autumn 1987 and summer 2010 . He pleaded guilty on Monday to all charges , said Alexander Walter , Koblenz state court spokesman . He was convicted of severe sexual abuse of children in 42 cases , rape , sexual abuse of wards and sponsoring rape , Walter said . He was sentenced to 14 and a half years in prison , and will stay in preventive custody after that because the court feared he would commit further criminal acts , Walter said . Preventive custody usually means that a person who has served their sentence remains behind bars but receives extra privileges . Detlef S. admitted last month when the trial opened that he was the father of multiple children with his stepdaughter . He was charged with the sexual abuse of dependents and facilitating the sexual abuse of minors . He was also accused of bringing his underage stepdaughter and his daughter to men who paid for sex with them on multiple occasions . The first allegations of abuse came more than a decade ago , in 1998 , but there was no medical evidence to support the claims then , Germany 's youth welfare office said in a statement when the trial opened February 15 . Two stepsons leveled fresh accusations in 2002 , saying the defendant was abusing his biological daughter , then 11 . Police began an investigation but found no medical evidence and dropped the case , the statement said . The daughter denied having been abused , the welfare office said . Two men other men are facing trial on charges of sexual assault in connection with the case . A third man suspected of abusing the children has died , Walter said . The stepdaughter gave evidence against Detlef S. , the court spokesman said . It was unclear at what age she gave birth to the children . DNA test results introduced in court gave a `` 99.999 % '' certainty that the defendant is the father of her children , Walter said . Seven of the stepdaughter 's eight children survived infancy , he said . He did not know the cause of death of the eighth . The sexual assaults took place in the defendant 's home , in woods nearby and in various apartments near where the family lived , prosecutors alleged . Only two of the 350 charges are related to the stepson , Walter said . CNN 's Diana Magnay contributed to this report .
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There were allegations against Detlef S. for more than a decade , officials say . He was accused of 350 incidents of abuse of his daughter , stepdaughter and stepson . He admits fathering the children but denies sexual abuse , the court says . He was also accused of providing his daughter and stepdaughter to men who paid for sex with them .
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Dhaka , Bangladesh -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Thousands of angry protesters took to the street in downtown Dhaka and other major cities as regulators halted trading on the country 's prime Dhaka Stock Exchange after the DGEN index fell a record 9.25 % within an hour of opening on Monday . After Sunday 's record fall of 600 points , the market began at 10 a.m. , but it nose-dived within an hoursetting a record fall . The authority instantly halted the trading as the DGEN index dipped to 660 points in an hour triggering off violent protests . A notice on the DSE website reads , `` Today 's -LRB- 10-01-2011 -RRB- market has been halted as per SEC 's -LRB- Security and Exchange Commission -RRB- order , it will be resumed after further announcement . '' All the top SEC and DSE executives sat in an emergency meeting and a DSE spokesman said the decision was taken to safeguard the tens of thousands of small investors who went on a selling spree in panic Monday morning . Many investors in the street , however , claimed the index dipped due to manipulation by some big investors . `` I 've lost my capital here ... I did n't have any job ... I borrowed taka 300,000 -LRB- US$ 4285 -RRB- from my relatives and invested ... two thirds of the capital has gone ... I 've become a pauper ... how can I repay the loan ? '' lamented an investor , Abdur Rahim . Like Rahim , thousands of angry investors , who lost their money , immediately took to the street in downtown Motijheel and its adjoining areas -- defying large contingents of anti-riot police -- and damaged cars and buses . They took control of more than a kilometre of the street , blocking traffic movement and burning used tires and broken furniture in the capital 's commercial hub . The protests also spread many parts of the country including the southern port city of Chittagong , holy shrine city of Sylhet and many other places . Protesters marched in groups chanting anti-government slogans for not intervening before the market plunged and blocking the roads to traffic . `` The government will certainly look into if there is any manipulation , '' Bangladesh Finance Minister AMA Muhith said . In Dhaka , police used clubs and water canon to disperse the violent protesters who pelted chunks of bricks and small stones at police in retaliation . Earlier , the biggest fall in a single day was on December 19 last year when DGEN slipped 552 points or 6.73 percent . The investors took a bumpy ride of a rollercoaster in recent weeks as they saw a record peak of 80 percent rise on December 5 and subsequently saw a nosedive after three days prompting protests in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country . In a bid to settle the market , the SEC on Sunday morning lifted the bank loan ceiling of 100 million taka -LRB- about US$ 1.43 million -RRB- for investing in the stock market and eased many other restrictions but those steps could not stop the price erosion on Monday . said . In Dhaka , police used clubs and water canon to disperse the violent protesters who pelted chunks of bricks and small stones at police in retaliation . Earlier , the biggest fall in a single day was on December 19 last year when the DGEN index slipped 552 points or 6.73 percent . The investors took a bumpy ride of a rollercoaster in recent weeks as they saw a record 80 % rise on December 5 and subsequently saw a nosedive after three days prompting protests in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country . In a bid to settle the market , the SEC on Sunday morning lifted the bank loan ceiling of 100 million taka -LRB- about US$ 1.43 million -RRB- for investing in the stock market and eased many other restrictions , but those steps did not stop the price erosion on Monday .
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Dramatic drop in DGEN index prompts protests . Protesters say market being manipulated by large investors . Index fell 9.25 % with an hour of opening Monday .
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Atlanta -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife , Rosalynn , will travel Monday to Havana , Cuba , for a visit at the invitation of the Cuban government , the Carter Center announced Friday . During the trip , which will last through Wednesday , they will meet with high-level officials of the communist regime , including President Raul Castro , and other Cuban citizens `` to learn about new economic policies and the upcoming Party Congress , and to discuss ways to improve U.S.-Cuba relations , '' the Atlanta , Georgia-based center said in a written statement . The trip is being undertaken as a private , nongovernmental mission under the auspices of the not-for-profit Carter Center . Carter last visited the island in May 2002 , becoming the first former or sitting U.S. president to travel to Cuba since 1928 . In a speech broadcast live on Cuban radio and television , Carter , speaking in Spanish , called on the United States to end its `` ineffective 43-year-old economic embargo '' on the island . He also called on then-President Fidel Castro to hold free elections , improve human rights , and allow greater civil liberties . `` Analysts said it was the first time in 43 years that citizens had heard any public criticism of the Cuban government , much less direct condemnation of human rights violations , '' Carter wrote in his report from the trip , referring to the time since Castro had been in power . `` I anticipated President Castro would be upset , but he greeted me after the session . ''
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Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter are departing Monday at invitation of the Cuban government . During the trip to the island , they will meet with President Raul Castro . Discussions will include new economic policies and ways to improve U.S.-Cuba relations .
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Dhaka , Bangladesh -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Muhammad Yunus won a Nobel Peace Prize for the Bangladeshi bank he founded but now he finds himself in a bitter fight to retain his job . Yunus pioneered microcredit financing and founded Grameen Bank nearly three decades ago in an effort to alleviate poverty by lending to the poor . He refused Wednesday to bow to government demands and resign from the bank that won him a Nobel in 2006 . `` We established Grameen Bank through a special ordinance , with rules that are specific , according to which my current term as managing director is fully valid , '' he said . `` Government has three representatives on the board and they have unanimously approved these rules . '' Grameen caught the world 's attention by specializing in providing loans to low-income entrepreneurs who were unable to secure money through regular banks . Yunus quickly gained a reputation as a `` banker to the poor . '' Bangladeshi Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith said Yunus was too old to run the bank and should step down . `` Normally the retirement age of a bank 's managing director in Bangladesh is 65 , and Professor Yunus is now 70 , '' Muhith said . The pressure stems from allegations in a television documentary that Yunus illegally diverted Grameen money . Grameen denied the charges and Norway , a key bank donor , found no evidence of wrongdoing . But the larger debate has been over the notion of microcredit itself . Its critics have charged that lenders were making big money off small loans . Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina minced no words when she compared Grameen 's operations to `` sucking the blood from the poor in the name of alleviating poverty . '' `` It is a question of explaining to her , '' Yunus told CNN in a recent interview . `` She probably has no close connection to that , all the good things that microcredit has done globally , not just in Bangladesh . '' Yunus has admitted serious problems that have surfaced recently in the world of microfinancing . Poor families have complained about debt burdens and loan sharks who charge an exorbitant interest . Yunus conceded some lenders have taken advantage of the system . But , he insisted to CNN , that a few bad apples should not undermine the idea of microcredit . `` The idea will not disappear , '' he said . `` It is a question of teething problems . It is a question of misuse and abuse of the idea . '' Muhith said the push for Yunus ' resignation had no link to politics , but many analysts say Yunus is still under fire for criticizing politicians and trying to form his own political party four years ago during an interim , unelected military-backed government . That party was later abandoned . Yunus faces a defamation charge for comments he made four years ago to the French news agency that politicians were only in `` power to make money . '' Several prominent figures have stepped up in Yunus ' defense , including Mary Robinson , the former Irish president and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights , who chairs a newly formed `` Friends of Grameen '' initiative . `` One of the priorities is also to support the independence of Grameen Bank and its founder Professor Yunus , who together were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 , as they have been the target of an ongoing pressure campaign of rumors and misleading information , '' the group said in a statement . CNN 's Sara Sidner and Moni Basu and journalist Farid Ahmed contributed to this report .
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The Bangladeshi government wants Muhammad Yunus to resign . But the microcredit pioneer and Grameen Bank founder says he will not step down . Tensions exist between the government and Yunus for politrical comments .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The father of an American student who disappeared in Syria said Saturday his son `` is safe and well , '' but remains in the hands of Syrian authorities . Tik Root , 21 , of Ripton , Vermont , disappeared March 18 in Damascus , his father , Tom , told CNN 's `` In the Arena '' Friday night . The young man attends Middlebury College , also in Vermont , which published a statement from Tom Root . `` We received some great news this morning from the Syrian Embassy and officials from Damascus , conveyed to me by Senator -LSB- Patrick -RSB- Leahy and others , '' Root wrote . `` Tik has been located , and we understand that he is safe and well . He remains in the hands of the Syrian authorities , who are currently responsible for him . We very much appreciate the efforts of Ambassador Imad Moustapha and Senator Leahy in continuing to work to bring this complex situation to a resolution . ... Please know how much we value everyone 's good wishes and hopes . '' Moustapha is Syria 's envoy to the United States . Tom Root told CNN Friday that his son , who is studying this spring in an Arabic program through Damascus University , likely watched a protest , but would not have participated . `` We suspect he was picked up on the periphery , '' the elder Root told CNN 's Eliot Spitzer .
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Tik Root , 21 , remains in the hands of Syrian authorities , his father says . The student from Ripton , Vermont , was last seen on March 18 . His parents believe he was watching a demonstration in Damascus . Sen. Patrick Leahy is assisting in student 's return .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Australian soprano Dame Joan Sutherland , dubbed `` La Stupenda '' by opera lovers , died Sunday at age 83 in her home in Switzerland after a long illness . In a career spanning the last half of the 1900s , Sutherland twice won a Grammy for best classical performer , in 1961 and 1981 . Neil Portnow , president and CEO of the Recording Academy , described Sutherland as possessing `` an organic and elegant voice with astonishing range , vibrance and sense of drama . '' `` Throughout her extraordinary four-decade career , she performed with such greats as Luciano Pavarotti and before audiences in opera houses across the globe . Her legacy lives on in the beautiful arias with which she graced the world , '' Portnow said in a written statement . Her stage career began in 1951 in her native Sydney in a production of `` Judith '' by Eugene Goossens , according to a spokesman with her recording company , Decca Records . She signed with Decca in 1959 . Over the next 30 years , she made 40 recordings of 33 operas , as well as operatic highlights , anthologies and collections ranging from baroque rarities to songs by Noel Coward , a personal friend to her . Sutherland was often accompanied on stage or in studios by mentor and husband Richard Bonynge , and regular vocal partners included mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne and the tenor Pavarotti . Her last stage appearance was with both performers in Act 2 of `` Die Fledermaus '' at The Royal Opera House in London , England 's Covent Garden on December 31 , 1989 . Her record company credits her with rising to international stardom in 1959 when she appeared in Franco Zefirelli 's Covent Garden production of Donizetti 's `` Lucia di Lammermoor . '' During her career she sang the role of Lucia 233 times . During the late 1950s and 1960s , she and Bonynge , whom she married in 1954 , were at the forefront of a Handel revival . In 1960 , during Venice , Italy , performances of Handel 's `` Alcina , '' a journalist nicknamed her `` La Stupenda . '' That same year , Sutherland paid homage to bygone prima donnae when she recorded `` The Art of The Prima Donna , '' and the two-album set became a bestseller and won a Dutch Edison Award in 1961 . She resurrected a number of forgotten works and gave them new life on the stage and in the recording studio , including Massenet 's `` Le roi de Lahore '' and `` Esclarmonde , '' the latter being a favorite of hers . During retirement , she mentored young singers and sat as a juror on international signing competitions . She is survived by her husband ; her son Adam and daughter-in-law Helen ; and two grandchildren , Natasha and Vanya .
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Sutherland won two Grammy Awards , in 1961 and 1981 . She performed often with tenor Luciano Pavarotti . She sang the role of Lucia in `` Lucia di Lammermoor '' 233 times .
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Kabul , Afghanistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Apologies are not sufficient when it comes to civilian casualties , Afghan President Hamid Karzai told the NATO commander Sunday , days after a NATO airstrike killed nine Afghan boys . Karzai told Gen. David Petraeus , the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan , that incidents of civilian casualties during coalition military operations are the main reason for tensions in the U.S.-Afghan relationship and he demanded there be no more , according to a statement from Karzai 's office . The comments came in a private conversation between the two men Sunday , according to an official with NATO 's International Security Assistance Force who asked not to be named . Petraeus made a public apology Wednesday for the deaths , which happened the day before in the province of Kunar , along Afghanistan 's eastern border . U.S. President Barack Obama also expressed regret for the deaths , calling it a `` tragic accident . '' A White House statement said Obama and Karzai agreed that such incidents undermine shared U.S. and Afghan efforts in fighting terrorism . The incident happened after insurgents in mountains above a coalition base launched a rocket attack that wounded a U.S. civilian , according to U.S. Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez . Troops returned fire and insurgents later shot another rocket at the troops . Two attack helicopters flew to the location where they were told the rockets originated , identified who they thought were insurgents and killed nine people . Rodriguez said . Later , they found that the slain people were boys cutting wood . Rodriguez called the incident `` a terrible mistake '' and promised disciplinary action if warranted . The statement from Karzai 's office said Petraeus repeated his apology Sunday and promised `` it will not happen again . '' Karzai said the Afghan people are suffering as a result of civilian casualties and that apologizing and condemning these actions can not ease their pain , according to his office . `` The trust of Afghanistan 's government and people definitively depend on this issue , '' Karzai told Petraeus . Recurrence of such incidents , he said , is `` unacceptable . '' The NATO force official said Sunday , `` We take all civilian casualties very seriously . In light of the recent event that tragically killed nine children , commanders have been given the direction to review our tactical directive that is intended to reduce civilian casualties to the absolute minimum . We will continue to reinforce the need to protect the lives of innocent Afghans as we pursue a ruthless enemy . '' Rodriguez said last week such incidents are `` rare '' when considering all the operations the coalition undertakes . He said a lot of time is spent training soldiers on how to engage the right targets and that directives are constantly reviewed . `` We have done much better preventing civilian casualties , '' he said . `` But we acknowledge we have to do better . '' Rodriguez said the military understands families ' grief over such deaths , and he said soldiers `` feel worse than they can express '' when they `` do something terrible like mistakenly killing young boys . '' `` They have to live with that for the rest of their lives , '' he said . Rodriguez also urged Afghans to help their security forces battle insurgents . Karzai previously noted the Tuesday incident occurred less than 10 days after another one `` that left many civilians dead in the same province . '' On February 20 , Kunar Governor Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi said 64 civilians had died in a joint operation by the NATO force and Afghan security forces over several days . The dead included 20 women and 15 children , he said . Petraeus recently directed military commanders in Afghanistan to review changes meant to minimize civilian casualties . He has ordered commanders to brief helicopter attack crews again on the changes , he said . CNN 's Barbara Starr and Matiullah Mati contributed to this report .
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Karzai and Petraeus have a private talk Sunday on civilian deaths . Petraeus repeats his apology for the death of 9 Afghan boys . Obama has already called it a `` tragic accident ''
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The man who killed a University of Connecticut football player in 2009 was sentenced Friday to 18 years in prison for manslaughter in the first degree , said Rockland County Deputy Clerk Tammy Fluet . John Lomax III , 22 , stabbed Jasper Howard in the abdomen during a fight outside a campus dance on October 18 , 2009 . The UConn cornerback died later at a hospital in Hartford , Connecticut . More than 300 people at the dance left the building and spilled out into the street . A fight broke out between two groups , and Howard and another person were stabbed , police said after the incident . The second victim , who was treated and released , was Brian Parker , then 19 , another player on the UConn football squad , according to CNN affiliate WTNH . Maj. Ron Blicher of the UConn Police Department said in 2009 that more than 40 investigators from his department and the Connecticut State Police conducted more than 200 interviews during the course of the investigation . The university set up the Jasper T. Howard Endowed Scholarship to honor the slain student athlete .
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John Lomax III , 22 , was sentenced to 18 years for manslaughter in the first degree . He stabbed University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard in 2009 . Howard was hit in the abdomen during a fight outside a campus dance .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The owners of Manchester United , Red Football Joint Venture , have announced huge losses for the last financial year . United 's parent company -- which is owned by the Glazer family -- have confirmed losses of $ 178 million according to their latest accounts filed at Companies House . The accounts also reveal the deficit includes some one-off costs incurred by the Glazers , following the setting-up of the $ 861 million bond scheme last year to replace the bank loans they obtained to purchase the club . United , who currently lead the English Premier League table by five points , also suffered a drop in income from the sale of players . The previous year 's accounts recorded a $ 35m profit following the $ 130m sale of winger Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid . Meanwhile , respected magazine France Football have published their list of the highest-paid players in the world , with Lionel Messi taking over from David Beckham at the top of the earnings table . Barcelona maestro Messi earned a remarkable $ 48 million in the last financial year , ahead of Beckham -- who has been first or second in each of the last nine years . Beckham earned $ 44 million , while Ronaldo and his Madrid teammate Kaka took third and fourth place in the list . Thierry Henry , Ronaldinho , Carlos Tevez , Zlatan Ibrahimovic , Frank Lampard and Samuel Eto'o completed the top 10 .
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The owners of Manchester United announce huge losses for the last financial year . Red Football Joint Venture confirm a deficit of $ 178 million up to April 2010 . Lionel Messi takes over from David Beckham at the top of the players ' earnings table . Messi earned $ 48 million according to a report in France Football magazine .
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Jerusalem -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- At least four rockets slammed into Israel Wednesday , injuring one man and prompting retaliatory Israeli airstrikes that wounded two Palestinian militants , one critically , sources said . The strikes and counterstrikes mark the latest phase in an unusually intense round of violence between Israelis and Palestinians . At least 10 Palestinians have been killed since Saturday , including two children , and though both sides say they do not want the violence to escalate , Wednesday 's attacks show it does not seem to be abating . The Israeli man hurt Wednesday was injured in one of two rocket strikes on Beer Sheva , an Israeli army spokeswoman said . The Israel Defense Forces struck back at a rocket launching site in northern Gaza associated with one of the other attacks Wednesday . Two militants were injured , one critically , Palestinian medical officials and Hamas sources said . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would `` protect our citizens rigorously and determinedly . No country would put up with continuing rocket fire on its cities and civilians , and of course Israel will not put up with that . '' `` We are very determined to hit the terrorists and prevent them from harming our citizens , '' he added . The violence comes after four Palestinian militants were killed Tuesday evening in an Israeli airstrike in the Zeitoun neighborhood east of Gaza City . Islamic Jihad said all four militants were field commanders for Islamic Jihad . An Israeli army spokeswoman said that an Israeli military aircraft fired toward the group after identifying a group of militants who were preparing to launch a rocket into Israel . In an earlier incident Tuesday , two adults and two children were killed in the Al-Shajaieh neighborhood east of Gaza City when shells from Israeli tanks hit a house there , the sources said . The children , 11-year-old Mohammed Jihad Al-Hilo and 16-year-old Yasser Ahed Al-Hilo , were playing soccer outside their house when the shells hit , the sources said . Yasser Hamed Al-Hilo , 50 , and Mohamad Saber Harara , 20 , were also killed , according to the sources . Eight others were wounded , three of them critically , they said . The IDF said the mortar attack was carried out in response to the launch from Gaza of four military-use projectiles into the Shaar Hanegev regional council area . `` It appears that uninvolved civilians were injured as a result , '' the IDF said . The incident was under investigation by the IDF . `` The IDF does not want an escalation of violence in the South , '' an IDF spokesman said . In a statement , Netanyahu expressed regret over the deaths and injuries of Gaza civilians in Tuesday 's Israeli military action and said the strikes were carried out in response to Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens . `` It 's unfortunate that Hamas continues to intentionally rain down dozens of rockets on Israeli civilians using its own civilians as shields , '' he said . `` Israel has no intention of bringing about a deterioration of the situation , but at the same time the IDF will continue to act decisively to protect Israeli citizens . '' Hamas condemned the killings east of Gaza City . `` The massacre in Al-Shajaieh neighborhood is a war crime and the Israeli occupation bears full responsibility , '' it said in a statement . Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad also condemned what he called `` the Israeli aggression against the civilians '' and asked for international protection of civilians . He called the military shelling of residential neighborhoods a `` dangerous escalation that should be ended . '' Since Saturday , 10 Palestinians have been killed and at least 37 others wounded in a series of incidents in Gaza , Palestinian medical sources said . Also since Saturday , 61 mortars and rockets have been fired into southern Israel , the IDF said . CNN 's Michal Zippori , Kareem Khadder and Talal Abu Rahma contributed to this report .
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NEW : Netanyahu says no country would put up with rocket attacks on its citizens . The rocket attacks and counterstrike come amid heightened violence in the past week . Four Palestinian militants were killed Tuesday evening . Israel says mortars and rockets have been fired from Gaza into southern Israel .
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Barcelona , Spain -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday began his second visit to Spain , where he prayed at the tomb of an apostle and planned to consecrate one of Barcelona 's most famous sights -- the distinctive Gaudi-designed Sagrada Familia church . The pope 's first stop on his two-day trip is Santiago de Compostela , in Spain 's northwestern tip , an important pilgrimage site for centuries . The cathedral there was built 900 years ago atop what is said to be the tomb of St. James , an apostle of Jesus . After praying there , the pope presided over a Eucharist in the square outside , to celebrate the city 's jubilee year . `` I come as a pilgrim on this Compostelean Saint Year ... I want to join to that long line of men and women that all over the centuries had come to -LSB- Santiago de -RSB- Compostela from different places on the peninsula and Europe , '' the pontiff said at the airport earlier in the day . Saturday night , the pope planned to head all the way across Spain to Barcelona , the Catalan city on the Mediterranean . Barcelona is home to the Sagrada Familia , or `` holy family , '' church , still being built after more than 100 years . Benedict is expected to designate the church a basilica , a special honor in Roman Catholicism . Antoni Gaudi , a Catalan architect , only lived to see one tower and most of one facade finished by the time he died in 1926 . `` The interior space of the church , the sacred space of the church , is finished , and for that , the pope comes here to consecrate the church , '' said Jordi Fauli , the deputy architect . Gaudi planned the church to have 18 towers -- 12 for the apostles and the tallest for Jesus . Only eight are finished . Fauli said the privately-financed work may be done by 2026 , on the 100th anniversary of Gaudi 's death . Asked once why it was taking so long to finish the Sagrada Familia , Gaudi replied , according to his assistants , `` My client -- meaning God -- is not in a hurry . ''
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He visits Santiago de Compostela and plans trip to Barcelona . The pope prays at the tomb of the apostle James . He also plans to consecrate the Sagrada Familia church .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The growing push to restrict the collective bargaining rights of government employees has reached the far-flung state of Alaska . There , a Republican state lawmaker has introduced legislation that would strip many public employees of the right to collectively bargain for hours , benefits and working conditions . State employees could still collectively bargain for wages under the legislation . The bill exempts firefighters , police officers and emergency medical technicians , who , according to Title 40 of the Alaska Statutes , are prohibited from going on strike . The bill 's sponsor , state Representative Carl Gatto , R-Palmer , said his legislation mimics a measure that was passed by the Wisconsin Legislature earlier this month , signed into law and is now the subject of a lawsuit . `` It is the Wisconsin arrangement , '' Gatto told CNN . Gatto said that his bill , like the Wisconsin measure , is aimed at curbing state costs . Similar bills to limit collective bargaining rights also are pending in Ohio and Indiana . Opponents of the bill give the measure little chance of passing this session . That 's because the 2011 session of the Alaska Legislature is roughly two-thirds over , they said . Also , opponents said , Alaska lawmakers have been focused on controversial legislation to roll back the state 's oil and gas tax on profits earned by petroleum companies in the state . Gatto said he does n't necessarily disagree that his bill probably wo n't pass this year . `` This is such a union state , '' Gatto said . `` But if you just decide that it does n't have a chance that guarantees the public will never know about it . You have to build , build , build and ultimately if you do enough building , you 'll end up with a house . '' House minority leader Beth Kerttula , D-Juneau , said Gatto 's bill `` would be a particularly onerous thing to drop on state employees . '' Kerttula said public employees are still smarting from a 2005 overhaul of the state 's retirement , pension and health care system . Kerttula called the switch `` a disaster '' in a state that has a difficult time retaining qualified teachers and police officers . `` I can not tell you how wrong she is , '' Gatto said . `` We have teachers lined up to teach here because we pay a decent wage . '' Gatto agreed with Kerttula that the bill would face tough sledding in the state Senate , where , unlike the GOP-controlled House , the balance of power between Republicans and Democrats is evenly divided . Kerttula , nevertheless , said the Democratic minority leadership is taking the bill seriously . Gatto said he thinks he can get his bill to the House floor for a vote and and that , if it gets that far , the measure could get passed out of the chamber . Because the 2011 session is the first year of a two-year session for the Alaska Legislature , the bill would not have to be reintroduced in 2012 . State Representative Berta Gardner , D-Anchorage , who is the House minority whip , wondered whether the proposed collective bargaining bill for Alaska public employees could spark as fierce an argument as Wisconsin 's , which prompted 14 Democrats to leave the state in an unsuccessful effort to kill that bill . `` If the Democrats flee here , '' Gardner said , `` we 'll have to go to Canada . ''
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NEW : Alaska GOP lawmaker says his collective bargaining bill faces tough sledding . The legislator said his bill mimics Wisconsin measure . Opponents say there 's not enough time in the legislative session to pass the bill .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom and his wife , Sandra Torres de Colom , have filed for divorce in an attempt to clear the way for the first lady to run for the presidency , Guatemalan Judge Mildred Roca told CNN . Torres jumped in the race for president on March 9 , but she has been dogged by critics who called her candidacy illegitimate because of a constitutional article that bars relatives of the president from seeking the high office . The couple filed for divorce on March 11 , the family court judge said . The divorce petition was a `` mutual agreement , '' so judicial hearings will not be necessary , Roca said . Under Guatemalan law , within eight days of the divorce petition being filed , both parties must meet with a conciliatory commission to examine if the marriage can be saved . If not , then the divorce can be finalized in another eight days . Roca declined to say whether Colom and Torres met with such a commission . In an interview with CNN en Espanol the day before she filed for divorce , Torres declined to say whether divorce was an option to see her candidacy go forward . She did say , however , that she and her husband had an `` excellent relationship , '' and that she was very happy . Torres claimed that under Guatemala 's civil code , marriage does not constitute a relation that is banned under the constitution , and she said that her candidacy was legitimate even without divorce . `` I have the legitimate right to participate , the political right , the human right , to be a presidential candidate , '' she said . Critics are calling the divorce a fraud to circumvent the anti-nepotism article in the constitution , but Roca said that because the divorce is mutually agreed upon , no reason or cause need be given . `` Their intentions are a personal matter , '' the judge said . If mutual , the only requirement to is have been married for longer than one year . Torres and Colom have been married for eight . Torres and Colom belong to the National Unity of Hope , or UNE , party . In a statement , the party confirmed the pending divorce , stating that the goal was `` to avoid further political manipulations from the opposition . '' `` They were in a situation that was difficult , but for the good of the nation , '' said Jaime Martinez , general secretary of the Grand National Alliance party , which is allied with UNE . `` They are doing it for national interests and not personal interests . They are making a sacrifice . '' Constitutional lawyer Carlos Molina Mencos told the Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre that the politically motivated divorce made a farce out of the institution of marriage . `` As public figures , they should set an example , and the worst part is that they are taking these actions only for the possibility of a candidacy , '' he told the paper . `` This means that if they win they can reunite , or if not , they can also reunite . This is a mockery . ''
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President Alvaro Colom and wife Sandra Torres de Colom filed for divorce on March 11 . Critics have said that Torres can not run because she is related to the president . Because it is mutual , no cause is needed for the divorce .
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London -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It 's a scene straight out of Cinderella : a princess in her royal wedding dress , riding in a horse-drawn carriage through majestic streets . That 's just what Kate Middleton may look like on her wedding day next month . Buckingham Palace announced Tuesday that a century-old gold-trimmed royal carriage will carry the new princess and her prince , William , from Westminster Abbey through central London to the palace . The same carriage -- called the 1902 State Landau -- has carried previous royal brides on their wedding days . William 's mother , Lady Diana Spencer , rode in it in 1981 after her marriage to Prince Charles , and Sarah Ferguson traveled in it five years later after she wed Prince Andrew . It was specifically built for King Edward VII in 1902 to be used at his coronation , and it remains the most-used carriage in the Royal Mews , usually used these days by Queen Elizabeth II when she meets foreign heads of state . It is an open-top carriage , so if it rains , the new royal couple will instead travel in the enclosed Glass Coach , another historic carriage , the palace announced . The Glass Coach was built in 1881 and purchased for use at King George V 's coronation in 1911 . Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson used it on their way to their weddings , along with three other brides : Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon , who married the future King George VI in 1923 ; Princess Alexandra in 1963 ; and Princess Anne in 1973 . The wedding procession will take in some of central London 's most famous sights . After leaving the abbey , it will pass the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben , the prime minister 's residence at Downing Street , the Horse Guards Parade and the Mall : the long avenue that stretches from Trafalgar Square past St. James 's Park , straight to Buckingham Palace . As they make their way to the palace for their wedding reception , Middleton and William will be at the head of a five-carriage procession . Riding in the two carriages behind them will be the best man , William 's brother , Prince Harry ; the maid of honor , Middleton 's sister , Philippa ; and the bridesmaids . The queen and her husband will travel in the next carriage , with Prince Charles and his wife , Camilla , and Middleton 's parents riding together in the last . Eighteen horses will pull the five carriages , with the white-looking Windsor Greys , which are usually reserved for the queen , pulling the newlyweds . The carriages are maintained by Senior Carriage Restorer Martin Oates , whose family has been working in the mews for four generations . Like everyone working in the palace , Martin has his own particular concern : `` If the wheels fall off , then obviously I would lose my job , so that is a bit of a worry , '' he said . Martin 's key task on the big day will be `` chocking , '' which means fixing blocks of wood under the carriage wheels , so they do n't move as the passengers get in . As beautiful as they are , state carriages are n't always an easy way for passengers to travel . As the carriages move along , they swing around in a circular motion , which can make passengers feel queasy . Between now and the wedding , however , Middleton will have a chance to get used to the feeling -- and , crucially , to practice getting in and out . `` I think she will wish to practice getting in and out of the carriages , because obviously , on the day , she will be wearing a dress with a large train , '' Crown Equerry Toby Browne said . `` And it 's a quite difficult event to get into a carriage and get settled so it looks perfect , but I think she 's very excited about it . '' Middleton will take a more modern mode of transport to the abbey before the service , the palace announced . In fact , she plans to travel in the same Rolls-Royce used by Prince Charles and Camilla , the Duchess of Cornwall , when they were attacked by protesters in London in December , Buckingham Palace said . `` Rolls Royce 1 , '' which has glass in the back panels , is currently being repaired in readiness for for the April 29 wedding . `` It 's actually designed with visibility in mind , so you actually probably get a better view in the Rolls-Royce that she 's using than a closed carriage , '' Palace Transport Manager Alexander Garty said . In December , students protesting increases in university costs hit the car with paint and cracked a window , as Charles and Camilla rode through a crowd en route to a show in central London . CNN 's Max Foster contributed to this report .
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The carriage was built in 1902 for King Edward VII 's coronation . Princess Diana rode in it with Prince Charles after their wedding . Another carriage will be used if it rains . Middleton will ride in a Rolls-Royce on her way to the wedding .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A U.S. Navy warship and helicopters are trailing a boat believed to be the one that was hijacked by Somali pirates over the weekend , a senior military source with knowledge of the operation told CNN . Four Americans were manning the boat . Pirates boarded the American yacht off the coast of Oman last Friday , three days after the boat 's owners split off from the relative safety of a sailing group traversing a dangerous section of the Indian Ocean , according to the group , the Blue Water Rally . Owners Jean and Scott Adam and two others , Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle , were aboard the yacht , the S/V Quest . U.S. officials have made no further comment on the situation since Rear Adm. Charles Gaouette , deputy commander of the U.S. Navy 's Fifth Fleet , said Saturday that the government is evaluating its options . The Adams are experienced boaters , having started a world tour in 2004 , and were very much conscious of the threat from pirates , said a friend of the Adams , fellow boater Scott Stolnitz . Scott Adam said several weeks ago that he was concerned about pirate activity in the area , which he had never visited before , Stolnitz said . But he said Adam was determined to traverse the world himself as opposed to shipping the boat -- as some other yacht owners have done .
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Four Americans had their yacht overtaken by pirates on Friday . A warship and helicopters are now trailing the boat , a military source says . Jean and Adam Scott are experienced boaters .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Dollar Tree Stores are recalling 682,000 battery-operated Halloween lanterns that can overheat , the agency announced Thursday . `` This recall involves plastic Halloween-themed lanterns designed to resemble a pumpkin , ghost and skull , '' a statement from the CPSC says . The lanterns are about 6.5 inches tall and were sold in orange , white and black . The bulb in the lanterns can overheat , posing fire and burn hazards to consumers , according to the agency . No injuries have been reported . The lanterns were sold from August to October at Dollar Tree , Dollar Bill $ , Occasions , Deal $ and Dollar Tree Deal $ stores nationwide . `` Consumers should take the recalled lanterns away from children immediately , remove and properly discard the batteries and return the lanterns to the store where purchased for a full refund , '' the CPSC said . The model number -- 954439-13096-003-1005 -- is printed on a label on the bottom of the lanterns .
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The recall comes just ahead of Halloween . The orange , black and white lanterns can burn users . The lanterns are battery-operated .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Teenage striker Neymar showed why some of Europe 's biggest clubs are hot on his trail as he scored both goals in Brazil 's 2-0 friendly international win over Scotland at Arsenal 's Emirates Stadium on Sunday . The 19-year-old Santos star is reported to be a transfer target for both Real Madrid and Chelsea when the season finishes and his display against the Scots will have only further enhanced his reputation . Neymar has now scored three times in three appearances for his country as Brazil got back to winning form after recent defeats by both France and Argentina . Brazil were always in control against a side that had never beaten them in nine previous meetings and they took the lead three minutes before half-time . Andre Santos played a superb cross in from the left for Neymar , who was given too much space in the area before curling a low shot into the corner of the net . And it was Neymar who secured the victory in the 77th minute , scoring from the penalty spot after he had been fouled in the area by Charlie Adam . Meanwhile , the United States and Argentina shared a 1-1 draw in their friendly match at New Meadowlands Stadium , home of the NFL 's New York Giants and New York Jets . Esteban Cambiasso put Argentina ahead in the 42nd minute from close range after goalkeeper Tim Howard had saved Angel Di Maria 's initial shot . But the home side rallied and levelled on the hour mark when teenage substitute Juan Agudelo fired home after Argentina failed to deal with Landon Donovan 's corner .
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Brazil defeat Scotland 2-0 in their friendly international at Emirates Stadium . Teenage Santos striker Neymar scores both goal to enhance his reputation . The United States fight back to draw 1-1 with Argentina at New Meadowlands .
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Mogadishu , Somalia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Eight journalists were wounded Tuesday in an attack at a police school in Abdiasis district of northern Mogadishu , the National Union of Somali Journalists said in a news release . The victims were covering a news conference held by a spokesman for Al Shabaab in the training facility at a base that had been taken over Monday by the al Qaeda-linked group , it said . Four of the wounded journalists have been identified as : Muse Mohamoud Jisow , Ilyas Ahmed Abukar , Abdinasir Idle , and Abdirisak Elmi Jama , the news release said . `` A big artillery shell hit a nearby building as we were being taken to new areas where Al Shabaab took control in north Mogadishu , '' journalist Abdirisak Black told CNN . The blast `` rocked everything , including us , '' showering the journalists with shattered glass , said the television journalist based in Mogadishu . The shelling continued for at least an hour , said Black , who said he sustained a minor shrapnel wound . `` I always knew that it is too risky to go out and do your job in Mogadishu as a journalist , but today was one of the most dangerous days in my life , '' he said . The journalists ' union said that one of the victims said that the bombers knew that a news conference was taking place at the time . NUSOJ said it `` condemned the attack as a wasteful and cowardly act that only targets the harmless journalists who are only armed with pens and cameras and notebooks . '' The organization called on all parties in the conflict in Mogadishu to cease hostilities and to desist from taking their conflict to journalists and unarmed civilians . `` Warring sides have made it their habit to bombard or attack places with a congregation of journalists ostensibly to eliminate their enemy 's claims of political gains , '' said Omar Faruk Osman , NUSOJ secretary-general . `` But we must remind them of their responsibility to protect journalists and civilians . Once they commit such otherwise avoidable atrocities they then take their war to the people . '' Al Shabaab means `` the youth , '' but observers say it is too far-reaching to be just a rabble of youngsters . It controls much of central and southern Somalia and large parts of the capital , Mogadishu . And after years of pledging allegiance to al Qaeda , Al Shabaab formalized the relationship in February . Since then , the Somali government says there 's been an influx of foreign fighters . Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed leads the weak , U.N.-backed Transitional Federal Government -LRB- TFG -RRB- . Ahmed was once a senior , moderate figure in the Union of Islamic Courts -- an alliance that included Al Shabaab and held power in Somalia for six months in 2006 before being overthrown by Ethiopian forces . The Ethiopians remained until early 2009 when the TFG took tentative control , clinging to a small part of Mogadishu , and protected by African Union -LRB- AU -RRB- peacekeepers mainly from Uganda and Burundi . Al Shabaab has reached out to Somalis living in the West , radicalizing young Muslims via the Internet and encouraging them to move back to the country to join the jihad . Journalist Mohamed Amiin Adow in Mogadishu and CNN 's Ben Brumfield contributed to this story .
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8 journalists wounded in Mogadishu . Victims were covering news conference held by Al Shabaab . `` Wasteful and cowardly act , '' says journalists ' group .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Would you be OK with a mosque in your community ? According to a new national poll , most Americans say yes , they would . A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey found that 69 % of Americans would be OK with a mosque in their area while 28 % would not . In CNN 's documentary `` Unwelcome : The Muslims Next Door , '' Soledad O'Brien chronicles the dramatic fight over the construction of a mosque in the heart of the Bible Belt . What do you think about the controversy over building mosques in America ? Have you seen or participated in any demonstrations or marches ? Share your thoughts below .
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CNN poll : 69 % of Americans would be OK with a mosque in their neighborhood . CNN 's documentary `` Unwelcome : The Muslims Next Door '' airs at 8 p.m. ET . Share your thoughts : How would you feel about a mosque next door ?
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Vice President Joe Biden travels to Africa this week with several stops , including South Africa where he will represent the United States at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 World Cup . Among other engagements , Biden will meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday `` to discuss a full range of bilateral and regional issues , '' according to a White House statement . The vice president had planned on visiting Egypt in March , but Mubarak fell ill and the trip was scrapped . During his stop in Kenya , the vice president will discuss peace and stability in the region -- especially in Sudan and Somalia -- with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga . Biden will be joined by his wife , Jill , during the trip . The two will also stop in South Africa for the World Cup opening ceremonies on Friday and to watch the U.S. team take on England in its first game on Saturday .
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Obama to make stops in several countries . In Egypt , he meets with Mubarak to discuss wide range of issues . VP and wife also will visit South Africa for the World Cup .
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Palau , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Fermin was a mechanic , not a coal miner , but on the morning of February 19 , 2006 he had to go down into the Pasta de Conchos mine near here to fix a broken cart that could n't haul the coal out . Five years later , Fermin 's remains are still more than 100 meters -LRB- 109 yards -RRB- below the ground , together with dozens of miners who worked that night . Daniel Ezquiel , Fermin 's only son , does n't remember his father . He was just 1 year old when `` the mine swallowed the miners . '' So that he wo n't forget , his mother , Maria de Lourdes , sets aside part of her widow 's pension -- 2,200 pesos a month -- to buy any newspaper that publishes something about the incident . She cuts articles and photos , and pastes them in an album . That Sunday , just past 2:30 a.m. , an explosion left 65 miners buried who were working inside the Pasta de Conchos mine , in the Mexican state of Coahuila , in northern Mexico . The mine is owned by Grupo Mexico , one of the largest mining companies in the country . Then-President Vicente Fox never visited the relatives mourning at the mine site . President Felipe Calderon has also avoided meeting with the more than 300 family members . After five years , the relatives and about five widows continue asking for the bodies to be retrieved from the mine . Citing dangerous conditions , the company abandoned the attempts to pull them out . Maria de Lourdes says that a year and a half ago , she stopped receiving the 420 pesos the-ex governor of Coahuila sent so that the children of the miners could continue studying . She sells baby clothing to complement her income and keep her son in school . She does n't want Daniel Ezequiel to be a coal miner . There are several versions about the cause of the incident that killed the workers . Grupo Mexico says that there was an explosion caused by a ball of gas -- gas that escapes from the earth at the moment of the coal extraction -- and that as a consequence , the temperature in the mine rose to more than 900 degrees Celsius -LRB- 1,652 degrees Fahrenheit -RRB- . However , according to the autopsies of the only two bodies that were pulled from the mine , their deaths were caused by asphyxiation , not burns . Those two bodies were located in the ninth diagonal tunnel in the mine . Grupo Mexico says it went nearly 2.8 kilometers -LRB- 1.7 miles -RRB- into the mine , but had n't found the other remains . In February 2007 , the Coahuila state government produced 65 death certificates certified by a medical examiner , even though only two bodies had been recovered . With 63 bodies still underground , Grupo Mexico decided to suspend the rescue of the bodies in April 2007 . At that time , the company argued that according to their investigations , 25 % to 75 % of the mine was flooded and `` the water possibly is contaminated by HIV , tuberculosis , hepatitis , that could contaminate the rescuers , their families and entire populations . '' These findings were given to the Pasta de Conchos Family Organization , which has advised the victims ' relatives . Inspection records from a few months before the blast revealed that the ventilation system was failing and that there were problems with the electrical equipment . Some family members say the workers complained of a strong odor of gas . Through a spokesman , Grupo Mexico declined to speak about the incident , citing internal policies . Cristina Auerbach , lawyer for the victims ' relatives in the Pasta de Conchos Family Organization , said that explosions in the regions ' mines had been recorded since 1889 . Even then , the only times that bodies were left inside the mine were 1889 and 2006 . In the rest of the cases , the bodies were always recovered , alive or dead . Auerbach recalled one of the biggest blasts that happened in 1969 in the town of Barroteran . In the Guadalupe mines , more than 160 people died . A little over a year later , all the bodies were recovered . `` The question is n't whether Chile could and Mexico could n't , because the answer that they will give is that it was different because that mine was mineral and this one was coal , and this one had gas and that one did n't . What you can compare is the government 's attitude , '' she said . `` Neither Vicente Fox nor Felipe Calderon has wanted to meet the families . Not only that , but in coal mining region , the bodies are always rescued . Only at Pasta de Conchos they are not . '' In northeast Coahuila , it 's common to find someone who has a miner in the family . Walking down the streets of towns like Nueva Rosita , Palau , San Juan Sabinas and Muzquiz , you can see trucks full of freshly mined coal at all hours . At the end of each shift -- around 3 p.m. , 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. -- trucks pass by with men whose faces are painted black by the carbon dust that fell on them during their 12 hours of work . Nearly all the coal in Mexico is produced in Coahuila , according to the National Institute of Statistics , Geography and Information . Raul Villasana , retired at age 67 , also was a miner . He worked for more than 20 years in Grupo Mexico 's mines . One of his sons remains inside Pasta de Conchos . He and his wife Trinidad have traveled several times to Mexico City to participate in demonstrations in front of Grupo Mexico and the Labor Ministry to plead for the excavation of their son . `` We were recently at the Interior Ministry in November and what I asked for was my son 's rescue . I have asked for that since the beginning . Because the mine is not a cemetery , right ? It 's for people to work in , '' he said . `` What we are asking the company and the government to do is to give the bodies to us , so we can do a holy burial and take him flowers , go see him , go visit him with his daughters , wife , sister , who also have asked for this . '' Villasana 's son left behind a son and two daughters . The widow decided to invest the 750,000 pesos that the family received from the company to set up a used clothes business that she supplies from the United States . Maria de Lourdes , Fermin 's widow , knows the mining life well . Her father , Arsenio , was also a miner . He mined black gold from Pasta de Conchos . He retired several years before the blast . Five years after the tragedy , she says some rescuers have dared to confess that at night they heard `` noises like pickaxes striking on metal . '' Arsenio thinks those were the sounds of the last surviving miners . `` Though after all that time there is no way that they could come out alive , '' he stated . For residents like Villasana and Arsenio , Pasta de Conchos turned from a mine into a cemetery the morning of February 19 . 2006 .
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5 years ago , explosion buried 65 coal miners . Owner of mine , Grupo Mexico , refuses to bring bodies out . Attorney for families compares situation to Chile 's .
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Nouakchott , Mauritania -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A man convicted in the 2009 murder of American teacher Christopher Leggett has been sentenced to death , the Mauritanian Information Agency announced . The criminal court in the capital , Nouakchott , made the ruling late Tuesday against Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Mohamed Salem Ould Ahmednah , the agency said . Two others convicted in the killing -- Didi Ould Bezeid and Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Khouna -- were sentenced to 12 - and 5-year prison terms , respectively , as well as 5 million ouguiya -LRB- $ 17,600 -RRB- and 3 million ouguiya -LRB- $ 10,560 -RRB- in fines . Leggett was shot June 23 , 2009 , in a kidnapping attempt in a poor neighborhood in the capital . Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb -LRB- AQIM -RRB- claimed responsibility for the murder , describing the act as `` holy jihad . '' The man sentenced to death in the case was arrested a month after the shooting , police said , wearing an explosive belt and carrying a handgun . According to his hometown newspaper in Tennessee , The Cleveland Daily Banner , Leggett , 39 , had been living in Mauritania for six years , doing humanitarian work and teaching at a computer science school . In a statement to The Cleveland Daily Banner Wednesday , Leggett 's father expressed the family 's `` deep appreciation to everyone for the many expressions of love and caring that we have received since the murder of our son , husband , father and brother , Christopher Leggett 90 weeks ago . '' `` We have in the past expressed on several occasions our appreciation to the government of Mauritania for their efforts in apprehending those involved in the murder of Christopher , and our confidence that they would administer appropriate justice , '' the family statement said .
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One man convicted in the murder receives a death sentence . Leggett did humanitarian work and taught computer science . Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb -LRB- AQIM -RRB- claimed responsibility for the killing .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Islamist militants in Somalia have warned a United Nations agency to buy food from Somali farmers or stop sending aid to the impoverished African country . `` WFP -LSB- World Food Programme -RSB- causes many problems for the local Somali farmers by importing food from outside Somalia and that discourages the Somali farmers , '' al-Shabaab said in a statement . `` So the WFP should buy its supposed food distribution from Somali farmers or stop its operations in Somalia . '' The militia also warned local Somali contractors who help distribute WFP food aid to stop helping the U.N. agency by January 1 . The warning could be a desperate measure by al-Shabaab , which is reportedly facing financial difficulties following the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces last year . The Ethiopian invasion of Somalia had outraged many members of the Somali diaspora who had sent money to al-Shabaab , which had vowed to kick out the invading forces . Al-Shabaab has now waged a bloody insurgency against the U.N.-backed government of transitional President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed . The WFP is aware of the report , according to a spokesman for the agency who would not say whether WFP was in touch with al-Shabaab . `` WFP is working in Somalia because the country can not currently support the food needs of its population , '' Greg Barrow told CNN . Somalia is in the middle of the worst humanitarian crisis since the famine of the early 1990s , with half of its population -- nearly 4 million people -- in need of food aid , according to the WFP . Somalia is also one of the most dangerous places in the world : four WFP staff members were killed between August 2008 and January 2009 . Nevertheless , the aid agency said it increased its operations during the first half of this year , providing assistance to nearly 3 million people . CNN 's Alden Mahler Levine and Journalist Mohammed Amiin Adow contributed to this report .
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Islamic militants say World Food Programme causes problems by importing food from outside . Al-Shabaab warns contractors who help distribute food to stop helping the U.N. agency . Somalia is in the middle of its worst crisis since the famine of the 1990s , according to the WFP .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In Futaba , Japan , the threat of death by radiation poisoning is not enough to compel some residents to obey the Japanese government 's order to leave their homes . Futaba is within the 12-mile evacuation zone surrounding the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant where crews are struggling to contain radiation spilling out of the facility -- a disaster created by a March 11 earthquake-triggered tsunami . The nuclear accident has turned Futaba into a ghost town , almost . Trains no longer run to this northern Japan farming community . The clean-up of the damage wrought by the earthquake has not started and the only people on the streets are members of Japan 's self-defense forces , all dressed head to toe in protective clothing . However , government forces conducting house-by-house searches have found people who refuse to get out of Futaba . Some say they are too sick or old to leave their homes . Others say they stayed behind , or managed to return , to feed their animals . `` We 've come to help you go to the evacuation center , '' a security forces officer told one woman during a recent visit to her home . `` No , no , we can not go , '' the woman replied . The woman said she could n't leave because her husband suffers from Alzheimer 's disease and has a bad leg that renders him unable to get out of bed . When the officer told the woman her daughter is worried about her , the woman still refused to obey the evacuation order . A security forces member told CNN that two days after the visit , they managed to persuade the woman to leave Futaba with her husband . `` We are explaining how serious the situation is to people , because radiation is something you ca n't see with your eyes , '' said Kei Higuchi , a representative of the Japan Self-Defense Forces . `` However , some of those who remain in the danger zone , find adapting to a new environment even more challenging , '' Higuchi said , `` so they want to stay at home . '' Stubborn residents are n't the only problem complicating the evacuation , according to security forces . Earthquake damage to roads has made it difficult to travel through the area . Nevertheless , government officials remain adamant that residents who live within 12 miles of the Fukushima plant must leave . `` We would like to request once again that residents stay away because it 's a very risky area with contamination , Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said . `` We urge residents not to return to the 20 kilometer -LRB- 12 mile -RRB- radius area . '' U.S. government guidelines call for residents who live more twice as far from the Fukushima plant to leave the area .
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Some Japanese residents in the evacuation zone are refusing to leave . Damage to roads within the 12-mile evacuation area renders transportation difficult . Officials again urge residents near the Fukushima nuclear plant to evacuate .
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-LRB- BudgetTravel -RRB- -- A drive-through bib , a travel bidet and other outrageous but true products : Normally , we strive to bring you the best and most innovative tools for your journeys , but today we just wanted to have some fun . A bib that puts you in the driver 's seat . If your road trip is too fast-paced for sit-down dining , strap on a BeltzBib and do n't think twice about dribbling drive-through delicacies all over your clothes . The bib -- modeled above by BT staffer Nicholas DeRenzo -- hooks over the shoulder , and any food that falls short of your mouth should wind up in a four-inch pouch that 's waterproof and , we assume , ketchup - and mustard-proof , too . dans-products . com , $ 8 . When every drop counts . A full six feet wide , the tandem-like Dualbrella should adequately keep two people from getting wet while exploring a new city . Unfortunately , while the jumbo shield doubles your coverage from the rain , it also doubles your dorkiness as tourists . hammacher.com , $ 40 . Budget Travel : 19 stunning fall foliage photos . A guilt-free way to let loose . If the person sitting next to you on a flight plops down a GasBGon `` flatulence filter seat cushion , '' should you make a stink and ask to switch seats -- or be thankful your gassy neighbor was considerate enough to come prepared ? Tough call , especially if the cushion in question is the `` Tush Down '' model , covered in football-patterned fabric . The seat 's carbon filter -- designed to muffle the sound and absorb the smell of breaking wind -- is supposed to be replaced every three to six months for most users ... but more frequently for tailgaters who consume lots of beer . gasbgon.com , $ 25 . A sorta-portable hardware store . Versatility is the big selling point for Swiss Army tools , but this Giant Knife -- which weighs two pounds , serves 141 functions , and costs a whopping $ 1,400 -- is ridiculous . And it 's not only the price that 's impractical . Just imagine the trauma of watching it get tossed into the confiscated bin at a TSA checkpoint . wengerna.com , $ 1,400 . The coolest small towns in America . Ooh la la : A travel bidet . If you 're one of the eight or nine Americans who 's accustomed to using a bidet at home , you 'll definitely want to know about the battery-powered Renaissance Premium Travel Bidet , which enables you to wash up down below at hotels and restrooms that have n't yet embraced this European hygiene fixture . It comes with two nozzles , two AA batteries and a sleek gray travel bag . sanicare.com , $ 40 . Sit back , relax , and slip on a Slanket . Not every flight has a blanket for every passenger and -- come to think of it -- no flights have blankets with sleeves . But fear not ! A petite , travel-size Slanket conquers both of those conundrums and costs $ 8 less than the original Slanket , which is intended primarily for couch use . theslanket.com , $ 25 . World 's Weirdest Hotels . Bedbugs beware . Available in two-ounce bottles easily taken on the go , Rest Easy 's all-natural bedbug spray claims it repels and kills bedbugs and bed mites . But we have to raise the issue : If you think you 're going to need to use this on your vacation , perhaps you should be staying at a different hotel . resteasy4bedbugs.com , $ 6 for two 2-ounce bottles . Peal protection . Bruised produce can be a bummer , but do n't let that stop you from traveling with your favorite delicate fruit . The plastic BananaBunker -- available in five colors and in one unmistakable shape -- safeguards snacks from getting banged around in your bag . Flexible and extendable , it can accommodate all but the largest bananas . bananabunker.com , $ 7 . Get the best travel deals and tips emailed to you FREE - CLICK HERE ! Copyright © 2010 Newsweek Budget Travel , Inc. , all rights reserved .
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BeltzBib hooks over the shoulder and catches any food that falls short of your mouth while driving . The GasBGon seat cushion is designed to muffle the sound and smell of breaking wind . The plastic BananaBunker safeguards snacks from getting banged around in your bag .
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Cairo , Egypt -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Egypt 's military dissolved the country 's Parliament and suspended its constitution Sunday following the ouster of longtime leader Hosni Mubarak , telling Egyptians it would be in charge for six months or until elections can be held . The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces said it would appoint a committee to propose changes to the Constitution , which would then be submitted to voters . The council will have the power to issue new laws during the transition period , according to a communique read on state television . Sameh Shoukry , Egypt 's ambassador to the United States , said Sunday that the generals have made restoring security and reviving the economy its top priorities . `` This current composition is basically a technocratic government to run the day-to-day affairs , to take care of the security void that has happened , and to also address the issues related to the economy , '' Shoukry told CNN 's `` Fareed Zakaria GPS . '' However , a leading opposition figure said Sunday that the military must explain its plans in more detail or see a resumption of the demonstrations that drove Mubarak from office . `` They need to come out of their headquarters and start talking to the people and tell us what is in store for us , '' ElBaradei told GPS . And a prominent Egyptian activist credited with helping spark the revolution warned against taking too long to establish a new representative government . `` Biggest mistake now is to give the Egyptian people too little too slow . Restoring confidence requires a faster pace , '' Wael Ghonim said on Twitter . Mubarak stepped down Friday after 18 days of protests against his nearly 30-year rule and is now in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh . The longtime president was himself a product of the military establishment that has ruled Egypt since the 1950s , but his abdication leaves a council of generals led by Defense Minister Hussein Tantawi in charge of the Arab world 's most populous nation . Sunday 's military communique said new elections would be held for both houses of Egypt 's Parliament as well as the presidency . Protesters had blasted the November parliamentary elections as fraudulent , and calls for their annulment were among the major demands before Mubarak 's ouster . In the meantime , government ministers are now reporting to the military high command in the same way they reported to Mubarak , Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq told reporters Sunday , in remarks that were carried live on state television . He said he was reviewing candidates to fill vacant government ministries , adding that no one who was not acceptable to the public would be appointed . Sunday marked the first workday since Mubarak 's ouster . For the first time since the uprising began January 25 , traffic flowed freely around Tahrir Square -- the epicenter of the protests -- and the majority of shops around the square were open . Some protesters remained in the square Sunday , vowing to keep protesting until Egypt is under civilian rule . The Egyptian junta now has to grapple with the economic problems that fueled the revolt , including massive youth unemployment and economic underdevelopment . The demonstrations virtually shut down Egypt 's economy , costing it vital tourism dollars as well . New protests at the headquarters of the National Bank of Egypt appear to have forced the ouster of that institution 's chairman , Tarek Amer , and two top deputies , who submitted their resignations on Sunday , according to an e-mail shared with CNN by a bank employee . The National Bank 's headquarters in Cairo continued to function during Sunday 's protests , with disgruntled staff taking turns to work and demonstrate . It was not clear whether the resignations have been accepted . However , Sunday evening , Egyptian state television announced banks would be shut down until Wednesday , and urged workers to consider the national interest . Bank workers complained that members of Mubarak 's family put their allies into positions of power at the bank with grossly inflated salaries . Cairo 's stock exchange will freeze transactions from former ministers and businessmen who are now under investigation when trading resumes Wednesday , the exchange 's chairman , Khaled Serri Siyam , announced in a statement on the government-run website EgyNews . Outside the Interior Ministry , hundreds of disgruntled police officers demanding higher wages , shorter hours , better benefits and more respect faced off with Egyptian troops . The police officers currently earn 500 Egyptian pounds -LRB- about $ 85 -RRB- a month -- a quarter of what army troops of comparable rank earn , they said -- and face imprisonment if they refuse to work unpaid overtime . Both low-ranking police officers and administrative staff joined in the protest . Mubarak 's ouster came three weeks after a similar revolt toppled longtime Tunisian strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali . And even as officials hash out the details of Egypt 's murky political future , public demands for change have rippled throughout the region . In Yemen 's capital Sanaa on Saturday , protesters chanted , `` Yesterday Tunisia , today Egypt -- tomorrow Yemen will open the prison . '' And in restive Algeria , anti-government protesters chanted , `` Change the power '' on Saturday . Security forces clashed with the crowds Saturday in Algiers and detained roughly 100 protesters , according to the opposition Algerian League for Human Rights . Shoukry said it was a `` matter of pride '' for Egyptians that their revolution was `` organized and peaceful , '' adding , `` Egypt has always been a trend-setter in this region . '' `` The region looks to us in many aspects , and I 'm sure also in this regard , many lessons will be learned , '' he said . CNN 's Ben Wedeman , Amir Ahmed , Nic Robertson , Arwa Damon , Hamdi Alkhshali , Ivan Watson , Joe Duran and Frederik Pleitgen and journalist Ian Lee contributed to this report .
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NEW : Banks are shuttered until Wednesday as protests force top banker 's resignation . NEW : ElBaradei urges generals to `` come out of their headquarters '' NEW : Stock exchange to freeze transactions from officials being investigated . Egypt 's ambassador says the military will run a `` technocratic '' government until elections .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Pakistani provincial court ruled Thursday that Raymond Davis , the CIA contractor accused of killing two Pakistani men , does not have diplomatic immunity . The court in Lahore was responding to a personal application that Davis filed last week asking that he be released from jail because he has diplomatic immunity . The court said Davis did n't enjoy diplomatic immunity because neither he nor the Pakistani government provided documents proving that he was a diplomat , according to Asad Manzoor Butt , a defense lawyer for the shooting victims . Davis has yet to be formally charged in the case . On March 14 , the Lahore High Court will take up the matter again when the federal government will submit its opinion on whether Davis enjoys immunity . On Thursday , the provincial court had been expected to read out charges against Davis . However , lawyers for the American told the court that they had not yet received all documents of alleged evidence against Davis . The court adjourned the case until Tuesday when additional documents will be provided to Davis ' legal team . The case has strained relations between the United States and Pakistan , a key ally in the war against al Qaeda and the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan , and the shooting deaths have outraged many Pakistanis . Davis has said the January 27 shooting occurred after two men attacked him as he drove through a busy Lahore neighborhood , according to the U.S. Embassy . U.S. officials originally said Davis was a diplomat and later revealed he is a CIA contractor , intensifying the already highly charged situation . From CNN 's Samson Desta and journalist Nasir Habib .
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NEW : The Lahore High Court will take up the matter on March 14 . U.S. officials originally say Raymond Davis was a diplomat and later revealed he is a CIA contractor . The court says neither Davis nor the Pakistani government provided documents proving that he was a diplomat .
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Rikuzen-Takata , Japan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- At a hospital in northeastern Japan , the remnants of lives stolen in seconds are scattered on each of its four floors . Metal beds are bent , I-V bags are filled with muddy water , and blood pressure monitors sit underneath splintered trees . But Takata Hospital nurse Fumiko Suzuki does n't just see the damage , she hears the haunted screams of the patients she could not save . `` The patients could n't walk , '' said Suzuki , recalling the moment the tsunami hit . `` I heard someone screaming , ` Auntie , I ca n't save you . I 'm sorry . ' Then she ran out of the room . '' Suzuki said a glance out of the window revealed a wave as high as the fourth floor . The nurse said she told the patient `` I 'm sorry '' as she raced up the stairs . `` If I tried to save this person who was lying on the bed , I would have lost my life as well , '' she said . Suzuki pauses , grief etched on her face . `` It is the biggest regret I have , '' she said of leaving patients behind . The tsunami following the 9.0-magnitude earthquake on March 11 engulfed every floor of the hospital just as Suzuki stepped onto the roof . At least 10,901 were killed nationwide . Of the 51 patients hospitalized , doctors and nurses could not move 12 and they drowned in their beds , said Mikihito Ishiki , a medical director at the hospital . One patient died as the hospital staff moved him to the roof while two more died on the frigid roof awaiting rescue . `` Ten of my staff also died with the patients , '' Ishiki said . The doctor lost his staff , his patients and the hospital he proudly called his home . His wife remains missing and is presumed dead . As soon as rescuers plucked the doctor from the engulfed building , he started working from a makeshift clinic on higher ground . The doctor 's composure cracks as he lifts a handwritten note from a satellite phone sitting in his clinic . `` Yokosawa is helping us from heaven , '' he reads , referring to a 60-year-old hospital administrator , Shigeru Yokosawa , set to retire in April . After the tsunami warning , Ishiki asked Yokosawa to find the satellite phone on the first floor of the hospital . Satellite phones are vital lines of communication after a natural disaster because phone lines are usually knocked out . Yokosawa got the phone and moments before a massive wave swallowed him , tossed it to a colleague , who ran to the roof . Seconds later , the tsunami engulfed the hospital . His sacrifice is part of the reason Ishiki wo n't leave this clinic , now fully operational and treating patients across Rikuzen-Takata . His fellow survivors tirelesslesly work along him . Suzuki , who brought her elderly and sick mother to the clinic , said the doctors and nurses ca n't feel guilty for surviving the disaster . `` When I hear that , '' she said , `` it breaks my heart . It 's a natural disaster . They want to save everyone , but in this situation , they ca n't . '' Suzuki said she is grateful to see familiar faces of her colleagues , and hope they realize they are making a difference in the present . She pushes her pain -- the loss of her home , her friends and her relatives -- to the back of her mind as she focuses on her patients . The town has given her not just a refuge from the pain , but donations of clothes for days she 's not wearing her nurse uniform . `` Whatever the situation , I will stay here . Talking with the patients will be my cure . I feel like I 'm not the one taking care of others , but the one being taken care of , '' she said .
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Doctors , nurses focus on caring for patients despite their losses . The medical director 's wife is missing , but he refuses to leave the hospital . `` It is the biggest regret I have , '' a nurse says of leaving patients behind . A March 11 tsunami kills doctors , patients at Takata Hospital .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A powerful family accused in what is considered the worst politically motivated killings in recent Philippine history has committed many other atrocities with impunity over two decades , a human rights group says . The Ampatuan family and its forces are `` one of the most powerful and abusive state-backed militias in the Philippines , '' says a new 96-page report released by Human Rights Watch , called `` They Own the People . '' The family 's `` many abuses '' include `` more than 50 incidences of killings , torture , sexual assault , and abductions and disappearances , '' according to the report . The executive secretary in the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo categorically denied the allegations leveled in the report , saying that the administration 's `` earnestness to promote , protect and fulfill human rights has always been clear , and not even the unceasing efforts of critics , including ill-prepared reports , will diminish or discredit it . '' Andal Ampatuan Jr. -- former mayor of Maguindanao province and the son of a former provincial governor -- is now on trial , accused of being the ringleader in the political massacre in Maguindanao . Ampatuan and his family have denied wrongdoing . Dozens of people in a convoy were ambushed on November 23 , 2009 , and their bodies were buried in a mass grave . The wife and sister of a political rival of Ampatuan 's and 30 journalists were among the victims . There are 196 accused , about 500 witnesses and more than 11,000 murder charges involved in the massacre case , which is expected to take years . `` In addition to the 58 killed in the Maguindanao massacre , the family is implicated over the years in the killing of at least 56 people , including relatives of opposition politicians , landowners who resisted forced acquisition of their property , eyewitnesses to Ampatuan crimes , including their own militia members , and even children , '' the rights group 's report says . Human Rights Watch said it interviewed approximately 50 victims of abuses , their family members and friends , and witnesses , in producing the report . `` Despite an initial flurry of activity after the November 23 killings , including some arrests , 126 suspects remain at large and the government 's prosecution remains woefully slow and limited , '' the report says . `` Senior police and military officers who failed to act upon knowledge of Ampatuan crimes have not been investigated ; investigations into the source of the family 's weapons have lacked transparency and independence ; and the national institutions responsible for accountability -- the Justice Department , the Ombudsman 's Office , and the Commission on Human Rights -- have done nothing significant to address the situation . '' `` One year after the Maguindanao massacre , the Ampatuans remain a powerful and dangerous force with which to be reckoned . For more than two decades , the Ampatuans operated unchecked by the national police , the military , and the Department of Justice , which have not only failed to seriously investigate crimes allegedly committed by the family 's militia , but have even armed and worked alongside its members . '' In the Human Rights Watch report , authorities appeared stymied . `` What can we do ? This is an influential family , '' a police officer told the rights group . The Philippine government did not immediately respond to CNN 's phone and e-mail requests for comment , but a spokesman for the administration of President Benigno Aquino sent a text message to The New York Times . `` We 're working on it . The Ampatuan case is being tried , the prosecution is serious . We 're quietly laying the groundwork for dismantling private armies , but some cases are harder to fix than others , '' wrote spokesman Ricky Carandang , according to the Times . Also , General Eduardo Ermita , the former executive secretary of the Arroyo administration , disputed the report 's contention that his government was slow to prosecute the perpetrators . `` Within days , more than a hundred people were apprehended and charged , including members of the Ampatuan family , not even sparing the patriarch Andal Sr. and his sons Andal Jr. and Zaldy who has since been relieved as ARMM governor . And the trial goes on to this day . '' He also challenged Human Rights Watch to present evidence to back the allegation that the military armed the Ampatuans . `` For all intents and purposes , this allegation must be addressed if only to spare the armed forces from being unnecessarily suspected of wrong-doing , better yet to come their self-defense , '' he said . The 2009 political massacre shocked people even in a country that is familiar with election violence . The trial of Ampatuan Jr. and his alleged accomplices has been delayed repeatedly , most recently because of a defense request for more preparation time . The delays have prompted outcries against the political influence of the Ampatuan family . They have ruled Maguindanao for two decades . Maguindanao is part of an autonomous region in predominantly Muslim Mindanao , which was set up in the 1990s to quell armed uprisings by people seeking an independent Muslim homeland in the predominantly Christian Asian nation .
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The Ampatuan family is implicated in a 2009 political massacre . The crimes are considered the worst politically motivated killings in recent Philippine history . Dozens of people were ambushed , their bodies buried in a mass grave .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Afghanistan is seeing higher levels of violence this year than last year at this time , with 20 % more civilians killed and the number of `` security incidents '' up by 66 % , the United Nations says in a new report . The number of civilians killed by the United States and its allies was lower , but insurgent attacks are significantly higher , meaning the overall number of civilian deaths is up . More than 2,400 civilians were killed , and more than 3,800 injured in the first 10 months of this year , the report says . More than three out of four of the casualties were caused by `` anti-government elements , '' it says . That 's a 25 percent increase on last year , it said . Deaths caused by U.S. troops and their allies were down 18 percent . `` Assassinations '' of civilians and police reached `` unprecedented numbers '' in August , and there were an average of three suicide attacks per week , the U.N. said in its quarterly report . The United Nations report , which was finalized December 10 , also tracked widespread kidnapping of aid workers . A total of 134 were abducted between June and the end of October , the U.N. said . Most were freed quickly , but one Afghan was killed by his captors , the world body said . A British aid worker was also killed this year by U.S. special forces trying to rescue her from kidnappers . Linda Norgrove , 36 , was killed by an American grenade thrown by a rescuer who did not realize she was there . U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal , who was the top international military commander in Afghanistan until he was fired in June , urged his troops to avoid civilian casualties in order to avoid making enemies of the population . `` It is better to miss a target than to cause civilian casualties , '' McChrystal said in December 2009 . `` We can always target enemy leaders later . We ca n't make up for the fact that we killed civilians . '' But there continued to be high-profile incidents , including one where 23 civilians were killed in a NATO airstrike in February . McChrystal personally apologized to Afghanistan 's President Hamid Karzai for those killings and ordered an investigation . It concluded that troops needed more training . McChrystal 's dismissal was not related to the incident . He was fired over disrespectful comments his inner circle made about top White House officials in a profile of the general in Rolling Stone magazine . The United Nations report was prepared for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon .
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NEW : Three out of four civilians casualties are caused by insurgents . More than 2,400 civilians are killed and more than 3,800 injured this year . The U.S. and its allies are killing fewer , but insurgents are killing more .
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London -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- British Airways cabin crew members voted overwhelmingly Friday to go on strike -- again . Nearly 79 percent of crew members , who are represented by the union Unite , backed the move . They did not indicate when the strike would occur . BA 's cabin crew employees , embroiled in an ongoing wage dispute , have now voted to go on strike four times in the past 13 months , according to Len McCluskey , the incoming union chief . `` Surely BA management must now wake up and listen to the voice of its skilled and dedicated employees , '' McCluskey said . `` This dispute will be resolved by negotiation , not litigation or confrontation , and it is to negotiation that BA management should now apply itself . We are ready . '' BA released a statement noting that only 43 percent of its 13,500 crew members had backed a new strike . The statement also claimed Unite has lost 2,500 crew members since the pay dispute started . `` We urge Unite to return to the deal we negotiated , which guarantees pay rises for the next two years and secures terms and conditions for our existing crew that are the best in the UK industry , '' the statement read . `` This U-turn reflected the union 's deep-seated internal divisions -LRB- and its -RRB- dysfunctional relationship with its crew branch . ... It is time for Unite to listen to the majority of crew and to its members in other parts of the airline , who want an end to this dispute . '' British Airways is currently in the process of completing a merger with Spanish airline Iberia .
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The union representing cabin crew members on British Airways has voted to go on strike . The union has voted to go on strike four times in the past 13 months . BA crew members are involved in a lengthy dispute over wages .
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London , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A British judge opened a detailed investigation Monday into the killing of 52 people in suicide bombings on London underground trains and a bus on July 7 , 2005 . Justice Heather Hallett is probing whether the secret service or police could have prevented the attacks , which were carried out by British-born bombers backed by al Qaeda . It 's not clear whether MI5 officials will testify in public or in private . Hallett said Monday she had not decided whether it was within her powers or in the interests of justice to hold closed-door hearings . Five potential witnesses have requested anonymity , she said . She is expected to spend about six months on the investigation , which will also examine the emergency services ' response to the blasts that threw London into chaos during the morning rush hour . She will probe whether emergency responders were influenced by the fear of secondary explosions , and sophisticated computer models will show what injuries victims would have suffered based on where they were sitting in relation to the bombs . The investigation will hear from relatives of the victims , survivors , London Underground staff , police , and emergency services personnel . The probe -- known formally as a coroner 's inquest -- follows criminal and parliamentary investigations , and could not begin until the police investigation was complete . Two of the bombers , including ringleader Mohammed Sidique Khan , were trailed by security services for a year before the attacks , according to a report released last year by the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee -LRB- ISC -RRB- . Entitled `` Could 7/7 have been prevented ? '' the report said that domestic intelligence service MI5 considered Khan a `` small time fraudster '' and `` minor criminal '' and did not link him to potential attacks within the U.K. at that time . John Reid , the home secretary at the time of the attacks , said the four bombers -- three British males of Pakistani descent and a Jamaican-born man -- were young `` radicalized '' Muslims whose motivation was `` fierce antagonism to perceived injustices by the West against Muslims '' and a desire to become martyrs . CNN 's Andrew Carey contributed to this report .
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The inquiry will look into the emergency services ' response . 52 people died in suicide bombings on London Underground trains and a bus . Justice Heather Hallett will spend about six months on the investigation .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The athletic young man who arrived in Dr. Deepak Chopra 's classroom last month for a course in leadership was impeccably dressed in a hunting jacket , polite and unassuming . `` He said he was in the investment business , '' the wellness guru told CNN in a telephone interview . `` He did not say , ` I 'm from Libya . ' He said , ` I 'm from North Africa , ' or words to that effect . '' But Chopra knew who he was and where he was from . `` We had been informed by the State Department that he was going to be there , that he did n't want to use his official name and we should respect that . So , he introduced himself with his name , but he did n't use the name Gadhafi . '' His name was Khamis , the 27-year-old scion of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi who was in the third week of an `` internship '' that took him across the country to hone his leadership skills . Asked to list his hobbies , Khamis Gaddhafi said , `` Adventure and horses . '' Someone with knowledge of his program told CNN his 36-day planned internship began in Houston on January 21 , when he was to meet with officials from AECOM , the global engineering and design company that sponsored the program . That weekend 's options included a 236-mile flight to Hondo , Texas , for hunting at Lonesome Deer Ranch with a return flight arriving in Houston in time for dinner at Capital Grille , a high-end steakhouse . The next day 's classes in leadership and program management were to be followed by a visit to the Johnson Space Center , a class in traffic and emergency management and a `` business dinner '' at Willie G 's , a steakhouse and seafood place . The week included a visit to the Port of Houston . An official told CNN in a statement that it had granted a request to meet with Gadhafi during his internship associated with his pursuit of an MBA . `` During his visit , he toured several Port Authority facilities and received briefings on trade relations , '' the statement said . Visits with oil company and other business executives were scheduled around lunch at the Coronado Club , which describes itself as `` a bastion of strength and financial solidity in Houston 's downtown business district . '' On January 29 , Gadhafi was scheduled to travel to Los Angeles , where he was to receive a VIP tour of Universal Studios , meet with Silicon Valley and other business leaders there and in San Francisco and then travel to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs , Colorado . Academy spokesman John Van Winkle told CNN that Gadhafi was given `` a standard tour '' during his visit on February 7 . The next morning , he was slated to fly to Chicago for more training with AECOM lawyers on such topics as `` global contract management '' and `` foreign corrupt practices training . '' It was in Chicago that he attended Chopra 's three-day leadership class at the Kellogg School of Business . The author of `` The Soul of Leadership , '' who has advised CNN management , noted to the class the turmoil faced by then-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak . `` We were analyzing in the class why Mubarak was going through this and why it would have a ripple effect . He -LRB- Gadhafi -RRB- was taking notes extensively . '' Chopra added , `` I purposely did n't mention his dad because I thought it would be impolite . '' After the class , when Gadhafi and a traveling companion , also from Libya , invited their teacher to visit Libya and meet Gadhafi 's father , Chopra said he was tempted to accept . `` I said , ` Wow , these guys are really interested in spirituality . ' '' Gadhafi next traveled to Washington , where he met with defense contractors , including representatives of Northrop Grumman . A spokesman for the company , Randy Belote , confirmed that the meetings took place . But , citing company policy , he would not comment on them . National War College spokesman Dave Thomas said Khamis Gadhafi visited there accompanied by a State Department representative , meeting with faculty and deans . Tactics were not discussed , though the `` structure of military education '' was , Thomas said . On February 16 , a day after unrest erupted in his country , Gadhafi traveled to New York for more meetings and meals with business leaders . New York Stock Exchange spokesman Richard Adamonis confirmed that Gadhafi visited the exchange as part of a group on February 17 . `` Neither he nor the group in question were part of a bell ring , simply a basic tour of the trading floor for the group , '' Adamonis said . But later that day , he cut short his internship -- missing out on a planned tour of West Point , his choice of the Broadway shows `` Mamma Mia '' or `` Jersey Boys '' and a final leg to Boston for meetings with professors at Harvard University . Instead , he returned to Libya to lead the 32nd Reinforced Brigade against rebel forces . On Tuesday , State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the department had not approved any of the meetings . `` There was nothing , in fact , for the State Department to sign off on , '' he told reporters . `` This was a private i nternship . We were aware of his itinerary , but that was the extent of it . And our role was limited to meeting him upon his arrival at the airport , which is not unusual in these kinds of situations . '' Paul Gennaro , the senior vice president and chief communications officer for AECOM , issued a statement saying , `` The educational internship , which consisted of publicly available information , was aligned with our efforts to improve quality of life , specifically in Libya , where we were advancing public infrastructure such as access to clean water ; quality housing ; safe and efficient roads and bridges ; reliable and affordable energy ; and related projects that create jobs and opportunity . '' Gennaro said the company was `` shocked and outraged '' to learn of the young Libyan 's role in his country 's crisis . `` We were aware of the student 's family relationship , but we were not informed of any military connection whatsoever , '' he said . It was the company 's understanding that Khamis was an MBA student from a university in Spain , he said . Since 2008 , AECOM has been involved in a multibillion-dollar initiative with Libya to modernize the country 's infrastructure . The company withdrew its expatriate employees and their families from Libya this month . The joint project to train Libyan engineers to build and maintain homes , roads and water systems is on hold , he said . Vice Adm. William Gortney of the Joint Staff on Monday described the brigade led by Khamis Gadhafi as `` one of the most active in terms of attacking innocent people . '' Libya 's state TV on Monday night broadcast live footage from Gadhafi 's Tripoli compound of the former intern dressed in uniform and greeting people . The world events soon changed Chopra 's mind about visiting his former student in Libya . `` I believe he is killing people . I mean , it 's bizarre . The whole thing is bizarre . After attending a course on consciousness , he goes and leads troops . '' He added , `` Why was he in my course ? I have no idea . '' CNN 's Pam Benson and Brian Todd contributed to this story .
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`` After attending a course on consciousness , he goes and leads troops , '' says Deepak Chopra . `` Why was he in my course ? I have no idea . '' Khamis Gadhafi was visiting U.S. military schools and weapons makers . Youngest son runs elite special forces .
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Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Angry members of Congress questioned top administration officials Wednesday on why they were n't asked to authorize President Barack Obama 's decision to commit U.S. forces to the Libya military mission . The question dominated a classified briefing by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates for the U.S. House , according to House members who attended . A separate briefing for the Senate occured shortly afterward . Other issues raised by the legislators included whether the United States intended to arm the Libyan rebels , and the cost of the mission to U.S. taxpayers , participants told CNN . Clinton and Gates made clear that no decision had been made on arming the rebels , with Congress members from both parties saying they believed it would be a bad idea , according to participants . `` I strongly oppose arming rebels because in that complex tribal patchwork that makes up this insurgency , it is very uncoordinated , '' Republican Rep. Geoff Davis of Kentucky told CNN , adding that Islamic radicals were joining the Libyan opposition . Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said he wanted to help the rebels , but not with arms . Instead , he called for aerial bombardment of Gadhafi and his inner circle in Tripoli , the Libyan capital , which Graham said would have more impact than sanctions and seizing overseas assets . `` What they would worry about is having their compounds bombed by the most capable air force in the world , '' Graham told CNN . On congressional authorization , the White House has said Obama acted within his authority under the War Powers Act , noting that the president and other officials consulted congressional leaders several times in the run-up to the March 19 deployment of U.S. forces to the U.N.-authorized Libya mission . After Wednesday 's briefing , legislators said Clinton told them the administration acted within the requirements of the War Powers Act and needed no congressional authorization for further decisions on the mission . Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York called Clinton 's response inadequate . `` Briefing Congress is not the same as authorization , '' Nadler told reporters . `` Briefing is nice , but authorization is required under the law . '' Other legislators expressed frustration . `` I ca n't think of a time in our nation 's history where we put our men and women in combat like this without an administration of either party coming to the Congress first , '' said Republican Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon . He repeated a GOP criticism that the administration worked harder to get NATO and Arab League backing for the Libya mission than congressional support . `` If they had time to consult with the Arab League and they had time to consult with NATO , why in the devil did n't they have time to consult with us ? '' Walden said . Davis said the briefing made clear that Congress should n't expect to be asked for authorization in the future . `` The implication was very strong that they saw no need for any authorization at any time regardless of how long this were to continue , '' Davis said . Democratic Rep. Norm Dicks , D-Washington , conceded that Congress is rarely satisfied with how any administration consults on such important issues . `` You 'll never hear a congressman say they 've had enough consultation , '' Dicks said . He offered some details from the briefing , saying he expected Obama and Gates to use money already budgeted to the Department of Defense this year instead of seeking supplemental funding that would require congressional approval . `` That would be an easier way to do it , '' Dicks said . `` If he has to get money through -LRB- with a supplemental measure -RRB- , that would set off a lot of debate . '' Dicks also said the mission had cost about $ 550 million so far , mostly due to the U.S. Tomahawk missiles fired and the loss of one jet fighter . The continuing cost would be about $ 40 million a month , he said . Nadler said Gates convinced him that a massacre in Libya was imminent before the U.S.-led coalition launched airstrikes to enforce a no-fly zone and prevent Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi 's forces from attacking the rebel stronghold of Benghazi . `` There was considerable evidence '' of a pending slaughter , Nadler said . `` That was answered to me satisfactorily . '' Nadler also said Gates and Clinton made clear there would be no U.S. ground forces involved in the Libya conflict . Asked if Congress supports the mission , Nadler said he thinks there is `` considerable '' support for finishing it now that it 's started , but `` that support will erode if it takes a while . '' CNN 's Xuan Thai , Dana Bash , Deirdre Walsh , Ted Barrett and Tom Cohen contributed to this report .
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NEW : Congress members oppose sending arms to Libyan rebels . Clinton , Gates give classified briefings to Congress . Members challenge the administration on the need for congressional authorization . Rep. Nadler : Gates convinced him a slaughter in Libya was imminent .
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Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. government announced Friday that it will impose sanctions against the regime of Col. Moammar Gadhafi -- part of a series of measures designed to isolate the Libyan regime and loosen the dictator 's grip on power . The American embassy in Libya suspended operations for security reasons , though State Department officials stressed that diplomatic ties were not suspended and channels for discussion remained open . `` The flag is still flying . The embassy is not closed . Operations are suspended . Relations are not broken , '' Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy told reporters . State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Janet Sanderson reiterated at the same briefing that Libya 's Embassy in Washington is still `` up and running , '' and the department has not been informed of any change in the status of Libya 's ambassador to the United States . `` We still continue to reach out to the Libyans where appropriate , both directly and through third parties , '' Sanderson said . Kennedy said all American official employees were withdrawn from the embassy Friday , and only Libyan employees are `` still on the payroll ' and still working there . These remaining employees are not authorized to conduct any U.S. government business , he said . Local and national security guards remain at the embassy , Kennedy said , but he would not discuss what measures if any are being taken to secure documents and the like inside the embassy . `` But I can assure you that there is nothing left behind that could be compromised , '' he said . American operations at the embassy will resume when the security situation permits it , Kennedy said . In addition to pushing both unilateral and multilateral sanctions , Washington will use the `` full extent '' of its intelligence capabilities to monitor Gadhafi 's regime and gather evidence of atrocities committed against the Libyan people , White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said . Steps were also taken to ensure that top Gadhafi officials do n't steal Libyan financial assets in what may be their final days in power . The Treasury Department advised banks to monitor accounts held by the regime 's key political figures and to report financial transactions `` that could potentially represent misappropriated or diverted state assets , '' according to a government statement . Gadhafi 's `` legitimacy has been reduced to zero in the eyes '' of the Libyan people , Carney told reporters . `` The status quo is neither tenable nor acceptable . '' The point of U.S. action -- particularly the sanctions -- is to `` make it clear that the regime has to stop its abuses '' and end the bloodshed , Carney said . Reports from Libya suggest that possibly hundreds of protesters have been killed . Washington also announced the suspension of all military cooperation with Libya , reversing a course of action taken after Gadhafi 's government ended its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction . Obama will meet with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Washington on Monday to discuss the full range of diplomatic , legal and other steps that may be taken to bring a halt to the violence , Carney said . The new steps against Gadhafi 's government were announced less than an hour after a flight chartered by the U.S. government departed Tripoli for Istanbul . The flight carried personnel from the U.S. embassy and other American citizens . Earlier , a ferry chartered by U.S. authorities carried roughly 300 people to Malta . As U.S. citizens continued to flee the spreading unrest , clashes between Libyan security forces and protesters were reported in Tripoli , which has been a Gadhafi stronghold . Eastern Libya appeared to be largely in the hands of anti-government forces . Obama spoke Thursday with the leaders of France , Italy and the United Kingdom on coordinating an international response to the crisis in the north African nation . In separate phone conversations with French President Nicolas Sarkozy , Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and British Prime Minister David Cameron , Obama `` expressed his deep concern with the Libyan government 's use of violence which violates international norms and every standard of human decency , and discussed appropriate and effective ways for the international community to immediately respond , '' a White House statement noted . While some critics say the Obama administration has been slow to react to the deteriorating situation in Libya , the statement said Thursday 's discussions were to `` coordinate our urgent efforts to respond to developments and ensure that there is appropriate accountability . '' On Friday , Obama discussed the Libyan crisis with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan . Earlier in the week , Obama strongly condemned the use of violence against protesters in Libya and said a unified international response was forming . `` The suffering and bloodshed is outrageous , and it is unacceptable , '' he said . `` This violence must stop . '' CNN 's Alan Silverleib and Laurie Ure contibuted to this report .
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NEW : U.S. will reach out to Libya `` where appropriate , '' State Department official says . The U.S. government is imposing sanctions against Libya and has suspended embassy operations . U.S.-chartered ferry with around 300 people completes trip from Libya to Malta . The U.S. Treasury Department advises banks to report unusual Libyan financial transactions .
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New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Police say human remains found on a New York beach are not those of a missing woman whose search led authorities to the discovery of four dead prostitutes . `` The remains found off Ocean Parkway , west of Cedar Beach , on March 29 have been determined to not be those of Shannan Gilbert , '' Suffolk County police said in a statement Thursday . It is not clear to whom the remains belong . Gilbert , 24 , of Jersey City , New Jersey , was last seen alive on May 1 . As authorities searched for clues about her disappearance last year , they uncovered the bodies of four women in various stages of decomposition . The bodies were stuffed into bushes along an isolated strip of waterfront property on Long Island , New York . Police say they are `` continuing the investigation of the remains found on March 29 as well as the investigation of the deaths of four women found off Ocean Parkway in December 2010 . '' The four bodies were discovered on a quarter-mile stretch of Oak Beach , `` which indicates they were dumped there by the same person or persons , '' Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer said in December . `` It 's too coincidental that there were four bodies in the same location . '' He said police could be dealing with a serial killer . The remains of the fifth body were found about a mile from where the other corpses were discovered , Dormer said . `` There may be clues available now with this body that will help the homicide investigation and will help it move forward , '' he added . The four bodies have since been identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes , 25 , of Norwich , Connecticut ; Melissa Barthelemy , 24 , of Erie County , New York ; Amber Lynn Costello , 27 , of North Babylon , New York ; and Megan Waterman , 22 , of Scarborough , Maine . All four of the women advertised for prostitution services on the Craigslist website , police said . At least one body could have been there for as long as two years , Dormer added .
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Shannan Gilbert , 24 , of Jersey City , New Jersey , was last seen alive on May 1 . It is not clear to whom the remains belong . Discovery of the remains last year led authorities to other bodies . Police say they could be dealing with a serial killer .
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Los Angeles -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Michael Kepler Meo is n't nervous . As befits a singer playing a principal role in a major opera production , he suffers the last-minute adjustments to makeup , hair and wardrobe . Then finally he is left alone to prepare for this night 's performance of Benjamin Britten 's `` The Turn of the Screw . '' Alone except for his mother . Michael Kepler Meo is just 12 years old . `` It 's really fun to sing , '' the ` tween confides , as he runs through a series of scales and brief snatches of the music that he will soon be performing on stage . His voice is high , crisp and crystal clear . A boy soprano . And behind the voice is a power and control that seem almost alien in one so young . Los Angeles Opera Music Director James Conlon briefly peeks into the dressing room to wish young Meo good luck . `` Places please ... '' echoes through the dressing rooms and sends Meo scurrying through a maze of backstage cables to the massive turntable stage that will soon deliver him to the spotlight . Michael 's professional singing career began just a couple of years ago . He had been singing in a boys ' choir in his native Portland , Oregon . It was one activity among many along with soccer and learning guitar . The Portland Opera company was holding auditions for `` The Turn of the Screw '' and Michael 's choirmaster suggested he give it a try . `` I had a very vague idea even what opera was , '' Michael remembers , `` All I got was the version I got in school of the fat lady singing . '' Michael won the role of Miles , a troubled boy threatened by menacing ghosts in a rambling English country home . It is a pivotal role in the production . He also starred in the premier performance of `` The Golden Ticket , '' an operatic version of `` Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . '' Conlon says only a handful of boys are capable of taking on operatic roles . `` You have to find somebody whose voice is strong enough , and somebody who can sing at all levels with a very focused tone . And Michael fits all of those characteristics . '' `` He was always making goofy noises all the time , from the time he was a toddler , '' says Michael 's mother , Trudy Meo . Meo says she is n't sure where Michael came by his musical talent . `` I 'm not musical at all , '' she says , `` When he sings I 'm almost useless in helping him . '' An opera career has meant occasional separations from the rest of his family , as Michael and his mom travel the opera circuit . `` I do n't have too much contact with kids my age , '' Michael says . `` I 'm always working with adults ... I miss that a little . But I think it 's worth it . '' Michael works hard in rehearsals , enjoys the performances and loves the applause . `` He is lucky that he found something that he is so good at at so young an age , '' says his mom . By almost any measure , Michael 's rise in the world of opera has been meteoric . As soon as his role in `` The Turn of the Screw '' ends in Los Angeles , he 's off to New York and a New York City Opera production of `` Séance on a Wet Afternoon . '' But how long can it last ? It wo n't be long before the boy soprano 's voice changes . What then ? It will be a challenge , but , `` It may be better , '' Michael says . `` In opera you can sing even if you are old . '' And Michael is already thinking about a whole new world of roles he could sing as an adult .
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Michael Kepler Meo , 12 , performs pivotal role in `` The Turn of the Screw '' He plays a troubled boy threatened by menacing ghosts in English country home . L.A. Opera director : Only handful of boys have voices strong enough for opera . Meo also had role in an operatic version of `` Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ''
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Aboard A U.S. Military Aircraft -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates stepped out of a helicopter at Amman Airport in Jordan . He smiled at his staff and the cameras , raised his hands and said , `` Let 's go home . '' Moments later , the `` Doomsday Plane , '' his link to the Pentagon and the White House from wherever he is in the world , rolled down the tarmac and climbed into a sunny sky . The 67-year-old secretary is on his way out of government after serving eight presidents , but he has n't announced a departure date yet other than saying it will be this year . And these regular trips are intensive , long days for the former career intelligence professional -- walking the beat , embracing allies , bolstering morale and getting his own fix on the troubles of the day . Gates ended his latest overseas jaunt -- a six-day trip to Russia and the Middle East -- by traveling by helicopter from Amman Airport to Jordan 's Royal Palace for a private , no-cameras-allowed meeting with King Abdullah . He said privately , according to aides , what he had been saying publicly on the trip -- that the upheaval across the Middle East was serving up challenges and opportunities , and the key was to sort them out . Overshadowing his stops in Russia , Egypt and Israel was the U.S. and coalition military operation over Libya . He delayed his planned departure on this trip for a day at the start of the air attacks . While in Russia , he found himself in the middle of a political dispute over the Libyan mission . Aides informed him when a U.S. fighter jet and two aviators went down and were rescued near Benghazi . He was briefed on every development as the U.S. Air Force and Navy led the airstrikes . And while many on his plane dozed or ate their meatloaf and mashed potatoes on the flight back to Washington on Friday , Gates was linked to the White House and a National Security Council conference call for the latest deliberations on the military , diplomatic and political calculus of enforcing the Libyan mission . Gates will make appearances on the Sunday talk show circuit and visit Capitol Hill in the coming days to offer public and private explanations of how the U.S. military performed . And perhaps he also will speak about his view of the future . But on the trip , in public statements , and in talking to traveling and local journalists , he was careful and diplomatic . He dispensed with each question about `` the endgame '' of the Libyan missions by saying the goals are clear : creation and enforcement of the no-fly zone and protection of Libyan civilians . About targeting Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi , about working in concert with Libyan rebels , about the risk of a military stalemate , Gates would n't bite , saying the future there is for the Libyans themselves to decide . Gates told America 's Middle East allies that Washington stands by them . In Cairo , he repeated his praise for the Egyptian military for keeping that country from going over the brink in the mass protests that toppled President Hosni Mubarak just last month . He arrived in Israel just after a bus stop bombing in Jerusalem and continuing rocket attacks in the south . Gates repeated the standard line that the U.S. commitment was unshakeable and used the code words for continued aid , saying that the United States would ensure Israel 's qualitative military edge . On his last day , he moved briskly from photo-op to meetings . The first stop was the old Roman town of Caesarea , a luxury hotel where guests gawked at the motorcade and the heavily armed , plain-clothes Israeli agents standing watch . Inside , Gates met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who promised that the recent terrorism would be answered with what he called `` great force and great determination to put a stop to it . '' And there was also mention of the elusive goal of a peace agreement , with Netanyahu adding , `` we seek to establish security for the establishment of peace . '' Gates offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the terror attack and those enduring the rocket attacks in southern Israel . Next stop for Gates , after a wild convoy ride through Israeli traffic , was the West Bank , and a reminder of how many administrations have tried and failed to nudge the sides toward Mideast peace . Now in an armored SUV , he crossed over to newly constructed Palestinian Authority offices in Ramallah . In the diplomatic game , where symbols can substitute for substance , Gates acknowledged that his presence alone made history . `` I understand I 'm the first American secretary of defense to visit Ramallah , '' Gates told the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad . At the end of his remarks before the assembled media , before a 50-minute closed-door meeting , Gates added that he looked forward to discussing the central -- but elusive -- element of U.S. peace proposals for Israel and the Palestinians , a two-state solution . Later , in Ramallah , crowds of people leaving a mosque at the end of Friday prayers watched the Gates convoy glide past , as the secretary raced on to his next meeting and on to Washington .
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Robert Gates recently completed a six-day trip abroad . He is due to step down at some point this year . He has served eight presidents over his career .
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London -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Prince William and Kate Middleton will go on a royal tour of Canada in June and July , his office announced Wednesday . It will be the first official foreign trip for the couple after they marry in April . They will visit Alberta , the Northwest Territories , Prince Edward Island , Quebec and the National Capital Region between June 30 and July 8 , Clarence House said . Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper had extended the invitation for the tour upon hearing of the couple 's engagement . `` Canada is delighted that Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton will be travelling to Canada as they embark on their first overseas tour as a married couple . '' Harper said . `` Canada looks forward to welcoming the young couple this summer and providing them with all that our country has to offer -- including , of course , the special hospitality and warmth reserved for members of the Royal Family . '' Canada is seen as a safe bet for a royal debut as a married couple . Queen Elizabeth II , William 's grandmother , remarked on her trip to Canada last year that for the royals , the country is a `` home away from home . '' William is second in line to the British throne . The timing of the visit means they will not be attending the wedding of Prince Albert of Monaco on July 2 . CNN 's Paula Newton contributed to this report .
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The trip is the first to be announced for after the couple marries in April . They 'll travel across much of Canada over the course of nine days .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The English Premier League -LRB- EPL -RRB- have confirmed they will vehemently oppose a new move by a supporters ' association to bring back standing at football matches . Following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster , when 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death on terracing , it was made law in England for all top-flight stadiums to be made all-seater -- although terraces are still common place in the lower divisions . However , many supporters believe that the banning of standing up at football grounds has resulted in the atmosphere becoming diluted -- prompting the 180,000-member Football Supporters ' Federation -LRB- FSF -RRB- to launch an online petition calling for the return of standing areas in the top division . Speaking to the official English Premier League website , EPL spokesman Dan Johnson said : `` Our view is that the benefits of all-seater stadia far outweigh the return of standing areas . `` They have led to more women and children attending the games and , no matter how safe standiing can be made , seating is always safer . We will not be encouraging the Government to change the law , '' he added . The FSF held a meeting on Monday with representatives from the police , the Government and footballing authorities , with their chairman Malcolm Clarke arguing that many fans still stand up despite having a seat . However , British Sport 's Minister Hugh Robertson told the meeting : `` Should we return to terracing , then the first time there is any significant crowd trouble , or an accident , the minister 's head would be on a spike at Tower Bridge before he could draft a resignation letter ! '' The FSF has cited the German Bundesliga , where terraces are widespread , resulting in packed stadia and cheaper tickets , as a good example of how standing can be safer at matches . Standing is also still very much evident in Argentina and Brazil , where the most fervent supporters adorn their own respective terraces in club colours , making for a noisy , passionate , and at times , intimidating atmosphere .
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The English Premier League oppose a petition to bring back standing at matches . The Football Supporters ' Federation want to see terracing return to top flight games . The 1989 Hillsborough disaster resulted in all-seater stadia being made compulsory .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Barack Obama urged the disputed leader of Ivory Coast to step down to prevent more violence as the nation grapples with postelection clashes that have left hundreds dead . `` Last year 's election was free and fair , and President Alassane Ouattara is the democratically elected leader of the nation , '' Obama said in a video message late Friday . The west African nation has been embroiled in a political stalemate since incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down after November elections . Election officials and the international community consider Ouattara the rightful winner of the poll . Obama warned that if Gbagbo does not step down , it will lead to `` more violence , more innocent civilians being wounded and killed , and more diplomatic and economic isolation . '' Postelection clashes have left at least 462 dead since December , according to the United Nations . Escalated violence and fears of war have forced nearly 1 million residents to flee the commercial capital , the U.N. refugee agency said Friday , with scores more uprooted across the country . `` The massive displacement in Abidjan and elsewhere is being fueled by fears of all-out war , '' said Melissa Fleming , a spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees . Clashes have raged since late last year , and analysts fear the country is on the brink of a civil war . The nation was once one of Africa 's success stories , but a 2002 civil war plunged it into political instability . `` You have a proud past from gaining your independence to overcoming civil war , now you have the opportunity to realize your future , '' Obama said . Ivorians deserve leaders who can restore their rightful place in the world , the president said . Obama 's message comes after the U.N. Security Council discussed a draft resolution introduced by France and Nigeria on a weapons ban in Abidjan . It also calls for sanctions against Gbagbo and his inner circle . Numerous attempts to resolve the political stalemate have failed because Gbagbo has refused to cede power , said Gerard Araud , the French ambassador to the United Nations . CNN 's Faith Karimi and Moni Basu contributed to this report .
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U.S. recognizes Alassane Ouattara as leader , Obama says . The president urges incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo to cede power . Gbagbo risks more isolation if he does not step down , Obama says .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- For days , the wounded just kept coming to the 60-bed central hospital in Misrata , a city under siege from forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi . But there were no empty beds , no electricity -- only generator power . No anesthesia or painkillers . A doctor said 109 people have died in Misrata over the past week . Six were killed Thursday by Gadhafi 's rooftop snipers -- unseen but too often precise . More than 1,300 others have been wounded since the protests erupted in the western city last month . People flooded the hospital , wounded in war that has raged between the opposition and Gadhafi 's forces . The strongman 's tanks have been pounding the city and bombs fell Thursday near the hospital , the doctor said . Residents reported a reprieve after coalition airstrikes targeted the Libyan military . But rooftop snipers kept taking aim . And the doctors kept doing their work . They treated patients in corridors , and operated on them even without anesthesia . They sent people with what the doctor called lesser injuries home to recuperate -- including people whose legs and arms were amputated . `` We do n't have the space , '' he said , the weariness in his voice apparent even on a poor phone connection from Libya . Snipers surrounded the hospital , he said . Thursday , patients were to a clinic . But the injured in the city could no longer seek help at the hospital . The snipers were shooting at the ambulances . The coalition began airstrikes last Saturday and has been able to establish a no-fly zone that spans from east to west along Libya 's coastline . But Gadhafi 's forces are far from defeated . They camped on the periphery of Misrata , trying to wrest it from opposition control , and leaving its people , including those at the central hospital , in a dire situation .
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A doctor tells CNN that 109 people were killed in Misrata over the past week . More than 1,300 people have been wounded . The hospital only has 60 beds and doctors are operating in corridors .
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Islamabad , Pakistan -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Four missing coal miners have `` very little chance '' for survival in a southwest Pakistan mine that collapsed after a methane gas explosion Sunday , a government official said . At least 48 of the 52 miners in the mine were confirmed dead , but just 28 of the bodies had been recovered by Monday evening , according to Sardar Aslam Bizenjo , the minister for irrigation in Balochistan province . `` There is very little chance of survival for remaining four , '' he said Monday . The mine in the Soringe area , 35 kilometers -LRB- about 22 miles -RRB- east of Quetta , caved in Sunday after the explosion .
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NEW : `` Little chance '' seen for four missing miners , an official says . NEW : 28 bodies have been recovered , official says . Methane gas explodes in a coal mine near Quetta in Pakistan .
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Jerusalem -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Four Palestinian militants were killed Tuesday evening in an Israeli airstrike in the Zeitoun neighborhood east of Gaza City , the latest in a series of attacks in recent days that have included two children among the fatalities , Hamas security sources and Palestinian medical officials said . Islamic Jihad said all four militants were field commanders for Islamic Jihad . An Israeli army spokeswoman said that an Israeli military aircraft fired toward the group after identifying a group of militants who were preparing to launch a rocket into Israel . In an earlier incident Tuesday , two adults and two children were killed in the Al-Shajaieh neighborhood east of Gaza City when shells from Israeli tanks hit a house there , the sources said . The children , 11-year-old Mohammed Jihad Al-Hilo and 16-year-old Yasser Ahed Al-Hilo , were playing soccer outside their house when the shells hit , the sources said . Yasser Hamed Al-Hilo , 50 , and Mohamad Saber Harara , 20 , were also killed , according to the sources . Eight others were wounded , three of them critically , they said . The Israel Defense Forces said the mortar attack was carried out in response to the launch from Gaza of four military-use projectiles into the Shaar Hanegev regional council area . `` It appears that uninvolved civilians were injured as a result , '' the IDF said . The incident was under investigation by the IDF . `` The IDF does not want an escalation of violence in the South , '' an IDF spokesman said . In a statement , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret over the deaths and injuries of Gaza civilians in Tuesday 's Israeli military action and said the strikes were carried out in response to Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens . `` It 's unfortunate that Hamas continues to intentionally rain down dozens of rockets on Israeli civilians using its own civilians as shields , '' he said . `` Israel has no intention of bringing about a deterioration of the situation , but at the same time the IDF will continue to act decisively to protect Israeli citizens . '' Hamas condemned the killings east of Gaza City . `` The massacre in Al-Shajaieh neighborhood is a war crime and the Israeli occupation bears full responsibility , '' it said in a statement . Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad also condemned what he called `` the Israeli aggression against the civilians '' and asked for international protection of civilians . He called the military shelling of residential neighborhoods a `` dangerous escalation that should be ended . '' Since Saturday , 10 Palestinians have been killed and at least 37 others wounded in a series of incidents in Gaza , Palestinian medical sources said . Also since Saturday , 61 mortars and rockets have been fired into southern Israel , the IDF said . CNN 's Michal Zippori , Kareem Khadder and Talal Abu Rahma contributed to this report .
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NEW : `` Israel has no intention of bringing about a deterioration of the situation , '' Netanyahu says . NEW : `` The massacre ... is a war crime , '' says Hamas . Four Palestinian militants were killed Tuesday evening . Israel says mortars and rockets have been fired from Gaza into southern Israel .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- IN FOCUS : Energy concerns . As protests continue in Libya , Europe 's biggest oil supplier , concerns over supply are rattling the energy markets . Libya is the third biggest oil producer in Africa and has the continent 's largest proven oil reserves . This week MME takes a look at how social unrest could impact the country 's oil economy . FACETIME : Talal Al Zain , CEO , Mumtalakat . Bahrain has had to cancel Formula One 's first scheduled race of the season due to ongoing protests in the country . The decision is a major blow to both Bahrain 's status and its economy . This week MME talks to the CEO of the country 's Sovereign Wealth Fund , Talal Al Zain and asked him about how current events are impacting business and investment . Watch the show this week at the times -LRB- GMT -RRB- below : . Friday : 0915 , 1745 Saturday : 0445 Sunday : 0615,1745 Mondays : 0145 . Follow the show on Facebook and Twitter .
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Libya is the third biggest oil producer in Africa . MME takes a look at how social unrest could impact the country 's oil economy . CEO of Bahrain 's Sovereign Wealth Fund tells how the protests are impacting business .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- World number one Caroline Wozniacki held off a late charge from home favorite Bethanie Mattek-Sands to reach the third round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami on Thursday . After cruising through the opening set , the Dane looked to heading for an easy win as she raced to a 5-3 lead in the second , but the flamboyant Mattek Sands produced a brief fight back before Wozniacki eventually closed out proceedings 6-2 7-5 . `` It was pretty tough because Beth just went for it , '' the 20-year-old , who received a bye through the first round of the Florida hard-court tournament , told the official WTA Tour website . `` You never know what to expect from her -- she goes for her shots . It 's difficult to get a rhythm . I just had to fight . '' French Open finalist Sam Stosur was in impressive form taking just 58 minutes to knock out Zheng Jie of China 6-2 6-1 . The world No. 4 wil nowl face 31st-ranked Lucie Safarova in the third round of the Premier level event , after the Czech recorded a straightforward 6-2 6-4 win over Switzerland 's Patty Schnyder . Two former world No. 1s Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Russia 's Maria Sharapova also had easy opening matches , as the pair claimed straight sets wins over Monica Niculescu and Petra Martic respectively . They were joined in the third round by fellow ex top-10 players Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia , who beat Simona Halep 6-0 6-4 and Slovakia 's Daniela Hantuchova , who posted a 6-1 6-3 victory over American Melanie Oudin . However , there were shock exits for three current top-20 players -- world No. 11 Shahar Peer lost to Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-2 6-2 , 13th-ranked Flavia Pennetta fell to Iveta Benesova 6-3 6-0 and Australian Open runner-up Li Na of China lost to Swedish youngster Johanna Larsson 7-5 6-7 7-6 . Meanwhile in the men 's first round draw , Japan 's Kei Nishikori put any concerns about the situation in his home country behind him as he beat France 's Jeremy Chardy in straight sets . After playing in a charity football match to raise money for victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami on Wednesday , the 21-year-old came through 7-6 6-2 to set up a second-round meeting with world No. 1 Rafael Nadal . `` I 'm really excited to play Rafa , '' he told the official ATP Tour website . `` I have to do something different in my game of course , more aggressive than usual . '' Czech Radek Stepanek booked a second-round clash with two-time champion Roger Federer , after the former top-10 player beat Italy 's Fabio Fognini 6-3 7-6 . Serbia 's Janko Tipsarevic progressed with a 6-4 7-6 win over Dutchman Robin Haase , while Spain 's Feliciano Lopez also made it through after battling past up-and-coming Lithuanian Richard Berankis 4-6 7-6 6-3 . There were also defeats for other emerging talent on the ATP Tour as 18-year Ryan Harrison lost to veteran German Rainer Schuettler 7-5 6-2 , fellow-teenager Grigor Dimitrov was beaten by Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-2 6-4 and American wild card Jack Sock lost to Argentine Carlos Berlocq 7-5 7-6 .
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Caroline Wozniacki makes third round in Miami after beating Bethanie Mattek-Sands . World No. 4 Sam Stosur progresses with straight sets win over China 's Zheng Jie . Former world No. 1s Jelena Jankovic and Maria Sharapova both record wins . Kei Nishikori and Radek Stepanek set up respective ties with Nadal and Federer .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel has started the 2011 Formula One season as he finished the last , claiming pole position in qualifying ahead of Sunday 's season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne . The Red Bull driver 's lap of one minute and 23.529 seconds was enough to keep him 0.778 seconds ahead of McLaren 's Lewis Hamilton , who will join him on the front row . Vettel 's Australian teammate Mark Webber finished third fastest in front of his home crowd , with Hamilton 's fellow McLaren driver Jenson Button in fourth position at Albert Park . Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso will start from fifth on the grid for Ferrari and Vitaly Petrov of Renault will also be on the third row after a lap of one minute 25.247 earned him sixth position . Will tires decide new Formula One season ? Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher 's qualifying woes from the 2010 campaign continued after he was eliminated at the end of the second round , which means the Mercedes driver will start from 11th position . Schumacher 's fellow German and teammate Nico Rosberg qualified in seventh ahead of Ferrari 's Felipe Massa in eighth , Kamui Kobayashi of Sauber in ninth and Toro Rosso 's Sebastien Buemi in 10th . Vettel recorded the fastest lap without using the newly re-introduced KERS technology , which stores energy created when breaking and converts it into an extra boost of speed . `` We did n't use it today and the reason for that will stay a secret ! '' the 23-year-old told Formula One 's official website . `` It was a very good day today and so far a very good weekend , and hopefully this will lead to our best Melbourne result ever . Formula One 2011 lowdown . `` The gap -LRB- between Hamilton 's time and Vettel 's time -RRB- is almost irrelevant . It could be one thousandth or one second . You only have those eight meters between you and the guy in second position , nothing more , nothing less . And in a long race eight meters may mean very little . '' It was a disastrous session for Spain-based team Hispania Racing , who saw both of their drivers fall foul of a rule which states any driver whose best lap is not within of 107 % of the fastest lap time in the first qualifying phase will not be allowed to take place in the race . As a result , India 's Narain Karthikeyan and Vitantonio Liuzzi of Italy will not line-up on the grid for Sunday 's race .
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Reigning champion Sebastian Vettel on pole ahead of season-opening Australian GP . The Red Bull driver is ahead of Lewis Hamilton in second , and Mark Webber in third . Jenson Button in fourth position , with Ferrari 's Fernando Alonso in sixth .
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-LRB- Mashable -RRB- -- Nearly 6,800 company-operated Starbucks stores in the U.S. will begin accepting mobile payments Wednesday . Customers using the Starbucks Card Mobile app on their iPhone , iPod touch or BlackBerry will now be able to use those devices as tender . The nationwide rollout marks the official launch of the Starbucks Card Mobile payment program , which has been piloted at Target stores and select San Francisco , Seattle and New York Starbucks locations . Starbucks Card Mobile lets users add their Starbucks Cards , track rewards and reload cards as needed via PayPal or credit card . To pay with their phone , app users simply select `` touch to pay '' and hold up the barcode on their mobile device screen to the 2-D scanner at the register . An Android application is also said to be in the works , but the company has yet to disclose a release date . Starbucks is using its own custom-built technology to enable the 2-D mobile barcode scans . The coffee retailer opted for barcode scanning over near field communication technology -- which Google is exploring -- because of its limited availability . The coffee retailer was reluctant to wait for a NFC ecosystem to develop when its customers have expressed interest in mobile payments now , according to Chuck Davidson , the category manager of innovation on the Starbucks Card team . `` Once there are more users , we will adapt , '' he says . In testing , Starbucks assessed the mobile payment option by measuring application speed , transaction speed and total customer wait time , says Brady Brewer , vice president of Starbucks Card and brand loyalty . In all instances , Starbucks Card Mobile was the fastest way for customers to pay . Starbucks is investing in mobile payments , an investment Davidson describes as modest in relation to expectations , because customers have requested the option and have shown a propensity to not only pay with Starbucks Cards -- one in five transactions are made using a Starbucks Card -- but frequently use their smartphones while waiting in line . The company also believes that its customers carry their mobile phones more often than a wallet or purse , and sees Starbucks Card Mobile and the mobile payment program as an opportunity to reach these consumers and build stronger relationships . Starbucks seems confident that its customers will appreciate the new , faster way to pay . Both Davidson and Brewer believe that adoption will spread as customers tell their friends about the new mobile payment option . © 2010 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
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Nearly 6,800 Starbucks stores in U.S. will begin accepting mobile payments . Customers can use Starbucks Card Mobile app on their iPhone , iPod touch or BlackBerry . App lets users track rewards and reload cards as needed via PayPal or credit card .
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Tripoli , Libya -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- As Moammar Gadhafi 's inner circle showed possible signs of cracking Friday , heavily armed forces loyal to the Libyan leader continued pounding cities that were once some of the country 's most prosperous places . Officials and analysts said the surge in firepower from the Libyan government sends a message : Gadhafi is determined to prevail , and defections of some of his high-profile allies are making him nervous . `` You 're certainly getting evidence that there are a lot of tensions . ... Each person that leaves , that makes it a little scarier for the people that are still remaining . And you may , at some point , get a tipping effect , '' said Anne-Marie Slaughter , a professor of international affairs at Princeton University . On Thursday word emerged that Gadhafi 's pick for U.N. ambassador had defected to Egypt -- a day after Libya 's foreign minister fled to London and told the government there that he had resigned . Citing unnamed British government sources , the Guardian newspaper reported Friday that a senior adviser to one of Gadhafi 's sons was in London for secret talks with British officials . The adviser to Saif al-Islam Gadhafi , Mohammed Ismael , told CNN earlier this week that he would be traveling to London for family reasons . Calls placed to his mobile phone by CNN on Friday were not answered . Asked about the Guardian report , a UK Foreign Office spokesman neither confirmed nor denied it . `` We are not going to provide running commentary on our contacts with Libyan officials , '' the spokesman said . `` In any contact that we do have , we make it clear that Gadhafi has to go . '' Rebel fighters also said they remained determined to topple Gadhafi 's nearly 42-year reign . But the battles over key cities are far from over . Rebels massed on the outskirts of the government-controlled oil town of al-Brega , which has changed hands six times in six weeks under dramatically shifting circumstances in the country 's civil war . Misrata , Libya 's third largest city and the final rebel stronghold in the western part of the country , was under siege by pro-Gadhafi forces . Badly damaged buildings lined streets covered with wreckage after weeks of urban combat . Witnesses said most residents fled the downtown area after government forces positioned snipers on tall buildings and used tanks and artillery in the city center . Clearly outgunned , opposition forces have pinned their hopes on more NATO airpower . `` We want to bring a speedy end to this , '' Col. Ahmed Omar Bani , an opposition spokesman , told CNN . `` A strike is not a strike unless it kills . '' U.S. officials claim Gadhafi 's military capabilities have been steadily eroded since the onset of U.N.-sanctioned airstrikes . But the dictator 's forces still outnumber rebels by about 10-to-1 in terms of armor and other ground forces , Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen told the House Armed Services Committee Thursday . U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates , also speaking before the House committee , warned that the Libyan rebels still need significant training and assistance . `` It 's pretty much a pickup ballgame '' right now , he said . U.S. and British officials say no decision has been made about whether to arm the opposition . Gates reiterated the Obama administration 's promise that no U.S. ground forces will be used in Libya , telling committee members that the rebels had indicated they did n't want such an intervention . But the United States does have CIA personnel on the ground . CIA operatives have been in Libya working with rebel leaders to try to reverse gains by loyalist forces , a U.S. intelligence source said . The United States , insisting it is now fulfilling more of a support role in the coalition , shifted in that direction as NATO took sole command of air operations in Libya . A U.S. intelligence source said the CIA is operating in the country to help increase U.S. `` military and political understanding '' of the situation . But officials leaving Libya may end up playing a more decisive role than troops or CIA agents on the ground . After defecting Wednesday , former Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa was voluntarily speaking with officials in the United Kingdom , British Foreign Secretary William Hague said . Hague said Koussa 's departure from Libya provides evidence `` that Gadhafi 's regime ... is fragmented , under pressure and crumbling from within . '' Koussa did not tell the Libyan government he was planning to quit before he arrived in Britain , Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said Thursday . But Ibrahim downplayed the defection itself , saying Koussa was an old man in poor health who had not been able to handle the pressure of his job . On Thursday an opposition leader and a relative said that the man Gadhafi tapped as the country 's U.N. envoy had defected to Egypt . Former Foreign Minister Ali Abdussalam Treki , who recently served as the president of the U.N. General Assembly , was to replace Abdurrahman Mohamed Shalgham as ambassador in New York . But he never arrived . Such defections are significant , but not as important as the departure of one of Gadhafi 's family members would be , according to Robert Baer , a former CIA operative in the Middle East . `` Crack that clan and he 's done . Those elite units will fall apart , the tribe will defect , and it will all be over , '' Baer told CNN 's AC360 . CNN 's Frederik Pleitgen , Ben Wedeman and Nic Robertson contributed to this report .
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Britain 's foreign secretary says Libya 's former foreign minister is speaking with officials . Report : A senior adviser to one of Gadhafi 's sons was in London for talks . The battles over key cities are far from over . U.S. military leaders officials say Libyan opposition forces are outgunned .
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-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- As record oil prices dominate the headlines , natural gas is an energy sector gaining more recognition . MME 's John Defterios -LRB- JD -RRB- talks with the CEO of Dolphin Energy , Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh -LRB- AS -RRB- about the importance of the natural gas sector , the impact of high oil prices , and increasing global energy demand . CEO of Dolphin Energy : `` it takes four to five years to bring any extra capacity on stream . '' Al Sayegh is head of the largest single energy initiative in the Middle East , linking the three Gulf states of Qatar , U.A.E. and Oman , and producing two billion cubic feet of gas a day , equivalent to 350,000 barrels of oil . John Defterios begins by asking him why his company spent seven years building a giant natural gas plant an pipeline in a region swimming with oil . -LRB- AS -RRB- : It was clear from the beginning , we needed to import gas and the Qataris wanted to export gas . So there was economic alignment . We respected that and they respected our needs , but political will , I believe , these three countries are very close politically and they needed to exercise this closeness and this project provided a fantastic opportunity for us to come together . -LRB- JD -RRB- : It 's fascinating . I do n't think people realize the scope of this field . The Qatari side of the North Field is 14 per cent of the world 's supply of natural gas . This has a long , long shelf life in terms of production , does it not ? -LRB- AS -RRB- : It has a very long life . Our transaction is for 25 years but it can go much longer than that . We hope we will be able to produce more from this field to fill our pipeline to its maximum capacity . -LRB- JD -RRB- : There is a lot of political pressure now , or calls from Washington and the European Union for OPEC to provide more oil , more energy to the global market . But what is the reality ? Is there is a capacity problem or is there not ? What is from your view the reality today ? -LRB- AS -RRB- : The reserves in the Middle East are there and the commitment from the governments in the Middle East to produce those reserves , existing production and extract production is there . The reality is , it takes four to five years to bring any extra capacity on stream . -LRB- JD -RRB- : But did everybody miscalculate the demand realistically from China and India on top of the demand from the existing OECD-countries ? -LRB- AS -RRB- : I think it was , nobody knew there is going to be this much growth , and yes , it was miscalculated . But now , I think , everyone is investing to bring extra capacity on stream . We are doing this in the U.A.E. , in Saudi Arabia , in Kuwait , in Iraq and I think the key issue is to keep producing in a sustainable manner without damaging our environment . -LRB- JD -RRB- : Are you surprised personally about and realistically about this oil price of $ 120 per barrel that we see today ? -LRB- AS -RRB- : I would be much richer if I would not be surprised by this level . I think the demand is real , the region itself is growing and of course you have to add what is happening in China and India . I think , people and economies have adjusted to a $ 100 oil very well and we are happy to continue to provide the capacity and the investment to meet our export requirements . Beyond that anything what I say would be speculation . -LRB- JD -RRB- : I see the tone in the Middle East is much more pragmatic . So there is not a rush to get all this capacity built to get oil to market . Is this a change of attitude that needs to be preserved for future generations now ? -LRB- AS -RRB- : Well , as I have mentioned to you , it must be sustainable . Hydrocarbons are a wealth of all these nations and they must produce them in a sustainable way . We are not reservoirs of oil . We are countries , people and with aspirations and futures . In that respect , I think , we are doing everything we can to bring this capacity on stream on time . And there is no reluctance to do this . The only real limiting factor , and you have been in this region , is the ability to build it , the ability to actually physically build it .
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Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh is head of the largest natural gas initiative in the Middle East . It produces two billion cubic feet of gas a day , equivalent to 350,000 barrels of oil . Qatar has 14 percent of the world 's natural gas supplies . Al Sayegh : `` the only limiting factor in this region is the ability to build it ''
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Editor 's note : In Subject Matters , we reveal the struggles faced by educators who teach subjects like science , math , English and history , and the solutions they 've found . In the last Subject Matters story , teachers discussed their concerns about science education . It 's the best of times and the worst of times for English teachers as they find themselves more accountable than ever for the academic success of their students , while balancing new technologies that change time-honored practices of reading and writing . Here are some of the modern challenges that language arts teachers face in their classrooms . Tests are top priority . The federal No Child Left Behind law , passed in 2001 , requires states to set standards and assess students ' skills as they reach certain grades . Since then , the U.S. Department of Education reports that English language arts and math are tested more than any other subject area . That means English teachers feel extra pressure to have their students perform well on tests , even as they set aside other education goals . Jeff MacCulloch , who teaches at Middle School 256 in New York City , said the pressure to achieve on tests has increased so much in the past 10 years that it influences how he shapes his lessons . Rather than spend an entire class period on in-depth study of one book , he now spends a portion of each class on skill development for test taking . `` We want the student to be able to switch on and off the right strategy for the right prompt . It can be effective for taking a test , '' MacCulloch said . `` But as far as the learning environment goes , it 's like training a musician to announce the chords he or she is playing . '' Not every English teacher has found success with that model , though . In Detroit 's suburbs , Hillside Middle School teacher Alissa Lowman has a different approach . `` We 've moved away from specifically teaching to the test , because if you teach the curriculum , you should be hitting what the test is asking the student , '' she said . Natalie Schlittenhardt , an eighth-grade teacher in Pima , Arizona , said results on the statewide tests are really a report card on whether students had a good day on the day they took the test . Everything she does , she said , comes down to three days of testing for which her school receives a grade . Robby Davis , a teacher at Lee County High School in Leesburg , Georgia , said it 's problematic to judge schools by students ' ability to meet minimal testing requirements . Under the No Child Left Behind law , underperforming schools are put on notice to improve or face reorganization . `` I do n't have a problem with teaching to the test , if the test is a good measure of what it said it 's going to measure , '' Davis said . Do n't forget to write -- and read , too . Because time spent reading at home varies from student to student , kids come into language arts classrooms with varying skills . That means teachers have to make accommodations for the best readers , the weak readers and , in some cases , those who are just learning to speak English . Davis , who teaches students in the 11th grade , said educators should n't limit reading requirements to books that students can relate to . Academic reading is done for a different purpose than leisurely reading , he said . `` I 'm unapologetic about what I ask them to read , '' he said . Lowman , from Michigan , teaches two novels per year in her middle school classroom , and she maintains a separate reading list to help students choose additional books . `` All students are reading different books at different times , '' she said . Through mini-lessons , she brings those books into the classroom discussion . For example , when they are studying active verbs , students will have to find examples in their individual books . `` It 's harder , time-wise , but in the end they are learning more , reading and writing more , '' Lowman said . Christina Gardner , of Millennium High School in New York City , has her students do writing workshops where they edit , provide feedback and revise the papers of their fellow students . Students learning English need more time to give feedback , and generally need to attend after-school writing sessions in order to catch up . `` It 's not necessarily the case that English as a Second Language students are not as good at doing this , '' Gardner said . `` In fact , they sometimes work even harder in order to compensate for a deficiency . '' But as teachers assign more writing , they set themselves up to spend more time grading papers and have less time to teach . Gardner recently took her students to see the musical `` The Scottsboro Boys '' and assigned students to write a review of the show , a monologue for one of the characters and a reflection on the process . With a class size of more than 50 students , that generated about 150 papers for Gardner to grade . Technology for good , and for bad . When Beverly Fanelli went to elementary school , encyclopedias were her main research tool . Now , students in her fifth-grade class in Macomb , Michigan , use the Internet for research . `` It 's just so wide open as to what 's available to them , '' she said . Then , there 's the whole video game component . When children read , Fanelli said , they take the words on the page and create pictures in their minds . But video games provide visuals with the story , so students do n't use their imagination . Just as everyday use of computers has increased , language arts learning has become more intertwined with technology . Students naturally turn to computers for research and writing in ways they would n't have a decade ago . Davis , from Georgia , said technology can be a distraction . While research has been redefined by the Internet , his emphasis continues to be on teaching his students to take that information and synthesize it with their own ideas . `` Many of us thought the digital revolution was going to expand students ' worlds because , theoretically , it could give them access to the globe , '' said Carol Jago , past president of the National Council of Teachers of English . Instead , she said , social networking sites like Facebook have contracted students ' worlds . `` They 're just telling people just like them that they had their nails done or that they drank a cappuccino , '' she said . In Clancy , Montana , Sandee Badger said she prefers to have her fifth-graders hand-write their assignments first . At that age , students are weak typists , and their creative flow is easily broken if they are hunting and pecking for letters on the keyboard , she said . While older students tend to have access to computers in classrooms or computer labs , often there are n't enough computers for each student , so they have to share . Gardner has access to a cart that contains 16 computers , but even if they all worked , there would n't be enough of them for classes of more than 30 kids . The shortage of computers makes it difficult for students to research and write during class , Gardner said . `` It 's hard to maintain a model of writing workshop and maintain the level of expectation for the student , '' she said .
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Many English teachers say testing drives how and what they teach . In higher grade levels , students ' reading levels vary dramatically . Technology can help with research , but using it too much can hurt students , teachers say . Computers can be more of a distraction if there are n't enough available .
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[[626, 650], [947, 1028], [7003, 7095]]
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